S.O.A.P.

I wanted to share a great way to study our Bible that is simple but so effective.  It is what I do now and have used over the past several years.  I love it because you really only need your Bible and a notebook. 

Chose a book or chapter to study and break it up into small sections - only 1-4 verses at a time.  

S - Scripture
--Write out the scripture for the day.  Right now I am studying Colossians through Good Morning Girls and wrote out verses 5-8 of chapter one on Tuesday morning.  By writing out the verses it helps you focus on them more and also, by the time you finish your study, you will have written out an entire book! 

O - Observations
-- Write down one or two observations from the reading. I look for simple things that the author points out through the verses.  

A - Application
--This is where the rubber meets the road.  How does it apply to you! I like to look at my observations, since I obviously thought they were important, and then turn those into applications for my life, today. 

P - Prayer
--Take time to pray and ask God to help you, lead you, and guide you through those applications that you wrote down.  It is suggested that you write down your prayer . . I don't always write it down because sometimes prayers are a private matter between just God and I. 

Personally, I usually keep one other book with my study materials and that is J. Vernon McGee Study Book that pertains to the Book of the Bible I'm reading.  If I get stumped or just need some inspiration, I will read the section from his sermons that apply to what I'm reading.  It's a great way to get another view on the passage. 

If you are looking for an a simple but effective way to study your Bible - try this method, you may find it is the perfect way to study for you! This is also a great way to get older elementary students and above studying their Bible. 

Too Cute Not To Toot

Hello!  Lets get ready for some ideas!

With changing rooms, I'm using under our bed to store some things (since we have a smaller room) like candles, our overnight bags, and even some shoes (most of our shoes are still in the boys room) so I'd like to make a second bed skirt that will hang to the floor and cover up all of that stuff.  I love this idea from Emmy Lizzy for a ruffled skirt.  It might be a little beyond my sewing skills but sometimes I just need an idea :-)

Halloween is coming!!  (I need to get my fall decor out soon!) This cute idea for a pumpkin is from The Swell Life and is a take on the whole melted crayon art.  I actually like it and think the boys would enjoy being part of this craft.

This is a great Thanksgiving craft idea from Toddler Approved. Such a simple craft with a big impact.

I actually printed this idea to do this summer but never got around to it.  The Stuff Of Success shares this great Pool Noodle Obstacle course.

My husband loves T-shirts.  He also hates to give them up and yes, I even have a few that I would hate to see go because they are great memories :-)  So when I saw this idea from a.steed's.life I had to share.  I'd love to do this idea in the basement to add a little life to the room.

My boys love spiders - we even have a spider friend who hangs out in one of our living room windows (he hangs outside) so they would really love this little spider craft from Crafty Journal.

That's it for ideas this week! :-)

I do have to share this though - on Sunday I needed to find an idea I knew I had posted awhile ago so I started back tracking through old Too Cute posts and I must say, WOW there are some awesome ideas out there!  I need to take time to go back through and start printing some of my favorites and file them in the correct folder for use in the future. 

Homeschool Happenings Week 4

This was our first real week of preschool.  We had some good moments and some . .. learning moments :-)

Monday was our very first day of class. Josh wanted to teach too so we worked together :-)

 Josh on the very first day of preschool - he is very excited!!!  We started out with our calendar time and he learned the beginning of our verse.  Nate also participated with us and had lots of fun.

 Then we got busy working on school work.  Our big job today was practicing the steps for making the letter "L".  Honestly, I got about a total of 15 minutes out of him before he was done with school and ready to just color ;-)

 Nate joined us and had fun drawing lots and lots of whales (I have no idea why whales but that is what he chose to draw!)

 As I mentioned in a previous post, we are working on some practical things in the afternoon.  On this very first day, we baked brownies.  I used two 8x8 pan packages so that each of the boys could make their own. 

 Josh quickly discovered that there were peanut butter chips in the mix and started picking them all out.

 Very quickly, they discovered the joys of licking the spoon so once the brownies were in the oven, they each got to lick their spoon and  bowl.

At this point, Josh told me that he needed a different bowl because his tongue wasn't long enough HA!  Once the brownie making was done, both boys had to take a bath because they were covered with brownie mix!

Tuesday we went to a MOPS meet and greet.  I was trying to decide what to say about it and first, I'd like to say we had a great day.  We met my friend, Julie, there with her two daughters and kids got to play on the playground area for almost 2 hours.  Than we went to Julie's house for lunch and the boys all played with her girls for several hours.  Now, the MOPS thing was mostly so that Julie and I had a reason to get together a couple times a month but we aren't going to attend.  The group had some hard and fast rules that impacted us and made it not possible for us to attend right now.  That's fine - Julie and I can just get together periodically without going to group :-)

Wednesday - I did not take any photos while doing our lessons but today was day two and it didn't go quite as smoothly as day one ;-)  Josh really wasn't interested and had his own ideas.  He did read "8 Silly Monkeys" to me  . . . while I was attempting to read our Bible Story.  Then was upset because the other boys weren't in the room.  He did enjoy making "L's" and learning the site word "see".  He had me draw lots of practice "L's" on blank paper for him to trace :-) Our afternoon activity was something the boys both love - they got hair cuts!!!

