Kiana in First Grade

Kiana is very excited to be in first grade.  She thinks this sounds waaaay bigger than kindergarten.

She is looking forward to resuming reading and can't wait to learn more about math (she's starting Math U See this year).  I bought her a couple of workbooks (we don't do many workbooks, but the kids are always excited about the ones I pick up) and she has been begging me to let her do them.

Kiana has had a great summer.  She had the opportunity to study ballet with a high school girl from our homeschool group.  She eagerly anticipated her weekly lesson and proved herself an apt student.  I knew this was a natural ability of hers, and am glad she has had this opportunity.  Other highlights of her summer included Vacation Bible School (I don't think any other child has ever loved VBS as much as she does!), Bible classes during the two-week meeting, and our trip to Chicago.

When we went to the Medieval Feast, she was chosen as "Queen of the Tournament."  Only if you know this little drama queen in real life will you fully understand how elated she was at this "honor", and just how much she hammed it up.  About a week after we got home, she asked me if she was still queen of the tournament.  Ummmm. . .

Like her big sis, Briana, she was enthralled by the Shedd Aquarium and probably would have been willing to swim with the sting rays, let alone pet them.  She enjoys learning about animals, and will continue nature walks this year.

In other studies, we are going to be learning about early American History using the Beautiful Feet program, I'll be introducing her to some great artists and composers, reading poetry and literature, and other science units.  She will be participating in a coop twice a month (which I hope to post more on later) and she will continue participating in Sparklers once a month, which is a young girls' club in our homeschool group.  She would like to take Tae Kwan Do, gymnastics, and ballet and learn to play the violin.  We won't be doing all of these, of course, but are still in the "considering" stage.  She is also showing more interest in helping around the house.  She asks to wash dishes and is a willing helper with cooking in the kitchen or sweeping floors.

I think we'll have a good year exploring and learning together!

Tyrell at Four

Since I didn't do curriculum week (bc I hadn't had my day of planning yet!) I'm combining curriculum plans with highlight posts of my students/children.  I thought it sounded fun to "sort-of" participate in this blog hop this year since we don't plan to start our formal studies until September 3.

(oops, I see now that student photo week was supposed to be LAST week!  Oh well, I'm going to do it THIS week!)  (This is not a good start to the school year, folks!)

And Laura wants updates of the kiddos.  :)

So here's Tyrell.  And here is his post from last year--he sure has grown!

 Tyrell just turned four the end of July, so he is still firmly in preschool mode.  He is busy, busy, busy (and did I mention--busy!).  He is very bright, however, so I won't be surprised if he tags along with Kiana in some areas this year.  He already knows many letters and letter sounds from watching her learn last year.  To be honest, he likes to antagonize her by shouting them out when I am doing flash cards with her.  (Sigh.  Yes, you can imagine it now, can't you?  His sparkling eyes as he shouts out the answer, her whirling on him in anger telling him to stop saying the answers, him giggling as he runs off out of the room.  He takes his role of annoying little brother very seriously.)

For his birthday this year, he got to go to an Iowa Cubs game AND to Chuck E Cheese with cousins.  Spoiled little boy.  Then he had a friend over on his birthday, they played and then they made his birthday cake.  

What?  You make your children's birthday cakes yourself?  Well, remember this tip for a year when you're on a treadmill that someone keeps turning up the speed and you simply can't get your footing.  Invite a friend over, have your child and the friend chop up Oreos and sprinkle them over the cake (dirt), and then let them carefully place all the toy tractors, backhoes, and other such stuff on top.  Voila!  Birthday cake!  I'll pretend with you that you're doing it because you are a wonderfully organized mom if you'll pretend with me this time!

For school this year, Tyrell's primary focus will be learning through play--playing with blocks, puzzles, games, building toys like Zoobs and Tinker Toys, coloring pictures, etc.  We will also be reading lots and lots of books--both picture books and he also listens in on the chapter book read-alouds.

