Go Texas!

We are not big on sports, but when the team is local you must support them!  And we do it proudly.
The stars at night are BIG and BRIGHT(not so much in the city).....deep in the heart of TEXAS!!!
Go Rangers!!!!  Enjoy the game!

Pumpkin artwork done by my brilliant husband.

Reformation Day

We will be busy today preparing for a Reformation Day Celebration here at our house on Saturday night. This is a first for us. We have invited a family from our church to join us.  We both have young children and do not celebrate Halloween so this will be GREAT for the kids.
Not only to have a "party" with games and lots of yummy goodness, but to have each other to celebrate this day with.
I am excited to teach all the children about some church history and instill in them the message that our salvation is through faith not works.  And if you are feeling sorry for the little ones missing out on all the Halloween fun, well this is me trying to create some fun just in a different way.  And please know, I have nothing against you if you celebrate Halloween.  No judging here folks.
This is just something we are doing in our family.  Now let's talk Reformation Day.

                                              

What is Reformation Day?
**On Oct 31, 1517, Martin Luther (then a Catholic monk) posted his 95 Theses (or statements) on the door the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This act triggered the movement in world history known as the Reformation.

**The Reformation was the great rediscovery of the good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. At that time, the Roman Catholic Church had become corrupt and was teaching false doctrines like salvation through good works. Some were selling “indulgences.” They said if you purchased these indulgences, you would gain forgiveness for sins.

**Although, Reformation Day is more commonly celebrated in the Lutheran Church, Martin Luther is a hero of faith for us, too. Protestant churches that we worship in today are the result of Luther's brave acts to restore the gospel—salvation through Jesus Christ—to its rightful place as the cornerstone doctrine of Christianity.

**The story of Martin Luther is one of courage, adventure, mystery and triumph. There are many aspects to the story and many theological implications. Explaining all these items can be confusing for some younger children. To help the children understand the Reformation, I plan to focus on the fact that Martin Luther helped people realize that salvation is only through Jesus Christ:

“For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

So today we work on our list to prepare for our 1st Reformation Celebration. 
The boys are getting very excited.  And I must admit I am too!  The thought to have the celebration came late so I will "TRY" to keep it simple.  But, there is always next year.
Pictures and update to come on Monday.
Have a great weekend and do something FUN!!!

Chocolate Bird's Nest

Today we made the chocolate bird's nest.  I invited my friend Cindy and her sweet little girl Grace over to join in on the fun.  This was such a great craft/food to add to this week's lesson, "N" and nest.
So lets get started on the bird's nest.

Here are the materials you will need:
•1 cup shredded coconut

•shredded wheat (six large "loaves")

•2 cups milk chocolate chips

•cooking spray

•muffin tin

•Jelly beans (for eggs)

•Recipe yields 12 mini nests

We started by letting the boys and Grace crush up the Shredded Wheat loaves.  Then we added the coconut and mixed the two together.  I melted the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl, but you could always use a double boiler. 
Note: my way was quicker for three five year olds waiting. 
We then added the melted chocolate to the shredded wheat and coconut and mixed well.
Then we spray ours hands with cooking spray(it helps the mixture NOT stick to little hands)and started shaping our nests in the muffin tin.  Make sure to make a center for the eggs.  Add your eggs of choice and put in the fridge to harden the chocolate.
I think we left them in for about 30 minutes.  Use a knife to pop out of the muffin tin.
They came out perfect!

  
                                                       And were a BIG hit!!

These were fun, quick, easy for the little ones to help with and really tasted good.  We can't wait to make them for Easter now. 
To keep with the bird nest theme............when I answered our door this morning to welcome Cindy and Grace, she handed me this wire nest with two precious handmade birds.  I just LOVE it!!!  Thanks Cindy!
You can see more of her amazingness by visiting her blog, Revel Designs Diary.  It is in my blog list on the right.
 

I have loved all the bird lessons and crafts this week.  One more for tomorrow and we will move on. 
Through it all we have learned God created miracles in birds.  The natural instinct to know how to build a home for their young has amazed us.  We believe and worship an extraordinary God.
We also learned that He wants to give us that same thing.  A home with Him.  He wants to take care of us, protect and watch us grow. 
God takes good care of us.

Craft adapted from Mustard Seeds.

