Little Stair Steppers

I'm Back!

2010-01-11T16:35:00.005Z

Okay, I am going to try at this once again. The last few months have been crazy. We have moved our family back across the pond, back to the US. It has been quite the transition with more transition happening soon as baby #7 is due in two weeks. The older kids also started school last week. This is a new experience for us as we have home schooled from the beginning. The kids are doing well and we are trying to get back into some sort of routine.

I planned our meals last week, but didn't share. But, I thought I would this week. I have to admit, planning meals and cooking right now (being 9 months pregnant) isn't very appealing. Food for the most part doesn't even sound good to me. I eat because I have to. Well, on to the menu.

Monday - Chicken Tortilla Soup

Tuesday - Tater Tot Casserole (we have't had this in years, since they don't have Tater Tots in England) We'll see if the kids still like it.

Wednesday - Grilled Cheese and Tomato soup (mom gets to go out with friends :)

Thursday - Meatloaf, baked potatoes and veg

Friday - Homemade pizza

Saturday - Out

Sunday - Tuna melts and nachos

Meals for the Week

2009-09-01T16:31:00.003+01:00

I went on a mission last week. I searched our fridge, freezer and cupboards to see what foods we have to eat up before we move back to the US at the end of October. I ended up with a page full of meals. This should make meal planning easier for the next two months. I will only need to buy a few ingredients to make the meals complete. With that said, here is this weeks menu.

Monday - Grilled chicken breast, coleslaw, pasta salad, and bread
Tuesday - Meatballs, mashed potatoes, corn casserole
Wednesday - Chicken strips and mac -n- cheese
Thursday - Chili and corn bread
Friday - BBQ chicken, potato wedges, salad
Saturday - take-out
Sunday - Nachos

Meals for the Week

2009-08-25T15:37:00.003+01:00

It has been a couple of weeks, since I have planned our menu. My sister and mom we in town visiting and we were on the go quite a bit. I did cook meals though, just didn't have time to blog them. We had a great time with them and were sad to see them go bright and early at 4:30 a.m. this morning. We are looking forward to seeing, at least my mom, in four weeks when we are in Illinois.

Now that they are gone, I am making lists and trying to get our house back in some sort of routine. One of the first things to do is plan our meals. So here goes...

Monday - Chicken Enchiladas, corn and salad
Tuesday - Omlets, toast and cantelope
Wednesday - Tacos and applesauce
Thursday - Chicken stovetop casserole, veg and bread
Friday - Homemade pizza
Saturday - Spaghetti, salad and garlic bread
Sunday - I think we will be gone to Stonehendge and Bath

There now I have one thing to check off my list. Just in time to add another 3! Ha!

My New Favorite Lunch

2009-08-11T10:19:00.006+01:00

We were at friends' house last Friday. The kids had sandwiches for lunch, but my friend made wraps for us. They were delicious. On Friday, our wraps consisted of ham, shredded cheese, lettuce and coleslaw. My friend put Thai sweet chili on hers but I wasn't sure. I tried them at home yesterday. Yesterday, when I made one I put turkey, ham, shredded cheese, lettuce, coleslaw and I tried the Thai sweet chili. It was so delicious. I think I could eat one everyday. I am glad to actually find something that sounds good, since so far in this pregnancy nothing sounds good. I think I may even make them for us for lunch today. YUM!

Simple Woman Daybook

2009-08-10T11:56:00.005+01:00

For Today (August 10, 2009)...

Outside my window... it is cloudy and trying to decide whether to rain or not. The perfect lazy summer day.

I am thinking... I really should get lunch started and get the kids out from in front of the TV.

From the learning rooms... nothing much as we are on summer holiday. I do need to get some organizing done.

I am thankful for... a lovely time yesterday with great friends at our small group picnic.

From the kitchen... taco meat smells as I cooked it for our taco salad tonight.

I am wearing... my favorite, comfy denim capris, a teal t-shirt and black flip flops.

I am reading... nothing steady right now. I really need to get into my Bible though.

I am hoping... for a great time, with everyone healthy, when my mom and sister come on Friday.

I am creating... space in my house as I clean things out once again.

I am hearing... the tv in the other room, baby chatter from my 1 1/2 yo, and the sound of colored pencils as someone is drawing in the learning room.

Around the house... sheets to change, cupboards to wash, floor to scrub, curriculum to order, gifts to buy, groceries to order, picnics to have and parks to visit. This pretty much sums up our week.

One of my favorite things... hearing the giggles that come from my two daughters as they play together. They are absolutely two peas in a pod and play so well together.

A few plans for the rest of the week... preparing for company and spending time with friends.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Big sister helping little brother over a log.

Visit Peggy's for more Simple Woman's Daybooks.

Meals for the Week

2009-08-10T09:07:00.003+01:00

We have been thoroughly been enjoying our summer break. We have been on the go, seeing friends, having picnics and visiting parks. We've all had a blast. I have found that I need to keep the kids busy or they get bored and into trouble. With our busy schedule in mind, I have been trying to do meals that don't require too much work.

Monday - Taco salad and applesauce
Tuesday - Chicken and rice casserole
Wednesday - Hamburgers, coleslaw, chips
Thursday - Grilled Cheese and tomato soup
Friday - Out to Pizza Express in Stamford. We'll be showing Laura around after dinner.
Saturday - We'll be gone for the day so we will probably grad something out.
Sunday - Picnic foods

This week we are also getting ready for my mom and sister to come and visit. They arrive on Friday and we are all extremely excited.

Meals for the Week

2009-08-03T10:38:00.003+01:00

Monday - Poppy Seed Chicken, corn and bread
Tuesday - Meatballs, baby new potatoes, salad
Wednesday - Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread
Thursday - Frozen pizza, fruit
Friday - Taco salad and applesauce
Saturday - gone for the day to MK to Costco to get more Scottish beef, we are completely out as you can see from the lack of beef from this weeks menu. The meatballs and the taco meat are already made up and in the freezer.
Sunday - Sandwiches and chips

Meals for the Week

2009-07-27T14:01:00.005+01:00

We are working on saving money and for us one thing that means is less eating out. Since we have lived in England, we do eat out a lot less. We still want to cut back some. I am proud that last week we went the whole week without eating out. Saturday, we headed out to a local shopping mall and I packed us a picnic lunch to take with us. It was great since as soon as I get out somewhere I get hungry. I think we only spent about 15 pounds that afternoon and it wasn't on food. It was great. Steve and I did go out on Saturday night though. It has been weeks since we have been out together. We enjoyed a nice dinner at Coco's (a mexican restaurant) in P'boro.

So, in our efforts to save money and eat out less, here is this weeks menu.

Monday - Grilled Apple Pork burgers, potatoes on the grill, veg
Tuesday - Pesto Chicken Penne, fresh bread, salad
Wednesday - Baked Potato Bar, salad
Thursday - Stovetop casserole, corn
Friday - Grilled pork chops, bread, coleslaw
Saturday - Hopefully, we will be in London for the day (that is if everyone is healthy).
Sunday - Tuna melts with chips and salsa

Pregnancy and Food

2009-07-23T15:57:00.006+01:00

I know I mentioned this in my last blog a little, but I wanted to explain myself a little. For the last 7-8 weeks, food and I have had a love hate relationship. The hate part comes when I need to eat (or be sick) and nothing sounds good. I search the house over for something to take away my nausea and head ache, but usually I find nothing that would be beneficial to my body or to the baby's.

Which brings me to my next point. I have always had a sweet tooth, especially loving anything chocolate. In the past, I would have had to have a sweet snack in the afternoon and again after dinner or before bed. About 10-12 months ago, I really started working hard to eat a bit more healthy. I cut out my afternoon snack of cookies or candy. If I was hungry, I would eat a banana, orange or some nuts. I would only eat sugary foods after dinner or before bed. I even tried to do it right after dinner as I have read it is healthier to stop eating a couple hours before bed. I was doing really well and I was proud of myself. I didn't even crave sweets as much. When I became pregnant this time, I was relieved and happy that I had already gotten myself into the habit of snacking less and choosing more healthy options. Well, let me say that is all out the window. I crave sugary food all the time now that I am pregnant, especially after meals and in the afternoon. I can't resist. Why is it that at the time when I should be eating things healthy for me and baby, I can't? AHHH! It is so frustrating.

So, if anyone has any ideas of healthy snacks I could try or ideas on snacking while pregnant, please leave me a comment.

