School was fun today! :) Adisson worked on a few different graphs that I found at Homeschool Share for When I Was Young in the Mountains. He really enjoyed them and had a good time gathering information to use. We still have a few pictures I'd look to put in his notebook, but the printer is a little crazy right now so I couldn't get any printed out. The Big Guy that lives here is going to take it apart and make sure it's clean and get some new cartridges as well. I'm pretty excited about that. Adi's reading is going really well and this week we also worked on some reading comprehension activities to help him understand what he's reading a little better. This weekend, I'd like to work on a few more school projects, but we'll see what I can find. :)
Zander is being quite the little two year old today! He displaced an entire shelf of books and when I said "Zander!! You pulled a lot of books down honey!!" He said, "Yeah, I did!!! I help!!!" It's hard to be annoyed with that. :) Last night, I carried laundry from the dryer to my bedroom and along the way dropped a pair of my pajama shorts in the hallway. Zander picked them up and started carrying them around. I walked down the hall and back to find him walking out of the dark bathroom wiping his hand his shirt. And I knew what happened. Mother's intuition, I guess. :) "Zander, where are Mommy's shorts?" "Ummmm, I ....... I poop!!" (Don't try to sidetrack me, sweet pea....I'm on the hunt!) "Zaaaaaaannnnnder.....where are the s...... (I open the toilet)......ZAAAAAANNNNNDDDDEEEERRRR!!!! YOU CANNOT PUT CLOTHES IN THE POTTY!!!!" :D I tried hard not to laugh as I'm explaining to him that clothes don't go in the toilet. I found it a little more than amusing. I'm a sucker for his sweet little face, and the fact that he's my last little baby makes it hard to get angry about much. I called in his Dad, who was less amused and way more annoyed and told him that clothes certainly don't go in the potty. Then Adam stood there and half squealed while I fished the shorts out. He's very weirded out by potty water. I was just very grateful that the toilet wasn't "in use" and that I had just scrubbed it clean less than 2 hours before. :) But still....yuck!
Tonight's dinner menu was Tuna Noodle Casserole, that my son calls Tuny Runy Casserole. :) I made some bread and cooked some peas to go along with it and we're waiting on the Apple pie to cool down to have some dessert. I wanted to go to Once Upon a Child this evening, I'm on the hunt for a few things, but Adam didn't feel well and he's tired so I didn't want to leave the kids here and go shopping since he needed to rest and not Baby Wrangle.
Tomorrow I have to get to the grocery store and I'll also try to get to OUAC while I'm out. I'd also like to make it to the fabric store downtown because I've come up with a new project. :) Then, in the evening, I'm hoping to catch a movie on post (the theater only shows one movie on Friday night and one on Saturday night....second run movies, too, so it's only a few dollars to get in!) with my friend. We'll see how that goes.
Until then, Love and Vinegar!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
It's been awhile and I'm really hoping I will start posting more often. I don't have a lot if IRL friends so I'd love some online friends!! :)
This week in school we are rowing "When I Was Young in the Mountains" and it's been a wonderful story! Adisson is really enjoying it as well. I love it when he remembers something from the story and later tells me about it, or when he hears something that reminds him of part of the story. Math is going well, too. He is working on learning halves, telling time, measuring and more. He started a book at the beginning of the week on the Pony Express. It has four chapters. He loves it and will finish it today. He's also been working on memorizing a Bible verse and handwriting as well. It's been a good busy week.
Zander is just being Zander. He found some flashcards that he loves playing with. He's also been working on sorting by color, learning his numbers and letters, and playing with lacing cards. He's so much fun to be around and play with. We're so grateful for him and his precious big brother.
On the homefront, things are about the same as always. :) I sent out an email today to my family members about my wonderful money saving homemade cleaner recipes. I know my Grandma is interested in them but I don't know about my mom and one of my aunts. :) I think they are more on the fence about it! But I sent them anyway. And because there might be some of you that don't have some of these recipes, I'll post them here as well.
Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner
(this will fill an 18 ounce bottle and costs approximately 13 cents to make)
4 T. vinegar (white distilled)
2 t. Borax (20 Mule Team Borax)
2 T. dish soap
2 c. hot water
Pour water in bottle. Add Borax to hot water to dissolve. Add remaining ingredients to bottle. Shake to mix. Spray and enjoy!
Homemade Window Cleaner
(Also will nearly fill an 18 ounce bottle and costs approximately 5 cents to make)
3 T. vinegar (white distilled)
1/2 t. dish soap
2 c. water
Add ingredients to bottle, shake to mix.
Homemade Laundry Detergent
(this costs approximately 2-3 cents per load)
You will need:
2 1/2 gallon bucket or larger
Spoon (long, to stir with)
Containers with lids to store your detergent (I use 2 ice cream buckets, you can use whatever you have that works!)
*Optional* Empty detergent bottle
Ingredients
1/3 bar of Fels Naptha Laundry Soap, grated
1/2 c. Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (NOT BAKING SODA!)
1/2 c. Borax
Water
Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 6 cups of hot water. Heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened and remove from heat. Add four cups of hot water to your 2+ gallon bucket. Add soap mixture and mix well. Fill bucket with enough water to reach 2 gallons. Mix well. Set aside for 24 hours.
Once mixture is thickened (after 24 hours) stir it. It's very gross looking and the soap is thick, but mix it as well as you can with a spoon. If this bucket doesn't have a lid, you'll need to transfer it to container(s) that do have one. If you have an empty detergent bottle, you could use it for this detergent as well!
Mix well before each use* and use 1/2 cup per load.
*If you have an empty detergent bottle, this is where it comes in handy. It's much easier to shake the detergent when it's in the detergent bottle. And most detergent bottles (except the ones that are concentrated) have lids that are 1/2 cup.
