Menus

Yesterday I spent all day catching up with our finances that had been neglected for a few months.  Today I was supposed to do returns/exchanges, but it's snowing, of course, so now I'm on to cleaning and organizing the house before I have to get back to lesson planning. 

I wanted to share this 6 Week Menu Rotation that I came up with for the fall and winter months.  I'm hoping it will make menu planning, shopping, and cooking go more smoothly and free up some time as well as keep me out of McDonald's.  I left Sundays blank cause we usually eat out and then do leftovers, plus there's usually at least one day in the week that something comes up and your menu for that day isn't needed.

I did something similar with some girlfriends in GA a few years ago - we all contributed 2 months worth of meals and recipes and had a whole year of menus by the end of January.  It was fun to try all the new recipes, but I think this will be a step easier for me since I'm familiar with the recipes and know that my family will eat them.

Snowman Ornament

The boys made these cute snowman ornaments out of their handprints this year.  I helped Elliott's classmates make them as parent gifts also, and they were all incredibly creative with it and had the best time making them. 

What you will need:

white acrylic paint

paint pens

shatterproof ornaments big enough for your child's hand

ribbon

foam paintbrushes

paper plate

hand wipes/wet paper towels

What you do:

1.  Paint your child's hand with the white paint

2.  Help your child carefully grab the ornament while the paint is still wet

3.  Carefully press the child's fingers into the ornament to make sure the handprint is as solid white as possible.

4.  Let the handprint dry for 20-30 minutes.

5.  When dry, let your child use the paint markers to paint faces, scarves, hats, arms, buttons, etc. on the snowmen.

6.  Let the decorations dry and then use a black paint marker to write the child's name and the year in the "palm" of the handprint.

7.  Thread ribbon through the top of the ornament to hang on the tree.

Elliott's teacher and I also attached small circle-punched copies of the kids' school pictures to the ribbon so that their parents would see that precious first-grade face each year when they get the ornaments out.  They turned out really cute!

Memory Verse

Well, I haven't exactly kept up with my plan to memorize a verse every week, but I'm okay with it.  After my day today (see the post below), this verse so jumped at me and I had to choose it to be "the one" this week.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Well, that definitely resonates with me tonight as I'm reflecting (and laughing with Brian) about my day today.  I find it funny that I still try to "plan" things in my life, thinking that if I plan and organize very carefully that things will go just as I envision.  Ha!  So I love this verse.  God gives us freedom in our choices - knows what we're going to choose, but we get to choose it anyway.  Yet the whole time he has unexpected turns and surprises planned for us, letting us learn and experience what He knows that we NEED to experience and we are often left standing with our mouths wide open wondering what just happened to our nice thought-out plans.  What is really exciting to me about this is when I look back and sometimes get to see how all of the bumps and unexpected turns and surprises were woven together for a purpose that never entered my mind but was God's purpose in me "planning" in the first place. 

So I want to memorize this one and recall it during both the small and the big bumps that I know are going to be in my road at some point and remember who is really in charge!

Plans

Today was one of those days that I had PLANNED to go one way and the day, of course, fell apart.

Let's just say that these.....

are extremely important if you don't want to be stranded at your son's school in your pajamas and slippers (because you're dressed that way for preschool/kdg class parties) trying to avoid any eye contact with anyone out of sheer embarrassment.

Unbelievably, my pajama-clad self got a phone call at work from the school nurse and had to go BACK to Elliott's school to pick him up early just a few hours later.  I'm sure the receptionists were getting some good laughs over me today!

warm florida sunshine.....

in a box!

As I drove up to the house today in my warm fuzzy boots, down parka and static electricity filled hair, I noticed 2 packages on the porch.  Ethan brought them in the house and declared that the one with pictures of oranges on the outside was full of wood cause it was so heavy.  Fortunately he was wrong.  Brian's parents must have felt sorry for us and our extremely cold weather and sent us some genuine Florida sunshine!!

Thank you Mom and Dad!!

Wild Lights

Well, huge flakes are actually coming down outside my window tonight.  Second time it has snowed already this season, yet thankfully not enough to stick and accumulate (much to the boys' dismay!).

Last night we went to the Wild Lights at the Zoo.  We always seem to choose the coldest days to do these things, but this was the only night we could do it - can you believe that?  Already every weekend night is filled with plans until January!

Anyway, it was fun and we even got to meet up with a friend and her family and also a neighbor.  Of course, the only animals we saw were the penguins and puffins (and they still have no sense of smell - whew!!)  Fun night though.

Thankful #6 and #7

Yes, I'm running behind, but it doesn't mean that I haven't been thinking about it.

