*************disclaimer: no geckos were harmed in the taking of this picture***************
Monday, March 8, 2010
Kaitlins latest catch...
She was quite proud of herself... those buggers are fast!
*************disclaimer: no geckos were harmed in the taking of this picture***************
*************disclaimer: no geckos were harmed in the taking of this picture***************
Blue and Gold Dinner
This is Matt at his first official Blue and Gold Dinner. If you are not aware of Boyscouts stuff this is the annual awards banquet. Matt recieved his:Webelos award
He also recieved these pins:
Outdoorsman
Showman
Citizenship
Travelor
Matt is working so hard and LOVING Scouting!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Beavers are busy, and so are we!
Okay I am gonna hit you with a bunch of pics! thanks to my new camera and of course doing things worthy of taking the pictures in the first place!
YEAH!!!!!!!
So we are doing Rodentia in science... for you non science minded people that is rodents... mice, rabbits, moles, schrews, beavers, rats!
We did most of our study on beavers... I am trying to pick one or two animals from each chapter to put a lot of focus on! I am also trying to add things for Emily to do to get out of the science that is really TOOOOOOO advanced for her! Also to help Matt and Kate get more of the hands on that they need!
So on to our Beaver unit:
My mom helped the girls make Beaver lodges! They are awesome!
YEAH!!!!!!!
So we are doing Rodentia in science... for you non science minded people that is rodents... mice, rabbits, moles, schrews, beavers, rats!
We did most of our study on beavers... I am trying to pick one or two animals from each chapter to put a lot of focus on! I am also trying to add things for Emily to do to get out of the science that is really TOOOOOOO advanced for her! Also to help Matt and Kate get more of the hands on that they need!
So on to our Beaver unit:
My mom helped the girls make Beaver lodges! They are awesome!
I had to give you a close up of the beaver pushing the branch in the water... do you see his hands! I LOVE IT!!!
Emily worked on the copywork- Beavers are Busy Builders.
Our character training word for last week was Diligence so we focused on the fact that Beavers are such hard workers!!! They are busy.
We also learned the poem Idle Hands, becasue we have been having trouble getting in trouble when we have nothing better to do so we talked about being busy keeps the devils mischief at bay!
Emily also made a beaver mask and Kaitlin made an awesome beaver tail! So it made a cute costume!
We studied about beavers and different rodents from our Jonathan Parks Goes to the Zoo!
We LOVE this series and we love this particular one. It give quick, GODLY facts about animals and how and why they were made and how different animals show what an awesome God we have!
We did lots of other beaver activities, worksheets. We even go to watch a Beaver IMAX and see like Beaver bites at Martin Dies State Park.
The kids studies the anatomy and bone structure of a beaver. Kaitlin did an awesome job of drawing it...
Okay I had a picture of this to post and now it is lost!!!!!!!!!! It was awesome though.. If I find it later I will post.
So anyway...... beaver unit done!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentines Day
We had a nice day, ended up staying home one more day just to make sure emi was in the clear, but we are convinced she is good!
We did not do valentines big this year with our budget, but we had a nice day none the less. We actually got the storage room cleared out not all that fun for valentines day, but it had to be done so I am glad we did it!!!
We did not do valentines big this year with our budget, but we had a nice day none the less. We actually got the storage room cleared out not all that fun for valentines day, but it had to be done so I am glad we did it!!!
We gave the kids each one small candy and a gift card for 10.00 to Build A Bear that I had gotten at Christmas for only 5.00!
We watched a bunch of Hallmark movies on our last day of cable. We have turned it off on last Friday over a week ago. So until they come turn it off we have legal free cable. But Dave is turning in the boxes in the morning so it will truly be gone!!! I am watching my last John Stossel right now--- my favorite libertarian!!!
I also made cup cakes! They were tasty and I think they looked good too!
I made Spaghetti bake for dinner, it isn't Daves favorite but the kids really like it.
So all in all a good day , and Dave is off tomorrow too!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Good Times and Fat Tuesday!
Okay, so i didnt get around to posting, but I have a good excuse I had 5 kid does! Becky and Joel came over early on Monday and dropped off the kids. It actually went pretty well. We got school, some of it at least, done in the morning. Dave and I each had appointments for the eye doctor. Dave took the boys to go shooting. We had Financial Peace University last night. It was a busy day but went well!
So onto more important things.. have you heard about Kevin Smith. He is an actor/ director. He got kicked off an airplane for being too fat. He fit in the seat, could buckle with the belt, and could put the arm rest down. Now I am all fine with them charging for two seats, but if you can fit in your seat with the arms down.. where is the line! I understand I am fat and guess what I DONT FLY. But really, my husband who is also overweight, but more than that he is a big fellow. I mean even if he wasnt over weight he would simply be big. He has huge shoulders. SO what is the line, truly?
I mean personally I feel the seats are just simply too small. If they KNOW most of Americans are obese.. I mean even Michele Obama is saying her KIDS are overweight! The girls BMI shows them overweight! So everyone is simply fat. SO MAKE BIGGER SEATS! Seriously! The airplane doesnt have to change anything to make a guest more comfortable...we keep letting this happen. I am all for business do what you want. PERIOD, I am not for ANY government regulation practically anyway. But if business wants to grow then they should have customer service. Does ANYbody remember that? If Americans are all becoming fat, than the airline should made bigger seats but the reason they dont is because us fatty, fat, fatsoes simply PAY FOR TWO SEATS. We do it to our self.
Do you remember the first time you "paid way to much for a snack at the movie theater"? You knew it the first time you did and lo and behold the prices kept going up and up and up but what did American do? did we protest and stop buying the snacks until they lowered the price??? NO we kept paying the exhorbiant prices for the ridiculous snacks! We do it to our self!
If we would decide to not let the company gouge us... then maybe the company would realize that tehy need to please the consumers! But NO we do it to our self!
I am on the edge of the whole fat thing on the plane, I see the reasoning that others shouldnt be allowed to "enter" our space in our seat because they are too fat. but what about a stinky person, or the lady with too much perfume, or the person you KNOW is doing "stuff" in the bathroom, or the one who is cussing, or the one who is simply loud or has a stupid laugh the whole flight, or the one who has a COLD! What is the line! Where do we draw it? Perhaps we are wrong to allow the airport to decide for us? I mean it is their airline and they can absolutely decide but if we stop using the airline maybe they will start asking What do you need?
So onto more important things.. have you heard about Kevin Smith. He is an actor/ director. He got kicked off an airplane for being too fat. He fit in the seat, could buckle with the belt, and could put the arm rest down. Now I am all fine with them charging for two seats, but if you can fit in your seat with the arms down.. where is the line! I understand I am fat and guess what I DONT FLY. But really, my husband who is also overweight, but more than that he is a big fellow. I mean even if he wasnt over weight he would simply be big. He has huge shoulders. SO what is the line, truly?
