Blessings:
1. Little Man slept all night (well, until 4:30am) – he sure was happy to be in his own bed!
2. Shopping time with my mom.
3. I love watching Americans win gold medals!
4. Little Man has had a funny day today. He pulled up on Ken’s chair (when Ken was in it) and bit one of his toes. I thought it was funny.
5. My brother and his friend are arriving tomorrow!
Blessings:
1. We’re back home. I love camping, and I always wish for one more day, but it’s so nice to get home, too.
2. Little Man was so so so so so happy to be home. His happiness was hilarious! He smiled and giggled all afternoon!
3. Well, he smiled when he wasn’t sleeping – he was exhausted, as is proven by the photo above. He’s just so cute!
4. Dinner from Super 1. Yay!
5. I am finally able to enjoy some of the Olympics!
Blessings:
1. Fun kids. Not just mine – we had a whole crew of fun kids (and adults) at the church camp out.
2. Worshipping outdoors.
3. We had a nice, laid back day.
4. Great food!
5. Sitting around the fire with the “grown-ups.”
Blessings:
1. Being ready for the camping trip.
2. Going camping!
3. Fun dinner with friends.
4. The kids played and played and played. I think they only came back to us for food.
5. Jemimah. She’s so comfy.
Blessings:
1. Weekend!
2. Olympics!
3. Little Man stood for about 3 seconds at a time, 3 different times. Whoohoo! ‘Course he still doesn’t like to twist his spine or bend his knees…but he can stand straight!
4. My honey can grill a steak. Yummmmm…even if the smoke alarm told us the steak was done.
5. We’re almost ready for the church camp out. I love having a trailer to keep everything packed in. It makes it so much easier to get ready for a trip.
Side note – it saddens me when people I respect bash my beliefs and make fun of my faith. It also damages my respect for them.
I did a second senior portrait session with Missy today. I think we got some good shots.
Blessings:
1. An evening with Missy.
2. Caleb’s dental appointment went well today.
3. I am NOT bored.
4. I will not be bored for the foreseeable future.
5. In the unforeseeable future I’m going to enjoy boredom.
My new-to-me treasure! I’ve found that the machine my mother-in-law gave me was a gateway machine – it just made me want one that does more and more!
Blessings:
1. My new treasure! It’s New Home/Janome machine – several years old, but in perfect condition. It’s awesome!
2. This conversation…
Nancy McGlaughn Pullen Pretty sure that what I just did to get away from a spider would qualify as parkour.
Elli Morrison Scrivner I'm a total ninja when it comes to getting away from moths.
Nancy McGlaughn Pullen Elli Morrison Scrivner....moths???? But they're small and almost fluffy. They're like butterflies without makeup.
3. More fabulous fabric finds at the thrift stores. I didn’t even intend to go thrifting today, but that’s how it worked out. Yay!
4. Little Man is making great progress in his eating and in his gross motor skills. He also gained 9 oz between WIC appointments. Good job, Little Man!
5. Little Man is the most joyful person I know. He infuses me with joy when mine is in short supply.
How did we get THE happiest baby in the world and the most patient dog?
Blessings:
1. Outside play weather. The kids had gotten a bit too accustomed to tv/electronics when it was raining and then really hot. Today it’s only in the 80’s, so they are outside! They need more practice with those imaginations!
2. Have I mentioned lately that I love my job? It’s really perfect for me. How often does that happen?
3. Our homeschool curriculum is going to cost less than I thought. Whoohoo!
4. Our school materials are ordered! Yay! And it’s still July! I feel like I really accomplished something!
5. I am going to enjoy some quiet talking/tv time with my husband this evening. It’s been a long time! (Like…hmmm…two whole weeks!)
When Austin writes his "what I did this summer" report it's going to be all about doing dishes.
Blessings:
1. Treasures and bargains at thrift stores!
2. I had a very encouraging conversation with an employee at one of the thrift stores. Rejuvenating.
3. Felice took the kids to the free lunch at St. Mary’s family center. That was a really good thing.
4. Little Man is really expanding his cruising abilities. The picture above was taken right after he figured out how to transfer from holding on to a dining chair to grabbing the drawer/cupboard knobs. He made his way halfway around the kitchen that way.
5. We’re getting back on a regular schedule!
Blessings:
1. That toothless grin makes me smile every time.
2. We played at the river with my brother-in-law’s family. It felt great on this HOT day!
3. If you ever get a chance to have dinner at the Victor Steak House I highly recommend the marinated sirloin. Mmmmmmmm.
4. Playing in the yard with all the Scrivners. Too funny.
5. It was just a fun day.
I was able to take my niece's senior portraits today. So fun!
