Stumbling Along Faithfully

Menu Plan Monday...a day late ;)

2012-09-04T16:43:00.000-04:00

All of my dinners are Weight Watcher friendly. I have lost 15 lbs so far following the Weight Watchers plan.

Sunday: Ranch Chicken, Beans and Alexia Potato Wedges
Monday: Hamburger Goulash
Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo and Wild Rice
Wednesday: Black Bean Soup
Thursday: Skinny Tuna Noodle Casserole
Friday: Breakfast for Dinner - Pumpkin Waffles, Turkey Bacon, Eggs.
Saturday: Thai Beef Salad Wrap

You can find more menu plans for the week here Organizing Junkie

Some Updated Pics of My Little Guys

2012-08-18T21:28:00.000-04:00

Jack's 4th Birthday

Oliver

Menu Plan Monday

2012-08-18T21:01:00.001-04:00

It's been a while since I've visited my blog. I've done plenty of different diets or ways of eating and because of budget and having limited mental energy for planning meals have come back to just doing Weight Watchers (seems to work the best for me). So here goes :)

Sunday: Hamburger Casserole (Crockpot)
Monday: Easy Fried Rice
Tuesday: Super Easy Cream of Broccoli Soup
Wednesday: Crockpot Chicken Ranch Tacos
Thursday: Kielbasa Pasta Skillet(made substitutions to make this WW friendly)
Friday: Shepherds Pie
Saturday: Bacon, Bean and Cheese Stuffed Peppers

Sunday: Cream Cheese Chicken
Monday: Skinny Baked Mac and Cheese
Tuesday: Stuffed Pepper Soup
Wednesday: Turkey Kielbasa, Potatoes, and Cabbage
Thursday: Baked Ranch Chicken w/ Cucumber Tomato Salad
Friday: Swedish Meatballs w/ Egg Noodles and Veggie
Saturday: Brown Rice Mexican Casserole

Check out more menu plans at I'm An Organizing Junkie

Feeling Amazing on Whole30

2012-02-25T09:13:00.003-05:00

I am over a week into doing Whole30 and I feel amazing.

I will say that eliminating sugar has done wonders for me. Yesterday I was up at 5:40 in the morning as we had an early morning doctors appointment for my littlest guy. Usually, I would be crashing multiple times throughout the day and I made it through the entire day until midnight without feeling tired at all. Proteins and good fats really do fuel the body.

Yesterday I ate:

Breakfast: Eggs with green pepper and onion fried up in bacon fat.
Lunch: Chicken salad made with homemade mayo, drizzled with Sunshine Sauce and served in a lettuce wrap.
Dinner: No Bean Chili
Snacks: Handful of mixed nuts (almonds, pecans, and walnuts), coffee with coconut milk creamer, a spoonful of coconut butter. Acorn Squash Porridge. Banana with coconut milk.

I really love the way I feel and am starting to see how sugar has really been bad for me.

I whipped up a pot of No Bean Chili, Crockpot Pot Roast and Pork Carnitas the other day to make it easier to just grab what I need when I need it. Being prepared is key when eating this way.

I am so interested in seeing my body composition results at the end of the 30 days. I already know I will be doing another Whole30.

Have a wonderful Saturday everyone!

Pork Carnitas, It's What I'm Cooking!

2012-02-23T11:08:00.002-05:00

Pork Carnitas

NOTE: This recipe is done using a Cuisinart Pressure Cooker...results would be different if using a pot. Find the original recipe using a stock pot at The Clothes Make the Girl

3-4 lb pork shoulder roast, boneless or bone-in
1 rounded tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cayenne (I use 1/2 cause of kids)
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup Water

I add the juices and water into the pot first. Put the spices into a large ziploc bag. I cut the roast up into very, VERY, large chunks, like maybe 6. If the roast has a bone, just cut around it (but include it...good meat next to the bone). Take the chunks and throw each of them in the ziploc bag to coat with the spices. Then place them into the pressure cooker. It does not have to be perfect. When the cooking is done, you can remove the bone. Now, tuck that baby in and set the pressure cooker for high and add 50 minutes to the clock. After the timer beeps, just let it go with natural pressure release. It will take a little while for all the pressure to go out. Once it is done, take the huge chunks of pork out of the pressure cooker and a few at a time place in a hot pan to sear all sides of the pork. Keep turning it until it is a nice brown color (not blackened and burned)...just be careful..that pan is HOT. It usually causes my house to smoke up and my kids to freak out and want to dial 911! I let the pieces cool for a few minutes and then shred them up and put them in a storage container to eat through the week.

