Picture Perfect Sunday Catch Up

We’ve been busy. That says it all. Sir MMH Hubby has been teaching and working hard to get firewood cut before the first snow. He had the chance to get away for the weekend for a Hearts Alive bootcamp… sort of. He came home that Sunday sick, and he doesn’t ever really get sick.  So when he climbed into bed at 6pm, I knew he was miserable.

The Sirs have been working hard at school and playing even harder. FUEL on Wednesday nights is blessing their spirits. Sir Wallace went away on a prayer retreat (first time away from home alone) and had a blast. Sir Lionheart, what can I say? He is always doing something…and it usually involves a bug or his frog (Yoda). He was sick too.

The Misses have been busy since the day they were born, so no change there. They talk, play, color, build things, talk, dress up, try to keep up with their big brothers, and talk some more. They picked up the same thing big brother and Dada had…and kept it for four days.

So, I’ve been busy washing bedding, clothes, more bedding, and more clothes. I’ve been working hard at school and loving it. I’ve been more relaxed with homeschool, and loving that too. I’ve been putting off an update on the blog because I feel guilty for taking time to do it, when there are so many other things to do. However, on this beautiful Sunday with my Micro in front of me, it feels good to take in a big breath of fresh air.

I thought I would share some pictures of our last trip to the park with our friends, before the bug hit our house. And take a moment to thank God for sparing me and carrying me even through an exam on three hours of sleep.  Thank you Lord.

 

    

Thank you Amber for taking pictures and letting me play with your camera.

Blessed By the Sirs at Bedtime

Sir MMH Hubby had a workout last night, so I flew solo during prayer time with the boys. The routine is: I open up prayer with thanks and praise for all the good in our day, especially the good things I noticed the young Sirs doing. We then go around our trio lifting up prayers for others, ourselves, and whatever else is placed on our hearts.  Last night it went something like this:

Me: “Lord I thank you for these boys and for blessing our day in every moment: playtime, school time, and even our meal was wonderful (meaning no complaints about food and the average in-seat time for the kiddos was more than 10 minutes). Thank you that Sir Wallace was so diligent in his work today, completing assignments and learning new things with a happy heart. Thank you for Sir Lionheart and how his heart is changing…he was so helpful today in many ways. Boys?”

Sir Lionheart: “God please help Grandpa Jim’s knee to feel better and he knows you did it.”

Sir Wallace: “Ummm…I’m thinking…”

Sir Lionheart: “Mama, maybe we can pray for the people who live by vampire bats that they won’t bite them and suck their blood.”

Me: “Sure thing buddy. God please keep the people safe who live by bats.”

Sir Wallace: “I don’t have anything.”

Sir Lionheart: “And maybe we can pray for monkeys not be eaten by giant snakes?”

Me: “You bet buddy.  God, please protect your creation.”

Sir Wallace: “Mama did you read the hippo book today? In case you didn’t, did you know that an angry hippo can run faster than a human if he’s angry at the human?”

Me: “Nope, sure didn’t. Thank you Lord for blessing me now.”

Followed by laughter and these other facts Sir Wallace picked up in a book at the library today: A hippo can snap an alligator in half with it’s jaws. It can also kill a lion with those jaws, and apparently panda bears can swim. I’m so out of my league teaching this boy at home! (Now if he wants to talk nursing theory, I may have a chance) Thank you God for a wonderful library and a seemingly endless supply of books.

AMEN.

Word-full Wednesday

My confession: I have been longing for a new camera. My point and shoot is sorely disappointing and one of the Sirs recently added a few dents to it…  In any case, my next camera will be a Canon 30d, but for now it is not in the budget…and since God has not seen fit to drop one in my lap (hahaha) I have decided to use what he has given me, my words.  Thus, my word-full Wednesday…

Fall is here, and as if in a dream I was able to join a local group of homeschoolers with Sir Wallace last Friday at an apple orchard. I remember visiting orchards and picking apples as a kid, and it was just wonderful to share the same experience with one of my own. The orchard is located south of our town and it was the drive there that stirred again my appreciation for God’s artistry.

