Much Ado About Nothing

Here's Where the Rubber Meets the Road...

2012-02-03T08:16:00.001-06:00

We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.

-C.S. Lewis

I saw this quote yesterday at Life in Grace. It pretty much sums up how I'm feeling after hearing that Wes will soon no longer have a job.

There is very little we know besides that. All that is certain is that at some point in the very near future, we will have no income.

I have spent the last 24 hours reminding myself of God's goodness and sovereignty in this.

And Lewis' sentiment is EXACTLY what I've been wondering. How painful is this going to be?

Because, honestly, though I am certainly tempted to doubt, I truly believe that God will absolutely do the best for us. But, I'm no stranger to the pain that is often involved in His best!

So we are hunkering down here, seeing an opportunity to walk by faith. (Which is SO MUCH HARDER than walking by sight!!)

I know it's no coincidence that I have just begun memorizing the book of James.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

James 1:2-4

Or, perhaps you can see the irony in our Bible lesson this week: God Controls All of the Bad Things.

I taught that lesson to my children as I waited to hear the news we knew was being announced Wednesday! I knew God was preparing me. I knew the news would go into the "bad things" category.

But, here is what else I knew. God is not concerned with my comfort. He's after my heart. He wants me to love Him, worship Him, and live fully for Him. All things are from Him, through Him, and to Him for HIS GLORY and not mine.

So, my God will do the best for me. Only, His best will be aimed at my affections... not at my comfort.

I call this the "rubber meets the road" kind of faith. We talk about it; we study it; we teach it. Now, we get to live it.

Halloween 2011-The Year of the Angry Birds

2012-02-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

Yes I know it's February. Why do you ask?

I have not done a great job of journaling the goings ons around these parts. One reason: several weeks ago, my sweet dear Emma accidentally deleted ALL OF THE PHOTOS from her camera.

Guess whose camera I use almost always.

Guess whose cruise pictures were taken with Emma's camera.

Guess who had to go for a short drive after discovering that the entirety of our summer/early fall photos were gone forever.

But, I digress.

While recently looking for some other photos, I came across these super cute Halloween ones.

The older two peeps had basketball practice so I only had to make two costumes this year! Emma really wanted to be an angry bird and she convinced JW to be the pig!

We had a great time trick or treating with these sweet friends.

And, the angry bird and pig were all smiles.

On Un-Plugging...

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

Un-plugging is the third and final of my New Year's Resolutions! Honestly, I have so far found this one to be the hardest.

I do a lot of my preparation for school on my computer. It's also the way I stay on top of basketball practices/games (via emails from the coach) and JP's school needs (via emails from her tutor). It's also one of my hobbies! I love reading blogs and finding inspiration on Pinterest! And, then there's this blogging gig. (Though I'm not that consistent with ye ole blog!)

While none of these things is inherently wrong, I find that if I am not careful, hours can slip away while I am enjoying the world wide web!

When I think of unplugging, this is exactly why I find it imperative.

So, I'm putting some practical parameters on my computer time in order to keep myself accountable to just how much of my time is spent on-line.

Here's what I'm thinking...
15 minutes in the morning (email)
15 minutes at lunch (email)
1 hour in the afternoon (blogs/Pinterest)
30 minutes-1 hour in the evening (depends on other obligations!)
1 day/week-no computer

I realize 2-2 1/2 hours still seems like a lot, but I'm thinking I'm currently on-line much more than that.

They are all now out there... all of my self imposed parameters and plans for keeping my New Year's Resolutions. My hope is that by putting them all in writing for someone else to see, I'll be more accountable.

As always, I'll try to be honest about how I'm doing. (If you don't care, you can skip those posts!!)

Hopefully, no one will have to pry my laptop from my cold dead fingers!

PINspiration...Brought to you by Pinterest

2012-01-27T06:00:00.001-06:00

It's no secret that I love Pinterest. I pin so many great tips, recipes, and beautiful spaces. I've not only tried many of the recipes, I also incorporated a couple of my inspirational pins when redecorating Emma's room.

This is my inspiration.

Source: decorno.blogspot.com via Shellee on Pinterest

I love the chest of drawers and the basket, but I am most smitten by the art. I have no idea who the original artist is, but I recreated this picture to hang above Emma's bed:

I combined the following two photos, to create a gallery wall in Emma's room as well. I'm quite the fan of the gallery wall. I love the mirrors and empty frames.

Source: moredesignplease.com via Shellee on Pinterest

Since Emma loves to hang pictures all over her walls, I created a place for snapshots (inspired by the following).

Source: moredesignplease.com via Shellee on Pinterest

Here is my interpretation!

I really want to add more mirrors and empty frames. Also, now that I see my inspiration photo again, I think I need to tighten the jute I used to create the photo frame or maybe just use wire instead. (Don't you love it when I think out loud?)

I also still need to refinish the furniture in her room. It was given to her by my mom, and was originally my grandmothers. I'm still contemplating the best color. All opinions are welcome!

My PINspiration list is LOOOONG. Hopefully, I will stay off of Pinterest long enough to actually accomplish some of it!

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

2012-01-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

No one told me when I married a man with two children that blending a family would be one of the hardest things I ever did. Not that it really mattered. I wouldn't have listened anyway!

But, blending a family was one of the hardest things I've (or rather "we've") ever done.

However, this beautiful young lady (and I'm NOT referring to Wes) is one of the reasons it was SO WORTH EVERY MINUTE!

Please excuse Wes's cap hair!

Today, Sarah turns 23.

God has been gracious and over the years and despite the struggles, Sarah and I have become really close. She is my BONUS daughter, and I love her as my own!

Here are TWENTY-THREE lovely things I love about Sarah:
1. Sarah loves family. She works to make sure we all stay connected, and she comes by to visit even if she DOESN'T NEED ANYTHING!!
2. Sarah loves kids. She is like America's Most Wanted Nanny!
3. Sarah loves dogs. This I will never understand, but she actually thinks Max is CUTE!
4. Sarah is responsible.
5. Sarah makes me laugh.
6. Sarah and I make fun of Wes. It really annoys him!
7. Sarah likes crafting.
8. Sarah appreciates a great pair of shoes. Or, FOUR-HUNDRED GREAT PAIRS OF SHOES!!
9. Likewise, Sarah appreciates a great purse. Or, you know, a thousand great purses!
10. Sarah LOVES to cook.
11. Sarah is an AMAZING COOK.
12. Sarah cooks for us sometimes!
13. Sarah shares my addiction to Pinterest.
14. Sarah shares my addiction to queso.
15. Sarah shares my addiction to wine! (just kidding. sort of!)
16. Sarah always has a great selection of nail polish.
17. Sarah lets the kids spend the night with her.
18. Sarah has a stellar voice. I love to hear all of the girls singing together.
19. While Sarah pierced her cartilage and her nose, she will NEVER pierce her tongue. (Right? ...Sarah? ...HELLO?)
20. Sarah has PERFECT taste in music.
21. Although Sarah is a TERRIBLE painter (if you don't believe me, check the baseboards in her former room!), she does enjoy re-arranging, re-decorating, and re-painting as much as I do! For that, I have to love her!
22. Sarah is studying to be a teacher. Sarah will be the BEST TEACHER EVER.
23. Sarah is beautiful INSIDE and out.

Sarah, I hope you have an amazing 23rd birthday. And, I hope your year just keeps getting better from there!

Happy Birthday, Jordan!

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

Just yesterday, that FIFTEEN year old on the left was the same age as that TWO year old on the right.

JUST. YESTERDAY.

See?

I just took that picture YESTERDAY!

How did this happen?!

No. really.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN??!!!

I love having a teenage daughter, but it also makes me so sad that my babies are all growing up SO FAST.

In honor of her special day, here are the top 15 reasons the teenage version of JP is even better than the toddler version:
1. She wipes her own bottom.
2. She no longer leaves sippy cups filled with milk in the car for who knows how long.
3. She has better taste in music... and by that I mean, we are no longer listening to Barney!
4. Her tantrums are much quieter (especially in public!).
5. She dresses herself, feeds herself, and BLOWS HER OWN NOSE.
6. She no longer spits disgusting stuff out IN MY HAND.
7. She has stopped eating dog food and crickets.
8. She talks like a grown up about grown up stuff.
9. She loves to shop and doesn't need a bribe TO NOT EMBARRASS ME in the store!
10. I'm no longer afraid to leave her alone with the scissors! or a sharpie! or HER SISTER!
11. She's no longer BITING her friends. (I hope.)
12. She appreciates a good nap as much as I do!
13. She still gives me a big hug and squeals when she's excited.
14. She still has that same great smile and beautiful blue eyes.
15. She still makes me feel blessed every single day.

Happy FIFTEENTH Birthday, JP. Watching you grow into a beautiful young lady is one of the greatest joys of my life... even if it makes me a little sad!

Happy Birthday, Jake!

2012-01-23T19:39:00.002-06:00

Today is Jake's 26th birthday.

Wait. WHAAAT?

Yes, that's correct. Jake is one score and six years.

I originally thought you were turning 27. One score and seven sounds much cooler than one score and six.

Then, I did the math just to make sure and realized you were only 26!

Sorry I tried to make you grow up too fast!!! :D

Happy Birthday, Jake. I hope you squeezed in some disc golf and Tai food! We LOVE and MISS you!!

On getting up earlier...

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

For the first couple of weeks in January, I started slowly bumping the alarm clock back (I guess technically I started using an alarm clock again!). My intension was to ease myself into the hour earlier awakening to which I had so easily committed. I am a woman of great intensions!

Here's where it gets tricky.

I also began weaning myself off caffeine (because of the whole eating better thing).

And processed food (again with the eating better).

Processed food includes sugar (I miss sugar).

I've never claimed to be a person who thinks things completely through before diving in. By not being such person, I had ultimately created THE PERFECT STORM.

When the phone rang at 5:22 AM on my first "back to the real world" Monday morning, ROBBING ME OF 11 PRECIOUS MINUTES OF SLEEP, I jumped out of the bed and dashed to see who was calling because, clearly, a 5:22 AM phone call is NOT good news.

It was a wrong number.

So, day 1 of getting up earlier, no caffeine, and no processed is off to a wonderful start. Throw in the traffic on the way to TAFA this morning to the tune of a normal 20 minute jaunt taking 52 minutes, and my less than perky personality is making an appearance.

Needless to say, my intentionality is biting me in the butt.

So as of right now, I'm tired, I'm groggy, I'm irritable, and I have a TERRIBLE HEADACHE. The goal is to feel BETTER right?

I guess there's some wisdom to that whole ONE step at a time stuff. I may have to re-think this plan over some coffee and a Snicker bar!

