What we are Eating - Football Food!

 We are enjoying our Football Sundays and also our football food!  This past Sunday I made two different recipes and just wanted to share links to both since I didn't take photos! 

First, I made the best meatballs I ever made!!  The recipe is from No Spoon Necessary and they are Dr. Pepper Meatballs. Just plain amazing.  I did leave the jalapeno out of the meatballs since we aren't fans and I left the siracha out of the sauce.  Otherwise, I made it like it is posted.  Once cooked, I placed them in the crock pot with the sauce and set it on warm for us to enjoy.  Yum! 

Second, I made Rotel Dip and the recipe can be found HERE (Spaceships and Laser Beams).  I should really call it "Non-Rotel" Dip because the biggest change is that I don't use Rotel.  Instead I use a jar of salsa and we love it that way.  This time I made it with sausage instead of beef and it was super tasty!  Darryl said it was his favorite. 

Do you know how you know it's good?  We ate it so fast that I never got a good photo of either one!  I guess I might have to make them again :-)  

Enjoy! 

October Goals

 Welcome to October!  Hasn't this been the longest year?  On one hand, it's nice.  It felt like years were zooming by and it has been nice to slow down and enjoy the everyday.  On the other hand, I feel like we've had 72 months in this one year HA!  Oh well.  Along with that, I feel like I accomplished a lot of things AND Darryl also accomplished most of his "Covid" list before returning to work BUT I also feel like I could have gotten more done!  Oh well.  We are creeping towards the end of 2020 and I still have goals to meet! 

1. Scrapbooking - This is my most fun goal yet it is the one that I usually accomplish the least on each month.  Here's my goals: 1) Finish my nieces book.   I just got a new printer so I can finish printing letters and get the book to her.  2) Order April Photos - 2011, 2017, 2018, 2020.  3) File the photos I ordered last month by date so they are ready to scrapbook 4) I'm working on shifting some albums a little based on album color to make them work better.  So, my goal this month is to start with 2001 (the year we got married) and put albums into the correct colors (this is hard to explain).  I also want to make sure that page protectors are on everything and, depending on the year, add the memorabilia to those albums.  Plus, order imprinted spines for at least 5 albums.  This goal is one of those where I'm just going to go one or two yers at a time as I organize so lets see how far I get this month. 

2. Reading - I truly love to read.  I love curling up with a good book and a foo foo coffee (I need to put a kurieg on my Christmas list so I can enjoy my foo foo coffee again!) and reading the afternoon away!  Anyway, I used to be much better and setting my reading list goal for the year and for the month and actually accomplishing it!  Well, that's the 1st part of the goal 1) Set my reading goal for 2021 - How many books I want to read, what non-fiction books to read, etc. which means doing some research on some topics I want to study/learn more about.  2) Read - read every day.  This really isn't a hard goal because I usually kick back after my extra kids leave and read for 30 minutes or so until it's time to make dinner  3)Read 1 non-fiction book this month!!

3) Cleaning - Last month I created a great calendar to follow to accomplish my goals and it did work - it at least helped me focus.  It broke down the living room and basement into 20 minute (or so) tasks each day.  This month the room of choice is Josh and Nate's bedroom.  It is crowded since we took the bunk beds apart. It's time to be "mean" (ha - not really, I am so not that mom!) and go through all the bins, games, boxes, etc. and clear stuff out.  I'd love to be able to get even a shelf or two out of the room to open it up.  I actually have high hopes of cleaning off a plastic storage shelf and being able to move it back to the basement!  

4) Family - This month is Josh's birthday so we will focus on that this month.  Darryl and I also have a weekend away planned.  I also need to go through the boys clothes with them and clean out anything they don't want or have outgrown.  (this kind of goes along with cleaning their room).  Once done with that, I will need to get them some pants/long sleeves.  

5) Homeschool - My only goal in October is to get into our schedule and to finish the month on schedule or ahead of schedule.  Nate has a month portfolio that is due by January - we've set a goal to finish it in October so it's done.  

6) Holiday Journal/Planning - It's REALLY time to get this journal out and look at Thanksgiving plans.  I'm hosting this year so I want to start grocery shopping for some things early.  It's also time to start thinking about Christmas.  I actually just ordered a few stocking stuffers.  I need Christmas lists from both Josh and Nate.  I'd like to be at least started by the end of the month.  Finally, I just ordered Nate's Halloween Costume but Josh is undecided so I still need to get his.  Finally, I want to make a plan for taking the boys shopping for their people.  I feel like that is always a rushed pressure and I would instead like that to be done early this year. 

