I know what you're thinking. You're thinking of moving over to the new side of the house. Well, no not quite yet. But we are getting closer day by day! In between James working his normal job and helping others he's fitting in time to finish things up.

I have decided, though, to move over to Blogger. I have been thinking about it for a long time now. But I felt bad using this homeschoolblogger when a lot of my posts are indeed not on homeschooling at all. With that said, please come and visit me at my new location.

http://www.sandlappersue.blogspot.com

There will be a lot of the same that you have seen here on homeschoolblogger these past years. Please put my new address on your links if you'd like and comment whenever you like. I hope to add another visitors counter for those of you that are lurkers and not wanting to comment. At least I'll know you're there!

Things are a bit out of order there right now but I hope to get the furniture rearranged before long. So please be patient. Meanwhile, enjoy some of the old posts.

I want to leave with blessing all of you in this blogger community. May the Lord be with you and more importantly, May YOU be with Him!

Love in Christ,

Susan

  Here is what I have planned for the month of July. I will do our big shopping trip within the next few days, cast free, Lord willing! Our beverages will be the usual tea, coffee, juice and milk with the exception of water at lunch. I plan on soda just on the weekends, sparingly. The dollar amounts you see is what the cost would be out of pocket with the exception of beef, of which we have in the freezer. We already have some things on hand so this isn't what will actually be spent... after non-foods and allowing money for catching good deals, we should come around $350-$400 for the month.

Breakfast

• grits and eggs .75

• muffins .50

• oatmeal .75

• pancakes $2

• granola $2.50

• cinnamon rolls (whole wheat w/ cream cheese icing) $2.50

• Poptarts and milk $4

Total: $52.00

Lunch

• ramen $.70

• leftovers Free!

• bean burritos(leftover pintos, cheese, tortillas)$1.75

• mac n cheese $2.50(homemade, make ahead and freeze)

• tuna casserole $2.50

• sloppy joes and popcorn(make joe meat ahead and freeze)$2.00

• PB&J $2.00

Total: $45.80

Supper

• baked potatoes $4.50 (make chili meat)(3X)

• pintos, taters and cornbread $4.50 (3X)

• cabbage casserole$3 (3X)

• chicken bog, green beans $4.50

• spaghetti(seasoned reconstituted tom. paste, canned tomatoes,pasta)$3 (3X)(vary by adding cheese and baking. etc...make batch and freeze ahead)

• salmon patties, rice and gravy,veg. $4.50

• pizza(tomato paste for sauce, 1lb.cheese for two pizzas) $5.00 (3X)

• Bacon-bean soup (Not Just Beans)$2.50

• Steak, potato, salad (steak already bought) $7

• Chicken fried steak (NJB, p.111),rice and veggies $5

• Shepherd's Pie $5(3X, make and freeze ahead)

• cubed steak/roast and gravy, veggie (3x)$5.00

• taco/ grilled chicken salad $5.50 (3X)

• LCF (take baked beans and 2 desserts) $15.00

Total:$145.00

Snacks

• Cheddar puffs (p. 50, NJB)

• cookies (oatmeal, peanut butter, chocolate chip, sugar)

• Peanut butter crackers

• salsa & chips

• popcorn

• fruit

• cereal

Total: $40

Grand Total: $282.80

It seems that the past month or two has been the wildest of busy-ness that I ever remember. I am very ready to slow down. Three people have told me that breaking my finger would hopefully slow me down. Still yet with life as it is, who can skip a beat? Having a cast up to your elbow doesn't always slow one down but makes one extremely frustrated and discouraged. Some things take twice as long. The cast should be history as of Tuesday afternoon.

In other new:

~ James has the flooring laid in the playroom upstairs and it looks great! He is working on the boy's floor now. Things are really coming together. James also finished the outdoor siding across the front. The rest is to be completed after we get moved over.

~ My granddad passed away this week. So we were busy saying goodbye with the visitation and funeral. I am most sad for my "Me-maw". I can imagine the pain of losing what is to be your other half. What loneliness and grief!

~ The wee one seems to be doing very well! I am excited to welcome he/she into this world on a few months. I am almost 29 weeks along and in great anticipation that this third trimester will be better than the second. My doctor keeps pushing the issue of watching what sugar and carbs I eat. Maybe I can control this a little better after the cast comes off. Anyway....I think this one is a boy for several reasons.