Day 1: ROUGH

No where to go but up, right?

Pinterest Recipe Reviews

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

I've been using Pinterest for several months now, and while I could waste years of my life clicking around there, I have found that it is an awesome tool for keeping up with things you see around the world wide web that you want to remember or try.

I have pinned several recipes lately, and have actually cooked many of them. Almost all of them have been delicious.

I thought I'd share my family's favorites so far.

Southwest Eggrolls
YUM. Fairly simple to make (takes 20 minutes or so to mix everything and then roll them up) and this one gets 12 thumbs up. We've actually had theses several times now. We've also shared them with friends, and they raved as well. (I added shredded chicken to these and made it a meal!)

Source: annies-eats.com via Shellee on Pinterest

White Enchiladas
These are SO GOOD. Again, all of the kids LOVED them. Well, except JP. She's lactose intolerant, so she got to eat shredded chicken and guacamole wrapped in corn tortillas. This one is a definite crowd pleaser!

Source: joyful-mommas-kitchen.blogspot.com via Shellee on Pinterest

Jambalaya

This one I thought the kids wouldn't like. I made it because I really like jambalaya! But, go figure, they did! (I left out the seafood, but only because I knew the kids wouldn't eat it.)

Source: americanfamily.com via Shellee on Pinterest

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Easy Easy Easy! So easy. And so good.

Source: jonandjenmiller.blogspot.com via Shellee on Pinterest

We are a little past pumpkin season, but these two were a HUGE HIT in the fall. If you like pumpkin, you'll love these.

Pumkin Muffins with Cream Cheese
Made these twice in the fall. They are similar to a pumpkin roll, but in muffin form. They are to die for!

Source: annies-eats.net via Shellee on Pinterest

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

They are snickerdoodles. With PUMPKIN! And, I cannot be left alone with a batch of these bad boys.

Source: annies-eats.net via Shellee on Pinterest

With so much recipe success, I intend to keep trying new dinner ideas (because we could all use more "go-to" dinner ideas!). I'll let you know if I find more keepers.

Hopefully, the source links at the bottom of the pictures will take you to the recipes!

Now, go make dinner!

Juice Fasting Isn't for Wimps

2012-01-19T07:48:00.000-06:00

Well, this past weekend, Wes and I did our first three day juice fast.

Let's pause a moment and reflect on the gravity of that statement!!

Yes, for three whole days, our meals consisted of only fresh fruits and vegetables pressed through a juicer. Lots of apples, berries, greens, and other veggies were consumed and we somehow found ways to make them palatable!

This is probably the most vegetables I have ever consumed in my life. (Sad. I know!)

Here's the low-down:

1. Day one was AWFUL. I felt terrible. I had no energy, was short tempered, and WANTED SOME GRUB.
2. The taste of most green vegetable juice can be masked with a few apples.
3. Tomatoes me no likey.
4. I ~~ate~~ drank chard.
5. What is chard?
6. For one meal, I pretty much made salsa! And, drank it!!
7. By day two I was feeling better, but still a little sluggish.
8. My stomach growled A. LOT.
9. I wanted to eat FOOD.
10. THE. WHOLE. TIME.
11. It's possible that I have a slight food addiction.
12. Wing-Stop tastes better than veggies!
13. I made it THREE DAYS, and I'm so glad that it's over!!
14. Wes is STILL juicing.
15. I am not.

On the positive side...
1. My skin cleared right up! I have the occasional breakout and after three days, there was not one blemish. Sadly, I'm four days out from stopping and the zits are back! (I'M NOT A TEENAGER!)
2. I typically lose A LOT of hair everyday. This might be my imagination, but adding juice seems to have significantly decreased the amount of hair I'm losing. (Sorry, Kelly, for talking about hair loss!)
3. I lost 3 whole pounds in 3 days (Wes lost 6!).
4. It's OVER. For now!

Anyone on board for the next go round??

Paprika...It's the New Orange!

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

The other day, I started thinking I was finally ready to paint my barstools. Here's how it went down...

Here's the thing though. I have been wanting to repaint my bar stools for awhile. We have two really ~~stupid~~ precious dogs that both cut their teeth on my bar stools.

It's just that I've been a little indecisive on color. Until, that is, I saw this picture on pinterest...

Source: flickr.com via Shellee on Pinterest

And, then this one...

Source: vi.sualize.us via Shellee on Pinterest

Hence, the red vs. orange dilemma.

I landed on "Paprika." It's a deep reddish orange. However, I must state for the record that I'm now thinking I like the lighter orange better. I have a little bit of an orange phobia though, because the last time I leaned in the direction of orange, my living room ended up looking like Don Pablos and all I wanted to eat was chips and queso. Not that that is different from any other day as far as the cravings go!

The point is, I now have orange-ish red-ish barstools.

This is a phone picture I sent to Leigh. It shows the before/after side by side.

I'm determined to live with them awhile because there are a few other dining area changes I'm considering, so for now, they stay paprika!

Unless, of course, I start getting strange urges to eat deviled eggs.

On Eating Better

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Here's the truth. I know a whole lot about health and nutrition.

My degree required many health and nutrition classes in addition to everything I learned about physical fitness. The two go hand and hand. It's hard to be in peak physical condition without regard for nutrition and health. So, I know a lot.

Another fact. I don't put much of that knowledge into practice. I don't eat the way I should. I love sugar, fat, and caffeine. A. WHOLE. LOT.

Here's another fact. Vegetables and I have a very rocky relationship on a good day! Honestly, I have never liked them. Over the years, I have learned to tolerate them because I know they are necessary; but, I doubt very seriously that there will ever be a day when I think to myself, "Boy, I sure wish I had some carrots." (You can insert any vegetable you like. I am no respecter of veggies when it comes to my disdain. They are all pretty equally disgusting to me!)

Given these facts, I honestly know that eating better is going to be a real challenge for me.

Wes recently convinced me to watch the documentary "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" with him. I admittedly am not a fan of the whole we eat a crappy diet documentary bandwagon that everyone has jumped on lately!

He asked and asked me to watch it.

I never did.

One day over Christmas break, I was chillin' by the fire and he just came in and turned it on. Sneaky little sucker.

No matter how you feel about the aforementioned bandwagon, this fat, sick, and nearly dead guy had some phenomenal results from choosing to change his eating habits. It's just no secret that the typical American diet is crap (though this guy is Australian! Ha!). And we most likely feel like crap because we eat like crap.

None of this would have mattered much to me if I hadn't been feeling so crappy lately! But, I have been feeling crappy. And, this guy said that he has more energy, more mental clarity, and feels better than ever.

Yes, please. I'll take two of each of those.

Because of that film, I am determined to eat better. Wes is all in. In fact, he found a $45 juicer on Craigslist and we are starting with a juice detox. (Please note: After obtaining said juicer, Wes also obtained all of the ingredients necessary to make Mr. Fat Sick and Nearly Dead's "mean green" juice. I drank said juice. I DRY HEAVED. True story. Veggie juice does not taste any better than veggies. :/)

This is the actual "Mean Green" juice... and I drank it!

So, on the practical side for resolution number 2, I plan to do a weekend juice fast every six weeks in 2012. I will also drink more water and make a conscious effort to think about the things I am putting into my body. It's not that I will never eat anything bad for me again. I know that is crazy. It's just that I need to eat more of the veggies and fruits and less of the processed and meats.

So three practical eating better steps:
1. Drink more water
2. Juice fast one weekend every 6 weeks
3. Cut back on the processed foods, fast foods, etc.

So those are the facts. All wagers are on. How long will I last? Will the increased energy and mental clarity be enough to ward off the Dr. Pepper and Wingstop? Will I ever crave a carrot? Is feeling good while homeschooling four children even possible?

I can't wait to find out!

Snuggle Bugs

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Go Riders

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

The girls joined the THESA Riders (a homeschool basketball team) this season and are having a BLAST. More importantly, they are really getting better at basketball.

Their team recently won second place in the Stephenville Freshman tournament (falling only to the home team!).

They are finishing the season strong with hopes of doing some work at the upcoming State Tournament.

Can't wait to watch!

Love These Two

2012-01-11T16:04:00.000-06:00

Garage Sale Dresser Makeover

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

Back in the fall, I was searching Craigslist for a dresser that I could use for a media stand in the living room. I wanted it to be long and somewhat short (as opposed to a chest of drawers), but I could never quite find what I wanted.

While driving JP to class one morning, I saw this guy sitting in a yard sale. I stopped in on the way home, and did a quick check. Drawers work? check. Can I make it cute? check. Priced right? CHECK!

So I hauled this bad boy home in the back of my mini-van and immediately got to work making it gorgeous!

Check it out now!

I stripped the top of the dresser, and stained it (Minwax English Chestnut). I then spray painted the bottom (Rustoleum Heirloom White). I thought I would want to find new hardware, but once it was painted, I kind of liked it.

Before:

After:

Just for fun, here is a photo of the this area before paint and with the old entertainment armoire:

And, here is how it looks now (after I've cleared off all the video games and controllers, of course!)

Ahhhh... it's nice to see improvement.

On Praying More

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

So, I made a couple or three resolutions for 2012. In all honesty, this is the first year in several years that I have looked forward to with any kind of hope. (I know, I know! Cue Debbie Downer!) I've been in somewhat of a funk. Mostly a spiritual funk. God has been ruthless over the past several years and been digging around in places that I had buried for a long, long time. Coming to terms with your own sinfulness is ugly. Brutal. Exhausting.

I know that it's not over. The digging that is. But, toward the end of 2011, I had a life-changing moment with God. Or, I guess I should say He opened my eyes to something that had bogged me down in my faith for a LONG time. (It's a very very long story, as it involves a verse that has bothered me most of my Christian life. I hope to find words to articulate it soon.)

Here is my point: I have hope that I haven't felt in years and it gives me reason to look to 2012 with a new anticipation. It's not so much optimism. I don't believe that it will be the year of my dreams or anything! It's more of a renewed trust. Knowing that I cannot know what this coming year will hold, but I can trust that God is there and He is enough.

With that in mind, I decided I would in fact set some goals for 2012.

As with all good intentions, it is wise to think through how you're going to actually pull them off.

I have to start with the acknowledgement that all real change is a work of grace. So, I am completely dependent upon God to transform me. This never goes as quickly as I would like. It's always slow, tedious, meticulous, and BRUTALLY PAINFUL!

But, I believe there are some disciplines we can practice to open ourselves to the Spirit's work. Which is why my first goal for 2012 is to pray more.

My life, like everyone else's, is hectic. If I am to find more time for communion, I must be intentional.

