Little House That Grew

What To Do??

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:55:00 +0000

My mind has been racing these last few weeks. We have been busy in a way that I never imagined. I kinda really dig it. I like the challenge and the adventure. Not always the crashes that come along side this type of adventure...but what a ride.

We spent some time in Mobile with friends that we miss in a big way. When I am with them I am convicted in a BIG way ...I want to be a better Catholic just by being in the presence of these moms!! They. Are . The. Best..and they make me want to be the best. How lucky am I??

So..you wanna hear the truth?? My mind and heart have been opening up more and more to home schooling again. Slowly my mind and heart are thinking about giving it another go. When I was in Mobile I spent time with these amazing young catholic girls and I was reminded of the beautiful product home schooling produces. I want back in....

Here is the deal...my girls do NOT. They do not want to go back to "not being part of school" and all the fun things school has meant for them. Try as I might, I can't help but take this reaction personal. I will say that the schools the kids went to were AMAZING schools. They were not Catholic...but they were REALLY good. Great families and very amazing teachers. We all loved it!!

For the first few days when the Holy Spirit started whispering I just hushed it....then I stopped and said.."Really...Lord..are you serious?? Is this me or You??" Still not sure. But I started texting friends and making phone calls. The girls got wind and started their own campaign....TO NOT HOMESCHOOL...

I asked Emily to try and pray about it. I know at this moment she feels like she does not want to but I asked her to ask God what the right thing for her is. I don't know if Emily prays on her own yet. But maybe she needs a good reason. And for Molly...she still follows Emily's lead. But come to think of it...I should set Molly to praying for both Emily and I to know what is right and then maybe Molly will help us decide.

;

So...now I need to pray. We all need to be on board...or at least I need to feel strongly enough that I can keep it together. I know the challenges and being where we are will really present some challenges.

The big picture....that is what I need to keep in mind.....My story over this whole wonderfully crazy life God has given me.

I need a prayer...I asked a friend for a prayer to help me decide and she said she would get back to me. Then today...PENTACOST...I knew...the Holy Spirit prayer...OF COURSE!!!

I like to be inspired. I was inspired by amazing women the first time I home schooled. And then I stayed home schooling in Mobile because I was surrounded by inspiration. And in Virginia...I had amazing people around me who did amazing things and I somehow lost my inspiration. I blame myself. I am the one who lost focus....maybe I should not say "blame"...but I was the one who lost my own way to be inspired.

I would do things a little different. I would use a different curriculum. I would be different...I think.

I thought I would be this GREAT "school" mom...but to tell the truth ...I was not. I got mad at the girls all the time for things that they were doing in school (school work stuff). I hated after school snack because all they wanted was junk and they would not eat their dinner. The kids needed to PLAY OUTSIDE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD...but they had homework. And Drew was just entering the hold me or I will cry you to death hour of the day. And guess what..the math teacher expected me to know how to help when she was NOT ALLOWED TO BRING HOME THE TEXT BOOK!!!

Right now I don't know..but I am working on it. Should we just start school and see if the different school will be the same place the girls hope it will be?? Should we start at home and then try for school in High School...

I Can't Believe It

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Thu, 02 May 2013 01:18:00 +0000

I made it to May!!!

Back in February I was thinking that May seemed like it would never get here. Everything changed and so much depended where the kids and I would live during the month of May.

I have lived...I made it. I am living these days. I am making the most of this time.

I set some goals that I seem to be keeping up with. My first goal is dinner....

I wanted to do my best to feed my kids the best I could with being out of our own home. I wanted to "make dinner" a priority. I have read, written, cooked and planned and I am ENERGIZED!!

I have a plan for our dinner future. The future of now and the future of later. We are moving to a pretty remote area. Two grocery stores grace the island and the restaurants are not in abundance. There is a Subway and a McDonald's..and that is about it. I have big plans and they should be yummy and filled with love. Taking care of this family means feeding them....and feeding them well...

I am super excited about all of it.....

Big Decisions

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:52:00 +0000

When I started this blog I was really good about taking pictures of everything we did. I did not mind the fact that all craziness would go on around me while I was fooling with my camera. Playing with settings and finding good angles was more important that keeping control of situations. Sometimes this may have annoyed Pete. But I was to busy taking pictures to notice.

Since being here in Florida I have had to be more discerning when taking pictures. Should I risk loosing little Drew just to snap a photo? Most of the time I make the right choice, the other half of the time I forget to bring my camera.

At this point in my life I am THRILLED to discovery I packed diapers and wipes. If I grabbed a bib I feel like mom of the year. I am mostly OK with me not having what I need when I would like it. But sometimes I annoy myself.

Most people around me are sweet about it. They just kinda laugh when Drew is COVERED from head to toe in ketchup. I know what they are thinking. I'm usually thinking it too..."How Gross Is That??"

So with all this said..... I have been forgetting to take pictures most places I go and wherever I am my kids are usually to messy for me to photograph.

So just imagine..lots of kids (most with ketchup on them somewhere), calling my name every 3 seconds...I am USUALLY REALLY HOT, and we are surrounded by sunshine and great photo opportunities with friends and family and I am missing it all looking in my car for diapers and wipes....

Remember Lisa..YOU SOLD THE HOUSE

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:10:00 +0000

I may have asked myself one, two or a hundred times, why am I traveling around Florida with 6 kids and no husband for 6 weeks?? Oh yeah..we sold the house and they actually had the nerve of wanting to LIVE IN IT, QUICKLY!!