He will love being a part of our study of early American history, especially the hands on activities, games, and cooking.  And I fully expect him to tag along with crafts and science units.  I think one of his favorite times this year will be the two days a month when he gets to spend time with Briana while I take Easton and Kiana to their cooperative study day (more on this later).  She is planning some short units around literature for them to do together as special brother and sister time.  I also expect he'll be a big help with entertaining Aryana while I'm working with Easton and Kiana.  He is so good with her and she absolutely adores him.  There is never a boring moment with him around!

Here's to Forty-One

I turned 41 yesterday.

Interestingly, I was asked if I wouldn't rather be turning 21.

I had an immediate and visceral negative response.  I have absolutely no desire to live the last 20 years over again.

Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been bad.  But it certainly hasn't been easy either.  I have experienced several trials beyond my control, made my fair share of mistakes, and grown exponentially in my walk with the Lord.  My 21-year-old self was much more idealistic and had to grow up in many ways and I don't care to experience that disappointment and disillusionment again in order to obtain that growth.  While I learned trust, peace, joy, perseverance, and contentment through times of uncertainty, pain, rejection, and struggle I am not voluntarily signing up to walk that road again. No, I'm definitely not longing to be 21 instead of 41.

As I've pondered this question, I realize the next 20 years will likely be just as challenging, if not even more so.

I might lose a child or children to death.  Even worse, I could have a prodigal child (or children).  I could lose my husband to death or disease.  I myself might receive a scary diagnosis.  Almost certainly, I will go through menopause in that time span. (Yikes!)  I could go off my rocker, leave my faith and family, and run off with some guy like so many women do, forgetting one of the lessons I've learned:  there is no such thing as Mr. Perfect.  Our parents will continue to age--and thus far, they have not been the sort to age graciously and selflessly, nor in godly wisdom.

Lord willing, I will become a grandma in this time.  How fun!  Yet I suspect watching my children parent will be a challenge in and of itself.  I assume I will spend 18 of the next 20 years educating the rest of my children at home (for a grand total of 31 years of home education!  gulp!)  I expect to make new friends, to grow in current relationships, and to encounter struggles in relationships.  On a larger scale, I wonder what it will be like to see how the church is affected by the next 20 years, and how our nation changes in the next 20 years.

So even as I realize this next season will have challenges of its own, I prefer to move forward through those challenges, anticipating further growth and a closer walk with my Lord.  I don't idolize youth, and I don't wish to go backward in this growth process.

Onward and Upward!
Further Up and Further In!

Freezer Cooking from March

I'm not going to be able to put all the recipes on my blog that we have tried, but since I chose these recipes, I can at least preserve them.  The bonus to my procrastination is that we have ratings for all of these!

• Baked Spaghetti--3

I was surprised at the low rating of this one as it usually gets rave reviews.  I got this recipe from my sister years ago, and I usually make it in two pans, eating one and freezing the other.
Saute 1 c. chopped onion and 1 c. green pepper in 1 T. margarine, add 1 can chopped tomatoes with liquid, 1 can mushrooms (drained), 2 t. oregano, and 1 lb. browned hamburger, simmer 10 minutes.  Place 4 oz. cooked spaghetti in 9X13 pan, top with half the mixture, 1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese, and repeat layers.  Mix 1 can cream of mushroom soup with 1/4 c. water and pour over casserole.  Sprinkle top with parmesan cheese.  Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees.

• Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza Casserole--4

In my opinion, this was delicious.  But I was a little embarrassed at how expensive it was!  I forget how much our family saves by raising our own chicken and bacon and making alfredo sauce from the cream and cheese made from fresh cow's milk, etc.

