Well, it's been months since I've been here, updating you on my very exciting life. OK, it's not so exciting, but I was having fun keeping you all informed about it .  Life seemed to take over and blog writing and reading dropped very low on the list. However, I've been missing all my blogging buddies and always enjoy a little inspiration, be it homeschooling, homemaking, parenting, etc. So, I'm making yet another attempt to join the land of blogging.

See you again, soon (I hope)!

Jilann

Well, since this semester hasn't been too productive, I thought we'd just skip the rest of it and head into planing next year . I'm finding some things that work and some that don't. I know I'm using Teaching Textbooks for math for the older two and Math U See for my youngest. I know I want to use Easy Grammar for all of them. Has anyone reading this used Mystery of History? I was thinking of using this, so I could do it with all 3 at once, instead of having them each in their own thing. Perhaps I could keep them all on track better that way. Any thoughts on this one? I know my oldest will be doing Apologia Physical Science and my younger two will be do Apologia Exploring Creation with Botany. Other than that, I'm sorting out a few thoughts on what I'd like to do.

How about you? Do you all have everything that works? I thought I did. I like it, but my girls don't, which leads to me not liking it. So, I'm having to do some modifying. Sigh... Any thoughts about what you do would be greatly appreciated.

Yesterday, as a part of my work, I met with an older gentleman about the possibility of listing his and his wife's home. I don't think they are going to list, but he was the sweetest man I've met in a long time. His wife is having health problems and not doing well. He recently had a heart attack and was so worried about her. So, he was beginning to look into options. This man was so in love with his wife, it was beautiful. They've been married 63 years and you could see and hear the love in his voice. He is having to do a lot more of the care at this point, and you could tell he would have it no other way.

He never said they were Christians, but I know that they were. He mentioned God, and several other things of such that helped me to know. Although I don't think they will list their house, it was one of the best meetings I have had in a long time.

I hope when I'm that age, people can tell how much I still love my husband!

School? What's that? Oh yea, that's the thing I am supposed to be doing with my three children. Where does the time go? Perhaps I'm not blogging because I have no school things to write about. It seems our sit down school time continues to escape me for one reason or another. Sigh, I'll be writing about it in July though :). We have been "doing" school, just not marking off all the things that I want to be marking off. It needs to improve.

Work? Yea, that is something that is keeping me busy. This is good. My oldest daughter is very happy, as I told her she could get her braces when I sold the next house. So, I am to be scheduling that appointment soon. I've got one house under contract, just got a new listing, have a listing appointment tomorrow, and a new client coming to town on Saturday.

My oldest tried out for our next CYT play - Wizard of Oz. This was her first time and she's going to be an Ozian and a Poppy dancer. She's very excited about that. She finished up her first year of speech and debate. She won one round in debate, and was very excited about that. I think she did very well on her speeches as well, considering this was her first year. I'm not sure she'd admit it, but I do think she really enjoyed it and is glad she did it. She waffles back and forth as to whether she is going to continue, but I think she will. Besides, if she does, her sister has to do it as well. She's very excited about making her sister do it.

Middle daughter also tried out for Oz, but didn't get a part. I wasn't very happy, and she was sad. But, she's handling much better than her mother. It was most disappointing, because this was the first time her sister tried out and she also had several friends that tried out. All got parts, but her. However, she is going to try out for another play with our local Summer Theater group. So, she's excited about that and is also going to be a part of crew for Oz.

Youngest daughter has her ballet recital coming up. We found out her teacher is moving, so the recital date is moved up. I'm a bit sad, because now I have to find a new teacher. Other than that, she is keeping busy with following me around to all her sisters' activities it seems.

Well, that's us in a nutshell. I'm wanting to get back into this, but it seems the days fly by and alas I miss my writing time yet again. However, I'm trying (very trying, I know).

Well, it seems I've taken quite the hiatus from my blog and, honestly, I make no promises. But, I've been missing all my blogland friends, who have no idea who I am, so I thought I'd do a post and to blogland cruising.

Life has been WOW! FULL!!!

January was CRAZY busy with real estate, and now that it's the beginning of April, many of those houses that we wrote contracts on are finally going to close. I have three closings this week - woo hoo!