Building a nest

We are on the letter "N" this week and learning about nests.  Specifically birds' nests.  The theme of the lesson is, God takes good care of me.  We have learned about animals' God-given instinct to make a home for their young.  A home to keep their babies safe, to watch them grow, a place to protect them from enemies.  Just like God wants to keep us safe and help us grow. And He knows how to take good care of us.  Take a look and listen to the boys tell about a bird in Australia.


After our studies were done indoors we headed out to use our hands at making a bird's nest. 
We had read enough about it now it was time to see what we could do.
First we gathered all the supplies a human might think of to build a bird's nest.

That was all the help the boys gave me.  All they wanted to do is play in the bowl of mud.  I made the nest and found it hard to hold it all together.  Here is what we came up with.

It felt like it was all going to fall apart so we found a nice sunny spot for it to dry.  I am in hopes after the mud dries it will stay intact.  The boys have high hopes of putting it in a tree for a bird.  I don't think it works that way, but will gladly put it in one for them to see.
We found through this lesson of making a bird's home that God has given them AMAZING skills! 
A God-given instinct to construct a safe place for their young to grow.  He gives that to us too.  He wants to be like a parent to us.  He wants to keep us safe and help us grow.  He knows how to take good care of us.

Now we look forward to making a much easier nest tomorrow.  And it will be so yummy too! 

Stay tuned for that!

Holiday Potpourri

I have the holidays on my mind! Thanksgiving and Christmas.  And thanks to Abbi over at Proverbs 31 Living I am now trying to come up with things homemade/handmade.  She started this last Tuesday so I am a little late. 
I don't have a sewing machine, I don't know how to knit(Did I tell you I would love to learn?), BUT I LOVE to bake and make crafts.
This little gift is not baking and it is kinda like a craft, but with food.
I gave this a few years ago to family and friends around the holidays. 
It would make a great sussy for anyone.  Super easy and fairly inexpensive.
And very few ingredients.

For the purpose of showing you the potpourri bag I used what I had on hand.  I only had to get the orange and lemon.  I have used the pretty little fabric bags(see through kind)before, but using tulle is so much more reasonable.  Just plain frugal!  So that is what I used here to show my holiday potpourri. 

And actually I think I like it better.

I made the recipe card(recipe below)to go on the bag out of business card paper. And added some Christmas trees.  These were cards left over, but I think I may change it up a bit this year. 
Inside the tulle with the lemon and orange is a tiny little plastic bag with the cinnamon stick, whole cloves and bay leaf. I specifically bought these tiny bags, you could easily use store brand baggies and cut to size. My goal is being frugal.  I simply stapled the tiny bag to close.

Attach the recipe and a pretty ribbon and you have a simple, homemade gift. 

Here is the recipe to attach to the tulle with ribbon. 

Holiday Potpourri
1 small orange
1 small lemon
1 Bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 cup of cloves(I use way less...it gets strong)

Cut orange and lemon into pieces.  Put all ingredients in a sauce pan and cover with water.  Simmer on stove. Add additional water during the day as needed.
It smells amazing! And what an easy gift to throw together to take the host of dinner around the holidays.

Tell me your ideas for homemade/handmade Christmas gifts.  I would love to hear about them.
                                                    

Sussy-a gift or small present.  In my family we say, "A just because gift".

Muffin Tin Monday-Breakfast

Mondays have changed around here so I am now doing Muffin Tin Monday for breakfast.  We do school,
have maybe an hour to play around with, Bible Study at church and then library after that. We eat lunch at church after bible study so I was a little bummed to miss out on it.
I LOVE Muffin Tin Monday so I had to find a way to add it back in to our new schedule. 
So breakfast it is.
This is what they had this morning...................

Strawberries, apples, pumpkin toast, yogurt tubes and apple juice and chocolate milk.  I had a busy weekend so I was not prepared for today.  It's pretty simple, but did the trick.  They loved it and ate their breakfast. 
Enjoy your Monday and make a FUN meal for your little ones.

                                                              

Finishing up our week

Happy Friday all!  It has been a fun APPLE week.  I never grow tired of apples.  Did you know that October is national Apple Month?  And that 25% of an apple's volume is air?  That is why it floats. 
And Greeks believed that the apple represented love and beauty.  In ancient Greece tossing an apple to a girl was a marriage proposal.  If she caught it the answer was yes!  And who can forget Johnny Appleseed!!
We have had applesauce, apple muffins, apple slices and last night caramel apples.

