My New Blog Home

I'm Moving....yep, you read right.  I have a new blog home!  And I am so excited about it!!!!   So come see me over at  Life's Little Melodies  !


Blessings
Crystal

Monday Meanderings

Bible Study... Going to try and study I Peter.  I Don't know why, I just want to study it.

Memory Verse --  Philippians 2:14  This is the girl's memory verse for this week so I am doing theirs with them. 

Husband Encouragement... 

* Make his favorite cookies! Chocolate Chip.

* Joyful attitude, patience with children.--This one is Sarah's but I have not been  a very joyful or patient       Mom the last few days. Thanks Sarah!!!

* Keep hanging up his clothes!  He really likes it when I get the laundry put away!

Train Them Up... 

* Keep doing memory verses...
* Work on first time obedience.  WE have gotten way off track in this. 
Personal Goals... 

* Paint my toenails...I have went most of the summer with only one or two pedicures (done at home :) )  But my nails are needing some new color!
* Exercise at least twice this week...more if I can work it in.
* Start getting dressed every morning instead of wearing my slouchy clothes all day. :)

New Habit of the Month...  Make sure the laundry is put up before I go to bed at night.  Been keeping my dishes pretty well done up but now I need to work on that laundry pile..

MUST Do...
* Must clean my messy house....I really need to de-clutter and reorganize.

Zone(s)...
* Help Paul finish redoing the living room this week. 
Menu - 

M - B- Oatmeal and Strawberries

       L- Leftover Chicken Tacos from Sunday
       S-  Lasagna, Garlic Bread

T-   B- Blueberry muffins, yoghurt
       L- Smoked Sausage and Fried Potatoes
        S-Chicken Noodle Soup

W-  B-Baked French Toast, Smoothies
        L- Leftover Chicken Noodle Soup
        S- Bible Study---Spaghetti & Meatballs/Cheesey Garlic Biscuits...

Th-  B-Smoothies/Granola
         L-Meatball Subs
         S- Pinto Beans, Fried Potatoes, Meatloaf

F-    B- Muffins, Smoothies
        L- Meatloaf Sandwiches
        S-Biscuits & Gravy

S-  B- Omlettes
      L- At a Fair
      S- At a Fair

FUN THINGS!
*RAIN!!!!!!!  Supposed to get 3 days of it this week...
* Going to the Fair this weekend.

3 things I'm thankful for today... 
1.  The new Pretzel M&M's  :)
2.  Audio Books....for the children...not me. :)
3. Nap Time!!!

Can you tell its been Monday?   But its got to get better!!! 

For more Monday Meadering' s join us at Sarah' s! 

Have a Blessed Week!!!!
Crystal

My lack of blogging......

My lack of blogging the last few months can mostly be attributed to busy busy busy mom and wife life....Its crazy, just when I think life is going to slow down, it speeds up and we have more to do.  

This summer, our garden came in fast and furious.  We had almost nothing one day and the next day was over run with vegetables to put up.  But I have freezer full of food and two jars of icebox pickles in the fridge.   We have been busy in our home business the last few weeks.  And of course playing with the new grandbaby....

And then there is school and regular house work.  Plus, we are working on some remodeling projects (nothing pretty....or decorating wise...just stuff that has to be torn out and replaced. )    Like today, I am completely emptying my living room so that we can rip the carpet up in it and replace some sheet rock on a wall.   What I am going to do with everything I take out of it, I don't know but its got to get out of there. 

So while I have not been blogging on a regular schedule, I am trying to get back on one and to post more interesting and helpful stuff.  I always get lots of ideas for post and then never have the time to carry them out.  

Praying all has a blessed week.  

Crystal

My new favorite store......

I have a new favorite store.....

You see, for the last few years, I have avoided any kind of store in which I could spend way too much money.   I have not bought any kind of new decorations for fall or spring or Christmas or Thanksgiving unless it cost less than $5 at the dollar store.  Seriously....