I have two options here. I can either get up earlier or go to bed later. Both options will rob me of sleep and MOMA NEEDS HER SLEEP! But, I know that the benefits of a praying mom outweigh the benefits of a rested mom, so I have decided to get up earlier.

I already wake up at least an hour before the kids for some intentional quiet time. I'm going to try and bump this back another hour so that I have time to not only think through my day, and spend time in the Word, but also so that I have time to just be still. An extra hour will give me plenty of time to quiet my mind and focus of listening.

So, that is my big plan for being a more intentional prayer.

It's not much for sure, but this is the year of HOPE!

P.S. I have a thing for sunsets! Too bad it's not for sunrises! Because that would flow so much better with this post! Perhaps I should have chosen stay up later!

They Came from the Land Down Unda...

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Over Christmas break, we had the privilege of playing against a basketball team from Australia (John Paul College that's actually a high school)! And if that weren't cool enough, we actually hosted a couple of the players for the night.

Maddy and Ally stayed the night and brought lots of goodies straight from the land down under!

They had never eaten an "authentic s'more" so we were able to treat them! We had never eaten vegamite and they were able to "treat" us!

Pretty sure they got the best end of that deal!

It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience that the girls won't soon forget.

Like Father, Like Son

2012-01-05T21:29:00.000-06:00

There are those who believe Wes looks exactly like his dad.

I don't see it! ;)

2012 Resolutions

2012-01-04T10:02:00.002-06:00

I've been a little wishy-washy on the whole resolutions thing. I don't really enjoy setting myself up for failure!! But, truthfully, there is something to be said for setting goals and working to achieve them. So here are some things I've been tossing around to work toward in 2012.

1. Pray more.
I have found that I spend a lot of time worrying, fretting, thinking, and solving, when my time would be better spent in communion with God. Prayer doesn't really come that naturally to me. I am more of a prayer bench-warmer! I can get into the game occasionally, but haven't learned to live in a rhythm of prayer. So, I want to be more disciplined in my prayer.

2. Eat Better
This is a common resolution, I know; but, 2012 is the year of turning 40 for me and I have noticed a significant drop in my energy level. Also, my body cannot bounce back from abuse (like eating all things cream cheese, sausage, and sugar for 4 weeks) as quickly as it used to! I have headaches, and stomach aches, and all kinds of various boring aches. I know that my food choices heavily influence the way I feel. I want to feel better, so I'm going to eat better.

3. Unplug
I think this one goes hand-in-hand with #1. I need more down time. I think about the needs of so many people all the time and am constantly bombarded with interruptions (I'm not talking about being thoughtful here! I mean things like, "Mom, where is my uniform?" and "Mom, how do you work this problem?" and "Shell, do you know where I put my keys?"). I crave stillness, quiet, and solitude; but, I find I spend much of my "me time" on the computer. I enjoy Pinterest and blog-hopping and follow way too many people on my google reader; but, I've got to limit myself. I'm pretty sure I am an electronic device addict! So, I'm going to put some parameters around when I am on the computer and for how long. Sadly, I am finding this to be necessary!!

So, that's it for me! Three little resolutions.

Sure, there are about a thousand other things I could do better, but I think these three will be a great start.

Here's to renewed hope at the start of a new year!

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,

“therefore I will hope in him.”

-Lamentations 3:22-24

Is THIS normal?

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000-06:00

I feel relatively certain that JW is suffering the ill-effects of HAVING WAY TOO MANY SISTERS!

That boy knows way too much about working a camera!

I think I might need to take him to a monster truck show or something. Maybe get him some beer and cigarettes. Let him start swearing. And punching stuff.

Or maybe I'll just take him to a monster truck show. :D

My Cool Stenciled Bedroom Wall

2011-12-30T18:04:00.000-06:00

I was looking back through my pictures trying to see if I had a photo of my bedroom wall color before I painted it earlier this year. This is the only one I could find! It was taken New Year's Eve three years ago!

Much has changed since then besides, of course, the wall color of my bedroom (ok. the wall color of almost every room in my house!).

Paint colors aside. In 2009, NONE of the girls in this photo were teenagers. Wes still had blonde hair. I still looked relatively young. And, Max was a cute little puppy that I actually liked!

Now, TWO of those girls are teenagers. Wes is mostly gray. I have crows feet and forehead lines and Max is no longer cute. Also, I no longer like him. And it's not just because he isn't cute.

But, none of those facts have anything to do with this post.

This post is about a wall. A really cool wall that started out the color in the above photo. Then, was painted to look like this...

And, now looks like this...

I first saw this design on Jones Design Company blog and loved it, so I convinced a couple of my favorite peeps to come over and help me stencil this trellis pattern onto the wall. With one person tracing and two people painting, we worked and worked and WORKED.

It took two days of relatively steady work and cost me a couple of friends, but it is now the absolute coolest wall in the house! (I'm just kidding about the friends part. I think.)

Hopefully, three years from now when ALL THREE GIRLS will be teenagers, I will still be enjoying this trellis wall.

That's what I keep telling myself anyway.

But let's face it, given my painting history, that's about as likely as me changing my mind about Max.

Jordan's Solo

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

JP auditioned for a solo in her TAFA Christmas Showcase and got it! She was super excited until performance day actually arrived!!

I have never seen my first born so extremely nervous! She was sick to her stomach all day and kept saying, "Why did I think I would want to do this?" Sadly, I thought she hadn't inherited my anxiety issues. I would have never even auditioned because the very thought of it would have made me hurl!

I offered to give her a dose of Nyquil to help her relax, but she was a little concerned she might actually slur.

She braved the performance sans drugs (I am kidding; settle down!!), and in the very unbiased opinion of her mother, did a fine job! (She is the second verse voice!)

Leigh bet me I would cry, but I am happy to report that I REFRAINED!! Mostly because I had to prove Leigh WRONG!

I'm very proud of you, JP. Sorry you inherited my severe performance anxiety. At least you didn't break out in hives and run to the bathroom to puke. Not that I know anyone who's ever done that.

Silly Faces

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

Crazy Christmas

2011-12-27T07:00:00.000-06:00

Last weekend, we had 20 (aka TWENTY) peeps in our house for the first of several Christmas gatherings!

My family is a little wild and crazy, but there is absolutely never a dull moment. It was during this visit that my sis-in-law Leigh began teaching me some photography tips and tricks, so my pictures are mediocre at best. (Let's face it, for the most part, they are AWFUL!! But, I'm learning. I think.)

Ryan, James, and Abbee cooperating with my picture intentions...

Two posers...

The ONLY picture I have of Andrew. What's up with that?

I actually like this one! It's BB and Sarah. I love the super blurred Christmas tree. I wish I had closed the curtains so the color around their faces wasn't so washed out, but other than that, I feel this was my first successful attempt at a decent picture.

Again, I had VERY COOPERATIVE subjects! Not sure why these are so yellow. But they were taken at night without a flash. So maybe that's it. Also, Abbee gets her flexibility from me.

Charlee, Abbee, and Emma...

Abbee and Daylee listening while Uncle James reads the Christmas story. (Well, at least Abbee is listening.)

Nani and Pawlee...

Leigh may kill me BUT...I think this picture is photographic evidence that Daylee looks JUST LIKE HER.

This is Fallon. She hates having her picture taken. Which is why this is the ONLY picture I have of her!

Another sweet moment with GG and Emma...

Crazy Charlee and her giraffe Fransisco...

Britt, JP, Sarah, and Charlee...

Twenty people.
Four days.
Crazy.
Exciting.
Hilarious.
Lovely.
Too Short.
For REAL.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE all of my family and can't wait to see them all again!

Sweet Moments

2011-12-26T17:38:00.000-06:00

We are winding down from our week and a half long Christmas celebrations, and I have spent the majority of the day in my comfy jammies, in my comfy chair, in the comfy quiet that remains after all the family has left and all of the excitement is now a memory.

There were over 200 pictures that I uploaded from Christmas, so I thought I'd get started with just a few super sweet ones!

Daylee was checking out the Christmas tree... She might have been wondering which ornament she'd most like to break!

James was playing and singing "Oh Holy Night" and Daylee climbed up beside him and not only played, but sang along...

Here's Daylee again getting comfy on her new Minnie Mouse pillow pet...

Ok. So Daylee is involved in most of these special moments! But, you have to admit, she's super cute! Just look at her snuggling up to JW while he completely ignores her. It looks sweet and innocent, but if you look closely, she's about to sneak in a tickle!

Ryan, my sister's first born, with the youngest grandchild who just happens to be Daylee...for now. I promise she's not my favorite!! All of the cousins are so very close. It's such a sweet sweet blessing.

More pillow pet moments...

Leigh spent some time helping me learn to use my camera in manual mode (which is why some of my pictures are blurry, have an odd tint, are very dark, or all of the above!). These next few are me playing around with it!

I was super excited to get some bokeh in my photos! I've always wondered how to do that!!

And that is just a taste of the many many MANY pictures that have been taken in the last week or so!

I hope your family's Christmas celebrations were also filled with many special moments!

Christmas Before and After...

2011-12-26T16:41:00.003-06:00

Before...

After...

The end.

Pretend this post was written on November 13th...

2011-12-05T11:14:00.001-06:00

So today (not really. I'm just pretending I actually got this done in a timely manner. It makes me feel better about myself. Self-deception is my specialty!) my second born turns 13. I have teared up every time I've considered the profundity of this fact over the last several days. And it's not just because I now have TWO teenage daughters living inside my house (Lord, have mercy...for real!), but it's more the reality sinking in that my time with my kids is fleeting, much more quickly than I could have ever imagined.

Abbee is just as special at 13 as she was newly born. She still makes me smile. She still makes me proud to be her mom. (The exception to this may be when we are eating. That girl's table manners are lacking in every way!) But, for the most part, Abbee's personality hasn't changed much in the last 13 years.

As I've considered being thirteen again, I began to think of all the things I wish I had known. I feel certain someone shared these thoughts with me. I didn't listen. But, oh the despair that could have been avoided had I!

