Simply Dawn

Yesterday and Today

Hello!  I bet you thought I fell off of the blogging truck!  Nope, just got a little busy this morning...how could that happen?  Well I will tell you in a bit.  First off I should tell you how yesterday went.

We piled into the truckster, snack and all, and it didn't take as long as usual.  Instead of heading straight to the midwife's for the blood draw, we stopped at hubby's work for a moment to get kisses.  The kids love this, and I think Daddy doesn't mind because it only takes a few minutes out of his day.  Once the lovings were doled out, we headed off to the midwife.  Before I went inside, I gave strict orders not to get out of the truck, no screaming, etc.  I also gave the older boys the snack to hand out and headed in.  I should have known that someone would disobey by the way Joe hung out the window to say, "Have fun!" 

Well, I went in for the blood draw pretty apprehensive, and  it turned out all right.  I didn't know how it would go in this new environment, but Joy did a great job and there was minimal pain.  My vein didn't even blow, so she must have been good.  As I walked out to the kids, there was Joe climbing back in, Dukes of Hazard style.  He said he just needed to watch for me...hmmmm, I don't think so.  After a brief scolding we headed off to the dreaded library.

The library experience wasn't too bad.  There was only one incidence where Bear led some younger boys astray (he taught them to jump off the tiered risers, I am, sure that thier mother loved that!)  It was difficult to get the twins back in the stroller, but once the buckles were tightened, the girls settled into some sort of resolved acceptance of the whole situation.  We checked out our books and headed out past the homeless people.  The kids asked for a trip down to Grandma's store, and since the meter was filled for a bit, we went.  It was a beautiful day!  The only bad part about walking downtown is keeping little people from touching surfaces.  All the surfaces they shouldn't touch are right at thier level!  I explained to Joe what all the dark splatters were on the sidewalks and sides of buildings and he was mortified!  He couldn't believe people would do that...in the city anyways!  Well, Grandma wasn't there, so we walked around the shops in the Radio Hall and the man at the antique store gave us a spinning wheel demonstration, and then looked for my china pattern in his pieces...no luck!

We got home, having to walk or drive past so many wonderful eating establishments!  How hard to do when you are pregnant!  We had a decent lunch, walk, nap and then made a dinner of the leftovers from the night before.  We played outside and were able to meet our neighbors after the long winter.  Then it was time to get everyone to bed.

This morning was pretty busy.  For some reason the older boys were really having trouble focusing.  I did do one reading lesson with Bear, and then I took the four youngers to Coborn's.  We had a lunch of bean enchiladas, one of the cheapest lunches I have made aside from Top Ramen.  Some friends came over and offered to watch the kids while I helped with some sewing tomorrow, so now that is on the schedule.  I would love to get in a walk before dinner, and will probably head out as soon as I save this (if it saves).  I have no idea what I will make for dinner, but there is leftover meatloaf for the guys so at least they are taken care of.  Well, I better get, daylight's burning!

See, yesterday could have been worse if I hadn't changed my attitude and remembered the author and finisher of my day!  He gave us a beautiful walk in the city and a showing of old time skills.  He made it so we could share our love with Daddy in the middle of his day.  He made it so that we could have something good to eat at home and not feel bad about spending money we don't have.  God is soooooooooooo good!

Lovies,DJ

Today

We are heading out today.  I have to get blood drawn and the kids need a library visit.  I hate going to the library, especially downtown.  Due to timing and gas considerations (so sad we actually have to figure in our gas nowadays), that is the option we MUST choose.  I hate finding parking for my suburban.  I hate putting the kids in the stroller just to yank them out when we get into the library.  I hate having to corral them and try to keep track of the toddlers while the older boys look for books, and somehow they always get stuck by the stupid, STUPID!!!! video game!  Why do they have a video game in a library???????  What a waste!  OK, anyway, that's part of my homeschooling life, and I will lay aside my desire to stay home and wait for the bookmobile that never comes!

