Its been along week...one of those where I feel every second pass by. I am finding myself burning both ends of the night and its taking its toll. I wake up feeling like I never went to sleep. I cant seem to get to sleep before 1:30 am and then I am up by 8:00am I have tried everything(!) and I still cant get a good,peaceful nights sleep. SO I am sitting here sort of in a daze, trying to 'coffee' my way to a clear head...not working. Would you like to see what my morning looked like? Get a glimpse into my world?

Here we go....

8:15 am...stare at the clock and wonder if I fall back to sleep would I sleep the whole day? I throw the blankets off myself and tuck in hubby. I sit on the edge of the bed,wiggle my toes and get up. I put out my clothes last night, so i grab the pile and head to the bathroom. Shower feels good,but not really clearing my head. I get dressed and open the bathroom door to see Keagen standing there fully dressed waiting to do her hair and teeth. I smile and fumble my way down stairs.

 

8:45am...I dont feel like coffee right now, or breakfast either. So I let the dog out and go over my menu and shopping list for the week. Mack comes down stairs and tells me she has decided to stay home because she thought I was going to let her spend her birthday money today,but found out she woldn't be able to until Saturday,so she wants to stay home. I give her a hug and tell her thats fine,but she needs to stay quiet until we get back, and she needs to be dressed by then too. I go back up stairs to do my hair and put a face on(my makeup).

 

9:00...I tell Keagen to let the dog back in, shes barking(why am I the only one who can hear the dog bark and know its time to go get her? why do I have to tell people to go get the dog?) I give her the keys to start the van on her way out to get the dog. It was 28 when I got up, so the van needs to to warm up a little. I check the pellet stove and see its still 1/2 full.

 

9:15...Keag and I head to wal-mart and I pray the Lord blesses our budget and that I can find the meats I need on sale.I have discovered that our local wal-mart puts out its discounted meats Friday mornings,since meat is the biggest chunk of our food bill I save where I can,even if it means shopping Friday mornings. Keagen then puts in a "pond" tape and we listen to a story. I notice the fields are frosty,and the once beautiful leaves are gone. The sky has become a winter sky.

 9:30...We park in the usual place, and 1/2 way across the parking lot I realize I forgot the list in the van. Keagen runs to get it.  In the store,I head stright for the meats and see bright yellow discount stickers on the meats I need. I thank the Lord. As I put a pack of berger meat in the cart, I hit Keag. in the head with it. I didnt realize she was standing so close. Keag. decideds to go and get the items she ususlly gets(dog/cat food,shampoo, toilet paper,etc...) and we meet up as I am putting my last items in the cart. She has gotten 5 cans of dog food, when I ask why she just didnt get the box of cans instead, she said the cans are cheeper out of the box. Smart kid.

10:45...We pull in the driveway and Mack comes to the door dressed and ready to unload the grocerys. The girls put the food and supplies away while I put the chicken in the crock pot because I forgot to do it before I left. I also start a pot of coffee,and get out the kids school lessons to see what I need to get on the white board for copying. The kids are not wanting to start school anytime soon,  and have gone to their rooms. Keag, is watching the honeymooners, and Mack is listening to Eragon on tape.

11:00...I have my coffee and still havent called th kids down to start school. I am in no rush today either. Honestly, all I can think about is going back to bed. I feel wiped out. I wonder if I am getting a cold. Just scolded the dog for eating the cats food. Went around and picked up the house..maybe if I keep moving I'll feel better.

12:00... I have to get laundry started, and I just heard the mailman pull up. Come on coffee...

 

 

Have a great Friday

Tanna

When I think about my oldest daughter, I think about a scary pregnancy. I was all alone in Puerto Rico and had no one to give me advice or tell me not to worry because(fill in the blank) was 'normal'. I think of 15 hours of hard labor and a snotty nurse who said "huh..I dont remember seeing you in my lamaze class, if you had been there, this may be easier for you".  I remember flying home with her when she was 3 weeks old and how she screamed non stop for 3 days  until my grandmother gave her 2 baby anti gas drops. I miss her baby smell, her large chunky legs and her toothless grin. She was a fast learner, she was putting VCR tapes in  at 2 and reading at 4. When we started homeschooling she was a grade and a half ahead of her peers. She has grown in to a child with a fierce sense of right and wrong,and has a sensitive heart toward those in need. She is one of those kids who 'doesnt miss a trick'.  She has a very strong will(which is a little scary) and for her, the world seems to move to slow. Shes a mover, she is always doing something, ya, know she moves her bedroom furniture around every few weeks just to 'do something different'? I admire her thirst for 'something different'.