In hopes that maybe someday, Abbee will at least be able to look back and say, "Mom, you were SO RIGHT," here's a list of the 13 things I wish I'd known at thirteen:

1. You will (for the most part) grow into your feet.
2. Shaving your legs is over-rated!
3. Zits suck. And you will always get one the day before pictures, or parties, or prom. It's natural teenage law. I'm sorry.
4. Procrastinating always comes back to bite you. I don't recommend it.
5. Enjoy the ability to run, jump, flip, and physically exert yourself in all manners. One day, it will hurt for days afterward. You will wonder why this has to be. No one will know!
6. At the risk of sounding like Martina McBride, dance. If there is music, you should dance. It's completely normal no matter how many people may be staring at you! Everybody wants to dance. Be brave enough to do so!
7. Don't believe anything another 13 year old says about you. Their perspective is skewed. It's not their fault, but it doesn't change anything.
8. The people who love you most will still be around 20 years from now (give or take a few deaths). Most of your friends will not. Consider this when friends are urging you to do things from which the people who love you most would encourage you to abstain.
9. Dressing like a slut is dumb. It makes you look trashy and easy. Neither of which is Christ-like.
10. Beauty really does start on the inside. Outwardly beautiful, hateful girls are a dime a dozen. Inwardly beautiful girls are rare. Dare to be in the minority!
11. All other 13 year olds feel just as insecure as you. Thirteen year olds that bully are usually even more insecure than their peers.

12. While you may be smart, you are NOT WISE. Thirteen years is not nearly enough time to gain any sort of useful wisdom! So, listen to those who have lived much longer.

13. When "no" is the answer, there is probably a good reason that comes from our overwhelming desire to protect you. When you can't understand that, trust how much we love you. And, know that our decisions, even when they are wrong, are motivated by a love you can't possibly yet understand.

I love you, Abigail Faith. May thirteen prove to be everything you'd hoped!

Summer In Review

2011-09-05T06:00:00.017-05:00

If I could summarize the summer in one word, I think that word would be: BUSY.

I could've gone with HOT, but that would have been too predictable. It also would have been an inadequate description because hot cannot even begin to accurately describe the miserable, extreme, unrelenting heat that summer wrought.

So, busy it is!

I'm hoping to eventually journal about some of the fun stuff we did, but for now, I thought I'd just do a summer in review using only photos from my phone!

1. I caught up with Jackie Sherrill at my nephew's all-star game. (He misses me too.)

2. I went on my very first cruise with my favorite sister. (A beach lover's dream come true! So. FUN.)

3. We celebrated Emma's 10th birthday! (My baby girl is TEN. Where has the time gone? *SNIFFLE*)

4. We braved Six Flags with some of our buddies. (Yes, we are that ~~stupid~~ adventurous!)

5. This girl moved in for a couple of weeks! (It was like having TWO ABBEES IN THE HOUSE...never a dull moment!)

6. We babysat batgirl and her baby sister.

(Daylee is the real super-hero as she can completely annihilate an entire house in a single second!)

(That's MeaMea in the bottom right hand corner! She hung out with us for a few days too!)

7. I slip-covered my recliner. (I managed to blog about this here.)

8. We spent some quality time at the pool. (A bag of chips and a good buddy...what more do you need?)

9. We made-over JP's room. (I'm pretty sure I forgot to take before shots. I'm a loser.)

10. We spent some time in the windy city.

with this girl...

and this girl...

11. My mom spent the month of August with us! (That's her headless body in the recliner!! It's also the only picture I had of her on my phone, so I'm going with it.)

12. We danced in the rain. (It was 5 1/2 minutes of pure bliss.)

13. We made-over Emma's room. (This is not an official picture, but again I'm using the phone only rule!)

14. We said goodbye to these two precious babies. (No I'm still not ready to talk about it.)

15. We spent a few days in Meridian. (This baby remained attached to my hip for four days. She called me "Wee Wee." She napped on my chest. I cried when we left. *SIGH*)

See? BUSY.

All that to say, school's start has brought some much needed routine, relief, and rest!

Not to worry, basketball season starts in just a couple of weeks, and we will be cranking back out the busy. Until then, I'm going to sit and do nothing.

What?

You want some dinner?

You need clean clothes?

You want to learn something?

HUH?

I'm sorry, I can't hear you!

La la la la la la la.....

4th of July

2011-07-08T11:07:00.000-05:00

For the second time this summer, we have gone from having no plans to having a party of epic proportions in the course of a few phone calls.

Ok, the epic proportions part might be a bit of an exaggeration, but exaggerating is my spiritual gift. Just ask Wes.

We did, however, have an EPIC time! Which is all that really matters, right?

We ate some fried fish and chips, a few Chapman style appetizers, Stacey's garden fresh salsas, Emma's amazing dessert, and anything else we could throw into the deep fryer! (Pretend you see a picture of all the guys in my front yard sitting around a deep fryer with a buffet table full of fried food on the front porch!)

And, then...

No one ever accused us of not knowing how to have a good time!!

It really was the perfect evening relaxing with friends.

Who says failure to plan is planning to fail?

BOOYA!

I Believe. Help my Unbelief.

2011-07-07T09:17:00.000-05:00

I remember the moment. I remember the circumstances. I remember my words.

"Maybe God is just giving you an opportunity to trust Him."

I remember believing, hoping, and praying that she would learn to trust Him.

Lately, my words have haunted from the recesses of my mind.

"Maybe God is just giving you an opportunity to trust Him."

And the still, small voice is pressing hard.

"Do you believe? Do you trust me?"

Life doesn't always go the way we had hoped. We don't get a say in the choices of others, and we can't make people do things the way we think they should be done. We don't get to control death, loss, disease. We can't change the diagnosis that will rob our loved one of their memories. We just stand there helpless as we watch it happen.

And, that's what I do.

I watch helplessly as life goes much differently than I had planned.

I wrestle. I wonder. I ache.

I get angry.

I long for control.

Isn't that the root of all sin? My belief that my way is better than His? Isn't that what I am really thinking?

All the while, it is there.

The whispered, "Do you trust me?"

Faith is not something you have, it is something you do. Despite the wrestling, the ache, and the anger you trust; knowing that someday, it will all be redeemed.

Knowing that even though I cannot see it, it is being redeemed.

God is not idle.

I am not alone.

He is redeeming.

Do I trust Him?

Another JW Moment

2011-07-06T10:18:00.000-05:00

Last week, JW was trying to explain something to me and I was having a little trouble following his logic. I probed into his thoughts a little more until I felt I understood what he meant and replied, "OOOhhh, I smell what you're cookin'!"

To which he replied, "What? What do you mean? Like in my pants?"

Oh, that boy is an endless supply of funny!

Weekend Project: A Slip-Covered Recliner

2011-07-06T06:00:00.003-05:00

This poor chair has been through it! It is a hand-me-down chair that Wes and I inherited when we moved into this house eight years ago!

Back in the fall, I reupholstered it for the THIRD TIME! I had no more finished the job when our sweet, sweet dog, Max, decided to "christen" it.

Also known as:

Drench it.

Soak it.

PEE ALL OVER IT.

Max: a common name for...Stupid. Dog.

For longer than I care to admit, this sad little chair has sat in the corner of our room with half the upholstery ripped off, and a nice green towel in the seat cushion.

I thought about retiring it to the great landfill in the sky...er...ground, but Wes and I use it everyday as a semi-comfy place to read or surf the net and such. Eventually I'll probably try to replace it, but for now, I needed to make it work.

So, last week, I FINALLY got around to making the chair some new clothes. This time, I just used a couple of paint drop cloths (because I already had them), and made a slip cover so I could keep the dog hair (among other dog things) washed off of it.

It's a good thing too because I finished the slip cover Sunday afternoon, and have already had to strip it off and wash it thanks to our furry little friends.

Chewy: another common name for Stupid. Dog.

So, here's the chair all slipped up:

It's actually three separate pieces that all velcro into place. Recliners are tricky...they move!

I like the relaxed look of a slip cover, and the washability. I also like that it took me about four or so hours to finish it as as opposed to an entire weekend!

I'm not in love with the way the back of the chair looks but it's a definite improvement from the towel laid over the seat look we were rockin' before!

Now, if we can just keep the stupid dogs out of our room.

Dear June, Where did you go?

2011-07-05T09:16:00.003-05:00

Although the cobwebs and dust that have accumulated on ye ol' blog might indicate otherwise, June blew past in a whirlwind of busy, and I cannot seem to wrap my mind around the fact that July is here.

I sat down this morning thinking that I would catch up on a few of June's happenings only to find that my camera battery is dead.

Of course!

Perhaps at some point I will be able to reflect on all of the crazy that has been our summer thus far, but until then, I would like to bid June farewell with this picture of Emma's Fourth of July dessert:

Sadly, this would be the only picture I have of our celebration! Would anyone like to chime in on what this might say about me as a person?

I'm hoping to steal a few pictures from my favorite photographer and recap the festivities later.

Until then, if time could SLOW DOWN, I would greatly appreciate it!

One "Sing"-ular Sensation

2011-06-04T10:39:00.004-05:00

Last night, the TAFA Musical Extravaganza BLEW ME AWAY! Jordan sings in a couple of TAFA choirs, and after attending several concerts this year, last night we watched the kids perform show tunes! And, in case you are not privy to my feelings about show tunes, let me just say...LOOOOVE THEM! (please hear that in a very high pitch operatic tone!)

(Note: I didn't actually snap any pictures of last nights performance, which though typical, makes me sad! The above photo is from an earlier concert!)

JP's group performed "I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta My Hair" from the Broadway hit South Pacific! She definitely got her groove on while I smiled until my jaws hurt! I could tell she was having a blast, and the joy of the kids in every performance was infectious!

The TAFA kids are amazingly talented. Performing from all different genres and musicals, it was a delight to behold!

JP and her friends have already chosen the piece they would like to audition to perform in next year's production!

I think it's safe to say that my love of all things musical has been inherited. LOOOOOOVE IT!!

You Might Be a Hoarder...

2011-05-16T08:33:00.003-05:00

I walked out into the garage Friday morning to be greeted by this:
Hello, my name is Wes, and in the past week, I have managed to collect 14 (read: FOURTEEN!!!) bicycles and stuff them into the garage.

His defense? "Now we all have a bike to ride."

Yes. Yes we do.

We and EVERYONE ELSE ON OUR STREET!

State Tournament 2011

2011-03-07T06:00:00.002-06:00

Last weekend, the girls and I took a road trip to the Texas Homeschool State Tournament. It was an exhausting, ...er... I mean exciting time! I would have blogged about it sooner if I had been able to think through the fog that has lingered in my brain for the last week.

I had the privilege of coaching both the 14U and 16U girls' teams during the tournament, and I'm pretty sure it shaved about 10 years off of my life because, OH THE PRESSURE!

Both JP and Abbee played on the 14U team, and that group of girls had a phenomenal season, finishing 8th in the state with a record of 15-4. We lost the game that would have put us in the running for 5th place by only 2 points! (I made the girls promise me that next year, they would just blow everyone away so that chances of my dying of a stroke right there on the sidelines would diminish significantly! And, no, I do not have a problem with competitiveness, why do you ask?)

