Weekly Menu

Growing up, my mom always kept a menu posted that listed two weeks worth of meals.  It was a way to help her stay organized, and to help her make the grocery shopping list for our family.

So here I am with a family of my own - and like mother like daughter - I am trying to find ways to stay organized being a full time wife, mom to an almost toddler (gasp! a toddler?  Did that come out of my mouth?) and employee. 

I give you the Runnells Family weekly menu:

People that know me well will agree that this kind of thing is right up my alley.  I love being organized and having a plan - it keeps me sane!  It is very helpful in planning my grocery shopping, and I don't have to figure out what to make each night and if I have the right ingredients.  It has also helped me in trying out new recipes so we aren't always eating the same thing over and over.  And of course, it is subject to change :)

11 Months!!

Here we are - one month away from a year old!  I know I say this every month, but it still amazes me how fast this time has gone by.  I tell Corey all the time I want Wesley to stay my little baby forever - which is totally selfish - but I know he won't, and I really don't want that anyway - it just seems like it right now :)  But seriously, how can it have already been 11 months since he was born?  Just look at this mini Corey!!

Wesley stats:

• Head Circumference -18.75 in (80%)
• Weight - 22.6 lbs (50%)
• Length -30.5 in (80%)
• Clothes - 12 month tops, 18 month pants and sleepers.  Starting to wear Robeez (soft soled shoes) and socks - the only thing he can't take off!!
• Food - 3 8oz bottles per day, and 3 meals.  He eats all table foods, and we are trying to work with him on using a spoon - I'm pretty sure he just thinks its a toy though.  He has three teeth now!  He's had his two bottom teeth since 7 months, now one of his top teeth (finally) came in and the other one is trying to pop though as well. 
• Sleep - Sleeping though the night!!!  It has been such a blessing!!  Goes down around 8pm and sleeps until around 6:30am - most days we actually have to wake him up!  Definitely his momma's child :)
• Talents/interests - Clapping and doing the worm - its hysterical!  Climbing on everything - the coffee table and the hearth are his favorite, probably because they are just the right height for him to climb onto himself.  He is really close to walking - he can cruise around the furniture, but now he will take a couple of steps on his own (with encouragement), and then fall.  He's not confident in his steps without having something to hold onto just yet.  He is becoming more 'strong willed' (ummmm....throws fits) and will definitely let you know if he likes something or not.  He is full of energy, and loves to laugh and play.  Daddy is his favorite playmate :)

Son of mine, you are such a joy - daddy and I are so thankful God chose us.

New Breadmaker

 I received this breadmaker as a gift from my mother-in-law for my birthday about a month ago (thanks Sharon!) and have been anxious to try it out.  I have several friends who have one, and they love them so I decided I needed one as well - seems much easier than baking bread in the oven. 

So this week I broke out the instruction manual and prepared everything for my first go at breadmaking.  One of the things mentioned in the book is to measure EXACT measurements (which I'm not known for) so I made sure and set it all out before I began. 

The other 'rule' of breadmaking (according to the manual) is to add the ingredients in the order listed in the recipe - liquids first, then dry, and yeast last.

I put all the ingredients in the bread pan, and set the timer so that the bread would be ready when we got home from work!  How simple is that?

When I walked into the house after work, it smelled AMAZING!  I was excited to see how it turned out.

The bread was awesome, and went perfectly with the broccoli and potato soup I made for dinner.  I see lots more bread making in my future :)

Chantilly Lace

This past weekend Corey and I took an anniversary/get away with friends trip to Eureka Springs.  Eureka Springs is only about 45 miles away from Fayetteville, so its a great place to go to feel like you are 'getting away' without having to travel that far.  My only hesitation for the entire trip was that I was going to be away...overnight....from Wesley (gasp!!) for the first time ever.  Corey's mom and stepdad came up to stay with him while we were away for the night, so he was in good hands :)

Saturday around 1pm we headed out.  We made our way to Eureka along a very curvy road and arrived at our home for the night - the Chantilly Lace.  I don't think the pictures even do this place justice - the decor at these bed and breafast places is unique to say the least! 

After arriving and checking in, we went to the Basin Park Balcony restaurant to grab a late lunch.  Afterwards we the spent the rest of the afternoon walking around downtown - the 63rd Annual Folk Fest was going on that weekend, and it was perfect fall weather. 

We had dinner on Satruday night at Ermilios, which was amazing - one of the best Italian restaurants I've ever eaten at.

Sunday morning we grabbed some breakfast at a local restaurant called Mud Street Cafe, and headed home!  We saw this intresting guy walking back to the car:

And I'm happy to report that I survived my very first night away from Wesley, as did he :)

Runnells Est. 2006

Today marks 4 years that Corey and I have been married!  When I write that or even say it out loud, it seems like such a short amount of time - and it really is.  We (God willing) still have many, many happy years ahead of us.

November 4th, 2006 is definitely significant in our relationship - although as with most couples, that's not where our story begins.  We have traveled down a intertwining path since junior high school that has lead us to where we are today - friend and enemy, boyfirend and girlfriend, husband and wife, mom and dad.  So many moments and memories fill this precious time we've know each other - who knew back then we would be where we are today!

Looking back on all the titles we have held for each other through the years, none mean as much as 'one'.  We are one.  The strength of our relationship is indicative of the life we have built together, and will continue to lead in the years to come.  I love you could never be enough honey - you are my lobster.  Happy Anniversary!

Razorbacks and Halloween

This past weekend was the Homecoming game for U of A - we played Vanderbilt and won 49 to 14!  We spent Saturday tailgating with our freinds before the game, then went home to watch it on TV.  The weather was perfect, and we had so much fun just visiting and hanging out for the afternoon.  Wesley enjoyed it so much that he completely skipped one of his naps, but you would've never known - he was in a great mood!  He of course crashed as soon as we got in the car to go home :)

Sunday was Halloween, so the whole family dressed up!  Corey dressed up as a Cowboy, I was an old grandma in my robe and rollers, and Wesley was a monkey.  We were excited to get trick-or-treaters this year!  Where we lived in Bella Vista, we didn't get one trick-or-treater the 4 years we lived there so it was fun to get to pass out candy and see all the kiddos in their costumes.