Memory Verse: Matthew 14:19…Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.

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I have been really bad about doing these Blogger School Assignments.  This one didn't take much thought.... .....So, I thought I could quickly make a post.  The assignment is to give a recipe that uses under 6 ingredients and is a quick easy meal.  I also like when I have an easy meal to make that everyone likes! 

Sometimes we call it Hamburg Casserole and other times Green Bean Casserole.  Unfortunately, I don't have amounts to give you because I'm a dump-kind-of-gal.  I'll give approximates.

1 lb hamburg

2 cans of green beans

6-8-10 potatoes - cubed (how do you measure that anyway??? depends on size and how much you want!)

2 cans of cream soup (mushroom or celery - or one of each is what I usually do.  However, I'll use whatever I have in the house!)

1 onion - diced

2 cups of shredded cheese ( I always use pizza cheese for everything!  mozzerella and cheddar)

Fry your hamburg up with chopped onion and then drain the grease.  In your baking pan layer or mix together the rest of the ingredients except the cheese.  Cover with foil and bake until potatoes are tender.  Usually around 45 minutes.  Once the potatoes are tender cover with cheese and put back in the oven until the cheese browns. 

I apologize, I don't have a finished picture.  Please let me know if you tried it. 

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I was just thinking there is another one that we do that is also quick and easy.  When we have spaghetti and meatballs, I usually will make extra spaghetti so that I can make Fried Spaghetti in a day or so after .    I don't have measurements only because I use whatever is left over and I go by the looks of it.

Cooked spaghetti or macaroni (plain)

eggs

butter (usually 1/2 stick)

sliced cheese (or shredded would work also)

In the frying pan, melt butter.  Once the butter is melted put in the noodles until they are coated with the butter. Then I will start adding eggs.  It usually takes around 4 or 5 eggs.  I want the spaghetti to look well coated with eggs.  Then I will add sliced cheese.  Probably about 4 or 5 slices.  Salt and Pepper.  I will fry this until the egg is cooked well.  My favorite part is when it starts to brown a little. 

We have been known to add green peppers, onions, pepperoni, ham.... The possibilities are endless.  My husband's favorite is when I use macaroni & I prefer spaghetti.  I guess it's a texture thing!  He likes to put ketchup on it.  It can be used as a meal or as a side dish. 

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You can go and visit Blogger Friend School HERE and get more great recipes!  Many Blessings!

Memory Verse: Psalms 13:6 NIV
I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me.

My Blogger Friend School Assignment:  Post your favorite fall recipe/recipes to share. 

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One of the things I do look forward to is the different types of foods this time of year.  I like to make soups, crockpot recipes & various things in the oven.  I like the smell of different things cooking, but also how it warms the house up.  I had posted about this recipe last year.... but it has been one of our favorite recipes when the weather gets colder, so I'll post it again.  (however this time it even includes pictures!)

Potato Dumpling Soup -

(original recipe from Cooks.com, but I've adapted it to our tastes.)

First, cube potatoes (approx. 8), dice onions (1 lg.) & celery (2 stalks).  Put in large pot and cover with water.  Cook this until all are tender.

While your potatoes, onions and celery are cooking make your dumplings. 

(2 Cups of flour & 2 eggs, salt and pepper.  I also add a bit of milk to help moisten it so that it forms a nice dough ball.)

Once the vedgies are moist, add 2 cans of evaporated milk, a Tbsp or two of sugar, 2 Tbsp. butter & some parsley.  I have used fresh or dried.

Turn down to a simmer.  Once it comes back to a boil, you can add your dumplings by scraping pieces of dumpling off with a fork.  I have found that if you dip your fork into the soup it comes off very quickly. 

It only takes a few minutes for the dumplings to cook.  When ready, serve!

This is a favorite for everyone in my family!  (if you know my son... that is a challenge!)

This serves probably about 8.  (give or take)

This is an easy assignment!  For the Blogger Friend School challenge we are to write about what we never leave home without.  There are 3 things that come to mind here....

