The Homeschool Mother's Journal-July

In my life this week… I signed up for a French class at one of the local colleges here that will be two nights a week this fall, starting Aug. 17th. It is a 4 credit hour class. I will be doing this in addition to whichever History class I start with through my MA History program.

In our homeschool this week…  We added LiveMocha to our French home studies. This is another great home practice program which does a wonderful job of explaining grammar rules as you go. It is a great compliment to Rosetta Stone, which our oldest daughter is already doing.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… I try to plan as much as I can ahead. While we homeschool year round, I do take 2-3 weeks off in August before the new school year officially begins to organize house and homeschool supplies and plan out what I want to accomplish the coming year.

I am inspired by… going new places and learning new things!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…We took our four older kids yesterday to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, prt.2. While Mr. Darcy and I had already seen it, taking the kids was still a fun treat. They loved it. This was our family treat following a pediatric dentist trip on Wednesday, where we took all 5 kids for their checkup...the good news...NO CAVITIES!

My favorite thing this week was… our family movie day yesterday.

What’s working/not working for us… taking one day at a time works for us. With five kids, school, activities, the weeks/months can seem daunting schedule-wise. By taking one day at a time, I keep from getting overwhelmed with the schedule or to-do list.

Questions/thoughts I have… I am wondering which graduate school I will be accepted too. Currently waiting on responses from Univ of Nebraska and Univ. of Louisiana-Monroe.  Both have first rate online MA History programs based at a brick and mortar school.

Things I’m working on… My Etsy shop is not opening this week as previously planned, but should be opening soon. I will let you know as soon as it is. The plan is to have it open by fall.

I’m reading… Reading the first Harry Potter series book aloud to the kids. We try to do a chapter a night. Tim and Audrey are really enjoying this. Also reading Emma by Jane Austen, which is this month's JABC selection.

I’m cooking… lots of fresh summer sides to go with easy main entree meat dishes. Still trying to do vegetarian entrees two nights a week.

I’m grateful for… this has been an illness/accident free summer so far!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share… if you are looking for a good online foreign language reference to supplement or use instead of Rosetta stone, try:  www.livemocha.com

If you are teaching your young child French, I recommend www.languageforlittlelearners.com by Yvonne Crawford. This is a great website that contains a new children's French worksheet everyday. Yvonne lives with her family in France and you can also follower her on twitter at @YvonneCrawford.

Have a great week!

In the Kitchen: Finding the JOY of cooking & 2 summer recipes

The past few days has found me in the kitchen...alot. Between Sunday morning and Monday evening, I had made, (in addition to Breakfasts and Lunches for 7 people), Apricot Brioche Chicken, Tarragon Potato Salad, Black Bean and Corn Salad, Homemade Fireroasted Salsa, 2 Cherry Delights, Chicken and Bacon clubs with homemade Chipotle Mayo and Sweet slaw.

Black Bean and Corn Salad

Sweet Slaw

Tarragon Potato Salad

Chipotle Mayo

My mom typically calls and says "I can't imagine how many dishes you do a week"...

and of course that picture was taken AFTER loading and unloading the dishwasher....TWICE! She will say "With 5 kids do you ever get out of the kitchen?" To which I reply, "Yes, I am also in the laundry room".  And we will have a chuckle and she will remind me that those little years, those "raising your family" years, go TOO fast.

Yes, there are alot of dishes.
But I don't mind. Because she is right. These years are flying by.
But these family meals, allow me to savor more of them.

 Last week, after a rather frustrating day with our two twin boys who have special needs, I had baked an apple pie. At dinner, after  I finished serving it, without notice, my one twin, Sean, YELLS  (startling everyone) "BravoMama. Thank you for pie.", and then proceeded to start clapping feverishly. To which all 4 of my other kids (and my darling husband) joined in, even the baby. In that moment, I completely and 100% forgot what I had been frustrated about. Dessert had been served. Life was good. Sean gave me an ovation, but what I received was gratitude. and motivation. and one of those feel good moments that are reserved for Mothers.

That was so worth the dishes.

I read a book once, (and I sooo wish I remembered the name of it) but it was about the service of hospitality and how we are first and foremost hostess to our families. We should find pride and service in taking care of our homes and families. There should be joy in cooking. We have a post of high position in God's eyes and we should give it rightful effort accordingly. I may never had a good French accent. I may never make a million dollars. But what I do for my family has worth. Homemaking is a royal endeavor. Never ever forget the value in what you do as a wife and a mother.

Here's my own recipe for homemade chipotle mayo.

