Mosaic of Grace

Passport to Purity -Our Special Getaway {Plus a Reader's Discount!}

2013-07-07T01:40:00.001-05:00

When she was 11, we had the talk...you know, the birds and the bees...S-E-X.

I survived. She survived.

After discussing the science and mechanics of it all, I knew as a believer, that wasn't going to be enough. I would have to take it a step further. She needed to understand His glorious design for all the crazy things happening to her body. His beautiful purpose for sex within marriage. I knew she would have to know her worth...her value in God's eyes.

If not, this world would eat her alive.

I introduced her to the concept of purity and my desire to take her away for a weekend to discuss it in depth.

She looked at me like I had no less than 3 heads, so I told her to just let me know when she felt she might be interested in learning more...and we left it at that.

She is now 13, and recently she let me know that she was ready.

I ordered Passport 2 Purity, booked a hotel in Nashville, and spent 3 glorious days eating copious amounts of Chipotle and sour gummy worms in bed with my girl.

We hit the vending machine, and the day old lobby coffee, more times than I care to mention.

It was a total blast.

I won't go into all the details out of respect for her privacy, but I do want to share my love for this program.

I am super picky about how I approach this stuff with my kids.

I do not want them to be turned off to the truth of God's word simply because I picked a hokey method in which to do so.

I've seen Christian curriculum, that although well meaning, I myself have a hard time reading, never mind expecting my teenagers to be able to relate.

I'm sorry, but I just don't think, "you shouldn't have sex until you are married" is enough. In fact, the statistics prove it's not.

Did you know that 80% of single Christians will not wait until they are married to have sex?

Let's face it...the stuff our kids are facing is tough. Brutal even. They are bombarded sexually left and right. They need to hear about the hard stuff. And they need to hear it from you, mom and dad.

I was so stinkin' impressed with Passport 2 Purity and how relevant the content was.

The activities for each session were the highlight of the program according to my "hands-on" learner.

They were fun...but most importantly, they were applicable to what she had just learned.

I may have nearly died of embarrassment...at least twice. And I am pretty sure that when I get to heaven, I will be receiving an extra jewel in my crown.

In fact, I'm counting on it.

But by the time we wrapped up our time together, I saw this beautiful young lady sitting next to me full of understanding, convictions {her own}, and empowered to walk this purity thing out.

What a precious time spent with my beautiful girl...laughing, crying, and talking about the really. hard. stuff. that she will face in life.

We wrapped up our weekend with a little antiquing in Historic downtown Franklin.

I raised her right.

And a purity ring.

I pray this was a weekend that she never forgets. I know I won't.

Parents:
Talk to your children about their purity. Equip them with the power of 'decisions made' before they find themselves in situations they can't handle.

Think you can't afford it? You can't afford not to.

Think you don't have time? Make time.

You won't regret it. :)

Family Life is offering a special discount to my readers. Go to their website and enter the code P2PMOMS to receive a 20% discount on all Passport 2 Purity products.

* Just a head's up. We choose not to promote "dating" {in the typical sense} in our home so when we came to the last section titled "Crossing the Date Line," I only used the things that applied to our family's goals. You can personalize this program to meet your needs if you listen ahead of time.**

** I did not receive compensation for my opinion or endorsement of this product. Family Life did not ask me to review this product. I believed in it so much, that I asked them if they would offer a discount to my readers and they obliged. :)

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

13 Things on Her 13th Birthday

2013-06-06T13:06:00.000-05:00

Antiques are unique.
So are you.
Never try to fit in.
Stand out baby girl.

Outgrow your shoes.
Never outgrow your family.

You are loved more than all the sand in the oceans.

Laugh.
At yourself.
Often.

----------------------------------------

Fear is a liar.
Don't listen.

Wear your retainers.
For the rest of your life child.

----------------------------------------

Circumstances will not always be a choice.
Joy will.

Never be too old to be a kid.

You have tremendous value and worth.
Neither of those can be determined by this world.

You...

are so stinkin....

...talented!
Be confident in them all!

----------------------------------------

There are no limits to what you can do through Christ.
When the world tells you there is no way,
Hold tight to Jesus.
He will make one.

You are beautiful.
You are perfect.
You are enough.
Period.

**And one to grown on....

Don't be a people pleaser.
Like never.
Ever.
It's exhausting.
Please God.
It's all that matters in the end.

Happy 13th Birthday sweet girl!

Because Mine Is a Heart That Needs To Be Reminded...Emmanuel Has Come. {Processing Sandy Hook}

2012-12-19T23:01:00.000-06:00

I had just hit "publish" on my InstaFriday post.
Had just noticed that the header on my blog was missing.
Spent a good hour trying to fix it.
Was about to write up a post explaining this to my readers because "first impressions are everything"....at least the folks that know what makes a blog a good blog say so.

Then it happened.
"A school shooting had occurred in Connecticut...One teacher shot in the foot."
I remember that my initial thought was that a young child had brought a gun to school and injured a teacher with it.
What a shame I thought.

Busy morning running errands.
In and out of stores.
Finally, a chance to check my facebook.
I sat there in my car, in the parking lot of Dollar Tree, sobbing as I read accounts of the terror that had unfolded in a small elementary school in Connecticut.
My momma heart crumbling.
Breath clutched tight in my chest.
How I wished my initial assumptions had been true.
Just a kid, just a teacher...just a foot.
How grossly wrong those first account reports had been.
How worried I had been about a missing blog header.
Impressing you the reader.

Just like all of us, I have tried so hard to make sense of what has happened.
Sort through the oxygen robbing emotions I have felt.
Fear.
Confusion.
Grief.
Why?
Nausea.
Anxiety.
Anger.
Heartbreak.
Anger.
Fear.
Heartbreak.

Like a tide.
They roll in.
Back out.
In again.

Finally, in an attempt to process some of what was whirling around in my head, I posted this on Facebook:

"I feel traumatized if I allow myself to hear/think about it. I feel guilty if I try not to. I feel sick with every post/newscast I see about it. I feel angry at every thing I see that ISN'T about it. I feel crazy for crying all day. I feel guilty for laughing knowing what so many moms and dads are enduring in the moment. I feel full of grief when I think of what those parents must face today as they realize this is still their reality. I feel full of guilt for grieving a child that isn't even mine. What gives me the right when mine are breathing right next to me?? I feel like I should pray...but then cannot find the words. Then I realize that my own faith is lacking because if I were these parents I would not want to hear about "God's plans for me"...Yes, I just said that. Just feeling the need to be real. He already knows my many struggles/shortcomings. He alone has the answers...I just try in vain to find them this side of heaven. I really don't expect this to make sense. I just needed to purge this stuff out of my head. Writing helps."

Oh me of little faith.
He must get so tired of me doubting Him.
Still...I have to be honest before Him.
Light can only pierce through an object that is transparent.
I need His light.

Besides...

The God that carried the cross of the world can handle my brutally honest ramblings on Facebook.
My lack of faith in Him.
My doubting Him.
He can.

