Multitude Monday Vol. 9

{183}

To Do Lists Getting Done

{184}

Honest Feedback From Three Year Old On New Recipes {Mom, please don't make that again ok?}

{185}

School Orientation

{186}

Dinner at School

{187}

Play dates with Neaton's

{188}

Splash Pad with Bignell's

{189}

Finding Thawing Freezers in the Nick of Time

{190}

Crockpot arriving in the Nick of Time

{191}

Grandma & Grandpa Visiting

{192}

Date Night with Hubby & Close Friends

{193}

Naps {For Mom}

{194}

Finding A Time For Weekly Grocery Shopping

{195}

Hummingbirds Finally Visiting After Years of Inviting

{195}

Rouge Craft Projects

{196}

Chaplet of Diving Mercy in Song

Have a Blessed Week!

Tina

Seven Quick Takes - Vol. 9

I'll go with a relatively easy post today.  I say relatively because sometimes seven Quick Takes is a little hard to come up with.  I do this carnival because it's a nice re-cap and it seems like a good way to get to know somebody?  What do you think?  I really enjoy reading other blog Seven Quick Takes.

{1}

My schedule has been going pretty good.  It hasn't been fully implemented as school doesn't start until the week after Labor Day.  I think that fact has allowed me to slide a little now that it's the end of the week.  I have that icky feeling of "things aren't done" and it just proves to me that this is for me (although not for everyone).  My hubby laughed at it at first but now that he has coffee made for him every morning, a lunch made every day and dinners have been most excellent, he's happy about it.  Oh and since I put a haircut (former hairstylist) every month on my schedule he'll be delighted!  We are putting date night once a month on the schedule as well.  When we can't make it out we'll make date night at home, making sure we do something different.

{2}

We had an orientation and BBQ dinner at Henry's school a couple of nights ago.  We met a few other parents and children that will be attending with him.  It was exciting.  I feel like we are embarking on a while new world.  It's crazy to me to think we will be having a child in school.  He'll be doing things that I am not there for and while it makes me sad, I will also be glad for him.  In addition to learning things that will be good for him, I am sure he'll learn things that won't be.  I've decided that those too will be teaching points in adversity, strength in character and morality. 

{3}

It's State Fair time here in Minnesota.  We haven't decided if we are going or not.  We didn't go when Henry was a baby as I was pregnant with Karley and wasn't up for walking around in the heat.  At the time I was on my feet working and needed a break from being on upright all day.  We did go the next year with Henry & Karley and I said we'd make it a tradition.  Then the next year (last year) I had just had Sophie via c-section and surely wasn't up for walking around all day.  {I remembered doing too much after Karley and it wasn't good}.  Now this year....can't decide.  Probably should go since we missed the county fair.  

{4}

I welcome the Fall season every year.  I love the colors, the cool nights, long sleeve shirts, pumpkins among many other things.  I used to be fine with summer being over but each year as the kids get older I am saddened to see it go.  This Summer seems like it's gone extremely fast.  Feels like we didn't do very much but yet the time passed with a blink of an eye.  Now that school will start I bet Summer will mean more and go by even quicker.  Next summer I am going to have a check list of all the things we want to do...places we want to go and make it happen.  {I read this on somebody's blog and I am so sorry I can't remember who said it...please take credit in my comments if  you are reading.}  I loved the idea.  I get so many great ideas from you all!

{5}

My Dad & Sally {Since naming children I have come to love the name Sally.  It reminds me of smile, silly, song and those are all things Sally, my Step-Mom} are coming to stay with us this weekend.  They weren't able to make it to Sophie's birthday party so they decided to come this weekend.  Of course I helped a little since Adam & I wanted to go out for dinner and a comedy night.  I think we are seeing Dave Mordal?   Shoud be fun.

{6}

I'm scrounging for things and my computer time is up.  I could update on running since it will be easy.  There's nothing to update since I haven't been in about a month.  I think next weekend we are going to convert part of the garage into a workout space.  I want to start doing some free weights and treadmill.  Not to mention finally getting motivated enough to get rid of my three month baby bump that contains nothing but fat.  Ab work here I come!

{7}

My last one to bed and first one up {Kardee Jane-E} is up and now I must get a move on.  Hope you are having a blessed day! 

Peace,

Tina

Changes

It's been a long time since I've really sat down to write a blog post.  I've been enjoying carnivals lately, but today thought I would do post with a little more from me.  I started it once this morning and found it too lengthy so I shortened it up a bit (really I did).