                                                                    My dinner!

 I wasn't even thinking when I made them that Ryan's other front tooth is days away from falling out. 
So I had to cut his apple up.  And Matthew....well he just ate the caramel off the apple.  Boy did he miss out!  Apple and caramel together is so yummy!

We were going to have apple cider, but will hold off for a cool evening.  Today the boys will make apple trees tracing their arm and hand.  And then paint it.  We'll finish up our "A"/apple lessons by reading lots of books we have about apples.  I have enjoyed our apple lessons and going over the fruits of the spirit. 

Later this afternoon the guys will drop me off at church to hitch a ride to the Ladies Retreat.  I am so excited about my night with good friends and sisters in Christ.  I look forward to the fellowship and the teaching of God's word. 
Meanwhile all my guys will have a "boys' night" here at home.  Watching Star Wars(we have hit that phase), listening to the Rangers game and doing what Fathers and sons do.....hang out and have FUN being BOYS!

Enjoy your Friday and do something FUN this weekend!

Books!

We made a trip to the library yesterday looking for apple books.  As we were leaving the house the question came to my mind, "Can the boys have their own library card?"  
I felt like they could, after all I have seen Caillou, Little Bill and I think Franklin get their own library card.
(Note: those are all characters in children's shows)
So I ask the boys what they thought about getting their own card.   I was pretty sure what the answer would be, but had to see the faces.  OF COURSE they wanted their own card!!
I had two little boys even more excited to go to the library now. Two little boys who had a new outlook on the library.
We entered the library and went to the lady at the desk.  I ask her if they were too young to have their own card.  She said, "As long as they are alive they can have one."
Great!  Sign them up.  And I did.  As I filled out the paper work I could see the nervous, anxious feelings stirring in their little heads. The lady at the desk took their information and proceeded to get them their own card.  She was finally done and handed Ryan his first.  And then Matthew.
They were SO proud!  Since it was their first time to use their card they were allowed to only check out five books.

Off they went! They were in search of just the right five books.  I was in search of apple books.  I asked a library lady to help me and we started talking.  We talked about homeschooling and she informed me that her grandchildren are going to the new "Green School" up the road.  This is one of very few schools in the United States where everything is done on computers.  NOT one book! I was shocked and stood there ready to fire off my opinions. (there is that self-control issue!!)
It was by the Grace of God that someone walked up and interrupted us because I had some ugly thoughts about to come from my mouth.
NO BOOKS!!!  Are you kidding me?!?!?!
Before that person walked up I did get the impression she thought this was great. 
I was shocked a second time that she worked at a library and felt her grandchildren's new "Green School" was great.  With NO books!
I have heard more and more about schools going to an all computer based education.  And I don't get it.
Just another reason I am thrilled we decided to homeschool.  Now, don't get me wrong, computers are a wonderful tool.  I use mine a lot. And I am sure these children are getting an education bu computers.
But I personally feel our children are missing out on some very important and basic lessons that a computer can not teach.
Handwriting for instance.  Have you seen the way some kids write these days?  I blame it on the increased use of computers in school.
And what happened to the joy of holding a book in your hand?? 
I know for our family we are thrilled to sit and read a book. To hold it in our hands.  To turn the page ever so gently and look at the pictures.  Right now as I type the boys are sitting around me looking through all their library books.  Trying to decide what we will read tonight.
Sure I guess I could take my laptop, unplug it, but make sure it is fully charged first and sit on their bed or the couch and find some books online to read. 
No thanks, I suppose I am "old school" when it comes to learning.  I prefer to do it in a book. 

Anyway, I didn't intend to go off on computers or this new "green school", but it made me sad that these sweet children just may miss out on some fundamentals of education.
OK back to my happy boys and their new library cards.

They can not wait to go next week.  We are changing up our schedule a bit to allow time at the library.   So we will now go once a week.  Matthew asked me last night if next time he can check out more books.  He is already planning his next library day.
My hope is the boys will love to read and cherish books.

What are your thoughts on NO BOOKS?  I would love for you to share them.