How do I process this Lord?
Am I really ever supposed to?
Should this ever be something I can wrap my mind around?

He answered,
Reminded me.
Leave it to Ann Voskamp. (You must read this)
That even when I cannot wrap my mind around something of this world...
I can wrap my hope up in the Christ of eternity.

That "A snake’s neurology and blood flow make it such that it slithers wild even after it’s been sliced headless."

That "A snake can wreak havoc until it accepts it has no head — that it’s really dead."

That "Even if the tail still rampages, the snake’s head is crushed."

He is good.
He is victorious.
He is faithful.
He is trustworthy.
He is in control.
He is sovereign.
He is Lord.
He is here.
Emmanuel...God has come.

"He came – and He cups us in our aloneness and our agony, in our weeping and our wondering, in our howl, “My God, my God, why has thou forsaken us?” – and He whispers, I am Emmanuel, God who is with you." -Ann

I am a soul that constantly needs to be reminded.
Because mine is a heart that shamefully needs to be told over and over again.
Because mine is a mind that wrestles with fears and doubts and trusting God.
Headless serpent thrashes.
Trauma clutches.
Fear paralyzes.
Thoughts cripple.
Momma hearts bleed.
I need to be reminded.

He has come and we are not forsaken.
Today.
Everyday.
I need to be reminded.

Mad Sewing Skills, Strep, and BUNCO {InstaFriday}

2012-12-14T10:05:00.003-06:00

Bath and Body Works has THE best candles ever.
All other candles just have a waxy smell.
Or they have this weird strong vanilla smell, that makes me feel like I'm choking in the back of my throat, no matter what the fragrance is.
Starts with "yank"...
End with"ee"...
Not that I'm naming names or anything.

Lately, I have just needed to be here.
Yeah.

Something about a Merry Go Round just screams, "Take a picture of me!"
I don't know what it is about them but I oblige.
Every time.

This boy made his acting debut this past week.
He takes 5th grade Drama at our homeschool tutorial.
Who waited till the last minute to make his Indian costume?
::raises hand::
This momma.
Was up till 1am making this.
Who can't sew to save her life?
::raises both hands::
Moi.

Watching him come alive on the stage made all the glue gun burns I got worth it.

He seriously has the bug.
Complained the whole way home that it was over and that he has to wait till Spring to act again.
Did I mention his older sister was the Stage Director for his play?
Or that I have two kiddos with the acting bug?
Or that I'm looking to hire a seamstress?

This past week my husband and I were part of the BEST surprise birthday party.
My friend/mentor/past tutor of my kiddo/homeschool mom with kids in college turned 50.
Man, I hope I look this good when I get there.
She's gorgeous!

The night was filled with soups galore, laughter, cake, and BUNCO!!!
Can you believe it was my first time playing?
Ever?
Where the heck have I been??
This game is so fun.
Plus it lends itself to the ADD within.
Non-stop action.
With a little cardio thrown in from time to time.
Yes, I lost a lot.
That's ok...I needed to burn off that cake.

Adam was the Bunco Queen...errr, King.

I am such a blessed gal to have people like this in my life.
They make me look good.

Monday nights usually mean Bible Study for Adam and SSMASH (Secondary Students Meeting at Someone's House) for Maggie and Tyler.
That means I usually get this boy right here all to myself.
He makes the best coffee date.

Thanks to Kroger fuel points I filled my husband's truck up this week for $1.60 off per gallon.
Usually takes $70ish dollars to fill.
Mommy like.

Speaking of Kroger....
Check your prices people.
Organic does not always cost more.

My boy wanted to learn to sew.
"Sew" we did.

Little did I know he would break out into 101.4 fever within 20 minutes of taking this picture.
Strep.
Nothing more humbling than your child with fever.
Nothing reminds me quicker that He is God...and I am not.
Many prayers and antibiotics later, he's back to building Legos and racing hot wheels.
Makes my heart smile.

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

That Time I Shot My Kids {with my camera of course}

2012-12-13T12:55:00.000-06:00

During Thanksgiving break I managed to get all three kids out in the yard for a little impromptu photo session.

I was hoping to get at least one shot that was Christmas card worthy.

I did even better.

I got five.

A then there's this one...

If a picture really is worth a thousand words...
This one says it all.

Thanksgiving and Tree Pickin' {2012}

2012-12-01T02:59:00.000-06:00

I was far too busy cooking and eating ~~and eating again~~ to chronicle Thanksgiving Day on my phone.
I did however take advantage of the 70 degree weather we were having.
Rounded the kids up in the yard for a long overdue photo shoot with my real camera.
Yes I still own one.

I'm glad I had my phone nearby though...otherwise I may have missed this shot.
Maggie and Bo.
His sweet face.
Her beautiful face.
I melt.

Guesstures with the family {extended included}
A Thanksgiving tradition.
Boys vs. Girls.
Lots of smack talk goes on here.
I'm talkin' someone from each team has to keep score.
No worries.
Girls remain victorious.
Every. Single. Time.
Boom.

The hubby obliged to head out on Black Friday with me.
He's not a sore loser.
We didn't do crazy people hours.
Got out around 8am....got everything we were looking for.
Take that sleep deprived crazy people.

Day after Thanksgiving is Tree Pickin' Day at our house.
We visit the same farm every year.
Tradition.

The kids picked the most beautiful tree I think we've ever had.

Before.

After.
Not one decorative ball on my tree.
Nothing but handmade ornaments from the kiddos and souvenir ornaments from our travels as a family.
Even the star is made from a cone-shaped water cooler cup and a coffee filter.
My sixteen year old made it when he was five.
Wouldn't take a million dollars for it.
Take your magazine cover worthy tree.
I'll keep my tree of memories.

No tree trimming party would be complete without some Holiday tunage.
Possibly my favorite Christmas song.
I dare you not to cry.

And on a less serious ~~more heathen~~ note, if you don't have some JB on your Christmas playlist... you are missing out.
We were jamming to this song tonight on the way home and Aidan said, "Mom, who is Shawty anyway??"
He was dead serious.
I didn't know whether to laugh or repent.

Have I told you lately how much joy this boy brings to my life?
Or how big he is getting?
Or how much I don't like it?
Or that I plan to keep him little forever?

This is my world right now.
Boo hiss.
I'm pretty much miserable and whiny.
But I ain't gonna lie...I get a little ~~too~~ excited when it's time to take those gloriously green horse pills up there.
Nothing like Nyquil sleep.
Nope.

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Homeschool Fall Dance {with a bit o' random}

2012-11-25T22:52:00.001-06:00

I sure do love this little devotion book.
Sometimes it is just what I need to hear.

Big brother and big sister at social event + dad working late = a date with this handsome fella.
Cutest 10 year old in all the land.

After extensive testing, I've discovered I have an extreme gluten and dairy intolerance.
Cue the end of the world

Doesn't everyone have a freakishly large poodle curled up on their couch?