The laundry recipe is much easier than you think or than it reads. It takes about thirty minutes total on the first day (if that!) and just a few minutes the next day to stir and transfer to containers. :)
Homemade Fabric Softener
Disclaimer: As of today (March 12, 2009), I have not tried this fabric softener. I did locate this recipe and pass it on to my wonderful best friend and she has tried and used it and likes it! :) She's a hardcore softener sheet lover, so I figured if she can be swayed to the Cheap Side for fabric softener, it must be good. And when I run out of sheets, I'll be making my own as well.
You will need:
Rags (old washclothes, a cut up shirt you no longer like, preferably flannel, etc.)
Scissors (if your rags need cut)
1 c. Vinegar
12 c. water
Hair Conditioner (Note: don't go buy something fancy and expensive. Buy Suave or VO5 in scent that you love. However, be warned that your clothes will not smell like this scent, they won't smell like anything after they've been washed and dried in homemade cleaners, but they won't stink!!)
A bowl/bucket/container big enough for 12 cups of liquid and also has a lid.
Directions:
Dump the entire bottle of conditioner in a bowl or bucket, whatever you're using.
Add a cup of white vinegar and 12 cups of water.
Mix it all together.
Add rags.
When it's time to use, wring one out and toss it in the dryer.
I've also heard this is some good cuticle cream!! I've read this costs approximately 1-2 cents per load.
Homemade Floor Cleaner (cost is approximately 8 cents per gallon of cleaner)
I don't know what floors this is or isn't meant for (meaning, I don't know if it will work on laminate, wood, or stone...I'll look into that), but I use it on my vinyl linoleum.
1 c. vinegar
1 gallon water
Mop. :)
Homemade Dishwashing Detergent
1 part store bought powdered dishwasher detergent
1 part Borax
1 part Washing Soda
Vingar
Combine dry ingredients. Use 2 T. per load. Use vinegar as a rinse agent.
**Some people use 1 part of Borax and 1 part Washing Soda, but I've heard some complaints that it doesn't clean the dishes as well. I've not personally tried that. My first expirement with dishwashing detergent was as I described above. I also keep my detergent in a recycled parmesan cheese container so when it's time to be used, I just sprinkle the right amount into the compartment. This mixture doesn't save as much money, as you are still using store bought cleaner, but it definitely prolongs the life of the cleaner.
Homemade toilet bowl cleaner
After I mop, I dump my mop water in the toilet. The excess water causes my toilet to flush and causes the water level in the toilet to be low until it's flushed again. I take that opportunity to sprinkle Borax in the toilet bowl. The low water level leaves a larger portion of the bowl out of water, making a larger surface area to clean. The Borax mixed with just a little bit of water creates a nice paste. Scrub it all around with a toilet brush, let it sit for a few minutes, flush and enjoy and nice shiny bowl!! :D
I confess, I added the word homemade in front of all my cleaners to hopefully generate some traffic. :) I'd love some readers. I know right now I'm just typing into cyberspace, reaching no one. :) But maybe that will change sometime soon.
That's about all that we're working on here. Adam's been busy at working, actually working for a change of pace. We don't have much planned for this weekend. I do have to place my order for Angel Food by the end of this weekend. Yummy! I'd also like to get away with some local mom friends of mine as they are moving away in a few weeks. :(
Love and vinegar!!
This week in school we are rowing "When I Was Young in the Mountains" and it's been a wonderful story! Adisson is really enjoying it as well. I love it when he remembers something from the story and later tells me about it, or when he hears something that reminds him of part of the story. Math is going well, too. He is working on learning halves, telling time, measuring and more. He started a book at the beginning of the week on the Pony Express. It has four chapters. He loves it and will finish it today. He's also been working on memorizing a Bible verse and handwriting as well. It's been a good busy week.
Zander is just being Zander. He found some flashcards that he loves playing with. He's also been working on sorting by color, learning his numbers and letters, and playing with lacing cards. He's so much fun to be around and play with. We're so grateful for him and his precious big brother.
On the homefront, things are about the same as always. :) I sent out an email today to my family members about my wonderful money saving homemade cleaner recipes. I know my Grandma is interested in them but I don't know about my mom and one of my aunts. :) I think they are more on the fence about it! But I sent them anyway. And because there might be some of you that don't have some of these recipes, I'll post them here as well.
Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner
(this will fill an 18 ounce bottle and costs approximately 13 cents to make)
4 T. vinegar (white distilled)
2 t. Borax (20 Mule Team Borax)
2 T. dish soap
2 c. hot water
Pour water in bottle. Add Borax to hot water to dissolve. Add remaining ingredients to bottle. Shake to mix. Spray and enjoy!
Homemade Window Cleaner
(Also will nearly fill an 18 ounce bottle and costs approximately 5 cents to make)
3 T. vinegar (white distilled)
1/2 t. dish soap
2 c. water
Add ingredients to bottle, shake to mix.
Homemade Laundry Detergent
(this costs approximately 2-3 cents per load)
You will need:
2 1/2 gallon bucket or larger
Spoon (long, to stir with)
Containers with lids to store your detergent (I use 2 ice cream buckets, you can use whatever you have that works!)
*Optional* Empty detergent bottle
Ingredients
1/3 bar of Fels Naptha Laundry Soap, grated
1/2 c. Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (NOT BAKING SODA!)
1/2 c. Borax
Water
Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 6 cups of hot water. Heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened and remove from heat. Add four cups of hot water to your 2+ gallon bucket. Add soap mixture and mix well. Fill bucket with enough water to reach 2 gallons. Mix well. Set aside for 24 hours.
Once mixture is thickened (after 24 hours) stir it. It's very gross looking and the soap is thick, but mix it as well as you can with a spoon. If this bucket doesn't have a lid, you'll need to transfer it to container(s) that do have one. If you have an empty detergent bottle, you could use it for this detergent as well!
Mix well before each use* and use 1/2 cup per load.
*If you have an empty detergent bottle, this is where it comes in handy. It's much easier to shake the detergent when it's in the detergent bottle. And most detergent bottles (except the ones that are concentrated) have lids that are 1/2 cup.