Weekly Meals

2009-07-21T08:39:00.003+01:00

This weekend started off great, on Friday a friend of mine called to say she was making her delicious Lentil Curry. She was wondering if I would like her to save me some. I was so pumped. Her curry is a yummy vegetarian curry packed with vegetables like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, potatoes, and peas. I usually don't like vegetables at all and hardly eat them. That is why I was surprised when I first tried her curry and loved it. I crave it. I have begged her for the recipe and will continue to beg until she gives it to me. She says it is so easy. I just need the base of how much of what and I will be happy. I so want to have this recipe. I picked up the curry on Friday night and we ate it on Saturday night. There was enough leftover that we also had it last night as well. I am so thankful for friends that think of me. I just hope I am as good of friend to everyone around me.

It is so funny how my life revolves around food now that I am pregnant. This is another blog in itself. Maybe I'll get to it later this week :) Here is what we will be eating this week. This along with chocolate chip cookies I plan to make this morning. Yep, another craving!

Monday - Lentil Curry, salad (pizza for the kids who don't eat curry)
Tuesday - Poppy Seed Chicken, corn, bread, salad
Wednesday - Tacos and applesauce, lemon bars for dessert
Thursday - Grilled cheese and Tomato soup
Friday - Frozen pizza
Saturday - Grilled chicken, potatoes, bread and salad
Sunday - Nachos

Number 7!

2009-07-17T11:23:00.001+01:00

If you haven't already heard or seen the image on our sidebar, we are expecting baby #7 in mid January. We are thrilled at having a new little one join our family. The new one and our next youngest will have the largest gap in age that we have ever had. He will just be two when the new one arrives. The kids are excited as well. It just amazes us how welcoming they are to having more siblings. You would think selfishness would kick in, but not with them. They think the more the merrier. The kids are having a fight on what the baby will be. The girls want a girl and the boys want a boy. Our dd4 is sure it is a girl and will argue her case to anyone who says otherwise or argues with her. It is pretty funny. We will find out (probably) what we are having at the beginning of September.

If you have just found out, please don't feel like you are the last to know. We just started telling people last week. I thought I would put the baby ticker up on the sidebar for a week to see who noticed. Then I would post this this week. This is a picture from our 12 week sonogram we had last week.

Weekly Menu

2009-07-14T15:09:00.002+01:00

We are working on our last week of school this week. We are all ready for a little break. Also, this week I am trying to catch up from being gone on Monday. I plan to order my groceries this afternoon and have them delivered tomorrow. I hope they have slot, because I don't know when I will have time to go to the store otherwise. Here is what we will be eating this week.

Monday - Out, we were on our way home from Legoland
Tuesday - Meatballs, mashed pototoes, peas, and bread
Wednesday - Fajhitas, Mexican rice
Thursday - homemade pizza regular and pesto tomato
Friday - Grilled pork chops, corn, salad
Saturday - Apple pork burgers, potatoes on the grill, salad
Sunday - Nachos

Potty Training in Our House

2009-07-11T14:30:00.001+01:00

A friend of mine asked me to write tips I have on potty training. I have been thinking about it and pulling ideas together in my head. At first I thought, I don't have any advice because it doesn't always happen when or how I would like it to. I have learned a few things about potty training though and I do have five who are potty trained. So, we've done something right.

Facts I have learned about potty training:
1. Girls train earlier than boys, sometimes as much as a year earlier in our case. Girls seem to care more about this sort of thing. They want to be grown up. Little boys are too busy playing to care or notice they have to go. Plus they really don't care much if they pee themselves. The girls don't like it so much.

My oldest daughter trained at just before 2 1/2. My middle son was torture to train and he didn't do it until he was 3 1/2.

2. They get it and it clicks when THEY are ready, not when when I am ready. Unfortunately, even after training lots, I forget this and try to pressure them to train. I so wish they would do it on demand and it would only take a week, but that has not been the way it has happened in our family. Each child is totally different, just as they are in everything and have trained differently. My most recent, youngest daughter, didn't even know what to do on the potty. She would sit on it all the time and say she peed. But, she didn't do anything. I left her be and didn't pressure her anymore and then a few months later I walked into the bathroom upstairs to find her pooping on the potty. From that point on, she figured it out and she did it. I loved it with her, because I always have found it easier to train for pee. This time, she was trained the other first.

3. Just as with any other tool for parenting, you will finds various opinions on how and when to potty train. Please remember that you are the parent. You know your child and your circumstances best. Don't feel pressured from others, do what it the best thing for your family.

Tips:
1. Buy lots of extra underwear, even old ones from garage sales or save hand-me-downs. Often one would poop in their underwear and it would gross me out so much (mostly I would have been pregnant) that I couldn't get myself to clean them out. I definitely wasn't about to slosh my hands around in the toilet to clean them. If I had old ones, I didn't feel bad about just throwing the they yucky ones in the garbage. This took a lot of pressure off me and has been so worth it.

2. BE PATIENT - they will get it eventually. Maybe not in your timing, but they will.

3. If it leads to stress on you and them - STOP! Try again in a few weeks or months. Sometimes, they just pick it up on their own without any pressure, like my daughter.

4. Don't feel pressured to have your kids potty trained by a certain age, because they are all different.

Hopefully, this has been helpful to someone. If you have a tip on potty training, leave a comment.

Weekly Menu

2009-07-06T11:43:00.004+01:00

Okay, I'm trying to get back on track with meals this week. We had a great time with my hubby's mom and brother. We are looking forward to getting back into our normal routine this week. This goes for meals as well. We stopped at the grocery store after church yesterday and I made my menu as I shopped. I was hungry when I was shopping and as a result I bought a lot of easy to prepare food that looked good. I think it will be a bit easier getting back to cooking by doing some easy things.

Monday - Chicken breast sandwiches, coleslaw, oven baked potatoes
Tuesday - Tortellini, garlic bread, salad
Wednesday - Poppy Seed Chicken, corn and fruit
Thursday - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Friday - Pizza delivery
Saturday - Something BBQ'd
Sunday - we may be gone, but if we are here we'll to Tuna Melts and chips with salsa

It feels so good to get the week sorted. We are also finishing up school in the next two weeks and we all look forward to a six week break.

Weekly Menu and Other Happenings

2009-06-15T15:43:00.004+01:00

We are all enjoying a couple weeks off school since Grandma S and Uncle Mark will be arriving on Wednesday. The first few days this week we are working on a little house cleaning and laundry. The bad news is today it has taken five hours for my washing machine to wash one load and it still never spun. I am very scared. My washing machine is one thing I don't know how I will live without. I have about three more loads sitting in the laundry room waiting to be washed and tomorrow is my big laundry day when I wash all the kids clothes. It will be something like 6-7 loads. I hope my hubby is able to figure it out tonight and do something about it. The kids will seriously not have anything to wear. They are already down to their jeans with holes in them and are sleeping in there swimming shorts.

On the school side of things, the kids have been talking about sharks lately and we decided to do a shark lapbook. So, I guess you can say we are doing school this week, just don't tell the kids.

Well, mom is looking forward to dinner out with girlfriends tonight. It has been a long time overdue. We are heading to Coco's a Mexican restaurant we recently found in town. Yum! This is what the rest will be eating and what we will be eating for the rest of the week.

Monday - Baked potato bar (with bacon, broccoli, cheese, sour cream, ranch) and bread
Tuesday - Chicken with cream sauce in the crockpot, noodles, and bread
Wednesday - Lasagna, caesar salad, garlic bread
Thursday - Chicken Fajhitas, mexican rice
Friday - Pizza (either homemade or delivery)
Saturday - Grilling something out if we are home
Sunday - Father's day, not sure yet?

Weekly Menu

2009-06-08T15:53:00.005+01:00

I am still trying to get back into the swing of life at home after my daughter's surgery and stay at the hospital last week. If I can think of enough meals, I may even post next weeks menu just to make my life easier. Next week, we also have Grandma S. and uncle Mark coming to visit. We are all looking forward to company and some special time with family.

Monday - Taco Soup, corn bread
Tuesday - Chicken BBQ's, salad, potato wedges
Wednesday - Spaghetti with homemade sauce, caesar salad, garlic bread
Thursday - Chicken strips, mashed potatoes and salad
Friday - Baked Potato Bar
Saturday - Small Group BBQ here, lots of hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken legs
Sunday - Tuna Melts and chips

Next weeks menu will have to come in a few days.

Being Intentional

2009-06-05T11:46:00.002+01:00

These words are coming out of my mouth lately. I feel something inside me whispering, "live life intentionally." My advice to others has been that we need to be intentional. As I think about my life, I see how often times I can be lazy. I let one day pass into the next without even thinking about it. My goal is to not let life slip by without me even noticing, growing or changing. Following are areas where I am going to work on being intentional and goals for myself.

1. In my relationship with God
I will get up ten minutes earlier to get ready and then have time to pray and ready my Bible. I know by doing this, it will put my focus in the right place for the day. Another idea just popped into my head. I will write down one meaningful verse I read that day on a note card and meditate on it through the day. I struggle so much with doing this in the morning and often times, when I do take that time to spend with God, I have a horrible day. I have to remember that Satan is trying to distract me and make me think I don't need this time with God. I do know that spending time with the Lord is more important than how I feel that day. It is about spending time with the ONE I love most and building a relationship with him. Building relationships take time and sacrifice and I need to be intentional to make it happen.

