Just a Thursday

Yesterday come the afternoon once chores, school and work was done...our son and I went out just the two of us for some play time. A park trip then to the pet store in town to see the birds and fish. He loves any chance he gets to play outdoors at the park and he loves all animals, so it was the perfect combination for some time well spent just the two of us. A little swinging, spinning, climbing, running...then fun seeing different species of fresh and salt water fish and some neat birds too. Love precious moments spent alone with both my children.

 Baby Pearl White Cockatiel

Love this neat boy of mine.

Our Day, Our Daughter - Meaningful Moments

Working every day to raise our children with good values, morals and 

to be independent thinkers and do-ers.

Our day yesterday started out as any normal Tuesday...we wake, we feed animals, we feed ourselves, we dress, we 'school', we eat lunch, we listen to an audio book or watch a documentary while Momma finishes up work and we head out every Tuesday afternoon for the Library and Grocery shopping. Yet our daughter and I had some very meaningful moments throughout the day. Every day there are amazing, wonderful, meaningful moments just yesterday stuck to my heart especially.

Lately when we have conversations and she speaks she pulls at my heart strings frequently- its my admiration, awe, appreciation and love for this young women, young adult she is becoming- I couldn't be more proud.

In our morning together while having some one on one study time we discussed education goals, college goals, life goals. I love that she speaks so openly. I love her passionate heart. I love that this journey of homeschooling but more than that, this journey to let them make choices has led her to know what is right for her- last year she made no commitment to study traditional subjects- she studied I believe a week's worth of math the entire year- yes and we let her. She didn't like it, didn't want it and felt she didn't need it. This year, entering 9th grade, high school- she has asked for math, let us know out loud that she made the wrong decision to take nearly the whole year off and now she must play catch up- but she is working hard to catch up- she still may not like it and not really think she'll need it in life- but she's doing it, because she has goals she has set for herself. Nothing good would have come of me making her do it last year. She has gained independence, choice, dedication to her goals. I told her I was proud of her and her choices - I'm proud of her dedication to many things this year.

In the afternoon upon heading to the Library we walked isle by isle browsing...a little crafting, a little cooking, some song writing, guitar playing...then we came to the parenting books which include home schooling books- I teased just for fun -telling her I'd better pick one out and learn how to 'parent' or 'homeschool' her before it was too late since she was nearly 15 and going to be an adult in 3 years- she laughed and patted my shoulder- and told me -I think its too late for that, besides everything is good..life is good..we pretty much have this figured out together! *Love* Pure *Love*

I love both my children...no one goes into home schooling or parenting knowing how to do it, they do their best, they follow their hearts, they follow the Lord, they pray, they read, they enlist support, friends, family- they listen and learn to know their children...they trust their children. 

I trust that she is on a great path.

Day Trip Saturday

Just outside Priest River is Albeni Falls Dam, ID - we pass it by on our way into Washington frequently but have never stopped there until today. We took a family day trip to the park to play- it was a sunny 42 degrees- we ran around for an hour then headed over to the dam to sight see. It was a gorgeous sight, bright and sunny, clear blue water, some geese about honking- a fun time.

Albeni Falls Info -

 http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/LocksandDams/AlbeniFallsDam.aspx

 Beautiful, fun, family day together.

Healthy 2 ingredient Cookies (plus mix in's)

When my husband and I sit down to meal plan for the week we have our go-to recipes and recipe books on hand but we love to venture online- searching out new recipes to add to our binder at home. When looking for meals, I ran across this goodie for healthy 2 ingredient cookies, plus your choice of mix-in's. I knew I had to try it out! So this morning I did...we mixed in walnuts and chocolate chips- I didn't chop the oats enough so next time I will chop them a bit more to get a better mixture going on. But the taste- don't expect a 'normal' chocolate chip cookie- but these definitely were good and satisfied my sweet tooth! I may try cinnamon-raisin for my next go at these! Yum.

Here's the link to the Burlap Bags recipe for 2-ingredient-cookies-plus-the-mix-ins-of-your-choice

2 ingredients -

Banana's & Oats

My mix in's - Chocolate Chips & Walnuts

 Great taste- but next time I'll chop those oats more! Some didn't even get chopped.

Love new recipes!

Boy Time

One of the things I admire and love most about my husband is how he can fix, build, make...practically anything. A talent shown to him by his father and one we both want to instill in our son as well. Luckily our son LOVES fixing, building and making. He accompanies my husband any time there are things to repair or fix on the car - he loves removing my tires and rotating them, he'll lay underneath a vehicle any time my husband asks. Our son also enjoys learning tasks of providing for our needs...fixing things around the house, or building fires to keep us warm. He also loves cooking- and helps to make dinner nightly...he will make some woman very happy one day :)

So, this last week...he and hubbie fixed the A/C-heater switch in our mini-van. Our son learned soldering and about the wiring and they got it fixed and back in place...and Momma is happy that the switch now just turns on without any jiggling it about to get it to work. Hubbie also showed him how to make kindling for the fire and get the fire started in our wood stove.  The boy lessons didn't end there..they also build golf course ramps out of wood, logs, tubing and cardboard as a part of their cub scout project this week as well. Love my boys.

Can't believe this guy is going to be 10 years old next month!!

Park Day

The sun was shining, the day was warmer...okay 45...but it FELT warm with the sun beating down and hardly any clouds in the sky. What a great opportunity to take our school day to the park. Indoors are great for snow days, sitting by the fire- but if its beautiful outside, that's where you'll find us. A little learning, a lot of discussions, a lot of playing, a lot of laughs....and a lot of fun!

Fresh air, beautiful sunshine and great company, the Lord is good!

Movie Week & Backyard Hiking

We had a slow week this last week...our daughter coming home Monday at midnight from her weekend trip with 4H...then her sleeping till 2pm on Tuesday and back into bed by 6pm. We declared it movie week from school purposely to give her rest time. A little history of Japan, the Declaration of Independence, the Arctic & Antarctica and 20,000 Leagues under the Sea (since we just finished up the book). Yes, it was a relaxing week together. Friday, feeling more energy from the easy week after finishing work for the day we all went to the movies- Penguins of Madagascar for the boys and Hunger Games for the girls..then out to dinner, pit stop at Walmart and home for bed. Yesterday brought laundry and pizza and movie night at home. Today with the sun shining brightly outside we ventured for some backyard hiking. Exploring our 'yard' of 25 acres never gets old. Seeing how magnificently huge the pine tree's are always amazes me. The peace that comes from stopping dead in your tracks in the midst of the forest and just listening. Birds, wind through the tree's, sun light on your face warming- I can think of nothing better than being out in nature with my family.

Sharing a few pictures from our hike today...

 May you and your family be blessed this upcoming week and reflect on the joy of being together and in the nature surrounding you.