Other than that, I really want to go for a walk today and hopefully the weather will allow it.  I also need to keep up with the laundry monster.  It really is a good life, just the same old stuff happens over again.  Fortunately, my adventuresome side has quieted some over the years or I would be insane right now (Don't mention that to my husband, he may confirm that I already am...in a loving way of course!)

Anyway, I better get packing up.  I need a snack for the kiddos to have while I am getting my blood drawn.  I need to get the stroller loaded and find a snack for myself.

It's going to be a good day.  It is the day the Lord made, just for me, and just for you!  Let's make the best of it!  Leaky toilets and all!

Lovies,DJ

Crustless Pot Pie

This is the terrific chicken dish I told you about and it is super easy!

5 to 6 boneless, skinless chicken breast portions

Grapeseed oil for saute

1 10oz package of Trader Joes frozen Organic Foursome (peas, carrots, green beans and corn)

1 medium onion, sliced

1 can Campbell's cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup half and half

1 cup double strength prepared chicken bouillon

Season salt and pepper

Season breast portions and sear in hot oil.  Pour vegetables into bottom of 13x9 pan.  When breasts are browned place on vegetables in pan.  Saute onion slices in pan until translucent or longer if you like them carmelized; spread over chicken breast portions.  Combine soup, sour cream, half and half and chicken bouillon; pour over chicken and vegetables.  Cook at 350 for 45 minutes to an hour.  You could top with crushed crackers and grated cheese and bake an extra 15 minutes if you want a "crust".  Serve with rice or mashed potatoes.

Yesterday

Fritzen, fratzen, snizzle, grrrrrrrrhhhhhhhh!

I had just typed in a really detailed account of yesterday and hit save when typepad shut me down!  So, for now you will get the abbreviated version!

1. Homeschooling went well.

2. Housework - bathroom cabinets and drawers organized, counter, sink and toilet cleaned.

3. Food - Made meatloaf for everyone else...terrific chicken dish for me (recipe to follow)

4.  Laundry - It really does deserve a category of its own.  The kids did help and all was done until the boys took showers.  Got it folded too

That's it!

Today

Today, we are keeping up with homeschool and trying to keep up with the laundry...didn't we finish it last night?????  Anyway, the homeschooling is eating up a fair amount of my time right now, the kids need more guidance with a few things as we are preparing for the standardized tests.  Uggh!

I am trying to watch my diet today.  I have too much sugar back in it, so I am having to cut back...but I do so love sweets.  This is my biggest weakness when it comes to food, especially cookies and milk.  Oh well, we all have our battles.  So right now, I weigh...a lot, but we figure I weighed less before I got pregnant, so that should mean that I am doing ok, because I am at my weight from my last doctor appointment.  I haven't been able to go for a walk yesterday or today...rain!  I do have a friend who is selling a treadmill, so that should take away the excuse, if we can float it.  So hopefully I will gain just the right amount and be able to loose a TON after the baby comes.  At least I'll develop better habits now, to make that more of a possibility.

Hmmmmh...what else?  I need to take something out for dinner...venison, again?  I can't wait until it is gone and I don't have to smell or taste it again until I am done being preggy.  I don't mind it usually, but right now...YUK!  I already have two pies made, and OMG, do I love blueberry pie with ice cream!

I'd love to say that I will get to some fun stuff like sewing or updating the blog with pictures, but right now, I will have to be satisfied with getting three of the six clean and making meals.  We are going to hit up housework since it is a rainy day, so wish us luck!

I hope that you have a great and productive day!  Remember that you can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you!