Blessings:
1. Senior portraits with Cristina!
2. My honey came home today!
3. My honey brought gifts!
4. My sister-in-law’s spring rolls are fabulous!
5. I love it when the Scrivner family gets together – never a boring moment.
Little Man is bonding with Uncle Jerry.
Blessings:
1. I am loved. I can tell by the number of people who came to my house to see me today.
2. Little Man loves Uncle Jerry. He was disappointed at first that the man who looks and sounds like Daddy wasn’t Daddy, but he got over it and didn’t want to go to anyone else.
3. Time spent with family.
4. More sewing time! Yay! Check out my family blog for the latest project.
5. My sweetheart will be home tomorrow!
When these fabulous sparkles caught my eye I had to stop and take a picture of the bling in the window of Simply Irresistible - A Consignment Boutique. There is always something wonderful in there!
Blessings:
1. It’s a new day! (Yesterday was frustrating.)
2. Sewing time! I created a new favorite skirt today.
3. Have I mentioned Vacation Bible School? 
4. People who stop by to check on me. Pastor Michael and Nancy stopped by to return something and to check and see if I was still sane. They probably would have gotten a different impression had they stopped by yesterday evening.
5. Mom’s lemon cake. Yummy stuff!
Five kids playing nicely in public. I have proof!
Blessings:
1. My kids were well-behaved during the long wait at the doctor’s office.
2. Air conditioning. I know – I’ve mentioned it before, but the longer this heat continues, the more thankful I get!
3. I got almost everything done today. Whew.
4. Once the kids are in bed I get to sew my new skirt (at least that’s what I hope it’s going to be!).
5. It’s Wednesday – my partner in crime will be home in 3 days.
Blessings:
1. I woke (at 2:34 am) to the sweet sound of a baby voice quietly saying "mamamama."
2. The Fabulous Felice came and tended to 8 kids (including hers) for 5 hours.
3. Most of the kids were able to go to a local VBS this evening.
4. Since the kids were gone, I was able to get my work day finished before it was bedtime.
5. I found a fabric treasure at a thrift store today.
The picture is the only one I took today. I had to send it to Ken because special breakfast on Sunday has been a "thing" for us.
Rose and Virginia turned 11 today, so Felice took them to the salon for some fun. They had hair cuts and mani/pedis. Fun times! They stopped by for a few pictures after. The wind was blowing so you can't really see how cute Virginia's hair is, but she's a beautiful girl anyway.
Blessings:
1. Birthday fun with Rose and Virginia!
2. I had a successful work day.
3. The gifts were done on time! (That means sewing time!)
4. I’m making progress with Mt. Washmore – I found the laundry room floor today.
5. Bed time! The kids have been bonkers today, so I’m really ready for bed time.
Blessings:
1. Caleb’s loose tooth finally came out – with a little help from Mom.
2. Ethan Culp – my oldest grandson – turns 8 today. It’s crazy that the time has flown so quickly. He’s a wonderful kid, and I am so thankful that he was born!
3. Easy lunch day!
4. I had fun working on some handmade birthday gifts.
5. Quiet evening time…so calming.
Sad puppy. Ken and Dale are gone for a week and Molly is sad.
Blessings:
1. I was able to go to Missoula with the Fabulous Felice. Always a good time.
2. I found some bargains on craft items and gifts.
3. My mother-in-law watched my kids for me!
4. Ken and Dale made it to Hillsboro safely.
5. Ice cream! (And Lactaid tablets!)
Geekage.
Blessings:
1. It’s Friday!
2. We got a lot of stuff done today!
3. Our friend Joe (seen above) – aka the Bread Angel – came by with bagels and rolls. Yay!
4. Air conditioning.
5. I was able to get a good number of work hours in today!
Blessings:
1. My husband does dishes – even when we’re camping. He’s awesome.
2. We had a great camping trip.
3. We went back to The Ice Cream Place today and had lunch. Yummy burgers!
4. Ken’s parents took care of our Molly girl for us while we were gone. She was great for them, and they loved her. In fact, Nana told the kids she wanted to keep Molly!
5. We had a nice afternoon/evening with Ken’s parents.
Bonus: Everything is unloaded from the trailer already! Whoohoo!
We went for a mini-hike and there were a bunch of these interesting wild flowers. I don’t know if it opens more than this – I don’t recall seeing these before, but they reminded me of Christmas ornaments.
Blessings:
1. An abundance of different wild flowers. I love the natural bouquet.
2. More lake play. Yay! It was so hot!
3. The Ice Cream Place in Seeley Lake, Montana. If you’re in the area stop by – it’s well worth it!
4. My darling beloved and I had a great time talking by the campfire.
5. My husband is the best man I know.
Little Man was not too sure about playing in the lake. He didn’t really want any part of him to touch the water.
