the brew*crew adventure

Outside My Window... it's a beautifully cold and blustery day out there today, with the sun's warmly shining rays seeming to shoo away the day's soggy-gray beginnings. The wind's now blowing through the mostly bared branches of our Maple tree, tugging on her last few brown and withered leaves, beckoning their surrender, parading them through the air and scattering them carelessly along the littered, wet ground. A Northeasterly wind has brought this year's first wintery flurries of crystalline flakes our way this morning, quietly covering the fading colors of Fall strewn about our yard with a translucently thin veil of lacey white.

I am thinking... where to start... *sighs* lots... feeling a bit melancholy today I think.

I am thankful for... being able to be home, and therefore available to comfort my cranky-crying-oh-so-miserably-because-she's-teething-baby by holding her close and snugging most of our day away in the rocker, comfort nursing and distracting her with our favorite picture books, even though it means that barely anything from my list of things that I'd needed hoped to get done today is getting accomplished...

From the kitchen... not much as of yet. It's nice and clean though, thanks to N. I baked some wholewheat banana nut bread, muffins and peanut butter cookies over the weekend. I also got the food dehydrator out of storage, cleaned it up and am going to attempt to dry out some apple slices with it. Planning to make baked potatoes, salad and baked bar-b-que chicken for dinner tonight, and then possibly bake some bread and make spaghetti tomorrow.

I am wearing... Okay, am I the only one that always feels weirded out by this question? I mean, do you really want to know, does it even matter? Sorry, melancholy for me usually means I'm thinking way too much about everything as well, though I don't mean to be, I promise! LOL Love this meme, really, other than this question which just bugs me, which probably means nothing whatsoever, except that it just kinda creeps me out for no good reason and I really probably ought to just lighten up a bit, maybe? Um, I'm wearing clothes-I promise, clean ones, and slippers to keep my bare feet off the cold tile floors. Oh, and a sleeping (finally wore herself out with crying) 15 month old baby girl is sprawled over me, cozily snoozing under a fuzzy pink blanket. Maybe I'll just start answering this one figuratively?

I am creating... a menu plan and grocery lists for an early Thanksgiving celebration dinner with my sister, brother and niece who are driving up from the MS Gulfcoast this weekend. Wooo-hooo!

I am going... to be practicing the choreography for the dance I'm participating in with my dance class a lot this week. We're performing it on stage this weekend! It's beautiful, to Steve Fee's Here I am for You off his Sacred Space album but I'm Oh. so. nervous! Um, yeah, just a wee bit of an understatement there! I have to keep reminding myself of what our class motto seems to be:

I'm dancing for an audience of ONE, my Lord alone!

We are learning... about the Great Wall of China, Egyptian Pharoahs and pyramids, a bit more about George Washington, reading some great literature, of horses and revolution, of Zoology and The Story of Inventions, some Geometry and long division, still trying to master those multiplication facts, and the kids are reading chronologically arranged portions of Scripture from the New Testament and then journaling about their readings for their private Bible devotions.

I am reading... lots of reviews and articles comparing and contrasting various digital SLR cameras, specifically Nikons and Canons, as well as some tutorials and reviews of Photoshop Elements software... *sighs* Still a bit confused about what exactly I need, as to which would be the best investment for me, but knowing most any of those babies would be dreamy... Yes, dreaming big photography dreams here lately.

I am hoping... um, to be able to someday actually buy a really nice digital SLR camera? and lens(es) ...hopefully sooner, rather than later. Oh!- And that I don't fall flat on my face when trying to dance ((gracefully-maybe? pray for me!)) this weekend...

I am hearing... T playing Angels We Have Heard On High and Silent Night (two of my favorites) beautifully on her violin, and lots of crying from an unconsolable baby today. She was even crying in her sleep last night, which sounds absolutely pitiful. These molars cutting in are giving her lots of pain.

Around the house... aaaaargh, soooo much mess clutter to clean up. We did get all of the carpeted floors shampooed over the weekend, so that's good. All's clean under that chaos! Haha. But where does all of this stuff come from anyways? Are someone else's black holes dumping on my house? And to think of how much we've gotten rid of this past year already, yipes?! The kids are now getting ready to be picked up for their dance practice, so glad that it's not my turn to take them, worked out perfectly for me to stay here with sleeping baby S today (if only madly barking DOG would shut up! now that their ride is here, arrrgh!). Okay, quiet again, just baby S and I here with now-shushed dog.

One of my favorite things... my contentedly sleeping baby, and the way her fuzzy-haired head smells as she slumbers under my chin.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

1. Finish my menu plans for our Thanksgiving feast and go shopping for everything I'll be needing.
2. Finish cleaning my house up as much as possible before my sister, brother and niece get here on Saturday morning (that includes all laundry and kids' bedrooms)!
3. Practice that dance until I know it by heart and can totally do it without thinking about it, so that I can truly worship as I dance.
4. See to it that T makes it to her basketball tryouts tonight (hoping to stay home while Chris brings her), and N to his game on Thursday, which is at the same time as my dance practice... Sooo, I'll have to drop him off and then head straight over to my practice, bringing the girls along with me, while Chris will go straight from his work to N's game, to watch him and bring him home. Normally Chris stays home with the kids during my dance practices, fortunately this is N's only Thursday game for the next couple of months. Then N his second practice of the week on Friday afternoon.
5. Call up the Symphony of the Mountains to register T to play with the Youth Orchestra, per her violin instructor's recommendation. Oh, she is SO. EXCITED! As am I, for her, to see her living a dream of hers. Thank you Lord.
6. Chris and I plan to get our free-ranging hens fenced in around their house so that we can find out just how many eggs they're laying. We've been finding where the new girls (last Spring's chicks) recently started laying their eggs in hidy-holes elsewhere from their nesting boxes, so we're going to corral them in and fix that problem. Sneaky Samson's coat sure is looking extra shiney these days besides... I'm missing my organic-feed-fed/free-range eggs. C'mon Girls, get with the program here, wouldya!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

My Dancing Girls.

Last Thursday Chris got off work early and so he came home and went to work around here (as he usually does). He's been building a new shed, which is quite impressive. I've been taking pictures, but as you regulars know, alas, cannot load them here for awhile. Just know that it's nice, concrete foundation, solid wood frame, all steel sides and roof, and one huge window... he went all out. We're using our tax refund money for this so that he can get his stuff out of our garage turned workshop, so that he can finish out the garage into two rooms and an extra bathroom... eventually.

