Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

This is such a simple recipe that requires little effort since it's made in the slow cooker. Your whole family will love these sandwiches, and your house will smell amazing while the beef is cooking! 

I know I've said this before. But the past several weeks have reinforced something I've known for a while.

I can't do it all.

Or, really...

I can't put 110% of myself into all areas of my life all the time. It's impossible to be a superstar employee while also being an attentive wife... a nurturing mom... an involved member of our local community... and an engaged daughter/sister/auntie/friend who's completed dialed in.

At least, it's impossible for me. I've tried to put 110% into every area of my life... I've tried to be Everything for Everyone all at once. And I've crashed and burned. Operating like that isn't sustainable. I know this. But I'm finally okay with admitting that something's gotta give.

What's for Dinner: May 26 - June 1

Looking for dinner inspiration? Here's what I've planned for dinner at our house this week!

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So many folks have asked whether we had any fun plans for the long weekend. As much as I wanted to say we were jetting off to the beach until Monday, I couldn't. Because we don't have a beach weekend planned.

Actually, we don't have anything out of the ordinary planned. Stephen is away for work until early tomorrow morning (his plane lands after midnight)... and I didn't have the heart or energy to plan a trip away without him. Especially after spending more money than usual this week.

I made progress on my 40 Before 40 list and bought some new art for the house. Then we spent money at a fundraiser for the kids' school. Then I had to pay for some scheduled maintenance on the car... And, of course, I had to get the kids new shoes and some new clothes now that the warmer weather is here.

Our plans aren't the most exciting, but that's okay. My busy season at work isn't over yet, so I'm looking forward to having some quality time with the kids. We'll celebrate the unofficial start of summer with a batch of my mother's potato salad... and I've planned some other tasty meals, too.

Without further ado, here's what I've planned for dinner at our house over the next few days. And, please, take some time this weekend to honor those who've laid down their lives in service to our country.

What's for Dinner: May 19 - May 25

Looking for dinner inspiration? Here's what I've planned for dinner at our house this week!

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Every job has a busy season, right? I'm in the throes of one of our busy periods at work now. Sometimes I come home and think I'm being productive... When, really, I'm just sitting on the couch contemplating whether it's okay to go to sleep. I'm wiped out by the end of the day, and it takes every ounce of willpower I have left to make it through our evening routine.

This week has been especially tough. I found myself being short with the kids yesterday. Partly because neither one of them was listening to me. Partly because I needed more sleep.

Needless to say, we exchanged a lot of "I'm sorry" hugs and made lots of promises to try harder and be better today. With that in mind, I'm pushing myself to get back to sharing our menu plans. The week off last week was nice, but it's time to get back to it.

So, without further ado, here's what I've planned for dinner at our house this week.

40 Before 40

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There was a time when I put a lot of effort into the months and weeks before my birthday. Usually, because I wasn't just counting down to the day I'd turn one year older... But because I was also counting down to my annual trip to Boston to celebrate my birthday in my favorite city.

Unfortunately, those springtime trips to Boston ended after our sweet girl was born. And my birthdays turned into low-key affairs.

Today I turn 39 and I've already begun mentally preparing myself to welcome 40 in a year. I'm finally feeling settled in my career. We've started making our house feel like a home... So I've decided I can focus on myself a little bit more and concentrate on my personal well-being and growth. Because I still have so much more I want to do and I don't want the only thing I achieve in the next year to be turning 40.

Keeping that in mind, I've come up with my 40 Before 40 list -- 40 things I want to do before my next birthday. Using this list as my inspiration, I kept the items on my list to things I thought I had a reasonable chance of doing.