This year's Fall Dance theme was "It Came From Outer Space"
Han Solo brought to you courtesy of Goodwill.
Not too shabby huh?
Blood Stripes and all.
Eat your heart out Mr. Ford.

Ashten went as an alien from Toy Story.

Do not be fooled by the title 'Homeschoolers.'
These kids have moves people.
Like Jagger.
Hey, is that Princess Leia I see doing the Cha-Cha Slide behind Han???

No dance is complete without YMCA.
Now that you have that song stuck in your head....
You're welcome.

He's such a looker that boy of mine.
Funny thing about this picture...
A friend saw this on Instagram and thought he was holding a long neck.
Um, no.
It's his blaster...or whatever heat Mr. Solo packs.
Of course that is ALL I see when I look at it now.
Sheesh.

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Girls Gatlinburg Getaway {It's Tradition}

2012-11-25T21:31:00.000-06:00

Lodging for 3 nights: $70
Dinner at Bullfish Grill: $40
Mountain Views: Free
Shopping: $$$$$

A yearly getaway with friends that know me better than I know myself sometimes...
And love me still....
Priceless.

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

No Make-up, Dishes In the Sink, and Emergency Coffee Dates {InstaFriday}

2012-11-03T11:21:00.002-05:00

Walked into Maggie's bedroom this week and found this.
Apparently poodles make excellent math tutors.

Adam went on his first ever "Man Hike" this past weekend.
He's all head over heels and stuff.
Apparently it was "love at first night sleeping in a hammock".
Have at it my love.
I'm kinda having this scandalous fling with my bed and food that wasn't meant to be eaten in space.

Bought this candle a week ago today.
It's halfway gone.
I kid you not.
It's like piping fall straight up the nostrils.

Speaking of fall and nostrils...I am such a sucker for the smell of wood burning.
Maybe it's because I grew up with a wood stove in the house and it makes me feel all 8 years old again.
Maybe it reminds me of my daddy.
I don't know the reason...I just know I love the smell of a fire and fall is the perfect excuse to saturate my clothing with it.

A girlfriend text me late Thursday night to ask for prayer.
She was having a really bad week.
I called another mom that I knew could relate.
What came next was what I like to call an ECD.
Emergency Coffee Date.
So thankful for friendships that do not require make-up, brushed hair, or matching clothes.

And yes, I brought pumpkin donuts from Dunkin Donuts into Starbucks.
I'm sorry ya'll, I big puffy heart love their lattes...but their desserts are like eating sugar sprinkled cardboard.
I dared them to say something.
I was fully prepared to point out how much I paid for that donut and how much I just paid for their fru fru drink.
Clearly they were getting the better end of my business.

Speaking of pumpkin.
It has got to go.
I find it irresistible in whatever form it comes in.
In fact if Starbucks wanted to slather some Trader Joe's pumpkin butter on their cardboard desserts I might just eat them.

A surprise trip through the drive thru + offering my youngest anything he wanted = pretty much the happiest 10 year old boy on the whole planet.
He kept telling me all day, "Mom, I just can't stop thanking you for letting me get that pumpkin coffee today."

Moms, DO NOT underestimate the power of sometimes throwing caution to the wind...forgetting all the rules...and just being a "yes!" mom.

Twice a year LCA (homeschool tutorial) offers our Jr. High and Sr. High students an opportunity to do service projects in the community.
Yesterday a group of teenagers headed out with rakes and gloves to help a few elderly people clean up their yards.
I love these kids to pieces.
They inspire me.

It is good to know that we can count on Netflix to have such well rounded movie categories.
Something for everyone.

I was challenged this week to jump on board with #thenewpretty.
The motivation behind this?
Be real.
I'm all about it here on my blog.
But posting a picture of myself sans makeup???
Skeery stuff.
But why though?
That's a whole 'nother post I'm sure.

Now that you've seen my wrinkles and my dark spots...
Here's my sink.

Happy first weekend of November friends! :-)

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Fall Mantle 2012 {Burlap and Bandanna Pennant}

2012-10-24T21:11:00.001-05:00

I finally finished my Fall Mantle.
I really wanted a tall, empty, wooden frame to add some height on the left.
Realistically, it probably won't happen this year.
So I'm gonna enjoy it as is.

Happy Fall Ya'll.

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

InstaFriday...on Tuesday

2012-10-23T18:09:00.000-05:00

I took this picture at the Nashville flea market a while back. It was on the front of a magazine. I still have no idea what it was for..I just wanted to remember it.
The doors.
The words.
Love.

Thanks to The Fresh 20 I am whipping up some of the finest, healthiest grub ever to grace my kitchen.

All fresh ingredients.
No processed food.
No frozen food.

If you knew me...you would know how huge this whole dairy free/cooking with zero processed foods thing is.

Ok, ok...so if you really know me...and some of you do, so I can't lie...it's equally huge that I'm cooking...period.
I hate to cook.
I do it, but it intimidates me, therefore I hate it.
This would be why I married a man with a Bachelor's degree from The Culinary Institute of America folks.

This time though, momma is cooking.

Scouts honor.

We have had major tummy issues around here.
Dairy/processed food free eating has truly changed everything.

Every time I put this food on the table, they start looking around like they are waiting for someone...I think they may be looking for the coming of Jesus.

My teenager said I should go on Chopped.

Ummm....no.

We've battled the funk recently.
Landed my youngest here with an ear infection.
Poor kid has had bad ears his whole life.
Two sets of tubes.
I love how our Pediatric office has murals of foreign countries on the wall.
Because pretending you are at the Pyramids in Egypt just makes everything better in life I guess.

I found this "Friendship Quilt" while thrifting.
I can't stop thinking about it.
Covered in squares with heartfelt messages from across the country.
Each square a different person.
A different state.
A different message of love.
Dates ranging from 1931-1932
A gift more than a year in the making.
I love that one square was from "Mother"...and it has the cutest heart on it.

I just can't get over the love and time put into this.
Did they mail it to each other till completion?
Did the recipient feel like the most loved gal in the world??
Was it a new bride??
We don't give gifts like this today.
I may just have to go back and buy it.

LIFE is a favorite family night game in our house.
My teenager especially loves to kick my tail in this game.
During a recent game, I looked down and saw this.
Couldn't help but think that Dave Ramsey would not approve of my lifestyle.

It may look like it came out of a baby diaper, but I declare, my smoothies are so dang good ya'll.

Because every little brother that has a big sister will eventually inherit her bike and get ahold of it with a can of spray paint.

He wanted "mud brown"...go figure.

A person with ADD would have been totally distracted by this little guy.
Snapping pictures with their phone and everything.
Phew...so glad that's not me.
Squirrel.

Our church has a ministry called TFL "Tailgate For Life" (a spin in our church name).
Each Tennessee Titans home game, a large group of moms, dads, and kids head down to the parking lot before the game to serve up FREE hot dogs and burgers.
Folks are invited to grab a chair, eat, chat, or play corn hole.
If they choose they can hang around for a time of devotion...if not they can leave with full bellies.
My boys love to participate in this.