I mean personally I feel the seats are just simply too small. If they KNOW most of Americans are obese.. I mean even Michele Obama is saying her KIDS are overweight! The girls BMI shows them overweight! So everyone is simply fat. SO MAKE BIGGER SEATS! Seriously! The airplane doesnt have to change anything to make a guest more comfortable...we keep letting this happen. I am all for business do what you want. PERIOD, I am not for ANY government regulation practically anyway. But if business wants to grow then they should have customer service. Does ANYbody remember that? If Americans are all becoming fat, than the airline should made bigger seats but the reason they dont is because us fatty, fat, fatsoes simply PAY FOR TWO SEATS. We do it to our self.
Do you remember the first time you "paid way to much for a snack at the movie theater"? You knew it the first time you did and lo and behold the prices kept going up and up and up but what did American do? did we protest and stop buying the snacks until they lowered the price??? NO we kept paying the exhorbiant prices for the ridiculous snacks! We do it to our self!
If we would decide to not let the company gouge us... then maybe the company would realize that tehy need to please the consumers! But NO we do it to our self!
I am on the edge of the whole fat thing on the plane, I see the reasoning that others shouldnt be allowed to "enter" our space in our seat because they are too fat. but what about a stinky person, or the lady with too much perfume, or the person you KNOW is doing "stuff" in the bathroom, or the one who is cussing, or the one who is simply loud or has a stupid laugh the whole flight, or the one who has a COLD! What is the line! Where do we draw it? Perhaps we are wrong to allow the airport to decide for us? I mean it is their airline and they can absolutely decide but if we stop using the airline maybe they will start asking What do you need?
Down to the minute?
I was reading a blog the other day she was revising for the millionth time her schedule. You know just general tweaking and little changes to make things run more smoothly for us all. You know dont you... a schedule? We all have one right, I mean surely none of us would be dumb enough to attempt to get all the things we want and need to get done without a schedule? I mean as CEO of our company surely we would insist on a business plan or model? Surely...
Ummmm... how about not. How about I have tried to schedule, I have tweaked and changed. I have made complete new ones and than overhauled the whole system. I have implemented and planned with military precision. I have failed and dropped to the depths of planning "H*LL", I know you know that place. I have done it all, I have tried it all.... I have failed too many times. I hate failing. I hate having to "try something new" I hate coming back and saying here is what I am going to try... because it SHOUTS TO THE NATIONS... FAILURE. It doesnt shout, "hey looks at this well organized machine, who has it mostly together and because of her organization she is completely on top of every situation."
IT SHOUTS.... "FAILURE".
Anybody feel that way? Anybody with me yet?
But.. yes there is a but.
I know I should have a schedule, I know that I am a child of an organized God and I am made in HIS IMAGE. I know that as flibbertigibbet as I can be, I SHOULD be organized and can be. I have the mind of Christ. I can do this.
So I will implement another. I will try something else? I will go another route, hoping and praying that this one sticks. Or at least that I stick with it long enough to see if it works for us. That is the crux of the matter, truly! It is not generally the routine that doesnt work, it is me that doesnt work the routine! It is my fault. I am to blame ( this is where the failure part comes in, just in case you couldnt tell)
okay so enough blubbering about failing.. onto the new schedule.
Since our cable is now a thing of the past... I am hoping to spend some of that used time for other things. I said hope! Since I cannot wake up and literally turn on Fox news, I can get up and make breakfast every morning without having to run to the TV to yell at Harry Reid for the billionth time! No really I dont do that all the time, and I do make breakfast most mornings but I do sometimes get sucked in by Fox News and now that wont be a problem. :)
I will to use lunch time which was sitting down with the kids everyday, then hubby started coming home and he would turn on Fox news and we would sit in our room with our lunch and the kids would sit at the table. Now, not to be mean I am with kids like 24/7 and I really enjoyed this time with my hubby because it was adult time and we talked and discussed. It has been very pleasant! But now it will be we all sit at the table and I hope to implement some school time into this, not everyday but some days. If I have lunch ready when hubby gets here than I have about 35 good minutes with him. We could eat and play a game or do some school work with Dad.. Like I said not everyday but most days.
The 4:00 slump? Does anyone else get the 3-5 o'clock slump? I know some people must because there are commercials about it. My slump generally means quiet time for the kids, which is much needed. For me it means sitting in my room watching the Barefoot contessa and folding clothes. Both necessary in my book. But now no Barefoot contessa! So I think it is the time of the day I am going to get out. This slump time will now be my running errands time. The library, post office, dry cleaners, grocery store for quick runs etc. I understand that it should be earlier so things are less crowded but my past history TELLS me that I rarely get school done very well during the slump if I have taken off the morning for errands. So I will stay true to what I know and simply schedule school around the slump! The errands will get me out of the house, it will get my errands done and I am more likely to stop at the park if I am already out and about.
Dinner, I will implement as many healthy crock pot meals as humanly possible, or at least put the casseroles together in the morning to pop in the oven come dinner time. I do better in the morning and when I realize that it is 9:00 and we are dressed, breakfast done, kitchen almost clean and dinner is already "made", I just want to break into song! So I am hoping to have more of those days!
I am going to limit my outside commitments, this year I have AHG, Bay shore support group, field trips, book club and other outside classes. I will not do this next year... I have pretty much officially decided NO AGH next year... Bay shore will be limited to one field trip a month and pretty much not participating for any other day minus parties, I will limit field trips to mostly things we are specifically studying and a few special activities but be more conscious in my planning and how often or close together they are. I do believe in hands on so I will NEVER cut field trips but I will simply make sure that I am really getting something out of it and make sure that I am not leaving the house too often. Matt will continue boy scouts but that is at night and does not affect my school time for the most part. I want the kids in a church activity- like awanas so that will take a priority, but again it is at night. Bookclub is still a priority with me, so I am still thinking on that!
We will be volunteering more as a family- which we have stepped up this year too but I want to do even more. This will however take time and I want to be careful of it not always replacing school work but doing it as a family in the evening or weekends also.
7:30 wake up family
8:00 breakfast
8:30 clean up (kids) make dinner, prepare for day (me)--- Daddy leave for work
9:00 start school -preparation/ memorization work/ grade math
9:30 kids seatwork (math, explode the code, spelling- if new teaching for each is not needed)
10:00- switch off time
2 kids go do chores for 10 minutes, I get 10 minutes one on one time with each
student going over seatwork, then we will switch. I might need more time for this but
we can tweak it.
10:30 break
11:00 history or science depends on day history MWF and science TT
11:30 me go start lunch, kids finish up any work on their own and work on seatwork if needed
12:00 lunch Dave home- game or school talk at table
12:30 clean up break
1:00 book club reading, read alouds etc.
