Chickpea Salad

I am trying to eat healthier and lose weight right now. So I have been eating a lot of salads and veggies. Eating lettuce salads over and over again was getting really old. I have a bean salad at a local restaurant and I really loved it. This is my attempt to recreate it, and it is delicious!
It is a great dish to make for a gathering, it is simple, cheap, and refreshing!

Chickpea Salad -
1 large cucumber
1 large tomato
2 celery stalks
Dried parsley
2 cans chickpeas ( well drained )
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Slice your veggies to the desired size. Add beans and veggies to a bowl, toss well. Drizzle one tablespoon of lemon, one tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and parsley. Toss well, chill and serve.

April Meal Plan

1st - 7th
Sunday
Breakfast - Easter breakfast at church
Lunch - Gone
Dinner - Chicken and veggies

Monday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Gone
Dinner - Leftovers

Tuesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Sandwiches/wraps and veggies
Dinner - Egg bake, toast, apple sauce, and hashbrowns

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch -Hot dogs, mac and cheese and veggies
Dinner - Spaghetti and salad

Thursday
Breakfast - Oatmeal banana cookies
Lunch - Ravoli and veggies
Dinner - Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and fruit

Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Salads
Dinner - Chili

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Chicken sandwiches, fries, and veggies
Dinner - Eggs, toast, and fruit

8th - 14th
Sunday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Gone

Monday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Chicken sandwiches and veggies
Dinner - Cheeseburger chowder or broccoli cheese

Tuesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Pizza
Dinner - Crockpot lasagna and salad

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Alexander's birthday
Dinner -Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn

Thursday
Breakfast - Fruit bars
Lunch - French toast and fruit
Dinner - Ham, veggies, and potatoes

Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Wraps and veggies
Dinner - At gratin potatoes and ham and veggies

Saturday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Taco bar ( Alex's party )

15th - 21st
Sunday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Ham and cheese tortellini
Dinner - Boiled dinner or baked potato soup

Monday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Wraps and veggies
Dinner - Chicken, potatoes and carrots

Tuesday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Salads
Dinner - Chicken tacos, rice, and beans

Wednesday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - Roast, creamy cheesy corn, salad, and potatoes

Thursday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Tuna sandwiches/wraps, cottage cheese, and veggies
Dinner - Spaghetti and salad

Friday
Breakfast - Fruit bars
Lunch - Chicken sandwiches, cottage cheese, and veggies
Dinner - Hot ham and cheese sandwiches and veggies

Saturday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Leftovers
Dinner - Pork roast, potatoes, and veggies

22nd - 28th
Sunday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Breakfast burritos and fruit

Monday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - Pork enchiladas in sour cream sauce, beans, and rice

Tuesday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Ravoli
Dinner - Pork tacos, rice, and beans

Wednesday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Salads
Dinner - BBQ pork sandwiches, potato wedges, and veggies

Thursday
Breakfast - Fruit bars
Lunch - Sandwiches/wraps and veggies
Dinner - Chicken pasta in squash sauce

Friday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Pancakes and fruit
Dinner - Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and fruit

Saturday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Spaghetti and salad

29th - 30th
Sunday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Hamburger mac and veggies
Dinner - Shredded roast sandwiches, rosemary potatoes, and veggies

Monday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Sandwiches/wraps and veggies
Dinner - Beef and noodles and green beans

My Children Are A Blessing

Five?? You have five kids??? You would not believe the number of times I have heard someone ( usually a stranger ) say this to me. I can not even count the number of times a comment has left me feeling kid shamed. Something a mother should never have to feel.

                                        



Some of my other "favorites" include -
Don't you know what causes that. ( I am sure you don't want to have this discussion with me, honestly, this is not appropriate to ask someone at all. )

Boy, you sure have your hands full. ( Hands and heart people, I would not trade it for anything. )

Did you want that many? ( I am not sure how to respond to this question. I can not believe someone would ask me if I wanted my kids....especially when my kids are standing right next me. This is such a rude thing to say to someone. )

Are they all yours? ( No, I take other random children to the store with me as well. It makes my shopping experience more exciting. )

Are you ever going to stop? ( Again, rude! )

This list could go on for a long time, but I don't want to dwell on all the comments. I want to get to the heart of this post.


