School zone.

We've been experimenting the last week or two, but I'm officially switching Hannah to just one nap a day now. So our "school time" will start getting more interesting as I won't have that undivided time with Eli anymore. During that time I'll keep working with Hannah to do "blanket time" while I do lessons with Eli. And then hopefully the last part of "school time" will be an activity we can all do together. It'll take some more experimenting trying to plan things for each of them and juggle it all, but we'll figure it out. For this week though...

Focus: practice lower case letters, learn Number 3, handwriting

Monday
calendar/storytime
upper-lower case letters match
color 3...
practice counting out 3 beads
play dough

Tuesday
calendar/storytime
alphabet maze
circle the set of 3
circle the numbers 3
paint flowers craft

Wednesday- grocery day

Several weeks ago when I expressed my frustrations trying to do grocery shopping with both kids, my friend Kristen passed on a suggestion to make a small grocery list with pictures for Eli. So that's exactly what we've done for two or three trips now. I just find some google images for a few things on my list for the week, and that's what he's in charge of helping me find in the store. Last week I started adding numbers next to some of the items, showing how many we need. 2 milks, 4 yogurts, and the rest was just one of each. Eli doesn't know his numbers too well, so that's good practice. And of course we cross everything off as we go along. The list is enough to keep him excited for at least the first part of the trip. And in the car he likes to hold his list, so during our 30-minute drive I have him show the pictures to Hannah and tell her what the name of everything is. I LOVE finding ways that Eli can help teach her! This is a picture of last week's grocery list:


Thursday
calendar/storytime
writing- tracer page 3
color and shapes worksheet
plant sunflowers outside

Friday
calendar/storytime
computer games

Surprise breakfast is...

...Green eggs and ham! Eli loves all his Dr. Seuss books, and it's those books that we find ourselves reading again...and again... and again every week. After we had lots of leftover ham after Easter, I got the fun idea to surprise the kids with green eggs and ham for breakfast! So here it was!

I'd say they both liked it!

50 MORE things about me!

A couple years ago I wrote a list of 100 Things About Me. Well, here are 50 more! Enjoy!