2. In my relationship with my children
The other day I was out walking with my kids. We were headed to the post office and then back home again. I had my goal of getting there and back again in the front of my mind. As we were walking along, Anna stopped and was smelling some flowers off the side of the sidewalk. After a second, I was about to call her to come, but I stopped. I don't want my children rush through life just to get the next task accomplished and I don't want that for myself either. Sometimes, I need to just intentionally stop and smell the flowers with my kids and agree that they do smell, "nummy."

3. In my relationship with my friends
I have a big family and it takes quite a bit of work to keep our household running and that's a fact. I do have time, though, to keep in touch with my friends. I so often get caught up in our routine that I neglect getting together with friends or even calling them. My life has been blessed with some great friends who have greatly enriched my life. The same as with my relationship with God, my relationship with my friends won't grow if I'm not intentional about spending time with them. I need to be intentional about setting dates for play dates, girls night outs, family dinners, BBQ's, etc.

Life passes too quickly for me to just live my life to do my own thing each day. I want my life to be pleasing to God. By being intentional in these three areas, I am living out Christ's greatest commandment...Loving God and loving others.

Colossians 3: 23
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will recieve an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord you are serving."

Meals for the Week

2009-06-01T15:50:00.004+01:00

This week, I have come up with a menu for the first part of the week, but I plan on winging it the end of the week due to Anna's surgery to take her tonsils out on Wednesday. After we get home from the hospital on Thursday, we probably won't feel like doing much, other than lying around. We will probably order pizza or something.

Monday - Taco salad and applesauce
Tuesday - Homemade chicken strips, mashed potatoes, veg and salad
Wednesday - Made ahead Poppy Seed Chicken for Glenda and the kids
Thursday - Take out (and Jello for Anna and the kids)
Friday - ?
Saturday - something grilled
Sunday - Nachos

Menu a Few Days Late

2009-05-27T15:30:00.004+01:00

Sorry, mom, for not getting last weeks menu up and for not doing one this week yet. Last week, I just winged it. I have had one from Friday on, but haven't had a chance to post it.

Monday - "out" we went to Pizza Express after a day of bike riding
Tuesday - Chicken Stovetop casserole, corn, salad and fruit
Wednesday- "out" to McDonalds for Tristan's birthday, his pick
Thursday - Sloppy joes, chips, salad
Friday - Spaghetti with homemade sauce, garlic bread, salad
Saturday - BBQ something
Sunday - Nachos

There you have it. Yes, mom, I am still feeding the kids! :) My tummy is growling now after writing about food. I think I need a snack, maybe a banana.

Meals for the Week

2009-05-11T14:37:00.004+01:00

I am home once again and ready to get back into our routine. It's hard to get going though. I think we may eat out tonight and run to the store after dinner, since I need some groceries to make the meals. Plus, it would be an easier way to get used to being a mom again.

Monday - Out
Tuesday - Meatballs, mashed potatoes, veg and bread
Wednesday - Pesto Chicken Pasta, salad and bread
Thursday - Taco Salad and fruit
Friday - Hamburgers on the grill
Saturday - Tortilla Chicken Soup
Sunday - Nachos

Meals for the Week

2009-05-04T11:33:00.003+01:00

Today is a Bank Holiday in the UK. It is great to have these holidays throughout the year. We love having daddy home. It will be a short week this week too, especially for me. On Thursday, I head up to Northern Ireland with Glenda and Holli. I am so looking forward to a girls weekend. It will be a blast. I look forward to being there with Glenda and her showing us around. BTW, Glenda is from N.I.

As for our meals, I think I will try to make a couple to put in the frig for Steve just to make the weekend a bit easier for him.

Monday - Bank Holiday, ? probably eat something out
Tuesday - Fajitas, Mexican rice
Wednesday - Italian beefs, chips and salad
Thursday - Spaghetti casserole, veg and garlic bread
Friday - Poppy Seed Chicken
Saturday - Frozen pizza
Sunday - Nachos

Meals for the Week

2009-04-27T18:16:00.000+01:00

We are back and I am looking forward to getting back in more of a normal routine. I think we are all ready to eat at home for a while. When we traveled, we ate breakfast at our house and made a picnic lunch to take with us for the day, but we usually ate dinner out. We are all ready to be at home and to eat in our own space as a family once again.

I had the menu planned, but then this morning I woke up to a yucky tummy bug. I have been in bed all day. Thankfully, Steve has stepped in and not only fed the kids, but has also worked from home, done the laundry, schooled the kids and entertained them so I could sleep. That is exactly what I have done. I think I have only been awake for around 4 hours today. I am feeling a bit better now and thinking of getting a shower. We'll see how I sleep tonight after all the sleep today. Hubby said I could work on the Ireland post if I couldn't sleep. You never know.

Monday - Grilled cheese (daddy made these for the kids tonight)
Tuesday - Meatloaf, baked potatoes, bread, veg (I haven't made meatloaf since we have lived in England because I don't like British beef. I thought I would try now since we use Scottish beef. Plus, one of my kids was requesting it.)
Wednesday - Tacos, Mexican Rice
Thursday - Pesto Chicken pasta or Chicken BBQ's
Friday - Homemade Pizza
Saturday - Grilled steak and hot dogs for the kids
Sunday - Nachos

Practicing the Presence

2009-04-15T14:28:00.005+01:00

I have been reading The Practice of the Presence of God with Spiritual Maxims by Brother Lawrence. Wow, what a book. Brother Lawrence was a seventeenth-century French monk who practiced being in the presence of God all the time, no matter what he did. His job at the monastery was doing the dishes. In his book, he talks about how he experienced God's presence during his time of doing dishes as he did in prayer.

"The time of business," he said, "does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament."

Wow! I am only a little way through it because I am trying to take my time to take it all in. I can so relate to the "clatter of my kitchen" and the "several persons calling out." Isn't that the life of a mom?

I have always struggled to live in God's presence with all the noise, duties, children and excitement going on around me. My hearts desire is like that of Brother Lawrences of walking continually in God's presence. It is hard. I get distracted. I am now realizing why Brother Lawrence calls it the PRACTICE of the presence. It takes practice. My making Jesus my focus entirely each day won't happen perfectly every day. I need to practice doing it...moment by moment. I love this quote of his.

"That in order to form a habit of conversing with God continually, and referring all we do to Him, we must first apply to Him with some diligence; but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty."

How I desire for His love to excite me to worship and adore him continually. I just get hung up by all the distractions. This book is definitely making me think and work on practicing God's presence. I am human and I will fail, but I will also grow as I seek His face in all that I do. My prayer is that not only do I grow, but that my children grow (to know God more) as they see a momma who seeks to know and honor God in all that she does, whether that be wiping dishes, bottoms, floors, noses, or tables.

On a practical side, how do you practice God's presence while life is bustling around you? Please comment. We could all use fresh ideas. I'll also try to remember to post other thoughts as I read through this book. If you don't have it yet, it is definitely worth picking up.

Meals for the Week

2009-04-14T14:36:00.004+01:00

Short week for us in the meal department, since we leave for Ireland on Saturday for a week. We are all looking forward to getting away and seeing the south of Ireland.

Tuesday - Chicken Stovetop Casserole, corn and salad
Wednesday - Chickpea Curry (this one is from my new cookbook), ummm...I should get some Naan bread
Thursday - Lime Chicken Tacos and fruit
Friday - Frozen pizza (since we are leaving early Sat. morning, we will be busy packing and loading the van)

Hope you all enjoy the nice springtime. I'll be back in two weeks with another menu.

New Cookbook

2009-04-07T20:08:00.005+01:00

On Saturday, we made our way to Costco to stock up. We always enjoy the time browsing through the store to see if we can find anything we can't live without. Saturday, we were getting in line and hubby asked if we wanted to look at the books. I had completely missed and forgot about the books. I love reading and love books. I can spend quite a bit of time just rummaging through the piles and piles of books. I usually come home with new books for the kids. But this week, I found a Williams-Sonoma Cookbook. It is called Family Meals - Creating Traditions in the Kitchen and it was only 9 pounds. I don't think that is bad at all. After all, it is $32 on Williams-Sonoma website. I took a quick peak through and decided it was well worth it. I threw it in the cart.

Another thing I love about this cookbook is that it is from America, so all the recipes are in American measurements. This way I can actually make them and not have to guess on the conversions.