Changes.  A lot of changes in our home, mostly just with me.  Although the changes in me will affect the rest of the house, doesn't it always?  Changes for the good of us all, I hope.  It's has been a long time coming.  I've been thinking of little things here and there and now that summer is coming to a close it's time to implement. 

I realized that I've been longing for a schedule.  This should come as no surprise to anybody but myself.  Henry will be starting school in two weeks (for those I've talked with about homeschooling, we decided he will go to the private Catholic school 15 minutes away from our home) and I wanted to have our home run smooth while we transition.  I also am so praying that we can get out the door with patience (my part) and timeliness (his part).   That would be one change or rather two?  The schedule will hold a lot of changes in and of itself. 

I had a play date with an amazing woman last week, I'll call her "Mrs. S".  She had a lot of information for me.  I could have stayed all day to soak in all that she is, and all that she does.  She is a homeschooling Catholic mother of five, soon to be six, children.  Her children called me Mrs. Fisher (to which I first said, "Oh, you can call me Tina".  She informed me that she'd rather they call me Mrs. Fisher).  Boy, I sure did like being Mrs. Fisher.  I really felt all grown up!  That was lesson one of the respect she gets from her children ages 1 to 8.  That will be something we teach going forward (titles).  Another pointer I took home with me, among many, was that her children waited in the living room while she prepared lunch and we visited.  I was quite embarrassed that my own children were constantly coming to the kitchen every chance they got to ask whine for food, or ask whine when the food was going to be ready.  That has changed in the Fisher house.  I now prepare the plates (including our plates) and then after (I went with after because the prayer said was silly and sometimes not said at all by children because they were too busy eating) we pray the plates are set in front of them.   Now, one short week later, they say the prayer.  Wow!  What a change.  It sometimes comes out silly but we are getting better each day. 

I am not sure if Mrs. S's children brought thier plates to the sink but when my sister's kids were here, they did and so now that is being attempted here.  Going quite well I must say.  After lunch Mrs. S's older children swept the floor and washed off the table.  We will get there, Henry & Karley are still pretty young (aren't they?)  I wished I would have paid more attention to what her three year old boy accomplished as he is the same age as Henry. 

Mrs. S's children were also very good at handling discipline.  I asked her how do they so nicely and seemingly willingly go to their rooms when told.  I think she said that she's been doing it for so long they know.  I can't remember her answer exactly but I think that was it.  (There was a lot going on with eight children.)  In our own home during the last week, Henry & Karley have been getting better and better about accepting their punishment.  We are both fans of Dr. Ray (I need to finish reading his book, Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime!)

We also talked about Holly Pierlot quite a bit.  Talked about a having a mother's rule, schedules and such.  Mrs. S shared her schedule with me and I took quite a bit from it.  I've revised mine from before and decided I am going to stick with it this time.  I really do feel better about everything when I have a schedule and it's been going quite well.  

One of the things in the schedule is waking up at 5:00 AM each morning to do one of three things, read, blog or exercise.  Lately, it's been all reading.  I've missed 5:00 AM a few days but and have found 5:15 easier.  Why would 5:15 be easier, I don't know?  By the time my hour to hour and a half ends I wish for that extra 15 minutes.  In any case, I move on the next thing.  I guess it makes getting up the next day worth it right?  I caught these sunrises a few mornings ago.  Along with this breathtaking sky, it brought nice cool, low humidity weather.  We love that!  But are still happy with whatever God brings our way (more on that!).

All in all I just wanted to say how much I've been thinking of Mrs. S and how meeting her was truly in His timing.  He obviously knew I needed a role model such as her in my life.  I hope we can get together again really soon.  She also gave me a great book I finished reading last night, thank you!   

And thank you for reading and I hope you are having a blessed day!

Peace to you,

Tina

Multitude Monday Vol. 9

{157}

New Friends

{158}

New Play dates

{159}

Mrs. S

{160}

Book to Take Home from Play date

{161}

Schedules

{162}

Cleaned Closet

{163}

Organization

{164}

Sister Here All Week

{165}

Extra Little Voices

{166}

Slide show of Sophie's Pictures

{167}

Week Long Help With Dishes (Thanks T!)

{168}

Costco Trips

{169}

Creative Meals

{170}

Grilling Husband (BBQ sounds better)

{171}

Learning Divine Providence

{172}

Changes

{173}

Strength in Disciplining

{174}

Baking Monster Cookies with Sister

{175}

Tomatoes from the backyard for Dinner

{176}

Eye Glasses

{177}

Catching Up

{178}

Sunday Drive

{179}

Sunday Brunch

{180}
Creative Kids Play

{181}
Garden Eating Babes

{182}
Sisters

Hope you have a blessed week!