I took this picture out of my second floor bedroom window this week.
Fall has arrived in Tennessee.
How about where you are?
Are the leaves turning yet?
Already gone?

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

How to Decorate With Seasonal Kids Art

2012-10-10T13:15:00.000-05:00

We are on fall break this week which leaves me with a little time on my hands to decorate the house for fall.

I big puffy heart love fall ya'll.

I keep a tote or two or five for each season and the decorations that go with it.

When the kids make any type of artwork that goes with that particular season...I usually keep it in that box.

Yesterday while pilfering through fall boxes, I found Fall/Thanksgiving artwork I have saved over the past years.

I never know what to do with it.

I used to stick it all on my kitchen cabinets but now that my cabinets are painted, I'm afraid to adhere anything onto them.

So I had the genius idea..and by genius I mean people have probably been doing this forever and I just now thought of it...of putting them up on a small wall in my kitchen...gallery style.

No measuring required.

No stressing over what goes where.

Just grab the Scotch tape and slap it up.

It's my way.

Turkeys made from hands...that still had fat dimpled fingers.

Paper chains of "gratitude".

Construction paper pilgrims.

This wall makes me happy.

I cannot wait to do the same thing for Christmas.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I keep everything my kids make.

It's bad.

I just can't seem to throw it into a garbage can when their little hands made it.

I may be on hoarders one day...making a walking path through piles of construction paper.

How about you?

Do you save your kid's art?

Pick through and keep your favorites?

Have a system for saving that you could share?

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Because Sometimes Real Life Comes Before Blogging

2012-10-07T00:46:00.000-05:00

Sometimes life...real life...needs me more.

Sometimes the ever changing needs and seasons of children growing up requires more time...more attention.

Sometimes God opens new doors and brings new opportunities...and they need more time...more attention.

And in the chaos of trying to be everything to everyone...I only manage to feel like I am failing at all of it.

In July I felt God asking me to lay down my blog for a while.

Ouch.

I needed to be reminded.

I blog because moment by moment, memories are being made...and I want to remember...not be remembered.

I blog because I want to capture every moment I am given with my children...not capture an audience. {If I do...I am truly grateful...but not the goal}

I blog because clocks tick without permission, memories scramble in my mind with age, their faces change, their voices change, they grow taller and taller and I cannot stop any of it...only purge every detail here while I still remember.

I blog because every now and again, He gives me something to say...and I am to be obedient in sharing.

I see things like "stats" and "hits" growing...

My inbox fills with offers to write and promote and join...and I am tempted to please the masses...

Maybe I should this...or maybe I should that...I could do this to draw more...or I could start doing that to make my blog more....

Please do not get me wrong or take anything I am saying out of context.
I am so grateful for every momma blogger out there that is able to consistently blog or make a career out of blogging.
I have formed some of the most precious, genuine friendships through the community of bloggers.
My life is all the better because of their willingness to share their wisdom and engage with their readers.
Not to mention my decor.

But so often I have to be reminded...this is not what He has asked of me in this season of my life.

It is not the calling He has placed on me.

It is not to be my focus.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Tonight...my house is in order...His blessing is on this...it is time.

So forgive me as I break the golden rules of blogging...1) apologizing for being absent so long 2) sharing way too many pictures. 3) writing more than a couple of paragraphs 4) confessing how much I have missed sharing my mindless ramblings with you all. :)

This.....this is why...in this season of my life....I blog.....

Because there are moments I catch a glimpse of my daughter's faith...and it takes my breath away.

Because my youngest child turned double digits...and requests cupcakes and orange juice for breakfast...and I oblige because he is my baby. Poor kid...he doesn't have a clue that I'm never gonna let him leave.

Because even though he's double digits...he still falls asleep in my lap...and I never want to move.

Because my four legged child likes to lay on the air vents...and take them with him. We call this Bo's bling.

Because we make a summer list...and check things off.

Because even at 36 you're not too old to wear braces...again.

Because this exact view has been a yearly tradition for the past 9 years.

Because the kids are older now...and we get to sip our coffee on the beach at sunrise...alone.

Because sometimes...if I'm lucky...a seagull flies into my frame...at just the right time.

Because there is never a dull moment with these three.

Because hot cocoa at The Donut Hole is also tradition.

Because having a teenager means having date night at the beach. ::please refrain from all metal mouth jokes::

Because sometimes they aren't looking...and I catch them...having fun...together.

Because I catch my 12 year old daughter reading Kisses From Katie...for the second time...and I feel terrified/excited/happy/humbled/inspired/terrified...all at the same time.

Because I find a picture of said 12 year old on Instagram and the air is sucked from my chest because I see the stunning young woman she is becoming.

Because she paints things like this...and I think...how on earth did such a talented, passionate, artistic, being ever come from my DNA???

Because we are homeschooling through high school...and Advanced Biology is a beast.

Because my 16 year old gets to do cool things like cadaver labs {yes, real cadavers} at Lipscomb University...followed by lunch dates with mom at Chipotle.

Because at 36 I've not only decided to correct what my 12 year old non-retainer wearing self did to 3 years of orthodontia...but I've also decided to radically change the way we eat in our home.

Because a new way of eating means a new kind of date night. Healthy is sexy.

Because 7th grade leaf collections lead to roaming the lake with my kiddos...at sunset.

Because a spontaneous trip to the flea market leads to super duper cheap vintage finds.

Because summer fades...and gives way to fall...and that means camping on the lake. And pumpkin butter.

Because fall is not complete without our annual LCA {homeschool tutorial} camping trip.

Because some friendships started in the 2nd grade...and are still going strong.

Because every fall we take part in the Junior Docent program at The Hermitage...home of President Andrew Jackson.
Because he is the only kid I have left that does not think he is too cool.

Because every now and then...I get lucky enough to capture a moment like this.
Tyler and his sheepish grin.
Maggie and her infectious smile.
And Aidan...my one of a kind Aidan... being one of a kind Aidan.

Because one day...they will be grown and gone {I will have no choice but to get a lap dog}...and this is all I will have left.

This is why I blog.

Remind me.

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Organizing Your Homeschool Day

2012-09-05T10:18:00.001-05:00

I also could have titled this post, "How a Dry Erase Board Saved My Life."

Nothing profound here.

In fact I'm probably just the last homeschool mom on the planet to think of this.

A dry erase board in our school area.

Ta-da! ::crickets chirping::

I warned you.

I know, I know...right about now, you're probably finding yourself in need of forgiveness for coveting my, downright genius, creative/organizing/homeschooling skills.

I do apologize...it's a curse sometimes.

Here's how it works...for me:

Each child has a "must get done" list for the day.

The list is written in order of priority and they must work in order. (for some crazy reason they still try to save Math for last...silly kids...they must really love it)

As each child accomplishes the things on their list, they check it off.

Even the teenager comes down out of his cave a few times a day to mark off what he has accomplished. I still have no explanation as to why he has been so on board with this new system....hmm...come I think of it, he hasn't once asked, "Hey mom, aren't you gonna scream up the stairs like a banshee to ask me if I've done Algebra anymore?!"...I'm sure that has nothing to do with it though.

