Monday was Addi’s turn in the kitchen. She picked to make bowtie noodles from scratch. The cookbook we used is from Usborne and called Start to Cook. It has tons of great information to help kids learn their way around the kitchen. I can’t recommend it enough!
I rolled the pasta dough out and she did the cutting and shaping of the noodles. It was SO cute. We had some teeny tiny bowties and some super huge bowties.
For the sauce, we adapted a Pesto cream sauce recipe from The Prairie Homestead Cookbook. I basically made the recipe (doubled) without pesto. It was delicious and really hit the spot.
I know I said it before, but it is SO fun to see the look of pride on the kids’ faces when they have finished a meal. It has also made them more willing to try things that they may not typically eat. Am I the only one with kids that don’t like sauce on their noodles?
This meal was a lot of work, but the best meals are. Addi has decided she wants it to be her meal for the foreseeable future so that she can get really good at kneading the dough.
Harper keeps insisting on cupcakes for her meal.. so I’m not sure what we’re gonna do with her. haha!
I don’t have any interior pictures this week. I spent the weekend laying in bed resting as much as possible. My husband is the best for holding down the fort.
The farmer called Scott on Sunday and said that he is about 99% done with the drywall. That means paint is next! Woohoo!! He said that he has some leftover paint from their house that we can use in the bathrooms if we’d like to. We are all about saving money, so I’m sure we will take him up on the offer.
Another project is the floors! The farmer’s brother has a huge sander, so we are going to try to sand the upstairs floors and refinish them. If the wood doesn’t look great, then we will put carpet down. It’s going to be beautiful if we can get them stained! There will also be new carpet down in the homeschool room. How fun would this be on the stairs instead of the 60s carpet?
The half bathroom off the kitchen is going to get new flooring since it had to be re-done. He is going to wait on putting the bathroom back together until we move our washer and dryer in.
Depending on how long the floor work takes, it could be pretty soon that we are moving in. I am still praying that it is before we start school. It’s so stressful to be getting settled into a home while starting school. Been there, done that. haha!
While I was laying around this weekend, I was browsing for things that I’d love and thought I would share. It’s fun to dream and drool. My interior design classes were my FAVORITE when I was in college. I wish I had stuck with that degree.
~This rug is beautiful! Our living room could use a bigger rug so it looks more balanced. How can I partner with Wayfair? (This is my current rug that I love, but is too small.) ~I really love this wall hanging. It’s such a fun texture. ~This pillow is so cute. I’m a big fan of textures. ~Here is a great priced basic welcome mat ($13 and free shipping). This would be cute layered over this rug. ~I really want to get some of these rechargable lights to put under the cabinets in the kitchen. ~I used a little of my amazon credit to buy these. I saw something about finding small ways to bring joy to your home. There are rainbows all over my house!
Totally unrelated, but because sharing is caring– here’s a really good deal on goldfish.
All of my kids love helping in the kitchen. I love allowing them to help whenever possible. My mom used to have us plan and cook a meal each week when we were younger. She taught me a lot of skills, and I’m so grateful for that.
I figured that the big girls were old enough to start doing more than just measuring and pouring ingredients in the mixer. I asked if they’d like to plan a meal. I’m not home for dinner as often with my work schedule, so they will be switching weeks. This week, Chloe chose to do spaghetti. She also wanted garlic bread, strawberries, apples, and celery on the side.
My mom taught me to make sauce from scratch. I’m not sure why homemade spaghetti sauce is always so mind blowing to people, but it is. haha! I set the ingredients out for Chloe and told her what each of them was. Aside from carrying the heavy pot for noodles and measuring how much sugar went into the sauce, I was hands off. Chloe prepared all of it with a little guidance! She put the seasonings in (I don’t measure that..) and opened the cans of tomato sauce. I was really proud.
It was a lot of fun to have one-on-one time with her like this. She wanted to smell every spice. she’s always been really curious. Giving her opportunities to explore is always beneficial for her.