• Farmer's Breakfast Casserole--4

Layer in 9X13 pan 4 slices of bread cubed, 1 c. frozen hashbrowns, 3/4 c. diced ham, 1/3 c. green peppers, 1/3 c. chopped onion, 1/3 c. chopped tomatoes, 1/2 c. shredded Swiss cheese, 1/2 c. cheddar cheese.  Repeat these layers.  Then beat 6 eggs, 2 c. evaporated milk, 1/2 t. onion powder, 1 t. dry mustard, salt and pepper and pour over the pan.  Thaw and bake 35-40 minutes at 375 degrees.

• Meatballs--4

This was just my basic meatball recipe, nothing special.  I included a sheet of variations in ways to serve them.  We ate our with barbecue sauce on hoagie buns.
1 lb. hamburger, 1 egg, 1/4 c. chopped onin, 1 t. salt, 1/2-1 t. Worcestershire, pepper.  Mix and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

• Family Burrito Bake--4
• Wild Rice Chicken Dinner--3.5
• Honey Dijon Chicken--3
• Beef and Barley Soup--3.5

We really liked this one, but the other girls' ratings brought it down from our rating

Because I'm Smart Like That

I'm participating in Carrie's bookclub at Reading to Know again this year.  When she asked last fall which month and which classic I would pick, I said The Brothers Karamazov in August.  She asked me to write a little blurb to introduce the book and this is what I wrote:

Why, oh why, oh why did I choose the almost-800-page classic The Brothers Karamazov?  And for August, the month before school starts, of all months?!

Admittedly, I was at the time unaware that we would be adopting a baby in April, so I might have thought I would have more time than I in fact do.

Nevertheless, I am cautiously excited to read this one.  My first exposure to Dostoevsky, which occurred within just the last five years, was Crime and Punishment and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.  True, it wasn't an easy read, but it was fascinating and thought-provoking and I had a blast discussing it (and learning more about nihilism) with two good friends.  I told myself then that I wanted to read another of his works, but I have just never gotten around to it.  When Carrie asked me to choose a classic for the Reading to Know Bookclub in 2014, I jumped at the chance to read and discuss another Dostoevsky novel.

I chose The Brothers Karamazov because I keep hearing about it.  I've seen it on a couple of lists of "books every christian should read".  I understand it to spend a great deal of time examining the questions of whether God exists, and why there is so much evil and suffering in the world.  Some people use it to speak against Christianity while others use it to introduce Christianity.  Up to this point, I cannot speak intelligently about this great work because I have never read it.

Thankfully, I consider myself a lifelong learner and I believe it's never too late to read a classic for the first time.  Thanks to Carrie for organizing this reading group and to each of you who are committing to read along with me.  I look forward to reading each of your thoughts.

Aryana at Three Months

Laura wants updates on the kiddos.

I have a list of twenty "things-to-do" sitting right in front of me, with only three things crossed off.  Yes, TWENTY.

Yet here I sit, posting about precious Aryana Joy instead (it's about time I get my priorities straight, right?).

She will be four months old next week, but I have some cute pictures my sister took of her at three months, and I have the letter I sent her birthmother at three months (I'm sending her an update with pictures each month for the first year), so this will be a three month update.

She is now completely in 0-3 month clothes and size 1 diapers—no more newborn anything.  She is still really petite (9^th percentile in weight and 19^th percentile in height at her doctor’s appointment), but growing just wonderfully and the doctor said she was “perfect”. 

Aryana is really fun right now, and so interactive!  She smiles all the time now, talks constantly (ha, ha, so cute!), and yes, is giggling.  She giggles most of all at her brother Tyrell, but I have to admit, he IS pretty funny.  

She has started sticking her tongue out when we stick our tongue out at her—just the point of our tongue and wave it around.  She watches so intently, and then she tentatively sticks her tongue out the tiniest little bit.  (she’s soooo smart!) She loves to have attention and be talked to, but she is also content to lie on the floor under her gym mat cooing at the toys that hang down above her head and batting at them with her little hands.  She is also very oral, always having something in her mouth.  She doesn’t suck her thumb very consistently, but she usually either has her two middle fingers in her mouth or is sucking on the side of her fist.

