Hello out there! I'm still here. I'm just under a thick book. See me? Ah, now then. Truth is, I toyed around with my blog back in September (?) and from then until today, each time I checked my blog or tried to add a post, it was a frustrating mess. I have since hired a helper to help me revamp the blog. Bear with me. I am in the process of looking at other blogs and mulling over in my mind what I want my blog to be about, I guess you'd say. As if two kids, a farmer, and my silly self aren't enough. Truly, I'm searching for focus, a purpose, and some cool techy things (like music maybe).
I am not going to blog much today, but I do want to ask for prayer for someone.
Please pray for Craig Merimee. On Grace's 4th birthday, he was diagnosed with cancer. He has been given the news that his cancer and prognosis have worsened. He and Michelle (my sorority sister) have 3 little girls who are cuter than buttons. Please pray for ease.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Play Day
I am on a mission today to do as many fun things with the kids as possible in and around our own house...a full play day. The kids will kind of set the pace and choose the activities. God, please teach me how to do this. At the end of the day, I hope to document many examples of me letting go and having fun with my 2 children. I have decided that since this is Grace's last year before kindergarten, I should use the time wisely. I have no clue how the house will hold up, the food will get fixed, or the laundry will get done but I trust it will. More to follow.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Strawberry Brumfield
Grace has been a Strawberry Shortcake fan by virtue of being my daughter. I liked Stawberry as a little girl and to this day, her show is so sweet and innocent. There is a Strawberry theme song at the beginning of the dvds that Grace watches and a couple years ago, I changed the words to "Strawberry Brumfield" and Grace's face lights up still when I do it. Here are two pictures from this morning of our very own Strawberry, heading out to another day of prek.
The new backpack is as big as she is but it gets the job done!
The new backpack is as big as she is but it gets the job done!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Simplify
Why is it so difficult to simplify? As Shawn would say...it is a conundrum!!! I am still dejunking, decluttering, organizing, and rearranging. I started 2 weeks and 5 days ago. Granted I have taken some breaks since then, but not many! A friend of mine said she did the same thing and then looked around and felt like it needed to be done again 1 week later. That sort of sums up how I feel. I thought I was finished with my closet (after donating 1 huge garbage bag full of clothes) but have worked on it for 2 hours this Sunday morning. I know it sounds CRAZY to spend so much time on this project but if I can ever get it completed, we will spend LESS TIME OVERALL digging, searching, shuffling through "stuff" because organization saves time. Once I finish the sifting and sorting, I will do some "putting in order" of all it. I am probaby 70% of the way there??? I think my stuff is multiplying. CRAZY! How can one family with a goal of simplifying have such a difficult time doing it??? I can't take it! (This part of the post is mostly for me because I need to vent about this!)
Last night, we had our first bonfire and hayride on the farm. We invited the Bruce's (with their 3 children), the Witherspoon's (with their 2 children), and the Hoisington's (with their 2 children). It warmed my heart to watch the kids play and make memories. At the beginning of the evening, Grace's little buddy (Henry) needed a chair to sit in. Grace had put her babydoll (in its carrier) in the chair beside her. Henry picked it up and sat down, then offered (in this really sweet voice) to hold her baby. The two of them go to prek together and met when they were about 6 mos old. They are SO CUTE together and play SO WELL. I watched as Noah John and his little buddy Jake played tractors and monster trucks in the dirt (in the dark, lit barely by the bonfire). They played for a long time and were precious. Their conversations were ADORABLE...at 2 they are close buddies from church and I hope with all my heart they grow up to be Christian buddies forever and ever. Grace played quite a bit with Anna, who is 7. They danced, twirled, played house (Anna was the mom), and goofed off and laughed a lot especially on the hayride. Grace seemed like a big girl and I can't imagine a better, sweeter role model than little Anna. Needless to say the s'mores were delicious and there was not a single marshmallow left at the end of the evening. I think both hearts and bellies were full...friendship is a wonderful thing.
When we got home, it was almost 10 but we all sat down on the porch and talked and petted the dog who has just gotten tame enough to pet this weekend which makes us really happy. The fact that he is part-mastiff and will probably weigh at least 100lbs has made me hesitant to get attached because he has been a very annoying, pushy puppy. While we were on the porch, Noah John pointed out a small tree frog on and we studied it for awhile. It was a vivid, light green color and looked more like a toy than a slimy frog. I think he was especially thrilled because the three bigger boys were searching for frogs in the weeds near the bonfire.
I had hoped to be at church this morning. I truly miss being with my church family on Sunday mornings now. I think one of the things I miss most is fellowshipping with the women in my Sunday School class. We are from different places and walks of life-some married, some single, some with children, some without, some with grown children, some with babies, some widowed, some in college...it gives new meaning to the body of Christ being made up of different parts! Anyway, I missed today because Grace woke up feeling bad and Noah John slept until 10:30! Shawn went on without us because he has security duty this morning. I think Shawn and I are going to attempt an apple cheesecake today (from Southern Living). Other than that, not much else is going on here today. Just the best of all days...a day with my family! The only thing on my agenda besides that cheesecake is to wrap up in blankets and swing on the front porch all while enjoying peace that only comes from God. The blanket in the picture was my mom's mom's (Flossie Bell). That's where Grace Elizabeth-Bell got the long name. I couldn't see naming her Flossie (my memaw didn't like her own name) Alas, I'm off topic. Here is the pic I promised.
Here is one of my country boy, sitting patiently inside the screen door.
Reigning it back in, I want to close on a serious note. I would like to say a few things about September 11, 2001. I recall the day of the attacks vividly, yet my recollections must not even touch those who lost their loved ones on that dreaded day. I would like to take just a minute to recount the day. I was a first year teacher at John Sevier Middle School in beautiful East Tennessee. The school is located very close to Eastman Kodak Chemical Plant. I think because of that, the school was put on lockdown. I was in a room without wondows. I remember telling the students to stay away from the door and get down on the floor. I remember thinking something like...here I am my first year teaching and I must act like I have it together and stay calm. I did remain calm on the outside but on the inside so many thoughts were swirling around. I was confused and I didn't clearly understand what happened. A colleague told me there had been a terror attack on the twin towers. She said an airplane crashed into one of the buildings. She had tears in her eyes as she said it. I was so young and clueless I couldn't even remember what the twin towers were or where they were, despite the fact that I had been there my senior year in high school. Now I'll never forget what they were or what they stood for. Lives were lost. Security was questioned, both homeland and privately. Knees fell to the floor as prayers went up. Tears streamed down faces. Screams echoed. Children asked, "When is daddy coming home?" Phones rang. Mothers legs buckled in grief. Fathers cried out WHY but answers were never good enough. Anger resonated. Grief crippled. Service men and women were heroes. As the next few days transpired, I gave the students an assignment to draw a picture capturing that horrid day. If I can find them, I will scan a few. They are sobering and scary. They are red and angry. They epitomize the 'get back up on your feet' stance that Americans took in the days that followed. I hope I can find them! I have come across them from time to time over the last 10 years and I always stop and stare at them and think back to that day. I believe our country is safer today, which I find comforting. I regret that extremists believe such lies and harbor such hatred that they would kill innocent people and even themselves. In the end, for what? For what eternally? We must pray for their eyes to be opened to truth.
