New Look!

Thought I would try a new background- I was getting tired of the old one! I loved the little hoot owl-thought he was too cute and makes me think of fall! This last part of our week and weekend have been incredibly busy. The boys started their art classes on Thursday with Mrs. Vicki Farmer. They absolutely loved it and came home with beautiful pictures! Also, soccer season started for us and both boys will be playing two nights a week with some practices between! We had our first home school skate day on Friday and it was lots of fun for the kids. Friday night, Parker cooked supper for us with very little help from me, I stayed and supervised, but he did most of it all by himself, he made Creamy Italian Chicken, and it was delicious! Avery practiced setting the table for her 'Lil Keepers badge - so cute! My washer and dryer arrived at 6:30 and as soon as they were installed and dinner finished we put them to work. I love them, they are so cool - the kids do too, especially Carson - he thought it was Christmas! They wanted to know if they could do all the laundry from now on?! We will see how that turns out! Saturday mornings around here mean Daddy in the kitchen making a huge breakfast for us! This is a real treat, because during the week it's usually mom's boring old cinnamon rolls - not homemade ones either, cereal, oatmeal and toast and on occasion scrambled eggs. This morning, Carson took his turn in the kitchen as our chef, and he and Kelly whipped up one yummy breakfast for the whole family! John Ashford came in, smelled the food, climbed on the bar stool, grabbed a pancake off the platter and took a huge bite- he said forget the butter and syrup! It was so funny! He is a stinker! The rest of the day was packed full with chores, working on the tree house, football, and a little shopping for Avery's birthday gifts. Can't believe my sweet baby is almost four! Okay enough rambling- going to bed now!

A Week Already?

I can't believe it's been a week since my last post! I can't seem to get this blogging thing into my routine! Some of my buddies are posting 2-3 times a day, need I mention any names - farmer's wife? Just kidding Emily - keep the post coming - I am lovin' them! I guess if I would rise with the sun - which I wish I could do, well I guess I might if I could fall asleep before 12-1 a.m., I might post more. I really envy you morning people, I want to be one too - but just not happening, never been an early riser, 7:30 is the earliest for me. Sad, I know, but so true. But anyway, what a difference a week makes! I have been in much better spirits this week, nothing has changed except possibly my ATTITUDE, OUTLOOK on things and PRAYER!
This week has been crazy, and it's not over yet! My faithful washing machine of 13 years started pouring water out all over the laundry room floor on Saturday. We could never find the source of the leak, just that it was not coming from the pipes, tubing whatever it's called! My dryer has also been on the brink of death for some time, it was taking 3 cycles to dry a load of towels. Anyway, my sweet husband pulled them both out into the garage, went to Sears and bought me a new washer and dryer! Front loaders-Yeah! They will be here tomorrow, and we will be breaking those babies in - probably have 10 loads of laundry- no exaggeration. I think Carson is more excited than me! Anyway, you know how terribly nasty is gets under your washer and dryer, so with them out, I have scrubbed the floors sparkly clean! While in the cleaning mood, why not give the laundry room a fresh coat of paint - I had 2 extra gallons left of my kitchen green, so now the laundry room is green! Sounds gross, but it is really pretty- well, I like it anyways! Parker came in while I was painting and said eewww this is ugly! I told him it's the same as the kitchen, and here's a man for ya- he said really?! I didn't know our kitchen was green!
We will be here 5 years in November!!! Just like his daddy - bless his heart!
Poor Carson got into chiggers sometime this past weekend, and you know where they attack! Long story short, a doctor's visit, consult with urologist and medication - oral and topical antibiotic and steroids- he is on the mend!!!!! Bless him, he has been absolutely miserable! Next time, he will be wearing bug repellent! Okay, I am going to try and sleep now, so maybe I will wake by 7:25!!! LOL

Dose of Laughter!

God certainly knows what our needs are, lately I have been ummm, how do you say it - just downright crabby and not very much fun to be around! I don't know why really, just wound to tight, I guess!!! Any of you ever feel that way, or is it just me?!!! I take things and myself just too seriously sometimes-well most of the time! Don't really know why that is- but I am what I am! You know, sometimes you just need to laugh and tonight that's just what I did, we all did! Through my homeschooling journey, I have been blessed with some pretty great friends. Tonight, many of us got together to celebrate the upcoming birth of one of the moms, Anita. Spending the few hours with these wonderful, encouraging, inspiring and incredibly funny mamma's really lifted my spirit, gave me the "dose of medicine" that I needed! Our group has lots of colorful characters who can keep a group rolling- what a great time of fellowship we had! I think we could have pulled an all-nighter! Everyone agreed that we needed to do this more often and are looking forward to the next event! So, as I type this I am smiling from the inside out because I am so blessed!!!!

Parker is a Blogger!

John Parker is a computer kid! He has been successfully using a computer since he was 2! He loves anything that has to do with computers or any kind of electronics for that matter. He has been asking me to help him start his own blog, so we did tonite. I am sure that he will be teaching me a thing or two before it is over. Stop in and say hello to my little man!

Wednesday's Words

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
but a good word makes it glad. -
Proverbs 12:25

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. -
Proverbs 15:4

Not that I am full of wisdom or anything, because I am most definitely not, I read and study and sometimes come across inspiring words. I wanted to share my morning devotion.

The story was told of a teacher who asked her students what they wanted to be when they grew up. As you know, the responses were all different: president, fireman, teacher.... When the teacher came to Billy he responded "possible." The teacher asked "possible?" "Yes," Billy said, "My mom is always telling me I am impossible. When I grow up I want to become possible."

Oh my heart broke for this little boy. I thought back to times when I may have been a discouragement to my children. Honestly, I never would intentionally or purposely do this, but I am sure there have been times when I have been guilty. Encouragement and discouragement are worlds apart. How do we feel when encouraged? It gives us a boost, comfort, faith, cheer, hope, optimism, support and trust. When we are discouraged we feel sadness, rejection and loss of confidence! I know it doesn't take me long to know that I want to be the encouraging kind of mama! We all do- I am sure. I pray that God will forgive me for all the times that I may have discouraged my children and give me opportunities to encourage and praise my precious gifts.

Our Little Gymnist

Avery is loving her gymnastics class at Flip Flop Gymnastics! She can't wait to get there and as soon as class is over, even before we get to the van she wants to know when she can come again!!!

Avery with her teachers Miss Misty and Miss Dominee



Avery seems very enthusiastic about learning the new skills. She is really paying close attention to her teachers and wanting to learn more and more! It has been a great energy outlet for her!

Tooth Fairy Blues!

The Tooth Fairy is failing miserably at our house! I am thinking that she most definitely needs to be fired and replaced. The last tooth that my precious Carson lost and so carefully placed for her to pick up and leave that so much anticipated dollar must have been sick, on vacation or extremely exhausted! Hummm.... because she forgot to stop by and make her pick-up! She was forgiven, and we hoped for better next time. Well.... Last night, Carson finally let his Aunt Lesley pull one of his front, top teeth, after it has been hanging by a thread for quite some time! He fell asleep forgetting to place it under his pillow. I found it this morning and decided I would shine it up for the Fairy tonight. I told myself while brushing, not to drop it down the sink - you see it coming right!? So what to do now? Do we call a plumber or leave a note. Oh me... decisions, decisions! What will the fairy do?