Heat oven to 450 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
Ingredients:
8 small chicken breasts
3 T. olive oil
2 T. lemon juice
2 t. Old Bay Seasoning
1/4 t. tumeric
2 t. salt
Mix the spices, oil and juice together in a small bowl and brush over chicken after laying them on the pan. Cook for about 1 hour or until done (160 degrees internal temperature).
We served it with rice and California blend veggies. It was wonderful!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
A Homemaker's Day Book
April 28, 2009
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: Windy, but sort of warm. All last week was in the 80's and this week it's back to the 50-60's. I was so ready for summer.
I AM THANKFUL FOR: Learning the basic principle of Time Out for children. It's been rough, but I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel.
FROM THE KITCHEN: Moroccan chicken (last night...see recipe!). Tonight: Teriyaki chicken bowls.
I AM READING: Real Solutions for Busy Moms by Kathy Ireland. Very interesting.
I AM HEARING: Children doing chores. And a washer.
I AM CREATING: A clean schoolroom. We are starting school back up tomorrow after having a 4 week break.
I AM GOING: To the kitchen to make dinner.
I AM HOPING: That I can find some solace in reading scriptures, prayer and good friends that can sympathize with me when I just can't take one more minute in my house with two autistic children and the other kids that feed off of the disruption they sometimes cause.
AROUND THE HOUSE: Still cleaning, which I think is never ending. I'm working on my bedroom and trying to get the clothes put away and the sheets washed and bed made.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: A quiet home. I like the quiet sounds of kids playing and chatting.
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Starting school back up, working on getting some garage sale stuff together (maybe). This weekend I want to get some of our garden put in (underground stuff).
A PICTURE THOUGHT FOR YOU: I've gotten sucked into Farm Town on Facebook. Makes me wish I had a real farm.
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: Windy, but sort of warm. All last week was in the 80's and this week it's back to the 50-60's. I was so ready for summer.
I AM THANKFUL FOR: Learning the basic principle of Time Out for children. It's been rough, but I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel.
FROM THE KITCHEN: Moroccan chicken (last night...see recipe!). Tonight: Teriyaki chicken bowls.
I AM READING: Real Solutions for Busy Moms by Kathy Ireland. Very interesting.
I AM HEARING: Children doing chores. And a washer.
I AM CREATING: A clean schoolroom. We are starting school back up tomorrow after having a 4 week break.
I AM GOING: To the kitchen to make dinner.
I AM HOPING: That I can find some solace in reading scriptures, prayer and good friends that can sympathize with me when I just can't take one more minute in my house with two autistic children and the other kids that feed off of the disruption they sometimes cause.
AROUND THE HOUSE: Still cleaning, which I think is never ending. I'm working on my bedroom and trying to get the clothes put away and the sheets washed and bed made.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: A quiet home. I like the quiet sounds of kids playing and chatting.
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Starting school back up, working on getting some garage sale stuff together (maybe). This weekend I want to get some of our garden put in (underground stuff).
A PICTURE THOUGHT FOR YOU: I've gotten sucked into Farm Town on Facebook. Makes me wish I had a real farm.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Happy Easter
Getting nine people together for pictures is never easy. :) Happy Easter 2009!
I know its almost two weeks late, does having seven kids excuse me? LOL
I know its almost two weeks late, does having seven kids excuse me? LOL
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A Homemaker's Day Book
April 16, 2009
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: It's raining!! We have an aluminum carport so I love to stand under it and listen to the rain on it. My insane children decided they wanted to play in the rain today. Given the last few days of warm weather, they thought it was going to be warm. Weren't they surprised when it was only 52 degrees and freezing. Warm showers and hot chocolate all around.
I AM THANKFUL FOR: Babies that are sleeping through the night. AAAHHH!!! Nothing like a good full night's sleep.
FROM THE KITCHEN: Roasted chicken sandwiches and salad. Tonight will be soup. Hmm...wonder if I could whip up some rolls...nah...I'll do cheesy garlic biscuits instead.
I AM READING: Remember Me? By Sophie Kinsella. She writes the Cofessions of a Shopoholic.
I AM HEARING: Legos being played with, kids getting snacks, Ammon laughing at bubble Hannah is blowing for him.
