The Princess of Quite a Lot

When Kyndal was a little girl, she had a picture hanging in her room from Mary Engelbreit titled "The Princess of Quite a Lot".

On Tuesday night she competed in a fall festival queen contest in the town where she lives. She was mostly doing it, I think, to promote her family and their businesses in town. And she confessed she really didn't want to win and take on the responsibilities the crown would have required. But, my mom, Brynne and I went to watch the competition and support her.

There was a talent competition, evening gown competition, and impromptu question. She really looked so pretty.

She performed a cheer and tumbling routine for her talent.

In the question portion, the girls were asked for their stance on global warming. Really, they asked that question to 16 and 17 year old girls. Most of the girls didn't know enough about the topic on give an intelligent answer. It was torture. Kyndal did well enough. At least she didn't try to b.s. her way through it. She said that she believes that global warming is real and that she doesn't really know much about it.

Some of the other girls tried to pretend that they knew what they were talking about. They had on their pageant faces. It was really pretty disgusting. I was actually proud that Kyndal didn't act like a pageant contestant and, instead, was just true to herself. She was really just adorable.

Why didn't they ask a question like this: "If you had the opportunity to speak to a group of 10 year old girls and give them advice about their futures, based on your experience, what advice would you give them?" I would have loved to have heard the insightful answers to that question.

Kyndal didn't place. The "suck up girl" won, naturally. The girl who won 1st runner-up really should have received the crown. After the crowning Kyndal came out with nothing but smiles and hugs for everybody. All she really cared about was getting out of there and going to eat.

She knew that she didn't need to be queen of the fall festival. She's already the "Princess of Quite a Lot", and that's all that matters to her.

Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... is a typical day here in mid-Missouri. It started out raining, is clearing up, and will soon be humid and hot. I do love waking up to the sound of rain, though!

I am thinking... about how helpless I feel here, all happy and acclimated to our new home and life, while Rick is dealing with all the stress of our old life.

I am thankful ... that Kyndal is true to herself, even when peer pressures ask her to be someone she is not. She participated in a queen contest last night, and I would have just puked if she would have turned into a teenaged Honey Boo Boo like the winner did. Really? Yuck.

I am wearing... a Fitz's Bottling Company t-shirt, gray capri sweats, and tennis shoes. I think I will just be staying in this attire today. I have some work I need to get done around the house, and we actually have no plans today.

I am planning...  to finish unpacking the few boxes I have left to unpack. I'm going back to Oklahoma in 9 days and will be bringing back even more stuff. I want to be able to have room for everything.
 

I am creating... a little more inviting and usable basement. 

I am going... to start doing all of my grocery shopping locally. It's an experiment of sorts. Although the actual grocery prices are higher at our local grocery store, the varieties are much less and I think I will actually save money by not impulse buying like I do at Walmart. I also think it would be nice to support our little local grocery store. I can get my toiletries at the local Dollar General (yes, it's not a mom-and-pop store, but at least it's local), and I plan to try to buy fresh bulk foods at our Amish store.

I am reading... The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (hoping to get some reading done this weekend.) I DVR'd the movie the other day, but I don't want to watch it until I finish the book.

I am hoping... that our house sells quickly (in Oklahoma) and that we are able to have patience until it does.

From the learning rooms... This week it is all about Penguins! We are having a unit study, art, and nature week. Dawson also gets out of school at 1:00 on Friday, so it's a shorter week for him.

Noticing that ...  Rick is really being tested right now. I am praying for him. Would you join me?

From the kitchen... You probably didn't notice this, but I thought yesterday was Monday. I posted my menu, thinking it was Monday, and even had last night's dinner plans on Monday. The holiday has completely thrown me off! Anyway, Wednesday is usually Fend For Yourself, but then we had decided we would start going to Wednesday night potluck at church. But now that we are off, and really don't feel like doing much tonight, we will just eat Tuesday's meal tonight and be back on track on Thursday. Geez!

