Happy Birthday, Patrick!

Who has 2 teen-aged boys to feed these days? This mama! Bring on the new, larger grocery bills! Happy Birthday Patrick, enjoy your teen years. They are, after all, the best years of your life : )

For Pat's 13th birthday, we tried to go bowling, but it was league night so we opted for Sonic and a RedBox movie. We went bowling that weekend and Dan beat us all, even while bowling with his left hand (Jerk) Pat got an iPod for his birthday and has ENJOYED the iTunes gift cards and Nutter Butters from PaPa and Grma.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...Feb 3, 2012
Outside my window...the sun shines bright, fluffy clouds float lazily by as buds begin to form on the shrubbery in the back yard. Spring is coming!
I am thankful...for a brief moment to squeeze in a blog during this hectic week
I am thinking...that I'm super blessed to be surrounded by family and friends that take such good care of my family and me.
From the kitchen...right now, a lunch of egg salad on homemade bread, green olives, pickles and orange and spice tea with vanilla sugar. Life is good. The meal plans for this week include:

• Monday: Leftover smorgasbord pulled from the freezer
• Tuesday: Chicken and rice casserole
• Wednesday: Papa John's Pizza and Ice Cream for family night
• Thursday: Spaghetti with marinara sauce
• Friday: Game night~ veggie tray, chips and salsa and birthday cake
• Saturday: L~ Fend D~ Homemade pizza (it's better than Papa John's, just sayin')
• Sunday: L~ Turkey and stuffing, relish tray D~ Popcorn and veggie tray

I am wearing... jeans and a red t-shirt, bare toes
I am creating... a new homeschooling routine, yet again.
I am going... nowhere for the rest of today, the gym and a Kohl's Cares Event tomorrow, and church on Sunday
I am wondering... how many people will show up for game night tonight, we usually have about 20.
I am reading... "Eats, Shoots and Leaves: A No Tolerance Policy for Punctuation" The book of Romans, "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You" "The Story" (this week I also read the whole Rose Trilogy book series from Beverly Lewis) **wow, no wonder I haven't had time to blog recently** : )
I am hoping... to be the wife and helpmeet that Dan needs.
I am looking forward to... continuing "The Story" series at church
I am learning... that I can go nearly a month without purchasing groceries, and still eat healthfully, if I'm willing to put in the effort to catalog the contents of the freezer and pantry.
Around the house... Game Night prep is nearly finished, D and E are playing basketball on the PS3, P is playing a video game on the DSi, and DT is outside on the trampoline. (In case you are wondering, we don't have school on Friday. Fridays are devoted to socializing and getting ready for game night)
I am pondering... the fact that Dan and I so often forget to be grateful for the amazing health all of our children enjoy. So many children have disabilities, poor immune systems, vaccine injuries, or emotional, mental or learning problems. We need to be more mindful of how blessed we are.
A quote for today... "Grace isn't a little prayer you say before receiving a meal. Its a way to live." AMEN AND AMEN!
One of my favorite things... a night alone with the hubby in a fancy-schmancy hotel for free, while good friends care for our children. Every couple needs a break now and then *winks*
A few plans for the rest of the week...game night, gym, church, grocery shopping and hide and seek tag at the park on Sunday. (Park time is Daddy and boys time, mama stays home to lesson and meal plan, enjoy some quiet and get the house ready for a new week. It's good)
A peek into my day...Dan and I are so old that this is how we start our days together. LOL!

Ahhh, the breakfast of champions! Vitamins and either iced tea or iced coffee. : )

Oops, I almost forgot. If you like this kind of post, zip on over to Miss Peggy's site at www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com and check out some other daybooks!

Do You Have Photo Envy?

Earlier today, I read this great article over here. (http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/2012/01/beautifully_picturesque/#comment-5158) And it got me to thinking about the assumptions we make about the people in front of the camera. Surely they don't have financial troubles, marital issues or rowdy, goofy children. They must be very nearly perfect, I mean the proof is in the picture, right? Most of my family pictures come out looking very much like they were inspired by a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon (no offense, Calvin) and I get frustrated sometimes. So today, I'm going to embrace the personality of my kiddos and post a posed picture and a 'real' picture or two. Hang on to your hats people : )

For another peek into 'real' life, check out this too! http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2010/05/wordless-wednesday_20.html

David's 1st Gymnastics Meet of 2012

David's first meet of the gymnastics season was this past weekend, Jan 7th. He did really well, but still wasn't satisfied with his performance, so he is now working doubly hard to tweak his routines, get the last trick or two just right and remember to point his toes, every.single.time. : ) He came home with medals for Rings, Parallel bars and the All Around. However, I won't embarrass him by gushing over how talented he is. I'll just post a few pics and call it a day. He's so 14. *grins*

And I'm sure it goes without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway. We are SO proud of him. And a big thank you to Jim and Tricia who generously share their home with us every time we go to Albuquerque.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY: January 12, 2012
Outside my window... The sun tries valiantly to shine through the clouds. It is chilly (low 40s) and gray.
I am thinking...that God is too gracious to me.
I am thankful...that He is.
In the kitchen...sadly, nothing this minute. However, menu for the week is

• Monday~Daddy brought home pizza
• Tuesday~Tacos
• Wednesday~Crustless quiche YUM~O
• Thursday~leftovers
• Friday~Game Night (no dinner, just veggies and dip, crackers and cheese, and chips and salsa
• Saturday~Lunch sammies, Dinner Homemade pizza
• Sunday~Lunch TBD, Dinner popcorn and veggie tray
  