One of the highlights for me was meeting up with my college roommate, Sharon, whose son's team won the tournament at the 18U level! We had not seen each other in 15 years! If not for the aforementioned brain fog, I'm sure I would have thought to snap a picture!

One of the main concerns I had when deciding to homeschool was if and where my girls would be able to play sports. The Eagles' organization has given the girls a fantastic place to compete, meet new friends, and play the game they love!
While Abbee is trying to convince us to let her play on a select team through the summer, I am refusing to even think about basketball for at least the next six weeks. With any luck, by then the fog will have lifted and my blood pressure will have returned to normal!

What Not to Wear

2011-02-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

Emma's friend, Gabbi, spent the night a couple of weekends ago. They asked me if they could play dress up with my clothes and apparently I had been drinking because I agreed!

It took many wardrobe changes (evidenced by the fact that every article of clothing I own was off of its hanger and in my closet floor) before the girls decided on the perfect outfits to shoot their music video.

I think it's safe to say that Gab finally figured out how to make up for the size difference!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Springtime...

2011-02-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

Wes bought me these gorgeous flowers for Valentine's Day. They have me looking forward to spring. Bring on the sunshine, baby!

A Time for Tearing Down and a Time for Building Up

2011-02-21T06:00:00.001-06:00

This guy is always up to something. Most the time it involves destroying things, but this weekend, he had a little construction project going on.I'm not sure it is built to code.
But it kept him out of trouble for most of the weekend!
And, yes, those are hard wood floors!

Love that boy!

I Think It May be Time to End My Teaching Career

2011-02-16T14:42:00.004-06:00

Setting: Ancient History Class

Question: Who wrote the book of Ecclesiates?

Answer #1: ECCLESE!!!

Answer #2: Ezra?

Answer #3: Ew...I know! OPRAH!

You can take your guesses as to which kiddo said which answer! Clearly I'm teacher of the year.

A Love Story

2011-02-14T12:53:00.004-06:00

I still remember the day I decided that Wes was nothing like the other guys who had pursued relationships with me (or those whom I had pursued). I was at home after being ordered to leave work because of a fever (they frown upon communicative diseases on the cardiac rehab floor!) when someone rang my doorbell.

My roommate opened the door to find Wes standing there with grocery sacks in hand. He had thought of everything: chicken soup, fruit, sprite, popsicles...everything that might make a fever running female feel a little better!

To top it off, he had called his doctor and set up an appointment knowing I was new to town and probably hadn’t really bothered figuring out where I might go if I became ill! (Unfortunately for him, I’m still THAT girl! I don’t like to get bogged down in the minutia!)

It was all very sweet.

Fast forward 15+ years and he is still that guy. He brings me flowers. He massages my back. He makes me coffee. He keeps my van running and filled with gas. He chops firewood, lights fires, gets groceries, fills happy hour orders, and yes he even still schedules my doctors appointments when I’m feeling under the weather.

Long after my looks have faded and the rock hard abs have diminished to...well, let’s just say they have diminished...he is still showing up at my front door every single day meeting not only my needs, but the needs of everyone he can.

Don’t get me wrong. Our relationship has been as rocky as any. But every struggle, every fight, every time we have thought that there was no way we could continue, God’s grace has spilled out abundantly. Most of the time, we didn’t even notice.

By His grace we have stuck it out, and I am so very grateful.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Wesley. Thanks for all you do to make my life better!

I love you more than ever.

A Random List of Snow Day(s) Facts

2011-02-03T09:38:00.005-06:00

1. We are on day THREE of being cooped up in the house, and I am running out of 3+ star recommendations on Netflix.

2. Yesterday, Wes ventured into the wild icy streets and returned with three gallons of milk, two bags of cookies, two 12 packs of Dr. Pepper, a 12 pack of Mountain Dew, gatorade, some cinnamon bagels, Cool Ranch Doritos, regular tortilla chips, Sour Cream, and S'mores supplies. I think it's safe to say that proper nutrition is a priority in our home!

3. I have only left the warmth of my house long enough to step onto the front porch and take a picture.

4. I made my kids do some school yesterday. Homeschoolers get shafted on snow days!

5. Yesterday, JW thought it would be fun to pound the side of the house that happens to be the outer wall of our bedroom with a hammer. Wes used his Flash Gordan skills to confront JW before he even had the chance to drop the hammer. When Wes asked him what he hit, he told him "that pile of rocks." When Wes questioned the sound we heard in comparison to the sound a hammer would make when hitting a pile of rocks, JW replied, "I used both hands!"

6. JW is a terrible liar.

7. Abbee and Baylee stayed outside ALL day yesterday "snowboarding" down the hill in the back yard.

8. Abbee and Baylee are studs.

9. If I lived in the North, I would probably star in a cable channel series entitle "The Two-Ton Woman."

10. Wes keeps taking my favorite coffee mug. It throws off the natural order of the universe. I would send his arse back to work but then I wouldn't have anyone to fetch me my snacks.

11. It's supposed to snow again tomorrow.

12. Crazy.

The Month of Birthdays is Over

2011-02-01T09:27:00.010-06:00

Both I and my waistline are glad to see the month of January come to a close! Between family and friends, we celebrated TEN birthdays (with an additional two "in spirit!").

The "month of birthdays" began January 10, when this cutie and Heather both celebrated their special days!

Although we didn't get to join this sweetie on her birthday, Randee Hope turned four on the 22nd, beginning a long string of uninterrupted family birthdays!

Jake is the 23rd...

Jordan the 24th...

Sarah the 25th...and last but not least... Daylee the 26th!

And just to keep the cake coming, we interspersed several of our friends' birthdays into the mix as well!

Our friend Luke had a birthday...

Our friend Emily had a birthday...

Our friend Malleri had a birthday...

Our friend Gabbi had a birthday...

And Emma would have given her right leg to join Lexie for her 10th birthday!

In light of all the wonderful January birth extravaganzas, I will be spending the month of February on my elliptical. The entire month.

Except for JW's birthday. I'll have to get off to eat some cake!

It's NOT My Birthday

2011-01-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

Wes emailed this video to me.

He found it on his phone.

It was apparently shot on my birthday.

Today is not my birthday!

My birthday was six months ago.

I don't remember this at all!

But it makes me laugh really hard!

Apparently Wes was being lazy on my birthday.

Bad form, Wes, bad form!

Snow Day Entertainment

2011-01-14T15:53:00.003-06:00

Leigh's Awesome Pictures

2011-01-13T17:28:00.002-06:00

Evolution of a Gallery Wall

2011-01-13T06:00:00.002-06:00

Whenever I'm hanging a lot of photos (or anything for that matter), I always arrange them on the floor first to figure out the arrangement that looks best. Then, I snap a picture so mamaw can remember how I had them arranged when I finally decide on an arrangement! Here is how my gallery wall went from the floor to the wall!

1. The first attempt included a round mirror.
2. Then I tried without the mirror.
3. How about a square mirror?
4. Yes! Definitely the square mirror.
5. In order to fill up the space, I added a couple of frames, rearranged a few, and of course, no project is complete without some spray painting!

It was definitely a little bit of a process, but I am really happy with the results! Just don't ask me how many nail holes are in my wall!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-12T06:15:00.002-06:00

These are the only pictures I have of Christmas morning. I think it's partly because the kids woke up at 6:30 and pretty much had Christmas wrapped up by the time I dragged my butt out of bed around 8:00!

See how I just simply shifted the blame? It's my gift.

This year we did something a little different. Instead of labeling the gifts, I let the kids choose which gifts they thought were theirs. Then, after they opened it, they had to guess if it was indeed their own gift or if it belonged to someone else! Some were giveaways...like JW's and Emma's gifts...but, others were a little more tricky! The best part was that everyone cared about EVERY gift because they never knew when their gifts would be opened!

The kids all agreed that we should make that a new tradition!

Anyway, we spent Christmas day just hanging out and playing with our new loot. That evening, we had James, Leigh and the girls, Grandjudy, and Savannah join us for dinner and more Christmas fun. You will just have to take my word for it. I have no proof!

The next day, we went to Grandpa and Gram's house for more Christmas feasting. Savannah, Madi, and Matthew were able to come home with us afterward and spend the night. Of course the kids had a grand time!

We wrapped up the Christmas celebrations with a trip to Nani's house to see all of my family. It's always a fun time for the kids...all SIXTEEN of them!!

While in Evadale, I got to catch up with my BFF Brandi from high school! It was a real treat getting to see her and her kids.

We rang in the New Year at my mom's and then made our way back to reality!

It was a busy, crazy, chaotic two weeks; but, I don't think we could have squeezed in one more ounce of excitement!

My only regret? My lack of photographical evidence. I'm hoping Emma and Sarah took a few pictures with their cameras. Otherwise? LAME.

The Case of the Missing Christmas Eve PJ Picture

2011-01-11T06:30:00.004-06:00

For some reason, though we had five different Christmas celebrations this year, I have very few pictures to prove it. Ok. So, I know the reason. I had my camera, I just didn't really use it.

* UGH.*

Here are some of the pictures (also known as the only pictures) I managed to snap Christmas Eve!

Of all the pictures I missed, I am saddest about missing our annual Christmas Eve Pajama picture!

*sniffle*

I have NEVER forgotten to snap that picture.

Ever.

Until this year.

*WAH!*

No really. I'm crying right now.

I might just put the Christmas tree back up and have the kids reenact the moment for me.

Whatever. We all know I'm too lazy for that!

2010 will just have to be the year of the Christmas Eve picture that wasn't.

A New Semester Begins

2011-01-10T15:32:00.005-06:00

One of the many things I've enjoyed about homeschooling is the ability to pace ourselves. Pacing ourselves can mean anything from doubling our lessons after having the flu to returning from Christmas break a few subjects at a time. Last week, we eased our way back into school by doing just three subjects, starting our day at 10:00 am and finishing up after lunch.

Today, we inched our way closer to a normal schedule by heading to our first day of TAFA (Travis Academy of Fine Arts). Last semester, only JP was able to take classes there, but this semester, both Abbee and Emma signed up as well. (JW passed on the only class that was still available for his age...Elementary Singers!)

This morning for the first time IN A REALLY LONG TIME, we had to get up and out of the house relatively early with all of our clothes on! The morning did not go down without its hiccups. There may or may not have been rushing around frantically printing off papers, looking for supplies, and a few tears of uncertainty. And that was just from me! :)

Actually, the morning went rather smoothly considering we aren't really accustomed to waking in time to catch the worm. As far as I know, we all arrived completely dressed and fully prepared!

This semester, Jordan is in two different TAFA choirs, Abbee is learning to play the guitar, and our little drama queen is right at home in her drama class! They each survived their first day jitters and are excited about the prospects of learning new things.

