BUSY BUSY BUSY

It has been over a week since I posted. The summer days are flying by and I have been working like mad to get projects done before school starts again. Here is some of what we have been busy with. . .

Baking





































sewing







































































redecorating


















painting






















drywalling























craft projects











































and canning.

















But it hasn't been all work. We have also spent the summer at:

Pool parties.

















Dinner with the girls.



















Lunches at Chick-Fil-A



















And a visit to the lake with friends.




















Whew! I am tired!!! None of those projects are done and there is only 6 weeks before school starts!!

ANNIVERSARY

Today is our 10th Anniversary!!!
Wooo Hooo!!

I had

. . .a birthday!
My husband surprised me with trees!! I love them, and him!











My family, parents, sisters, brother-in-law, kids and husband, took me out to dinner. Then we went back to my house to open presents and have pie. But the kids just went out of control (with much help from aunts and uncle).





































































Children, children, let's remember why we are here.





















And when everybody started singing "Happy Birthday" some were off key, some were on a different verse, and some were not singing at all. So I made them start over. Hey, I only get to hear it once a year so I wanted it to be good!!















I love celebrating with my family!

COOKIES

"Mommy can you read to me?"
"Just a minute."

"Mommy can you play with me?"
"When I finish this last thing."

Sadly, lately around here that minute turns into a hour and I always seem to find one 'last thing' to do.
I have been ashamed to look in the mirror and see what I am putting as most important: myself.
The Lord has opened my eyes to see that I need to do better at. . .
Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
And I cannot train them if I am not spending time with them. . .

So last week, even though it was rest time (everyone is in a separate room doing something quietly and ALONE), I called Henry in to help me make cookies.

He squealed and shouted, "I am making cookies with mommy!! Yeah!!" My heart melted!

And before we started, I asked if he had clean hands and he said, "let's not worry about it."

Henry even helped me read the directions, "Pour the stuff." I know, he is a genius.

And when the cookies were warm 0ut of the oven, Henry asked if I would eat one with him.

My heart melted some more.

Just the two of us sat outside eating cookies and drinking lemonade.

Until he asked to be excused because he had to go dig in his sandbox,

in his life vest. . .

Now a week later, he still says to me, "Remember when I made cookies with mommy!!"

And my heart melts again.

JUST FOR FUN FRIDAY

Ben's clay creation.
Jesus on the cross with a soldier at the bottom.
(Don't you just love the detail of the blood.)

YOU CAN BUILT IT

. . . we can help.

Last Saturday Pete was working all day so I took the kids to -

The project was to build a periscope.

And when I walked in with the kids, the guy at the store looked at me like, "Um mamm, are YOU going to help these kids?"

Just sit back and watch mister!!

Safety first!

Henry did great on his project! He did however ask if I would hold the nail while he hammered.

Ya, I don't think so!!

See, I had everything under control.

TA DA!!!! We really had a great time doing this (and it was my favorite word:free)!!

And that's the POWER OF HOME DEPOT!!

Celebrate America

1880's style

On the 4th of July we went to a real working farm set to the date of 1880.

Henry entered a pie eating contest.

Oh yeah, he is perfect for this!!!

We played some yard games.

Which makes me think of all the fun children had back in 1880 with not a tv, computer, dvd, or playstation in site!! I LOVE 1880 (well except for no air conditioning, backbreaking work, no Walmart, ok nevermind).

Next, we listen to some great American music on the front porch of the main house.

We enjoyed the scenery.

And talks with the local folk.

Then we spotted WAGON RIDES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the Angel was afraid for her life!

But we had a great time on the bumpy ride.

And the views were spectacular.

Except when these horsed lifted their tales and let out a sound I will have nightmares about!

A little taste of farm life.

Henry is really jealous of how dirty that pig is and that the pigs mom doesn't care.

These baby lambs were born just 2 days ago!!!

At 4:30pm there was a call for the sack race to begin.

The boys suited up and were ready for the big race.

Go. Hop. Go. Hop. Hop. Hop.

It was fun! And Ben got a wooden nickel as a prize (guess it's worth?)

We loved celebrating our great America in 1880!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!