1:30 writing/ handwriting/ Emily's Learning language arts thru literature
2:00 Bible
2:30 finish up any thing not done
3:00 errands if needed/ quiet time/ park time
5:00 get home/ finish quiet time or prep for evening activity if needed or next day
5:30 laundry/ clean up/ dinner prep
6:00 eat dinner
6:30 clean up/ begin baths
8:30 kids bed time
I have to work on schedules for when I am gone all day like for ahg, it isnt working well for me this year, but I cant simply drop out mid year or at least I dont want to! I will bring the kids school work with me that they can do on their own as much as possible, we can car school for some thing by using cd or doing reading in the drive time. I dont know what else to do but the kids are going to have to get the basics done at a different time or we might have to simply quit. I am still working this out though. I know everybody who does anything has this problem so please LET ME HAVE IT IN THE COMMENTS... what on earth do you do.
Ummmm... how about not. How about I have tried to schedule, I have tweaked and changed. I have made complete new ones and than overhauled the whole system. I have implemented and planned with military precision. I have failed and dropped to the depths of planning "H*LL", I know you know that place. I have done it all, I have tried it all.... I have failed too many times. I hate failing. I hate having to "try something new" I hate coming back and saying here is what I am going to try... because it SHOUTS TO THE NATIONS... FAILURE. It doesnt shout, "hey looks at this well organized machine, who has it mostly together and because of her organization she is completely on top of every situation."
IT SHOUTS.... "FAILURE".
Anybody feel that way? Anybody with me yet?
But.. yes there is a but.
I know I should have a schedule, I know that I am a child of an organized God and I am made in HIS IMAGE. I know that as flibbertigibbet as I can be, I SHOULD be organized and can be. I have the mind of Christ. I can do this.
So I will implement another. I will try something else? I will go another route, hoping and praying that this one sticks. Or at least that I stick with it long enough to see if it works for us. That is the crux of the matter, truly! It is not generally the routine that doesnt work, it is me that doesnt work the routine! It is my fault. I am to blame ( this is where the failure part comes in, just in case you couldnt tell)
okay so enough blubbering about failing.. onto the new schedule.
Since our cable is now a thing of the past... I am hoping to spend some of that used time for other things. I said hope! Since I cannot wake up and literally turn on Fox news, I can get up and make breakfast every morning without having to run to the TV to yell at Harry Reid for the billionth time! No really I dont do that all the time, and I do make breakfast most mornings but I do sometimes get sucked in by Fox News and now that wont be a problem. :)
I will to use lunch time which was sitting down with the kids everyday, then hubby started coming home and he would turn on Fox news and we would sit in our room with our lunch and the kids would sit at the table. Now, not to be mean I am with kids like 24/7 and I really enjoyed this time with my hubby because it was adult time and we talked and discussed. It has been very pleasant! But now it will be we all sit at the table and I hope to implement some school time into this, not everyday but some days. If I have lunch ready when hubby gets here than I have about 35 good minutes with him. We could eat and play a game or do some school work with Dad.. Like I said not everyday but most days.
The 4:00 slump? Does anyone else get the 3-5 o'clock slump? I know some people must because there are commercials about it. My slump generally means quiet time for the kids, which is much needed. For me it means sitting in my room watching the Barefoot contessa and folding clothes. Both necessary in my book. But now no Barefoot contessa! So I think it is the time of the day I am going to get out. This slump time will now be my running errands time. The library, post office, dry cleaners, grocery store for quick runs etc. I understand that it should be earlier so things are less crowded but my past history TELLS me that I rarely get school done very well during the slump if I have taken off the morning for errands. So I will stay true to what I know and simply schedule school around the slump! The errands will get me out of the house, it will get my errands done and I am more likely to stop at the park if I am already out and about.
Dinner, I will implement as many healthy crock pot meals as humanly possible, or at least put the casseroles together in the morning to pop in the oven come dinner time. I do better in the morning and when I realize that it is 9:00 and we are dressed, breakfast done, kitchen almost clean and dinner is already "made", I just want to break into song! So I am hoping to have more of those days!
I am going to limit my outside commitments, this year I have AHG, Bay shore support group, field trips, book club and other outside classes. I will not do this next year... I have pretty much officially decided NO AGH next year... Bay shore will be limited to one field trip a month and pretty much not participating for any other day minus parties, I will limit field trips to mostly things we are specifically studying and a few special activities but be more conscious in my planning and how often or close together they are. I do believe in hands on so I will NEVER cut field trips but I will simply make sure that I am really getting something out of it and make sure that I am not leaving the house too often. Matt will continue boy scouts but that is at night and does not affect my school time for the most part. I want the kids in a church activity- like awanas so that will take a priority, but again it is at night. Bookclub is still a priority with me, so I am still thinking on that!
We will be volunteering more as a family- which we have stepped up this year too but I want to do even more. This will however take time and I want to be careful of it not always replacing school work but doing it as a family in the evening or weekends also.
7:30 wake up family
8:00 breakfast
8:30 clean up (kids) make dinner, prepare for day (me)--- Daddy leave for work
9:00 start school -preparation/ memorization work/ grade math
9:30 kids seatwork (math, explode the code, spelling- if new teaching for each is not needed)
10:00- switch off time
2 kids go do chores for 10 minutes, I get 10 minutes one on one time with each
student going over seatwork, then we will switch. I might need more time for this but
we can tweak it.
10:30 break
11:00 history or science depends on day history MWF and science TT
11:30 me go start lunch, kids finish up any work on their own and work on seatwork if needed
12:00 lunch Dave home- game or school talk at table
12:30 clean up break
1:00 book club reading, read alouds etc.
1:30 writing/ handwriting/ Emily's Learning language arts thru literature
2:00 Bible
2:30 finish up any thing not done
3:00 errands if needed/ quiet time/ park time
5:00 get home/ finish quiet time or prep for evening activity if needed or next day
5:30 laundry/ clean up/ dinner prep
6:00 eat dinner
6:30 clean up/ begin baths
8:30 kids bed time
I have to work on schedules for when I am gone all day like for ahg, it isnt working well for me this year, but I cant simply drop out mid year or at least I dont want to! I will bring the kids school work with me that they can do on their own as much as possible, we can car school for some thing by using cd or doing reading in the drive time. I dont know what else to do but the kids are going to have to get the basics done at a different time or we might have to simply quit. I am still working this out though. I know everybody who does anything has this problem so please LET ME HAVE IT IN THE COMMENTS... what on earth do you do.
One day at a time, right
Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until nightfall.
Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day.
Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down.
And this is all life really means.
~Robert Louis Stevenson
Current memorization
I have a folder full of "things to memorize", I got the list off a website years ago and have added to it as I come across things. Every school day we spent 15-20 minutes going over our current memorization items. I think this helps the kids really get these things into their long term memory banks. I have a very hard time with memorization, I mean a really hard time and I think my problem is a stumbling block for the kids. When I started the memorization folder I would do some here and there but now we are doing it daily- or at least daily as far as the days we do school work. . No really, we are doing pretty good right now! I have been home the last three days when I would have been out some and it makes such a huge difference!