Kids are a normal part of every day life. The truth of the matter is that kids are our future. So why do so many people look at kids like they are such a burden? Why does it seem like there are so many eye rolls at stores ( yes I do take all five to the store ), restaurants ( yes I take them out to eat too ), and other public places? Why do people feel the need to make rude comments, stare, or act like a larger family is like watching a circus?

You do not have to have kids yourself, that is fine. You get no judgement from me for living a child free life. What you do not get to do is expect other people to live a child free life and keep their children out of public.  My kids have just as much right to be the places they are as you do, and they have the right to be there without your comments, stares, and impolite behavior.

My husband and I work hard to teach our kids to behave. They are kids though, they are not perfect. Will they sometimes misbehave in public? Yes, of course, they are still kids! They have an excuse, adults on the other hand do not. My children are friendly, loving, and kind. They will gladly sit and talk your ear off, they love people, even when people are not so loving to them.

Kids are kids. They are often loud and messy. Kids are kids. They need love and guidance, not just from parents, but from other people around them. My kids love it when other adults actually engage with them. My eight year is a people lover, you make her day when you actually talk to her. Kids are kids. They are not annoying, they are not there to ruin your day, they are not a problem. Kids are kids. They are the living, breathing future of our world. It is time to stop treating them with such little respect, and to start showing them the love they want to show you. 

                                        

K - 2nd Read Aloud Program Part 2

Course Description: This read aloud program  is for  K - 2nd grade students, it can be used for younger or older students, based on their reading level.  Links are included for multiple activities.
It is designed that the teacher or parent reads the stories to the children. If you have a child that is a good reader, they can read the story to you. Personally, we do a mix of both.
You can find some of these stories online for free, check your local library, or buy the books. I have each one linked below.

Supplies : 
Printer
Internet Connection
Crayons/Colored Pencils
Folder to keep projects if you want
Glue
Pencils
Some art supplies if you do all the links and projects

Part one of this blog series can be found here.

Book list -
Aesop's Fables
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Adventures of Little Bear




Aesop's Fables
Since this is a large book with many mini tales we are not using a unit study.
Instead:
Discuss the moral of the story after reading each fable.
You can move through this as quickly or slowly as you like. You can read just one story a day, or multiple.
Search for animated stories on youtube after reading them.
Make copy work sheets with the lessons to be learned at the end of each story.

Harold and the Purple Crayon
Do this art activity.

Adventures of Little Bear
Little Bear - for the first section of this book, we are using this unit study.

Father Bear Comes Home
I could not find a unit study for this part of the book. After each story we are going to do this worksheet.

A Kiss For Little Bear
I could not find a unit study for this part of the book. After each story we are going to do this worksheet.


Extra activity -
Find the animated version of the stories.

Easter Giveaway

How cute are these little bunnies? Just in time for Easter, enter the contest below to win the basket and the bunny that are pictured. Both items are crocheted by me. Be sure to visit my facebook page to see many more adorable items!

These items are also available for purchasing. You pick colors. For more information, check out the facebook page that I have linked above.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

March Meal Plan

March 1st - 3rd
Thursday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Ravioli and apple slices
Dinner - Spaghetti

Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - Sandwiches, veggies, and chips

Saturday
Gone

Sunday
Gone

March 4th - 10th
Monday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Chicken strips and veggies
Dinner - Roasted chicken and veggies

Tuesday
Breakfast - Breakfast bars
Lunch - Chicken, veggies, and rice soup
Dinner - Eggs, toast, and fruit

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Tuna or ham wraps and veggies
Dinner - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn

Thursday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Mini baked omelettes and veggies
Dinner - Crockpot lasagna and veggies

Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Hamburger mac and broccoli
Dinner - Roasted pork roast, potatoes, and veggies

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Meatball sandwiches and veggies
Dinner - Jonathan's Birthday

Sunday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Cream cheese pork burritos, rice, and beans

March 11th - 17th
Monday
Breakfast - Banana oatmeal cookies
Lunch - Eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - King ranch casserole, rice and beans

Tuesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Chicken strips, cottage cheese,  and apple sauce
Dinner - BBQ pork sandwiches, potato wedges, and veggies