The laundry recipe is much easier than you think or than it reads. It takes about thirty minutes total on the first day (if that!) and just a few minutes the next day to stir and transfer to containers. :)
Homemade Fabric Softener
Disclaimer: As of today (March 12, 2009), I have not tried this fabric softener. I did locate this recipe and pass it on to my wonderful best friend and she has tried and used it and likes it! :) She's a hardcore softener sheet lover, so I figured if she can be swayed to the Cheap Side for fabric softener, it must be good. And when I run out of sheets, I'll be making my own as well.
You will need:
Rags (old washclothes, a cut up shirt you no longer like, preferably flannel, etc.)
Scissors (if your rags need cut)
1 c. Vinegar
12 c. water
Hair Conditioner (Note: don't go buy something fancy and expensive. Buy Suave or VO5 in scent that you love. However, be warned that your clothes will not smell like this scent, they won't smell like anything after they've been washed and dried in homemade cleaners, but they won't stink!!)
A bowl/bucket/container big enough for 12 cups of liquid and also has a lid.
Directions:
Dump the entire bottle of conditioner in a bowl or bucket, whatever you're using.
Add a cup of white vinegar and 12 cups of water.
Mix it all together.
Add rags.
When it's time to use, wring one out and toss it in the dryer.
I've also heard this is some good cuticle cream!! I've read this costs approximately 1-2 cents per load.
Homemade Floor Cleaner (cost is approximately 8 cents per gallon of cleaner)
I don't know what floors this is or isn't meant for (meaning, I don't know if it will work on laminate, wood, or stone...I'll look into that), but I use it on my vinyl linoleum.
1 c. vinegar
1 gallon water
Mop. :)
Homemade Dishwashing Detergent
1 part store bought powdered dishwasher detergent
1 part Borax
1 part Washing Soda
Vingar
Combine dry ingredients. Use 2 T. per load. Use vinegar as a rinse agent.
**Some people use 1 part of Borax and 1 part Washing Soda, but I've heard some complaints that it doesn't clean the dishes as well. I've not personally tried that. My first expirement with dishwashing detergent was as I described above. I also keep my detergent in a recycled parmesan cheese container so when it's time to be used, I just sprinkle the right amount into the compartment. This mixture doesn't save as much money, as you are still using store bought cleaner, but it definitely prolongs the life of the cleaner.
Homemade toilet bowl cleaner
After I mop, I dump my mop water in the toilet. The excess water causes my toilet to flush and causes the water level in the toilet to be low until it's flushed again. I take that opportunity to sprinkle Borax in the toilet bowl. The low water level leaves a larger portion of the bowl out of water, making a larger surface area to clean. The Borax mixed with just a little bit of water creates a nice paste. Scrub it all around with a toilet brush, let it sit for a few minutes, flush and enjoy and nice shiny bowl!! :D
I confess, I added the word homemade in front of all my cleaners to hopefully generate some traffic. :) I'd love some readers. I know right now I'm just typing into cyberspace, reaching no one. :) But maybe that will change sometime soon.
That's about all that we're working on here. Adam's been busy at working, actually working for a change of pace. We don't have much planned for this weekend. I do have to place my order for Angel Food by the end of this weekend. Yummy! I'd also like to get away with some local mom friends of mine as they are moving away in a few weeks. :(
Love and vinegar!!
Monday, February 23, 2009
We had a nice weekend. Nothing crazy, but I'm happy about that. :) On Saturday, we went to a friend's house for dinner. We ate then the boys played while we played a board game. Nothing too thrilling (we were home by 8:30!) but I was happy just to spend time with them as they are moving in two months. I haven't said much about it, or thought much about it, but I'm definitely sad they are leaving. I know that's what military families do, but Adisson is pretty close to the boys and Laurissa is my closest friend down here. I keep praying for another family for us to get to spend time with, and oh my goodness, I'd love one that homeschooled, but so far, nothing.
On Sunday we went to church. I love it! And Zander just gets better and better about going to his little class. It's so sweet! He used to cry and scream. Now he plays with the kids. Not a lot, but there's no crying...so that THRILLS me!!! :)
Today was good. Zander started on some Letter of the Week stuff (www.letteroftheweek.com), though he wasn't too interested in it. Though, I did manage to get him to "mooooooo" really well for me! Adisson is working on "Three Names" with his Five in a Row. I had him watch a little bit of Little House on the Prairie. He wasn't too impressed, but I was just happy that he watched with little complaint. :) We looked at pictures of a one room schoolhouse online...still hoping to find one to put in his notebook. Tomorrow will be more involved, we're going over a lot of language arts goodies!! :) He did so well on his math today! We started several new topics today (including even/odd numbers, measuring with a ruler, and telling time) and he did WONDERFUL and it made me so happy!! :) He's also doing well with his Pianimals (www.pianimals.com) music lessons. He enjoys learning new stuff, though I can tell he gets his Type A personality from me. :)
It's good, it's great, and I'm loving it!
Praise the Lord!!
On Sunday we went to church. I love it! And Zander just gets better and better about going to his little class. It's so sweet! He used to cry and scream. Now he plays with the kids. Not a lot, but there's no crying...so that THRILLS me!!! :)
Today was good. Zander started on some Letter of the Week stuff (www.letteroftheweek.com), though he wasn't too interested in it. Though, I did manage to get him to "mooooooo" really well for me! Adisson is working on "Three Names" with his Five in a Row. I had him watch a little bit of Little House on the Prairie. He wasn't too impressed, but I was just happy that he watched with little complaint. :) We looked at pictures of a one room schoolhouse online...still hoping to find one to put in his notebook. Tomorrow will be more involved, we're going over a lot of language arts goodies!! :) He did so well on his math today! We started several new topics today (including even/odd numbers, measuring with a ruler, and telling time) and he did WONDERFUL and it made me so happy!! :) He's also doing well with his Pianimals (www.pianimals.com) music lessons. He enjoys learning new stuff, though I can tell he gets his Type A personality from me. :)
It's good, it's great, and I'm loving it!