Multitude Monday Vol. 8

Another great week of gratitude.

{129}

Zoo Pass

{130}

Aunts

{131}

Uncles

{132}

Cousins

{133}

Gram

{134}

Grandpa

{135}

Papa

{136}

One Year Old who loved her cake

 

{137}

One Year Old with chocolate cake kisses for Gram

{138}

One Year Old who showed loving interest in her presents

{139}

One Year Old who kissed her birthday cards

{140}

Safe Travels

{141}

Overnight guests

{142}

Plenty of pillows

{143}

Extra beds in unique locations

{144}

Cool, less humid weather

{145}

Fresh air through the windows

{146}

Hard working husband

{147}

Good friends who meet us at the Zoo

{148}

One Year Old screaming with joy at Barney (at the Zoo)

{149}

Wind Chimes

{150}

Tomatoes eaten from the vine

{151}

Beautiful end to a wonderful birthday party

{152}

Area Parks

{153}

One Year Old having fun with Mom's stuff

{155}

Carrie Rocha

{156}

Coupons

Seven Quick Takes - Vol 8

{1}

It took a little longer than I thought but Adam finally got sick.  I am not sure he got it from us because we've put that behind us a week or so ago.  I've been feeling off all week.  Thought it was due to lack of decent sleep but yesterday realized I now have a cold.  Bummer, that will be the next thing to make the rounds in the Fisher house.  I will be keeping a close watch on Sophie with her ears!

{2}

My sister and her girls are coming to stay with us for most of next week.  I am excited to have the company.  The kids play so well together.  We are going to do a little school shopping, the zoo and maybe a day at the beach.  It will be so nice to have them here.

{3}

Adam is still super busy at work.  We all miss him.  The kids are into saying, "Somebody's missing" and then go down the list, "Mom, no, Karley, no" until they get to Daddy.  They've also been adding the dog into the mix.  I don't complain if the days get long because they are just as long for him and he doesn't have the luxury of A/C!  I am going to make it a point of sending him with some better lunches and dinner next week!

{4}

I've been toying with the idea of not having comments on my blog.  I've thought about it before but never went through with it.  After reading a post of a blogger friend I have considered it more today.  I'm making some changes in our home with some things we do {or don't}.  Most of them involve things related directly to the kids and .  So I thought maybe some of my Internet time should change as well.  Any thoughts on comments?  Do you have comments closed?  I've heard that it's freeing???

{5}

It's been really hot and humid here all week.  I for one am looking forward to cooler weather!

{6}

I took this picture from my window a couple of days ago.  I was washing dishes and looked out the window to this.  This is the closest thing I've seen to a twister.  I ran for my camera because I knew it wasn't coming my way.  As soon as I opened the door my camera lens fogged up so this was the only shot I could get.  I did see on the news somebody sent a picture in that looked very similar {but way better quality}

{7}

We are celebrating Sophie's birthday tomorrow.  It will be nice to have all our family here.  I'm going to have pulled pork sandwiches, corn on the cob, potato salad, some cucumber dish my Mom is going to bring {sounded so good and she wanted to bring it} and of course cake & ice cream.  Opps....I forgot to get the ice cream.  Off to the store!

Have a safe and blessed weekend!

Tina

McDonald's Studio

On Sophie's birthday I took the kids to McDonald's Studio to have her one year pictures taken.  I just love the work Joe does!  I brought Henry & Karley there on their birthday as well.  I always envisioned something really nice to mark the one year birthday and have it forever on my wall. 

I will go in next week to see a slide show of all the photos and then pick which ones I would like to purchase.  I'll never forget the first time I went, I was seven months pregnant with Karley and so very emotional.  As the music played and the pictures passed by the screen I cried and cried that my baby was so big and wondered where the time went. 

I talked Joe into sending me two photos for you to peek at since you won't be able to come to the slide show with me.  If you've been to my house you'll know this first one is so much like one of Henry that hangs on the wall of one year old photos Joe took. 

It's crazy how much they really do look alike.

My one, two and three year olds.  I think we are in for a lot of fun!

Thanks Joe!

Sophie's First Year

There will be many more first for this beautiful baby

but it will be the only

First Birthday!

We love you to the moon and back sweet baby!

(Just click on the box and the slideshow will begin.)

I Love CSN!

Online shopping has been a time saver for me for sure.  We live a good 40 minutes from just about everthing and with two girls that still nap it makes it hard to get errands done and protect the nap.  That's why I love CSN Stores!  CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from cookware to toys to specific needs such as dining room sets and bedding!  It's also fun to "window shop" like I was doing today.  I've never bought a dining room set of my own and thought it would be nice to have this one.  It feels "homey" to have two chairs on the ends don't you think? 