Last night, we had our first bonfire and hayride on the farm. We invited the Bruce's (with their 3 children), the Witherspoon's (with their 2 children), and the Hoisington's (with their 2 children). It warmed my heart to watch the kids play and make memories. At the beginning of the evening, Grace's little buddy (Henry) needed a chair to sit in. Grace had put her babydoll (in its carrier) in the chair beside her. Henry picked it up and sat down, then offered (in this really sweet voice) to hold her baby. The two of them go to prek together and met when they were about 6 mos old. They are SO CUTE together and play SO WELL. I watched as Noah John and his little buddy Jake played tractors and monster trucks in the dirt (in the dark, lit barely by the bonfire). They played for a long time and were precious. Their conversations were ADORABLE...at 2 they are close buddies from church and I hope with all my heart they grow up to be Christian buddies forever and ever. Grace played quite a bit with Anna, who is 7. They danced, twirled, played house (Anna was the mom), and goofed off and laughed a lot especially on the hayride. Grace seemed like a big girl and I can't imagine a better, sweeter role model than little Anna. Needless to say the s'mores were delicious and there was not a single marshmallow left at the end of the evening. I think both hearts and bellies were full...friendship is a wonderful thing.
When we got home, it was almost 10 but we all sat down on the porch and talked and petted the dog who has just gotten tame enough to pet this weekend which makes us really happy. The fact that he is part-mastiff and will probably weigh at least 100lbs has made me hesitant to get attached because he has been a very annoying, pushy puppy. While we were on the porch, Noah John pointed out a small tree frog on and we studied it for awhile. It was a vivid, light green color and looked more like a toy than a slimy frog. I think he was especially thrilled because the three bigger boys were searching for frogs in the weeds near the bonfire.
I had hoped to be at church this morning. I truly miss being with my church family on Sunday mornings now. I think one of the things I miss most is fellowshipping with the women in my Sunday School class. We are from different places and walks of life-some married, some single, some with children, some without, some with grown children, some with babies, some widowed, some in college...it gives new meaning to the body of Christ being made up of different parts! Anyway, I missed today because Grace woke up feeling bad and Noah John slept until 10:30! Shawn went on without us because he has security duty this morning. I think Shawn and I are going to attempt an apple cheesecake today (from Southern Living). Other than that, not much else is going on here today. Just the best of all days...a day with my family! The only thing on my agenda besides that cheesecake is to wrap up in blankets and swing on the front porch all while enjoying peace that only comes from God. The blanket in the picture was my mom's mom's (Flossie Bell). That's where Grace Elizabeth-Bell got the long name. I couldn't see naming her Flossie (my memaw didn't like her own name) Alas, I'm off topic. Here is the pic I promised.
Reigning it back in, I want to close on a serious note. I would like to say a few things about September 11, 2001. I recall the day of the attacks vividly, yet my recollections must not even touch those who lost their loved ones on that dreaded day. I would like to take just a minute to recount the day. I was a first year teacher at John Sevier Middle School in beautiful East Tennessee. The school is located very close to Eastman Kodak Chemical Plant. I think because of that, the school was put on lockdown. I was in a room without wondows. I remember telling the students to stay away from the door and get down on the floor. I remember thinking something like...here I am my first year teaching and I must act like I have it together and stay calm. I did remain calm on the outside but on the inside so many thoughts were swirling around. I was confused and I didn't clearly understand what happened. A colleague told me there had been a terror attack on the twin towers. She said an airplane crashed into one of the buildings. She had tears in her eyes as she said it. I was so young and clueless I couldn't even remember what the twin towers were or where they were, despite the fact that I had been there my senior year in high school. Now I'll never forget what they were or what they stood for. Lives were lost. Security was questioned, both homeland and privately. Knees fell to the floor as prayers went up. Tears streamed down faces. Screams echoed. Children asked, "When is daddy coming home?" Phones rang. Mothers legs buckled in grief. Fathers cried out WHY but answers were never good enough. Anger resonated. Grief crippled. Service men and women were heroes. As the next few days transpired, I gave the students an assignment to draw a picture capturing that horrid day. If I can find them, I will scan a few. They are sobering and scary. They are red and angry. They epitomize the 'get back up on your feet' stance that Americans took in the days that followed. I hope I can find them! I have come across them from time to time over the last 10 years and I always stop and stare at them and think back to that day. I believe our country is safer today, which I find comforting. I regret that extremists believe such lies and harbor such hatred that they would kill innocent people and even themselves. In the end, for what? For what eternally? We must pray for their eyes to be opened to truth.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
See ya Summer :(
I wrote this a few days ago (late August)...figured I better post it before fall is in FULL SWING!
This summer is winding down. It's sad for me think about because next August, Grace will start kindergarten! The things people tell you like, "rock them while you can, they grow up fast" are true to the core. I look back and think...I wish I had played in the floor with the kids more, I wish I hadn't flipped out over that, I wish I didn't spank over that, I wish I didn't or I wish I did ....blaaah. I think it's especially hard to be a stay-at-home mom who chose to be at home but who had some big struggles w' strong-will, tempers, etc (being home is harder than I thought but I wouldn't trade it for anything). I remember when I quit teaching 5 years ago. I thought I was taking the easy path. Little did I know that being home round the clock with my sweet children would sometimes push every button I have. My imperfections have been brought to light :( but the good part is it has given me the opportunity to try to get better in my weak areas. I am thankful I have been able to rock and talk and sing and teach and make messes and play but I'm ashamed of all the times I chose the wrong things as priorities! I understand now why there is a DEGREE in early childhood development and when you stay home, you basically should get that degree by experience! I also understand better why having a daily relationship with God is so important. Who else would I turn to this morning and say, "Please help me to not scream. Amen." And who else would rejoice wholeheartedly when Noah John says, "Pray to the Lord, mommy" before I tuck him in at night? So there are pros and cons to being a full-time mom and wife...but I've decided mostly pros!
The last month has been so nice. We have enjoyed each other, the kids have (most of the time) been easier and fun. It's an answered prayer. Anyway, here is a picture I want to share but I also want to share something from a study I'm in right now. To paraphrase, the author says that sometimes we have to look backward in order to correctly more forward. Does that make sense? So we've been digging into past stuff from our family lineage to understand why we're sometimes prone to make the same mistakes etc. Looking back can be therapeutic as long as you don't stay there...you have to move forward with faith and fun and in my case, hopefully, get better at this parenting stuff... See if you get the connection in this photo :). Happy late summer. Happy early fall. We have had a blessed one. God is the blesser. The giver. Our hope. Our center. He is our beginning and end! Alpha and Omega.
Last but not least, Shawn and I took the kids to Chucky Cheese to bid a final farewell to summer 2011. I don't think the kids will be asking to go back anytime soon. It was ok but mostly we all enjoyed being together. The games were too old for the kids. We had to lift Noah J up to play them and when he rode a ride he wanted off after about 3 seconds because he was so distracted (it reminded me of Vegas for kids!?). Anyway, it was a fun night...just not what we expected. It ended at Outback. We tried Chic Fil A but it was 9 and they were closed to which Grace said, "Ahh...nits and nats!" I don't know where she heard that but it was funny.