Plus, once we sold the house I could not get out fast enough. Each time I smelled nail polish I ran around like a mad woman...."Where is that smell coming from??" Kids would have to line up and show me fingers and toes just to convince me all I was smelling was FEAR of spilled nail polish.

But, no matter the motivation, correct timing, what if's...we are packed out and officially NOT living in Virginia. It still does not seem all that real to me. I just keep thinking of the moments RIGHT in front of me because...dude there is a lot going on right in front of me.

We managed to see some friends in North Carolina that probably never thought their house so peaceful as the moment we left. I had such a great time staying up way to late, drinking way to much and loving every minute. We have been friends for 12 years and don't see each other often but when we hug it's like a day never passed...love friends like that..LOVE IT!!! Our kids rocked it out too...which makes lovin' friends all the more fun. I just wish I could pack these people up with us and take them along.

After leaving their house I had a GRAND idea of having lunch in Savannah at Lady and Son's. Perfectly reasonable thought after being on the road for several days. Drew puked about an hour outside of Savannah and I thought..."poor guy...getting car sick".. Cleaned up and pressed on.

I park in Savannah and get so excited I leave all diapers, wipes, bibs, bottles, in the car. Practically RUN down the road asking the kids every 5 seconds if they are as excited as I am..."look guys..a horse and buggy..." "look guys ...". I have Drew strapped to my back. By the grace of God, and a hostess who felt bad for me after double checking when I said 6 kids, 1 adult, we got to eat at Paula Dean's restaurant. I sit everyone down and I suddenly start smelling something I would rather not have smelled. Drew had a big ...you know what ...all in the backpack.

Here I was in a SUPER crowded restaurant seated with super hungry kids and more than a few eyes on us. I pressed on. I ate collard greens and fried chicken like it was my job.

I held Drew and kept looking at the bathroom door for a mom who may have remember wipes and a diaper. Finally when I saw a SUPER prepared mom of 1 child I was THRILLED. Got a fresh diaper, rolled up his dirty shirt so no goo was on him and finished desert.

Finally, got a picture, paid way to much and proceeded out the door holding my very smelly baby, and 5 other ketchup faced disheveled kids. Some how I loved every minute...I am in a moment in time where things can not be any worse...but at the same time..... what a great time I was having.

Our waiter was a giant man ..he was so tall we all had to REALLY look up that high.

After leaving a carriage driver asked us if we wanted a free ride around the block...ahh...yeah!!!

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But before you think I have done this with no hitches..only smiles and sunshine....please know that since I have begun this journey I have gotten mad at Pete 2 times for really no reason, spent a bit more money that was on one of his projection spreadsheets (remember drinking with above mentioned friend???), and snapped at children for REALLY silly things.

I talked to Pete tonight and he said he thought some times we may move to fast when we make big decisions. I think I may agree..but I don't know any other way. I move fast. Sometimes it helps, sometimes ...not so much. Only time will tell in this situation.

But seeing cousins, and my mom, and watching myself REALLY have to PRACTICE patience I know that good will come from this no matter what. It has to. This is hard. But a good hard. A fun hard. And right now a tiring hard. But I want to be tired because I lived a full day. I want to lay down and crash because I packed in lots of love, laughs, mistakes and memories. Not be tired of waiting!!

***************************************************
Just an interesting side note:
My most viewed post is this one.
It's just funny to be so far from that moment but yet remember it so clearly. Why is this post the most viewed? How do people come across this particular post...maybe the title, "I Blew It"...everybody likes those kind of stories. The funny thing is...I could title most of my posts that way....
Molly dropped a plate of spaghetti I got mad...I BLEW IT!!
Emily climbed over the couch. I got mad....I BLEW IT!!!
Lucy told me she does not feel good. I make her come to the playground anyway, she throws up. I BLEW IT!!

The list goes on and on...we miss so many opportunities to NOT blow it. I just think it's more fun to remember the times when I MAY NOT HAVE BLOWN IT AS BAD AS OTHERS!!!

Lessons From A Popsicle

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:52:00 +0000

I am in the middles of living the days that we so long have wondered about. Pete and I, like many military families, are always speculating the next move...where to?? when?? how??

And here I am in the where, when , how of our many conversations. Kind of a neat place to be. It feels ... fulfilling. Like this story was just sitting here waiting for us to arrive...all the parts in place.

I sit with boxes piled up and beds on the floor. Exciting kids waiting for the adventure to begin. Lots of unknown before us.

I have been given this great gift of time...about 6 weeks to just visit with my kids and family and friends...before we leave for Alaska.

Yesterday felt like the beginning of all that ...just me and the kids and no way to cook dinner. I had a grand vision...happy mom with no real work to accomplish. Wanting to share my happy moment I handed all my happy little packed up kids Popsicles. I then walked away smiling and loving the green lips and happy faces.

Seconds later I come back NOT LOVING IT AT ALL....spilled all over the front porch, that no longer belongs to me is green lip staining Popsicle juice...red cherry pools . An instant reminder that fun with kids at this age takes considered patience...planning...supervision....clear expectations....time...and cleaning supplies!!

More Lyme's

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:10:00 +0000

At this moment 3 of my 6 children have tested positive for Lyme's. Lucy the first fall we were here..very traumatic ! Jack this fall, another trauma. And now my little Molly! And poor Molly. I must pray my way through this guilt...she definitely is my child who feels sick, tired, hungry the most. Some of it is just Molly. She is just sweetness and softness so things bother her quicker and deeper.