A is for Apple

You guessed it!  We are learning the letter "A" and about apples this week.  After a very busy Monday morning we finally made it to the grocery store.  My plan was to buy one apple of each variety.  We bought nine.  There may have been a few more, but I felt this was plenty!
Here is what we bought:
Granny Smith       Golden Delicious     Red Delicious  
Jazz                     Gala                        Fuji(my favorite!)
Sonya                  Honeycrisp             McIntosh

As usual I am loving the lessons so far.  Today was a great opportunity to share with the boys that if we live and grow in Jesus we will have fruit.  Thanks to VBS this summer they knew exactly what I was talking about it.  And could not wait to tell me.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

                                                                                     —Galatians 5:22-23
After our lesson we had  two more things left to do.  Color a fruits of the spirit tree and make APPLEsauce.  As the boys colored I peeled, cored and chopped apples.  I let the boys pick out the apples to make the applesauce.  Ryan picked Golden Delicious and Matthew Gala.  We all had a sample of the two apples and discussed the difference. 
After the apples cooked for a bit it was time to mash and add some cinnamon and sugar.  And sprinkles!

Homemade applesauce is good!  I had never made it so I have a new treat......for me at least. 
We have a full week of apple fun!  And I pray I can be aware of my attitude and actions to set a Godly example for the boys.  I am the one person they see the most.  My attitude, actions, words, thoughts, etc. should constantly be showing the fruits of the spirit.
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience(hard one!), Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control(another one!).  You see where I am weak. 
The only way I can improve in any of these areas is to have a constant line of communication with my Heavenly Father. Praying, talking to Him and spending some quiet time with Him.
Because through him I can do all things.  Life gets busy and crazy sometimes, but without Him I am weak and hungry and life seems miserable.  His word is like food to me.  I need it everyday to help me make it through my day. 

 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

                                                                             John 15: 4-5

Fiesta Chicken and more!

It's no secret I am not crazy about cooking.  Baking and making up yummy goodness is another story.
Anyway I have been trying to cook more and try new recipes.  This one is a keeper and surprisingly got a thumbs up from all three boys.  It is super easy and is a crock pot recipe!  You can't get any better than that!

Fiesta Chicken
adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything

3-4 chicken breasts, thawed
2 cans black beans(drained and washed)
1 can corn drained
1 jar of your favorite salsa
1 onion(chopped)
1 (8 oz)package of cream cheese

Season chicken with salt and pepper and place in crock pot.  Add chopped onion, beans, corn and salsa.  Cook on low for 4-5 hours or until chicken is done.  Once chicken is done, take it out and shred it.  Return shredded chicken to crock pot. 
Add the cream cheese(just throw it on top)and let sit for 30 minutes.  Stir it in and you have dinner.  Or lunch.  I served it with rice in a bowl with the option to put in a warm flour tortilla.   
**Other options for more flavor: green chiles or hotter salsa(I used mild because of the boys).  Brant just used Tabasco to make his spicier.
Next time I make it I will add green chiles to the crock pot.  And serve it with cheese.  I think some chips and salsa would be great with this. 

And of course you must have something sweet after that. What about no bake cookies with FALL sprinkles. I almost always have all these ingredients on hand. Super easy and I have been making these since I was a kid.  I am sure you know this recipe, but just in case here it is.

No Bake Cookies

Melt in saucepan:
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup of milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups sugar
2 tbs cocoa
Bring to a boil and continue cooking for 1 minute. 
Remove from heat and add:
1/2 cup peanut butter and 3 cups oatmeal(uncooked-I have used both quick oats and old fashioned)
Drop on wax paper and let sit for about 15-20 minutes.  ENJOY!

They are not a pretty cookie, but oh so yummy, quick and easy!  That is a must in a house with 2 little boys that have a sickness for sweets.

Our gardens and Nature

We added two more raised beds to our gardens this year.  We have slowly been getting them ready for planting our Fall/Winter gardens. Yesterday was a work day.  Unfortunately I was not notified.  I had other plans in mind for the day like burning homemade sweet potatoes chips.  Or cleaning the house.
But Brant had other plans for me.  He and the boys went for a dirt run to fill the two new beds.  So much fun for the boys to do "boy/man" stuff.  I know Brant enjoys it, but they get so excited about going and doing with Daddy, it can be a little nerve wracking.  Anyway they made it back and no one was in trouble.
I love being outdoors with nature, but after my really bad day at the pumpkin patch I was a little hesitate to work outside.  I really had no choice in the matter so I gave in.
Our job(the boys too)was to pull weeds in the raised bed the boys played in over the Summer months.  It was badly taken over by weeds.  I love to have my hands in dirt.  To play around in the soil......something about it brings a calmness over me.  To feel the dirt under my nails, to smell the earth, see the little creatures crawling in it.....it all comforts me. When we are outside we are constantly looking for friends(insects)to observe.  Well God gave us a good one.
As we were pulling weeds we were blessed to see this wasp(I think)with its kill.

