3 Weeks Already? And Memorial Day Pics

Sorry everyone! I was doing so much better and then, well I guess I just fell off the planet. Here's the news that is news.

Dan is working again. Praise God. And he's back to work for the Wooten Company that he's worked with 4 out of the nearly 5 years we've been here. (Has it REALLY been that long since we transplanted here? WOW) And he's working with his fave guy in the company AND he's working as a foreman on this job. He's so happy! Add to that the hour long work out each day and that man comes home DOG TIRED and ready to relax. We've added the dart board to the rec room and I've remembered how much I like them, although Dan is so much better than I am.

 I've started a new job this week. Back to nannying outside of the house. 3 great kids, super benefits, non-neurotic parents, and 50 hours a week. OK that last part is a bit of a struggle since we've been out of the habit for nearly 7 years. (Candy....7 years? YIKES) Glad I spent much of the early part of the month 'feeding my freezer' so there are lots of casseroles, fruit breads, dinner 'starters' and ready to go lunches all just waiting to be used up. Hurray for pre-planning that I didn't even know was pre-planning. Ain't God good? And of course, the fact that the boys can come along with me and continue with school while I help get us out of debt and back on the Dave Ramsey straight and narrow is an added bonus. It doesn't hurt that the family is one of David's best friends from the gym and members of our church. I repeat, Ain't God good? Oh, I've been doing well on keeping up with my Couch to 5K jogging although now that I've started working, it's becoming more of a challenge to squeeze it in at some time when it isn't 97*. But I will figure it out.

David starts his first summer job next week. He's going to be a teacher's assistant at Jodi's tutoring company. He's quite excited about it : ) He is anxiously awaiting new school books that seem to have been mis-delivered. The post office is still looking for them. Anywho, he's trucking right along with school and his job is only 1/2 days so he will be able to continue over the summer.

 Patrick is looking for a summer activity to join. He's thinking about swim lessons, martial arts camp, or just plain day camp at the gym. They have a Nerf themed week this summer. Other than that, he's charming the little one at my new job, playing with their animals, (2 dogs, 3 cats and 2 rats) and working on school.

 Derek is starting summer phonics camp 2 mornings a week next week (it's where David will be working, also) He's pretty excited about it. He's loving it at the new place too since they have a pool and lots of new things and people to enjoy. I think he's the most social of my boys.

 Had a lovely chat with 'Shua and Lauren last week. They are doing well and enjoying the slightly less hectic life now that Lauren has graduated from college. HOPING to see them down here sometime this summer! (hint hint)

 In other news, my nephew Jayson graduated from high school this week. I'd really like to pretend I'm not that old, but alas, time marches on and I need to deal. I'm hoping to see HIM down here this summer as well.

We hosted a marvelous Memorial Day Get-together last weekend. Fun was had by all. Thanks everyone who made it. We painted flower pots and even the ones we had to cajole into doing it ended up enjoying it. Thanks again everybody. It was great!

 

I think that's all the super relevant news this week (or for the previous 2) Hopefully I won't go so long again. Keep me posted on your life as well please!
PS> Yes, I made that cake at the top. And yes, it's even more delicious than it looks. ; ) Neener-neener!

It's the Little Things

I've discovered as I make this journey through life that it's not the huge things that make or break your day, week, month or life. It's the little things. So in honor of the little things, list a few with me that made your day, week, month or life brighter or sweeter.

• It's spending the day as a family going bowling and laughing ourselves silly over how BAD Mama is. (seriously, Derek beat me.) However, D and P are both improving. They both cleared over a 100 both games, with D getting a turkey in the second game and ending with a score of 166.


• It's knowing the LAST load of laundry is just about dry


• It's having recipes and all the ingredients to fill the freezer with healthful meal options that are ready when Mama is not.


• It's knowing that your accountability partners will ask you to be just that.
• It's remembering that friends and family are coming to visit over the coming summer break. : )
• It's being old enough to know better!