Caitlin made it through her first Speech and Debate tournament. Of the five debate rounds she did, she actually won one round. Her and her partner were so happy. I'm thinking next year they will really grow by leaps and bounds. She also did two different speeches and did a lot better than I thought she would.

The beginning of February we went on a family Disney cruise. My parents took my family and my sister's family. It was a lot of fun!

This Friday we leave for a week (off and on) at our time share. It's not too far away, so we are able to get away, but come back home for things that can't be easily missed.

You will notice that there hasn't been a lot of school work mentioned. When we haven't been working on  the above, I have managed to squeeze a little bit of school in. But, I'm definitely in the process of figuring out a "how can I be motivated to school through the summer" plan. It's going to be necessary, for sure!

So, life it good, but definitely busy. I'm hoping to be here more regularly and get back to updating you on my exciting life, as well getting to read what's been happening in all of your worlds.

I think a couple weeks ago I predicted I would be here. Perhaps I just became a self-fulfilling prophecy and it was my subconscious that has caused me to be here...

But, I mentioned how great menu planning, etc. was going...

I think I FELL!!

Work has been crazy! - A good crazy, mind you, but CRAZY!

School has been minimal by me, and overseen slightly by dad.

I also started an exercise challenge and weight loss challenge, that has me using any spare moments to go to a class.

Menus! What are those?

Cooking! What's that?

Yea, that's how it's been in my house!

Sigh...

Early Friday morning we leave for Florida to go on a Disney cruise!! Woo hoo! We're gone for a week. I'm hoping this is enough time for me to recover somewhat and get back in the menu saddle again.

I have not lost hope! I know I am capable, so that's growth. It'll happen, but we have definitely hit a bump in the road.

I'm feeling better about math. I had my oldest daughter take a math curriculum placement test. She's in 7th grade. After working with her on some errors and talking about some problems I knew she wouldn't know how to do on the 7th grade placement test, that she didn't do that great on, I had her take the 8th grade placement test. She passed it. It was encouraging to her. It definitely showed me that we are going to take some time just test practicing, over the next few weeks before the standardized test. Tomorrow I'm going to work with my middle daughter, doing the same thing. So, I'm feeling better.

Well, the menus are working relatively well. So, I am feeling accomplished at something. We did have some alterations last week, but I had a plan to work from, and that was good. Now, since I have just declared that I'm doing pretty well at this, it WILL completely fall apart this week . I hope not, but it has been a trend once or twice in my life.

This week:

Brown rice & lentil casserole - that I stole from another menu plan
Maple Glazed Chicken - cuz' we didn't get to it at least
Ham & Potatoes
Homemade tortillas with chicken/black bean burritos

The rest will be leftovers or ?

For lunches I'm doing salad, tuna, and quesadillas.

I'm excited to try the chicken/black bean burritos. I got the recipe from a friend, who says her whole family eats it and really likes it. And - IT'S EASY!!! This is always a big bonus for me .

2 chicken breasts
2 cans black beans
2 cans Rotel tomatoes or salsa

Put in a crock pot, about an hour before dinner shred the chicken and see if it needs more liquid. You can even put the breasts in frozen. Is that easy or WHAT???

I have also been wanting to try and make tortillas, so I'm going to give it a whirl. I'll let you know if I really get it done or not. And, the results.

For more ideas, head on over to Org Junkie.

I've got to be honest, I am not in school mode yet. I have been very busy with work things, and it just seems to keep coming. My oldest daughter is behind on her debate and it's really my fault. I'm overwhelmed by the process, so I keep procrastinating it. I feel like I don't really know where to start.

On a positive note, we are making good progress in math this week. I worked with all three of them on three different days making sure they are getting through their math. I am a little concerned. This year we are going to take one of the standardized tests, mostly because my husband wants to know that they are learning something. I understand that and appreciate that. However, I do know they are a bit behind in math. And, it seems no matter how much I work towards getting them ahead, we don't move at the pace I would like. So, I'm a bit nervous.

I know I'll get out of this slump, but I must say, I'm just doing it because I "have" to at the moment. The inspiration and enjoyment isn't there for me at the moment. Sigh...

Well, since I seem to not be making it to write out an entry but once a week or so these days, I thought I'd see how many I could post in one morning, while I'm still enjoying the sound of silence in my home .