Praise the Lord!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Sooooo, last weekend we finally made it up to Ohio to see my brand new nephew! And oh my gosh is he a cutie! The first time I held him, I started to think about wanting another. Ok, I'll be honest, the day he was born I started thinking that I wanted another one, holding him just made it a stronger feeling. I've been trying to convince my husband that we need another baby. His answer is absolutely a no, which has been the same feeling I've had since we had Zander. I love my boys...more than anything.....but my pregnancies and deliveries were VERY difficult. It's just not something Adam and I want to go through again. By the end of the weekend, I realized why we were certain we were done having children. Two is just a good number for us. Don't get me wrong, I feel the number of children a family decides to have it a personal choice and I think large families are amazing and wonderful. My best friend has four kids, which is large by some standards, small by others....and I L-O-V-E the Duggars!!! But for us, two is good. I still hold out some hope that Adam will have a change of heart in a few years and we can adopt, but I'm not sure my body can handle another baby and I'm fairly certain that Adam and I don't want to take that chance.
But my nephews are so very precious! :) I'm such a lucky aunt!!
This week has been a pretty average week. Nothing much going on. It's been cold here in Kintuck so we haven't been out much. Adisson's been enjoying a fun week of school. His reading is getting better and better. He still sometimes forgets what he's supposed to do when he gets to the end of a sentence....like a period....he doesn't always stop long enough before moving on to the next sentence so they kind of run on. Don't know where he gets that.... :) but we're working on it. School is usually pretty light for us most days. Technically Adisson is supposed to be in Kindergarten, though he's definitely on a first grade level in nearly everything, and he can read at a third grade level, but we still say Kindergarten. Sometimes I feel like I should push him harder, other times I feel like we should just take it easy and enjoy being a little kid....he'll have plenty of time to learn more when he's a little older....but I'm not sure what path I should be following. So in the meantime, we take it easy. :)
Today we're going to be doing a few science expirements, because Adisson loves science. I don't really because I don't understand it usually (not that bright when it comes to science). He got some really neat science kits for Christmas and I'd like to do some of those expirements today, hopefully every Friday.
This week I also decided to kick my Mt. Dew habit. Cold turkey. I don't mean I'll never drink Mt. Dew again, but I was drinking it all day, everyday. Seriously. That's all I had. So now I'm having juice and tea. I'm on Day Three of No Dew. :) It's going fine. Yesterday I was pretty exhausted. Mt. Dew has like more caffieine than any other regular soft drink so the crash coming down off of that was a big one! :) Last night the boys were being a handful as they were going to bed so I was getting a little short with them, all the while thinking...."Oh, I want a soda!!" :) But so far so good. :) Besides, Iced Tea is yummy! And still has caffeine! :)
I've gotta fold clothes and get the table set up for science. Later!
But my nephews are so very precious! :) I'm such a lucky aunt!!
This week has been a pretty average week. Nothing much going on. It's been cold here in Kintuck so we haven't been out much. Adisson's been enjoying a fun week of school. His reading is getting better and better. He still sometimes forgets what he's supposed to do when he gets to the end of a sentence....like a period....he doesn't always stop long enough before moving on to the next sentence so they kind of run on. Don't know where he gets that.... :) but we're working on it. School is usually pretty light for us most days. Technically Adisson is supposed to be in Kindergarten, though he's definitely on a first grade level in nearly everything, and he can read at a third grade level, but we still say Kindergarten. Sometimes I feel like I should push him harder, other times I feel like we should just take it easy and enjoy being a little kid....he'll have plenty of time to learn more when he's a little older....but I'm not sure what path I should be following. So in the meantime, we take it easy. :)
Today we're going to be doing a few science expirements, because Adisson loves science. I don't really because I don't understand it usually (not that bright when it comes to science). He got some really neat science kits for Christmas and I'd like to do some of those expirements today, hopefully every Friday.
This week I also decided to kick my Mt. Dew habit. Cold turkey. I don't mean I'll never drink Mt. Dew again, but I was drinking it all day, everyday. Seriously. That's all I had. So now I'm having juice and tea. I'm on Day Three of No Dew. :) It's going fine. Yesterday I was pretty exhausted. Mt. Dew has like more caffieine than any other regular soft drink so the crash coming down off of that was a big one! :) Last night the boys were being a handful as they were going to bed so I was getting a little short with them, all the while thinking...."Oh, I want a soda!!" :) But so far so good. :) Besides, Iced Tea is yummy! And still has caffeine! :)
I've gotta fold clothes and get the table set up for science. Later!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Well the weather was so nice for a few days, so I knew right away what was coming next, the rain and the storms. I really dislike storms. I hated them when I was growing up and I was terrified of them. Fortunately, it's not the storm itself that terrifies me, it's the fear of home damage. I'm not sure why I'm so worried, we have homeowner's insurance, but it what it is....storms make me nervous. In any case, it's raining today. :)
This week we are working on our Valentine's Day gifts and our Valentine's Day Fold N Learn from Five in a Row. Last night the boys made valentines for our family members using a stamp we made from a potato. :) They turned out wonderfully. I wrote Happy Valentine's Day on the inside and Adisson will sign them for himself and Zander. Sure I could have had him write Happy Valentine's Day in all of them, but that would have meant that only one card would have been completed as he would have quickly grown bored with the project.
I've got goodies for my nephews and niece, well, for the most part. I still need to pick up something for the babies and I still don't have the boys' gifts. I don't give candy, because I hate candy. That's not necessarily true....the problem is that I love candy. And I have given birth to a child that can smell chocolate from about 3.9 miles away. So I don't give candy. I would love it if no one gave us candy, but telling that to the Grandma's is like telling the sun not to set.
I don't have a gift for Adam, but I told him that I just wanted to exchange cards. We don't need anything. :) I'm also hoping that we could have a dinner with my brothers and their girlfriends but the girls don't really care for each other and we don't have a babysitter for the boys. I wanted to watch Fireproof with them. I'd still like to get the book The Love Dare for one of my brothers. I sincerely doubt he would do it, but I guess it's worth the $9.00 if there's a chance he might follow through.
