Back to School - 7th and 8th grade

 Week 1 is under our belts and we are ready for another great year.  

We start each day together with Bible.  It's actually a fun way to start our day as we get to laugh together and learn before each of my guys goes to their own studies. 

Nate

Joshua

This week I only snapped photos while doing Bible. 

Dash isn't so sure about this new set up - we never did school at the table before and he is missing his snuggles!  Don't worry once we are done with Bible both guys head to a couch and work on their work. 

Music lessons are also beginning.  Joshua started drums last week and piano starts this week.  Guitar will start again in October!  

Our first week was a success.  We've slipped quickly into a pretty good routine and both guys figured out pretty quickly that it is too their advantage to work more independently to get work done instead of always waiting for me! 

Now, on to week 2! 

No Matter What (Lyric Video) - Jordan St. Cyr [Official Video]

Weekly Menu

This week includes a visit with my brothers!  I'm super excited even if we are all together for only two days!  It's been like 4-5 years since we've all been in one room :-) 

Friday - My brothers all arrive today. Dinner will be a quick homemade pizza and salad 

Saturday - Sunday - My brothers, mom and I are hanging out and doing stuff - like getting coffee and breakfast treats at Sozo's, going out to dinner, playing games and cooking steaks on the grill.  My young guys have a birthday party to head to in the later afternoon and Darryl will be on his own and then they will all  join us for Steaks on Sunday. 

Monday - Pork Tenderloin in Creamy Mushroom Sauce and Pasta Dinner and Cheesecake Factory Brown Bred

Tuesday - Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup and Rolss

Wednesday - Tonight youth group resumes.  They get served dinner.  Darryl and I are on our own.  Darryl usually has leftovers and I usually grab a sub or something while I wait in town for the guys to be done at youth group. 

Thursday - Sticky BBQ-Glazed Pork Tenderloin, Diced Fried Potatoes, Corn and Crescent Rolls

I really love as we slip into Fall and I can cook more recipes that warm up the house and make it smell amazing while we do school.  It also makes me want to search out some new recipes to try (which I have several this week).  

Weary Traveler

 I've shared the link to the song Weary Traveler more than once (and will again at the end of this post) and I do so because the song speaks to me so much . 

Isn't it easy to get weary?  I don't mean tired; I mean soul weary.  Where things weigh you down; you get trapped in the craziness of life and responsibilities.  You get discouraged by jobs and finances and expectations.  It can all be overbearing at times, can't it? 

As I'm facing another school year, I feel that weariness begin to creep in already because I know what homeschool takes; what it requires.  Don't get me wrong - I love homeschooling my guys.  I'm so thankful for the opportunity and privilage to do so despite the sacrifices we have to make to have it happen.  That doesn't mean it doesn't make me weary.  

Is being weary a bad thing?  I don't believe it is.  I actually believe it is the opposite.  (See, this is not a negitive post!) I think being weary is a good thing; it causes us to focus on God and what he supplies. 

Matthew West - How Good of God (Lyrics)

A new Matthew West song is always a good thing! 

Our Week in Photos

 Summer is officially winding down as this is our last week without school.  We, again, are enjoying this last peaceful week before things start to pick up and life gets busy.  I joked recently that Nate has a busier social calendar then I do . .. and I wasn't joking!!!  Here's a look back at our week: 

On Saturday my mom and I headed out to meet friends.  Our friend Dee (in the front seat) married David recently, who owns an apple orchard.  We met our other friend Candy to see the orchard, get a great tour and have lunch.  It was such a fun day catching up with long time friends! 

On Sunday, after church, our family headed to my father-in-laws to celebrate his birthday with the rest of the family.  It was a nice visit and we got some good pictures.  He's 82 and we are thankful he enjoys celebrating :-) 

Darryl, his sister Kelly and their dad

Darryl's dad with the grand kids, and great grand kids.  

Monday was a hot and stormy day!  

I didn't think to snap a photo of the sky but a friend did - the sky was angry and brought along some huge wind gusts!  Thankfully we were fine and never lost power but . . .

There were trees down on Main Street (photo taken from Facebook) and lots of other people without power with tons of tree damage! 

Weekly Menu - and just like that it is the "end" of summer

 It is Labor Day weekend!  Whew!  Craziness.  I always take a deep breath as we pass Labor Day because (most years) September - December go by in a blink of an eye (or two shakes of a lambs tail HA).  

Friday - Waffles, Sausage/Bacon, and eggs . .. and maybe some grits if I feel like making them.  (A little "Waffle House" at home) 

Saturday -   We are heading to my mom's for our normal Saturday night dinner 

Sunday - \Chicken Crescent Braid and Salad.  I can have the braid filling made ahead of time making this an easy meal to pull together after church. 

Monday - Labor Day!  We are having a cook out at my mom's to celebrate today! 

Tuesday - Tacos -  a super easy meal for a super busy day!   

Wednesday - Pasta Carbanara, French bread, and salad

Thursday - Chili Five Ways!  (With Spaghetti, cheese, onion, sour cream  . .. and well, I guess that's 4 ways HA!)  Tonight is the opening night of football so "football food" seems fitting!