family movie night

my kids have done so awesome

 with their chore chart this week

 that they earned a family movie night!

tonight's selection was:

and, seriously, why didn't anyone tell me what a tear-jerker it is?

i felt like it really fit with my post from yesterday

 about valuing the precious time i have with my little ones

 while they are still little *tear*.

anyhow, it was a great family movie

and a great time was had by all.

when i went to find the above toy story 3 image

 it led me to a site with a review of the movie.  

i skipped the review, but glanced at the comments.  

this one had me rolling on the floor, so i had to share.

"without a question the somebody flick of period and period, this film prefab toy tale 1 and 2 face like shrek the bag, yea its that peachy! me and my girlfriend went to go see this at the perform and we both cried similar babies. I grew up to toy prevarication, i grew up with andy, and its truly unbelievable how pixar can flowing the emotions from sad to singular without devastation any handsome moments 10/10. I anticipate a Multi- Award Person here! If you need to cry go see Toy story 3 and rebound jonah hex and karate kid and A aggroup! P: i wish this is not the end of toy tarradiddle if it is i module DIE, btw, barbie and ken made me burst out laughter the object uncastrated period!!"

what?!?!?!?

it was written by someone who's screen name is "danish".

we're thinking online translator gone bad...

and last, but certainly not least...i am feeling much better!

happy last day of april to you!

on waste - more time

recently i was given approached
 about a job opportunity.

it was a great job.  

childbirth related.

lots of interaction.

really taking my career to the next level.

in many ways it was perfect.

and part of me was really tempted to take it.

but i didn't take it.

and here's why.

the job was absolutely perfect, 

except for one big problem.

it didn't fit with the purpose 

for this season of my life.

and that purpose is these three.

now don't get me wrong, there are plenty of moms
 who work for many reasons
 and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
i am certainly not saying that all moms
 should be stay-at-home moms.

what i am saying is that i know with full certainty
that is what God has called me to.

there was a season,
after our first daughter was born,
 that i had to work part-time.
she was six weeks old when i started back.
it was an extremely difficult time for me.

i prayed and prayed and dreamed and dreamed.
and on the same day i found out
 i was pregnant with our son,
my husband found out he got a promotion
that would enable me to stay home.

just a few weeks before our little guy arrived i quit my job.
it has been the most marvelous,
joy and challenge-filled,
crazy 5 years of my life.
and i wouldn't trade a single moment.

considering this job opportunity led me to revisit
 what my purpose for this season of life is
 and what, therefore, my priorities are.
He has called me to be here for my children.
and He has called me to simplicity.
and this job simply did not fit with either.

you see, the time He has given us is so precious, 

to be doing anything other than what 

He has called me to would be a waste.

and there is nothing quite so sweet as knowing

 you are right where He wants you to be.

and the peace of God, 

which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds

 in Christ Jesus.

  ~Philippians 4:7

the bug

well the last few days i've been fighting a cold.

it's nothing huge, but man, it sure takes it out of me.

all my bloggy inspiration...poof!

and i'll tell ya, jeff foxworthy was right:

if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

so, here are some cold fighting secrets.

cold kicker.

courtesy of Keeper of the Home

it'll kick your cold's patootie!

emergen-C

my fave is tangerine and i like to buy it at super supplements.

organic echinacea elder tea

and organic lemon echinacea throat coat

from traditional medicinals.

victory over virus incense

courtesy of Healing-Scents

drinking lots of water.

using a humidifier.

cutting way down on dairy, sugar, simple carbs...

and sleep...lots and lots of sleep.

or as much as possible while still taking good care of three kiddos.

i'm hoping i'm on an upswing 

and that my good health will return soon 

along with my motivation!

i'll leave you with this cute little cowgirl.

who wishes her uncle (my awesome BIL) 

a very happy birthday!

happy list

21. my favorite mug.

22. oldies but goodies.

23. waldorf dolls.

24. arts & crafts.

