Strange how things work. . .

About 3 weeks ago, we had a 2001 Ford Windstar and a 2007 Saturn Ion in our driveway. . .But today we have a 2006 Toyota Sienna and a 2003 Volkswagon Jetta:


Our Ford windstar started having a whole host of problems from the transmission to the anti-lock brake system. So, we decided that since Rich works from home, we would sell his reliable and worth-alot-more Saturn and replace it with the Toyota Sienna minivan - making the vehicle that our entire family can fit in - our most reliable vehicle. We kept the ford minivan and decided not to repair it, but just have it around for a 2nd car and drive it until it died.
About 6 days after we made the deals, Rich got a teaching job in Winston-Salem,therefore needing to commute twice a week for the fall semester.
So, our one reliable car plan was no longer working out for us.
So, on to plan number two. We sold our ford minivan and bought a used - but reliable - 2003 volkswagon jetta.
Best news of all, though . . . 3 weeks ago the two cars that were in our driveway were paid off. . .and today our "new to us" vehicles are also paid off.
I give much "kudos" to the Dave Ramsey plan for finances. . . and to my husband who manages ours. So, if you don't know or have never heard of Dave Ramsey, I highly recommend his book.
Off topic. . . we are very excited that Rich will be teaching! He is still teaching online courses for several colleges, but he's very excited that he'll be in the classroom teaching!

Spelt Bread

In July, I had to place an order for 250 pounds of grain. I was out of Kamut grain by April. . .and was slowly running out of soft white, Prairie Gold hard white, and oat groats. For some reason, it took alot longer to get our grain than it usually does. So, while I was waiting on the grain to arrive, I ran out of everything except Spelt.

I only use spelt for pancakes, waffles, and muffins. I was always intimidated to try to get a good loaf of spelt bread. But I had to make a decision. Either I was going to need to figure out how to make spelt bread or go by bread from the store.

I was up for the challenge, so I read about it for a few days, then got up the nerve to come up with a recipe that I thought would work. Spelt is somewhat tricky. It has much less gluten in it, which is why people who are allergic to gluten can usually tolerate it. It is also quite dense.

So, you have to use about 25% less liquids than you would with regular wheat.

Good news. . .the recipe that I developed. . . worked beautifully the first time! And spelt has a deliciously nutty flavor. I made 100% spelt bread out of necessity and found out that it wasn't that difficut afterall. . .and it's delicious!

Our grain has now arrived. . . so we'll be going back to using mostly hard white for my bread. . . but I'll be making a loaf of spelt every once in a while to enjoy!

And on a side note. . . my most favorite grain is kamut. . . so I am very excited to have kamut again!

Martin and Jonathan in their Awana uniforms

Jonathan is so proud of his Puggles shirt and bag!

I'm getting bigger!! 7 months old today!

My 7 month picture next to my pony

And a couple more just for fun:

Introducing the genre of Adventure

We are working on 9 different genres in Literature this year with Martin. He just finished up the genre Biography last week by reading the book: Squanto

This week I introduced the genre of Adventure. I introduced him to the genre by giving him his very own adventure!!! I sent him on a treasure hunt! He had so much fun following each of the clues that eventually led him to the treasure!

I gave him his first clue . . .and it sent him to:

the refridgerator, where he found another clue. . . which sent him to:

Rosalie's closet!!! He found another clue there that sent him to:

Mommy's bathroom!!! Where he found another clue which sent him to:

the dryer!!! Where he found another clue which sent him to:

the cabinet in the entertainment area!! Where he found another clue that sent him to:

the TREASURE!!! His treasure was hidden underneath a bathroom cabinet in a large brown paper bag. . . WHAT WAS THE TREASURE??? His new book, The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla. And along with this treasure of the book. . . were 3 bags of chocolate chips. . . one for each boy . . .(you may have noticed that the little brothers followed Martin on his treasure hunt. . . and quite enjoyed it!)

WOOHOO - chocolate chips!!! What a fun adventure!!

My Uncle Chuck

My Uncle Chuck had a very serious heart attack about a week and a half ago. His wife is my Aunt Sharon. (sister to my dad) If you have the time to listen, please click on the link below and hear this miraculous story.

A little history: A year and a half ago, Uncle Chuck and Aunt Sharon lost their only daughter, Stephanie. She (Stephanie) had the flu and died when she had a grand mal seizure one night in her sleep. She had epilepsy, and had chosen to sleep in the guest room that particular night as not to disturb anyone and to try to keep the others in her home from getting the flu. Stephanie was my age and hit us all very hard. . . and we are still recovering and dealing with the loss of such a beautiful young woman, wife, mother, daughter, niece, and cousin. When my uncle and aunt lost their daughter, they immediately sold their house and moved to the town where she had lived to help their son in law with raising their two grandsons.

The story that you will hear on this link is truly a miracle for our family. I give all the glory to God and Praise His Wonderful Name! If you have about 3 minutes - you will have the opportunity to hear:

http://www.post-gazette.com/multimedia/?videoid=102237&cmpid=mmpanel0

Afternoon at the park

We got our school work done. . . dinner preparations had been made. . . so off to the park we went. I loved the fact that we were the only ones there. It sure makes it easier to keep my eye on three busy boys when they are the only ones there playing!Aaron is proud that he can slide down the pole now!

And Rosalie sat in her stroller smiling the whole time we were there!