September Bday Pics

See Sept. post- September Birthdays- for info. Here are pics

Emma's 6th Bday



Emma's Bday cookies


Emma's Bday outfit from us


Jarrod's Bday Card


Inside of card


Fire and Ice cupcakes

The Fancher Rundown

Ok, so far this month has been pretty busy so here's our rundown so far-

The kids: The "big" kids are really loving school and getting into the swing of things. They make their "freezer" sandwiches for the week on Sunday afternoon and they also get out all their clothes for the week and put them in the shoe hanger in their bathroom. This has made the mornings much smoother. The "little" ones are enjoying their time at home with Mommy and especially love Mondays b/c it's Daddy's day off. They do get very excited when the "big" ones get back from school. We've been trying to stay on top of our chores, but b/c it totally takes my breath away to go up and down the stairs 22 times a day to check up on the "pick up before you get something else out rule" (so we don't have a tornado in the rooms) they've kind of taken advantage of that one. But, other than that they have been pretty good. We are working on telling the truth with the oldest. When will she realize that we KNOW everything and she just can't get away with it? Little Bubba has most definitely started the terrible 2s. He got put into the "Time Out Corner" yesterday. He screamed bloody murder, but he stayed for his minute. Little Mia thinks she is 12, but she is a sweetie. Ems loves school, but she has followed in the oldest's footsteps with the Kindergarten drama. When I say drama I mean DRAMA. Everything brings on the tears or the angry face. Yesterday Mia's book almost touched her arm and you would've thought someone ran her arm over with a car.

Mommy and Daddy: We have been extra busy- doing taxes, straightening up the house, trying to figure out sleep situations for when the baby comes and trying to come up with a name for our newest addition. Daddy has been really busy with work, but he enjoys it, so that's good. Mommy has been busy getting the house straightened up and keeping up with her 101 things in 1001 days list. It's been nice to have the list b/c it's been keeping me on top of things and sort of forcing me to make some me time. The "me" time has been nice b/c I usually don't get any of that at all. We did a lot of canning and I've been doing quite a bit of baking. I love to bake this time of year. Right now I'm waiting on my crockpot yogurt to finish culturing.

Baby: I have reached the 26 week mark, so 14 weeks left to go. Our newest little buddy is a mover and a shaker. We are still working on names. Talk about stress. I get winded quite easily. Dr. appt today- we'll probably do the normal sit for 30 min. and then hear the heartbeat and then leave.

Family: we went to the apple orchard and got tons of apples-we ate a bunch and canned the rest. We went fishing. We still need to hit the pumpkin patch-maybe next week. It has been super cold. We got about 2 inches of snow last Fri. We have got to find some fun stuff to do when stranded at home in the cold, frigid weather. We all get bored fairly quickly. we did the library yesterday which was an adventure.

I will update with some pics later this afternoon. I think that's all we've been up to.

101 Things in 1001 Days

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. No ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable, or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. Represent some amount of effort on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past – frequently simple goals such as New Year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Official Start: October 1, 2009

Finish: June 28, 2012

Diana had this on her blog and it sounded really fun. Jarrod and I had recently been talking about things we wanted to do, places we wanted to go, etc. So, I thought it would be fun to make a list too and get it all written out. So, here goes nothing-