25. handmade gifts.

(beautiful dresses upcycled by my crafty sister)


sewing: a creative mess is better than tidy idleness. 
 ~author unknown

zoo day

if you're wondering why i don't blog more

 or sew more 

or whatever more,  

the answer is usually these guys (plus the girly girl).

when the sun is shining we like to head to a great place called:

i am reminded daily of what an honor it is to hold these little ones
 for a such a short time.  God has truly blessed us
with more than we could ask or imagine.

easter overflow

easter was fabulous!

the cute kids.

the sibling love.

another fun easter egg hunt.

and, of course, the traditional easter headlock.

and...

my weekend project:

cutesy rag-style burp cloths!

they were so easy and actually took less time than i thought they would.

they'll make great baby gifts!

can you tell that most of my friends are having girls these days?

i wrapped a few up with a cute baby headband.

what do you think?

oh happy day!

He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. 

Matthew 28:6 

credit


The greatest day in history
Death is beaten
You have rescued me
Sing it out
Jesus is alive

Empty cross
And empty grave
Life eternal
You have won the day
Shout it out
Jesus is alive
He's alive

Oh happy day
Happy day
You wash my sin away
Oh happy day
Happy day
I'll never be the same
Oh no
Forever I am changed

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/steve_fee/happy_days.html ]

see the video

saturday bliss

i didn't have to work today.

so here is what we did.

we picnic'd (twice).

my awesome hubby washed the car, inside and out.

we started a chore and reward chart system.

we played a little "ponies".

i baked.  cookies & rolls.  yum.

recipe

we had an easter egg hunt.

there may even be a project in the works...

it was a beautiful, fulfilling, awesome sunshin-y day!

happy saturday to all!

earth day

how tremendously fitting that on this of all days,
both earth day and good friday,
we turn our thoughts toward the Creator of all.

credit

"Our thoughts ought by instinct to fly upwards from animals, 
men and natural objects to their Creator. 
If created things are so utterly lovely, 
how gloriously beautiful must He be who made them! 
The wisdom of the worker is revealed in His handiwork."
Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Franciscan

40 days

sunday is easter.

the lenten season is almost over.

although we do not attend a liturgical church,

as a church body we choose to observe lent.

a time of setting aside a bit of self and pressing in.

many choose to give up television or chocolate or coffee.

habits that are optional and, at times, distracting.

at our house, we chose to give up our small stipend of spending money.

money that is usually spent on sweet frivolities.  

things that are fun for a moment, but have no lasting significance.

so we made this small, small sacrifice.

and for what purpose?

transformation.

our dollars, combined with those from others

 at our church will be used to sponsor children.

those dollars that we take for granted

 and spend on nothing will mean life 

to these beautiful sons and daughters of God.

what a privilege, friends.

happy list

16. pirates.

17. picnics.

18. my kids dressing themselves.

19. tie dye.

i'm pretty much a sucker for any kind of tie dye.

20. roses.

Beauty seen is never lost, God's colors all are fast. 

~John Greenleaf Whittier

the creative family

inspiration!

i picked up this sweet book from the library yesterday

 and started looking through it today.

i want to live in this book.

everything in it is beautiful.

and simple.

my favorite ideas:

felt pencil/crayon roll

wool felt block

upcycled children's pants

freezer-paper stenciling

fabric transfers

seasons tree

birthday crown

the list goes on and on!

you can read more about the author 

and her projects on her website: 

soulemama

adventures

in "bearby" wearing.

she asked to wear this bear and enjoyed carrying her around

...for about 5 minutes.

this guy, on the other hand, put on his baby himself.

and wore him like that FOR THREE DAYS.

yup, he is the daddy (or sometimes big brother) to this little guy

 and the two are joined at the hip.

he even has a baby carseat set up next to his carseat.  

i love it.

so awesome.

p.s. it is impossible to get a "normal" smile
out of this guy for a picture these days.
ah, well.