Ok, I have to get laundry done today as the house has to be clean before we leave for Ohio on Thursday or Friday.
Be back soon!
This week we are working on our Valentine's Day gifts and our Valentine's Day Fold N Learn from Five in a Row. Last night the boys made valentines for our family members using a stamp we made from a potato. :) They turned out wonderfully. I wrote Happy Valentine's Day on the inside and Adisson will sign them for himself and Zander. Sure I could have had him write Happy Valentine's Day in all of them, but that would have meant that only one card would have been completed as he would have quickly grown bored with the project.
I've got goodies for my nephews and niece, well, for the most part. I still need to pick up something for the babies and I still don't have the boys' gifts. I don't give candy, because I hate candy. That's not necessarily true....the problem is that I love candy. And I have given birth to a child that can smell chocolate from about 3.9 miles away. So I don't give candy. I would love it if no one gave us candy, but telling that to the Grandma's is like telling the sun not to set.
I don't have a gift for Adam, but I told him that I just wanted to exchange cards. We don't need anything. :) I'm also hoping that we could have a dinner with my brothers and their girlfriends but the girls don't really care for each other and we don't have a babysitter for the boys. I wanted to watch Fireproof with them. I'd still like to get the book The Love Dare for one of my brothers. I sincerely doubt he would do it, but I guess it's worth the $9.00 if there's a chance he might follow through.
Ok, I have to get laundry done today as the house has to be clean before we leave for Ohio on Thursday or Friday.
Be back soon!
Monday, February 9, 2009
So I didn't make it to Goodwill yesterday. It took Adam over ten hours to work on his car. The bad news is, it's still not fixed. He knows what the problem is....it's a tiny $3 piece of plastic!! Isn't that crazy?!?! :) Anyway, he'll work on it this week or when we get back from Ohio. Praise the Lord that we have two vehicles!! :) It means that we can't go anywhere during the day because Adam has the van, but that doesn't really bother me at all.
I didn't know if we'd get to church this morning, but we did. And I'm so glad. :D It's like God came to church and said "Nicole, this is what you gotta do...." It was wonderful. Unfortunately, God said I need to quiet down and wait for an answer. :) Those who know me, know there are a few things that I find difficult with that. I lack patience. And I hate knowing there is an answer and I don't know what it is. :)
An answer to what? Oh, well, without giving you an explanation as long as my arm, it's time for us to decide whether Adam gets out of the Army or stays in. And we don't know what to do. We have a plan for either scenario, well, for the most part. But we want to do what God wants us to do. We just don't know what that is, yet. Adam says "Then we wait." And I say "WHAT?!!" :D He sides with God. That's a smart move, but it still doesn't give me a decision!! :) But I was reminded today that God is faithful. And I know that, and He has proven that to me time and time again. And I'm faithful that He will answer me again. I just don't know why I can't accept that my time is NOT His time. I'm trying. I'm trying so hard!! :)
I was also reminded today how truly blessed I am in the boys that God has given me. My best friend had a daughter in October. My brother had another son last month. I escaped it last year, but last month it caught me. Baby fever. Despite my difficult pregnancies and deliveries, I want another baby. Unfortunately, Adam absolutely does not. And I'm guessing he's going to win that battle. And it's not that I'm not thankful for my boys because I am truly, undoubtedly, endlessly grateful. It's just a little hard sometimes to not have the daughter I was hoping for. On one hand, the idea of being done with diapers soon (not too soon, never soon enough!), to get to go somewhere without a stroller and a diaper bag, to not have binkies and sippy cups stashed everywhere....seems pretty enticing! But on the other, it's hard to accept that we truly are done having kids. But I'm still very happy with my family. Over the moon happy. Zander is the absolute sunshine in my every single day and Adisson is energy that propels our household. :)
Sometimes they drive me a little crazy, but that is their purpose in life right now. :) Today, Adisson has forgotten that the bottoms of his feet are not meant to be on furniture. He's been scolded several times for standing and bouncing. It's even more frustrating because he's six...HE KNOWS BETTER!!! :) And my little pumpkin....well, this evening he asked me to open his bottle of water. It was his brothers and only had about three ounces left in it, so I let him have it. If he spilled it, it wouldn't matter. I turned away and he said "TA-DA!" and I turned to him. He had taken his bottle of water and emptied it into my newly opened, ice cold Mt. Dew. :D Gotta love 2 year olds.
I guess I'm just rambling. That happens when I haven't gotten to talk to my best friend for awhile and we don't get to talk on the weekends.....so there ya have it. :)
I'll be back tomorrow with details of our Valentine's Day Lapbook!