As for me, I somehow survived being all cooped up in my blue jeans with my hair washed and my make-up on, and have happily returned to my cozy chair in front of my warm fire wearing my favorite pajamas!

I'm pacing myself, people!

A Very Long Story About an Entry Way and a Gallery Wall

2011-01-10T00:21:00.005-06:00

This story begins in the spring of 2010 when I decided to re-paint the entry way. My house was full of warm reds and golds, but I wanted to cool it off a bit. I went with a blue-gray color that's technical name is "slate green," though I don't know that anyone would describe it as green in my entry! (The photo above is the way it looked when I stopped taping off the crown molding because I remembered I wanted a "before" picture...this is a "semi-before" picture!)

Because it was such a drastic change, it took me a few days to decide I loved it. But, love it I did! However, loving it demanded that the buffet get an overhaul as well, because let's face it, what's the point in getting Botox injections in your forehead if you're just going to leave your crows feet alone?

So I chipped off those intricate carvings on the buffet doors with a crow bar and hammer and used paintable wall paper to cover the ugly, chipped off wood.

Then, I painted it!

Yes, I PAINTED A SOLID WOOD PIECE OF FURNITURE! Wes might have even gasped a little when he drove up from work and it was on the front porch covered in primer! But in the end, even he conceded that it was an improvement!

However, there was one more thing I was itching to do!

And, finally...FINALLY...TEN MONTHS LATER FINALLY, I have FINALLY completed my entry way vision!!

I'll save you the scroll! Here's another look at the before:

Here is a closer look at the newly vamped buffet:

And, a full frontal of the gallery wall:There are a couple of frames that are waiting on their pictures and perhaps some hurricanes awaiting their candles, but this little overhaul turned out even better than I expected!

Every time I look at it, I just want to paint something else.

Oh. Wait. That's just my normal!

But, I'm thinking this room just might make it through 2011 without getting re-painted!

The end.

I'm linking to Jen's Style Evolution Party!

Smiling in the Snowy Slush

2011-01-09T14:02:00.003-06:00

These girls insisted on playing in the "snow!" Which is really just a soggy slush. But If there is so much as a flake in the air here, the girls consider it snow, bundle up, and head outside!

It makes them smile.

Which makes me smile.

And, smiling's my favorite!

JW Strikes Again

2011-01-05T06:28:00.000-06:00

Monday evening, we met James, Leigh, and the girls for dinner so we could hang with Uncle James before he left for Haiti. As we were wrapping up the evening with one last chat in the parking lot, JW yelled, "Goodbye, Uncle James! See you when you get back from Hades!"

Pray for James

2011-01-04T09:19:00.004-06:00

I was up much earlier than I care to think about this morning to ride with Leigh, James, and the girls to the airport. Unfortunately for them, GG was up at 3:30 AM!!!

This picture was taken on the the way home from the airport after she very dramatically informed her mom that she was NOT SLEEPY!

Please pray for James as he spends the week ministering to the people of Haiti. May he be an instrument of God's boundless grace and love.

Calling in Reinforcements

2011-01-04T09:11:00.004-06:00

Sarah happened upon this post-it note in her bedroom yesterday:

Although Sarah has no immediately plans for moving out of the house, there has been a looong on-going debate as to who will inherit her room if ever that day should arrive!

The other day, as Emma was making paint color choices out loud, I gently reminded her that more than likely when the room became available, JW would move into it so that I can use his room for a school room.

Clearly, she is not going down without a fight!

Uncomfortable Grace

2011-01-03T08:43:00.000-06:00

I heard this quote in a sermon a couple of weeks ago:

"God will take you where you hadn’t intended to go in order to produce in you what you couldn’t achieve on your own."
-Paul David Tripp

As I reflect back upon 2010, I would certainly say that I have found this to be true. In fact, for the last three years, God has continually (and not always so gently) pushed me out of my comfort zone, at times shaking the very foundation of my faith.

In doing so, He has opened my eyes to my constant need of His grace.

Tripp refers to this kind of grace as "uncomfortable grace."

It's the grace you get as you watch your dad die. It's the grace you get when you pull your children out of public school against their will. And, it's the kind of grace you get when you leave your church home of over 12 years.

But this kind of grace isn't only for the big defining moments. It's the kind of grace you get when you've yelled at your children. It's the grace you get when you speak without thinking and immediately wish you hadn't. It's the kind of grace that keeps reminding you of your sin, over and over and over. And, it IS indeed uncomfortable.

Yet, how amazing is it that despite my complete and utter wretchedness, God is gracious? He loves me enough to make me uncomfortable. In fact, he loves me too much to have it any other way.

Romans 5:20
Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Although 2010 was a year full of change, struggle, and uncomfortable grace, His grace has been sufficient. As I look forward with anticipation to what 2011 would hold, I am bracing for more of His grace. And, while I don't know in what form this grace will come, I am certain that His grace, even if it is uncomfortable, will be enough.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

P.S. If you are interested, you can listen to the sermon here.

Mom, did you know...

2011-01-01T22:19:00.003-06:00

...that you actually have two stomachs? One for water and one for food!

A few minutes later at dinner

"Mom, my stomach hurts."

"Which one? Your food stomach or your water stomach?"

"I really won't know 'til I go to the bathroom."

-J.W.

Positively Adorable

2011-01-01T22:07:00.003-06:00

We had the privilege of hanging out with these special ladies over Christmas break, and I must say that these four girls are a bundle of positive, loud, hilarious energy!

Not to mention some of the MOST ADORABLE girls I know.

How Not to Make Puppy Chow

2010-12-28T23:44:00.005-06:00

Last night, Abbee asked me if she and her friend Emily could make some puppy chow (a.k.a. Chex Muddie Buddies). I told her the recipe was on the box, and thought she had everything under control.

A little later, she and Emily proudly delivered THIS to me...

When I saw it, I did what any loving, compassionate mother would do. I laughed in their little first time to ever follow a recipe faces!

They were both confused by the hilarity of it all when I asked Abbee to read me the recipe out loud. When she got to the part about melting the chocolate chips, she said, "OOOOHHHH! That's why the powdered sugar wouldn't stick!"

The big sisters stepped in to straighten out the puppy chow debacle and in the end, we all had a delicious treat!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-26T10:02:00.001-06:00

Holiday Baking Tip

2010-12-22T12:18:00.004-06:00

It's really helpful to actually pay attention when cracking an egg into a cup!!!

Final Jeopardy

2010-12-20T08:04:00.003-06:00

The answer is:

The correct question is...

How many FREE milkshakes did my husband manage to squeeze out of Whataburger yesterday?

He took himself and three kids (in their pajamas) to Whataburger for a free breakfast milkshake. He then fed our kids and two extras Whataburger for lunch where he snagged six more free milkshakes. He printed three free milkshake coupons and gave them to others to use. And then finished the day with a round of free milkshakes to drink with dinner!

Stand amazed, people, stand amazed!

And, don't be surprised next Christmas when Whataburger withdraws their 12 days of Whataburger promotion!

It's a Boy!

2010-12-13T06:30:00.001-06:00

Apparently I've completely lost all sense of wisdom and discretion because I actually agreed to having a SECOND DOG.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I'M FEEEELING!

Wes told the kids to come help him get the groceries in and Chewy was waiting in the truck! They were SO EXCITED!

Immediately, there was conflict involving whose turn it was to hold the dog!But eventually, we all got a turn!

So, as I type this, we have had Chewy for just over a week; and, having JUST stepped in fresh Chewy Poo IN MY HOUSE SHOES, I'm having to deal with some very painful realities of having a new dog.
WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS I THINKING?

Work Hazards

2010-12-02T06:00:00.001-06:00

That is the bruise that was left when a not-so-dainty little spring came loose from the chair I was reupholstering and thankfully hit me below the knee!

It was some serious PAIN. as in OUCH. as in ICE PACK REQUIRED. as in WHOLE LEG THROBBING!

As in Wes gave me a lecture on the importance of safety glasses.

And, I must say, he's got a valid point there! Can you imagine if that spring had hit my eye?

But at least the chair turned out super cute...who cares that I now walk with a limp!

Really.

ANYONE?

A Chairy Tale

2010-11-30T06:00:00.001-06:00

Abbee's 12th Birthday

2010-11-29T15:09:00.005-06:00

On NOVEMBER 13, 2010, we celebrated the birth of one Abigail Faith Powell.

This one, to be exact!
I offered her a deal. If she would forego the huge party, I would give her the cash instead and take her shopping! She's no dummy! She went for the cash!!

So, a couple of friends and a little family stopped by to help celebrate God's keeping Abbee alive for 12 whole years. This, my friends, is no small feat!

Neither is eating a chili dog with your hands!
One of the sweetest parts of the night was when Glory gave Abbee a present gathered and wrapped solely by her! It included a handmade turkey, a colored picture, a Baby Tad doll, a dress up veil, a silly hat from silly hat day, and several board books to boot!

Glory was SO EXCITED TO GIVE IT TO HER! And Abbee gushed over each one like a champ! It was priceless!

Thanks to all of our family and friends that helped make this special day even better!
And thank you, God, for giving us such a precious precious gift that has blessed us EVERY SINGLE DAY for the last 12 year! May you bless us with many more!

Blog Neglect

2010-11-26T06:15:00.000-06:00

Because of a little sickness around these parts, I have neglected to post a few blogworthy (according to my definition, of course!) events. Here's the short version of what's been keeping us busy!

1. GG and DG spent the night with us a couple of weekends ago, and this lil' punkin helped me make some cookies.

2. This precious girl had a birthday for which we had a little party...ON HER ACTUAL BIRTH DATE! (I KNOW!)
3. I gave this little chair a make-over. It turned out super cute if I do say so myself!

This little turkey got roasted...BY ME! My FIRST TURKEY!

So, the pictures are uploaded and ready to go! All I have to do now is actually BLOG!

Quote(s) of the Week

2010-11-20T10:56:00.003-06:00

"I can't wait 'til I'm old enough to buy some checks. Then, I will be able to buy me and my wife whatever we want!"

-JW

Me: JW, you need a haircut.

JW: NO! I'm trying to grow one of those things (using his hands to try and demonstrate what "one of those things" means.)

Me: What things?

Emma: He means an AFRO!

JW: (very excitedly) YEAH! AN AFRO!!

Lady Eagles

2010-11-17T12:42:00.005-06:00

Our 14U Lady Eagles are now officially 2-0. Yes, it's early in the season so I'm not making any predictions, but I love watching this group of girls play ball! They work so great together as a team!