Anyways, he was out there working, did something, slipped and his forearm came down on a corner piece of metal. He then had a nice-sized hole/puncture wound in his arm, which was just gushing pouring blood (thank You Lord that he didn't hit an artery!). I was inside with the kids, had just gotten baby S down for a nap literally minutes before (good timing) when he came rushing inside, holding his arm, with blood dripping down it. He immediately started snapping orders, "Beth, I need you... NOW! Get me some dental floss... I need a needle... "

Oh, no, I thought... *gulp* I knew where this was going. You see, about six years ago, he'd busted his knee open loading a moving truck and ended up sitting in the tub, sewing it up himself! I immediately started freaking out counseling him to let me take him downtown to the Urgent Care walk-in clinic. Why did I even fight him on it? I dunno, you'd think that I know this stubborn man well enough by now to know better. By now he had ice and a rag on his wound, and I was gathering supplies for the inevitable, even as I pleaded with him to let me take him... the gash was in his right arm, and therefore he was asking me to do the sewing this time.

Have you ever tried to sew up skin, with a regular sewing needle? Me neither, but I've seen it done... skin is tough, and stretches, and resists, it's not like cotton cloth atall.*sighs* As usual, he won. I relented right before he would have started getting really mad, when I saw that he absolutely wasn't going anywhere and would have sat there doing it by himself if I didn't help him. Yes, he would have. And so I began sterilizing our assemblage of supplies as he leaned over the kitchen sink, pouring iodine into his cut. I was thinking out loud...

Wouldn't it be good to get a tetanus shot?

He shot back, The metal is clean, brand new, don't need one.

Well, what about an antibiotic, in case of infection?

There won't be any infection if we keep it clean...

I know this... so, why am I worrying so? I thought, Must be the blood... Finally, I conceded, completely this time, sat down on the stool in front of him, and began to try and sew up my man's arm.

Well... I was shaking a bit, not out of nervousness, but because the needle just would not go through, which apparently made Chris pretty nervous though. He then had me hand the needle (threaded with waxed dental floss- just in case you were wondering- and held by pliers, to push and pull it with) over to him and he proceeded to sew up his right arm, left-handed, which must have been hard because he's right-handed! I was just relieved to not be doing it, and content to hold the cut together for him. It certainly must have been very helpful in making it easier for him... you think, maybe? I had to kinda roll the skin so that he could get the needle through more easily. Well, he said that it helped anyways. I noticed that he, too, was shaking as he sewed, which he said was from the strain of pushing that needle through (though I waited until later, when we were done to point that out).

Between gritting his teeth, and a couple of "aaarghs!" (it wasn't very numb), Chris was commenting on how we really do need to get us some real surgeon's sewing needles and assemble a good better first aid kit. I commented that if it's ever the kids or I that need sewing, it's to the doc we're going! LOL We counted down the final stitches, only one more to go!

He reminded me that once upon a time, before there was a doctor down every street, what do I think people did? And with the way things are going in this world, we may not always have such easy access to doctors... we need to learn to be more self-sufficient in the things that we can be... at least.

Yeah, okay, he's right... We'll assemble a nice, ready-for-anything first aid kit... but I sure do hope that we won't need it, and as long as he's able, he's taking me to the doctor to get any stitches that I may need, along with some local anasthetic.

All said and done though, I am impressed! By the time we were finishing up and he was in the shower, we would have just been sitting down in the waiting room of a walk-in clinic. It was red and swollen for the first day. However, now, four days later, it's healing up quite nicely, barely even red. Of course, Chris feels most triumphant in that he saved us a couple hundred bucks... What a man will do when he's got nerve, and doesn't have insurance to pay his bills, huh? What a tough guy I have, and what stories for his kids to tell. So, am I a model help-mate, or what?! LOL Seriously though, Chris is my hero... frustratingly stubborn as he is sometimes.Technorati Tags: self-sufficiency, sewing self, medical, crazy

Obviously, not blogging, heh. We've had some serious computer issues in the last few weeks. Our iMac has been out of commission for a couple of weeks now, and after downloading all of our files and pictures onto cd-roms while having it in safe mode (the only way it would even work- I am SO thankful to have been able to save my photos!!), and then a few nights of fruitless frustration as Chris tried to diagnose and fix it on his own via Mac-help forums- mr.mac is now in the shop. We've yet to hear back what's wrong with it though, and hoping it's not too much $$ to fix.

Meanwhile we've been dependent upon Chris's ancient lap-top with it's finicky wireless internet connection (which all last week wouldn't even connect- at all!?) for any online access. And it's so s-l-o-w too and thus, until now, I've not even attempted to get online for quite awhile. We've been so busy around here lately, that I haven't had time to miss my online access too much anyway.  Sorry if you've emailed me and I haven't responded yet... now you know why.

This morning, a friend called and offered to take N and T to the park with her kids, and now baby S is napping, so I thought that I'd take advantage of these few moments of solitude to attempt a little updating here (albeit partial). I read my previous rambling post and am embarrassed at how grammatically pitful it is! So sorry, and I do hope that this post isn't as bad. I was tempted to edit the other, but thought that I'd better go ahead and just write a new post instead, so... thank you to all of my readers who read my musings, despite their flightiness and many technical flaws. I love you, and am indebted to your patience in reading my rambling scribblings in their raw, unedited state.

Obviously, I cannot write everything that I'd like to in this post. (can I, ever?).. so I'll brainstorm a quick update of recent happenings with the brew crew here, and then fill in the blanks later as I'm able (have time and onlince access).

So now, in no particular chronological or reasonable order, the virtual brain download shall ensue...

We've been blessed to have lots of visits this summer, by friends and family from afar. My mom recently visited with us from MS, and we had a good time. Our friends from FL, Russ and Barbara, were here for a few days and nights, the week before last. We always have a good time catching up, and it's like no time has passed since last we saw them. We just found out that some other friends of ours from FL, John and Jennifer W., will be stopping in for a visit next week, on their way back from vacation. We haven't seen them for years, so that will be fun! And I also recently got word from my sister that she's going to come up here for a visit, with her kids, also next week, so we will have a house FULL. It will be so good to see her again (she came here when baby S was born, but I wasn't very good company then, so it'll be good to see her now that I'm myself again, and I'm so glad that she'll get to see baby S again), and her kids, whom we've not seen for a couple of years.

I have been up to my eyeballs in planning our reading schedule for the summer and next year (Ambleside Online inspired), though I put all of that aside last week, due to an unexpected turn of events. Last week was Creative Arts Camp at our church, and as I was leaving from dropping N and T off on Monday morning, I stopped to remind Elizabeth, director for the dance ministry, that I was available throughout the week to help- if there be any need. She suggested that I stay for the adult art class at 10 o'clock. I was caught quite off guard as I'd not expected this, and had all sorts of plans of stuff I needed to do last week, so I thanked her for the invite, and said I'd think about it and may return (it was only 8:40 a.m.).

