My Daughter, My Sister, My Friend

I was invited to write a guest post for my friend Kaylene's blog series on raising daughters.  Since I am in this arrow-releasing season with my firstborn, I chose to write about a few things I've been learning these last few months.  You're invited to go see what we've been learning!

As my firstborn daughter has both graduated and turned 19 within the last year, I find our relationship--and my role in it--changing.  For years I have tried to bring her up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, but in this season my job is evolving.  She is not only my daughter, but ultimately my sister and my friend.

Navigating this season with our daughters is rife with challenges.  I don't want to treat her as a friend too soon when she needs me to be her authority.  But neither do I want to breed either rebellion or dependence by holding onto control too long. . .

Continue reading at Kaylene's blog

Destry and TeenPact, Take Two

One of the highlights of the year for Destry was his second trip to TeenPact back in March.  As a member of the alumni track, he had more homework to do in preparation and got to participate in a higher level of thinking in his classes.

He ran for senator again, and won again.

I think this is a really good opportunity for teens to practice public speaking, to learn to "put themselves out there", and to learn how to stand up for something and try to persuade others to believe as they do about an issue.

In addition to everything he learns in the classes, Destry also loves the time at camp getting to know people, playing sports, and especially the "rendezvous" at the end of the day focusing on how the Lord is working in each person's life, their struggles, and their growth.  

Destry was recommended to be a staff member after his first year, and he is seriously considering serving as a staffer next year.  I think this would be a good leadership opportunity for him.

The 2015 Iowa TeenPact class with the reflection of the state capitol

Learning Cooperative Wrap Up

We continued to have lots of fun with our learning cooperative these last few months, but I am also rather glad to be done for the year.  The kids loved it so much, they are sad it's over, and I'm glad they all loved it.  But we moms are glad to have a break from preparing all the fun activities.

Above the younger kids learned about germs in their science class.  One of their activities included designing their own germs.  They frequently ask to take a "silly picture" after the serious one.

In their colonial American history they learned how to make silhouettes as well dye shirts with onion skins, make homemade cough syrup (honey and lemon), and they got to try steamed clams and then make floating lamps with the shells.

After teaching art appreciation to the younger class the first semester, I taught the older kids second semester.  Above are their interpretations of Starry Night as we studied VanGogh.

They learned about various bridge designs in another science class and got to design their own bridges using toothpicks and marshmallows.

 A few of the older kids painting in the style of Monet.

We cancelled coop one Tuesday in order to take a field trip day.  Destry's youth symphony was performing alongside the Des Moines Symphony and we were able to get tickets for their school performance.  It was a really neat experience for everyone.

Then we went to a park to eat our picnic lunches together and play for an hour.  I was glad we got a group shot of the kids, and then another of all the teachers.  I am SO BLESSED to have these women for my dear friends and to work alongside me in providing opportunities for our children.

Amy, Cheryl, Alana, Caren, Neisha, Mindy, and me

 After our lunch and playtime, we took a field trip to Krispy Kreme donuts!  The kids got to go in the back and see how all the machines work and watch the process of them being mixed, cooked, and frosted.  Then they got to decorate their own donuts.

 What a fun day with fun friends--and donuts just make it even better.

For next year we are thinking to add a preschool class, so at our last meeting, we had some special activities for the three preschoolers (younger siblings).  Tyrell loved this special time.

We combined the art classes as one family was sick, so I taught the students about Paul Klee and they got to experiment with abstract art and "drawing as a line going for a walk".  Some of the kids did a really great job with the abstract lines, the color blocks, color palettes, symbols, and geometric shapes.

 Others were so grounded in reality that they made realistic scenes like houses, baseball players, and rabbits.

Overall, however, they all learned something and had a great time painting on a real canvas.  I was very happy with how it went combining both age groups.

We have a pretty great group of kids and I'm very grateful for the things my kids have been able to experience through this cooperative learning class.

Two For One Freezer Cooking

I'm behind (again!  It's this season of life!) in posting our freezer cooking days, so now I'm going to post both March and April of 2015 together.  We didn't get together for freezer cooking in May (thankfully we are ALL busy, so we all understood), but hope to resume in June.

We've been playing around with a couple new practices.  For one thing, groceries seem so high, and meat is especially higher than it used to be, so we have been planning meals around meat sales.  Hamburger used to be a pretty inexpensive meat, but we're using more and more pork (when we catch a good sale) and chicken.  It's been a fun challenge to look at grocery ads, see what's on sale, and then find recipes that use those foods.  This has helped us keep our prices in that $60-70 range for eight meals.

We've also had some fun making a couple extra meals to give to friends who are expecting babies or would be blessed by an easy meal to have on hand.  It doesn't cost us a lot of extra money or work, but it's fun to be able to minister to others in this simple way.

Jamie's meal planning for March included:
Chicken Italiano--4
Cinnamon Apple Pork Chops. 2 (we won't be making these again--very weird texture)
Glazed Pork Chops--2
Alfredo Chicken--3
Taco Chicken--3.25
Cranberry Apple Pork Roast--3
Cafe Rio Chicken--4
Sausage and Egg Breakfast Burritos 4 (good, but we prefer a different recipe with pepper jack cheese instead of salsa)

Jenna did the meal planning in April.
Cheesy Chicken and Rice--3
Cheeseburger Soup for the Crockpot--3
Chicken and Dumplings--4
Homemade Lasagna--4
French Toast Casserole 4 (kids had this and gave it a 4)
Sloppy Joes 4.5 (so yummy!  If it wasn't such a pain to make, it would replace my go-to sloppy joe recipe, but mine is easier!)
Baked Ziti 4 (very good, better the first time than when we warmed up leftovers)
Ranch Chicken--3.75

I'm next on the list for the month of June.  We're planning to go camping for a week with church friends, so I'm trying to think of things that would make my week easier in a camper.  If anyone has any good ideas, feel free to share!

Major Mom Fail

Last night I was really kicking myself.  Whoa!  Major Mom FAIL moment!

I had received an email exactly one week ago advising me to reserve tickets for a performance Destry has coming up.  In this performance, Destry is playing the solo part from Spring by Vivaldi.  He is also the violinist for the honors piano trio which is performing that same night.

Last night I finally sat down to reserve tickets for our family, grandparents, and a few friends who want to support him.  Imagine my shock when the website showed that all tickets were sold out!

I frantically emailed the manager of the youth symphony.  I was resigned to having to just attend the dress rehearsal, but thought maybe, just maybe, there were still some tickets left.

This morning I received her reply that they had blocks of seating reserved for the soloists and their families.

Phew!  What a sigh of relief!

Maybe I have finally learned my lesson and will stop procrastinating.

Or maybe I should just hire a personal assistant.