And because of this I allowed her symptoms to go on MUCH longer than I should have...

I can imagine you thinking we are these REALLY dirty people who don't know when a tick is living among
us. But I promise you that is not the case. We do nightly checks...we bath all the time. The kids lived in the pool this summer and very little out in the woods. When?? Where??

When her knees were hurting and headaches were consistent I got that feeling...but I should have know sooner.

When Pete told me he had to leave for training for 10 weeks prior to our move. I thought...I can handle moving on my own...what's the big deal??

If it were happening in a vacuum it may be no big deal but daughters having Lyme's, babies puking at the Target checkout when you just finished struggling through the store for an hour, having 7 people to pack for, trying to patch and paint the 1 million nail holes I seemed to have made makes me really need my Pete at the end of the day. I should have known life was going to keep being life during this...

Molly is fine and Jack and Lucy are fine for that matter. I just hope that Lyme's does not cause further damage to them in the future. I hope I have done enough. I hope when the medicine runs out it is enough...Is it?

The Beginning Of The End

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:55:00 +0000

I'm kinda an impatient gal. I know that about me. I do prefer things to move at a quick clip. This move has delivered. Things are moving along at a brisk pace and if I stop and allow my tired self to admit, I much prefer it this way.

We started hearing grumblings of Pete's possible transfer in the beginning of February. But it took about 4 weeks to get the official word. And then as of last Monday our house closed and our movers FINALLY got confirmed for April 10.

Meanwhile I have been getting us slimmed down. We have been fortunate to live in a home with plenty of room. And since we were here I enjoyed filling the rooms with things I love. But our new place is much smaller and not as much "gear" can make the journey with us. And once again I must admit..I like the slimming down feeling. I like taking us from to much to just right. It feels good. Plus it has been fun gifting people with all sorts of stuff. We've sold, giving away or donated so much stuff in the last 6 weeks that when I look for something I have to stop and think if we still own it.

We have moved before. But for various reasons I am doing the bulk of the move without Pete. We will drive to Alaska together the beginning of June but until then I am the sole conductor of this move. And for whatever reason I have been able to remain mostly calm and excited for the task at hand....well unless you count the 2 week period that we had NO mover and the house HAS to be EMPTY by April 15th...I may have been a little CRAZY, OUT OF MY MIND WITH WORRY about that minor detail. But now that we have passed that little glitch I feel like I could move the world!! I have found movers to be helpful when needing to MOVE.

And now I do feel myself getting a little..sad! I am sad to be leaving . I am excited to go...but sad to leave And while I have been going through so much stuff I find myself getting sad when I go through home school books. I feel like I'm visiting an old friend that I miss. Cleaning out the girls desk made me extra sad. The time and hours we spent at those desks.

I have a plan for trying to blog a little bit more about the details of this very exciting adventure. This will be our 2nd time taking this 3500 mile, 54 hour journey and I wish I could remember more of the last time we went.

Time Flies

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:30:00 +0000

I left, sold a house, bought a house, took a REALLY long flight and took not one picture worth sharing.

I dragged my camera with me several places and never thought to take a picture. And to think I was in the most beautiful place I've ever seen...I should be ashamed.

My mind has been racing and not a moment goes by without several things being processed.

I know some of you are new here today because Ginny showed you her super cute hutch...

....which by the way Ginny...it looks great. And rest assured the stroke marks will lessen with the curing the paint does over the next few weeks. And for some reason sanding edges makes it look purposefulness NOT perfect. But I love the gray. Great color!!

I have spent the last few days getting rid of lots of the furniture that I had filling these halls. Makes me a little sad. With each piece I give away I feel like I am loosing a little part of our past. But then again I have Pete here to remind me that I have no trouble filling a house FULL of furniture I love.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm sure you all adore Ginny as much as I do...yet another reason I will be sad to bid farewell to Virginia...and I think I am missing our prom date.....

A Little Bit Of Normal

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:44:00 +0000

I'm not sure I know what normal feels like right now. But the last 2 days I tried to find a bit of it. Picking up the knitting needles REALLY helped.

We had lots of showing last week and over the weekend but no bites yet. The last few days have been quiet and I have made a few changes to what we now call home. Lots of people don't need 7 bedrooms...I realize that. Most people don't need a table to seat 8 EVERY night. That is what we have had and I have loved it. But most people see that and think..."''wow..I don't need all that!!! I don't have 6 kids!!"...
So we made some changes, flipped some bedrooms, made an upstairs office and playroom...and now I have a master bedroom, 3 kids rooms, an upstairs play/TV room, guest room, office!! Perfect!!

Actually since we consolidated kids into 3 rooms they have LOVED it!! I hope they do..life is about to get a lot more...consolidated for all of us!!

But we are really excited about it!! ALL OF IT!! Moving all of us logistically...not super excited about...but living...in...Alaska.....again...SUPER EXCITED!!!

This will be the first move I execute all by myself. Pete has a 10 week training course he leaves for soon and then we meet up end of May before we depart for Canada and our ferry ride to Sitka. So some days you may or may not hear me feeling a bit...out of sorts. But really...what is the big deal...1 kid or 6...moving takes work and things are exciting, hard, fun and I can do this.

We can do this!!

And this weekend begins my adventure. I am leaving Friday for Alaska. A quick visit to hopefully find a place for us to live. And while I leave here with the house not sold and probably a weekend full of showings I am hopeful for good news next week...if not good news, then just more news. I love watching this puzzle fall into place. It feel like a puzzle...with several pieces hidden while you are DYING to figure out what the whole thing will look like....