So anyway here is our current memorization list plus what we are finishing up and soon to be starting:
*some of this we are still going over for Emilys sake, Matt and Kate already know it.
Days of the week
Months of the year
address
current poem- Against Idleness and Mischief, by Isaac Watts
Books of the Bible- we just started this and are on the first 10
Current grammar definition- we have a poster of the parts of speech and we are just picking one and learning the definition. Simply hanging a peg for the future!
vowels
counting by 2,3 and 4
Scripture of the week- Galatians 5:22
Fruits of the Spirit- we just started our study on this so after we have learned the verse and go on to another verse we will still go over the list of fruits each day.
Months Poem- FLL poem that helps remember how many days each month has
Character word- we are working on Gratitude
This is the going to be started or just started list:
The Lords Prayer- we will start this week. I found a neat printable game to go with it
Review of old FLL poems- I just randomly have them review a poem we have already learned
Science definitions- I have decided just this week to add this, we will simply go over some of the definitions we are learning to hopefully burn them into our brain!
States- we will be doing this basically in the order they became states! We have started with Delaware, I wanted to do the state lap books at the same time but that is taking more time so we will just continue with learning all the states and do the lap books as we get to them.
Presidents- This was supposed to happen this year but I think we have gotten through about 5 presidents, so I have to step this up!!!!
So anyway here is our current memorization list plus what we are finishing up and soon to be starting:
*some of this we are still going over for Emilys sake, Matt and Kate already know it.
Days of the week
Months of the year
address
current poem- Against Idleness and Mischief, by Isaac Watts
Books of the Bible- we just started this and are on the first 10
Current grammar definition- we have a poster of the parts of speech and we are just picking one and learning the definition. Simply hanging a peg for the future!
vowels
counting by 2,3 and 4
Scripture of the week- Galatians 5:22
Fruits of the Spirit- we just started our study on this so after we have learned the verse and go on to another verse we will still go over the list of fruits each day.
Months Poem- FLL poem that helps remember how many days each month has
Character word- we are working on Gratitude
This is the going to be started or just started list:
The Lords Prayer- we will start this week. I found a neat printable game to go with it
Review of old FLL poems- I just randomly have them review a poem we have already learned
Science definitions- I have decided just this week to add this, we will simply go over some of the definitions we are learning to hopefully burn them into our brain!
States- we will be doing this basically in the order they became states! We have started with Delaware, I wanted to do the state lap books at the same time but that is taking more time so we will just continue with learning all the states and do the lap books as we get to them.
Presidents- This was supposed to happen this year but I think we have gotten through about 5 presidents, so I have to step this up!!!!
Tossed To and Fro
Okay, so have your heard the phrase "helicopter mom", this was brought up I think on The View a while ago. I believe it was Joy- I heard this second hand or watched the youtube so I dont know if I have the whole story but this is the basics. Joy termed parents that hover too much helicopter moms. I think they were mostly talking about moms who were overly concerned about safety but still you know they were actually talking about people like ME! I am a helicopter mom. I might be the leader of all the helicopter moms.
I have always assumed something is wrong with me, I am too fearful and too anxious. That is of course part of it but truly it is about so much more than safety. I have always just simply felt the kids should be with us. I didnt dream of leaving children with a someone else so I could grocery shop. I didnt really like children's church because I felt they should be in the service as a family. I dont drop kids off at VBS, I would go in and sit and wait. People made me think I was wrong. In fact they made me feel like an idiot for doing it. So I have tried to stop this. I tried to send my kids to small things and act like it was a victory that I had accomplished it! NO MORE.
So if I take the safety issue- abduction, being hurt, being abused etc.
and add it to the spiritual issue- being led astray, being swayed, being taught things we dont believe it.
It equals KEEP YOUR CHILDREN WITH YOU.
Now I am not telling you to do this.. that is your business. What this post is about is I am tired of convincing other people that it is okay to be this way, or that something is not fundamentally wrong with me.
I dont have to do that. I dont have to feel like I am doing something wrong.
Now let me go back to the spiritual part. Easily half of keeping the kids with me when they were younger was probably fear, a healthy dose of common sense fear mixed with Carrie is an over anxious night mare fear. NOT GOOD. Bad on me for being anxious but dropping off my kids at a park and leaving and not being anxious doesnt exactly make it a wise thing to do? Right? So I had the right attitude of keeping them with me but I allowed fear and anxiety to rule me some and I have to answer for that sin in my life. So I must work on my attitude but that doesnt mean I change what I am doing. It doesnt mean they can suddenly go to Scout camp for a week. I dont believe in it.
I think if you want to let your kids get a taste of scout camping either sign up to be a leader and camp with them OR simply only allow them to go for family camping. I am not going to allow this world- or even my friends for that matter persuade me differently.
here is my proof...
This is a quote off Titus2 in the Dads Corner . Anyway, the Bible instructs us to keep our children with us so that we can be the one who influences them. Now literally do we have to always walk hand in hand or sleep in the same room. NO. But we are instructed to keep our children with us.
I had a Pastor say once that the reason that his son was not home schooled was because he felt that his son was called to be a light to the public school. I say that is bunk! I say that our children are not called to do that. The Bible talks about children being tossed to and fro. We are told to not be like children in this way. What kindof nightmare waves are you throwing your children to in public school?
I want my children with me, I want to influence them. I want introduce them to the world in the manner my husband and I have decided. I dont want the world thrust on them. Now Dave and I have absolutely NOT done a great job of keeping worldly influences away from them. WE have struggled with this immensely. We have been tossed to and fro!!!! Do you watch Disney movies? Do you not? Do you listen to secular music? Do you not? Do you listen to the news? Do you not???
WHEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anybody else need a vacation from all the decision making?
But as much as the world that has been introduced to my children I was still responsible for the decision to introduce them. Does that make sense? I decided based on "X" merit to let them see this movie or that movie. I decided at this age they were ready to hear about "x". It hasnt been decided for me!!! At least rarely anyway, and the times it has was probably one of those times I felt pressured by others to just let me kids be kids, to go our on their own!
Well no more.
We will church as a family- none of this children's church stuff. (Which has been a HUGE hold up in the search for a church!) The church is inundated with children's church programs! I dont mind awanas- although I would probably be in their with them, but you dont have to split up the family for every second of church? Kids can sit and hear a message with our the lights, puppets, spinning prize wheels and play grounds!
We will do classes and activities as a family. I dont mean Kaitlin cant ever go to a class by herself, but we will be very particular and I would be waiting outside. I dont have to drop her off everywhere? Not that it wont ever happen, but Dave and I will be in charge of deciding who is teaching her, who she is with, what is being taught to her. It will not because someone made me feel stupid for not doing something. Just because most of the world does 'X" doesnt make it right for me and my house.