I love CSN and I'm so excited that I get to do another review with them. So stay tuned for a CSN review in the future, I'm thinking of something for my kitchen.

Have a great weekend!

Tina

**I received no compensation for posting this, but I will be receiving a gift certificate to use for an upcoming review. My opinions are 100% my own and others may have different opinions.**

7 Quick Takes Vol 7

{1}

Another week has breezed by.  I was sick the end of last week and it really took a couple of days to shake it.  Sophie also ended up sick.  Poor baby.  The only person in our family to have escaped the bug was Adam.  Don't ask me how because usually if the kids are sick, he's sick.  We all hope he stays healthy. 

{2}

I had a babysitter come to the house on Thursday for eight hours.  This is the first time I've ever had a babysitter to go run errands.  It was nice, I got A LOT done and met Adam for lunch.  That was really great!  As carefree, yet productive, as it was....it's not something that will likely happen on any regular basis.  My husband suggested for me to do it when we were discussing how busy this next month is for both of us.  He said he was going to be so busy at work and not here much (which makes things harder to get "done") so I should have the babysitter come.  I thought it was very nice of him to offer this. 

{3}

I have been in an organization tizzy.  I bought a new planner, hoping to combine a small planner and a three ring binder that I was starting to make "to do" lists in.  I am hoping that having actually times in my day will help keep myself on track.  I seem to always be thinking of all the stuff I need to get done and playing with the kids isn't top on the list, where it should be.  I struggle with balance.  I am always interested in how other people run their homes.  Schedule?  Take the day as it comes?  Clean one day, clean little bits each day?  I've tried things a few different ways....never really stick with anything.  Again, balance.  I'm thinking of going with schedule.   Back to school always seems to get things into shape for me.

{4}

Pre-School is just around the corner.  I think about homeschooling.  I go back and forth.  I wonder if I would be keeping Henry home and school him myself just to not have him "leave" me.  On one hand I think it would be good for him to have other friends besides his best friend whom he has to do everything with.  Would private school be good for him?  Open him up out of his shell?  I suppose all mothers feel the same way about their kids leaving the house.

{5}

I took all the kids to church by myself last weekend.  I was very very proud of how well behaved they were.  I also thought I was going to cry when they decided they would bring their envelopes up to the alter without Mom.  {The other kids all go without their Mom's....I would go with them so they would bring the envelopes up in hopes for the day that came last week!}  I was so proud of them.

{6}

My flowers are just about done.  It seems as if the Green Thumb of the house has abandoned them and I have kind of forgotten about them.  The heat we have doesn't agree with lack of water.  But then again, do flowers ever agree with lack of water?  I think of all the years I've lived here I've only had flowers last until September twice.  Knowing me as well I am getting to know me these days, I didn't buy very many this year.  The Green Thumb wonders how I am going to manage a real garden.  

{7}

We were supposed to be able to see the Northern Lights two nights this week.  I've seen them before in my hometown which is further north than where I live now.  When I saw some pictures on the news I had this grand idea of taking a picture to post on my blog.  I woke up at midnight, went outside in my pj's with my camera only to find the Big Dipper.  I also woke up at 4 AM, only peeked out the window this time.  Sorry.  No photos. 

 

I hope you are having a great weekend!

Tina 

My Gift

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank Him for him.

He's the best Dad, husband and provider.

He puts up with my crazy ideas.

Helps in the house, out of the house and with the kids, ALL the time.

It's his nature to nurture.

I love him.

You are welcomed to join Jenny at Just A Minute for your own Sixty Seconds.

Have a great day, it's a hot one here!

Tina 

Multitude Monday Vol. 7

I have had two very blessed weeks! 

{110}

Sprinkler Days

{111}

Happy Baby

{112}

Standing Peanut

{113}

Neighbor boy is okay

{114}

Gift cards

{115}

Having awesome neighbors

{116}

Health

{117}

Husband stepping in while I was sick

{118}

Camera

{119}

Children behaving superb in church with me solo

{120}

Henry & Karley dropping envelopes in the basket at the foot of the alter without Mom

{121}

Blogging friends with words of wisdom

{122}

My church

{123}

Being able to go to church in town (not the one we attend on Sundays) during the day to pray

{124}

Kids who ask to go there

{125}

Teaching moments at said church

{126}

Kids home safely

{127}

Sister who enjoys having my kids

{128}

Henry and cousin Hannah are buddies

I hope you have a great week!

Tina