This Week At Home, Number 41

Indiana Dunes State Park, mid September

Monday:
The weather is warmer for at least today and tomorrow.  The kids take full advantage and play outside a lot today after lessons.  I am suffering from a respiratory virus or aggravated allergies.  Either way, I am congested and have a sore throat, but can keep on doing my normal things, although I was glad that today was an off day for homeschool gym.  We got a full day of lessons done and then I rested in the afternoon after I got laundry done, that is.

Last week we started reading a really well written book, The Eagle of the Ninth.  We are also reading Augustus Caesar's World.  We started the book of Ezra, too. No gym class this and next week.  Grace enjoyed her dance class this afternoon.  She's trying hard to do the splits.

Indiana Dunes State Park

Tuesday:
What a glorious day, weather wise!  I met my friend at the park for a 45 minute sprint.  Then I went to the library to pick up a DVD that I had requested, only to find it was Blu-Ray.  Bummer.  We don't have a Blu-Ray player.  Oh well, I did find 3 other books I wanted, so it was not a wasted trip.  When I got home, the kids had done their morning work by themselves.  I really, really love having older kids!

Tuesday evening, we went to a small group training dinner meeting.  We were given a great little book to read, Why Small Groups, edited by C. J. Mahaney.  I'm really excited to see what God has in mind for our small group.  We are still in the process of adding members to the remnant of our old group.  I pray that we can be patient during this process which is taking longer than we expected.

Wednesday:
The windy, rainy weather is on its way this afternoon.  So glad we were outside Monday and Tuesday.  My throat is all better and I have more energy, just in time, for tonight is AWANA . 

Serving in AWANA is a blessing, yet difficult.  It is good for me to submit my desires to others and serve these dear children every week.  Our club is huge and it is challenging to make sure my attitude is in line each week. The good out weighs the hard parts. 

Prophetstown State Park

Thursday: 
Lessons in the morning.  A quick tidy up before friends coming by this afternoon.  The usual choir rehersal, karate, grocery shopping in the evening.  

Friday:
This is the start of Trevor's birthday weekend celebration!  Originally we had camping reservations and planned to go to Chicago.  However, life got busy with good things at home and so we decided to cancel our trip.  Now it turns out to be a smart thing because the lows this weekend will dip into the 20's and I am not sure that I want to sleep outside in that!

So we are headed to The Creation Museum on a field trip.  We've never been before, so we are very excited. This trip fits in perfectly with our prehistoric sea creatures that we've been studying in science.  Can't wait! 


Saturday is Trevor's actual birthday and we are going to do some fun things with him and fix him his favorite foods. You only turn 10 once! 

Thank you for all your kind comments about my camera woes this week. Really, I am not especially patient, but I have found that making a fuss at a store is just not my style. I will simply choose not to buy from them again. The store is allowed to have its policy. I don't have to be a customer. *smile* Not really a big loss to them either, as I am not in the market for many items. Hopefully, next time I need a camera I will be able to go to a better store. And, by the way, the pictures in this post are from Jeff's cell phone, which is a lot better than mine.  I will make sure he takes lots of pictures this weekend, so all is not lost. 

Have a great weekend.
~Jenn

Still No Camera

Saturday, we went to the store to pick up our "repaired"camera, quickly tested it out and plainly saw that the problem was not fixed, which leads me to wonder if a human being even looked at my camera.  One simple picture taken was all it took for me and the Geek Squad guy to see it was not in focus.  The note from the repair place said,"No visible damage."  OK, so they "looked" at it, but probably did nothing else!  The camera is on its way back to wherever that is, probably another country, as it takes 3 weeks round trip!  This is the third strike on this camera.  Next time it is replaced.  I am not sure I want a third camera of this make and model.  (Yes, this camera is a replacement for my first one that was unable to charge after six months.)  I've never had such problems with a camera before.  So, my baby's 10th birthday, which is this week will go unrecorded!  I guess at least we have a cell phone camera, but it is not the same.  Buyer be ware!

Weekly Wrap-up Number 40

Monday:  Kind of a busy day, but fun.  We did a little reading before going to homeschool gym class.  While the kids were having gym, I walked for thirty minutes around and around the 1/8 mile track.  I decided to focus on things to be thankful for instead of allowing my mind to be bored from the sameness of the track.  Turns out there is always a lot to be thankful for when I take the time to look for them!  

After gym, we went to my favorite lunch spot, the grocery store salad bar.  Then we went to the library to drop off a DVD, avoiding the dollar a day fine.  Next, we headed home to finish math.

I can't believe that fell asleep after math with two kids.  Did I mention that I decided to skip my morning coffee since I'd been hitting the caffeine kind of hard the last week?  Well, turns out I just don't function too well without it these days.  Even with all the exercise!  (Maybe because of the exercise?) 

I woke myself up, made pumpkin muffins with Grace and then dashed her off to dance with a fresh brewed cup of joy in my insulated travel mug. *smile*  Who cares if I cannot sleep tonight! 

