Today we were supposed to do yard work and meet up with some friends at a local pool. My youngest got sick and due to a fever we were forced to stay home. We were all bummed. Then I remembered the following video. I called the kids together and we watched. Then the best day ever happened. We sat down, all 4 of us and crafted and created our little hearts out. We seriously only got up to eat lunch. When it was time for dinner we packed up the mess. #1 vacuumed all the scraps, fuzz and stuff and we then showed my man the fruits of our labor. He was so super impressed.

I loved today. I loved seeing my kids experiment. I loved seeing the excitement as they cheered and affirmed each others work. I loved how my #2 yelled out loud, “I’ve made 4 AWESOME pieces of ART!!!” I loved their pride and got teary eyed as they showed off their masterpieces to their dad. I even love that I sat down and let the dishes pile up, the laundry stay scattered on the floor and did art with my kids. : )

Balloon Parade by Me!

Thanks for the inspiration Tanya Davis!

I ponder a lot about how and why I want my kids to obey my instruction. I am guilty of using emotion … my own emotions as a ploy for them to concede to the desires I have for them. I know this is wrong but it is a struggle. Yes their disobedience does drive a wedge in our relationship but what about when they are on their own or absent from me. What keeps them in the mindset of making the right choices? I don’t want them to fear my reaction later. What I truly desire is for their trust. I want them to trust me completely. I want my correction and discernment to resonate within them and they make choices believing I have counseled them to the best of my ability and that I want nothing but the best for them today, tomorrow and for the rest of their lives.

So, I think about when I go my own way and act independently from God. I am so not trusting him. I find myself heading towards compromise or feeling unsettled about situations that I am facing. What a joy and relief it is to stop and acknowledge, there is a God, who I trust. Who loves me beyond limits. Who wants me to obey out of that love and trust. In that trust I find wisdom and direction for today which leads to guidance for tomorrow which impacts my forever.

Well this week I was lead to read this post. It’s all so clear now what the real situation in China really is.

What does this mean for us? I am not sure. We can’t switch to special needs. My man has a contract job so our health insurance is on us. We cannot afford insurance that would be suitable to take on a special needs child. This could change within a year but there is no certainty. I feel a bit discouraged.

We’re praying.

Now she’s a big sister and I could just eat this newest little one UP!

Pasta Salad with Olives and Fresh Mozzarella

1 TBS olive oil & 2 TBS of salt (put in water when boiling pasta)
1 lb of pasta shells
3/4 cups of sliced black olives
1 cup fresh cubed mozzarella
2 med tomatoes peeled and diced
1 large cucumber peeled and diced
1 med red onion diced (I only use half)
2 bunches of fresh oregano chopped (we just sprinkle some dried in the mix)
1/2 cup of red wine vinegar
3 dashes of hot sauce
salt and pepper (you’ll need at least 1/2 tsp of salt)
optional: 1 small jar of capers drained

Cook pasta. Make sure it is al dente. Cool it quick by dipping it in a pan of ice water.
While pasta is cooking, chop up remaining ingredients. Once pasta in cool mix it all together and taste. Add more salt and or pepper to your liking. Then YUMMY! It’s done!

It makes a lot so be nice and share!

The girls always love crafts.

Little Miss K

“Hmmm. Pick a color, any color.” : )

We’ve been gone for the past two days and on Monday everything seemed just completely normal with all the girls. Today my grandmother was coming up the path to visit and she smelled it. She knocked on our door and delivered the bad news. The girls got a little upset. I was shocked I really didn’t feel much. Chickens are definitely a different type of pet. There are no warm and fuzzy feelings with them. They seem to love me only because I am the treat giver but other than that, they show no excitement or sadness – really they have no personality. Don’t get me wrong. I love having my chickens it’s just not this terrible loss to lose one.

Grandmother and I used a shovel to lift her and place her in a bag. There was no blood and her head was still attached. Thankfully grandmother (my HERO!!) insisted on burying her for me. She was badly decomposed and I almost couldn’t stomach it. Not sure what the cause was. Hopefully we won’t lose anymore.

So … to Big Girl. You were the first of my chickens to lay an egg. I will never forget the moment I freaked out and jumped continuously up and down with joy the day you laid it. You egg color was extremely unique and they were especially delicious. You started at the top of the pecking order, constantly bossing baby coffee around but she grew up and became top chick and knocked your rating down to 3rd. Thanks for the memories and all the eggs. You’ll be missed.

Adolescent

A young woman

We have watermelons, which my friend Rena started from seed, growing like crazy!!! I am just tickled pink at how many these vines are producing. It’s SO much fun to see the progress week by week even day by day. Our zucchinis are NUTS. They grow at super crazy speeds. Miss picking one and the next day it’s gigantic. I need to post a picture of some of the monster ones we have harvested.

There are TONS and TONS of tomatoes on the vine but only a few have ripened. I think it’s time to give them a fertilizer boost. We’ve shared a good bit of what we have grown so far with other people but we are going to be stingy with the tomatoes. I want to can a bunch this year and make gobs of salsa.

I love this whole gardening thing and I LOVE doing it with one of my besties!

I can’t wait to eat it!

It’s a pumpkin!

While we were working we kept him completely out of the room until the moment of the big reveal. He was so THRILLED. I was jumping up and down I was so excited!!!! The girls were going NUTS and my man couldn’t stop grinning. THANKS to EVERYBODY who helped make all this come together. It’s my boy’s dream come true. He is so happy and we are too! Well … except the girls. When they laid down for bed tonight and few tears were shed. They miss big brother in their room already. Next week, we rearrange the room for the girls!

BEFORE: I am taking this pic standing in the garage opening. Normally there is gobs of toys everywhere.

My dad is so amazing. He showed up today and said, “What can I do?” He’s so handy. He hung around and did a TON! Mom saved me. She came and took care of the kids tonight so that we could finish it all up. Jonathan even showed up for the reveal! (Those are his legs in the background)

AFTER:

Those are Lego guys on the edges of the windows. (My man has AMAZING ideas. He’s so awesome and so creative!)

He loves it!