tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474831000850452222024-03-13T17:11:32.178-07:00HappyMom=HappyFamilyFamily of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-10771077981859149592021-02-19T12:30:00.000-08:002021-02-19T12:30:17.089-08:00February 18, 2021<p> We had commonwealth today, and I waited until this morning to mix up Playdough for the little ones. But I got up about 7:20 and got it done. I fed the kids breakfast, ate my own breakfast, and cleaned up the house a bit until everyone got here (we had class here today). </p><p><br /></p><p>After opening exercises, we broke into book discussion groups, because some read Heidi and others read Hatchet. When the littles started getting restless, I started the playdough activity with them. They were entertained. After all, who doesn't LOVE playdough?! </p><p><br /></p><p>Peyton, Faith, and Liberty went to Sawyer's house to play. Jared and Jordan stayed here to hang out with Braden and David. Jordan and Braden shot the pellet gun out back for a few minutes until they decided it was too cold and came back in. Jared and David worked on their improv. </p><p><br /></p><p>A Sheriff's Deputy died today. I'll add more details later once the family has had a chance to process things before the whole world knows (not that anyone reads my blog, but just in case). Jared was pretty worked up about it. </p><p><br /></p><p>I mixed up some chili seasoning and made chili. I was supposed to make chicken and black bean chili, but I forgot that I wasn't making regular chili, so I thawed ground beef instead of chicken. So regular chili it is. Maybe I'll make chicken and black bean chili tomorrow. I also made some cornbread that is supposed to roll over into leftovers to use for a salad and a casserole in the coming days. We'll see how much of it my family leaves tonight. </p><p><br /></p><p>Jared took Jared and David to improv, and Braden and Jordan to jiujitsu. I stayed home to cook. </p>Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-75879000622506810652021-02-18T17:47:00.000-08:002021-02-18T17:47:07.528-08:00August 13, 2020<p> Jared is supposed to be off today, but he has to teach driving. No OT pay though, he's getting comp time. It's something, I guess. </p><p><br /></p><p>Learned a new word today! Don't make fun of me if you already know it. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Portmanteau /port-man-tow/ n / </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span> 1. A large trunk or suitcase, typically made of stiff leather and opening in two equal parts (I may actually have heard this one before. </span><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> 2. A word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two other words, for example, <i>motel</i> (from motor and hotel), <i>brunch</i> (from breakfast and lunch), or <i>podcast</i> (from iPod and broadcast). </span></p><p><span><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Definition from Google</span></span></span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p>Made the kids some breakfast. B12 took care of the animals and watering the garden. </p><p>Transcribed reports while B12 worked on math (we discussed finding the area of a trapezoid) and D15 worked on his math/Spanish/guitar/whatever else he's learning these days (we discussed finding the volume of a cylinder). </p><p>Seasoned chicken and started it in the slow cooker while D15 came into the kitchen to discuss The Giver/Gathering Blue/The Messenger by Lois Lowry. </p><p>Transcribed more reports and read from an issue of Real Simple Magazine. (That's where I got my new word.) P7 worked on Khan Academy Kids on my phone. B12 did his Spanish lesson. </p><p>Jared came home for lunch. And left again.</p><p>Completed a reading lesson with P7, and a lesson with J4 (the letter R). </p><p>Tutored B12 on his trumpet. He really wants to play Happy Birthday for P7's birthday next month. (The thought crossed my mind of a homeschoolers marching band. I bet we could smoke 'em at competition!) </p><p>D15 cleaned the kitchen, P7 and B12 took care of clutter patrol, I worked on laundry. I listened to more of the TJEd conference while I was in my room folding laundry. Then Jared came home and I turned it off. When I did, I heard songs from Hamilton playing from the living room. The king's song comes on and suddenly I can hear all the kids singing at the top of their voices and dancing in the living room. I should really get a video of this, but they'll be done by the time I get my phone and get to them. </p><p>Transcription again. Jared and D15 went for some errands. D15 has Improv class tonight. </p>Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-47671406163117219632020-08-13T09:10:00.000-07:002020-08-13T09:10:23.748-07:00July 26, Sunday2:00 - Busy day for a Sunday. Kids fed themselves breakfast (freezer waffles) while I transcribed some reports. <br />
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Washed, dried, folded laundry. (Hubby and kids will put it away before bed. I'll be folding more as it comes out of the dryer for most of the day.) <br />
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Had leftover pizza for lunch. Hubby and I were out too late to fix dinner yesterday, so we got pizza. We were weedwacking and mopping the townhouse and replacing the air fresheners, hoping someone will buy it soon. The kids love when we get pizza. <br />
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Peeled, cut, vacuum-sealed, and froze some avocados. I have way too many of them from Bountiful Baskets. Still need to figure out what to do with all the pablanos and limes. Already made lime bars and a lime bundt cake recently. <br />
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Now I'm going to gather the kids to read from the Friend. :) <br />
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<br />Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-66612107603838110502020-07-20T20:43:00.001-07:002020-07-20T20:43:44.313-07:00July 20, 2020, Monday9:19<br />
The bus dropped off breakfast/lunch bags for the kids this morning. It had Jell-O in it. J4 has never tried Jell-O. Well, I wanted him to try it. He didn't want to. I finally convinced him. I got some on the spoon and moved it toward his face. He retreats, screaming, "It's MOVING!" He did eventually try it. Almost threw up. Fail. Seriously, what kid doesn't like Jell-O?! I've got two! <br />
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Putting pork in the slow cooker for dinner tonight. <br />
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10:00<br />
Had my breakfast. Made my bed. Checked the three rooms I have previously organized to ensure they're still in order. Hopefully I get to the kitchen today. Now time to do a reading lesson with J4.<br />
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10:30<br />
Finished a reading lesson with J4. He was super excited to read his first book! (It only had four words.) Then he wanted to do some math, so we practiced writing "5" and "five" and counting a picture of five pigs in a marching band (from an old workbook someone gave us). <br />
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Helped D15 with his lowest common multiples. <br />
