Accomplished!

This was a wonderful weekend. There was nothing on the calendar and the weekend was beautiful! Clear blue skies and low humidity. Time to get some things accomplished. Some things were on the list and another item was a surprise.

I posted about this flag a long time ago. After hanging up for about 7 years it needed to be taken down and repainted. I had everything done except the star. It had been sitting on the back porch for what seems like forever.

Finally it is complete and hanging back on the shed. I love the way it looks!

Another item on the list was some tweaking on the back porch.

The Welcome sign had been hanging for a while and I have had the ladybugs for a long time. Anyone who has knowledge of China adoption would know that they are know as a sign of good luck. They were gifted to me while we waited for Megan. I 'm not sure how much good luck they might bring, but I think they are cute.

The unexpected item on the list was a new radiator for my car. Saturday evening we were on our way to the hardware store and the car was getting hot. We ended up scraping the trip to the store and headed home. When Chuck opened the hood the radiator was steaming and he could see that the steam was coming from a crack. Yikes!

We skipped church so that Chuck could get this taken care of. He looked online and found that one junk yard had one radiator that would fit the year of my car. He started working on it about 8 and didn't get it complete until almost 6. A long day and an unexpected event yes, but through it all God is good. We are grateful that it didn't happen while I was in the car pool line with kids to deal with, that we were able to find a used radiator at a reasonable price, that it happened on a weekend when my handy husband was able to take care of it. I am certainly grateful for a husband that is willing to give up his day of rest to take care of his family.

I hope your weekend was great and that Monday is even better!

Fun Days

I saw this idea and thought it was a great idea.

I changed up some of the questions to meet our situation. Tuesday is an off school day and we did it that afternoon. It gave me a change to talk with Megan about her first day. It was a fast easy project and it will be fun to open it up next year and see all of the changes.
The weather had been mild the last few days and it has had a fall feel to it. Spending time outside has been top priority. There have been pretend picnics with "friends."

Plenty of weeds to pull and even some baking has taken place.

One of my favorite wind down things is to sit on the back porch with a cup of hot tea. When it is accompanied by a slice of fresh lemon cake it is even better.

I don't do well when things are complicated and overly busy. It feels good to be able to slow down and enjoy some simple moments.

School Days

Megan started her first day of the Pre K-4 program yesterday. She did great!


I shed a few tears seeing my baby go off as such a big girl. She did not say one time that she did not want to go. I think the separation issues might be working themselves out. Yes!

She got into the car after school with a big smile on her face and said that she did not want to leave ever. Later in the day she did tell me that she keep asking her teacher and aide if it was time to go home. She is already talking about going back on Wednesday. I am super proud of her!

Busy Days

I find it hard to believe that it is Monday already. My days have been flying by! Thursday afternoon Megan and I prepped carrots for canning. I peeled them and then she placed them in the sink to wash. It was fun listening to her. She had carrot people doing all sorts of things. She played and played for a long time and I loved listening to her imagination.


Ten pounds of carrots were diced and then 19 pints were canned. . I love the way all of those jars look!

Saturday a few errands were run and then we headed to my father-in-law's for pizza. Once home I worked on things for a family reunion on Sunday. I baked brownies, deviled eggs and prepared beans for baking. Every dish came home empty and I take that as a high compliment.

The reunion is held in a state park about two hours south of where we live. The weather was great and we enjoyed a great time of food, family and fun.

Butterflies were everywhere. Megan and Grandma (Chuck's mom) finally caught one.

There was a long hike taken with Grandpa and cousins.

After all of the excitement of the day Megan was out! She crashed hard.

Today looks to be just as busy. Megan has her first day of school and there is housework, laundry and hopefully time for some weeding. I enjoy a productive day and hope this is one. Have a great Monday!

Fair Fun!

We made it to the fair and had a great time! There were lots of fun activities to do. First we played farmer. Megan was able to collect eggs, plant seeds and then pick her harvest.

Once that was done she was able to take all of her goodies to market. She was issued play money and able to go to the market and buy a snack or drink. Lots of fun!

I love looking at the vintage kitchens. Since we went on a weekday they had women actually cooking in them. This kitchen was from the '30's and the lady had just pulled a cobbler out of the wood stove.


The FAA had set up minature golf. It was the first time that Megan had played.


Fair food was consumed and lots of lemon shake ups were drank. Megan got to see a huge pig up close as it almost ran her down. A young kid was taking walking the pig up the auction when it decided to turn around and go the other way. No pictures of the pig because we were too busy getting out of the way and laughing at Megan's facial expression! I love going to the fair and am already looking forward to next year.

Blue Sky, Sunshine and

lower temperatures made for a gorgeous Monday! I started laundry and then took the kids for a walk. When we returned I started hanging laundry on the line and we stayed outside until lunch.
After lunch I pulled the ironing board outside while Megan played. I love to iron outside.

We returned inside for a little rest and a snack and then it was out for some more fun.


Chasing shadows while on the swing.


Sitting in the shade making a "salad."

Stay, stay at home, my heart; and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best ~ Longfellows "Song"

The quote was in a book that I was recently reading. I really spoke to me. It makes my heart sing when I am able to enjoy a day like this at home. Caring for those I love makes me so happy!

