8.29

For Today {August 29} another month coming to a close.

Looking out my window the mornings are turning cooler- I can feel fall rapidly approaching.

I am thinking about goals for the coming month.  I have not done well this month. August really knocked the wind out of me. Here's to a better September.

I am thankful today my heart is full. Mikayla is settling in at college, seems to be having a ball. Our house is getting a new roof today! So excited about that. I was able to have a dinner/shopping date with my best friend last night. Hannah is over at their house for the day today. We were able to sneak in a quick cup of coffee before I rushed off to work.

One of my favorite things coffee with my best friend.

I am wearing one of last night's thrift shop finds ;-) more on that in a later entry...

I am reading I started yet another book last night, I think that makes 3 or 4 I currently am reading.  My children say I have a problem.

 A Wilder Rose: A Novel by Susan Wittig Albert last night.

An imagined account of the collaboration between Rose Wilder and her mother Laura Ingalls Wilder to create the beloved Little House series. One of my all time favorites growing up. I have since passed on my well worn books to Hannah.

In my kitchen Hannah finally made rainbow sprinkle cake this weekend! I highly recommend. ;-) Link to video in the post script section.  The recipe (linked above) comes with the Kids Covered Baker Set.

Board room because coffee.

Pinned: Coffee

Post Script Rainbow Sprinkle Cake video -->>

https://www.facebook.com/164058293708729/videos/1417534641694415

Shared Quote 

A moment from my day Snaps with Mik have become my life

I watched approximately 14 episodes of Gilmore Girls this weekend. It helped me cope. In some ways Mikayla and I have a very Lorelai/Rory relationship. Plus I had a weekend long headache that had me pretty low key most of the weekend.

When she snapped me waiting for her Sunday worship service to start, we were just starting class, so I sent this one back.

 

She sent me a pic of her dinner as Jess and I were waiting for our salads at DeMario's last night so...

Closing Notes: Boy do I miss my girl. But I am so happy, jealous, proud, excited for the adventures she is getting to have.

College girl!

Thursday night she finished packing and we loaded up the van.

Bright & early Friday morning... We were on our way!

 

Our entrance to the college was a little overwhelming- welcome committee lines up jumping and screaming and cheering.
 

Here's her dorm -

 

On the front side all the girls wrote their name and where they were from on the sidewalk

 

Getting settled in...

 

 

At the student center she got her ID and PO Box.

After lunch there Rhett and I (&Ryan, Hannah stayed with Mik) headed to an address for parents by the president of the college.

Then to the chapel, where we met up with the girls, for a dedication service.

Hannah was very impressed by the size of the organ.

After the service they took a class picture on the steps of the chapel.

There they are- Class of 2021!

Check out the size of these cookies! 

 

We didn't linger long at the parent farewell- already well past 3:30 and Rhett had to be back for work that night.

We managed to contain our tears until we were on the road. 

Back at Houghton they had a party on the quad- Mik said it was pretty nice, twinkle lights, popcorn, music, games, inflatables...

 

Sunday after church they were already rearranging their room to make it more spacious.  It sounded like by Sunday things were getting better. She got the majority of her books on Saturday, they went to the soccer game and watched The Incredibles outside. =)

This morning she has had her first class (biology/genetics or something like that) and thought it was good. I have been stalking her snap chat for glimpses into her days and proof she is doing all right. She is, I know she will do great! Make awesome friends, learn lots and she grow into the amazing woman God has for her to be.  I could not be more happy or proud of our girl. I'm so happy and thankful that Houghton is the college she chose. I just miss having her here.  <3

#ProudHoughtonMOM

ToL it's tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the big day. Ready or not-

How thankful am I that this is the kind of environment Mikayla is headed into...

Last night was I took these two to check out their classroom at the middle school, find and learn to open their lockers.  I can't believe they are starting middle school!

Hard to believe 20+ years ago I roamed these very halls.

I'm a little jealous of their classroom library.

 

This is a rare sight. Chance and Storm in such close proximity.

 

Seen on my run this morning, watching this mama and fawns for a few moments made my morning.

Linked up today with Amanda at Running with Spoons

Sisters

My girls had the opportunity to spend the day with my sister yesterday.

I nudged Mikayla that her little sis could use some quality time before she heads off to college on Friday.  She decided to take her to Build-a- Bear.