1.  My purse - obviously!  This is just a necessity!  It carries everything in it that I may need throughout my time away from home.  My wallet, checkbook, chap-stick, maybe a stick or two of gum, sometimes my cellphone (however I usually forget it!), Tylenol, my calendar, my favorite pen & usually lots of garbage that it seems to accumulate!

2.  A bottle of water - I always have a bottle of water with me.  Very rarely do I forget it.  I keep the case of water by the door, so therefore as I'm putting on my shoes I usually grab one going out the door.  Yes, I like it warm.  Don't ask me why.  I remember back a few years ago.... our old pastor always drank his water warm & I thought he was weird!  lol  Go figure.  I guess, I fit right in with him.  ;o)

3.  My camera - My camera goes with me MOST of the time.  However, there are times I do leave it behind knowing I just wont have time to use it.  Ya just never know when that perfect picture will happen.... and you only can capture it, if you have the camera with you!  I love my camera. 

Oh.... I guess, I best not forget the children!  I most always have them with me. 

(Oh, by the way for anyone wondering.... ds13's shirt, thankfully got left at camp!  Honestly, it does get washed in between all the times I have taken pictures of him with it on!) 

This weeks assignment for Blogger Friend School is about housekeeping.  I haven't done well with the assignments so far.  The last couple I just had a tough time with.  In fact the 2nd week I typed and deleted many times and still never got it to the "press".  It was about my struggles in homeschooling.  I prefer to focus on the possitive things and therefore, I had a tough time really coming up with the struggles.  Do I have struggles.... absolutey!  Just different ones at different times.

However, housekeeping I could say is one of those struggles.  I've learned (even though I don't always like it) that sometimes the house needs to just be left go.  I was telling the kids not long ago about how Dad and I used to do a weekly cleaning.   Now.... It just doesn't happen.   The difference between then and now.... When the kids were little the messes were toys laying all over.  It was attainable to keep the house "clean", it was just cluttered with toys.  Now, the kids are older and make messes of there own.  For instance, they can cook & get into things and they don't clean it up as I would.  Difference now is the house in straightened up, but just not as "clean" as it used to be.  

We do go by chore charts.  We have found that this works best.  Usuallly, after about 6 months or so they need to be revamped because they get bored with the same things.  (Which reminds me that they need to be revamped because I notice the kids aren't keeping up with them as well.)  This helps to keep the daily routines done and the house straightened up.  The hardest thing with this is, we do chores after school & sometimes schooling goes into 3 and 4 o'clock.  It's then supper time and in the evenings is family time.  The chores at times get pushed aside & then of course build up.

Another thing that I have found is that occasionally when the house is getting really bad is do a 1/2 hour pick up.  We all will pitch in and clean anything that seems to need cleaned.  Anyone found being idle will have 5 minutes tacked on to the end of their time.  The kids like this & there is an end in view.  The house usually looks a lot better when it is done and it doesn't take long with everyone pitching in. 

I'd have to say that I really like the memory verse for this week, "Be deligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress." 1 Timothy 5:15  What a great reminder! 

Blessings!

Assignment:  Feelings of Trials and Triumphs of Homeschooling.

"What a feeling?  Homeschool.... WHO ME???  NO WAY!!!  There's no way, no how, can't do it!  You've got to be kidding!" 

That' is how I felt when the thought was suggested to me.   My aunt years ago had homeschooled my cousin for a couple of years (or so).  That probably was the first that I "heard" of it.  However, during that time, I didn't pay any attention.  I knew she homeschooled him, but I really couldn't tell you anything else. 

I have a friend that I went to church with that homeschooled.  (She graduated her last this year!)  I was always so impressed with her girls.  They were so well behaved and their disposition was extremely pleasant.  Although, I looked up to them and admired them, it still wasn't even a "thought" or an option. 

My brother and his wife started homeschooling my niece when she was in first grade or so.  So, I would say probably in 2002... maybe.   Again, my thought was it was great for them, but still not an option for me.  Both my brother and my sister-n-law tried suggesting it to me... which planted the seed.   But I refused saying, "I could never have the patience & there's no way, no how that "I" could homeschool.  I'd love to have them homeschooled, but only if someone else would do it!"