Once I saw this it was hard for me to work.  Not because I was afraid of him(the boys were!), but because I am in awe of nature.  I love to observe God's creatures.  I become a child and am so curious about what they do.  I stood watching this wasp trying to find a home with his grasshopper in tow.  He flew all around an empty bed looking for a good spot to land.  Once he landed he dropped the dead grasshopper and started digging a hole.  Back and forth he would go trying to decide if this was the best spot. 
Check out this video.

He finally flew away and it was back to work.  The new beds were now ready for the dirt.  Brant and the boys proceeded to haul it in. 

We'll need one more load of dirt and then we are ready to plant in three more beds.  Right now we have planted carrots, cucumbers, cabbage and radishes. 
In the new beds we will plant a variety of lettuces: Black Seeded Simpson, Tom Thumb and Oak Leaf.
Nothing like a salad fresh from your own garden. 
I'll keep you posted and update as it grows.  For now we will spend our Friday enjoying this spectacular weather that God has given us.  AND cleaning out the garage for a dreadful Garage Sale. 
Do something FUN this weekend and as the boys tell me, "Get out in nature and learn.....the more you learn, the more you GROW!" 
Hope you all have a good one!

Leaves....what a blessing!

Our lesson this week has been on the letter "L" and we are learning about LEAVES. Such a perfect time since the weather is amazing and we are outdoors so much.  I try to take the opportunity to teach at any given time.  Not just from 8AM-9AM.
I am loving homeschooling the boys.  And very pleased that I went with a biblical curriculum.  It means so much to us that we are able to give the boys a daily lesson and it include a lesson about God. 
And the lessons this week are truly a blessing!

The lone leaf in this picture was living on that plant.  But he decided it did not want to be a part of it anymore.  He wanted to do things "his" way.  He didn't want to listen to the plant and didn't think he needed the plant.  So he left the plant(I broke it off).  Now he is all alone and probably thirsty and hungry. 

We will watch this lone leaf slowly die this week. 

We are like the leaf when it comes to obeying God sometimes.  I know for me without a personal relationship with God I would be starving to death.   Just like that little leaf needs food and water, I need  Jesus in my life to live and grow.  The Bible, God's Word is like my food.  If I listen to His word and trust in God, I can be like the green leaves on the plant that will never wither and die.  We made the little sign you see on the Popsicle stick.......it says, I will live and grow in Jesus.

We watered the plant this morning and talked about how thirsty that leaf must be. 

The boys so badly wanted to give it water, but I didn't let them.  I want them to see what happens to the leaf without living with the plant. 

It has been such a great lesson this week.  I don't think I will look at leaves the same way now.

Part of our lesson Tuesday was to collect leaves.

We collected 11 different types of leaves.  40 leaves all together.  We have done leaf rubbings(I found these FUN!), leaf pressings and today will do leaf outlines.  I am thanking God today for the lessons this week and what it is teaching my boys.  And ME too!  I will live and grow in Jesus!!

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
Jeremiah 17:7-8

Note: I can not take credit for this amazing lesson.  It is a lesson that is part of the boys' curriculum.
My Father's World.

Pumpkin Patch

We have been taking the boys to this pumpkin patch for five years now.  Some years are better than others and today was the best so far!  Since we do not celebrate Halloween this is a big part of our Fall FUN!
Right after school this morning I finished up some last minute things around the house and we were out the door.  Apparently going a little later in the morning is the best time to go.  By the time we got there all the schools were leaving so it was pretty empty and wide open for the boys to roam.  And roam and roam and roam.  This is the longest we have ever stayed at the pumpkin patch.  3 hours! 
It was a lovely day to be outdoors, but I am paying for it this evening.  Oh my allergies are awful! 
Thank the good Lord I did not get a really bad headache until after we left. 
The boys had a blast.  I will let the pictures tell the story this evening as I am still dealing with a headache. 
I only shared a few, but to see all the pictures from today you can check out the boys' Shutterfly page.
Oh and the new header(THANKS Meagan!!!)....those pictures are of course from the pumpkin patch.