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Waiting for P7 to finish clearing the table and B12 to clean the kitchen so I can do some things with them. I have to stay on P7 like crazy to get her to complete a task.<br />
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2:00<br />
Created the first page of my bullet journal. Read with P7. Worked on logging my books into my Libib account. Made, served, and ate lunch. It's about to storm. Time to do math with P7.<br />
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2:32<br />
P7 was so thrilled with herself after her math lesson, she decided to teach it to J4. <br />
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I loaded and started the bread machine, as well as the washer and dryer. <br />
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It's storming. I love a summer storm. They never last long enough.<br />
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9:40<br />
Organized about half of the kitchen. Assisted P7, B12, and D15 through their Zoom rehearsal for "The Big One-Oh," a Zoomsical Musical Extravaganza! It's going to be cute. Made corn on the cob and pico (with corn chips) for dinner. Shred the pork. Jared got home and added the barbecue. We all ate. P7 cleared the table. B12 cleaned the kitchen. I did some transcriptions. I'm going to check out my bullet journal, try some more doodles from Pinterest, and go to bed. Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-52295234349883948992020-07-19T21:19:00.000-07:002020-07-19T21:19:46.165-07:00July 19, SundayWow... a week has gone by! I get all off routine when Jared is off work.<br />
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We took the kids to The Beach at Farmington Lake on Monday morning. I'll try to remember to post some pics in here. Jared is on a long work week because he's switching his schedule. He had to work Wednesday through Saturday last week and Sunday through Wednesday this week, so 8 days straight.<br />
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I've been working on organization lately. Three rooms done (craft room, pantry, and laundry room)... too many to go. Kitchen is next.<br />
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I finally got two zucchini out of my garden. It's been slow going. I think I planted late, and I started from seeds rather than starts, so it's pretty slow.<br />
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We're celebrating Tonya's birthday at Jared's parents house tonight. I'm bringing a fruit tray and dip. I also made a sugar scrub for a gift and I'm baking a loaf of bread to present with orange butter.<br />
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Jared did a history lesson with the kids on Friday about the Japanese Empire, so I made Japanese food for dinner last night... beef teriyaki, sesame broccoli, and sticky rice. Actually it was pretty good. I'll probably add that to my list of regulars.<br />
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Even on a Sunday, I've completed several transcriptions. <br />
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We weren't invited to church today, as they're are just at the beginning of the alphabet. But they want B12 to go to pass the sacrament. He'll be picked up at 3:00, so I better help him get ready. <br />
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Tonya and Tim were cooking at Jared's parents' place. They had biscuits and gravy. The kids played with their cousins, ended up so dirty! I held Baby D for a while... she's still so little! I love it, but I'm glad to be done. J4 is out of diapers and we're moving on :) Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-59761011147283674532020-07-19T12:49:00.001-07:002020-07-19T12:49:23.900-07:00July 12, 2020 (Sunday)Jared and I got up and made breakfast burritos for the kiddos. I did some laundry and put some frozen bread dough in the loaf pans to rise for dinner tonight. We're going to his parents. His mom is making spaghetti. I sorted some things on my desk and checked some of B12's math work. We need to work on the area of triangles.<br />
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Then we got dressed and had sacrament meeting (at home, due to COVID). We read about Korihor in the Book of Alma.<br />
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Afterward, Jared got ready to go to pick up some more baby things from more work friends for Julia's friend. All of the kids wanted to go with him. And darn it if I didn't have to stay home so I that I can make sure the bread gets in the oven when it's done rising. :) So the house all to myself for a bit. I vegged.<br />
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He got home to switch some things out, then left again. P7 decided to stay home with me. I put wet laundry in the dryer and did a little tidying. <br />
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Dinner at his mom's was interesting... Tim made zoodles (spiralized zucchini) for the spaghetti rather than regular spaghetti noodles. Getting my littles to eat that was definitely a fail. Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-51964948189875943722020-07-12T13:17:00.000-07:002020-07-12T13:17:02.587-07:00July 11, 2020Yesterday was my anniversary. We've been married 16 years. I volunteered at the Bountiful Baskets site, visited Strings and Things to get D15's guitar string fixed and purchase a case for his guitar, then returned home. I did a transcription, but after that I was just tired from being out in the heat volunteering. (It was 100 degrees here today.) I took a shower and then sat and watched TV for a bit. Jared and I plan to go out to dinner tonight, so D15 is making dinner for the kids. He's making pork chops and macaroni and cheese.<br />
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Jared called and said he'd be late coming home due to a late arrest. No big deal since he took today off and we can stay out a bit later. I still don't like being out too late because I don't like the kiddos being home alone when it's dark. We went to Applebees. Jared had some gift cards from his birthday. It was nice to get out a bit. It's nice having a 15-year-old at home to watch the littles. :) (Though they were ALL still up when we got home at 10:30 pm!) After dinner we went to visit one of Jared's work friends to pick up some kid stuff for one of Julia's friends who got a very sudden opportunity to adopt. <br />
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Jared took today off from work. We slept late, then made pancakes, bacon, and eggs for breakfast. Homemade pico on the eggs makes it special! <br />
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He took the trash to the dump, picked up some more stuff for Julia's friend, did some grocery shopping, and checked on my freeze-dried oranges at his dad's house. Oranges are still juicy, so Dad's gonna give them some more time. When he got home, he worked on some projects outside.<br />
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I did laundry, vacuumed the living room, a few other chores, and fixed dinner. We had Reuben Strambolis <a href="https://www.plantoeat.com/recipes/24620489/35240551">https://www.plantoeat.com/recipes/24620489/35240551</a> and Vanilla Pecan Carrots <a href="https://www.plantoeat.com/recipes/17624370/35241270">https://www.plantoeat.com/recipes/17624370/35241270</a>. <br />
