Another rainy (Mon)day!

Well here we are again with more rain.  I have noticed that it has been occurring lots on Monday mornings.  It really sticks with me as these are out art days.  The weather really hampers the activity of playing outdoors and running around on the lawns of the church.   But thankfully we go over to the library.  Love, love, love that we decided to do this.  What a nice place to hang out and get work done.  It is so open and airy.  And very very quiet.   You can hear some hustle and bustle but all-in-all a great place to work.

I actually think my Abs works harder here.  I had to go check to see if they had a book in for Joshua and while I was walking back I was thoroughly impressed that we was studiously working!!!  

Let's hope the weather changes soon as it does affect the baseball too!  There have already been changes to the schedule because of it!

Dragons, gardens, and treats!

We had another free Saturday morning, which is a rarity around here.  I made some pancakes!  Unfortunately I read the bag wrong and they were buckwheat not buttermilk (OOPS).   They just needed a lot of syrup.  Thankfully I had a mix that was pumpkin, and those went over better!!!    Thank you Trader Joe's!

After breakfast Bill asked if we wanted to go out to the movies.  Big yes!!  We saw "How to Train Your Dragon"  It was good.  We all enjoyed it.  It was our first movie with Daddy since Abi has her braces and he loves to buy popcorn so I made sure she had a treat.   She didn't even eat my treat!!!  

Since we were out and it was lunch time we decided to head out to Olive Garden for lunch.  We received gift cards for Christmas!!  What a big hug help those cards are for our family of 5.  We actually had two cards and were able to leave there paying zero dollars!!!!!   It helped that Stephen did not want to come along.  He stayed at home since he was not hungry.   Can't force someone to eat.

Later on, Bill, Josh, and I went out to Target for Easter shopping.  Daddy decided to treat us to Panera!  Yummy!   What a  great day. 

Lunch

I love eating out. It means I don't have to do anything. I especially like getting salads. Yummmy!!!
BBQ chicken salad.


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Still House Hunting

Wow!   Is all I have to say about this house hunting.   I am flabbergasted that we have not found anything yet.  We were out again this evening and once again nothing doing.   I must say that things realllllly look so much better on "paper" than in person.

I am still hopeful though.  I am eagerly awaiting the spring sales that are supposed to come on!  I would really just like something but also don't want to settle for just anything.  

Please keep praying!

Schooling at the library

We finally made it to the library. Since we have art class for several hours, Stephen needed to come with us as he needed some help with math. It was raining sooooo hard that working in the car was not an option.  So we headed over to the library since a branch is right around the corner from where we take art.  I finally applied for a library card and boy was it ever so easy!!!





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Baseball

Playing in Philly!


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Sunshine, (Lollipops, and Rainbows)

Thanks to all the sunshine theses last 4 days, Joshua and I have been out walking every day.  Today I even took the opportunity to go and sit outside for 40 minutes and read!!  

I also think of Leslie Gore's song each time I say the word sunshine!!  (hence the title of the post)

If you don't know, I love, love, love the sunshine.  The warm weather and the sun just make a wonderful combination.  It even puts the kids in a better frame of mind to get school done.  They have been working pretty steady and good this week.  Still not on track to finish when I want to so we will need to buckle down and work hard next month.  I know they can do it and believe me they will.   I am taking a page from a friend who notified her kids that the teacher would be on vacation so they would need to ask someone else for help!!!  (I love talking to other Moms to find out how we get by.)

In full swing

Baseball has begun big time around here.  This is our first year and we are not used to how many hours are  consumed by baseball.  This week especially is tough 4 days.  3 practice and one scrimmage.   Very very grateful that the weather is cooperating.  

We joined with 3 other families from the area so we take turns driving.  It is south of us.  About an hours drive.  Today was our turn to drive.  We had a packed van.   The drive felt looooong due to the fact that there was some lane closures.  That made our trip down over an hour.   Since we started slightly later, the coach was late too, we finished later.  We did not leave there until 30 minutes after original time.  Thankfully we made great time on the way home.

The field was a lot of fun for the young ones.  We were way in the back and there was some woods back there they could explore.  The best part was them playing in the sand and making some castles.  This was especially great to see as they are both learning about castles, drawbridges, and moats.  It was fun to watch them create their castles!

Looking forward to some fun times this season!

Movie

Today was the first time in a while that we went out to the movie theater.   We saw Percy Jackson.  The movie theater was very empty at 4:00p.  We were 4 of 8. 

We liked the movie.  Stephen just finished reading the book and is now on book 2.  I am in the process of reading the book and plan on having Abs read it too!  

Walk

Today got to go on a walk. First time in a long time. Josh Came with me and here is what we saw.


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New Order

So I have come up with a new philosophy this weekend.  Actually I have been doing this on most of the weekends we don't have house hunting.   I call it Lazy Butt Syndrome (LBS) for short.  I pretty much don't do much on the weekends.   I like to find some TV shows that are absolutely mindless and watch them for hours on end.  I know once the weather gets nicer that will change as I plan on being outside more.

It is quite liberating actually.  I really enjoy being a stay-at-home Mom but there are times when I like to veg out and do nothing.

I try to make sure we have easy food choices in the house so I don't have to be hold up in the kitchen all day.  Most of the time I am choosing some type of crock pot meal or even ordering some pizza.   I don't mind making pasta, as that too is quick and easy.

If you are need of a break may I suggest to take on this philosophy for one weekend.

I must say though that what started it this weekend was due to the fact that one of the windows in Abi's room was leaking.  She woke up Saturday morning and informed me of the leak.  It was pretty bad.  So I spent the next 3 hours cleaning, blotting, and rearranging her room so no damage would occur to our furniture.  In particular, my piano.  As that is the only spot we can place it now.  It was tiring and exhausting but also gave me such a good sense of accomplishment.  I am so happy with the outcome of her room and hope this new layout will encourage her to keep it more organized.  

