Wordless Wednesday

 

 

 

Little Brother, Little Sister

 

 

 

Little Brother, Little Sister....How I Love You!

 

 

 If there's anything we learn as we age, it's that life will always change.  This year I see, that our roles transform as we move from one year to the next.  Always intertwined with the roles of those we love, there comes a season when our places become unrecognizable, different, and eventually we trade responsibilities all together.  About the time we start figuring that out, it becomes clear that it's different with every relationship.  The seasons of our life change.  Sometimes we want them to.  Sometimes we don't.  Sometimes we don't see until we look around and realize that it's a different time.  And we have a new job to accomplish.

 

 

Every storm weathered has it's cost.  Flooded fields, downed power lines, or damaged roads.  What I want you to always see is the growth, the new life that comes after one of these times.  Just as rainwater and the following sun rays bring new plants to life, so does our heart heal and live happy once again.  God's funny like that....if we just slow down and look around us we can see.  See that He has and always will care for us more than He ever has a simple bird in the sky, or flower in the field.  And even they are counted, loved, and clothed in beauty. 

 

Always stand up for what's right!!!  Don't be surprised to see what a minority you are!  Take courage in that and stand strong!  When in doubt, read the Bible and pray...God will always make it clear!

 

 

When you need a friend, and I promise you that you always will....I've found they're so few and far between.  And if you look at your life, the ones you need are already there-they always have been!  Be yourself with everyone.  Share your life with some.  Trust few.  And always trust Jesus.  God knows your heart, your thoughts, your everything-before even you do.  He is the ONE you will never have to be good enough for, and who will always be there.

 

People will always disappoint you!  If you're like me, you'll continue to allow them into your life.  Find comfort in that too....it shows how good and true your heart really is!  Don't be afraid to step away from the toxic people in your life.  Sadly, they will be there and always try to find their way in.  Never be afraid to let the joy of your heart and life try to rub off on theirs.  If it doesn't, don't feel bad about walking away.  Life is too precious, too short, and too important to waste on such matters.

 

We live in a fallen, broken, unfair world.  It is what it is, and will be that way until Jesus comes back.  Today, right now, all of these broken moments....are but a blink of eternity!  Once this life passes, we have forever to be in the arms and peace of a perfect Savior.  He is the only perfect, faultless, solid thing we have to hold until that time.  Until then, find the joy.  Find it in giving thanks and counting the small, beautiful blessings around you.  You'll begin to see that the simple, the small, the 'normal' things....in fact they are the extraordinary.  They are blessings.  They are the things which cannot be broken and stolen away.

 

 

 

Treasure what's been left behind.  See the lessons and memories of his life in the gifts and legacy he's given us.

 

 

Choose joy.

 

 

Choose to love.  Share that in small acts of kindness to those you know...and those you don't.

 

 

 

 

Laugh at yourself.  And never be afraid to be a pirate!

 

 

And when all else fails.....

 

 

 

I'm your sister.  I'm your friend.  I love you.  I like you.  I pray for you.  And I will ALWAYS be here for you!  No matter how old you get!

States Like That

Words don't always have a place.

 

 

Time doesn't follow our ideas.

 

 

Some things don't change, others transform wildly.

 

 

 

Friendships can span generations.
 

 

 

 

 Little brothers grow up.
 

 

 

 

Roots get deeper, branches reach wider, and fruit becomes stronger.
 

 

And some states seem impossible to cross.  Like Nebraska.  Foreign, covered in rain, flood waters creeping, and construction looming.  But eventually we made it to the other side.  And home.  Leaving home to come home isn't something everyone can understand. 

 

So today, my roots sink a little deeper.  Thank you everyone for praying us across country and back.  We needed and enjoyed the time we had with my family.  There are too many pictures, words, and things of the such to include in one small post.  So for now....THANK YOU again.  God's grace is ever enduring! 

 

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

3000 Mile Field Trip

No.  You did not read that wrong. 

1500 miles one week....1500 miles home a few weeks later. 

Mama, 3 kids, 4 generations of love, and a mapped out route. 

But mostly, like last time, we will get there on

 

Gasoline & Prayer

 

Those last 2 aren't in order of importance by the way!