I've never been a fan of puzzles!!!

But right now I kinda like this part...a little bit of hope, little bit of fear, lots of excitement, and the wonder of the unknown...

I'M TRYING TO NOT...

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:51:00 +0000

LOOSE MY MIND!!

Really...I have to be thinking all day.."Hold it together here Lease!!"

And I don't think I am doing that GREAT of a job. I think the worry and wonder is front loaded in this situation...

When is this house going to sell??

When should we catch the Ferry?

Should we buy or rent in Sitka?

Should I buy Hunter boots or BOG boots??

Big, life changing questions all needing to be answered by..JUNE!!!

So...why am I FREAKING out now...March 3rd??

I'd like to say that I have nothing else to do but sit around and worry...but I really should be doing a few other things. I just can't seem to think what else to do?

Hopefully this week I find my groove..at least a better groove then the one I have been rockin'.

p.s all of a sudden I feel like I have A LOT of kids....trying to show this house everyday makes these 6 kids feel like 16...

Little House That Grew And Went Back To Alaska

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:25:00 +0000

So..the waiting is over. Now a new type of waiting begins.

We are moving to Alaska. A COMPLETELY unexpected change of LIFE has come to our door and now we...go!!

We had planned on being here in Virginia for at least 4 more years as Pete just checked into his new job. But God, and the Coast Guard had different plans for us.

So now we clean, pack, and hope. Hope to sell this house that we LOVE!! Hope to find a house in Alaska to LOVE...and just hope!!

I have put my white paint brush aside for the time being and now shift my time to getting our family ready to move back to a place that we so loved. But it is with a heavy heart that we prepare to leave a place we have come to love too..

. Such is the life with this cute guy I married. Who knew when he was home from the Coast Guard Academy and asked me to marry him that we would get to have this completely, unexpected WONDERFUL life...

I have spent the weekend taking so many pictures of this house as we prepare to sell it..wanna see some??

Molly's room

Jack's room

Our basement which I never take a picture in because it has not that great light...but here it is!!

Lucy's room

Emily's room (made the chalk board for her for Christmas..been meaning to tell you guys that)

Priscilla's room (made the Dream sign too)

Sewing room that I am so sad to leave...once in a lifetime chance. It was great!!

Living room..you guys have seen this a million times!!

Oh...and our bedroom

And then I took some pictures of the bathroom and I hate those..because REALLY..a bathroom..we all know what is included there!!!

So that is why I was kinda freaking out for a month. Moving. Leaving. It kinda stressed me out. But all that is behind me and now on to moving forward.

LIVE AND LEARN!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 20:13:00 +0000

I've made my fair share of mistakes with my little side business...It is funny how quickly mistakes add up. Sometimes they have not been my fault EXACTLY...but because I am selling something to someone...it is MY FAULT...

This desk has a story..care to hear it??

Well..I bought this desk as a risk. I sometimes get so excited that I don't always think through . For example, do people looking on Craig's List want an old adorable desk painted white?? My answer is..."I would!!" So I bought it. It was SUPER shiny, dark wood...super UGLY. But I knew with 100 coats of white paint I could make her pretty again.

But when I got home bigger and better projects jumped before shiny desk. I let shiny desk sit in my garage for a few weeks as I let other, cuter, pieces cut in front of her. (Pete and I name the pieces because they each have something that makes them stand out..shiny desk, ugly dresser, big boy, gray guy)

Finally I got down to business and painted shiny desk..and FELL IN LOVE WITH HER!!! It looked so good. I redid a chair with some fresh fabric and I kinda was REALLY proud of myself. There was a lady I had been e-mailing about a dresser and she said she was looking for something kinda art-deco. Even though she did not ask for a desk, I emailed her a picture of this desk just to show her because I was so excited!! She bought it right away.

Although I was happy to make the cash, I really like hanging out with these pieces a few days..pretend I can keep them..ALL!! But the next day we met and she drove away with the sweetest little dresser and chair. I was excited for her..and for me. I kept thinking..."People really like the stuff I sell them...yippy for me!!!"

I go home and she e-mails me..the desk broke as she was getting it up her stairs....

My heart sank...oh my!! I called her right away. She said as she was going up her stairs one side just CAME completely detached from the rest of the desk..and on top of that it looked like there had been some warping on the inside panel.

Now...I had hauled this thing from store to home, car to garage, garage to inside to paint, outside to sand, back inside to take pictures, back to my car and into her car and never had it even CREAKED or looked weak or near to breaking.

But I felt awful. She was a little suspect of me that I may have sold her the desk knowing there was something wrong with it. But I did not. She was really nice about it saying her boyfriend would be able to fix it.
But it took me a good few days to not feel awful for that happening to her...

She has since e-mailed me assuring me she LOVES the look of the desk and it is SO cute!! It is perfect for her DC apartment and her boyfriend is coming this weekend to fix it. She was like the nicest disgruntled customer EVER,

The stuff I buy is old. I try to make sure it is in good shape by pulling on drawers and glancing around back. That is about the level of my inspection .
But this week a new issue has arisen that I had not thought of...

Ginny asked if I could keep my eye out for a dresser. I know Ginny is tight on space so I was looking for something on the smaller side. Monday I found the perfect piece. Bought it, put it in the sewing room (which has turned into the painting room). And about an hour later my whole downstairs REEKED!! It smelled like this dresser lived in a tobacco factory. I started painting it thinking the paint would help..and after 4 coats I can still smell smoke!! Needless to say, I will be looking for a new Ginny dresser and using my nose as one of the inspection tools during furniture finds!!

