My Day

Up. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Nurse. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Sleep. Sort of. Nurse. Up. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Dishes. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Counters. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Floors. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Laundry. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Closets. Nurse. Scrap. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Baby up. Play. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Cook. BURN FINGER! Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Dishes. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Counters. Nurse. Baby down. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Rub eyes. Cry a little. Floors. Scrap. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Change. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze.Drive. Swim lessons. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Walk. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Park. Walk. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Drive. Buy. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Husk. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Cook. Scramble. Supper. Nurse. Stories. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. 'Puter. Sneeze. Sneeze. Wipe nose. Sneeze. Scrap.

daybook

My Daybook ~13 June

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Outside My Window ... gorgeous blue skies, stereotypical clouds, cool breeze, warm, absolutely perfect weather
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I am thinking ... how very much one uses one's dominant index finger and that it's a bad idea to burn it on the lunch no one is here to eat

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I am thankful ... for a morning alone with my son
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From the learning rooms ... some Sonlight books. Some Bible.

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From the kitchen ... whatever is easy and quick and convenient
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I am wearing ... blue shorts with a darker blue athletic stripe on the side with a Daytona Beach tee a former student gave me

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I am creating ... three for three scrap layouts (a layout a day)

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I am reading ...

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I am hoping ... for a week without the need for Sassy Spray.
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I am hearing... the baby babbling as he plays independently

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Around the house ... the usual

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One of my favorite things ... fuss free hair

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A few plans for the rest of the week ... story hour and 'cashing in' our reading program posters, fixing my bracelet, a girl's night out with my bestie who's moving (*tries not to cry*), dance class and a wedding this weekend with just my big and little men
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~

The Oliver

Week Recap

I got totally motivated by this book. I went to Joann's with all three kids after swim lessons Monday for supplies, is just how motivated. It's a challenge to go anywhere with all three kids, solely because of the brain power required, and the strength to push the nearly 100 pound cart, let alone make decisions about fabric and thread and whatnot with all their help. It went great though. And just look, so worth it!


They BOTH (even my live wire two year old!) have been enthralled with their embroidery, and have worked on it every day. Do you like Aviana's outfit? She's wearing what she wore to bed, plus a sheer scarf, and Dada's flip flops. You gotta love the unexpected benefits of home learnin'.

This is my little project. We've pretty much completely given over our hutches to school storage. It was really bugging me how busy and untidy they always looked, even though they are fairly organized, so I hemmed some material and we stapled it inside the doors. This was supposed to be a before and after picture, but unfortunately, this is all the farther we've gotten. Still.

Wednesday it rained all day long. And it was cold. It finally cleared about 5 and I had to send the girls out in their coats and boots. We miraculously enjoyed each other all day. It's truly been a great week.

This morning I offered to read to Aviana for a while. It took all of 1/2 a second before we were joined by her adorable littles. Notice how protectively I'm holding my coffee. You have to always be on the defensive around here.
Somebody was having a good time digging mud out of a hole and smooshing it all over an only all too willing Labrador accomplice.
I'll give you a hint: She's also a little sister.

I was also a hero to this little girl today.

We went down to "our" lake. There is a culvert that runs under the road and turns into a churning waterfall down to the creek. I let the girls put their feet in the water, while I held tightly, so they could feel the power of the water. We threw in some rocks and watched how fast they went over the edge. It was one of those times I was slapping myself for not always carrying the camera.

Just as we were about to leave, Brielle let go of her flip flop and before I could even really say "Uh-OH!", it was on its merry way down. I was startled when they both immediately started wailing.

I don't think it was the flip-flop itself, so much, but the scariness of the the flip flop's trip over the edge. So being the intrepid mama that I am, I made my way down the 'cliff'. All the while I was asking God to please put the flip-flop within my reach so my girls wouldn't be permanently traumatized. And what do you know? I didn't even have to veer off my path; it was waiting for me right at the edge. I plucked it out of the water, and brought it back to two little darlings who were now ready to tell Dada all about their adventure.

And now for our most exciting news of all!

This little girl is reading!

She sounded out words today for the first time. We're on lesson 9 in Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. I am so blessed to be there for that moment! That moment when it clicked! In a completely different context, she sounded out the same words she had learned in her lesson.
Of course I know she's not reading reading yet, but to this book lovin' mama, this is a huge step in the right direction.

She told me, "Then I can read Brielle and Tadrian their bedtime stories."
"And then what will I do?" I inquired.
"Be on the tomputer." she sagely answered.

She wanted me to video her "reading" one of her favorite books today, and I told her I already videoed her reading that book. She replied, "Yes, but did you put it where other people can see it?"

Since the answer was 'No', here is My Firstborn, Aviana Joy, reading "Silly Sally."

Watch your mouth.

It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire.
By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.
The tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

James 3:5b and 6 (The Message and New Living Translations)

My mouth has great power. My words and tone have massive power. My words reveal my heart. My words are such an accurate reflection of my heart that I could be judged by them alone.

Where do I fall on this scale?

Affirming..............x..................................Critical
Gentle...........x..........................................Harsh
Positive......x............................................Negative
Kind.............x..............................................Cruel
Build up.............x...............................Tear down
Support..............x.....................................Attack
Grace-giving.............................x............Judgmental
Uniting........................x............................Divisive
Considerate...........x...................................Rude
Warm...............x.........................................Cold
Holy.............................x..............................Crude

I'd like to think my words are much closer to the right side of the scale, close to where I placed my x's, but honestly, it can depend on the day. Come to think of it, maybe I should have Kevin put my mouth on this scale. Or my children. They would probably be a better judge than I.

When I speak, do people feel as if they have been nudged into the presence of God?

Here's the thing. I can't do this by myself. I have tried. I have failed. I need to let God transform me. More. My tongue MUST be tamed. More.

The Bible doesn't tell us to look at other people and grade ourselves on a curve: it tells us to look at Jesus.

I need to refuse to be conformed to the world's standards. I need to live the life of obedience and open my life completely to God's transformation.

Many thanks to my pastor for this sermon. I give him full credit for nearly every word of this post.

Baby Belly Laughs

Happy Independence Day.

Thanking God for my family and freedom.

Pray For Kate McRae

you can also join the Pray for Kate McRae group on Facebook.

Please pray.

In Real Life

Today I met one of my bloggy friends in real life. Brittany is driving cross country with her brood We all met up at a park for what turned out to be several hours, a couple of toads, a letter box, some Trader Joe's oreos of which I was informed are way better than our Target ones, a first time tree climber and much much dirt and water.

It was wonderful to know that we got along as well as I always thought we would. It was a relaxing afternoon, and Aviana asked me if we could do again tomorrow. I wish, babes, I wish.

I also wish I could meet ALL of you in real life.

First time in a tree

She wants to go back and dig up that particular tree to move it to our yard. Clearly, the 30 odd trees around here just won't do.

In good company--Gavin, Grayson and Vance

Brittany and me and our babies--Cadrian is a day short of one month older.

Eliza and Nolia with their delightful grins

Vance, Gavin, Ozzie, Brielle, Aviana, Cadrian, Grayson