Serendipity....

From dictionary.com : Serendipity: 1. an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident. 2. good fortune; luck:

~Serendipity!~

I love when homeschool days turn out much better than I think they will! Ty is here with us today, and he is cranky from a cold....clinging to my skirts, whining to be picked up..then wanting down right away...up, down, up, down....how I expected my day to go.

I happen to have a small pocket of quiet right now...Ronnie finished his schoolwork in record time, without prompting from me (I was pleasantly AMAZED)...and is now reading a magic school house solar system book before being picked up to spend the rest of the day at his friend's house, before cubscouts tonight...busy boy.

Anna also did her schoolwork without complaining today...learning to add, writing her numbers....then she read 2 'bob books' for me....I'm so excited!

The girls are busily doing business math and algebra...American gov't, and lit....lots of papers being written around here.

Even though I thought that today would NOT be one of our better days....it's turning out quite nicely....dinner is simmering on the stove....20 quarts of homemade beef broth, to be made into beef soup, beef stew, french onion soup...and just to drink from a mug...we love this stuff!

I was able to have a rather nice quiet time today, read proverbs with the kids at breakfast, vacumn the livingroom, talk to a friend who just had her 4th baby...and have a hot breakfast and a hot lunch....when I didn't think I would get anything done today! LOL Serendipity....love that word....but, I love THE WORD even more...and I think God is blessing me today...I know I am blessed everyday, but seems when I put HIS priorities ahead of my own....at the end of the day, it all works out. I've really been trying to follow Elisabeth Elliot's advice...just 'do the next thing'.....and I've also been trying to PRAYERFULLY, do the next thing...actually stop and ask the Lord "what do YOU want me to do?" Some days are better than others...but I wouldn't trade my life for anything!

Now.....time to clean up the kitchen, strain the broth, do some laundry and make kefir smoothies...then....on to the next thing! Have a great day in the Lord! ~Sue~

In the Pumpkin Patch!

So...this morning, we were off to the Pumpkin patch at Trax Farms! We met Lori and Ty there...great photo op! (or...at least we tried!) It was very chilly and windy...so we took our pictures and hurried home. It was worth, it, though....Ronnie and Anna had so much fun....Ty wasn't quite sure what to make of it...but we got some great pictures and made some special memories. Best friends....Ronnie and Anna!
I love this one!

My littlest pumpkins! I have so many pictures of Meghan and Sara in these cutouts over the years....they look so cute!

They had a great time climbing on the pumpkins! Ty lost his shoe at one point, and got stuck, but after Lori rescued Ty, Ronnie rescued Ty's shoe! It was pretty funny!
Look at our little pumpkin!!! This pictures is one of my favorites!
How I love this boy!!!
And my littlest girl....her sweet face and huge eyes!

On our way out....I had to get them in front of the mums.....(shortly after this, Aunt Lori bought them each a huge chocolate chip cookie!)

~So, that was our morning at the pumpkin patch! Came home...made kefir smoothies...did schoolwork, got dinner in the crockpot (stuffed pepper soup)....made a big bowl of popcorn, crocheted for a while before I had to take Sara to dance. Just got done playing a 'Leapfrog' phonics game with Anna....then it's tucking the little ones in and watching the new Duggar family special tonight with the girls, when Ron goes to work. Another full day....doesn't seem as if I got a lot accomplished, but, in another sense....it was a good day. Hope everyone keeps warm tonight! Going down to 32 degrees here! God bless! ~Sue

Cubscouts=Father/Son Memories!

Yesterday, Ron and Ronnie spent all day at South Park for the Cubscout Fall Fun day! What fun they had, too! Poor Ron...he got 4 hours sleep, woke up, got LOTS of coffee...and headed out for a fun, memorable day with his only son. I get so teary eyed everytime I watch them together...Ron tries so hard to make sure that he does everything with Ronnie...even giving up much needed sleep to do it. Sara took this right before they left...this year, Ronnie is a 'wolf' cub...and is so proud, he HAD to wear his new hat! My guys also love to match! Cracks me up!
Ronnie and his friend, James...getting ready for some fun activities.

Ronnie and James working together to do a big catapult.

Shooting a slingshot...

Archery was fun...We'll have to get him some of these fun "guy" things for this coming Spring.

He LOVED this! BB gun shooting, target practice..Ron said he was so intense, and he said he really enjoyed it. After me growing up with sisters and no brothers, and then also having 3 daughters....I am having to 're-think' some boy activities...

Ronnie very proudly showing off the catapult that he built...and has been shooting things around the livingroom ever since he brought it home! LOL I love that "toothless" smile!

