April 30, 2012

I didn't really shoot anything today. All I did was a light test on Little Man.

Blessings:

1. I sold some stuff on Zazzle! Fun! (I didn’t make much, but it paid for the shipping on my Zazzle order.)

2. I’ve been reading through some Scrivnerburg funnies over the last two days. My family is awesome!

3. We’re one day closer to camping! (I really love camping, and I’m especially looking forward to doing it the “easy” way this year.)

4. I survived the school day mostly without Ken. Felice was here for reading, too – thankfully. Six kids and a baby is a lot for one person in the homeschool classroom.

5. The house is quiet.

April 29, 2012

How do I choose one picture from today?

Blessings:

1. We bought a travel trailer today! Yay! It won’t come home until later in the week,

2. Our church was “Outside the walls” today. We had the opportunity to serve a couple ladies in the community, and it was fun! One of the ladies was my mom, and she is very pleased with the results of the work on her property. (Check the link to see some photos.)

3. Sunday naps! I meant to lay down for a 20 minute snooze…somehow that turned into an hour and a half. Oops. Oh well…it was great!

4. An impromptu date. Ken and I went to look at the trailer, and afterwards we stopped for dinner.

5. Dale. He is such blessing. He took care of all of the kids while we went to Hamilton and then out to dinner. Such a good kid. He even got the baby to bed, and handled a disobedient child.

Such a great Sunday!

April 28, 2012

This is a LARGE insulated tote. I made it today!

Blessings:

1. Craft time! I haven’t sewn anything in weeks, so I was very happy to spend some time making my insulated tote today.

2. Eternal Chicken. You know those rotisserie chickens you can get at the grocery store deli? My mom calls those eternal chickens because they provide so many meals for her. I got 2 for my family for dinner. I love those things!

3. It’s a low-key Saturday night. Since our church is going to be doing outdoor service projects tomorrow instead of meeting as we normally do, I’m going to have the kids do their weekend bathing after working outside tomorrow. That means no bath fights tonight!

4. Everything is good. My life is good.

5. Little Man ate his first something-or-other by himself! He didn’t eat it all, and most of it ended up on his clothes, but I gave him a Baby Mum-Mum Rice Rusk and he liked it!

April 27, 2012

This just looks like trouble.

Blessings:

1. It’s Friday!

2. My children amuse me – even when they are doing crazy, foolish things. I think we need to have a conversation about standing on top of things that are standing inside wheeled wagons.

3. I have a wonderful husband.

4. I’m looking forward to “worship outside the walls” on Sunday – our church’s 5th Sunday work day.

5. I have multiple bouquets of “sunshine flowers” around my house. Gotta love spring!

April 26, 2012

Goofballs!

Blessings:

1. Goofballs! My kids and Felice’s girls were having a great time at the dinner table today. Rose thought she was hilarious with this “drinking out of the jug” thing. They’re all so much fun.

2. Virtual trailer hunting. I’m still on the hunt, but today I found a travel trailer that makes my heart flutter… I’m waiting to hear back.

3. Clingy baby. It’s a blessing in disguise. He wanted me all day, but that does prove that he really does love me – even if he tries to tell me Daddy is his favorite.

4. Prayer time with my husband.

5. A quiet house. I love it when all I hear is the dishwasher.

April 25, 2012

Blessings:

1. Walking the trail through the park and finding cattail fluffs.

2. Dinner out with the whole family. Fun times.

3. Well-behaved children.

4. Special Olympians – Andrew and Austin had a great time in the track and field events.

5. Quiet time to work. It was late, but it was quiet.

April 24, 2012

My dad with Little Man and Nathan. I love Little Man’s grip on Dad’s shirt.

Blessings:

1. I got my portion of our work project caught up – for at least 36 seconds. My manager saw that it was caught up and added a bit more work so I’m not caught up anymore, but I was!

2. Our weather ran the gamut today, but we spent great time outside anyway.

3. We had our first baseball picnic today! Fun times!

4. I have the most wonderful husband in the world.

5. The house is quiet. Sometimes I think I shouldn’t stay up so late, but then I realize that my sanity is more closely tied to my moments of quiet than my hours of sleep. I need the hour or two of absolute quiet I get after everyone is asleep (or at work).

April 23, 2012

Grandpa Jack and Uncle Michael are here for a visit!

Blessings:

1. Dad and Michael got here!

2. It was a gorgeous day complete with amazing sunrise, thunder storms, blue skies, and temps in the 80’s.

3. My bedroom is still clean after a week!

4. I’ve been enjoying travel trailer shopping. I can’t wait to have my own!

5. Camping season is coming! I’m really excited about getting out there this year!

April 22, 2012

Little Man’s first time playing in a sandbox.

Blessings will be short as it’s getting harder and harder to get everything done each day.

