Third Grade!

Today we start the adventure called third grade!

After a few tears of nervousness last night she was ready to go this morning.  She might have even been a little bit silly! :)

I have always heard that kids grow up fast but until you are in the throws of it all you don't realize how fast.  It is sometimes sad to see how fast she is growing up, but every stage brings more joy (and challenges of their own!) and it is an honor to stand beside this little girl as time marches on!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

On My Mind

The end of last week our phone and internet went down. It wasn't until Sunday that it was up and running. It put a little crimp in our plan for Sunday School as I use it to find craft ideas. It was nice that there wasn't that distraction to jump on for *just a minute.*

Decluttering.  I started in Megan's room and then went on to the office/craft/catch all room.  I am ashamed to say that I took two load to Goodwill.  I went through Megan's room twice.  After the first go through I spoke with Megan about stuff and how too much of it becomes clutter and make it hard to keep things tidy and that if her room was stuffed she wouldn't be able to bring in anything else.  I was proud of her for going through her room again and letting go of things.  Now I am motivated to get the entire house lighted up!

Mending. I have an overflowing basket and I am working my way through it.

School. We were very close to homeschooling this year.  In the end we sending Megan back to the private Christian school she has been at since preschool.  School starts on Thursday.  It was not an easy decision and we will need to prayerfully start considering the choice for next year. 

Grocery shopping.  I have gotten out of the habit of my monthly grocery shopping.  I need to not only get back to that to get the budget lower but also need to build up my stockpile. 

Projects.  I have some large projects that need completed.  The fence needs to be stained and the back porch needs painted before the new roof is installed.  The temperatures have been great for doing this but unfortunately we can't get a forecast without rain 24 hours before we can paint (so the wood is dry) and 24-48 hours after (so the paint can dry.)  

I am ready to get busy and get some things accomplished!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Home Sweet Home

After a week that took this homebody away from home far too often it has been nice to be home sweet home! After a week of cooler weather the heat and humidity has set in. That makes a load of laundry dry in no time.

Spending more time had home has allowed me to do a little bit of organizing.  The mess in this drawer was driving me crazy! 

I ran across this box and an idea was born.  (I love to organize with cardboard since the price fits my budget well!  You know... free.)

I had to cut it down to fit the width of the drawer and then wrapped it in some paper from the dollar store. 

So much better!  Now my things aren't sliding around every time I open and close the drawer.  

Some time was spent in the kitchen working on some things for the freezer.  

After a morning of cooking the kitchen needed a little bit of attention. 

A clean, tidy kitchen always makes me smile. :)

I have also been out in the yard.  For some reason we are having tons of branches fall this year.

The band struck up a tune.

Just for a few minutes before I suggested (or maybe just told them!) to make it a marching band in the back yard.

It feels good to have time to make lunch.  VBS lasted until noon so lunches last week were quick and not very healthy.

Another project is off of the list.  The final coat of paint was put on the wishing well flower container.

I love being home and am enjoying home sweet home!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Until We Meet Again...

We said goodbye to our sweet 82 year old neighbor last week. I know that I have mentioned Celia several times on here. Usually for a treat or meal that we shared with her.

We had watched her health decline that last few years and then in the last 6 months she was to the point that she could barely hold up her head and walk.  I received a morning call almost a week ago that she needed some assistance.  She had gotten herself to the kitchen and was unable to move from the kitchen table.  I helped her to the couch and it was decided that evening that she needed full time care. Thankfully home health was able to come in so she didn't have to leave her home.  That was her wish....

On Tuesday of last week we were told that she was worse.  We went over that evening and were able to spend some quality time with her. She passed away the next evening and this is what I wrote on my Facebook page....

 Yesterday Chuck and I were honored and humbled to spend some time talking and praying at the bedside of our 82 year old neighbor, Celia. One of the things we talked about was that she was going to meet sweet Jesus soon. Well, this evening she entered the gates of heaven. I am saddened that I won't have the comfort of looking out the window and knowing she is there or sitting on her back porch chatting. My heart is rejoicing that she is healed, whole and sitting at the feet of Jesus! We'll miss you, Celia, but look forward to seeing you again one day. 

