Midway through the week, Ty and I went to a convention, so not a typical week, but I still wanted to share all we did with all of you!

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MONDAY
A typical Monday morning around here for me. I did all of my usual chores and got Morning Time started with the kids.
To start out, we read an overview of The Maccabees. I am going to have the older boys read the full text, but still wanted to give everyone an overview.
Then, we gathered in the living room to watch Trump’s inauguration ceremony live. I’m not sure I’ve ever watched a live ceremony, so that was interesting. On a side note, Ty’s aunt has been staying with us for a few days and refused to come down for the ceremony, being a staunch Democrat. We had to tell her when it was over, so she wouldn’t have to watch any of it.
I must say, with it being Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I absolutely LOVED Rev Lorenzo’s benediction! A few other highlights included Carrie Underwood letting go of perfection and singing acapella (and asking people to join in!) and Usha Vance’s pink coat (and that baby girl!).
I also was very struck by this portion of Trump’s speech…
“Americans pushed thousands of miles through a rugged land of untamed wilderness. They crossed deserts, scaled mountains, braved untold dangers, won the Wild West, ended slavery, rescued millions from tyranny, lifted millions from poverty, harnessed electricity, split the atom, launched mankind into the heavens and put the universe of human knowledge into the palm of the human hand. If we work together, there is nothing we cannot do and no dream we cannot achieve.”
It sometimes feels as if we Americans have forgotten how innovative and inventive and instrumental our country has been, and I’m excited to see what we might do with a bit of refocusing.
Anyway…just some thoughts from the inaugaration.
After the main part of the ceremony, I read from Story of the World about Alexander the Great, plus a chapter in Anne of Green Gables.
That afternoon, I worked on a blog post, wrote an email, edited a podcast, and recorded another! It’s so nice when I can get so much done with the blog in one go!
Ty’s aunt is considering buying a robot vacuum like ours (Roborock), so we ran it to show her how it works. She says it is hard for her to keep up with her floors and she thinks this is just what she needs.
Later that afternoon, we saw our 24 year old daughter off. She came home for a long weekend since it was a holiday. She also found out that due to weather, the school she works at would have a 2 hour delay tomorrow morning, so she’ll have a nice rest before heading back to her ASL interpreting job.
Ty’s aunt served us a lovely dinner of Chicken Verde Soup and Apple Crisp. Everyone loved it and it was nice to have a night off from cooking! She’s a really good cook!
In the evening, we watched Star Trek as a family while I worked on my daughter-in-law’s afghan. I almost finished putting the ruffle on when I ran out of yarn! Ty talked me into buying more yarn to finish hers and also make one for our oldest daughter.
TUESDAY
We saw Ty’s aunt off early this morning. She has a long drive home, and it is bitterly cold, so we will check on her a lot throughout the day to make sure she is making her way home safely.
I am not used to having snow on the ground this long. Usually we have a good snowfall and then it melts within a week or so. Because of the snow on the ground, I just feel cold all the time and find myself already thinking about Spring.
The kids start their independent school around 8 am. Creed (11) comes into my room and gets my laptop and Mercy brings me her math workbook and phonics so I can mark which problems she needs to do and help her with her reading lessons. I also remind her to get dressed and brush teeth and then bring me a brush to do her hair…which always seems to be a rat’s nest!
I brewed more chamomile for my pink eye patients and cut my little girls’ bangs. I also did a little packing for our trip tomorrow. Then, I took some time to read in The Sabbath by Abraham Heschel. Very interesting read from a Jewish perspective. And oh, can I see I Jesus in his words, yet he was NOT a believer.
For Morning Time, we discussed Hanukkah, as well as the rise of Pharisees and Sadducees. Then, the kids worked on their phenology wheels for January (yes, we are a wee bit behind!) while I read to them from Famous Men of Greece.

