School Year Review: December 2017

We are wrapping up school for the holiday break. Here at The Smith Sisters School for Boys (the silly name we made up for our combined homeschool years ago), we have accomplished 85 days of lessons, meaning the school year is already almost half over, can you believe that?! If you have a student in any of the local schools in Las Cruces, your child has accomplished approximately the same amount. Hooray for all the hard work we’ve put in already this year!

Mr. T and Slick have been hard at work this year learning the 3 Rs plus with “Aunt Jodi Mom” every morning and learning Bible, Science, History, Geography, Art, Music and various other topics with “Aunt Kristy Mama” in the afternoons. Both are thriving with working together, as they have generally been only students in their class at home previous to this. Jodi and I are so proud of their effort this year and can’t wait to see where the rest of this school year takes us. 

Happy Holidays, friends! Enjoy the tail end of 2017 and call a hearty welcome to 2018!

It Is Holiday Hustle Time!

This last week saw Thanksgiving arrive and depart, leaving the Holiday Hustle in its wake. 

The holidays are upon us, friends. And whether you celebrate Christmas, observe Hanukkah, enjoy Kwanzaa, or you’re too cool for Yule, the holidays always mean an avalanche of extra events to attend, cookies to bake, and gifts to purchase. 

Consider this a friendly reminder of two kinds...

1. Plan, plan, plan! Sit down with your calendar at your earliest opportunity and put a few things down in stone (things that are very important to you and your family), put a few things in pencil that would be nice if there is time or other things don’t get scheduled on those days, and especially pen in a few days to stay home with family to rest, relax and enjoy your family. 

2. It’s OK to say no to things that don’t fit with your family’s schedule or priorities. Don’t be guilted into taking on so much that you can’t enjoy the holiday with your family. 

The holidays don’t have to be the most stressful time of the year. Take time to enjoy them with those you hold nearest and dearest.
In other news, take lots of pictures.
Because otherwise, moments like this eventually slip from your mind.

PattyCakes donned the tree skirt like it was a kilt and things just got funnier from there. 

Independence Day PIcs...too cute!

Hurray for fireworks!!

I know, I know, I've posted 38 times today, but I just couldn't resist sharing a few pics of the weekend with you all. Something about Independence Day makes me just feel happy to be alive, at home with my family, grateful for a God that loves me despite my multitudinous flaws and so proud to be an American. Flawed though it is, it's still the best place to live in this whole wide world and I'm patriotic to the core. Anywho...I managed to snap a few cute pics this weekend so here they are in no particular order.

Awww, a man taking the baby for a walk, now that warms a mama's heart! Way to go, 'Shua!

Derek is quite intent on the races....hat, sunglasses and headphones check, check and check~

I know we've been married ALMOST 13 years, but he still makes my heart go pitty~pat!

David settles in for a long wait before the races since we went early to get good seats.

Derek was waiting for his shirt to come out of the dryer at the last second...LOL! Oh and for Mama to wash his face!

Titus was deep in thought about something....this was his first trip to the races and he loved it!!

James likes the races...and was ready for them to start...right now!!

This is Derek at the end....he just climbs up in Daddy's lap and goes to sleep...so sweet!

OH, and one of me..just to prove I was actually there...LOL!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY July 6, 2009...
Outside my window...the sun is shining down on the world through some light fluffy clouds, the temp hovers around 85 and a gentle breeze blows after last night's thundershowers
I am thinking...that Monday is one of my favorite days, that bread in the oven is one of my favorite smells and that I'm glad to be home raising my boys and taking care of my home while hubby is away working to support us.
I am thankful for...freedom, family, friends and fresh baked bread...I just love alliteration, I can't help myself...LOL
From the learning rooms...nothing official this week. The boys are home are reading everyday, we are finishing up our "Musical Appreciation' Study of the old classic musicals, and enjoying nature, but nothing official
From the kitchen…Bread is baking now...yum~O
~For the rest of the week...let's see

• Spaghetti with Ground turkey and veggie sauce with fresh french bread


• Chicken tacos with salad


• Breakfast for dinner, eggs, bacon, pancakes with juice and fruit


• Pork chops, Rice and peas


• Soup and grilled cheese


• Pizza


• Birthday party food for T's birthday on Saturday ; )

I am wearing…Capris and a graphic tee, tennies are on to save my back...gotta work tonight
I am creating…empty cabinets, cleared of shelves, and a happy Good Will store as I continue to purge, purge purge our TOO MANY boxes of schtuff in the back room
I am going...no where all week except work until the weekend, then the usual: grocery shopping, errand running, farmer's market, church, race track
I am reading...other simple woman's day book entries, kiddie books and my tired and true recipes
I am hoping...that Dan and 'Shua have a great week at work and stay safe. That my boys have happy memories of growing up at home. And that they all grow up to serve the Lord.
I am hearing...the washer doing my hard work for me, the TV playing a movie for the boys until lunch, the ceiling fans keeping the house cool, and the boys murmuring to one another.
Around the house...there are floors to sweep, lunch to make, shelves to clear, boys to chase, and bathroom to clean.
One of my favorite things...Fourth of July....just makes a person so glad to be free!
A few plans for the rest of the week…Rest and relaxation, purging our belongings (less is MORE) reading, praying, catching up with friends.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...A snappie of us at the racetrack on Saturday. We enjoyed the sunshine, the laughter and camaraderie of family, overpriced snack foods and drinks, cars driving FAST, fireworks and music that made our hearts soar!