Ingredients:

combine in a food processor:

2 cups mayo (or 4 if you want the mild version)
1 Tbs. chipotle peppers (usually sold in a 7oz can in the grocery store)
1/2 tsp lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (1/2 cup if you are making the mild version)

combine until smooth. I put ours in a tupperware and keep in the fridge. I am amazed the different things Mr. Darcy has found he likes to put this on.

Make a batch and keep in your fridge for sandwiches. Our favorite is to serve it on Chicken, bacon and swiss clubs with a side of sweet slaw. Warning: we live in the SW. This recipe is spicy, so if you like a milder condiment, be sure to double the mayo in the recipe from 2 cups to 4 cups and also double the cilantro.

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When I make chicken/bacon/swiss clubs, like I did last night, we love the chipotle mayo on them. Since it is packs alot of heat, I like to this slaw to compliment the heat with some sweet and cool. This is a great summer side and one of my kids favorites. The secret is the pineapple in the dressing. This is not an original recipe; i found it in a magazine (Simple and Delicious, May 2010).

Sweet Slaw: (serves 4)...I double it for our family size.

Combine:
4 cups premade coleslaw mix
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped celery and
 1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper in a serving bowl.

In a separate bowl, make your dressing by combining:
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup canned unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained
2 Tbsp. unsweetened pineapple juice
2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
2-4 tsp. sugar (to taste)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper.

Combine the dressing ingredients; pour over cabbage mixture and toss to coat. Chill until serving.

Family meals are an important part of , well, being a family. With the exception of tax season when my husband is working all kinds of crazy hours, we eat dinner as a family every night. Sunday family dinners are a big deal. I love these times. Jesus broke bread with his disciples; he didn't say "Hey, its so busy this week, lets hit the drive through". He sat. They sat. He talked. They listened. As a family, we need this time together.

Now....go have some fun in the kitchen!

Blessings,

The Homeschool Mother's Journal, July

**To read other entries from other great Mom's go to www.thehomeschoolchick.com where Sue hosts "The Homeschool Mother's Journal every week".

In my life this week… Got one graduate school application finished this past week and working on another one. Yes, I am going back to school. This time for a Masters Degree in History.  I have done speech-language pathology for 17 years; it is time for a change! I am anxious to see which schools accept me to their program, so I can make a decision who will be getting all my money come fall...wow... Graduate school has certainly gone up since last time I went.

In our homeschool this week…  We are continuing to read daily and also practice Math and French through summer. We will start our new homeschool year on Sept. 5th.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… I just bought the book "Homeschool your child for free" by Laura Meary Gold and Joan M. Zielinski. It is AMAZING!  I added the Amazon link so you can check it out for yourself. What a wonderful resource.

 I am inspired by…quiet moments.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…We just got back from a wonderful date weekend in Los Angeles. The reported "Carmageddon" made for practically no traffic which was great for us. The highlight of the weekend was seeing Sarah McLachlan at the Hollywood Bowl.

My favorite thing this week was… The Hollywood Bowl concert. We had so much fun. It was also wonderful to see the ocean again and enjoy some temperate weather!

Questions/thoughts I have...My pc, sometimes does "it's own thing" with my fonts and spacing. Sorry. The last remaining inconvenience from the virus it had last year.

Things I’m working on… new Girl Scout year meetings plans and new homeschool year plans. With these two responsibilities, plus going back to get another degree, I will not be sleeping again till about 2013. Did I mention that part of the degree requirement is being proficient in a foreign language? So I have been working on French every spare minute!  In LA last weekend, we met a family from France. I was able to tell them I had 5 children, 2 boys, 3 girls, etc. My sentences were all very short and very simple. I have much work to do!

I’m reading… Just finished "Sense and Sensibility" again and now reading "Emma" which is our Jane Austen bookclub selection for the upcoming August meeting. I would love to read Jaycee Lee Duggard's new book, but, being the mother of three little girls, I don't think I could bear it. How about you? Did you read it? 

I’m cooking… trying to cook more meatless selections more regularly. Better for the body, better for the environment, and better for the pocketbook!

I’m grateful for… education.

I’m praying for… direction on the kids education, and my own.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Have a great week, and enjoy some quiet moments!

Blessings,

Journeys...

What journey are you on? What journey are you leading your homeschoolers on? We all have different abilities so maybe our journeys (or goals) shouldn't always be the same. We all need space and support to learn and to grow into the best version of ourselves we can be.

  I love this quote...

I don't want my special needs homeschoolers feeling "less than" because academics are hard for them. I don't want any of my children ever feeling "less than" because something is difficult. I need to make sure the feedback I am giving is positive. I need to make sure I am helping them with their journey.

Because...

 I will be carrying that quote in my mind with me through these little years, through these homeschool years. Everyone is on their own journey. For their journey I am merely the current guide. For my own journey, I am the captain.