1. I'm adopted.
2. My birth father died in a drunk driving car accident when I was 1.5, my mom remarried 2 years later, he adopted us, and he's been my wonderful father all these years.
3. I once reached complete victory over Bop It Extreme. I made it to a score of 180 or 200 or something and the game just stopped and said "High Score: 180" I guess that's as far as anyone can ever get.
4. I just discovered today the game costs $175 on Amazon! What's that about?! I guess we got it as a gift. Had no idea I should be guarding it or something!
5. I can't stand when I don't "justify align" my blog posts.
6. Photography is a new hobby, and I want to get better.
7. I'd much rather have pottery than any kind of China.
8. I still sleep with a blankie.
9. I always shower at night.
10. New socks are one of my favorite things--just plain, white, soft socks.
11. My favorite kind of tea is Lipton Orange. It's fresh yet cozy, or good with ice in it.
12. I love drinking from a goblet, even when it's just juice or something.
13. I am addicted to the computer. I check my email at least every hour.
14. I color sort the pins in my pin cushion. If ya wanna know why just ask.
15. My biggest pet peeve is when public restrooms install the toilet paper dispenser so the paper comes out at your ankles.
16. I had the wonderful opportunity to be a back-up singer for Christian musician Steve Green for a concert he did at our college. I have no idea why I got picked, but it was awesome!
17. I love reading but it's really hard for me to get started on a book.
18. I'm growing my hair long again, just because Kevin likes it that way.
19. I'm convinced that parenting is God's greatest way of challenging us to be more Christ-like.
20. Nothing even remotely fun happens near me without me taking at least a hundred pictures of it.
21. I live in Nebraska now, in the country, two things I would never have chosen in life, but I love it!
22. It's spring now, so we eat outside on the porch whenever we can. Someday we'll have a patio, but for now, this works.
23. I'd like to have 3 or 4 kids but Kevin says we're done right now. So I guess we'll wait and see.
24. I quit scrapbooking.
25. My daughter Hannah was born at home. Unplanned. Read birth story here.
26. Hanger hooks have to be facing left when put into clothes, or I'll re-do it.
27. I'm planting my first vegetable garden this year. Not sure how good a gardener I'll be though since I'm terribly grossed out by worms and bugs, and if I even see one snake, it's over!
28. I literally can't stop kissing my babies' cheeks. I just think they're adorable!
29. It's the best thing watching your children grow up as friends.
30. We go to a Berean church. I had no idea what that was until we started going there. It's really a Bible Church, based off of the verse Acts 17:11.
31. I all the time cheat and just shave the bottom half of my legs.
32. I have horrible eyes with a power of -8.
33. My mom and I make a good team when it comes to making clothes. I pick the fabric and pattern, and she sews it. I have a dress in the works right now.
34. I have no clue how to "do" hair. It's either all up in a ponytail, or all down, either straight or curly.
35. I often fear what the tragedy will be in my life. The more connected I am with the rest of the world (via blogs mostly), the more horror stories I read, and the more I'm convinced everyone will at some point suffer a terrible pain.
36. Even though I'm a busy stay-at-home wife and mommy and constantly serving my family's needs, I try very hard not to lose touch with who I am and what I like to do.
37. I wish I could lose 15 lbs but probably never will.
38. I think my love language changes every couple years, due to life's changing circumstances. Now I think it's physical touch.
39. My life verse is Psalm 86:11-12 and I have it posted in our bathroom.
40. I think my only reason for going to college was maybe just to make some really wonderful life friends!
41. I shoot pictures with a Nikon D40. It was a wonderful Christmas surprise from Kevin, thanks to Black Friday sales! Finally, no more buying a new digital camera every other year!
42. I hate shopping at malls.
43. I'm honestly not a very good housekeeper. I do the basics like laundry, dishes, vacuuming, and clutter, but everything else is lacking.
44. I love lists.
45. I'm not into technology gadgets like fancy phones and ipods. Regular CDs and basic cell phones are good enough for me.
46. I'm hard to surprise because I notice details easily.
47. After living 4 months without much while we were in our moving transition, I've been trying hard to get rid of STUFF and keep our new house simple and tidy.
48. I still love kitchen gadgets though, and my apple peeler is one of my favorites.
49. My middle name is Jane, after my grandmother. Sarah Jane is a VERY common name. In my tiny town of 1500 there were 3 other Sarah Jane's in high school with me.
50. My FAVORITE ice cream is slightly-softened cookies n cream, and I'm wishing I could eat some right now!

Look to the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.

1 Chronicles 16:8-11/ Psalm 105:1-4

Serve your neighbors.

This is my FAVORITE time of year, as it is for most people, I'm sure. It's not just being able to get outside and play and do things; for me a lot of it's about getting together with friends, planning activities. Along with that, there are sooo many easy ways to encourage fellowship and serve others. So here are a few ideas, however, please feel free to share more!

15 Ways to Serve Your Neighbors during Spring/Summer:

1. Set up a FREE lemonade stand with your kids, just offering a cool beverage for anyone passing by.
2. Chat with your neighbors when you see them out and about.
3. Host a neighborhood cookout, or cookout for friends. (not implying that your neighbors can't be your friends.)
4. Play a park day with other moms.
5. Invite a friend to go for a walk/stroll with you.
6. Encourage your husband to have a "guys" day-- play ball, go bowling, or something.
7. Ask for help. I'm a firm believer (just trying to convince my husband) that asking other people for help on house projects or whatever is a great way to get to know someone. a) you're acknowledging someone else's talents, b) you're showing you trust them with their skill/advice, c) you're opening doors for fellowship and bonding by working together on something instead of maybe awkwardling trying to carry conversation, and d) you're humbling yourself.
8. Host an ice cream sundae party or make homemade ice cream.
9. Invite friends over for outdoor games.
10. Go to community events. ie: plays, festivals, pancake dinners, outdoor concerts. Especially for us who live in the country who just moved into a new area, this is a good opportunity to meet people in the community.
11. Leave May baskets for your neighbors, including a nice note.
12. Visit the elderly. If you're passing by, take the time to sit down and visit with them, especially if you have children. I KNOW it will make their day. One of our old lady neighbors stopped by with cinnamon rolls to welcome us to town, and I'm looking forward to returning her pan and giving us an excuse to stop by and visit with her.
13. A lot of babies are born this time of year. So if someone you know has a baby, make them a meal (delivered in disposable containers they don't have to return) and maybe even offer to watch their other children.
14. Share your extra garden produce.
15. Share your truck. If you have a truck, offer to help someone else who might need it for something.

