I’m excited to partner with Applegate this month. They are another company built on integrity that I am honored to support and share about.
Hey friends, I know I’ve been a bit quiet here since the Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle. I’m still trying to catch up on both rest and work, so bare with me as I’m also educating my tribe at home 🙂
In talking about homeschooling, I can’t believe we’re already into week 4. It’s wild how quickly these past few weeks have gone by. We’re finally getting into a routine and happily finding a groove that’s working for us. It’s been interesting, to say the least, in schooling two children all the while trying to keep up with a rambunctious toddler that needs busy work or can whirl herself into a flying tornado getting into anything and everything.
Although it sounds like it can be a bit insane (and it can be), I wouldn’t trade these days for the world. Besides the academics and being able to witness my children learn and grasp new concepts everyday, what I most love is seeing them grow in Jesus. Everyday we start in prayer and with a small bible study. Big Brother has been asking big questions lately about God and who he really is. He’s beginning to question his beliefs and together, we’ve been able to find truth and answer in His word.
Some days leave me absolutely frightened that my little boy is growing up. That he’ll soon be coming to an age where he will have to make up his own mind as to what he truly believes in. Yet, on other days, my heart is filled with one thousand more as I see a glimmer, a sparkle, from the depth of my sons eyes to the understanding of a God that loved us so much that he gave his only begotten son. This past week, Big Brother asked if I could explain to him communion and then wanted to partake himself. On a typical Tuesday morning, we took time out of school to remember Jesus and the sacrifice he made for us … just me and my boys. It was awesome and a huge confirmation from God that homeschooling is where he wants me fully, right now.
To me, this is why I homeschool – to make God real in the lives of my children. Sure academics and their immediate future is important to me, but their forever future, the one that comes after this is where I am investing most of my time in. I’m not sure their path that will end up to be, but I do have this time, this bit of smallness to make them see a big and loving God. So, I’ll do the best that I can.
September 3rd was our official first day of school.
As I like to start each year, we headed off to Living History Farms for a field trip. Not a bad first day of school, eh? This year we were blessed to start our school year off with all of our cousins as my sister is now able to stay at home as well as she also makes a part time income from this blog. See, isn’t God good!
The big boys led the way through the town of old.
We hurriedly made our way to the tractor to make our way through the 3 living farms to try and beat the heat of the sun.
The big boys enjoyed pushing the littles up through the rugged paths where we talked about biomes.
We made our way to the 1700 Ioway Indian farm.
We wound into the trail again and then headed to the 1850 Pioneer Farm … my favorite!
Our growing tribe.
The kids had fun stringing apples to dry. I think I may do this with the kids once we visit the apple orchard.
My favorite part about the 1850 farm is being able to see the working hearth. Be still my heart.
From there we headed to the 1900 horse-powered farm. The boys were able to use their leading skills they learned at their horse lessons last year.
By this time, the kids were ready for lunch or as Applegate likes to call it, Half Time!
Field trips made simple and healthy thanks to Applegate!
Since we’re a real food family, my children have never had those cute lunches in a box, you know the ones I’m talking about 😉 Well, you can imagine how excited they were to get their first lunch in a box. They LOVED these Half Time lunches from Applegate and I LOVE that they’re made of quality ingredients.
Each Half Time lunch includes an organic yogurt form Stoneyfield, Annie’s buttery rich crackers and snacks, and antibiotic free cheese and meats from Applegate. There are no antibiotics, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. A great combination if you ask me!
Since we have more field trips to come, we’ll definitely be getting more Half Time lunches from Applegate for the kids.
All in all, we had a great first day of school and the weeks to follow have been a blessing, indeed.
So, here’s the good news… Applegate has a giveaway just for you!
Half Time Giveaway from Applegate
Applegate is giving away Half Time lunches to 5 My Humble Kitchen readers! Just follow the simple directions on the rafflecopter below! Good Luck!!
haven’t seen them in stores yet, but would like to try the ham and cheese!
The ham and cheese looks yummy!
I’d like to try the Half-Time Turkey and Cheese first.
Ooooh – ham and cheese!!
HALF TIME Turkey and Cheese
I want to try the turkey and cheese!
Looks delish..Ham and Cheese
Since using less and less processed foods, we have not used the usual “box” lunches. Sometimes my kids still ask for them. Especially now that they are packing their own lunches this year!
Ham and cheese
I don’t have kids but I would totally eat these myself and send them with my husband for lunch. I want to try the turkey and cheese.
I have been wanting to try the half time meals. They really are perfect for a field trip.
Half Time Turkey and Cheese
Love Applegate Farms! I am looking forward to letting my kids try their half time lunches.
I would love to try the ham and cheese.
I would like to try the turkey and cheese lunch.
Ham and cheese would be my son’s first choice!
Turkey and Cheese sounds yummy!
Ham and cheese would be a favorite here!
Hi Diana!