The kids in scouting will not camp without a parent in attendance. Period. If a parent cant go. The kid cant. Now unlike some parents I am willing to work in the group so that I can fulfil, but that is just how I am personally.
Stop telling me that leaving a parent is how a child learns to grow up. It isnt true. Staying with a parent that is teaching and training them is how a child grows up.
Now again... I am not telling you anything. I am telling myself and talking about how I feel personally.
Dont get me wrong... I am sure that everyone struggles and God wouldnt have so many verses in the Bible if it wasnt truly a struggle. I dont have to get everything right, but I do have to stick with the convictions I have. If I no longer feel convicted than it is different. Dave and I have changed a few things over the years. We dont feel we are being wishy washy on all those changes, some of them simply have to do with who are children are becoming or the age they are getting too. Or even simply the place in life we are at.
I have always assumed something is wrong with me, I am too fearful and too anxious. That is of course part of it but truly it is about so much more than safety. I have always just simply felt the kids should be with us. I didnt dream of leaving children with a someone else so I could grocery shop. I didnt really like children's church because I felt they should be in the service as a family. I dont drop kids off at VBS, I would go in and sit and wait. People made me think I was wrong. In fact they made me feel like an idiot for doing it. So I have tried to stop this. I tried to send my kids to small things and act like it was a victory that I had accomplished it! NO MORE.
So if I take the safety issue- abduction, being hurt, being abused etc.
and add it to the spiritual issue- being led astray, being swayed, being taught things we dont believe it.
It equals KEEP YOUR CHILDREN WITH YOU.
Now I am not telling you to do this.. that is your business. What this post is about is I am tired of convincing other people that it is okay to be this way, or that something is not fundamentally wrong with me.
I dont have to do that. I dont have to feel like I am doing something wrong.
Now let me go back to the spiritual part. Easily half of keeping the kids with me when they were younger was probably fear, a healthy dose of common sense fear mixed with Carrie is an over anxious night mare fear. NOT GOOD. Bad on me for being anxious but dropping off my kids at a park and leaving and not being anxious doesnt exactly make it a wise thing to do? Right? So I had the right attitude of keeping them with me but I allowed fear and anxiety to rule me some and I have to answer for that sin in my life. So I must work on my attitude but that doesnt mean I change what I am doing. It doesnt mean they can suddenly go to Scout camp for a week. I dont believe in it.
I think if you want to let your kids get a taste of scout camping either sign up to be a leader and camp with them OR simply only allow them to go for family camping. I am not going to allow this world- or even my friends for that matter persuade me differently.
here is my proof...
Whoever our children are around will influence them. That is one reason why we are told in Deuteronomy 6:7 to be with our children. "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." If we are with our children we have the opportunity to influence them ourselves and to protect them from unwholesome influences. Because of the preciousness of our children and how easily they are led astray, the Lord is telling us to be with our children.
This is a quote off Titus2 in the Dads Corner . Anyway, the Bible instructs us to keep our children with us so that we can be the one who influences them. Now literally do we have to always walk hand in hand or sleep in the same room. NO. But we are instructed to keep our children with us.
I had a Pastor say once that the reason that his son was not home schooled was because he felt that his son was called to be a light to the public school. I say that is bunk! I say that our children are not called to do that. The Bible talks about children being tossed to and fro. We are told to not be like children in this way. What kindof nightmare waves are you throwing your children to in public school?
I want my children with me, I want to influence them. I want introduce them to the world in the manner my husband and I have decided. I dont want the world thrust on them. Now Dave and I have absolutely NOT done a great job of keeping worldly influences away from them. WE have struggled with this immensely. We have been tossed to and fro!!!! Do you watch Disney movies? Do you not? Do you listen to secular music? Do you not? Do you listen to the news? Do you not???
WHEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anybody else need a vacation from all the decision making?
But as much as the world that has been introduced to my children I was still responsible for the decision to introduce them. Does that make sense? I decided based on "X" merit to let them see this movie or that movie. I decided at this age they were ready to hear about "x". It hasnt been decided for me!!! At least rarely anyway, and the times it has was probably one of those times I felt pressured by others to just let me kids be kids, to go our on their own!
Well no more.
We will church as a family- none of this children's church stuff. (Which has been a HUGE hold up in the search for a church!) The church is inundated with children's church programs! I dont mind awanas- although I would probably be in their with them, but you dont have to split up the family for every second of church? Kids can sit and hear a message with our the lights, puppets, spinning prize wheels and play grounds!
We will do classes and activities as a family. I dont mean Kaitlin cant ever go to a class by herself, but we will be very particular and I would be waiting outside. I dont have to drop her off everywhere? Not that it wont ever happen, but Dave and I will be in charge of deciding who is teaching her, who she is with, what is being taught to her. It will not because someone made me feel stupid for not doing something. Just because most of the world does 'X" doesnt make it right for me and my house.
The kids in scouting will not camp without a parent in attendance. Period. If a parent cant go. The kid cant. Now unlike some parents I am willing to work in the group so that I can fulfil, but that is just how I am personally.
Stop telling me that leaving a parent is how a child learns to grow up. It isnt true. Staying with a parent that is teaching and training them is how a child grows up.
Now again... I am not telling you anything. I am telling myself and talking about how I feel personally.
In the e-mails I receive, it often appears that people prefer to "wink" at theI think I do this, I would rather let me my kids do something I truly feel is wrong because some might feel I was holier than thou. Or I have changed my mind over something I felt strongly about because it is normal to do this or that.
worldliness in others' lives than to risk the possibility of losing their
friendship or appearing to be "holier than thou." This is generally stated in
the context of a parent writing and expressing concern about the influences on
his children from worldly families and friends. Rather than offend a brother by
bringing up worldliness in his life or his family's lives, the parent will allow
his children to be in jeopardy of worldly influences.
Dont get me wrong... I am sure that everyone struggles and God wouldnt have so many verses in the Bible if it wasnt truly a struggle. I dont have to get everything right, but I do have to stick with the convictions I have. If I no longer feel convicted than it is different. Dave and I have changed a few things over the years. We dont feel we are being wishy washy on all those changes, some of them simply have to do with who are children are becoming or the age they are getting too. Or even simply the place in life we are at.
Where does the time go???
So I was going to blog and I realized that it has been one whole week... I dont know where the time went? Why didnt I blog? What was I doing that whole time? I DONT KNOW!
No really, I was busy, but not to busy to not blog for whole week! I am waiting on some people to send me pictures so that I can blog with pics but that isnt the whole reason... I just keep getting to the end of the day, literally 11:45, and think "I didnt blog!" I dont want to get up and go blog so I just say I will make sure the next day and guess what the next day passes and the next day passes.
So many changes happening here. The biggest being our debt.