This goes nicely wrapped in romaine lettuce with some Sunshine Sauce which you can also find at The Clothes Make the Girl. Sometimes we like to just eat it all by its wonderful self...yummmmm

Here is the pressure cooker I use...just in case you all wondered!

Find more recipes at The Grocery Cart Challenge

FOLK and 4th Street Candle Co.

2012-02-21T15:49:00.004-05:00

My candle shop, 4th Street Candle Co, will be advertised in FOLK Magazine in a couple weeks. If you have not checked out FOLK you need to. I love it!!

FOLK and 4th Street Candle Co. are a good match wouldn't you agree?

You can find FOLK HERE and 4th Street Candle Co. HERE. Some of 4th Street's new scents for Spring include Lemon Lavender, Lilac, Lemon Squares, and Seaside Cotton. Also, check out Fresh Linen and Clean Cotton, a couple bestsellers!

Enjoy your day all!

Whole30

2012-02-21T14:15:00.001-05:00

I began another journey. Seems as if I'm always doing something doesn't it. Being 250 lbs on my frame (under it all I'm pretty tiny) is killing me. I decided I had to do something. Weight Watchers for whatever reason had quit working for me. I really think that I have an issue with sugar. I had been reading a lot about Paleo and believe in eating the way it encourages you to eat, but needed something more. Whole30 is an extreme Paleo. No grains, legumes, dairy, alcohol, or sugar. Paleo allows a little bit more. I would say Whole30 is a way of getting in touch with how you view food. Where is it that you have a problem. As I suspected, sugar is mine. The first two days were pretty harsh. I was craving (of all things) coffee creamer. I felt like I was going to bottom out throughout the entire two days. I'm on day 5 now and have a lot of energy. More energy then I have seen in the past couple years. So....what do I eat you might ask! Meat, veggies and some fruit. LOTS of good fats. Some nuts. It has caused me to get creative with food. I will be posting what I eat and including recipes as I am able. I also will be taking you all on my journey through losing what I hope to be 100 lbs. Would be great to have that gone by my 40th birthday in November, but any loss is an improvement. I have started to add a lot of my favorite blogs that explain Paleo and Whole30. Another reason for our food change is because of Jack. My son will likely be getting a diagnosis of Autism in the next couple months. This is no surprise to us and we have been tweaking his diet for almost a year to try to help him. Shortly after just going gluten free, he started talking a lot more and singing. That was something we had not seen out of him before taking gluten out of his diet.

Here is the link to the Whole30 way of life WHOLE30. Check them out and also I would encourage you to find them on Facebook. They are a great group of people.

I am SUPER determined. I smoked once...and once I started feeling like it was a monkey on my back...IT WAS GONE (it took me a while to get to that point). Here I am again...I am determined!

Love

2012-02-21T12:36:00.000-05:00

Isn't my little guy getting big!

My sweet sensitive boy...