I then got in the car with baby S and went grocery shopping, having pretty much dismissed the idea. But I kept thinking that maybe I ought to go (nursery was provided) and just take an hour "off" -for me- and it might be fun to get my hands dirty with some art, hadn't done that in awhile. So... feeling spontaneous and daring, I quickly dropped the groceries off at home and jetted back to the church for "class", figured that it would be good for me, and it was so sweet of Elizabeth to offer, afterall. Then after art class, I was told that I should go to the adult tap class, and since I had my tap shoes there (N was using them for his class) I did, and after tap, when I went to pick baby S up from the nursery, Elizabeth, who was in the nursery with her daughter at the time, asked me why I was leaving, and said that I ought to stay for the whole day (two more dance classes), all week (free of charge)... and so I did, and thus, I unexpectedly ended up at Creative Arts Camp, with my kids, from 8:40-2:30, Monday through Friday of last week. It was SO tiring, and SO MUCH fun!

I found out that I absolutely love ballet (never would have guessed this- I am so not graceful) and was SO sore all week from it as well. I have even decided to take the adult ladies ballet class, starting in the Fall. It will be a great way to exercise, with accountability, and a creative way to worship as well. I never would have suspected how much I'd like ballet, nor how strenuous the techniques and choreography my teacher would teach us would be, and how worshipful the experience.

Also, something else that happened at camp last week that was neat-O (besides making art!)... I got to talking with the lady who was teaching the art class for adults, who recently moved here to TN with her family. She asked if I attend Celebration Church, to which I answered that yes, we do, but also shared about our other Messianic/Hebraic fellowship group that we meet with a few times a month, host a discipleship class for, and celebrate the Biblical feasts with as well. I was taken quite by surprise when she lit up and excitedly exclaimed, "That's just what we've been looking for!" And so, they're coming over on Wed. evening for our book/Bible study group, and looking forward to attending one of our monthly Hebraic fellowships. How cool is that?! Divine appointments...

What else have we been up to? Lately, I've been reading my Square Foot Gardening book, The Farmer's Almanac, The Count of Monte Cristo, Parables of Nature (read-aloud to N and T), The Book of the Dun Cow (also read-aloud) and CM's Homeschooling Series).

We planned and planted our summer garden by the moon this year (my fifth year of gardening- organically), with some raised beds (something I've wanted to try for years), nice (more on that later, for sure, with pictures of course). Now we're doing lots of watering, weeding and bug squashing.

T has been saving many of our cabbage worms and putting them in a terrarium that she's set up in her room, and has been delighted to watch them form chrysalises and then morph into butterflies right before her eyes. She's now "raised" five butterflies so far (more just emerged last night), and has figured out that it takes them about a week and two days to transform. Now she's begging me to let these cabbage butterflies (my garden nemesis!) live... *sighs* I told her that we could do a butterfly drop at the local state park soon.

We went and saw Prince Caspian awhile back, with my Mom while she was here. We all liked it (though due to baby S's eventual restlessness, I had to leave the theatre half way into it). T re-read the book in preparation for watching the movie. I'd read it aloud to N and T, along with the other Chronicles of Narnia books, a couple of years ago. Also, that reminds me, N recently read The Hobbit, and then The Two Towers and so Chris and I conceded decided to let him watch TLoTR trilogy for the first time last month, and he LOVES it. He was glad that he'd read the books first, and says he wishes the same producers would make a movie of The Hobbit. Then we recently found out that they ARE!

As you may remember, we've recently finished our first year of being involved in a homeschool co-op (actually two separate co-ops!). I haven't posted much about them, due to it's being such a busy year with having a newborn and all (baby S was 2 wks. old when we started last Fall), but overall, we all liked it. We did end up dropping the second co-op after the first semester, found that two was too much, the kids agreed. I'm glad that we'd decided to try out the second one though, because that ended up being the one that we all found we preferred (for various reasons) and stuck with for the second semester and will continue to be a part of next year, though only for one hour/class each week.

I found that the benefits of co-op were social/relational as much as academic, naturally (probably even more so for the kids, who definitely value the social aspect the most). We met some great new friends there, definitely destiny. I've found that it's going to be really important to make sure that co-op complements, rather than competes with (time-wise and methodology-wise), what we're doing with our own studies and goals at home, if co-op is to continue to be worth the time and effort it requires of me/us in years to come... We'll simply play it by ear, from one year to the next.

N is still taking guitar lessons, and will continue with that. T is so very excited about starting violin lessons next year (via a strings class being offered at co-op next year). Actually, her strings class is the only reason we're participating in co-op next year. N says that he'd prefer to work with me in the nursery during that hour, but I'm hoping that something will be offered that he's interested in.

I've felt such a relief these last few months as I've pondered and prayed over what direction to take my kids in our studies in the future. The Lord has reminded me to keep our Bible studies and devotional time first and foremost. For the summer, I've printed out a list of Scripture references from the Gospels, arranged chronologically, that N and T are looking up and reading independently in their own Bibles each day. They're then writing down their thoughts, from each reading, as to what stood out to them the most, and why, in their Bible journals. They're both really enjoying the consistent routine and simplicity of this, and I've been so blessed to listen as they read to me from their Bible journals.

Finally, clarity of focus is taking hold of my planning again, and I've felt renewed in my dedication to the discipline of prioritizing our daily endeavors. I'm scheduling our reading lists with a view towards our years to come, yet determined to take it slow and steady enough to enjoy where we are at each point along the way. It's all so simple, really, and yet I do tend to over-complicate things if I'm not careful. 

I do believe that I've finally learned that truly, less is more, and as I've been reorganizing the books on our shelves into the order that they're found or relate to AO years, I've been wondering over how I've come full circle now back to the very first curriculum that the Lord led me to so many years ago when we first began... when now 12yo N was only six years old! But I doubted and fretted and wandered away, only to return with regrets for time and focus lost, as we dabbled with this and that. At least for all of our eclectic stumblings, I've gained determination and perspective... and I certainly know what we're not about! LOL

The more I read, the more I believe in Charlotte Mason's methods, and uderstand how intrinsically practical truths are applied throughout her educational philosophy. I'm glad to finally be getting rid of all this extraneous stuff (curriculum I'd been holding on to and trying in vain to use all of these years, and have been selling these last few months) after realizing that all of my wayward efforts to add to and over-tweak Ambleside in the last couple years has done nothing but side-track and bog us down in our studies... After years of dabbling with AO, while simultaneously trying to do other stuff, I have finally realized my error has been in my hoarding and accruing TOO much stuff.

As I think back over the past few years, and how busy life has had us (especially the year before this last one, when we babysat two infants and two toddlers) I can't help but to realize that - had I been focused and determined upon our course with AO, in its unrushed yet meaty simplicity - we would have gotten so much more accomplished. *sighs* And so, as I survey the BIG picture of our homeschooling history thus far, it is with humble misgivings over mistakes made and lessons learned that I end this year. I vow to not over-complicate the process from here on out... and if this rambling doesn't make much sense to you, then forgive me, it's more for my own self that I'm writing this out really, just part of the journey, my learning.