7) The Basement - I'm continuing on with my calendar plan - 20 minutes a day or organizing.  I'm transferring everything into see through containers and also transferring everything into easier to carry containers instead of HUGE heavy containers!  

8) Piano - This kind of goes with homeschooling - Josh and Nate will start having "seatwork" time which will include piano practice.  I also want to get the piano tuned this month.  

9) Photography - Time to read my new book once section at a time and practice :-) 

10) Spiritual - Read my daily devotional 

11) Misc - 1) Clean up the yard and fill in the holes 2) Have Josh finish his artwork from last semester 3) Get new tires on Darryl's vehicle 4) Take the AC units out of the windows (I'm glad I put this off - I was still running them at the end of September!) 5) Pick out camping dates for next year so I'm ready to reserve them on time  6) Organize the bathroom cupboard - it just needs to be done and can't wait for the month I deep clean the bathroom! 7) I have an idea brewing for a vacation next summer but in order for it to happen I have to plan now and begin saving so my goal is to get it all planned so I can start saving for it :-)  8) Clean out the vehicles and set up my new organizing bins in each one (for lysol, wipes, extra bags, etc) 9) Make sure my October flag is hung up :-)  10) I cleaned the garage last month but there are 4 bins of "donations" that I put out there like 5 years ago HA!  While pulling them down to decide what to do with them, I found a basket and two bins I had been looking for for quite awhile so I've decided I need to go through those bins before I donate them!  

September Goal Overview

 As I expected, September slowed us way down as school started.  After having lots of freedom since basically March, my days are taken up again with lots of schooling and trying to come up with a schedule that works for both Josh and Nate (oh,  and me too!)  Throw in a surgery and we still aren't anywhere close to a routine yet!  (Plus our friends JUST went back to school!)  

Thankfully, I can mark a few things off my list though! 

1. Scrapbooking - 1) This month I have a weekend scrapbook "retreat" planned.  It is a Creative Memories Virtual Crop and I have marked it off to participate as much as possible.  I even purchased the "secret bundle" to open "live" together online.  2) Finish my nieces graduation book - still trying to get those last letters.  3) Order all March photos for 2011, 2017, 2018, and 2020.  I'm just really working towards getting them all printed so I have them.  Still want to finish 2019 before I pick my next "year" to work on.1) Well, the "retreat" fell on a busy weekend so I didn't make it a priority so I didn't do anything.  I did open my box, which was fun.  2) I'm still trying to wrap up my nieces book - which includes needing a new printer to finish printing things  3) The March photos are ordered and actually already delivered. 

2. Reading - 1) Read for fun every single day.  2) Read  A Longing for Paris.  I decided to try and focus on one book this month my goal word - Peace.  And this is the book! 1) I didn't get to read every day but I tried to read as many as possible.  The weather is cooler so I have even enjoyed sitting outside on my swing again for 30 minutes and reading.  2) I have not started "A Longing for Paris".  

3) Cleaning - Besides doing my weekly home blessing hour (Flylady!) I'm focused this month on the living room.  As we pick up with school I feel like I need to focus on the room we spend the most time in and deep clean it (Also Flylady - deep cleaning!)  Who knows, I might even steam clean my carpet :-) At the beginning of the month, I wrote a task for each day in order to deep clean the LR. They were 20-60 minute tasks but, I can say that I'm on schedule!  I'm hopeful to finish up the last few things on the list this week so I can start October on schedule. 

4)  Family - Get Josh running shoes.  Go camping. We camped.  No shoes.  HA!  Actually, In October I'll have cleaning out Josh and Nate's clothes on my list so when I take Josh to the store to pick out a few things, I'll see about shoes.  

5)  Homeschool - We are ready to go and will have our first day on Friday, September 11th right after returning from camping.  My main goal in September is to have Josh finish on schedule for September; Nate - it will depend on how many days (up to two weeks) he is down after surgery. We are on schedule! 

6) Holiday Journal - It's time to get that thing out and remind myself of everything I've forgotten about our holidays! Haven't even looked at this yet. 

7) The Basement - 20 minutes a day.  That's my goal.  Going through boxes and bins and reorganizing things, cleaning things out and setting things up on the shelves so that all is organized. I'm making progress finally!  Sometimes I think it will take longer so I don't start but amazingly, Flylady is right, just set a timer for 15 minutes (ok, I do 20) and stop when it goes off.  I got through 6 bins - sorted them, and put them away in that time frame.  One box at a time, right? 