I AM CREATING: A garden. Our landlords had a garden last year (their's didn't do well either, and looked about like ours); I hoed it up on Monday, and the boys cleaned out a dog run area too. I'm trying to decide if I want to plant flowers on the dog run side or if I want to do a mix. We have grapes that run the whole back of the fence. I'd love to have some fruit trees, but if we don't plan this to be our forever house, I'm not going to plant them.
I AM GOING: To bed, the couch or the desk. I'm not feeling so hot this week.
I AM HOPING: I can find something more exciting for my children to do than get excited over Top Ramen noodles.
AROUND THE HOUSE: I got caught up on laundry, cleaned the carpets, and...hmm....well, I think that's about all we have managed to do. Keep up on dishes, the living room, and the bathrooms.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: I think I've written this before, about taking a bath and getting into bed with clean sheets and freshly shaven legs. I had to buy new sheets for our bed this week because both sets either have holes in them or the elastic is stretched out. We have a floral rose quilt and red stands out the most on it, so I bought red sheets to match. I feel so brazen.
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Church. House cleaning with Curtis' help. I get to go a whole day of seminars on Tuesday for Early Childhood Development.
A PICTURE THOUGHT TO SHARE WITH YOU: Comfy? This is Nemo. Even as a kitten, he loved sleeping in my flower arrangements. I think he's outgrown the basket.
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: It's raining!! We have an aluminum carport so I love to stand under it and listen to the rain on it. My insane children decided they wanted to play in the rain today. Given the last few days of warm weather, they thought it was going to be warm. Weren't they surprised when it was only 52 degrees and freezing. Warm showers and hot chocolate all around.
I AM THANKFUL FOR: Babies that are sleeping through the night. AAAHHH!!! Nothing like a good full night's sleep.
FROM THE KITCHEN: Roasted chicken sandwiches and salad. Tonight will be soup. Hmm...wonder if I could whip up some rolls...nah...I'll do cheesy garlic biscuits instead.
I AM READING: Remember Me? By Sophie Kinsella. She writes the Cofessions of a Shopoholic.
I AM HEARING: Legos being played with, kids getting snacks, Ammon laughing at bubble Hannah is blowing for him.
I AM CREATING: A garden. Our landlords had a garden last year (their's didn't do well either, and looked about like ours); I hoed it up on Monday, and the boys cleaned out a dog run area too. I'm trying to decide if I want to plant flowers on the dog run side or if I want to do a mix. We have grapes that run the whole back of the fence. I'd love to have some fruit trees, but if we don't plan this to be our forever house, I'm not going to plant them.
I AM GOING: To bed, the couch or the desk. I'm not feeling so hot this week.
I AM HOPING: I can find something more exciting for my children to do than get excited over Top Ramen noodles.
AROUND THE HOUSE: I got caught up on laundry, cleaned the carpets, and...hmm....well, I think that's about all we have managed to do. Keep up on dishes, the living room, and the bathrooms.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: I think I've written this before, about taking a bath and getting into bed with clean sheets and freshly shaven legs. I had to buy new sheets for our bed this week because both sets either have holes in them or the elastic is stretched out. We have a floral rose quilt and red stands out the most on it, so I bought red sheets to match. I feel so brazen.
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Church. House cleaning with Curtis' help. I get to go a whole day of seminars on Tuesday for Early Childhood Development.
A PICTURE THOUGHT TO SHARE WITH YOU: Comfy? This is Nemo. Even as a kitten, he loved sleeping in my flower arrangements. I think he's outgrown the basket.
Monday, April 13, 2009
I Would Die For That
I never really talked much about this but I think some people would look at me and say I never felt the pain of infertility. It was in the 3rd year of marriage (in my first marriage) that I found out my ex was sterile. I felt like I had been hit by a train. While at the time I was in the Air Force and being somewhat of a "career woman", I really felt that I only ever wanted to be a wife and mother. Without the hope of ever having children, I was crushed and spiraled into a very deep depression. I prayed many nights for my Heavenly Father to take me home because this want, this need, this ache to have a baby was too great for me to bear. I had started foster care proceedings, but dropped out when my ex told me that we would never adopt a baby or try for infertility treatments until we were out of debt, just as he signed up for a second mortgage and bought a new car. I knew then he was happy without children and at the same time, many undesirable things in him came to light and I found my way out of the marriage. Alone and depressed, I wondered if I would ever have the family I desired, and would I ever find a good husband and father to my kids. A year later, I got both, and it's been uphill ever since and I thank God for the 6 blessings he's put into our home every day.