We are finally jumping on board with the whole Dave Ramsey plan and going for broke---bad saying...we are going for wealth! We went through the class about 7 years ago, and have implemented some parts of it. We do not use any credit cards and have not for over 6 years.
We budget but we having cut enough, we arent paying down our debt. Actually let me retract that, our debt is very, old debt. The kind where the credit card company has written us off. We have paid off some of it, we have done a few settlements and then we just stopped. I dont know why! LIFE happened.
Anyway, so we are back on the tracks and we are going to buy a car with cash in June, then start our debt snowball, then I get a vacation, then we do our 3-6 months living expenses. We already have our emergency fund, actually we had 2000.00 but we just had the suburban screw up our water pump. This led to the radiator, hoses and seals! So we our down about 1200.00! But we had it to begin with and I AM NOT STRESSED. The emergency fund is there for EMERGENCY's!
Now our actually goal eventually is what DAVE RAMSEY says, you get to the point that you dont have to use the emergency funds for an emergency! Wouldn't that be awesome!
We have cancelled an upcoming trip to California.
We cancelled our cable.
We shut off Dave's phone and he gave up his I phone and got a phone from work.
We have cut everything we felt we could and are having budget meetings like twice a day! Not really but it feels like it.
Dave gave me a very nice kiss the other day and said," I feel closer doing all this with you. "
He meant the debt stuff, not the kiss! I thought it was so sweet and wonderful and absolutely TRUE.
So anyway... this is where we are at!
Btw... I did get to buy a camera. It was originally in the budget for the vacation. But it is my concessions prize for giving up my trip! Instead of spending hundreds of dollars I just spent 2! Still sounds like a lot but I was so beyond ready to have a camera. I have waited SOOOOOOOOO long! So get ready for some pics on the blog!
No really, I was busy, but not to busy to not blog for whole week! I am waiting on some people to send me pictures so that I can blog with pics but that isnt the whole reason... I just keep getting to the end of the day, literally 11:45, and think "I didnt blog!" I dont want to get up and go blog so I just say I will make sure the next day and guess what the next day passes and the next day passes.
So many changes happening here. The biggest being our debt.
We are finally jumping on board with the whole Dave Ramsey plan and going for broke---bad saying...we are going for wealth! We went through the class about 7 years ago, and have implemented some parts of it. We do not use any credit cards and have not for over 6 years.
We budget but we having cut enough, we arent paying down our debt. Actually let me retract that, our debt is very, old debt. The kind where the credit card company has written us off. We have paid off some of it, we have done a few settlements and then we just stopped. I dont know why! LIFE happened.
Anyway, so we are back on the tracks and we are going to buy a car with cash in June, then start our debt snowball, then I get a vacation, then we do our 3-6 months living expenses. We already have our emergency fund, actually we had 2000.00 but we just had the suburban screw up our water pump. This led to the radiator, hoses and seals! So we our down about 1200.00! But we had it to begin with and I AM NOT STRESSED. The emergency fund is there for EMERGENCY's!
Now our actually goal eventually is what DAVE RAMSEY says, you get to the point that you dont have to use the emergency funds for an emergency! Wouldn't that be awesome!
We have cancelled an upcoming trip to California.
We cancelled our cable.
We shut off Dave's phone and he gave up his I phone and got a phone from work.
We have cut everything we felt we could and are having budget meetings like twice a day! Not really but it feels like it.
Dave gave me a very nice kiss the other day and said," I feel closer doing all this with you. "
He meant the debt stuff, not the kiss! I thought it was so sweet and wonderful and absolutely TRUE.
So anyway... this is where we are at!
Btw... I did get to buy a camera. It was originally in the budget for the vacation. But it is my concessions prize for giving up my trip! Instead of spending hundreds of dollars I just spent 2! Still sounds like a lot but I was so beyond ready to have a camera. I have waited SOOOOOOOOO long! So get ready for some pics on the blog!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
School Update...
Well since I have been doing school how I want to do school for the most part that means I have something to update! Wow what a concept! So here goes...
Kaitlin
Math U See- doing very well, I am liking the progression and feeling good about this program
English- she is doing Writing with Ease (susan wise bauer), a spelling program I got online that I really like for right now. re doing First Language Lessons with the other two, another Writing program that is very, very simple.
Reading- well she just reads! We have assigned a few books specifically and I am having her doing vocab and comprehension. We will start book reports in a while just mostly for fun because she thinks it is fun.
History- we finished up Native Americans and are going back in time a little to hit some stuff we missed before we being American History. I want them to know where our History comes from. So changing my plan for the zillionth (spell that) time but it is okay I feel like I have a plan!
Science- we are doing Aplogia Zoology 3. We are going a little slowly but the kids are learning a lot! It is hanging pegs for when we go again in a few years and I think they are doing awesome!
Typing- she has started up her typing lessons again
Bible- she has read thru The Christians Guide to becoming a Woman. We are doing the Fruit of the Spirit and character traits right now... We are on Gratitude. I plan on picking up another devotion type study book for her. She generally reads a chapter and we discuss or implement. I am looking at several but want to make sure my timing is right for some of them. Anyway, still pondering that.
Book club: We are doing My Side of the Mountain! very fun!
We are currently also trying to finish up Pilgrims Progress we got to a point and stopped and I want to finish the book.
Matt
Math- of course Math U See... loving it!
Reading- I have a reading list for Matt, he just finished up Rabbit Hill and we did vocab.
English- we are doing first language lessons, Explode the code, handwriting (Reason for handwriting) Writing with Ease
History and Science is the same as Kaitlin
Bible is the same for the most part. He is doing scripture work with his handwriting. We are doing the Fruits of the Spirit and working on Gratitude. I want to find him a devotion book and have looked at two. Still deciding. I had hoped to have all my book decisions figured out so I could buy them after the first but we will see. Oh He is also reading between 3 and 5 chapters a day in the Bible.
Book club- My Side of the Mountain. Yesterday he saw mussels on the Food Network and got excited because Sam had eaten mussels on one of his first days on the mountain.
We are also working a lot of his Webelos badges and Arrow of Light Award.
Emily
Math- math U see. She is doing really great. I am soooo happy with this program! We need to get her addition facts down better but feel she is doing pretty well.
Reading- Brenda at the Family Revised is going to do a little testing to see what level she is really reading on so I will know what to work on. I am very excited to have a PROFESSIONAL tell me! Thanks Brenda!!!! We are doing Learning Language arts thru Literature. I am pretty happy with the program. It annoys me a little because you have to get out the blue card, card 1-3 and an orange card.. Seems so teachery! But I am trying to stick with it!
We are also going thru a book list with her. It is HUGE but I plan to hit all the ones that are still in print!!! Anybody ever seen a copy of Alligator Case? She is also doing some lap books with her friend Mary Faith, we have done Time, How to Make and Apple Pie and See the World and we are doing Barbie and the Three Musketeers next week. After that it is the Velveteen Rabbit.