Pumpkin Muffins

In a mixing bowl combine:  2 eggs, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/3 cup of canola (or apple sauce), 1 15 oz. can of pumpkin, and 1/2 cup of Blue Agave.  To that add:  1 1/2 cups of  whole wheat flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 tsp nutmeg.  Mix.  350 oven for 12-15 minutes.  12 muffins.  Note:  this is not a really sweet recipe.  The original called for 1 cup of white sugar.

Tuesday:  Oh what joy!  We are home all day and evening, a rare treat!  These days spent at home are such a huge blessing.  And not to have to go out tonight is also a wonderful thing.

I started my afternoon plan.  I am enjoying Flylady's missions.  They are quick and easy.  I don't know why I always have to make it so hard!  I actually did several days worth in one day.  I like working ahead!  (Although, those thankless jobs will be undone before too long.) 

Another thing has been on my mind that I need help with.  How do you schedule yearly, monthly, weekly cleaning jobs.  I am super at getting my daily things done, but the other things just happen haphazardly. I see all these nifty lists of things we "should" do yearly, monthly, weekly, but no one ever says how they schedule these jobs into their daily routine.  I feel as if I am usually just treading water.  Any suggestions?  Maybe those things will come up as I follow Flylady for awhile.

Wednesday:  Today was my birthday!  I was warmly greeted by my husband with a card on top of the coffee maker.  Then, my youngest two children actually got up and came down in the darkness of morning to give me their gifts!  After breakfast, they went upstairs to do their math, to my amazement.  The rest of the day was spent doing what I like best, school.  Really.  I could have taken the day off, but I love learning with my kids, so why do anything different?  The evening was spent at church with the AWANA girls I am growing so fond of.

Thursday: 
Home again all day.  Rested a little more than usual in the afternoon as I feel like my allergies are in high gear or it could be I am getting a cold?  It's nothing major, just annoying, so it is probably just allergies.  

The early evening was a bit challenging as I needed to get Trevor to choir and make dinner at the same time so I could get the other two to karate 45 minutes later!  Thursday is pancake night, so I leave the making of the batter to my capable daughter and I make the short trip to church with Trevor who is also dressed for going to karate right after choir practice.  When I got home, Grace had mixed the batter perfectly and put away all the ingredients, and (this is the big one) had cleaned up after herself!  Love that girl!  I can see how having a 12 year old girl helping in the kitchen is going to come in handy. 

Did I mention that Trevor's choir is going to be on TV Thanksgiving night?  And that he got a small speaking part in our church's Christmas musical?  No, I don't think I did.  Well that all adds up to more practices, but he is happy, happy, happy!  And I am too.  This is his time to shine.

Friday: 
In the morning we will finish up loose ends with our school work, like finishing our essays.  They are writing a mystery this week.  We will also do a little house tidy because we have friends coming in the afternoon to play. 

I got a call that the camera is back.  I hope to run over and get it this weekend.  Thanks to my mom who took these pictures with her Blackberry this past weekend when the kids spent the day with her!


~Jenn

Afternoons

Afternoons have ALWAYS been very difficult for me to get into a solid routine.  I am a morning person.  I am full of energy (after my coffee).  I can get so much done in the hours between 6 and 8AM.  So, why is it that between 2 and 5 PM, after lessons, I am dragging and struggling to finish strong?  Oh, I do some light chores, like folding laundry, or making muffins, but I am willing myself to keep going, and more likely than not, I am folding clothes while watching a favorite show via Netflix, like Hoarders. There should be some relaxation time, as I've been going for 8 hours at that point.  But there needs to be balance,too. I have tried and failed so many times to structure my afternoons.  I have prayed for the strength of character that I need to keep my focus during these hours. 

Here is my proposed plan: 
(Of course this is only on days we are home between 2 and 6)

2PM Go to Flylady's page and do the day's mission.  This doesn't take much time and it is fun since I know I will be challenging myself to get this done.  (Involve kids) 

**This is also a good time to deal with the leaves, if needed. We try to keep on top of the leaves instead of waiting for them all to drop.  Ryan can do most on his own, but I usually push mow for half the time, getting areas hard for the rider.

2:30PM  Fold laundry and PUT it away!!!  (Involve kids)

3-4PM My rest time. Kids should have room time, too)

4PM  Return phone calls, check email, etc.,

4:30PM start before dinner routine, cycle dishes and laundry, set table, chop vegetables, do any prep work.  Make any items that we need for the week like muffins, hummus, or bread.  (with Grace)

5PM  Start Dinner, be ready to eat by 5:30, most nights.

I'll let you know how it goes.
Jenn

Weekly Wrap-up Number 39

Here I am again...

View from the hammock. 

Monday after camping is always full with laundry, gym class,dance, and lessons sprinkled in where we can get them.  After gym we made a quick trip to the library to pick up a hold notice.  And, I did spend a little time in the sun getting some vitamin D on the hammock, reading a new book.  I think we all worked pretty hard trying to get back in gear after our busy weekend.

