Cooking Thursday~~Cream of....soup

Now that we are changing our lifestyle here and eating better.  I've been searching for recipes that will help us in that journey without sacrificing taste.  Not only is this fat free but also lower in sodium.  This is just one of these recipes I want to share.  I know many have already seen this recipe.

Cream of...soup

2 cups powdered milk
3/4 cups cornstarch
1/4 cups chicken, beef, bouillon granules (I just crushed the cubes)
2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon black or white pepper

Combine all ingredients and blend until mixed. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 year. This recipe makes 3 cups and is enough for 9 cans of soup.

To substitute for one can of condensed cream soup:
In a 1-quart saucepan combine 1/3 cup of soup mix
and 1 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil stirring
occasionally.

You can make this into many different types of soups.  Broccoli, potato, vegetable or whatever you can come up with.  I love this soup mix.  We keep it on hand all the time now.

Go on over to Diary of a SAHM to see more delicious recipes!

TOS Crew Review~~Classical Academic Press~~Latin

WHAT IS IT:

Classical Academic Press specialize in creating Latin and Logical curriculum to be used in the classical style of education.  They also have Spanish, Greek and French and Bible courses. 

We were given the Mastery Bundle for review purposes which included:

Primer A Textbook~~A consumable workbook

DVD's and Chant CD~~3 DVD's that have lessons taught by the author.

History Reader~~reader about Greek and Roman history.

Activity Book~~100 pages of puzzles and fun activities

This bundle is geared towards grades 3-6.  Level A Mastery Bundle sells for $99.95.

OUR THOUGHTS:

We received our shipment late so we have not used this product to it fullness yet.  We have been using this for 2 weeks now and are LOVING IT!!  When our shipment did not arrive I contacted the Classical Academic Press about it.  They responded right away and were very helpful.  That is huge in our book...great customer service.

Our kids love the DVD lessons as well as the CD chant.  I hear the kids singing them all over the house.  Our daughter has asked to put them on her Ipod.  YEA!  We are so impressed at how easy these lessons are.  We have not had a chance to use the activity book but plan to in the upcoming week.  If you are looking for a foreign language curriculum that is easy and affordable this is the one for you.  We love it. 

On their website they even have a number of FREE Resources.  Flash card games, Thanksgiving story, Coloring pages, and charts.  They even have a suggested weekly schedule for you to follow.  I love these!!

Thank you TOS and Classical Academic Press for giving us this curriculum free in exchange for my honest review.

Gooseberry Patch!!

Look what came in the mail!!  It's the new Gooseberry Patch cookbook....one of which I have a recipe in it!!  I have been waiting a long time to get this.  The recipe that is in there is one my Mother in Law use to make all the time.  It is also my husband's favorite.  Since I never had the pleasure of meeting my Mother in Law I've used her recipes as a way to get to know her.

My children were completely thrilled when they saw my name on the page.  These cookies are great!!  I'm hoping to make them this weekend.  I just need to grab a couple of ingredients from the store.  Then I plan on posting the recipe.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods...

Sunny and a high of 32 degrees.  OH come on spring you can do it!!

Things that make me happy...

Listening to our children play nicely together!

Book I'm reading...

The Journey by Wanda Brunstetter (review)

Theology books for school

New Testament books for school

Bible

What I'm enjoying on TV...

Waltons...they are back on Hallmark channel!!

On the menu for dinner...

chicken sausage with apples and maple syrup

Rice

On my To Do list...

Paperwork for homeschool

Spring cleaning

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon...

chicken sausage with apples and maple syrup...it's something I just threw in a pan.  I layered the diced apples in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  Place the chicken sausage on top drizzle with maple syrup.  Cover and bake until done.  Big hit here.

In the craft basket...

nothing much

Looking forward to this week...

my new Homestead Blessings DVD's!!

The Art of Dairy Delights

The Art of Quilting

The Art of Sewing

The Art of Cooking

The Art of Crafting

Tips and tricks...

When tackling a big project, take small portions and work on them.  Instead of looking at the big picture.  You will be less likely to be overwhelmed.

My favorite blog post this week...

The West Ladies...from Homestead Blessings.  They have a blog that I enjoy reading.  The music alone makes me long for simplicity.

New discovered blog...

Our Simple Country Life..Her blog is a wonderful place of refreshment.  From simple living to her faith, there is something for everyone.

Favorite photo...