1. Great church time. Loved the music!

2. A fun time at the nursing home service. I played the piano and they didn’t “stump the chump” once!

3. Three hours at the park with the Liner family. Fun times!

4. Painted toenails! My friend Nancy painted my toenails for me. That is the only time in my adult life that anyone else has painted my toenails.

5. Tired kids! No bedtime struggles!

April 21, 2012

Blessings:

1. The overcast morning turned into a lovely day. The kids spent most of it outside. Hallelujah!

2. Bountiful Baskets. We got two baskets this time, and the stuff looks wonderful! Apples, bananas, lemons, onions, and other great stuff (I haven’t dug through yet).

3. Little Man is tolerating the Lactaid we’re adding to his formula. We’re trying to give him more calories per feeding, and for a while he was refusing bottles with Lactaid in them, but today he took 2 and finished them. Whew. It just took a while to get used to the new taste, I’m sure.

4. I’m looking forward to camping this summer! I know it’s a couple months away, but I’m preparing now, and I can’t wait!

5. We’ve got a busy week coming up, and I’m looking forward to some fun times!

April 20, 2012

On the way home from Lolo.

Blessings:

1. We live in a beautiful place.

2. It’s Friday! That kinda surprised me, because I had three days off in the middle of the week.

3. Tomorrow is the opening day of baseball – baseball picnics, here we come!

4. Good weather is coming! I’m looking forward to temps in the high 70’s.

5. Netflix – I love finding a series I enjoy and watching episode after episode. I don’t have to wait a whole week to see what happens next! (Yes, I’m spoiled.)

April 19, 2012

I took this shot as we were headed out of Helena. I called it The Colors of Decay.

Blessings:

1. We had a great time in Helena.

2. We made it home safely and in good time.

3. The kids were all happy to see us! (So was Nana!)

4. My mom made a birthday cake for me!

5. I had dinner ready before I even left for Helena so it was very easy to feed the family!

April 18, 2012

 

Blessings:

1. Many birthday messages. It was a blessing to be acknowledged so extensively just for being born!

2. Great sessions at the Child Abuse and Neglect Conference. Ken and I both learned a LOT of good stuff!

3. Another wonderful dinner with my darling. Good food, great company.

4. Another relaxing evening – I get to spend my birthday evening watching American Idol with my favorite man. Sounds perfect.

5. I finally got to see the state capitol building. You’d think after 20 years in the state I would have seen it by now, but today was the first time.

April 17, 2012

Just outside Helena, MT.

Blessings:

1. Safe trip to Helena.

2. Two days away with my sweetie!

3. Wonderful dinner at Overland Express with my darling.

4. We met an interesting man – Ray Buckley.

5. A relaxing evening with no responsibilities!

April 16, 2012

Aren’t these pretty. They’re Johnny-jump-ups, in case you can’t tell how small they are. This lovely bouquet was a gift from two sweet boys.

Blessings:

1. Flowers from boys. I love it!

2. Almost all ready for our trip to Helena. Almost.

3. Mondays seem to be the days I have trouble getting my work done in a reasonable time, but at least I was done by 8:30pm today.

4. I have 3 days off work!

5. My room is still clean.

April 15, 2012

Nathan goofing at his birthday lunch at Pizza Hut.

Blessings:

1. A birthday lunch out with the family.

2. Church went well (we did it without our usual team).

3. My room is clean!

4. It’s almost time for our trip to Helena!

5. I accomplished a lot today!

April 14, 2012

Molly loves being outside with her kids. Even when she’s not playing with them she just wants to be out there. The kids were shooting Nerf guns, so Molly was just enjoying the sunshine in the presence of her favorite people.

Blessings:

1. Mom and I had a fun time puttering around town this morning.

A treasure I found while Mom and I were at the thrift store. I told Mom she needed "party sweats" and she (rightly) pointed out that when I say "Mom, you need this" you can be sure she does NOT need whatever it is. Hmph. But really... How can she NOT need party sweats?!?!

2. More fun with Mom.

My mom looked at this and said, "Wouldn't it be easier just to put your waffles on a plate?"

3. It is a gorgeously beautiful day.

4. I have waaaaay too much fun creating things to cover Little Man’s backside. This one is a waterproof diaper cover.

5. Two adorable little boys just brought this to me and told me it's a heart-shaped "wuby." They are just too cute! (One of the boys is a loaner – we have “that” house where all the neighborhood kids congregate.)

April 13, 2012

Ready for work. I have my Diet Pepsi, Pandora, and the Headset of Invisibility. You really shouldn't even be able to see me.

Blessings:

1. Another quote from Scrivnerburg -
Mom: "Nathan, how did you like the sweet potatoes?"
Nathan: "Wellll...it was kinda good. But it started off a new taste bud, and new taste buds come in grumpy."