I didn't know if we'd get to church this morning, but we did. And I'm so glad. :D It's like God came to church and said "Nicole, this is what you gotta do...." It was wonderful. Unfortunately, God said I need to quiet down and wait for an answer. :) Those who know me, know there are a few things that I find difficult with that. I lack patience. And I hate knowing there is an answer and I don't know what it is. :)
An answer to what? Oh, well, without giving you an explanation as long as my arm, it's time for us to decide whether Adam gets out of the Army or stays in. And we don't know what to do. We have a plan for either scenario, well, for the most part. But we want to do what God wants us to do. We just don't know what that is, yet. Adam says "Then we wait." And I say "WHAT?!!" :D He sides with God. That's a smart move, but it still doesn't give me a decision!! :) But I was reminded today that God is faithful. And I know that, and He has proven that to me time and time again. And I'm faithful that He will answer me again. I just don't know why I can't accept that my time is NOT His time. I'm trying. I'm trying so hard!! :)
I was also reminded today how truly blessed I am in the boys that God has given me. My best friend had a daughter in October. My brother had another son last month. I escaped it last year, but last month it caught me. Baby fever. Despite my difficult pregnancies and deliveries, I want another baby. Unfortunately, Adam absolutely does not. And I'm guessing he's going to win that battle. And it's not that I'm not thankful for my boys because I am truly, undoubtedly, endlessly grateful. It's just a little hard sometimes to not have the daughter I was hoping for. On one hand, the idea of being done with diapers soon (not too soon, never soon enough!), to get to go somewhere without a stroller and a diaper bag, to not have binkies and sippy cups stashed everywhere....seems pretty enticing! But on the other, it's hard to accept that we truly are done having kids. But I'm still very happy with my family. Over the moon happy. Zander is the absolute sunshine in my every single day and Adisson is energy that propels our household. :)
Sometimes they drive me a little crazy, but that is their purpose in life right now. :) Today, Adisson has forgotten that the bottoms of his feet are not meant to be on furniture. He's been scolded several times for standing and bouncing. It's even more frustrating because he's six...HE KNOWS BETTER!!! :) And my little pumpkin....well, this evening he asked me to open his bottle of water. It was his brothers and only had about three ounces left in it, so I let him have it. If he spilled it, it wouldn't matter. I turned away and he said "TA-DA!" and I turned to him. He had taken his bottle of water and emptied it into my newly opened, ice cold Mt. Dew. :D Gotta love 2 year olds.
I guess I'm just rambling. That happens when I haven't gotten to talk to my best friend for awhile and we don't get to talk on the weekends.....so there ya have it. :)
I'll be back tomorrow with details of our Valentine's Day Lapbook!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Not much going on here in Kentucky, but trust me, I welcome the mundane. When Adam is home, it's so nice when things are boring and uneventful. It gives me the chance to revel in the wonderfulness that is having him here everyday. When he's gone, the silence of his absence is deafening and daily life is depressing. I do cherish every minute I have with my children and love all the blessings they bring to my life, but when Daddy is gone, life is hard.
This weekend doesn't seem too busy, either. Tomorrow is half off day at my local Goodwill, so I'm getting up early to head down there. And it is a MAD HOUSE on half off Saturday. Oh my goodness is it crazy. First of all, Clarksville, TN is a pretty big city, in my little world anyway. The population is 120,000+ and there are two Goodwill's...one just below North Clarksville and one waaaay down in southern Clarksville. I've never been to the southern Goodwill as it's easily 1/2 hour away. So the Goodwill I go to gets so busy on half off day that the line to each register goes all the way down clothing racks. So I have to get in the line that has the clothes that I want to look at, but it doesn't bother me as it's the few moments I get to myself. And I LOVE getting to scour the place for a bargain.
Adam has to fix his car. He's had a few problems with it for the last few weeks so he's been working on getting all that repaired. I'm so grateful that he's a good mechanic, and what he can't repair, his friends (mechanics in the Army) are usually pretty helpful with fixing. It's such a blessing to not have to pay repair costs at a garage. So he'll be busy with that allllll day tomorrow as it's a pretty big job to fix this latest thing.
Sunday we'll be at church. Then I think we'll be going through the house making a list of allllll the things that need repaired or replaced. We might be selling the house in a few months. Or we might not. It's hard to say. I'm praying a lot this week that God gives us some guidance on the best decision to make. I'm thinking we're going to have to decide this in about a week or so and I want to be sure that we're making the right decision. ........... anyway........
I've got to clean up the kitchen and head to bed. Adam and I are going to a military ball at the end of this month and I have been searching for a formal dress to wear. In the interest of saving money, and to be sure that I'm not wearing the same dress as anyone else, I'm thinking of giving a dress I already own a little makeover. So I'll be checking at Goodwill tomorrow for anything that might be able to help me along! :)
This weekend doesn't seem too busy, either. Tomorrow is half off day at my local Goodwill, so I'm getting up early to head down there. And it is a MAD HOUSE on half off Saturday. Oh my goodness is it crazy. First of all, Clarksville, TN is a pretty big city, in my little world anyway. The population is 120,000+ and there are two Goodwill's...one just below North Clarksville and one waaaay down in southern Clarksville. I've never been to the southern Goodwill as it's easily 1/2 hour away. So the Goodwill I go to gets so busy on half off day that the line to each register goes all the way down clothing racks. So I have to get in the line that has the clothes that I want to look at, but it doesn't bother me as it's the few moments I get to myself. And I LOVE getting to scour the place for a bargain.
Adam has to fix his car. He's had a few problems with it for the last few weeks so he's been working on getting all that repaired. I'm so grateful that he's a good mechanic, and what he can't repair, his friends (mechanics in the Army) are usually pretty helpful with fixing. It's such a blessing to not have to pay repair costs at a garage. So he'll be busy with that allllll day tomorrow as it's a pretty big job to fix this latest thing.
Sunday we'll be at church. Then I think we'll be going through the house making a list of allllll the things that need repaired or replaced. We might be selling the house in a few months. Or we might not. It's hard to say. I'm praying a lot this week that God gives us some guidance on the best decision to make. I'm thinking we're going to have to decide this in about a week or so and I want to be sure that we're making the right decision. ........... anyway........
I've got to clean up the kitchen and head to bed. Adam and I are going to a military ball at the end of this month and I have been searching for a formal dress to wear. In the interest of saving money, and to be sure that I'm not wearing the same dress as anyone else, I'm thinking of giving a dress I already own a little makeover. So I'll be checking at Goodwill tomorrow for anything that might be able to help me along! :)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
My sweet husband ended up having the day off yesterday. The good thing about the Army is that there are often days off for no reason. Of course the bad thing about the Army is that the days off are trumped exponetially by year long deployments. But when Daddy is home, school doesn't get done quite the same way. :) It's not a bad thing, it just is what it is. :)
We did get a lot more stuff done today. We're rowing Miss Rumphius this week. It's ok, just not a book that Adisson loves. We are also plugging away at his math. He does well and I know he's understanding it, he just HATES drilling addition and subtraction facts. And I don't blame him...ugh.
