A Working Summer

It is summer........Although, you would never know it from where I sit. It hasn't been above 77 degrees for-FOREVER. My garden is growing S-L-O-W-L-Y. The slugs are enjoying it though, which is why I planted it so someone or something can enjoy it.{Salting nightly to battle them} In all fairness I do cut greens from it daily { even though they are anaemic...lack of sun} for my green smoothies and salads. The tomatoes and peppers have flowers on them and it is July.....whoopee!!!! I was so afraid I wouldn't have any zucchini, but never fear the vine is now a whopping nine inches long...no flowers at this point.

I am in the throws of picking curriculum for next year. We school all year round so we are busy with the three R's of school. The poor neighbor kids keep coming over to play and the kids give them their list at the door and approximately how long it will take to get through that list so they can play. It's kind of funny to listen to.

The boys are in golf camp and loving it. Jack is getting ready for Scout camp and the 250 mile bike ride. Claire is learning to read and is so excited. She is really picking it up fast. It bust me up when Blake reads a story problem from math and Claire finishes his sentence for him. It ticks him off though so I am trying to get her to do other things while Blake and I do his math.

I am loving this no extra classes thing. It really messes with my schedule. We are getting so much more accomplished. During lunch we listen to "Story of the World"1650-1850 by Susan Wise Bauer on CD. The kids love it. The problem is they want to lunch to drag on and on. I am using this CD as a point of reference for our study of American History next fall. We are making time lines that show all the relevant historical people, dates and events that happened in World History and then we will line up American History underneath that and then..... since we are studying church history next year that timeline will line up nicely underneath. It is kind of exciting for me to watch these guys really get into it. I am reading " The Well Trained Mind" by Susan Wise Bauer, very helpful and fascinating. I am also listening to several lectures by Susan Wise Bauer. These have been very motivating and informative.

I am working on recipes that are plant based..... finished reading " The China Study" for the second time, excellent book. Coming up with good recipes is very tiresome work without very much accolades. I spend many hours a week at night looking for recipes on food blogs. Having a husband that is allergic to most veggies and many summer fruits makes it hard and children that eat like mice doesn't really help either. I have pretty much rid our diet of white sugar, white flour and most processed foods. This means I have a lot of time spent in preparing meals, time which is not really enjoyable since my family is incredibly picky. We have meat occasionally.....sparingly and even then my kids are not jumping on the carnivore wagon when it is offered to them. A dinner of homemade bread, peanut butter, whipped huckleberry honey, fresh strawberries and green smoothies seems to be the best for the kids. Waffles are always good too. My sister-in -law suggested having the kids prepare some meals and we have been trying that, yet still it is a question of what they like. We can only eat taco's and pizza once a week and there are four kids.

There is a Ross reunion coming up and they want us to race in this 10k if we feel so inclined. I have been trying to train for it. I thought I was doing pretty good. I have been working out daily on an elliptical and doing some strength training. I think I am more of a sprinter. I ran outside today and it was awful...... that is all I can say......embarrassing.......I will continue to try, but I can promise nothing. Seriously, I thought I was doing so well.....so depressing.

So that is it....oh and the Primary, VT, and other various and sundry things like being "The Enforcer" when it comes to chores, laundry and such. Worrying about my kids. Comparing too much to other kids. Wondering if I am a good parent. Trying to figure out how I can do better. Reading "Christlike Parenting" by Dr. Glenn Lathem, excellent and " Raising a Family to the Lord" by Gene R. Cook, excellent also.

We have been here almost a year now. Time sure flies. It is a great place to live and I am adapting. I miss my friends and I am glad for Face Book so I can keep up with them. I have struggled with some depression, but I think the exercise is helping that. I can't complain too much I am very blessed.