~ For all you praying ones, please pray as often as comes to mind several situations with James' work. I don't feel liberty to share the whole situation. And also with baby not arriving until September, nothing could be done till then anyway. Even if James decided to make such decisions. I will say that a lot of situations are scary, frustrating, unbelievable, deceitful and w-r-o-n-g. We don't like being a part of any of it! We are in prayer for all to change to what would be pleasing in the Lord's eyes.

~As far as school goes. We are done until the new school room is ready. There's too many irons in the fire and so I am calling it quits till August. We will still have very informal schooling of their reading to me and I to them. Right now we are reading King Arthur and His Knights. What a wonderful tale to wrap up this school year, with having studying on the Renaissance and having VBS on the armour of God.

And during the time of typing this, lunch and a break, James and Brittany have finished the floor in the boys' room!

I

Here's a list of a lot of what we need to buy this coming month. We will be buying milk and misc. needs throughout the month but our goal is to stay below $400 overall. I am still tweaking the list for this coming month.  I copied this from my Excel program, tis the reason for the odd format.

 

	0	butter
	4	milk
	4	sausage
	16	pop biscuits
	2	salad mix
	0	chicken pot pie
	0	chicken nuggets
	0	tater tots
	1	sour cream
	10	torillas
	0	eggs
	6	frozen juice
	0	cinnamon rolls
	1	french fries
	3	yogurt
	0	mozzarella cheese
	0	cheddar cheese
	3	bacon
	4	hot dogs
	0	slice american cheese
	0	soda
	2	lunch meat
	0	fabric softener
	1	freezer bags
	0	toilet paper
	0	paper towels
	1	trash bags
	0	dishwashing liquid
	2	hamburger buns
	4	hot dog buns
	8	bread
	4	cream cheese
	1	ketchup
	2	rice
	0	olive oil
	0	powdered milk
		Total
		174.25

  Extras Not Listed Above

Bagels	$10.00
Hash browns	$4.00
Aluminum foil	$3.00
Carrots	$4.00
Celery	$2.00
Potatoes	$4.00
Snacks ($25 worth)	$25.00
Pads	$3.00
Cornmeal	$3
Tea	$6
Coffee	$10

  Sam's

15	0	hamburger
9	1	whole chickens
15	1	pork chops
0	0	pork and beans
0	0	brown gravy
0	0	chicken gravy
20	0	roast
5	0	bread f;our
4	0	taco seasoning
4.00	3	pork and beans

 

11	2	mozzerella cheese
11	2	cheddar cheese
11	1	sliced cheese

Snacks will also include some ingredients to make some goodies. Brittany and I are going to make a list

of snacks to make within the next few days. I get my cast off on Tuesday so food prep can get moreso back to normal.

~ roast and veggies over rice

~ roast soup

~ stuffed manicotti and salad

~ pizza

~ chicken enchiladas and spanish rice

~ chicken and rice, green beans

~ pintos, fried smoked sausage and corn bread

~ turkey, stuffing, rice and gravy, green beans

~cubed steak, rice and gravy, broccoli casserole

~ church social meal

Breakfasts are simple cereals, oatmeal, cheese biscuits, eggs , breakfast burrito and grits.

Lunches will be leftovers, hot dogs, quesadillas, frozen pizza, ramen and soup.

Yesterday morning I called the OB's office and Harriet answers. I tell her I have an UTI. Seconds later Abi, the nurse, is on the phone. It would have been impossible to pull my file so quickly. But, they are good at getting to know their patients. I am all for that. So Abi says she'll have something called in ASAP and she did. I know some people like bashing OBs and the way they work. So find another one or find an alternative. They are not all bad. I had a few experiences that weren't ideal and so I changed practices. I just don't find it wise to put down professionals trained to help others and then get others hyped up to do the same. I have experienced being with these people in a very dark time in our lives and no one could have done a better job. They handled the baby we lost with great care and dignity. For that I am forever grateful. The same goes with all of the happy times, too.

Oh, and I am feeling so much better today, thank you! I hope to improve even more in the next few days.

Oh yeah---excuse any typos as they are due to my one handed typing. I have precisely 1 week a five days before the cast is removed...by some very nice orthopaedic workers... or at least they are nice until we get the bill. LOL

This week we are having Vacation Bible School each night. Our children always enjoy going. Jesse was waiting at the door first thing this morning to go. Well we had to inform him that it doesn't start until the evening. So you know what I heard all day! "Is it time yet?" The best thing for the teaching moms is that we don't have to cook supper each night as meals are provided. Hey, I am all for that!