Next week, Addi chose to do bowtie noodles from scratch! We are going to make homemade Alfredo sauce to go with them. My mouth is already watering.
There are so many people who say that they don’t know how to cook. I don’t want my kids to grow up saying that. I want them to feel confident in the kitchen and enjoy cooking.
Also, I feel like I need to say that I would absolutely do this if I had boys as well. EVERYONE should know how to cook. I really want to encourage you to get your kids in the kitchen with you. I think you’ll be surprised at how much they love it.
I had to call in sick to work today. I’m really upset about it. I woke up with a fever and feeling miserable. Harper wondered into our room after Scott left for work– also running a fever. Two hours later Addi woke up and was ghost white. She felt like she was going to be sick.
Because I’m a mom, I don’t get to just lay around and rest. I keep sitting and taking breaks in between dishes, laundry, cooking, etc. because I’m really struggling to breathe. I snapped a quick picture of all of my arsenal that I pull out when I’m sick. Most of it also gets used for the kids. I figured I’d share while I’m sitting and eating.
First of all, I’ll share what’s not pictured– I took a detox bath to help with the body aches. I used lavender epsom salts and Indian healing clay in the bath tub. It’s important to drink a lot of water when you do any sort of detox. I also take a multivitamin every day along with prebiotics and probiotics.
Amazing Grass Green Superfood– these effervescent tablets dissolve in water. It’s an easy way to pack in more greens and nutrients to help fight off illness.
Nuun Hydration– These are a REALLY good alternative to gatorade. It’s not full of garbage ingredients. Liquid IV is another one I really love. It really helps with hydration.
Sambucol elderberry syrup— this is our go-to when we feel anything coming on. All of the kids take this without any issues. Some of them don’t love the sugar free kind. There are also gummies if your kiddos would prefer those.
Oscillococcinum– All of us use this also. It’s good for kids ages 2 and up. I haven’t used this a ton (thanks to not being sick very often anymore), but so far I’m a fan. It is supposed to help with aches, fever, chills, and fatigue. Between the detox bath and this, I’m feeling quite a bit better than I was this morning. And, that is without tylenol or motrin!
Congaplex– This is the only thing that only I do. This is something that you can take when you feel something coming on. I felt off all week, and am kicking myself for not taking this right away. This help support your immune system.
Essential Oils– Thieves oil is ALWAYS my go-to for supporting our immune systems. I have it diffusing in every single room right now. I also have a roller bottle of thieves, oregano, and lemon that we roll on our feet and spines. Tummygize is awesome for little upset tummies. Addi put some on her belly this morning, and she started feeling much better. Snifflease is another favorite. It helps unclog stuffy noses and support their respiratory systems. The girls know that these oils help and will ask for specific things.
Obviously, I do take and give fever reducers if they are needed. But, I always try to support our bodies the way that God made them as often as possible.
What are some tricks that you keep up your sleeve? Is there anything that I am missing?
My kids, y’all. They are driving me completely insane today. I have broken up so many fights and listened to nothing but whining. Oh, but I can’t leave out the fact that one of my children hates me because I was trying to keep her from starting a fire on her bed.
Cool.
It’s cool.
I thought I would share some simple things that are making me happy.. you know.. instead of letting my brain actually explode!
Iced coffee in a mason jar. There’s something about drinking out of a mason jar that makes me so happy. I also bought a few Mason Bar Company lids years ago, and love them. I don’t remember them being as expensive back then, but they’ve lasted 5+ years, so I guess it’s worth it! You don’t need a fancy lid. Just drink out of a jar.
Scentbird perfumes- I really only wear perfume on Sundays or special occasions. It’s been fun to test out different high end perfumes and smell really lovely for date night. (They also have men’s cologne.) My favorite has been “Get a Room”. I really hate perfume names. haha! Do you wear perfume or body spray? I prefer perfume because it lasts so much longer.