I looked through it the entire one and a half hour car ride home from Costco. I found many recipes I would like to try. Even my oldest was looking through it yesterday and he kept saying, "yum, this looks good" and "mom, we should make this." I had him mark some pages that looked yummy. Now we just have to pick a few to try first and head to the store. I love it when I find something that helps me a bit in the kitchen. I have a feeling this will be one well-used cookbook in our household.

Egg Sun Catchers

2009-04-07T12:54:00.004+01:00

I wanted some easy, fun Easter craft for the kids to do and I found this one for Easter Egg Sun Catchers from the Crafty Crow. Yesterday after naps, we tried it out. The kids all loved doing it and it kept them busy for a while. Even the little ones worked hard and did a great job. I am delighted at the beautiful eggs on our family room windows. The pictures don't do the eggs justice.

Meals for the Week

2009-04-07T12:28:00.002+01:00

I totally forgot to post this yesterday. We are really looking forward to daddy being home both Friday and Monday for Easter. We are hoping to do some cooking out and maybe a picnic or two if the weather permits.

Monday - Tacos with brownies for dessert
Tuesday - Swiss Chicken, noodles and veg
Wednesday - Belgium Waffles with strawberries and cream
Thursday - Possibly Chicken Enchiladas or pizza delivery
Friday - Chicken BBQ's or Sloppy Joes with fries
Saturday - Grilled Ribeye (from Costco this past weekend) and potatoes
Sunday - Nachos or Taco salad (I have leftover meat from last night)

Weekly Menu

2009-03-30T14:52:00.002+01:00

Monday - Chili, salad, homemade applesauce and Artisan bread (if it turns out)
Tuesday - Pesto Chicken Penne, salad and bread
Wednesday - Baked Potato bar and salad
Thursday - Meatballs and noodles
Friday - Homemade pizza
Saturday - out
Sunday - Tuna melts and chips

Fun With Unifix

2009-03-24T15:36:00.005Z

Grandma sent some Unifix cubes along with some other gifts. The kids have enjoyed stacking them to see how tall they can make them and other various activities. The other day we used them along with our number cards and counted out the number of Unifix cubes to match the number on the card. This is such a simple activity to use with the Unifix cubes.

My five year old loved it. Can you see how proud he is?

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2009-03-23T17:28:00.003Z

I thought I already posted this recipe, but I couldn't find it. This is another crockpot meal, which we all love.

4 chicken breasts
2 cups salsa
1 can corn
1 can black beans (optional - sometimes I use them and sometimes I don't)
8 cups chicken stock
Shredded cheese (for topping)
Nacho chips (for topping)

Place all in crockpot and cook all day on low or 4-5 hours on high. About 1/2 hour before serving, remove the chicken to a bowl and shred. Then place chicken back in crockpot and cook until ready to serve. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream (some of my kids like it with this) and crushed nacho chips. Enjoy!

Meals for the Week

2009-03-23T15:54:00.004Z

My dad is still in town so we are going for quick and easy meals this week, as we will be busy in and out this week.

Monday - Chicken Tortilla soup with black beans, and cornbread
Tuesday - Poppy seed chicken, salad and corn
Wednesday - chili or spaghetti
Thursday - Pesto chicken penne pasta and garlic bread
Friday - Grilled ham and cheese
Saturday -?
Sunday - Pizza

Meals for the Week

2009-03-16T15:35:00.003Z

Monday - Lasagna, salad, garlic bread
Tuesday - Chicken and Rice Casserole
Wednesday - Tacos, applesauce
Thursday - Chicken Tortilla Soup
Friday - Chicken BBQ's, salad and potato wedges
Saturday - Out
Sunday - Tuna Melts and chips

My dad is visiting us for the next couple of weeks. We are having fun showing him around. I am sure we will have a couple days where we take him out to experience the English pubs.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

2009-03-15T21:07:00.004Z

I am so proud of myself, I just have to share. For those of you that know me, you know I cook meals so my family can eat. In the past I haven't done it because I enjoy it. I have to admit I am starting to enjoy it more and more. Making a meal plan has helped me tremendously. Lately, I have also been going through a stage of wanting to feed my family more healthy food.

This week I was going to make spaghetti for the kids and Steve as I was going out with friends. I looked into the cupboard and realized I didn't have any spaghetti sauce. I looked around a bit and saw that I did have some tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes. I have been thinking recently about making my own spaghetti sauce, after all, do we really know what is in a jar of spaghetti sauce? I figured this was as good of opportunity as ever. I looked up a few recipes for homemade spaghetti sauce on-line and found a good base line for the sauce. From there, I tweaked it a bit to what sounded good to me. What I ended up with was the BEST spaghetti sauce I have ever had, even in a restaurant. Everyone loved it. I made a lot of it and they ate almost all of it. Thankfully, I remembered to write it down as I was making it. I thought I would share it if anyone else is ever in a bind for spaghetti sauce. Or maybe I am the only person that used spaghetti sauce from a jar.

1 1/2 pounds browned ground beef
1 small onion cooked with the beef
1 tsp. garlic powder (I would have used fresh if I had it)
2 8oz cans of tomato sauce
2 cans stewed tomatoes (pureed in food processor, I don't like tomato chunks)
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. dried basil
3/4 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt (although next time, I won't use any as the tomatoes made it plenty salty)
1/2 tsp. pepper

I just put it all in a large pot, brought it to a boil, then turned the heat down to low and simmered for about two hours. It was simply delicious. Try it and tell me what you think. I am just proud as this is my first made up recipe.

Meals for the Week

2009-03-08T20:32:00.004Z

It just seems I am always needing groceries, I can't imagine why. I am trying to get my week figured out so I can order my groceries to be delivered sometime early this week. I don't have any chicken in the freezer so we won't have chicken until the end of the week.

Monday- Taco Soup (crockpot recipe, if I can get the lid fixed enough to work), salad, cornbread
Tuesday - Pork Chops, veggies ( I am not sure how I will cook these yet, but I have some in the freezer and it is a good option since I don't have any options) Any recommendations on a good pork chop recipe?
Wednesday - Lasagna, caesar salad, garlic bread
Thursday - Chicken and Rice Casserole
Friday - Homemade Pizza
Saturday - Not sure yet
Sunday - Fish and Chips, my dad arrives for his first time in England in the morning and we have to get him traditional English fish and chips.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-03-02T14:17:00.003Z

For Today (March 2, 2009)...

Outside my window... The sun is shining, such a beautiful day.

I am thinking... Spring must be in the air, because my nose is running and I can't stop sneezing.

From the learning rooms... reading some Dr. Seuss books to celebrate his birthday today. Also making kites to hang on the bulletin board for March into reading. The kids will write the names of the books they finish reading on bows and place them on the string of their kite. We will see how many books we can read in March.

I am thankful for... Mondays, getting the house back in order and getting back to the normal routine.

From the kitchen... Chicken BBQ's in the crockpot. I can already smell it, Yum!

I am wearing...black running pants, blue longsleeve comfy shirt and bare feet.

I am reading... White Christmas Pie by Wanda Brunstetter

I am hoping... for a quick nap when I get done with a couple things on the computer

I am creating... ideas on how to keep my kiddos busy and out of trouble.

I am hearing... the sound of my English washing machine. It sounds like a jet is taking off in my kitchen.
Around the house... it is getting a bit more back to normal after the weekend. A bit more vacuuming needs to be done later this afternoon.

One of my favorite things... having dinner in the crockpot and knowing that I don't need to be up and making it at five o'clock.

A few plans for the rest of the week... ordering a few things on-line for my dad to bring over next week, finding a cottage in Ireland for our holiday in April, looking for tickets for the Lion King in London to take the boys to, lots and lots of things on the computer I think.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
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Meals for the Week

2009-03-02T14:04:00.005Z

Monday - Chicken BBQ's on buns, potato wedges, coleslaw, and veggies
Tuesday - Meatballs, mashed potatoes, bread, veg and salad
Wednesday- Chicken Fajitas and Mexican Rice
Thursday - Baked Potato Bar (we didn't do this one last week, because I didn't have bacon. I still need to get some this week.)
Friday - Cheese Quesidillas, nacho chips with salsa
Saturday - Frozen pizza or pizza delivered
Sunday - Nachos

I do the chicken bbq's in my crockpot too. They are super easy. I just put 4-6 chicken breasts in the crockpot and dump on our favorite bbq sauce. I cook it on low all day or on high for 4 hours. Half an hour before serving I shred the chicken and put in a little more bbq sauce, if needed. Serve on buns. It is so delicious and easy. We all love it.

Meals For the Week

2009-02-23T14:32:00.002Z

On Saturday, we took our bi-monthly trip to Costco. It is a 1 1/2 hour drive, so that is why we only go ever two months or so. We came home with van full of food. I am so happy that my freezer is now full with Scottish ground beef again. Those of you who follow our family blog, know that I REALLY don't like English beef, especially the ground beef. We have lived here for 2 1/2 years and I still haven't gotten used to the taste of it. It just tastes funny to me. About a year ago, we tried Scottish beef and we loved it. I am not sure it is as good as Mid-Western beef, but it works.