Fun at youth group

Dodgeball!!


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What to do for school?!?

As you read earlier this week, I was in need of reminding that things that are worthwhile are often more challenging.   The major frustration has been coming due my wonderful, beautiful, and talented daughter.   I am trying to find what works best for her as far as schooling goes.   For those of you that don't know she is dyslexic and dysgraphic.  Upon researching curriculum for her, I realized that she is also dyscalculic.   What the dys' all boil down to is - she has trouble with spelling, writing, and math.   Talk about your challenges.  (And I don't mean mine - I mean hers!)   One of the articles I was reading put it this way, at least where math is concerned,   "Math stands at the gate of her goals wielding its wicked sword."  I never thought of it that way!   It really helps to be able to relate to what she is going through.   I know she gets frustrated, rightly so, but often times I think she does it to give up.  Boy am I ever so wrong.  In her brain she actually wants to accomplish it!!!   I know I will keep homeschooling her but finding what really works will prove to be the task.

Stephen has mixed emotions about what to do.  I know he eventually wants to be back in school and I am okay with that, it is just when does he go.   I know some of his struggles are due to the frustrations from his sister.  I would really like one more year with him home.  I know next year will be sooooooo much better when we buy a house and are able to settle into our home.  I am still torn what curriculum to choose for him too.

Joshua wants to stay at home and I am okay with that.  He is a pretty easy kid and fairly good worker.   I just need to find something for him with writing as he is not a big fan.   Math comes super easy for him.  He is currently working a grade ahead.  I fear that next year might be too challenging for him as vocabulary gets harder.   He does computation well enough though.   We shall see.   He still enjoys his history and science.  But part of me would like to change up science.

Oh, I am so confused which way to go.  I like the program we use now, as it is all arranged and thought out for you and therefore very easy planning and even easy to supplement.   However, I also like the freedom to do what we want.  My kids are not big fans of supplementing.  I need to change that.  Just requires some more work on my part and major attitude adjustments on their part.  

Decisions, decisions, decisions!

New Abi

Here is my new girl



May be hard to see but she has her braces!!!!!

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Just a Reminder

Starting feeling sorry for myself today.  As the day did not go as I had hoped then I came across this quote:

"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure." --Peter Marshall (May 27, 1902 - January 26, 1949, was a Scottish-American preacher, and twice served as Chaplain of the United States Senate).

Love it when the Lord reminds me of these truths!!!

Love my kiddos!

When we go out of the home for anything, I am always reminded how much I love my children.  I run a tight ship and I must say I am really thrilled at the results.  I have stressed certain behavior so much that even my kids can't tolerate it when others are not acting the way in which they think.

It is a great sunny day and my children have been outside soaking up the sun rays.  While I am not a fan of Mondays any longer.  One could even say, I hate them! (STRONG Word, I know.) It is a great way for the kids to get outdoors easy and run free.

On a side note - the young ones have had such little exercise that Saturday wore them out.  I mean they were even hurting due to all the running around at The Kimballs they did!!    I think I may have to sign them up for some gym class.  Or better yet I must start taking them over to parks for some hiking.  That sounds better as we will be able to see all the new flora and fauna with spring looming at our doorstep.  

Fun with Friends

We had the opportunity to gather with our friends, The Kimballs.   We have known this family for several years, for over 15 years.   This is the family we go to Disney with.  We love them and we have such a wonderful time when we get together.   Yesterday was no exception to this!   We spent over 9 hours together and still wanted more that we were looking at the calendars to see when we could hang out again.   What a blessing!!!

It was great to see and hear the kids having such a great time.  The fun thing is we seldom see the children. They go about doing their things while we sit and do ours.   I often wonder if my kids even went to the bathroom the entire time, since I really don't see them.  We occasionally get glimpses when they are looking for food.

Great time, great food, great people!!!!

It is finished!

Book club is over!   We finished all the Narnia books.   And let me just say that we are thrilled to be done.  While Abigail really enjoyed it all, the boys are happy it is done.   Abigail wanted it to continue, Josh liked this book the best, and Stephen is happy it is finally finished.

We are considering meeting in May for a book but we are not too sure.   We need to agree on this, and I think that some of the boys don't want it to happen.  Perhaps they will change their opinion if we select a book they are excited about.   Only time will tell.

Thankful

Inspired by another blog about what we are thankful or grateful for.  I am thankful for my family and my friends.

Ratsa fratsa

I am highly frustrated.    I am trying to allow the Lord to lead and work in my/our life but it is hard!!!  Stephen was very excited about playing baseball and now it looks as though he won't be.  I was really hoping this would be another reason for him to want to continue with homeschooling but I get the feeling that God is changing the course of our schooling a little earlier than I expected.

Still feel like we are living in limbo and I want out!!

Relaxing Weekend

Bill's birthday was Saturday and we had nothing planned.   Which was good for a change.   We ate a nice pancake and sausage breakfast.  I enjoyed most of the day with Abigail.  We watched a series on TV that was right up her ally.  It did start getting into too much romance (her words - although I agree).  Bill enjoyed his day with the boys playing on WOW.

The evening I made us some steak, potatoes, and broccoli.   Yummy!!!   If I must say so the steak was quite good considering I had to cook it indoors on the stove top.   We normally like to have our steaks on the grill so that was a bit of a challenge and concern for me but it all worked well.

Of course dessert was cake.  We picked up a plain little sheet cake and had the kids write on it.  They really enjoyed that.