Today is suppose to be another great weather day. Chuck took the day off and we will be heading to the fair soon. Hope you have a great Tuesday!

Christmas from the Heart: Family Name Pictures

Well friends it is that time of the year again. You know the time to start thinking about Christmas. I really should have started last month, but you all know how some times the days just get away from you.

I have decided that I am no longer going to be part of the crowd that wanders the mall endlessly searching for just anything to mark someone off of my list. I am longing for a simple Christmas centered on the true meaning... Jesus.

One way to meet this desire to come up with gift ideas that will mean something to the recipient. This is my first idea.


I used word and picked the font that I wanted (I used Bradley Hand ITC) and just played with the font size. It really depends on the length of the family last name. Under the family name I put an established date, which is the date the couple was married. Then I picked out a heart from clip art and centered it. I then add the couples name on either side of the heart and the names of the children under the heart. Under that I added a scripture. I choose 1 Corinthians 16:4 Let all that you do be done in love.

This turned out to be a fairly frugal project. The card stock cost $0.39 and the frame I purchased at Wal-*art for $2.50. Not a bad gift for $2.89!

Changes

Funny how life can sometimes take you down a path that you weren't sure you wanted to be on. I guess that I should really be use to this by now. I always intended to have my 2.5 kids by the time I was 35. We all know how well that worked out! Now I am not complaining. God has a plan for my life and I have to admit that it is working out pretty well!!


It has been on my mind for sometime about Megan's schooling. Would she be home schooled or sent off to school? I was pulling for homeschooling, but things just weren't leading down that path. With babysitting I just wasn't able to make the commitment that I needed to. Of course that wasn't the only concern.

My parents brought up schooling on Friday and asked if we were interested in sending Meg to a preschool program at a Christian school. I laid out all of the reason why I didn't think we could. They then laid out all of the reasons that we should.

Chuck and I decided that it was best to go ahead and send her to school. I know how wonderful the program is because two of my nieces went to this school. They use the A Beka curriculum which is something that I had been looking at.

Yesterday I went to do a walk through with the principal. Megan was a little shy at first, but then she warmed up. She finally let go of me and was talking with the principal. She even gave her a hug before we left. How wonderful it was to see that from my separation anxious child!

I keep telling myself that it only for three mornings a week. As I told a friend of mine it isn't about what I want, it is about what is best for Megan. Oh yeah, and also learning that I am not in control!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Just Because

it makes me happy!


My flower boxes are doing great this year. This is the view I have every time I enter the bathroom and look toward the window. It never fails to bring a smile to my face.

Relaxing Weekend

I hope that everyone had a nice weekend. I ended up going to bed with a sore throat on Friday night and not feeling my best the rest of the weekend. Because of that we tried to keep the weekend simple. Just the way I like it!

Friday the tomatoes were finished.


We ended up with 52 pints and 28 quarts of red, delicious juice. Yum!

Abe, one of the little guys I watch, celebrated his 1st Birthday this weekend.


He wasn't sure what to do with all the presents. Not to worry, Megan showed him how it works!

There was finally a break in the whether and we spent some much needed time outside. The grass was cut and tons of weeds were pulled. Due to our poor growing season we went ahead and pulled up most of the garden.


There are tomato plants standing and the rest of the green bean brush has now been hauled away. Thanks to our Amish friends we will have some green beans to can in a few weeks. I sure hope the growing season is better next year!

I had a rough night on Saturday so it was decided that we would sleep in on Sunday morning. I didn't seep late but didn't get dressed until noon! That is something that I rarely do. Most of my day was spend doing this.


Enjoying some fresh air and a good book! Although I am not back to 100% I am feeling better. Sometimes you just have to push through, which is what I will be doing today. Housework, children to care for and hopefully some time to enjoy the sunshine are all on the agenda for today. Hope you have a great Monday!

Tomatoes! Tomatoes!

I am currently knee deep in tomatoes! The gardening season in my area has been pitiful this year. About an hour south of us the growing season has been better. My parents were able to get some tomatoes from the Hershbergers, an Amish family. Mom and I are in the process of putting up three bushels. Two down and one more to go. Lots of work, but oh how yummy they will taste this winter!

Beating the Heat

Like so many of you we are dealing with extremely hot weather. Yesterday the heat index was about 106 and it is suppose to be hotter today. We have been finding ways to beat the heat.

Most of the daytime is spent indoors. Yesterday the fun activity was making Kool-Aid play dough.

After dinner I headed out to water flowers. I turned the hose on mist and sprayed Megan a few times. Next thing I know she is running out the door in her swimsuit.

After running through the water for a little while it was time to hit the pool.

Chuck and I ended up getting in also. It was so refreshing! After a quick bath I made Oreo shakes for snack. Yum!

What are you doing to beat the heat?

No Kisses? No Problem

I whipped up a batch of peanut butter blossom cookies and realized that I didn't have any chocolate kisses in the freezer. No problem; I used a bag of Brachs Chocolate Stars that I had stashed in the freezer during the Christmas season.


I think the stars made a really cute cookie and it was much easier to stack the cookies. I know what I will be stocking up on when Christmas candy is on clearance. I love it when an oops turns into a good thing!