I drove down a two lane road lined with trees: oaks, maples, and some pines. The colors of the sunset surrounded me, so much beauty I’m sure I could cry. (Yep, all woman full of emotions here) In my mind I was capturing pictures. Some were of the ground covered in a golden blanket that moved with the wind. Some were of the leaves as they fell: Could I catch the picture of a leaf as it danced its last dance from limb to earth? Some were just palettes of color brushed across my mind, like rubbed charcoal drawings but in red and orange.

I thought, how perfect that the fall be full of the colors of dusk and sunset, as the earth is easing in to a winter’s sleep. Just like our days are so full and lively, there is something so precious about the rest that comes as daylight fades and night whispers itself in. Harvest’s last push before the farms lay in wait, even the dirt is still until spring.

I walked through the orchard that afternoon breathing in the crisp fall breeze, carrying the scent of fall and apples. I picked up wooly bears for the first time since I was a kid. I watched Sir Wallace pick his bag (and pockets!) full of Cameo apples. I was blessed by the experience and mental pictures I will carry with me for a long while.

(And I was given the chance to play with my friend’s Canon…which if she would like to send me some pics, I would love to post…hint hint!)

 

Just have to share…

I was helping Sir MMH Hubby grade the other night, and I really did see this.

Brittany :)

(It was _written_ in pencil, and the name has been changed)

REALLY?!? Since when do we smile sideways? Unfortunately a sign of the times…

Chicken and Noodles

First let me say, I am a crock pot girl. If I can throw a few ingredients into a bowl, turn the heat on, and come back to dinner hours later…well, let’s just say the benefits rock.

• One dish meal = one dish to clean
• Menu = planned and prepared
• No menu = grab from the pantry and it will still taste good
• Soccer = eat before or after, it will still be warm and ready
• Mom of four kids who plans a menu but still manages to forget it? Perfect.

That said, this chicken and noodles is not a crock pot recipe, but it is sooooo easy that it rates right up there with it.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 3 cans chicken broth
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 large package of Reame’s egg noodles (in the frozen section)
• salt, seasoning, pepper

Salt chicken. Bake chicken breasts until done. (I threw them in frozen at 375 for an hour or so, thawed 350 for 25 minutes on a stone). Pour all cans into pot on stove. Stir well. Add seasoning. I usually use salt, Mrs. Dash, and onion powder or dried onions. Shred or dice chicken and add to soup. Bring soup mixture to a boil. Add noodles.  Cook according to package directions, stirring enough to keep anything from sticking to the bottom of the pot. It’s usually 20 minutes. Enjoy!

 

I Should Be…

A few thoughts about what I should be doing…

I should be…

• finishing up my bible study, but I’m still on Day One.



• three-hole punching my coursework for school.



• organizing my remaining paperwork for clinicals.



• washing clothes.



• gathering library books to avoid late fees.



• getting schoolwork organized for the Sirs tomorrow.



• balancing the checkbook and paying a few stray bills.



• writing a list of curriculum needed for Sir Wallace since I’m quickly running out of lessons in some areas.



• filing and shredding.

Instead, I am…

eating ice cream, listening to my night time serenade by Miss Bear, staring at the pile of should do’s, enjoying my furniture free from laundry in various stages of folding, and indulging my INFJ self with a bit of reflection and peace.

The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Amen.

Fall Begins

It has been creeping up on us.. the cool nights giving way to fog in the morning, the afternoon storms as the pushy north winds try to overtake the warm leftovers from the ninety-plus degree days, a few leaves giving in and littering the yard, and the emergence of bees (seriously).  Though the calendar may not officially say it, our home does.

It’s the first fire of the year…and it’s divine.  Just the other day we enjoyed a meal of fish tacos, our last toast to summer…

And today it was chicken and noodles…

And for a snack as I prepared for another quiz tonight, Sir MMH Hubby used his culinary skills to make me a chipotle cheese quesadilla…

*smile*

What is your favorite thing about fall?  I hope to get out and grab pics of all the reasons I feel abundant and blessed living in our little town during this season, and I will share soon!