He was buckled into this one so he could not get off after 3 seconds!
Next post will be a farm post...between pumpkins, mums, and baking, how can I not!
This summer is winding down. It's sad for me think about because next August, Grace will start kindergarten! The things people tell you like, "rock them while you can, they grow up fast" are true to the core. I look back and think...I wish I had played in the floor with the kids more, I wish I hadn't flipped out over that, I wish I didn't spank over that, I wish I didn't or I wish I did ....blaaah. I think it's especially hard to be a stay-at-home mom who chose to be at home but who had some big struggles w' strong-will, tempers, etc (being home is harder than I thought but I wouldn't trade it for anything). I remember when I quit teaching 5 years ago. I thought I was taking the easy path. Little did I know that being home round the clock with my sweet children would sometimes push every button I have. My imperfections have been brought to light :( but the good part is it has given me the opportunity to try to get better in my weak areas. I am thankful I have been able to rock and talk and sing and teach and make messes and play but I'm ashamed of all the times I chose the wrong things as priorities! I understand now why there is a DEGREE in early childhood development and when you stay home, you basically should get that degree by experience! I also understand better why having a daily relationship with God is so important. Who else would I turn to this morning and say, "Please help me to not scream. Amen." And who else would rejoice wholeheartedly when Noah John says, "Pray to the Lord, mommy" before I tuck him in at night? So there are pros and cons to being a full-time mom and wife...but I've decided mostly pros!
The last month has been so nice. We have enjoyed each other, the kids have (most of the time) been easier and fun. It's an answered prayer. Anyway, here is a picture I want to share but I also want to share something from a study I'm in right now. To paraphrase, the author says that sometimes we have to look backward in order to correctly more forward. Does that make sense? So we've been digging into past stuff from our family lineage to understand why we're sometimes prone to make the same mistakes etc. Looking back can be therapeutic as long as you don't stay there...you have to move forward with faith and fun and in my case, hopefully, get better at this parenting stuff... See if you get the connection in this photo :). Happy late summer. Happy early fall. We have had a blessed one. God is the blesser. The giver. Our hope. Our center. He is our beginning and end! Alpha and Omega.
Last but not least, Shawn and I took the kids to Chucky Cheese to bid a final farewell to summer 2011. I don't think the kids will be asking to go back anytime soon. It was ok but mostly we all enjoyed being together. The games were too old for the kids. We had to lift Noah J up to play them and when he rode a ride he wanted off after about 3 seconds because he was so distracted (it reminded me of Vegas for kids!?). Anyway, it was a fun night...just not what we expected. It ended at Outback. We tried Chic Fil A but it was 9 and they were closed to which Grace said, "Ahh...nits and nats!" I don't know where she heard that but it was funny.
Next post will be a farm post...between pumpkins, mums, and baking, how can I not!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
De-junking
Every fall for at least 3 years, I have gotten the intense urge to de-junk, reorganize, siffer through "stuff"...and this fall (though a tad early) is no different except that this year, the kids are here instead of with mom (which makes it slow-going).
I began this yesterday, and worked for almost 7 hours "reorganizing." We went to bed afterwards with stuff piled in both mine and Shawn's bedroom and in Grace's room. You know...it gets worse before it gets better.
I used to think our 1800 sq foot home was so small that we should move to have more places for our stuff, but then we started house-shopping. I saw houses the same size as ours (but on a little 1/4 acre lot and definitely older) for the same price as ours. Umm, no thanks. I also saw big houses that were definitely NOT the same price as ours. Umm, no thanks. I told Shawn I really didn't want to go back to work to afford a lifestyle and meant it with all I have. We decided to stay put. Then, separately, I decided things had to change. Not that I had ever let it go completely by any stretch. It's just that as my kids get older, they get more stuff too, even their clothes take up more space because they're bigger. Who would have thought? :)
I'll probably never be a minimalist (that would be too cool), but I had a grandmother who was (because back then, it never registered to her to do anything different). She was also enviro-conscious. She didn't do it to be cool, or to prove any political points. She did it because it was (and still is) common sense to save and reuse because it makes for less waste, thus less trash bags, thus less money out of her own pocket, as well as less "junk" to deal with and handle in the long run.
SO, LEST I LOSE MY FOCUS... (I've broken up near-bloody Easter egg fights twice during this quick post)...I find it a fun challenge to siffer through then keep the things we use and appreciate. I won't discuss the whole 'I-begged-for-an-attic-but-our-builder-did-what-he-wanted-schpeel'. I sure would love a place to stash my Christmas tree and decorations. And Shawn's granddad's flag from the navy, and other things that I don't get rid of in the dejunking process. Oops, I gave my word. I won't discuss the missing attic.
I have to go. Grace has asked me to put a 3D puzzle together with her. Umm, yes! This is her last year before kindergarten. I hope and pray we use the time well. I just wish this ear-piercing screaming would stop. Sibling rivalry stinks. BAD. Why can't they just play and be happy? It would make it a lot more fun for me too!!!
Anyway, it's been a fun half hour. My blog is my therapy. Easter eggs (found in the dejunking process) are strewn everywhere. I'm going to make a game of it and remember a quick MOPS message I read this morning: "roll with the punches." I will feel SO much better and will be able to think more clearly when I am finished with this process. And AFTER I FORCE myself to "roll with it"...the eggs are going up (but not in an attic) until April. Period.
PS I bribed with "whoever gets the most eggs gets to pick the next activity"...and guess what was chosen? Moon dough. Any of you with little kids understand. I need not say more.
I began this yesterday, and worked for almost 7 hours "reorganizing." We went to bed afterwards with stuff piled in both mine and Shawn's bedroom and in Grace's room. You know...it gets worse before it gets better.
I used to think our 1800 sq foot home was so small that we should move to have more places for our stuff, but then we started house-shopping. I saw houses the same size as ours (but on a little 1/4 acre lot and definitely older) for the same price as ours. Umm, no thanks. I also saw big houses that were definitely NOT the same price as ours. Umm, no thanks. I told Shawn I really didn't want to go back to work to afford a lifestyle and meant it with all I have. We decided to stay put. Then, separately, I decided things had to change. Not that I had ever let it go completely by any stretch. It's just that as my kids get older, they get more stuff too, even their clothes take up more space because they're bigger. Who would have thought? :)
I'll probably never be a minimalist (that would be too cool), but I had a grandmother who was (because back then, it never registered to her to do anything different). She was also enviro-conscious. She didn't do it to be cool, or to prove any political points. She did it because it was (and still is) common sense to save and reuse because it makes for less waste, thus less trash bags, thus less money out of her own pocket, as well as less "junk" to deal with and handle in the long run.
SO, LEST I LOSE MY FOCUS... (I've broken up near-bloody Easter egg fights twice during this quick post)...I find it a fun challenge to siffer through then keep the things we use and appreciate. I won't discuss the whole 'I-begged-for-an-attic-but-our-builder-did-what-he-wanted-schpeel'. I sure would love a place to stash my Christmas tree and decorations. And Shawn's granddad's flag from the navy, and other things that I don't get rid of in the dejunking process. Oops, I gave my word. I won't discuss the missing attic.