The saga of our sliding glass door is finally over!!  We replaced our pantry that was falling apart.  BUT it would not fit out the new door.  LOL!  So our little fireman in training dismantled it for us.

On my mind...

My upcoming doctor's appointment regarding the gallstones.

Trying to get back to living a simple life.  I love having computers and modern gadgets, but sometimes I just want to sit and listen to the tick tock of the clock, the birds singing outside.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses...

Psalm 16:11

"You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Thank you Sandra for hosting this!  Visit Diary of a SAHM.

TOS Crew Review~~Big IQ Kids

PRODUCT INFORMATION:

Completely Online

Free Programs as well as Preimum Programs.  Read about the difference and pricing HERE.

From their website:

BigIQkids.com turns your computer into an online learning academy by providing daily academic lessons for young learners in an interactive, easy to follow format. For the best results, children should log into BigIQkids.com daily and complete their lessons and quizzes. This “daily” strategy builds invaluable study habits, leads to better grades and greater self confidence.

Spelling: With a over 40,000 word dictionary, SpellingTime comes pre-loaded with 40 lessons for K-8th grade appropriate word lists. Or, as a parent or teacher, you can easily enter your own word lists and SpellingTime will automatically create a week’s worth of lessons, quizzes and tests around your own list with the goal of achieving 100% on the Friday spelling test.

Math: You can set up a child's lesson to mirror what they are doing in their current curriculum. For example, if the child is on double digit addition and single digit multiplication, the program can focus on just these two areas providing invaluable practice and reinforcement that is certain to provide them with the tools to ace their next test. Or, BigMathTime can automatically generate grade specific and subject specific lessons as per your requirements.

Vocabulary: With an extensive library of elementary through SAT prep words, BigVocabTime comes pre-loaded with word lists OR, as a parent or teacher, you can easily enter your own word lists and the program will automatically create a week’s worth of lessons, quizzes and tests around your own list with the goal of achieving 100% on the week’s vocabulary test.

U.S. States: Every elementary student will be confronted with the need to know their US State facts to mastery. BigStatesTime is the ultimate tool in learning the state's location, capital, spelling, abbreviations and general state facts. The program allows parents/teachers to add additional facts which will be included in the child's lessons and the program culminates in a “State Mastery Exam” that, if passed with 100% mastery, awards the child a State Master Certificate. 

OUR THOUGHTS:

Our kids love being on the computer!  When we can combine that with schooling it is a win win for all involved.  We were given a year subscription for review purposes, so I set up 2 accounts.  One for Hannah and the other one for Katrina.  Andrew did use this program a lot under Hannah.

Katrina struggles with math so she had to complete one lesson a day before going on to the subjects she considers fun.  Her math skills have improved in just a month!  Praise the Lord.   She loves being able to sign on and do these at her own pace.  Some days were better than others.  Her favorite was the vocabulary section.  Boy was it strange to tell her, "you have to do your math before doing vocabulary!"  Usually it was do your schoolwork before getting on the computer.  Now she is on the computer for school.  Love it!!

Hannah and Andrew discussing what state they will visit next!

Hannah struggles in many areas of her schooling.  With this program she was able to work on her spelling with confidence.  She actually looked forward to Fridays because she could take her spelling test.  Now we do not have school on Fridays!!  She did this completely on her own.  I was brought to tears when I saw the excitement on her little face over doing spelling!

Andrew loved doing the states.  Hannah and Andrew actually did these lessons together.  They are "exploring" the United States.  One takes notes while the other navigates on the computer.  This really does warm my heart seeing them work together like this.  They want that mastery certificate!!

I look forward to using this for the rest of this school year and into next year.  I recommend this to anyone who is looking for an online learning center.  In my opinion it is SO worth the money.  But don't just take my word for it go on over to TOS Crew Blog and see what other crew members are saying.

Fit Mommy Friday

This has been a very tough week for me.  I found out I have gallstones and will be seeing a surgeon in April.  Not the news I had hoped for!!  But I continue to press on, it's just a small stumbling block.

I went to my Weight Watcher's meeting today and I stayed the same.  I am very thankful for that!!  I have not been able to exercise at all.  Today I will start with a small workout session.