On another note, I think I have a urinary tract infection. I guess I'll call in the morning and see if my OB wants me to come in or just call in antibiotics. Which ever way, I cannot live like this much longer! I want the goods to get better, quick!

Tomorrow will be being spent studying more for VBS. I am blessed to be teaching a class. I did not finish reading Mark last week, either, so will do that this week. Also, I will have the usual laundry, kitchen patrol and need to mop the kitchen as well....and hopefully that Dr. visit and/or medicine run, .

I am anticipating having a great weekend with our family. James is supposed to have a three day weekend beginning tomorrow! We have plans to work on the addition some more and just general chores. Brittany has a birthday tomorrow as well. So in the morning I need to go to town and pick up some goodies for her. Also I need to get my dad a birthday present which is on the 18th. Father's Day is taken care of.

/james asked off for today and tomorrow but was only allowed tomorrow for now. We HAVE TO get this addition completed for various reasons. Right now I am pretty well limited in what I can do for various reasons. This is very frustrating.

Today we have been working on a bit more school. Dalton has to write his final book report and present it and this will conclude his language arts for the year. Well, we may very well pick up on the spelling some more. Brittany is now in high school Algebra and I want her to complete the first unit before she calls it quits till next school year. That should be the beginning of August. Samuel is being vigorously drilled in grammar so that he will be up to grade jevel next school year. We are coupling this with a lot of reading and interest studies.

As far as my hand, I feel it's on the mend. I still get aggravated with having to wear the cast. It's hard when the littles come to me and want me to write or color with them and I can't. That and not being able to write out bills is frustrating.

I must go and get some chores completed. Hopefully James will be home soon for time together, finally!

He's went in 1 to 1 1/2 hours early every day and home late each night.

Wow, it's amazing to me how all of a sudden a bunch of people are getting married! These all just popped up just within the past week or so. Albeit one was a give away but still we go from no weddings in a few years to four in one. I feel strongly compelled to pray for these couples---that the Lord will have His hand in all situations. Whether you've known someone a week or years, you are saved or not, you are from the same backgrounds or not--marriage is hard work and one that takes 100%-100% not 50%-50%. Granted, I think anyone should know and love the Lord before getting married but as with anything life isn't easy. On any account if this year is wedding year, will next year be baby year?

Yesterday was a very good birthday for Samuel! Since James has been super-busy with work, I ventured out for Samuel's gifts, cake and ice cream. He had mentioned camo to James and so I headed to Good Will to see what they had. Good thing he had other items on that list! There was no camo in his size so I ventured over to the household section. I mean, I was right there, right? Boy, am I glad I did! First I spot two HUGE boxes full of the cutest little lampshades. They were all marked .80 each. Regular retail is marked as much as $15.50 per shade! I am excited to do some fun projects with these! I also found a cute basket for $1.50.

Once I got these I thought I was done but  I run across the cutest oriental style rug (2'X3') for $3.00. As I was loading it up a lady runs out of the back room saying they have the large one(5'X8') to match for $12 AND they will throw in the long runner for free because it was dirty. So for $15 I got three nice matching rugs!

When I got home I rolled out the runner and ran the vac over it several times. Obviously it was placed close to someone's door but now it's clean! I  will shampoo all of them on the deck before using them. I am saving them for when we finally move things over to the addition.

Oh, but we can't forget---I was shopping for Samuel's birthday! So long story- short I get his goods at Walmart. He was very happy with a new light up light saber, cowboy hat and wallet(complete with some spending money). He's one content fellow, indeed. Besides, we didn't have school yesterday either. We also ate chocolate cake and ice cream. His world was one of sheer bliss.

The end.

Well it's the beginning of a new week with hihg hopes ahead for a good one. This morning was one of those slow ones as I purposed in my heart to get with it, as much as possible. Almost one week is down with this cast and another three to go. Bethany wanted to do school today but honestly I can't see how to show how to write letters when *I* can't write them. I am going to give it a try on the chalkboard tomorrow. Maybe I can maneuver correctly on a larger surface with my left hand.

The weekend seemed blah and frustrating as James worked the whole time except yesterday. Between church services we visited his aunt and shopped for VBS. Yes indeed. there's hope for a better week!!

Tomorrow I have to go get Samuel's cake and ice cream. Also, I hope to find him some goodies that he's wanting. He growing up too quickly and has improved by leaps and bounds in school. I am looking forward to spending time, making his tenth year with him.