I dont know how to be the to mother a child so different from me, with Gods help I am doing my best. Shes growing to fast, just when I think I know her, she becomes someone more mature and more adult like. I love watching her grow, I just wish I had more time with her as my little girl. Today she turned 11 years old, and today she no longer looks like my little girl.

 

Enjoy your child's youth,

Tanna

I can't believe its been 7 weeks since we started school! Time is flying by...and yes, we are having fun! We just finished our Mexico/desert unit and the girls made some Mexican food for snack. We are moving on to Canada and river systems this week. Every time we 'travel' to a new country, the girls put that countrys flag in their passports and we look at the exchange rates. Anyway, we are having fun and they are learning.

 

About 15 years ago one of my best friends died of cancer, my grandfather. Like most grampas, he ws my hero. And he could bake the BEST bread and rolls. I remember watching him and my gram dance in flour covered aprons to invisible music to which the end result was golden and fluffy and perfect. The sweet smell would wander throughout the house trying get into everyroom and lure all with noses to it. Right now, I am holding one of those roll recipes in my hands. This one is important to me for several reasons. First because its my gramps, Second because its in my stepmothers handwriting(she died a few years after my gramp)third, because I remember the day my step mother called gramp to get the recipe and fourth because they are my dads favorite roll.  So, I am holding the recipe card covered in stains and yellowed with time and I am SO sad and a little scared. WHY? Because I cant bake bread to save my life! I want so badly to make these rolls but I know I just cant! I am holding one of the wonders of my world and I cant share it because I am 'yeast challenged". (deep sigh)....

Do you have a favorite SECRET FAMILY recipe? The kind of recipe that drums of memories of pot lucks, card games, and cheek pinchers? A recipe that gets passed down, but not around?

 

Just wondering

Tanna

As the mother of 2 girls, I love to marvel at just how different they are. I have a daughter who loves to make people laugh. She tells jokes and stories...its a purposeful humor. She tries her humor. My other daughter has a humor that just happens. Off hand comments,facial expressions and real soul engaging laughter.  They BOTH love to laugh so conversations in my house often end up in fits of laughing. This can be a little trying when it happens during school, but I thought I would 'show'  you what I mean...

 

D#1....(almost talking to herself) 'No I cant say that, its a lie'

 

D#2..."Whats a lie?"

 

D#1..."Its when you dont tell the truth"

 

D#2...(confused look) I KNOW THAT...but whats a lie?

 

D#1...(laughing) I just told you

 

D#2...(laughing) Nevermind.

_________________________________________________

Mom...(discussing Mat. 3:11) What does it mean to be baptized with fire?

 D#1... To have a fire for the Lord

D#2...ummm( big smile creeping over her face)...to be baptized in boiling water?

Mom...(laughing so hard tears are forming)...come on now, be serious

D#1...Mom? are you crying?

D#2...(all expression gone) Now thats serious....

D#1...rolling on the floor laughing

__________________________________________________

 Smile today....its good for you!

Tanna

 

 

 

 

We went and took some fall pictures today. Its just about peak season here and its beautiful. This is what heaven looks like...for me anyway. Enjoy the picts. and take some of your own! For school the girls have been doing art projects that reflect the culture we are studying. We did Native American Indians last week and the girls made a Coup Stick. Today they are doing Mexican Yarn art. I'll post Pix of that when they are done.    

I'll post another hosmeschool tip tomorrow...stay tuned!

Tanna

My Fellow Apple queens...The apple Oatmeal cookies! I think I got this recipe from "Living on a Dime", but I am not sure. They are a very moist cookie, and they dont spread alot while baking. Please enjoy, and have joy in the knowledge that you are 'treat'ing your family well!

 

Oatmeal Apple Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1-1/2 cup flour
3 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup dried apples, chopped

THEN add 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon and baking soda and add to butter mixture. Fold in oats, apples and chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes. Let stand 1 minute before removing from the cookie sheet.

Happy Cooking

Tanna

I figured out what was bothering me about the apple picking pix. KEAGEN'S BANGS, or lack of them. We fixed that today.

 

 

 

Much better huh?

We had a long day today, we didnt get 'reg' school done but the girls got some math,science and Bible in. Theres always tomorrow... right? 

I am the apple queen at the moment. I got some apple sauce made and will be getting pies ready to freeze for Nov. and Thanksgiving. So far I have made apple oatmeal cookies,apple tarts, and fried apples. All of which have vanished before my eyes. I will be doing apple crisp this weekend and maybe apple pancakes. Jane sent me an apple & sage pork recipe I cant wait to try! The kids love anything apple, besides my creations,they are eating 1-2 apples a day( !)but I think they will be appled out soon if I dont start restricting their intake!  Not much else going on, so how about another Homeschool tip?

 

 

http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/ 

And dont forget my list of resources on the right!

 

Tanna