My job. Are you tired of hearing about it? I LOVE MY JOB. Last night, we had a stuffed animal sleepover. Sometimes I look at what I’m doing and can’t help but laugh. It really is true– do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.
Art for Kids Hub on Youtube- I don’t let my kids have youtube videos on unless I am right there. This is a cute channel with a father and daughter. He teaches kids to draw step by step. It has kept all three girls entertained, and taught them some really fun tricks.
I hope that your Wednesday is treating you well, friends. Find small things that make you happy if it’s not!
We got some painting done! The living room is all painted and ready for the trim to go back on!
The wall is back up in the half bath!
It’s been slow and steady progress. It is really fun to see it all coming back together! More flowers are blooming. Scott and I stood by the fence and watched the girls play outside. The moment they get out of the car, their imaginations come to life. The simplicity of it all is so refreshing.
Eleven years ago, I woke up after hardly sleeping a wink. It was Friday the 13th. I drove to a hair appointment with my sisters and best friend, Meredith. We watched as the rain poured outside. I fretted over whether we would be able to get married outdoors as planned, or in the barn. It really didn’t matter. I was about to married the best person I know.
It rained, and we set things up in the barn. It was beautiful. There were twinkle lights on all of the beams. Lights and flowing white fabric everywhere… calla lilies on every table. It was perfect.
We said “I do” and started our new life as husband and wife. We were wide eyed and so excited at what the future held for us.
We never expected much of what has happened. We’ve gone through losing jobs and wondering how we were going to feed our family. We’ve lost people we love and grieved with each other. We chose to love each other even on the days we probably didn’t like each other much.
The past few years have been rocky for us. We’ve cried a lot together. We’ve asked God WHY?! We’ve wondered how we ended up here. But, the love we have for each other is solid. We built our lives on the foundation of Christ, and that has made all the difference. I know we would have never made it through it all without Jesus at the center.
We have lived in 7 different homes in 4 different states. We have had three beautiful daughters together. We have served in full-time ministry, and wondered when God was going to open that door again. We have celebrated each year of our lives together. We have seen so many beautiful things together and experienced so much joy!
I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us. I still feel like that wide-eyed dreamy girl from 11 years go. We’re just getting started.
“…I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go…” Song of Solomon 3:4
If you don’t already know– I am a HUGE proponent of pre- and probiotics. Our bodies are made up of bacteria, which is called our microbiome. There is good bacteria that helps keep us well, and bad bacteria that causes us to get sick. I have heard SO many people say that they are hesitant to believe that prebiotics really help. I encourage you to try it for one month. See the difference.
With the rise of prescriptions for antibiotics, our society’s gut health has gone downhill. Antibiotics kill ALL bacteria– good and bad. So, it is really important to replace the good bacteria in our bodies. Prebiotics feed the probiotics in your body. There is obviously a much better, technical description. But, I want to make it easy to understand. I also should say that I am NOT a doctor. None of this information is given to diagnose, cure, or treat. I am just sharing my experience with you.
It is so important to fill our bodies with the good stuff. Prebiotics and probiotics help us fight off infection, keep our digestive system regular, and can even help with your skin health!
When I was given the opportunity to try Gut Connection from Country Life, I jumped. Let’s just say that I could use a little help in this area. Having babies really messed up the way my body functions in a lot of ways. My hormones are so out of whack thanks to early perimenopause, and I began wondering if I was ever going to feel “normal” again.
I started off taking the full dose— four capsules a day. That can be risky and cause other digestive issues for you, so maybe start off with just one or two per day and add more if you need to. I didn’t have any problems with the full dose. I have been taking them for several weeks now, and I have noticed a HUGE difference. In fact, the days that I have forgotten to take my digestive balance prebiotics, I feel it.
