Just Life

 I'm still here, if you are still reading.  "This" usually happens as we start to dig deep into school.  What is "this" . .. I disappear a little.  

We are having a beautiful fall.  Every year I wish we could take off on a color tour but it doesn't happen.  We did take the long way to get our pumpkins so we could enjoy some color.  I figure that is better then nothing! 

School is taking up most of my day - basically from 8:45-3:30 I am doing something related to school with my kids.  Some weeks it starts to lighten up on Thursday and Fridays can be more free but the reality is that the work load is heavier this year with middle school and I'm having to spend more time studying lessons ahead of time to make sure that I know what is coming.  I often spend time in the evening reading through lessons so that our days go smoother.  Because of that, I don't have much time to be creative and write posts!  

It's also true that as we buckle down deep into lessons and projects that life is a little, well, boring, around here so that doesn't leave a whole lot to blog about on a daily basis.  I'm working on a few ideas for the second half of the month but it just might be more quiet around here for a bit!  The holidays are coming, though, so it usually picks up!  

That's life for now!  School, School, and more school! 

Weekly Worship - Michael W. Smith - Steadfast (Pt. 1) - 'STILL - Vol. 1'

So, Michael W. Smith, one of my all time favorites, release a unique album this week and it is all available on You Tube,  This is Part 1 - if you search Michael W. Smith "Still-Vol 1" I think you will pull up the whole album.  It is a visual album with beautiful background music, and Michael Reading Scripture.  I have only listened to this one so far but it is so soothing and peaceful!  What a great way to listen to scripture! 

2020 Week in Photos #39

 So, I did not do well at posting this week!  Uuugg. I had plans but never got around to getting the photos I needed. Hopefully this weekend I can catch up on some of my thoughts for things to write about and do better at posting next week! 

Now for a look back at what our week looked like.

Saturday - We took the AC units out of the windows and killed 172,345,200 stink bugs.  At least it felt that way!  I seriously should have taken photos of them all crawling around but we were just grossed out HA!  Nate and I put up some outside Halloween Decorations, we had dinner at my mom's, and I enjoyed a weekly Zoom call with my brothers and mom!  

Sunday - Football :-)  We watched football, I did some cleaning, and Darryl, Josh, and Nate played some football in the yard. 

Monday - School :-)  Followed by mowing grass (so exciting HA)  

Tuesday - School :-)  Josh and Nate spent some time playing some Flag Football outside too.

Wednesday - School :-)  

Thursday - We wrapped up lessons and I had a Leadership Team Meeting. 

Friday - Grocery shopping followed by Tae Kwon Do! 

Once again, our main focus is school.  Our routine is kind of getting set and it makes it easier to get things done.  Here's hoping we can keep moving at the same pace so we can finish early and get some extra weeks off at the end of the Semester :-) 

Weekly Menu

 I stick to my menu more when we are home every day doing school.  Our routine is set and it motiviates me a little more to cook what is on the plan!  So, here's the plan for the coming week.

Friday - Our "eat in" night. 

Saturday - Dinner with my mom :-) 

Sunday - We are enjoying our "Football" food at lunch time - especially when it is something that we can eat anytime during the game.  This week I'm making Broccoli Cheese Soup and Ham Sandwiches using yeast rolls.  Yum!  We will have Bobli pizza's for dinner 

Monday - Chicken Scallapini and garlic bread

Tuesday - Tonight I have a ladies night out for our homeschool co-op - we are doing a campfire dinner.  Darryl get's to make dinner (you can bet he's just thrilled HA!)  To keep it easy - Spaghetti and Garlic Bread

Wednesday - An oldie but a goodie - Simple Stroganoff over egg noodles and broccoli

Thursday - Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Braid and green beans.  I know there are veggies in the braid but I feel like just serving the braid alone is kind of not much on the plate.  Maybe I'll make some good lemon muffins or something.  Depends on how the day goes HA! 

That's our week! 

Weekly Worship - Leanna Crawford - Truth I'm Standing On (Official Lyric Video)

This song - I had never heard it before this week and then someone from church posted it; my sister-in-law shared it and I heard it on the radio.  So I hope you enjoy it today and maybe it will show up during your week too. 

2020 Week in Photos #38

 This was our first full week of a regular school schedule and I was almost immediately reminded of how little I get done on school days. From 9-12 and 1-3 I spend most of my time with one of my kids working on school work.  I'm thankful for that opportunity, though, and thankful my kids are at home with me! 

Here's a look back at the week. 

Saturday - I worked to finish organizing the garage and I can say that it is done.  Yes, we can park in the garage once again and it is great!  There are a few little projects to still do but even those are currently organized in a space so I can get to them when I get to them.  

Sunday - We love Football.  We enjoy watching the games and cheering on our teams.  Darryl and I also did some yard work later in the day so that we didn't feel like we did nothing HA! 

Monday - School :-)  

Tuesday - School :-) 

Wednesday - School . .. our day gets a little shorter on Wednesdays.  I cleaned our Living Room carpet and rearranged.  Our furniture is super heavy . .. I was quickly reminded of why I don't rearrange the furniture LOL  

Thursday - Nate had his follow up appointment for his surgery and all went well.  We enjoyed lunch at my mom's on our way home.

Friday - Wait, I have photos! 

Our morning started with our first Connections Academy Field trip of the year!  This year all field trips are virtual so instead of our annual meet and greet at the cider mill, the field trip team put together a virtual trip with lots of activities.  We could only stay for the 1st hour but it was still fun. 

From there, we went to our Co-op Pizza Party.  We can't have our weekly co-ops this semester but we are trying to get together when we can.  We met outside (obviously) and enjoyed warm pizza on a very chilly day!  It was fun to see our friends. 

And . . .. Tae Kwon Do finally started!  Due to Covid requirements, they can't meet as a large group so we meet with 8 other members and a black belt who teachers this group.  Nate was very happy to be back and he gets to be senior student, which he enjoys as well.  

So, that was our week.  I might have to get creative with photos . . ..our weeks are pretty much the same this time of year! 

One last thing, I would like to wish my brother Ken a very happy birthday - yep, his birthday is today!  (He doesn't read my blog . .. but my other brothers do!) 

Weekly Menu

Last week pretty much went as planned.  I threw in a few new recipes for some game day food but otherwise we stuck to the tried and true!  I'm continuing the pattern this week.   

Friday - Our weekly night out! We all look forward to this treat.  By the time Friday evening rolls around, I'm ready to not cook and not clean up especially now since Nate starts TKD and I'll be gone most weeks from until 4:30ish! 

Saturday - Finally, dinner back at my mom's!  I love this because I don't have to cook (or clean up HA!).  We really enjoy hanging out with my mom too!  

Sunday - I've been trying to plan some fun football foods while also keeping myself out of the kitchen as much as possible so I can enjoy the games too. This week I just plan to have Taco/Nacho supplies for "Kick-Off".  Everyone can make what they want to eat :-)  Last week we had Boboli Pizza in the evening and that was perfect because it was easy and tasted good.  I think I'll plan that again!  

Monday - Enchiladas (with leftover Taco Stuff) 

Tuesday - Slow Cooker Zuppa Tuscana and Bosco Sticks

Wednesday - Swish Chicken Supreme, Mashed Potatoes and green beans

Thursday - Chicken Scallapini and pasta and garlic bread