I also ordered my regular groceries on-line this afternoon. They will be delivered in the morning. Now that our freezer and cupboards are stocked again, I am ready to get planning.

Monday - Chili, salad and sweet cornbread
Tuesday - Spaghetti with Meatballs, garlic bread, mixed veggies
Wednesday - Chicken Enchiladas and corn
Thursday - Pesto Chicken Penne Pasta, salad and bread
Friday - Baked Potato Bar
Saturday - Out, we will once again be out for the day.
Sunday - Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Thoughts on Blogging

2009-02-20T12:10:00.002Z

I would prefer this blog to be more than just menus and recipes. But hey, it is what I do. I make meals three times a day. At this phase in my life, I need to be okay with feeding my family, keeping the house semi organized and clean, and getting school done with the kids. Doing these things doesn't leave me tons of time to think of thought provoking things to write about. There will be a day. Until then, I will continue with what fills our days, food, house, and school, with the occasional deep thought.

Taco Salad

2009-02-20T11:55:00.005Z

Taco Salad

1-2 heads of Romaine lettuce
1 pound taco seasoned ground beef with kidney beans added
1 cup salsa
1 cup shredded cheese
1 chopped tomato
1 bag of nacho chips crushed

I make cut up the lettuce in the biggest bowl I have. Then I dump in the taco meat, cheese, tomato and then I add the salsa. Stir the salad to mix the salsa up. Finally, I put the nacho chips on top. Mix it all together before serving. Enjoy a quick, easy and delicious meal. We usually eat it all.

Final product

Poppy Seed Chicken

2009-02-17T21:42:00.003Z

Poppy Seed Chicken

3 C. cooked cubed chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 8oz container of sour cream (in England I use creme fraiche, I am not sure the difference, but it is easier to find in the stores and it tastes good.)
1 stick butter
1 tube or box (if in England) of Ritz crackers crushed
1 T. poppy seeds ( I just sprinkle some on the top. I don't measure it.)

Mix the chicken with the sour cream and cream of chicken soup. Put into a greased casserole dish (something smaller than 9x13) I use one of my oval corelle dishes. Melt butter and mix with crushed crackers. Spread crackers over the chicken mix. Sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake at 350 degrees F or 180 degrees C for 20-30 minutes until bubbly.

Making Beds

2009-02-17T15:30:00.004Z

A very European thing that I have embraced is Duvets. For the first six weeks we were in England, we lived with rental furniture, towels, and bedding until our crate came with our own things. All of our bedding consisted of a fitted sheet and a duvet with a duvet cover, no flat sheet. For our bed, I missed the flat sheet and I do still use my flat sheet under my duvet. But, for the kids I love the idea of the duvets. After our rental stuff was taken away, I went right out and bought duvet covers in patterns for all of the kids beds. I didn't have to buy the duvets, because we got to keep the rental ones. Having duvets on the kid's beds makes them so much easier for them to make. They just throw the duvet back over the top of their beds and off they go. No silly flat sheet that gets pushed to the foot of the bed or needs to get it straightened out. Duvets are especially nice for bunk beds which are hard to make anyways. I do admit, though, that I wash the bottom fitted sheet more regularly than the duvet cover. Even the littlest kids have them on their beds. They are quick for mommy to make too. When we move back to America, I am taking the duvets with me!

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Weekly Menu

2009-02-16T20:57:00.002Z

Monday - Chicken rice casserole (thanks Holli)
Tuesday - Taco Salad, applesauce and graham crackers
Wednesday - Grilled cheese and Tomato soup, if I can find tomato soup at the store this week. They didn't have it last time. I get so frustrated at the store over here. One week they will have things, but then you can't ever find it again.
Thursday - Poppy Seed Chicken
Friday - Mini Pizzas on English Muffins
Saturday - Eating out or something quick from Costco, we will be out all day.
Sunday - Tuna Melts with chips

I will probably be baking some banana bread and some cookies this week too. Baking is really what I like to do. Dinner is just necessary. I do admit that having a plan makes dinner so much easier and pleasant.

Nachos

2009-02-16T20:48:00.003Z

How I make my nachos has been requested, thanks Malory. So here you go.

I brown about a pound and a half or so of ground beef (mince). I will only use half that and save either freeze the rest or this week I will use it in Taco salad. I just estimate because I buy Scottish beef at Costco, divide it and freeze it. After it is browned I add a packet of taco seasoning with the amount of water it calls for and a drained can of kidney beans. (If I freeze half the meat I do it after I add the beans and seasoning. This makes it quick and easy the next time we want nachos.) I warm the meat and beans through. Next, I cover my biggest cookie sheet in foil for easy clean up. I layer a whole bag of nacho chips, the meat, some salsa and some shredded cheese. I bake at 350 degrees F or 180 C for about 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted.

That is it. So simple. You could add whatever your favorite toppings are as well. Like I said before, it is a perfect Sunday night dinner. The kids love it. I think I am close to having to make two trays. This past Sunday, we could have done with more.

Meals for the Week

2009-02-09T21:20:00.002Z

Slight change of plans much to my disappointment. All the slots were full to have my groceries delivered tomorrow. They didn't even have any until ten p.m. on Wednesday night. I definitely couldn't wait that long. I had to head out tonight after dinner in the pouring rain to get the groceries. It was a bit nice, though, just walking through the empty store and taking my time. It was also nice to have a break from putting the kids to bed. Thanks to my great hubby. Now the cupboards are once again full. The fridge is full and clean. I cleaned it before I went to the store. What a nice feeling. I feel a bit more prepared for the week now.

Monday - Chicken Potpie (haven't made this in a long time and I don't think I will for a long time again. Only one of the kids actually liked it. We forced the rest to eat it to get desert. One 2yo didn't even think that was worth it. She'll be hungry in the morning.)
Tuesday - Tacos and Mexican rice
Wednesday - Spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread
Thursday - Pancakes and Scrambled eggs
Friday - Homemade pizza
Saturday - kids chicken nuggets (mom and dad got a sitter for Valentine's Day)
Sunday - Nachos (I think I have had these on the list for three weeks and we haven't had them yet. They are a good Sunday night meal.)

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-02-09T13:59:00.006Z

FOR TODAY (Februauy 9, 2009)...

Outside my window... we still have snow on the ground but the temperature is rising and the snow is melting.

I am thinking... about how I can make my life more simple and quiet amongst the chaos.

I am thankful for... having all of my children at home with me all day.

From the learning rooms... get a little more on task this week as last week was a bit disrupted due to the snow. I am also hoping to do some history reading and science reading this week. It seems we can never get to both in the same week.

From the kitchen...the cupboards and fridge are bare. I did find a package of chicken and some vegetables. So, I will be making a chicken potpie. Hopefully some banana chip muffins too.

I am wearing... black jogging pants, purple long sleeve tee shirt, bare feet when sitting, slippers when standing.

I am going... to read my Bible and hopefully get a quick nap before the kids come down from rest time.

I am reading... The Heavenly Man

I am hoping... to get my menu planned and the groceries ordered on-line this afternoon.

I am hearing... silence, aaahhhhh and the occasional dove cooing

Around the house... just picking up the clutter after the weekend and all the snow gear from last all the playing in the snow.

A few plans for the rest of the week: ordering groceries, to do some baking, to get back in the swing of lessons.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My daughter yesterday on her 4 yo birthday!

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Chicken Tortilla Soup

2009-02-05T11:46:00.002Z

I have had a few requests for the recipe for the Chicken Tortilla Soup. So, here it is. It is super easy and uses a crock pot.

4-6 chicken breasts
2 cups salsa
1-2 cans of corn
1 can of black beans drained (if I have them I use them, if not I don't)
chicken stock/broth ( I use enough to fill my crock pot after everything else is in it. I think it is 8 cups)
tortillas - to crush on top
shredded cheese for the top too
sour cream for top (if desired)

That is it. Just put it all in your crock pot and cook all day on low or 4-5 hours on high. Yum, it is so good.

Car Trips With Kids

2009-02-03T20:27:00.006Z

We have always lived quite a distance from family. Our kids have been used to traveling long hours in the car from birth. Over the last eight years, we have learned a few things that make those long car rides a little easier and more enjoyable.