8) Piano - 1) Get the piano tuned 2) Start our at home lessons once again. This is part of the "schedule" that hasn't happened yet. 

9) Photography - I got my new book and my goal is to just start on page one, read it and do it. Need to get busy on this one! 

10) Spiritual - 1) Read my daily devotional. Nope! 

11) Misc Goals:  Gather cameras/video cameras and make sure they all work/are charged etc.  2) Continue work on cleaning up the yard 3) Clean the garage now that the door is fixed!!  4) Fill the holes in the yard 5) Clean out both vehicles 6) Get a new flag pole for the front of the house and keep my flags up to date 7) Decorate for fall (I usually do this right at the end of September so I'm adding it to this months goals)  8) Put up outside Halloween Decor (also right at the end of September)  1) Not done 2) Working on it 3) Done 4) Working on it 5) Not done - I just ordered a couple of bags to help organize the vehicles so this is moving to October.  6) Not done 7 and 8) These aren't done yet but will be done this week.  The indoor bins are already upstairs to work on this week and I plan on decorating outside by the weekend. 

Weekly Worship Elevation Worship - The Blessing (Lyrics) ft. Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes

I've heard this song quite a few times this past week so I thought I'd share!  

2020 Week in Photos #37

 Well, it's bound to happen.  What?  A week without any photos!  Looking back, this is what our week "looked like":

Saturday - We worked on cleaning the garage but it is not done yet so I have no photos. 

Sunday - We watched football.  It was fun and relaxing but no photos!

Monday - School

Tuesday - School

Wednesday - School

Thursday - School

Friday - I went to the grocery store HA!

Josh did school every day.  Nate did not - he had a little bit of a rough week with not feeling well related to his surgery.  I "think" that as of last night he "might" be making a turn to feeling better.  I hope so!  

Sorry for a boring post - but sometimes, it's just real life (boring HA!) 

Weekly Menu

Now that school has started (and we aren't even into full swing as Nate is still off of school for his surgery) I think I might have to stop scheduling my posts HA!  You may have noticed a few blank ones pop up because I forgot to go in and add the info!  I like to schedule them so I don't forget what I want to post but then don't always have time to go back and write them!   

I did not follow last weeks plan very well. I made something new for dinner on Saturday (Hawaiian Chicken Sliders) and they were just ok.  Then, on Sunday we ended up having sandwiches for dinner because I didn't feel like cooking and on Monday, when I actually read the recipe, I realized that the Dan Dan Pork was a peanut butter sauce and we hate that HA!  Oh well.  I took what I had and made things we actually liked.  This week I'm sticking to some of the tried and true recipes that we love. 

Friday - We order out :-)  (or is it - we order in?)  

Saturday - BBQ Cups and Fries

Sunday - One of two things - I'm hoping to make my favorite enchilada recipe - Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas BUT it requires a certain soup that I'm not sure is back in the stores - if not, I'll just do Tacos.  

Monday - Chick-Fil-A Nuggets (homemade) and fries

Tuesday - Baked Ziti and Garlic Bread

Wednesday - Amish Baked Chicken, Noodles, and Broccoli

Thursday - Grammy's Swiss Steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans

Birch Box #2

 I received my second "Birch Box" recently.  Yes, it was close to when I got the other one and the reason why is that they ship one when you first sign up and then beginning shipping around the 1st of the month no matter when you signed up.  

This months box is a super cute "drawer".  I'm trying to find a way to use this because it is just so awesome.  

It's always fun to open the little box and see what is inside. 

In this months box:

Starting in the back: 

1. Eyeko Brow Liner - I seldom use brow liner but tried this anyway.  It went on smooth and lasted all day.  It's not something I would specifically buy but I'll use it till it's gone. 

2. NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Clarifying Scalp Scrub -- I wasn't really impressed with this scrub.  I found it hard to work into my thick hair and feel it was really just a glorified shampoo.  I'll stick with my inexpensive shampoo. 

In the front:

3. Pai Love and Haight Avocado and Jojoba Hydrating Moisturizer - This I do not like at all.  I have pretty sensitive skin and it made my skin red and feel a little burn.  I also did  not like the smell.  

4. Oribe Matte Waves Texture Lotion -- I didn't think I would like this hair styling cream BUT, I was wrong.  It gave my curls lots of texture and made them more like ringlets then my normal curls.  I'm going to keep using it to see how it holds up.  Not sure I can justify the cost once it is gone but it might be nice to have for "dress up" HA! Plus, it smells amazing! 