I have to go. Grace has asked me to put a 3D puzzle together with her. Umm, yes! This is her last year before kindergarten. I hope and pray we use the time well. I just wish this ear-piercing screaming would stop. Sibling rivalry stinks. BAD. Why can't they just play and be happy? It would make it a lot more fun for me too!!!
Anyway, it's been a fun half hour. My blog is my therapy. Easter eggs (found in the dejunking process) are strewn everywhere. I'm going to make a game of it and remember a quick MOPS message I read this morning: "roll with the punches." I will feel SO much better and will be able to think more clearly when I am finished with this process. And AFTER I FORCE myself to "roll with it"...the eggs are going up (but not in an attic) until April. Period.
PS I bribed with "whoever gets the most eggs gets to pick the next activity"...and guess what was chosen? Moon dough. Any of you with little kids understand. I need not say more.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Grace's first sleepover
Grace has a friend over tonight. Some tidbits that I want to share while we wait to go outside.
Grace: "Lily, you can wear the pink dress bc pink's your favorite color. I'll be queen. You be princess. There will be no princes."
Lily @ the prince comment: "yuCK" with a disgusted emphasis on the last part of the word.
Noah: "I'll be prince."
LOL
And next...before they put makeup on each other. Grace came down the hall and this is what she said, "Mom, Lily wants to know if she can have your real credit card for juuuuuuuust a minute."
Huhlarious. They have changed clothes 4 times already and we've just been home a little over an hour! These little girls are so cute.
Matching pjs!
Now it's the next day and I can say, Grace's first experience of having a friend spend the night went well! No big problems at all. Just lots of giggling :).
Grace: "Lily, you can wear the pink dress bc pink's your favorite color. I'll be queen. You be princess. There will be no princes."
Lily @ the prince comment: "yuCK" with a disgusted emphasis on the last part of the word.
Noah: "I'll be prince."
LOL
And next...before they put makeup on each other. Grace came down the hall and this is what she said, "Mom, Lily wants to know if she can have your real credit card for juuuuuuuust a minute."
Huhlarious. They have changed clothes 4 times already and we've just been home a little over an hour! These little girls are so cute.
Matching pjs!
Now it's the next day and I can say, Grace's first experience of having a friend spend the night went well! No big problems at all. Just lots of giggling :).
Monday, August 15, 2011
Parenting
Today is one of those days I ask myself if it would be better for the kids if I just went back to work already. They wouldn't fight as much (since they would be in separate rooms at preschool/daycare). I would have more patience for them (since I wouldn't be with them so many hours of the day). Ahhh!!! See, I have failed yet again at disciplining 101. Or whatever it is. I feel like it's graduate level discipline but the kids are just 2 and 4! Sigh :o. I woke up happy as a lark and ready to love and care for my family. Hot breakfast by 7:10. Check. It began to spiral from there but I kept trying. The kids sat on stools near me as I played hymns on the piano. I planned a picnic lunch on the deck. I even prayed in the middle of a tantrum (the 4th BIG and I mean big-defiant-blowup for the day). I seriously tried. I failed. It stinks. It stinks not just because I wanted an easier day but because I wanted a day that glorifies God. Have I mentioned I hate satan?
I asked God for some scripture because today has D.R.A.I.N.E.D. me. You know when you can't discern His voice because while you're praying, the kids are throwing fits (okay, just the girl child) and when you open your eyes, the fit intensifies. After I prayed, this is what came to my memory. It's from the book of Isaiah, but it came to me in the way of a song I sang at church as a kid.
There will be peace like a river, peace like a river, peace like a river in my soul.
-excerpt from Isaiah 47:17-18
I learned recently that the Bible says whatever we ask, if it's in the will of God, HE will do. So, I ask for peace. Not just inside me in my quiet moments but more than that...I need it when dealing with my kids IN THE MOMENT. Rivers flow. They twist. They turn. Yet Isaiah equates peace to a river. I guess that means we are to experience peace no matter how many twists and turns life takes...constant flowing peace.... I JUST read about 5 different scriptures in Isaiah about peace. God says we can have peace and that He will not take it from us. It is a gift that Christians have because Jesus Christ suffered on a cross to give it to us. It doesn't mean always leading a peaceful life. It means having peace in our lives. Oh, do I ever need it now. And do my kids ever deserve it. And I need forgiveness too. First I must forgive myself :( which is the hard part. And I must re-enroll in that course on discipline that I obviously missed along the way!
So frustrated.
The end.
PS This is a picture of the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized.
I asked God for some scripture because today has D.R.A.I.N.E.D. me. You know when you can't discern His voice because while you're praying, the kids are throwing fits (okay, just the girl child) and when you open your eyes, the fit intensifies. After I prayed, this is what came to my memory. It's from the book of Isaiah, but it came to me in the way of a song I sang at church as a kid.
There will be peace like a river, peace like a river, peace like a river in my soul.
-excerpt from Isaiah 47:17-18
I learned recently that the Bible says whatever we ask, if it's in the will of God, HE will do. So, I ask for peace. Not just inside me in my quiet moments but more than that...I need it when dealing with my kids IN THE MOMENT. Rivers flow. They twist. They turn. Yet Isaiah equates peace to a river. I guess that means we are to experience peace no matter how many twists and turns life takes...constant flowing peace.... I JUST read about 5 different scriptures in Isaiah about peace. God says we can have peace and that He will not take it from us. It is a gift that Christians have because Jesus Christ suffered on a cross to give it to us. It doesn't mean always leading a peaceful life. It means having peace in our lives. Oh, do I ever need it now. And do my kids ever deserve it. And I need forgiveness too. First I must forgive myself :( which is the hard part. And I must re-enroll in that course on discipline that I obviously missed along the way!
So frustrated.
The end.
PS This is a picture of the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Labor of Love
Shawn's birthday was this week, so the kids and I made a red velvet cake to celebrate. (The recipe was from Bakerella's Blog and I have to say...the best cake I have ever made. I will be going back to her blog).
Looks like paint! TWO bottles of red food coloring...thankful none of us have red dye allergies!
No, you can't cut into the screen (I'm a wee bit proud of it hmm?)
A way to my man's heart is definitely without a single doubt...through his stomach. Slice number one was served to him and you would have thought he was king. (I can't over-estimate the way his heart and stomach are connected).
I can say with all honesty that Grace did a whole lot of the work on this cake, even the blending. I measured; she poured. She mixed, stirred, blended to her little heart's content. She has culinary genes :) (Shawn's grandpa was a chef on General MacArthur's Navy ship and Shawn's mom is an excellent cook who passes up Paula Deen by a small margin). I mixed the icing because at that point, said sous-chef was napping. Noah John helped dump a bottle of food color in ("WOOK at that!")
He also asserted himself enough to get an occasional stir in...BUUUUT mostly Grace had it all under control.
In case you're wondering, we only bake in swimsuits and rubber-boots in the summer. The cleanup after is a dip in the kiddy pool ;) lol.