How does this help you ask?

The benefits have been two fold:

For the kids:

A visual list of what must be accomplished has helped them to be more focused and intentional with their time.
I have seen a new sense of motivation and purpose in them
A much smoother workflow throughout the day. Long gone are the days of , "mom, what do I need to do now?" or losing them to t.v. or games because you are busy helping a sibling and can't stop to see where they are or point them in the next direction they need to go.
A strong display of ownership, independence, and accomplishment in them.
They really dig this checklist thing.

For mom:

Let me just say this ::deep long exhale::...with a Junior in High School, a 7th Grader, and a 5th grader, this school year was starting to feel mucho overwhelming. This new system helps me to purge my brain onto something tangible and has reduced forgetfulness and stress. Keyword being reduced.
I can breathe so much easier when I can see what we have to tackle, what we have tackled, and what still needs to be tackled.
I have noticed that this takes away a lot of that "we're not doing enough" mentality that we homeschool moms seem to be plagued with. I can now see with my own two eyes that we are in fact doing so much more than I ever realized.
We are getting more work done. It's true.
No more sitting through dinner thinking, "we still need to do math", or, "great, we're behind again" as my head hits the pillow.
I am able to see (I'm a visual learner) exactly what we are accomplishing everyday and I am able to end our day knowing that everything that needed to get done...got done.
I get to smell the markers. They aren't Sharpies, but they will suffice.

So there you have it.

A dry erase board, 4 holes in my living room wall, and a few colorful markers later...sanity.

Heck, it only took me 7 years to find it.

**Dry erase boards are super pricey. Two words. Hobby. Lobby. This one was $23 plus they usually have a 40% off coupon on their website under "in store specials".
**Or if you are in the creative mode you can make your own from shower board...or what they hey, why not paint an entire wall???

Disclaimer: I do still own a real camera and I do still know how to get a "level" shot. Sometimes I'm just too lazy to do either.

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Lord of the Rings, Chocolate Gravy, and Name Dropping.{InstaFriday...on a Monday}

2012-07-09T00:35:00.001-05:00

This happened this week.
It was too hot outside to do much else.
Man...I sure wish my legs were as tan as InstaGram makes them out to be.
I love pedicures but have a love/hate relationship with the massage chairs you sit in.
Love the massage..hate the jiggle.
It really is disturbing.
I just go to my happy place and tell myself that the guy doing my pedi doesn't notice.

112 degree weather is the perfect excuse to stay home all day.
And do some organizing.
Nothing drives me battier than a fridge in chaos.
See that upside down ketchup bottle in the bottom of the door?
It makes me twitch.

There...that's better. ::exhale::
My mom saw this picture and called me to tell me that she didn't really see a difference.
I love her for it.
Really I do.

My little sister finally got engaged.
By finally I mean it is about time they did.
Not "we were fearful she'd be an old maid" finally.
My mom felt I should have clarified that on InstaGram.
I love her for it.
Really, I do.

We had Ashten over after church Sunday.
She had never seen Lord of the Rings.
Wha?!
No wait...there's more.
She had also never had chocolate gravy.
I know...it's disturbing isn't it.
That poor, poor girl.
We took care of both in one day.

We had a fabulous Fourth.
Water sponge ball fights.
Hot dogs on the grill.
And Ol' Glory on my plate.
My mom made this.
And I really do love her for it. :-)

Who knew cherry tomatoes could steal your heart?
They have.
Every morning they greet me like little ruby red pearls strung on green.
Little miracles.
I can't help but sing this song every time I hang out in my garden.

Random fact: That cello player? I know her. Meet Cara. She accompanied me on a Sunday morning for worship once. I got so lost in her cello solo during the bridge that I almost forgot to come back in. I big puffy heart love a cello.

While I'm shamelessly name dropping, let me mention this guy.
His name is Rhett and he's about to be all kinds of famous.
I had the privilege to lead worship with him for most of 2011.
Before he went and got all "I've got to go on tour" on us.

He's amazingly talented...and sings 'How He Loves' like no one else in my book.
See, I had to snap a photo...it's that good.
To this day I cannot sing Revelation Song without hearing his South Carolina twang harmonizing with me "you are my everythang".

He has a new album that he is promoting "When Mercy Found Me" and I'd love for you to head over to his Facebook page and Twitter page and show him some love...would ya?
Heck have a listen while you're there.
He's a swell guy and his music is....real, raw, and authentic.
In other words, rare.
I'm super proud of him and you can tell him I said so.

This is the real reason I live in Nashville...so that ridiculously talented folks like Cara and Rhett can make me look good.

When I was a kid I remember thinking that new shoes made me run faster.
Now I'm 36.
I don't run.
It's the cheap shoes I'm after.
They just fit better don't they?
$12 Crocs.
Thanks Shoebuy.com

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

The Great Vitamix Debacle of 12, Bangs, and Hella Hot {InstaFriday}

2012-06-29T15:08:00.003-05:00

I've had this machine since April.
No accidents.
A friend of mine posted a picture on Facebook of her "mishap" with a smoothie.
I commented on how this was my worst fear with this machine.
Two hours later this happened.
Unbelievable.

My trips to the Amish are becoming more and more frequent.
I love the simplicity of their life.
Wonder if they'd let me join them?
Yeah, probably not.
I got all of this for $21.
Boom.

I have been a regular popsicle making machine around here lately.
These are our favorite so far.
Coconut Paletas.

My harvest one morning this week.
My corn never grew beyond pitiful size.
But it is my corn.
And I love it.

My sugar babies are almost ripe.
Should be perfect by the Fourth of July.
I planted red and yellow.

Speaking of sugar babies.
He is pretty much mine.
The kids spent the day at my moms and we had an all day date.
Lots of shopping and eating and talking,
Glorious no kids interrupting adults only talking.

Maggie wanted some layers cut into her hair and bangs.
All this was a first for her.
It is beautiful.
But it makes her look three years older and I am not digging that part.

This is my forecast for the next few days.
Satan called...he wants his weather back.

How about you...is it hot where you live?
Are you near the fires in Colorado?
The tropical storm in Florida?

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Paletas {Make Your Own Popsicles}

2012-06-25T01:28:00.003-05:00

After eating my weight in these bad boys, I started thinking that maybe I could make my own Popsicles now that I have my new ~~obsession~~ Vitamix.
Plus we just added "make popsicles" to our 2012 Summer List so it was a no brainer.
Popsicle makers we would be.

I read several posts about making your own popsicles, then I ordered this Popsicle maker from Amazon.
Love it.
Worth every penny.
My first goal was to make a whole fruit popsicle.
Sorta like Edy's except with more fruit.
I chopped fresh strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, and seedless watermelon into small bite size chunks.
(I put my pineapple in the Vitamix for a couple of seconds...not necessary though)

I filled each container about 3/4 full with fruit.
Then I filled to the top with fruit juice.
I used Dole Orange Pineapple Banana.
Not exactly as healthy as I was aiming for but it was on hand the day the popsicle maker arrived and well, I'm just impatient like that.
Next time I will be using something less ~~high fructose corn syrup laden~~ artificially sweetened.
Real fruit juice.

