Starting Over

Hello!  It is 2017 and I'm sitting here in a hotel in Scottsbluff Nebraska watching the kids swim, and thinking about restarting my blog.  Clint says I should so the Kids have something to remember when they get older and because I'm too shy to do a VLOG!  I enjoy watching them but after two tries I for sure decided not to do it again. For one I don't have much to say except to my own kids, and for two, I'm not a big talker.

This picture of Molly is from 2015 on her first day of homeschool. Her puppy is big now and she's quite a bit taller too!  I know she still fits into that skirt though, she is my only skirt wearer. She is now halfway through her 6th grade year, doing well, playing sports at Hi-plains, enjoying the company of her buddy Jaden.  Molly's interests lie only in sports and friends for now, I haven't figured out where she should spend her time as far as plans for her future, she hasn't shown an interest in much. She says COACH at this time, but it may change???   She does want to learn to sew, and that is on my to do list very soon!

Here's Autumn from this past summer with her cousin and best friend Emily.  Emily has jobs to go to and they don't see each other as much , which is sad for Autumn.  To me it's a wake up call that yes, life is changing for this 13 year old and the days of youth are nearing the end, sob sob.  High school is next year and lots of things to do/ learn in the next four years!  She claims her and Emily will be inseparable and live and travel together but I can't say with confidence that will happen. I don't know what God has planned for Autumn but it looks more and more like college for animation learning. She is learning a lot on her own and we have decided to get her to start a blog. We also are thinking this summer of getting in the tshirt business. She designs and I handing printing. Maybe start an Etsy store.....?...?

Long time later.... a CHANGE is taking place!

It's been almost two years since this "change" has been in the works.  I guess it's all in God's timing not mine!  After 2 job rejects, one of my doing, we've decided homeschool is my "change."  I have thought over and over that this is what i've always wanted to do.  And now, there are two of us who want to do this!  Me working was just settling and not what I REALLY want.  I have thought about homeschool even before any of the kids were school aged.  It is to me, a natural thing following giving up working and staying home.  I don't see the point of trekking them to school every morning, only to be sitting here alone, missing them terribly.  I know that sounds weird to people, that I feel alone without them, but I do.  My job is gone, they are at school.  I thought i'd find all kinds of stuff to do, hobbies, cleaning, going somewhere, but none of that interest me when I'm alone.  I hate being alone and am rather depressed being so.  I want to show someone what I'm doing... or better yet, teach my kids something.  The 3 R's of course, but other things too... bible, cooking, cleaning, responsibility, manners!  I am just so excited even thinking about this!  Field trips!  It just fits with me and always has... and now Clint too!  How long i've prayed and waited for this!

Morning Drinks

The morning drink problem arrises when school starts and especially  when the weather changes.  Most of the time the kids want hot chocolate while they sit and do their little devotional books they got from Sunday School.  The little packets I buy are gone way to fast.  The homemade mix, to me, isn't really all that tasty and is "imitation" tasting.  The bulk powder mix isn't much different.  So, I stopped buying it!  This morning was very cold out and demanding me figure out something.  I had some baking squares in the cabinet and decided to look up a way on the computer on how to use those.  Here's what I found:

How to Make Real Hot Chocolate:

Ingredients:
2 squares unsweetened or semisweet chocolate
1/3 cup sugar
4 cups milk

Break or chop the two squares of unsweetened or semisweet chocolate into smaller pieces.

In a saucepan, add: 2 chopped squares unsweetened or semisweet chocolate, 1/3 cup sugar and 2 cups milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously. Once the mixture comes to a boil, add the remaining 2 cups milk and heat all the way through. Do not allow the hot chocolate to come to another boil.

Remove from heat and serve immediately. 

It makes 4 cups, which is the perfect amount for the 4 of them.  I'll have to stick to coffee then.  But, this recipe is more what hot chocolate should be.  It has tiny pieces of chocolate floating around which I like.  Will have to try to embellish it with some marshmallows or whipped cream every now and again!

Mennonite Girls Can Cook: Baked Oatmeal with Apple and Cinnamon

Mennonite Girls Can Cook: Baked Oatmeal with Apple and Cinnamon:  I went to visit a friend of mine in Nebraska and she made this wonderful baked oatmeal dish.  It was a surprise to me that I liked it and so did the kids (because I don't like oatmeal usually).  I am definitely going to make this often since we have eliminated buying cereal.  That for sure has been a trial trying to find morning meals for picky kids... at least this one pleases!!!!