Travel
001. Get passport updated/renewed
002. Go to Banff
003. Family trip to Disneyland
004. Trip to Yellowstone
005. Jackson Hole, WY
006. Go to WA and stay at Kalaloch lodge
007. Visit Olympic National Park
008. Go to Seattle
009. Take a trip back home (DFW)
Children
010. Get Emma and Mia swim lessons
011. Keep up with kids' chores
012. Potty train Jude
013. Teach Mia her letters and how to write her name, teach Jude his colors and work on counting to 10
014. Make all our Baby Food
015. Teach Coen Baby Signs
016. Come up with name for Baby before Dec. '09
Health/Fitness/Sports
017. walk/run 3-5ks (3/3)
018. take walks with kids 3x/wk for a month (0/12)
019. go skiing
020. Go on 10 Bike rides (4/10)
Finance
021. Stick to budget
022. build up Emergency Fund
023. Make gifts/buy from a WAHM
For Others
024. Do 6 Family Service Projects (6/6)
025. Donate to Toys for Tots
026. Send a soldier a care pkg. (sent Xmas cards to troops)
Knowledge
027. Create a book list and keep up with it
028. Read 12 books on list each year
029. visit library once a month
030. Read Twilight Series (4/4)
031. finish Home Experience
032. read Bible in one year
033. have 15 min. quiet time once a wk.
Friends/Family
034. have a relaxing night once a month
035. send yearly xmas card on time (3/3)
036. Get a yearly family portrait (3/3)
037. Make 3 new friends (3/3)
038. find a church
Food/Drink
039. no fast food for a month
040. make homemade bread
041. cook 2x a week for a month
042. make freezer apple pies for 2
043. make xmas cookies w/kids ea. yr. (3/3)
044. make crockpot yogurt
045. bake/make teacher gifts for Easter, xmas and Vday
046. make 72 hour kits
047. take a Wilton class
048. visit Farmer's Market 6 times (6/6)
Around the House
049. stay on top of laundry
050. cut back on internet usage
051. get new bath towels for MB
052. get new kitchen towels
053. make bed everyday for 3 months (3/3)
054. organize recipes
055. keep top of dresser clean for 3 months (3/3)
056. keep up with filing of bills/receipts
057. give up 1 TV show-forever (giving up all CSIs)
058. get fresh flowers for table once a month -or centerpiece
Fun&Games
059. Do a Turkey Trot ea. yr. (3/3)
060. visit a pumpkin patch ea. yr. (3/3)
061. go apple picking ea. yr. (2/3) Couldn't year 2 b/c crops were bad or year 3 b/c didn't have enough apples
062. go cherry picking ea. yr. (1/3) crops bad
063. have a snowball fight
064. attend a Grizz game
065. attend a Cowboys game
066. attend an Osprey game
067. Santa pics ea. yr. (3/3)
068. Family movie night once a month (33/33)
069. have a monthly game night (33/33)
070. go on 6 picnics (3/6)
071. go to the playground 1x/wk for 3 months (12/12)
072. Fly a kite
073. make an awesome snowman
074. go play putt putt (putt putt place closed down, so we'll substitute bowling)
Creative/Crafts
075. catch up on scrapbooks
076. learn how to use my sewing machine
077. sew one thing for ea. kid (K, E, M, J, C)
078. make the girls a fleece scarf
079. make the kids matching shirts
080. make the kids big brother/sister gift
081. take the girls to a Michaels Sat. class or a Joanns class - Jude build & grow class
082. learn to make hair bows
083. take a knitting class
084. make 10 crafts (10/10)
Just For Me
085. update my blog
086. get a new wallet
087. get 10 pedicures (0/10)
088. keep up with prayer journal
089. create 2 Shutterfly albums (2/2)
090. take a Yoga class
091. go on a monthly date with my husband (33/33)
092. get a new DLSR camera
093. take a monthly bubble bath (33/33)
094. visit a MOPS group (or a Moms group) - Ladies Bible Study
095. make a Car Emergency kit
List Related
096. donate $5 for each item not completed
097. complete 101 things in 1001 days  (75/101)
098. Blog about this list
099. keep list updated on a monthly basis (33/33)
100. inspire 3 others to make a list (1/3)
101. celebrate the end of 1001 days

Ok, so there is my list. Now, it's time to make yours ;)

7 Day Challenge

Thanks to Tip Junkie I stumbled upon an Emergency Preparedness Web-Blog. It has a ton of great info and tips on how to be prepared for any emergency situation. I linked to the site on the left (under link)-it's labeled food storage. Jarrod and I have been discussing setting up our food stores just in case anything happens. We will be starting pretty soon and are thankful to have a Costco membership so that we can get some extra bulk items for the storage.
When I found the site, they were having a 7 Day Challenge. I happened upon it in the middle of the challenge, so I opted out since we were definitely not prepared. Here are the daily challenges and things I realized I need to get ready ASAP.

Day1- Natural Disaster- it's a flood
-def. need to get those food stock in order and set up 72 hr. packs
-need a good disaster kit (have some items just need to put it together)and a grab list ready to go

Day2-Pandemic- time for quarantine
-really need to get that food stocked and stock up on other storage items-batteries, flashlight, TP, paper towels, etc

Day3-Everyday Emergency- dinner guests
-need to have food around for quick easy meals for surprise/last minute visits

Day4-Economic Crisis-Money is Tight
this one wasn't too hard since we've sort of been there, done that, doing it now
-we have cut back on things and try not to do too much (not sure we do much of anything really that costs extra money) we've been doing free stuff to entertain the kids and we don't really eat out at all
-do need to learn how to make bread (find an easy recipe)
-need water stores (might finally get that rain barrel together)