 

We've done this before and we'll be fine doing it again.  But let me tell you, it is a BRUTAL drive!  Completely worth it, but exhausting and trying all the same.  And to share the truth....it's kind of nice too.  In a liberating, I can do ALL things, something new and something free kind of way.  It is good.  It will be good again.  I will need another year to recoup after this trip too!  But all the same, it will be good.  Always worth it. 

 

Here's a list of my 'secrets' and a fun new DIY I'm super proud to have pulled together this year!

 

PRAYER...is the key!  I mean it when I say that I believe prayer carried us across country last year.  And I know that it will again.  Constant updates via social media and/or text with a location, thank you for praying, and reminder to friends and family to keep doing so.  This is crucial.  The rest are minor details in comparison...

 

1.  Planning.  Lots of it.  I have a folder just for my maps, instructions, hotel info, etc.  You may have a better sense of direction than I do.  But it doesn't matter if I'm a mile down a 4 wheeler trail or 1000 miles across country....chances are I will need directions EVERY time!  So yes, lots of planning.

 

2.  Comfort for the kids.  We roll with blankets, pillows, and designated STOPPING points on this ride.  They're courageous enough to take the ride....does that really count if they don't have a choice? LOL!  Safety first, which means seat belts the whole time.  That also means we dress and pack the car to make the best of it!  And lots of electronics....did I mention that?

 

3.  Comfort for Mom.  This is easy...Sunglasses, caffeine, cell phone with charger, something to chew on, and of course Audio Books!  Music relaxes me, so while I'll listen occasionally, I need TALK for 12 hour driving days!  Audible.com is this girls best driving friend!  Along with FocusOnTheFamily Podcasts and radio news!  I use headphones because it usually drives the kids nuts.  I'll have one ear bud in and the other out so I can stay tuned in to the little ones!

 

4.  STOP!  As mentioned above, we have designated stopping points, for two reasons.  The first is the obvious 'stretch your legs, get out of the car, potty break' reason.  The other is because in doing this, we stay on the road the rest of the time, making the miles  pass.  And trust me....there's WAY to many miles to be pulling over anytime it's not necessary!  So, we start early in the AM, stop a few hours in for a break at a nice truck stop, stop to eat a laid back lunch, truck stop again a few hours later, and then we call it QUITS for a late supper!  Food, hotel swimming, and a good nights rest, and then start over the next morning.... 

 

5.  Enjoy....the memories, the journey, and mostly in this case our destination.  Family, precious time together, and going home for a few weeks is worth the drive.  ANY DAY OF THE YEAR!!!!  We are exactly where God would have us, I love where we live...but I will always need my Mom, Grandma, sister, best friend, and the other hearts and faces that will welcome us next week.  So for us, instead of year long daily life together, we get treasured weeks.  Weeks that cost a marathon drive, but are worth every mile!

 

This year is different.  Our first year of homeschooling completely freed our scheduling for the trip home!  So, we go in September.  We journey out next week, and I've put together some fun for the way!  We will be taking school with us, so look forward to a post for tips and stories of how we made this work!  It should be fun!  But today, I want to share what I've put together for on the road entertainment....

Okay, get this.....

 

-Each kid-different colored binder & pencil 'box'

-Each binder partially full at the beginning of the trip

-Grandma wants collected items from on the road for a special scrapbook project

 

So, I've set them up like this.....

 

Each pencil box has an assortment of colored pencils (crayons melt) and dry erase crayons.  I've also included the dry erase wipe off cloth and a small pencil sharpener.  NOTE-this is the first time I've bought Dry Erase Crayons and I LOVE THEM!!!!  I will be buying more for the schoolroom when we get home!  They are completely not what I expected them to be! 

 

Each binder has a few page protectors toward the front.  These work perfect with the dry erase crayons (not markers, they'd stain).  Inside those I included everyone a mapped out route of our trip (not pictured for privacy reasons), a map of our country broken into states, an alphabet for the old 'find the letter' game, and a copy of road trip bingo!  (Printed from OOPSEY DAISY-awesome find!!! ).  For my older son I also included a list of pictures for each state's license plate for him to see how many he can spot!  These are in page protectors to be used over and over with the dry erase crayons!