To the ladies that suffer from infertility, miscarriages, and empty arms, my love and prayers go out to you. I know the heartache. I know the trials you fight through. I know how desparate you feel.
This is a beatiful song and video I found on another blog and thought I would share it.
To the ladies that suffer from infertility, miscarriages, and empty arms, my love and prayers go out to you. I know the heartache. I know the trials you fight through. I know how desparate you feel.
This is a beatiful song and video I found on another blog and thought I would share it.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Ode to Joshua
I have a hard time with transitions. I learned early on in child-rearing to not wish for the next phase; to enjoy the one you are in; because more than likely the babies will speed right through it and a year from now it will be but a wisp of a memory. Joshua was speedy. I think he lives his life pretty much on fast forward. High or off. I like that he is now speaking in sentences, and I get a good laugh almost every day listening to him ramble on. The most significant to me is to listen to him "teach" Simeon. One morning I listened in on Joshua tell Simeon that the dishwasher was hot (where the steam vent is). It went something like this:
"Simeon, don't touch. Its hot".
"Hot?"
"Yeah, hot. Don't touch."
"Hot?"
"Its hot!"
"Hot?"
"ITS HOT. STOP TOUCHING IT!"
"Hot?"
Joshua reminds me of Jesse at that age, and Jesse doing the same things for Isaac. Its kinda weird and neat at the same time to observe that it's like having two exact sets of boys: the younger brother helps the older brother. I sometimes think Joshua would have fit better in birth order as a number 1. He'd rather lead the pack than follow.
Joshua was the only one of my babies to be born quickly. I had to be induced, and what a relief. His big noggin was pressing on hip bones and that last month was quite painful. I had labored all night with contractions, getting no sleep and no relief. The nurses would come in and check me and tell me 2cm, 3cm, and finally 4cm. But at 5:00 a.m. the nurse that checked me said, "No, she's just at a 3." I had a major crying pity party at that point in which all nurses left the room and Curtis was left to console a hysterical, unreasonable wife.
"Why can't I labor like NORMAL women!?" I yelled. I told him to go home, get some breakfast and a shower and let the dog out, and then retreated into myself. I figured if I was going backwards, nothing was going to happen for awhile. My doctor came in and broke my water just before Curtis left. Quiet again, and alone, I laid in a heap on the bed. "This is number 5!! It shouldn't take this long!"
30 minutes later I was frantically calling Curtis to tell him to come back. Things were speeding up.
1 hour later:
"Honey. Where's the insurance papers?"
"WHAT?!" I exploded. "Just get here. You are NOT missing another baby's birth!! What happened?" I yelled. But I had to let him go as another contraction took over.
15 minutes later they checked me and I was at 8cm. The epidural guy arrived and just as he got me positioned, Curtis came strolling in. He had been pulled over for speeding, in the hospital parking lot, no less, and detained as they looked to see if the car was stolen, why we had Texas plates on it when we lived in Nebraska, why he had a Colorado driver's license, why we didn't have insurance. NEVER MIND HIS WIFE WAS HAVING A BABY!
Within 15 minutes of the epidural being administered, I was complete and ready to push. Hunger took over. The contractions were spaced about 5 minutes apart, so in between them we chatted with the doctor and nurses. I was ready to invite the doctor over for a BBQ.
Unfortunately, everytime I pushed, he tried to turn Joshua's head because he was presenting diagnally, which REALLY hurt. Finally I couldn't wait any more and just pushed and pushed until he was finally out. One nurse said she'd never seen anything like that. He had dragged it out long enough. Time to get on with the show, is how I felt.
Joshua was born at 8:45 on Apr. 10, 2006. He weighed 9 lbs. 1 oz. The heaviest of all my kids. He was so cute though. Hannah refused to believe he was a brother and not her own live doll. Simeon refused to have anything to do with him, although at a later date he did give Joshua a wonderful toy: a squee-gee.
