a busy mama's diary to inspire

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Update on School and summer fun

Hey friends and followers :) I've had a number of people curious about what next year is bringing for my kiddos and schooling. It was a hard choice that I battled with A LOT, but I have decided not to homeschool again. The kids' emotional response to the decision at first was sure hard on me. They wanted me to continue. Clara quickly told me her plan was to lock herself in her room and STAY homeschooled :) The decision was hard because I truly cherish the time, memories, the learning, and the HUGE challenges that taught me so much. But, I told myself I would try it for one year and if I didn't feel at peace about continuing, or that it wasn't best for the kids, then I wouldn't. I care a lot (often too much---a work in progress) about what people think...so the decision was also hard because I felt like a failure. I wanted to WANT to love the heck out of this and continue on. I felt that other passionate homeschoolers would look down on my decision. The truth is, I know that in order to be the BEST me, the best mom to these four loves, this is what I needed to do.  A very dear girlfriend, who is also a teacher, said these words: "Even if they learn not one thing, which I know isn't the case, you will have had the time with them and the memories together. Emotional IQ is so important." I'm so thankful for those words. September is going to be hard HARD to not be with them every day...my mama heart is SO not prepared yet. They HAVE come around and are now excited about the schools they will be attending....which took A LOT of searching. They all have familiar faces and/or great friends that will be at their schools.
Addie will also be doing preschool three days a week. I will have time by myself!! That will be weird, but I'm also very excited about some of the new adventures I am pursuing.
So, here it is, mid August with school just a few weeks away. I hope my kids know that I am honored that I got the opportunity to try homeschooling, and hope that they will look back on this year with fond memories. I can't even put into words how deeply I love them.

I also cannot thank you enough for the love, support and encouragement that so many of you have shown me. I'm so grateful.

So, cheers... to summer, to new chapters, to kids being resilient and oh so full of grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love♥


A card Kyla gave to me. If I taught them anything, I guess I can be proud I taught them to "give it a try"....her heart amazes me so much.






Farmers Market...one of my favorite summer things!




lotsa time spent with amazing (retired) grandparents

♥♥♥


Elm Creek beach...free ice cream & we even go to be on TV! :)

playing detectives


My most frequent running buddy...rain or shine :)



VBS!


HOURS of chalking (and making chalk paint...for our feet? :)


Kyla's first time away at camp




Many hours spent at the pool this summer!!


Ty's first summer of baseball. SO fun to watch!!






we made some time for a few science experiments and schoolwork....between all the swimming :)



COUSIN TIME!!




7 lil swimmers!


Swimming lessons...Kyla is almost on the swim team! They LOVE it!


Monday, August 10, 2015

yummy tomato salad

This recipe caught my eye at the grocery store. (Family Circle magazine.) We are so blessed to get to share in the bounty of my dad's amazing garden, so when I saw this I knew I had to try it. It is one of my new favorite things to do with all these wonderful summer tomatoes!!

Recipe:
Whisk 3 T fresh lemon juice,
2 tsp, snipped chives,
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
While whisking, add 1/4 cup olive oil in a thin stream until well blended.
slice 5 or 6 heirloom tomatoes and fan slices onto a board or large platter. Season with additional chives, sea salt and cracked pepper. Serve with dressing. Enjoy, and Happy summer!!

 

Saturday, May 23, 2015

sisters

 
"A sister is a gift to the heart. A friend to the spirit. A golden thread to the meaning of life."
 
 
I wanted to capture some of my favorite little moments these girls share. They make the hard days sweet, the long days precious. I remind all my kiddos that their friends will come and go, but they have built-in best friends right here.
 
 
 





Sweet lil Addi ♥

What an honor it was to get behind my camera again to photograph this little honey pie! Andrea and Jeremy adopted Addison Noelle into their family one month ago. It was so sweet to spend the morning with this dear family! Welcome to the neighborhood, Addi!! You are so loved!













 
 

Sunday, March 1, 2015

sweet lil "cup cookies"

I stopped into the sweetest little kitchen store last weekend on a date with my older girls. I think these cookie cutters are just too cute not to share! The store is called Eat at Home. It is connected to a restaurant called Eat, which is in White Bear Lake. SO yummy, but also these people are simply so wonderful!! We had a nice little chat with the owner. Kindness oozed from her soul. If you're in the area, check it out... and perhaps pick up these sweet little cookie cutters (and a jar of pickles!)
                                                           Happy Sunday, ya'll!! :)


 
 
 

 
 


 my lil helper ♥
 
 


There is a recipe on the back, which I didn't realize until after I made a chocolate cookie recipe. I will definitely try these out next time!