I wrote these down from the Weight Watcher's room today:

Helpful Habits- Build a strong foundation

• Ask for help
• Learn from experiences
• Manage your environment
• Manage your feelings
• Manage your thoughts
• Monitor yourself
• Take care of yourself

These are habits I need to incorporate into my life.  The first one I've done...asking for help....I joined weight watchers.  That is a hard thing to do.  Admiting that I needed help.  I've always been an independent person....admiting that I needed help with weight loss was the hardest thing I've had to do.  I'm an addict when it comes to food.  I'm slowly learning from experiences.  Sometimes I don't even think when putting food in my mouth.  It's like I'm in a haze...then it's over and I'm left with a feeling of failure. 

I am working on getting into that mindset that I CAN do it, instead of the I can't do it.  One of the many things I learned so far from "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst was to lean on God not myself or any human.  Psalm 18 1-3 says, "I will love You, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

If you have not read that book I highly recommend you do.  This book has changed my life, both physical and mental.  My walk with God has never been stronger.  I've also lost a total of 11 pounds in 4 weeks.  But it's not all about the number on a scale.

To see other Fit Mommy Friday posts visit Got Chai?

Cooking Thursday~~Balsamic Raspberry Chicken

Since we are eating A L.O.T. of chicken here I needed to find ways of making it not so normal.  Sorry there is no picture!  I left the camera on and battery died!  You can use a number of different kinds of preserves in this dish.

Balsamic Raspberry Chicken

1 tsp canola oil

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1/2 tsp dried thyme

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/3 cup sugar free raspberry preserves

2 Tblsp balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp pepper

Heat oil in non stick skillet.  Add onion and saute 5 minutes. Add chicken and thyme, saute 6 minutes on each side or until done.  Remove chicken and keep warm.

Reduce heat.  Add preserves, vinegar and pepper, stirring until preserves melt.  Add chicken back into skillet and heat through.

For my Weight Watcher folks this is 5 Points Plus.

To see other Cooking Thursday posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

TOS Homeschool Crew Review~~Artistic Pursuits

I was very excited when I found out we were chosen to review this.  We have heard so much about it. 

WHAT IS IT:

ARTistic Pursuits: Grade 4-6 Book 1 The elements of Art and Composition

This is just one of their books.  Different books cover Preschool all the way to 12th grade.  The book we were given can be purchased from their website for $42.95.

Each topic in the lesson is explored in four different ways: Building a Visual Vocabulary, American Art Appreciation and History, Techniques and Application.

They suggest you do two classes a week for an hour at a time.  We did spend more time on the lessons.  We would discuss in depth the different types of art work covered.

OUR THOUGHTS:

This is by far the BEST art curriculum we have used.  I liked the fact that the book is written to the student.  There is not much teacher involvement at all, since we already had the supplies they suggested we did not have to purchase anything further.  But for those of you that do not have art supplies you can purchase them for use with this.  That is it.  Your child will do the rest.  Our son Andrew loves art.  Since my grandfather was an artist we used many of his paintings and drawings as extra sources. 

Andrew was working on his lesson about shading.  He really enjoyed the lessons,he said they were pretty easy to follow.  The hardest part for him was actually finishing the drawings....he is a perfectionist when it comes to his art work.

He also loves that this can be done by himself.  He does much better at the self directed learning than me teaching lessons to him.

I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a complete art curriculum.  We will defiantly be continuing with this one.

This is his finished mug drawing.  I think he did a great job!  He is such a critic of his work.

This was my favorite of all his drawings.  I love how this curriculum is not only teaching him not only how to improve his drawing but art history as well.

To see what my other crew mates are saying go on over to TOS Homeschool Crew Blog.

**I recieved this book free in exchange for my honest review.**

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods...

Woke up to rain outside...but OH so relaxing.  The birds are making their return to our feeders.

Things that make me happy...

Hearing my husband lead the children in their Bible class.

Book I'm reading...

Theology for Today (college book)

A journey through the New Testament (college book)

Journey into God's Word (college book)

Patchwork Dreams

What I'm enjoying on TV...

Waltons

Little House on the Prairie

On the menu for dinner...

Honey Mustard chicken

On my To Do list...

Finish putting the kitchen together

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon...

nothing special

In the craft basket...

nothing

Looking forward to this week...

meeting with my doctor to go over my test results

Tips and Tricks...

Don't sweat the small stuff...OR the big stuff (see below to lesson learned)

My favorite blog post this week...

from A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Blog Hopping (new blog to share)...

Bird In the Hand

Favorite Photo...