He's been mischevious. I caught him climbing a bed we were moving, to get onto a counter, to climb over a breakfast bar and get into the cupboard. He learned to walk and then was into everything. We didn't have a baby gate that was big enough for the stairwell, so he just figured out at 8 mo. how not to fall down the stairs. He was just at 17 mo. when one night he showed up beside my desk, so proud of himself, that he had climbed out of his crib, gotten out of his room and came to see me. Right from the beginning he was a do-er, so he watched us do things, fix things and make things so he could become Mr. Fixit. He mostly likes to take stuff apart. When we had our broken vacuum cleaner, his favorite job was to get the screwdriver so he could help me fix the belt in it.
It's amazing to me what kind of stuff he can do at three, versus what he did as a baby. He's a dancer now. Also a stripper. I cannot count how many times he ran outside and stripped. I had one neighbor return pants one day, and another a shirt. I got him a toolbox for his birthday and that has become the prized possession. He likes to help cook. I find his little finger marks in the flour and sugar. I find dry noodles all over the house because he likes to feel those. He runs off with all my wooden spoons too. He doesn't like to sleep in his bed, so he is usually in my room, stuffing his toys in my bed, reading my books, playing with my hair ties.
The life of three year olds seems so simple and yet so difficult. Full of exploration and learning and yet just not quite capable of handling all the stuff at once. I used to say that three year olds would be the death of me, but you know, they're kinda growing on me. Joshua and I now have conversations which go something like this:
"Sim bit me!" "I need a baba (cup!"
"WWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Translation: I need all the legos.
It is nice to hear him tell me he loves me, or that he wants to play with my hair, or that my back makes a nice racetrack. It's really nice when he responds to requests, like picking up his shoes or closing the bathroom door. Joshua's strong personality fits right in with the rest. He's such a happy boy most of the time and he's one curious, smart cookie. It will be really interesting to see what he grows up to be. He's certainly keeps us guessing.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A Homemaker's Day Book
April 9, 2009 (Technically, it's the 10th, but I'm up late, so I'm sticking with the 9th)
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: Snow, again. All day long. Tomorrow it should melt off. Just in time for a perfectly muddy environment for egg hunting. However, signs of spring are here. The other night while I stood outside with the dog and could hear birds still chirping away at 10:00 p.m. Leaves are starting to sprout too.
I AM THANKFUL FOR: Bread. Sunny days. Babies laughing. The UPS guy (he brings me such nice things). Computers.
FROM THE KITCHEN: Chicken Enchilada Soup (very cheesy) and garlic homemade bread. With a slice of pear. I also made pretzel rolls today, but I think I should have stuck with the pretzels themselves.
I AM READING: Notes to Self. (Meh...kinda depressing). The Explosive Child. I think everyone needs to read this book.
I AM HEARING: Tic, tic, tic, maybe I should be getting to bed.
I AM CREATING: Rag quilts for the boys. Planning my garden for this year.
I AM GOING: To MOPS tomorrow morning. At first, I really hung back from getting to know these ladies, but now, I really enjoy going and enjoy visiting with them. Tomorrow we are making some calendars that are made on the back of a cookie sheet. I'll post pics.
I AM HOPING: For some good weather to celebrate Joshua's birthday tomorrow. And Easter this weekend.
AROUND THE HOUSE: We power cleaned the house on Monday. We cleaned, sorted, put away, organized, and even switched two bedrooms for 4 kids. It was beautiful. It smelled beautiful. It was heaven going to bed that night. Tonight: looks like a bomb went off. Why can't it stay nice!? I have Joshua climbing shelves for stuff supposedly out of his reach. I have Simeon sneaking applesauce snack packs. I have Ammon unloading every possible drawer, cupboard, closet, bin, trashcan, dog bowl, and dresser. Hannah is the ONLY child maintaining her room neatly. The boys room, cleaned spotless and organized on Monday is beyond recognition. To give them credit they did get it mostly cleaned up tonight.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: Opening the windows on warm days. Getting kisses from Ammon. Really watching Isaac objectively. He stims by slapping his hands together. His eyes are all over the place. His teeth look too big for his head, but he taps them when he is trying to think. His shirt is always covered in something. The poor kid. I'm not watching him to laugh at him or judge him, but these are things that I never took time to look for in him and connect to autism.