5. Benefit Cosmetic's They're Real Lengthening Mascara -- To me, Mascara is Mascara.  This actually gets a "con" from me because it takes way to long to dry.  I ended up with eyelash prints under my eyes because it took so long.  I wouldn't buy it but it's nice getting a mascara in every box - it means I won't have to buy mascara for a while! 

6. Arrow Nourishing Lip Oil - This I absolutely love.  I put it on before bed and wake up with non-dry lips.  I am still debating whether I would buy more when this one is gone - but think that this one should last quite awhile. 

I also wanted to mention that from the last box - I finally tried everything. 

1.  I actually ordered a full size of the Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle.  I have found that this has done wonders for my hair/curls.  I spray it on my wet hair before brushing and I no longer feel like I'm ripping my hair out!  Plus it smells amazing and seems to really condition my hair. 

2. I really like the mascara but I probably wouldn't pay the price for it ($15.00) when I can get decent mascara at the store for $5.00

3.  I also really liked the perfume.  I found it for a better price on Amazon and am saving up my "fun" money to pick up a bottle. 

The other three things in the box are nice but not anything I would pay the price for but it is nice to have them as a "treat". 

Weekly Worship Tenth Avenue North - Worn (with lyrics)

I'm not sure if this is going to work . .. .I'll have to try and remember to check.  But it is a great song! 

2020 Weekly Photos #36

 We had a pretty quite week! 

Saturday - We headed into town so Nate could get a Covid test.  No photos were allowed which is fine - it wasn't fun for him and hurt a lot.  We then went and got our favorite Tacos from Adobe and had planned to head to a park for a bit but it was raining so we ate in the car.  Everyone in the car got a good laugh because I ate my messy tacos leaning out the door . .. and there was enough cheese, lettuce, and meat laying on the ground to fill another taco HA!  When we got home we all just found something quiet to do and crashed a little.  I was fighting a migraine so I kicked pack in a chair and enjoyed the peacefulness of the house - it was quiet, a warm breeze was blowing through the window and my family was all home.  It was perfect.  

Sunday - I was still fighting a migraine, or at least the after effects of it, which means I was pretty wiped out.  We were all pretty quiet again and just enjoyed football.  

Monday - Our first official day of school. 

Tuesday - More School :-) 

Wednesday - Nate had surgery. 

Thursday and Friday - Recovery days.  I thought I would get some things done on my list but I did not.  Instead I enjoyed my book and even enjoying sitting outside in my swing and reading for the first time since June - before it got SUPER hot!  

Weekly Menu

 Last weeks menu got thrown off a little but that's ok.  :-)  I did pull chili out the freezer to use (it is nice to have things in the freezer to use!) one night and Darryl and I did eat out on Wednesday, the surgery day.  In case you were wondering, I still LOVE my new fridge.  It's awesome having food handy instead of stuffed in coolers or in the freezer in the basement!  This coming week will be quiet.  Nate will be recovering so he is eating popscicles.  We will stick close to home to avoid bringing any germs home so that he can stay healthy while he is healing too.  So with all of that said, here's the plan for the coming week. 

Friday - As is our tradition, we will order in dinner. 

Saturday - This week my mom is coming to our house for dinner so Nate doesn't have to travel :-)  On the Menu is 7 layered salad, Fries,  and Hawaiian Chicken Sliders 

Sunday - Simple Chicken and Snow Pea Stir Fry with Fried Rice and Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls w/ cinnamon butter,

Monday - Dan Dan Pork over Spaghetti Noodles and roasted cauliflower

Tuesday - Meatball Sub Casserole and Salad 

Wednesday - Slow Cooker Zuppa Tuscona and Bosco Bread sticks

Thursday - I'm writing tonight down as leftover night.  We will clean out the fridge. If there happens to be no leftovers, I have stuff for Spaghetti.  

Tonsil Surgery!

 

Nate had his tonsils and adenoids removed on Wednesday.  This is the only photo he let me take and he probably wouldn't be thrilled that I was sharing it but it's the moment.

His surgery went great.  The nurses said he was their star patient and they adored him.  

He's super tough. 

He also gets car sick REALLY bad and couldn't take his medicine today so he was hurling on the way in the morning and hurling on the way home.  He stayed so calm through it all. 

His parents were starving when we left the surgery center and drove to our favorite Mexican place to get tacos for lunch (We didn't stop, we ate the messiest taco's ever while driving down the expressway!) Which might put us on the "worst parents ever" list. 

