As our summer is coming to an end we spent the last day at Yanney Park.   We took a picnic lunch

and met up with a few of our friends for a fun day playing in the water.  We really have had a

wonderful summer filled with friends, fun and many memories!!!

 My Boys!



 Raimee and Raicee

Framed...

We were going to have family pictures this summer and I had an idea in mind for a picture but needed to get a large frame.  I went to Good Will in Lexington and found this nasty oil painting with even worse dark wood frame with hunter green in the middle for only $5. 

Riley took out the painting and I spray painted the frame Black

We went to Johnson's Lake where Joe and I had our wedding pictures taken 11 years ago-used our large frame to get a great family pic.  LOVE IT!!!

Getting back in the Kitchen...

This summer I have not done much if any real cooking for my family.  Normally in the summers there is a tons of grilling and great fresh meals from the garden, but saddly that was not the case for us this year...it was nothing more than sandwiches for the Books family.  I just could not stand the heat and really had no energy to do anything let alone cook.  But now that the days are cooler and the kids are getting ready to go back to school I have decided it is time to start making good meals and getting stuff planned and perpared. 

Yesterday I browned chicken for three upcoming meals:

 Chicken Alfrado and Bowtie Pasta

Chicken Fajita Ring

Today I used up the three zucchini I had and made:

Zucchini Patties

3 cups shredded zucchini (press between two paper towels to get dry)

1 cup of toasted bread crumbs

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1 large egg

1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon salt

-shape into patties and fry in a skillet with a little olive oil

Made into little Zucchini Minis (just like a mini hamburger)

Than for dessert Zucchini Cake!  

Change...

So much change coming my way...the boys start school on Thursday.  Ry in 4th grade and Chandler in 1st.  This change alone brings me so much anxiety-I just don't like sharing my time with my boys.  But it is life.  I have also taken on new kids and will be having a young day care once again...all but one of my babies have grown and moved on so I was at a point that I needed to decide what I wanted to do with myself.  I really enjoyed volunteering at Early Education Center last year and had thought going back to school could be in my future but again I hated to give up my time with my hubby when he was home.  Nothing is worth losing that time.  So as Joe and I both prayed, the Lord gave me the answers all within a 2 day period.  I just had to make the choice on how many kids I was ready to take on and hours I wanted to work because the need for kids was given to me.  I will have 2 new borns, 15 month old, 17 month old, 3 year old and 4 year old.  Change is GOOD!!!

Sometimes I just need a little reminder...

The Mess...

My house has gotten so out of control and I cannot seem to get a day to just tackle it.  So thinking I had so little to do the next few days-I was going to go at it one room at a time...lets just say that thought few out the door as fast as it came in.  Instead of cleaning my pigstie I chose to be on the computer and found this poster...Loved It!!!  Though it gets so overwhelming at times...I just have to remember it will only be for a short time that the kids are little and then I will be wishing to have them home to clean up after.

While I don't embrace my messiness, I'm definitely embracing the priority of happy kids!!  :)