It was a little bittersweet to see them out there today.  They certainly are not these little babies anymore.

                                                              October 2005

Fall Goodness

If you have been reading my blog lately it is no secret I have been making all kinds of yummy sweets. 

And yes I even had to make a list with all the stuff I want to make.  This list hangs on our fridge to remind me of all the fall, yummy, tasty goodness I want to serve and share with others.  I usually make something on Friday with the rule it must be gone by Monday.  Unless it is a little treat type snack for the boys. 

The list continues to grow daily. 

I'll need to update after getting a recipe today for Pumpkin Butter!  Does that sound amazing or what?! 

 I had to make this list because otherwise I may forget a recipe.  Not sure if you do that......see a recipe, try to remember to go back to find it, forget and then months down the road you remember, but can't remember where you saw it.  Well I fixed that.  I made my list, sat down at the computer and printed out the recipes I did not have.  And there are so many more to print out.  I just needed a starting point.

Two on my list are old favorites.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake and Grandgirl's Fresh Apple Cake(Paula Dean recipe).

 I am sure after this Fall I will have a few new favorites too.  

Today in my Muffin Tin Monday post I told(and showed a picture)about the Pumpkin Pie Bars the boys had in their lunch.  Several people were interested in the recipe so I thought I would pass that along.

I can't take credit for these yummy bars though. 

It is a recipe I got from Annie over at Annie's Eats.

They taste just like a little piece of pumpkin pie!  Although upon first tasting this fall goodness, I thought something was missing.  After a second taste I had it....WHIPPED TOPPING!  After all it is a "pumpkin pie" bar.  And when I eat pumpkin pie I always have a dollop of whipped topping.  And do it right and make the homemade kind.  It is super easy and just taste better.

Next up on my list is chocolate dipped apple pops!  I am excited to make these because they are something the boys can help me with.  I'll make sure to share later this week.  For now I am off to search the web and cookbooks for more ideas for making up Fall Goodness! 

Leave me a comment...tell me your favorite FALL goodness.

Muffin Tin Monday-Pumpkins!!

I LOVE pumpkins!  And all things pumpkin.  Fall would not be Fall without PUMPKINS!!
Last Monday I was all set for pumpkins as the theme for Muffin Tin Monday.  I was wrong.
I had already made up the boys' muffin tin lunch, was ready to post it and then discovered it was a circus theme.  So today you will see last week's PUMPKIN muffin tin lunch and today's.
This was fun, but I really had a hard time thinking of ways to make pumpkin shapes for the boys.  I guess I did an OK job because the boys loved their two different pumpkin themed MTM meals.
Anyway here is what I came up with for the boys' Muffin Tin Monday lunch last week.

Here is what they had:

Pumpkin shaped sandwich-Matthew had ham and Ryan cheese.  Carrots with pumpkin colored Ranch dressing. Goldfish and pretzels to keep with the orange/brown theme, pumpkin seeds, raisins and a candy pumpkin.  And a pumpkin shaped Rice Krispie treat.

And here is today's Muffin Tin Monday lunch.

White pumpkin cheese quesadillas, ranch w/cucumber and carrots for color, cheese chips and sweet potatoes chips(this were more for me!)and the grand finale PUMPKIN PIE BARS w/homemade whipped topping, butterscotch chips and FALL sprinkles!!!!  YUM!

 Little slice of goodness!  I wasn't sure about this recipe at first, but you add that little dollop of whipped topping and it is a keeper now. 

I love our Monday lunch.  If you are new to my blog I only do this on Mondays.  Mondays are my day to catch up from the weekend.  Everyday stuff to do in the house plus school and grocery shopping as soon as we are done.  This is a quick meal I can throw together.  And the ideas are endless in those little circles. 
I hope you will join in the fun with your kiddos. 
Now I am going to head over to Muffin Tin Mom to see what others came up with.
                                                  
Note:  To participate in Muffin Tin Monday you do not have to prepare your meal on Monday.  And it does not have to be a lunch.  Nor do you have to have a theme.  I do it all for FUN!!!!!  And that is Muffin Tin Mom's goal.....for you to have FUN making a meal for your children. 