Well, baby S is awake now, N and T just got home, and I've got to take N to guitar practice now. Thanks for reading, if you made it this far. The garden and house were pretty much neglected last week as the kids and I played and worshipped our Lord at Creative Arts camp, and this lap top is so slow, so it may be a while yet before I have a chance to blog some more. Also, my email access is limited since I have to log on to charter's website to check my email, and my online access is limited at that. I hope that our computer issues are resolved soon though, as I'm feeling quite disconnected...

The peonies I'd transplanted to our front flower beds a few years ago are blooming gloriously and bountifully this month, after not doing much the last couple of Springs. I guess it just took them a couple of years to get re-established. I've been cutting lots of flowers and bringing them inside, only to find them replaced with new blooms the next day. I love how they make our whole house smell like roses... peonies are definitely a favorite of mine.

Spring is absolutely beautiful here in Tennessee. Our rhododendron bush just finished her spectacular show, as did our lilac bush, red buds and azaleas. We're looking forward to lots of apples this summer, after viewing our apple tree covered in blooms, which will be greatly appreciated after last year's late frost took most of our apple blooms and therefore our apple harvest was sparse. We may even have some cherries as the cherry sapling we planted a couple of Springs ago has gron cosiderably and flowered very nicely this year.

I'm still trying to decide where to plant the blue French mophead hydrangea plant that Chris bought me for Mother's day (another favorite! ). Hmmmm... maybe in the back of the new perennial herb/cottage garden I'm fashioning in the front of our house.

So, what are your favorite blooms (if anyone still happens by this lately dormant blog of mine)?

Thursday Challenge: for fun & learning

"PINK" (Dresses, Makeup, Flowers, Toys, Candy, Grapefruit, Cars,...)

Next Week: COMMON (Everyday Things, Food, Clothing, Things for Learning, Work, Play,...)

Well, they're here, in all their fuzzy cuteness... and already, after only a couple of weeks, changing so quickly.

Before long, they'll be joining their elders (last year's pullets) in the chicken house that Chris built. This year we bought a dozen wee Rhode Island Reds... soon we'll have even more eggs to sell to friends! Now that the days are getting longer again, our hens are all broody, and the eggs are abundant around here.

Lately Chris has been looking into cow-sharing programs and has come full circle to considering purchasing a dairy cow of our own and possibly starting our own cow share program up here locally (since there isn't one nearby)... we'd have all the raw, organic milk (and other dairy products) we could possibly need, but the idea of regular (early) milkings is a bit intimidating. We're wondering what kind of local interest there'd be, and how profitable it could even be?

Little Mikey, T's cockatiel, died today... and we have no idea why. He seemed fine this morning, but then when she went to get him later this afternoon, she found him laying on his side, looking beautiful and healthy as ever, besides being... um, dead. T, of course, is heartbroken and bawled her heart out. We're waiting until Chris gets home to have the burial. She doesn't know it, but Chris is bringing home a helium balloon for her to let go, and send up to Mikey... *sighs*

We're all wondering what caused his death, very puzzling, spoiled as he is was, and healthy as he seemed? He was only about a year and a half old, we've had him since he was a featherless little fledgling and T's spent hours reading cockatiel books and training him. I hate to see my little girl's heart so broken... guess that's the downside of having pets. Well, one of the downsides anyways. As Chris so sensitively pointed out, why'd it have to be Mikey, mr. personality, the sweet bird, rather than the noisy, annoying, pesky, mean, biting conure that we've had for over nine years now, and whose neck we've all wished to wring a time or two... *sighs*

I knew that we wouldn't be able to eat all these jalapenoes...

And so, I started googling how to pickle them, and read quite a few different recipes and methods, finally coming up with my own conglomeration of ingredients that sounded good. I made them the other day, and am hoping that they turn out tasty (waiting a few weeks before trying them, to let the flavors blend really well).

Here's what I did:

I sliced up all those japs you see there, and put them into 6 pint-sized jars, added about 5 organic baby carrots on top (decided to go with these instead of slicing the big ones you see peeled there), then a handful of fresh cilantro and a peeled clove of garlic to each jar.

Then I measured out and poured 3 cups of White Wine Vinegar and 4-5 cups (can't remember now?) of organic, raw apple-cider vinegar into my big stainless steel pot, and turned it on medium heat to start it simmering.

Next T added the following to the simmering vinegar:

• 4 bay leaves
• 2 T. peppercorns
• 2 T. cumin seeds
• 2 T. mustard seeds
• 2 T. coriander seeds
• 2 T. sugar
• 2 T. kosher salt

Then we let that simmer until we couldn't stand the stench of the vinegar rapidly filling the house any longer (about 15 mins.). Next I poured the mixture over the veggies in the jar, through a fine strainer, so as to catch all the spices. I removed and trashed the bay leaves, but distributed the rest of the spices evenly among the six jars. I think they turned out really pretty, very colorful.

Then I put the sterilized lids tightly on the jars and put them into a pot of water to simmer/seal for 15 minutes.

Hope I did it right, guess we'll see soon enough!

Banana pudding is one of Chris's most favoritest desserts, and I'm thinking that it will hit the spot later this evening, being cold and refreshing. He's out there working on caulking all the cracks on the exterior of the house before he paints it... in 90 degree weather, today, again, on the wknd., his "day off".

I am just so amazed at how hard he works. Every day these past couple of weeks has been SO HOT here in NE TN, and how my heart and prayers have just gone out to him over and over as I think of him out there trudging through the mountains of Scott Co., VA, climbing those cable poles, in the hot sun ALL day long (and he's been working over-time), to provide for me, our kids, our home! What a blessing he is, and how I do pray that the Lord will soon provide him with an easier job, something not so hard on his body, with more security (stability, benefits, workman's comp. would be nice)... How his heart has been heavy with the cares of this world lately, and the stresses of applying for other work. But how the Lord is blessing him for his faithfulness as well. He just received another raise from his boss this week, who is no doubt impressed with his tough, committed work ethic.

I am so blessed to have such a devoted, hard working and wonderfully loving man. And so anyways... I've just made him some banana pudding (trying this new recipe found below), a small gesture I know (but hey, I'm about to have another one of his babies, that's huge, right? Heh!), but it's something, and it will be good (I hope)... especially with the cream cheese in the mix. And I just pray that the Lord will help me to be the wife and friend he needs for today, and tomorrow, as we travel through these valleys and years together... I am thankful for the many blessings our Lord is bestowing upon us, even in the midst of trials. I can see how the Lord is strengthening Chris's inward man daily through all of these things, and for that I am thankful.