But....I had to go to Hobby Lobby this weekend for some flowers for my nephews wedding.  And they have way too much stuff that I can buy.  (hehe)

To start with, they already have their Thanksgiving and Christmas stuff out and are running SALES on it.  Yes you read right.  SALES in AUGUST on THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS decorations. Can you believe it?!  I was so excited.   No I did not buy anything...but I have a list of items that we will hopefully  be making a trip back for in the next month or so.... 

And alot of items on that list are crafts for the kids to do....they are not even for me.  But they have so much Thanksgiving and Christmas craft stuff....some wooden cutouts of Pilgrims and Indians and Pumpkins that they can color (markers included) for  $1.99 ea.  Not bad.  And the girls loved the idea...and of course there are ornaments that you can paint.  and all kinds of felt items. 

And I like the word "stuff"  don't I? 

Question....

I have been trying to finish up my planning for the upcoming home school year but one question remains from last year and I cannot seem to answer it.    What to use for Science curriculum? 

We are mainly Charlotte Mason style but I am not against using a different style of curriculum.   I have thought about just doing Nature Study with them until they get a little older. 

Also, at what age would you generally start a specific Science curriculum?  This is where it gets confusing looking at all the different curriculums out there.  Some dont start until "grade" 3 or 4 and some start at "grade"1.  So what "grade" or age do you really start with the Science....and Geography and History for that matter? 

We started with some History last year and some Geography and some Science, but the girls quickly lost interest in all three....so we laid back and concentrated on Reading, Hadnwriting and Math...with Fun stuff thrown in.  But now I am back where I was last year....with the questions of when do I start teaching these and what do I teach. 

Any input would be much appreciated!
 Crystal

Monday Meanderings

B

Bible Study:  Strength.  Will give some verses on this later.

Memory Verse: Prov. 31:25

Husband Encouragement:   Get us both to feeling better.  He hates it when I'm sick and I hate it when he is sick. 
* Just be here for him when he comes in from work.  I get so wrapped up in the kids and the house and lose sight of just US time.

Train Them Up:  Keep getting back on routine and getting them outside.  Although it is hot hot hot outside this week, we have got to find cool things to do. 

Personal Goals:  Get to feeling better.  Thats about it. 

New Habit of the Month:  Keep doing dishes up throughout the day.   Been doing pretty good, just got to keep doing it. 

Must Do:  Still need to order the herbs for the kids.  * Still need to make bread and freeze.  * Still need to finish school plans and order books.   (this stuff has gotten put off because of being sick and shortage of money... :( )

Zone:  Not doing one this week.  Basically my whole house needs cleaned but unless I feel better, I'm not doing much. 

Menu: 
Monday:  Had Pizza for supper.
Tuesday:   B: Eggs, Toast
                   L: Grilled Cheese
                   S:  Hamburger Steak, Fried Potatoes Veggie.
Wednesday: B: Smoothies
                      L:  No Clue
                      S:  Bible Study:  Velveeta Cheese Dip/Chips  Fruit Salad
 Thursday: B:  Granola
                    L:  Chicken Salad Sandwiches
                     S: Biscuits/Gravy/Bacon
Friday:  B: Smoothies
               L:  Quesadillas
               S:  Steaks, Baked Potatoes, Salad
Saturday and Sunday, have no idea what we are doing so I am not planning anything.

Fun Things: Playday with the homeschool group Friday.   Thats about it this week.  :)
 
3 things I am thankful for this week:  A great husband * Kids that understand that momma is sick and are being so helpful and good (they planned out menu this week :) )  * God!

For more Monday Meanderings please visit Sarah!

Have a blessed week!!!!!
Crystal!

Kinda Bummed.....

Kindof a dotted post....

* I have been sick for the last two weeks....Bronchitis.  It hurts, it makes me feel yucky and I am tired of coughing.  And even though I am not contagious, I hate the looks I get in the stores or public places when I cough...

* Paul has been fighting a bronichal infection for a month now...he is even more tired of being sick than I am...I am tired of him being sick.  Not that I mind taking care of him, I just dont like seeing my baby sick. 