I really liked my menu plan last week. It helped me and it helped the girls, too. My middle daughter was looking forward to tuna sandwiches ALL WEEK. I wrote it on a paper pad that I bought for this purpose quite some time ago and posted it on the fridge. We did do some altering, but it still worked - woo hoo.

I didn't do one meal, because my frig is filling up with leftovers, so we had those more than once.

This week for breakfast I am trying eggs with sauteed veggies, in an effort to get more veggies into me, and hopefully my kids. I am also including a fruit smoothie. I may continue with the basically one thing for the week plan for a bit, just to give myself the time to adjust to eating well, losing weight, and not having to plan.

On the weight loss topic, I joined an 8 week gym program at our local gym. If you participate in at least 3 specific classes each week for 8 weeks, they refund your $50 class fee. So, I joined with a friend. Last week I went to 5 classes, so I am on my way to reward. My goal is to attend a minimum of 4 classes, but I am going to aim for 5. This week I am down 3.5 pounds, so I am on my way towards my goal. I am also in a weight loss challenge with my exercising friend for 12 weeks. I am hoping to lose about about 30 pounds during the challenge. So far I am on my way to success!

Sorry for the menu interruption...

Breakfasts - eggs & veggies (sometimes with some cheese)

Lunches - salad, soup, tuna, refried beans & cheese

Dinners
   Monday - Steak Stir Fry
   Tuesday - Salmon, rice, & green beans
   Wednesday - Taco Soup
   Thursday - Maple glazed chicken & rice
   Friday - leftovers

For more great menu ideas, often with recipes included (sorry I'm not including any this week), head on over to Org Junkie. Have a great week!!!

I wanted to let you all know that the chore charts are working so well. I have extended some grace, as we use this period for a teaching time, in terms of maximizing on their chores, versus getting a card done, but the girls have been so motivated. And, they help motivate each other. It has been a huge blessing, because I am not constantly reminding them they need to do their chores. They are just doing them. If I have a specific agenda, like a time gap or a sink full of dishes earlier than dinner, I have asked them to do something, but overall I am trying to let them gauge when they should do it, etc. I did tell them that starting this week, I expect the kitchen to be completely cleaned by the time they go to bed. So, unless someone has a little snack just before bedtime or something there should be nothing in the sink or on the counters and some clean handwashed dishes. I am totally loving the chore charts. I have also come up with a couple more items that I am slowly going to work into the mix, chores that I would like them to do on a regular basis. It's going really well. LOVE IT!!!

Picket Fence Mom tagged me for this photo meme. You are supposed to go to your photo folder, open the 6th folder and then the 6th picture. Post it and tell us about the photo. I thought this was relatively easy, so I could play along.



It's a picture of my oldest daughter being baptized in 2007 with my husband baptizing her.

I'm only going to play along half way. If you would like to play along, consider yourself one of the 6 tagged. Then, please let me know that you posted, so I can go see your picture. This was a fun and easy meme.

OK, I'm really excited about our new chore charts! Chores has been an area that we've struggled with. If they get done, it's only because I am constantly making sure that they get done. And, as previously noted, consistently doing this is not my strong suite.

I've tried a few chore chart type of things in the past, but the cycle still continued. Clean rooms and clean kitchen are the two main areas that the girls help in consistently. I sometimes have them do other things, but if they would do these two things regularly without me hounding them, I would be in heaven - well, almost at least.

Each girl has their own chart and cards of chores. It's a simple one. Cards to do, cards done. I have some extras that I will add, depending on the day of the week.

My girls get an allowance, and in the past it has not been tied to anything, they just get it. Now, they will still get, no matter what, half of what they have always got. We will start at their regular allowance. For every day that they don't get all their cards done, they lose 50 cents. If they do their chores EVERY DAY of the month, they can earn an extra $5 for their allowance. We're two days into in, and this morning they all woke up and worked on their cards without me asking. THIS is so refreshing. My youngest is bragging how she got more of her cards done than her sisters.

Here are pics of my new chore charts. We won't mention that I totally had fun creating them.

