School Projects and Framing

Last week, they built the retaining wall next to our house.

Then they delivered all the wood for the framing.

I drove by on Friday on my way to get the boys from school and saw that they had finally started!  By evening, they had done even more than this but I forgot to take a picture.  Our first floor is about 80% framed but so we were able to walk through and see most of the rooms. So cool!

I despise school projects that make no sense.  You know those projects that take lots of time and planning but the kids really don't learn anything?  Hudson had to pick a place and then write facts on a t-shirt (this was fine) and then take a hat and use materials to build something that looks like or represents your place.  He was assigned Big Bend National Park.....and I had no idea how to make something other than using paper mache.  These projects turn into "parent" projects and it feels like such a waste of time.  I know you all understand this.

Ugh, this didn't quite turn out the way I envisioned it in my head but whatever.  Its done.

One project down and a million more to go! 

This and That and a Freezer Meal Recipe

We have finalized pretty much everything for our house except our lighting.  I had an interior decorator that I plan to use when our house is finished meet us at the lighting store back in May.  We chose everything but the foyer and breakfast nook fixtures.  Man, that is overwhelming!  I am so happy that I had her there though because we picked a few things I would have never picked on my own.  Shawn and I went back this week to choose those last 2.  Still not 100% sure but we are almost there.

Hudson has to be in his 1st period class by 7:30 so we usually get him there at 7:20.  Cooper's class starts at 7:56 (doors open at 7:45 tho) so we always have some extra time in the mornings with him.  None of us love this "wasted" time so we do try to use it wisely.  This morning he was studying his Bible verse.

Shawn and I went into the tile store (the company that we are using for our gameroom floors and the carpet on our stairs) and when we walked in....I saw a few tile pieces that I really love.  The only place I could even see this going is our media room dry bar area but I'm not sure. Would I get sick of this in a few years?  Its super fun though.

This past week we had 2 Blue Ribbon meals.  The first one was a pork burger and it was all eaten before I thought to take a picture.  This was chicken tacos and was yummy! Like I mentioned before.....I use a TON of bowls and cutting boards and pans and my kitchen is tiny.  I keep dreaming of the day I get to use my big island for meals like this.

I am trying really hard to have some backup meals for the coming months.  Fall is always busy but now that I know we are moving in the next 6 months I have so much to do to get ready for that.  This afternoon I made a big batch of chili for dinner tonight (its raining like crazy here) and then made this freezer beef stew to have in my freezer so that on a crazy day, I can toss this in the crockpot and not think about it.  Do you have any favorite meals that you make and freeze ahead of time?

We have slab!!

During the whole building process, I'm convinced that God wants us to learn some major patience. We thought our slab would be poured early this week and by Friday we were really starting to get irritated.  I know there are so many things behind the scenes that we don't even know about but when we are told something is going to happen.......we kinda want it to happen.  Right?  It's taken me a bit to get to this place.  I've had to work on myself emotionally to be ready to move.  There will be so much sadness to leave this house and now that I've finally decided I can do it.....I'm just ready.

On Saturday, our sweet sales lady......who has now turned into a friend, texted me these pictures.  The crew was on our lot early Saturday morning.

I was a little bummed because I had training in Dallas all day with some of my team and that meant I couldn't go check it out.  Several of us attended the Eric Worre "Go Pro" training.  Then we went to Season 52 for dinner. It was yummy! And in the end, I'm glad I went.

My funny friend, Mistee.

By the time I got home last night, it was late so I didn't get a chance to go and look at the foundation.  Shawn and I ran over today to check it out.

The garage drops down a few feet from the rest of the house.

It's finally starting to feel real!

Today, we took the boys to see Pete's Dragon. Cute movie!

Blue Apron Review

A week or so ago I had a friend message me to see if I wanted to try Blue Apron.....a home meal service.  She knows that I love to cook and thought this would be right up my alley.  I got 2 meals free to try and this week I made them both.  Here is my experience:

My box was delivered on Sunday morning......

It came with a neat little seed activity for kids.

Everything was packed nice and neat and contained several ice packs to keep it cold.  Every item was labeled and bagged individually.

It came with nice, colored instructions with pictures. 

Step-by-step directions.

There is nothing processed in the box.  Nothing canned or boxed.  No "cream" soups.  Just fresh, whole foods.  My kind of cooking!

For one of the meals I intentionally picked something I would not normally make.  I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and seafood/fish is just that for me.  I'm intimidated!

My first meal to make was the cod.  Shawn ate it right up.  The boys and I did eat it but dipped it in either ketchup or mustard.  We just don't have an acquired taste for it.  The talk of the table though were the purple mashed potatoes.  We looked them up online since none of us have ever eaten them.

They also included some cucumbers to soak in vinegar.....which I LOVE and reminds me of summer time as a kid.  We ate this often.

The second meal was the chicken fettuccine.  Blue Apron meals do require lots of chopping and dicing.....you will use LOTS of bowls, pots/pans and utensils but meals like that are always worth it.  Well, not always.....but when the meal is yummy then you know its a win!

This was really good. I paired it with some steamed veggies.

I think Blue Apron is perfect for those that can't cook.  They send you everything you need and tell you exactly how to make it.

I think it's great for those that DO cook but hate to plan or grocery shop.

I think Blue Apron is good if you have a husband or child that want to learn to cook. Again, the guess work is taken out.

I do plan to continue using Blue Apron some weeks.  Depending on their menu and what our schedule looks like, I can see myself ordering meals to help me on days that are crazy so that we don't eat out.  I give it 2 thumbs up!

First Day of School

Today is the first day of school for my boys.

My big 5th grader.  Last year in elementary.

Hudson is starting 8th grade.  Last year in middle school.

One was really excited and one was not.  Can you guess which was which?

Obviously we just dropped Hudson off so this is my last year to walk a kid in to school.

With Mrs. Harris.

Praying my boys  have an amazing year!!

Austin Trip and Meet the Teacher

We made a quick trip on Monday down to the Austin area.  I've been seeing a doctor down there since January for all my skin issues......and he just happens to be married to one of my best friends.  Pretty convenient!

We've been staying up so late this summer and sleeping in that the boys were tired when I woke them up at 9 (which is 3 hours later than what they are about to get up at) and they both crashed in the car on the way there.  We are going to be in big trouble when school starts!

So my friend, Amy, just put in a pool and the boys were excited to swim with Hunter (Hadley was inside with us)

I love the view from their backyard!

Her mom, Phyllis, happened to be in town and I LOVE getting to spend time with her.  We were reminiscing about our college days!

Today we had "Meet the Teacher" for Cooper.......and he was so excited to find out that his teacher has these bouncy balls instead of chairs.  He is super excited to start tomorrow!