Happy end-of-summer ya'll. Praying for a mild fall. Join us.
Looks like paint! TWO bottles of red food coloring...thankful none of us have red dye allergies!
No, you can't cut into the screen (I'm a wee bit proud of it hmm?)
A way to my man's heart is definitely without a single doubt...through his stomach. Slice number one was served to him and you would have thought he was king. (I can't over-estimate the way his heart and stomach are connected).
I can say with all honesty that Grace did a whole lot of the work on this cake, even the blending. I measured; she poured. She mixed, stirred, blended to her little heart's content. She has culinary genes :) (Shawn's grandpa was a chef on General MacArthur's Navy ship and Shawn's mom is an excellent cook who passes up Paula Deen by a small margin). I mixed the icing because at that point, said sous-chef was napping. Noah John helped dump a bottle of food color in ("WOOK at that!")
He also asserted himself enough to get an occasional stir in...BUUUUT mostly Grace had it all under control.
In case you're wondering, we only bake in swimsuits and rubber-boots in the summer. The cleanup after is a dip in the kiddy pool ;) lol.
Happy end-of-summer ya'll. Praying for a mild fall. Join us.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Big shades and bigger hat....
Today is one of those days. One of those days I'm counting my blessings. Living out loud. Being myself. Headed out to a trunk show in super big shades and a big fat hat. I am turning into my mother, moment by moment. After nearly 35 years, heaven knows I've figured out she's not such a bad role model after all (or fashionista either). And to think...I cried when she wore hats to church when I was a kid. So far, Grace is more of a self-expressed fashion gal than her middle of the road, play-it-safe mom. I don't think she'll bat an eye at my get-up today. Fact of the matter is, it's that or we don't leave the house today. The trunk show we're going to is Matilda Jane Clothing. This is the piece Miss Grace will have...her first MJ piece. VERY pricy. Thanks Nonna :) for this early FIFTH birthday present.
Next week, my friend is having another trunk show. I'll have to scrape up some change to pay for these to go with the dress. Hey. She only turns 5 once!
I'm really looking forward to grabbing my new camera and snapping some shots of Grace in her new outfit this fall. I think I'm going to try to do her 5 year pictures to off-set some costs (like redecorating) this fall. Hopefully that will make me get my tail in gear and learn how to put my Nikon to use. I have done nothing but point and shoot so far when the camera is honestly capable of professional quality. I will definitely try to get a couple uploaded for you readers :). I have some ideas in mind for the field behind our house.
This morning, Grace asked if I would fix sausage and gran's biscuits for breakfast. The kids are crazy about those biscuits. I am crazy about the fact that they are so simple (3 ingredients: sr flour, mayonaisse, milk) and the fact that each time I make them, I think of how simple yet respectable gran was. She thought fanfare was for show-offs. Gran was so rich in character. This fact makes me scratch my head at splurging on the dress above. Gran would really disapprove of such frivolous nonsense! I never splurge without thinking of gran's disapproval. EV-ER. I guess when you have lived through the Great Depression, you learn a lot about necessity versus nonsense.
Speaking of gran's biscuits brings us to the topic of food...I'm fixing chicken pot pie tonight or tomorrow. I have to figure out a way to get more vegetables into my boy child. It will be loaded with celery, carrots, squash, and zucchini. Operation Child will be hungry enough to try anything. Underway today. I'm going to try a new recipe since I have misplaced my mom's. I really like allrecipes.com. Any recipe website that shows reader rating gets thumbs-up from me.
As I sit here typing, Noah John is about a foot away from me, looking up at the tv with big, clear blue eyes and a thumb in his mouth. The tv is a treat that Noah particuarly likes. I'm going to post a clip of the Chuggington theme song on another post. It's 2 minutes long :) if you want to watch and learn, chuggers! (It's his favorite!) He is such a precious kid. I completely and totally adore his personality. He is a clown, loves to laugh big loud laughs, loves to make others laugh by making faces, & loves to dance with his big sister. He knows some colors and can say part of the alphabet (he smiles, cuts his eyes at us, and stops for applause after maybe 10 letters). He runs and jumps all the time, except when he is sleeping. He is an accident waiting to happen, which I've said here many times before. I relish all prayers that he will be safe and unharmed. He goes 90 to nothing, climbs everything, and falls and bumps his head a lot. His favorite foods are bananas, tomatoes, peaches, pretzels, and any manner of junk food he can get his hands on...sigh. BUT alas! I am the vegetable-hider-extraordinaire! Soon (hopefully) he will be eating more veggies. Plus he's a farmer's kid...how can he not?
Few people know that Shawn and I have contemplated moving to town for about 2 years. I have been hesitant to the whole time...& I think I have convinced him that we don't need to move right now. Frankly, Shawn is tired of driving to town and he would upsize to a little bigger house on less ground, while I like being close and cozy and away from the hub of town. In my opinion, we need to redecorate and reorganize (and do some minor remodeling). I'm kind of fascinated by the challenge! The upside is we built the house 8 years ago so it only needs some simple updating (unfortunately simple does not mean cheap). We certainly need to add some closet organizers to make the best use of space too. I guess what I mean is things are structurally great, but I'm ready to get some new paint on the walls, move things around, add some new furniture, and maybe even a fireplace like this for those winter nights I love....
Can you believe this little fireplace is on sale for less than $250?
The downside is I will have to get a part-time job to help fund this. The theme is "Victorian Old South meets small house with smaller budget" so we'll see. Don't you think this bedding we just bought at K-Mart I might add, fits the theme!? I do! And it definitely met our small budget at $99.
(Sorry the bed wasn't made...I'm not sure where I left my brain that morning)....I've always been a Scarlet O'Hara at heart and I think this bedding looks like something she might fall down on and throw a good ole fit! Of course now, I would just never, ever do such a thing.
Back to paying for all this redecorating...I'm looking at a job opportunity that would require me to work 20 hours a week. Sometimes more. I should be working by September 1st. I need prayer about going back to work and putting Noah John in school 2 days versus the 1 I had planned on originally (before we decided to redecorate). Grace will be there anyway. I know for sure it would be harder on me than him. He is a social, friendly kid. Here's a pic of the friendly brother and his big sister...just for you Nonna! Woody and Buzz all washed and clean!
On another note, I definitely cannot end this post without asking for prayer for some friends of mine who have just receieved very discouraging news. The Merimees have 3 little girls and are a great, fun, most importantly Christian, couple. They are giving Craig's health situation to God, knowing that He can keep them stable even when test results are not stable. Please pray for Craig, Michelle, and the kids right now. God has heard and delivered them and can again. My praise for this post is my new little cousin-nephew Jack was born and after a few bumps in the road is doing remarkably. Yay Chelsea and Dan and a big hug from me!
Next week, my friend is having another trunk show. I'll have to scrape up some change to pay for these to go with the dress. Hey. She only turns 5 once!
I'm really looking forward to grabbing my new camera and snapping some shots of Grace in her new outfit this fall. I think I'm going to try to do her 5 year pictures to off-set some costs (like redecorating) this fall. Hopefully that will make me get my tail in gear and learn how to put my Nikon to use. I have done nothing but point and shoot so far when the camera is honestly capable of professional quality. I will definitely try to get a couple uploaded for you readers :). I have some ideas in mind for the field behind our house.