#6

{for cute flannel pajamas and cozy slippers to keep me warm while sitting in front of the Christmas tree}

#7

{for after-Christmas sales last year that allowed me to get a deal on this first part of the Willow Tree Nativity set that I love.  It's sweet and simple and sits on our dining room table}

Thankful #5

For so many things today on Thanksgiving, but especially for my hubby's willingness to make dinner today.  It was incredibly delicious Chicken Tortilla Soup (a variation of the Six Can Chicken Tortilla Soup over at Allrecipes.com).  We decided not to do the traditional dinner just for the 4 of us and we just relaxed all day, put up Christmas decorations and enjoyed being home.  Thank you Baby!!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth

1 can cream of chicken soup

white meat from a Rotisserie chicken, shredded

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, very well rinsed (otherwise your soup ends up looking dark and not so appetizing)

1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (Rotel), drained

cumin

garlic powder

chili powder

cilantro

lime juice

Open the cans of corn, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies and pour into a large saucepan or stockpot.  Stir in shredded chicken.  Add pinches of the spices and a splash of lime juice. Simmer over medium heat until chicken is heated through (we put it on low for over an hour to let all the flavors simmer).  Garnish with tortilla strips or chips, sour cream, etc.

Thankful #4

I was not as patient as I should have been yesterday as I herded the boys all over the mall in search of Christmas presents to buy before everything became crazy this weekend.  At one point in time I was actually saying "All I want to do is get some Christmas shopping done!!!" in an extremely loud voice (no one can hear you in the car, you know.) and thinking to myself at the same time "I can't believe I'm yelling about Christmas presents - this doesn't exactly scream Christmas Spirit - it's screaming something, just not Christmas!"  Yet I continued to yell cause I had said "don't touch anything" about 100 times and heard about all the farting and burping noises I could deal with at that point.

So yesterday, I was thankful that even though it was not my proudest day, Elliott recognized that I wasn't have the best day and that I needed cheered up and surprised me with this Thanksgiving card when we got home.  I love my boys!

Memory Verse #2

This verse jumped out at me twice this week, so I take that as a sign that it's my verse this week.  I actually first really saw it when I was reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.  Can't remember exactly the specifics of the discussion in the book, but I remember it referring to extending your life's purpose into your daily work no matter what work that is.....it was a time when I was feeling very overwhelmed and almost burnt out with the work I was doing and I can say that it really did help me to change my perspective about my job.  Whether I enjoyed what I was doing or not, I continually reminded myself that maybe the purpose wasn't to be the best but to do my best to be a representative of Jesus.  I reminded myself of this all through the boys' colicky infancy, exhausting toddlerhoods, and energetic preschool years - and am still reminding myself that every little thing I do or say is representative of Him - might seem kind of stressful to some, but it's freeing to me, giving me guidance and clear priorities in my day-to-day life.

Okay, extremely long explanation, but the verse is much shorter this week!

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
-Colossians 3:17 (New Living Translation)

sourdough rolls

My mom will forever be famous in our family for her sourdough rolls.  If there is a family dinner on either the Jenkins or the Hosselton side, her most important job is to bring the rolls.  In fact we often joke that it doesn't matter so much if she shows up as long as she sends the rolls with someone! (we're just kidding, Mom!)

I would share the recipe, but you have to have a sourdough starter and I do not have the recipe for that.  Honestly I don't think any of us want the recipe cause they probably wouldn't turn out like hers, anyway!  I can tell you, though, that if you ever have the chance to sink your teeth into one, you will not be disappointed

thankful #3

{teachers}

thankful for the blessing of incredible teachers for our boys.  Ethan has had the same teacher throughout pre-k with the exception of the year we were in Georgia, and we love her!  She is very creative and loving and Ethan learns so much from her.

I have never seen a more teacher more passionate about teaching than Elliott's teacher.  The picture above is just one example of how she is so great about making home/school connections and giving the kids tons of strategies to help them do their best.  She is loving and understanding and just an awesome teacher.

{teaching}

I can honestly say that the past few months have been very hectic and a learning process as I adjusted to going back to work while still balancing everything at home also.  It makes it all worth it when I get a drawing made just for me.  There is a little boy in the 3 year old class who melts my heart each time I see him.  A couple of days ago I was just passing through the class and he said "Ms. Jonica, I'm thankful for you" in his little 3 year old voice.  Then today he gave me this picture of a tractor for me to take home....that he had made just for me. 

thankful #2

{individuality}

thankful that this boy still wants to dress himself in his own way and not how everyone else is dressing - he is definitely his own person (yes, that's a hole in his sock!)