Tonight we are having beef enchiladas with red sauce and cabbage. Brittany will have to assist in shredding the cheese and be on call as needed. I also need to type a few items on my running grocery list. I am getting pretty quick typing with one hand!

This week I will be reading Mark and go into Luke. I am looking forward to it!  I hope you have a great evening.  

We are approaching the end of the week and I have to say that I am so glad. Well, it seems that a lot has went wrong in most areas of our world but yet we need to be thankful. Afterall, it could be worse, although I shudder  at the thought. So, next week will be better and joy comes in the morning!

My mom and youngest sister came over to catch up on the dishes. This was so nice but at the same time, very weird. In 18 years of marriage, I have never had any outside help. She is coming tomorrow to mop. I hope that she sees that we can keep on top of it and won't feel the need to help anymore. I'd just rather her come and have coffee!

We did minimal school this week but hopefully can pick it up this coming week despite my not being able to write. We have two more week's worth of schooling and a week's worth of paperwork for me. We are indeed taking off July just to try and get settled with the addition. Then hopefully when August comes we will be recharged for a year better than this year.

James is working a lot with the heay wave that has hit. He's out again tonight, working late again. His coworker will be out of town and the owner will be at a golfing tournament. It wouldn't be so bad if James got paid for overtime.

I have given up on the dream of a garden this year. I am SO disappointed as I know this coming year we need the produce more than ever. Hopefully we can have a fall and winter garden to make up for lost times.

I think this pretty well covers this week! Next week we will be celebrating two birthdays. Samuel will be nine and Brittany will be a mature but sweet fourteen. I told her not to grow up and she's rebelling.

Have a great weekend! 

Thank you- to all who prayed (3 out of 33!). They took new x-rays of my hand and said that it should heal with just a cast. I am so thankful for answered prayer. I am so glad that the first two doctors were wrong.  I go back in four weeks to remove the cast. Then may have to re-train weakened muscles.

Have a great evening.

Please pray as I see trauma surgeon today. Who would think a broken finger would be considered trauma. At least they say I have a high threshold for pain (ummmm, not really). So they say I have the worst broken finger there could be.  I am still praying for no surgery. Are you????? Please leave a note of encouragement if you are.

Yesterday when I saw my finger I thought it looked great! Doctor says it looks bad. I will probably have the cast till August. Can you believe they give you a cast clear up to your elbow for a finger??? Go figure. I tried to talk with the nurse in shortening it. Mr. Know it All says, "No".

I will try to update later on what the surgeon says.  

While on visitation this morning I broke my pinky and sprained my wrist. So we had to go get my finger temporarily set. I may have to get a pin put in when I see the bone doctor. Other than that, I and the baby are fine.

Praise the Lord that it wasn't any worse. Also that this is a baby year and so we were going to meet my deductable anyway. Praise God, this is all I have to deal wih and that the children can help with the load.

Please pray that the medical costs still will not be too much. Also that I will be patient in all that I have to do... and can't do. It is my right hand too. Pray that I can control the pain well.

I may not be on as much for a short while as it's hard typing with one hand.

I usually keep a tube of lipstick and mascara in the van for those times when I am in a rush. Well, after our big shopping trip of the month, guess what someone got into? It was one of those times when you just try to be stern but you can't for laughing.

Here's one that Brittany did when she studied Hitler....

Here's another one on the study of "bones"...

Here's another on Koalas...for some reason the front of this lapbook did not download....errr...uh....upload...well you know what I mean! LOL

Here are a few examples of the fun we have had doing lapbooking. I am thinking of buying some materials to instruct moreso on how to do labbooking and to get more ideas. But until then we are doing it the way we've learned off the internet and by adding our own imagination. It's fun and educational at the same time. If we're not interested in the subject, and aren't having fun learning, then how are we expected to retain the matter?

I hope that you enjoyed a glimpse into just a wee part of our fun, homeschooling adventures.

This Memorial Day brings me back to when we had the opportunity to go to Arlington National Cemetary. See all of those graves and the ones that had fallen for our freedom. While there I kept thinking, "look at all the sould passed. Just look! Where did they go? Where are they now? Where will they forever be?" Yes, it's very sobering. I thank the Lord for the ones who are willing to give their lives so that we can worship and live in freedom. Yes, God HAS blessed this country.

I was looking back over the day and this morning seems so long ago. Ha! It has been another very busy and tiring day. It has all been so fulfilling and satisfying. A lot of nights I crawl in bed so tired, sore.....beat and yet look forward to the next day.