I bought sandwich size tupperware or rubbermaid bowls for each of the kids. I leave them in the car, so I will always have them. We use these to distribute snacks, sandwiches, Happy Meal foods to the kids while driving. The bowls fit perfectly on their laps and minimize spills or foods from slipping off their laps.
When we moved to the UK, we gave in and bought the kids hand held video games. (We don't have any video games in the house.) We knew that living here meant long car rides and extra long airplane rides. The kids are only allowed to play their video games when we go on trips.
Because convience food (aka fast food) is not as readily available in the UK, we have found it quite helpful to bring a picnic lunch with us when we travel, even for day trips. This allows us to eat whenever and wherever.
When traveling in the UK and needing food or a bathroom, we look for grocery stores. Rest areas are hard to come by and you wouldn't want to go near a gas station. At grocery stores, we can usually always find a clean bathroom and pick up sandwiches. (sorry for all the UK tips)
The older kids bring backpacks with all their travel things. I also bring a small box filled with books, school work, flashcards, and baby toys. I keep it within an arms reach.
I also have a bag or box filled with snacks. This is also within an arms reach.

Just a few ideas that have made our car trips a little more peaceful. I feel certain I am missing some, maybe for another post.

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Meals for the Week

2009-02-03T20:13:00.003Z

A day late, due to the "snow day" we had yesterday. You haven't missed much. Hubby picked up cheese burgers from McDonalds on the way home from work yesterday. I just couldn't think dinner.

Monday - McDonalds
Tuesday - Meatballs, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, homemade applesauce, rolls
Wednesday - Chicken Tortilla soup
Thursday - Chicken Poppy Seed (Dawn I see you are having this too)
Friday - Chicken BBQ Sandwiches, curly fries, salad
Saturday - Mom and dad will have dinner out with friends to celebrate Rachel's birthday. The kids will have something easy like frozen pizza or chicken nuggets
Sunday - Nachos (lunch or dinner out for daughters 4yo birthday)

I also made a decision today to use up the food we have in the house and see how long I can put off shopping. We seem to have lots stock piled. Of course, I will have to get bread, milk and orange juice. I think we will be having a Costco shopping trip in the near future. This is another reason to clear out the freezer and cupboards.

Bird Observation Area

2009-01-29T20:30:00.007Z

This area in our home, other than just being our kitchen table where we eat all our meals, is where we watch the birds. We have three bird feeders right outside those double doors at the end. It is such a perfect place to have feeders, because we are all at the table at least three times a day and we can watch the birds come and go. One thing we have discovered is that the birds like to have breakfast when we do. We all delight in watching them and naming which birds come. If we don't know what kind of bird it is, we look in our bird books. They are strategically placed in a basket on the windowsill at the table. We then talk about the colors and size of said bird and look for it's name.
Here are a couple pictures of the our bird basket. As well as a few bird books, we also have a bird observation notebook. In the notebook, we write down the name, size, color, what the bird was doing and draw pictures of new birds that come to our feeders. I would like to get a pair of binoculars for the basket as well. I know we have a pair somewhere, but haven't seen them since we moved here.
Watching the birds together is such a great family table activity (maybe in another post I will write other things we do while at the table together). It spurs much conversation and excites us all about the beauty of God's creation.

Update on Mickey

2009-01-27T15:27:00.003Z

Well, I decide to go ahead and throw Mickey in the wash. I did this figuring that it didn't really matter if he broke, because without him being washed I wasn't going to keep him anyway. He really did smell like the diaper pail. I put him in the washing machine, pulled him and tried his music box. Low and behold, it worked. I just let Mickey air dry and now Mickey is back safe and sound in baby's bed.
The first thing I did when I gave Mickey back to baby is take a few pictures. Can you see how he is hugging Mickey? I am so happy Mickey survived.
Thanks for the advice.

Meals for the Week

2009-01-26T13:29:00.003Z

As you can see, I am trying to come up with a name for my weekly menu. I don't really want to take the time to link to Menu Plan Mondays, so I am trying to sort out my own name. Any ideas?

I feel so good, as I already have dinner started in the crock pot. I love my crock pot. I don't know how I would live without it. It helps to make one thing in my life a little more simple. What are your favorite crock pot recipes?

Monday - Crock pot Pork chops, rice and broccoli (I got this from my friends blog, but her link isn't working, Dawn please send a link along)
Tuesday - Spaghetti with Meatballs, caesar salad, garlic bread (sauce with meatballs in the crock pot all day)
Wednesday - Taco Soup with black beans (crock pot recipe)
Thursday - Chicken Stovetop casserole
Friday - Nachos
Saturday - Baked Potato Bar
Sunday - Grilled cheese and tomato soup

What Would You Do?

2009-01-21T14:58:00.002Z

I spent a lot of time yesterday searching for the baby's favorite musical Mickey Mouse we got in Disney Land this fall. He just loves it and keeps it in bed with him. You pull Mickey's hat and music plays. Well, I searched, but never found it. I figured it would turn up. This morning as I was changing the baby my two year old daughter was in the room with me. I said out loud, "I wonder where Mickey is?" To this she replied, "in the diapets" (diapers), as she pointed to the diaper pail. I asked her who put Mickey in the diaper pail and she said, "me." This made me nervous. She seemed to know too much. I decided to check and sure enough there was Mickey in the diaper pail with all the stinky diapers. I pulled it out and it smells like Mickey spent the night with the diapers. This is where I need your help. Remember, the baby loves this toy and mommy loves this toy, because it helps baby go to sleep.

What would you do?
1. Throw Mickey in the garbage. The thought of giving it back to the baby is repulsive. Maybe the Disney store has one like it.
2. Give it back to the baby as is. GROSS!
3. Spray it down with Febreeze and then give it back to the baby. Remember Mickey has a music box inside so I can't put it in the wash, or I would certainly do that.
4. Other: (leave a comment with other suggestions.)

Please leave me a comment and help me make this tough decision. Gee, I wish I had a picture of the baby with Mickey. Thank you.

Beloved Timer

2009-01-20T14:41:00.003Z

One tool I have found to be a necessity in our home is my little kitchen timer. As a mom with many little ones, loads of things to do at any given time and a very forgetful mind, my kitchen timer is my helper and friend. I set it to remind me of a child who may be in his/her room for a time-out, for the kids and their computer time and when to switch to the next child, for an alarm clock when I get a few minutes to nap, for quick 5 minutes clean-ups around the house with the kids. I also use it to get myself out of the kitchen and out to be with my family. I can tinker away cleaning up in there, all the while my family is waiting on me. I tell them five minutes and see how much I can get done in that time. It really helps me to move and to get the work done quickly. I am sure there are many more ways to use the kitchen timer. If you have a good one, please leave a comment.

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Menu Plan Monday

2009-01-19T15:53:00.004Z

Okay, it is Monday I am ready. I just talked through meals for the week with the help of my 7 year old. He wrote them down as we thought of them. I am so thankful for the help with coming up with ideas. I think I need to head to the store tonight after the kids are in bed to pick up a few things we are missing.

Monday - Potato Soup with bread (we didn't have it on Saturday)
Tuesday - Lasagna, Caesar salad and garlic bread
Wednesday - Tacos, Mexican rice
Thursday - Pancakes
Friday - Take out or frozen pizza
Saturday - Chicken Fajitas
Sunday - Grilled cheese sandwiches and chips

I really do intend for this blog to be more than just our menu for the week. Hey, at least I am here regularly though. I have a couple other things I am planning to write on. I hope to get at least one up in the next day or so, as soon as I can upload some pictures from my camera.

I am a little late at posting this. I didn't have it finished until yesterday. I ordered my groceries last evening and they arrived this morning just in time for lunch. I splurged and bought donuts for the kids. So, after we got all the groceries and all the bags put away we all sat down and enjoyed a nice jelly filled doughnuts. Why jelly filled and not chocolate you may ask? Well, over here the donuts are not the same and all you can really find are jelly filled or ring donuts, sometimes you can get plain custard ones. You can't get yummy frosted ones. There are a few Crispy Creme shops in the country and when we are in cities that have them we do usually splurge on some. By splurge, I mean they are expensive. After the conversion, we are paying about $24 for two dozen donuts. Thankfully, we don't have one close to home so it is not a temptation to do often.

Monday - Tuna melts and Tomato soup
Tuesday - Chicken Lime Tacos
Wednesday - Kids will have spaghetti or pasta (we will get to eat at a dinner at church)
Thursday - Peach French Toast (this has been a favorite for years, we usually have it for breakfast on Christmas)
Friday - Tomato Pesto Pizza (I got this great idea from a friends, thanks Holli)
Saturday - Potato Soup with bread (this recipe came from a friend I used to babysit for when I was in college. We all love it and usually eat is all and I double it. I'll post the recipe below.

4 Large Potatoes peeled and diced
3 C. chicken stock (can use water and chicken boullion) (use enough liquid to cover top of potatoes in pot)
1 1/2 C. Milk almost boiling
1/8 tps. nutmeg
1 tsp. dried parsley
salt and pepper to taste
grated cheese to top

Cook potatoes in boiling stock for 20 mins until very tender. Puree potatoes in blender or mash until very smooth -- do this in the water/stock they were in. Stir in hot milk, nutmeg, parsley and salt and pepper. Heat until simmered. Serve with cheese.