Thispost was started by the marlevous Miss Peggy, who is on vacation for the summer, so if you want to read more day books check out Grandma Wren's site. Thanks! ~K~

December...really??

Greetings from Sunny, Warm New Mexico! The ave. temp thses days is still in the high 60s-to low 70s. I have to stay inside if I want to feel Christmas-y...LOL~ The tree is up, the stockings are hung, the gifts are wrapped and under the tree, a few of the Christmas goodie boxes have been sent, it's getting to be that time of year. Where has this year gone? It's just flown by for us here. Karen has moved twice..Jodi and family have moved here, Josh graduated from High School (SO PROUD) I'm working at a 'real job,' we are still homeschooling and having our best year ever, all the boys are getting soooo big that it occured to Dan just the other day that in 5 years, David will be DRIVING...he almost ran the car off the road...ha ha! I was checking off my goals for this year just this very morning and we've accomplished about 85% of our yearly goals..not too bad in my opinion! Anywho, that was all very random, wasn't it? I got interrupted so now I'll take off in a new direction.

This week was full of exciting happenings. Game Night was, as always, lots of fun. Karen is staying longer these days and visiting. Dan and Charlie are getting to be such good friends, its so fun to see them interact. Charlie is going to make my birthday dinner next week on game night...yeah! Chicken Cordon Bleu, Corn on the cob and a fresh green salad...my mouth is watering already! Work is kicking my behind as we are working later and later to hang up the signs for the holiday sales to bring in the customers. Over theweekend, we got new carpet in the LR and Girl room...it looks so great and is so fluffy and padded! Now we aren't worried about laying Titus down to play or to have the boys snuggling on the floor. I will add some pics of it in a minute. We are getting the 3 bedrooms done this coming Saturday....can't wait! I have started my Christmas baking and remembered that I am actually good at it and that I ENJOY it! In all of our shuffling around of things this weekend, I have found some things that I was looking for and some I wasn't, but I DID find a picture to motivate me to lose some weight. I forgot that I was ever that thin...if I can get the printer to scan it, I'll post it also.

Jodi's handbell choir is starting thier performances next week, signalling the REAL start of the holiday rush...I'm not quite ready yet. I have a few more things to send, more to wrap and just a thing or two to buy still. But I have enjoyed this year so much more than other recent ones since Dana nd I are in such a differnt place in our relationship. We were just talking last night with Charlie about how glad we are that we are here and that after several hard raps to the head from God, we finally followed his leading us here. ; ) Anywho, enough rambling for today..thanks for reading this. If you want, join my followers and you will be alerted everytime I write a new blog...at least that how I THINK it works. I'm going to post a few pictures, then I'm off to teach school, put babies down for naps, and do some more baking...fudge, anyone??

Blessings,

Kristy

Look at the difference....it's the SAME exact carpet!!

November Musings ~ 2008

As I sit here sipping gingerbread tea and listen to my two favorite labor saving devices (the dishwasher and the clothes washer) whirr in the background, I peek into the living room where all 3 boys are curled up together and watching a movie. I see into the kitchen where the cabinets are full and I think about my closet, where many holiday secrets are already hiding. I think about my favorite hubby who is off taking classes to make himself more useful to his company...and Jodi who is out doing something fun with her two boys and I just can't help but heave a sigh of contentment about where God has led us. Don't get me wrong, its not all sunshine and roses, but it IS so much better than where we were...and I'm talking about emotional places, not location. We are busy making plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas...having survived the 'non-specific fall holiday' that just passed....and only having to explain to 38 people WHY we don't celebrate that holiday. At least only 35 thought we were crazy...ha ha! Anywho; as we look forward to fall weather, REAL fall holidays and the birth of our Savior, our hearts always turn toward home and family. We are so anxious to see Dad and Mom again...it's just been forever! We also think of all of our dear friends and family back in IL and spread across the country really, and I just want to thank all of you who have prayed diligently for us. For those who make efforts to keep in touch...we appreciate your letters, cards and calls so much...you can't imagine! Continue to keep us in your hearts and prayers as life is never perfect, but God is always sovereign. A few prayer requests and praises...

• KAREN got a JOB!!!



• Jodi is having all of her wisdom teeth plus two molars extracted on Monday...OUCH!



• My work is headed into the busy season; pray for grace and patience as I forge ahead with only 3 hours of sleep 4 days a week



• School is going really well for D and P, they are learning to self-motivate, schedule their own work times and work with less 'hand-holding'



• Derek is busier than ever...and asking how everything works...I think we have another Dan on our hands...oh my!



• Jodi and I have decided that our kids are getting smarter, cuter and more devious with each one....start praying now for us to survive...ha ha ha!



• Charlie was in a motorcycle accident this week, it wasn't serious, but he is stiff and sore, plus his bike is messed up



• Ricky OFFICIALLY joined the US navy this week....you decide whether that's a praise or a request



• Joshua is working on putting together his testimony to share with the church...pray that he finds the right words to say



• John and Dolli are making great strides in repairing their relationship...pray that they bring their marriage under the will of God and that they continue to grow closer together.

I guess that about sums it up for this week. I will be posting a few pics and then I'm out, to enjoy my labor saving devices...ha ha! Have a great week everyone!! I miss you all! Lost boys, mama K loves you!
Blessings,

Kristy and the Man Crew

Just checking to see if I've still got it...yup, I do!

David taught Titus how to hold his own bottle this week.