She also loves being in mama's sling--and I have to admit I'm enjoying having a tiny one in my sling again.  This summer we have traveled to Chicago and spent two weeks at a Bible study/church conference, and she got used to being held close to mama.

I haven't been getting a lot done these last few months, but I'm not regretting it.  She's growing up so fast, and I'm thankful to be present for every moment of it!

Freezer Cooking Revisited

I am so far behind in every area of life, but my friends Jamie and Jenna have held me accountable (they come to my house! ha!) so our freezer cooking has continued.  My family likely would have starved these last few months had we not been doing this! :)

I had intended to post our recipes and ratings (scale is 1, never want again to 5, I could eat it again tomorrow) each month, but it looks like I haven't posted about freezer cooking since February!  Wow!  Instead of overwhelming myself with trying to catch up, today I'm just going to post the recipes Jamie chose in June.  Believe it or not, I still have a few of these hoarded away in my freezer, so I don't have ratings for all of them yet.  I'll try to remember to come back and update.

Creamy Ranch Pork Chops--3.5
Mix 1 can cream of chicken soup with 1 pkg. dry Ranch seasoning and 6 pork chops in a freezer bag.  Thaw and cook in crockpot 6 hrs on low or 4 hrs on high.  Serve over rice.

Garlic Honey Chicken  3.5
Mix 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/3 c. soy sauce, 2/3 c. ketchup, 1/4 c. honey with boneless skinless chicken breasts.  Slowcooker 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low.  Serve over mashed potatoes.  (Can double sauce if desired)

Slow Cooker Sticky Chicken 3.5
Put 4-5 chicken breasts in freezer bag.  Pour 1 c. bbq sauce, 1 c. apricot jam, 1 packet dry onion soup mix, and 2 T. water over chicken.  Mix together in bag and freeze.  To serve thaw and cook on low 6-8 hours.  Can serve over rice.

Creamy Ranch Chicken--4
Mix 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 pkg. softened cream cheese, 1 pkg. dry ranch dressing mix, 1/4 c. water and 4 T. butter.  Pour over 4 chicken breasts in freezer bag.  To serve, thaw and slowcooker high 4 hours or low 6-8 hours.  Serve on angel hair pasta or rice.

Salsa Chicken--3.5
(makes two bags--divide evenly)
6-8 chicken breasts
2 15-oz cans of black beans
1 family size frozen bag corn
2 cans of diced tomatoes and green chiles
1 jar of salsa
1 packet of taco seasoning
Slowcooker on low for 8 hours.  Top with cheddar cheese after cooking.  Serve over rice or in tortillas.

Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole--3
Cook 1 (6.9 oz.) pkg. chicken flavored rice and vermicelli mix with chicken broth and herbs with 1 T. margarine and 2 1/4 c. hot water.  Meanwhile, saute 1 1/2 pounds of cubed chicken breasts, 1 c. sliced fresh mushrooms, 1/2 t. garlic powder.  Stir this into the rice and add 3/4 c. sour cream, 1/4 t. pepper, and 1 can cream of mushroom soup.  Pour into 9X13 pan and top with mixture of 1/4 c. crushed crackers, 1T. melted margarine, and 1/2 t. poppy seeds.  Thaw for 30 minutes then bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Mexican Delight--4
Brown 1 lb. hamburger with 1 onion.  Add 1 can tomato paste, 1 large can tomato sauce, 3 paste cans of water, 2T. sugar, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 t. accent, 1 t. salt, 1 t. chili powder, 1 t. cumin seed and simmer for 40 minutes.  Add 1/2 c regular rice and 1 1/2 c. water.  Bring to boil and simmer until rice is cooked.
Thaw, heat, and serve over Fritos and add toppings for taco salad.