Mess, view one

Mess, view two

Surprisingly, our thoughts turned to going camping AGAIN this coming weekend as the weather is going to be nice.  A little voice in my heart is saying,"GO! Winter will be here before you know it and you'll be stuck inside for months."  We checked our favorite parks and they are all booked up, except the non-electric.  Do we really want to go that bad?  (Yes, I do! But can the kids live without their gadgets? )

(from Tuesday's bike ride)

Tuesday was spent doing more lessons, a little more than Monday, thankfully.  This is the best day to get our lessons in, pick up the slack from yesterday, although we only missed Science.

Before lessons, Grace and I took our longest bike ride to date.  My bike's chain fell off and I had never put one back on before.  I was going to just walk home, but then decided to give it a try.  And I did it!  I was so happy not to have to walk 2 miles home, lugging a bike.  

We also had our rescheduled flock group meeting in the evening. I made  blueberry bran muffins for treats.

Blueberry Bran Muffins

Combine 2 cups of bran flakes with 1 and 1/2 cups of milk, until soft.  To that add, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of unsweetened apple sauce, 1/3 cup of blue agave syrup (a natural sweetener), and 1 tsp. of salt.  Mix.  To that add 2 cups whole wheat flour and 5 tsp. baking powder.  Mix.  Fold in 2 cups of frozen wild blueberries.  Spray 2 muffin tins or line with paper cups.  Makes 20 muffins.  I can't eek out 24, sorry, maybe you can.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 18 min.  Time will vary as oven temperatures vary.

An electric camping spot opened up at a favorite park. Should we dare?  That was the question of the day. Then, "What are we thinking?",starts to roll through my mind.  Maybe just a day trip to bike is really enough.  We've been going pretty strong for the last few weeks, but still temptation looms! 


Wednesday is always all about lessons and AWANA.

Love blankets drying on a line! 

Thursday we wrapped up our formal studies for the week.  It is a rainy day.  The two younger kids got to go to their friends' house to play this afternoon, making their day.  Tonight is karate and grocery shopping.  I bought myself a flour-less chocolate cake for my birthday that's coming up next week. 

Friday.  The big question is here.  Will we go camping?  No, looks like we will pass up this splendid weekend.  For one thing, we are going again the end of October to celebrate our youngest's 10th birthday with a side trip to Chicago.  We need to save our pennies for that trip.  Secondly, we really need to be home this weekend and just enjoy being home.  However, my sweet mom offered to watch the kids while Jeff and I go biking on Saturday.  Thanks, Mom!

That wraps up our week.  I hope you've had a wonderful week as well.
Jenn

Weekly Wrap-up Number 38

Because of being short on time, I'll end up doing two wrap-ups this week...

In my last update, I mentioned we were going camping as a family to Indiana Dunes State Park.  The weather was cool, but lovely after a small rain Friday night.  The wind was going at gale force the whole weekend though.  It amazes me how that lake can get the weather all in a tizzy.  The waves were beautiful to watch.  We had a great time as a family. 

Monday, we got back to work and I did a lot of laundry.  It took me until Wednesday to get it all done.  That was good, because I needed to start packing for our next trip by then! 

Tuesday through Thursday, we kept at our lessons pretty hard, even though, we had to say no to some really good things, like visiting Grandma.  That was a tough call.  I usually side on relationships over school work, but this week we really needed to keep our focus. 

Friday, Jeff was off and we were off back up to the dunes without kids!  We celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary hiking, biking, and enjoying a warm, sunny weekend.  I have to say it was our best ever camping trip.  Not just because we were alone, but we were able to bring our bikes for the first time and that was awesome.  It took no time to ride to the beach (as opposed to the 40 minute round trip walk) to see the sunset or just to watch a slow moving barge.  The lake was as quiet as a mouse this weekend.  (We need a bike rack!)

And now it is Monday again, but I'll tell you about this week in a few more days. 

Until then... Jenn 

PS, my camera is back in the shop, these are from past trips. 

For You, Mom

A cat we met recently.

I don't usually like to write a post, just for the sake of writing something, but today I thought it would be OK, just this once.  I mean, if I don't write something soon, my mom will probably say something, again.  *grins*

I've gone from cranking out posts a few times a week to just barely getting two a week.  It doesn't help that I am camera-less.  Pretty much that leaves words or finding old pictures, or using someone else's pictures. 

Pure contentment. 

Maybe I am out of things to say other than "this is what we are doing" type posts.  I want to keep writing a weekly wrap-up so that I will have something to look back on and remember these wonderfully rich days.  Maybe I've said everything else that I have to say?  Maybe this is just another dry spell.  I'm sure all bloggers go through those. 

One of the last photos taken on our broken camera.

Thankfully, right now, my life is kind of boring. It is all about teaching my kids and moving us through our week with grace and truth.  And with that, I will get back to the task at hand, making dinner! 
~Jenn