To Do List

***Today is Monday, Jan. 5 and I am happy to say that we were able to get done everything on our list last week. It feels so good to start a new year and begin school again with some chores accomplished.

This week is a bit out of the ordinary since my husband is off for the week. We were planning on taking the train to York for a day, but a little stomach bug has been making it through the family. As of today, only three of us including me have not had it in one way or another. Thankfully, it comes and then goes quickly. I'm still praying I don't get it. Because of the bug, I think we will be sticking closer to home for the break. We might just go for a walk at a park or something. I would also like to get out shopping.

Knowing we would be home and I would have hubby's extra hands during the break, I started a to do list of projects I want/needed done. It seems my days are so full there are things that slip through the cracks. Today we have been working hard and getting a few tasks accomplished. Once again it feels good to get things in order.

Here is my list: (I am sure we probably won't get it all done, but if we do that would be great too.)

*Clean out the garage
*Clean and organize the attic
*Hang a few pictures
*Put girls summer clothes back in bins up in the attic
*Box up old clothes to take to the Care Zone (a ministry of our church that takes people's things and gives them to people in need)
*Plan a New Year's party
*Clean out the cupboard under our stairs
*Mop the kitchen
*Wash sheets on Friday as we have friends coming on Saturday
*Sit down with hubby and go through goals and such for the new year

That is all I can think of right now. It feels good to just get it down on paper.

Thanksgiving Lapbook

I know it is almost Christmas, but I wanted to get this posted before I forget. For two weeks in November we worked on our second lapbook. This one was on Thanksgiving. Once again the kids had a blast making it. Some of the mini books they made were: comparing and contrasting our thanksgiving dinner with the one the Pilgrims and Indian's shared, definition of separatists, spelling words all relating to the first Thanksgiving, a map of the Pilgrim's journey, a picture of the Mayflower, who, what, when, where and why, and verses on being thankful. The kids were very proud of their hard work and loved showing it off.


They also enjoyed a party the day after Thanksgiving with some English friends. They shared their lapbook, read a story about Thanksgiving, made pilgrim and Indian hats, played a game and ate pumpkin cookies. All the kids had a great time. It was fun to share some of our culture and traditions.

Christmas Devotions

A couple years back the pastor at our previous church shared a Christmas tradition they did with their boys every year. It is a simple family devotion that starts on December 1 and goes up until Christmas. We tried it that first year and our kids loved it. It has become a tradition we all look forward to. I thought I would share it, because it is simple and we all love it so much.

The first thing we do is gather everyone together in our living room. We turn out all the lights, except the Christmas tree, and light a pillar candle. We put the candle on our ottoman. Next we sing a couple of Christmas carols with the kids. It usually ends up being one kid one, one traditional carol and more often than not, Jingle Bells. I think that is the kids favorite. Next we read a couple verses from the Christmas story found in different parts of the Bible (I'll post the list at the bottom). Then someone closes us in prayer. We take turns so everyone gets a turn. Everyone then gathers around the candle and holds hands. We count one-two-three and the kids all blow the candle out together. Finally, the kids run to their stockings to find their candy, which mom or dad has sneaked in earlier. It is usually just one little piece like a Hershey kiss, mint, or even an M&M. Of course, we don't want them all hopped up on sugar right before bed. This is a part of celebrating Christmas we all look forward to each year.

Here is the Scripture list.
Dec. 1 - Isaiah 7:14
Dec.2 - Isaiah 9:6-7
Dec.3 - Micah 5:2
Dec.4 - Luke 1:26-28
Dec.5 - Luke 1:29-30
Dec.6 - Luke 1: 31-33
Dec.7 - Luke 1:34-35, 37
Dec.8 - Luke 1:38
Dec.9 - Matthew 1:18-21
Dec.10 - Matthew 1:22-23
Dec.11 - Matthew 1:24-25
Dec.12 - Luke 2:1-5
Dec.13 - Luke 2:6-7
Dec.14 - Luke 2:8-9
Dec.15 - Luke 2:10-12
Dec.16 - Luke 2:13-15
Dec.17 - Luke 2:16-18
Dec.18 - Luke 2:19-20
Dec.19 - Matthew 2:1-2
Dec.20 - Matthew 2:3-6
Dec.21 - Matthew 2:7-9
Dec.22 - Matthew 2:10-12
Dec.23 - Luke 19:10
Dec.24 - John 10:10
Dec.25 - John 3:16

Plans for the Week

I really need to come up with a meal plan for this week as I need to head to the store this afternoon. I figured since I needed to do it, it would be fun to share it.

Monday - Turkey Poppy seed casserole (with leftover Thanksgiving turkey), corn, salad and bread
Tuesday - Chicken Enchiladas in the crockpot
Wednesday - Pork Chop with rice
Thursday - Belgium Waffles and scrambled eggs
Friday - Homemade Pesto Pizza
Saturday - "Date Night" for mom and dad (it's been four months, so we are looking forward to it) The kids will have chicken nuggets or mac-n-cheese


Boy, I feel so good once I get it all written down.

Other plans I have for the week include wrapping Christmas gifts with hubby tonight to get them in the mail for America by the end of the week, ordering a few gifts online, finding a picture for our Christmas cards, start getting Christmas decorations out, find all our Christmas books and watch a friends little boy on Thursday. I am such a list person. I love to write it all down and I especially love to cross it off.