A Perfect Day

This past Saturday we headed up north to see Jeff's mom and to celebrate his birthday, which is this coming Thursday.  Because he has a January birthday, we always try to celebrate the weekend before, in case of bad weather so we will have the next weekend to move our party to. 

This trip was a much needed lake fix.  We miss Lake Michigan, even in the winter.  The weather was brisk and overcast, but not too windy or snowy.  Jeff and Grace hiked a trail over Mt. Tom to the nature center.  We had a nice lunch at Quaker Steak and Lube.  My they can eat wings!  We also did a little shopping at Pro Bass and the camper dealer by the lake to buy mirror extensions and tire chocks.  We also bought our yearly park pass.  And finally we had birthday cake.  Then it was time to make the 2 and a half hour journey back home. 

Here are some pictures of our time. 

 Love the swirls!

 Almost 45!

 Trevor's new hat. 

Here's hoping it is not too long before we get back to our lake home!  I am counting the days until our first camping trip the last weekend in April. 

Thank You!

I need to express my thanks to you all.  A few months ago, I was very discouraged regarding the whole process of blogging. It seemed fewer and fewer of my online friends were blogging very much, turning to either Facebook or nothing at all.  I turly think the Spirit moved us to Blogger.  We've really got a nice little community here.  I appreciate all the comments and the time you take to visit often.  It may seem like a little thing, but it is very encouraging to me. 

I also wanted to let you know that I am working on my second verse.  I am happy to announce that I have remained diligent in that effort.  It does take effort!  The gears in my brain are turning.  *gins*  I am thankful to be able to memorize verses.  I think of my grandma who no longer has that option. 

Tomorrow I plan to post pictures from our whirlwind trip to the lake Saturday.  My husband's phone takes pretty good pictures outside, so I am thankful to him for making the time to take them for my blog. Here is a preview. 

With a thankful heart,
Jenn

Contrasts

Mom and I both went to a beach yesterday. 

This is her beach, yesterday. 

This was taken at our favorite beach, yesterday. 

I think she had more fun than we did. 

This Week at Home

Hard to believe another whole week has flown by.

On the Heart and Mind:

I am very thankful to be alive this week and feeling back to normal, almost.  

My mom is traveling this coming week and I will miss her. My dear grandma was diagnosed with pneumonia two weeks ago and thankfully, she has continued to do well. I hope to visit her this coming week, if every one stays healthy.

My husband's mandatory overtime without pay has started.  This year I am not going to allow myself to get upset.  The three months will go by and then we will have him back, again.  Not every one is that fortunate.  In the meantime, I will keep myself busy with the affairs of this house. 

View from Mom's hotel.

On the Home Front:

The list I wrote myself on Monday is slowly getting checked off.  I tend to keep up with the laundry, dishes, trash and a general tidy, but anything extra is, well, extra.  Perhaps it is because I am in recovery mode.  I have pushed us this week with lessons.  By the time we are done, I am done.  I have enough to get the basics done and then it is time to get dinner started.  Another day is gone!

Learning and Life: 

We are back to full speed with outside activities with gym class, dance class, AWANA, and karate.  I am so glad that we are not in a co-op, too.  Although I miss the fun parts of a co-op.

This week we finished two of the three books we started last week. We finished Water Sky and Wolves of Willoughby Chase.  Both books were very enjoyable.  The kids would not let me stop without multiple chapters being read at once.  It's amazing that my voice held out, day after day! 

We continue to love the book Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? I am going to have to find more in this series of Uncle Eric Books.  Excellent!  I hope my library has a few we can borrow.  

We'll be starting some new books this next week. Can't wait!

In the Kitchen:

Still no baking this week.  We really do not need me to be baking!  There is enough Christmas candy still around.  I did make a lovely menu for this coming week.   Want to see it? 

Friday:  Homemade Pizzas & salad
Saturday:  Bacon, egg, and cheese bagels & fruit
Sunday:  Chicken tortillas & corn
Monday:  Chicken stir fry with vegetables, spring egg rolls & rice
Tuesday:  Pancakes & fruit
Wednesday:  Spaghetti, homemade garlic bread & broccoli
Thursday:  Chicken & noodles, green beans  (Jeff's birthday) 


On the Nook:
No time to read for fun this week.  (As if I needed more reading this week!)  I am still slowly making my way through the Old Testament this year. I did download a $3 Wiki Book for my computer genius son.  Now there are three of us wanting to share one Nook. 



Quote of the Week:

"The secret of discipline is motivation. When a man is sufficiently motivated, discipline will take care of itself." – Alexander Patterson 


That's been my week. I hope yours has been a good one, too.  I am looking forward to the coming week, as we have a birthday to celebrate. 
~Jenn

PS My new camera is in the shop.   It will be three weeks, hopefully not longer.  This will make blogging a challenge!

More Nonsense

Sometimes you just have to watch a funny video, because they are there to watch.

Oh, My Stars!

I read a lot.  I read books.  I read blogs, a lot of blogs.  I read aloud to my kids every day for a couple hours.  I love to read.  I am hooked on it, you might say!  That's why I love Google Reader.  One of the features that I use frequently is the "star".  I decided that it might be fun to post some of my favorite "stars".  So here it goes.

The number one slot goes to Summer Tomato's How to Start Working Out When You Don't Like Exercise.  I don't think I need to say any more on this topic.  *sigh*

Number two slot goes to A Wise Woman Builds Her Home's When We Fail.    Thank you, dear lady!  I needed to hear this after my day of trying to teach a certain child yesterday.

Number three goes to Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers's Homeschool Showcase # 63.  Lots of good reads there.  I am still working on them, myself.

Number four goes to Best of Fates' This is a Cat in a Bowl.  It made me smile.  I just love cats.

And number five goes to The Animal Blog.   The whole blog makes me smile.  I guess I was in the mood to smile this week!

My favorite video this week is:


I want to learn how to fold a shirt like that!

And here is a cool post from Pioneer Woman that I just found.  Your kids can learn vocabulary and earn real rice for real people.  Don't ask me how that works.  I just go with it.  I will say it is for younger kids, as my 7th grader found the words too easy.  I told him to keep going anyway, because people were hungry.

I hope you enjoy these sites as much as I have.  It may take me a month to get another crop of good ones to share, or it may be another week.  :-)
~Jenn

Is it Food?

Have you seen this yet?  You can read more at Summer Tomato.