His pain level is a 10 as I'm writing this despite taking some strong meds but this kid never gripes or complains.  He has some tears but is so tough! 

He gets at least a week off of school even with homeschool - the doctor's actual orders.  

He's doing binge watching of his favorite shows. 

He's allowed to eat anything he wants - but doesn't feel much like eating yet. 

We are praying for no complications and quick healing.  

He actually has two full weeks with no activity to ensure proper healing and then he can finally get back to Tae Kwon Do.  

We are thankful for this time where we having nothing to do so he doesn't have to really "miss" anything. 

I'm thankful for super healthy kids which means this surgery was a first for this guy and, again, he is such a trooper!

What We are Eating - Sour Cream Rice

Yes, I did!  I made something new.  Just last night we had Tacos (Fish Tacos actually) and I wanted something new to serve with dinner.  I found this Mexican Sour Cream Rice dish and it was good.  Even my mom liked it!  It's pretty mild so it doesn't overtake the main dish.  I like it because it is not tomato based like so many Mexican Rice dishes!  (I did not use cilantro - yuck!) 

Recipe Credit: Nums The Word 

Ingredients

• 1 can (14 ounce) chicken broth
• 1 cup uncooked rice 
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 ounces diced green chilies
• 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
• 1 can (15.25 ounce) corn, drained or 2 cups fresh (yellow or white)
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instruction

1. Preheat oven to 350*F
2. In a large pot, bring the rice and chicken broth to a boil.
3. Once rice begins to boil, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Spray an 8x8 square casserole dish with non-stick spray set aside.
5. Once rice is done, all chicken broth will be absorbed.
6. Turn off burner and place pot on a cool burner.
7. Add to the rice the sour cream, green chiles, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, corn, and cilantro. Mix well.
8. Season with salt and mix again.
9. Pour rice mixture into prepared casserole dish, and top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.
10. Bake uncovered 30 minutes. Cheese will be bubbly and lightly browned.
11. Serve immediately!

First Day of School Photos

 Monday was our first official day of school!  I have a 5th grader and a 6th grader, which is just crazy!  I feel like it was just yesterday we were figuring out kindergarten and now I'm trying to figure out middle school!  I love teaching my boys at home.  Every day isn't easy but every day is worth it. 

Nathan - 5th grade

Joshua - 6th grade

We are working on navigating middle school and it hasn't been easy.  It's like going from taking a hike to rock climbing without any help! There is ton of note taking and the lessons take twice as long.  Nate is trying to be more independent (all on his own choice) which is good because I have less time to spend sitting with him, at least here at the beginning.  Here's hoping that today, Tuesday, goes as well as Monday did, or even better! 

Our Camping Adventure

 After a long 5 1/2 months of not doing much, we made a kind of last minute choice to go camping.  We have worked to continue to avoid crowds and closed in spaces so even camping during the busy summer months just didn't seem like the best choice.  Instead, we waited until kids were actually returning to school and we knew we would have the campground mostly to ourselves - which was the case!  The only other people there were older couples or homeschooling families HA!  

I always like to share the in's and out's of our trip mostly because it's a great place for me to look back at for ideas later plus, if you read this and are a camper, it might just give you an idea or two for a future trip. 

Monday: 

The Plan: Pack up, load up, hook up, head out. 

The Meals: Lunch at home - simple, just soup and sandwiches

Dinner: Steak Kabobs, Salad, and Baked Beans

The Reality:

Our goal was to be on the road by 1:00 but we didn't get on the road until 2:00.  It always takes longer to hook up then we remember :-)  The trip was uneventful and easy.  The set up was actually pretty easy - it helps that Josh and Nate are older and know what to do for set up.  Our meals were just as we planned.  We cooked our favorite steak kabobs over the fire.  The beans I made the day before and had planned to throw them in the crock pot to warm up but due to our late start, they wouldn't have had enough time to really warm up so we ate them cold (which are actually my favorite anyway). After dinner, we went down to the beach and watched an amazing sunset before enjoying our campfire and smore's. 

I have decided that I need a small crock pot for the camper - I have one I use at home and love it.  I have a large one in the camper but sometimes, like for beans, it's just too big.  So that is on the list for next year!  

Tuesday:

The Plan: Go to Lewis Farm and Petting Zoo and Drive through Muskegon

Meals: Breakfast - Donuts, Cheese Danish and Hard Boiled Eggs

Lunch:  Sandwiches and Chips

Dinner:  Bernie O's Pizza (our favorite!) 