I love spring for so many reasons....but mainly because the Genesee Country Village and Museum opens!!  This year Hannah and I will be volunteering there! YEA! For a few days a month we get to dress in 1800's dresses and step back in time.  I'm BEYOND thrilled to do this.

Lesson learned this past few days...

Things are going to go wrong...it's a part of life. God uses these things to shape us into the person He wants us to be.   A few weeks ago our son made a very costly mistake.  He shot a BB through our sliding glass door. (don't lecture me about guns please!) I heard a "POP" then a sound that I thought was hail falling outside.  I looked at the door and realized it was not that at all.  I then saw Andrew standing at the end of the deck with the horrified look on his face.  He came around to the front door and said take this please, handing over his gun.  He showed extreme remourse for what he had done.  Anyway, we went and bought a new sliding glass door.  I was pretty happy about getting a new door since it needed to be replaced anyway.  So my Dad came over and was spending the day Saturday to help my husband install it.  It took them only a half an hour to get the old one out.  YEA!  Then they opened the new door from the package and realized it was 2 feet too long!! UGH!  The box was marked wrong.  So we loaded it back up in the truck and headed back to the store.  Now remember we had a huge hole in the side of our home...AND it started snowing.  ONLY in NY!! LOL!  HAHA!  Get to the store get the new door and started the truck when the manager came running out....wait we put the wrong door in your truck again.  YOUR kidding me!!  So they unloaded yet another door and put in a new one.  Off we went.  Snow changed over to rain...PERFECT!!  HAHA~yes I was laughing.  We get back unload the door again, unpackage it...my Dad looks at us and said...It's not the right one.  This one opens to the left you need a right handed one.  I said at this point I'm NOT driving back to the store again.  Just put it in we will rearrange the kitchen.  HAHAHAH!  All I could do was laugh, and laugh I did.  Uncontrolably!!  Hubby and my Dad thought I had completely lost it.  Andrew kept appologizing the whole day for what he had done.

On my mind...

meeting with my doctor tomorrow to discuss my ultrasound results.  I do know I have gallstones.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses...

Hebrews 4:16

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

To see other Happy Homemaker posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Download N Go Review~~Kite Capers

This study was given to me by Download N Go in exchange for my honest review.

Nothing says spring time like kids running through the field flying kites.  Our children love to fly kites.  I remember getting a kite each year growing up.  We had a great week learning about all things kites.  But not only that we had a week full of all things wind, weather and Wright!

Our week went something like this:

Day 1: What Is a Kite?

We learned about all the different types of kites.  Who knew there were so many?  I certainly didn't.  Did you know NASA uses them?  We talked about all the different ways the Bible mentioned wind.  We located over 20 verses in the Bible that talked about wind.  I know there are more, but what a fun journey through Scripture that was.

Day 2: The History of Kites

 Today we learned where the kite was invented.  We made our own mini kites (someday I'll remember to take pictures). We read some really interesting books on kites in China.  Now they make some really beautiful kites.

Day 3: Kite People and Places
Today we went over Ben Franklin and Alexander Graham Bell.  There was much more to today's study but we got a little hung up on them.  That's what I love about Download N Go.  It's not imperative you do everyday all the way through.  Do what works for your family.

Day 4: Science Secrets of Kites
The day we've been waiting for SCIENCE day!!  We learned what wind was.  Which fit in perfect because it was a very windy day today.  We also learned about clouds.  We got many books from the library about clouds and weather.  This has become Hannah's favorite subject recently.  She is reading all the books she can about weather.

We made an Anemometer!! (again I'm sorry there were no pictures!) It looked something like this.

I got this picture from a website.

 
Day 5: Goodies and Gadgets of Kites
Today we learned how to say "kite" in 4 different languages.  Did you know there is a national kite month?  Neither did we....until now.  We were going to wrap up our week with some cute kite cupcakes...but I've been sick and we never got to it.  We will do it!!

Download n Go is available for $7.95 from the website.  These units are so educational.  You can stick to the day to day or spread them out like we tend to do.  They are a great stand alone study or and addition to your current curriculum.

To see what other reviewers are saying see below.



Fit Mommy Friday

This has been a rotten week for me...at least health wise.  It started Monday with severe pains in my abdomen.  I just put it off and went about my week.  Then yesterday it became worse.  So I went to the doctor and they sent me for some testing.  Come to find out I have gallstones.  I will be meeting with my doctor on Tuesday to see where we are going from here.  I just want it taken care of.  BUT I do not want another surgery!  I had 3 c-sections and a back surgery.

