Its going to be okay :)

I have been so excited about starting to homeschool....things just seemed to start falling in place.  We have plans to go to a homeschool convention soon--and for the first time stay in a hotel with out the kids!  Last weekend we put laminate flooring in the playroom and were changing it into a playroom/homeschool.  Three days later we had a plumbing problem and flooded that end of the basement.  So all week I have spent tearing out floor in that room and carpet in another :(

To make matters worse  I took some wet towels to my neighbors to hang on their clothesline--and broke it!  To try to patch things up I made them some homemade bread.....

after the first raising....it raised so pretty....I kept watch on it for four hours....then when it was time to bake it...I realized that I forgot to put it in the pans!!!!!!  So it died when I tried to take it out!  Sadly....this is not my first time baking bread!

Backdrop for Puppets

So I decided to make a backdrop for our VBS this week.  I started with a canvas drop cloth from Home Depot and a black Sharpie marker....and drew the scene free hand--obviously :)

I laid plastic under the cloth and painted the cloth with acrylic craft paint.

The color collection was somewhat limited so I had to make my own color for the water.

Then I simply tried to paint in the lines just like a coloring book.

I outline the picture in black to give it a more finished look and a child's coloring book look.

Finally I did add a red cross in the blue triangle to give the sail the appearance of the Christian flag.  Hope you like it Angie :)

Home Comforts

Somethings always trigger thoughts of my mother. A few weeks ago I was in Barnes and Nobles and ran across a beautiful hard cover edition of Owl At Home. I was so excited. Mother read this book to us many, many nights. No doubt some nights she probably read it more than once. Immediately I grabbed a copy so excited to share it with my boys. As I was leaving the childrens section of the store I saw some note cards with scenes from the Owl At Home book---this would be the perfect Mothers Day gift for mom. On Mothers Day when Mom opened the cards she was so excited...the rest of the family looked on wondering why she was so in love with these cards. But my brother and I knew. They were a reminder of our wonderful childhood that my mother enjoyed too.

I used to feel bewildered trying to create the perfect childhood for my childhood for my children. Finally I just made goals for raising them:

• --raise them with the knowledge of God and His saving grace  
• --a home that might not always be organized ...but pleasant and clean 
• --encouragement to try again when they dont succeed 
• --acceptance to mature and develope at their own rate 
• --opportunities to learn, explore and follow their interest
•  

Finally I needed a measure of success.....then it came....a little friend was visiting and told Ben that he planned to move in. Ben replied "thats great you will love it here!"

 

Deep Breath!

I got this picture from a lady over at Two Peas in a Bucket....some day I will have it printed and framed for my family room.

Today is a big day.  I made a huge decision--with my husbands approval.  I have decided to just be a mom.  I am finishing the weddings that I have for this year.  And have cancelled out of ones for next year.  Lately I have wanted my total focus to be on my family.  Making a home that I would want to live in.  Educating my children.  Taking time to read to the boys at night.  Dropping the mop for time to play tag.  And cooking whole foods for my children and husband.

I don't want to miss even the tiniest moments....because I have pictures to edit and albums to design.

I want to be available and ready to enjoy every moment.  The boys will be little once...and the money that I make will never bring these days back.

I am indeed the luckiest and most blessed woman in the world and I want to enjoy it.

It is big deal...in my world yes but then again ...it is my calling...so here am I Lord.  I place my trust in Him to continue to take care of us while we raise our family for His glory.

I found this blog The Simple Womans Daybook and thought I would play along!  So here is my entry:

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...  

there are toys in the yard that need to be picked up....a sign that my children have enjoyed being outside.

I am thinking...
of all the chores that must be done once the boys are napping

I am thankful for...
all of my family and God

From the learning rooms...(if this applies)
the flooring is scheduled to be laid this weekend!!  Our books arrived last night!

From the kitchen...

the smell of the bbq that I made for dinner is still there :)

I am wearing...

the clothes I just jogged in

I am creating...

a leagacy for my children

I am going...

to send the oldest two to VBS tonight....a night out for me and the little one

I am reading...
The Blind Side

I am hoping...
that I will raise successful children

I am hearing...
the hum of my dryer

Around the house...
there is the evidence of three busy little boys

One of my favorite things...
is to take a bubble bath while sipping diet mt.dew!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
sorting through the boys closet, and finish tearing out the carpet for the new homeschool room :)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Home Sing Monday!!

Ah what a challenge!  And I found it just in time!  Our homeschooling books arrived today!  And we plan to begin school 7/5 so I need to:
--Finish making a schoolroom/playroom
--reorganize the boys closet
--and finish my SPRING {summer} cleaning...all while finding time to enjoy my three boys!

Fleeting Moments

I have been thinking all day about my little family and some major decisions that are before me.  My boys are growing up right before my eyes.  It seems that I am constantly realizing that they are doing something new.  I came across this pic of Ben when he was about two. He had wanted to sleep with his new bike and accidently fell asleep with it!

Here is Nate as a baby.  He was my most "normal" pregancy.  He is that baby that God gave me to heal my heart.  I lost my third pregancy at the end of the first trimester. ( I lost numbers: 1,3, and 5)  The DNC was on Dec 8 2004{my 34th birthday}.  My heart was shattered.  Even though Ben was 11 months old I still had a big hole in my heart for the other baby.  December 16 I got out of bed, put up the tree and decorated the house for Bens first Christmas.  I had to get my life back and make a good Christmas for Ben and Bryan.  On January 7, 2005 {Bens first birthday}---I realized I was pregnant!  I held my breathe until the end of my first trimester and then celebrated!  I was carrying my little NATE!

Eli arrived as a whirlwind on April 17,2008.  He has always been a shakere and mover.  Within 24 hours of his arrival we survived two earthquakes.  He ran our household schedule by nursing on his terms and schedule....like every time he thought about being hungry.  He slept most of the first day he was born and stared me in the eye most of his first night as to say...what now mom...when do we go home?

Eli @ 3months

Baby Nate holding Grannys hand.  feb 2006

I took this picture of a turtle -that interupted one of my photo sessions.  I cant seem to delete him from my computer when I purge pictures.  I guess I keep him around to remind me to slow down and enjoy these days.

Ben with his curly locks playing his keyboard.