 

 

I am so thankful Mikayla is headed to Houghton. Such a God thing that this is the school she picked. This morning I recieved this email from the school-

As Alumni Engagement Director, I wanted to let you know that I am praying for you and your family as you travel back to campus this week to get your son, daughter, grandchild, sibling, etc. settled in as a new Houghton College student.  Campus is abuzz right now as we make last minute preparations for the coming academic year.  This morning the faculty and staff will gather for a time of worship and communion together as we prepare our hearts for the task of teaching and serving the students God has placed in our care. 

What a blessing to know, we are being prayed over. That she is going to be in a place that will encourage her to continue and grow in her Faith.

If you think of us on Friday- we appreciate your prayers. For travel, for comfort- especially for Hannah- she is going to miss her big sis something fierce. I see lots of Facetime in our future. For Mikayla, as she begins this new chapter, new adventure. For her studies, her relationships. For all that this chapter involves that I can't even begin to fathom at this moment.

Today I am sad and weepy. I have yet to actually cry but every so often I feel that familiar lump in my throat and the urge to just curl up and let the tears flow. I try to think of happier things until the feeling passes again.

I'm not ready to let go of summer.  I feel like I have been running frantic all summer and yet its passed me by.

Daybook ~ 8.22

For Today {August 22}

Looking out my window
Sun is shining now, I hear potentially severe storms are on the way...

I am thinking
I can't believe summer is nearly over. Friday we take Mikayla to college, I can't believe its here! Praying for my girl as she heads off on this new adventure.

I am thankful
For my son, that he is healthy and whole. I keep reliving the phone call 6 days ago telling me that he had been in that accident.  I'm so thankful for God's protection and that he came out of this whole thing with minimal injury. He is walking without crutches now and eager to go back to work on the farm.

One of my favorite things
New pampered Chef products! Especially ones I earn FREE!

 

I am reading 
I finished Coffee and Kung Fu - it was all right. Nothing too deep but sometimes you just need a fun, easy read.

Today I am picking back up in the Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, hoping to finish it before it comes up due again.

I am hoping
For a great fall. The kids are all starting new schools. Tomorrow night I take Hannah to the middle school to meet her teacher, try her locker, etc... Can you believe my baby is starting MIDDLE SCHOOL! Praying for all the kids as they transition. For friends, for studies, for new beginnings, new adventures. Today I am choosing to be excited for them.

I am learning
Just keep trusting!

In my kitchen
I made this for dinner last night and boy was it tasty. One-pan Turkey Hash. It was just me and Ry for dinner last night. It was nice to have some quality time with him. I'm glad I put forth the extra effort to make dinner instead of just doing, whatever, for dinner. As I so usually do when our numbers dwindle.  The recipe was fantastic, from the New Fall Season's Best Recipe Collection.

 

ONE-PAN TURKEY HASH

INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz (250 g) lean ground turkey
• 1 tsp (5 mL) salt
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) black pepper
• ¾ tsp (4 mL) fresh thyme leaves, divided
• 1  tbsp (15 mL) fresh sage leaves
• 1  tbsp (15 mL) canola oil
• 3 cups (750mL) frozen diced potatoes
• 2   leeks, white and light green part only
• 2   celery stalks
• 4   eggs
• ½   orange
• ½ cup (125 mL) cranberry sauce, whole berry

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Heat the 12" (30-cm) Executive Nonstick Skillet over medium-high heat for 3–5 minutes. Add the turkey, salt, pepper, ½ tsp (2 mL) thyme, and the sage grated with the Herb Mill.
3. Cook for 6–8 minutes, or until the turkey is cooked through, breaking it into crumbles with the Mix ‘N Chop. Remove the turkey mixture from the pan.
4. Add the oil to the pan, swirling to coat the bottom, then add the potatoes in a single layer. Cook for 6–8 minutes without stirring.
5. Meanwhile, cut the leeks and celery into 3" (7.5-cm) pieces and slice with the Simple Slicer on the #2 setting. Add the vegetables and cooked turkey to the skillet and stir to combine.
6. Crack the eggs directly into the skillet and place the skillet into the oven. Bake for 10 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, juice the orange with the Juicer to measure 2 tbsp (30 mL). In a small bowl, combine the remaining thyme leaves, orange juice, and cranberry sauce. Serve with the turkey hash.