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After dinner, we took the kids to the Dairy Queen drive-through :) Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-79020085057981211192020-07-11T21:16:00.001-07:002020-07-11T21:16:59.516-07:00July 9, 2020Made myself some eggs and toast. Made J4 some waffles. The other three took care of themselves. Jared went to work. He took some of P7's outgrown clothes to give to someone he knows who can use them.<br />
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The five of us went outside to wait for the bus to bring the breakfasts/lunches. (Yes, I know I just said my kids ate breakfast. They'll still eat some of what the bus brings and save the rest for later. They never stop.) Kids rode their bikes around the driveway while waiting for the bus. The bus brought Lucky Charms and the Italian hoagies the kids like. They're happy.<br />
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Prepared dinner for the crockpot and searched some old workbooks to find some basic math to work with P7 on, as she wasn't ready for what we tried to work on yesterday. As I was preparing the chicken for the slow cooker, I had a conversation with D15 about molecular magnetism, among other things. I discovered that the carrot dish I had planned to make with the Fauxtisserie Chicken also required a slow cooker, and the only other slow cooker I have is too tiny. So I'll have to save the carrots for another day and check on the broccoli rice casserole. I can't prepare that until closer to dinner time, but at least I've read the recipe now and I know what I'll need to do and how long it'll take.<br />
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Peeled oranges at the table while P7 and B12 worked on math. I have so many oranges. They keep coming from the school bus. I'm going to take them to Jared's dad's so he can help me freeze-dry them.<br />
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Got ready and left for Park Day. It doesn't start til 1, but I left at noon because I have a package to pick up at the post office. Picked up the package, went to the park. Five other families showed up. Kids played together well, but they ended up muddy and wet from the ditch at Kiwanis park. I peeled and sectioned oranges while I was there. Some of the kids (mine and others') ate some of the oranges, but I didn't care a bit... I had SO MANY.<br />
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Went to Jared's dad's and got the oranges started. He put some peaches and some taffy in with them. The kids ate cookies and candy like they always do at Grandma's house, and we left pretty quickly to take B12 to meet his cousin at the football field. Then we went home to prepare dinner.<br />
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I got home and made the broccoli and rice casserole as planed. Jared got home with B12 and we ate dinner. All the kids needed baths after playing in the ditch. I played a game of Battleship with P7, Jared played one with B12. I folded some more laundry and completed some more dictations. Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-41424005956332352602020-07-09T08:19:00.001-07:002020-07-09T08:19:32.176-07:00July 8, 2020When I got up this morning, B12 and P7 were feeding the animals. D15 was working on his Spanish.<br />
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We went outside to wait for the bus to bring the kids' breakfast/lunch packs. While waiting, we saw the Farmington Police Bearcat head north out of the city. Makes me curious where it's going and why, but I'll never know. D15 and P7 pumped their arms to honk a few semi-trucks, and the bus showed up. J4 explained to the bus driver why he was wet (he was playing with the water while B12 was watering the garden) and explain what all the letters were on the bus step (the WATCH YOUR STEP sign).<br />
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On the way in, I noticed the hanging plants were looking dry, so B12 watered them.<br />
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While studying biology, D15 came across the elements song, and now he's determined to memorize it. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2cfju6GTNs">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2cfju6GTNs</a><br />
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I have some poblano peppers from my Bountiful Basket <a href="http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/">http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/</a> that need to be used up, so I found a recipe. I might try it tomorrow <a href="https://www.isabeleats.com/tex-mex-sausage-breakfast-casserole/">https://www.isabeleats.com/tex-mex-sausage-breakfast-casserole/</a>.<br />
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Jared called me from work to let me know he responded to a call at work for a woman we both know. Not sure why he wanted to tell me that, but it makes me feel good that he thinks of me during this workday and finds reasons to call. He didn't know where the Bearcat was going or why.<br />
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Kids are on their own for breakfast today. P7 is learning to make her own dippy eggs, B12 made oatmeal, and D15 had cereal. I fixed toaster waffles for J4.<br />
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D15 worked on ratios. B12 worked on division and word problems. P7 and J4 played together while I worked on a transcription. Had to spend time working on the foot pedal because it wasn't responding.<br />
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Looked at D15's cursive writing assignment from yesterday and discussed it with it. He redid it.<br />
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Discussed with P7 about being a peacemaker and a caretaker after she got into a shouting match with J4. Sent her back to him to make it right.<br />
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Discussed division again with B12.<br />
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Finally put in my contacts because my glasses were starting to bug me.<br />
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Discussed David's writing from yesterday. He decided he needed to add a few more descriptive words.<br />
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Found some STAT reports pop up on my work dashboard, so I grabbed 'em.<br />
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While I was making lunch, I discussed audition songs for D15 and P7. D15 has a few options he's going through. He wants to sing a portion of "Fireborn" but he's concerned that some of the lyrics might be too intense if the younger participants are in the audience. I emailed the directors to get more details on how auditions will be held. P7 wants to sing "Into the Unknown" from Frozen 2, but I'm certain she'll get shy and not sing it at all. I asked her to practice it for me, but she refused.<br />
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Made baked ham and cheese sliders with barbecue sauce for lunch <a href="https://www.plantoeat.com/recipes/19312420/35240204">https://www.plantoeat.com/recipes/19312420/35240204</a>, and started a loaf of bread in my bread machine.<br />