And so,  I have a little journey news of my own....my journey is leading me to apply for graduate school again. While I love being a speech language pathologist, I have been doing speech therapy for 17 years and feel the need to make a change. So, my journey has led me to apply for graduate school again, with the goal this time being to earn my MA in History.  I should find out in the next few weeks if my application was accepted, so wish me luck! If accepted, I will start this fall.

People need the freedom to grow...to change...to try new things and to become the best version of themselves.   I feel so fortunate to have a husband and a family who are supportive of this new endeavor and know me well enough to know that I am at my happiest when I am learning.  I don't want fear or fatigue to keep me from this journey, so I am rolling up my sleeves and making it happen.

Where is your journey taking you this year? Where are you taking your little homeschoolers?

Blessings to you!

Home School Mother's Journal-July

In my life this week…it was my twin sons' 11th birthday this week. They are my special needs homeschoolers. Also, HOORAY! We had our second meeting with the landscape architect and we love his plans for our backyard (which is currently a one acre pseudo dirt/brown grass lot...). Phase one (in color in the photo below) will start July 18th.  There will be three phases over the next two years.

In our homeschool this week…worked on French and reading each day. Enjoying some leisure time this week. I neflixed "Schoolhouse Rock" for the kids to watch this week. Remember those? My one train loving son loved "conjunction junction".  My daughter and I liked "there's a telegram line...you've got yours and I've got mine...It's called the nervous system..."  love these... 

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…if you are looking for a good foreign language program, I really can't recommend Rosetta Stone TotalE highly enough.

I am inspired by… watched "Miracle" this week. One of my favorite movies... about the 1980 Miracle on Ice US Olympic hockey team. Have you seen it? There's some fabulous lessons in there.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing...Mr. Darcy and I are headed to Los Angeles this week. Will be nice to see the ocean again and we have tickets to the Hollywood Bowl.

 My favorite thing this week was…without a doubt, the sweet comments you all left on my post ( click here) about raising my special needs sons.

I’m reading… Sense and Sensibility. It is the book of the month for my Jane Austen Book Club I started this year. Read it last in 1996. Enjoying it the second time around just as much.


I’m cooking… hearty salads to give my oven a break in this heat and a few yummy, hearty recipes this week. To see what I am cooking this week and a recipe for you, click here.

I’m grateful for… my husband, my kids, my home.


A photo, video, link, or quote to share… our soon to be backyard. phase one (in color) starts July 18th. The penciled areas, not color, are what will come next year. I'm pretty excited to see the difference that sod, pavers, granite, 97 flowering plants and 17 trees will make! That will make for a great before/after post!

Gifts...

My homeschool has 5 little homeschoolers in it. The oldest, my identical twins, Sean and Timothy, are turning 11 today. Sean and Tim are my special homeschoolers; they are both mentally retarded.

They were a fabulously full term pregnancy followed by a 24 hour delivery gone wrong that resulted in Sean (right) being head injured and suffering a TBI and Tim (left) being born second and breech, going without oxygen during delivery. I am thankful we all survived it, as Tim almost didn't. They have to work hard to do the things most take for granted. Their birthday used to make me sad, thinking what "could be", what they would be like, what our lives would be like, had things happened differently. I used to wonder about that all the time. I don't wonder about it anymore. It's called peace.

They are mine and I am theirs.

I love how on their birthday, they always check to see what the other one opened before going to the next present. I love how they never ever forget to say thank you...for even the smallest thing, and I love that they are always so happy to share in everything together...

So, you are now turning 11. You make my homeschool a magical place. You give it dragons and trains and knights to go with our princesses, and dolls and teaparties.

See that smile on my face? That's joy. The joy that only a Mother can know. Because I am your mother. I am yours and you are mine.  We sometimes endure comments and attitudes from very unhappy people. We choose joy; because we know that they don't know any better and that we cannot do any better. So we are happy with who we are, what we have, what we can do. We are thankful.

So, Happy Birthday boys. We love you. You are 11. You work hard everyday. You are valued. You are loved. May your birthday wish come true.

It may be your birthday, but the gifts have been mine.

Love,

Mommy

This post is hooked up to Simply Living...For Him Mentoring Mamas Link Up. 

Baja Chicken Pizzas

Good morning!  It has been longer than I would like since I posted a recipe. Who knew summer was going to be so busy? Two weeks ago, I made baja chicken taco pizzas for my family. They were a HUGE hit and a wonderful change of pace from a typical pizza night. Try them out and enjoy!

Baja Chicken Taco Pizzas

(recipe from "Simple & Delicious, June/July 2011)

Prep: 20 minutes   Bake: 20 minutes + standing
Yield: 6 servings.

**When I make this recipe, I  increase it to make 4 pizzas  to feed my family of 7...so your amounts may "look" different than my photos).