I have never been a “regular” person (I am trying to avoid being crude here) but with these I finally am. I don’t feel uncomfortable or bloated. Things have honestly been night and day for me in the best possible way. I know that many other women struggle with this very same thing– especially after giving birth. You guys, I have to really love you and want the best for you to even vaguely discuss this. Country Life has a special gut journal so that you can track your progress while taking these prebiotics! It’s amazing to see the difference.
Here, you can see the ingredients. What I love about Country Life’s Gut Connection prebiotics, is that I don’t have to refrigerate them. Fridge space is a precious commodity in this house. Any time that I can save on space is a precious gift to me.
One of my favorite parts of Country Life’s Gut Connection line is that they have a scientifically formulated range of supplements that connects the gut to individual health issues that matter. Some of the specially formulated prebiotics are immune balance, sleep balance, weight balance, and so many more. Gut Connection by Country Life contains an innovative, whole food fermentate prebiotic that feeds the existing probiotics in your gut and helps maintain its lining. Gut Connection is different because it is probiotic-free, so you can take it alone or with your favorite probiotic!  Isn’t that awesome?!
You truly get what you pay for. A bottle of Gut Connection by Country Life has a typical retail value of $44.95. I know that you can go to the grocery store and pick up a cheap bottle of prebiotics. But, they do NOT help you at all. Do you want to know how I know this? Experience. If you TRULY want to invest in your health, invest in quality supplements. It makes all the difference.
I would never recommend something if I didn’t truly love and believe in it. Country Life’s Gut Connection is a brand that I can 100% stand behind and recommend. Country Life also has a ton of great information on their website if you want more information.
Gut Connection by Country Life is available to purchase at Sprouts, The Vitamin Shoppe, Natural Grocers Vitamin Cottage, and Amazon, and will be coming soon to other natural health food stores. To find Gut Connection by Country Life in your area, visit countrylifevitamins.com/where-to-buy for the full list of locations. Give your store a call to verify that they carry Gut Connection by Country Life. They even have a money-back guarantee if the Gut Connection doesn’t work for you!
I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links
We peeked in at the farmhouse the weekend before last. The only change was that primer was on the walls in three of the main rooms. I say “only” lightly, because that is a LOT of work. It just never looks like it.
We went again yesterday, and it looks like we can start painting!
He has put new bottoms in the cabinets under the sink. That is a huge blessing. I don’t think I’ve ever had cabinets that weren’t warped under the sinks. That’s just normal.
The walls are up in the upstairs bathroom, which means it is ready to be put back together! It’s beautiful! We are going to need more paint, and I’m trying to be frugal and pick paint that we will love in all of the bathrooms.
The spot on the far right is where he has been working on the plumbing. We will have to paint in this room also, which I was hoping to get away with leaving white. I would really love to do a darker color on the walls to make sleeping better. This is the big girls’ room. Their bedding is mostly white with soft pink and gold. I may go with a dusty pink. I want them to choose, but I also do not want neon walls. You know? (Also, the doors have to be painted… why do people paint inside doors?)
It still feels blissful to walk through this beautiful home. It feel surreal that we will soon call it home for however long God keeps us here.
It already looks SO much better than it did just a few weeks ago. I have been praying that we can get moved in and settled before our school start date of August 12th. I’m cautiously optimistic that it may happen. Now that we have had our garage sale and donated a ton, it’s time to start packing!
Our little town does so many free activities through the summer. There is a tiny park near our house that we frequently walk to. We are super lucky that they do a lot of events at this particular park. The girls and I walk there a lot, and will be hitting up all of the activities all summer until we move!
They do a theme each week. This week, it was “under the sea” and they made little aquariums out of food. I was so proud of Harper for not trying to eat the gummy fish. (She can’t have gummies thanks to a spacer in her mouth.)
Our library also does a TON of fun, free activities also. When we move, we’ll live closer to the library and be able to walk to and from those easier. Perhaps.. country roads and walking make me nervous.
Tons of reading is still happening in our house, too! Our real goals for the summer: spend as much time outside as we can, read, and HAVE FUN!
My Four Arrows 