This morning, Grace asked if I would fix sausage and gran's biscuits for breakfast. The kids are crazy about those biscuits. I am crazy about the fact that they are so simple (3 ingredients: sr flour, mayonaisse, milk) and the fact that each time I make them, I think of how simple yet respectable gran was. She thought fanfare was for show-offs. Gran was so rich in character. This fact makes me scratch my head at splurging on the dress above. Gran would really disapprove of such frivolous nonsense! I never splurge without thinking of gran's disapproval. EV-ER. I guess when you have lived through the Great Depression, you learn a lot about necessity versus nonsense.
Speaking of gran's biscuits brings us to the topic of food...I'm fixing chicken pot pie tonight or tomorrow. I have to figure out a way to get more vegetables into my boy child. It will be loaded with celery, carrots, squash, and zucchini. Operation Child will be hungry enough to try anything. Underway today. I'm going to try a new recipe since I have misplaced my mom's. I really like allrecipes.com. Any recipe website that shows reader rating gets thumbs-up from me.
As I sit here typing, Noah John is about a foot away from me, looking up at the tv with big, clear blue eyes and a thumb in his mouth. The tv is a treat that Noah particuarly likes. I'm going to post a clip of the Chuggington theme song on another post. It's 2 minutes long :) if you want to watch and learn, chuggers! (It's his favorite!) He is such a precious kid. I completely and totally adore his personality. He is a clown, loves to laugh big loud laughs, loves to make others laugh by making faces, & loves to dance with his big sister. He knows some colors and can say part of the alphabet (he smiles, cuts his eyes at us, and stops for applause after maybe 10 letters). He runs and jumps all the time, except when he is sleeping. He is an accident waiting to happen, which I've said here many times before. I relish all prayers that he will be safe and unharmed. He goes 90 to nothing, climbs everything, and falls and bumps his head a lot. His favorite foods are bananas, tomatoes, peaches, pretzels, and any manner of junk food he can get his hands on...sigh. BUT alas! I am the vegetable-hider-extraordinaire! Soon (hopefully) he will be eating more veggies. Plus he's a farmer's kid...how can he not?
Few people know that Shawn and I have contemplated moving to town for about 2 years. I have been hesitant to the whole time...& I think I have convinced him that we don't need to move right now. Frankly, Shawn is tired of driving to town and he would upsize to a little bigger house on less ground, while I like being close and cozy and away from the hub of town. In my opinion, we need to redecorate and reorganize (and do some minor remodeling). I'm kind of fascinated by the challenge! The upside is we built the house 8 years ago so it only needs some simple updating (unfortunately simple does not mean cheap). We certainly need to add some closet organizers to make the best use of space too. I guess what I mean is things are structurally great, but I'm ready to get some new paint on the walls, move things around, add some new furniture, and maybe even a fireplace like this for those winter nights I love....
Can you believe this little fireplace is on sale for less than $250?
The downside is I will have to get a part-time job to help fund this. The theme is "Victorian Old South meets small house with smaller budget" so we'll see. Don't you think this bedding we just bought at K-Mart I might add, fits the theme!? I do! And it definitely met our small budget at $99.
(Sorry the bed wasn't made...I'm not sure where I left my brain that morning)....I've always been a Scarlet O'Hara at heart and I think this bedding looks like something she might fall down on and throw a good ole fit! Of course now, I would just never, ever do such a thing.
Back to paying for all this redecorating...I'm looking at a job opportunity that would require me to work 20 hours a week. Sometimes more. I should be working by September 1st. I need prayer about going back to work and putting Noah John in school 2 days versus the 1 I had planned on originally (before we decided to redecorate). Grace will be there anyway. I know for sure it would be harder on me than him. He is a social, friendly kid. Here's a pic of the friendly brother and his big sister...just for you Nonna! Woody and Buzz all washed and clean!
On another note, I definitely cannot end this post without asking for prayer for some friends of mine who have just receieved very discouraging news. The Merimees have 3 little girls and are a great, fun, most importantly Christian, couple. They are giving Craig's health situation to God, knowing that He can keep them stable even when test results are not stable. Please pray for Craig, Michelle, and the kids right now. God has heard and delivered them and can again. My praise for this post is my new little cousin-nephew Jack was born and after a few bumps in the road is doing remarkably. Yay Chelsea and Dan and a big hug from me!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
KY LAKE TRIP
Shawn and I were able to get away overnight yesterday. We went to the annual "FarmHouse Lake Break" on Kentucky Lake. I have to say, I am VERY partial to Kentucky Lake. It's actually my favorite lake in Kentucky. I enjoy seeing the sailboats (we only saw 1 this time and it was being taken in), I like the calmer water, I like that it's more shallow, and I like the fact that houses can be built almost right on the water. We had a fun time, stayed up late, ate too much, swam a little, laughed a whole lot, slept in late, had a big breakfast prepared for us this morning...it was definitely a little vacation for this stay @home mom. I savored my food and felt almost spoiled. I didn't take my camera because I didn't want anything that I had to keep up with whatsoever. Sometimes I opt for memories vs pictures...I find I have missed being involved by trying to catch stuff on camera the last couple years. Thankfully, I snagged these pictures from the internet.
I wish I had pictures of the cabin we stayed in. It's a new cabin and so cute. Very good use of space. Well decorated. Homey and comfy. Waterfront...that is the best part. The front is all glass and looks out on the water. We were in a cove just like this one today after breakfast.
I haven't tried sailing yet, but hope to...Grand Rivers is my favorite spot to see sailboats at dock. So peaceful...and it reminds me of the Carolinas.
On another note, the kids have been so out-of-whack lately. I have decided for the next 7 days, I will be doing nothing after 1pm in the day (except Wednesday). From 1pm on, the kids will nap, play, have dinner, do bedtime routine, and go to bed. It's gotten too crazy 'round here and I can't let it go on. I wish I could explain how absolutely wild my children can be when they are out of whack. (Some of you have witnessed it firsthand). They are strong-willed and when they get out of whack, their will goes from just being independent to being unbearable. I rarely see Shawn lose it with the kids...maybe 1 time in the almost 5 years we've been parents...well he almost lost it tonight with Grace. It just seems one or the other is crying all the time and when not crying, they fight over toys. I don't know what the deal is for sure. All I know to do is back up and slow down. We know G has a uti. We know NJ has molars that have punctured the skin and growing in. I have to take big, deep breaths, and, like I said, back up and slow down things in our life. Starting tomorrow. No Amish Country visit for us with a couple other moms and kids! Must go text them now. Good luck finding the balance you're striving for, too. It seems easier for some than others. We have to work at it regularly. The way I look at it...at least we recognize when we're out of whack and try to get back in sync. Here's to trying!!! I'll try to update in a week with the outcome...will the kids be back to acting like normal, good-natured children or will they still be acting like heathens? To be continued and I promise an honest answer will be given.
This picture reminds me of Grace and Noah, who are finally, after almost 2 hours of resisting, snug in their beds.