Well, I've been blogging for a year now. I'm pretty proud of myself, too . I have enjoyed sharing with you all and I have really enjoyed getting to know so many different people - being inspired, encouraged, challenged, and learning new things. Thanks for a great year.

What does this new year hold? There seem to be so many uncertainties in our economy right now, that it really makes me wonder. Gratefully, financially we have not been affected as of yet. Dave has continued to have work in his plumbing business and been able to provide for the family as planned and needed. There was only one brief period of 1-2 weeks that we got really worried. My real estate selling has a been slower, part in due to the housing market, but also in part to my own choices. This year I really made the decision to choose my family over work. This is one area that I really grew in this year. I remember always feeling guilty that I wasn't working enough, but then when working I was feeling guilty that I wasn't with my kids. As a result, I wasn't able to do either job real well. This revelation was eye opening and freeing. It has given me freedom to enjoy my kids and my job. I chose to go into real estate at this time to learn from my dad, not to make a career. My goal is to build a LONG-TERM career. When my kiddies are gone, I'll have put in the time and be able to have a successful real estate career.

The area I really want to focus on this year is being more hands on with my girls. I tend to say, "go do this." I don't take the time to teach and "do" with each of them as much as I should. I give a brief explanation, expect it just the way I would want it, and am frustrated when it isn't done right, as well as surprised that they aren't enjoying themselves. So, this is my new focus for the year.

Thanks for reading all my babble and sharing with me over this past year. It's been fun!

YEP, that's me!! And, I think I am finally to the point in my life where I am ok with that. I have written about this before. It seems I can never get into a routine. I can never make life work the way I picture it in my head. It lasts for a day or two and then "poof" it's gone. On a really good streak, I think I can make it work for 2-3 weeks. Now, mind you, that's a really good streak!!!

But, God has suddenly given me peace about it. It is who I am. If you want the good, it also comes with the bad - I'm inconsistent, consistently! But, as I was pondering this, I had to recognize that there have been changes in my life over the long term.

Keeping my kitchen clean was a near impossibility. Life was happening all around me and the last thing on my mind was working hard at keeping my kitchen clean. My kitchen in rarely spotless. Besides, about the time I get it spotless I sit down for a drink, and voila - a dirty glass. But, it's much better and I desire it more than I ever did.

I keep thinking I'm going to get real good at this blog thing. I do well for a bit, and then "life" seems to happen and I lose the time and/or inspiration. The beauty of the blog is that it's still here. Perhaps I won't have followings of thousands. But, is that my goal? I just want to be able to share what's happening in my, maybe mostly for me. Granted, I'm not going to lie and say I don't love comments. But, I am who I am. I will not be as some of my blogging friends, ever. No matter how many times a day I blog or how many days I miss. I am finally ok with that. I know, that over time, I will grow.

Homeschooling, some days are better than others. But, I have more days better than I did at first. We are growing, we are improving, we are learning, all of us together. I feel more confident in my homeschooling and feel like I am where I am supposed to be more than before. I haven't just tried something, didn't work, and then dropped school altogether. (This I have done in the past.) I'm consistently looking to be more consistent and improve. It's happening. Not ideally, but it's happening.

I want to bake bread every week. I've got the wheat grinder, I've got the mixer. I make it a few times a year. It will get better. Hey, I never thought EVER would I can in my entire life. Guess what I did this summer - and enjoyed. I can get the bread baking down, honest, I can!

What I'm realizing is that if I spend all my time beating myself up over who I am not, I can't appreciate who I am - a child of the most, high King -- made just the way He wanted me to be. Does that mean I stay the same forever? - NO! But, it means I need to appreciate me for who I am, not how I want to be like so-and-so. And, when I quit worrying about how I am not like that person, I find that suddenly I'm not who I used to be. I have grown!

The other night my parents and sister's family came over for dinner on the fly. It wasn't planned. I told my mom it was fine, but we're having eggs - cuz' I've got lots of them. So, breakfast food for everyone. As soon as I heard, I grabbed a bunch of potatoes, nuked them for hashbrowns, and began on dinner prep. My mom oohed and aaahed over how I threw it all together. She never, in a million years, would have believed I would WANT to be so domestic. I felt like I have grown.

