Monday.

I was 12 weeks into my pregnancy yesterday.
I'm officially in my second trimester now. :)

I need to go shopping for new pants. and new shirts.
and a new purse...a purse is very important for pregnancy you know.

We tapped the sugar maple tree in our front yard....I've spent the day boiling sap.
My house is steamy and smells like we're about to eat pancakes.

It was 63 degrees today...but very, very windy.
When it gets warm in northern Illinois....it gets windy. Welcome to March/April.

We've decided to take spring break this week.
It was a rash decision...which is fine because I want to get my house back in order and organized.
I feel like I've spent the past few weeks napping..oh wait, I have!

I don't live in NYC, but I thought this list was fun to read.

I washed blankets today that have been in the laundry pile since February...
...see! I told you I needed to get my house in order!

I've eaten one too many chocolate chip pecan cookies today.

“We fear men so much, because we fear God so little.” 
― William Gurnall
How true this is.  It's so easy to care more about what people think than what God thinks.

Hope your week is off to a good start.
Happy Monday.
XxOo

A Wednesday in March.

We spent the day at The Museum of Science and Industry. (MSI)
If you're ever in Chicago, it's worth a visit. Very hands on, very kid friendly.
It's a great museum. One of our favorites.
FYI : It's free to those who homeschool and also teachers.

It was sunny in the city.
Driving past sparkly Lake Michigan made me wish for summer right Now!
I can't wait to walk through the city, take my kids to the beach and
eat chocolate swirly ice cream cones....soon, soon. (sort of ;)



Finally, I thought I'd share phone numbers with you....
...Should you be in need of a one day divorce at the low cost of $59 {What is the world coming to?}
Or Dirt Cheap Life Insurance...Not cheap, but DIRT cheap.

Happy Wednesday.

XxOo

Little Snapshots.

Everyday moments that have made up life lately:
The mega port wine cheese cracker.
Coffee Beans....why do they smell so, so good?
She's 8 now. Her brother gave her $10 to spend at B&N. Oh the choices to be made!
Italian soda...I found a bottle in my basement pantry I forgot about! Score!
I'm almost NOT going to fit into my jeans pretty soon.
I love teaching my kids at home. I am thankful everyday for the opportunity.
We're ready for all the snow to go away....even the snow that's coming tonight! Ugh.
Last weekend we had 13 kids rotate through our house...almost everyone slept over at some point.
{The kids loved it...they wish every weekend could be like that.}

Happy new week to you.
XxOo

This time around...So far.

I was mostly taking a pregnancy test to confirm that I wasn't...

I burst into tears when the positive sign swooped across that little box.
Not sad tears..shocked tears. I was SO surprised!
SO surprised....that I didn't believe the first test....it took a couple to convince me. Ha.

Our kids are thrilled to say the least. We all are.
It's been eight years since we've had a baby in the house.

The past couple of weeks have been reminding me what morning sickness feels like...
Only not in the morning.....late in the afternoon into the night.

The girls and I have been taking my iPad up to my room after lunch, laying down and watching Netflix.
I usually make it through the first three minutes of whatever it is we decide to watch. :)

It is much, much easier having older kids around...they take over the house..in a good way.
They've been doing dishes, laundry and even keeping the house picked up. (for the most part)
Such a difference from being pregnant with a house full of little ones.


I'm usually a healthy eater...right now I hate health!
All those healthy posts I've written over the past few years, all the healthy food...Don't listen to me!
That all went out the window weeks ago.

Just looking at my juicer made my stomach churn....I had to move it to the basement.
The thought of a green drink or spinach.....ugh. I can barely type that nasty word.
I'd be happy if spinach and vegetables stopped growing all together.

Oh..I also hate vitamins.

I've been surviving on bananas, cookies, toast, oatmeal and cocoa puffs.
Yes! Cocoa Puffs the sugar filled, GMO, artificial cereal.

I called Jeff on his way home and asked him to pick up a box...
"Are you being serious? You want me to stop and buy you Cocoa Puffs?"
He's an incredible husband so of course he stopped...ummm...stops.
{This scene may have happened more than once}

Let me tell you something before you judge...
The box says it contains vitamins and minerals and it's part of a complete breakfast! I believe it.

I also have a neighbor who works for General Mills. All the Cocoa Puffs you can imagine! For Free!
My addiction has been being fulfilled thanks to him and his lovely wife.

Hope your week has been grand so far.
I'm off to bed now.
XxOo

We gave away the crib and the baby blankets ....

......and the swing and the car seat and the stroller....we should have waited.
XxOo

Teamwork Starts at Home.

I told our three youngest children {ages 7,9,11} they were in charge of lunch clean up this afternoon.

The duties included ~
Washing dishes
Wiping the table and counter tops
Putting away the leftover food
Sweeping the kitchen and dining room floors

I did not have to tell which child to do which job. In fact I didn't even mention what they had to do.
I simply said... "You three are in charge of cleaning up"...
..and I walked away.

The three of them worked out the details together on their own.
Twenty minutes later the kitchen was clean.

"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishment toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results."-Andrew Carnegie


I believe it is important to teach children teamwork at a young age.
I don't believe it's the job of a football coach or a Sunday school teacher...it's the job of the parents.

By the time they join the football team they should already know how to respect the coach as well as work on a team...and it all starts at home.

It doesn't come naturally...it's something that needs to be taught.
I thought I'd share three simple things we've learned that have helped us teach our kids teamwork.

1 - If one of our kids mentions they have more work than someone else, we give them extra work!
It only takes one or two times for them to learn not to compare and just get the job done without complaining or worrying about the great injustice that has been done to them!

2 - Choose a team leader and make a list.
Sometimes we choose one of the kids to be in charge and hand them a list with the work that needs to get accomplished. This teaches the one in charge how to delegate and organize, and it teaches those under their leadership to respect the one in charge...no matter how many years younger or older they are. That is real life..your boss won't always be older and wiser than you..however, you still need to respect his position.

3 -Tell them they make a great team. Explain to your kids how powerful they can be if they work together.
"In union there is strength"  -Aesop

Jobs don't always run smoothly in our home..and brawls still break out. ;)
Sometimes we have to step in...but for the most part, our kids get the job done without our intervention.

Parenting  can be tough, but with diligence, consistency and a little creativity,
it can be both enjoyable and rewarding!

XxOo

Eight/Fifty-Two

Only the second week doing this and I'm late...Squeezing this in at the last second.

Afternoon nap.
He always, always, ALWAYS opens my car door. (p.s. the snow in parking lots is so dirty! )
Oatmeal with cinnamon and honey, fresh squeezed orange juice.
That headband is actually mine...I have yet to wear it. ;)
She likes layering and variety....why be boring and match?

It's a lazy Sunday here.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
XxOo