Lastly, I added the lid and then the sticks (both come with the maker).
Freeze till solid and....

Voila!
Gorgeous whole fruit Popsicles.

Both my husband and I loved biting into the chunks of frozen fruit.
Our kids...not so much.
That's cool.
More for us.
I promised them that next time I will put all the fruit in the Vitamix and blend well before freezing.

My second favorite Edy's popsicle is the Coconut flavor.
So I made made my own.
I'm feeling pretty powerful with this little freezing machine.

Coconut Paletas:
2 cups Coconut Milk (I found Light Coconut Milk in a can at Kroger)
2 cups skim milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2-1 cup sweetened coconut shredded (depends on how much you like coconut...I personally used a whole cup)

Mix ingredients well and fill popsicle maker.
Add the lid and sticks.
Place in freezer till frozen.

Tip:
Soak your popsicle sticks in warm water while making your popsicles. This will weigh them down and prevent them from floating up when you stick them in your popsicle maker.

Oh. My. Gracious.
Sinful.
Like drinking a bottle of Hawaiian Tropic.
Yes, I've considered it.

Have you smelled that stuff?!?

With your very own popsicle maker, you can say so long to ingredients like "Citric Acid, Corn Syrup, Guar Gum, Carob Bean Gum, and Soy Lecithin."
Gross.
You will know every single ingredient that goes into them.

There are so many variations of popsicles that can be made when making your own.
The possibilities truly are endless.
I have an entire board on Pinterest just for pinning popsicle recipes.

You can also visit Kelly at "The Nourishing Home" and receive her free e-book on Healthy Ice Pops and Frozen Treats.
All you need to do is subscribe to her blog.
Trust me, you are gonna be much obliged.
Fabulous healthy content.

How about you?

Do you make your own popsicles?

Have a favorite recipe you'd like to share?

Feel free to do so in the comments.





Skip to My Lou's "Made By You Monday"
A Lettered Life "Tasty Tuesdays"

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Camping, My Garden, and a Toilet Shaped Cake {InstaFriday}

2012-06-22T08:56:00.001-05:00

Aidan was recently honored for the badges he earned through the Royal Ranger program at church.
Thanks to this program he has read multiple books of the Bible and knows how to tie a bajillion different knots.
Boy is set.

He also had his first encounter with a batting cage.
Loved it.

I am such a sucker for freshly rolled hay bales.
And ginormous skies filled with big puffy clouds.

I planted this garden on May 6th.
It is now a BEAST!
In fact this isn't the most up to date picture.
That watermelon up there in the top right?
It is the size of a softball now.
Fresh cucumbers in my pasta salad last night.
I am loving this gardening thing.

Holiday World was on our 2011 Summer List.
We did not get there last year.
However, we did this year.
It was amazing.
I highly recommend this park.
Anything located in a town called Santa Claus has to be fun right?

That's the beauty of Summer Lists.
Putting a goal on the radar and finding a way to make it happen.
You can find our 2012 Summer List here.

Last week we headed to a friend's 50th surprise birthday dinner.
For the life of me I could not get this picture to focus.

This was the cake.
Yes, for real.
I did not eat it.
Guess what?
I have found the secret to weight loss ya'll.
Make food look like crap.
Literally.
Can't you just see the infomercials for this?
Watch out P90X...the crap diet is moving in.

This is the real reason I go to dinner with friends.
They have babies that I get to hold.
This is Miss Micah.
Yes, her head smelled amazing.

The past 4 days of my life have been spent sitting right here...with this view.
Kayaking.
Reading.
Smores.
No make-up.
It is glorious.

Friends of ours happened to be there at the same time.
The kids had a blast in the lake.

My favorite part of camping?
Sunset.
No filter on this photo.

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

2012 Summer List {44 Things We Hope to Do This Summer}

2012-06-21T22:01:00.000-05:00

It is that time of year again.
Summer Break!
Whoo Hoo!!!
I'm a Homeschool mom of 3.
I get all kinds of excited about summer break.

My family has discovered that the best way to make the most of our time off is to make a Summer List.
A list of all the things we want to accomplish during this glorious time of sleeping in and no homework.

Sooooo.....

Call a family meeting and get to writing.
Nothing is off limits.
Dream big.
Be creative.
There are no bad ideas. (Notice "Say hi to a stranger" courtesy of the 9 year old)
The cheaper the better.
Making memories does not have to mean going broke.
In fact it is usually the little things that kids love and remember the most.
Notice "Tickle Monster" made the cut again this year.

1.Sonic Happy Hour
2.Dad cooks fancy meal. {He's a Culinary Institute of America graduate}
3.Kayak
4.Beach
5.Watch Sunset
6.Treat Tuesdays {Baskin Robins has $1 scoops on Tuesday nights}
7.Farmer's Market
8.Pool
9.Play in the Rain
10.Take the Train Downtown
11.Drive-In
12.Fishing
13.Walk to Movies
14.Picnic
15.Unplugged Day {yep, no phones, no tv, no internet...all.day.long}
16.Visit Amish
17.Go to Creek
18.Make a Fort in Living Room
19.Dessert for Dinner
20.Bowling
21.Sounds Game {Minor League Baseball}
22.Yard Sale for Mission Trips
23.Lemonade Stand
24.Las Paletas {Gourmet Mexican Popsicles Downtown}
25.Play Hide & Seek in the House
26.Family Mailbox {a mailbox in the house that we can write letters and messages to each other and place inside}
27.Eat at Earl G. Dumplings {the name says it all I think...country cooking like your grandma's kitchen}
28.Paint on Canvases
29.Make Chalkboard in Kitchen
30.Library
31.Hoola Hoop Contest
32.Water Balloon Fight
33.Stay Up All Night
34.Camping
35.Just Dance Party
36.Tickle Monster {all you need is dad, the kids, and a lot of screaming and running through the house and you have tickle monster}
37.Donut Saturdays
38.Play in Mud
39.Eat at The Biscuit House
40.Visit Puckett's Grocery
41.Say "hi" to a stranger
42.Mom/Dad Dates {one on one dates with mom and dad}
43.Read Aloud
44.Make Popsicles

Here is a link to our 2011 Summer List.
We pulled it out this year and it felt so good to look back and see all the things that we accomplished last year simply because we made a point to be intentional with our time.

**I want to be sure to give credit where credit is due.
Meg is the Summer List queen.
Seriously...check out her list from 2011.

--------------------------------------------------

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

My Man Rocks {you've got to see this} and My Daughter is Now Officially Almost a Teenager. {InstaFriday}

2012-06-08T16:10:00.002-05:00

Let's start this post off right shall we?
This is my man.
That is my nine year old son's t-shirt.
It is purple and about 5 sizes too small.
He is totally sporting rockstar fingers in this photo.
He is shameless when it comes to making his kids smile.
He is all mine ladies.
Sorry.

