prayer request

My grandpa in Ohio had a mild heart attack the other day. He is 84 years old. He and his wife (my grandmother) live alone in there house. They are almost to the point that they can not care for each other alone anymore (especially my grandma while he is in hospital.) My grandma does have a nurse coming to house every day for physical therapy on her knee (she had it replaced.) But she is a diabetic and usually my grandpa helps her with her medicine.



Anyway this is all hard. They only have one son (my biological dad.) He lives in North Carolina & we live in NJ. So it is not easy to help them with day to day stuff.



Grandpa needs pray to heal and return home.

Grandma needs prayer for healing on knee.

They both need peace about possibly selling home or whatever is necessary.

My dad needs prayer because he has no idea what to do or how to help them in OHIO while he is in NC (plus he has a 8 month old baby now with his new girlfriend, so he can't just drive to Ohio anytime.)

I need prayer to know how if any way I can help.



Thanks! -Becky

this is cute

Q: How does a homeschooler change a light bulb?


















A: First, mom checks three books on electricity out of the library, then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison and do a skit based on his life. Next, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles. Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they'll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five dollar bill. On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the five dollar bill. Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed. And there is light. ~Author Unknown


I found this on another blog and thought it was cute

Meeting my new brother

I finally got to meet my new brother, Matthew, the day after Christmas. My dad, his girlfriend Nola, and Matthew came for a surprise visit on Christmas (but I did not see them until the next day.)

Matthew is super cute.

Kevin & Matthew

Me & Matthew













So now I have three brothers (Eric 32, Kevin about to be 28 tomorrow, and Matthew 7 months.) And two sisters (Lindsey 23, and Samantha 19.)

homemade ice cream

gathering ingredients












ingredients needed:
milk (any kind)
sugar
crushed ice
salt
vanilla or strawberry flavoring or cocoa powder
gallon size ziploc bags
sandwich size ziploc bags
pillowcase

Joshua crushing ice












add crushed ice to big ziploc bag
add 1/2 cup salt to bag
seal & shake

mix 1 cup milk, 4 tsp. sugar, & flavoring
test to see if you like the taste
if so put mixture in small ziploc bag
remove almost all air (we used a straw to do so)
seal bag
put this bag inside another small ziploc bag seal this bag as well

open up large bag again
add small bag to large bag of ice
[you can put up to two small bags in at a time (to say make one vanilla & one chocolate]
seal large bag
put inside pillowcase

and then...


shake for about 15 min.


have youngest taste it just in case (lol!)

YUM!!! it passed our seal of approval, plus we got a work out too (all the shaking)







[Josh got this kit for Christmas, which had flavorings in it and these instructions, and we love it, but you can get flavorings at food store in baking isle]

calmer me

My boys are grounded from all electronics (tv, video games, remote control cars, etc.) So now they have to come up with things to do that don't involve these things. (Hence the puzzle and volcano pics.) I love when my kids use there brains and find ways to entertain themselves.

We are getting ready to make brownies and homemade ice cream (Josh got a kit to make the ice cream for Christmas-thanks Joanna!!!) Even though it is snowing and freezing he has been begging me to do this ice cream kit since he got it! I hope to snap a few pictures, but probably will be too busy doing this ice cream experiment.

All week boys have been following bedtime routine. Josh & Jason still take a long time to actually fall asleep, but at least the constant trying to get out on Josh's part is slightly less. I hope it continues to decrease. I also bought sleepytime tea for him to drink about 8:00pm tonight.

So I am a bit calmer this week as well. It was great that today was a snow day from co-op, so I got caught up on housework (except mopping my kitchen floor which I HATE to do.) Jason also got to just be calm and relax today. Then when we got Josh from school we went to the library. Jason got a new book, while Josh & I renewed The Tale of Despereaux that we are reading at bedtime. After we read it we are going to see the movie.

I also think I am calmer as the past two days I am up before the boys. This is thanks to my mom, and friends, Kristen & Monica calling me in am (yes I need all three right now.) I thank God for such amazing family & friends!!!
I hope to keep up this calm atmosphere, it feels so nice!!!


