Freezer Cooking

So after spending countless nights discussing while pregnant that I would be a "stay at home" mom, I've decided to go back to work. It sounds crazy and I know millions would die to stay at home but I'm only going back part time and this job opportunity has fallen into my lap 4 times in two years and I couldn't sleep any more feeling like it was a sign. The job doesn't start until July but until then I have been working for a company on call to kind of get my feet wet going back to work after 6 months of being off work! The problem with on call here and there is I never know what to expect and its making dinner turn into last minute fast food pick ups and Bryan and I really hate fast food compared to a home cooked meal, so I decided to finally give the whole "Freezer Cooking Craze" a try. It sounds easy enough to just prepare a bunch of meals at once and then the day of just throw it in the crock pot and maybe it is that easy....

just maybe not the first time.....


So the 3 things I learned from my first go is the first time you do it you are going to spend a lot of money to get started unless your "Top Chef Status" and have about a billion different spices and cooking ingredients on hand. The second is no matter how organized you are, you are going to forget something and the last is expect some trial and error.

This doesn't mean the concept isn't still pretty fabulous! I took 6 recipes (5 from onceamonth.com and 1 of my own favorites and made them all twice to get started) This totaled 12 dinners but seriously some of these recipes are enough for 6 people and even as much as Bryan eats we cant eat all of that in one night so I would dare to say each bag averages 2 dinners in them based on left overs in our case.

I tried to write everything down and every ingredient that I needed. I went to big lots and a new bargain store in town to find/buy some things at better prices than going to Walmart since I was going to need a lot of things that we don't carry in our pantry normally. I'd say I saved around $20 by doing that! It took me about two hours to make all 12 but I also stopped ALOT to attend to baby and stopped for 30 minutes to feed and bathe him I d say I could definitely do it again in an hour especially now that I kind of know the recipes. Also keep in mind I chose very easy ones that required no cooking or extensive prep.

I also forgot to buy ginger so for 4 of the bags I will have to add it when I dump it into the crockpot but hey next time Ill know better!

All in all I spent a lot this time around but I think each meal averaged around $5-6, next time not having to buy a lot of ingredients they will probably average around $4-5 which is a lot cheaper than take out and a lot yummier!

Here they are in all their glory

Honey Teriyaki Chicken, Lemon Pepper Chicken, Beef &Broccoli, Apricot Manderin Pork Roast, Bbq Chicken and Brown Sugar and Maple Pork Chops!

They all look and smell delish! and most of these recipes were gluten, dairy free or paleo. This was not on purpose necessarily  just picked things that looked quick and delish! This website is seriously amazing though they have everything!

A New Year

A New Year, A New You.

Common but true. I do feel new. I can remember distinctly last year on New Years I prayed for a healthy little addition to our family and we certainly got that! Liam is really everything for Bryan and I. At the end of the day we are exhausted, drained and I never think we realized just how hard it would be to fit a baby into our lives but we wouldn't have it any other way! Bryan and I had our hearts broken in the worst way imaginable and little by little those little coos and ahhs have helped mended our aches in a way we didn't think was possible. It doesn't change the fact that sometimes out of no where I nearly fall over in tears and heartache that there really should be TWO little boys tugging on my hair driving me crazy and likewise their should really be TWO little laughs I hear on the baby monitor when I wake up. Every day is a devastation but its also beautiful and that's what I'd really like to focus on this year is the beauty of our sweet boy Liam. I fear I have not lived up to being as god a mom as I could be from depression over the loss of Chase, I didn't think I still had it but realized the last few weeks of this year that I have let it affect me in the worst of ways by affecting my ability to be the best mother I can. I LOVE LIAM to DEATH but I felt disconnected from being a mom, the best mom and I really want to focus this year on really moving on from the dark barrier there. I have a feeling Liam is going to grow up to be the best little boy I could ever want and likewise he deserves the best mom ever!


We celebrated New Years with some of Bryans Family in Washington and in Canada. Mine and Liams first time but not Bry's. The whole trip was mine and my sister in law Jenn's gift to the boys! They are the best of friends first and brothers second if that makes sense. It was the best surprise ever! Liam did perfect on his first plane ride! I prayed I wouldn't be "that" mom with the screaming baby on a 2 hour flight and thank goodness he did me proud! We had so much fun and it was a great way to bring in the New Year!

Mister Liam is 5 months his most favorite thing in the whole world (besides me of course) is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! His all time favorite episode is Road Rally he will watch for hours! I am NOT a fan of letting the tv babysit but he genuinely enjoys it so much sometimes its hard to say no I just try and limit it to no more than twice a day! His favorite food is peaches! He seriously loves them so much I think he is going to start naturally smelling like peaches! His first word is "Hi!" It is so shocking when he says it because were used to baby babble and he says it clear as day! He is ticklish under his armpits and on his knees but he has a poker face like none other and unfortunately tries very hard to not laugh which is awful because he has the cutest laugh in the world (mommy bias).

Welp that's my crappy almost a month later post and that's about the best your going to get for now : D