School Days

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I came across a curriculum not too long ago that I have used in the past for the other kiddos and knew Eliza and Tate would love it.

It saves me from planning school for them! I just follow the plan and use the student sheets with the curriculum.

And right now as my two oldest are working away from home, we are showing our house and farm, and getting ready to move – it is the perfect timing to follow someone else’s plan.

I do love planning their school though. I am sure I won’t last too long without looking for some extra crafts or ideas to go along with what we are doing! Cause that is the best part of being a teacher!

We have been enjoying our school days very much!

We also have been running with learning about the prairie because of our FIAR book Three Names.

I think I am going to keep going with this because I have a great Unit Study that I can use!

I also thought a field trip to Pepin, Wisconsin, where the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum is would be fun now that it is warming up outside!

We had our snack on a blanket ‘in the prairie’ one morning while I read library books to the kiddos.

Tate and Eliza love to be read to and will sit and listen to books endlessly. I am so glad they enjoy this!

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We always read a Bible story everyday. We learned about Noah and the flood, so I quickly pulled up Pinterest and found a fun rainbow craft.

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The littles are learning one alphabet letter a week in the curriculum I am using. This week is all about ‘s’ and the sun. These two love paper, crayons, scissors, school, crafts…..and are constantly saying, “Mom! What’s next?!”

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I am using tactile activities to teach them how to write their letters. We trace the puzzle letters with our fingers. On this day, we used a container with salt in it to practice writing the letter ‘s’.

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Lane is an easy student to teach as well. Teaching these kiddos is really not about filling them up with knowledge, it is about lighting a fire under them to love to learn! Lane has that fire! Actually, they all do!! Lane is usually roaming the house while working on his work, and you never know quite where you will find him. He joins the big kids sometimes.

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My plan is to keep going through this curriculum with Eliza and Tate through the summer, but at a slower pace. I will have a new plan for Chad and Lane for the summer, once I figure out what that will be!

Grant finished all his High School work last night (at 6:18 p.m.!! But who was counting!!)! He is a GRADUATE!!! YAHOO!!!!! Addie Mae is not far behind! We will not be having graduation parties for our two seniors – they have requested a family vacation together instead. We don’t have it planned yet, but we all LOVE that idea!!!

Our school days are full of fun and blessings!

Life Lately

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Why, hello there!

I am sorry to say this post will probably mostly be just a pile of photos!

I want them in my scrapbook when I print it someday. We printed our blog for 2014 and 2015 into books, and they are so neat to have as our family scrapbooks now!

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We have been busy as usual, with the same old things and a lot of new things.

The weather around these parts has been crazy cold, snowy, windy, icy, rainy, cloudy, and did I mention freezing cold?

I took this photo on April 5th as I headed to town late in the afternoon, after my van sat up by the house for a couple of hours. Yes, I said April 5th!

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In the same day we have had a beautiful sunrise, a front roll in, and then snow.

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Finally on Saturday we started seeing the sun again! It felt so good, even though it was 20 degrees outside! My crew got an early start working outside anyway, and did some spring cleaning and burning.

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These cold days have had us inside a lot, but we seem to keep busy as ever! School is moving along, and our afternoons are filled with getting ready to move, games, play, and we have been watching a show called “How Things Are Made.” It is Lane’s favorite! He loves to pull things apart to see how they work!

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With Addie Mae at work half days right now, I am the master chef! I am thrilled to say I love to work in the kitchen, as always! I have went away from our rotating meal plan, although we made need to go back to it when we get closer to moving. I have been trying all sorts of new recipes and have been having a blast! I also keep my little side kick at my side, which she LOVES. Our next master chef in the making!

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This Moroccan Quinoa was a hit!

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I am really enjoying making breakfast too.

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I hide lots of good stuff in a smoothie. Like chia seeds, coconut oil, avocado, greens….don’t tell the kids!!

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Since Saturday, this neck of the woods has been slowly warming up! Emphasis on slowly! So we have been getting outside to play each day, which feels like a dream.

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I brought some toys to the sidewalk for the littles yesterday, and because we were having friends over. Tate squatted down, gave the toy mower a good look, and then said to me, “Mom, this is not a vacuum! What is it called?!” Isn’t that cute!? I don’t think Tate has ever asked me what something is called before!

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Speaking of friends visiting, we had a great night of fellowship here over the weekend with some old and some new friends! The new friends are now old friends! We had a BLAST.

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All this crazy, crazy makes for some tired kiddos!