Around the house...  it's quiet! Eli is still asleep (we had a late night last night). Brynne is playing Presidents vs. Aliens on the iPad, and the dogs are taking a mid-morning siesta.

One of my favorite things... are days at home with nowhere to be.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Things are a whole lot quieter this week. Dawson is leaving on Friday to go to his dad's hometown fall festival for the weekend. The little guys and I will be home alone all weekend. On Sunday, our church is participating in the Serve 2012 campaign sponsored by the United Methodist Churches. We are going to go celebrate early worship with my grandma at the nursing home, deliver some mums for the residents to enjoy, and then go to Sunday school to see what service opportunities there are for the kids.

From my picture journal.

Grandma Alice with her great-granddaughter, Ashtyn.

Lots of women Daybook. See what they have to say at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Menu Plan Monday

This weekend I had planned to cook Rick's favorites for dinner every night. But, we were invited somewhere for dinner Friday night, Sunday night, and Monday night. So I only actually cooked one evening. Therefore, I have a few repeats for this week.

Monday ~ Chicken and dumplings

Tuesday ~ Meatball subs and onion rings

Wednesday ~ Potluck at church

Thursday ~ Beef stroganoff

Friday ~ Soup and grilled cheese

Saturday ~ Hot dogs and chips

Sunday ~ Spaghetti with leftover meatballs from Tuesday night

Weekend Wrap-up

WOW! What a busy weekend! Didn't we just move to a small town so we could have a simpler life? Oh, wait. This is a simple life. It's just enjoyable!

Our weekend really started on Thursday night when Rick came to spend the weekend with us. He wasn't supposed to be here until around 11:00 p.m., or so, but surprised us when he came walking down the midway at the carnival at 7:00. We were so excited! And the kids just lept into his arms.

The rain from Isaac came in on Friday, so our outside schooling plans were ruined. But, Rick had some science discussions with the kids and we did art. Then he and Brynne went to run errands while Eli and I chilled for a while. Friday night we were invited over to my walking partner's house for dinner. They had a big gathering and we had a fun time eating and chatting with old friends.

It was another rainy day on Saturday. Rick and I volunteered to help serve at the luncheon at our church with our new Sunday School class. We spent most of the day there. Brynne went with us while the boys had a lazy Saturday. She decided to enter the tractor pedal pull. She didn't win, but she gave it a real shot!

After the luncheon, my mom and I went to the craft show. Then her and my aunt came over for dinner. We called it an early night.

On Sunday, the sun came back out. We drove the hour to my parents' lake house for a day of fun. The kids caught their first fish!

Then they rode on the new "tube".

Daddy decided to get on with them, but ended up getting bounced off the back.

The kids cried and cried. Eli said, "This was the worst plan ever!" We laughed until we cried.

Then my dad spent the next 10 to 15 minutes trying to kill Rick.

For dinner we walked down a couple of houses for a potluck meal of bbq smoked turkey and all the fixins.

This morning, my paternal grandmother, aunt and cousin stopped by, and dropped off my cousin, Chandler, who is 14, so he could hang out with Dawson for a while. We took him back out to my uncle's after a couple of hours, then stopped by to see my other grandma. After dinner at my parents', Rick headed back to Oklahoma.

We were going, going, going all weekend. We are so used to being home all weekend doing absolutely nothing. Rick just can't believe the way things are in a small town. I had plans to make him all of his favorite meals this weekend. But, we only ate at home once. We were invited somewhere every other night. It's not always like this. But, a lot of times it is. It's a lot of fun.

Now I'm finishing up some laundry, housework, and doing lesson plans. I am exhausted and ready for a good night's sleep! Back to school tomorrow!

Future Queen

This weekend it is Septemberfest in our town. There is a carnival, a parade, music every night, and lots of fun festivities.

Brynne decided that she wanted to run for Junior Miss Septemberfest. She's pretty shy in situations like this, so I was happy that she wanted to step out of her comfort zone and participate.

We bought her a pretty new dress, fixed her hair, and painted her fingers and toes. She looked so sweet.