This morning I was "Ms. Lazy bones and stayed in bed till 8:00am. I awoke to hearing James weed wacking the yard. I got up and made some muffins and bacon. Instead of the usual calling everyone to the table, I left the food on the stove and except for the very wee ones, it was a "get it yourself" morning. One thing on my wish list is a bell to ring to call everyone to the table. It's tiresome to go all over the place to announce that it's time to eat.

After breakfast I worked on picking up the livingroom. Let's just say that this took quite a while.  I then go check outside and find James working on the tiller. Turns out that the blasted thing was so hard to push because of a mechanical error. No wonder the thing was kicking my bootie. I felt better after knowing that it just wasn't me. He fixed THAT problem but then something happens with the spark plug.  So planting the garden is postponed once again. I do hope to get some plants out on the patch that I did get tilled.

James began working on the deck again and I took Bethany shopping with me. Why did I have to go out today? Everybody and their brother was out, myself and Bethany included. We got a lot more vittles to fill the larder and by the time we were home it was time for lunch. I fixed chicken sandwiches. They were quite tasty. If you smack Walmarts chicken patties in between a Walmart bun and add mayo and mustard, it tastes just like McDonald's or BK's chicken sandwiches. I thought you'd like to know that.

Well, once we got lunch out of the way I got Joy-Anna down for a much needed nap and then I set to work in the kitchen, cleaning and getting food ready for supper. I also worked on today's wash. In between tasks I chilled out  on the deck with the children and James. I colored with Bethany and just kicked back for a minute here and there.

Tonight we had a great meal outside again! We barbequed leg quarters and they were very good. I made baked beans and pasta salad to go with . Then we had a yummy dessert to boot. We have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

After giving needed baths and cleaning the kitchen, I am beat. I need to scrub the tub but am thinking of ignoring the ring and  taking a shower. I don't think I can stand bending over for another thing today. Enough is enough. It'll still be there tomorrow along with mopping, more wash, bathroom detailing and school. Hopefully we can get outside and do a little more cleanup as well. The fun of a three day weekend felt too good, but we must keep on- keeping on!

Have a great evening!

Well, while the day isn't finished I wanted to sit down here for just a minute and rest. We have had quite a busy day but have gotten much accomplished. We started out our day by my making breakfast while James took one of the children to the lumber yard. They know James on a first name basis there now. Ha! But hopefully soon they won't see him as much anymore. After they unloaded the trailer we went to one of my aunt and uncle's house to get a much appreciated day bed, complete with new mattress and bedding! So, with three girls we now have three girly-girl, white daybeds for their room. We also have a sweet white toddler bed to go in as well.

After leaving there we went over to my parents for a very quick visit. My mom's birthday is Monday and so we dropped off a present and chatted for a short bit. Once leaving there I realized that I didn't have any coffee at the house and so stopped by the store for some. Once home and unloaded once again I was ready to till the garden.....or so I thought anyway. After James filling it up with gas and getting it started I did all of 3 1/2 rows. I was whipped. I came in to lie down a bit and once getting up to fix lunch, Brittany insisted I not. Whose to argue? So she made a yummy lunch of soup and sandwiches. She loaded the dishwasher as well. What a gal! James joked that if he wasn't married and she wasn't his daughter that he'd marry her for her potential in good cooking. We raved about the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches being the best we've ever had. LOL

After lunch a nap called mine and Joy-Anna's name and a nap we had! Once we were up we were pleasantly surprised to see that the flooring of the deck is finished. Now James is putting up the railing to go around the deck. He has some part time helpers outside as well. So, while James worked on that I planned how we could plant the garden.... the garden James now has to till because I realize that I can't this year. eeegggaaaa...sigh......I hate when I am slowed down, but hey it's for a GREAT cause. LOL  I also got a few loads of wash done, tidyed the house and vacuumed, tried to organize the pots and pans, swept the deck and have been running after Joy-Anna when Brittany doesn't have her.

The children have been busy with chores of their own in loading and unloading the DW, helping me move wash from the washer to the dryer (the dryer is in the old part and the washer is in the new until later), fold clothes with me, help Dad with the deck, and clean out the van. Samuel set the table for lunch as well. Besides that they had fun  playing in the wood piles, the sand piles, and sawdust piles.  

Now, I am fixing chicken enchiladas, served over seasoned rice and corn. I am sure that we will all be ready to eat as it's almost 8:00pm! Afterwards we'll load the DW once more and I need to cut the boys' and James' hair tonight. Then we can  get baths, brush teeth, Bible story and sweet rest once again!