We were doing spelling lists, though mostly to work on his handwriting, not so much because I expect him to be an amazing speller at six. This week, however, we are trying some "journal" writing in a neat little notebook I picked up for him at Target a year ago. I don't know if we'll stick with that or go back to spelling lists. I'll see what he likes at the end of this week.
We've also gone back to his Explorer Bible Study of the Old Testament. I like the format and I like the stories. Adisson seems to enjoy it as well, which is always a plus. I am wanting to add in some verse memorization too, but I don't think this week will work since we lost a day yesterday. We'll work on that next week.
As far as reading, he can already read really well so we just work on reading chapter books that are a teensy bit difficult. We have some really great books that are five chapters long and set up to be read in a week so he's working his way through those books for now. After he's through with those, we'll see what we need to get next.
Now, on to other things. :) Yesterday we went shopping at Sam's Club. We don't buy too much there. We get diapers because it's really nice to have a pile of clean diapers ready for Mr. Stinky and not having to worry about running out to the store because we're down to our last diaper. Because then you get to the store and start picking up other things as well. :) We grabbed some wipes, some popcorn, an ENORMOUS bag of dog food, the movie Fireproof (WOO HOO!!) and Dave Ramsey's book "The Total Money Makeover" which I have been wanting. I read through all of it last night and LOVE IT! Adam and I are definitely on board with the principle's and ideas. I'm hoping we can definitely put the plan in motion and achieve our goals.
I already utilize several money saving ideas and strategies. :) I make our own detergent and household cleaners. I create menus for each pay period and write each night's meal on a calendar in the kitchen so there is no surprise at what's for dinner each night. I also buy a majority of my meat from Angel Food Ministries, which is more than just a money saving blessing, but also introduces us to recipes and meals I might not otherwise make.
Here's our menus for this week: (including what I've made already this week)
Sunday: Tacos and spanish rice
Monday: Tuna Noodle Casserole (what my family calls Toony Roony Casserole)
Tuesday: Steak, potatoes, and baked beans
Wednesday: Chicken and rice
Thursday: Pork riblets and something I haven't decided on yet. :)
Friday: Shepherd's Pie
Saturday: Chicken wings and cheese sticks
That's about I have for tonight. I've got to get the kiddos ready for bed. If they happen to get to sleep sometime soon, Adam and I might have a chance to watch our movie!!
We did get a lot more stuff done today. We're rowing Miss Rumphius this week. It's ok, just not a book that Adisson loves. We are also plugging away at his math. He does well and I know he's understanding it, he just HATES drilling addition and subtraction facts. And I don't blame him...ugh.
We were doing spelling lists, though mostly to work on his handwriting, not so much because I expect him to be an amazing speller at six. This week, however, we are trying some "journal" writing in a neat little notebook I picked up for him at Target a year ago. I don't know if we'll stick with that or go back to spelling lists. I'll see what he likes at the end of this week.
We've also gone back to his Explorer Bible Study of the Old Testament. I like the format and I like the stories. Adisson seems to enjoy it as well, which is always a plus. I am wanting to add in some verse memorization too, but I don't think this week will work since we lost a day yesterday. We'll work on that next week.
As far as reading, he can already read really well so we just work on reading chapter books that are a teensy bit difficult. We have some really great books that are five chapters long and set up to be read in a week so he's working his way through those books for now. After he's through with those, we'll see what we need to get next.
Now, on to other things. :) Yesterday we went shopping at Sam's Club. We don't buy too much there. We get diapers because it's really nice to have a pile of clean diapers ready for Mr. Stinky and not having to worry about running out to the store because we're down to our last diaper. Because then you get to the store and start picking up other things as well. :) We grabbed some wipes, some popcorn, an ENORMOUS bag of dog food, the movie Fireproof (WOO HOO!!) and Dave Ramsey's book "The Total Money Makeover" which I have been wanting. I read through all of it last night and LOVE IT! Adam and I are definitely on board with the principle's and ideas. I'm hoping we can definitely put the plan in motion and achieve our goals.
I already utilize several money saving ideas and strategies. :) I make our own detergent and household cleaners. I create menus for each pay period and write each night's meal on a calendar in the kitchen so there is no surprise at what's for dinner each night. I also buy a majority of my meat from Angel Food Ministries, which is more than just a money saving blessing, but also introduces us to recipes and meals I might not otherwise make.
Here's our menus for this week: (including what I've made already this week)
Sunday: Tacos and spanish rice
Monday: Tuna Noodle Casserole (what my family calls Toony Roony Casserole)
Tuesday: Steak, potatoes, and baked beans
Wednesday: Chicken and rice
Thursday: Pork riblets and something I haven't decided on yet. :)
Friday: Shepherd's Pie
Saturday: Chicken wings and cheese sticks
That's about I have for tonight. I've got to get the kiddos ready for bed. If they happen to get to sleep sometime soon, Adam and I might have a chance to watch our movie!!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Grocery budgets and what not
I think Adam might have fixed his car, which is wonderful news. I'm trying to remain cautiously optimistic because I don't want to assume it's all ok only to have him tell me later that he needs another part. :)
I have been working on our budget today. We got our tax return this morning and I've been trying to figure out what to pay off when and how to budget money to pay off outstanding debts that we can't pay off right now. It's a blessing to be able to reduce our debt, even if we still have some remaining, so I'm pretty excited about all of it.
I looked back in my check register today to get an idea of what I spent on groceries in January. I've been trying really hard to reduce our grocery budget and also limit quick trips to WalMart. In effort to reduce that monthly expenditure, I've been making my own cleaning solutions including detergent, window cleaner, and all purpose cleaner. I still have dishwashing detergent from a small stockpile I accumulated a few months ago, but when that runs out we'll be using a mix of half store bought detergent, half homemade detergent. I still have store bought floor cleaner as well, but will not be purchasing any more and will instead make my own. Though I will greatly miss the scent of PineSol. :) I also purchase a bulk of my meat from Angel Food Ministries, which has been such a blessing for us in the last several months. As a result, we only spent $350 for the month of January on groceries. I know some people spend less than that, some spend more, but I was pleasantly surprised at the amount. My goal is to lower that to $300 each month and this month, I'll actually track the exact amount on food purchases. :) I'll let you know at the end of February how that has gone!