This and that

As I am preparing for a new week I forgot I failed to give an update on Ryan.  We went on Friday for a brace adjustment.  His orthotist did adjustments in three areas of his brace.  I suppose it feels better to him.  No, I am sure it doesn't feel like your old favorite tshirt, but he is at least tolerating it and NOT throwing a fit.  I was able to talk to his orthotist about getting Ryan together with other boys close to his age in our area.  Not necessarily boys with Scoliosis either.  Just someone who deals with something like Ryan does.  Someone he can relate to.  She is going to see what they can do.  And she told me, just as his doctor has said, it only gets harder as they get older.  I really did not want to hear that!!!  But I did and it is what it is.  We can handle this.  I know we can because we have a strong belief in Jesus Christ. 
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

Thank you for all the comments and prayers about Ryan.  It touched my heart and I felt those prayers.
 
Now lets switch gears to something more fun!  I had several people curious about my "Homeschool Moms Rock" shirt I had when we went to the zoo on Thursday.  So I thought I would give this company a plug.
I ordered it from Homeschool Boutique.  They have some really cute/trendy shirts for the whole "homeschooling" family!  The boys had a "Future Homeschoolers" shirt I ordered from them last year.  Those shirts are now a night shirt.  
Check them out if you want unique homeschool apparel. 
 
I am anxious for the new week.  New lessons, Muffin Tin Monday(pumpkin theme!), Pumpkin Patch and more fun in the kitchen.  I hope to continue in my efforts of making my home a haven.  It really helped me last week to be aware of what I do each day to make my home pleasant.  Peaceful for my boys.  And most importantly a place they feel loved and long to be.  That can only happen by me waking up and starting my day with God.  I pray God speaks to me in the morning and guides my day.
Hope you enjoyed your weekend!  Now it is time for Monday!  Bring it on.

Haven-Day 4

Day 4 was not me spending the day making my home a haven, but we were all happy anyway.
We already had plans to attend the Fall Homeschool Day at the Fort Worth Zoo.  I must say this was the longest time I have ever been at the zoo with the boys.  We arrived and stood in line to get our tickets at will call.  The boys were so excited and could not wait to get in.  These were just what they had been waiting to get their little hands on.

I think this is also the first time we have saw every animal.......well at least the boys think so.  We only missed one section....I didn't have the energy to tell them.  Here are a few pictures from yesterday at the zoo.  There were a few animals that they HAD to see.  Elephants were the first on the list.  They love the elephants!

Stopping to take a picture with Momma was a must!

And this is the other animal they were bugging me to see.  The KING of the Jungle!

The Museum Of Living Art is fairly new to the Fort Worth Zoo.  And it is AMAZING!

These are the doors leading into MOLA-I did not remember these handles, but Matthew did and told me all about them on our way to the zoo.

After the MOLA we hitched a ride on the train to Texas Wild.  This is clear on the other end of the zoo.  Thank you God for the Yellow Rose Express train!  Once we arrived the boys had to ride the Country Carousel.  They were the only two on the carousel.

After walking ALL through Texas Wild we stopped for ice cream on the way back.  I was beat!!! 

My haven sure did sound nice and I couldn't wait to get there. 

 Of course we never leave the zoo without something to remember our day. 

This was their choice yesterday.  You can tell who likes to play with vehicles more.

Who looks more excited?

Ryan was SO excited about this zoo truck!  Matthew just wanted it because it doesn't have any trucks with trailers and brother has lots! It's a boy thing.  Our day was DONE!  It was a good zoo day, but I don't care to go back for awhile.  We finally made it back home....to our haven.  The boys were excited to tell Brant all about their day.  I quickly made made way to the couch as the boys played.  My haven provided a soft, peaceful place for me to take a good hour nap.  As I got up the boys were getting sleepy and did indeed take a nap.  I found Ryan asleep on the floor......no pillow or blanket.  As if he just decided to fall to the floor and sleep.  I left him there.  And then I found Matthew in his bed all nice and warm.  Needless to say they did not go to bed until after 9PM last night.

Today will be hard to make my home haven.  We have a busy day.  Friday errands to run and then off to Scottish Rite to see about an adjustment for Ryan's brace(see post from yesterday). I am dreading the drive, but this must be taken care of.....especially since it is the weekend.  He did alright last night at bedtime, but did ask if he could sleep without it.  I told him no,but he did not throw a fit.  I pray something can be done to make it more comfortable.

I have so enjoyed this week of "making my home a haven"! 

Thank you Monica for hosting this on your blog!!!

It has made me think about what I truly want my home to feel like.  A haven. 

How did your week go with "making your home a haven"?