My 18 year old son called from his military training. He is having his wisdom teeth out tomorrow. Seems like the Army likes to take wisdom teeth!
My husband took the car to get new tires and I met him there so we could grab groceries together at Aldi and Walmart. I decided to forgo running to the Commissary for meat because it is so cold outside.
After we unpacked the groceries, I made Winter Soup and cake mix cookies for the family and also brookies and broccoli salad for our Titus 2 group tonight. Then, the 20 year old and I picked up a friend for Titus 2 and had a wonderful time fellowshipping together and studying the Bible.
WEDNESDAY
Ty and I leave for the Safari Club International Convention today, so I finished up my packing and washed my hair while the kids did some extra school work so they can have tomorrow off from school.
I packed a bunch of healthy snacks for the trip – tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, strawberries, roast beef, seafood salad, pretzels, popcorners, and cheese sticks. Our plan while we are there is to only eat one meal out a day and use these snacks to tide us by the rest of the time.
Ty and I had a quick brunch of bacon, omelets, and hash browns and then set out for Nashville. We didn’t make it all the way, but we got close. Ty and I thoroughly enjoyed our windshield time.
THURSDAY
We had a leisurely morning before finishing the trip to Nashville. While driving, we saw the exit to Patti’s 1880 Settlement and decided we’d try to stop and eat there on our way back home. I’m super excited about it because years ago I researched the place and have wanted to stop there ever since. (note: we did end up stopping and it didn’t disappoint!)

Once in Nashville, we parked at the hotel (Bode Nashville – such a neat hotel experience!) and walked the 1/2 mile to the Music City Center for the SCI Convention. Our pass was an all-access exhibitor pass given to us by the company that Ty often hunts with. They have been so generous and we are super thankful!

In the convention hall, there were hundreds and hundreds of booths. We made it through only a few rows and then met up with our friends from Arizona for a steak dinner at Hand Cut Chophouse. We all had ribeyes and they were fantastic!
Then, we went back to our friends’ hotel to chat because everywhere you go in Nashville there is live music and we needed some quiet. We discussed our upcoming trip to Spain and then headed back to our hotel. I slept so well that night in our huge, comfy bed!
FRIDAY
We slept in and then headed to the convention. We stopped in at the live auction and found there was free food! So, we ate and people watched and marveled at how much money was being spent in one room.
For lunch, Ty and I braved the cold and walked to Hattie B’s for some authentic Nashville Hot Chicken. So yummy and worth the trip!


After lunch, we finished walking through the exhibits and headed back to the hotel for a nice, relaxing evening. Sometimes it’s nice to get away and just relax.
We’re here for 2 more days before driving home. It’s been a lovely vacation, but I’ll be honest – I’ve never seen so many people wearing fur and animal prints in one place in all my life!
Rebecca says
We watched the inauguration all day but I had planned our school day that way. I loved Rev. Lorenzo and everything about him. What a prayer! Rev. Graham had a beautiful prayer as well.
You’ll have to divulge more about your trip to Spain…..must say, I may be jealous.
We’ve had 2 snows this month which is a lot for us here in east TN and it’s lingering for weeks. Next week supposed to be in the 60s so looking forward to that.
I need to listen to your recent podcasts. Our last baby turned 18 this month and graduates in May. Technically, she could have graduated in December but I am not ready (😕) and she continues to take dual enrollment classes thru college. I’m struggling hard. It seems like every thing I read in my devotions lately is a word from the Lord, encouraging me that my identity isn’t in my role as a home school mom or as a wife or as whatever my next role is to be, that I need to find my worth in His finished work and His purpose. Have a good weekend!
Amy says
Awww, that IS tough! I can’t even imagine being at the end of it all…yet, I know it will be here before I am ready. I’ll be sharing more about Spain soon!
Thia says
How nice to have a get a way. Food sounds delish! We did not watch the inauguration, but it sounds like quite the event! Hoping for good things the next few years! Glad you got more yarn. I’m always glad to have a WIP.
Amy says
Yes, I’ve enjoyed having projects to do during the winter!