 

The next section is for pages outside of the page protectors.  You see that I started with a state's outline.  This is for them to draw, write, or color on.  Facts of the state, memories of driving through, or just whatever will keep them occupied really.  What they don't know is that I have a copy of EVERY state's outline we will travel through for each of them.  So, when we cross a state line, I will hand them out.  But it will ONLY be done after our tradition of whooping and hollering "YAY ___(state name)___" when we cross a state line!  ;)

 

Finally, I have a Ziploc bag hole punched and included at the rear of the binders.  This is for the items they will collect along the way.  Now, we won't have time to stop and search for these collectibles because of the distance we are traveling, but will look for postcards at the truck stops, or small items of nature on the stops!  This will be fun for them and bring Grandma just what she's looking for to make their books!

 

And finally (yes, once again), I will add more basic activity pages to each binder before we hit the road!  I'm excited to give them these binders and let them start to work through them on the way.  

 

So, was this for education, entertainment, fun, or what?  All of the above really.  It's neat to me how homeschooling has already become a lifestyle of learning for us.  An unplanned, natural rhythm to our family and life.  It is joy.  It is a gift.  

 

Today I give thanks.  Today I am excited.  Today I thank God for his ever watchful and loving hand over my life and family.  For the gift of time together that we will unwrap and cherish in only a few days.  Here's to a safe trip....

 

We're Goin' to Grandma's!!!!! 

 

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DIY Calm Down Timer

Self Control is hard, even for us grown-up people.  I've always loved watching my children as they begin to reach deep down into their hearts for the courage to follow instructions and find patience.  As my littlest one is trying so hard to be big (and doing quite well), I've came across a wonderful tool.  I'd seen pictures of the 'soothing bottles' all over Pinterest.  It makes sense!  You shake up the glitter, hand it over, and instruct them to sit and watch until the glitter all reaches the bottom! 

Perfect way to distract their attention from those high powered, little people emotions that can take over so easily!  It also gives them a visual of when the time out moment will end, and something to focus on until it does.  So, I've made us our own and will be the first to admit that so far, I've gotten more relaxation out of it than I've had to hand it out for the real deal 'calm it down' moments!  And, I changed the recipe to accommodate missing ingredients and it worked great! 

So enjoy the week in pictures, then get crafty if you please! 

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4

Whose teaching who?  My gift is the top picture-it's me, a heart, my duck, and their names and ages!  Next is Daddy's picture-see how tall they made him!  And the delivery crew in action!

Art Project~Chocolate Pudding Finger Paint!  This kept her busy for the longest time, and me entertained listening to her play!

Science experiment fun!  No greater way to learn than hands on, right?  I love his different expressions here!  This week we've made it rain over the stove, poured air into underwater jars, and learned about mixtures and compound/chemical changes!

 

 

Possibly my two favorite birthday presents of all time!  The top was designed and created by Gracie girl ALL by herself, and the bottom was made especially for me by my Cass!  And my other most favorite was waking up to breakfast cooked by Daddy and served by Aiden!  Yes, it was the perfect birthday!

Not everyone gets their very own custom made Hundreds Chart!!!  Little girl needed some motivation and this was my end of the deal for such hard work from her!  I found the cutest chevron print one but was informed that although cute, it wasn't really 'her'.  And this I must say, fits her personality perfectly!  So easy to make on Word with some clip art and inserted table!

AND NOW FOR YOUR DIY INSTRUCTIONS.....

 These instructions differ from all the others that I've found on Pinterest and on other Blogs.  They all seemed to call for 'glitter glue' as an ingredient.  I didn't have this on hand, so after a failed attempt at just mixing water, food color, and glitter, I finally did some reading on instructions and came up with this easily created solution!

If you don't have the glue-the glitter will stay clumped together and float to the surface.  To thicken your 'water' and make the glitter stay suspended longer, simply use clear glue!

 

Sometimes we just need something to focus on to calm us down!  But wait....I made this for the kids, not Mama!  Although I admit to already planning of making my own version of this little soothing machine! 

This is SO simple....

1.  Pour hot water into your jar or other pretty container

2.  Add your clear glue

(I used a solution of 1 Cup 2 Tbs. Hot Water to 1/4 Cup Clear Glue.  It takes about 4 minutes for the glitter to settle in this jar.  You can play with this mixture to change that up!)

