RainDrop Reflections

Well this past week went pretty smoothly..... YEAH for us.  We restarted our school year, and got a lot accomplished. We have been doing just 3 workboxes this week.  We will add another 3 this week and then 3 the next week and after that, more as we need them to get through all our assignments. We have done school mainly in the living room this week with the RainDrops going to get their items and bring them down to me.  We will head back upstairs to the school room this week.   

What we are learning: 

Snoopy has been working on telling time to the minute.

Boo is working on writing expanded forms up to hundred thousands.

Pooh Bear is doing word problems with time elements in them.

What chore we accomplished:

I was able to get the dining room pretty well organized so I can have a scrapbook/sewing room.  Which means I got to work on some sewing and scrapbook pages! 

Megan's Week:

"Megan" finally had her appointment with her counselor to get her schedule for school on Friday.  She started school after her appointment.  Then stayed after school with the band and saw her first American Football game!  She had a good day and enjoyed the game, but was so very tired at the end of the day.

Megan has homecoming in just 2 weeks so we will be heading out to find a dress for the dance next weekend and all the makings for her mum.

Oh and one more thing, She has never had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  She tried one for the first time this week.  LOVED IT!!!!!

Tasty Tuesday

Today is The Man of the House's Birthday.  I will be making one of his favorite dinners.  Meatloaf, buttered potatoes, corn, and green beans.  And I am going to try these dinner rolls from scratch.  I will let you know how they turn out!
Found at Allrecipies.com

Ingredients

• 3 3/4 cups bread flour, divided
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (.25 ounce) package rapid rise yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (120 to 130 degrees F/50 degrees C)
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

1. In a large bowl, stir together 2 cups flour, sugar, shortening, salt and yeast. Add water, milk and egg. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough comes together.
2. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place in greased bowl and turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Dough is ready if indention remains when touched.
3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide in half; cut each half into 24 pieces. Form the pieces into rounds. Place the rolls close together in two lightly greased 9 inch round cake pans. Brush with melted butter. Cover and let rise in warm place about 30 minutes or until doubled. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Bake in preheated oven for 12 to 18 minutes, until golden brown.

1. Restart school
2. Finish planning Girl Scout year
3. Aaron finish one Cub Scout Belt loop

RainDrop Reflections

The past week as seemed to fly by.  With all else that has gone on in the past month and a half my health is getting better, with only one rather small hick-up.  My lovely little RainDrops clean up a spill in the kitchen without being told... (YEAH RainDrops.)    The even mopped the floor all around the area and got all the sticky off the floor.....However no one told me.  In I walk and down on my BUTT I go!  I went to get an w-ray on my wrist we thought I had broken my wrist.  Tunred out it was a sever sprian and bone bruise.  I am still having issues with my pinky finger and will discuss that when I see my regular doctor tomorrow, about my blood pressure and heart.  But all in all I am felling pretty good and read to get back to the normal routine. 

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for my wonderful new daughter "Megan."  She is our new exchange student, she is from Thailand.

She arrived last Friday night.  She had a 26 hours travel to get here.  She was tired and very glad to have the travel part over with.

 Megan has started marching band where she is a member of the percussion pit!  She will start school a few days late as we are still getting her registered.
  

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for our family's very own "Super Hero."  My nephew is in the military.  He has been deployed to Korea and Iraq.  He has once again been deployed.  I will not say with what branch or to where he has been sent for the safety of him and those with him.


From the time of his enlistment my children have called him a "Super Hero."  He is one of many and I pray for the safety of them all! 

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

Today is my birthday this is what I am having for my special dinner!
Orange Chicken
Found at All Recipes

 

Ingredients

• Sauce:
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onion
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
•  
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
•  
• Chicken:
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Pour 1 1/2 cups water, orange juice, lemon juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce into a saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Stir in the orange zest, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, chopped onion, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and cool 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Place the chicken pieces into a resealable plastic bag. When contents of saucepan have cooled, pour 1 cup of sauce into bag. Reserve the remaining sauce. Seal the bag, and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
3. In another resealable plastic bag, mix the flour, salt, and pepper. Add the marinated chicken pieces, seal the bag, and shake to coat.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken into the skillet, and brown on both sides. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels, and cover with aluminum foil.
5. Wipe out the skillet, and add the sauce. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Mix together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water; stir into the sauce. Reduce heat to medium low, add the chicken pieces, and simmer, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Monday's Weekly Goals

1. I will start practicing yoga every morning before school starts.  This means I must be up by 6:30am every morning. 
2. School will start on time at 8:45am each morning. 
3. I will spend time each morning before school making sure my calendar is up to date and I know what I have scheduled that day.

Each Monday I will update the goals on from the last week and set new goals for that week!

RainDrop Reflections

Well the past month has been a long one.  I have had several more ER visits trying to figure out what was going on with me.  It has taken a while but we think my health issues are finally under control.  There are still a few tests to run, but we are getting the house and life back to normal. 

We have said good bye to our Bo Ba Houng and Thaly.  The house has been so quiet even with our 3 RainDrops.  Our newest Kid From Around the World come in this Friday night!

As far as RainDrop Academy, things are going slow with the ER trips and such.  But we have gotten things started and are looking forward to getting ourselves back on a regular schedule. 

Friday Mommy Moments

Well this week's moment comes from no one other than myself. 

Tuesday I walked in the kitchen to make sure I had enough leftover pork roast to make BBQ with.  Well apparently there had been a spill on the floor and my wonderful children cleaned it up, not just wiping it up but got the mop out and all.  However they did not tell me (side note we have a tile floor in there, slippery when wet is an understatement.)  So I bet you can guess where this is leading.  YEPPERS!  I slid!  Now I have slid countless times on that floor.  Every time I have I have caught myself on the counter.  This time......... not so lucky....I hit the floor.

At first we thought I had broken my wrist, even the doctor said I had.  But after the radiologist read the x-ray they said it was a SEVER sprang and a NASTY bone bruise.  My shoulder and elbow are spranged as well.  All in all I will mend and life will go on.