May we ever praise Adonai, as we trust in His plan for us, even when we're not sure of the road ahead. I am so thankful for my soul-mate, my closest companion on this journey, my man... And because I added "ode to my man" to the original "banana pudding" title of this post (which has taken on a life of its own), I 'spose I ought to take a moment here to write a true "Ode", right? Heh! Okay then, here we go...

 

Spontaneous Ode to Chris

...just because...

I love being your wife.

Even in the midst of strife

We've built a solid, happy life.

You've become my very soul

And as the years do roll

by one by one~

I've discovered myself within you,

And in knowing our children.

Our love

Teaches me to live,

How to give.

Thank you for your faithfulness,

Your honesty and patience.

And as I mix together

this bit of indulgence...

I thank our Lord for you~

Your laughing eyes,

Deep thoughts, concerns,

Passionate ways,

All the memorable days,

The joys and triumphs,

The arguments and sorrows

Have all led to stronger tomorrows.

Your commitment

to us, your family,

Means the world to me.

Funny, I did not mean for this to be a post about Chris, etc. I had originally intended to merely share this great recipe I just whipped up and put in the fridge to chill and try out... but, here I've ended up going on and on about how thankful I am for my Chris. Guess it needed to be said... he's been on my heart alot lately I suppose.

Banana Pudding IV

found @ Allrecipes.com

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (I used a little less, about 3/4 of the can, so it wouldn't be too sweet.)
• 1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix (I used a little more, two pkges. of 3.5 oz.)
• 3 cups cold milk (added a bit extra, since I had a bit more pudding mix, and less of the cond. milk)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed (I used real whipped cream, of course!)
• 4 bananas, sliced (I used 5 large bananas)
• 1/2 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers (I used more than half the bag, made sure there weren't any holes, yum!)

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in condensed milk, pudding mix, cold milk and vanilla until smooth. Fold in 1/2 of the whipped topping.
2. Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish with vanilla wafers. Arrange sliced bananas evenly over wafers. Spread with pudding mixture. Top with remaining whipped topping. Chill.
3. My note: After pouring the pudding mixture over the layers of wafers and bananas, the 9x13 pan was totally full, so we're just adding a dallop of whipped cream on top of each serving.

I sure haven't blogged in awhile, have I? We're doing well over here. I've been either really busy, or tired or just plain lazy. It's hard for me to sit here at the 'puter chair for long now, since I get a kink in my back and all stiff if I'm in any position for too long now. So, I've not been on the MAC much at all in the last few weeks, which has been nice. I'm just so thankful that I haven't had any pains like this until here recently! Can you believe that we only have ONE week to go now, until that magic date anyways (DD is 8/21), for what it's worth. heh! (Oh, please don't wait any longer than that Savannah dear...) Yeah, I've found myself talking to her a lot lately, we all are.

And so, I've been doing my best to keep the house clean, laundry done, etc. just in case our little one decides to come a little early (it's still possible!)... I've been having LOTS of Braxton Hicks contractions, some fairly strong, but nothing really exciting yet. At my dr.'s appointment last week, I was still just a mere 1cm dilated, no effacement! But, that's more than I ever was before show-time with my first two anyways, so can't complain I guess. Night before last though, I did have some real (though small) contractions all night, the ones that feel like serious period cramps, and I've continued to have them on and off all day yesterday and today... so, anytime!

What has been exciting is that my friend Susie just delivered her little bundle of sweetness two weeks ago now, on July 30th! They named her Lilia Marie, and are calling her Lily, a name which I just adore. Lilian is actually one of the names that we considered for awhile too... Congratulations Susie and Lee on your 5th wonderful blessing from heaven!! She is beautiful, looks just like her Mama.

I went through a bit of a slump recently, just tired and didn't feel like doing much of anything, especially anything that involves getting out in this hot-muggy weather we've been having here, with temps. in the 90's! Uggh... and so, going outside to tend our garden has been absolutely out of the question! I WAS keeping up with the garden, like a few weeks ago! LOL With its being so hot here lately and after a few weeks of rain every other day and the resulting MUDDINESS in the garden, the weeds have now completely taken over, and the chickens are now eating more tomatoes than we are (they keep getting to them first!), and other birds are eating the higher ones! ARRRGH! Therefore, the garden is more of a frustration (one more thing to DO, that's NOT getting done, oh well...) right now, than anything, if I think about it too long that is- which I'm not. Fortunately we didn't spend much on it at all this year, mostly used supplies and seeds we had on hand already. On the upside though, we have been enjoying our cucumber and pepper harvest, along with a few giant yellow summer squashes, zuchinnnis and green beans, and we're getting a few tomatoes (enough to make a few batches of salsa, and keep us supplied for sandwiches anyways), and okra will be ready soon too, along with some acorn squash! So, it's not all bad! But I don't even want to go out there and see it- or feel the heat, so I haven't. I've just been sending my slaves the kids out to do all the harvesting.

In the last few days I've gotten my energies back though. I have been spending quite a bit of time slowly working on some last minute organizing of closets and books, our curriculum/lesson plans for next year, and playing board games with N and T, or just relaxing and reading. I've also been doing alot of cooking (though that's not gonna be happening alot in the next week or so until she's born due to ensuing backaches if I'm on my feet too long now), cleaning and baking together with the kids, drawing together (got Tab a wonderful new drawing book that we're working through together) and last week we enjoyed oodling over the kids' new books that arrived in "packages!!", the kids busily pouring through and arranging them and trying out their new "school supplies" that we bought at walmart, as well as some more "art supplies" from Hobby Lobby.

Chris and I have been mainly just trying to spend extra quality time with them these last few days we have of "just us". It's been nice. And it will be so different to have a little baby here... we're all so very excited (and a bit nervous) about the new dynamic our little family is about to take on. I'm sure that it will take me, well... all of us for that matter, awhile to adjust to our new normal! LOL

I'm thankful that it's worked out that I'll have plenty of help around here during the first couple weeks of Savannah's arrival. Chris's Mom is planning to get here the 25th, and will be here for a week long visit, and then the next Saturday, when she leaves, my Mom will be arriving, and then staying for a week. I think it will be a big help to have them here, and of course it will also be so nice just to visit too, after not seeing either of them in about a year now. Yeah, I'm getting really excited now, and we're about as ready now as we're gonna be... I'm just not really looking forward to that whole labor part, other than its being over, ya know? *weak smiles*

Today I slept in, made some chicken salad, and also finally got around to pickling our jalapeno harvest. The house now wreaks with the smell of simmering apple cider vinegar and spices, but I'm thinking that it will be well worth it when we taste them in a few weeks. This was my first time pickling japs., but I've always loved them, so I hope they turn out! I made six pints, and will post pics along with my recipe asap. So, between that and my thoughts on our educational plans for next year, I do have a couple posts that I'd like to get up before baby comes and I quite possibly disappear from the blogosphere for awhile, again... Meanwhile, here's a picture of Chris and I that my friend, Barbara, who was visiting from FL, took of us last week. Yep, the baby belly is pretty BIG, feeling a bit heavy now!