2011-10-29T18:56:00.000-04:00

We have really been looking into Jack's issues a little more now that he is a bit older. We have had concerns since he was born, but most times voicing our concerns led to doctors just saying to wait because things could change. Things have changed...some things are just a tad bit better and some things are worse. His newest things are taking his clothes off (a lot), gagging himself, throwing himself into people, hitting and throwing himself down on the ground a lot. We had an appointment with a neurologist who basically felt the "big picture was a boy with Autism" and gave us some recommendations on where to take him to be tested. This past week the school did a sensory profile on him. To no ones surprise, he has some sensory dysfunction. I am glad that this has been found so we can help him. The occupational therapist was extremely impressed with the fact that his emotional/social scores were normal. She says usually when you have behavorial dysfunction due to sensory processing you have emotional/social issues as well. She said that is a huge indication of how we handle things at home with him. I said....that's no surprise...he's normal and I'm the one with the emotional/social disorder..ha ha. Anybody that has children with special needs knows how HARD and EXHAUSTING it can be at times. I am very glad that we are recognizing his sensory needs before it does become more emotional/social issues. Jack has proprioceptive sensory disorder so it makes him EXTREMELY active. He throws himself and runs into people trying to gain some input. His brain does not regulate senses properly. He seeks to fix what he does not feel right within him. After a nice long conference with the team which included occupational therapist, social worker, speech therapist and his teacher we are going to try working on fixing his sensory needs....I suppose putting him on a sensory diet. He will require certain techniques or playing throughout the day to help regulate his brain. The trick will be trying to find what sensory input will help not make him more hyper or upset. I feel so overwhelmed by all the information. I can't imagine being able to do everything that is required to help Jack. I keep thinking that when he gets to heaven...none of this will matter....he will be perfect. Earth is so temporary....our bodies are temporary. It still hurts though. I'm not gonna lie. I have a hard time finding my energy in God when I have no brain to seek God in the first place. Does that make sense? I feel God all around me during the day. Sometimes he seems to be just like the dishes that sit in the sink...waiting to be washed. He is on my to do list. I know that, that is not how it should be. I'm just exisiting at times...breathing. I sometimes find myself saying...Lord, I'm just breathing, just breathing. I need more than just breathing. Sigh...I'm done venting. I just thought I would catch up on Jack. My littlest one is now climbed up on the chair and is batting around the lamp. My little family circus....

Facebook

2011-10-19T13:12:00.000-04:00

There are reasons why I love Facebook. I love the pages I have joined to see shopping deals or the blogs that update through Facebook. There are the few close friends I have that I can chat with about recipes or what's the latest crazy things our kids did. I love being able to share in their joys and sorrows. I also love being able to converse with people I went to high school or church with.

But.......

Does anyone else feel like Facebook makes them into an evil thoughts monster at times? There are times that I have to take a step back and just separate from it. I find I don't like the person I become when I'm using it. The times when I realize I need a break are when I find myself thinking very negatively in regards to the "friends" I have on Facebook. I also hate how people just think they can write whatever. I feel like I have nothing together when I'm seeing status' about how some are able to handle one million things and I can't handle ONE thing. Oh and there is always feeling ignored by certain people....ever feel like that? I start thinking...this is ridiculous that I am letting these lies fill my head.

This is when it's time for a Facebook break! Kind of a reset from my ungodly thinking.

Anyone else need to take occasional breaks from Facebook?

I Don't Have To Be Strong Enough

2011-10-15T00:00:00.002-04:00

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength....I don't have to be strong enough....

Spreading Some Pumpkin Love

2011-10-14T20:27:00.001-04:00

I roasted a pumpkin in my crockpot this week after following The Happy Housewife's directions here.

Pumpkin is soooo good for you and very much a part of Fall. I went around the web looking for some good recipes to incorporate into this Falls menu planning.

Sweet:
Pumpkin Pancakes
Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
Spiced Pumpkin Waffles
Down East Maine Pumpkin Bread
Starbucks Pumpkin Scones
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Pumpkin Pie Crunch

Savory:
Penne-Wise Pumpkin Pasta
Pumpkin Stew
Smoky Braised Mexican Pumpkin
Curried Pumpkin Soup
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

Beverages:
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Treat for our four-legged friends:
Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

Hmmmm, maybe next up should be apple recipes...another favorite of mine.

This has been linked up with Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap HERE

Friday Photo Flashback

2011-10-14T09:33:00.000-04:00

Posting this picture seems appropriate after the nice conversation I had with my brother last night. I've been finding it difficult to feel normal lately with the issues we have been dealing with in regards to Jack and his special needs. Sometimes I feel like if I avoid family/friend situations all together it's easier because Jack doesn't always make group situations comfortable. I spilled my guts about how I feel to my brother and he made me feel like everything would be okay. Sometimes you just need to know that everything will be okay! You need to know that you and your situation are accepted exactly the way they are. Thanks Nick!