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Tuna or ham wraps and veggies
Dinner - Cheeseburger chowder and salad

Thursday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Mini baked omelettes and fruit
Dinner - Meatball parmesan casserole and veggies


Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Ravioli and veggies
Dinner - Chicken tacos, rice, and beans

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and apple slices
Dinner - Dad's birthday

Sunday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Sandwiches and veggies
Dinner - Breakfast tacos and fruit

March 18th - 24th
Monday
Breakfast -Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Chicken strips, cottage cheese and veggies
Dinner - Chicken pasta with squash sauce

Tuesday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Hamburger mac and broccoli
Dinner - Chicken and gnocchi soup

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Eggs toast and fruit
Dinner - Chicken alfredo and broccoli

Thursday
Breakfast - Breakfast bars
Lunch - Sandwiches and veggies
Dinner - Crock pot sausage, beans, and potatoes

Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Tuna or ham wraps and veggies
Dinner - Roast, potatoes, and veggies

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Veggie beef soup

Sunday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch -  Chicken nuggets, cottage cheese and veggies
Dinner - Pancakes, eggs and fruit

March 25th - 31st
Monday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - Chicken breasts, creamy corn, and roasted veggies

Tuesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Ravioli and veggies
Dinner - Ham, potatoes, and roasted veggies

Wednesday
Breakfast - Banana oatmeal cookies
Lunch - Tuna or ham wraps and veggies
Dinner - Scalloped potatoes and ham with veggies

Thursday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Scrambled eggs with ham and cheese, fruit and toast
Dinner - Potato and ham soup

Friday
Breakfast - Breakfast bars
Lunch - Chicken broccoli tortellini
Dinner - Ham and cheese breakfast casserole and fruit

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Omelettes, toast and fruit
Dinner - Boiled dinner or cheeseburger chowder

Sunday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Sandwiches, cottage cheese, and apple slices
Dinner -Ham and cheese mac and veggies

Homeschooling in the Raw - Getting Through the Hard Days

I have not added anything to this series for awhile. We have hit a bit of a hard patch in our schooling lately, I have touched on this subject before but since we are still in this season, I decided it was time to talk about it again.

This week has been a bit rough for all of us. It the last week of our second quarter, so we are rushing to finish up some work that needs to be completed. The last few days we have been doing school until far into the evening.  I will openly admit, this has been draining for me. At the end of the day, I am completely tapped out, my well is empty. I have started doing more through out the day to help with this though.

Something we have started recently has helped me tremendously in getting through these trying days, without losing my mind. We have started a quiet hour. At three o'clock each day, the kids are told they all need to go upstairs, and find something to play together quietly. Some days this goes wonderfully, they spend the whole hour up there, playing nicely. Other days, they come down every other minute to complain about something the other sibling has done. I love the days that I can sit down on the couch, or at my desk, do a devotional, read a book, or write in my blog, while listening to the sweet giggles, and playful banter of all of them upstairs. Not only is the quiet for me, to help me get a small break. but it is helping the kids. It is helping them spend time together, use their imaginations, play together, be nice to each other, and I am hoping it is building lasting memories.

Today during quiet hour, I am sitting here writing this. I have some good music turned on, I am drinking my fourth cup of coffee ( don't judge me ), writing this blog, and grading the stack of papers you see on the printer beside me.
                                        
As I have been grading papers all week long, I have something else that has given me joy. My kids are thriving. Even on the days that I feel like I am failing, the days that math takes hours, on the days my child is telling me it is to hard, they are thriving. The proof is in their grades. They are not just getting by, they are excelling, they are learning. I am not failing, they are not failing, they are thriving. This fills my heart with joy.

So even though this week has been hard, even though I go to bed feeling tapped out, I can take comfort in knowing this is just a season. The days won't always feel this long.

So all you mothers out there that are feeling the same way I have been. Know this, you are not alone. Families go through good and hard times, some days feel like they will never end, you may feel like you are barely scraping by, but you are not alone.

If you find yourself feeling this way, find a way to help refill your tank. Take a quiet hour, do yoga, drink more coffee, do whatever it is that makes you feel like you are getting some much needed you time. You can't take care of your family, unless you take care of yourself.