Back to School

Moments after posting my last blog, Matt got a phone call that some really good friends of ours had just lost their dad.  I'm sure that New Years Eve will forever be different for this family.  And even though, the memorial service is over and all the family has gone home, I will still remember them in my thoughts and prayers.

Wow, what a month!  I knew that the moment we returned to New Jersey, we would be busy. And now I'm sitting here with January already half over! (It also happens to be my birthday!)  Thankfully, I'm not one that dreads birthdays.  And I'm not one who makes a big fuss about them either.

We started back to school on Jan. 5th.  I thought it would be a slow start, but really, the boys know what is expected of them and they are doing great!  Although, Caleb started on the Civilization of Greece right off the bat and that made both of our brains hurt!

We went to see Cameron's neurologist yesterday.  I don't think many of his ADHD patients are homeschooled.  He kept questioning about the curriculum, testing, why we had chosen this was to educate our children, and  even wanted to know about the boys exercise.  And since this is our third year teaching the boys at home, I had an answer for each question. I don't get offended anymore when people have questions.  At first, I wanted to say, "It's none of your business."  But the majority of people are just interested. 

Caleb sat there the whole time and was reading his science book on the Human Body.  We were getting ready to leave and the doctor asked if he could see Caleb's book.  He looked through it for a few seconds and then started to quiz Caleb on the human brain.  (He is a neurologist, after all.) Caleb answered each question correctly, and without hesitation.  I was very proud! :o)

I am proud of both of our boys.  After a two week Christmas break, Cameron comes back and spells each of his words correctly.  Even the tough ones that I think are way above a 4th grade level.  Do I see a Spelling Bee champ in the future??

So there are just a few thoughts...

I'm still learning...How to be a wife, a pastor's wife, a mom, and a homeschool mom!

Recipe Time!!  I've always though that bread pudding sounded gross.  Oh, not anymore!!  I had some Hawaiian Bread left over from my spinach dip. So I took something I was about to throw out and made something pretty amazing!! 

Bread Pudding with Streusel Topping

2 beaten eggs

1/2 cup of milk

1/2 cup of half-n-half

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

2 cups of day old Hawaiian Bread

1/3 cups of dried cranberries

In a bowl beat together everything, except bread and dried cranberries. Set bowl aside.  In a small baking dish (maybe 1.5 quart size) toss together bread and cranberries.  Poor egg mixture over bread and cranberries.

For Streusel topping:  Mix together 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 2 tbs of butter until crumbly.

Crumble the topping on pudding before baking.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool slightly, and enjoy warm.

It reminds me of the best french toast ever! :o)