Lovies,DJ

Yesterday

Yesterday ended with a crazy note.  As you know, I usually take an afternoon nap, which helps me to feel somewhat awake with all the nightime trips to the privy.  Anyhow, I awoke from my nap and was combatting "afternoon" sickness by guzzling water and groggily looking over forums and blogs.  I thought the kids were out and that I had seen hubby pull into the driveway, but it was all pretty blurry.  All of the sudden there was the sound of rushing water from downstairs, which almost sounded like the water softener starting a cycle, except it was more intense, and I thought I heard water falling on the floor.  Immediately after the sound I heard, "What is that?  Oh no, Dad!  It's squirting water everywhere!"  I jumped from my stupor and ran downstairs to see an ever growing lake in the basement coming from the boys' bathroom.  No sign of hubby though, and as I tried to wrestle with the shutoff valve, I couldn't remember him coming in so I yelled, "Where is your father?  I can't get it to turn!"  Then I heard my Knight's voice from the laundry room, "I'm in here turning off the water."  Indeed the water turned off.  I sent Gavin for beach towels, as we don't have a mop...we have a floor cleaner, we don't need one, right???  So before I could get ready for my midwife appointment I had to sop up water while hubby went to the hardware store to get the piece to fix the leaking toilet.  It seems that a plastic connector of the hose that connects the toilet to the shutoff valve, the end nearest the toilet, just decide to break apart.

I figure that I got my workout from cleaning up the mess, which filled a 5 gallon pail, and we vacuumed up a couple of quarts, not to mention what was left in the beach towels after my arms got tooooooo tired to keep wringing.  Fortunately, this was CLEAN water, or I would have had a lot more to clean up.

As far as getting the house back in order, we did get the laundry done.  We missed bath night, because Dave was putting together a bid while I was out.  I didn't want to do the mad dash in and out of the tub for six people, so I just sent them to bed.

Whew!  What a day!

Today

Here I go again, trying to help myself feel as though I am accomplishing something.  Isn't it sad that I have to do this???  Well, I used to buy into the old superwoman myth, and the Lord is working that out of me -- Praise Jesus!  Anyway today I am embracing my home and trying to bring some semblance of order to it after a busy weekend.  It is amazing what happens with this many people milling about.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Pulling Together a Reading Program

OK, so not everyone likes the "pull it together" approach to curriculum for homeschooling.  I am finding it fun.  And fortunately if I feel like we haven't covered something, I can always talk to my neighbor across the street who taught special ed in the public school system for years (she also happens to be a mother of 11 who have all grown and given her beautiful grandchildren.)

Anyways, I am just putting this out here because it is one of the things that I GOT to work on today.  We did some lessons in the Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons book with the Bear.  I also pulled together a Dolch Kit from this website.  Dolch lists are sight words that children should know (by sight, no sounding out) by the end of first grade.  I picked up on this from tutoring Joe when he was in public school.  Anyways, the tools in the kit look fun and will be a great addition to our reading program.  Next on my hunt will be phonetic practice with blends and digraphs.  I'll keep you in the loop.

The hunt is on!

Memory Verse Monday

Proverbs 12:4

"An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones."

Gathering Thoughts for Today

OK, so today is Friday.  FRIDAY!  Where did my week go?  I have been taking naps and that is eating up a couple of hours a day.  I just can't stay awake at 2pm, I don't know why...perhaps the midwife will be able to shed some light on this on Monday.  I am really hoping to conquer the laundry room today and make the upstairs somewhat presentable...that's the goal.  I am going to try not to be at the laptop sooooo much, so that should help.

It looks like a nice day for a walk too, so thankfully I HAVE to get excercise, so I know I get to go out for a bit.  Mother's Day is on Sunday and I hear whisperings about the house...I have hopes for what it is about.  At this point though, I am impressed with anything that they pull off.  Especially seeing as how I am not even able to keep up with my duties and I have all the kids around me all the time!  I will post on what comes of the weekend.

Gavin is done with the bulk of schoolwork, so it is time to start practice tests and then order the testing.  Joe has a little ways to go, but it will come.  It will be odd to order testing materials at seperate times.  I also have to get the math ordered for summer...yes, summer school.  We are finding that keeping routine helps, and that math is "fun" and "easy" to quote the guys.  I am also going to finish up Kindergarten with the Bear so he can start first grade work this fall.

Better get, I got a busy day ahead!

Lovies,DJ