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Joshua's birthday party. Getting the car repaired. Church and church activities. I think that's about it.
A PICTURE THOUGHT TO SHARE WITH YOU:Hmm...I'm sensing a trend:
April 8, 2007
April 11, 2008 That's a 4 ft. drift over the driveway. The snow was so heavy and compacted, it was blue in the middle.
April 2009
Another snow storm. I don't have a picture yet, but I'll get one. It's almost to the day!! At least the patterns are predictable.
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: Snow, again. All day long. Tomorrow it should melt off. Just in time for a perfectly muddy environment for egg hunting. However, signs of spring are here. The other night while I stood outside with the dog and could hear birds still chirping away at 10:00 p.m. Leaves are starting to sprout too.
I AM THANKFUL FOR: Bread. Sunny days. Babies laughing. The UPS guy (he brings me such nice things). Computers.
FROM THE KITCHEN: Chicken Enchilada Soup (very cheesy) and garlic homemade bread. With a slice of pear. I also made pretzel rolls today, but I think I should have stuck with the pretzels themselves.
I AM READING: Notes to Self. (Meh...kinda depressing). The Explosive Child. I think everyone needs to read this book.
I AM HEARING: Tic, tic, tic, maybe I should be getting to bed.
I AM CREATING: Rag quilts for the boys. Planning my garden for this year.
I AM GOING: To MOPS tomorrow morning. At first, I really hung back from getting to know these ladies, but now, I really enjoy going and enjoy visiting with them. Tomorrow we are making some calendars that are made on the back of a cookie sheet. I'll post pics.
I AM HOPING: For some good weather to celebrate Joshua's birthday tomorrow. And Easter this weekend.
AROUND THE HOUSE: We power cleaned the house on Monday. We cleaned, sorted, put away, organized, and even switched two bedrooms for 4 kids. It was beautiful. It smelled beautiful. It was heaven going to bed that night. Tonight: looks like a bomb went off. Why can't it stay nice!? I have Joshua climbing shelves for stuff supposedly out of his reach. I have Simeon sneaking applesauce snack packs. I have Ammon unloading every possible drawer, cupboard, closet, bin, trashcan, dog bowl, and dresser. Hannah is the ONLY child maintaining her room neatly. The boys room, cleaned spotless and organized on Monday is beyond recognition. To give them credit they did get it mostly cleaned up tonight.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: Opening the windows on warm days. Getting kisses from Ammon. Really watching Isaac objectively. He stims by slapping his hands together. His eyes are all over the place. His teeth look too big for his head, but he taps them when he is trying to think. His shirt is always covered in something. The poor kid. I'm not watching him to laugh at him or judge him, but these are things that I never took time to look for in him and connect to autism.
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Joshua's birthday party. Getting the car repaired. Church and church activities. I think that's about it.
A PICTURE THOUGHT TO SHARE WITH YOU:Hmm...I'm sensing a trend:
April 8, 2007
April 11, 2008 That's a 4 ft. drift over the driveway. The snow was so heavy and compacted, it was blue in the middle.
April 2009
Another snow storm. I don't have a picture yet, but I'll get one. It's almost to the day!! At least the patterns are predictable.
Ode to Chick Fil A
One of my favorite restaurants just happens to be Chick Fil A. We all know what we want when we get there. I always eat a Caesar Wrap with Caesar dressing on a good day. On a bad day I eat a Caesar Wrap, waffle fries, ketchup with mayo and a delicious cookies and cream milkshake with whipped cream on top. Guess what we had for dinner? I kept annoying the kids by singing this song...thanks Dawn for sharing it with me...only friends help friends learn annoying and funny songs! LOL
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Kid-isms
Hannah and I were sitting on the front porch today and we have a big bush that is right beside the steps. Hannah pointed out that there were leaves on the branches and so once again, I had to smile and laugh as she re-explained her naked and dressed tree theory. She pointed out this year that the "puffy and spiky" trees (evergreens) never get naked, only the tall trees do. She ended that it's good they are getting dressed again. I wonder how long she will continue to think like that. I love her thought processes.