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Went outside to check on the plants and animals while I was eating my sandwich. Discovered that B12 filled the roosters' water bowl this morning but failed to put in back in their pen, so I made him go out and do it while laying down a guilt trip about it being hot outside and the roosters can't get to their water dish. There's still only one tiny zucchini on my plant. The other plants are nothing but leaves. I'm impatient about getting some vegetables on those plants.<br />
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Reviewed D15's descriptive writing. Made some edit suggestions, mostly grammatical, and sent it to him for revision. Also found and sent a "Rules for Commas" graphic. <a href="https://elainthemiddle.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/rules-for-comma-usage/">https://elainthemiddle.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/rules-for-comma-usage/</a><br />
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Finished two transcriptions. Made bed. Started laundry. Reminded B12 that his laundry needs folded and put away. Cut the label off a bottle of Downy sent beads to use in the craft room for storing pipe cleaners. Folded a load of towels. B12 did some practice cursive.<br />
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D15 listed to The Ranger's Apprentice while he cleaned the kitchen. There are quite a few books in the series. I don't know which one he's on. He also asked if he can make some boiled eggs. He loves boiled eggs for a snack.<br />
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The dough was done in the breadmaker. I put it in a pan to rise.<br />
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Reading and math with P7. Letter G with J4.<br />
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I cut the kids' hair and cleaned up that mess. Then put the laundry in the dryer and started another load.<br />
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Printed the family pictures I took a month and a half ago.<br />
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Bread is done rising. Put it in the oven and set the timer for 20 minutes. Started dinner while snacking on pico and corn chips. Dinner is going to be a while because B12 has a Deacon's Quorum Presidency meeting at 6:00.<br />
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J4 had to serve a time-out because he wouldn't stop blowing out the candle that P7 wanted lit. We had to explain that candles aren't only for parties.<br />
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I had to stop making dinner shortly after I started because Jared called and indicated he'd be late coming home from work; not very late, but late enough that I needed to take B12 to his meeting at the church. So I got ready and left with B12 shortly after Jared walked in the door. His uniform was wet and dirty because he had to traverse the Animas River to a strip of land that juts up in the middle where someone had reporting seeing human remains. Turns out it was actually animal remains and no big deal, but Jared was wet and dirty nonetheless. <br /><br />I dove B12 to the church. I sat in the parking lot to wait for him while I read a magazine. I found some good book suggestions in the magazine that I added to my Goodreads account so that I'll hopefully read them one of these years. Jared cleaned himself up and finished making dinner while I was gone. <br /><br />During dinner, we talked about several things, but we discussed what we want to do for our anniversary while P7 was clearing the table. She began singing, "Lovebirds! Lovebirds! Mom and Dad are lovebirds!" and then giggling wildly. <br /><br />When I finally got up from the table, I tended to the laundry again, folding, moving stuff from the washer to the dryer, putting more stuff in the washer, and collecting laundry from the different bedrooms and bathrooms in the house. <br />
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D15 cleaned the kitchen after dinner. Jared read Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites with B12. They take turns reading a page each so Jared can help B12 identify difficult words. I took a shower and directed P7 and J4 to clean up some toys. I made a couple of doll clothes hangers from paperclips for P7. <br />
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I watched an episode of Man with a Plan, browsed Facebook, and called it a night. Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-18922442461629263942020-07-08T07:59:00.001-07:002020-07-08T10:58:00.833-07:00July 7, 2020Busy day.<br />
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Made breakfast hash and eggs for breakfast.<br />
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Picked up my order at Sams Club. They were really slow. Almost made us late for P7's well-child check.<br />
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P7 had to visit the doctor. She's 51 pounds, 48 inches. A little on the small side, but healthy. Doctor suggested we get her eyes checked. She told him she likes strawberries, watermelon, and carrots. I've never seen her eat a carrot.<br />
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I took her to the McDonalds drive-through for lunch. The others got lunch on their own at home.<br />
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B12 went to the orthodontist to see if he was ready for his phase 2 braces. He's not. His teeth haven't changed a bit since he was seen six months ago. Orthodontist said his baby eye teeth may need to be pulled if they don't come out soon because they're causing the secondary ones to come out the front.<br />
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D15 was supposed to do some range driving time with the driving instructors, but it got canceled because the car is broken down. They'll call to reschedule. In the meantime, he has his learner's permit and can drive with me or Jared at any time. Maybe we're just nervous, but we prefer him to get some time in with the instructors first.<br />
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Children and Teen Theater were canceled for the summer due to COVID, but they're offering an online session. I got P7 and D15 signed up for it. I also got D15 signed up for another session of Teen Improv with Cates Creative.<br />
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B12 went to practice football with his cousin, though we're still not sure either of them are going to be having a football season this year.<br />
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Jared found a cool butterfly on the back porch. It's all black, but you can see subtle designs in its wings. We'll have to look it up and find out what it is. It was almost as big as my hand!<br />
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D15 worked on algebra, practiced his cursive handwriting, did a descriptive writing paragraph that I have yet to read, studied the periodic table of elements, and practiced Spanish on DuoLingo.<br />
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B12 practiced word problems and started understanding angle measurements today.<br />