On another note, the kids have been so out-of-whack lately. I have decided for the next 7 days, I will be doing nothing after 1pm in the day (except Wednesday). From 1pm on, the kids will nap, play, have dinner, do bedtime routine, and go to bed. It's gotten too crazy 'round here and I can't let it go on. I wish I could explain how absolutely wild my children can be when they are out of whack. (Some of you have witnessed it firsthand). They are strong-willed and when they get out of whack, their will goes from just being independent to being unbearable. I rarely see Shawn lose it with the kids...maybe 1 time in the almost 5 years we've been parents...well he almost lost it tonight with Grace. It just seems one or the other is crying all the time and when not crying, they fight over toys. I don't know what the deal is for sure. All I know to do is back up and slow down. We know G has a uti. We know NJ has molars that have punctured the skin and growing in. I have to take big, deep breaths, and, like I said, back up and slow down things in our life. Starting tomorrow. No Amish Country visit for us with a couple other moms and kids! Must go text them now. Good luck finding the balance you're striving for, too. It seems easier for some than others. We have to work at it regularly. The way I look at it...at least we recognize when we're out of whack and try to get back in sync. Here's to trying!!! I'll try to update in a week with the outcome...will the kids be back to acting like normal, good-natured children or will they still be acting like heathens? To be continued and I promise an honest answer will be given.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Prayerlessness
Basically...and this is for me!!! Don't do it. Don't be prayerless. Pray without ceasing. I have been at a standstill. I have been in 2 bible studies the last couple months (one is still going). "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore and "BRAVE" by Angela Thomas. I've learned a lot from both of them but the truth is, I could have learned more...if there were enough hours in the day or if I always used my time wisely!!! There was a day when all my study time at home was used the right way and I wasn't behind on stuff. Haha. So, behind I am, but still I have learned how important it is to pray without ceasing and MORE important for me during this phase is...we don't even have to know what to say because God knows our need!!! And my Sunday school lessons are about prayer right now. I love it when God reinforces what I must need to learn! No coincidence could do that, or happenstance! I've just been hearing too much of the same "theme" about praying lately. And I am only beginning to learn it. It's like looking over a big beautiful, lush valley...I want to go deeper into it!
My 10 yr old niece is here visiting. She has been coming to stay with us every summer since before we had Grace. We all really enjoy having her here. This visit has been the first that she and Grace have played together on basically the same level. They have played Barbies and baby dolls. This morning, we went swimming, to Subway, then to the library. Yesterday evening we went bike riding. I am so thankful for my sweet niece and how close we are. She is growing into a great pre-teen. It's happened so, so fast.
Our inside joke...true story. Yesterday after we all went to Kroger, we went through the drive-through pharmacy. We have been eating so unhealthy this summer that Noah John asked me to hand him a french fry when we pulled up!!! For some reason, Callie and I got a kick out of it and have re-told it about five times!!!
I'm feeling so "behind" on little projects (putting kids' pics in frames, catching up the photo albums, scrapbooking newspaper articles about the family farm, etc)...in this stay-at-home mom world I feel like an utter failure at times! UGH. I see these gorgeous scrapbooks etc and I don't even know where to start. I have to remind myself not to compare to others. Back to paragraph 1...need to pray about this!
:)
My 10 yr old niece is here visiting. She has been coming to stay with us every summer since before we had Grace. We all really enjoy having her here. This visit has been the first that she and Grace have played together on basically the same level. They have played Barbies and baby dolls. This morning, we went swimming, to Subway, then to the library. Yesterday evening we went bike riding. I am so thankful for my sweet niece and how close we are. She is growing into a great pre-teen. It's happened so, so fast.
Our inside joke...true story. Yesterday after we all went to Kroger, we went through the drive-through pharmacy. We have been eating so unhealthy this summer that Noah John asked me to hand him a french fry when we pulled up!!! For some reason, Callie and I got a kick out of it and have re-told it about five times!!!
I'm feeling so "behind" on little projects (putting kids' pics in frames, catching up the photo albums, scrapbooking newspaper articles about the family farm, etc)...in this stay-at-home mom world I feel like an utter failure at times! UGH. I see these gorgeous scrapbooks etc and I don't even know where to start. I have to remind myself not to compare to others. Back to paragraph 1...need to pray about this!
:)
Thursday, June 30, 2011
June
Summer's in full swing. We have attended vbs, had playdates, gotten a new puppy, been in Monticello for a week, gone to a car museum (to get pumped up for the CARS 2 movie), had family here for several days, started Grace in swim lessons, and more. Mom and I even went to an Emmy Lou concert! We have been blessed beyond words. Sure there have been traveling woes...we packed 5 people into my mom's altima and traveled a 3 hour trip in 6. There have been nights that sleep was interrupted a lot (I won't show you the picture of me to prove it). There have been time-outs (and times I should have been the one there). But woven all throughout it, there have been family and friends with hugging arms, delicious homecooked meals, and big yards for running, romping, wagon-pulling, chasing, and rolling. It has been great! Now we are getting ready to settle down just the 4 of us and enjoy our 4th of July together. Plans tba but I'm thinking a museum or the zoo will be involved!
Grace, her best friend, and her bf's miracle-sister! :) Another reminder of how we should count our blessings!
Closing ceremony at VBS...Go Grace!
I stole away with the boys, their wagon, and my camera.
Girls just wanna have fun!
Praying for the requests this summer that have come our way. We have a close friend who was in a horrible accident and lost half of her ankle and some of her leg bone. She is an inspiration to many, including me. Hopefully she will come home after 2 wks of hospitalization this weekend, and she needs prayers for healing so as to avoid another major surgery. She is also expecting and in her first trimester! We see the miracle in her life and her daughter and husband's lives as they were barely hurt! As for us, just today, we have seen evidence of God answering prayers in our little family and providing for us despite my doubts!!!
I hope all of you enjoy the remainer of June and have a happy independence day. And remember, while it is cliche, it is also true: freedom and protection have never been free. We have so many niceties simply because we live in America. As the years have ticked by (long days but somehow SUPER short years), money has gotten tighter while our "stuff" has gotten older and worn out. The furniture is stained, scuffed, scratched, and while I long for new stuff, I wonder...am I spoiled? I know the answer to that, and the answer is shameful. I hope I can teach my children to be ever-mindful of these things because it is easy to forget and take it for granted. I can't help but think of all the places in this world where freedoms and liberties are nonexistent, not to even start with lack of healthcare, child support systems, clean water, variety of food (if any), sanitation. A friend once said "Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours." I guess when it comes down to it, what breaks mine isn't that some people don't have what they want; it's that some people don't have what they NEED. I WANT new furniture. All I need ... that I have. I'm humbled.
I'll close with saying thank you for servicemen and women before and during our lives, including our grandfathers Jack and Bill who served in the US Army and US Navy respectively. We will be waving our flags this Monday with thoughts of them in our minds and thanksgiving in our hearts for sure.