* I am tired of trying to type in blogger and it not working.  ughhhh

* Our Homeschool Groups Moms Night Out has kinda slacked off.  Just not a whole lot of moms coming and the ones of us that are are kinda discouraged instead of encouraged.  I need some ideas on things for us to do.  We are not a rich homeschool group, most of our husbands are either out of work or low on work and most are self employed so things that require money are not an option. 

* This Heat is so opressing.....So tiring!!!!! 
Thats it, just things that are kinda low today.  

Now to make my day better and my week Great!!!!  
I pray everyone has a great week!!!
Blessings
Crystal

Eli Gabriel....our Grandson!

Eli Gabriel. 7-8-10. 7.5lbs 20.5in.  Doing great and being spoiled!   Sorry if some of the pics are blurry.  Kind of hard to get good pics of moving kids... :) 
But that is what we are up to lately.......

Blessings
Crystal

Monday Meanderings

Bible Study - Randomly reading through the Bible.  I like to do this from time to time.

Memory Verse-  As said above, I am randomly reading....my ADD mind is so busy this week and usually in these instances, if I try to make myself memorize something, it does not work at all!  

Husband Encouragement

* Have the house clean when he comes in from work...
* Have his clothes put up....he cannot stand having his clothes left out after they have been laundered and I am horrible at putting them up. 
* Make a special meal for him this week!  He deserves it!

* Praise him for one thing (or more) each day!  I try not to nag or belittle him, but I really need to work on finding things to tell him he did good...or that I appreciate. 

Train Them Up

*I'm with Sarah on the getting OFFLINE.  I get so wrapped up in things on the computer, I tend to forget the kids and it is so crazy around here.

* Also with Sarah on getting the kids outside.  We have no trees in our yard....but if they can just stay outside for 10-15 min at a time, this would help so much.....(and I am going to start keeping popsicles and homemade slushies in the freezer so they can cool off.....) :) 

*Start back on our daily routine.....we have gotten so off of everything but morning routine the last few weeks while we have had my daughter-in-law over.....she is anxiously awaiting the birth of our Grandson and hasnt wanted to be home alone....just in case. 

* Start doing their Bible reading time again.....we have also forgot this in the business of life but it works so well!

Personal Goals

* re-paint my nails.....lol.  I so need to do this and wouldn't have thought of it if Sarah hadn't posted it.

* Start walking again.  I have let this go also and I can tell.

* Drink more Lemon water everyday....such an energy booster and so many health benefits....

New Habit of the Month - JULY!

*Keep the dishes done.  When I leave the dishes even for a little bit, we get overrun with ants....(the little black ones) and its horrible.  If I keep the dishes done up, they are not as bad.   But I am bad about leaving them for the day and doing them all at night..... :(

MUST Do

*Order more contacts....finally got my eyes re-examined and now I need to order contacts and new glasses...but glasses later.

* Order herbs off of Amazon. (I can get the kids ear drops and Echinacea on here cheaper.)

* Make Bread and freeze some....so tired of buying bread from store.

* Finish making school plans for kids and get books ordered
* Make a pillow for Jason (he doesn't have a special pillow... :( )
*  I think that is enough for the week....considering the last two days are going to be busy....
Zone - master bath...

Menu

M -had supper with Daddy...
T- Grilled Hamburgers with the kids

W- Bible Study- Beans and Sausage, cake.

Th- Probably eat out...Will be at the hospital with Amber....(she is being induced)
F- Mexican Casserole
S- Cereal (we like to do this some....it is cheap (if its homemade granola) and quick and relaxing)
FUN THINGS!

*Amber is scheduled to be induced Thursday....she has been having some problems so they are ready to go.  So hopefully by Thursday night, we will have our Grandson...
* My mom and dad possibly coming up for a couple of days.

3 things I'm thankful for today:

1.My wonderful family!

2. My very hardworking husband.
3. Garden fresh veggies. 

For more Monday Meanderings please visit Sarah!!!!
Hope all has a blessed week!
Crystal

My wonderful husband.....

I have the Greatest Husband in the World!!!!!  He is such a hard worker and he always makes time for our babies. No matter how tired he is or how much he has to do, he still makes time to sit them on his knee and just spend time with them teaching them.  He comes in from work and wrestles with them and they LOVE it!!! I love hearing the screams of joy and the "Come get me Daddy".

