Kitchen Tea and Coffee tree

 I created a Christmas tree last year featuring espresso cups and kitchen/food related ornaments I had accumulated over the years. I thought it turned out kinda cute.

My hubby has bought me a snow globe for every year of our marriage. Now he has gotten the boys to join in picking them out. It has been something that I hold very dear. I have created a display in the hutch to showcase them. This is 1 side of the hutch.

fall break declaration

So Lord knows I need rest but I must not be a lump on a log this fall break so I am publicly declaring my plans to you. For accountability purposes.

So day 1
Monday
Workout
Clean the bathrooms
Make caramel corn with the kids
Gather the boys friends together to play football
Work on two aspects of CDA class
Call Martha
Banking

Tuesday
(If we don't make it to the zoo)
Workout
Clean the fridge and freezer
Finish the laundry
Make two persona doll skits and do for the boys for my assignment in class.
Make corn bags for all I have mentioned it to.
Take the boys to the pumpkin patch to pick out their pumpkins.
Call Nancy

Wednesday
Workout
Do all of what was on Tuesday if we went to the zoo
Or Take the kids to do something fun today.
Call girls from work about going to Shpshi

Thursday
Workout
Shipshi
library
Put all outdoor stuff away for the winter
Make pizza dough to freeze.
football practice.

Friday
Reading day.
Make applesauce to freeze
Make pizza and carve pumpkins

Saturday
football game
Pumpkin patch with boy scout troop


Sunday
finish up homework
go to re-enactment

I spy with my little eye

Payton waited 21/2 months while proving that he was responsible to take care of a pet by feeding his brothers dog without complaining, everyday. He saved up enough money to buy the new pet and all the supplies himself. Quite the little thrifter he is he found a cage from a good friend for $5.00 and a tip from the pet store gave us cheaper animal bedding elsewhere. The day had finally arrived to go and get his blessed little baby guinea pig. The first store we eyed these angelic little creatures at was completely sold out. Payton was heart broken so we headed to store #2. To our surprise they had 4 he could choose from. He instantly fell in love with a little light brown and white guinea with a colic on the top of his head. 

Izzy has needed some extra attention these days. I think she is beginning to feel a little slighted by all the turtle and guinea attention being spread around here. A little extra yard time is in order for this pup.

 
It was love at first site. Payton was so happy he told me he thought he was going to cry. He had waited what must have felt like eternity to have this little guy and the love has been showered on him since.

Meet Spy, who if was a girl was going to be named Tiff Jr. Thank goodness things worked out like they did. I am not sure how I feel about my son wanting to name his guinea after me. But male it is so I didn't have such an honor or dilemma.

Knock your socks off Bionicles

Here they are one day when we made an effort to turn off the tv. They were making cool creations. They wanted to submit their ideas to the bionicle company. We have to name them first. I love hearing them ask me to look at what they made.

New Years Eve 2011

Here is the group this year. It was nice to have the big kids around with some of their friends. The kids are growing up so fast.

GreatTeam

We had our Christmas party at the Essenhaus during break. It was fabulous. It makes me hungry for roast beef and cherry pie just thinking about it. I am learning so much from these ladies. It has been a huge blessing.

Winterwonderland 2012 part 2

Here are some extras. Park is such a trooper. He is always game for family time. Especially when it involves the great outdoors. I think he has a touch of the nature bug, like his momma. Last year I did a post here http://tt-crashboombang.blogspot.com/2011/01/top-things-we-love-about-winter.html. on what we like best about winter. John had the chance to experience his today. Believe it or not 2 days after our winter playtime we had record temps of 54 degrees. I have one more winter activity planned and it involves snow. We are waiting patiently here, Indiana. 
We got home in time to warm up to a bowl of stone soup. Yes, I know what your thinking. But we just read it fairly recently in school so I was in the mood to recreate it at home for the kids. It was pretty darn good, if you ask me. And finally a use for those darn Christmas candy canes that won't go away. We added a few to the hot chocolate and walla. Gourmet hot chocolate.

Winter Wonderland 2012 part 1

Sunday was surprisingly sunny and not unbearably cold (for some of us). So we decided to hang outside for a little bit and experience the winter. Some of us took a lot of bribing with sugary substances to join the fam. But thankfully nobody knows you better than your mom and we were united in our pursuit of togetherness. We ventured to a local park to go for a winter walk. Unlike in the summer time, the park was desolate. Quite and Serene. We enjoyed what the day had to offer but not as much as our youngest, Izzy. Have you ever seen a dog smile? She was all smiles. Unfortunately she is camera shy and never posed in her pearly whites for me. She is the hardest creature to photograph.

morning life

I am taking a class on families in transition.  We also study family life in general. Here is a window in to our life in the morning. This is an average day for any of you students out there studying the same as I.
I roll out of bed at 6:30.
Stumble to the bathroom to get ready.
Turn on the lights in boys bedrooms 7:00 for wake up call.
Plug in the perculator, and make breakfast. Lately banana pancakes or broccoli eggs.
Large boy comes out at 7:15 and eats.
I let the dog out to do her business, pack lunches,create pile of stuff to take to work
Small boy drags himself to kitchen after several threats and taking away privilages 7:25
Eat while reading a bible verse with kids 7:30
Finish last minute stuff. It's different everyday 7:40
Put the dog away, try to push pokey along, rush out the door 7:50. 
Drop off two, head to work 8:00
Usually touch base with the hubs, return text, pray for a need, read something, before walking in.
Final destination reached at 8:15.

stuff to do

I have a busy schedule this week and all I feel like doing is taking a nap.

Here is the monster list
1. Do homework for 3 classes
2. clean the house
3. Grocery shop
4. Date night with hubs
5. Take kids to church
6. Go bowling with others
7. Not to mention the regulars like: working, aerobics, work on homework with kids, lessons for church, dishes, bathing myself and others, laundry, and cooking.
Now that I have created my mountain above and have it broken down. I can start chipping away at it. One chunk at a time.
Disclosure: It may seem like I am complaining and I may be a little. But I will attempt to keep things in perspective and say I do love my family and count my challenges as blessings and opportunities. Sometimes ranting about them can just make me feel better.
1/22/2012 I guess you can see what gets last on my priority list.

complacency

Definition of COMPLACENCY

1

: self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies

 

Trying not to be this. Especially when dealing with the right to work bill that is being voted on this weekend.