Testing

2011-10-12T11:57:00.000-04:00

Sigh...I know just enough computer stuff to make me a danger to myself ;) I decided to change my web address to Stumbling Along Faithfully versus what it is now. It obviously fits my title better. I did that without thinking about what that would do to my feed. I read about how doing that would basically make me lost to anyone who had befriended me in the past (of course I read this AFTER I did the deed). Anyway, I put my blog address back to the normal address and I'm not sure if everything is okay. Those of you who have me added and see me come up in your feeds....could you let me know that you can see this??

Wordless Wednesday & Outdoor Wednesday

2011-10-12T09:19:00.001-04:00

October Already

2011-10-10T14:30:00.000-04:00

We had a crazy summer. We had started on changes with our diet and to be honest, I could not keep up with it. Not to mention, I got super tired of eating mostly meat. I got to the point if I looked at another chicken breast I might get sick. Our diet is not kinda in the middle between whatever we want and meats and veggies only. I do try to stay away from high fructose corn syrup, white sugar and flour in my cooking. We are all a lot happier with the balance we have found.

Different changes came our way with the start of September. The eldest went off to college up north.

Anderson decided that he wanted to try school (versus homeschool). He is attending a local charter school and is very much enjoying himself. I am very pleased with the school.

Jack is back to school and is doing great. He receives speech therapy as well as other therapies to deal with the issues he has.

Oliver loves having his mornings free of everyone else to enjoy time with Mommy.

I've taken up a new hobby of making candles. You can find my Etsy shop HERE.

Whew, that was a lot and still not everything ;) Bill and I have resolved to get back on Weight Watchers so I hope to start posting recipes that we try soon.

June 2011 Pics

2011-07-03T21:42:00.001-04:00

Life

2011-06-29T22:57:00.000-04:00

We have been busy. Oliver and Courtney just had their birthday. Oliver turned 1 and Court turned 20. It sure is crazy how time passes. Having one that turned 20 in the blink of an eye sure puts things into perspective when thinking about the 1 year old. It just goes by toooo fast! Jack will be 3 coming up in August. That is totally amazing to me too. He still is having some difficulties which is my primary reason for not being able to blog as much. Actually...him combined with having an even littler one is why I don't find the time as often. I sure would like to be better about it. I have so much to tell. Ever since Jack was little, he has seemed a bit spectrumish and yet we don't have a diagnosis of Autism. It has been a hard road the past couple years trying to figure out how to help him. He started with the Early Development group through our school system and it just really was a playgroup but it did give him some speech therapy. He just seemed to be having a lot of fun :D. Anyway, he did that for a while and when he turned 2 1/2, they suggested he start going to the classroom and taking a bus. I was mortified!!! My little guy on a bus...my little guy who cannot talk!!! How will he tell me that they were speeding or that they were mean to him...ha ha. Anyway, he went on the bus a couple times, but we just decided driving him would be easier considering we felt very pushed for time in getting him out to the bus on time. He does not like being pushed. Things went so-so with the class. No real big improvements. Only going twice a week I knew would not bring about huge changes. He had definite behavior issues. Would get frustrated easily (I don't blame him...I mean he cannot express how he is feeling verbally). We tried sign language and we tried to use a picture exchange system, but he just really did not seem interested. On top of that, his stomach issues which he has had since he was a baby were getting super worse. I tried gluten free and it just really did not make a difference and I really felt like there had to be more to help him. I have researched like crazy to try to help him. About a year ago I came across the GAPS diet which at the time I was overwhelmed by even the thought of implementing. Anyone who knows anything about it knows what I am talking about. I just had to do something for him though. We threw out all processed food, all flour, sugar, any types of boxed sides, cereals, pretty much everything that was not meat, fruit or veggies. We decided as a family we were ALL going to do this. It's been hard. My dear friend just said to me today that it is kinda like saying goodbye to the american dream...you know the dream that has kids drinking slurpees on a hot day and laughing. Those crazy rushed days where happy meals are brought home to cheering kids. I miss those things!! Not to mention being chained to my kitchen cause you have to cook everything. We decided to start out on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet as I really believed that would be an easier start for Jack. It is kinda like a previous version of the GAPS diet. The GAPS is the new and improved diet. So, what do we eat now? Honestly, it has taken many different forms. Basically, we are a no grains, milk, sugar, processed food kinda family. We love our good fats like butter and coconut oil, grass fed meat, fermented cod liver oil and I bake with coconut flour and almond flour. The diets (or way of life) that would explain more about this way of eating are the GAPS, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, Paleo, Primal or Makers Diets. Jack is on more a GAPS regimen. The baby is not given any grains either...he is our primal baby :D My oldest son follows it pretty faithfully and he actually had the worst die off of anybody. Within a day of starting the diet, he had a high fever and the following day threw up, but then was a new boy the following day. I noticed he is a lot more with it mentally and his allergy shiners...you know the bags and dark circles under the eyes, are considerable improved. He has always had serious issues with constipation and heartburn and he has said how he has had NONE of those issues. The BIGGEST BIGGEST BIGGEST thing is Jack started talking...and A LOT...within a week, he was saying things he had not said. His demeanor changed (he still has his moments). I had a lot less temper tantrums. He went from pointing to what he wanted or pulling our hands to get us to what he wanted to actually talking. He is not saying sentences yet, but he definitely is able to let us know what is going on and what he needs better. He still has horrible issues with his receptive language skills, meaning he does not understand any directives...like, don't do that, bring that to me, DON'T RUN INTO THE STREET! That really makes it difficult because he is as active (even more so) than any other almost three year old, but is not safe if left alone. My husband and I are exhausted. He works so hard and comes home to help with the little ones. We balance pretty well, but we are definately running on "E"! I wonder what the future holds for our family and Jack especially, but I have not sat and pondered it for long because there is no time to sit...ha ha. I hope to turn this blog into a place where people who are dealing with the same issues can come and feel supported. I will be posting blogs that I love to visit and that give me encouragement. I hope to pass on the information that God has brought to my attention. Stay tuned...more to come!

