Cutting Back

Do you ever just feel so overwhelmed that you want to hide in your house and do nothing at all?

That's sort of where I've been lately.  I feel like I can't say no, I find myself volunteering for stuff so that I can make others happy, and I just feel drained.

It just so happens that for my birthday I was given this book, and at church our pastor has been doing a sermon series using this book.

I have been taking an "inventory" of what is replenishing my soul (and my family) and what is draining.
Now, by draining I don't mean that it's a bad thing to be involved in.  I just mean that it's not a good thing for ME and my family.  It's likely not somewhere God wants us right now.

I have prayed and decided that for now, we need a break from our homeschool co-op.  I love the people, I love what we've gained from it (many friends and a lot of confidence), and I love how much we've grown there.  We just need a break.  So we're taking a semester off.
This was such a hard decision to come to, but it's right.  For now.

I'm also learning to re-arrange my schedule so that we only have appointments on a certain day of the week.  No more running all week to random things.

Ben and I are making date night a priority, even if it's just twice a month.  I'm working to plan at least one fun "family night" once a month.  We need these things.

Just these small (yet big) changes are going to make a big difference for us.
Also, if I tell you "no" when you ask something, it isn't because I don't want to.  It's because I just don't need to.

Back To Writing

We started back with IEW writing two weeks ago, and I must say that I was really surprised with how much my kids retained!

I was so intimidated by this program a few years ago, but now I'm sold!!

We did not practice writing over the summer (I know, I know...we got busy with summer stuff!).  

We jumped right back into class (remember, my friend Michelle is teaching the kids) and there was no fighting (that happened our first few weeks last year) and they knew exactly what to do.  

It's amazing how much their writing improved over such a short time.  

Their key word outlines are better, their grammar is improving (I use their rough drafts to see what we really need to put more focus on) and they are so proud of what they are doing!

Now, we started small last year (with the last section of PALS) but I think that was good for us.  It really gave them the basics without too much pressure.  Michelle suggested starting there and I'm glad we did.  Wyatt thought it was silly at first, but then he realized that he had a lot to learn!  We struggled with some difficulties with one of the kids early one (dyslexic tendencies, late reading) and so the writing process wasn't a big focus.  

Now we're on to Student Writing Intensive Level A.  I'm excited to see how much they improve this semester, and I'm pretty sure their confidence will only grow!  

Maybe I'll upload their first paper last year and then the last one this year--that would be a wonderful comparison!

What do you use for writing?

Crockpot Jambalaya: Trim Healthy Mama (S)

I am so excited to share this recipe!!!

I was given this recipe for jambalaya about two years ago. The original calls for cooking in the oven, but I like it much better in the crockpot!

 It quickly became a family favorite and Ben has been asking for it, but I was hesitant to make it.  If I did, I would eat it.  This is a problem because the original has one ingredient that isn't on plan.

Yesterday I decided to try riced cauliflower in place of the rice, and it worked!!!!  Oh, it was so good!  

Ben had 3 bowls!!

To "rice" cauliflower, use a cheese grater or food processor and "process" the florets until they resemble rice.  I do mine in a Vitamix!

Trim Healthy Mama Crock Pot Jambalaya (S)
(Printable Recipe)

*1 pound frozen shrimp (no tails)

or 2 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie works well)

*1 pound smoked sausage, sliced

*1 onion, diced

*1 bell pepper, diced

*1 cup celery, diced

*3 cups beef broth

*4 cups "riced" cauliflower

*1 can ro-tel

*2 bay leaves

*1 stick butter

*1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper

*dash of tobasco

*1 bunch green onions

Combine everything in crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Enjoy!

Planning

I've decided to postpone the start of our school year until September 2nd.  Why?  Because I can :)

We are switching up almost all of our curriculum this year, and I am determined to have a good battle plan in place.  So, I'm taking an extra few weeks to make sure that plan is nice and strong!

I ordered this awesome planner in the hopes that I can stay on track. 

 I love the motivation it has in it, along with scripture and accountability each week.

Now to convince Ben that I need a whole day sitting at Panera with my laptop and planner!

Already??

Why is it every year this sneaks up so quickly? 

 It doesn't help that school is barely out before stores are stocking shelves with notebooks, pencils, backpacks, and such.

Our plan had been to school through summer, but that didn't happen (hardly ever does). 

I ended up setting some goals for each kid to accomplish by the time we start our new school year, and that's going well.

For the older two it is mainly to learn all of the states and capitols.

  They are doing great thanks to Sheppard Software.  I love this site.
Mason also plays on this site, strengthening his letters and numbers, as well as some basic math skills.

I also grabbed a new Hooked On Phonics kit from the library.  It's okay--I didn't love HOP when I first used it with Wyatt, but it's a good supplement and the newer ones are more fun.

We're trying to soak up some of the nice, cooler days and hoping to get started with day one of school on August 4th.  Starting early so we can take plenty of days off through the year!

When do your kids start school?

Montana Part 2

These are just some of my favorite pictures from around our cabin!

Can you see the little "gopher" in the picture above?  Pretty sure these were prairie dogs (or a type).  They were cute, but apparently a big nuisance for ranchers.

Pretty sure he is contemplating the perfect spot for his cabin!

This little deer would visit us every morning and evening!

Montana Part 1

Ben and I had the amazing opportunity to spend a week in Montana from July 9-16.  

I have a lot of pictures to share (I don't claim to be a professional, but I tried to get some decent ones!).

I'm going to break our trip down into a few different posts to make it easier to follow!

We arrived around 3pm on the 9th, and by the time we grabbed groceries and made it to our cabin in Rock Creek, we were pretty excited and I didn't think to take out my good camera (so most of my pictures are on my phone!).

We stayed at the Valley Of The Moon cabin on Rock Creek, and it was wonderful!  A quaint little cabin attached the main cabin, and our hosts were so accommodating and fun!  They were full of suggestions for things to see and do!

Valley Of The Moon is a historical property.  Theodore Roosevelt and Louis L'Amour are just two famous people to stay here!

Rock Creek runs through the property, and since dark doesn't hit until 10pm Ben had plenty of fishing time in the evenings!

Our next day was full of fishing along the Bitterroot River with a guide service.  Again, all pictures are on my phone (didn't want to chance dropping the good camera in the water).

On Friday we headed out early and did some exploring.  We ended up at a little spot along the Blackfoot River.  The fishing wasn't great, and we left when a family with kids showed up and started splashing around (not conducive to good fishing).  It certainly was pretty, though!

We drove along a mountain highway for about 40 minutes and ended up at the cutest little town ever--Ovando, MT.  Population of around 70!

"Main Street" was a little dirt road, and the town consisted of a General Store, Museum, Fly Shop, and a restaurant called The Stray Bullet (we had lunch here--it was a cozy little place with great food).

It's also a stop on the "Lewis Minus Clark Expedition".  

 

The owner of the fly shop suggested a good fishing spot, so we trekked into the (very remote) wilderness to this little place.  I was a bit nervous the whole time, seeing as there were bear warning signs everywhere and we had no bear spray!! 

It was beautiful and very peaceful, though!

Our day ended back at our cabin with Ben fishing and me enjoying a book!