Since today is payday, I've also worked on menus for the next two weeks. I make a list of the meals that I want to make based on what we have in the freezer and what I'll be purchasing from Angel Food later this month. So I made my grocery list based on that and hopefully I'll be heading to the store tomorrow. I hate shopping on or very close to payday, but it's how we do it...just like nearly every other family.
I suppose I could keep typing, but I'll wrap this up so I can clean up the kitchen. :)
I have been working on our budget today. We got our tax return this morning and I've been trying to figure out what to pay off when and how to budget money to pay off outstanding debts that we can't pay off right now. It's a blessing to be able to reduce our debt, even if we still have some remaining, so I'm pretty excited about all of it.
I looked back in my check register today to get an idea of what I spent on groceries in January. I've been trying really hard to reduce our grocery budget and also limit quick trips to WalMart. In effort to reduce that monthly expenditure, I've been making my own cleaning solutions including detergent, window cleaner, and all purpose cleaner. I still have dishwashing detergent from a small stockpile I accumulated a few months ago, but when that runs out we'll be using a mix of half store bought detergent, half homemade detergent. I still have store bought floor cleaner as well, but will not be purchasing any more and will instead make my own. Though I will greatly miss the scent of PineSol. :) I also purchase a bulk of my meat from Angel Food Ministries, which has been such a blessing for us in the last several months. As a result, we only spent $350 for the month of January on groceries. I know some people spend less than that, some spend more, but I was pleasantly surprised at the amount. My goal is to lower that to $300 each month and this month, I'll actually track the exact amount on food purchases. :) I'll let you know at the end of February how that has gone!
Since today is payday, I've also worked on menus for the next two weeks. I make a list of the meals that I want to make based on what we have in the freezer and what I'll be purchasing from Angel Food later this month. So I made my grocery list based on that and hopefully I'll be heading to the store tomorrow. I hate shopping on or very close to payday, but it's how we do it...just like nearly every other family.
I suppose I could keep typing, but I'll wrap this up so I can clean up the kitchen. :)
I really don't like difficult weather.
So I think I was trying to make this a mostly homeschooling blog, but there's a lot of other stuff going on with us so I'm just going to go along with blogging about everything. The weather has been crazy here for the last week or so. Our heat pump is having a heck of a time trying to keep up and keep the house warm. I've set the thermostat lower than normal and keep a space heater in the living room to keep the chill off. It's working just fine. Unfortunately, the heat pump is located outside, right beside my bedroom. And when it is cold, it hums. Wait, maybe it groans. Loudly. And the noise makes me nervous and I can't sleep with it groaning directly in my ear. So I am sleeping on the couch. Plus it's much less comfortable than my bed so I'm up all night checking on the temperature in the house and covering the kids back up.
Adam drove his car to work on Monday, only to have it break down. Ugh. I hate cars. At first we thought, wait, he thought it was one thing. Then he talked to his friends and they determined it was another thing...a cheaper thing (PRAISE THE LORD!), but now he has to fix yet another thing........ So the car is still broken down, but it's here in the driveway thanks to amazing soldier friends of Adam's, so that's one less thing to worry about. He got one of the parts he needs for it today. That's a blessing. Tomorrow he's getting more stuff. Woo hoo. Then they'll spend this weekend fixing the car, I hope at least. But that's how it goes so I'm not upset about it. Car repairs are a part of life. An annoying part of life. :)
I have nothing exciting going on this weekend. Definitely need to get groceries in the house. We have plenty of food in the cabinets and freezer, just need a few things for the fridge. I want to be sure we get it this weekend as I think we're facing another winter storm on Monday or Tuesday. It worries me a lot because if we do lose power, I'm not really sure where to go. If the weather is bad here, going up north to Ohio isn't going to make things better...just snowier. Not real sure what we'd do. I'm praying so hard that we don't have to worry about that.
And then after we get through this winter weather, we have to deal with spring weather...here in Tornado Alley. In case it wasn't painfully obvious to you at this point, I have weather issues or weather anxiety if you will. I used to be scared of thunderstorms when I was younger. And I'm not so much scared of them now as an adult, I worry more about storm damage and keeping my kids safe. Or keeping them warm and not in the dark.
Oh dear.
Adam drove his car to work on Monday, only to have it break down. Ugh. I hate cars. At first we thought, wait, he thought it was one thing. Then he talked to his friends and they determined it was another thing...a cheaper thing (PRAISE THE LORD!), but now he has to fix yet another thing........ So the car is still broken down, but it's here in the driveway thanks to amazing soldier friends of Adam's, so that's one less thing to worry about. He got one of the parts he needs for it today. That's a blessing. Tomorrow he's getting more stuff. Woo hoo. Then they'll spend this weekend fixing the car, I hope at least. But that's how it goes so I'm not upset about it. Car repairs are a part of life. An annoying part of life. :)
I have nothing exciting going on this weekend. Definitely need to get groceries in the house. We have plenty of food in the cabinets and freezer, just need a few things for the fridge. I want to be sure we get it this weekend as I think we're facing another winter storm on Monday or Tuesday. It worries me a lot because if we do lose power, I'm not really sure where to go. If the weather is bad here, going up north to Ohio isn't going to make things better...just snowier. Not real sure what we'd do. I'm praying so hard that we don't have to worry about that.
And then after we get through this winter weather, we have to deal with spring weather...here in Tornado Alley. In case it wasn't painfully obvious to you at this point, I have weather issues or weather anxiety if you will. I used to be scared of thunderstorms when I was younger. And I'm not so much scared of them now as an adult, I worry more about storm damage and keeping my kids safe. Or keeping them warm and not in the dark.
Oh dear.
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