Here is to the New Year. . . . 2019

Year end update on the family, lots of things changing in 2019 for this crew.  Lots of new adventures on the horizon for us all.  It is going to be a little scary but we will attack it like we do everything else, as my sister says with Godcofince ( Confidence in knowing that God is leading us in His path).  That is my new buz phrase for 2019. 
I am very proud of the boys for their school work this year, they both did great and finished with high GPA's and Big T has chosen his pathway.  He had originally thought he would do EMS (emergency medicine) but after going to the college and seeing everything he has changed to a nursing pathway.  I am very proud of him.  Yes, the hubbs and I are both biology/chemistry majors but we have not influenced him other than being role models.  It does make a mama proud when your kids choose to follow in your major.  Not sure if he will do the super senior that is offered at his high school or not but either way he will have a foot hold on his college classes when he graduates. 
Sprat is making his way in Boston and loving every minute of it.  I must admit I was a little scared for him to be that far away, he is easily distracted.  He had a few snafus here and there along the way and it was crazy difficult getting him his mail.  His speech that involved me sending the Cheerwine he got a 92 and he was happy.  He met a lot of interesting people and got to do a lot of cool things and if all else fails, I do believe he could be a tour guide in Boston.  LOL!!  He is looking forward to Spring semester, it is going to be a tough class load but I think he can do it.  Since he has been home we have found out that his debit card was hacked so he is cardless now.   He is going to have to learn that cash is king and much safer. 
I have thoroughly enjoyed having everyone at home and it is amazing the bond that the boys have now since Sprat has been at college.  They are getting a long so much better and enjoy spending time with each other.  To all the moms that are worried about sibling rivalry it will level out, I was very worried about that these last 7 years they just argued all the time and there was NO love there.  It is very different now.  The hubbs and I are bracing for another possible lay off with his company, they are selling off every division and they are now down to pretty much the bare bones. 
On the up swing my job is going well and I have worked a lot in the last two months.  The good news to that is that we are preparing for this inevitable lay off.   We should hear something the first of the year so, prayers are greatly appreciated.  Walking in Godcofince as we embrace changes. . . .

Update on Our Clan. . . Bring on 2018. . .

I have been away for a bit, life happens and we must continue.  Some days are more difficult than others with regard to my work.  It is quite sad sometimes the situations I must hear about.  My sister keeps reminding me I am where I am for a reason and that God has put me in this job with  a purpose.  I still cry some days as I am making my way home and I will call my hubby on the way and cry to him about my day. He is my rock and my cheerleader on those days that are so difficult (grateful moment).   It is hard to believe I have been with this company for over a year now.  I kept thinking they were going to fire me for the first 9 months I worked there, you know the old dog new tricks.  I had my PCI review last night, I worked night shift last night.  I  had a good review and they are pleased with my performance and for that I am truly grateful, this job came at a time when my family needed the income and I needed to be able to help my family.  My very sweet hubby carried our family for fourteen years and I would not take that back for anything, I was there for my kids when they most needed their mom.   My schedule is pretty flexible so, I am still able to be there for my boys if they need me. (another grateful moment). 
The hubbs had a banner year with his job and we have made great strides in paying our house off and saving for college.  We are thrilled Sprat will be going to his number one pick college in August with a merit scholarship, it will not cover everything but it is a nice start (grateful moment).  Big T has soared this year in his new school, I never know what he is going to come home with.   Big T is learning how to interact with local business members of our community.  He has made presentations for the business leaders and for the various eighth grade classes in the County. Big T took a test that is given to seniors right before they graduate to see where they will be placed in college classes and did really well and does not have to take that test again (grateful moment). 
Yes, I am bragging just a little but we had a rough go of it last year and I am just extremely grateful for the blessings we have been given this year.   I have said many times that God will bring us to our knees so that He can lift us back up again.   We have been lifted and I am humbled by his grace. 
We are struggling these last few months with family troubles with extended family, so I ask for prayers, God knows what our families need.   I am praying for peace, comfort, and strength for our families.  I probably will not be back until after the New Year, lots going on with work and family.
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year. 

The Weeks Ahead. . .

Crazy week with work and the boys, Sprat is spending the week in Washington DC with our Church for Youth Convo.  He has had his eyes opened on a few things.  They are going to be very busy these next few days seeing the sights and having Bible study.  They are staying at a local University, so he is getting a taste of dorm life.  Four or more boys sharing a bathroom and bad mattresses.  I do request prayers for their group while they are there.  All of the craziness going on in the world today and people trying to hurt or kill innocent people.
On a lighter note, Big T and the hubbs went fishing yesterday and had a good time.  They caught seven.  I was working.  Big T and the hubbs have a few other plans this week while Sprat is out of town.
We are also getting ready for a much needed trip to the beach in a few weeks.  I cannot wait and we are taking Basil with  us.  That should make for a very interesting trip, with the boys and the B.  Lots of things planned around that trip too.  I have found a few ghost tours and a light house or two to see.  We have not been to the beach in at least two years partly due to the hubbs getting laid off.
For all of my Dave Ramsey followers out there we are going fully paid in cash, no credit cards on this trip at all.  Loving being debt free, especially since we are going to be sending one to college next year.  Sprat will be applying to college and lots and lots of scholarships in these next few weeks too.
Sprat is finishing up his psychology class, his first college course.
Stay tuned lots of changes and adventures to come. . .