Picked this from my garden.

It ended up in here.

Then here.
Green mustache to match his eyes.

Don't judge.
I heart Steve Perry.

My girl turned 12 this week.
All she wanted to do was pick up a car full of friends...and shop.
All my fears of whether or not I have raised her right were immediately put to rest.
Phew.

We visited with cows...
And closed down Forever 21.

We also ate fried dough and smelled like a walking perfume sample.
It was awesome.

She wanted a new guitar for her birthday.
She had one already but it was old and cheap and had a little brother sized crack in it.
Callused fingertips and constant playing left us with the reality that this was no passing phase.
So we agreed to go in halvsey with her on it.
{Before you have a coronary...we did not buy the guitar in the picture.}

She is now the proud owner of her very own Taylor.

We ended the day in Downtown Nashville at Maggiano's.
She was serenaded by an opera singer in Italian.
So cool.
She was only slightly mortified.

It was a fabulous week of celebrating 12 years of Maggie, but by far my favorite memory happened the moment she officially turned 12.
Riding in the front seat is a rite of passage she has been looking forward to ~~pestering me about~~ for a long time.
When the clock struck midnight on her birthday, I loaded her up in the front seat and we went for a drive.
Just the two of us.
Windows down.
Singing "Baby" at the top of our lungs.
Holding hands.
Have I told you lately how much I love having a daughter?

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

12 Reasons Everyone Should Have a 12 Year Old Daughter

2012-06-08T15:10:00.000-05:00

1. They like to shop.

2. They have a massive stash of lip gloss.

3. Your shoe collection doubles automatically.

4. They love what you love. T~~heir love of photography is just the excuse you need to upgrade your camera.~~

5. They pick really cool friends that you genuinely enjoy hanging out with.

6. They have more style in their pinky finger than you will ever dream of having.

7. Instant pedicure partner.

8. They are beautiful.

9. They bake.

10. They can make these for you.

11. You can get away with listening to this...guilt free.

12. That baby girl that you used to call daughter slowly becomes so much more....your best friend.

HAPPY {belated} BIRTHDAY MAGPIE!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Because Mondays Are Random

2012-06-04T22:52:00.001-05:00

Warning: This post will not contain one ounce of anything remotely inspirational, educational, or cohesive even.
Heck you may not even find complete sentences.
Just the mindless ramblings of the day.

By the way...it has been Monday all. day. long.

-----------------------------------------------------

Why is it that when I watch shows like Biggest Loser and Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition all I wanna do is eat a biscuit?
Or three.
Why can't watching other people do all the hard work count for something?

I am officially adding learn how to play empty butter tubs to my bucket list.
It can't be that hard right?

This website has just made my day.
I'm not sure what this says about me exactly.
I'm pretty sure my husband is writing these by the way.

I made this for dinner tonight.
It is delicious.
Instead of using turkey I use Laura's 96% lean beef.
I got the recipe at Skinnytaste.

Have I told you how much I love Gina's recipes?
I have made like a gazillion and loved every one of them.
I also made her Garlic Mashed Potatoes tonight.
I leave out the garlic.
My family likes the more traditional flavor.

--------------------------------------------------

There are two things in life that seem so unfair.
The fact that I now, at 36, share a tube of Clearasil with my teenager.
And the fact that every single time I look in the mirror, I see a new gray hair.
The whole "crown of glory" thing just is not for me.
They are just gross.
Dead.
Coarse.
Gross.
Gonna go with my "natural instincts" and douse those bad boys with color.

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Dixie Chicks, Corn Shuckin', and a Creamy Grape Dessert {InstaFriday}

2012-06-01T00:47:00.002-05:00

Last weekend my boys came home from their Mission trip in Bolivia.
I was tempted to run onto the plane and kiss the pilot, but it was late and I wasn't up for dealing with the Feds and all.

As a mom you know there will be times that life pulls the people you love most in different directions.
There will be times you are not under the same roof, in the same car, or heck...on the same continent even.
By the grace of God you make it through those times.
The minute you are within the same four walls again...you realize you've been holding your breath the whole time.
Exhale.

Having my peeps back called for a celebration of some sort.
This is pretty much how we do it.
Fried dough.
Would you think less of me if I told you that I fantasize about laying on that conveyor belt, on my back, taking a ride through that waterfall of confectionery euphoria?
Or that I'd open my mouth and stick out my tongue?

Speaking of celebrating...my man turned 37 this week.
He's not into surprise parties and such.
In fact he requested I not.
So I decided I'd let the calm, introverted folks down at the local Mexican restaurant make a "quiet" fuss over him.
There may or may not have been an accordion involved.

I was afraid he would never speak to me again.
So I had my mom bake him his favorite strawberry cake.
It's all good now.
He loves me.
Phew.

This is so completely random but sometimes when I'm alone in my car I can't help but crank up some Dixie Chicks.
I'm sorry...I love them.
Heck, I'm not even a Country Music fan.
I really don't care what they think about our Presidents or whether or not they are "Ready to Make Nice".
Musically they are ridiculously talented.
Write.Play.Sing.
At the end of the day, I can respect that.
Especially when the poor folks that do like Country music are stuck with songs like "Honky Tonk Badonky Donk".
What tha??
Anyhoo, I had completely forgotten about this song.
I used to sing it to my boys while rocking them to sleep for naps.
I pretty much snotted up right there in the car while driving down the road.
Not a good plan.

Ever had one of these?
I had three.
In one day ~~hour~~.

Yeah that's me in my Yoga pants again.
No, I don't do Yoga.
Never have.
Never plan to.
As long as the next President doesn't make it illegal to misrepresent what a Yoga body should look like, I'm good to go.
I love pedicures but lets talk about those massage chairs shall we?
Am I the only one that finds these to be awkward?
Oh they feel great and all but have you watched someone sitting in one of those chairs lately?
Too much jiggle.
Too many really awkard ~~convulsive~~ body movements.
I keep mine off.
I know I know...I'm missing out.
It's ok.
I've made peace with it.

I heart summer...and corn shuckin'.

You're probably wondering what the heck this is.
It is a fabulous Creamy Grape Dessert from Gina over at Skinny Taste.
I made it last night for the family.
If you haven't visited her site before go.
Run even.
She's fabulous and her recipes taste divine.
Plus, her picture of this dessert does it justice.
Only problem is that this recipe is so good that it can no longer be labeled "skinny" in my house.
I've eaten half the pan already.

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

"How Does Your Garden Grow?" {Square Foot Gardening}

2012-05-30T10:41:00.000-05:00

Last month I decided to finally mark something off of my bucket list.
Growing my own garden.
I actually had this on our Summer List 2011 too.
Never happened.
It is intimidating.
It's that simple.
And I have just enough of the perfectionism gene to say to heck with it because I feel I won't do it "right".
This time I threw caution to the wind and said, "I'm going for it."
Ok, so I lie.
Actually, it is simply the fact that my mom lives close enough now to hold my hand, every step of the way, that I have any courage whatsoever to pull the trigger on such a venture.

