Weekending

This is a procrastination post.  See what we've been doing instead of the nice long list I wrote?  On the one hand, you might think this is a much more valuable way to spend a Saturday morning.  On the other, you might think we are not too serious about taking advantage of the time!  Perhaps there is a time to play and a time to clean and room for both.  I'm off to get that list done! 

Happy Weekend!
~Jenn

This Week At Home, 2012, Week 2

Monday...
It's sunny and warmer, in the upper 40's!  We are back to our lessons full force.  We started a new book, another good one called The Great and Terrible Quest.  I witnessed pure joy today.  I peeped out of my kitchen window to see Trevor and Grace bouncing on the trampoline in the warm sunshine.  I got my eyes examined this afternoon.  I spent three hours waiting for my eyes to return to working order.

Clock tower at nearby park on Saturday. 

Tuesday...
Enjoyed my morning walk, during which the kids did their independent work.  After lunch, we prepared for our new Tuesday/Thursday job, baby sitting our dear little friend while her mommy takes a couple college classes.  Today it was 50 degrees!  Just awesome.  Grace went to her art class and below is the fruit of her first two lessons. 

Love my girl's work! 

Wednesday...
The beautiful weather is changing.  We're sad to see the beautiful weather end.  Thankfully the wet stuff is only rain for now. Poor Jeff had to work right up to the time to go to AWANA, so he missed dinner with us. And looks like he'll be working on Saturday, too.  Tis the season for CPA's to be busy. 

Math with Abbey is fun! 

Thursday...
Big bad winter weather is coming and there is no place to hide!  I can see it on the radar, slowly engulfing the map.  Just hope to walk before it hits.  One last walk!  This afternoon, we watch our dear little friend again.  This evening I am wondering if karate will still happen.

More from Saturday's walk. 

Friday... 
Groceries must be secured today.  Invited the neighbor friends over, too.  The evening will be a quiet one spent watching Biggest Loser, as we missed it Tuesday on purpose so we could watch it later without commercials.  I love that show, but the commercials are not what I call family friendly.

From Thursday's walk before the snow. 

Saturday...
Jeff will work.  The kids and I will clean the house.  I also need another walk! 

Pretty berries. 

Sunday...
Hope to go up north to visit family and celebrate Jeff's birthday, a week early. It depends on the weather, of course.

Wordless Wednesday: Our Kitty

18 years old next month and still going strong! 

Abbey Cat


And one for the funny bone... Ryan sent this to me this week. 

Unexpected Blessings

If someone would have told me that (for no money involved) my satisfaction level with my home would be on the rise this weekend, I would have thought it impossible.  I am completely content with my home sweet home.  Or so I thought!

On Friday, we were given a lovely small end table from Bombay & Co. and some lamps!  We put the table in the living room with a lamp we already had.  Now when our small group comes, we will have a spot to put glasses and there will be proper lighting.  Just amazing!

One lamp is on the gaudy side, probably from the 50's, but it works and is helping a great deal in the family room as that room had only one lamp as well.
 

Another of the lamps, we put into Trevor's room.  I had forgotten that when we moved in, we only got him a small low watt lamp from Good Will and that is the only light the poor boy has read by for almost two years, as there are no overhead lights in the bedrooms!  But that is all changed now.  He has a regular sized lamp next to his bed.  

Now onto the big ticket item, the hutch!  Remember that lovely table I had in the kitchen?  The one that seemed to have a sign on it indicating it as a spot in which to dump things and run?  Remember how I wanted a hutch?  Well, it has been provided and it was also FREE!

I can now even display a few of my Grandma's dishes and have a spot to put some other things we need handy.  Until now, I've been stashing extra food way up high in the hall closet as our kitchen is very cabinet challenged.  It was so in convenient!  (See, I did not know how unhappy I really was, until I had something better!) 

Now, I am on the look-out for a small kitchen cart with a counter so that I can use it as another work station.  As I have lost a little "counter" space.   Although it really did not function as counter space very well.

Something like this...

Epiphany 2012

We are doing something a little new to us this year.  We are attempting to celebrate more of the church calendar.  I may go into the whys another time, but for now, here are some pictures from our Epiphany.

This Week At Home, 2012 Edition, No. 1

Monday...
Jeff was off, so it was a lighter start back to school work for us. He did the honors of reading to us. It was like old times when we first started out and he was able to do more. Speaking of doing more, he is holding math classes on Saturdays during breakfast until tax season is in full force. After that he will probably have to move it to Sunday afternoons.

Grace shielding her art at class. 

Tuesday...
After lessons we indulged in a new guilty pleasure... Oh how I want to live on an Edwardian farm, just for a year! 



Tuesday's biggest joy was for Grace.  For Christmas, she received 2 months of tuition to a local art school.  I was very anxious to see how she would like the class.  She can be a bit shy and self-aware.  I am glad to report that she enjoyed the class and I will show her first efforts next week when she brings it home. 

My lads. 

Wednesday was back to AWANA.  It took some praying to get myself back into the grove.  AWANA is excellent, however, my flesh would rather stay home where it is warm and more quiet!

Boy and Cat. 

Thursday...
We worked hard to finish our week's lessons. I need to order the next grammar book for Trevor and the next math for Ryan.  I tell them they are never ahead, just doing what comes next.  If I said they were ahead, then they would want to take this semester off.  Not gonna happen!   

The weather warmed up and we all felt the call of the outside world.  40's and sunshine today.  50's and sunshine tomorrow!  I may have to walk an extra day at the park, just because I can.  Glorious sunshine is my best friend right now. 

Thursday brought us a date night, too!  Yes, a date and a chance to get some shopping done without children!  These are quickly coming to an end with tax season starting next month. 

Friday...

Lots to do today.  We're hosting small group and I decided to serve dinner in order to welcome a new family considering our group.  The kids will finish up their independent school work and I will get us ready for our company.  One good thing about hosting a small group is that I have plenty of chances to practice hospitality every other week! 

2011 Review

January 2011

2011 began with a trip to the beach, the frozen, cold beach at Indiana Dunes State Park for Jeff's birthday.  Who says you can't go to the beach for your winter birthday? 

February 2011

February we were back to the dunes area to attend a special wedding. 

March 2011

In March, a teenager was born!  I have to say he is not your typical teenager.  He is a fine young man who has plans to use his giftedness in big ways!   (Watch out Microsoft.) 

April 2011

The last day of April, we headed out on our first camping trip in our new-to-us camper! 

May 2011

In May, we were back to the beach.  This time we could stay awhile. 

June 2011

In June, for Father's Day we camped near my father's home.  It rained, but we kept dry in the camper.  Thankfully, we were able to swim one day in the fun pool. 

July 2011

In July, we celebrated Grace's 12th birthday in Chicago! 

August 2011

August found us beginning 4th, 6th, and 8th grades.  Surprisingly, we did not go camping in August. 

September 2011

But, oh in September, we were back and enjoying spectacular views! 

October 2011

Trevor turned 10 in October.  Jeff and I also celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary.  I also had a birthday in October. 

November 2011

There was much to be thankful for in November. 

December 2011

And much to be celebrated in December!  2011 was a great year and I thank the Lord for His faithfulness to us. 

Happy New Year! 
~Jenn