The Reality:

Meals: Breakfast was on point:  Lunch: McDonald's; Dinner:  Bernie O's

The rain started around 3:00 AM and it rained hard and alot.  We enjoyed breakfast in the pop-up and then just hung out until about 12:30.  We were reading to go exploring for a bit but were also hungry so we stopped at McDonald's for lunch before driving around downtown Muskegon and then heading out to the public beach just to see the water. We did not go to the farm due to the rain.  On the way home we picked up coffee and cookies before spending a little time at the camper.  Finally, we did get our pizza (and it was good!).  The rain stopped in time for us to enjoy a campfire and smore's again which was wonderful!   

This year I bought a drying rack for our towels.  It's something that was on my list for a few years. Granted, it rained a lot so nothing every really dried but it was nice to have a place to put the towels under the canopy instead of on a clothesline in the rain. 

Wednesday

The Plan - The beach, taking a walk to the other campground

Meals:  Breakfast - Eggs, Bacon and Toast

Lunch: Sloppy Joes

Dinner:  Hot Dogs and Chips

The Reality:

Wednesday was another rainy day - but not as rainy as Tuesday!  Cooking outside was not an option due to lots of water (I didn't feel like getting electrocuted!) so thankfully there were plenty of muffins and donuts left.  I pulled out sandwich fixin's for lunch for the same reason.  By early afternoon the rain had stopped so even though it was too chilly to sit at the beach, we walked the channel all the way to our favorite part of the state campground which is closed this year due to flooding.  We wanted to see the flooding for ourselves.  It was eerily quiet and looked like an old deserted forest area.  The water had even receded some but still our two favorite campsites are completely under water.  From there we drove to a new ice cream shop and got some ice cream (I know, how surprising that we got ice cream at an ice cream shop HA!).  On the way back to camp we stopped at a "bunk house" that the guys always hike too.  They also went on a hike down into the forest while I enjoyed a book in the car :-)  Eventually we went back to the campground and made a last minute choice to turn around and get Subway for dinner.  By that time the rain had stopped again and we actually enjoyed a great fire with lots of chatting around the campfire.  

Things I forgot:  Cereal and eggs.  I also was not as organized as I have been in the past which meant more bags and bins making it harder to find things.  We are hoping to camp a few more times next summer so I need to get back to my "old" ways to keep things more organized. 

Thursday

The Plan: Pack up, load up, hook up, head out

Meals:  Breakfast: Cereal

Lunch: On the road

Dinner: Spahgetti or something simple at home

The Reality:

This was the best night sleep for all of us - no rain, not too cold, and maybe so tired that we slept.  With that being said, we all slept in!  Once we got up we did have breakfast but since I forgot the cereal it was the last of the muffins and donuts!  Thankfully there was no rain so that made packing up easier.  We didn't just head home, though.  Nate suggested we go to the beach since it was dry.  We were able to enjoy a great picnic lunch of sandwiches on the beach as well as feeding lots of seagulls.  Then, my dare devil Nate wanted to swim so down to the water we went.  Yes, he got in and yes, it was cold.  Once he had his fill of the water we headed for home.  Once we unloaded, I made sloppy joes for dinner - which was easy since I just needed to heat them up!  

Before we left for camping I bought a $20.00 space heater and it was a life saver.  The temps dropped into the upper 40's one night so without the heater our little pop-up would have been cold!  

Weekly Worship - Matthew West - Truth Be Told (Official Music Video)

Have I mentioned that I love music?  It's why I post a song every week - music speaks to my soul.  

I came across this song just by listening to random picks on YouTube.  

Enjoy. 

2020 Weekly Photos - #35

 After months of doing next to nothing, we decided to shove a whole bunch into 7 days!  

Saturday - We gathered with family for the day.  There was lots of food, fellowship, fun, laughing, and swimming!  Not to mention a bonfire with hot dogs and smore's.

My brother Kel and I got a "sibling" photo . .. minus my other two brothers. 

A few brave souls got in the water. 

We love Lake Michigan.

The kids had lots of fun with sparklers too! 

Sunday - Today we recovered from our day trip and also started packing for our camping trip. 

Monday- Thursday - Camping! 

We arrived on Monday to wonderful weather.  We took advantage of it and cooked our favorite steak kabobs over the fire.  

Our campsite was near this huge dune.  Both boys took off and climb to the top to get a great view of Lake Michigan.  

After dinner we walked down to the beach and enjoyed a wonderful sunset.  Sunsets on Lake Michigan are the best. 

Nate loved using his phone to do some time lapse video of the sunset. 