I like the idea of this style of post. If you like it too, add your little things! I'm making it a goal to focus on the positive this year...Join me!


~K~
Haven't done one of these in a long time. I'm ready to get back to it!

Catching Up With the Man Crew

Hey everyone. I'm just passing through on a lazy Tuesday evening. Dan and David are gone. Pat has already been sent to bed and Derek is watching a movie. And I find myself with a few minutes of spare time (I can hear the collective *GASP* from here) So, without further ado, let's catch up a bit.

• Dan continues to be 'out of work' but stays busy with side jobs, projects around the house and catching up on sleep. Looks like he has a good lead on a job that would keep him here in town (hurray) and starting next Monday. Praise God, and keep praying. I think if he could continue to find enough side jobs, I'd encourage him to start his own business. He's just great at it. He's still working out diligently several days a week and is enjoying it. He can bench press 315 pounds. WOW! He's even taken David a time or two and put him through the paces. 
• Me? I'm entertaining myself by 'filling the freezer' along with some Internet friends. So that means in the last 8 days, I've prepared and placed in the freezer; 3 loaves of wheat bread, 3 loaves of banana bread, homemade baking mix (like Bisquick), cinnamon rolls, baked oatmeal and and and...something else that I can't remember right now. I'm also hosting and participating in a 'pantry challenge' which encourages us to use up what we have on hand instead of going to the store for MORE MORE MORE, when we have plenty at home. I'm into week 2 now and going strong, even though I've had my dinner plans interrupted a time or two. Also started the Couch to 5K program last week (goodness, I'm a busy bee in May) AND got myself 2 accountability partners to keep me on track and out of trouble. They will have their hands full, I'm sure of it. :D Getting school done with Dan home can be a challenge, so I am just doing the best we can, and if all else fails, I throw up my hands, turn on a documentary on Netflix and call it a day. Everyone talks about homeschooling flexibility (especially me) but I think I'm approaching pretzel status with all the twists and turns we've had in the past 8 weeks.
• David is already looking forward to next gymnastic season, and working hard at the gym to start gearing up for it, even though it's still 9 months away. As an added bonus, Mama found a set of parallel bars for him to use at home~ so he's been teaching the brothers some moves. The past 2 days he has gone to work on a side job with Dan. And not only can Mama count that as life experience for school, but he also made some money. That's what we call a double bonus! He's been working hard to stay caught up in school, and soon we need to sit down and count points to see where we are for wrapping up the freshman year. I'm thinking we're a bit short yet, but since we don't get out of school until the end of July, we still have time to finish up.
• Patrick is having a tough week. He is struggling with the desire to do school, chores or get along with his brothers. Hopefully this will pass quickly. Pray for us as parents to have wisdom to help him through it. He's not a bad kid, just having a rough patch.
• Derek is himself. Just a silly dilly boy who loves to play outside, hang out with his big brothers and watch too much TV. His school is coming along well. Last week we spent two days working on a lapbook project (you can see it over at www.homeschooledhooligans.blogspot.com) He enjoyed it and if you get too close, he will fill your head with turtle facts : )
• The family as a whole is enjoying Dan being home more, our new subscription to Netflix (Dan and David are currently watching a documentary about arm wrestling. Men.) and finishing up the last few boxes that have been hiding for the past weeks. (Anyone seen my iPod charger?) I'm still working on the 'overflow' room and trying to turn it into a scrapbooking/quiet retreat room. Racing season at the dirt track that we enjoy so much has started and we are hoping to enjoy that often this summer, since I won't be working on Saturday nights at Kohls.

I think that's all the news that IS news for now. Thanks for checking in with us. : )
     Blessings,  Kristy

Pictures at the Park, Take 2

A fun day at the park. As one of those fun homeschooling perks, we can just cancel school and head to the park when the mood strikes. Swinging, swordplay and Sonic. Life is good! The boys had a ball!

