Thursday, August 23, 2012

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Saxcitrepdar

A feeling has been creeping up on me for a few weeks now.  I can't quite name it though.  It is a strange mixture of sadness and excitement with a bit of trepidation and all out fear.  Anyone got a name for that?  I didn't either so I made one up.  Saxcitrepdar.

I knew once I resigned my job and my daytime identity there would be days, hours, & minutes that I would second guess that decision.  "Are you really called to stay home or are you just tired of all the hard work of teaching?"  That is the question that swirls in my brain at night.  Fear.

"What if you are no good at being a mom all the time?"  If this summer is any indication of my mom skills I have a lot of work to do.  Most of it needs to be done on my knees.  Trepidation.

Yesterday I had lunch with my teacher friends.  As they talked about plans and lessons and things they were upset about and things they were excited for I sat back and felt a bit sad.  Every year for 8 years I have planned, dreamed, and designed learning for big kids.  Each year I have started out hopeful that I could impact a kid or two and maybe kids would learn to love reading just a little bit more.  Sadness.

A letter a week.  That is what John and I will be tackling.  I found a free preschool curriculum online and so, with the extra lesson plan book I had, I have plotted out the weeks for A and B.  John informed me today that he hates preschool because he can't read.  Maybe, just maybe, he will be able to do a little reading by the end of the school year.  Maybe.  Excitement.

Saxcitrepdar:  the mixture of sadness and excitement along with trepidation and all out fear one experiences when heading into a part of life that is unfamiliar to them.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Oh the places he will go

Daniel is now mobile and very determined.  Here are a few places he likes to go.
Under the side table to get the lamp cord.

In Mommy's room to get the fan cord.

Across the room to get the monitor cord.

Up on the chair to get our brother's game.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Did you know?

I am an incredibly naive girl.  I always have been.  As a child (who am I kidding, even as an adult), things that other people knew I was ignorant off.  I can remember a conversation I had with a classmate when I was around 10 or 11 about AC/DC.  I thought he was talking about the power source of my new stereo.  It turns out he was actually talking about some rock band.

So, it never occurred to me that many of the products I buy I could actually be making myself.  A year or so ago my sister informed me I could be making my own laundry detergent.  So, I gave it a whirl and have been doing that ever since. 

Then I found out I could make my own cleaning products.  Did you know that old fashioned baking soda and vinegar get a toilet sparkling clean and sanitized?  Vinegar and water and a little essential oil makes a great room refreshing spray that is even better then Febreeze?

It also never occurred to me that I could make my own dishwashing detergent but today I did.
I have a few things I want to try to make on my own instead of buying. 1. hand soap  2. make-up (this one scares me a bit)  3. taco seasoning   4. cough remedy 

Who knew?!

Friday, August 3, 2012

"New Things" Week


I glean much joy from cooking and planning weekly menus.  Every once in a while I get the wild idea to have a theme for the week.  This week the theme was "new things."  I like to encourage the kids to try new things and I like to try new recipes.  We tried anchovies, chard, a new recipe, and making our own pizza dough this week.  The key success was the pizza dough actually rose!  The major bust was the anchovies.
This is the tomato, anchovies pasta salad.  We didn't love it.  I don't think the lemon based dressing fit our taste buds.
This is chard.  I made a Chard in Red Sauce recipe.  Chris and I loved it.  I am thinking it will become a regular side dish for us.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Nuts, Evangelizing & Scooting

You may be asking yourself what these three things have in common because they are seemingly random.  Each one relates to one of my little beloveds.

Nuts:  On Father's Day, Elijah had an allergic reaction to cashews.  He threw up, twice.  His face got a little puffy and his eyes were red and watery.  I didn't really think anything of it (avoiding cashews would not be a problem, or so I thought)  until I talked to my lifetime friend, Sarah.  Her son Caleb has allergies and she suggested we get Elijah tested.  She told me that often times reactions can get worse with each exposure.  So, off we went.  Monday, Elijah braved the dreaded prick skin test.  I wish I could get the picture to load.  It was a sight.  The cashew reaction was HUGE along with walnuts, pistachios, and pecans (oops,he had some of those on Saturday in ice cream.)  The one that makes him most sad is hazelnuts.  He has a deep love for Nutella.

Evangelizing:  John has been evangelizing to our neighbors.  He is quite bold about it.  Stomping after the kid who was riding his bike.  John declared, "Jesus, you know, the Lord!  He died on the cross for our sins."  Yesterday over an apple snack with the same neighbors he casually brings up, "So, do you know God?" 
I love this kid so much!

Scooting:  Daniel is officially mobile.  He is very attracted to cords and all things he should not have.  He will crawl almost anywhere for this "You Are My Sunshine" toy that I mentioned in a previous post.