-Becky

Jason & Grandma (my mom) doing a puzzle

When my friend, Duane was visiting, we went to Sandy Hook. Joshua wanted a lighthouse puzzle from the gift shop to put up in his room after we finished putting it together. So here is Jason and my mom working on it. Josh has helped too. Jason loves to do puzzles. I get easily bored with them (I think I have ADHD-lol.) I will post a picture whenever we finish it (notice I said we, I will add like one piece then tell everyone I did the puzzle-lol!!!)

Joshua making a volcano

dip paper in glue water mixture

add paper to volcano













while it dries watch video on real volcanoes erupting (after 15 min. and lots of questions on volcanoes Josh declares video "boring", but I thought it was pretty cool)

when dry paint volcano


finished volcano



















stay tuned for the eruption photos (we have not erupted it yet)

losing my patience

I put Josh to bed at 7:30pm, after reading 3 chapters of a book and cuddling. It is now 9:00pm and he is still awake. I can not deal with this. I have all lights off in house and the tv is off. Jason is also in his bed with all lights off (of course he too is still awake.) I only just turned my computer on as to vent on my blog instead of to Joshua. This is so hard to deal with. Why can't he just go to sleep? This is a nightly battle and I am losing my patience!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

-Becky

update: Joshua was finally asleep by 10:00pm. I have no idea about Jason. I went to bed and was asleep by 12:00am.

Jan. 2009 budget

monthly budget

Income:
Jason $386 ($96.50 weekly)
Joshua $170 ($85 bi-weekly)
Office Work $480
Childcare $104
Temple $50
childcare $200

Total $1390

Expenses:
*Tithe $120
Savings $
Offering $ 70 (Compassion Child $35 / Solutions $25 / F.O.F. $10)
*Rent $500
Food $200
Car Repairs $
*Car insurance $ 80 (due 11/13)
Gas for car $120
*Allowance $ 60
Electric bill $105
*Phone $ 24 (for basic phone only with taxes)
Non groceries $ 30 (contact stuff, misc.)
Freedom account $ 80
*HSLD $11
Clothes $ 0
Spending $ 0

Total $1400

I prepaid my gas bill last month with Christmas money

Flashback Friday

My friend Courtney started me on Flashback Friday's on my blog, so I was so excited when I found this picture of us from about 13 years ago. Check out her blog to see how amazing she still is. -Becky

Me & Courtney in 1995 or 1996

more homemade laundry soap recipes

Liquid Laundry Detergent:

First Recipe:

3 Pints Water
1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap, grated
1/2 cup Washing Soda (Arm and Hammer, NOT baking soda though!!)
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
2 Gallon bucket to mix it in
1 Quart hot water Hot Water


Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints hot water and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket completely with additional hot water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. You may add additional HOT water if the mixture becomes too thick. Mix Well before each use. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load. Makes 64 loads. Cost per load .03.





Second Recipe:

Water
1 bar grated Fels Naptha soap
5 gallon bucket
1 cup washing soda (Again, Arm and Hammer)
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
4 1/2 gallons water


Put grated Fels Naptha in saucepan and cover with water. Heat on low until dissolved. Fill bucket with hot water and add soap. Stir to combine. Add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax and mix well. As it cools, it will thicken. If mixture becomes too thick, add hot water to thin it to desired consistency. May be used immediately. Mix well before each use. Use 1/2(normal) to 1 cup per load (heavy). Cost per load .04.




Powdered Laundry Soap:
1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup 20 mule team borax


Mix and store in airtight container or bag. For light or small loads, use 1 tablespoon. For normal loads, use 2 tablespoons. For heavy loads, use 3 tablespoons. Cost per load .15.


To make a large batch - grate 6 bars of Fels Naptha Soap and then add 3 cups of Washing Soda and 3 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax. Mix well and store in covered container.



Please Note: The above recipes will NOT make suds in your washer so don't be alarmed. Fels Naptha Soap is a pure soap and typically makes little or no suds in the water. This makes it perfect for use in the new HE washers as well as tradional washers. You will also notice the need to either reduce your laundry softener or in most cases you can even eliminate the use of softener completely

homemade laundry soap

I make my own laundry soap. I love it. It is non sudsing and it cleans my clothes without the added extra scents that regular detergents leave behind. Plus it is great for my sensitive skin.