He  has been sick with a sinus infection the last couple of weeks but he still has been working and taking care of his family.   I had to have a tooth pulled a couple of weeks ago while he was out of town on a trip for a couple of days.   He knows how dental work gets me down and he hated being out of town.  He came home the next day and immediately started helping with the house and cooking and making sure I had whatever I thought I could eat.  He even made two different trips to town to get me stuff.

His (our) first Grandbaby is due any day and I cant wait to see him as a grandpa.  I never thought that I would be a grandma at 29.  But its okay.  I am so anxious for this baby to get here so I can spoil it.  But I know he has waited a loooooonnnnnggg time to be able to say that he is a grandpa.   He is so excited about it.


I thank God everyday for sending my husband to me.  He knew what He was doing when He gave us to each other.  We have learned alot the last couple of years about becoming a couple that pleases God.  It has not been an easy journey and we are far from finished but I am so glad that My husband has been the one that I have journeyed it with and that we will continue this journey together! 

This picture was taken at the Zoo in Great Bend, Ks.  We were there on business and the town has a free Zoo and Raptor center.  It was really cool.  We were in the Aquarium house when this picture was taken and a really big fish had just swam by and of course Jason was distracted...Kylie was acting scared and Alaina clung to daddy...lol.  A great trip though.

This monkey was so playful and was really enjoying having the kids talk to him.  He followed us all the way around the cage.  Course pictures are hard to take of a moving monkey through wire.. :)   The fish on the right, was one of many in the aquarium house.  The girls thought it was cool in the house because the only light was the lights coming from the aquarium's.  It was a really really cool but weird light.   If that makes any sense....but most of the house dark with green and purple and blue and pink lights everywhere....made for some interesting pictures! 

This trip was just one of the many things that Paul does for his family!  So blessed to have him!!!

Blessings and I pray all has a very blessed Holiday weekend!
Crystal

Blogger!!!!!

I was going to do Monday Meandering yesterday and another post today and I had a post last week that Blogger did not even post...for some reason, it says it is but its not. 

And what is the deal with their fonts and their spacing.  Everytime I hit the enter key, I have to hit the arrow key to get the cursor where I want it.  Its crazy....so instead of posting, I am going to just enjoy my time with my babies. 

Who knows...between blogger being a pain and needing to spend time with my kids, I may not blog.  Seriously thinking about it. 

Blessings
Crystal

A Bloggy Giveaway!!!!!

Hey everyone!!!!

 My Sis is having a bloggy giveaway!!!!!  So go on over and check it out and I can promise that you will love your prizes if you win!!!!!

 I'll be back with another post later today or tomorrow ! 

Blessings

Crystal!

A Crockpot cooking website that I found!!!!

I found this on a friends facebook page the other day and I have been trying some of the recipes.....YUMMYYY

Crockpot365

Go Check it out!

Now I am off to go finish mowing my yard and till my garden one more time before I plant.....cant wait for all the fresh veggies.... :)

Have a very blessed day
Crystal

My laundry schedule

I thought I would post my laundry schedule today in hopes that it may help others.

I dont enjoy laundry, I really cant stand to fold it or hang it.   I do love the smell of fresh clean clothes and the feel of line dried clothes though...and I LOVE the smell of laundry detergent.  My homemade laundry detergent...... :) 

I admit, I was drowning in laundry.  It never got all done, never was all put up or all hung...ughhh just not pretty at all. 

So I sat down one day and decided that I had to get a handle on it.  It is working so far. 
Week one....
Monday, Wednesday, Friday....Pauls and My laundry... Usually by Friday I dont have anything left, so we do sheets and extras...

Tuesday, Thursday... The kids do their laundry. (They wash, dry, (unless we hang outside, then they help me with this.) and fold and put up)!!!  But remember, I have an almost 7 yr old, and a curious 5 yr old...they both know how the washer and dryer work and since we dont use bleach (vinegar instead) and our homemade detergent is not harmful....They really enjoy it.  Which is more than I can say for their mom.. :) 

The next week, we rotate our days, I take tuesday and thusday and the girls and jason get M.W. F.  And we do their sheets and extras...