Her age category had 10 girls and the age span was 7 to 11. We knew that her winning was a real long shot, just because of her shyness and her age. She didn't really care if she won or not. She just wanted to try.

Being interviewed by the judges

At the crowning ceremony, waiting for the announcement of the winners

Unfortunately, she didn't win. But, she got a yummy goody bag and gets to ride in the parade on Saturday. She told me that she didn't care about the crown (although she did admit that she almost cried when she didn't win), she just wants to ride in that parade!

Eli, on the other hand, sobbed when she lost. He was crushed. After he was able to pull himself together he said, "Well, if she doesn't have a crown, then I can call her 'Future Queen'". That's right.

And, in our book, she was a winner anyway. She was so big and brave and well behaved. She answered the judges' questions and did everything she was supposed to do. I was VERY proud of her.

And she wants to give it a try again next year.

Long live the {Future} Queen.

True Desires

"Delight yourself in the Lord 

and he will give you the desires of your heart." 

~ Psalm 37:4

Do you get discouraged because God doesn't live up to His promise of giving you the desires of your head?

Yeah, you read that right.

I realized, during some reflection this morning, that often I have extreme desires of my head ... things that I think I really, really want. But I mistake them for desires of my heart. And then I am frustrated because God doesn't give them to me, when He promises that He will.

Our move is one of those instances.

For the past several years, I have desired so strongly to move away from Oklahoma and move closer to my family. I never considered moving back to my hometown. It never entered my radar.

My desire was to be closer to my family, more like an hour drive instead of four hours. I wanted to be able to see my grandma more often. I wanted to be able to see my aunt more often, who had recently moved further away. I wanted to be able to continue to build a relationship with my sister, and regularly love on my nieces. I wanted the kids to experience extended family. I wanted a more simple life. I didn't want to be around snobby rich (acting) people anymore. I wanted to be able to walk or ride my bike to places. I wanted more community involvement. I wanted to fit in.

Rick and I tried several times to make a move. Nothing ever worked out.

I was frustrated. I was discouraged. I just didn't understand ...

but You said You would give me the desires of my heart!

But God knew that these were desires of my head. I didn't really know what the desires of my heart were. My head is not there. Only God knows what's going on in my heart.

And he made it happen.

It was not until we moved to my little hometown in Missouri, four blocks away from my parents, down the road from my grandma, in the path of my aunt's drive on her way to work, actually fighting with my sister over the last no-bake cookies, seeing my nieces several times a week, watching one of them play sports, the kids seeing their grandparents and other family members every single day when they pop in for a visit or when we pop in for one with them.

I didn't know that the "simple life" would actually mean that I was busy all the time. But my busyness is doing things that are meaningful .. not only to myself, but to others.

I had to realize that coming to a small town with many people who are on state assistance and disability benefits, with lots of elderly folks, and a large Amish community, could mean that I was the rich (acting) snobby one. I would need to remember that we are a community, regardless of our status in it.

I didn't realize how fulfilling it would be to walk or bike everywhere, to be involved in community events.

I learned that this is where I always belonged .. where I fit in.

I didn't know it. But God did.

I am delighted.

Her Auntie Loves Her!!

Ashtyn ~ 7 weeks

Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... is a yard full of leaves that fell out of our huge oak tree after the rains Saturday and Sunday. The negative to those big elm and oak trees? All that raking. The positive? Jumping in those big, colorful, piles of leaves when we are done. The kids are gonna love that!

I am thinking... about how my days have been filled with helping others who need me.

I am thankful ... that my grandma and I have gotten so close these past couple of weeks. We have developed a really special bond that we haven't had in years.

I am wearing... a Nike t-shirt, black capri sweats, and tennis shoes. Just got done walking.

I am planning...  to enjoy our weekend with Rick! He is coming for Labor Day Weekend, and it's Septemberfest here, so there will be lots of festivities.
 

I am creating... a cozy, comfortable home and family life.