One tired little guy....being treated to a dinner of b-q ribs at TGI Fridays by his dad...what Ronnie called a real "guy meal"! I guess surrounded by sisters all day, he especially needs to spend more time time doing whatever it is boys do....I'm especially proud of my husband who tries to do cubscouts with Ronnie, hockey with Ronnie....I mean, he is OUT THERE with him. Ron works so hard and so many long hours...but the pride and joy he has doing things with his son....priceless. Glad they had a special, memorable time! ~Sue~

10 Fashion-ny Things About Me

Okay, so we usually don't do tags, but this one is so cool! Sarah and Ella did it, so I shall come out of my Post-Blogging Depression (Not knowing what to write about)
Here we go!

1. My style is, as Meghan likes to call it, Modest Punk. Ha, that sounds weird, but I really love black plaid, zebra, funky tees, etc. Some pale colors look quite weird on me, but loud bright colors suit me fine. Item of Choice: Black/Rainbow colored peace tee with hot pink scarf.


2. In our family, our personal convictions are to wear skirts and dresses. While this is not for everyone, it works for us :) You can find some super cute dresses at Walmart & Kmart; I also love the look of dresses worn over skinny jeans. Item of Choice: Pink/White polka dot dress from Aeropostale.


3. I collect awesome tee shirts. Kohls, Walmart, Kmart, you name it and they have it. I think there is one at Kohls I want: it has a Calculator and a math book. The book says, "I have a problem." and the calculator says, "Yo, I'll fix it." I like those kinda things. Item of Choice: Kmart Mickey Mouse Cowboy Tee :)


4. I don't wear hardly any jewelry... I have my blue stud earrings in that I barely ever change, and my promise ring needs sized. I also have one special necklace that my momma gave to me on Easter :) Item of Choice: 'Love' Necklace


5. I like some of the Miley Cyrus/Max Azria line at Walmart. (I know, I can hear you all gasp in unison!) Granted, some of her things are odd/immodest, but I have seen a few really cute things! Item of Choice: purple/black plaid flannel dress (comfy!)


6. I love Pajamas! Oh my goodness, I love comfort so if I am comfortable, then I am happy! Right now I am in a big penguins Tee and fleece pants. Item of choice: Hoodies!


7. Shoes are run, but shopping for shoes, not that great. I have very strange feet because they are wide at the top and skinny at the bottom. Shopping for shoes that are cutee and that fit is horrible. Item of Choice: Knock-Off Ugg boots or flip flops.


8. I have probably ten hoodies. I have four from Aero, one with John 3:16 on it, and then a few others. They are so comfy and I just love'em! Item of Choice: Aero Hoodie


9. I basically do nothing to my hair. My mom cuts it, I usually just let it go. It is always either up in a bun/ponytail or just down. I part it on the side usually, but whenever I don't feel like messing with it, down the middle it goes. I do like bandanna head bands, so they keep my hair out of my face. Item of Choice: Hair Net for dance class, I guess :)


10. I really like styling other people! I just got Anna dressed for the day and she is in a: pink long sleeved shirt with lace, a denim/pink skirt, pink striped leggins (with lace) and grey & pink tennis shoes. Ca-Ute! Item of Choice: Style Tips!

Okay, that was fun. Now I am off to make sandwiches and slide back into my blog-depression :) Ta-ta!

Adventures into 'green'....

Well....We've been trying to little by little put into practice around our home, things that would A: be healthier ie: as little chemicals as possible, B: save us as much money as possible and C: be easier on the environment

Now, some of the things we've done seem common sense...but they also remind me of my grandmother....I LOVE doing things the way that Grandma did them! Such as line drying...before we moved, we had 4 clothes lines..and I used them almost daily....if it was a nice day in January, out the laundry went. Since we've moved here, I strung 3 lines in the basement, which is very nice, but , OH...how I miss hanging them out...I think Ron is going to put in 2 umbrella dryers outside....that we can put in and take down whenever needed.

We've also been trying diligently to make as many of our gifts as we can....whether they are crocheted or sewn...baked or cooked. Meghan and I have been crocheting...I've been sewing and quilting, baking ...Sara makes beautiful jewelery...and helps with the baking and cooking.....or we have 'thrifted' gifts...antiquing gifts....or used coupons when we can....lots of gift ideas floating around our home! It has been fun to hear all 4 children 'get creative'! The little ones have tons of ideas....not always HOW to do them, but great ideas!

We've put in a garden this year...and learned A LOT of lessons about gardening in the suburbs...with all the deer and 'critters' who like to eat our hard work! Planning for next year...bigger and FENCED!

We've been freezing and canning....will be going apple picking soon, then we'll can apple butter and dehydrate a lot of apples.

We are using cloth for more things...and planning on making cloth napkins this winter after Christmas is over. (and making Christmas gifts!)