Our family photo thanks to another photographer on the deck.  After this we enjoyed a great campfire and roasted marshmallows.  We headed in just about the time the rain started. 

Tuesday dawned rainy and wet.  It rained most of the day so we just took off for a drive.  These ducks are a good representation of how wet it was!  

We also enjoyed a treat from Panera Bread before heading back to our camper for the night. 

Wednesday was a little dryer so we could get in a nice hike.  We went to the channel and wanted to walk to the other campground where we normally stay.  Here Josh is searching for internet HA! 

Darryl, Josh and Nate - we really love the water and have dreams of living close enough some day to go to the beach every day. 

So, this side of the campground has been closed this year due to flooding.  I just couldn't figure it out in my mind so we walked through the campground - there are huge areas that are totally covered in swamp land now.  This area in this photo is where we normally camp - two of our favorite sites.  We asked if they thought it would be open next year and were told that it is doubtful at this point.  The high water levels have really impacted quite a few campgrounds and beaches. 

We also went and got ice cream at "Norm's" - it was our first time there and it was good.  We will go back next year! 

Darryl, Josh and Nate took off on a hike down the stairs.  They found some great things.  What did I do?  I stayed in the truck and read :-)  Yes, I prefer reading to hiking! 

Thursday we loaded up and headed to the beach for a picnic.  

These three fed the seagulls.  The seagulls love them, that's for sure!  

Josh said it was a little cold :-)  

Nate is a Michigan boy through and through - he goes in the water no matter what and did not disappoint.  Yes, he is in the lake - the air temp was only about 55 degrees.  He said it was cold but that he was getting used to it HA!  Shoot, it was even raining while he was going in the water! 

Friday - Today was a recovery day.  We had to open the camper up to dry it out, pull out rugs and chairs that needed to dry and, of course, do laundry.  We ended the evening with dinner at my mom's with my brother and sister-in-law, Kel and Deb.  We had to say good bye as they head back to Brazil in just a few weeks.  

So, yes, this was an amazingly fun week and we are so thankful for the family time that we were able to have.  Now, we gear up for school!  

Weekly Menu

Yes, I still love my fridge.  It's amazing.  And I'm thankful to be back to my fridge and out of the camping coolers once again :-)  I told Darryl that it took a little fun out of camping - the last thing I wanted was to live out of coolers again HA! 

Here's the plan for the coming week:

Friday - Thankfully my mom is cooking dinner HA!  My brother and sister-in-law are in town so we are having dinner together.

Saturday - Honestly, we have to take Nate into town for a Covid Test due to his upcoming surgery.  Maybe we will get some Adobe Taco's or we have a gift card form Consumers Energy for Domino's Pizza that we might use. 

Sunday - Depending on the weather we "might" get a fire going and roast hot dogs just because we can.  Otherwise, I'm going to pull some chili out of the freezer and we will have Chili "5 way" with spaghetti and garlic bread.  

Monday - Marinaded Chicken Legs, Mac and Cheese, and Mixed Veggies

Tuesday - Taco Tuesday! 

*Wednesday - Simple Chicken and Snow Pea Stir-Fry with Fried Rice

Thursday - Hawaiian Chicken Sliders and Fries (I also am planning to try making onion rings in my new-to-me air fryer - we'll see how that goes)

** Disclaimer - Nate has surgery on Wednesday so it is very possible that Darryl and I will grab fast food for dinner depending on timing. 

Our School Schedule

It's hard to believe that our school year is starting!  My original goal was to start on September 8th and stay right on schedule.  Well, we decided to do nature learning first and go camping.  When we started talking about camping, I had been looking at going the week before but then our local school district changed their start date so I needed to be around to still watch our little friends.  That only left one week for camping.  That's ok, the boys knew before hand that on Friday, the 11th, they would be doing school.  We were able to wipe out two days worth of lessons on that Friday putting us only 2 days off schedule.  We will be pushing through a few days lessons as Nate is scheduled for tonsil surgery on the 16th so we will miss some more school.  So much for starting strong!

With all of that said, I do actually have a plan :-)  We do not have our Friday Co-op this semester so I am trying to take advantage of that extra day.  It also appears that both boys have their Live Lessons in the afternoon.  One thing I took away from last year is that the Live Lessons are important not only for learning but for interaction with other kids.  With that in mind, I knew that I wanted the boys to attend this year.  So, we are going to work on getting the majority of their class work done in the morning (if not all of it) and leave seat work, as needed, for the afternoon along with their Live Lessons.  I'm hoping this will motivate them to use their time in the morning to get work done.