I started by buying three 16 ft. long 2X8 pieces of untreated lumber from Lowe's.
I had them cut two of those in half (these would be my long sides) and one of them into four equal pieces (these would be my ends).
This helped me build two 4X8 beds and utilize every piece of wood.
A box of 3 1/4" deck screws.
Twine.
Nails.
One truckload of "Holy Cow" all in one topsoil.
All of this, plus your veggies to plant, and you will be Farmer Brown in no time!

Adam screwed them together and then we placed them out in my fenced in patio area.
If you do not have a fenced in area you will need to put up something to keep the critters out.
I knew that if they were out of sight (behind the fence), they would be out of mind.
I needed to see them everyday to enjoy ~~think about watering~~ it.
Once the beds were level (I ended up moving one of them after this picture) we took up the top layer of grass then put down strips of weed control.

Then my hunk of a man scooped in the Holy Cow while we spread it in the beds evenly.
You will want it almost completely to the top.

My mom was teaching Aidan how to spread the soil and break up the clumps.
She'll hate me for this.
I'll just pray she forgives me and be glad that she doesn't have her own blog.

Even the teenager cheerfully ~~he kept mysteriously vanishing~~ got in on the work.

Then we took a tape measure and marked each one foot section with a pencil making an arrow tip that points into the bed.
The nail would go inside the arrow.
We did this all the way around.

Then we nailed in the nails at each arrow at an angle.

Leaving about this much sticking up.
Then I took twine and started it on one end tying a knot around the nail.
Then I would pass it down to the opposite end and we would loop it around the nail twice and move to the nail beside that one.
Then we would pass it back down lengthwise again,
Looping and passing till we got to the last nail then tying a knot.
We used the same procedure to go across the width of the bed as well.

Then I used the hammer to bend over the nails and hammer them in to the wood a bit as to hold the twine securely and pull it as tight as possible.

Hope that makes sense.
In other words I did not tie a knot at each nail.
Only the beginning and ending nail.
The others I wrapped around twice then passed to the next nail.

This was my paper where I had charted out all the veggies I would need to make room for.
This helped me to plot out where everything would be planted based on how much I had to plant and how many squares I had to plant in.

I advise you to Google the proper procedures for your specific veggies and fruits.
There are some rules to planting certain things.
Such as cucumbers and melons can't go side by side.
Nor can cantaloupe and watermelon.

Also you will need to know how many of each thing can fit into one square.
Tomatoes can go two to a square but lettuces can go 4 to a square.
It is worth the time to research for the most successful garden possible.

There really is a science to gardening which makes me appreciate the generations before me that literally lived off the land.
How resourceful they were.
How in sync with nature they had to be to make it all work.

And then to teach themselves to preserve it all winter without going bad?!
Mind blowing.

This was taken the day they were planted.
May 6, 2012
Bed #1: Broccoli, spinach, rosemary. jalapenos, red leaf lettuce, romaine, butter leaf lettuce, strawberries and baby watermelons.
Bed #2: Cucumbers, corn, sweet potatoes, load of different types of tomatoes, and cantaloupe.

This was my garden today.
May 30, 2012
It is a beast! :-)
I simply cannot wait to have 'mater sandwich from freshly picked tomatoes in my garden.

So proud of these two little jalapenos that are growing.
They are the first actual veggie I see forming thus far.
They are like my babies now.
I check them everyday.

I picked these yesterday morning for a salad.
I washed them and put them in the salad spinner.
They are glorious...that is all I can say.
Completely organic too!
No better feeling.

What My Men Have Been Up To In Bolivia {InstaFriday}

2012-05-25T11:01:00.003-05:00

My husband and my sixteen year old left for a mission trip to Bolivia last Wednesday.
We haven't had much communication.
We were able to Skype once but I quickly realized that it made things worse.
Getting one message on Facebook per night was best.
Having to hit "disconnect" while looking at the faces of the men I love most in the world was too much to take.

Here are some of the pictures they posted this week on Facebook.
Thought I'd share.
Thank you to those that have kept them in your prayers for me this week.
They come home tonight!!!
Whoo Hoo!!!

To read more about the radical call on my son's life and his momma's not so graceful response to it all click here.

La Paz.
14,000 feet in elevation.
A beast.
We were most concerned about this leg of the trip.
So many people get very sick during this layover due to the lack of oxygen.
The cabin of the airplane is depressurized and your body is met with very very thin air all at once.
Adam said that most of the people on the plane did in fact feel the effects but unfortunately my Tyler was the one to actually get sick.
Twice.
A flight out of the there and a Zofran later, he was feeling much better.
Poor guy...before going that is the one thing he said he was concerned about...vomiting in front of everybody.
Maybe this was God's way of breaking some pride before the trip...who knows.
Nothing says guess I don't need to worry about impressing any of you now like losing your lunch in front of your fellow travellers.

Landing in Cochabamba.
Final Destination.

While there this past week the goal was to help in the construction of a new home to be added to The Bolivian Hope Center for abandoned mothers and their children.
This is an epidemic in their culture.
Women in prison.
On the streets.
Their children along for the bumpy ride.

Adam said that I would have been so proud of our son.
That he was up early every morning and worked hard all day.
I knew one thing before he went...that he would either be miserable there or come home a man.

I have no idea what he is doing in this picture but I can't help but think that they obviously don't know him very well.
If so they would not have placed him that close to that giant hole in the ground.
The boy is super coordinated but graceful? Not so much.
He is his mother's child for sure.

They were able to travel up into the Andes Mountain range one day.
Destination 15,500 ft.
On those roads.

In the back of one of these.
So glad I didn't know till it was over.

These are houses in the mountains.
The Ketchua people live here.

Breathtaking views.
Not bad mints either. ;-)

My boy and his dad.
My heart floods with joy when I think of them experiencing this together.

Tyler and Ashten in the Andes.

More important than any physical work they could do, loving on the children of the Hope Center was the number one priority.

In my few and far between updates from Adam he sent this picture and said that this young lady named Allison had stolen his heart.
She is around our Maggie's age.

He also sent this one of a 2 year old named Sophia.
He said that they told him she doesn't "go" to anyone that comes there.
She went straight to him.
Then she cried when he left.
He said it broke his heart.
I said, "bring her home with you!"

A day of crafts with Allison and Sophia.
Beautiful girls.

It looks like it has been a wonderful trip.
I look forward to hearing all about it.
I know God has done more than take them on a geographical journey.

Here on the home front we kept ourselves busy so that we wouldn't have too much time to think about how much we missed Adam and Tyler.
I am a trip coordinator for our Homeschool tutorial.
Wednesday I took this year's Freshman and Sophomores to Holiday World for their end of the year class trip.
Minus my Tyler of course...he was supposed to be on this trip.
We had a complete blast.
Hot sun.
Cold water.
Amazing ~~well behaved and respectful~~ teens.
I heart them.

"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"