2. Yummy sweet potatoes.

3. Baby giggles. Little Man was one giggle after another today.

4. My honey invited out to an impromptu lunch at Morningstar Caffeine and Cuisine. What a fun surprise!

5. My darling beloved (yes, he gets even more points for today!) put up the new cupboard in the laundry/craft room. The room is still a wreck, but I’ll fix that tomorrow. It’s really starting to look great in there!

April 12, 2012

These guys have been on top of my desk awaiting repairs FOREVER! I'm sure one has been there for over a year. It was about time to fix them!

Blessings:

1. My kitchen is still clean!!

2. I was able to declutter part of my desk by mending half of the patients at the Hospital for Overloved Stuffies. Maybe sending the rest of the patients home will be one of tomorrow’s blessings…?

3. My sweet Felice brought me lunch! Orange Chicken from the Super 1 deli. Yummy stuff!

4. Little Man got his knees under him by himself today! He’s really trying to get mobile! (Should that really be counted as a blessing?? )

5. I’m making plans and preparations for the 2.5 day trip Ken and I are taking next week. I think it’s fun, and I can’t wait to go! Yeah…I’m a list-maker, pre-packer, over-preparer. I’m okay with that.

April 11, 2012

Blessings:

1. “Nathan, oh Nathan. How can it be 9 years since you entered this world in somewhat dramatic fashion? You continue to be the very best kind of surprise. Happiest of birthdays, my sweet boy.” (copied from my Facebook status)

2. Scrivnerburg Academy outtakes: Workbook question: Find the Amazon River. Give its relative position. Child's answer: In the middle of nowhere.

3. I made a fun cape for Nathan for his birthday. I made it yesterday, but he’s loving it today, so it’s today’s blessing.

4. I haven’t been thankful for my job recently. I truly am blessed to have a work-at-home job that suits my…um…special needs?

5. If you get a chance to cook some chicken in a slow cooker with Hawaiian Teriyaki, do it! I served it over rice with egg rolls on the side, and it was really, really good! I found the Hawaiian Teriyaki at my local grocery store.

April 10, 2012

Blessings:

1. My kitchen is clean.

2. Tacos for dinner. My second favorite meal.

3. My head feels somewhat better today. Not good, but not like yesterday. Whew.

4. It was over 70 degrees today!

5. The rose bush is getting leaves! It’s really, really spring!

April 9, 2012–Day 100!

Can you believe this is the 100th day of 2012? Graciousness – this year is flying by!

Today's "photo" is a collage of photos I've taken so far this year.

Blessings:

1. Ken took Nathan to the dentist today to see about his hurting tooth. That’s a blessing because I had a migraine and the thought of driving to Hamilton made me feel like I was going to be sick.

2. Nathan got in to see the dentist with only about 3 hours notice. He has some cavities that will be taken care of in a couple weeks, and had antibiotics to get rid of any infection. Let’s all hope he won’t be awake half the night in pain again.

3. I got a rare weekday nap today. Of course it was necessitated by the migraine, but it was a blessing nonetheless. I felt much better when I woke up.

4. I snuck in some crafting time before school – that’s always a blessing to me. I love the “I made that!” feeling.

5. I get some reasonably quiet time with my sweetie this evening. Yay!

April 8, 2012–Happy Easter!

We had a sunrise service for our first Easter as Bitterroot Family Fellowship.

Blessings (with bonus photos!):

1.
We had a perfect morning for our Son rise service! It was chilly, but we had a great fires, and we had clear enough skies to see the sunrise, but then clouds came in so we weren’t blinded. I enjoyed the acapella songs, the message, and the early morning (after I survived getting 7 kids there on time).

2.
I asked the kids today what Easter eggs had to do with Jesus rising up from the grave. Caleb told me that the women who went to the tomb early in the morning searched and hunted for Jesus when He wasn’t in the tomb just like we hunt for eggs. I love my little theologian.

3.
After church we came home to get ready for our Easter dinner at Nana’s house. Ken worked last night – 8 straight hours with only a 10 minute break so he could get off early and be at church on time. This is how he peeled eggs. Caleb and Nathan helped me.

4.
We had a few hours at home, so I did some sewing. I made this adorable soaker to cover Little Man’s cloth diapers. It’s made of fleece, and it’s so so so cute!

5.
My kids are total goofballs. Only Austin isn’t squinting, making a face, or giving a cheesy grin. They are so much fun. (Oh, and all 6 boys have these fun tie shirts. I think they’re awesome, if I do say so myself.)

April 7, 2012

We got to see a lot of elk on the way to Nana's today. Kristi tells me this one is her pet elk, Elphie.

Blessings:

1. Ken and I had the opportunity to spend some time with a good friend while we manned the foster parenting info table at a local non-profit fair. I enjoyed the time!