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P7 practiced her reading with me. She's ready for her next reader.<br />
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J4 studied the letter B.<br />
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Jared did a Botany unit will all four... studying self-pollinators, the he grilled New Mexico Cheeseburgers for dinner which we served with pico, sour cream, and avocado (the traditionalists at the table just at theirs on a bun with ketchup), with fries from the freezer.<br />
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I printed out some cards from photzy.com to possibly help me learn to take better pictures. Hopefully I can find some time to work on it.<br />
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While taking care of the animals for the evening, B12 discovered a wild duck that has been coming often to visit with our two domestic ducks. Kinda cool. Hope he doesn't teach them to fly!<br />
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We read the text message from the missionaries, had prayer (it was my turn), and went to bed. Well, the kids went to bed while I finished my transcription. :)<br />
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Cut Jared's hair, took a shower, browsed Facebook, and went to bed. Left my clippers out because I may cut the boys' hair tomorrow. Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-52556003081725033172019-04-18T15:54:00.000-07:002019-04-18T15:54:48.473-07:00How to prioritize?!Cooking and cleaning and homeschooling and working and studying. Meal planning and shopping. Trying to use all the veggies I bought before they rot. Spending quality time with the kids, playing, talking, read-alouds, outings. Errands and paying bills. Church callings and scripture study and service to others. Making use of my gym membership and taking care of myself. Trying to be the best mom I can be while trying to maintain some semblance of myself apart from my 'momhood'. All of these things I have to do and more go spiraling through my mind while I ponder how I'm going to do it all. <br />
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Then the 3-year-old walks by trying to screw the lid back onto a tube of black paint. My instantaneously frustrated thoughts are not supporting of the kind of mother I know I want to be. I think, "Where on Earth did he get that?!? Who left it out?!? Doesn't he know that's not an acceptable thing to play with?!?" I stop what I'm doing to get him cleaned up and to try to scrub what he spilled off of the recliner. "I don't have time for THIS!!" If I allow myself at this moment to be open to the spirit, I can hear him. <i>"He's only a curious little boy. I can try to teach him without making him feel frightened or unloved. Those feelings won't help anyhow. My relationship with my little boy is worth so much more than an old recliner anyhow." </i>The paint came off the recliner easily, by the way. <br />
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It's hard though, it's hard when I'm under stress from so very many obligations, responsibilities, and pressures, to remember to listen for the promptings of the spirit. As I write this, the 10-year-old has broken the chandelier in the dining room with the broom handle. My frustrations rise instantly. "Seriously?!? Can't he pay attention to what he's doing? I really can't afford to be replacing things every day just because my kids don't watch what they're doing!!!" What would the spirit be telling me? <i>He was only trying to help. It was an accident, he's a good kid. If you don't swallow that frustration, you're going to have a broken chandelier AND a broken relationship with your gentle-hearted kiddo." </i>It's an ugly chandelier anyhow. <br />
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I don't know why it's so hard to parent from a place of love and yet so easy to let frustration take over almost instantly. Actually, maybe I do. Maybe it has something to do with the pressures we put on ourselves. Maybe it has to do with having plates so full that one more little thing - like taking a little longer with dinner, cleaning up some paint, sweeping up glass, or helping a curious kid find the answer to his questions - just can't be squeezed in. Of all the things on my to-do list, I don't know exactly what to get rid of or how to rearrange things, but I do know that something must be done, for the sake of these happy little kiddos, for they are really happy kids, and I'd like them to stay that way. <br />
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One of the kids says, "Mom, can I help you cook?"<br />
My internal voice says, "Must you? It takes so much longer to get anything done when you 'help'." The spirit chastises me. Every parenting book I've read plays over in my head. <i>Working with you is how they learn. You want them to be proficient in the kitchen, don't you? Of course you do, so you've got to put in the work. Besides, this is quality time. Are you the "I'm busy, go away" kind of mom? Or are you the kind who will gather her children in, make them feel loved, and use this moment both to teach a skill and to build a relationship? </i>In this moment is when you decide. Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-50924989537710728842017-02-24T10:03:00.000-08:002017-02-24T10:03:25.223-08:00Day 55School today - More fractions, addition, color by number, reading lessons, Alice in Wonderland, Faith in God<br />
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Extracurriculars - scouts, soccer, and basketball<br />
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Chores, chores, and more chores<br />
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Dinner: Little Caesars Pizza<br />
<u>Ingredients:</u><br />
30 minutes<br />
15 miles each way<br />
10 dollars<br />
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<u><br /></u>Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-22534483421363554282016-11-29T13:20:00.002-08:002016-11-29T13:21:34.336-08:00Introducing ME!... againBeen a while since my last post. I'm now a 35-year-old mother of 4: D is 11, B is 8, P is 4, and J is almost 8 months. My hubby is still a police officer of about 9 years. We live in a 3600 square-foot fixer-upper on about an acre. One dog, one cat, one fish. A raccoon ate all the chickens. I guess we're still working on getting this country living thing together.<br />
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If I'm going to be honest, there's a LOT to do as an LDS stay-at-home mother of 4. Some of it is just life, some of it I brought on myself by my commitment to homeschool, some of it has to do with the church, and some of it is simply stuff I want to do because it interests me. I have to do some of that last category in order to feel really connected to who I am. Here is a partial list:<br />
Cooking - cleaning - taxiing children - run errands - shopping - kin-keeping - laundry - diaper changing - journaling - taking and maintaining pictures - planning outings - church meetings - studying scriptures - teaching - lesson planning - baking - decorating - visiting teaching - tasks related with my calling - tasks related with the homeschool co-op - fixing things - paying bills - and let's not forget playing with and making memories for my kiddos. D is already looking for Scout, our Christmas elf, so I guess I have to get him out in the next couple of days. He is 11, but still believes in Santa. I questioned at one point recently whether he really still believes, or he's just going along with it. Then I overheard this conversation:<br />