I am sure after this dresser lives here and rehabilitates itself it may loose the smoke smell...but until then every time I walk by it I feel like I should see my grandma smoking in her New York kitchen while I watched TV on her plastic covered couch!!

RIGHT NOW

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:56:00 +0000

So...I survived and have EXITED by AWFUL FUNK..PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!

No really...Friday night I felt SUPER sorry for myself....

I got invited out to dinner with several friends and I went and laughed and remembered that the world DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND ME!!! ...hate that reminder sometimes. But it was good to step outside my own waiting and wondering and into other peoples thoughts.

Saturday and Sunday were just what the funk DR. ordered....just chill time ...but not really. We looked at some furniture. I painted some furniture. Took some little girls shopping to thank them for good work. And watched The Scarlet and The Black..as recommended by our priest. It was good....

And then Monday came and ZIPPED by with still no answer to what I a WAITING TO HAVE ANSWERED!!! I will tell all when I have something to tell..trust me I am DYING!!!!

Until then I must go and text Pete for the 9 million time..I have the word "anything" on paste and click it every so often...poor guy. I may not want to document how UNHELPFUL I was while WE BOTH WAITED TO KNOW OUR FUTURE!!!

Doing Those Things

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:27:00 +0000

I have been trying to get myself out of a 2 week little ditch but I have to admit I am not having that much success. I have been trying to do all the little things that I know will often help put my mind back on track...but still...no adjustment just yet.

However, I feel more hopeful today that I am at the end of this little visit to dumpsville...

What are some of those things I try and do to get myself feeling like myself ...

This go around I::

:: went to mass almost everyday...the grace is there I know, but the feeling it was not.

:: baked cookies for the kids to have after school...yummy but crumbs everywhere and that was not my intended goal.

:: clean floors...they stay that way for about 30 minutes...so that was not the trick...

:: date with Pete...dinner...fun...but because I had a captive quiet audience I wound up just crying to him...not fun for him...and did nothing for me either.

:: took pictures of kids and looked at old ones...that was helpful...

:: went on longer walks in the morning...helpful but not enough...

:: talked to my mom and my friend Jane..

:: had several stern talks with myself saying how ridiculous this gloom is and that you can change your feelings by changing your choices..that is helping believe it or not.

I realize I have to start acting like I am not in a gloom and then by God's grace I will stop feeling like I am in a gloom...this works for me (sometimes) .

I am kinda an action girl. When I know I need to do something I have to take action right away. Part of this gloom though is based on the impending actions of others and clearly they do not have the same urgency I do..shame on them...

Next on my list of "Those Things"

:: home made pizza for dinner

:: clean floors for Pete to come home to..making him happy makes me happy!!

:: movie night in the basement..lights out.

:: early morning walk with a shower before everyone wakes up.

:: laundry caught up with for a less messy Saturday morning.

:: REMEMBER TO LOVE THESE LITTLE SOULS..just LOVE them . I can not fix all of everything about them...I can not be perfect and complete for all of them at all the same time...but I can have LOVE for them and show that in ALL that I do for them and around them...

I'll try to come back here and tell you how I did...

I Forgot...

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:52:00 +0000

That taking and looking at pictures of my kids doing EVERYDAY stuff is fun....

Finding good light is a challenge.....

Looking at their faces FILLED with light and JOY brings LIGHT AND JOY!!!

I forgot that looking back at old pictures makes you grateful for times that passed and look forward to times ahead.....

I forgot that taking pictures keeps me in these moments right now....

With THESE smiles.....

These days......

This place.....

I HAVE KNIT!!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 20:38:00 +0000

The other day I was a little bummin'. Who knows what happens to change moods so quickly...
Could it be 6 kids??

Could it be cold, dreary days?

Could it be 4:00 a.m wake ups?

Could it be...WAITING??

Whatever it was..it made me knit. I loved Ginny's little mittens for Silas so I made some Drew...

Then 1 for Priscilla...the other one is on the way...

And a scarf I started long ago and blame fr me not knitting ..it is kinda boring. I needed boring one night...but now I am BORED!! Soon to be ripped out I think....probably to make mittens for everyone.

Mittens are the SUPER useful knitted item. Kids need warm hands in order to STAY and PLAY outside!!

AND I HAVE BEEN READING!! A TON!!

well...a little bit each night and then I pass out. But these books are awesome..each one.
The Saint/Virtue series is awesome...heavy but awesome!!

And painting, painting and MORE painting ....in my hair, on my hands and spattering my jeans....
not good for yarn!!

The Detailed Response....

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:47:00 +0000

The other day the piano teacher popped her head out before Molly walked in. She gave me a big smile and said, "Hi, how are you doing?", in a super cheerful voice.

I paused for a moment before I told her EXACTLY how I was doing...

"Oh, it is just one of those days that my children can't seem to go 3 seconds without saying.."Mama, mama..." I love that I have so many people calling my name but today it just seems to be turned up a notch...so I was glad to hop in the car and take Molly over here. Maybe it is the weather. Or maybe it is the fact that now that the older kids are in school all day I really don't have anyone home that can do much without a shout out to mama. Oh well, how are you??"

What could she say after that...

Who gives such a detailed answer to the "hi, how are you ?" greeting?