Ingredients:

1 cup ranch salad dressing
1/4 cup salsa
1 Tbsp. lime juice
3 Tbsp. minced fresh cilantro (plus 1 Tbsp. to sprinkle on top before serving)
2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 prebaked 12-in. thin pizza crust
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
2 cups (8oz) shredded part-skim mozarella cheese (you can substitute fiesta blend or cheddar)
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 medium ripe avocados, peeled and thinly sliced.

Directions:

In a blender or food processor, combine the salad dressing, salsa, lime juice and cilantro. Cover and process on high for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.

 Set aside.


 In a small bowl, combine chicken (cooked, cubed) and taco seasoning.

**TIP:  I place my uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a large pan, sprinkle with the taco seasoning and bake at 400 until done.  This gives them a great color and a richer flavor. What I don't use for this recipe, I save and use for tacos later in the week.

Cut up the chicken into bite size or cube pieces.

Place crust on an ungreased 12-inch pizza pan. (personally, I do that part last...but I need to be able to fit 4 pizzas on my counter)...

 Spread salsa mixture (your "sauce") over crust. I like to use a ladle, start in the center and then spread the "circle" outward. Perfect every time!

Sprinkle with the chicken mixture, tomatoes, onion and cheese. 

I like to add a little extra chopped cilantro for more flavor and a "pop" of color.

Bake at 425 for 17-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown (watch carefully, as ovens differ...mine were ready to take out at 14 minutes)....now mine is on a pizza pan...

 Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Sprinkle with lettuce; top with avocado slices.

Serve immediately. Enjoy!

HMJ: Birthdays & Baristas...telling it like it is.

This post is linked up to The Homeschool Mother's Journal, hosted by Sue at www.thehomeschoolchick.com  Hop over there if you want to meet other fabulous homeschool moms.  This post is also linked up to No Ordinary Blog Hop. To visit that great hop and get in on the July Hop action, click here. 

In my life this week… We took all 5 kids to the Circus this week as part of the boys birthday "Cirque du Science". The kids had a great time. I performed a MAJOR decluttering/deep purging/cleaning  of my home, and fired the young girl who had been helping me. I am sorry, but sending me an email "informing me" that you are decreasing your hours by half but that I will subsequently be paying you more isn't the way to go about discussing changes in hour or pay rate. She was a sweet girl, so I can only attribute this to this younger generation's lack of respect or reality.  They have no real education, work or world experience but some of them certainly hold high opinions of themselves. 
In our homeschool this week…Moved all homeschool books and materials downstairs. This year we are going to homeschool at the downstairs tables instead of the kitchen table (except for science experiments). I am loving this idea.

I am inspired by…simplicity and clear uncluttered spaces!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…Tomorrow is our twins' birthday party. I am looking forward to seeing our friends who are coming to share in their special day! (It is Science and Circus themed...we are calling it "Cirque du Science".)  The Circus part is done and this month we will take the kids to the AZ Science Center.

My favorite thing this week was… getting all the homeschool stuff moved downstairs and organized. I am ready for the new year when it starts!

What’s working/not working for us...getting up earlier continues to be working. Being up by 5:30 is allowing me to have some coffee/pc time with Mr. Darcy and some alone time for myself while still having everybody ready for schooling by 7:30.

Questions/thoughts I have…Going back to "Generation Entitlement"? A helper would complain about having no money but when i offered her more hours on the two days a week she only worked 4hr/day she said no. She  also always had a new perfect pedicure and would come to work every morning with the largest Starbucks drink available. If you can afford biweekly pedicures and $4/day starbucks habit, then should you really be complaining you cant afford a car? You can bet when I was her age I was not visiting my local barista daily. I was paying the bills.  Is it just me or do you also feel there is such a disconnect in how this generation of young people thinks? When did pedicures, starbucks, cable, etc become entitlements?

I’m cooking…tonight I will be cooking two birthday cakes. One a circus themed and one a science themed. To see what will be in my kitchen the rest of the week, click here.

I’m grateful for...my family and friends. I had a great week. Heard from my Mom, niece and cousin...the Kids have been so sweet and helpful. My husband asked if I was happy with the homeschool stuff that had been arriving...The boys party is tomorrow. Had a friend offer extra party supplies...Life is good!

I’m praying for…my boys, Sean and Timothy, as they get ready to turn 11 this week, that God will bless them and protect them and help them be the best Sean and Timothy they can be, and praying for me to be the mother that can help them reach their fullest potential; whatever that may be for them.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Blessings to you,  Shall we all go to our local barista, pay $4 for a drink that is really bad for us and then go get our pedicures done and complain about stuff? all the young'ins are doing it? (wink).