Conference Thoughts

We went to our local home school conference this past weekend and it was such a blessing. I came away feeling refreshed, invigorated, inspired and renewed. I learned so much from the wonderful array of speakers and vendors.

I went into the conference pretty much knowing which curriculum I want to use next year, so I didn't purchase too much that I hadn't planned for. Horse Girl was able to find a "Little House on the Prairie" book that she's been looking for. She wanted a specific cover to match the rest of the set she's accumulated and she found the exact one for $2!

I went to a workshop by Susan Wise Bauer on preparing for college that was wonderful. She spoke about academics, emotions and life-skills. I also went to a workshop by Barb Cash titled " She Senses the Worth of her Work...". She talked about discontentment and how it breeds resentment, finding joy in the simple things and remembering that my job is a privilege from God. Another workshop I really enjoyed was "Parenting the Strong-Willed Teenager" by John Rosemond. He spoke about the fact that mothers fail to move from season 1 in their child's life in which they orbit around the child and serve them and protect them, into season 2 in which they teach leadership and the respect of authority. They then have problems in the teen years, in which their children should be in season 3, but are in actuality still in season 1. He writes a book called "Teen-Proofing" and it was the only non-planned purchase I made.

Horse Girl already knows she wants to go to college and knows what she wants to do for a career (we still need to figure out exactly what major that equates to). Because of this, I have been able to go to the college's website and look at their admission requirements and home school course recommendations. I put together a four-year high school plan that also includes the 8th grade as dd will be taking some high school level courses next year. For next year, my plan is as follows:

Math: VideoText Algebra

English: Analytical Grammar & Teaching the Essay & Introduction to Literature I

Science: Apologia Physical Science

History: Tapestry of Grace Year 2

Latin: Latin in the Christian Trivium I

Bible/Character: books by Elizabeth George like "A Young Woman's Walk with God", etc.

Economics: Whatever Happened to Penny Candy & Economics: A Free Market Reader

PE: Horse Riding

Family Update

It was recommended by a friend (Thank you, Mindy, for the reminder) that it's time for a family update.

Jeremy and I have started exercising and watching our calories. We use My Fitness Pal online to keep track of what we eat each day and to log in our exercise. Jeremy has already lost 11 pounds and I have lost 4 pounds. I feel better during the day and find myself thinking about what I eat instead of just mindlessly eating. Jeremy has most of the guys in his office counting calories as well, LOL. I've been very busy trying to find low calorie meals and have had success with many of the ones I've found. We try to stay under 400 calories per meal.

We just lost our tenant in our Virginia rental and this is our first month without rental income. Let's just say we are feeling the pinch and I, personally am praying for God to see us through until we get another renter. It's complicated, though, as we are hoping to get back to Virginia next year and would like to be able to move right into our house. The longer it takes to get a renter the farther we will be pushed on the other end. This is definitely a test of my faith in God's provision.

We will be putting our South Carolina house on the market next month and that is causing a bit of stress. I want the house to look its best, but at the same time we need to live in it. The housing market is not as bad here as other places, but the average time on market right now is 4 months. If the house doesn't sell by October or November we will put it up for rent and go that route until the market picks up again. We would also do a lease-purchase option if necessary.

Horse Girl is doing well and growing up so fast. She is now riding at the barn three days per week and has just started some basic jumping. The horse she leases has arthritis in his right hock and cannot do too much. Her instructor makes sure to use the already broken cross beams so he won't break them if he forgets to lift his back legs. Otherwise he is fiesty thing and has already taught Horse Girl a ton.

Tall Boy is, well, Tall Boy. We have our ups and downs, but it seems to be getting more frustrating lately. He has never liked authority and has really been bucking us for the last two years. With his 17th birthday quickly approaching he is bucking even more so. In SC, parents can't do anything if their children "run away" at 17 except file a missing persons report. If the police find them they will bring them home, but no more. The exasperating part is that the parents are still financially responsible for anything their children do when they're gone!

Hopefully I will be able to get back on later, but we need to leave for a field trip. I am praying for a great day with friends and for sibling harmony.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday-pizza

Tuesday-Greek Penne and Chicken http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Greek-Penne-and-Chicken/Detail.aspx with French bread with olive oil and herbs

Wednesday-Burgandy Pork Tenderloin http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Burgundy-Pork-Tenderloin/Detail.aspx with mashed potatoes and green beans

Thursday-Sloppy Joe sandwiches with French fries

Friday-Pancakes, eggs and bacon

Saturday-Weeknight Lasagna Toss http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Weeknight-Lasagne-Toss/Detail.aspx with Parmesan croissants

Sunday-Split-pea soup with kielbasa

Menu Plan Monday

Hopefully I will be able to keep up with this weekly. I make a weekly menu plan and stick to it pretty well. We typically eat at least five of the seven meals planned and then do leftovers for the other nights. Whatever I don't end up making just gets transferred to the next week's menu plan. I am doing better about making smaller quantities of most items so we are not having so many leftovers.

Sunday-Meatball Soup from Better Homes and Gardens (mini meatballs, spinach, navy beans, diced tomatoes, shredded carrots, chicken broth)

Monday-Tostada Pizza from Better Homes and Gardens (refrigerated pizza dough, ground beef, green chilies, taco seasoning, mashed pinto beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese)

Tuesday-Cincinnati Chili from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cincinnati-Chili-I/Detail.aspx (served with hot dogs)

Wednesday-BBQ Bacon Pizza (pizza dough, bbq sauce, Canadian bacon, pineapple, cheese)

Thursday-Salmon patties and sweet potato fries (1 package Salmon, 1 package butter crackers-smashed, 1 egg-beaten, Old Bay seasoning or Season Salt to taste, 1-3 tablespoons milk)

Friday-Chicken and Dumplings from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Chicken-and-Dumplings/Detail.aspx

Saturday-Swiss Steak

Horse Show

Horse Girl's friend.

Getting ready.

Proud winners! Both girls took Champion in their classes and got 2 first place and one second place each. Way to go, girls.

Bulbs and plants

Hubby's mom, Horse girl and I decided to plant bulbs and winter plants in the front flower garden. We spent several hours total of back-breaking work. First we had to pull out all of the old mulch and dirt to remove the weed-barrier we had put in last spring. We then had to replace the dirt and add several more bags to give it the depth we needed. We planted over 100 bulbs in this bed alone and then added the pansies on top.

Horse girl watered while Grandma planted.
My back hurt so badly at this point that I wasn't sure I would be able to get up.
I did manage to get up, though, and continued pulling out plants for Grandma to place. The bed looks wonderful and I'm glad we did it.

Battle of Secessionville

The re-enactment of the Battle of Secessionville happens twice a year. We previously had gone to a re-enactment at another location, so this was our first time here.

Arms inspection.

Grandma and Grandpa checking out some historical facts.

Parade to the battle grounds.

Beginning of the battle.

Hubby's new hat.