It's just that Pete and I have been thrown into a situation that is causing a little stress. We may or may not be getting to do something that both of us would like to do. We are having to wait on lots of moving parts to stop moving before we know our next few years. I don't think I like waiting...

I think waiting makes me want to have quiet and to have the other things in my life need me less so I can FREAK out more about this situation...

Oh well..here's to hoping for what we did not know to hope for...

White Market Goods

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:55:00 +0000

So I would like to introduce you to my new little venture..White Market Goods. I told you guys I started selling some stuff on Craig's List and this here is my inventory. I have sold everything you see plus one more piece that I never got a great picture of because it sold before I could put an add up.

Some of you who have been my friend for awhile know that I have painted furniture for some time...like 10 years time. My first piece was way back in San Diego... and I used a can of spray paint. I have gone through many stages and colors but white painted furniture is where my heart is.

Pete has encouraged me to sell stuff before..but my problem is I REALLY never want to sell what I paint because I REALLY love it. Each of the pieces you see were PAINFUL to sell. I found the piece, painted it, brought it into my house, situated it to take pictures and promptly fell in love....

But getting money for it has been fun too...so I am slowly learning to let go of the love part.

I have always dreamed of having a little shop like my friend Tracy in Grand Bay Alabama where my friend Tammy and I spent many hot days lovin' on her stuff....but a shop is way off in the distant future...for now I have an account on Craig's List and a new e-mail address with my new name..WHITE MARKET GOODS.

The NAME::
Pete and I were driving back from a little furniture run one day and I said.."I need a name..something that is me...Something like...White Market!" It just came to me..right there on HWY 66 . I have tossed names around before but nothing ever fit...Pete suggested we throw on Goods and now here I am ...
WHITE MARKET GOODS...furniture and junk painter at your service.

WHEN:
I paint throughout the day. A coat here a coat there. Pete made a little workshop in the basement and while kids play I can paint..kinda. Pete also will lend a painting hand...especially on weekends. And he is my trusty delivery driver. And all knitting time has been converted into painting time. Painting time brings in a little extra money..so I am OK with that right now...but if a way to do both pops up I will jump on it.

RIGHT NOW:
I have 2 pieces up right now with a desk and headboard waiting to be painted...plus a woman dropped off 3 of her own pieces for me to paint . I may look for a new piece this week...I may not. I do like doing it and actually having people WANT what I have painted is REALLY fun..plus I am getting more efficient as time goes on..so we will see how long White Market Goods sticks around.

WHITE:
I have been forced to use gray 2 times and black 2 times and blue once..I prefer white but I understand that not everybody does. If I have not painted the piece yet than I can let somebody choose...or if it is a dark shade like gray or black I will (sadly) paint over white.

This blue guy above in blue has been my very favorite project to date. A mom saw another piece of mine (above White buffet) and wanted one like it in blue. I happened to have this guy sitting in the garage in its scratched up wooden shape. I took a picture of it with my phone and I promised her it would look amazing when it was done...she went for it. She picked out a PERFECT blue to match her baby's room and she is going to be using this as a changing table. It was perfect..and heavy!! And Pete brought it to her brownstone in DC on Saturday and lifted it up 3 flights of stairs. I have to admit..I miss this piece. I think I may regret selling it...but I hope she LOVES it as much as I do.

Painting bookshelves should be reserved for torture for misbehaving teenagers...that is all I will say!!

I try and take nice pictures to put on Craig's List..it's kinda part of the fun for me...a fashion show of furniture!!

Snow and More

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 20:26:00 +0000

As most other mama's have already said in blog land..snow days are not always the most restful, relaxing cozy experience. It is really pretty outside and that is fun, but the dripping wet cold children that are in a constant state of in and out can make a mama wish for flip flops and water hoses pretty quick...

But those bright smiles and red cheeks are pure reminders of joy..absolute and abounding JOY!!

The funniest part was..there was very little snow but this little group of sledders did not notice AT ALL!!

There has been ZERO knitting these days. I have kinda been taken over by painting furniture. My little venture into Craig's List has kept me pretty busy. I have painted my own furniture for so long as now I am painting some for other people...and I am making a few extra bucks..which I would love to use to buy some fancy yarn...but because I am painting so much I have not time to buy yarn...much less KNIT with it.

And I may be a smidgen more tired lately because I get up with Pete every morning when he leaves for work. I like getting up early to help him out the door. I feel like it shows him how grateful I am for what he does for us. It feels indulgent to sleep when he has to get up and leave whether he wants to or not. Sacrifice is good for me. I do much better when I try (try I say) to put others first. The trick is not COMPLAINING your way through the sacrifice... But really I have not been doing to much of that.

As a Catholic I have always heard and preached..offer it up but I am not always sure I understood it. I am still not sure I do...but lately I have come to see the sacrifice ..and the NOT complaining, or the not doing it to be noticed type of sacrifice feels like an "offering" of my love to God. Who knows if I will ever be questioned on my theological formation with that type of description...but it works for me right now.

I owe you guys a part 2 of my little journey. I went out with a friend last night and told her part 2. It involves so much that I would just prefer you all come over and we just chat about it...K???

And I am DYING to show you some of the furniture that I have done..I would be really excited if I showed you before and after shots. Not so..just after...

soon...
i hope...

Drew is 1

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 20:03:00 +0000

Happy Birthday my little Andrew James. The love of our hearts and the joy in our days!! You are the BEST baby EVER!!!