We rotate these weeks and everyones laundry is done and we dont have to worry about whether everyone has clean clothes...It has worked out really well. 

On really busy weeks, I have started doing this.  It still gets all the laundry done....

Hope you all have a blessed week!!!

Monday Meanderings

Monday Meanderings


Bible Study:  Reading my Busy Moms Bible


Memory Verse
Hebrews 7:25

Husband Encouragement
Make his favorite cookies and do as much of his paperwork for him this week that I can do......

Train Them Up

* Routine, Routine, Routine.....Need I say more....

* Keep on doing our Bible reading in the morning and at night. (When I sit down to read my bible at night before bed, they get their bibles and sit quietly and read....then just before they go to bed, we read from the bible and answer questions they have. They have started really enjoying this..) Keep it going.....


Must Do
*Plant Garden
*Mow Yard (again)
*Find Dresser for my daughter in law for the babys room
* Finish Alainas dress (I am determined to get this done and then another one)
Zone
YARD
Menu
Will post later
Fun Things
*Moms Night Out!!!
* Play day today
*Go help Amber get baby room more organized
* Go play at Grannys Wednesday or Friday
* Mom had an appointment Thursday so the kids get to stay with some friends while she is gone......They love these friends.... :)
*Go with Daddy to get stuff for work Wednesday or Friday.
Crazy Crazy week...
For More Monday Meanderings Visit Sarah!!!

Have a blessed Week!!!!
Crystal



Blessings



Crystal

Monday Meanderings

Monday Meanderings

Bible Study:

Finish Ecclessiaties....and start another one...dont know which yet... (If you havent figured out yet, I randomly select books of the Bible and study them)

Memory Verse
Reviewing the kids memory verses with them....Again.....

Husband Encouragement
 He is going to be on a business trip Wednesday thru Saturday (we will be joining him Friday Night) So I am going to try to make suppers quick and simple Monday and Tuesday so that we can spend quality time with him...and I am making it a point to clean out our office so that he can find what he needs without asking me where it is... :)

Train Them Up

* Work on getting back into routines....vacations are so bad on this ---and still working on it..it is getting there though.....

* Keep on doing our Bible reading in the morning and at night. (When I sit down to read my bible at night before bed, they get their bibles and sit quietly and read....then just before they go to bed, we read from the bible and answer questions they have. They have started really enjoying this..)  Keep it going.....

Must Do

* Till garden and plant it....

* Haul junk to the landfill.....
* Clean out flower bed...it froze again the other night so I am hesitant to do this....but it really needs done before the weeds take over...
* Finish girls aprons (no I still havent gotten this done..) but I am determined to do it this week...especially with Paul being gone so much...

* Finish Alainas dress (havent gotten this done either)
* Clean out office!!!

Zone

Office and Yard

Menu

Monday- Lunch--Hamburgers and French Fries (on the grill)
Supper-- Steaks and my hubbys wonderful potatoes!!! and salad

Tuesday--Lunch-- Polish sausage dogs(Alaina is allergic to hot dogs (any kind) so we have polish sausage instead....she is fine with these..
Supper-- Grilled Chicken, Salad, Corn on the Cob on the grill
Wednesday--Lunch--TBD
Supper-- Bible Study--Roast..potatoes carrots

Thursday--Lunch--TBD
Supper--Calizone
Friday--Lunch--On the Road to see Daddy..
Supper--Supper with Daddy and An Aunt that we love so much but hardly ever get to see and Jack and Amber
Saturday-- Lunch-- On our way home from seeing Daddy
Supper---Salad

Sunday--Lunch--Out to eat and go to Sams Club

Supper--Snacks...

Fun Things

* Playday  at least one...

* Get to see our Aunt!!!

* And outside alot!!!!!!!!

For more Monday Meanderings, visit Sarah!!!

Blessings

Crystal

Under Construction!

I will be moving a few things around on my blog over the next couple of weeks.  Please be patient...and do come back!  I promise I will have it done soon!

