Today's been quite the day. We have been up since 545am, my oldest had got the stomach bug and my other 3 all have coughs, fevers and runny noses. We are in week 2 of the school year and its hitting HARD! 

So as a mommy, there is only so much I can do: snuggles/cuddles, love em, medicate, baths, cold/warm wash clothes, pedialyte/gatorade, fluid push, play as many movies as possible in a day, and then provide food of course.

This soup is a WINNER when it comes to everyone feeling crummy and don't get me wrong you can make this any time of the year, you don't need sick kids to make it. Its basically warm bowl of mommy's heart. Its delicious and I find myself drinking the broth out of the bowl when its close to done & then wanting more. 

Hoping your kids are feeling well but if they aren't. Cook this up, if anything it will make you feel better knowing your serving something healthy and from your heart. 

RECIPE: 

Ingredients: 

2 tbsp coconut oil 
1 onion, diced
3 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 tsp Thyme
Salt
Pepper 
3 bay leaves
48oz low sodium chicken broth
4 cups of water
3/4 cup uncooked orzo
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
1 tbsp butter
juice from 1 lemon
handful chopped parsley

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onion, carrots, celery and garlic. Saute for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. When onions become translucent, stir in thyme and cook for 1 min.

3. Add in salt, pepper and bay leaves with the chicken broth & water. 

4. After 3 minutes boiling, add in orzo. Halfway through cooking time as stated on your orzo package {usually a full 9 minutes}, add in shredded chicken.

5. Once orzo are cooked, stir in butter along with parsley. Squeeze lemon and stir in to mix. 

Its almost time ya'll! Summer has flown by as it usually does and we are about to swing into the school year full force. 

There is something about this year that has me wanting to super organized and prepared for all that is about to go down. We have 4 kids, 2 in school and 2 not in school and for whatever reason it is so hard for my oldest 2 to get it together on school mornings. So I plan to be much more organized this year because going from 0-100 at 6am before coffee even hits your lips just isn't gonna cut it. 

My husband works mornings with flying hot air balloons, so I usually have to venture these crazy mornings alone. Yes 1 vs. 4, doesn't seem fair does it? Well it isn't. Such is life. Luckily there are so many things you can do ahead of time to "lesson your load", so to speak. 

Before we start I am just gonna add this here, cause this might be the most important tip of all----->
ALWAYS PRE FILL THE COFFEE MAKER the night before school. Its just one less thing you have to do in the morning. I am a coffee before talkie kind of gal, if you know what I mean. 

GROCERY SHOPPING: 

This is a BIG ONE! I have created a few lists to help "lesson the load" but also give your kiddos some variety! If you always have everything on these lists in stock you can quickly create any breakfast or lunch in minutes & have happy bellies! Hope these help!

APPOINTMENTS: 

Get them made in the second or last month of summer. Don't wait until you have to take your kids out of school to get to them. Too much of a pain & they miss classroom time. {physicals, eyes, dentist, hair cuts}

CLOTHES: 

Also in the second to last month of summer but before you go gather those kids up and get them to help you clean out what they currently have. If your kids are like mine they probably grew out of almost everything they have. Luckily we have 4 BOYS so we move clothes to the kids room they now fit. Most of your shopping will probably be for your oldest after you have done the the clothes swap with all the kids.
-organize clothing drawers so everything is easy to find. Do this EVERY weekend. Kids are messy it will not stay organized.  

Stores: 
-you can do most of this online so you don't have to trek out into chaos but if you love to shop in stores, I would recommend Old Navy. Its my go to for everything usually. I shop for back to school there and family photos. If you look hard enough you can find killer deals and they have athletic and nicer clothes and something is always on sale. Sorry thats it, its the only store I use. 

DESIGNATED HOMEWORK AREA: 
-have them get excited about homework before they even get some. Allow them to organize their desk or homework area. You want a spot thats quiet, where they can focus but also a spot where you can keep an eye on them if they need help. 


First day of school:
-take the classic first day of school before the first day of school, they aren't going to grow 5 inches in a few days. Post on social media after you have dropped them off. Lesson your load ladies, lesson your load.

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CHECKLISTS: 

Our kids don't want to be nagged just as much as we don't want to nag them. I have found that making a checklist for them makes them feel independent and also teaches responsibility. It also eliminates the stress of me having to constantly remind them. We have all been the broken record. Am I right?  

​MEAL SWAP with other moms: ​

​Really hope this helps! If you have any other tip you would like me to share please feel free to fill out a "say hey" form.