So there ya go, tons of ideas and I'm sure tons more! I know a lot of them seem like natural things to do, but don't let the time pass you by, wishing you could've done more!

**************************

"Serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command. Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14

"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:9-11

"Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart." Psalm 36:10

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Matt. 25:45

The man I love.

Monday Meanderings

In light of yesterday's news I do not feel like spending forever trying to figure out what to feed the family this week (have I told you I hate menu planning?), or what activities to plan for Eli. But the week must carry on, so here we go:

Bible Study
Contagious Joy. Pay no attention to the fact that it's taking me waay too long to get through this book! I'm really not disciplined when it comes to Bible time. Come to think of it, I'm really not all that disciplined when it comes to anything!

Husband Encouragement
* Blackberry Cheese Pie. It's been awhile since I've made this, and hubby's requesting it!
* We're in the process of looking for a newer trucker for Kevin to drive to work. Now that he has a 50-mile commute every day, he needs something more reliable than his old '92 Jeep Cherokee. I am going to try hard to give him my input but fully trust him with the final decision. I hate big purchases like this.

Train Them Up
* School and chores for Eli.
* Blanket time for Hannah.

Personal Goal
* Work out at least 3x this week.
* Wake up before kids.

Must Do
* Set up budget spread sheet for next month.
* Plant garden seeds if it's not raining. We have a full week of rain all this week, so we'll see about this.

Zone
Master bedroom. After the last two weekend trips we've taken, we still have suitcases sitting out, and it's starting to set a bad standard for the whole rest of the room.

Menu

Monday - chili, peaches
Tuesday - crockpot spaghetti, garlic toast
Wednesday - vegetable soup
Thursday - crockpot roast chicken, broccoli cheese rice
Friday - appetizer/movie night - smokies, cheesy spinach and artichoke dip
Saturday - chicken and rice caserole
Sunday - pork roast, green beans, creamy orange jello

Fun Things
* Shopping day in the city with my mom on Friday!
* I think I might plan a "movie night" with the family some night. It's been awhile since we've let Eli watch a full movie. And since it's going to be rainy ALL week, that might be a fun family thing to do together.
* A surprise breakfast for the kids...
* Kevin's family is coming for a short visit on Saturday after his uncle from Arizona flies into Omaha.

Question of the week:
Now that we live in a world of digital pictures do you still keep up with photo albums?? Now that we can and do take an unlimited number of pictures for every occasion and every not-occasion, it seems like it's getting too many to to print since it's so hard to pick and choose! So tell me, what to do you do with your photos??

no words.

My friend jay passed away this morning. I'm still in shock over this and just so sad. If I can figure it out with my parents or Kevin to watch the kids, I'd really like to try to make it to the funeral this week. Please pray for all the family and friends. thank you.

Sunday Psalm

Psalm 29:10-11
The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.

5-MINUTE PICK UP!

I started something last week, and now that we're back from the weekend it continues again!

Whenever I notice the house is really starting to get messy again (usually multiple times a day), I get a wooden spoon and rattle it around inside Eli's pot, and everyone knows that means it's time to drop what you're doing and do a "5-minute pickup"! I set the kitchen timer and we all race around like crazy people as we put everything back in its proper place. Shoes back to the kitchen, cups back in the fridge, toys back to the play room, books back on the shelves, diapers in the trash, and clothes in the laundry, plus any other miscelleous items. We all have fun, and it's AMAZING to see how much you can get done in just 5 minutes (actually, we're usually done in 3!) As soon as the timer starts beeping, even Eli says, "Aww, it looks so nice now!"

Now if Hannah actually participated I would consider making it a contest. Whoever I think got the most done gets a sticker on a chart. Once you get 10 stickers, you get a small treat.

I love this new clean-up routine! We usually do this about twice a day, however much the house needs it, and usually vacuum afterward one of the times. It makes clean-up a game instead of just being like "Okay kids, it's time to pick up toys," and then they just poke along as they go. This is a fun way to actually get my toddler to pick up the speed a bit!