Our Week in Photos #33

We had a pretty busy week!

 We went to my mom's on Saturday and Sunday last weekend.  It was a great time which included eating lunch at Frankenmuth and doing some shopping. 

On Monday, the boys had their first day at the co-op Choir - I didn't get a single photo because I was running kids back and forth and just ran out of time!

On Tuesday, I was able to take the kids to a new art class.

A friend of mine found it and we both signed our kids up.  They seemed to have fun and they painted these bird houses.  We might try to go once a month. 

 Wednesday brought a surprise - a snow storm!  We got about a total of 8 inches of snow before it was done and it gave us an unexpected day home! There was no AWANA and Darryl was even home for the evening.  I loved the beautiful snow and loved the day "off" during a busy week!

 Thursday was a fun day.  First, the kids and I drove to Grand Rapids to meet a high school friend of mine for lunch.  Nope, no photos but it was a great time!  Then, Thursday evening was bowling!  It was another great night and I'm so thankful we signed up for the is league.

 On Friday, the boys tested for their next belts in Tae Kwon Do.  Both did great and passed - Josh moved up to the Orange belt and Nate moved to the Yellow Belt. 

By the time Friday night rolled around we were all pretty wiped out and enjoyed a quiet night at home! 

Weekly Menu

Last week was a very busy week with something going on every single night.  It just meant getting more creative with dinner since we either ate early, ate late or ate at different times.  It all worked out though and we made it through the week while still getting to do some fun things.  This week isn't quite as busy but, still, our evenings seem to be tied up a little more than normal.  Here's the plan for the coming week.

Friday - Easy Peasy.  Frozen Lasagna, Roasted Zucchini and Garlic Bread. 

Saturday - The boys and I are going to a Mother/Son activity and, despite knowing that there are snacks there, we need to eat something for an early dinner.  Leftovers it is!  Leftover Sloppy Joes with Mac and Cheese and chips.

Sunday -  Darryl has a concert today so we will eat out after the concert and then later in the day, soup and sandwhiches.

Monday - The boys have choir which puts us back to the house after 5:00.  I learned last week that the last thing I want to do is start cooking so I'm going to utilize the crock pot.  Beef Tips and Noodles with green beans.

Tuesday - We are home tonight!  Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, and roasted zucchini

Wednesday - AWANA night so the boys and I eat out.

Thursday - Bowling night so it is Tacos (fast and easy!)

OUr Week in Photos #32

 Our week started with the boys first Grand Prix Race.  It was new to all of us so we had a learning curve on figuring out the timer and basic rules of the double elimination. 

 Nate and his car.

 Josh's car.

 Josh and Nate with their cars.  It was a long morning that ended with disappointment because they didn't get a trophy.  But, all in all, they did really good and lasted until close to the end.

After the race, we "raced" to my in-laws to drop the boys off so Darryl and I could enjoy his birthday presant from me!

 I got Darryl tickets to see Steven Curtis Chapman at the Blue Gate Theatre in Shipshewanna Indiana.  It was a fabulous concert!!  It was just him, solo, and he shared lots of stories with his music.  Darryl and I both said it felt like going to church :-)

 We stayed the night at the hotel and it was just a great time away.  It is always nice to get away from home!

 Of course, we had bowling again this week too.  Both boys are doing better each week.   Nate even managed to get a 105 this week (with bumpers).  Josh is getting better at getting his ball to go straight and got several spares. 

 The boys spent a few days at Grandpa and Grandma's house where they had fun.  They got to help with the wood pile.

 And, even more importantly, they got to drive the Golf Cart.  This was a huge deal.  Both boys had a chance to drive it and just loved it.

While the boys were gone, Nate made this Ipad holder from one of the you tube channels he watches. 

So yes, a fun and busy week!  I just made our March calendar - it's busy HA! 

Weekly Menu

It was a great week.  I got some time off from cooking and we ate some good food.  Now it's time to get back into a better routine though and try to stick to a better menu :-) Well, except for this weekend since we have plans :-)

Friday - We will grab something out before heading to my moms

Saturday - I think the plan is to get Chicken dinner at Frankenmuth with my mom :-)

Sunday - I still have the day off :-)

Monday - Ravioli/Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Garlic Bread

Tuesday - Lemon BBQ Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans

Wednesday - It's AWANA night so the boys and I will grab Taco Bell :-)

Thursday  - Tacos - During bowling, this is my go to meal.  It is easy, everyone likes it, and clean-up is easy too.  This makes it easy to get to bowling on time and doesn't leave the kitchen a mess!

That's it!  Super simple :-)

Friends

Just this past weekend, Darryl and were talking about Michael W. Smith and some of his well known songs, like this one "Friends are Friends Forever".  I sang it a few times on Graduation Sunday through the years, I must admit HA!

Well, tonight, I get a text from a good friend of mine letting me know that her husband got a job he was interviewing for . . .in Florida.  We go to church together and have book club together.  As sad as I am for me that she is moving far away, I'm excited for her  - this is a dream of theirs to move down south - they love warmth, sun, Florida and . . Disney!  I'll miss her lots but like this age old song says - Friends are Friends forever!  (I know, it's corny HA!) Now, maybe Darryl, the boys and I will have to go visit them! 

Steven Curtis Chapman: My Redeemer Is Faithful And True

This past weekend, Darryl and I got to see Steven Curtis Chapman in concert.  It was awesome - we both said it was like going to church.  He was solo - just him on the guitar and piano.  He shared stories and songs from his life and it was just amazing.  This is one of the songs he sang that I had never heard.  Amazingly, as this interview states, it is from his first album.  I love the simple truth of it - maybe it will encourage you today. 

As I look back on the road I've traveled,
I see so many times He carried me through;
And if there's one thing that I've learned in my life,
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

[Chorus]
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do,
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

My heart rejoices when I read the promise
'There is a place I am preparing for you.'
I know someday I'll see my Lord face to face,
'Cause my Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

[Chorus]

And in every situation He has proved His love to me;
When I lack the understanding, He gives more grace to me.

[Chorus]

Our Week in Photos #31

So this is how our week started.  Actually on Saturday, the boys and I went to a baby shower at church and other than their colds both boys seemed fine.  By Saturday evening Josh said his ear was hurting.  He ended up being up most of the night due to the pain.  Thankfully one of our two local walk in clinics is open on Sundays so I was able to get him in and this photo was taken after a dose of antibiotics (for the ear ache) and Benadryl Congestion (for his cold).  He was wiped out!

This was taken almost 24 hours later on the dot!  It's amazing how quickly those medications work!  We had Monday off due to Presidents Day (yep, even homeschoolers get a holiday) which was actually good so that both boys could have a low key day and get some rest.  The colds seem to finally be going away and everyone is getting back to normal.

 This has been happening several nights this week - Derby Cars.  The Grand Prix is today so Darryl and the boys worked on painting and decorating the boys cars this week. 

 The big event this week was Darryl's birthday!!

 The birthday Boy!

 Josh and Nate planned a surprise - Josh played Happy Birthday on the piano and Nate brought out a tray of birthday hats/plates/blowers that he had hid in the bedroom.  They had a lot of fun planning all of this fun stuff!

Opening gifts :-)

 Thursday night was the 2nd night of bowling (and Darryl's birthday!).  Yes, Nate is wearing his coat - the bowling alley was so cold this week!  (Last week they were sweating HA!)

Just one shot of Friday school - Nate is on the left hand side.  Fridays are fun but long days. 

So, that's our week!