Click here to see more pregnancy photos. 

Welp, no fruit smoothie this morning... but worry not, it's not for lack of supply of my beloved Stonyfield yogurt (the scratch 'n dent came through, I'm re-stocked!), and our freezer is full of frozen blackberries too, picked fresh by Chris and the kids from local fields. Nope, I just opted for the hard stuff this morning, yep, that's right, coffee! Mmmmm... it's a rare treat these days. Since I've been pregnant, I only have it once a week or so, if that, and that only since mid-second-trimester. But this last week I've been having some major headaches, and this morning I really need an extra boost to get goin', get some more stuff done around here!

I haven't been on the 'puter much lately. Besides being busy with doing stuff around here, last Thursday evening I came down with the worst migraine I've had in YEARS! By Friday morning I was basicly incapacitated, and was so glad that it wasn't my turn to carpool our kids to their horse camp! Oh, it was absolutely horrible... haven't had one like that since college. I just laid in my room all day, had it all dark like a cave. And one can only sleep so much. The kids were at horse camp every day of the week from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., so I had total quiet, which was a good thing. I did break down and take some tylenol too, which took the edge off, a bit.

Saturday was their big end of camp hoopla/show for the parents, complete with yummy potluck dinner. It was fun, and I was thankful that my headache had waned off mostly, until towards the end, as we were leaving. I ended up taking a couple more tylenol, which I've managed to avoid my entire pregnancy up until now (had to take a couple again this morning too? What's up with the headaches?!). I'm really feeling good though, besides the recent headaches, which up till now has been a rarity. I think I just let myself get too tired is all.

FYI, I've been having braxton hicks contractions off and on (at least a few/day or night), was dilated one cm. at my dr.'s appt. last week... but then that could mean nothing too, very common, I know. Only four more weeks to go though! I'm so excited! My lower back has been giving me alot more pains if I'm on my feet too long in the day, or sitting one position for too long. I've so been enjoying feeling all of her strong movements throughout the days (and nights). She's definitely a rascally one, busy, busy. It feels very natural to call her by her name now... our Savannah girl...

Yes, we're still working on "the list"... and it's coming along... well, everything except the painting! I've added some stuff to it, accomplished quite a few of the tasks and marked them out too, feels good. I'm so glad that the kids had a week of fun at their horse camp, a respite from the cleaning and organizing frenzy going around here lately. Now, with only four weeks or so to go before our little bean arrives, the pressure is mounting though! But worry not, we've been taking plenty of R&R moments in our days as well. Chris and I have spent many evenings lately vegging on the couch, watching the LOST season 2 episodes, which we've just finished. Yeah, we were slightly intrigued with the show after catching a few episodes on t.v., but totally lost too as to what the story line was/is. So, we started renting season one, and it was all over after that, we're totally hooked now! LOL And this last wknd. Chris pretty much took it easy, slept in, went to bed early, played with the kids and critters, cleaned and re-organized his desk. We got alot done last wknd. though, and he really needed a long sabbath rest.

We're looking forward to next week's arrival of some of our FL friends who are visiting for a few days. I'm so glad that they've taken the time to visit us each year since we moved here... as it goes with kindred hearts, we always find that it's as if no time has passed between us since our last visit, except for all the catching-up-story-telling that we get to share. And Barbara is one of my most creative/artsy friends. She's a talented artist and also teaches art at a highschool, so always has these fun ideas of projects to do with T and I, while the guys are out metal-detecting, target-shooting, or some other such adventure. Last year we painted/pasted/sewed and wrote in these beautiful, interactive/inspirational books that we made out of little paper bags. The year before, we beaded lovely jewelry for days. So, while they're here next week, I'll certainly be doing something creative, lots of playing, praying (yes, we pray with these friends, very natural) cooking and eating good food, and enjoying familiar fellowship.

So, for now, my coffee's about gone and I need to get hoppin' around here. By the end of this week, the house should be completely CLEAN and DE-cluttered! Wow, it's sure been a major project, and now I'm remembering why it doesn't happen that often. It takes alot of energy, and everything else basicly having to go on hold for awhile to get it all done. I have really enjoyed the results of going through the kids' rooms and completely downsizing on toys, and throwing all junk AWAY. Their rooms are so tidy now, with everything having its place, so that they're now able to keep them clean. Each evening, one of their p.m. chores is to pick up their rooms and make sure everything's straight before retiring, and it's working! Clean rooms for almost two weeks straight now, amazing!! Laundry is staying done, folded and being put up in its places, now that there's room in their drawers and closets again. The only thing left to do in there is go through all the books and mags. in N's room with him, get rid of anything we don't treasure. We already did that with T's books and mags., so much better now.

Anyways, this has very much been a rambling sort of post. I just wanted to catch all you who care up to speed with our latest. Sorry I've not been much for regular posting lately, but have I ever been anyways? I guess I'm a bit sporadic, huh? I just wanted to check in and say "hi", so sorry I'm not emailing some of you more, just in a bit of a zone here I guess... preparing for our lives to change drastically very soon! Yeah, I'm starting to feel a bit nervous about it too... starting over and all, with a baby again!!! heh! *satisfied, thankful sighs*

Oh, and one other piece of news... I did something crazy. Yeah, last week I went and registered N and T for another day of coop classes. We'd already registered at the beginning of the summer with a coop that meets on Tuesday mornings, and this other one meets on Monday mornings. This will be our first year ever joining in on home school coop classes through local home school groups. I guess that I just figured it will be good for all of us, get me out of the house and around with baby and the kids (I tend to hibernate quite easily, and with a new baby, I could easily go into isolation/lay around the house all day do-nothingness), so... for N and T's sake, I'm venturing out. They are. SO. excited.

T has been begging me to teach her to crochet or knit for the last year+, and they're offering a knitting class, AND she's been diligently learning her recorder and can play numerous songs from her book, and has been asking- for awhile- but especially since N started his guitar lessons, and she knows that formal violin lessons are out of the question for some time- if she could have "real recorder lessons", AND that's just so happened to be another class that this other coop was offering for her age-group. How could I pass it up?! So after much trepidation, I succumbed to the temptation and signed her up, and N as well for some other classes that he'll actually be the youngest student, and will be quite challenging to him.