2. Joann Fabric and Crafts. I got to wander around to my heart’s content. Bliss.

3. Nana. She watched 6 of our kids while we spent the day in Missoula. That woman deserves flowers. Or a medal. Or Valium.

4. Funny moments. I wish I could share the snaps our friend took when we gave Little Man a taste or two or three (or four) of smoothie. Yes, we did it over and over because it was so funny.

5. Getting up at 5 am. Okay…I don’t necessarily call that a blessing in itself, but with the schedule I had today it turned out to be great. I was hoping for craft time, but I didn’t realize Little Man was going to get me up at o’dark-thirty to have it. It was a good thing he did, because the rest of my day was so busy I didn’t have a chance to just putter in the craft room. I’m tired now, but I had some great quiet craft time this morning!

April 6, 2012

Caleb got a very vibrant orange for this egg!

Blessings:

1. Have I mentioned how awesome my husband is? He fixed our plumbing problem so we could use our kitchen sink again! Good thing, too – we were out of dishes!

2. My husband is double awesome – he also fixed the flat tire on my Suburban. (Funny thing – he fixed both problems with the same equipment – his air compressor.)

3. The kids (including Felice’s girls) and I had a great time coloring eggs. Check out my family blog if you want to see more photos of the egg dyeing.

4. My husband is triple awesome – he brought my a milk chocolate Symphony bar!

5. Now that I’ve run the dishwasher twice and finished my work day, I can enjoy a relaxing Friday evening (night).

April 5, 2012

Johnny jumped up!

Blessings:

1. A good evaluation meeting with the people in charge at work. Yay!

2. I love my husband. He’s able to help me see things more clearly.

3. Somehow I forgot to get stuff ready for dinner (what good does a menu do if you don’t use it?), so I had no idea what we were going to do when Andrew came in and said, “Are we having burritos for dinner?” We had them on hand, so I said, “Yes. That’s exactly what we’re having” just like I knew what I was talking about. It made me laugh.

4. Nathan was so excited about those pretty little violas that he dragged me and my camera (and the baby) down the street and around the corner to take a picture of them. I love how excited kids get – I think we adults get too bogged down with life to see the little flowers.

5. This lady is AWESOME! She just is.

April 4, 2012

Blessings:

1. Caleb is back in physical therapy!

2. I had 7.5 hours of sleep last night! (In two big blocks.) I felt great when I woke up!

3. I found a great deal on some thrift store jeans!

4. I have a houseful of happy children.

5. I remembered to fold the laundry before bed time so I don’t still have to do that chore in order to find my bed. Yay!

April 3, 2012

I made a case for my cell phone today. It came out perfect (which completely surprised me, because the measurements have to be precise for the phone to fit and come out of the case). I followed this awesome tutorial except for one little part – there’s a part where she says “Don’t forget the tab!” Apparently I misread it the first time because I skipped the “don’t” and forgot the tab. Oh well, my new seam ripper needed a workout anyway.

Blessings:

1. I finished work before 3pm! That means I had time to catch up some half-done sewing projects, and I even had time to cook dinner!

2. Craft projects! In addition to my custom cell phone case, I also made my first item with a zipper. I felt very relieved when I finished it and it actually worked as it should.

3. Good conversations with my husband. We’ve had several deep, engaging conversations lately. I love communication!

4. The boys’ baseball is really getting going. The younger boys had their first practice tonight, and we’re only a couple weeks away from opening day. I always look forward to baseball picnics!

5. Kind words from people. I’m not truly a “words of affirmation” kind of person. They actually make me uncomfortable, but it’s still nice to know the good things that people think of me. (They don’t have to share the bad stuff.)

April 2, 2012

Smileybuns. I blogged a bit about these here.

Blessings:

1. The State of Montana now has permanent legal custody of Little Man. That means we’re moving closer and closer to adoption. Yay!!

2. Kodiak Jax pizza for dinner. I love not having to cook.

3. I finally got all my work done today. It took me 13 hours to get 3 hours of work done, but I finished it!

4. I got part of the craft/laundry room closet cleaned out. Yay for accomplishing things!

5. It was a beautiful spring day!

April 1, 2012

This month I'm going to use this list of prompts to help guide my photos. http://goo.gl/FFpPc

Blessings:

1. Today was one of those weather days when it doesn’t matter what your favorite weather is – we probably got it. Those days amuse me. I got a tiny bit of sunshine, the plants got water, if there is anyone who likes wind they got that too.

2. My favorite quote of the day: “I’m Sloppy Joes’ biggest fan!” (6yo Caleb)

3. We’re going to Helena for 2 nights in a couple weeks! Whoohoo! I can’t wait! (We’re going for the Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference) It just happens to be during my birthday week, so I get to get outta Dodge for my birthday!

4. The week’s lesson plans are done! I don’t have to scramble in the morning!

5. Little Man was a giggly, giggly boy today.