Hmmm, some of those aren't as good as I had hoped! Well, it serves them right for not cooperating. I'm posting them anyway. Ha ha ha!

Pictures at the Park/Where's Waldo?

Anyone remember that goofy looking guy in the striped shirt and stocking cap that you had to look for in the really jumbled pictures? Well, I've decided that trying to take pictures of my boys at the park is a little like that game. Don't believe me? Check it out! Good luck

Mom! Enough Pictures

Where's Waldo?

Even Derek gets in on the fun of hiding from Mama's zoom lens

Where's Waldo?

David, I know you are thin, but not quite thin enough to hide behind a boffer sword

Patrick jumps from one platform to another.

OK, OK, Because I'm nice, I'll show a few ones where you can actually see their faces. I know, you're welcome. Oops, I can't move the pics. Guess you'll have to wait for the next post. Sorry

 

Simple Woman's Daybook

BREAD FAIL. My bread developed a huge bubble on the top that then cracked off and left a hole. Bummer. Oh well, it was still tasty, and that's what counts.

FOR TODAY...May 1, 2012

Outside my window...the sun shines brightly as it begins it's decent for the day. Cars zip past in a hurry to get home as I linger at the local Starbucks.

I am thinking...that taking a few hours for yourself every once in a while is a smashing idea and I wonder why I don't do it more often (I know, I know. If I did, it wouldn't be such a treat)

I am thankful...that Dan encourages me to get away once in a while. Being the mother of all boys is not for the faint of heart. Actually, parenting period isn't for the faint of heart. So retreating once in a while to relax, remember who you are, or just listen to the quiet is good for you.

In the kitchen...mac and cheese with hamburger and steamed broccoli. We are doing a pantry challenge at the Man Crew House this month. (It means we are going as long as we can without purchasing any more food.) Wanna play along? I am hoping to get at least 2-3 weeks out of the pantry/fridge/freezer.

I am wearing...Jeans, a brown floral t-shirt, comfy shoes and a messy bun.
http://www.themancrew.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-book-reading-list-for-2012.html
I am creating...a scrap booking/reading/quiet room in the house so I won't have to run away from home to enjoy some quiet from now on : )

I am going...nowhere tomorrow. Glorious! I think Wednesday has become my fave day since D doesn't have gym and I can be home ALLLL day

I am wondering...if having accountability partners will help me meet my goals for this month and beyond.

I am reading..."Unclaimed Baggage" and 2 Corinthians this month. I'm sadly behind on my yearly reading goals as posted here, but the library isn't being too cooperative about helping me find the books I want to read. I will find them eventually and catch up

I am hoping...to meet my monthly goals. (Turn overflow room into quiet sanctuary, do school regularly again, have a date with Dan, read my Bible each day, catch up on some of my reading list, listen to one audio book,  start Financial Peace University and work out at least 3 days a week)

I am looking forward to...being well rested again soon after working nights for 4 years.

I am learning...that the best of intentions don't count for much. It's what you DO that counts.

Around the house...the usual. Men of various ages everywhere, laundry waiting to be folded, dishes waiting to be loaded into the DW, one little boy needing to be bathed and put to bed, and the TV blaring. (Hence the reason I'm hiding at Starbucks. Just sayin' LOL)

I am pondering...what would happen if politicians ever kept their promises. Just kidding, I don't have that much brain power right now. I'll think about that next month :D

A favorite quote for today..."No matter how deep our darkness -- He is deeper still." Corrie Ten-Boom

One of my favorite things...a sunny window seat for curling up to read a good book.

A few plans for the rest of the week: School, home blessing, Game Night, gym for D, hanging out the garage with Dan and making the overflow room become a safe haven.

A peek into my day...well it won't move down here. Go back to the top and check it out. ha ha ha


This post is part of a link up. If you like it, go read some more, or even write your own. Go to Miss Peggy's site at www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com to find out more about it. Thanks!