I am wearing...Brown t-shirt, faded jeans, ankle socks and slip on shoes.
I am creating...clean carpets after this morning's boy vomit and cat diarrhea. Yes, it's been that kind of day : )
I am going...crazy, wanna come? Just kidding. I have tutoring from 3:30-5:30 and then Kohl's from 6-11. Somewhere in there, D has to get to gym from 5:30-8:30
I am wondering...how long the boys are going to put off doing their chores and school since I am NOT reminding/nagging them today. Should be interesting.
I am reading...21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership/ White Oleander (not really liking it, but I read every book to the end. Just one of my *things*) and Philippians every day for January
I am hoping...to become a better person this year, through prayer, much reading, and self discipline.
From the school room...an inde study day since DT is not well. We did some reading together this morning and he's been resting on the couch for the day. The BIGS were assigned 1 hour of educational reading, a math lesson, a writing exercise and a brain game. (a nice easy return to schooling since we just started back yesterday.)
I am looking forward to...a weekend without kids later in January. I love a free hotel room AND people to watch the kids!
I am learning...that I don't have the self discipline I used to, and that I need to re-find it and USE it
Around the house...a sad little dog is waiting to have his ear sewn back on after a wrestling match earlier this week, there are crumbs on the tablecloth, and PILES of dishes waiting to be attended, but it may just not happen today.
I am pondering...belly button lint, the sad state of the US economy and the contents of my pantry.
A favorite quote for today...'Lack of preparation on your part does NOT constitute an emergency on my part'.
One of my favorite things...rows of home canned tomatoes
A few plans for the rest of the week: Well since I'm late, there isn't much 'week' left. However, tomorrow is Game Night, Saturday is a shift at the gym, Sunday is church and preparing for the new week. That sounds like enough.
A peek into my day...an interesting way to use the counting cubes sent by big brother 'Shua.

PS> If you like this type of post, join me over at www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com to read more daybooks like this or check her out on FB.

Catching up with us MeYeR's

Just dashing through on my way elsewhere, but since I'm making an effort to get back to blogging more often than not, here's a quick catch up post.

• Dan and David are out tearing up the desert in the dune buggies and/or dirt bike as often as time and weather allow. It's a male bonding thing for them and they love it.
• School started back today. Started off slow, just an hour of reading, a math lesson and a few brain games
• David had his first meet this past weekend. He came home with 3 medals. More on that later
• Dear friends of ours have reserved us a room in a snazzy hotel and offered to babysit (more like big boy sit these days) so that Dan and I can have a little retreat. A-MAZ-ING! You guys rock!
• My parents are here and having a wonderful time (at least I think they are, we sure are enjoying having them here)
• Summer visitors are starting to request dates, so come on over, we'd love to have ya!
• Derek has lost both front teeth and while he's cute as the Dickens, he does NOT appreciate anyone singing, "All I Want for Christmas is my 2 Front Teeth' :D
• Patrick is slowly readjusting after the holidays and travel and is having a better week than the past few.
• We didn't have game night last week since we were on the road and we CAN'T WAIT to catch up with everyone again! We MISSED you all so much!
• I am trying to work on losing some weight this year. Some pounds have GOT to go! Encouraging comments are welcome, dieting advice is not. Thank you.

That's all the time I have for today, crust-less quiche is calling me for dinner. Have a wonderful evening!
Blessings, ~K~

Christmas Countdown Post

I know, it's after Christmas. I had wanted to do this really cute ongoing post series about the super cool countdown we did for Christmas. Ahh, the best laid plans and all that : ) So, instead of 10 posts about it, I will spare you every single detail and just post a few pics of the best activities.
The idea behind it is to do something fun each day that leads up to Christmas, to build the excitement, get a few things done, spend some quality time together, think of others and (perhaps the most important one) keep the "I-can't-wait-for-Christmas' blues/boredom away. So, join me for a quick recap of our adventures down Christmas Lane.
~Day 1: Boys are already saying how silly/lame this is, but once they open the envelope that says MAKE FUDGE, they are on board. We make fudge, eat too much and start looking forward to tomorrow's activity.
~Day 2: Go to Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
~Day 3: Eat dinner backwards. Boys were glad to start with fudge
~Day 4: Watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
~Day 5: Take coloring pages to children's hospital or Dr office.
~Day 6: Make Paper snowflakes. This was a huge hit with everyone
~Day 7: Board Games
~Day 8: Do something nice for a neighbor
~Day 9: Take treats to Police/Fire Dept. (boys did NOT want to do this...it won't make the list next year)
~Day 10: Camp out in the Living Room. Boys LOVED this one, although by the time they finally quit wiggling and giggling at nearly midnight, *I* wasn't loving it so much. HA
~Day 11: Movie Night with popcorn and fudge
~Day 12: Out for Ice Cream with Grandparents
~Day 13: Kids Choice~ they opted for a movie again
~Day 14: Card Games~ Fluxx, anyone?
~Day 15: Volunteer at homeless shelter/soup kitchen (sadly, we couldn't coordinate schedules between Dan working late, me working early, David's gym schedule and only having one car. Next year!!)
~Day 16: Gingerbread house
~Day 17: Bake cookies
~Day 18: Movie Night
~Day 19: Treasure Hunt Dinner (another one that didn't quite work out due to schedules, but I'll know better for next time)
~Day 20: **Mama's Birthday** Eat out at fave restaurant. Hello, Texas Road House!
~Day 21: Dice Games/Dominoes
~Day 22: Kids Choice. They picked Living Room Camp out (but thankfully went to sleep sooner this time)
~Day 23: Sing at Nursing Home (this one was just for me, but ended up not happening, we were too close to the hysteria of Christmas by then)
~Day 24: Go look at lights with hot cocoa and cookies. Mmmmm, hello CHRISTmas!
If you are interested in trying this activity this coming Christmas, it can be found here (http://lifeasmom.com/2011/11/a-christmas-countdown-family-activity.html) Have fun!

PS. Pics are on other memory device. I'll add them later. rats.