I am going... to start painting my kitchen cabinets today. My mom, aunt, and I are painting them black.

I am reading... The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.

I am hoping... that my grandma's infections get cleared up so she can have some relief from the extreme ups and downs.

From the learning rooms... Things are going great! We are in a good schedule during the day that allows us plenty of work and play time. The kids, as usual, are astounding me with their knowledge. Our favorite subject right now is Bible. The kids are loving our program where they draw stick figure pictures to help them remember Bible verses. We are doing lots and lots of reading, both together and independently. Dawson is still doing good at school, also. He has made some friends and has plans to hang out with them on Friday night.

Noticing that ...  Brynne and I have both lost weight, just because of all of the exercise we are getting.

From the kitchen... Having some family favorites this week. Tonight it's Chicken and Dumplings for Dawson.

Around the house...  Everything is unpacked and put away! ... until this weekend when Rick will bring another load.

One of my favorite things... is the t.v. show Chopped on the Food Network. Do you ever watch that? It's a family favorite. Eli and Brynne play Chopped in the kitchen.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Tonight we are going to watch my niece play volleyball. Kyndal will be here because we are playing her school. Tomorrow night my friend Angela and her two sons are coming over for dinner and hangout time. On Thursday night Brynne is running for Miss Junior Septemberfest, and Rick will be here! We haven't seen him in almost two weeks! On Friday we are going to take the kids to the carnival uptown. On Saturday Rick and I are helping at our Sunday School class' luncheon (oh yeah, honey, I signed us up for something!) and going to the parade. On Sunday we might go down to my parents' lakehouse after church. We'll have family dinner at my parents' on Monday, and then Rick will have to go home. :(  As you can see, our life here is busy!

From my picture journal.

Let us in!!

Lots of women Daybook. See what they have to say at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Double Duty: Weekend Wrap-up and Menu Plan Monday

I was so looking forward to this weekend. I had great plans to get some projects done and the house cleaned. And now it's over. And it went by quick! I did quite a bit done, though.

My grandma was re-hospitalized on Thursday. She was in bad shape! I left her on Wednesday night at the home in great condition. When I went to see her on Thursday, she was on oxygen and could hardly stay awake. She had so much swelling in her legs that one had red streaks. Right after I got home the nurse called me and said that she had called the doctor and he wanted her hospitalized. We changed hospitals. On Friday she was completely out of her mind, and mad! She had a really bad day! I had plans to go visit her on Saturday.

I got up on Saturday morning, slowly ... and then gathered up everything I needed for a day away. I had several errands to run. I went to a town 30 miles away and got a library card for their regional library. I have a great story about that for later this week.

Then I went to see my grandma. And she was doing SO WELL! She was sitting in a recliner. Her arm, that has been causing all the problems, looked so much better! And the swelling was way down. The only problem was that she had some splitting in her leg and it was very painful. She has cellulitis in it, and it's going to take quite a bit of time to heal. Hopefully she will be coming back to the home this week. She is ready to get back to all her friends.

After our visit, I made stops at Gamestop (for Dawson), JC Penney, Lowe's, Aldi, and Wal-Mart, grabbed some pizza, and headed home.

On Sunday, the kids and I went to my childhood church for the first time. Oh, to be home! I loved every minute, and so did the kids. Brynne was ecstatic. She made a new friend first thing. Eli and Brynne even went forward for children's time during church, and tried to sing sings they didn't even know. They had a ball.

We came home in the afternoon and I did some organizing, some laundry, vacuumed, dusted, cleaned the bathroom, mopped the floors and did laundry (all in about 2 hours ... top to bottom). Then I made a custom bulletin board to hang above my desk, and organized my desk area. I think it looks great! (I still have some things to do in this area, but for now it is perfect for what I need.)

Dawson and I went to a visitation for my good friend's father who died suddenly this week. She and her two sons reached out to us when we moved back and have been great friends to us. He was the father of five children, 17 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. What a legacy!

