It's Friday

My kitchen window looks over to my neighbor's driveway, which has had a storage pod in it for a week or so.  The truck to take the pod away just pulled up.  And I have to say it makes me a little sad.  Some sweet little girls are moving and my kids have enjoyed them so much.  Hoping for nice new friends soon.
Our whole day is a little off.  Kayla has a stomach bug- yuck.  I imagine germs crawling on everything I see.  She's a little pitiful and watching Sound of Music.
The boys are outside on this beautiful January day.  I really need to call Jack in so we get some sort of school work done today but I hate to take him away from the warmth.  Maybe a few more minutes.  Or maybe we'll just take Granny's advice and "get back on track Monday."

Favorite verse from this morning:

"You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound."

Psalm 4:7

It's not about our stuff or our circumstances, is it?

Lucy's prayer from this morning:

"Father God.  Thanks that I potty train."

Loved that.

Wednesday Evening

Tomorrow we head back to CC.  
It has taken me quite a while to get my ducks back in a row.  Not the kids.  
Just myself, my stuff.  
But...I think I'm ready.  We'll see.  I'm realizing just how nice this break has been.  We've been moving at a slower pace, which really hasn't seemed slow but at least less busy.  Routine is good, too, though, and it has been good to get back into one.
Lucy is doing great with her potty training.  So far, pretty easy.  I am surely thankful for that!
Yesterday she looked at me with her big smile and said, "Guess what, Mommy!"
"What?"
"I wuv you."
Oooohhh you know that made me squeeze her good.
We are reading The Railway Children together in the mornings.  I love starting our school day that way.  This book is turning out to be a new all time favorite.  Kayla couldn't wait to find out what happened next and they begged me to keep reading.  It's really a wonderful read.  Pick it up, even if you don't have young ones at home.  You'll enjoy it!

A Little Snow

Last night, looking through the windows into the darkness, everything seemed quiet and peaceful.  You couldn't tell then that there was just a skiff of snow covering the ground.  It didn't matter.
This morning, our world is still white.  The grass poking through is obvious now but it's still pretty.  The wind still blows and there are flurries in the air.
It's not helping my motivation to get in a full day of school.  Neither is the fact that the children, all but Lucy, have been down playing in the basement (nicely!!) for a good hour now.  Do I really want to interrupt that?
I think I will let Lucy keep on playing with her baby- singing to the doll and laying her in the cradle, talking to the baby, covering her with many blankets.  "Baby's happy, Mom."
Maybe I will tidy up around here for a bit then call the others up while things are still good down there.

From earlier this morning:  When Sammy looked out the window this morning, he said, "Mom!  Winter's finally here!"
Jack said, "I guess I'm gonna make some money today."
I think he's forgotten about that already.
Enjoy the day!

Back to It

I love this picture.  Those two enjoyed some good cuddle time on the couch last night.
We are easing our way back into the world of Latin, US geography, math, etc...  A little at a time.
Lucy ventured into potty training this morning.  So far, so good.  Her new favorite song is "Chin Up," which I only know from the movie "Charlotte's Web."  She says chim up, which makes it that much cuter when she sings.
The wind is blowing and with it a little snow.  It's a good day to be inside and keep working on this Christmas whirlwind that hit our house.
Happy New Year!

December Review

Brian got 2010 of this blog printed for me for Christmas.  I love looking back through it but I also love watching the kids read through it, too.  They laugh and ask each other "Do you remember?"
That in itself makes me want to be diligent about posting pictures and stories so that they will be able to remember lots more.
So, here are some pics from our December, pre-Christmas.

Everyone helped decorate the tree but these little guys hung around the longest.

Jack was an innkeeper in the Christmas program at church  

and Kayla was a wiseman.  

I loved how she got herself all set up on the couch.  

She turned 2!

Decorating sugar cookies, very carefully with more than enough of everything in the end!

Clementine buddies.

I don't have pictures of these things but we had fun caroling at the retirement center, delivering goodies to friends young and old, reading lots of Christmas books, watching "White Christmas" and eating real, not microwave, popcorn with friends, and more that I'm probably forgetting.  I think it was a pretty good month.

Got Ham?

Trying to get back to somewhat normal today.
Normal routine, normal food (meaning not a steady diet of sweets!), normal sleep, etc...
I am one who likes to take down the Christmas decorations right after Christmas.  Still need to do the tree but I think I've gotten the rest of it.  I like how neat everything looks when it's been put back in its place.  We also need to figure out what to do with all these new presents.  We cleaned out last week but still, when the kids all get even just a couple of new things, it adds up.
Jack has been beside himself today- he got a fish tank for Christmas and set it up today.  Tomorrow- the fish!  He has read so much about them and is sooooo excited to finally have his own.

For dinner tonight, I tried something a little different.  We still have a good bit of ham left over so I found a soup recipe then tweaked it.  I really liked it!
Here's my version:

Ham and Vegetable Soup

4 cups of chicken broth

1 can of diced tomatoes

some barley

Boil those, along with some pepper and basil.  (Adjust boil time to whatever the barley needs)

Add some chopped ham and veggies.  The recipe I saw called for mixed frozen vegetables but I used some green beans, corn, and chopped carrots that I already had.

About 10 minutes before serving, add some noodles and cook until tender.

I made some corn muffins to go with it.
Yum!
It was a little salty so next time I'll either reduce the chicken broth or add a little water.

Just Licking

She still cannot stay away from all the candy on the gingerbread house.  We know she's trying again when we hear the random piano notes as she climbs.  She said, "I not eating, Mom.  I just licking."  Oh that makes me laugh!!