God continued to work in me and my thoughts. 

My daughter was having a lot of problems in school.  Every year, I would talk with the teacher and explain the "issues".  Every year, they pulled her through.  However, I was seeing where she was lacking and struggling.  My son begged me to homeschool him.  He struggled socially.  Still I wasn't convince that I should homeschool my kids. 

Finally, when my oldest was in 4th grade I met with the teacher and again went through what my daughters struggles were.  I had meetings.  I asked them to test her for reading disabilities, which they told me they would.  (that was in October)  I waited and waited.  She continued to struggle.  Her teacher was extremely supportive and seen the issues that I seen.  Still homeschooling wasn't an option.

One day, I went to get the mail.  In the mail was a flyer on Cyber Schooling.  It caught my attention.  Hmmmm... maybe I could school at home!  I started researching.  My husband and I discussed it.  He told me I was crazy, but he'd support my decision.  I went to the information session and signed my oldest two up.  I would finish the year out and bring them home the next fall.

Finally on the last week of school, they decided to test my daughter.  Remember, we set the test up in October?  Here it was May.  Seems they made her priority!?!  By this point we already knew that she wasn't staying there, but in fact coming home to cyber school in the fall of 2004.

God provided a stepping stone. 

We cyber schooled the first year.  It was good, but still not what I expected.  I had got my hopes up to "tailor" it the way I wanted.  That wasn't so.  I thought we would have time to do projects I wanted to, but that wasn't so.  They were busy.  I'm sure if we did it now, we'd be fine... but it all was new for us. 

 He opened my eyes and left me know that "I Could" homeschool my kids.  The rest is history.  We've been homeschooling since 2005. 

You can read more about my thoughts on stepping stones HERE.

Our Homeschooling Adventure...

...has gone through many ups and downs.  Some days it's smooth sailing.  Other days, it's extremely rough.  Some days, we get caught up on a rock and need to just stop and take a break.   God continues to bless this homeschool.  It's so important to just stay focused on the fact that HE is in control & not me.  This is HIS school, not mine.   When I keep that in focus, things go well. 

I think the hardest part that I find for myself is that it seems as though I wear so many hats that it overwhelms me.   I continually to question whether I'm "qualified" to homeschool these kids.  However, the more I question it, the more reasons I find to keep them home.  God is so faithful and continues to provide.  He once directed me to the story of how Abaraham was tested.  God told Abraham to take his son up to the mountain and sacrifice him.  Abraham didn't question it... he just did it.  Why?  Because he knew that God was in control & he trusted Him.  He had no clue that God would provide a ram for him to sacrifice, he just obeyed.  The fact was, God wanted to see if Abraham was faithful & if he had the fear of God.  He had plans for Abraham.  Did he trust God?  Because Abraham did without questioning, God blessed him.  God provided for him. 

 "So Abraham called that place, The Lord Will Provide.  And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided."   Genesis 22:14 

Through this lesson God showed me that if He has asked me to homeschool these kids... I need to trust that He will provide whatever it takes to get them to the place He has called my children - HIS CHILDREN.  I just need to be obedient and obey.  Does that make it easy?  Nope!  But I know that God WILL PROVIDE!  Whatever it may be that I need.... encouragement, patience, motivation, ideas, self-discipline, school supplies, and the list goes on and on.  All I have to do is ask for it.  You can read my original entry on this lesson God was teaching me and situation that I was going through at the time HERE.

Here the kids are today... (or a month ago)

I was browsing blogs yesterday and came across A Pajama Mama's blog.  She just joined Blogger Friend School.  I remember seeing this last year, but after they had already started, so I didn't join.  I'm just in time to start classes with everyone else!  I'm looking forward to having a challenge, but most of all just ideas on what to post about.  They are also having a giveaway!  I'll look forward to joining in and meeting new blogger friends.  The school bell rings tomorrow... and I'm as nervous as a school girl!  ;o)

I challenge you to join me!  ~Let me know if you do.