Simeon has become a little better with his speech, and now he is trying to add emotion to his face and add emphasis to his sentences. Today he spilled applesauce down his front so of course, he has to change his clothes. He throws his arms up. "Oh GREAT! Now I have to change!" Throughout the day I hear a barrage of "comeoncomeoncomeoncomeon" as the DVD player gets stuck on a scratched movie, "aaarrrghhhhh" when someone takes a car, and "No, I don't go to sleep" when pressed fro nap time or bedtime. One of the biggest, surprising things is that he approaches me asking to go outside. If I tell him to get his shoes on, a coat, change his clothes, he can, but he comes out with pants on backwards, shirt on wrong side out and backwards, sandles (when it snowed) and a winter coat. Of course, the penguins are joining him too.
I think it's so cute to hear my kids singing. Today we watched Mamma Mia and Simeon tried to sing along. (Side note: Pierce Brosnan doesn't sing that well). Then Simeon, Hannah and Joshua start doing dance parties and Joshua's new favorite is table dancing. All fun and games till he falls off the table. Hope no one wants to take him to a bar when he grows up.
Ammon seems to be doing way more than I remember 13 month olds doing. He learned how to color, or at least knows that crayons stay on paper. He still tries to make masterpieces on the walls though. He table dances too. He's got a major love affair going on with the vacuum. It's his favorite past time to push that out of the closet and stare at himself in the shiny chrome goodness. Eating out of the trash (he was eating flour one day, eeww), playing in the dog water, dumping the dog food, climbing the stairs, unplugging any outlets he manages to squeeze himself towards (most are hidden behind furniture), playing in the toilet, dumping the bins of toys the kids just cleaned up, looking at books, and trying to escape when the screen door is open pretty much takes up his day. I do especially like that he is sleeping through the night. And that he learned how to give non-slobbery kisses.
I sometimes forget that kids are learning all the time, no matter what they seem to be doing (or not be doing sometimes). It's rewarding to a homeschooling mother to realize these things. Also seems to make the long winter/spring days go a little quicker with a smile or two.
Simeon has become a little better with his speech, and now he is trying to add emotion to his face and add emphasis to his sentences. Today he spilled applesauce down his front so of course, he has to change his clothes. He throws his arms up. "Oh GREAT! Now I have to change!" Throughout the day I hear a barrage of "comeoncomeoncomeoncomeon" as the DVD player gets stuck on a scratched movie, "aaarrrghhhhh" when someone takes a car, and "No, I don't go to sleep" when pressed fro nap time or bedtime. One of the biggest, surprising things is that he approaches me asking to go outside. If I tell him to get his shoes on, a coat, change his clothes, he can, but he comes out with pants on backwards, shirt on wrong side out and backwards, sandles (when it snowed) and a winter coat. Of course, the penguins are joining him too.
I think it's so cute to hear my kids singing. Today we watched Mamma Mia and Simeon tried to sing along. (Side note: Pierce Brosnan doesn't sing that well). Then Simeon, Hannah and Joshua start doing dance parties and Joshua's new favorite is table dancing. All fun and games till he falls off the table. Hope no one wants to take him to a bar when he grows up.
Ammon seems to be doing way more than I remember 13 month olds doing. He learned how to color, or at least knows that crayons stay on paper. He still tries to make masterpieces on the walls though. He table dances too. He's got a major love affair going on with the vacuum. It's his favorite past time to push that out of the closet and stare at himself in the shiny chrome goodness. Eating out of the trash (he was eating flour one day, eeww), playing in the dog water, dumping the dog food, climbing the stairs, unplugging any outlets he manages to squeeze himself towards (most are hidden behind furniture), playing in the toilet, dumping the bins of toys the kids just cleaned up, looking at books, and trying to escape when the screen door is open pretty much takes up his day. I do especially like that he is sleeping through the night. And that he learned how to give non-slobbery kisses.
I sometimes forget that kids are learning all the time, no matter what they seem to be doing (or not be doing sometimes). It's rewarding to a homeschooling mother to realize these things. Also seems to make the long winter/spring days go a little quicker with a smile or two.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A Homemaker's Day Book
April 5, 2009
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: Cold and snow in the forecast. I think tomorrow is supposed to be nice and then another snowstorm will hit Saturday...just in time for the community Easter egg hunt.
I AM THANKFUL FOR: Finishing something. The kids finished the school year for 2008-2009 this week. I'm proud of them, and I'm proud of myself. This is the first year in 4 years of homeschooling that we finished an entire, complete year. YAY!!
