celebrating Mothers. Our plan is for dinner out somewhere. I've received half of my Mother's Day gift from John and Jarrod and Jeff's gift to me is on it's way. They're beautiful and comfortable and will look awesome on a front porch. But, right now they're gracing our front lawn, under the gorgeous oak tree.
graduating two high school Seniors this month. We joined a local homeschool organization, mostly, so the boys would be able to participate in a graduation ceremony and walk across the stage for their diploma. I'm glad we made that decision. We're gearing up for a day focused on John and Jarrod, the last of the grandchildren to graduate high school.
planning a graduation party for family and friends to gather and celebrate with John and Jarrod; one of those revolving parties with a come-when-you-can-between-this time and-that time. Pulled Pork sliders, deviled eggs, fruit and decadent fruit dip, homemade salsa and chips, etc.
ordering a photographer for a morning photo shoot of family pictures and Senior photos - the day of graduation. Call me crazy! And it is when all four of my children will be together in one place plus their kids, plus grandmother slash great grandmothers. I cannot pass up this opportunity for family pictures.
hosting a houseful of family around the boys' graduation. I absolutely cannot wait! I am seriously stoked at the idea of all my kids together, staying under one very small roof. We are going to be jam packed! It's gonna' be good. And crazy. Crazy good. Gotta' play Apples of Gold!
taking some days off soon to spend with family and to get done everything that needs done. As the Creator of the family, God's got this!
challenging each other to move more. Jeff, John, Jarrod and I have began a Bike, Walk/Run, Swim point challenge. Biking is worth 1 point per mile, Walk/Run is 5 points per mile, and Swimming is worth 10 points per mile. After day one, even though I swam and walked, Jeff still accumulated more points from walking then I did from Swimming and Walking. This is going to be a feisty, fierce competition. Jeff made me laugh the other night when he was walking to his truck, parked at the far edge of the parking lot at church, he zigged and zagged the whole way across the parking lot lane so he'd get more steps, thus more distance.
Purging and cleaning first, the den. The reason is twofold. One, because I'd like to begin using the den again as my card making and scrapbooking studio again and for creative endeavors, and two, we're going to need the space for sleeping when the kids come into town. While Jeff and I were away this past weekend the boys pulled everything out of the den that was on the floor. I mean everything! They vacuumed, and brought all the stuff into the living room so I could go through it all, purging it, or finding a place for it to go. Just not the floor. I'll have to tackle the closet too. Lots of purging will be happening in there.
Studying Children of the Day by Beth Moore with John and Jarrod. We are changing up who leads and directs the study each week. It's not just on me and gives the guys an opportunity to lead.
Bulleting. I recently ordered my first bullet journal. I read this and this post from Modern Mrs Darcy and this post from the Lazy Genius, who simplified the idea enough. The reason: I'm losing control of what needs to happen that I needed something to reign in the loss. I decided to begin bullet journaling. I need this simplicity. This beautiful book is what I'll be using to begin bullet journaling. Did you see it? Like I said. Beautiful.
Considering heavily ordering Essential Oils for chronic back pains, my joints and bones, muscle pains, and my immune system. I've taken notes for over a year, researched off and on, but I think I really need to take the plunge and - see. I've literally heard no negative results regarding essential oils. I think it might be worth the price.
Walking - like crazy! It's been months and months since my heart app read over 10,000 steps but with this family challenge we've begun, I'm hitting 10,000 steps again. I have to be purposeful about walking, but it's good - and painful with hips, knees, and low back flare-ups.