Blessings:
1. Playing in the lake (Salmon Lake). It was pretty chilly getting in, but it felt so good to swim!
2. Not doing dishes. I taught two of the boys how to wash dishes in the trailer (we have haul and heat the water right now), so I didn’t have to do all the dishes today!
3. Chili cheese fry bread. Yummy stuff!
4. My sweet husband went to bed with Little Man when LM just wouldn’t go to sleep. I missed my campfire chat time with my sweetie, but I did enjoy some quiet time after walking with and rocking LM for an hour and a half.
5. Camping wears kids out.
Little Man is so cute dancing in the trailer…except that he was supposed to be going to sleep.
Blessings:
1. Camping!
2. Jemimah – it is so much easier to camp with a trailer, and with this being our third trip we had almost everything we needed packed already.
3. Toasted marshmallows.
4. Swimming in the lake on a hot day.
5. A night time campfire.
It was a crazy busy day – this calendar page doesn’t do justice to the craziness that was my day.
Blessings:
1. It was a great morning in church.
2. Easy breakfast! (Muffins.)
3. We had a nice dinner out with some other people in the valley who are in the ministry.
4. We’re going camping tomorrow, and we’re almost ready!
5. Little Man is sleeping longer at a time – most nights he has at least a 5 hour stretch.
This man can skip a rock!
Blessings:
1. Crafting time. Sewing projects will show up on my family blog very soon!
2. It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood!
4. Play time at the river!
5. The kids were worn out from play time at the river and bed time was almost painless!
Blessings:
1. Yesterday Little Man pulled himself to stand. Today he started cruising along furniture. I guess he has stuff to do!
2. My friend Arlene took my kids to the playground for a picnic lunch with her kids. I’ve had a bit of calmish time almost every day this week! Yay!
3. I found out what I need to make those awesome neck coolers and I can’t wait to make some – our temps are supposed to get pretty warm over the next few days.
4. I made a cute shortall romper for Gavin. Pictures will come. So cute!
5. Movie time with my sweetie!
Ken’s chair has this effect on almost everyone. This one is Felice’s daughter. She slept in that chair for over 2 hours.
Blessings:
1. It’s a beautiful day!
2. I got to go do some thrift shopping with Felice!
3. Today is my wonderful brother’s birthday. He is such a blessing!
4. Sewing time!
5. Little Man pulled himself to stand in his crib. He’s a big shot now.
I’m sure everyone in the US is seeing fireworks, and everyone is posting fireworks on their blogs, so I’m not going to add any more boring old fireworks shots today. How ‘bout an adorable boy in a handmade hat?
Blessings:
1. The Fabulous Felice took 5 of my kids to Missoula for lunch! We got 2 quiet hours here at the house. Whoohoo!
2. Nap time. Every once in a while all the short, wakeful nights catch up with me and I just can’t function. Today was one of those days, so I took a long nap this afternoon. I still feel like I could go to bed right now and sleep 14 hours, but I do feel better. I love naps.
3. I folded laundry and found an amazing thing - a sewing table! I knew there had been one in that room. Yay! Now I just need to see if there is still an ironing board hiding behind Mt. Washmore.
4. We aren’t doing fireworks this year. That’s a blessing? Yes. I don’t care for them too much, and I’m quite content to see what I can see from home. Some neighbors are doing them and invited our kids over to watch. Yay again!
5. Indulgent Chocolate Bites. Check ‘em out!
Caleb was building with Jenga blocks. He's sharing the gospel even in play. Love that kid!
Blessings:
1. Caleb’s Jenga crosses. Blessed my heart.
2. Felice took kids to the free lunch at the family center. I had about an hour of quiet!
3. I’m preparing for a camping trip again. I love it!
4. A slower day – finally! I worked, did a few chores, did a bunch of nothing. Yay!
5. TV time with my sweetie.
Today was our 24th anniversary.
Blessings:
1. Twenty-four wonderful years with the best man I’ve ever met.
2. Date night!
3. Today’s photo makes me happy. Dale took it, and he did a great job!
4. Animal crackers. I’d forgotten all about them, but I love them!
5. I got an unexpected pay raise!
July? Already?
I was taking some video at church for our Facebook page, and I saw this lovely couple sharing a Bible. The moment "spoke to me."
Blessings:
1. We got an unexpected financial gift. Praise the Lord!
2. It was a great morning at church!
3. We were able to minister at the local nursing home today. That is always a blessing.
4. Nathan has declared himself a vegetarian (um...what about that burger you ate last night?) so Caleb just came and told me, "Mom, I'm a candytarian!"
5. Little Man slept ALLLLLL night last night!
Posts
All Comments