I am not here to sign up for anything. I am a grandma who is enjoying your site. I love the pictures of your first day of school, field trip. Your boys all look so much alike. They and their cousins are adorable! I just want to commend you and tell you (I speak from experience) “You will never be sorry for spending time with your children, getting to know them and most importantly teaching them about our Awesome God and His Son Jesus Christ!” I pray they all will one day come to know Him as their personal Savior. God Bless!
Turkey and Cheese, no bologna or ham for me.
Ham and cheese please 😉
Turkey and cheese
Thank GOD for a company such as this! I am new to eating healthy whole “real foods”, and didn’t think I would ever be able to purchase my children a “lunch in a box” again, but Applegate to the rescue!:) I feel my children would live to try the ham and cheese.
Turkey and cheese!
Ham and cheese please! As you probably know I refuse to buy “lunchables” for my kiddos, but they still beg for them when they see them. Instead I make our own lunchables….but these would be great in a pinch!
Thank GOD for a company such as this! I am new to eating healthy whole “real foods”, and didn’t think I would ever be able to purchase my children a “lunch in a box” again, but Applegate to the rescue!:) I think my children would love to try the ham and cheese:)
Where do you find these little lunches?! I would LOVE to find them!!!
Ham and cheese! 🙂
I would love to try these.
Sounds like you all enjoyed a wonderful day! What an inspiration you are to so many. Thank you for your blog!! My son and I would both start off with the HALF TIME Turkey and Cheese. 🙂
My little man doesn’t like sandwiches, but he might try these. Would love to give them a try!
I’ve never seen these! Would love to try the turkey & cheese.
Turkey and cheese is always a hit around my home!
Turkey & Cheese
Turkey and cheese! Ooh but I wish it came with the bunny grahams… Oh well.
We would like to try the Turkey and Cheese.
I like ham and cheese.
We would pick turkey and cheese. Can’t wait to try these. Just need to make it to the Target that is the furthest from our house…Maybe on the way back from the orchard. Thanks for getting me excited about Fall again!
Thanks so much for sharing this post, Diana. I love homeschooling for the same reasons you do. Looks like your year is off to a great start. I haven’t tried Applegate’s half time products, but I do love their sliced turkey for sandwiches on the go. I think our family would choose their turkey & cheese as that is our favorite. Usually, on the go, I pack turkey or salami, crackers, cheese, and fruit. Thanks, again.
What a life saver these could be!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Turkey and cheese sounds good!
My kids are in high school now and I have been homeschooling them from the beginning, so if you ever need anything, please contact me and I will be happy to help you in any way that I can. 🙂 I, too, can’t believe how much alike your boys look. Mine don’t even look like they are related!
Ham and cheese sounds good!
This is a beautiful post, Diana! I loved seeing this pics of the Living History Farm and your adorable kids! Praying God’s blessings on your homeschool year!
My boys would probably love the ham and cheese!
I would like to try the ham and cheese!
my 7 yr old loves these. Its the only thing she eats at school for lunch and finishes.
They all look great! My first grade son would love the ham and cheese!
I would like to try the turkey and cheese first. Thanks for the giveaway!
Turkey and cheese! Love Applegate!!
Turkey and American!
We haven’t tried them yet, but they all look good! Wish they had a GF option!
My son would love ham and cheese! So glad to know about these!
Would love to try any of these!
Fav lunches are REAL FOOD lunches!!
We would choose the turkey and cheese option for sure!
This post was such a blessing to read. I was raised in a Christ-exalting, homeschooling family, and I look forward to the day when I will homeschool my own children with the same intent–to make God real and to use every opportunity to turn those little eyes and hearts to Jesus. You inspire me to live purposefully, for His glory!
My little boy would love the bologna:)
We’d definitely try the Half-Time Turkey & Cheese since we like turkey and the included fruit snacks – a very rare treat indeed – would be a major hit! :D. So great to hear about this new product!! Gonna keep our eyes open for these in our stores. 🙂
My son would love those.
Forgot to say which one. Ham or turkey.
Can’t wait to find these in the store!!!
Turkey and cheese here!
I want to try ham and cheese
Bologna is one of those nostalgic things for me, so I’d want to try that one!
I would love to try them all! But especially the ham and cheese, and Turkey and cheese.
Ham and cheese would be my daughter’s choice
Turkey and Cheese for sure!
Either turkey and cheese or ham and cheese.
I would like to try the ham & cheese.
I cringe at the thought of conventional boxed lunches, although I have bought them in a bind. I love the products listed in Halftime and look forward to giving it a try.
Thank you for the giveaway! We would like to try the ham and cheese lunch.
We haven’t tried these in our house, but my kids love when I pack homemade lunchables in the lunchbox.
HALF TIME Turkey and Cheese
We’d try ham & cheese.
the ham & cheese
My kids would like ham and cheese
Turkey and Cheese
Turkey and Cheese