SO, starting in Sept., on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9-12 we'll be at coop every week. But they're both meeting so very close to us that I just figured it shouldn't be too hard to get there, and it will be fun for them, and it'll give them plenty of stimulating input/socializing and academics to help me relax about being relaxed and just doing the basics and lots of reading with them at home this year. I guess that I'm figuring, worst case scenario, I'll just be dead-tired there on some days (if S keeps me up all night), sitting with baby S in the coop nursery for a few hours, two days in a row. I also went and volunteered to be the nursery/preschool coordinator for the coop, since they needed someone, and I can't exactly teach a class, nursing baby and all. I think I can handle that! The kicker though, is that N and T have their horse-riding lessons first thing on Wed. mornings, so that'll be three mornings in a row that we'll have to get out the door and be somewhere on time. Am I nuts? You think?! At least their Wed. lessons are drop-off and then I just have to pick them up after lunch. But then, N has guitar on Monday afternoons, and dance on Monday evenings... and T will have gymnastics on Thursday afternoons... and N is wanting to try out basketball this year too, which we're going to make happen for him, but that'll only be for a season, so I think that we can handle that. Chris has already agreed to take him to his evening practices and dance class. Fridays will be our wonderful day of no outside commitments, a wonderful lead in to/day of preparations for a day of much needed Sabbath rest for us all. *sighs*

I'll be posting the kids' coop classes, what we'll be working on at home and our overall schedules for this up-coming school year soon. We're going to be quite busy... but I'm thinking that it'll be all good, a fun and learning filled year, indeed. And... I'll be so busy that I'm bound to lose alot of weight!

So, that's our latest really, besides continuing to work on "the list" of things I'd like to have accomplished in the next few weeks, accepting the fact that it won't all happen! I hope that you and yours are having a blessed summer-time!

Food is growing... rain is falling... weeds are thriving, but we're actually keeping up with them this year. So far, we've harvested some radishes (which the kids actually pulled up prematurely, thinking they were weeds), tomatoes and jalapenoes. Our three rows of carrots never did come up though?, even after we re-planted them! So, I'm going to plant some more squash there, since only about half of our squash plants germinated.

The heirloom okra is now coming up though, after over three weeks! And since it took so long to germinate, we thought that the seeds must have been too old; therefore, the kids had already re-seeded the entire row with green bean bushes. So now we have okra growing right alongside green beans. And I'm wondering, amateur gardener that I am, will these grow together alright, since the bean bushes are short and the okra will grow tall? Or, should I pull the bean plants (which we have another row of anyways, though a couple weeks more mature)? Answers anyone?

Thursday Photo Challenge: for fun & learning

"GARDEN" (Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Wheelbarrow, Hoe, Seeds,...)

Next Week: BEAUTIFUL (Sky, Water, Landscape, Skyline, Animals, People, Things,...)

...of all the things that I/we want to get accomplished before baby Savannah arrives on the scene. Yes, I've plenty of stuff to keep me busy until she's here. No time for pining away here... nope. (only 7 6* 5 4!!! more weeks!!! until she's due, but maybe she'll be a few days early, maybe not?) Chris (the listmaker) had already started his list, and one for me- per my request, on paper, but I thought it would be good to type it out anyways, so I'd have it on hand in readable form *heh!*, so I'm posting it too.

No, we're not stressing over this stuff, but we sure are putting forth our best efforts to accomplish it! If you don't hear so much from me for awhile, you'll know why... I'm working on getting this nest in order!

*Updated 7/10, 7/18, 7/22.

My List:

• Paint and touch up all interior trim, breezeway windows frames, chair-railing, living room french doors, and all other 16 doors in the house (all semi-gloss white). Have been working on this one, slow going it seems.
• Put up decorative border beneath chair-railing.
• Hang some more pictures once painting is done.
• Photograph and post some items to ebay for Chris.
• Try my hand at some new freshly milled whole grain wheat bread recipes from my new BreadBeckers cookbook:
  • cinnamon rolls (Chris's fave so far...okay, okay, everybody's favorite!!)
  • challah bread (very similar to recipe I was using before, only slightly better I think)
    
  • Ezekiel bread (my fave so far, well, besides the cinn. rolls-I added organic raisins)
    