Yield:

• 4  servings

Nutrients per serving:

U.S. Nutrients per Serving: Calories 270, Total Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 220 mg, Sodium 730 mg, Carbohydrate 23 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugars 11 g, Protein 18 g

Cook's Tips:

If the eggs seem slightly undercooked, give them another minute. But remember that they’ll keep cooking in the pan after you take them out of the oven.

Board room 

Pinned: the dream...

Post Script
Last night was my fall reveal on Facebook- check out our LIVE video here
      --> https://www.facebook.com/164058293708729/videos/1411539922293887

So fun, makes me want to do more parties! =)

 

Shared Quote

 A moment from my day 
Saturday we finally made it to the zoo! Turns out there was also a birthday celebration for Siri the elephant that day. She turned 50.

Signing Siri's birthday card

 Here she is =)

Cousins <3

 

After the zoo we all went out for ice cream!
 

Linked up with Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

ToL 8.17

I started this post yesterday.  Then I received a call my son was in accident. Being a mom my mind went to the worst possible places. I immediately began freaking out. My husband trying to calm me on the phone, telling me he was fine. But they had called an ambulance.  My brother-in-law works  with me and walked into the office about that time.  He crouched by my desk and held me until I stopped shaking and crying. Rhett was on his way.  He picked me up and we raced to the farm field where Ryan had been working, his leg had been run over by a tractor wagon full of rocks.

Rhett went around the back of the ambulance and was talking to Ryan.  The EMT let me in the side by his head. I wrapped my arms around him from behind and kissed his face. We both started crying. I rode with Ry to the hospital. Rhett followed in the car.

Walking in the doors to the hospital my mom was already there (she works near by).

Ryan had angels by his side as he came through the whole predicament basically fine. On the scene they thought he had probably broken his ankle (even at that point I was amazed it wasn't so much worse). He was sent for Xrays of his leg, ankle and foot, which came back almost completely clear. He had a "small divet" showing on the foot so he was sent for CT scan to get a better look. It was ruled a possible fracture and he was given a hard shoe and crutches. We took our boy home thankful, hearts overflowing. God is GOOD.  I am reminded again of how precious and fragile life is and how everything can change in an instant.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled blog post ;-) Since it's now Thursday I am making it a Thinking Out Loud post and linking up with Amanda at Running with Spoons.

Hope you are ready for a whole lot of randomness from the weekend and the beginning of this week.

Friday night after work we headed to Grammy's to celebrate Mikayla's graduation with the Snyder side of the family. It was a good trip, my kids, the pooch and I in our van. Mom, Dad, Laura and Isaac in Mom and Dad's. Despite my almost constant panic the van was going to break down and over heat at any second it was a good trip. Lots of singing and laughing in our van. Our van did not break down. The fix held and is still going strong. Praise the Lord for safe travels!

Saturday morning Mom, Laura, Ryan, Chance and I went for a run.  Laura had 4 miles on her training plan so that's what we did. I was so proud of Chance- he did awesome- his longest and fastest run to date. In fact we did 4 miles 2 minutes faster on Saturday than we had done 3 on Wednesday. But yesterday he was back to his old tricks and stopping to sniff every mailbox and bush. Running with a pack helped motivate him to keep going, he didn't want to get left behind. Same's true for me too though I guess!

We stopped at a road side farm stand and visited this donkey.  The girls and Isaac LOVED him.

 

Needed a little after siesta before the festivities

The Snyder Clan in our Sue's Crew Ts to support my aunt Sue, battling pancreatic cancer.
 

 

My Dad preached on Sunday. We made him take a picture by the sign after church ;-)

Headed home... (Buffalo is our half way point)

 

Monday night Hannah had the girl cousins over for a sleepover. Of course Chance got in on the action.

 

My new COLD BREW PITCHER came on Tuesday! SOOOOO EXCITING!

I did a little LIVE video showing it off--> HERE <--

Can I just say I am LOVING the cold brew! So delicious!

 

In more pampered chef news I have decided to make a VIP group for my Fall Reveal. Check it out!

The reveal will be Monday night (8/21). I will do a live video with the products I earned and maybe a recipe.  I'm really excited about the fall season ;-)

Tuesday night I made these spinach lasagna rolls for dinner. Definitely a win!

 

This was my devo from yesterday. I am beyond thankful for God, his peace and care.