Love...love...love

How I Lost My Way -Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:08:00 +0000

I did not even realize it was happening. I had a slow, gradual slip from a mindset that I had created for myself. This may not even make sense..but here I go.

After being introduced to the beauty of our faith I quickly began reading and forming my mission for my family. I built the mission around creating people of character. Using virtue in our home and in our day to day interactions. This lead me to homeschooling. What better way to form your children in virtue than to have them around all the time for constant formation.

This ideal was created back when God blessed me with my two oldest daughters. I was a sponge for all things Catholic and true. I wanted more kids, more God, more sacrifice to serve God. Whatever I could do to feel more spiritual I wanted. Being open to life and homeschooling was the vehicle I needed to "be spiritual". Time went on and God answered my prayers and gave me 3 little kids back, to back to back. I was in over my head....my mission was getting blurry. Why had I wanted all of this??

Things felt hard..REALLY hard. But then I would get passed the really hard and be really proud. And then I would keep on going. I would write on this blog, give myself pep talks and plow on.

Meanwhile I was not doing a great job in the one area that drew me to homeschooling. I was not growing in virtue or faith. I was not being an example of virtue. I was "getting by". I was so sapped of all energy (not an excuse...just an explanation) that focusing on non academic issues like faith, virtue and spiritual growth was not happening..for anyone. Yes I did religion and that was just about the basic faith formation that was going on. And to be honest , that was not even that great.

In my mind I was being Catholic enough because I was home schooling. I belonged to the elite Catholic club of homeschoolers. I was being a faithful virtuous Catholic just by home schooling....but sadly, in my case that was not enough. I started looking more inward...having these kids home all day was preventing me from doing x, y and Z. I was not sacrificing joyfully for the love of God and family...I was kinda torturing everybody.

As I look back, this was a very gradual slip to this place. I would get back on the "faith" horse every now and again but there was no real change in my heart or attitude. I was no longer focused on the big picture of homeschooling. I was more focused on ME. What I wanted to do!! How much I HAD TO DO!! Poor, poor me!!

Now, it is not like life was miserable during this time. We were moving, being pregnant, trying to meet new friends, finding our way in Virginia. And funny thing is I am surrounded by more home schoolers here than ever before. This is like homeschool heaven. But my interior life was being neglected...due to my own NEGLECT and lack of focus!

Let me pause for a moment to say that this story about me is parallel story to the story of my 2 girls. While I am having my life written by God, so are they .

During this transition they were suddenly having new thoughts and feelings of their own. Where they because of me? Was it because I was not giving them what they needed if they were going to be home-schooled? I felt like I was doing enough. I really was trying. I did not realize I was missing something. I thought just by doing what I was doing it was enough. I was being faithful and spiritual because I was doing this, RIGHT?

But it seems like the answer for me was no. I was not doing enough. I was letting my own vices cloud any virtue that I wanted these kids to see . My own love of God was being pushed aside because I wanted new and different things for myself. I blame some on my blogging. MY knitting. My intense focus on ME. It did not keep my mind and heart in the right place.

So anyway, here I am with 3 kids in school and 3 at home. My husband is back to work full time and I have just now realized that I have not been doing such a great job leading all these souls to love our Lord. I have not been doing a great job loving Him myself.

Well, over the Christmas break I was at adoration and I was given a gift from God. He opened my heart and mind to what I needed to see. I needed to see that even though I was struggling with one of my children that she is a good sweet soul who needs a better example in her life. She needs me to be BETTER!! If I want to change the hearts around me I needed to change my own heart. I truly felt God speaking this truth to me. I was the one that needed to change. I had to look at me before I could begin to look at them...

And since that night my heart has been full of hope and joy. I have a mission. I know the direction I want to go in. I can be a good Catholic. My kids can be good Catholics .....even if we are not home schooling.

Virtue..that my word for the year. I need virtue.

Craig's List

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:32:00 +0000

Guess what Pete and I did today???

We had a photo shoot with furniture that we were putting up on Craig's lists.

Over the holiday Pete built himself a wood shop and went on to build a bench for me. He built it...I did not like it. It was WAY to big. He was a good sport and put it on Craig's list. People were calling like MAD!!

He sold 2 already and has a third one on Craig's list, with an order for 2 more in 2 weeks. Go MBA from George Mason!!

The bench above is the one he has up right now for $125 . This one in NOT to big. This one I want and may not let him sell...at least until he makes me a new one. The bench is made from pallet wood!!! He did an amazing job!!

I kinda got the "let's sell furniture bug", went to Goodwill , bought a dresser, painted it...and slapped a for sale sign on it....
It is super cute now..not so super cute yesterday when I bought it!
$120....we may have read one or two Country Living magazines!!!

Then I decided I wanted to repaint a bench I already owned and see what the free market would bring...
This I put up for $120 because if it does not sell then I am happy to keep it. I repainted it for the listing and kinda fell back in love with it.

Grabbed my camera and now we check Pete's email every ten seconds...

Anyone need a bench, dresser or another bench..check out the very well written descriptions Pete put together

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 20:05:00 +0000

I love starting a New Year!! I love reading other peoples reflections of the year behind them. It feels good to look back and recognize the things that went well and the things that didn't.

I wish I could have the organization skills to recap my own year in pictures. I can just imagine how great that would be. But for my re-cap..all I have is new pictures. Maybe another year will be the year where organized picture storage will be featured in the years list of accomplishments.