Remodeling Life and Blog (more to come)

2011-05-28T13:52:00.000-04:00

Excuse the dust while I remodel. A lot of changes going on in my family and changes are coming to this blog as well. Stay tuned!!

Picture Updates

2011-02-02T23:12:00.014-05:00

The Blizzard of 2011...Fun with Dad

Indy LOVES the snow.

Making a snow fort (covering my picnic table in snow)

Hard to believe we got Indy a year ago. He is the best dog.

My sis with her daughter. She was born on the COLDEST day of January and warmed everyone's hearts.

We are in love!!

Court with flowers from a secret admirer ;)

A few pics of my boys.

Brothers

These two share a birthday, 19 years apart!! Ollie sure loves his sister.

Oliver is getting bigger. 6 months old here.

Jack with one of his favorite toys.

My sis, pregnant with her first. At this point, we did not know what she was having. She was almost ready to deliver here.

My brother with Ollie. He rarely gets to visit and was able to make it into town for Christmas with his family.

My gorgeous daughter.

Courtney and Oliver

WHEW....that was quite the post. Thanks for sticking with it :) Hopefully everyone feels updated. Let's hope I get with it and post more frequently so as to avoid bombarding you all with so many pictures.

Thanks for visiting...

Turning Over A New Leaf/Menu Plan Monday

2011-02-02T13:54:00.006-05:00

I love Weight Watchers but have been finding the extra steps of finding points for products, logging points and trying to figure out what the points for recipes are very difficult. I have always been successful at Weight Watchers losing 20 lbs each time I have gone. This time, I am fluctuating up and down, up and down. I decided to try to count my calories instead. I am loving the free Livestrong Daily Plate App for my Iphone to count my calories. That paired with an abundance of recipes that have nutritional information is making me have a lot more success. That being said, my menu plan reflects a lot of calorie friendly choices for this week.

Monday: Confetti Meatloaf 273 cal per serving, Roasted New Potatoes, Broccoli.
Tuesday: Ham and Spinach Couscous 248 cal per serving
Wednesday: Turkey, Ham and Cheese Stromboli 125 cals per slice, Salad. For the stromboli, I used Whole Wheat and Honey Dough instead. Guilt Free Brownies 140 cal per serving
Thursday: Roast Chicken and Slow Cooked Mac and Cheese 300 cal per serving
Friday: Fiesta Bake, Salad
Saturday: Leftovers...A Mom needs a break!! :)
Sunday: Turkey, Potato and Veggie.