Day5-Nat. Disaster-earthquake
-need car shovel (also want to get window breaker/seat belt cutter)
- need to stock freezer
- Need to back-up computers

Day6-Diet Disaster- healthy lifestyle
- we eat pretty healthy just need to cut back on sweets (will be hard since I LOVE to bake)

Day7-Everyday emergency- why didn't you ask for this sooner
- could probably make a quick treat with what we have on hand
-probably should get powdered eggs and some sort of shelf stable butter substitute (we usually have powdered milk- we keep it on hand for when we run out of milk in case it's not a grocery day yet)

Well, we are prepared in some ways, but we do need to work on the food/misc. storage- we would have a hard time making it with no food. So, that's where we will start. You should definitely check out the site. They have great info and links to things you may need. So, what are you waiting for, go check it out!

September Birthdays

Ok, so I wrote this awhile back and I'm posting it a little late. Will be updating later today with some pics of Bdays and other things (a big boy bed and what our room now looks like)



2 of the Fabulous Fanchers have September birthdays (Jarrod and E) and they turned 6 and 31 this year. I'll let you guess who turned what age. Since we don't know all that many people here, we just hung out as a family.
E opened her gifts the morning of her Bday and got a special Bday dinner of Spaghetti. I also made some yummy sandwich cookies(from Bakerella) for her Bday treat.
We made Jarrod a really cute card and I made him Chocolate Chipotle Cupcakes (courtesy of Bakerella). Yes, they were quite spicy, but the ice cream and chocolate chili ganache really helped cool it down.
We kept the parties small, but it was a lot of fun just getting to spend that special time as a family.

Ems,
Daddy and I love you so much. You have grown up to be such a big girl. You are a great helper and you have such a tender,sweet heart. You are our sweet little Emmabird and you always will be! Here are 6 things we love about you:
1. You are a great helper
2. You love everybody
3. You are an awesome kid and a great sister
4. You love school
5. You are so silly. You crack us up all the time.
6. You give the best hugs!
You are definitely a special gift from God that we will cherish forever. We love you Emmabird and are looking forward to watching you grow up and mature into the wonderful person we know you will be. Happy Birthday!

School Days

Well, the two oldest have finally started school. K started on 31st and E started on Sept. 1st.
They both ride the bus to and from school, so that has been an adjustment for all of us. They also moved the bus stop this year, so we walk the girls down for pick up and meet E in the afternoon for drop off. E and K ride the same bus to school, but end up on different buses coming home because their schools let out at different times.
K is in 5th grade this year and has a really nice teacher. She only changes classes for Reading and she like sthat a lot. She also had to choose between band and choir this year, so she picked band. We got her a clarinet the 2nd week of school. SO far she has only learned how to put it together. Hopefully tomorrow she will earn some notes. We'll post more on that later as she gets more into the year and practicing.
E started Kindergarten and absolutely loves it. The first few days were hard for her because she didn't know her way around, but now she's a pro. I was glad that they let K take her to her bldg and get her to the correct drop off room for the first 3 days of school. She loves riding the bus and her fave things at school are recess and snack.
E ready for Meet the Teacher

K first day of school

K first day pancake breakfast

E first day pancake breakfast

The Home

I have finally gotten around to re-starting/reading the book The Home Experience by Devi Titus. I am still on the 1st chapter b/c I went back to re-read it and highlight areas of importance. I am hopeful that this book will help me out with our "home". It does not feel like home, I am not relaxed in it and I would never want anyone to come over and see the hurricane I have let my children create b/c I'm just "blah" right now. So, I am hoping this will help me and my family create our "home".

Right now I am in the process of the 1st chapter pt.2. I am at the point where she talks about how Home is the basis for our society. I thought I'd share what I read b/c you may have never heard of this book or you may have but forgotten this part. I found it particularly interesting and pertinent to now.
So, here are some points from the book-
-One of the most widely read books of all time is "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire"
-Edward Gibbon gives 5 reasons why great civilizations die (I found these very pertinent to now)
- the reasons:
1. undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis for human society
2. higher and higher taxes
3. the mad craze for pleasure: sports becoming more and more brutal and immoral
4. the decay of individual responsibility- building of great armaments when the enemy was within
5. The decay of religion; faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life, losing power to guide the people


I don't know about you, but reading that scared me. It seems like we have all 5 of those things going on and they've been going on for awhile. So, my first thought was "holy crap, how much longer do we have before our great civilization dies".

So, what are your thoughts?-those few of you that read this


*as some of you know school started and we had a Bday and another one coming. I will be updating on those soon. I promise