  • Orange Cranberry Bread (T's fave so far, well, besides the cinn. rolls)
  • Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies (these are really good, kid approved, even Chris loved 'em, said they're the perfect amount of sweetness... healthy-that's what I tell myself, whole-grain, honey-sweetened brownies, gotta love it! I use all-natural pb too.)
  • Garlic Herb & EVO yeast rolls
  • Onion Herb French bread loaves (N's fave, well, besides the cinn. rolls-goes great with lasagna)
  • Whole Wheat Pancakes (with a handful each of barley, millet, and rye milled in as well) - Tried a few variations; buttermilk, sweet milk, blackberries and raspberries. We all agreed that we like this recipe better than the one I've been using for years, the pancakes are lighter, even with the wheat flour.
• Possibly bake some extra loaves and freeze for after S is born.
• Make and freeze some extra meals: lasagna, chicken noodle soup.
• Make a giant batch of granola, enough to last us a few weeks.
• Make blackberry cobblers and a few quarts of blackberry freezer jam from berries that Chris and the kids picked. Made 12 more pints of blackberry jam, and froze 2 gallon bags of whole, washed blackberries.
• Put out misc. clutter pile fires in dining room and living room.
• Empty out and deep clean refrigerator, pulling out shelves and drawers to wash.
• Deep clean (mainly dusting) and organize my bedroom.
• Go through and re-organize the messy bottom of my closet, which is mostly shoes. Get rid of some.
• Miscellaneous deep cleaning and organizing continued, as inspiration strikes. (cleaned out and re-organized bathroom linen closet) (clean the inside of microwave)(clean top of fridge and pantry)
• Take boxes of misc. stuff to Salvation Army. Another box three five boxes! are already full, with more to come from kids' rooms/taken to SA.
• Freecycle old king mattress, and other misc. household items I don't need.
• Take Samson to vet for yearly vaxes.
• Wash dining room window's curtains.
• Daily guitar practice with N, 20 mins. each.
• Dust book shelves in living room, lamps, media and tv cupboard (T windexed the glass panes and french doors), pictures, shelves in dining room, and the china, books and trinkets thereon.
• Clean out underneath the sink, kitchen junk drawer and lazy susan, and re-organize them.
• Set out mouse traps in kitchen drawers. So far we've gotten two, but there's more, because I'm finding droppings and chewed up stuff, after having emptied out and re-cleaned everything in drawers. SO, set out more traps, after emptying and cleaning everything in drawers again. Arrrrgh, these mice are frustrating, but better than dealing with the roaches in FL and MS, I guess.
• SCRUB the tile floors. Happens every few months, literal scrubbing with a scrub-brush and bleach water, much more intensive than the light bit of maintenance mopping necessary to keep my forgiving/dark and textured tiles looking presentable.
• Maybe shampoo carpets? maybe... ummm... nope, NOT gonna happen!
• Clean the oven.
• Wipe down all kitchen cabinets and appliances.
• Re-organize tupperware/containers cabinet. Clean out and re-organize pots and pans cupboard.
• Finish reorganization and cleaning of walk-in hallway closet (lots of storage and games, etc. in there). I've half-way finished that, it's actually a closet within the huge walk-in closet area. Finished the walk-in closet area, just need to tackle the smaller closet that houses board games, blankets, gift-wrapping supplies, misc. picture frames, etc.
• Definitely MUST get into my other walk-in "books/school supplies closet" and re-organize, go through and sort stacks of papers, supplies and misc. junk and file or throw stuff away.
• Get notebooks in order for our studies next year (which includes getting my head straight as to what exactly we'd like to accomplish this next year).
• Sort through misc. unused/unwanted curriculum/ books and post on paperback swap, or for sale on local homeschool list.
• Set up a semi-permanent place to work on N and T's baby album/scrapbooks (maybe then I'll actually work on getting them done!).
• Go through and re-organize all my scrapbooking and craft supplies.
• Then, I can start working on something similar to this journaling idea. I've wanted to keep a sketchbook journal for a long time, but haven't since college.
• T says that she wants her room to "be only horse stuff". So, get rid of T's unused toys, declutter, store faves for baby S (like Polly Pockets and nicest dolls), creating more space on T's shelves for her Breyer horse collection. Re-organize her toy shelf and book shelves. Clear out and rearrange her room, to make room for crib.
• Hang curtain rods and curtains in my bedroom and in T's bedroom.
• Buy more reg. sz. plastic hangers for N to hang his clothes on, since his shirts and jackets are too big for the little hangers now. Have N transfer all his clothing to new hangers.
• N needs to deep clean (de-clutter and get rid of unused toys again) his bedroom, with me helping to re-organize his shelves. He actually did a great job of this on his own.
• Set up baby S's changing table in my room, with her little onesies, diapers and sleepers organized and accessible in baskets and drawers nearby.
• Set up mini-diaper-changing station (all necessities in a cute basket) for living room.
• Hang baby S's sz. 0-6 mo. nicer outfits in wardrobe in my room, and her sz.9-12 mo. outfits in closet in T's room.
• Go through boxes of clothing that's been given to me for baby S, and group by sizes, label and put up 18 mo.-3T in storage.
• Go through N and T's clothes, get rid of/freecycle stuff they've outgrown.
• Keep vegetable garden weeded, with kids' help. 7/22 update: Umm... it's very overgrown with weeds now, as of this last week of rain, and my being busy with other stuff while the kids have been at horse camp... *ahem* We'll have to work on that this week.
• Go shopping for nursing bras, nursing pj's, and other last minute baby needs (plan to do while kids are at their summer horse camp, 3rd wk. of July). We're all ready!!
• Decide upon and order baby sling/carrier. We ordered a Maya wrap, in color 37. Chris liked this style best (simple), and liked that it is adjustable so that he can wear our baby as well. It's already arrived and we love it!
• Assemble and set up co-sleeper beside my bed.
• Pack hospital bags for baby and I.
• Practice relaxation, stretching and breathing exercises. Relax... and trust.
• Drink lots of raspberry leaf tea daily.
• Design and set up a My-Space account and site for my Mom.
• Keep working on N and T's math skills (Singapore lessons and QMM drill work), some writing work, Bible and history reads throughout the summer (we've been pretty consistent in doing this, besides weeks of summer camps).
• Make and print out a simple checklist for N and T each just to help keep them on track and remove the "I forgot" excuse, to help them be fairly independent in those first few weeks after baby S arrives, when I'll be sleeping lots during the days. This way, they'll know what's expected of them each day, I probably should do this asap, and let them get used to the idea, see how it works. Do a Daily and Weekly Chores list (a.m. and p.m. chores are listed out, it's working great) and a separate lesson checklists for the week type list.
• Transplant spider plant to bigger pot.
• Plant some more cilantro and squash.
• Supervise kids' cleaning out, vaccuuming, Armor-alling, and washing Suburban, including windexing inside of windows.
• Do the same for the Camry.
• Buy, write and send thank you cards.
• Buy my Boppy.
• Order books and buy misc. supplies for kids' co-op classes next year, and what we still need for our own studies at home.

Chris & I Together List:

• Measure for and hang trim/crown-moulding in bedrooms, vestibule and hallway (Which completes the house, finished this last wknd.!).
• Weed front flower beds and cut back front hedge bushes.
• Take some good pregnancy photos, like we did with N and T.
• Clean out and organize Utility room, G-1 (what we call garage 1-there's G2 as well, which is Chris's workshop) and pantry room (lots of shelves with who knows what crammed in them and forgotten for the past few years). *7/14 update; all DONE! Whew, this was a huge job, took us all day, but we got rid of SO much junk, and have lots more shelf room now, and it's all neat and orderly. Whhoooo-hooo!
• Take down the kids' computer from in the living room, and move T's cockatiel out of her bedroom into the living room (too much bird dander for baby).
• Set up the kids' computer in N's room, with a new computer desk for him.
• Clean out breezeway and move ferrets's cage out of living room into there.
• Pick out and purchase baby stroller.
• Clean and reorganize our bedroom, moving furniture to best accomodate co-sleeper and changing table.
  
• Decide upon and order baby car seat. It's already arrived, very nice!
  

Chris's List:

• Measure for, cut and put in dining room and living room baseboards.
• Pressure wash house exterior 2x, in prep. for paint.
• Cut chair-rail in hallway.
• Finish cutting and installing trim around doors inside house.
• Dig holes for fence posts in backyard.
• Scrape old paint off exterior trim of house.
• Caulk exterior of house (working on this).
• Caulk roof.
• Caulk interior of house.
• Paint exterior of the house.
• Outside trim and shutters.
• Install new thermal pane windows.
• Finish installing wall of bathroom (one wall can't be finished until the new window is in).
• Cut, stain and install transition pieces (strips of oak) between carpeted and tiled floors.
• Create and install door casing and trim for breezeway. (He's done with one door, one to go... more for me to paint, yay.)
• Build baby shelf (per my request, for her stuff, to go above the crib in T and baby's room).
• Clean and re-organize desk.
• Go through clothes and clean out closet. Get rid of stuff that doesn't fit or don't wear.
• Pick lots of fresh blackberries with the kids' help.
• Take his wife on lots of dates, while he can still have her alone! 7-5 update: We had a date last night, kids slept over at friends! 7-20, another date!

N and T's List:

• Keep their chores done, rooms clean, and help when and where needed.

Actually, I will post their lists when I've completed them. I've been getting a kick out of seeing T following in her father's footsteps. She always makes herself a list (her idea) when I tell her to clean her room. It's too cute really. We're working on an overhaul of her room right now, and I ought to take a pic of and post her two lists she made for herself.