Also making Southwestern three bean and barley soup...for which I am using my beloved pressure cooker to make the beans fast, fast, fast!!

Brennan Nicholas 10/02/96-11/19/96

2010-11-19T10:07:00.002-05:00

I Thessalonians 4:13-14
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

—John 14:1-3
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Revelation 21:4
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

2 Corinthians 4:16-15:8
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

14 years ago today, part of my life story went home to be with the Lord. My son Brennan died as a result of SIDS. I am so thankful that I will be able to be with him again. That gives me hope even in the face of pain. I thank God that he has made me whole and that through my relationship with him, he gives me that opportunity to have eternal life and be with the people that I cherish.

If you would like to know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please click here

Blessings to you today,

Morning B and B (Bible and Breakfast)

2010-09-16T10:23:00.006-04:00

Just a few photos from our family bible time that we have each morning. I think it is the favorite part of my day!

Now, on to dealing with these apples. I have some applesauce to make!

Weight Watchers No Crust Apple Pie

2010-09-13T19:08:00.004-04:00

Just had to pass on this wonderful fall recipe. I love apple pie, but not the calories that comes along with it. I've been on Weight Watchers for about 3 weeks now. Came across this recipe on the web and wanted to pass it on.

No Crust Apple Pie
4 cups apples sliced
1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs (YOU COULD USE EGG SUBSTITUTE)
1/2 cup light biscit mix

Topping
1/2 cup light biscuit mix
2 tablespoons chopped nuts
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon margarine

Combine apples, cinnamon and nutmeg and place in a sprayed deep-dish pie plate. Beat biscuit mix, sugar, eggs and milk til smooth. Pour over apples. In a small bowl blend biscuit mix, chopped nuts, brown sugar and margarine till crumbly. Sprinkle on top of pie. Bake at 350* for 1 hour or till knife in center comes out clean. Enjoy!

5 points per serving, 8 servings

I used Heart Smart Bisquick and Light Blue Bonnet margarine and by my calculations on the Weight Watcher recipe builder, it was 4 points per serving.

A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ September 13, 2010

2010-09-13T15:39:00.004-04:00

FOR TODAY ~~
Outside my window...the shadows of the trees on the church across the street. The American Flag waving in the wind. The sun shining brightly in a very blue fall sky.

I am thinking...that I need to work on looking directly at my son when he talks to me...even if it's about video games for the hundredth time today. I want to make sure he realizes that he is worth being looked at when he talks. That might help him in choosing a mate someday. He deserves someone who looks at him when he talks.

I am thankful for...being able to homeschool, a husband that works hard, a daughter who is a helper, healthy babies, FALL!

From the learning rooms.....learning about creation, going through Proverbs for Bible. Dealing with prepositions in grammar. Learning about axis lines and the globe lines in Geography. Math, Science and Social Studies. Equivalent, cultivate and introduce are a few of our Spelling words this week.

From the kitchen...Roasting a chicken with apples, celery, garlic and rosemary. It smells wonderful. Making a no-crust apple pie for dessert.

I am wearing...JEANS!! Thankful to be able to cover my imperfections with the cooler weather.

I am creating...I am planning on doing faux stain glass on my back door using tissue paper and modge podge.

I am going...to relax tonight and seriously think about what things on want to cook to stay on track with Weight Watchers.

I am reading...Home Comforts and The Gentle Art of Domesticity.

I am hoping...that I start to get over whatever hormone imbalance I am dealing with so I can stop being scarey mommy.

I am hearing...The sound of my phone going off, my son getting upset because he does not feel he understands his math, my little guy playing in his bedroom, the fan running, the windchimes out on the porch.

Around the house...we are looking forward to fall with the crunch of leaves, the smells of cinnamon and apples, the vibrant colors and bonfires on a cool evening.
One of my favorite things...is taking pictures. I also love to feather my nest for my family. I want them to like being here.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Hoping to get a storm door installed. Having a candle or I should say a Scentsy party. Maybe going out with a friend to deprogram.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing.......A Life Well Spent