{creativity}

thankful for the energy that this boy puts into creativity - whether it's Lego creations, drawing, making posters, etc.  This is something he truly enjoys and I'm thankful for that (and that it keeps him from constantly wanting screen time!)

thankful #1

Taking a challenge from another blogsite and focusing this week's Picture of The Day(s) on things that I am thankful for.  Of course I'm already behind so here's Sunday's....

{family}

The boys and I got to spend time with every single member of my dad's side of the family (with the exception of Brian) over the weekend - love spending time with them (poor Kevin is under there somewhere!)

{Grandma}

Thankful that my grandma was not only able to be at Thanksgiving but to also be able to interact with us and be her witty self even though her body doesn't want to keep up with her right now.

got a good memory?

Not a good memory as in laughing with your sisters or getting hugs from your kids.  I mean, are you able to memorize things easily?  I used to be able to do this at least through college (that was my favorite method of studying - making the material into an acronym or something easy to remember).  But I can't say I've tried to memorize much lately, besides names, phone numbers and schedules.

Earlier this evening I prayed to God for a scripture to come into my head that would help me at that particular time.  I came up blank.  General thoughts and knowledge came into my head, like God loves me, He'll never leave me, there's a plan in this, etc. (Maybe a little too much pre-school worship time, huh?), but for the life of me I could not remember a single specific verse!

So, I've decided to start memorizing a verse every week.  Anyone else up to it?  I got the idea from Beth Moore's blog so you can read how they are doing this or join them over there.  From what I understand they just have a group of people who have committed to memorizing 2 verses each month - not the same verse for everyone, but whatever you feel is speaking to you at that time.  I just decided to do one a week cause that's want I want to do .  If you're up to the challenge, do it however you want, but it would be great if you would share your verse in the comments to inspire the rest of us : ) 

I'd love to have company - keeps me accountable!  Here's the verse I'm going to memorize this week:

What God has said isn't only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.  

Hebrews 4:12 (Contemporary English Version)

OR

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 (New International Version)

(I haven't decided which version I like better, but it will be one of these)

I first really saw this at the conference we went to this past weekend, and it's referenced on the t-shirt I bought there.  It really kind of sums of the importance to me of memorizing scripture and having it "logged" in my mind and heart to refer to at any time.

So that's where I'm starting.  I know I'm going to print this verse out and put it on the fridge - haven't figured out other strategies yet.  Maybe a little notecard in the car?  I know someone has good ideas out there.

Charmed

This is a very proud 1st grader showing off his charm that he received last week by earning 5 "Screeches".  The kids at his school get a "screech" from their teachers when they are seen displaying great character traits and then get a charm every time they earn 5 screeches.  They are also congratulated by the principal during morning announcements.  Elliott was so incredibly excited about this that on the morning that he was going to receive the charm he was up and dressed by 7:30 asking if he could go to school yet!

We are so so proud of you Elliott!!!!!!!

Over 8000 ladies....

spent Friday evening and Saturday morning worshipping together and listening to Beth Moore speak live at the convention center in Springfield, IL.  Our group altogether made up about 17 of those ladies.  What a weekend! 

I've done only one study by Beth Moore, but loved every minute of it and this conference didn't disappoint me.  She had an awesome worship team with her, too.  At one point I just looked around at all those ladies in there and heard those voices singing and thought "....this is only a tiny taste of what it's going to be like surrounded by people praising God in his presence someday"  Wow.

Even beyond being spiritually refreshing (which I really really needed), it was a much needed girls weekend - eating late night Italian at Saputo's, trying desperately to find breakfast with 8000 other ladies at 6:30 am (don't recommend it), great road trip company, late night laughs......just wish it could have lasted longer.

Thanks for coming with me girls!!!  When's the next outing???

yumminess

Not sure if that's a word, but that's what I'm saying about the pumpkin pancakes that I mentioned a few days ago.  We did make them on Halloween and they were very yummy!

trick-or-treat

sweet and salty deliciousness

Found some cool Halloween green candy melts  at Walmart yesterday so we made these today in my class and then Ethan and I tried our hand at the leftover pretzels - yumm!!  It feels so good to do something at least a little crafty and creative - granted it's not much, but these days I'm thrilled even with this.

And this is what it looks like after you've had your fall party at school, played outside with friends, been to a parent-teacher conference, laughed your head off while making "boy" noises with your brother in the back seat all the way home, and taken just a few licks of the melted chocolate when you think your mom isn't looking.

halloween eats

Wanted to share this link for orange pumpkin pancakes and black syrup.  I haven't made them, but plan to on Halloween morning (that is, if I ever find pumpkin puree anywhere).

