Why we moved here

I don't want to fail to mention that from an academic standpoint, we have been absolutely thrilled with moving to this school district, and that was one of the biggest reasons we chose to move here.  At our old school district, there was a computer lab...one lab for each building.  And as a sub, I can assure you that you were lucky if all 25 computers happened to work that day...it was unlikely to be the case.  I can remember hoping for absent students on computer lab days in hopes that we could piece together enough working computers for everyone to use one.  Here, at Thomas's school, everyone in his class, and all fourth grade classes (not sure about other grades) are assigned their own school iPad.  There are also two chromebook mobile labs that his class has used for many things.  Catherine has raved about the technology as well.  They are just amazed after what they came from.

It isn't just the technology though.  Catherine has been able to join Yearbook and Robert is participating in a service club and jazz band...opportunities that would not have existed for them this year had we not moved.  Catherine is also able to attend weekly after school math tutoring...a direct result of living in a college town (college volunteers!).  We did not sign Thomas up for the art lessons he had hoped to take where they would bus him from his school to the lesson (we are waiting until spring) but he is signed up to take a foreign language after school starting in January.  He was able to choose from Spanish, German, Latin, Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese, and American Sign Language.  The class is an hour for nine weeks for only $25...and it's at his school (again, gotta love college volunteers)!  These are the opportunities we are so grateful that our children are receiving.

This move also gave Catherine the opportunity for a fresh start.  This girl prided herself last year on never saying anything in her classroom.  I thought she was just shy and quiet in a classroom setting, but apparently that is not the case.  Her teachers have told us how personable and involved she is in her classes...this is not the girl we knew!  Obviously there was something about the former school's environment (most likely some very poorly behaved girls) that intimidated her.  But here, Catherine is blossoming.

This is why we moved here!

Potato Soup

Saturday morning Andrew took Robert and Thomas back to our old town for some scout activities.  It was a chilly, dreary morning, and I had just purchased a 5 lb bag of potatoes at the grocery earlier in the week.  I decided I was going to make potato soup.  I began scouring the internet and found that while I had would generally have many of the ingredients, I often was missing one or two (cream of cheddar soup, or evaporated milk, something like that).  I finally found a recipe that required only ingredients I actually had here at the house and got to work.

You may be astounded by this, but I had never peeled five pounds of potatoes before, and had I not desperately wanted potato soup that would still be a true statement.  The kitchen is just not where my calling is!  And then I had to chop all those peeled potatoes...ugh!  I know, I'm pathetic.  Anyway, after that was done it was just a matter of chopping a little bit of onion, adding cream of chicken soup and chicken broth, and cooking on high for 4-5 hours.

Andrew fried bacon to crispy perfection so that we could top the soup with bacon crumbles, and we also grated cheese.  Overall, it was a really easy recipe (in spite of my complaining) and there are so many easy variations that could be made depending on taste.  Thomas was less than thrilled although he did eat some, and everyone else was very pleased with a warm, cozy dinner on Saturday evening while we watched Notre Dame beat Air Force. :)

The recipe indicated that this soup was even better reheated.  I so agree!  We had leftover last evening, along with leftovers of a project Robert had made for French class (I have no idea what it's called, but Thomas LOVED it).  It was a great dinner, again!

Monday morning thought

Have you noticed, especially on a Monday morning, how it feels as though the week is going to take forever, and Friday afternoon may never arrive...yet the years fly by in the blink of an eye?

My husband and I were talking yesterday about how we are looking forward to being here during the summer.  We avoid town right now because of the college students, and there are shops in town that I don't even know exist.  I haven't even really spent any time in my own back yard (granted, I'm not exactly an "outdoorsy" person).  In the summer when the weather is warmer and the college students are gone, we feel like we'll really be able to explore.

And yet, the years fly by so fast.  We have an entire school year (3/4 left!) and so many special holidays to celebrate.  There is a pretty good chance my dad won't be here next summer, and I need to make sure I remember that.  Every day is a blessing, regardless of the season.