The recipe I use:

1/2 bar Fels Naptha Soap grated (I use a grater I got at dollar store cause it seems to retain soap taste)
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
big pot
5 gallon bucket
water

put 4 cups water & grated soap in big pot and cook over low heat until all mixed (stir a lot)
once soap is dissolved add 1 cup borax
stir

pour mixture into 5 gallon bucket
add 3 gallons hot water from tap
stir
stir in 1 cup washing soda
mix well
add about 4 cups cold water
mix again

let set 24 hours, stir every few hours

this will be a gel, not really liquid or solid

This can fill 3 empty 100oz. laundry detergent bottles, and then some. Great cost, great product. No suds, but cleans great. Takes a little time to make but it is cheap and effective!

to use: start wash cycle, stir or shake laundry soap
add 1/2 cup laundry soap to washer
let fill with water at least half way
add clothes

Email me if you have any questions. -Becky

me at 1 years old

I found these baby pics of me the other day and thought I'd share. I think I was a cutie! -Becky

back to reality

I have been off from work, homeschooling, and co-op since Dec. 18th (except I worked one night serving food.) We have been relaxing, visiting with friends and family, watching lots of movies and tv, and staying up late, then sleeping in. It was a nice break, and we had an extremely blessed Christmas, but today is back to reality.

I put the kids to bed last night and got Josh to fall asleep by 9:30pm (he went to bed by 8, so we still have to work on this.) Jason was asleep by 11:00pm (not so good.) I was in bed by 11:30 and asleep by 12:00. This has to be tweaked but is better than 1:00am or 2:00am.

Joshua and I got up by 8:00am (too late) but I stayed calm. I had his clothes ready last night and also his breakfast, so he quickly got dressed and ate. He went to school in clean clothes, and he even ate. I tried to brush his hair, but he had taken a bath last night and fell asleep with wet hair so it was messy. I did the best I could with it.
I did forget to brush his teeth, but we were on time.

Tomorrow I have to get up earlier, so he can have neater hair and brushed teeth. But I am proud for the most part. Mostly because I stayed calm (which made him calm as well.)

Jason is having a harder time. He got up at 9:00am, and just got out of the shower. He is getting dressed and still has to eat breakfast (so do I.)

Looks like he will being doing schoolwork all day (usually we do 9-1.)

I can't understand why it is so hard for me to go to sleep at night, and then wake up early in the am. My ideal is to go to bed at midnight and get up at 10am, everyday. I need lots of sleep. But I live in reality and have to be up between 6:30am-7:30am. If I get up at 6:30am, I could exercise, do my devotion, and get ready all before kids need to be up at 7:30am. When I get up at 7:30am I do none of those things.

I figure if I can get to sleep by 11:30pm, then up at 6:30am that is 7 hours sleep, and I am ok with that. But it is just so hard getting up. Yes, I am a baby. I know some of you may get up much earlier. It is just one of my struggles, and I thought I'd share.

I am off to go eat and get Jason started on school. -Becky

our weekly schedule

Our week:

Days:
Mon.-Fri. Josh school 8:20am-3:00pm -I bring him and pick him up.

Mon. Jason has homeschool at home, and gym class at 1:15pm.

Tues. & Thur. 10-2:30 Co-op (I teach the preschool class, so Jason can be taught his classes by other people. I do not pay for him to go, they do not pay me to teach, it is a trade like bargaining - that is the co-op spirit.)

Wed. & Fri. 9:15-2:15 I work in the office. Jason goes with another homeschooling family Wed. and does schoolwork; Friday he spends with my mom.

Sunday 9:15 am-Sunday school
10:30am-worship

Nights:
Tues. night 6-aerobics
7:15-Bible study

Wed. night 6-church dinner
6:45-church children's activities (I help with that as well.)

Sat. night 5:30-babysit in there home

Other:
In addition two nights a month (Mon. or Thur.) we have doctor's appointments.

Also I try to have a me night once a month on a Friday (I hang out with friends.)

What does your week look like? -Becky

Hanging out at Sandy hook today

Today was a nice sunny day. My friend from NE, Duane is visiting, so we went to Sandy hook. We went to the lighthouse (but could not climb it.) We went to one of the old houses all set up as if it were the 1940's. We went to the visitor center. We also climbed some rocks (not me but the boys), and then we walked on beach. It was nice. Here are some pictures from our day:

Me, Jason, & Joshua
Jason climbing icy rocks (yikes!)
Joshua climbing icy rocks (I was so nervous!)
Jason & Joshua on the beach
Duane, me, & Joshua (photo by Jason)