Back to the Grind

The school year is back in session and things are returning to normal around my home. We finished painting the dining room only to move everything from the kitchen and breakfast nook into that room. The kitchen has new paint on the walls and is awaiting the ceiling and trim paint. Hopefully by Sunday we will have those painted as well. Maybe, just maybe, we'll be at the point where we can have friends back over to the house. No wait -- still need to stain and poly the floor in the dining room. Please let it be finished before my mom gets here on October 1st!!

In the mean time, we need to eat. I've put together my next meal list and I'm sorry to say there are no new meals this month. The good thing is we know and like these meals so that makes meal time a bit easier. I'm only doing 26 this month because I'm sure we'll eat out for my birthday while mom is here and also we'll have leftovers some nights.

I'm hoping to start shopping tomorrow, prep some on Sunday and cook on Monday. Will be interesting trying to cook while I'm teaching school to the little ones, but I'm sure we'll make it work. If you're interested in the recipes for any of these meals, leave me a message and I'll send it your way. Enjoy!

1. Baked Chicken Pecan
2. Bird's Nest Pie
3. Broccoli Ham Bake
4. Cheesy Corn Casserole
5. Chicken and Dumplings
6. Chicken Caesar Casserole
7. Chicken Pie
8. Crock Pot Easy Swiss Steak
9. Dijon Pork Chops
10. Fragrant Sticky Chicken
11. Glazed Pork Tenderloin
12. Grilled Orange Chicken Fingers
13. Hamburger Rice Casserole
14. Italian Stuffed Meatloaf
15. Layered Italian Casserole
16. Maple Glazed Turkey
17. Oven Baked Pork Chops
18. Pasta and Sausage Bake
19. Pineapple Glazed Chicken
20. Sausage Casserole
21. Sausage Pizza Twist
22. Stuffed Pizza
23. Sweet Onion Pork Chops
24. Taco Pie
25. Upside Down Pizza Casserole
26. Wild Rice Chicken
    

The President's Challenge

While I don't necessarily stand behind the policies of our current president, there are some things that are good. For instance, many of you probably remember doing the President's Challenge when you were in school. This is that terrible time at the beginning of P.E. class where we had to run a mile in a certain time, do so many curl-ups, chin-ups (or push-ups), the V-sit and stretch and the shuttle run. My brain is saying ouch already!

So my boy is in 3rd grade and he's participating this year. He has to complete 40 curl-ups in under a minute, 17 push-ups taking 3 seconds each (or 5 chin-ups, he opted for the push-ups), the shuttle run in 11 seconds, has to stretch 3 inches past his feet in the v-sit and stretch and do 1/2 a mile in 3 minutes and 30 seconds. I'm not sure I can keep up with him. I know, I'll just do the timing part!

Here are a couple of videos. Mind you, this is only day 2 of our practicing. #2 is showing off his curl-up ability and #3 is showing off her push-ups. Yes, I realize they both need a lot of practice!

Time Goes By

Well, time just keeps moving on and on and on... My hubby turned another year older on Monday, my step-daughter started her junior year in high school, my son started 3rd grade on Tuesday and my youngest daughter started kindergarten. Man I feel old. (I'm turning 31 in exactly 1 month.)

With my youngest starting school this week all the thoughts of idadequacy swamped me. Have I been a good mother? Was the time I spent with my kids before school began quality time? Would they remember their early years as good times? I can't answer those questions except to say that I love them and I tried my best. I've trained them and will continue to train them to make the right choices, to follow God's word and to love others and love God. I continue to pray for my family and myself as wife and mother.

So I'll go cook dinner tonight, make sure they eat their vegetables and complete all their school work. I'll read to them from the Bible and continue to teach them about God. I'll listen to my husband, be a support to him and pray for him. I'll do this job as God has seen fit to call me and just keep moving along as time goes by.