Calm before the football storm

Summer has come and gone in a flash and we're already gearing up for fall.  Football practice for Austin and Connor is in full swing and school starts up again in just a week.  That's one more week to finish the list of projects I wanted done this summer.  Um...yeah.  Pretty sure that's not gonna happen. 

I just finished putting all the boys' games onto the family calendar.  My mantra?  "Be anxious for NOTHING!"  Yikes!  With hubby working 60+ hours a week and both boys having games at roughly the same time on different sides of the continent, I'm wondering just how it's all going to work out.  But I know it will...somehow.  I have a feeling sleep will be a precious commodity over the next few months.  Please, if you find me wandering aimlessly, just feed me some coffee and point me to the next game.

So this year we're cheering for the Wylie Saints (Connor), the WPA Patriots (Austin) and our beloved Boise State Broncos. 

It's a good thing we're a football lovin' family! 

Oatmeal Butterscotch Gems

Doing a little baking this morning before the temps reach hell level and it's too hot to turn on the oven.  I tried a new recipe for Oatmeal Butterscotch cookies and whoa - STOP the train!  These little gems are amazing!  My obvious lack of self-control will come back to kick my butt during workout in the morning, but I think it's worth it...they're that good.

Here's the recipe as it appears on the Hershey's website.  Mix up a batch and then eat just one - I dare ya!

Ingredients

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups quick-cooking or regular rolled oats, uncooked
1-3/4 cups (11-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY'S Butterscotch Chips

Directions
1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large bowl until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
3. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in oats and butterscotch chips; mix well. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 4 dozen cookies.

An eclectic answer to the inevitable question

When two homeschool moms meet it will probably take less than two minutes for one of them to ask the inevitable question - "So, what curriculum do you use?"   If I had a quarter for every time I've answered that question I could probably sail away on another cruise.  In trying to give an answer it's not a matter of simply saying, "We use SOS." or "We take the Charlotte Mason approach."  While there are some who fall into strictly one category or another, most of us utilize a more eclectic approach.  Yep, we're eclectic.

Since I've spent the last several weeks reading curriculum catalogs, ordering, sorting and dreaming about curriculum and now days upon end of planning with said curriculum it seems logical to write a post about what we're using this year.  Wow...that was one long run-on sentence.

9th Grade

Algebra 2 and Geometry - Math U See

Vocabulary - Wordly Wise

Grammar - Easy Grammar Plus

Writing - WriteShop

Critical Thinking - The Fallacy Detective

Spanish I - Alpha Omega

Physical Science - Apologia

World History and Geography - Switched on Schoolhouse

7th Grade

Math - Math U See (Zeta level)

Handwriting - A Reason for Handwriting

Vocabulary - Wordly Wise 7

Grammar - Easy Grammar Plus

Writing - WriteShop

Spelling - Spelling Power

History - Story of the World

General Science - Apologia

4th Grade

Math - Math U See (Delta & Epsilon levels)

Handwriting - A Reason for Handwriting

Writing - Ready, Set, Write

Vocabulary - Wordly Wise 4

Grammar - Easy Grammar 4

Spelling - Spelling Power

Science - Switched on Schoolhouse 4

History - Story of the World

1st Grade

Math - Math U See (Alpha level)

Handwriting - A Reason for Handwriting

Language - First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind

Science/History/Character - Five in a Row

Keep in mind this is the IDEAL. This is what we're hoping and PRAYING to accomplish. The plans have been made and committed to the LORD.  I'll let you know next May how it all shakes down.

Momma's under the table again!

Uh, yeah.  This pretty much describes how I felt today.  Let me set the stage.

We came home from running errands this afternoon to find "it" had arrived.  "It" was the giant box of curriculum I had recently ordered and had been waiting expectantly for all week.  I was like a kid on Christmas morning!   Tearing into the box, I eagerly began organizing everything into piles for each kid.  The piles kept growing...and growing...and growing.  Before long, my prior elation turned to dread and I had a sudden overwhelming urge to curl up and take a nap...or sit in the fetal position under the table.

With one in high school, one in Jr. high and two in elementary this is going to be a challenging year.  Keeping everything straight, everyone on track and my sanity somewhat in tact is going to take every single ounce of strength I possess...and then some. 

Truth is if it were totally dependant on me, we'd be in a world of hurt.  Thankfully I'm not in this alone.

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I can boast in nothing except my need for Christ.  It is through His strength I am able to tackle planning an entire year of homeschooling for four kids.  It is through His strength I am able to devote myself daily to teaching and training them in the way they should go.  It is through His strength I am able to maintain a (relatively) peaceful environment and keep our home running (somewhat) smoothly.

So while I may feel like curling up in a ball under the table, I'm headed back in to face those piles.  I will be faithful in what He's called me to...the rest is up to Him.

Apology from a soap snob

OK, I have to begin with an apology of sorts.  Over the years several friends have shared the joys of making their own laundry soap.  My first reaction was always, "Uh, why?", or as my smarty pants friend Linda says, "Don't you know they sell that at Wal-Mart?"

With the price of raising four kiddos continuing to go up (they get more expensive the older they get!), I decided to revisit the whole make your own soap thing.  Especially after a friend mentioned she can make 2.5 gallons for just $.71 cents!  What could it hurt to try right?

Well let's just say I'm hooked.  It took just three ingredients and about 10 minutes and I had me some soap.  It works great on our laundry...haven't had a problem with it not cleaning anything AND there's no scent.  No more paying $25 for soap. I smile every time I do laundry now just thinking about how much money I'm saving.

