Conquering the dragon

See this creative fellow...well on his belly is written all of our things that we need to conquer in our lives.We fought him and let the light come through. To read about our complete Michaelmas festival, I posted it on our school blog.

Frustrated because I can't get blogger to load any pictures. We had a marvelous Michaelmas festival yesterday. Will post everything when I can! Happy Michaelmas Day.  Yeah for agency and conquering darkness.

Trying to be like Daddy

Push Thayne, Push!

Note to other homeschooling parents

Chaiya freaked out this week at college because she didn't know how to 'bubble' her name in on a test. It is where you color in the oval.   Note to Self: remember to tell kids about stupid government requirements.

Best kind of learning

Daddy found the most perfect earthworm!

Pizza night

She always is happy!

My new nephew!

Born: September 16th  7:11 pm

See this amazing woman...she's my sister Shawna and she is awesome!

Pushing out a 9lb 1oz  baby is hard work and she did it without an epidural or episiotomy. WOW!

I am so proud of her for hanging in there.  She even texted me at 7 centimeters ...funny girl.

This morning I got to go and hold her little chubba for 2 hours.

Isn't he just perfect? I'm totally in love. I think I get the whole grandparent thing now...where you can fall in love with a baby that's not "yours". I was thrilled when I got him to burp well.   Yes, I am definitely smitten!

Shawna and Mario named him Joaquin Julian. I think honestly I'll call him J.J. He was so soft and smelled so yummy.  Shawna's older boys are just over the moon with their new baby brother.  Congratulations Shawna and Mario! We are so happy for you.

What I'll miss the most

Our incredible backyard!

Many a happy afternoon has been spent just being!

But.....I am betting Maryland might have some cool backyards too!

Banana Bread

To be honest, some of my most difficult times are when I am at the grocery store trying to figure out what I can purchase or make for Lydia. With her metabolic "allergies" to animal proteins and other things, feeding her daily is challenging to say the least. Sometimes products are not labeled correctly or have 'trace' elements that cause a reaction. I have adapted many many recipes over the years. Pancakes, cookies etc... have turned out amazing. I have never been able to make a really good brownie without eggs though. This weekend I thought I would create some banana bread. IT IS YUMMY!  Most importantly she actually likes it. whoo hooo!!!

Banana Bread

1 cup mashed bananas

                                                   1 carton of soy yoghurt    (replaces: 1/2 cup sour cream)

                                              1/2 cup margarine    (we use Earthbalance or Nucoa)

                                 1 TB egg replacer mixed with 3 TB of warm water  (replaces: 2 eggs)

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp. sea salt

2 tsp vanilla

Chopped nuts (optional)

Mix bananas and yoghurt together. Add sugar margarine and egg replacer blend very well. Add vanilla and nuts. Add all dry ingredients and mix until all dry is blended into the wet. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

QOTD

Sometimes you have to do things you do not want to do because it is the right thing to do.

Yes, it's now completely true

We will soon be on a brand new adventure in ....... MARYLAND!
This Western girl will be pulling out every resource available and bravely head East. Michael accepted his dream job working on the Joint Striker fighter engines. He starts on the 11th of October at NAS PAX navel base working for Pratt and Whittney.
Two months ago I thought we were going to be headed to Idaho with Home Depot eventually. So this is a GIANT shift. I have a lot of stuff to pack or throw out!

Just a smidgen proud of my boy

Lydia has been saving up her money for the last year. She had $60. She wanted to purchase a particular expensive item to have something to play with when waiting at the Dr. offices' or in the hospital. I think that even though I don't really like gaming that those reasons were valid for this particular purpose. Sometimes waiting is difficult especially when it is for a procedure that is not pleasant.  It was going to take her a long time to save for this.

Quayde frequently is asked to work for people at our church doing yard work. He recently went and spent 6+ hours pulling weeds in the hot sun. On Wednesday, he took all of his money...added it to Lydia's and bought her the game system. He has such a tender heart! I asked him several times if he was sure he wanted to do this. Quayde had worked hard for that money.  He said that he knew surgeries were not fun and maybe it would take her mind off of the i.v. and the pain. He is a really great brother!

When he presented it to her, she was thrilled! I am really blessed to have such wonderful, thoughtful children.

Time to clean up

Good Bye!

Good Bye !!

Good Bye!!!

As of  last Thursday at 1:00pm Lydia will no longer be needing or using any of this equipment!

It has been a long, difficult, and wonderful last 10+ years. I am grateful for these tools that helped me maintain her health. Truthfully there is a little sorrow...it has been so much of our day to day existence. It has changed me in ways that are amazing. So with joy we are cleaning out our room, letting go and starting fresh and new!