Clearly Drew would be the best thing that happened in 2013 to our family!! What a sweet baby boy he is. He is hugged, loved and admired throughout each day. To be such a loved boy!!! He shows NO signs of walking and can eat a house!! He laughs easy and weighs 400 pounds. Always has a wet face and often sneezes directly into your face. Very charming!!

The 3 oldest kids going to school would have to be the next huge thing that happened this year. I have shared some of the issues related to that but after this Advent I think I have a grip on how we got to school, why I so easily said yes, how it has impacted relationships and where I want us to end up. More on that to come.

What I can say right now is in a lot of ways I lost my way. I..the mom...I the one who has the ultimate influence on the energy in this house..LOST MY WAY. By God's grace, prayer, adoration and reading I am finding my way again.

Pete finished his MBA. This accomplishment brings his education tally to 1 Bachelor degree from the Coast Guard Academy, 1 pair of Aviator Wings, 1 Master's degree in Leadership and Ethics from Spring Hill College in Alabama and finally his MBA from George Mason. For the moment we are all done with HIS high education. Now on to work back at the Coast Guard which will bring lots of change around here.

Due to Pete's class schedule we have had 18 months of time...time together. Lots of wonderful time to be together. The vacation is over and life will be adjusted once again. He is very glad to be joining his friends back at the office. But he leaves behind lots of family time and a more relaxed life that college allowed.

I ran that marathon in October. Besides logging more miles that I ever thought possible I cooked, cleaned, folded laundry, knit, sewed, painted furniture, re-arranged rooms, made new friends, missed old ones, helped my parents move AGAIN, started a middle school youth group at my church, cried, laughed, worried, made mistakes, asked forgiveness, blogged less.

This year I want to:
1. Be a better daughter of Christ
2. Be a better wife
3. Be a better mom

Happy New Year and God Bless 2013!!!

Just One Morning

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 20:31:00 +0000

Merry Christmas! Having just begun this new beautiful season I am the first to admit I already miss Advent. The waiting. The getting ready. The whole 4 weeks is packed with moments that I want to preserve, treasure and savor. Christmas day is a different kind of fun. Lots of moments PACKED very tightly into one very busy day. Each hour could be spent as a day in itself if you really think about it.

And today, on the second day of Christmas the sky is deep gray.

My camera was tucked away most of Advent and Christmas day. This season my spirit of picture taking and sharing just seemed to be over taken by the need and want to make my kids something special from mama to open after Mass on Christmas Eve . I had to give up something.

But one morning right before the last 2 kids left for school I had to take out my camera. The sun filled up the room. The joy from Molly and Jack was bouncing off the walls. Deep into the last week before Christmas break their school days were filled with merry making. They were so cute.

Not wanting them to go, but so happy for their excitement. I knew I wanted to stop these moments.

My little Drew bubbling with pride over his mad clapping skills.....

Lucy taking a bath before bed, yet coming down to breakfast already needing another.....

My last hug before I walked them to the door.....

Just one sunny bright beautiful morning.....

Where Are We Now

noreply@blogger.com (The Little House That Grew) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:16:00 +0000

A few people have asked me to write about how things are going...you know, with school. Well...I have wanted to write about it before but I feel like so much is constantly changing that it is hard to pin point what exactly to say.

Let me sum up a few things...

1. Emily was the one who convinced Molly that school was a good idea. Molly LOVES school with her whole heart. She loves her teacher and has had NO problem making friends. She loves to please people and school is the right place for her to do that..and be recognized for it. Her grades are great..attitude AMAZING!! She has really had NO problems.

2. Jack is another one who LOVES everything about school. Jack LOVES to talk and he has found that kids at school LOVE to talk with him. He is VERY social and loves all things BOY. He has made lots of friends and when he comes home he tells us EVERYTHING. So cute...

3. Emily is in middle school. I should just stop the post here. To say things are up and down would be a severe understatement. The thing is..it is not just her. I am up and down too. I see the changes in her and I want them to be positive..but I am sad that my little girl wants to start NOT being a little girl anymore.

I find that I have a hard time dealing with some of her adjustment issues because I want to fix them....friend trouble...I want to coach her through every possible scenario....teacher issues..I want her to do exactly what I would do.... The thing is some of these issues are very much because Emily is Emily...she is not me. She does not do things the way I do. She is her own person and I think this is the first time in 11 years that I am learning this. Up until now she has been what I allowed her to be...dealt with things the way I did. But now she has her own issues and she is finding her own way through them. I am here!! I am NOT doing that great yet. I need to be better at letting her be her and loving her for it. I can not ask her how things went, then get mad because she did not do what I would have done. I am learning.

One thing I will tell you is...we talk!! We talk and talk and talk. I pray and pray and pray. I then come back and talk more and more. Sometimes I have to go to bed and wake up early to say..I am sorry I did not handle that well...

Do I regret sending them??

Some days I miss the fact that we all once were a pack...and we did everything as a pack. I hate when Emily comes home after having a hard day and my heart breaking. But I am glad that I am here for her now helping her with all these very REAL situations. Life is real and life is hard and I am glad we get to practice together. But...for right now this is a good place for me.

I like NOT teaching..actually I LOVE not teaching them. I love not planning . I love not being their teacher for subjects like math and science..I LOVE THAT...I love being mommy. I love picking them up off the bus. I love seeing them be proud of a good grade. I love hearing the stories of all that goes on in school today...stories like the ones Pete and I have from when we went to public school

. I am sure I have more to say..but it is 3:15 and Emily is walking through the door..and with that you never know what will happen next...