3.  Add a couple of drops of food coloring.  A little goes a LONG way!

4.  Dump in some glitter

5.  Seal it up (Watch for glitter on your inner seal if you're using canning jars-it will cause a leak)

6.  Shake!  Shake!  Shake!

 

 

Remember to fill as close to top as you can so that you won't get a gap.

 

 

And that....is IT!  I did hot glue my seal and the ring onto the jar after I was done!

 

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Seasons Changing

 

This week we learned that it is very possible to have school with no electricity!  We're watching and waiting for the trees to start their change.  I reminded the kids to look really close because being away for 3 weeks will bring us home to another season at play.

 

 

 

This week was filled with wonder, babies, puppies, and friends.  I love hearing their laughter over such simple joys.  Watching a bubble form and make it's way through the light!  Training a puppy all on their own!  The joy in tiny fingers and tiny toes!  The pride in being able to hold a new one on your own! 

 

My children have changed.  I have changed.  Something of a miracle has happened to our days.  They have SLOWED down.  My spirit has deflated from the busy, crazy, rush filled days that we were so use to.  Days where we got less done, spent less time together, had less to give to those around us.  Days of less peace and less joy.  Yes, the slowing has settled our souls.  From old to young, our days are full of so much more.  The SLOWING has opened the doors of our hearts to have MORE.  I guess that's something only God can do....bring more out of less.  Today, we are blessed.

 

 

Challenges still find us.  Life still carries on the way it always does.  I face valleys.  I have to remind myself that one foot goes in front of the other.  Even when my oldest best friend, a full 1/4 of my genes, faces the next step of her journey.  I remember that I take part of both roles in this scripture so true.  That one day, her role and love will live in my heart while she dances with Jesus. 

 

The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.  Titus 2:3-5

 

That's how we roll!  Littlest brother has us ready to catch the bad guys I guess! ;)  The promise of fall is sneaking into our weeks, only to be chased away.  Sent back to it's waiting with air so hot that these kids come in looking like they've ran a marathon.  Hot, still, muggy air is about to be replaced by 3 weeks of dry, crisp, and assuredly cooler desert air.

Another year celebrated with a forever cousin friend.  Happy Birthday Tucker Wade!  We love you!



 

Mondays will be Mondays.  Fridays will be Fridays.  I have days I don't feel like getting up on time for school, but I do.  The kids have days they want to be little grouches, and we deal with that and move on too.  Life will always move in it's God appointed way, whether we think we're ready or not.  And in the midst of seasons changing, we will give thanks! 

 

Today, I thank you Jesus for slowing our days to find that perfect gift of MORE that only you can give. 

 

I thank you for a little girl overcoming and completing her work on her very own, so very well.

 

I thank you for opening my eyes anew to what perfect gifts you surround us with.

 

I thank you for 4 generations.

 

I thank you that you are preparing such a beautiful, perfect place for each of us.

 

I thank you that there....we will have no more tears.

 

I thank you that we are exactly where we are supposed to be and that no matter what life brings our way, I find such joy and peace in knowing that You will be there to hold my hand through it all.

 

And I thank you for an awesome first full week of Homeschool in our house!

 And on another hilarious, typical day in our household note......

Gracie said, "It's an emergency, call the emergency room!!!"

 

Aiden asked, "Mom, why do you do stuff like that?"

 

And I say that next time, I'll wait until I go to the store to get another box of detergent, instead of trying to throw together a concoction of my own!!!!  Or, I'll just follow the homemade recipe and not throw a bunch of liquid Dawn in!  Lesson learned!  Y'all enjoy your weekend!

 

And at least it was our day to mop the kitchen anyway! :)

 

Faith & Friends

Now Faith....

Is the substance of things hoped for

The evidence of things we cannot see

Is how we understand creation from only His word

 

By Faith...

We are changed, we are made new, and we are set free

 

Through Faith....

I cling to the promise of a perfect place

No tears, no loss, no death

 

It is Faith....

That has brought me to this appointed time, season, and place

 

With Faith....

I give Him praise

I offer thanks for simple joy

 

 

 

Friendship



Wonder



Learning



Creativity




Contentment




Memories




Discovery




Togetherness



A daughter's gift





Perfect simplicity



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