Then we went to my parents' for Sunday evening dinner. My sister was there with the baby. I am going to LOVE our Sunday family dinners. My dad makes rockin' fried chicken!

We came home and watched an episode of Cupcake Wars, and then everybody went to bed. I sat in bed and did lesson plans for this week. It was a productive weekend, and I felt ready to tackle another week.

And here's what we are having for dinner this week ...

Monday ~ Calzones

Tuesday ~ Beef and fish tacos

Wednesday ~ Fend for Yourself

Thursday ~ Chicken and dumplings

Friday ~ Beef stroganoff

Saturday ~Jalapeno chicken enchiladas

Sunday ~ Goulash

Rick will be here this weekend, so I am making all of his favorites! Poor guy hasn't had a home-cooked meal in two weeks. I'm gonna fatten him up!

Hello Morning!

One thing that really keeps me ticking is a good morning routine. I know that I know that I know that my whole day goes more smoothly (both with my attitude and productivity level) when I start my day off right. That includes quiet/devotion/journaling time, exercise, and routine.

I have been working on this new morning schedule this week:

1. Quiet/Devotion/Journaling Time.

Dawson gets up for school at 6:30 a.m., so I am getting up at that time, too. While he is showering, I sit in my chair with my cup of coffee and read my devotion pages (Stepping Heavenward by E. Prentiss) and Bible verses (right now, two chapters of Proverbs). I do my prayer time, making sure to pray for Rick according to my 31 Days of Praying for Your Husband bookmark.

I have been journaling for YEARS, off and on. I love to journal, and I love that I have all my journals (or most of them). I have started journaling again, ending my morning time with it. There are so many important events going on right now that I don't want to forget them.

2. Exercise.

Once Dawson is ready I drive him over to my parents' to wait for his ride to school, who is a friend of my niece's. We all sit on their front porch and drink coffee and talk until they go to school.

Then I scoot home to wait for my mom and her friend, Brenda, to come by on their bikes to pick me up. We ride the several blocks to the city park, park our bikes, and then briskly walk three miles. Then we ride back home (uphill most of the way ... ouch!)

Having accountability in exercise is so key for me, and it makes the time go by so much faster to have someone(s) to talk to. Believe me, my mom is persistent. If I wasn't outside waiting, she would come in to get me. So, I might as well get up and be happy about it!! And, I'm not letting those "old ladies" make me look bad!

3. Daily Routine.

When I get home, I grab another cup of coffee and hop into the shower. While Eli and Brynne are eating breakfast and waking up (and usually playing the iPad), I get ready for the day. While they are getting on their clothes, brushing teeth, and fixing hair, I get out our school books and supplies and get us ready for our school day.

We start school at 10:00 a.m. In the mornings we do Bible, Grammar, Spelling, Writing, and Math. Then we break for lunch. This is when I will try to run out and see my grandma for a bit. (BTW ... my grandma has now been readmitted to another hospital. Although mentally she was fine, she was in horrible physical shape today. She has fluid built up all inside her body and is in a lot of pain. They are running every possible test on her trying to find out what is going on. Please pray for her.)

After lunch, we do our unit study, read, and have our P.E. lessons.

At 3:00 p.m., I go to pick up Dawson from school and the kids start playing. Then we just spend our evening doing a little housework, playing, reading, doing house projects, eating dinner and getting settled down for bed. We have really enjoyed meeting up with my mom to take the dogs for a walk, and/or stopping by the Dairy Queen for a treat or visiting Grandma and Papa for a bit.

The kids turn in at about 8:30 p.m. And about that same time, I hit the couch for some t.v. and internet time. I have been exhausted by this time, so I am ready for bed by 10:00.

It's a full day, that's for sure. But by starting my day off on the right foot, and staying on somewhat of a schedule, the days are turning out to be great.

If you would like some help getting yourself into a good morning routine, you can download a free E-book from Inspired to Action called "Maximize your Mornings". I haven't actually read this, but thought I would pass it along to you if you would like it.