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B: I want a _______ for Christmas. (I forget what toy it was exactly.)<br />
Friend: I don't think they make those anymore.<br />
D: It's okay. Santa's elves MAKE the toys. They can make whatever you want!<br />
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On the opposite end of the spectrum, he started asking a LOT of questions about where babies come from, so hubby had the birds-and-the-bees talk with him. Then he continued asking questions until hubby also had to explain birth control. So, D knows all about where babies come from, but still believes in Santa. It may be a little backward, but I'm not complaining. I'm happy to get another year of magic out of him 💙.<br />
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And then there are the tasks that are really JUST. FOR. ME. One is this blog. Sure, you can read it, I'd love that! But this is for me. This is for me to vent my gratitude for all that I have and for the blessed life I lead. That's right. All those tasks I mentioned above... blessings. Every. Single. One. They're a little overwhelming, but they're a product of the wonder I get to see every day in my family. Some of the other tasks I do just for me are crafting, reading, and learning the piano. I could really use some help with that piano one... I stink. Maybe one day when I have more time to spend with it, I'll get better. Reading is a wonderful outlet for me, but I guess I also do that for my kiddos. If I expect to homeschool them, I have to continuously improve my own level of education, so I'm learning things all the time. And one more thing I'm trying to do for myself is the Personal Progress Program. It's supposed to be for the young women, but it's perfectly appropriate for me as well, being a convert who has never had a chance to do it. It may take me a while. I just filled in my first bubble in "Faith" and there are like 50 or more of those little bubbles altogether. <br />
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Anyhow, I plan from this point out to fill my blog with all kinds of randomness, which I imagine most people will find boring, but this is for me. Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-14015504461207093152014-09-15T16:32:00.000-07:002014-09-15T16:32:15.457-07:00HousehuntingLearned that the Lord answers prayers.... even if he says, "no". We found a beautiful home. Of all the homes we walked into, this one just seemed invited and it felt like it could be ours. We, of course, prayed about it. Neither of us got a good, "yes" feeling, but we didn't feel "no" either. We just loved the house. But... something went wrong with the financing. We worked our tails off to fix it. There. Now we can get our perfect little house. But... something was wrong with the land boundary lines. How hard can this be? There's only one neighbor. And the portion of "his" alfalfa field that was on "my" side of the line was about the same as the portion of "my" beautifully landscaped lawn that was on "his" side. Two reasonable people could work this out with no problems. We'll let the current owners sort this out real quick before we agree to buy. But..... the neighbor is NOT a reasonable person. He's apparently trying to make it difficult for anyone to buy the place because he wants it and he wants to get it cheap. And.... we can't even get to the property without the use of an easement that runs through his property. Sure, he legally has to let us use it, but he doesn't have to make it fun!<br />
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So how many times did we have to be told "no" before we finally got the answer? This just isn't the property for us. And now that I've accepted that, I'm extremely comfortable with that, especially since we're not unhappy in our current home. But maybe we could stand to get a little better at listening to the promptings so that we don't have to be told four and five times! Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-41558102612491939692014-05-15T14:27:00.000-07:002014-05-15T14:27:23.332-07:00I made it!!! ... birthday cake edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A GREAT BIRTHDAY YOU SHALL HAVE</div>
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Check out my light saber birthday cake for little B's 6th. I must say I don't think it's one of my better cakes since I started making Mommy-Made-It birthday cakes, but light saber isn't much subject to work with. He had a great time with his family and friends, and that's what counts! We had pool-noodle light sabers for them to play with, and I wore my long, brown, Jedi robe for the occasion. Go Mom! </div>
Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-33730035444277100232014-05-15T14:17:00.002-07:002014-05-15T14:18:45.860-07:00Dear Telemarketers...I just got a call from a telemarketer who works for one of the credit companies that I do business with. The voice said, "There is no problem with your account, but it is urgent that you call us regarding...." I hung up. I'm sure it was an offer of some sort. <br />
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Dear Telemarketers,<br />
First, if you call me, TALK TO ME! I hate answering a call and there's a recording on the other end telling ME to call THEM back. What the ... ?<br />
Second, don't offer me anything! I do business with you, and so if there IS a problem with my account or if you need something from me, then feel free to call. If I need something from you, like maybe whatever it was you were going to offer, then I'll call you. NOT the other way around. I'm too busy for that crap. <br />
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That's all for now. Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-47099323259653889892014-04-10T15:36:00.003-07:002014-04-10T15:36:57.723-07:00Getting spiritual LDS style... I'm GLAD life isn't fair.House is a mess, boys are fighting, baby is screaming, dinner isn't started yet. Life isn't fair, and I'm GLAD for it! I must be crazy or delusional. Maybe day after day of taking care of children has finally done it to me. If life were fair, if I was only given what I deserved and what I earned, what have I done to deserve all the blessings the Lord had given me? Yes, I'm a hard-working woman and I do a lot to take care of my home and my family. In my youth I worked hard to earn my education. I worked hard in my job when I worked outside the home. But the blessings I have far outweigh what I've earned. <br />
Can we see the blessings in our lives? Are we able to look beyond the day-to-day drudgery and focus on all that we've been given, for nothing? Talk about a bargain! <br />
Is it fair that I have to clean up the same messes in the same house day after day? I have a beautiful home.<br />
Is it fair that I have to referee fights over a cardboard box every day until that box finally disintegrates? I have amazing sons.<br />