FROM THE KITCHEN: Left over rosemary potatoes. Anyone want to come over for that exciting dish. I'm serious. It's only rosemary potatoes. No meat. No other veggie. I'll throw in a glass of water. Any more appetizing?
I AM READING: Dewey, the story about a Library cat. The Explosive Child. Emma Smith.
I AM HEARING: Nothing at all...sweet peace and quiet.
I AM CREATING: Lewis and Clark homeschool curriculum for next year. Still.
I AM GOING: I went to see Confessions of a Shopoholic tonight. It was pretty cute. No swearing, no sex. I went with the MOPS group and it was really nice to have some other ladies to hang out with.
I AM HOPING: That I can get all my priorities straightened out and get a little more structure in our home.
AROUND THE HOUSE: Blah. I want to hang up curtains in the living room. I want to scrub, scrub, scrub the floor in the kitchen. I want to hang some flower garlands over my bedroom windows. I want to recover my furniture that now has holes in the fabric (thank you, dear children, for stabbing your pencils into it). I want to sort out and declutter ever more stuff in the house. **Positive thought process: I shouldn't say want...I should be saying I CAN!**
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: Listening to my Ipod while I make dinner, bread, or fold a huge mountain of laundry.
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Easter Egg hunt and Safety Day this weekend. Joshua's birthday is next Friday, so we will be having a birthday party next week. I have a lot of stuff planned for myself over the next month too.
A PICTURE THOUGHT TO SHARE WITH YOU: I'll post more pictures of Joshua next week on his birthday, but after a near hit with a car, and almost turning three (can't believe how fast time goes), he's really been on my mind lately. He is goofy. He's always had this happy, curious personality and he's always so photogenic. So, for your enjoyment, Joshua: (with Isaac)
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: Cold and snow in the forecast. I think tomorrow is supposed to be nice and then another snowstorm will hit Saturday...just in time for the community Easter egg hunt.
I AM THANKFUL FOR: Finishing something. The kids finished the school year for 2008-2009 this week. I'm proud of them, and I'm proud of myself. This is the first year in 4 years of homeschooling that we finished an entire, complete year. YAY!!
FROM THE KITCHEN: Left over rosemary potatoes. Anyone want to come over for that exciting dish. I'm serious. It's only rosemary potatoes. No meat. No other veggie. I'll throw in a glass of water. Any more appetizing?
I AM READING: Dewey, the story about a Library cat. The Explosive Child. Emma Smith.
I AM HEARING: Nothing at all...sweet peace and quiet.
I AM CREATING: Lewis and Clark homeschool curriculum for next year. Still.
I AM GOING: I went to see Confessions of a Shopoholic tonight. It was pretty cute. No swearing, no sex. I went with the MOPS group and it was really nice to have some other ladies to hang out with.
I AM HOPING: That I can get all my priorities straightened out and get a little more structure in our home.
AROUND THE HOUSE: Blah. I want to hang up curtains in the living room. I want to scrub, scrub, scrub the floor in the kitchen. I want to hang some flower garlands over my bedroom windows. I want to recover my furniture that now has holes in the fabric (thank you, dear children, for stabbing your pencils into it). I want to sort out and declutter ever more stuff in the house. **Positive thought process: I shouldn't say want...I should be saying I CAN!**
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: Listening to my Ipod while I make dinner, bread, or fold a huge mountain of laundry.
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Easter Egg hunt and Safety Day this weekend. Joshua's birthday is next Friday, so we will be having a birthday party next week. I have a lot of stuff planned for myself over the next month too.
A PICTURE THOUGHT TO SHARE WITH YOU: I'll post more pictures of Joshua next week on his birthday, but after a near hit with a car, and almost turning three (can't believe how fast time goes), he's really been on my mind lately. He is goofy. He's always had this happy, curious personality and he's always so photogenic. So, for your enjoyment, Joshua: (with Isaac)
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Resident Cat
I checked out Dewey from the library last week. Dewey was a Library cat that lived for 19 years in Spencer Iowa, tending to the patrons, staff and library of the town. It's been a great book to read! I found this link to a CBS special about him. Makes me think about my cats' jobs around the house.
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