 
Can serving your guests get any cuter? :)


 

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

chicken enchilada chili ♥





This chili is a re-post of a family favorite!!

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast cut up
1 medium yellow pepper, diced
1 medium red pepper, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced OR stewed tomatoes with garlic and onion, undrained
1 cans (15-16 oz each) dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
1 can tomato sauce
1 c. frozen corn or 1 can corn
chili powder to taste (1-2 T)
top with:
sour cream
cheddar cheese
crushed tortilla chips

mix all ingredients together in slow cooker (except for cheddar and sour cream)
cover and cook on low setting 7-8 hours
top with chips, sour cream and cheddar cheese if desired...enjoy!
We love to serve this meal with corn bread muffins ( & honey butter), and a southwestern
salad! YUM! :)

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

our homeschool journey...mid-year update ♥

 
 
Where do I even start? Four months have already come and gone on this homeschool journey!  It has been so many things. It has been beautiful, special, memory-filled, amazing, rewarding and precious, but it has also been exhausting, frustrating, humbling (which is indeed a good thing!) and just plain hard. Capital H-A-R-D. One day as we were driving to the library (because we HAD to get out of the house!) we drove past a Redbull truck. I was exhausted in every fiber of my being. I actually took serious thought to whether or not I could follow him and beg for a tasty lil energy drink right on the spot. Surely he would see my haggard face, truck full of squirrely kids, and have pity on me. Then  my thoughts were this: "I don't even like Red bull, unless it has a lil vodka in it! Maybe he has that too?!"  As I write this today, I'm honestly not even sure I will continue next year. I have chosen, however, to trust the process and more than anything....trust God. He called me to it, so I know the blessings in it are from Him. When I feel like throwing in the towel, I am continuously humbled and refined. Honestly, I have struggled with the feelings that "if I don't continue with it, that means I am a failure". I have (mostly) worked through that, although it depends on the day.  What has blessed my heart beyond measure is that I have had extra time with my kids to make memories and strengthen bonds. THAT is worth every challenging day. (note to self: re-read this post) I am also learning a lot right alongside them which has been so much fun!! It is so rewarding to teach them, watch them catch on and just run with it! We are done by about 1 o'clock every day, which has freed up time for games, field trips, cleaning the house together, playing outside and visiting dear friends. I really love this part of homeschooling. Although I highly value education, I want the kids to understanding the importance of taking time away from it when there's a chance to love on people. I don't know what the future holds for the Behnken bunch, but I guess that's ok. I will keep praying for wisdom and guidance. I will forever be grateful and humbled by the opportunity to be on this adventure with four of the people I love most in the whole wide world.
 
 
So, here are just a handful of little glimpses into life this year.
 
craft time. you know it's my favorite :)
 
 
 
 
 
While Addie is at speech, the older three and I often head to Dunn bros for math.
 
 
 
 
 
Clara reading to me....another absolute favorite part of my day.



We are able to go to Target when very few people are there. This is what we do.
 
 
Learning fractions never tasted so yummy! Plus, I'm hoping their love of being busy in the kitchen only grows!


 
 
 
Field trips with their cousins! SO much fun for all of us!!






I grew up on a farm. You better bet we have been to a few!!





Learning with them. Case in point. So far, my 1st grader knows every country North America, South America and Europe....I forget them :)




Reconnecting this year with a dear, old friend (and her hubby!), has blessed our hearts more than I can say. We have gotten to watch little George grow, and thoroughly enjoy every chance to snuggle!!
 
Addie has learned a TON this year and loves to soak it all in. Speech has also been such a great help!
 




Some field trips this year include: Fort Snelling, Heritage Lab, the zoo, nature centers, apple orchards, farms and visiting friends. I LOVE getting to experience these with them!!




 
 
I love this face.




 
And then there's the taking time to go fishing!! Can't wait for the warm sun on our faces to return.



 
 
happy sisters
 
 
backyard habitat exploration

 
 
 

 
 
 
apple tasting.

 
 
I do, in fact, drink my share of coffee :)
 
 
Thanks for being with me on this journey. Many of you have blown my socks off with the amount of support, love and encouragement you offer. I am beyond grateful.
 
♥A note to my kidders♥
You four make my heart so insanely full. I know that this isn't always easy for you either. Thank you for showing me grace and love along the way. I'm sorry for the times I'm not as patient as I should be. I'm humbled and honored to be a part of your learning....both in your smart little brains and in your precious hearts. It is such a gift to be your mama and also your teacher. I love the fact that each of you teach me something every single day. Thank you for that. Each day is a gift, and I love you more and more with everything in me. My cup runeth over.
 
love,
mama