Menu Plan

2009-01-05T14:52:00.002Z

After I played play doh a bit and then laid the baby down for a nap, I had a chance to start dinner for tonight and also make a menu for the rest of the week.

Monday - Chicken Enchiladas, mexican rice and corn
Tuesday - Leftover Spaghetti Casserole and garlic bread for the kids. Mom and dad are having dinner in London with our friends.
Wednesday - Chili, salad and cornbread
Thursday - Chicken BBQ on a bun, curly fries, salad
Friday - Frozen Pizza
Saturday - Chicken Lime Tacos (with friends)
Sunday - Tuna melts and nachos

Time with the Little Ones

2009-01-05T14:42:00.005Z

I had some time with just the girls and the baby this morning while the older boys were out sightseeing with dad and some friends that are visiting. The girls were excited to be at home with just mom. I asked them what they wanted to do. They said, "Play Doh." One actually said, "the colored play doh." I made some gingerbread play doh right before Christmas and they have been playing with that. I have to admit I like the gingerbread one much better. It is cleaner and it smells so good. Anyways, we got out the colored play doh and they played for at least an hour and a half. The baby even joined in by sitting on my lap and playing with it. He tried to eat it a couple of times, but I told him no and he stopped putting it to his mouth and he just played with it. It was a really fun time with just the little ones. It is rare that I have time to sit down with just them. I must make more of an effort to do it more often.

To Do List

2008-12-29T17:38:00.004Z

***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

2008-12-20T15:11:00.004Z

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

2008-12-20T14:37:00.004Z

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

2008-12-01T15:23:00.004Z

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.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-11-17T14:20:00.007Z

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window... I see and hear house Sparrows as they roost in the hedge outside my living room window.

I am thinking... about what I can do with my kids this afternoon to keep them busy and out of trouble.

I am thankful for... the safe delivery of a healthy baby boy our close friends had yesterday.

From the learning rooms... beginning a Thanksgiving unit study and working on a Thanksgiving lapbook.

From the kitchen... spaghetti casserole (for the friends who just had the baby) and tacos for us.

I am wearing... comfy jeans, white long sleeve T with gray T over, and bare feet.

I am creating... a Christmas calendar for gifts for the grandparents.

I am going... out tomorrow night for a girls night out at a pub that does stone baked pizzas.

I am reading... Making Life Work by Bill Hybels and Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

I am hoping... to get to bed earlier tonight.

I am hearing... my boys giggle as they wrestle in the family room.

Around the house... some cleaning needs to get done after a busy weekend.

One of my favorite things... chocolate in the afternoon when all my kids are either resting or sleeping.

A few plans for the rest of the week: planning a Thanksgiving party for the day after Thanksgiving. The kids will invite some of their English friends, show them their lapbook and tell them about Thanksgiving and how we celebrate it. Working on the Christmas calendar. To plan a time to get a photo for Christmas cards.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

(my youngest and the joy he is to our family)

Visit Peggy's and see more Simple Woman's Daybooks.

Thankful Tree

2008-11-12T15:30:00.009Z

Since November is here, we wanted to focus once again on being thankful. Last year, we made a thankful turkey. Each evening, as a family, we would all go around and share something we were thankful for. We would then write them on feathers, we made from construction paper and tape them on to our turkey. We all really enjoyed this time as a family. It gave us a good reason to think back over our day and remember something to be thankful for.

We decided to do it again this year, only we aren't doing a turkey. This year, after reading other blogs, we decided to do a "Thankful Tree." The verse we are using from Colossians 2:6-7 says, "continue to live in Christ, rooted and built up in him..., and overflowing with thankfulness." We chose this verse because like a tree has roots that drive deep for nourishment, so we need to press on with Christ and have our roots deep into him to live the life He wants us to live. We also need to remember to overflow with thankfulness. After all, we truly have much to be thankful for.

Can you imagine how full of leaves our tree will be by the time Thanksgiving arrives?

Here is a picture of the kids with last years "Thankful Turkey."

Apple Lapbook

2008-11-10T21:18:00.002Z

A while back I did a little apple unit study with the kids. We read some books on apples, picked apples from our own apple tree and made a big pot of apple sauce. We also did our very first lap book. We did our lapbook on Johnny Appleseed. The kids loved doing the lapbook. After we finished our lapbook, they kept talking about all the things they want to make lapbook about. I can't find file folders over here, so we used some cheap folders that I could find. They didn't work very well in my opinion because they were so thin. I did, however, ask my sister to buy me some and ship them to me. Now I have the real thing and am ready to do our next lapbook. I am planning a Thanksgiving one now. Hopefully we will be starting it late this week or next week.

Our Learning Room

2008-09-24T17:08:00.008+01:00

When we moved into our house two years ago, I was excited because it had a dining room as well as an eat in kitchen. I thought it would be great to have a dining room to have the extra space to have people over for dinner. We do have friends over occasionally, a few times a month. It has taken us two months to figure out that the dining room is wasted space in our home. This summer my husband and I were talking and he said, " I think we should use the dining room for school." I was totally thinking, "why didn't I ever think of that." Up until this year, we have been using the kitchen table. This means that we have to cart all of our books from the cupboard in the family room to the table each day and return them all when we are done. We also have to clear off the table for lunch even if the kids aren't finished with their work. It took me a couple days to wrap my head around the idea of using the dining room as a "learning room" (as we are calling it). I just had to process and put some plans together on how it would work. Then I got to work getting it all sorted out. I even cleaned out a couple of the drawers so we could use them for paper, markers and such. I am so glad we realized we had a wasted space in our home and that we did something about it. It would have been sad to have wasted it for the whole time we are in this house. Here are some pictures of our learning room.

This is the learning room neatly set up.

I bought the magazine boxes at a stationary store. I love them because they are bigger than most magazine boxes. They are also paper boxes, so the kids had fun putting their name on, coloring and decorating their box. Each of the boys have their own for their books. I also have one for my teacher manuals and books I use for all of them.

This is the way it looks most days and for most of the week. I try to pick it up at least twice a week and for the weekend. It is so nice to have our own space where we can leave things out if needed.

Observation

2008-09-23T21:20:00.006+01:00

Today as I was sitting at the table with the boys doing their table-work, I noticed that my two year old daughter kept insisting on sitting on my lap. She really is good though and she likes to take the colored pencils and/or pens and draw on paper I give her and sometimes in her brother's books. As I thought about it more, I came to the realization that everyday when we are doing table-work, she is found in my lap. I wondered to myself, "why is she choosing to sit on my lap instead of being out playing, watching TV or getting into trouble?" As I thought about it, my thoughts took me back to this time last fall and even the previous spring. She would have been somewhere between 8-14 months old. When she woke up from her morning nap, she would sit on my lap while I worked with the boys on their table-work. She is doing it now, because that is what she remembers about school and thinks that is the best place to be. At times this irritates me a bit because it is more difficult to see around her and to write, but as I reflect on her little habit and the reasons she does it, I am very thankful that she desires to be close to me and it is a little bonding time for the two of us. That, and it keeps her out of trouble.

Rest Time

2008-09-11T16:07:00.002+01:00

When I meet new people for the first time or when I am hanging out with friends, I am frequently asked the question, "How do you do it (all)?" They say this in reference to having six kids under eight and home schooling them. In my head, I usually laugh at this question, because my life at home is way more chaotic than the way they are seeing it at the moment. I am can definitely put on a good show, sometimes. Aren't we all good at making our life look fine on the outside, when in reality on the inside we are feeling crazy, stressed, lonely, sad or overwhelmed?

Well, one of the ways that I stay sane is nap time/rest time every afternoon. Even if the kids seem like they don't need it. I do! When the clock hits two, everyone heads upstairs. The girls and the baby take a nap for a couple of hours, although I believe the time is shortening for the girls. The boys head to their rooms for rest time for one hour. They are allowed to read or play quietly. When they have gotten too loud, I have been known to rush to their rooms and demand them each to their own beds with books only. After I finish feeding the baby and laying him down (during which time, I have been known to fall asleep), I come downstairs have my quiet time, sleep, read, catch up on some chores, check blogs or pick up toys . This time in the afternoon is invaluable for me. After a morning of meeting all the demands of my children, trying to keep the house semi clean, preparing two meals, and doing school, I live for rest time. It is a time where I recharge, refocus and prepare for the afternoon and evening.