Here are JP and Abbee with their teammates/friends Kelsi and Maleri! Kelsi and Maleri have two more sisters (Kailey and Emily) and our family has become quick friends with these girls and their family! They are C-R-A-Z-Y. And, we love 'em!
Guess who was our lead scorer against Harvest Christian Academy. THIS GIRL!!! (who happened to turn 12 on Saturday, but I haven't uploaded her birthday pictures yet!)

Two loyal fans: Emily (a sister to Kelsi and Maleri!) and Emma
And, just in case all of these beautiful girls made you think that homeschool kids might not be freaks after all, here is pictorial proof to the contrary!

A Little Whine and a Moan

2010-11-10T10:02:00.003-06:00

This morning when I woke up, I looked like this...
...only with shorter hair, and less blood!

Don't worry. I feel a whole lot worse!

It all started with some innocent sneezing on Sunday. By Monday morning, I couldn't breathe through my nose. Then, yesterday, someone snuck up on me and put an axe between my eyes while his accomplice began hitting me on the back of the head with a sledge hammer!

Yes, you should certainly feel sorry for me.

Last night, no lie, I "slept" sitting up (propped up on tons of pillows) because otherwise I could not breathe.

The thing about allergies is no one really lets you be legitimately sick. After all, you are not contagious and most of the time, there is no fever involved! Just mucho mucus and annoying sniffles coupled with incessant pounding inside the head.

The good news is, despite the foggy head of one worthless coach, my girls won their basketball game in a nail-biting finish that took us to overtime where the Lady Eagles completely shut down the Lady Riders with the full court press.

It was so much fun to walk away with the victory!

Sadly, my foggy head did not bring a camera, so I have no cute picture with which to leave you.

However, since this picture seems to have elicited such a positive response (while also summing up how I feel today), I will include it once more for your viewing pleasure!
Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Next Top Model

2010-11-09T06:00:00.001-06:00

Which of these two beauties is well on her way to becoming America's next top model?Take a look at this portfolio before you decide!

This girl can work the camera!

Halloween 2010

2010-11-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

My kids were more excited than ever about Halloween this year! In the past, we have always spent Halloween at the harvest festival, but this year, we ventured out into the vast unknown world of "real" trick-or-treating!

We gathered with this group of goblins and ghouls, storming the neighborhood in search of treats! Cutest Buzz Lightyear EVER!!!

Gingy and Sandy...

Emma taking an important call...

Buzz tuckered out!

Our crazy clan wiping out a candy bowl...

The end...

Two of My Loves

2010-11-03T06:19:00.002-05:00

I am NOT a photographer, but every great once in awhile, I snap a picture that I find absolutely stunning. This one is one of those.

Okay. So it's not so much the composition of the photo as much as it's the two peeps I captured in it!

Seriously. This photo will be on my wall SOON.

Spooktacular Saturday

2010-11-02T08:56:00.004-05:00

Our friends, the McKees, threw an AMAZING Halloween party on Saturday! The decorations were adorable, the food was both yummy AND well presented, and the activities were loads of fun!

Sadly, many of the guests cancelled at the last minute and were unable to enjoy this amazing night! Thankfully, our clan plus the McKees are enough to feel like a party regardless, so all of Stacey's hardwork did not go unappreciated!
Stacey not only planned the great food, the fun games, and the spooky decorations, she also made all of her family's costumes!
All of the kids were pirates, skeletons, and gypsies except....GINGY!!
Abbee fit in much better when Glory the "bakemaker" showed up!

My camera battery died before I could capture all of the great games Stacey had planned for the kids. There was "Pin the Spider on the Web, " a scavenger hunt, bobbing for apples (DOUBLE GROSS), and a hayless hayride!

Between the food, the fun, and the friends, this was a perfect party! Thanks, McKees, for hosting! We all had a spooktacular time!

Frightful Friday Festivities

2010-11-01T07:53:00.003-05:00

In an effort to make the frightful, fun-filled festivities last FOREVER, we began our celebration of the candy consumption on Friday afternoon by carving some wickedly frightful jack-o-lanterns!

Every year is the same. The kids each choose their intricately detailed pattern, then get tired before they have even finished transferring the pattern. After which, they leave while Leigh and I sit for a couple of hours determined to finish only to hear the kids tell the neighbors, "That one is mine!"

Clearly, what they mean by mine is "this is the pumpkin I have chosen as the torture devise this year!"

Leigh and I stayed focused and finished each jack with amazing precision and attention to detail! After all, isn't that the true meaning of Halloween? Oh, wait. I forgot the true meaning is scary and demonic!

True meaning or not, here are the glowing jacks in all of their glory!

Quote of the Week

2010-10-30T22:59:00.002-05:00

Leigh: Glory, go wash your hands so we can eat dinner.

Glory: [holding up her hands] But, they're not thirsty!

Halloween Sneak Peek

2010-10-27T14:32:00.004-05:00

We had early dismissal today because, last night, a friend of mine convinced me that I should be stressed out because I had a few costumes to make before Halloween and Halloween was a mere 4 days away! So, the kids got the afternoon off, and Jenny came over to help me whip up a couple of Gingy costumes! (Thanks to Brody being sick. Sorry, Bro, to profit from your suffering but I appreciate it so much!!)

Someone is also being a skeleton! (I actually made two of these costumes too, but I made them last weekend because I don't always procrastinate everything!)

Now, I only have a couple of more Halloweenish things to cross off my to-do list!

Being able to schedule unexpected early release... reason number 5,352 why I love homeschooling!

Eagles on 3...

2010-10-25T06:00:00.002-05:00

This weekend I spent my time in one of my favorite places, coaching my favorite sport, hanging out with some of my favorite people!

Jordan and Abbee joined the HIS Eagles this season and I quickly got recruited to help coach. (What I didn't realize during the recruitment process was that by "help coach" they actually meant COACH the girls while we coach the boys! Pretty sneaky.)

On Friday, we took a 16U girls team to College Station where we played in an 18U tournament! That in itself would have been challenging, but our so-called 16U team is made up of half 15 and 16 year olds and half 13 and 14 year olds. (READ: Jr. High/JV versus Varsity!) The majority of our team played basketball for the very first time LAST YEAR! So, although we didn't win one game this weekend, the girls fought hard and had some beautiful moments that point to the fact that in a couple of years, we will be contenders in the 18U division.

Having no idea what to expect from organized homeschool sports, I was SO IMPRESSED by the teams we played against. They were incredibly talented and if no one told you, you would have guessed you were at a high school girls basketball tournament except for the fact that the girls were all playing in denim jumpers!

No. Not really!

Sports was one of my concerns when I was thinking about homeschooling, and this worry has proven to be completely unnecessary. The girls have made fast friends with their teammates, and have found a place to enjoy the sports they love to play!

As if all of the basketball fun wasn't enough, I FINALLY got to make use of the Aggie Student Rec Center that opened the semester AFTER I graduated! (It is AMAZING!) I can now let go of some of the bitterness that I have held on to the last 15 years knowing that my dollars helped build the center and I never even got to use it!

I'm looking forward to more fun with this awesome group of girls this season. Eagles on 3...

1, 2, 3, EAGLES!

Adventures in Anatomy

2010-10-20T22:42:00.005-05:00

When I was in college, the library and I were really not on good terms. With the research papers and the library being several stories and the having to find a parking spot which was typically at least five miles from the library and the hours of research and physically finding the periodical I needed only to find the article I needed had been ripped out. My relationship with the library was as rocky as the grammar in that last sentence.

However, since deciding to home school, the library and I have sort of made up. I have found it to be my right hand "man" in the daunting task of teaching all subjects to four kids at four different grade levels! It has been a wealth of resources and information with the added bonus of allowing the kids and I to read more books in the last 14 months than I would have ever imagined possible!

So, when I came across this book while searching the library's on-line catalog, I knew I had to reserve it for the A&P class I'm teaching at our co-op.

It is full of beautiful color photos and illustrations on everything you could possible want to know about the human body.

Which is why it should NOT have surprised me yesterday when Emma came into my room during reading time and asked, "Mom, did you know THIS was in this book?"

I'll let you use your imagination to complete the two-page spread of Emma's new anatomically correct friend!

"Er....Um...No, actually. I did not."

I don't know that our study of the human body was going to be that thorough!

Darn library.

FUNtastic Weekend

2010-10-19T13:16:00.004-05:00

Friday night, we met my sister and her family in East Texas for some Friday night lights! Had I remembered my camera, I wouldn't have needed to steal a picture off of Ryan's Facebook page from LAST YEAR! Also, if Wes would get ME an iphone too, I wouldn't need to be able to remember my camera. But, whatever. I'm not the least bit bitter!

JW has never been to a football game (I know. It's a crime against humanity.) and at some point during the first quarter I glanced down to see if he was enjoying himself. I completely caught him mimicking the moves of the CHEERLEADERS!

That boy needs a brother.

Both Ryan and Andrew had a great game, and thankfully, they won 47 to 20 so I didn't have to have any kind of cardiac infarction.

We spent Saturday and Sunday hanging out and enjoying a little country life including, but not limited to, a huge bonfire in the yard that was SO HOT you couldn't stand close enough to roast your marshmallows. Sadness. Complete and utter sadness!

The kids always enjoy seeing their cousins and the time always passes much too quickly! I hope to head back in the next couple of weeks to catch at least one more ball game before Ryan graduates.

GRADUATES? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE???!! (*sniffle*).

Maybe I'll remember my camera.

Or have an iphone.

Yeah.

Right.

A Must Read

2010-10-14T20:45:00.004-05:00

Image taken from Holy Experience

This post has resonated deeply with me.

How do I comfortably continue to reconcile my wealth when so much of the world lives in poverty?

Prayer Requests

2010-10-14T08:18:00.001-05:00

I walked into Emma's room to put some clothes away and found these prayer needs listed on her chalk board.

Such a sweetie. It might have made my eyes well up a little!

Seeing SPOTS!

2010-10-13T06:15:00.001-05:00

I couldn't just vamp up Abbee's side of the room now could I?

If anyone has suffered under the oppression of the gray room, it is my sweet Emma! She has silently suffered through the dullness with only the occasional complaint!

This punchy wall is just what the room doctor ordered! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way it turned out!

A tomboy rooming with a princess is a delicate balance! We are inching closer to a room that satisfies the needs of both!

A Bad Case of Stripes!

2010-10-12T07:00:00.002-05:00

This past winter, Abbee talked her roommate and I into giving her the room she has always dreamed of: an AGGIE room! Unfortunately, there aren't a whole lot of color options when one is limited to maroon and white.

I definitely didn't want maroon walls and white walls and Abbee? NO WAY! So we settled on gray walls. Gray is, after all, the new brown!

