Happy Birthday, Alex

Happy Birthday, Alex! My baby boy turned 11 today.  He was thrilled with the lab coat that he got for his birthday.  We even had to take pictures of him with his cake while he was wearing it.

Menu Plan

Monday - Baked Potatoes, Chicken Divan, and Fruit Salad (Leftover from Alex's birthday dinner.)

Tuesday -Rice, Chicken Baked Pork Chops, Stuffing, Peas, Applesauce (Leftover from Sunday dinner)

Wednesday -  Spaghetti, Corn, Breadsticks

Thursday - Chicken Tacos (minus the cumin), Mexican Rice, Quick and Easy Black Beans

Friday - Chef Salad

Saturday - Red Robin

Sunday - Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Noodles, Carrots, Cottage Cheese, Chocolate Pie

Weekly Dozen - Goals

Last year I followed 3 in 30 in making three goals each month.  I only set goals for half the year, but I did find that it really helped me the months I set definite goals.  I have decided that this year I am going to set more than 3 goals in a given month so will not be using 3 in 30.  I have read quite a bit about setting SMART goals through Money Saving Mom's website, and I have decided to use her thoughts as a basis for my goal setting this year.  I am still working on my list of yearly goals, but I  have gone ahead and put together a list of goals for this week based on the rough draft of my yearly goals.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1.  Memorize Ephesians 1:4-6 and review 1:1-3
2. Continue reading through my Bible utilizing a chronological reading plan.

HEALTH and FITNESS
3. Walk 6 miles this week

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
4.  Create and blog weekly menu
5.  Weekly Challenge - Clean out and reorganize all kitchen cupboards and drawers.

FAMILY GOALS
6.  Educational Field Trip
7.  Ice Skating Party
8.  Family Birthday Party for Alex

HOBBIES
9.  Finish knitting Waffle Knit Dishcloth

LITERARY GOALS
10.  Finish reading Preparing for Adolescence by Dr. James Dobson and pick up Crazy Love from Library.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11.Put together a supply list for the homemade gift I am making for my mother and sisters for next Christmas.
12. Upload family pictures from Christmas to Walgreens for Mom.

Menu Plan

Monday - Eggnog French Toast, Eggs, and Bacon

Tuesday - Lasagna, Green Beans, Salad

Wednesday -  Tuna Patties, Macaroni and Cheese, Lima Beans

Thursday - Taco Soup

Friday - Chinese

Saturday - (Alex's Birthday) - Baked Potatoes, Chicken Divan, Strawberry Fresca, Chocolate Bundt Cake

Sunday - Chicken Baked Pork Chops, Rice, Stuffing, Applesauce, Peas, Chocolate Cake

Time Marches On!

Our current Christmas family photo along with ones dating back to 2003.  I am assuming that it was 2003 when we got our first digital camera, because that is as far as our photos go back. Oh, how quickly time has moved on.

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2006

Christmas 2005

Fall 2005

Christmas 2004

Christmas 2003

The Evening Sky

A beautiful sunset behind our home this evening!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Jeff, Dixie,

Curtis, Samuel, Alex,

Briana, and Julissa

Mini Vacation in August with Grandma

In August of this year, we went on a mini vacation with my mom.  We went to Springfield, Illinois and visited many places that related to Abraham Lincoln and we also went to Missouri and visited  the home of Mark Twain.  I will post a few of the pictures from our time together.

The kids enjoyed dressing up with costumes from the time period of Lincoln. 

L to R: Samuel, Briana, Julissa, and Alex

Curtis and Grandma were shopping in the bookstore!

The kids are standing in front of the Lincoln Family. 

Julissa, Alex, and Briana enjoying themselves in the play area at the Lincoln Museum.

Samuel and Alex thoroughly enjoying being dressed the part.

Alex peeking over Samuel's shoulder.

The above pictures were all taken at the Lincoln Presidential Museum.

There was a miniature golf course not too far from our hotel, so we took advantage of it.  We enjoyed playing miniature golf with my mom.  I believe this was the first time she had ever played.

Curtis, Mom, and I

The next group of pictures were taken at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site.

Curtis, Samuel, Alex, Briana, and Julissa

Grandma and her grandkids

Mom and I

Julissa

Briana

Alex

Samuel

Curtis

Curtis and Samuel

Now we are getting ready to tour Lincoln's home in Springfield, IL.

Lincoln's Singing Troubadours at the visitor center to Lincoln's home.  This group did a wonderful job singing acapella. I believe I could have sat there and listened to them for hours.

After touring the Lincoln Home, we got to listen to Mr. Lincoln talk in his backyard.  Curtis is listening intently to what he has to say.

Mr. Lincoln

Briana and Julissa with Mr. Lincoln

Julissa and Briana with Mrs. Lincoln

Lincoln's Tomb

3 in 30 Goals for June!

1.  HOMESCHOOL - My goal for homeschooling is really two-fold, so I will be spending June and July on this goal.  I need to prepare quarterly binders for each child and input all lesson plans into Edu-Track for the 2011-2012 school year.

2.  HOME -This goal may take me June and July as well.  I need to reorganize and declutter all bookcases in preparation for the upcoming school year.  I am running out of shelf space and I really don't have room for any more bookcases, so I must get rid of books! I have 2 double seven-foot bookcases, 3 double six-foot bookcases, 5 single six-foot bookcases, 1 really large bookcase, and 12 small bookcases. Yikes! Can you tell I am a librarian's daughter?!

3.  SELF-EDUCATION - I want to finish reading the book The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers by Gary Chapman. 

Review of 3 in 30 Goals for May

It has been a busy month and I did not accomplish everything I set out to accomplish.  But I did make progress, which is better than nothing!

1.  HOMESCHOOL - My first goal for this month is to finalize all curriculum decisions and purchase all needed curriculum for my five children for the 2011-2012 school year.  I will have a 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 8th grader this fall. It seems like just yesterday that I started PreK with my oldest!

I made quite a bit of progress with this goal, and I hope to have it finished by the weekend.  I have placed quite a few of my orders and am waiting until convention to finalize a few things.

2.  HOME - I plan to remove clutter and thoroughly clean my Master Bedroom this month. I also plan to go through all of my clothes and get rid of those that are too big! I may need to shop for some new clothes when I am done!

There is not enough time in my day!  I cleaned out my dresser and got rid of clothes, but did not get everything done in my room.  

3.  SELF-EDUCATION - I want to finish reading the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

I finished reading this book! Yeah! One goal complete in its entirety!