Veterans

A few of the guys who served in the military from our family. I know there are more pictures and older pictures but I can't seem to locate them. My dad, Merle Sims, WWII Private in the Service and Ammunition Battery of the 67th Armored Field Artillery Battalion of the 3rd Armored Division.

Rick's dad, Richard Cassel Sr, Korean War

My mom's brother, Gene Bowers, Korean War

My mom with her older brother Gene.

My mom's younger brother, Terry Bowers, Korean War

My hero, Richard Jr, Desert Storm

And of course now Jeff is in the army stationed at Fort Bliss. I don't have a good one of him in uniform.

Sunday

Sunday night we talked to a group of 1st & 2nd graders about the Bible. We called it "Adventuring Through the Bible" which is why you see an assortment of adventure hats in the pictures.

We had out Books of the Bible blocks for kids to put together. Jasmine was a big help during the lesson. We gave out the bands on her arm to the kids who learned the key verse (Psalm 119:105). We said it about a zillion times together so everyone could learn it.

We had a phone for God told me what to write. An eraser for The Bible has no mistakes. A Bible handbook for The Holy Spirit helps us understand the Bible. And a magic picture book for God Shows himself to us in the Bible.

We talked about how the Bible authors were ordinary men who were fishermen, prophets, a tent maker, a doctor, a tax collector, shepherds and a cup bearer.

We talked about how the Bible has two parts--The Old Testament and the New Testament. Then we did activities with Noah's Ark and Joshua and the walls of Jericho.

We ended by doing crafts to go with the stories of Joshua and of Esther.

The girls were invited to join the fall challenge HERE.

Next Sunday night we'll be talking to the 3rd-5th grade students. We cover some of the same things but on a more difficult level, and instead of the games, we go through the major events of the Bible using twelve C words. Oh, and we do actually have one game which is picking up the frogs from the ten plagues using a spoon which is held in the mouth : )

"Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch"

Rick, Tyler and Jessica went to Universal Friday and Saturday. The park was pretty empty Friday and they were able to walk right onto the rides. They only waited 15 minutes for Harry Potter instead of the usual hour and 45 minutes!

Lots of drama in the pictures

Ever feel like climbing the walls? Tyler did!

See?

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (or double wide manufactured home as the case is), Adam prepared for his first school dance.

Practicing his look

Awww. All grown up.

Just Stuff

Rick, Tyler and Jessica are on their way to Universal and Islands of Adventure. Neither of the kids' colleges have classes on Fridays. We were supposed to go a couple of weekends ago, but it poured, so we went to Wonder Works instead. I'd already bought Ty's ticket though so he needs to use it. The others have seasonal passes that are about the run out.

I can't promise pictures, because I just found the camera still here plugged into the charger! They have the video camera though.

This week was report card week for the four younger children. The twins got A's and B's with the exception of Kayla's C in science, but the conduct grades were far from acceptable, so that's what I'm urging them to work on. They (hopefully) understand that with better behavior, they'll have more privileges, but if I can't trust them to behave appropriately, they won't go nearly as many places or be in as many activities. But I'm happy they've caught on so quickly to the school work. We did read, work on dolch words and write in journals during the summer though, and that helped. Kayla's teacher said she's impressed that Kayla is at grade level for story writing with her limited background in English.

Adam had all A's and B's for the first time in a long time. He's starting to think about college, so that's important. He takes the SAT in January.

Jasmine started out the year failing math and science. I pointed out that she'd had an IEP in her previous school and that I'd attached a copy to her enrollment papers. We had a meeting about three weeks later, so already more than half way through the first grading period, to discuss her needs. By that time her math and science grades were rock bottom.

The school doesn't have an aid to sit with Jasmine in those classes, but they have a resource room, so for the first time she's going to a special placement for math and science. It's really a good thing for her because it's a smaller group and she can work at whatever level she's able. The math in the classroom was moving so fast and she didn't understand any of it. She's now working on 4th grade math instead of 5th and learning some strategies and some skills she missed the first time around.

Despite the rough start, she was able to pull those grades up to a B and C on her report card. Her reading and spelling grades have fallen lately though, so we need to see what we can do about that. I'm thinking she doesn't understand what the reading test questions are actually asking. She only brings home the answer sheet with short essay answers, so I don't know what the questions are.

Still, a nice report card. And this grading period she won't be starting out with all the F's so I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do. She's also started counselor every other week to talk about stress and how to deal with it.

This is a new picture of the boy I send to school in Haiti through Real Hope for Haiti. It's my second year sponsoring him. There are a few other children I sponsor through other programs that I'll write about later.

Remember this picture that was making its way around the web a few weeks ago? Well, that one is true for my cats. But Shy, pictured below. just has to sit on something too.

Like here. When I went to get my camera, he was asleep on the hat even though the rest of the bed was empty. When I came in with the camera, he sat up to pose--on the hat! If you set something on the floor--like I often have a Bible or commentary sitting beside me on the floor by my desk--he sits or sleeps on it. Same for jackets, notebooks or lunch boxes dropped on the floor.

Lots of people seem to be dropping by my blog, but few comment. So please leave a note occasionally. It's kind of discouraging when no one says anything. Let me know your pets quirky habits. I'm sure I don't have the only cat who has to sit on something.

What's Cooking?