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Just six days after Tate’s adoption day in court, his new birth certificate arrived!

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We had one of our favorite people pick up the middle boys one evening, and they got to eat at Clyde’s place and then go bowling for Lane’s birthday! My oldest girl has this birthday stuff right on! We have no need for more stuff – but to make memories with her siblings instead is such a blessed thing. It makes my heart sing!

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I got out some nuts to snack on yesterday morning. That Tate! I sometimes think he knows what I am thinking! He does not miss a beat, I am telling you! Once he came running, his partner in crime wasn’t too far behind. So they were eating nuts off the counter. Tate was standing on his tip toes to be able to reach. So much I never want to forget!!

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It is raining today, but we are hoping for our sunny days to return soon! The weather app on my phone shows a promise of great things on their way – like 70 degrees!!! I may need to be sedated if it really does not happen. We are relishing in every moment we have left here on the farm – even though it is VERY quiet with only two horses. The views from this ridge we call home are still one of my favorite things.

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Well, there is life lately! Kinda, sorta! Through a whole bunch of random photos!

Life is good! We are so blessed! The tears have left! As we enter this new season, we are so excited! We feel united, connected, focused, and ready to press on! Praise the Lord!

Have a great rest of your Wednesday everyone!

Happy Birthday, Kayla Lauren!!

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Our beautiful daughter had a birthday last week!

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Keeping with our birthday traditions, Kayla requested a country style dinner!

Mashed yams, bacon wrapped asparagus, seasoned baked chicken legs, and a tossed salad with homemade ranch dressing it was!

Yes, that bacon wrapped asparagus is a favorite!

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There were gifts as well! We always have so much fun blessing the one with the birthday! I think the gift givers have more fun than those receiving the gifts!

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The fellowship is always sweet! And it was a “big circle” day with a full table!

Oh my goodness! I do not have one photo of Clyde for this post! I know! I have lost my mind!

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Addie Mae was in charge of the birthday dessert, of course!

She made a chocolate cake batter, and then cooked it in the waffle iron into chocolate waffles.

How cute is that idea?!

Kayla requested strawberries, fresh whipped cream, and chocolate sauce “from the bottle!”

I would say that is one awesome birthday dessert!

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We sang to the birthday girl and then she had some help blowing out her candles.

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Kayla Lauren, we love your big heart, your ambitious and driven spirit, your beautiful smile, how naturally being a mommy comes to you, how you pour yourself into others lives – but most of all your love for the Lord and how it shines in every single thing you do. We are so blessed to call you our daughter!!

Happy Birthday my sweet oldest girl!!!

We love you SO much!!!

A Recipe//Layered Taco Bake

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Yesterday I was working solo in the kitchen getting ready for company, and posted this photo to instagram –

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My sweet bloggy friend in Australia asked for the recipe – so I thought I would post it here!

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Layered Taco Bake

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
taco seasoning
2 cups cooked pinto beans mashed, or one can of refried beans
salsa
2-4 tortillas
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain. Add the taco seasoning per the amount the instructions on the packet say. Add the beans and heat through.

Cut the tortillas in half. Lay two to four halves in the bottom of a 9×13 pan, depending on what size tortillas you use. Place half of the meat and bean mixture on top. Add spoonfuls of salsa and spread evenly over meat and beans. Do those three layers again, starting with the tortillas on top of the salsa, the rest of the meat and bean mixture, and more salsa. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of the last layer of salsa and cover with foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted. Serve with guacamole, sour cream, and corn chips or bean chips.

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*I make homemade refried beans: Soak 3 cups of pinto beans in water overnight in a crock pot. Drain and rinse them in the morning, put them back in the crock pot and re-cover them with water. Add one yellow onion peeled and cut and half, one red onion peeled and cut in half, 8 whole garlic cloves peeled, 1 TBSP of cumin and 1 tsp coriander. Cook beans on low six hours, or until they are soft. Drain in a colander, removing the onions but leaving the garlic. Mash the beans in a large bowl. Use, or freeze in containers to use later.

I also make my taco seasoning –

Taco Seasoning Mix
8 tsp chili powder
8 tsp parsley
6 tsp cumin
4 tsp paprika
4 tsp onion granules
2 tsp sea salt
2 tsp oregano
2 tsp garlic granules

Put ingredients in a mason jar, screw on the lid and shake. Store leftovers in your spice cabinet. Use 2 1/2 Tablespoons per 1 pound of ground meat.

This is an easy make ahead meal that can be set in the fridge till you are ready to bake it.

Enjoy!

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