Thursday we got back in the classroom and, like several other new preschool moms who are homeschooling, we also had a little . . .ummm . . .unwillingness HA  It really wasn't that bad but sometimes, trying to get a 3 year old to do what you want them to do is like trying to herd a bunch of cats.  It doesn't work.  One of the battles we are fighting right now is the simple fact that anytime I get out one of our books to read for class, like our Bible book, Josh wants to get his own book from the shelf and read.  We came to a compromise today though - He got to read his book to me and then he listened to me read mine to him ;-)  We also broke out the laptop today to do our power point lesson - I really thought he would be more interested in it but he just wanted to draw the Letter "L" . . .

 Josh is reading his current favorite book while Nate builds a castle.  Yes, Nate is still in PJ's . . don't judge ;-)

 This great power point is part of the Rising Rockstars Preschool lessons that I purchased from 1+1+1=1 for a very small membership fee.  The lessons are really great and the Power Point is a great tool to use.  I think that the more we use it the more Josh will enjoy it. 

Nate likes to find things to do while we are in the classroom.  These blocks go to wall hangings that go in their rooms (which should be hung up by the time this post "airs"!) he loves hooking them all together and making chains or building castles.  I think he needs some blocks for Christmas :-)

Finally, Friday.  On Friday's we attend "Friday School" with a local homeschool group and this was our first day.

 Nate.  dancing the morning away and just having fun!

 I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to write on both sides of a paper that I was handing to my child who notices everything HA  So, the photo shows him reading my "mistake" on the backside of the page . . which was obviously upside down.  So much for the sign !

 He told me he was too tired to smile so this is the pose I got :-)

 I had to share this photo.  We were supposed to be heading out the door but the boys had to get their purses bags before we left.  Just to keep it real, between the three of us, we left the house with six purses bags.  Seriously. 

Finally, we arrive at Friday school - this is the only picture I got because I never stopped running (from screaming babies HA) the whole time.  I will say first and foremost that the kids had an absolute great time.  They even told me about their favorite things when we got home.  I, on the other hand, did not enjoy my morning so much :-)  See, I'm one of the helpers in the nursery for the first hour and I'll be 100% honest.  Working in the nursery is probably one of those things that I could live without ever doing in my life.  I don't volunteer for it at church, I never sign up for it at any event . . .I just don't enjoy it.  But there I sat, in a nursery with screaming one year olds.  By screaming I mean s.c.r.e.a.m.i.n.g.  From there, I went into the preschool class so I actually was with the boys for an hour . . .and once again there were screaming kids - this time 2 and 3 years old so they were louder and stronger when they fought to get away (which, by the way, neither my boys or our little friend that comes with us were screaming - they were great and did what they were told!) The room was h.o.t. and some how the teacher of the class figured out I knew what I was doing and made me her helper HA  Then came my free hour - where we can mingle with parents and have a snack except . . I think I was the only parent that had that hour free except for the members of the board who had there own meeting during that time.  Don't worry, I brought my Kindle ;-)  Now, please don't think I'm complaining (ok maybe about the nursery) I'm just keeping it all real on this here blog.  I know it was the very first week, with lots of new families, in a new location - of course it will be chaotic.  Here's hoping next week runs better and the week after and the week after . .. oh, and now I'm prepared for nursery and will bring earplugs next week ;-)

That's the end of week one in preschool.  I did not get nearly as far as I had planned but I also knew that would happened and we will continue this week with finishing up the sections we didn't get to in week one before moving on to new lessons.  We are not in any rush to get through lessons - I want Josh to know the things I'm teaching him before we move on to the next thing.

1+1+1=1

Things My Kids Say

**A conversation I overheard recently:
Nate: Look Josh, it's an eye doctor (Holding up a hellicopter)
Josh:  Nate, that's that an eye doctor - an eye doctor checks your teeth.
My thought:  We need to work on the difference between a hellicopter, eye doctor and dentist HA!

** The other day the boys and I made brownies together.  Later that evening, we were showing Darryl the photos from the camera and when the picture of the brownie making came on the screen Nate said, "Delicious". (it came out DEEEEE lish US!) We seriously all burst out laughing.  I love when kids say 3  syllable words :-)


I think we were too busy this week for new, funny sayings HA!  What a week!

Weekly Menu

So, I'm switching our shopping day and therefore switching our meal days.  For awhile I've been considering moving the day I go shopping and actually taking my boys with me.  Sure, that is more work to shop with three boys (my two plus one) but I also look at it as a time to teach too.  Add to that fact that I am really tired of shopping late at night or on the weekend.  Monday has become our new shopping day (well except for this last week, I shopped on Tuesday evening because that is what worked!! )   The menu that I posted last week - well, because of the "big switch" the menu also totally got changed! 