Reluctantly, I painted over the bright, chipper colors that were on the wall and the room was indeed transformed.

Unfortunately, the room was feeling a little too gray (read: boring), but I wasn't quite sure how to solve the problem. I felt like the room was lacking some much needed color, but the only color that fit our Aggie theme was maroon. For the record, not many cute girls' bedroom items come in maroon!

I finally figured out a solution that would at least make the room a bit more fun...STRIPES!

The stripes added some much needed visual interest, and both Abbee and I agree that they took the room up a notch!

(There are plans to add the "aTm" to the middle of the striped wall, but I am trying to figure out how to do that in a semi-permanent fashion. All ideas are certainly welcome!)

Friday Night Fun

2010-10-11T06:58:00.005-05:00

We are loving the cooler evenings around here! We've been spending them sitting around the fire pit, roasting marshmallows, and pretending we live in the mountains!

Friday night, we had the added bonus of doing all of those things with James, Leigh, and the girls! The kids had a blast making s'mores and learning some new ninja moves from the master ninja himself!

Outdoor fires...one of the many reasons I LOVE fall!

My Little Class

2010-10-07T06:00:00.002-05:00

I volunteered to teach Anatomy and Physiology at our Co-Op this semester, and these little punks are my class!Let me introduce them to you...
Class Dunce: She's not as dumb as she looks in pictures.
Would NOT Cooperate: I like this uncooperative little punk!
My Favorite Student: This guy told his mom that I was the BEST TEACHER EVER.
My Favorite Student's Brother: This guy did NOT tell his mom that I was the best teacher ever!
My Loudest Student: Girlfriend is LOUD!

We were making edible cells that flopped! However, when I tried it at home, the "cell" came out of my bowl perfectly. What. Ever.

I am really enjoying teaching these guys as I am not only quite passionate about the subject matter, but am also quite in love with my little class.

The End

2010-10-06T06:28:00.001-05:00

...of the vacation pictures that it! Although there are probably 100 more, even I am growing tired of vacation posts!! We took Emma's new camera on the trip, and managed to get some really great shots! Here's the last installment:

Weekend Project-Chair

2010-10-05T06:33:00.001-05:00

If my memory serves me correctly, this is the third time I have re-covered this lovely hand-me-down recliner that was given to us when we moved in this house almost 7 years ago. Once every two years is NOT BAD!! Right?

Last time, I might have also sworn I'd never recover it again.

You shouldn't swear.

Also, never say never.

Here is the before/before/after:

If you look at the arm of the chair, you can see the original blue in the first picture! Then, I was feeling the red a couple of times. Now, I'm loving the white slip-covered look.

Yes, white is a STUPID choice in my house with the four kids and the black shedding dog.

Thanks for asking!

I figure when it's ruined, I'll try something different.

So, next month I'll possibly be at it again!

For now, I'm kind of diggin' it!

Keeping It Real

2010-10-04T15:26:00.004-05:00

I hopped up on my elliptical this morning and looked over at my work station/desk area. A weekend of creativity is not without its consequences! I had to add "find desk" to my to-do list!

Ottoman Gone WILD!

2010-10-04T06:19:00.002-05:00

When I went home at the beginning of the summer, I helped my mom clean out some stuff. Among that stuff was a small yellow vinyl ottoman that I remember always being in my Me-Me's house! As far back as I can remember, that little yellow ottoman sat in Me-Me's living room. It has had its share of wear for sure, being used by kids, grandkids, and even great grandkids!

I knew it had a little life left in it, so I asked my mom if I could take it. I had a little something wilder in mind for the beat up footstool, and I knew a teenager who would love to have it in her brightly decorated room!

SO...

I added a thick piece of foam to the top, then covered the whole thing with batting to make it "squishy-er" (as Abbee put it!)!
Once it was prepped, I just used the top of the ottoman to trace a circle on the backside of my fabric. I cut the circle about a 1/2" outside the line, then measured the circumference of the top (see, you DO use geometry in real life!) to figure out what length to cut the outside piece.

I sewed the circle piece to the side piece, then slipped over the top and stapled it to the bottom! Easy peasy!
I think Me-Me would be happy with the results! I love that this ottoman might be something that my kids will someday pass on to their kids (I mean with future re-coverings, of course!). I KNOW Me-Me would be happy about that!

Don't Go Chasin' Waterfalls

2010-10-03T06:19:00.001-05:00

Our last day in Sipapu, we hiked a trail that led to a small waterfall. It was our seventh day away from home, it was lunch time, and the kids were not that excited about going on a hike; but, since the parents of this operation are slightly on the stubborn side, we went anyway!
With emotions frazzled and energy long spent, it only took a simple splash of water into Emma's face to cause what I like to refer to as the MAJOR VACATION MELTDOWN OF 2010!!

I begged her to suck it up for my picture. It was, after all, just WATER. The camera battery was low, and my moment was fleeting.

She was very cooperative!

But the tears weren't the worst part of the meltdown! As the physical exertion got tougher, everyone got hungrier, and she arrived at the end of her rope long before we arrived at the end of the trail, another meltdown ensued that may or may not have involved gasping for air and writhing on the ground, begging Wes to return the cabin!

Unfortunately for Emma, her parents really are THAT stubborn!

We kept hiking!
Eventually, we did decide that we had all had enough, and turned around to head back down the trail. Emma had what I like to call THE MIRACULOUS RECOVERY OF VACATION 2010! Her heart and her lungs began to function properly, and I dare say she skipped, yes skipped down that mountain trail!

If only my camera battery had held on, I would have evidence!

While the company was not as peaceful as the scenery, if nothing else, I took some pretty cool pictures for posterity. And, lucky for Sarah, Emma gave us new material for tortuous vacation recaps that can never ever be lived down!

Funky Desk Chair

2010-10-01T09:45:00.000-05:00

I did a quick make-over on my less than pretty desk chair!
I was inspired by this super cute fabric!
This looks like it could exist in Wonderland, but it's actually a full size chair! I think it turned out super-cute and funky!

Rio Grande Gorge

2010-09-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

In Taos, we stopped to see the Rio Grande Gorge. We walked out onto a long, very very high bridge! As cars would drive by, the entire thing would shake! JW and Emma were completely freaked out and it took us awhile to convince them that they could actually let go of the railing!

JW stayed quite nervous about falling in, and when Wes grabbed him (because he was getting too close to the road), he screamed like a banshee and almost jumped right in front of a car! Good times! I'm not sure he could survive a trip to the Grand Canyon!

The gorge was a spectacular sight, and a nice leg stretcher on our way from Red River to Sipapu!

Laying Down the Law

2010-09-29T16:09:00.003-05:00

Today, in History, we were discussing how archeologists have discovered that even the earliest civilizations had laws that were supposed to help keep the people safe. So, I asked the kids what rules we have in our home that help us to think about the needs of others and keep us safe.

JW's answer?

"Do NOT chew gum by Mom!"

I'm pretty sure my kids are going to need therapy!

Emma's Confession

2010-09-29T06:28:00.001-05:00

Red River, NM-Day 3

2010-09-29T06:00:00.002-05:00

We spent our last full day in Red River hiking up to the top of the ski lift! It took us 2 1/2 hours and several detours that included hiking UP black diamond ski trails.

When we hiked this same trail six years ago, Sarah (then 15 years old) kept sitting down and crying that she couldn't make it! She has not been able to live that moment down! This trip, we took bets on whose tears would fall first. The wagers were split between JW and Emma. But, it was Emma who finally took Sarah's tears of shame from her! Emma sobbed her way STRAIGHT up the last half mile!

After successfully making it to the top, we were able to ride the ski lift back down. Emma was afraid to ride down because she noticed the ski lift had no seat belts! She insisted on riding with me and she would not let go of the front bar the ENTIRE TIME! She also struggled with the fact that I was taking pictures! (I was using her camera, and she was certain I was going to drop it!) She did eventually relax enough to enjoy the ride to the bottom.
That pretty much wraps up the Red River sights! The day after the hike, we headed for Sipapu, New Mexico, where we spent the rest of our week fishing, hiking, playing, and relaxing! So, yeah, pretty much the same things we did in Red River!

Weekend Project-Purses

2010-09-28T06:28:00.002-05:00

Last weekend, Wes was working so I took the opportunity to work on a few projects I've been wanting to do! I saw a similar purse on a blog and thought I could figure out how to make it, so I took some scrap material that I already had and whipped up this bag:Okay, so when I say "whipped up," I mean that I got to a certain point and got completely bogged down! I put it aside for awhile because I was getting quite frustrated! Then Leigh stopped by and convinced me I had to finish it! So, I did!
Since it was wet and dreary on this past Saturday, I decided to make the same purse in a couple of other fabrics! I ended up going a little crazy and made SIX bags by the time it was all said and done! Not to worry, most were made with fabric I already had on hand! Here are a couple:

They are very simple bags with no pockets inside (because I don't like to get distracted by the details!!), but they are perfect for a wallet, a phone, and your favorite cosmetics! I LOVE the way they turned out! (And, I have three daughters who have already called dibs on most of them! Sarah, JP, and Emma...in case you thought Abbee had turned into a girl!!)

A Lesson in Creativity

2010-09-28T05:01:00.000-05:00

The assignment? To create an animal that does not exist and write a paragraph describing the animal, its habitat, its diet, and the uses of its unique features. Emma gave her creature...THE PUPAL... really BIG EYES because it is nocturnal! Good thinking, Em!
JP definitely won the award for the most unique looking creature...THE WOODLE! Her paper was quite humorous as well. I'm not sure you get bonus points for humor in public school, but you certainly do here!!
Abbee's creature...the PLATIGATOR.... looked an awful lot like a crocodile, but she assured me I was overlooking its platypus beak, and beaver tail! Sounds more like a hybrid than an original! She too received bonus points for a really funny paper!
It took him awhile to work out an original idea, but eventually, he came up with a pretty cool creature!
It's amazing how play dough can STILL capture and hold the attention of even the most "mature" students. I will be working it into the assignments more often!

Friday Night Fun

2010-09-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Friday night, two little sweeties came over to hang out with us for the evening! The kids had a ton of fun playing and "babysitting" their cousins, then we finished the evening vegging out with a couple of movies. When Daylee got ready for bed, I got to snuggle her to sleep. I LOVE SNUGGLING WITH SWEET BABY GIRLSEmma snapped a few shots with my camera...here are her results! I think she may be a budding photographer!
Leigh didn't come to pick up the girls until almost 1:00 AM, so I told her she could just leave Glory for the night. Saturday morning, Glory said, "LeeLee, my momma forgot to come back and get me so I got to spend the night!"

It was a fabulous start to an AWESOME weekend!