Praying for the requests this summer that have come our way. We have a close friend who was in a horrible accident and lost half of her ankle and some of her leg bone. She is an inspiration to many, including me. Hopefully she will come home after 2 wks of hospitalization this weekend, and she needs prayers for healing so as to avoid another major surgery. She is also expecting and in her first trimester! We see the miracle in her life and her daughter and husband's lives as they were barely hurt! As for us, just today, we have seen evidence of God answering prayers in our little family and providing for us despite my doubts!!!
I hope all of you enjoy the remainer of June and have a happy independence day. And remember, while it is cliche, it is also true: freedom and protection have never been free. We have so many niceties simply because we live in America. As the years have ticked by (long days but somehow SUPER short years), money has gotten tighter while our "stuff" has gotten older and worn out. The furniture is stained, scuffed, scratched, and while I long for new stuff, I wonder...am I spoiled? I know the answer to that, and the answer is shameful. I hope I can teach my children to be ever-mindful of these things because it is easy to forget and take it for granted. I can't help but think of all the places in this world where freedoms and liberties are nonexistent, not to even start with lack of healthcare, child support systems, clean water, variety of food (if any), sanitation. A friend once said "Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours." I guess when it comes down to it, what breaks mine isn't that some people don't have what they want; it's that some people don't have what they NEED. I WANT new furniture. All I need ... that I have. I'm humbled.
I'll close with saying thank you for servicemen and women before and during our lives, including our grandfathers Jack and Bill who served in the US Army and US Navy respectively. We will be waving our flags this Monday with thoughts of them in our minds and thanksgiving in our hearts for sure.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Redecorating
Noah peed in the floor today...just.like.a.puppy. He is into taking off his diaper...the pro is this is early potty training. The con is...read sentence 1 again. That was about 8 hours ago and I have yet to clean it. It's dried now...I'll have to use my sniffer to find it. (Eyes rolling)
The kids wanted "peanut butter spoons" and I was too lazy to make them stay in the kitchen (or ANYWHERE in one place). So there is peanut butter on the floor and I am afraid to check where else! Seriously. In Grace's hair for one. Blah! Now I'll have to bathe her for sure.
Laundry is stacked in the recliner. Just towels. They will be fast and easy to fold. Oh ... I now remember that there is a load big enough to count for 3 in my dryer (said load almost threw my washer out of whack due to the size!) Is it bad that I hope it isn't completely dry yet, just so I can turn the dryer back on and not have to fold it yet?
The counters are so dirty, you can't rest your arms on them or you might get stuck (ok, this is where I'm exaggerating but they ARE dirty and it bugs me to look at them).
The kids have watched Strawberry Shortcake (or Strawberry Cupcake according to Noah John) twice today. The TV is still on despite the fact that I know their brains are rotting away. They had many giant marshmallows for lunch, along with some other random stuff, like spinach artichoke dip, goldfish, cheese... (So did I).
We made it to a friend's to swim today. She has a large 5 bedroom home. It's massive and stately. The pool was cool and refreshing. I went inside. It was spotless. I can't keep mine clean and it's half that size. And I have half as many kids. No joke.
So I have come to the decision that I am just going to say I'm redecorating...the mess is a work of ART. So there. I'm always trying to expose the kids to art in some form or fashion. There ya go. I just told them the mess is an expressionist art form. I feel better already except for the fact that Grace wants a clear definition of expressionist and I will now have to tell her I'm lazy (thus the icky mess), not smart....
The kids wanted "peanut butter spoons" and I was too lazy to make them stay in the kitchen (or ANYWHERE in one place). So there is peanut butter on the floor and I am afraid to check where else! Seriously. In Grace's hair for one. Blah! Now I'll have to bathe her for sure.
Laundry is stacked in the recliner. Just towels. They will be fast and easy to fold. Oh ... I now remember that there is a load big enough to count for 3 in my dryer (said load almost threw my washer out of whack due to the size!) Is it bad that I hope it isn't completely dry yet, just so I can turn the dryer back on and not have to fold it yet?
The counters are so dirty, you can't rest your arms on them or you might get stuck (ok, this is where I'm exaggerating but they ARE dirty and it bugs me to look at them).
The kids have watched Strawberry Shortcake (or Strawberry Cupcake according to Noah John) twice today. The TV is still on despite the fact that I know their brains are rotting away. They had many giant marshmallows for lunch, along with some other random stuff, like spinach artichoke dip, goldfish, cheese... (So did I).
We made it to a friend's to swim today. She has a large 5 bedroom home. It's massive and stately. The pool was cool and refreshing. I went inside. It was spotless. I can't keep mine clean and it's half that size. And I have half as many kids. No joke.
So I have come to the decision that I am just going to say I'm redecorating...the mess is a work of ART. So there. I'm always trying to expose the kids to art in some form or fashion. There ya go. I just told them the mess is an expressionist art form. I feel better already except for the fact that Grace wants a clear definition of expressionist and I will now have to tell her I'm lazy (thus the icky mess), not smart....
Friday, June 10, 2011
A few MORE summer favorites....
Itty bitty tomatoes make me think of summer dinners with a BLT as the main dish!!!
Our magnolia tree has had a rough way to go...it is trying to come out of it as is shown here. Nothing says southern like a magnolia tree.
Blue skies and green grass...and across the road "amber waves of grain."
Thursday, June 9, 2011
A few summer favorites
What makes my summer sweeter every single year? These pretty babies! Tiger Lilies! Why? Because they come back time and again with no replanting. Beauty in the summer...when there was nothing there but bare ground in the winter. Ahh!
And this summer, I have been even MORE pleased because of this surprise calla lily. It is one of my closest friend's favorite flowers; I think of her each time I see it. It is blooming among the orange tiger lilies, like a little surprise! I cannot recall where I got it or even when I planted it...my memory is foggy about it...but it's been a pretty little surprise this early summer!
Watering can that I got for Mother's Day 2010.
Lounge chair that I got for Mother's Day 2011. It is very comfortable and reclines back a little bit too.
Friends and family, if you're reading this...come and sit a spell. I have a big front porch and can have sweet tea ready in no time flat.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Noah John's Birthday Party
We had a small get-together Sunday after church. My mom was in for the party and for Grace's recital. As always, we loved having her here. Noah sang himself happy birthday when we sat the cake infront of him. He grinned from ear to ear when everyone reacted with "AHHHH" :) He is a ham! Grace helped him open his presents and show 0 signs of jealousy when he opened gifts. She was so excited for him to get new toys. The little party started with kiddy pool time and swingset playin'. Jonah, Grace, and Noah jumped, shrieked, splashed, ran, climbed, slid down the slid while Logan and Papaw threw ball. We have the best backyard ever. You could say I know a guy who took care of the sod. It's super nice and really pretty too. :)
Happy birthday Noah John Brumfield, the sweetest, spunkiest little boy I know and the apple of my eye! In this picture, we were adding sprinkles to the cake (Noah chose his icing color: blue!)
The theme? Thomas the Train of course! If I had found Chuggington supplies, that would have trumped....Isn't it cute? I like the bright, primary colors.
What's a sunny day without a swingset?
Happy birthday Noah John Brumfield, the sweetest, spunkiest little boy I know and the apple of my eye! In this picture, we were adding sprinkles to the cake (Noah chose his icing color: blue!)
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