I think we are finally kind of settling into our new school routine. It will all change again in a couple weeks when Caroline starts school, but for now I'm feeling a little more together. I worked 8 days in a row last week (way more than my normal 2), and was so thankful to have off a couple days this week to get things organized. I made out our menu - including lots of crock-pot recipes (see below), did laundry, cleaned all the bathrooms, grocery shopped, planned and bought things for Silas' birthday party, made Madelyn a chore chart and exercised today.

I started a new exercise program called couch potato 5K. It is a pod cast you download and over a period of 8 weeks it eases you into running a 5K. Well, I am NOT a runner, never have been, but hope to be! I have asthma and running has always bothered it. I'm going to increase my medication to see if it helps. My sister has been doing this and it sounded like something I could handle. Jason is a big runner and I always wish it was something we could do together, so I'm giving it a try! Tonight I finished week 1. My hip muscle is sore though...

I also made a yummy supper tonight. It is a Southern Living crock-pot recipe. I'm glad we have leftovers for my lunch tomorrow!
Chinese Pork Tenderloin with Garlic-Sauced Noodles
2 (1 lb) pork tenderloins
1 Tb hoisin sauce
1 Tb tomato sauce
1 Tb soy sauce
1 tsp. sugar
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp grated ginger (I used powder)
1/4 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. rice vinegar
1 tsp. sesame oil
16 oz. cooked vermicelli (hot)
1 c. shredded carrot
3/4 c. sliced green onions
1/4 c. cilantro
toppings - more cilantro and peanuts

Put pork in crock-pot. Mix hoison sauce and next 5 ingredients and pour over pork. Cook on high for 1 hour, then on low for 5 hours. Remove pork and shred with 2 forks. Pour cooking liquid in bowl and let set for 15 minutes. Skim off fat. (I skipped this part and just strained off the bigger fat pieces in the liquid. Mine was not very fatty). Mi x 1/4 c. liquid with pork, cover to keep warm. Return remaining liquid to crock-pot and add 1/4 c. soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil. Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes. Add hot noodles, carrots, green onions and cilantro. Mix well. Serve pork over noodle mixture and top with cilantro and peanuts. Yummy!

Here is the rest of our weekly menu:
Th - Crockpot Roast noodles and salad
F - Life group - taking rolls and ramen noodle salad
S - Chicken Pot Pie
S - Grilled pork chops, broccoli and rice, fruit
M - Crockpot tostada's - if it's good I'll post the recipe
T - Silas' Birthday! Fazoli's kids night - one of his favorites
W - Crock pot beef stew, corn muffins - it's supposed to cool off here next week

I'm utilizing my crock pot a lot this week! It helps to come home from work or activities and have dinner ready.

Our quote for the day...
One of Silas' "behaviors" that can be a problem is his use of the word "poop". Thankfully we don't curse, so that is the worst word he knows. He says it to make me mad, calls the girls the p-word all the time, screams it while in time out - including yesterday during Caroline's gymnastics class etc... Most of the time we ignore it, but after hearing it 5,000,000 times, sometimes I can't handle it. Well anyway, today I picked him up from school and he had a homework page. He had to pick his favorite color and find a picture of something that color. We're driving home and I ask him what his favorite color is to which he responds "POOP!" and then laughs hysterically. I ignore the comment and then Madelyn seriously says, "Mom - I think he is telling us his favorite color is brown!" It made me laugh. : )

We are so busy right now, but we are surviving. My new job is going really well. I'm enjoying learning new things and being challenged in new ways. I've been working more than normal during this transition period while also working some at my old job. I miss my kids!!! After this weekend things should slow down. : )

Madelyn is loving first grade. She loves her teacher and is making new friends. She hasn't even had homework yet! Silas is also doing very well at his new school. He was sick today and was unable to go, but is so excited every morning to be going. We had a rough weekend with him, but I anticipated this as he adjusts to a new routine. I think it will take several weeks for him to adjust.

Caroline started gymnastics yesterday and had a blast. She will not start school until after Labor day.

I saw this post today about a day in the life of a child with attachment issues. I often have trouble explaining what our days can be like. Silas appears to be adorable, loving, angelic and smart in front of others. I thought this was a good description. Now, while he does not display all of these behaviors (no peeing on the carpet - yet - he is not potty trained), this is very true to life. He is getting better. We are COMMITTED to healing him and we are seeing improvements! It is still a process though.

Yesterday was the first day of school for Madelyn and Silas! Madelyn is a big first grader and had a wonderful day at school. She loves her teacher and has enjoyed seeing old friends and making new friends as well. Silas had his first day of preschool and then stayed for the afternoon daycare (normally I will be working on Wednesdays). He came home in the best mood! I think he loved his school and had fun playing all day.

It has been a crazy week around our house! I have been working a lot and have started my new job. The stress of learning everything there + school starting + packing lunches + laying out clothes + our van died yesterday and needed $800 of repairs + meetings for activities and school + normal housework has equaled a tired mom! I am thankful that I am not working tomorrow. Silas and Madelyn have school and Caroline is having a friend over for the afternoon. I'm hoping to be very productive.

One of my goals for tomorrow is to make a new schedule for cleaning, laundry, working out and basically just running our home. If I have a set day for chores I am much more likely to get them done. Our schedule is so different this fall that I need to start from scratch and reorganize our week. Any suggestions of things that work for you all is much appreciated!

Where has this summer gone? Goodness, it has flown by. It did not help that school wasn't over until the first week of June and starts back next Wednesday... Even though it has been a fast summer, it has been a good one. We have lots of changes in our family for this fall! Life has been a little stressful working out the puzzle for our family, but as usual, God fit all the pieces together just perfectly!

• I am starting a new job! In the next year or so, I am going to be needing to work full-time. I am starting at the University Clinic "as needed" in hopes to get my foot in the door for a full-time position. They are hard to come by as their hours are great and they are closed on holidays and weekends. I did paperwork yesterday and am officially starting tomorrow! Nervous, but excited.
• Madelyn and Silas start school next Wednesday! We found out who Madelyn has for first grade and think she will have a great year. She was excited a good friend from Kindergarten is also in her class. Silas will be going every morning from 8:30 - 11:30 and then is staying three days a week for daycare. I think the structure and routine will do wonders for him. It will free me up to work two days a week and then have some time to get a little break. He is going to a hearing a speech center and I have been so impressed with the school.
• Madelyn and I had our annual back to school shopping day. We had so much fun together. We ate lunch at Oliv* Gard*n, bought her two new outfits, new tennis shoes (2 1/2 sizes bigger than the ones she was wearing), and stocked up on all of her supplies she needs. She is just a joy.
• Jason's parents are back in the country. They were "let go" from their missionary position in Cambodia ($$$) and are back in KY waiting for God's next plan. We are excited to have them home and look forward to seeing them lots! We had a nice cookout on Sunday with Jason's sister Kara and her family. Please pray for them as they seek God's will.
• I've got Madelyn registered for ballet and Caroline registered for gymnastics for the fall.
• Jason's drug he was hired to sell a year ago finally got approved. He was at training last week and will be busy this fall. Job security!
• Our church started a new series called IT. We learned about part of IT on Saturday night at church. Check out the website to learn about IT.
  

Well, that sums up most of life in the past week. Silas is doing okay attachment wise. We still have daily struggles and probably will for a while. I have settled into it (for the most part), but it is still hard. I think school will be so good for him and me. When I have a break, I am much better equipped to handle him. We are still meeting with the therapist and she is pleased with his progress, as are we.