English- she is doing FFL, Explode the code, phonics flashcards and handwriting.
History and Science is the same for Emily as well
Bible- Same as the others. I got out my kids Bible on CD the other day and I think I am going to put it on her Ipod so she can go spend 10-15 a day listening to it. We are doing Old Testament bible stories, just hitting the basics and we have a video of some of the stories and the rest are on tape- it is Eyewitness News from Focus on the Family. It is part of the Adventures in Odyssey series. I also have printed out color sheets from each bible story for her so she is making a notebook and has copy work for the title of the story on each page.
Book club- Emily sometimes does book club with us and sometimes not, she occasionally does a special activity with Brenda at Book club, just the younger girls so that is awesome! She really enjoyed Wednesdays!
Wow I know that was totally boring for some of you but it was refreshing to me to just put down on paper all that we are doing!!!!
Kaitlin
Math U See- doing very well, I am liking the progression and feeling good about this program
English- she is doing Writing with Ease (susan wise bauer), a spelling program I got online that I really like for right now. re doing First Language Lessons with the other two, another Writing program that is very, very simple.
Reading- well she just reads! We have assigned a few books specifically and I am having her doing vocab and comprehension. We will start book reports in a while just mostly for fun because she thinks it is fun.
History- we finished up Native Americans and are going back in time a little to hit some stuff we missed before we being American History. I want them to know where our History comes from. So changing my plan for the zillionth (spell that) time but it is okay I feel like I have a plan!
Science- we are doing Aplogia Zoology 3. We are going a little slowly but the kids are learning a lot! It is hanging pegs for when we go again in a few years and I think they are doing awesome!
Typing- she has started up her typing lessons again
Bible- she has read thru The Christians Guide to becoming a Woman. We are doing the Fruit of the Spirit and character traits right now... We are on Gratitude. I plan on picking up another devotion type study book for her. She generally reads a chapter and we discuss or implement. I am looking at several but want to make sure my timing is right for some of them. Anyway, still pondering that.
Book club: We are doing My Side of the Mountain! very fun!
We are currently also trying to finish up Pilgrims Progress we got to a point and stopped and I want to finish the book.
Matt
Math- of course Math U See... loving it!
Reading- I have a reading list for Matt, he just finished up Rabbit Hill and we did vocab.
English- we are doing first language lessons, Explode the code, handwriting (Reason for handwriting) Writing with Ease
History and Science is the same as Kaitlin
Bible is the same for the most part. He is doing scripture work with his handwriting. We are doing the Fruits of the Spirit and working on Gratitude. I want to find him a devotion book and have looked at two. Still deciding. I had hoped to have all my book decisions figured out so I could buy them after the first but we will see. Oh He is also reading between 3 and 5 chapters a day in the Bible.
Book club- My Side of the Mountain. Yesterday he saw mussels on the Food Network and got excited because Sam had eaten mussels on one of his first days on the mountain.
We are also working a lot of his Webelos badges and Arrow of Light Award.
Emily
Math- math U see. She is doing really great. I am soooo happy with this program! We need to get her addition facts down better but feel she is doing pretty well.
Reading- Brenda at the Family Revised is going to do a little testing to see what level she is really reading on so I will know what to work on. I am very excited to have a PROFESSIONAL tell me! Thanks Brenda!!!! We are doing Learning Language arts thru Literature. I am pretty happy with the program. It annoys me a little because you have to get out the blue card, card 1-3 and an orange card.. Seems so teachery! But I am trying to stick with it!
We are also going thru a book list with her. It is HUGE but I plan to hit all the ones that are still in print!!! Anybody ever seen a copy of Alligator Case? She is also doing some lap books with her friend Mary Faith, we have done Time, How to Make and Apple Pie and See the World and we are doing Barbie and the Three Musketeers next week. After that it is the Velveteen Rabbit.
English- she is doing FFL, Explode the code, phonics flashcards and handwriting.
History and Science is the same for Emily as well
Bible- Same as the others. I got out my kids Bible on CD the other day and I think I am going to put it on her Ipod so she can go spend 10-15 a day listening to it. We are doing Old Testament bible stories, just hitting the basics and we have a video of some of the stories and the rest are on tape- it is Eyewitness News from Focus on the Family. It is part of the Adventures in Odyssey series. I also have printed out color sheets from each bible story for her so she is making a notebook and has copy work for the title of the story on each page.
Book club- Emily sometimes does book club with us and sometimes not, she occasionally does a special activity with Brenda at Book club, just the younger girls so that is awesome! She really enjoyed Wednesdays!
Wow I know that was totally boring for some of you but it was refreshing to me to just put down on paper all that we are doing!!!!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A Simple Woman's Daybook
Outside my window... the sky is bright blue and sunny, I am praying that it stays this way for Thursday!
I am thinking... of home much school I can fit it till we leave for scouts.
I am thankful for... my husband making decisions for our family.
I am wearing.... technically my robe but am getting dressed in a minute.
I am remembering... what Dave Ramsey said last night and trying to put my priorities in line!
I am going... to step up again and firmly reinstate the ban! I have lifted the ban to many times last week so I am CLOSING IT!
I am giving myself ...a strong talking to about my reactions to the kids earlier, I breathed and stopped but even though I didnt say anything mean I know that they knew what I was thinking!
I am currently reading... My Side of the Mountain and a Debbie Macomber book. I am hoping to start my devotion this week. I am deciding between two.
I am hoping... that we will have an easy week with Kaitlin because this last week and weekend have not been fun!
I have been admittedly distracted by eating this week! I just kept thinking about food!
On my mind... how I can be more frugal and thrifty and it all comes down to sacrifice.
I am still thinking about what Hank Tate said at the Sethsa leadership conference.
Pondering these words... "If you are not happy with what you have, you wont be happy with what you want."
From the kitchen... I am making a smore cupcake on Thursday and I am making a sweet potato/ potato au gratin tomorrow... oh and Matt ate fresh cooked spinach yesterday! YEAH!!
Around the house... I got a new table cloth for the dining table. I want to actually start setting the table after each meal so that it is ready for the next meal. Also it will stop it from being a dumping ground, which isnt happening to bad but I can see the tide turning! We also got Emily her new book shelf this weekend. It was 29.99 at Big Lots, it was on sale for 27.99 and I had a 20% off coupon so I was VERY happy!
One of my favorite things... PLANNING THINGS... I love to plan things. I love themes of ANY kind!
I am thinking... of home much school I can fit it till we leave for scouts.
I am thankful for... my husband making decisions for our family.
I am wearing.... technically my robe but am getting dressed in a minute.
I am remembering... what Dave Ramsey said last night and trying to put my priorities in line!
I am going... to step up again and firmly reinstate the ban! I have lifted the ban to many times last week so I am CLOSING IT!