Is it fair that I have to listen to the screams of this little baby girl day after day after day? Is it fair that I wish away her babyhood so that she'll learn to talk and use words and stop the squealing? I have the most beautiful daughter in the world. <br />
I have a wonderful husband, wonderful friends, wonderful family. Even my in-laws are wonderful! My husband has a wonderful job. I live in a wonderful neighborhood and go to a wonderful church. I have the gospel of Jesus Christ and the influence of the Holy Ghost. <br />
Life isn't fair. Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-61043721030378522372014-04-03T11:21:00.000-07:002014-04-03T11:24:41.982-07:00Just saying... Albuquerque Police DepartmentI'm really glad my husband doesn't work for that department. I'm not saying that our department doesn't have it's own problems, I'm sure it probably does. But all of the negative media attention surrounding APD sways public opinion and sure must make things hard on those officers. I wonder how many times officers receive comments in reference to the recent events during their normal course of duty. <br />
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In most instances of use of force by police I fall squarely on the side of the police. These officers' first duty is to make it home to their family and they need to do whatever is necessary to make that happen. However, there may have been some questionable instances involving APD recently. I maintain that I do not have all the information pertaining to those instances, and very few people do. All I know is what has been put out by the media. I maintain objectivity and am open-minded to change my mind given more information. But that's not the point. Police are held to a perfect standard by the people they serve. This is rightly so since mistakes on their part can have dire consequences. It's comparable to the standard held to doctors and surgeons: people's lives can be on the line with the littlest mistake. But doctors, surgeons, and police officers are human and are susceptible to imperfections just like the rest of us. <br />
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It's impossible to police a city the size of ABQ without a substantial number of police officers. In order to get the number, standards have been lowered. Some people are carrying a badge and a gun around ABQ who probably should never have been hired in the first place. With less-than-qualified police, they are unable to respond appropriately. Without the numbers, they are unable to respond appropriately. So, instead of lowering standards, how about raising incentives for people to choose law enforcement as a career? Our police officers, the good ones, are underpaid for the work they are expected to do. How are you going to hold a man to the standard of a surgeon when you treat him like much less? <br />
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There are plenty of incidents to site, but the one that seems to have been the catalyst for the sudden call to action is James Boyd. All I know of James Boyd is what has been portrayed on the news. I don't know why he was so upset, or what he wanted. I don't even know if police ever asked him what he wanted. He was obviously in need of something. I know he was mentally ill, which makes him more difficult to deal with as he may not have responded to rational requests. I don't know if any of the police officers asked him what he wanted. Police wanted him out of the area because he was illegally camping. Did they offer to take him to a shelter? Did they ask him if he had family and if they could call someone to come get him? Maybe he had warrants and needed to be arrested, but for deescalation purposes just removing him from the area would have been sufficient for the time being. Did they offer him a sandwich or a blanket? Did they try anything to distract him from his knives and his purpose? I don't know the answer to any of those questions. Maybe they did all of that. I maintain that I do not know the whole story and cannot, in good conscience, condemn the actions of the police unless I do know the whole story, but these are questions that I'd like to know the answer to. <br />
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Yes, there are bad cops out there. There are cops who are incapable of handling the pressure and they make bad decisions, but most of them are hardworking, honest, loyal, upstanding enforcers of the law. But they are all painted with the same brush when we highlight the mistakes of a few. Are we throwing out the whole bushel for one bad apple? <br />
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APD is working on some major changes. I hope the media covers APD's success as they implement those changes as thoroughly as they have covered all of the negativity surrounding these incidents. And know, please, that for each incident you see where a police officer has made a mistake, a dozen others have gone above and beyond to help someone in need. Hundreds of others have deescalated situations which could have gone just as badly. Thousands of others have kept the peace, interacting with the public in a peaceful and professional manner. <br />
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Support those who are defending you. Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-53784051563223850352014-04-02T13:19:00.003-07:002014-04-02T13:19:55.554-07:00Homeschool adventuresToday's menu... 3rd grade: Subtracting money, picturing North America, word meanings, -ful and -less. Kindergarten: -ing, addition with 10, the letter J. Combined: Hammurabi's code.Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-61824049174566212932014-01-23T12:53:00.001-08:002014-01-23T12:53:23.993-08:00Repost that I love... Why you should have at least 4 children. This isn't my story, but I loved it, so here's where it came from: http://mylifeandkids.com/why-everyone-except-me-should-have-at-least-four-kids/ And for your reading convenience, I posted it here.<br />
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It seems like a pretty solid theory: <strong>Why every woman should have at least four kids…</strong></div>
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If you have just one child, then he has no one to play with. How sad – an only child growing up without a playmate.</div>
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If you have two kids, then you’re just like everyone else. And no one feels sorry for you.</div>
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Your house is a mess? It shouldn’t be – you only have two kids. Get it together!</div>
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Your kids are acting like crazy people at the grocery store? Eye rolls and judgement – you only have two kids – control them.</div>
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You never lost your extra 100 pounds of pregnancy weight? COME ON – you only have two kids, fatty!!</div>
