FRIDAY ~ Yippee ~ It's REALLY FRIDAY!

This has been a hard week around here. I've had appointments that I had to be at most days. That always disrupts the sweet tenor of our home. Mostly because I am one of those folks who likes to be ON TIME and so I run around like a mad woman trying to do everything we would normally do without an appointment and still make it on time or early to the appointment. LOL

I'm amazed at all we've accomplished given the outside engagements. I think we got everything done.

Jamin finished school by lunch time today. WOW! It was a treat to have him available to play. Josiah had been trying to find a time for two weeks that we could all go see *Open Season*. Juggling the school schedule, work schedules and has such has been impossible. Today he was off at 2 and had to be back at 5 p.m. We all loaded into the van and met him at the mall. We whisked him away with us to see the movie. There were only 2 other people in the theater...that's the RIGHT time for us to go to the movies. I think it was a good break for Josiah between two shifts.

We headed home and pulled the pan pizza dough out of the fridge so it could rise. Then, we headed for the park. The little boys were awed with some new "double" light sabers that two boys at the park had. I wonder if this light saber fighting thing is universal or a TX thing. Jamin, Arielle and Jared played baseball. I pushed Stacia and dinked around with her for 30 minutes and then put her in the stroller and got my 30 minutes of walking in. Turned out great.

At home we made pizza and now the younger ones are cleaning up. I've been fielding phone calls for co-op. Orders were due today. I can't delay any longer. I'm going to have to try to install the software. LOL Unfortunately, I think I will have to input ALL the new members to make it work....sigh...but I guess there may be a reason I would want that info on two computers????

TEACHING TIP OF THE WEEK

Install an answering machine and USE IT! I'm surprised how much time a "quick call" can take out of our school. However, I also hate to be rude to folks who call and need to talk. I've recently discovered anew the benefits of an answering machine. Today it fielded six calls for me while we did history, science, phonics, math and literature. I answered five of the calls before remembering the machine could answer just as well as I. LOL

Table Talk

Mysteriously, we found ourselves discussing 4 year olds at dinner. I looked up, caught Zander's eye, and said, "Zander, you are my favorite 4 year old in the whole world". This is a line I've used countless times with countless children (or at least 8 to date).

He looked up and said indignantly, "I'm NOT FOUR! I'm SIXTY - NIIIINE!!!"

We burst into laughter. I explained that if he was 69 - he's older than Dad and Grandpa. He replied, "Wow - I really got up there fast!" :::snort:::

Zander's School

Zander is at the new pencil sharpener with about 40 pencils. I asked what he was doing. "I'm doing my school - please can you keep your hands off my school work mom?"

Science Moment

We think this section from yesterday's science is worth sharing. From *Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day* by Jeannie Fulbright, P. 150.

"Romans 1:20 - "For since creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made..." Metamorphosis is nature's illustration of what happens to you in your spirit once you become a Christian. You begin your life as a humble little caterpillar with simple eyes that cannot see anything but shades of light and dark. Remember, if insect larvae have eyes, they are simple ocelli that cannot see images but can only sense light and dark. Once you receive Christ, the Bible says you are a "new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Cor 5:17) Wow! When we accept Christ, we become a totally new creature. Suddenly, we are like the amazingly beautiful butterfly that emerges from the chrysalis. We have new eyes, too, just like the butterfly,. We can see clearly, not just shades of light and dark. We have suddenly developed compound eyes that see things in an eternal perspective! God's amazing process of the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is a picture of the transformation a person experiences in Christ."

Personally, I also think there is some spiritual truth in the chrysalis stage...but I've not completely studied or thought it out yet. I'm thinking that there is a need for us to be "shut up" with the Holy Spirit and God as they work a transformation in our lives...first in private on the inside and then in a more public sense where all see.

Thoughts from a fellow larvae turned butterfly...or maybe it would be more accurate to say that we continue in this state the rest of our life...growing and changing constantly to be ever more like Him.

Taco Seasoned Sweet Potato Fries

Combine:
1 T chili powder
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp garlic powder (I use more)
1/2 tsp cumin

Cut 2 lbs sweet potato into French fry size wedges and spread out in a single layer on a jelly roll pan. Toss with 2 T of oil of your choice (I use coconut or olive). Sprinkle with seasoning mix and toss to coat again. Place in 400* for approx 25 minutes, turning wedges half way through cooking.

Recipe came from Heather of our old produce co-op.

*Kelly, I think they would be fine - they aren't white carbs - is that what you said you were avoiding? I do make them with potaotos as well.

I liked this so well that I adapted it for tacos too....

Tacos:

To the above I add 1 T Chili, 3/4 C water, 1/2 C onion and cooked ground beef or turkey. Simmer.

Book Dilemma

We have a store in town - the Book Heaven; "where good books go after they've been read." She will give you IN STORE credit of 50% the original purchase price of your book. Then when you go to buy a book (priced at 50% off original) you have to pay 25% the cost and the other 25% in credits.

I also have Paperback Swap. With this one I have a wish list, I post books I have to send out and I can print the wrapper right at the site. I only have to put 1.59 postage on a book to send it out.

How would you all decide where to send your books????? Though I really want to keep them all....it doesn't work well with moving every 3 years so I tend to pass on the fiction mysteries..... I AM keeping Penn Dutch Inn, and Rex Stout books. LOL

Foraging

Stacia has taken her foraging to a new level. She got into the freezer this a.m. and was making noises that let us know she was looking for something. She pulled out the tray that holds popsicles (the old Tupperware kind). I make smoothie pops and had given her one for teething......

She squealed, grabbed one and ran off with her loot to enjoy breakfast.

I need to go out and buy one of those locks for fridge/freezers. I havne't charged the camera or I would have grabbed a shot. LOL