I managed to get up to Weight Watchers to weigh in.  I did not want to miss one week.  I lost 2.6 pounds!!  I chalk it up to being sick though.  But that makes my total 10.6 pounds gone in 3 weeks.  How has YOUR week been going?

I've been remembering this verse all week:

Matthew 6:34

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

To see other Fit Mommy Friday posts visit Got Chai?

Weight Watcher foods

Broccoli and cheddar roasted potatoes.  These are Smart Ones meals.  I loved this one.  It was so creamy and tasty!  Next time I make this I'm going to steam some broccoli and add it.

I found these at Walmart for $1.98!  I also had a coupon to use as well.  I have stocked my freezer with these.  It's a great go to meal.  It is 6 Weight Watcher Points Plus.  The only problem I have is keeping my kids away from it!! :-)

For desert I had:

Turtle Sundae...YUM!  I really liked this one as well.  Again very creamy.  With it all premeasured I did not have to worry about measuring it.  Sorry I forgot to take a picture.  So the picture below is from the Smart Ones website.

I also picked these up at Walmart.  These were $4.89.  A bit expensive for ice cream but to me the cost is nothing compared to how I feel loosing weight.  Weight Watcher Points Plus is 4 points!!

TOS Crew Review~Apologia-Who is God?

WHAT IS IT...

252 page hardcovered book

You can view the table of contents and some sample pages below.

Table of Contents

Sample Pages

From their website:

"Who is God and Can I Really Know Him?, introduces the concept of worldview while laying the foundational truths upon which the evangelical Christian worldview is built: God is truth and He reveals His truth to people; He is the one true and almighty God; He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; He created everything; we are God’s children and are made to love and to praise Him; God meets all our needs; sin keeps us from God; and Jesus is the only way to God."

This series is aimed toward children ages 6-14 years of age.  This is just the first book in the series.  Other's in the series are:

Who am I?

Who is my brother? Yet to be released

What on Earth can I do? Yet to be released

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST...

$39.00

OUR THOUGHTS...

We have never used any of the Apologia books.  When this book arrived I was pleasantly surprised!  It was a large hard covered book.  The introduction was very informative in teaching me how to use the book.  The lessons are full and are supposed to be done one a week.  You could go longer on each lesson.  In the beginning of the book there is even a lesson plan.  Love that...lesson planning is not one of my strong points.  There is an extra section on their website that goes along with your book.  The "secret code" is given to you in the introduction of the book.

One of my favorite aspects of this curriclum is the notebook that the children keep.   I've always liked notebooking.  When children write things down they retain more.  It's a struggle to get my children to write but when we use a curriclum we enjoy they are happy to.

In each chapter there is a section "World Views".   We believe it is a good idea to teach our children how the world views certain things.  That way they are prepared to defend what we believe and most importantly know why we believe it.

We really are enjoying this book!  We plan on going on with it the rest of this year and into next year.  We also plan on looking into more of their curriculum.  So if you've been looking for a Bible curriculum this is one you should look into.

Go on over to the TOS Crew blog and read what other crew members are saying.

**I received this book as a part of TOS Crew for free in exchange for my honest review.**

Sap, Sugar and Syrup~~A trip back in time.

The morning began with a delicious pancake breakfast.  I usually do not like pancakes but I LOVE these.

NO I did not eat all this! LOL.  I had one pancake.  They just loaded up the plate.  Hubby finished the rest for me.  My Dad had the rest of the sausage.

Our journey back into the 1800's begins.  OH how I've missed the museum.

Through out the village the kids had to locate "Phinas" a yarn character in different colors.

Can you see him on the table?  He was all over the village in many different locations.

One of the interpreters in the Jones Farm house.  One of my favorites.  I forgot to get a picture of my friend Karen in the kitchen.  We got to chatting and I forgot.  I am going to be volunteering at the museum this summer.  I'm hoping to be able to help her out in the kitchen!! YEA!

Maple Sugar cookies.  YUM!!  Oh how I would love to learn to cook like the 1800's women did.

Maple Butter...butter with maple syrup mixed in.  SO good.

One of the cooks telling us about the maple glazed walnuts.  OH my soo soo good.  I'm making them tomorrow.