She was like family and had a special bond with Megan.  As sad as we are we know that this is God's plan... life, death, hardship and joy... through it all life keeps moving on...

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Glazed Fruit Salad

Sunday was our church picnic. Unfortunately we were unable to attend as Megan wasn't feeling well.  I had already prepared my dishes to take so I sent them in with my mother-in-law.

Glazed Fruit

29 oz canned peach slices, cut in half

20 oz canned pineapple tidbits

Small box of instant vanilla pudding

1 banana, sliced

1/2 pint blueberries

1 lb strawberries, sliced

1 cup sliced grapes

Mix peaches, pineapple (along with juice) and box of pudding until dissolved.  Stir in remaining fruit and chill. 

Megan orders a glazed fruit dish at a restaurant we sometimes go to.  She asked me if I had made this or bought it from the restaurant.  :)  I know I will be making this again as Megan is already asking for a different fruit combination next time.

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

 

Playing Catch Up

After last summer I said that we were going to have a slow one this year. Ha!  We are being more intentional about what we are doing but it still seems to be busy and moving by at warp speed.   A good kind of busy!  So here are a few highlights...

Unbelievable that my girl is eight!  We celebrated with dinner at a restaurant with family and back home for some cupcakes and presents.  Simple and sweet!

The Fourth of July we attended a small, local parade and then watched fireworks.  Again simple and sweet.  Hum-mm... are we seeing a theme. :)

An unplanned project also happened during the long 4th weekend.  The back porch was pressured washed.

We are getting a new roof on our home and back porch due to a hail storm.  We had hoped to paint the back porch next year but this has moved it up a little bit.  The plan is to at least have the rafters and anything that touches the roof painted before work begins.

An afternoon spent at Papaw's house (Chuck's dad) meant fun on the zipline!

We've had the opportunity to spend time with friends.  Our friend, Rob, is a kid at heart.  We love this guy!

A cookout with friends allowed Megan to play with ducks.

She is in love!

We have had lots of friends over and have been making treats to share.

The weather has been great and many days have been spent in the backyard.

I am a firm believer in kids having lots of time outside to run, play and use their imaginations.

On the agenda this week is grocery shopping, making a meal for a friend, VBS and the first of the green beans will probably be ready.  If I don't pop back on this week you will know why!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

A Day with Friends

My friend, Nicole, recently had her sixth child. Since then she has been sick and hospitalized several times for a non-birth related issue. Many of us at church have been stepping up preparing meals and offering childcare. The kids recently spent the day with us.

Eight kids that ranged from nine to two.  Things were certainly hopping around here!

I didn't think to tell the kids to bring swim clothes so we used the pool like a large water table.  

Don't worry there was constant supervision. :)  They had a blast!  They all played here for a good hour. 

After a full morning of outside play we took a break for lunch and naps for the little ones. 

To keep the house quiet while the little ones settled down we watch an episode of 19 Kids and Counting and then did some puff painting. 

This stuff is neat.  

1 Tbs self rising flour

1 Tbs salt

food coloring

1/4 tsp water

You may need to add a little more water to get correct consistency.  Once the picture is complete microwave for 30 seconds and watch it puff.  (The thicker the paint, the more it will puff.)  

New friends were made.  Eli (and Abe) both enjoyed Adelise.   Maybe just a little more then she enjoyed them! ;)

We ventured back outside for some more playtime. (I feel that kids needs lots of outdoor time.)

Late afternoon we were all hot so we headed back in.  The older girls headed to Megan's room.

The boys and Adelise stayed with me in the living room.

The kids were well behaved and we had such a fun day!  Sweet Adelise came back and spent two days and a night with us while mom was back to the hospital.  All the kids will be joining us for a day or two this week as it looks like Nicole will be having surgery.  Megan is excited for her friends to return.

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!