If you've followed this blog for long, you know the kids are each encouraged to cook one night a month. They choose what they want to make, but it has to be age appropriate. They can make something boxed or something from recipe. No one is forced to cook, but if you don't. you also don't get to have what the other kids cook the next month, because it's not fair if some take the time and effort to cook and others don't. This doesn't apply to the twins of course. Their cooking days are mommy initiated and planned.

Jasmine made pot pie in pie shells.

Chicken Pot Pie with pie crust
2-3 c cooked chicken cubed
2 cans cream of chicken soup undiluted
16 oz cooked mixed vegetables
2 9" pie crusts uncooked
Preheat oven 400F. Mix chicken, soup and vegetables in a large bowl. Pour into pie shell and top with second crust. Bake 30-40 minutes. We used frozen pie crusts and left them in foil pans, removing the top one with 7-10 minutes left to bake.

Jessica made teriyaki chicken, cheese muffins, fried okra and corn on the cob.

Jessica's Teriyaki Chicken Wings
Flour
Package of drummettes (approximately 14)
1/3 c soy sauce
½ c granulated sugar
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Measure 1-2 cups of flour and put in paper or plastic bag. Rinse drummettes in cool water. Place drummettes 3 or 4 at a time in the bag. Seal and shake until chicken is flour coated. Tap off extra and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 375F for 35-45 minutes.

While chicken is baking, mix soy sauce, sugar, garlic powder and sesame seeds in a small bowl. Adjust sugar and soy sauce to taste.

Cheesy Muffins
½ c butter, softened
2/3 c sugar
2 eggs
2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 c milk
2 c grated cheddar or jack cheese

Cream butter and sugar with fork until smooth. Add eggs and stir until well blended. Mix flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Stir so baking powder is evenly distributed. Measure the milk. Stir a little milk into the butter mixture. Stir a little of the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Repeat adding small amounts of milk and flour to the butter mixture until they are all mixed together. Add cheese and mix. Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full. Bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes. Makes about 20-24 muffins.

Kaleb made shells and garlic bread. We buy the shells in the frozen section and add the sauce. He also had corn, cucumbers and tomatoes!

Kayla made taco salad. We use lettuce, taco meat, shredded cheese, tomatoes diced, smashed up tortilla chips and catalina light dressing.

And she made this taco bake. We needed way more meat than it said, so if we do this again, we'll double the meat.

You can see we didn't have enough meat and it burned around the edges. But we followed the exact instructions. We usually do the first time, and then we adapt it.

So that's what the kids cooked in October. Can't wait to see what they choose for November.

Proverbs and What to do with Your Pumpkin

First, let me say that the two topics in the title do not go together. Proverbs doesn't talk about pumpkins.

Every morning at 5:45 we gather for morning devotions. During the month of October we read through the book of Proverbs a chapter a day. We read around the circle with two using the NIV (New International Version) Bible and three using the NLT (New Living Translation). So it was interesting to see the differences in wording.

Everyone would pick a favorite verse from each chapter that they were going to try and live by that day. All those who took part got to give me a supper order last night. We have two who don't read well enough to read Proverbs but they are capable of listening. Unfortunately they chose not to, and that's okay too. But I did give them a chance to give a favorite verse each day and since we often compared the wording between the two versions of the Bible, there were lots of opportunities to pick a favorite verse or even a few words from the Scripture.

Adam chose Subway, the rest of us had Chinese. The choices were anything in the nearest plaza and that included Taco Bell, #1 Chinese, Subway and Little Caesars (pizza).

Everyone shared their favorite verses from Proverbs. Some of Rick's were:

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance. Proverbs 1:5 NLT

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Proverbs 2:2-3 NLT

Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes. Proverbs 19: 2 NLT

Jasmine's was Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (NLT) The rest of us like that one too. but Jasmine read first so it got to be her favorite.

Jessica chose Proverbs 30:1-2 I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God. I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense. NLT I think she only chose it because she liked the "I am too stupid to be human part." : )

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 6:9-11 NIV, 1984 edition

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV

Adam's were:

But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. Proverbs 1:33 NIV, 1984

Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:11 NIV

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many Proverbs 4:10 NIV

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1 NIV, 1984

A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. Proverbs 14:3 NIV, 1984

Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD that one gets justice. Proverbs 29:26 NIV

Some of my favorites were:

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 NLT

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. Proverbs 3: 21, 23 NLT

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. Proverbs 3:27 NLT

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 NLT The 1984 version of the NIV says, Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. (Love that part!) The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. Proverbs 10:19-20

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 NIV

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe." Proverbs 18:10 NLT

Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. Proverbs 19:22 NLT

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 NIV, 1984 Same verse NLT: Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. Proverbs 31:25, 26 NLT

I am going to be reading through Proverbs again this month by myself. Anyone have a favorite verse from Proverbs?

Last night Jasmine went to a festival at a friend's church. Then she and Adam went on a mission to get me banana laffy taffy. They only had about 30 minutes to go out. Then Jasmine ended up staying up past 11:00 to finish homework!! Fifth grade is tough.

Aren't they cute together?

What to do with the old pumpkins? Easy. Give them to the goats! (Not ours, about a mile away in the middle of the city!)

Everyone wanted a piece and some did NOT have good manners!

The goats also get our old bread and vegetable peels.

What do you do with your pumpkin?