We've also not used shampoo, conditioner or deodorent for months now...I know...sounds crazy! But, here is what we've done:

For 'deo'....we use (or at least I do...the girls do most of the time too) coconut oil, and then dust on a mixture of 3 parts cornstarch to 1 part baking soda...works great!

As for shampoo and conditioner...we've tried baking soda but I did NOT like the results...then I read on a blog called 'little house in the suburbs' ( I wish I knew how to link on this computer, but if you google it, I'm sure you'll find it)...anyway, she had done research showing that Ivory soap really WAS pure...and it DOES float! LOL Anyway...according to her research, it would cost a lot more to make homemade soap...and Ivory was as pure as you can get. So...we thought we would try it. Well....it's great! We use it to bathe with, to shampoo with...then we rinse, squirt a mixture of applecidar vinegar and water on, work it thru then rinse with water....I can easily get a comb thru my long, wavy hair...and it is so soft! I only need to wash it every 2-3 days...more often in the summer.

So...we now use Ivory soap to wash our clothes...our hands, bathe with, and shampoo with...and it is so inexpensive!

We've also been entering the composting journey....hoping to improve the gardens for next year.

As for health...we've been culturing kefir with unsweetened frozen fruit twice a day...going thru 2 gallons of kombucha a week....and having homemade broth almost everyday....along with vitamin c and elderberry as needed. So far...our colds have lasted just a couple days.

So, I'm curious.....any of you 'adventuring into green'....whether for health reasons, the environment or to save money...I'd be very interested to hear your ideas! ~Sue~

A special 16th birthday....

A very happy 16th birthday to my "other daughter"...Elissa Virginia Papantonakis! Tonight, Lissa came straight from school to have her special birthday dinner with us...her favorites...tacos/burritos....and brownies for her dessert! We were so glad she could come and celebrate her birthday with us!

Below...it all started when Jamie moved in across the street from us. I was still working, so didn't really get to know her really well until we were both expecting our daughters..Meghan & Elissa...I love this picture from my baby shower, summer 1993. (sorry about the pictures being weird and the captions seeming off...I just learned how to use my scanner and was in a hurry to scan these while Ty was sleeping!) Above, Jamie and Elissa and Meghan and I, summer 1994...and again tonight....we hope to do pictures like these every so many years...watching our precious daughters grow up into beautiful young women!
Meghan and Elissa at one year old....Playing together summer they were 2 years old....
Elissa's 3rd birthday party... below....The girls before starting kindergarten...And tonight...both beautiful 16 year olds!

Meghan, and Elissa 13 years old...Sara almost 11 years old...

And tonight...3 years later.

Sara and Elissa...

Jamie and I and our oldest daughters....living across the street from each other....the girls went back and forth as if each home were her own...playing like sisters, fighting like sisters...sharing everything. So many memories....from playing house, dolls, dress up, building people pyramids, sled riding and making snowmen, swimming and sprinklers in the summer...baking cookies together...so many special memories...and a lot more to come!

Happy 16th Birthday, Elissa! We love you very much!

The Quaint Sayings of Anna Banana

Our little Anna, so cute and lovable, and so witty! Recently she has been saying some really funny things! She is always so cute, she is at the moment writing a Jesus Letter... she said, "Can I put it in an envelope and mail it to heaven? Will the Mail Man take it there?" We had to explain to her to hang it on our artwork wall so Jesus could see it... she is so sweet!

Her letter says:

DEAR JESUS,

I LOVE YOU!!!

*ANNA*

Now is that not the cutest thing? Here are some funny Anna-Isms:

• When stepping outside at the lake she hollered, "TURN THE WIND OFF!"
• When pulling into the drive-through at McDonalds, she commented, "The M looks like an upside down butt!"
• When talking about heaven (deep) she said, "Heaven must be so cool... it must have like 20 bathrooms!"
• When at the lake in the kitchen, my grandpa commented to my mom, something to the form of, "Just heat it up in the microwave." Anna promptly asks, "What is a microwave Mum?"

Thats it for now folks tune in next time to hear Ronnie-Isms!

Quote of the day...

"When one door closes, another one opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." Alexander Graham Bell

~I'm learning to be content with the 'closed doors' in my life...whether they be friendships, health related, job opportunities for Ron that didn't work out....not to worry or stress over them, knowing that they are doors that God has shut....for my good and His glory.....I'm also learning to value the doors that He is opening for our family...not necessarily doors that I would have chosen, but knowing that if He opened them, then they are good...to be content wherever and with whoever in our lives that He has sent! God is for us...it doesn't matter who could be against us! Knowing that God has full control over EVERY aspect of our lives is so freeing and so reassuring...and every time I open His word, I'm reassured even more! So....have a great day in the Lord today!!!! ~Sue~