I am giving myself ...a strong talking to about my reactions to the kids earlier, I breathed and stopped but even though I didnt say anything mean I know that they knew what I was thinking!
I am currently reading... My Side of the Mountain and a Debbie Macomber book. I am hoping to start my devotion this week. I am deciding between two.
I am hoping... that we will have an easy week with Kaitlin because this last week and weekend have not been fun!
I have been admittedly distracted by eating this week! I just kept thinking about food!
On my mind... how I can be more frugal and thrifty and it all comes down to sacrifice.
I am still thinking about what Hank Tate said at the Sethsa leadership conference.
Pondering these words... "If you are not happy with what you have, you wont be happy with what you want."
From the kitchen... I am making a smore cupcake on Thursday and I am making a sweet potato/ potato au gratin tomorrow... oh and Matt ate fresh cooked spinach yesterday! YEAH!!
Around the house... I got a new table cloth for the dining table. I want to actually start setting the table after each meal so that it is ready for the next meal. Also it will stop it from being a dumping ground, which isnt happening to bad but I can see the tide turning! We also got Emily her new book shelf this weekend. It was 29.99 at Big Lots, it was on sale for 27.99 and I had a 20% off coupon so I was VERY happy!
One of my favorite things... PLANNING THINGS... I love to plan things. I love themes of ANY kind!
Friday, January 22, 2010
HMMMMMMMMMMMM..........
So does anyone else have a problem with this? Am I the only one? Probably not but I do know that I have a HUGE problem with this. Part of my issue has to do with my anxiety level... the more I get anxious or worried the more likely I will quickly lose what lose grip I already have on my tongue! Not good, right! So anyway, I printed out this pretty little picture and I am posting it in my schooling area so that hopefully I can see it and think before I speak.. or yell whatever the case may be! I will let you know how it goes!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wordless Wednesday... one day late!!!
Okay, so I am a day late, my internet was down most of the day and I just didnt get back online to post but here it is!
I guess the title could have been BOYS and their TOYS?
Monday, January 18, 2010
Todays experiment with lunch...
So I am trying to get more adventurous in the kitchen, to save money and to be in charge of what food goes in our mouth as far as ingredients. We are wanting to do a lot of natural and organic food and I am going to be going about 80/20 with 80% being organic or at least very natural and the other 20% being taking up with a less expensive and not as healthy choice. There are two reasons for this... one being my SANITY... going all organic and cutting our everything is VERY, VERY difficult and the other is simply finances!
So most of the food I am choosing to cook is for healthy choices and for it to be less expensive. But everything isnt about health as much as being able to control what ingredients go into my food. For instance I am going to make my bread at home in the bread machine with ingredients instead of buying bread that has a lot of preservatives and ingredients that are not necessary. Or making a meal that resembles a hamburger helper meal again without the preservatives and dyes. Bread and hamburger helper type meals are not really healthy but we are making them healthier for us.. Make sense?
So onto today! We made homemade corn dogs. I saw this done on Sandra Lee on the Food Network and I had DVR'd it so after I watched it a few times I decided I would make an attempt. I have very little confidence in my cooking ability and really doubt myself a lot! Again frying is not very healthy but it is a financial decision and the fact that I know what is in them. We did use little smokies which have nitrates, we will only use these occasionally. We had fun doing it and the kids liked that they were home made.
This cost me 4.21 sense to make 42 mini corn dogs.
I am sorry for the pictures, they arent that good, but they give you the gist
put about 3-4 inches of oil in the pot and you need to bring it to 375 degrees
(This is a very important step to insure the frying of corn dogs! I used a thermometer to make sure I had it up to 375 before I begin putting the corn dogs in.)
make the batter:
10 oz of corn bread mix ( have made my own mix, but the bags or boxed mixes are perfect)
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
2 t onion powder
2 t garlic powder
Mix until the consistency of pancake batter. Try to get all the lumps out.
Put the little smokies (or hot dogs cut in 2 inch pieces) on a skewer.
dredge them in flour and shake off excess. This allows you to get all of the liquid off the hot dog and helps the batter to stick. Very important step!
Now 5 at a time roll your flour covered little smokies in the batter until they are mostly covered and put them into the oil, one at a time. As you stick them into the oil they will immediately begin puffing up. As soon as they are brown take them out and place them on a paper towel to drain. This is very quick!
Next allow to cool and ENJOY!!!!!!!! BTW... in the picture they looked burned and they do get really dark but they did not taste burned. They are very light.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Lord you have given me peace...
I have a friend who struggles with some of the same issues I have... yes I said SOME!
Worry
Anxiety
Control Issues
So anyway, she was talking the other day and telling me how she had worked so hard in a particular situation to be patient and to wait for God's hand... I was very proud of her and it got me feeling convicted later that day because of my own inability to wait for Gods hand sometimes.
I want Gods PEACE in my life. It would work for all the above issues!
Worrying... here is some of Gods Peace.
Anxious... here is some of Gods Peace.
Being controlling because you want to KNOW what is going to happen.. here is some of Gods Peace.
See it works... So I going to find a Bible Study on Gods Peace. Now I will tell you a little secret about ME, I have never in my life, besides school or specifically in a church setting EVER finished a Bible Study I have started! Yes, that is very sad. So I would like to finish one and I pick this one! If you have a good one let me know, I will look at it! I hope to find one within the week so get back with me asap!
Isaiah 26:12, "Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us." (NIV)
Worry
Anxiety
Control Issues
So anyway, she was talking the other day and telling me how she had worked so hard in a particular situation to be patient and to wait for God's hand... I was very proud of her and it got me feeling convicted later that day because of my own inability to wait for Gods hand sometimes.
I want Gods PEACE in my life. It would work for all the above issues!
Worrying... here is some of Gods Peace.
Anxious... here is some of Gods Peace.
Being controlling because you want to KNOW what is going to happen.. here is some of Gods Peace.
See it works... So I going to find a Bible Study on Gods Peace. Now I will tell you a little secret about ME, I have never in my life, besides school or specifically in a church setting EVER finished a Bible Study I have started! Yes, that is very sad. So I would like to finish one and I pick this one! If you have a good one let me know, I will look at it! I hope to find one within the week so get back with me asap!
Isaiah 26:12, "Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us." (NIV)
Two posts today...
This first posts is simply to give you a link to Little Things in Texas, she wrote a great post and had a link to a free curriculum for homemaking for Christians. Just wanted to pass on the good stuff!
The second post which will be half today and the rest tomorrow is Matts car for the Pinewood Derby race at Boy scouts! He is very excited... they are still working tonight so I will post pictures later and then tomorrow with the final result.
The second post which will be half today and the rest tomorrow is Matts car for the Pinewood Derby race at Boy scouts! He is very excited... they are still working tonight so I will post pictures later and then tomorrow with the final result.
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