What job do you want?

Talking to Elliott last night at bedtime, he was talking about the job he had at school this week - apparently this changes weekly.  This week he is the hand sanitizerer, and, according to him, he's had this job before and it's kind of boring.  I asked him what other jobs there were.

Elliott:  "There's line leader which I've never done, the door and light person which I've never done and board eraser and.....  It's not like kindergarten where there's just a line leader and an end person.  There's lots of jobs.  Oh, shoe tie-er.  That's the one I really want!!  I've never been shoe tie-er either!!"

Really?  Shoe tie-er?  Not sure what all that involves, but apparently it's very enticing to him.  A few weeks ago he got to be the worm person - this job involves moving all the worms back to the green apple and giving out green apple cards, and he really liked that one too. So glad he's loving school!!

nepal

My sister, Amber, is right now in Nepal on a missions trip.  The team that she is with is expecting to see approximately 4000 people in their makeshift clinic this week - wow!  Please pray for their team to be able to seize opportunities to talk to these people about Jesus as they try to see as many people as possible in the next few days - that God will give them the opportunities and that he will guide their words when they are given the opportunities.  I can't imagine being so far away from home and taking on such an enormous task - God has blessed her with an enormous heart!

just saying....

five

Wow, time really flies. I hardly remember anything from Ethan's first year. Elliott was a very busy 2 year old and I was very sleep deprived. I do however remember how much I loved this cute little baby face - is he really already 5???

And here he is today......thrilled to get a new DS to play just like his brother.

Happy Birthday Ethan!!!!

change is coming

This........

is when I start wishing I could spend the fall and winter back in Georgia! This was Elliott's soccer game this evening - luckily we keep this lovely American Choppers blanket in the car for emergencies, and this was an emergency tonight. Brrrrrrrr! Love sitting in front of the fire in a cozy sweater with some hot chocolate, but sitting outside? Not so much.

overheard

Putting clothes away upstairs I could hear the boys and Brian talking downstairs today and caught bits and pieces of a conversation.

Elliott: "Ethan, there are lots of kids in the world who don't have _________ (I couldn't understand what he said). You should be more thankful for what you have."

So I'm thinking "wow, he's really getting what we keep trying to teach him" It always seems like we talk and talk about how fortunate we are and that there are many many people who don't even know if they will be able to eat each day, but they don't see to get it. So I was really excited to hear him say this even though I wasn't sure what they were talking about.

Later Brian came in to tell me the rest of the story. They were listening to jazz music on his iPod, and the conversation actually went like this:

Ethan: "I don't like this music!!"

Elliott: "Ethan, there are lots of kids in the world who don't have jazz. You should be more thankful for what you have."

Well, at least he gets the general idea, right?

7 years

This cute little 2 year old.........

just became a fun-loving 7 year old today!

Happy 7th Birthday Elliott!!!!!!

life after vacation

I haven't blogged in so long, but our lives have kind of felt like a whirlwind lately so I thought I would blog like that (enjoy!)

We went from this......

to this

(new scooters courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa!)

and then to this.....

(the line of cars trying to get out of our neighborhood

on the first day of school - I think this bus driver

was being very thorough cause he/she stopped for about 5

minutes each time a child got on the bus!)

to get to this

(he was about the last one to arrive - see above- so he

wasn't too keen on mom being in his classroom taking

his picture. You can't tell, but he was in the middle

of rolling his eyes)

and then this

(again, no cooperation with the pictures)

which meant this........

now looks like this......

and the counters now look like this.....

(papers from Elliott's school)

and this.

(reminders of my errands that have to be done

that morning)

But you gotta love pulling into the driveway to this.....

and then getting to see this....

(The Red Dragons are doing very well this year!)

and this.

(The Black Pumas are fantastic also!)

And it's not everyday that I get to see this....

(My cousin Tara dancing with her dad at her wedding)

or this.

(don't you love when you get surprise photos on

your camera after you leave it with someone?

Thanks Zach - I really do love these!!! Love

that we all got to see each other and need to do

it more often)

So loved seeing this.....

(Baby Eli is not so little and definitely a man

on the move!)

and of course THIS!!!

(Benjamin Gill Koertge born August 18, 2009. Look

at those sweet little toes!)

And then this.....

became this!!

(Elliott learned to ride a "two-wheeler" as the boys

call them. He finally just decided that he wanted

to do it, so he did)

This......

(there's not really much to say about this. Just kind

of speaks for itself, huh?)