We went ahead and started our homeschool last week.  I figured I’d wait until September or so but the kids have been getting restless and so it was time.  Plus we plan to take more breaks throughout the year like we usually do.  This year, I have a 10th grader, 6th grader, 3rd grader, 2nd grader, and a preschooler.

Many of you have messaged me for an update on my nephew.  He’s doing as well as can be expected given his incident.  You can always follow along on his Love for Levi facebook page to see more.  We have hopes that he will come home in a few weeks, but that is by no means the end of his need for care.

Here’s what is on our meal plan for this week:

Monday: Fajita Chicken Casserole, broccoli, grapes

Tuesday: Tacos

Wednesday: Brat Burgers, salad

Thursday: Breakfast for Dinner

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Burritos

Sunday: Leftovers

What are you making this week?

It’s Monday again and my kids are off to their homeschool enhancement classes and I’m spending the day finishing up our classroom.  I decided to rearrange it to keep a better eye on kids.  Yes, even homeschool kids talk behind the teacher’s back and even pass notes.  Plus I had the computer facing out and it ended up being a huge distraction.  Anyone who was at their desk could see the computer and stare at the learning games being played.  I think I have it the way I like it now.

Hope you all have a great week!  I’m not ready to start school, but it’s time!  We plan to have our Back to School breakfast on Tuesday, go swimming, and then officially start school on Thursday.  Here’s our meal plan for the week:

Monday: Eggs, Bacon, Biscuits

Tuesday: Lasagna

Wednesday: Tacos

Thursday: Sandwiches

Friday: Rotisserie Chicken, salad

Saturday: Chicken Enchiladas

Sunday: Brats, grilled veggies

What are you making this week?

You won’t believe what my mom just found at the Dollar Tree!  She found the motherload of Disney Tsum Tsum characters!  My kids and my niece and nephews are huge fans!  I can’t believe they are only $1!  I recommend you RUN to your local store and check for stock!  They had more in the back at our local one!  We found Marvel, Star Wars, Winnie the Pooh, Frozen, Peter Pan, and of course some Disney favorite characters!  WOWEE!  I can’t get over this find!

Of course each Dollar Tree will vary in their selection or if they even carry them, but worth a phone call or visit to find out!

Simon snuggling with Grayer during nap time the other day

It’s been another week.  My nephew is making it through his sudden brain injury, but things have been absolutely crazy on the homefront as we try to keep things normal for his siblings and for my kids.  If you’d like an update on my nephew, check out Love for Levi on facebook.

I spent last night with Levi so his parents could go home and I was super amazed at how efficient his nurses are!  They are on top of everything and work like crazy to keep him functioning well.  Being there caused some anxiety for me but I managed to make it through since my hubby went with me.

Here’s what we are making this week for meals, however given the current state of things, it can change at any time.

Monday: Egg casserole, veggies

Tuesday: Dinner Out

Wednesday: Burgers

Thursday: Pizza

Friday: Lasagna

Saturday: Trim Mac Salad

Sunday: Baked Tortellinis, salad

What are you making this week?

Holy moly how a week can change.  Tuesday was Cow Appreciation Day and the kids and I were having a great time at Chick-fil-A and with friends at the pool.  They decided to go home with their friends so I went back to the house and relaxed a bit until I got a text that shook me to my core.

My sister-in-law texted that my nephew couldn’t move his right arm and leg and they were at the hospital.  They had one of their other children with them, so I dropped everything and ran up to get her.

When we arrived, my sister in law called asking where we were.  I let her know we were coming up the elevator.  I could hear her voice trembling.  Once we got my niece, I walked with my SIL for a second and she told me that my nephew Levi was going to be life flighted to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta because they think he has a brain tumor that was causing bleeding in his brain.

Of course this was devastating news to the entire family and all we could do is trust God.  They made it to CHOA just in the nick of time and did emergency surgery.  It turned out to not be a tumor but is an AVM – artery-to-vein malformation.  His is extremely rare.  The AVM was bleeding and had a grapefruit size bleed in his brain.

Currently, my nephew Levi is in critical condition at CHOA’s PICU unit.  As this is likely to be weeks of ICU followed by months of hospital/rehab/therapy, please know that I’m not forgetting the blog. Between my mom and I, we are trying to juggle my 5 kids, my brothers 4 other children, and all the challenges thereabouts.  So far everything is going smoothly on the home front and we’ve been circling the wagons, so to speak.  Early next week, we plan to have a sit down and further figure out their other children’s needs and plan from there.  Right now, we are just surviving and waiting for Levi’s brain swelling to go down so we can make plans.

You’re welcome to follow along on facebook at Love For Levi.  Be sure to bring your tissues, especially when you read the full story of what happened.

It was a decent week and we were able to make it to the Colbert Fourth of July parade.  It’s such a sweet tradition with our family.

That was awesome but then goodness gracious – we spent this weekend recovering from being sick.  Apparently there is a strand of Hand, Foot, Mouth going around that isn’t full blown HFM but is very similar.  The toddler ended up with it and had a fever and blisters in his throat for several days late last week.  Some of the rest of us got it too, but not as badly since we’ve already had HFM.  I ended up with something similar to a sinus infection/cough.  Hoping that this week will bring health and relaxation.

Monday: Pork Chops, lima beans, brown rice

Tuesday: Dinner at Chick-fil-A for Cow Day!

Wednesday: Cajun Cream Chicken

Thursday: Pizza

Friday: Burgers

Saturday: Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Sunday: Leftovers

What are you making this week?