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham--3
Mix large bag of frozen potatoes, 2 cans of cream of potato soup, 2 cans of water, 2 ham steaks cubed, 8 oz. cheddar cheese, 4 c. broccoli, salt and pepper.  Slowcooker low for 8 hours.

If I get a few more minutes, I'll try to post more recipes we've tried (but I'm not making any promises!).  It would be nice to have them all recorded in one place.  Doing this has been a huge blessing.  Grab a couple friends and try it!

The Hundred and One Dalmations

The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith

This book was an absolute delight.  As usual, the book is ever so much better than the movie!  I am so glad Amy chose this one for the Reading to Know Classics Bookclub in July (we read it in July, I am just behind in writing posts!)



I read this aloud to my children and even my 18-year-old and 16-year-old kept wandering in to curl up and listen to a chapter.  We all just loved the rich writing and characterization and especially the use of language.  How can one not delight in phrasing such as these:

"Mr. Dearly was particularly good at arithmetic.  Many people called him a wizard of finance--which is not the same thing as a wizard of magic, though sometimes fairly similar" (4).  (hee, hee)
"She patted Pongo, who was looking particularly intelligent, and said anyone would think he understood.  And indeed he did.  For though he had very little Latin beyond "cave canem," he had, as a young dog, devoured Shakespeare (in a tasty leather binding)" (27).  (giggle)
"You have not failed,' said Misis.  'No one could say the fire was an act of dog'" (146).  (tee, hee)

I got a huge kick out of the characterization of and relationship between Pongo and Missis (his wife in the book, not Perdita as in the Disney movie).  Pongo was portrayed as intelligent and brave, terribly proud of his beautiful-but-not-so-bright wife, and rather like human men, in need of occasionally having his ego stroked.

 "You are a beautiful dog, Missis,' said Pongo.  'I am very proud of you.'  At this, Missis looked even more beautiful and Pongo felt even prouder of her.  After a minute or so, he said, 'Do you think I'm looking pretty fit?'  Misses told him he looked magnificent, and wished she had said so without being asked.  He was not a vain dog, but every husband likes to know that his wife admires him" (66).

It was also quite interesting how clearly the contrast between good and evil was portrayed in the book.  There were many references to Cruella de Vil (and her ancestors) as the devil complete with existence of a long tail, living in Hell Hall, blue forked lightning shooting out from the body, and fiendishly rejoicing at fire's destruction. "Cruella de Vil, standing right up on the roof of the car, where she had climbed so as to get a good view of the fire.  Her white face and absolutely simple white mink coat no longer looked white.  From head to foot she was bathed in the red-gold flicker of the flames.  And as they leaped higher and higher she clapped her hands in delight" (148).  This was contrasted with the "peaceful and welcoming" (142) refuge the dogs and pups found while resting near a nativity scene in a church building.

One last message I appreciated in this book, which perhaps stood out to me as an adoptive parent, was the nurturing instinct both Pongo and Missis had toward the pups who needed a family.

 "Pongo could feel great waves of love and trust rolling towards him.  And suddenly all the pups were real and living for him, not just a problem he had to face.  He felt as if he were the father of them all. And he knew that he could never desert them (107).
 "(The pups) had looked at Missis shyly, quite understanding that she must care for her own children first, but hoping she would have a little time for them later. . .She felt a pang of pity.  What mother had any of them now?  She smiled at them all--and they wrinkled their little noses in a return smile.  Then she looked beyond them, to the larger pups.  Some of the half-grown girls reminded her of herself at that age--so slim, so silly.  They knew how to wash themselves but there were many things they didn't know, many ways in which they needed a mother's advice.  And suddenly, all the puppies were her puppies; she was their mother--just as Pongo had felt he was their father.  And indeed the younger ones creeping closer and closer to her were now so mingled with her own that she could scarcely tell where her little family ended and her larger family began" (109).

We very much enjoyed this book--it's a perfect read-aloud because little children enjoy the story while older children and adults can appreciate the humor, plays on words, and characterization.