I'm not one of those that takes pictures of every step in the process to share with you all.  Sorry. Instead, I'll send you right to the source.  Crystal at The Family Homestead has a post complete with wonderful color photos for all you visual types.  Check her out here.

So, to all who tried to tell me...I'm sorry I was a soap snob.

Land's End and customer service

Good customer service is hard to find these days.  Gone are the days of "the customer is always right" and "if there's a problem, we'll fix it".   That mentality has been replaced with "make as much money as possible.  Who cares about the customer!"  Because of the obvious lack in our society, when you do run across a company who cares, it really stands out and deserves some recognition.

I love Land's End clothes.  They're classic, stylish and fairly affordable.  I won't buy Emma and I's swimsuits anywhere else.  It took 35 years to find a suit that fit just right...no tugging and pulling to make sure everything is covered.  I can put it on and feel comfortable.  They hold up great to all the hours Emma spends in the pool, while keeping her cute and modest as well.

So this year I also bought the boys' suits there.  Normally I would just pick them up one at Target or Kohl's...after all, they're just boys' swimsuits right?  But the Land's End suits fit them great, so I splurged a bit.  After just a few visits to the pool, Connor's suit completely lost all it's color.  It looked horrible.  I was just going to run to Kohl's and get him another one, but decided to see what Land's End would do.

I didn't have my receipt and honestly wasn't hoping for much, but it was worth a shot.  I explained what happened and without batting an eye, they refunded MY FULL PURCHASE PRICE!  Most store's without a receipt will give you the lowest clearance price at best, but not Land's End.  Wow!  Talk about customer service!  I was so impressed and it made me an even more loyal customer.

Check out their great end of summer clearance deals going on now.  Most of their summer wear is marked down 30% and then 40% off that.  You know I walked out of the store with more stuff right?  Oh yeah.

**I am not a paid spokesperson for Land's End...though I think I should be don't you?

Once a month cooking - oh yeah!

In my freezer sits 13 meals ready to feed my constantly hungry family.  It took just three hours this morning to put them all together and another hour to clean the kitchen.  My kids said it was just like watching iron chef...only the iron chef was wearing jammies!

I'll supplement the meals with other quick fix dinners, a couple of times eating out and a couple of YOYO nights (Your On Your Own), so the 13 meals will probably last three to four weeks. 

That's 13 nights of not having to figure out what to cook for dinner. 

13 nights of not having to mess up my kitchen or wash pots and pans. 

13 nights of less stress. 

Oh yeah!

Here's what's on the menu:

Tangy Pork Chops
Marinated Pork Roast
Penne pasta with meat sauce
Sweet and Sour meatballs
Swedish meatballs
Hamburger Stroganoff
2 types of quiche
Tater Tot Casserole
Cheese stuffed meatloaf
Rojo Casserole
Honey Lime chicken
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Tomorrow I'll post a few tips for making the OAMC experience less stressful...dare I say, even fun!  Right now I need a nap...and a cookie.

Happy anniversary!

20 years ago today we said "I do" and we've been saying it every day since.  It seems to have gone so quickly...a blink and here we are.  I spent time yesterday with a wonderful couple celebrating 64 years together.  Wow.  Makes our 20 seem like a drop in the bucket and yet it is the beginning.  We're a third of the way to 60 and going strong.  Can I say it's all been amazing and without struggle?  No, but I can say I've shared it with an amazing man who's love has taken us through the struggle.  He is everything I'm not and more.

Mike, you are STILL my sunshine and always will be!  Thank you for the godly man you are and for sharing the last 20 years with me.  I love you with all my heart.

Double digits!

He went to sleep last night a nine year old and woke up to double digits.  10 years ago our G-Man was born.  He has his daddy's good looks and his momma's (slightly) sarcastic wit.  An interesting mix of humor and intensity, he can make us laugh until we cry and the next moment sober us with a deep question.  He likes to fly under the radar and has an uncanny way of pushing certain brothers buttons.  Somehow he always seems to come out looking innocent.  He loves his little sister fiercely.  One of the best things about Greyson?  He gives the most AMAZING hugs!

Happy birthday Greyson!  We love you to the moon and back...and remember, that's a really long way!

Starbucks iced mocha knock-off

I love Starbucks...I really, really do. Their coffee makes me smile. Their prices do not. My favorite grande, non-fat, light whip iced mocha sets me back a whoppin' $5.50. That's two gallons of milk for the brood of always hungry kids that live at my house.

In an effort to indulge my sweet tooth while saving my budget, I've come up with my own recipe. I hesitate to toot my own horn, but it is after all my blog...so I will! These are, dare I say it, better than Starbucks!  I love them on a hot afternoon and since pretty much every afternoon in Texas is hot, I make them a LOT. Pardon me while I take a sip....aaahhhh.

Here's the "not so secret, not at all scientific" recipe. Remember, I don't measure things people.

Espresso strength coffee, about 2 shots, cooled (has to be cooled so your ice won't melt)

milk

1/2 & 1/2

chocolate syrup

sugar

In a blender place coffee, chocolate syrup, smidgen of sugar and enough milk and 1/2 and 1/2 to make it just the right color...meaning whatever color you like your coffee! You can skip the half and half and just use milk, but it won't be quite as decadent.

Blend and pour over ice. Blending is important to get the bit of froth on top. Simply stirring won't give you the right taste. Don't ask me why...it just doesn't. Top with homemade whipping cream (please, for the love of good coffee, DON'T use Cool Whip!) and drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Mmmmm...so tasty! Knowing it costs me pennies on the dollar makes it even more delightful.