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<a href="http://mylifeandkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Three-kids.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #6d6e71; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="pibfi_pinterest" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Three Kids" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3467" height="566" src="http://mylifeandkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Three-kids.jpg" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.2s ease-out; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.2s ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Three kids" width="640" /><span class="xc_pin" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.2s ease-out; background-image: url(http://mylifeandkids.com/wp-content/plugins/pinterest-pin-it-button-for-images/ppibfi_button.png); border: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; left: 559px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 5px; transition: opacity 0.2s ease-out; vertical-align: baseline; width: 80px;"></span></span></a></div>
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If you have three kids, then you have a middle child. And you never want to have a middle child. (Think of the therapy bills!)</div>
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But if you have <strong>four</strong> kids, then you have a free pass for everything.</h2>
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You look like hell? Of course you do – you have four kids!</div>
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You weigh 800 pounds? Hell yes you do – you have four children!</div>
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Your house is a mess? Yes, it is – and we have some volunteers scheduled to come help you clean it and do some laundry too.</div>
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Your kids are running around like terrorists at the grocery store? Honey, you have your hands full. You take your kids right on out to the car, and I’ll pay for your groceries and deliver them to you. <em style="margin-right: 2px;">Poor thing</em>.</div>
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And that is why <strong>YOU</strong><em style="margin-right: 2px;"> should have four children.</em></div>
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As for me – I felt like two kids was a lot. And three kids feels like a lot too.</div>
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And every time I think that maybe a fourth wouldn’t be so bad, I snag my varicose vein on the coffee table and remember why I’m never going to be pregnant again. Ever.</div>
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So I’m just fine having a middle child, thank you very much.</div>
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<a href="http://mylifeandkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Middle-child.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #6d6e71; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="pibfi_pinterest" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Middle Child" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3465" height="480" src="http://mylifeandkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Middle-child.jpg" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.2s ease-out; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.2s ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Middle child" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #6d6e71; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">- See more at: http://mylifeandkids.com/why-everyone-except-me-should-have-at-least-four-kids/#sthash.JlnzDWQk.dpuf</span>Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-37168140323233776712014-01-23T12:15:00.001-08:002014-01-23T12:15:27.782-08:00Adventures in Motherhood... mom versus cleaning the MinivanWe'll be leaving for a short road trip soon, so I decided to get some garbage out of the van. You know, clean it up a bit. I told the boys to get the trash near their seats, and I picked up some receipts and soda bottles from the front seat area. As I threw them in the dumpster, I accidentally let go of my keys as well. Oops. Resourceful as I am, I thought, who can I put in the dumpster to fetch them for me. P is smallest, but she just won't do the job. D is too big for me to pick up high enough. So B it is!<br />
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Me - B! Come here please.<br />
B - You're not going to put me in the trash can, are you?!<br />
Me - Yep. Sure am.<br />
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B willingly complies and saves the day! Thank goodness children are small :DFamily of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-33360557979536915752013-05-31T10:44:00.000-07:002013-05-31T10:44:40.097-07:00Adventures in motherhood... Mom versus the red CoolAid.Never a boring moment. We were happily having lunch, the 5 of us, at Costa Vida. As it approached time to leave, Mom and Dad sprang into action... because no movement is accomplished without a little prep work anymore. Dad refilled Braden's drink cup with red CoolAid. Mom sat the baby carrier on the table and began to strap Peyton back in. Everyone ready? Good. I'll just sit back down in my seat so I can reach the diaper bag from under the table and.... CRUNCH! What the...? I totally just sat on Braden's cup of CoolAid that he sat on my chair for who-knows-what reason. Now to figure out how to get out of this restaurant with red CooAid on the back of my white-and-blue plaid shorts...Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-3939130275111213932013-05-23T12:10:00.002-07:002013-05-23T12:10:53.133-07:00Adventures in motherhood...I just gave Braden a jar for his new pet gummy worm....Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-72812637523133719182013-04-24T12:17:00.000-07:002013-04-24T12:17:45.086-07:00Homeschool?I'm strongly considering homeschooling David next year. He's not doing so great at school. I know he's smarter than what he's showing at school, but he's too distracted there to really get into learning. The school is doing fine, they just have too many kids in each class to give him the attention he needs in order to learn. He's all for it because I told him that we could do more science and history than what he gets in school, which is what he really likes to learn about. Of course we still have to do the basics, but it'll allow us to explore his individual interests a whole lot further. He's also excited that I told him he can help plan the field trips. This is going to be a huge undertaking. Excuse me... I've got some research to do! Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47483100085045222.post-34284820200339146322012-12-06T15:29:00.001-08:002013-04-24T20:30:41.401-07:00The Ultimate Bulk Buying CookbookSo I just had to let everyone know that I absolutely LOVE this cookbook! It's all about meat, and the chapters are organized according to types of meats. What I love about it is that I can just take out whatever random meat I have in my freezer that needs to get used up, look it up in the cookbook, and I get several delicious ways to use it... everything from meat-and-potatoes kind of recipes to casseroles, salads, and more. This will definitely help me when I'm trying to use things up :D<br />
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<img alt="The Ultimate Bulk Buying Cookbook" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51G1kzbCYqL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" />Family of Minehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039453454118110736noreply@blogger.com0