Happy Monday everyone!

It's been a good day

It's been a very nice 40th birthday.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous...could not have hand picked a better day!  Robert was invited to participate in an Eagle Scout ceremony for one of the boys in his troop, so Andrew took him over to that and then brought in Taco Bell for dinner.  It was my request but Andrew insists it is not my "official" birthday dinner!  Catherine and Thomas have occupied themselves on the computer and with Lego sets, and we've all spent some time this afternoon getting things picked up and organized around the house.  I feel immeasurably blessed, and hope the next 40 years (God willing) are as wonderful as the first 40!

Last day of 30's

Today is the last day I'll ever be able to tell someone that I am "30-something".  I just simply can not believe that I am turning 40 tomorrow.  Where has the time gone?  I know that 40 is nothing to complain about and it's really not a big deal, but I've decided I'm going to blame this on the medical profession.  Up to 40, you are probably good-to-go.  Once you reach 40 though, better start having those tests run.  It just makes it sound as though you've reached "that age" and it's no longer safe.  We aren't really doing anything to celebrate this weekend and I'm okay with that.  We've invited friends for a gathering in a few weeks and I'm really looking forward to that...it also gives me three additional weeks to make this house presentable!

Speaking of, the strike ended Wednesday evening.  We reached decent terms for a settlement, and I can see that the kids are making a little more of an effort.  I can also see that my husband is hounding them a little more, and that is okay too.  I also see that the fact that he has to hound them is driving him crazy, which is also one of my points I was trying to make.  There are certain things about which we should not have to hound them, and yet we do.  As I've explained to them, my job is to make them functioning, responsible members of society, and that does not include Mom always being there to prod them into completing something.  Overall though, I'm pleased with their increased effort!

Strike day 2

I am still on strike today.  I am mom only when it is a matter of safety.  No, Robert you can not skip cough medicine tonight...you have a bad cough and can not keep the entire house awake.  I think the kids thought it was really fun last evening to make their own dinners.  However, the house is ridiculous at this point, and Andrew is frustrated.  He understands, but is frustrated.  I, on the other, am thoroughly enjoying myself.  It is amazing how much stress one can shed when one simply refuses to get wrapped up in it.  Andrew was so frustrated last night that he started following them around reminding them to do things.  I chatted with him later that in the long run, he isn't helping things.  Until they start doing their basic chores themselves (making beds, dirty clothes to the laundry, dishes in dishwasher) I am on strike.  And since they aren't doing their basic chores, I am not doing mine either.  Catherine is beginning to make more of an effort, Thomas is slightly better than normal, but Robert is a true teen and is pretty sure he can call my bluff.  Bad news kiddo...not bluffing.  As the oldest, he is the one I am bluffing with the least.  He is MORE than capable of putting his shoes away, getting dirty clothes to the laundry, making his bed, and performing simple daily tasks like throwing his trash away.  And yet, there on the floor of his bedroom this morning was yet another food wrapper.  He isn't even allowed to have food in his bedroom, and I'm finding the wrappers almost daily.  And that folks, is why I'm just done.

On strike

Please know that I am writing this post without irritation or anger.  It simply is what it is.

As of today, I am officially on strike.  I have spent the last nine weeks working my rear off in order to get our old house ready for sale, and I did 90% of the work by myself.  I am not complaining about this.  I did not have another job...except of course for being "mom" at home.  And of course for the several weeks prior to the move, I focused on packing and getting things ready...mostly by myself.  Again, I am not complaining.  That was a result of being a total control freak.  However, the children do not seem to be able to pick up after themselves...make their beds or take dirty clothes to the laundry room.  They can't even put their shoes in their room...they simply leave things where they are.  I had to ask three times last night for the children to put their plates in the dishwasher.  THREE TIMES!  So today I am going to sit and relax and enjoy life.  I refuse to do laundry or to clean or to pick up.  I simply refuse.  And I shall refuse until they can make their beds, etc.  This shall be interesting to see how long it takes them to get on board.