So now, instead of starting with Saturday, I'll be starting with Monday.

Monday - Simple Enchiladas, Corn, and Salad

Tuesday - BBQ Ribs in the Crock Pot - Now I'll be honest, I've tried making ribs several times and have yet to find a good recipe.  This one comes with RAVE reviews so lets see if it works!

Wednesday - Italian Wedding Soup (for me) and Mac and Cheese for the boys

Thursday - Cheeseburger Soup and Homemade Bread

Friday - Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice

Saturday - Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Sunday - Roast, Potatoes and Carrots w/Biscuits and then Pizza Casserole for dinner. 

For Treats:
Creme Bulee Cheesecake bars
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Elephant Ear Bread - now that it is cooling off outside, I can get back to making bread every week.  Sometimes I make a breakfast bread, sometimes a "sweet bread" (like this weeks choice) and sometimes I try out a new yeast bread. 

Food Friday - Country Fried Chicken w/Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Chicken Fried Chicken and Gravy
adapted from My Name is Snickerdoodle

We have a favorite "comfort food" recipe of Country Fried Steak (it is the second recipe on this post) so when I saw this recipe I thought that I would try it.  It was so good - so good, in fact, that my husband officially named this the best fried chicken recipe ever.  The flavor in the breading was great and it went so well with corn and potatoes.  I did use the gravy recipe from the Country Fried Steak recipe because the parsley adds some nice flavor and color but other wise it was perfect as it was written.  Do you want to know my secret for mashed potatoes???  I buy Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes in the "prepared food" aisle.  They are so good, taste better than what I make and are fast and easy :-0 

Ingredients
 4 skinned and boned chicken breasts (or thin sliced cutlets work GREAT!)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 sleeve saltine crackers, crushed
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
oil



Instructions:
Place chicken breasts between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap, and flatten to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Sprinkle with half of the salt and pepper. Set aside. Combine cracker crumbs, flour, baking powder, remaining salt and pepper. Whisk together milk and eggs. Dredge chicken in cracker crumb mixture; dip in milk mixture, and dredge in cracker mixture again. Pour oil to a depth of 1/2 inch in a 12-inch skillet (do not use a nonstick skillet). Over medium high heat (more on the high side) fry chicken, in batches, 10 minutes, adding oil as needed. Turn and fry 4 to 5 more minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack in a cookie sheet. Keep chicken warm in a 225° oven.

Country Gravy
1/3 - cup flour
2 - 3 tablespoons pan drippings
3 cups milk
salt & pepper to taste

Carefully drain the hot drippings, reserving cooked bits and 2 -3 tablespoons of the drippings in skillet. Add 1/3 cup flour to the skillet with the drippings. Cook over medium high heat. Using a whisk mix the flour into the drippings until it starts to brown and become a paste. This is called a roux. If the roux looks too oily and runny you can add another tablespoon or so of flour and mix again. Whisk constantly until the paste becomes nice and brown.

Slowly add the milk whisking constantly and blending the liquid with the flour mixture until combined. Let the gravy come to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer until the gravy thickens up. If the mixture thickens too much add more milk as needed until the gravy is the consistency that you want. This could end up being more then the required 3 cups. Season generously with salt and pepper and serve over the chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes

Home Organization 101 Challenge

 

Last weeks challenge was to organize the kitchen.  I got a free pass since I did this a few weeks ago.  One thing that the blog author says is to empty all of your cupboards at once.  I disagree.  Even though she also says to make sure you can finish this project in one day (so have the husband take the kids away) I still disagree - this goes against everything Flylady teaches HA!  When I want to reorganized my kitchen, I do it one cupboard at a time, in 15-30 minute time slots because I KNOW I can get that much done before being needed by my kids.  Sometimes that means one section of my counter has things on it that I want to move or need a new home until I'm done but I also know that in a matter of 2-3 days my cupboards are all cleaned out.  When I did this back at the beginning of August, I ended up taking about 3 boxes of stuff (small boxes mind you) to Good Will AND I started my Christmas Wish list of things I'd like to replace like glasses, pots and pans and even dishes.  I tend to be someone who uses things forever even when I get tired of them because I feel like I need to get the full value of use out of it especially if it is a gift.  Well, I'm ready to move on.  (Just a week or so ago I was in Kohls and saw some adorable dishes!!)  You can see the post I did on "Phase 1" of our kitchen redo by clicking HERE . 

This weeks challenge is to clean out the garage.  This is on the list for my husband and I to do together in a few weeks.  We REALLY cleaned it back at the beginning of August - this time we just have things to store (like closet doors that we recently removed) and need to take care of other misc things that are out there to keep it a safe place for the boys to go into since that is where all of their stuff is stored.  So, I guess I'm ahead :-)  

So far this challenge is easy - I've either already done it or it is scheduled for a different week!