I haven't been blogging much, because I've been sewing and crocheting like a made woman, to make homemade Christmas gifts. Sewing - I had sworn it off for good as a young college student. It didn't work well. But, I'm enjoying it. I even want to venture into making a quilt. It will likely be awhile - perhaps when my children are grown even - but I want to do it. I've changed! I've grown!

I guess I'm just a slow learner. And, God is teaching me to be ok with that. I am who I am by the grace God, slow learner and all. The key - I'm learning! I'm growing and changing. I might not be the image He wants me to be, but I am moving in that direction. Perhaps you will get there before me, but I WILL get there!

Thank you for the revelation, Lord Jesus. Thank you for the peace of mind that you have given me. Thank you for being my God and my Savior. Thank you for not giving up on me and continuing to change my heart and life. I may not be consistent, but I am consistently growing at just the right pace - God's!!

My friend, heidi, posted this great idea. I'm a few days late in posting, but our family is enjoying thinking of ways that we can give. We don't have all our days figured out yet, either. But, what we are doing is going off the 12 days of Christmas theme and thinking of 12 different ways that we can reach out to our neighbors and community to give.

So far, here's what we've done and/or are going to do:
1. Dave and Kinsey took some food and wood to a single, old lady who has a fixed income and a lot of debt.

2. Our church is selling Christmas trees to benefit a local house that we started where women just coming out of jail can come to live and help them deal with their addictions, grow in their faith, etc. It's COLD!!! We took some hamburger, buns, and hand warmers to the crew that was their on Sunday afternoon.

3. Take cookies to our neighbors and sing a Christmas carol.

4. Take a donation to our local food bank.

5. Make a financial donation to Family Promise, which helps homeless families have a place to sleep and eat.

6. Take a blanket to a local men's shelter.

We are still coming up with our list.

It's not to late for your family to do some giving as well, even if you can't do the full 12 days. Head on over to heidi's for the instructions and logo. Then share your ideas with everyone.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

This week is my youngest's ballet recital and it seems the week gets filled up so quickly. But, I'm hoping to get lots of baking done, gifts made, and dinners fixed. We shall see. Last week the Pork Chop Potato Casserole was a hit.

For this week:

Tacos
Autumn Chowder (recipe that I found here
Honey Lime Chicken
And a couple others I found elsewhere as well.

This week, all my menu planning was done as I was scouring the links here.

A few weeks back I posted a recipe for Butterscotch Rolls and shared that they were a family favorite at Christmas time. The other dish served with them was this sausage fondue. It is so yummy.  I love it! I could eat it every morning! Heck, I could eat it for lunch and dinner, too.

8 slices bread, buttered & cubed
2 c. shredded sharp cheese
1 1/2 lbs. sausage, browned & drained
4 eggs
2 1/4 c. milk
3/4 t. dry mustard
1 can cream mushroom soup
1/2 c. milk

Place break in greased casserole pan (9x13), add cheese, add browned sausage, beat eggs with mustard and pour over all. Cover & refrigerate over night. Dilute soup with 1/2 c. milk, pour over all and bake 1 1/2 hours at 350.

For recipe ideas, head on over to Grocery Cart Challenge.

These two dishes can be prepared the night before, so in the morning, all you do is enjoy your family!

I'm feeling uninspired in this department. I've done so much cooking the last week or so, I'm ready to hang out on my couch and just let the maid bring me all my meals. There is only one problem with this plan...

I have not maid that is doing my cooking - SIGH!

So, I guess it's up to me to figure it out.

Tonight we had gourmet. It was great, it was out of this world...

Chicken Chimichangas from Costco. I went out of my way, and rather than microwaving them, I baked them int he oven. I like them better that way. And, if you are looking for a yummy easy meal and have a Costco nearby, I dare you to try them. These are a freezer staple in our household.

I think I had this one on before, but we never did it, so I'm trying again. I've got porkchops in the freezer and a whole box of potatoes. I'll modify the frozen potatoes for the real deal. Pork Chop Potato Casserole

Homemade pizza.

Hamburger stroganoff over rice

And, leftovers.

Not sure what else. I haven't done too much searching around for inspirational ideas. Hopefully next week will be more exciting for me and YOU. But, if you want some great inspiration, head on over to Org Junkie for some better ideas. That's where I'm headed .