Then we headed over to the nature center to try our hand at tapping trees.  It's not as easy as it looks.

The people collecting sap and making syrup would build small cabins right in the sugar bush.  They lived there until sap collection and syrup production was done.

Straining the sap...there would be leaves, bugs ect in the bucket.

This was used to pull the sap to the fire.  We really enjoyed our visit.  Going to the Sap, Sugar and Syrup mean spring is on it's way!!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Weather in my neck of the woods...

We are in a warm up.  50's most of the week.

Things that make me happy...

being able to get outside in my gardens!  We are expaning the gardens again.  Gas prices on the rise we need to put up more food this summer.

Book I'm reading...

Bible

Books for review

What I'm enjoying on TV...

nothing

On the menu for dinner...

Spaghetti and turkey sausage

On my To Do list...

menu plan...I really have to start doing this!!

New Recipe I tried or want to try...

Cranberry Banana Bread

In the craft basket...

dust bunnies...LOL!  Have not had time at all for crafting.

Looking forward to this week...

Replacing the sliding glass door that was shattered by a wrong decision made by our son.

Tips and Tricks...

If you or one of your children accidently shoot your window with a BB gun place duct tape in X patterns.  It will keep the window from falling all over the place.

My favorite blog post this week...

Did not have time for much blog reading.

Blog Hopping (new discovered blog)...

Nothing this week

Favorite picture...

We went to the Genesee Country Village and Museum's Sap, Sugar and Syrup.  Post will be up later.

Lesson learned the past few days...

When your child makes a mistake remember you were once a child as well.

On my mind...

People of Japan

Church

School

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses...

Matthew 24:6

"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come."

To see other Happy Homemaker posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Fit Mommy Friday

Today I went to my weigh in!!  I lost another 1.2 pounds.  That makes a total of 8 pounds in 2 weeks!

I made it a point to exercise everyday.  I'm really liking the Zumba for the Wii.  I'm getting really use to it.  You know how it is when you start something new.  It takes a while to get your groove on.  :-)

I tried to follow the Weight Watchers plan to a T.  But had trouble from time to time, it's taking me some time to get use to Points instead of calories.  I'm not a breakfast eater and that has caused me to be SUPER hungry at lunch.  So last week I went to Walmart and they have a number of Weight Watcher foods at really good prices!!  So yesterday I had a Weight Watcher Bagel with homemade grape jelly! YUM!  The Weight Watcher Bagels are good.  They taste a bit different than other's I've had...I'm just so use to the thick crusty ones at the local bakery.  This whole weight loss thing is a learning process. 

I'm working this week on eating at least something first thing in the morning.

Working out everyday

Eating more vegetables

Eating the points allowed

To join in on Fit Mommy Friday go on over to Got Chai?

My space....

We live in a very small house...I know I've said it many many times before.  We've been looking for something that is a multipurpose use space for my crafting.  We were thinking of an  L Shaped Desk  to use as that multipurpose space.  I can also use it as a study area for school.   Take a look at the L Shaped Desks, they are gorgeous!!  I can see this one set up for me as a crafting space....

Oh yes and of course studying.

Any suggestions??

Walt Disney World Here we Come!!

It's official...December 10th we will be at Walt Disney World!!  Yesterday my best friend from high school got us a GREAT deal on a resort.  Not just any resort.....

THE GRAND FLORIDIAN!!  I'm so beyond excited.  I think I will probably drive my husband crazy talking about Disney.  I remember visiting Laura in the summer of 1990, we went past this resort and I remember thinking someday I'm going to stay there.  YEA!! 

It's not just the hotel that I'm excited about it's seeing my high school best friend again after SO many years.  We are really (I mean really tempted) to move there and get a job.   Being able to spend some time with her again after all this time is going to be great.  I'm not sure our husbands (or children) know what they are in for!!

This is our very first ever family vacation!  We've take small family trips with my parents and siblings.  But my husband has never been out of state very much.  I think he went on a bus with his mom to Missouri when he was 8.  But nothing since.

We are taking the Amtrak train from here to FL.  That is going to be a lot of fun.  We will be spending 3 hours in New York City on our way down.  As well as 3 hours on our return trip.  We were going to spend a day or so in NYC but I think by that time we will be ready to return home.  It will take us a full day to get to FL but we are looking forward to it. 

Check back often to see our vacation plans.  I'm going to be posting from time to time about what's worked for us and has not.