Update Tuesday. . .

Sprat came home from camp on Saturday and I spent most of the day airing out the funk.  Washed all grades of laundry and used almost an entire can of Lysol on what I could not put in the washer.  He had fun and I guess that is the important part.  He swears he took two showers a day but, I am not sure I believe all that.
We were treated to a great baseball game by my brother-in-law and his wife on Sunday after Church.  We had awesome seats and all you can eat food and ice cream and we were in the shade.  Shade was pretty important on Sunday.  We had several foul balls hit out way and scared the life out of me.  My head is a magnet for foul balls.  Every game we have ever been to, at least one if not more foul balls have almost hit me in the head.  My dear hubby has saved me on more that one occasion, by mere inches.   We had upper deck seats for this game and they also gave us wine and beer passes for the bar.  The hubbs and I rarely drink but when it is free and you have a driver we might indulge.  The over 21's got a different colored arm band for the bar.   The young man that was giving us our arm bands gave all of the adults a band without asking our age.  Big T of course he did not ask because he knew he was too young but, he asked Sprat if he was 21 and wanted an arm band.   Ughhhhh, Noooooo!!!   I guess because Sprat is tall he looks older than he is but he does not look 21, that of course is a Mom's opinion.   He is only sixteen.
Yesterday was College tour day for Sprat and I.  We took a road trip with a good friend and her son that is good friends with Sprat.   Our friend is interested in going to this College, Sprat not so much.  I wanted Sprat to see this campus because it is a larger campus than the one we went to earlier this year.  He needed to see that on some campuses that you cannot just walk out of your dorm and right into your classroom or be at your classroom with-in five minutes.   The food that this larger campus has to offer did intrigue him, they have really good places for the kids to eat on campus and they are covered by the meal plan.  It is a much larger city so there are more things to do around the campus and I did like that they offered a bus system for the students to get around and all they had to do was show their student ID.   Before the visit Sprat was sure he did not want to go to this particular College but after, he was not all that sure anymore.   That is the big reason we are going on all of these tours and visiting the different campuses because you just do not know until you see it for yourself.   I am amazed at the different perks that are offered to the students as well.  We had fun and it was really nice to be able to visit this College with friends.

Sprat listening intently at the College information session.

He really hates having his picture taken.

My very handsome boys at the game.

This was where the foul ball landed behind us.

Updates on a Few Things. . .

We tried the sauerkraut, it was a little salty for my taste but the hubbs liked it, we are going to let it perk just a day or so more and then call it done.  We did fix another jar since we have so much cabbage and we used less salt this time.
Potatoes are all up and the hubbs has planted field peas and some okra, our first okra did not produce so we are going to try it again.  We have put a few quarts of fresh peas in the freezer this year and of course I would say I have eaten at least a quart raw.  Shhhh, do not tell the hubbs, though.  I made my very first potato salad and boy was it good, my hubby is quite picky when it comes to potato salad so I was thrilled when he gave it a thumbs up.  This was a no frills potato salad, no onion or pickles.  It was just potatoes, egg, mayo, mustard, and vinegar.  I did use some onion and garlic powder.
Big T enjoyed a lacrosse camp at a local University this last week.  It was hot as blue blazes but he had a blast.  At the hottest part of the day they took them in the locker room and let them watch game films just like the University players would.  This is a beautiful facility and the kids had a blast.
Sprat is knee deep in Summer workouts for football and working with the youth at our Church doing different things.  He has Church camp coming up, a College tour, and Mission camp too.  We pack all we can into our Summer.

Big T at Camp

Sprat at Church serving for the youth Evening Under the Stars

Update on a Couple Posts. . .

My hubbs went back to work on Monday.  I think he has had a good week, his leg  has been tired but that was expected.   He loves his work and is glad to be back at it.  He has been at this same job for 23 years and that alone, these days, speaks volumes.  
Now for the update on my sourdough starter.  I had lots of bubbles this morning, I am on day 5.  I think this one will be a keeper.  I will share a picture below.  I have about 3 more days of discarding and feeding before I can bake, I cannot wait.  Check out the Pocket Farmer www.thepocketfarmer.com,  great site with a lot of information. 
Today I will be making lots of casseroles to go in the freezer.  The zucchini is going crazy, I just wish I could freeze cucumbers too.  I am going to make some more zucchini muffins.  The hubbs loved those.  I would love to freeze those but I am not sure how they would taste after the fact.  They are very good fresh though.  

Look at those beautiful bubbles.