Blessings
Crystal

Monday Meanderings

Bible Study:
Ecclesiastes---
Memory Verse

Reviewing the kids memory verses with them....

Husband Encouragement

He has alot of trips to make this week.....I am going to try to be up when he leaves in the mornings and try not to be yelling (er....raising my voice just a little bit.... :) ) at the kids when he gets home...and I am going to make his favorite chocolate chip cookies this week. 



Train Them Up

* Work on getting back into routines....vacations are so bad on this

* Work on praising them for their good works......The have been such good helpers and I dont tell them enough how good they are....Still working on this....

* Keep on doing our Bible reading in the morning and at night.  (When I sit down to read my bible at night before bed, they get their bibles and sit quietly and read....then just before they go to bed, we read from the bible and answer questions they have. They have started really enjoying this..)

Must Do
* Get garden ready to plant.....should have been done already.  But lacking good weather and time...

* Start seeds for garden..so they will be ready to go in the ground in a month...

* Finish girls aprons (no I still havent gotten this done..)

* Finish Alainas dress (havent gotten this done either)

* Two possibly three play days this week....



Zone
Garden.....yes this is a zone....and the rest of my house is pretty much okay. 

Menu

Monday- Lunch--Salad
                Supper-- Tostadas
Tuesday--Lunch--Burritos
                Supper--Seasoned Baked Chicken Breast and Veggies
Wednesday--Lunch--Sausage Egg Toaster Sandwiches
                     Supper-- Bible Study--Crockpot beef enchiladas
Thursday--Lunch--Cereal (homemade granola) Fruit
                 Supper--Steaks, Salad, Baked potatoes
Friday--Lunch--Salad
             Supper--Hamburgers  oven fries veggies
Saturday-- Lunch-- Spaghetti
                 Supper--Out to eat with Paul
Sunday--Lunch--Leftover Spaghetti Salad
              Supper--Cereal (homemade granola)  We like to keep it simple on Sundays...

Like I said, Paul will be gone several days this week and the kids are really getting in to cooking...so alot of it is stuff they can either make on their own (with supervision of course) or that they can really help alot with. 

Fun Things

* Playdays (as mentioned above)
* Getting to help get the garden ready
* And redoing our flower beds
* And outside alot!!!!!!!!


For more Monday Meanderings, visit Sarah!!!
Blessings
Crystal

HAPPY 3rd Birthday Jason!!!!

Jason at 6wks old.

6mths

(1 Year)

(2 Years)

(3 Years)

Blogger has me agrivated right now because it took me three hours (at different times of course) to get these loaded. 

But My baby is 3.  Where did the time go?  Love You Lots my Jason bear and cant wait to see the wonderful young man you become. 

Monday Meanderings.....

Again, I havent done this in a while, and I dont know if Sarah is doing it this week, but I felt the need to do it and see if it will keep me on track. 

Bible Study

Reading Proverbs

Memory Verse
Prov. 31:26 "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her toungue is the law of kindness."
Yes, I am doing this one again.....I need a review. 

Husband Encouragement
Make his favorite cookies.  Keep the laundry done up (he loves it when all the laundry is done....or at least his is put in the closet. )

Train Them Up
* Work on obedience and respect we have slacked in this area. 
* Work on praising them for their good works......The have been such good helpers and I dont tell them enough how good they are.

Must Do

* Take Jason to his check up on his ears.
* Finish preparations for our vacation (more on that later)
* Finish girls aprons
* Finish Alainas dress
* Make a skirt for me

Zone

My Bedroom (ughh it is a complete disaster of books and clothes and stuff)


Menu

Monday- Sirloin tips and gravy (mashed potatoes and rolls)

Tuesday- Calizone
Wednesday- Bible Study (Chicken noodle Soup)

Thursday - Nachos
Friday- Pancakes
Saturday- Hamburgers


Fun Things

* Getting to play outside in all this pretty weather!

* Getting ready for our vacation

* Going for coffee with a friend

Again, I am not sure if Sarah is doing this this week.  She is busy enjoying her new blessing :)  But I needed to do it to keep me going.

Blessings
Crystal