I think this wraps up our day around here. It's been a fun day to get caught up on some things and do some odd jobs  without schooling tasks. We look forward to the same thing on Monday with it being a holiday. Have a great Sunday and a great Memorial Day as well!

Since we are heading toward the end of the week, I thought that it would be a good time to post. It has been a busy few days around the Watson family! First off, we were able to get a new lawn mower this past weekend. I would have mowed on Monday but I didn't realize that the mower was all set to go. So I didn't get to it until Tuesday. What. a. job. LOL!!! We still have much to  mow but the thickest part is down. We still have not planted the garden yet but James mentioned this weekend. He's been working pretty late every night the past long while except for on Wednesday. But then we had church of course. Once he does get home he's working on the house. So, the yard and garden has been last priority for him. Anyway, mowing the yard was my main chore on Monday. We did get in a great amount of schooling as well.

Tuesday was another busy day with the usual school and chores. I think that we had a laundry marathon as it had not been touched sinced Saturday. Jesse is my folding partner this week and he's found his chore of choice! He's quiet helpful with that. I am still working on character issue when it comes to other chores though.

Wednesday was spent tidying the house and working on another school day. The preschoolers/ kindergartener is enjoying their time of stories, writing, letter and number practice and coloring. I have the school days set up as such right now: Brittany (age 13) has 4 hours, Dalton (age 10) has 3 hours, Samuel (age 8) has  2 hours and Jesse(6), Bethany (4) and Joy-Anna (21 months) has 1 hour, together. This seems to work very well and fits their school needs. Dalton is the one that is usually done before his time is up but I foresee this changing quickly next year. This puts me at having about 3 1/2- 4 hours a day of one on one schooling and checking work.

Thursday I had a doctor's appointment at Walmart's Vision Center. I didn't think that I was EVER going to get out of the doctor's part. My appt. was at 10:00am. I got there 10 minutes early to fill out paperwork and was out at almost 12:00pm. eeeeegggg....It was so cramped and stuffy in that place.  The fun part was picking out new glasses and getting my contacts for the next year. For buying a year's supply of contacts at once I got a significant discount on my glasses.

After finally getting out of there I picked up a few things needed in the grocery section. We were in need of an iron so I picked on up there as well. I go the Black and Decker Classic iron. I really like it as it looks old fashioned and reminds me of the one my grandmother has always used. I was looking into the Rowenta but saw several people say that they aren't worth the price....that they aren't 3X better, for 3X the cost. It makes sense to me!

Once I was finally home( it was almost 1:00pm!), we had lunch, quiet time( of which time the older two worked on their studies), and then chore time. It's nice when everyone really works hard to do their part. Dalton has been especially helpful going above and beyond the call of duty. We had a supper of potato soup and cornbread. After supper we watched The Waltons, did baths and teeth and put the wee ones to bed. Then I sat and read some online.

So here we are here today. I was very well rested this morning and got up earlier than I have in a while, which is still a little later than my "old" normal time. Maybe this means that my body's getting back to normal again. I surely do hope so!

We had a breakfast of bacon and oatmeal. The children and I have done morning chores, Joy-Anna is on her third dress(now red but has been through blue and yellow) and it's a little after 10:00am. I am thinking of lunch....James may make it home for lunch today since he's working alone. I may do soup and sandwiches today so he'll have a filling lunch. I am sure that after lunch I will be ready for the wee ones to have quiet/ nap time and the older ones will still work on their schoolwork. After quiet time I will work with the wee ones on their school some more and it'll be time for afternoon chores.

Tonight we are going to have some pizza! I wasn't planning on fixing it tonight but changed my mind. I am in a carb mood...of which is NOT a good thing. I am doing better with my water consumption and have some diet cola here maybe I can cut a few lbs. before my 24 week OB visit this coming week. I have been feeling especially snacky and it's hard to be snacky without a lot carbs. I am guessing that I have hit a 12# gain so far. Aaaarrrrgghhhhhh I am thinking I'll be at 25# gained once it's said and done.....double aarrggggghhhh.

Check out Brittany's blog to see updated pics of the addition. It's slow in coming but yet pretty darn close.

Brittany is our resident photographer. It's rare to see her without the camera being within arm's reach.

James is supposed to be off this weekend. Let's just see what happens. There's no doubt there's plenty to do. Also, his boss said he needs to take an extra few days off soon for taking his place last week. That'll work.....if his boss will allow it. LOL

Have a great weekend and holiday!