I would strongly recommend rest time to all those with children at home even if they have given up napping. If you have older children who aren't used to rest time, try it a little at a time. I would start with 15 minutes in their rooms and build up to whatever time you feel you need for yourself. It has become such a routine for us that all I have to say is rest time and everyone heads upstairs. Sometimes I wonder where a child is after lunch and I will find them in their rooms ready for rest time. Even though my kids won't admit it, they value rest time too. They each need a break from each other and some quiet time as well. As I have said before I need it.

Trying Again

2008-09-10T17:39:00.004+01:00

Okay, so my hope and dreams of keeping up on two blogs are not really coming true (as I am sure you can see.) I really do desire to keep up on this blog a little more than I have. Lots and lots of ideas of what to blog here run through my mind constantly. It is just getting to the computer and writing it all down that I struggle with. I am pretty sure the whole six kid thing has something to do with that. I have been having a difficult time getting done all I want to lately. I feel as though I am running non-stop. I do stop somewhere between ten and eleven each night to fall into bed. My goal then is to stay awake while my husband prays for us. I usually do fall asleep though. Bless his heart though, he doesn't give up and he continues to pray for us each night. It also makes me thankful that we are praying to a God who never falls asleep on us.

So, today I am back today to try it again. Hopefully it won't be three months until I write again. If anyone is still reading this blog, thank you!

Thoughts on Learning

2008-06-17T15:51:00.004+01:00

Having grown up in the public school system, most of the ways I view learning and education come from there. Therefore my ideas of how I should home educate my children come from my past in the public school system as well. I have to some degree felt that if I didn't have workbooks or at least some sort of curriculum then my kids wouldn't learn the right things at the right time. At times, I get stressed out by comparing what my kids are learning in relation to the public school children. I also get stressed out if we don't finish our books before we end school or if the kids skip a day in a particular lesson. These are not the reasons we chose to home school. One of the reasons was the freedom in educating our children. But, I need to daily remind myself to not compare what other kids (home schooled or public schooled) are learning and stand in awe of the things my children are learning.

My oldest is quite a reader. He will sit down and read anything. I am just amazed at his comprehension at only eight years old. We have been blessed with the opportunity to live in England for five years for my husband's job. There have been times that I wouldn't have called it a blessing, but now I so cherish the experience it has been for our family. My children have been exposed to so much in our time here. The British History they are learning is incredible. Every place we visit from countries, towns, museums, and castles, I try to buy books that tell about the place or time in history. My children love these books and have read many of them even before I have. I am so shocked sometimes when they will blurt out some fact of British history that was unknown to me. This weekend we did a bus tour of London and really enjoyed it. On Sunday, we visited Windsor to go to Windsor Castle. We weren't able to go in though, because George W. Bush was there having tea with the Queen. How cool is that? We actually saw his helicopter. Anyways, as we were standing around hoping to see the President, we were looking at a statue and my oldest said, "that's Queen Victoria." I am sure he knows more about her than I do. Here I stand amazed at how our children learn and are influenced when we provide them with great books, take them to interesting places and also when we take the time to talk with them about the things we see and read about. They are little sponges.

These are the times that I remember why we are home schooling and that learning occurs in so many more ways and places than I would have ever thought. Just because they aren't using a curriculum or sitting in a classroom doesn't mean they aren't learning.

Dreaming of a Simple Life

2008-05-15T13:22:00.002+01:00

Lately I find myself thinking about living a more simple life. Just this week I have realized that "stuff" stresses me out. It seems as though I am always picking up, putting away and organizing or trying to organize our "stuff." This in itself is a full time job. And frankly, I have better things to be doing with my time. By living my life so focused on my stuff, I am missing opportunities to be with my kids. I also feel that my stuff has come in the way of my relationship with God. I can be so focused on the messes around me that I can't enter into communion with God. My stuff distracts me from the things that really matter.

I have always detested clutter. I am also not a very sentimental person so I don't tend to keep things for that reason. About four times a year I take bags of stuff to centre at church that gives it to people that need it. This week I decided I want to get a little more serious about going through our house and looking at things with a different set of eyes. I want to get rid of the extra, the unnecessary, and the items that I have just kept because we have always had them. I have already cleaned out three bags of clothes this week. Saturday is claimed declutter/clean out day in our household. I am quite looking forward to it.

My hope is that by clearing out the unnecessary I would be less distracted and become more focused on growing in my relationship with Jesus, my husband and my children.

Reaching Out

2008-03-05T15:46:00.004Z

I have so many things that I need to get done each day. The necessities like; schooling the kids, laundry, preparing and cleaning up after three meals, my quiet time, keeping the house clean and orderly and so on. This doesn't even include the things I would like to get done each day like; time to myself, reading to the kids, computer time, or a shower (I suppose this could be a need). I rarely sit down. The needs of my life can be all-consuming. Each day I find myself so focused on getting done all the needs and wants done that I start to live life in survival mode. I find myself so consumed with all that is going on in the walls of my house that I forget to look outside those walls to the people around me and their needs. Right now I have a number of friends and some family members who have some big challenges in their lives. How do I best help them? They have all been the focus of my prayers lately, but I wonder if I could do more. God has blessed me with six great kids and a wonderful husband and I know they need to be my number one priority. I also know they are my first ministry at this stage of my life, but sometimes I wonder if I can do more. Sometimes I feel as if my husband and children being my first priority can be an excuse for me to not reach out to others.

How can I, a home school mother of six kids, look beyond my own household and help those around me? How can I show Christ's love to a dying world? How can I show my kids that more in life matters than the things of our own family? How can I help them have a passion for the lost people of the world? These are the desires of my heart and I believe the desires of God's heart as well.

I want to have open eyes to see those around me and their needs. I want to be willing to sacrifice my time and agenda to those around me when they are in need. I desire to be ever-attentive and sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and directing me to people who have a need I can help with. And if nothing else, I can pray for the ones the Spirit brings to mind.

Pure Delight

2008-02-27T15:29:00.002Z

Today I took a break and headed outside with my children. I feel so refreshed by the laughter and excitement of my kids and the beautiful sunshine. I do enjoy the outdoors, but I rarely venture out with my kids. It always seems I have too much to accomplish inside to take a break and head out. I find it much easier to just send the kids out because that gives me a few minutes on my own to get a few things done. But, today was different. We all went out, even the baby in the front pack. The kids rode their bikes and scooters and I just walked and pushed dd2 on her bike. It was delightful.

As I sit here now and reflect, I think about how much I love my kids and truly delight in them. I have to admit, though, that I am often distracted by all the things that need to get done and I push my kids aside to tend to my own agenda. This is not how I want to live or how I want my kids to view me. In years to come, I don't want my kids saying, "my mom is a very good cook or baker" or "my mom keeps our house very clean and neat", but "we really don't know her and she doesn't really know us." That puts a fear in me. More than anything else, I want my kids to know they are special and I love them each for the person they are. Just as God delights in us, I want to delight in my children.

Lord, when life is so busy all around me, please help me to see my children through your eyes. Help me to take time out of my agenda and focus, listen or just watch my children and delight in them. Help me to show them how much they are loved by my smile, my touch and my words. Amen

Rebel

2008-02-20T15:11:00.002Z

I admit it, deep down inside I am a REBEL. My husband certainly knows and I am sure my parents have known it for a long time. I started a new schedule in the fall. I figured I needed a way to put priority on the things which needed priority. For me, I don't think there is any other way to have somewhat of an organized, running household of eight than to have a schedule. Just last week I updated the schedule a bit. I changed things around a bit and added a few things. I was very excited to start the new schedule on Monday. Well, yesterday I figured out a little about my rebellion. After only two days of doing the new schedule, I found my self rebelling against it. Was I really rebelling against myself? This is crazy. Not only did I make the schedule myself, choosing what things needed to be a priority, but I changed it this week to reflect the way we have been doing it since the fall. Now it is just correct on paper. But as of yesterday, I didn't want to do things that way. My schedule told me what I needed to be doing and I didn't want to do it. So, for some of yesterday, I didn't . I am a crazy nut, Steve even agreed.

I have to remind myself today that my schedule is a tool and not a slave driver. I also have to remember that I am the one that put the schedule in place for the good of our family and it was working for us. I need to get rid of the mentality of "if someone/something says I need to do it this way, than I don't want to." And I have to gain the mentality of "if it is a good thing, or something to bless me or my family, why not?" I am in no means saying we should do all things that are "good." Personal boundaries definitely come into play. In my relation to my schedule though, I believe that God is a God of order and he has blessed me with my schedule. Why shouldn't I use it.

Blog Experiment

2008-02-19T16:04:00.004Z

Okay, this blog is totally an experiment to see if I can manage a home school blog. The name is even a trial. Do you like it? Any other ideas? I just pulled that one from you know where. I seriously don't know how much I will post here. For my more up-to-date blog posts go here .

First Blog

2008-02-07T16:13:00.001Z

This is my first post from my Blogger blog. Welcome. Let's see how well I can keep this up to date.