Nate wants to be as independent as he can be; Josh wants as much help as he can get.  With their different personalities, this makes sense and will hopefully free me up to help Josh at the same time Nate is working on his lessons.  As with every year, what I put on paper doesn't always work out and we have to shift things but this is the current plan

9:00-10:00 - Nate - Independent on Math and Reading - he is free to do as many lessons as he can get done (and done well) during this hour which means he may finish Math and Reading for the week in a day or two.  Josh  - I will work with him on his lessons - starting first with Math as he struggles with that the most; moving on to Science and Social Studies.  I have a goal of having him be independent in Reading!

10:00-11:00 - Nate - I will work with Nate on Science, Social Studies, Art and Ed. Tech as needed.  There is  A LOT of reading in all 4 of these subjects which is why Nate still wants help with these subjects.   Josh - as stated above, I'm hoping I can get Josh working on reading on his own since this year he has to read a few novels.  So, he will work on reading during this hour and also on his seat work.

11:00-12:00 - Nate - this will be Nate's seat work time as well as finishing up any lessons that we didn't get through. Josh - I will work with him more on lessons as needed and, if lessons are done, he can work on seat work as well.

12:00-1:00 - Lunch and break for all of us!

1:00-3:00 - If they have a live lesson in the afternoon they will need to attend.  Any seatwork not done, will need to be done and, if by chance we have a lesson not done, we will work on that as well.  Also, their piano teacher is taking this semester off so I plan on squeezing in a piano lesson for each of them at home.

This schedule stands true for Monday-Friday.  The goal is to have Friday free but if we need to do lessons we will.  Nate also has "private" Tae Kwon Do class on Friday afternoons.  (they aren't meeting with as a class but rather with individual black belts this semester due to Covid).

I know this post doesn't mean much to anyone else but it always helps me be able to write out my basic plan.  I do have my spreadsheet that I've attached a photo of that helps keep things straight.  I also try to throw in my things each day too.

Weekly Worship - J Heller - You Already Know (Official Audio Video)

A friend shared this song this past week.  First, I love JJ Heller's voice.  Second, this song is amazing.  

2020 Weekly Photos #34

Some weeks are pretty boring around here and some weeks are busy.  This was one of those more "busy" weeks.  It's funny, it's all relative because 6 months ago busy meant going non-stop sometimes but now "busy" means that we go get haircuts HA!

Here's our week in photos:

Saturday - The fridge arrived!!  We also enjoyed dinner at my mom's :-)  We enjoy that weekly "treat" and are glad she lives close enough that we can go there every week.

Sunday - We celebrated Darryl's dads 80th birthday party.

Monday - Haircuts and a picnic!

 We started at a park that we've always enjoyed but quickly discovered that both Josh and Nate are getting too big HA!  Josh was able to "walk" the monkey bars since his feet touched the ground!  

 So we switched to the wooden park that we love.  This park has lots of running space and the structure is better for bigger kids.  

 Josh's Connections Academy teacher called while we were at the park so he got to talk to her for the first time. 

Tuesday - Today we hung at home and I worked on doing some things around the house.

Wednesday - The boys got school photos done today.  I planned to take a photo of the photographer in action but I forgot my camara and then left my phone in the car.  Oh well, I'll leave you with these fun shots instead.

Yes, this is the cat.  Eating at the table.  No, it is not a normal occurrence.  Nate had left the table so the cat claimed his chair; Josh put some of the cat food on the table and the cat proceeded to eat it off the table because, well, that's what cat's do HA!  (Don't worry, I wiped the table down with Lysol Wipes after he was done!) 

Thursday - Today was my "running" day - First a leadership meeting followed by grocery shopping.  The bonus?  My mom had us over for dinner so I didn't have to cook!

Friday - Today I spent getting things ready.  Ready to go to a family get together on Saturday and the beginnings of "ready" for camping.  Cooking, packing, organizing - it takes a lot of lists :-) I thought it would be a boring day . . but it wasn't! 

This is the beginning of organizing for camping.  

This was excitement #1 - A large limb fell on the neighbors car port.  It was loud!  

Excitement # 2 - This little guy was in my truck - I think he tagged along on the corn stalks.  Apparently he's not a nice guy - he's one of those that will make you get a rash (at least that is what I saw when I read up on him!) 

Excitement # 3 - Ok, not really exciting BUT I'm so happy to have cornstalks to decorate with this year.  I still want to get a mum or two and, of course, pumpkins.