Random

Here's 5 (random) things about me that you might not know:

1. I don't like it when "internet people" write without using punctuation, capitalization, and use to many abbreviations that "everyday people" won't even understand what they are writing about.
2. My first car was a '66 Ford Mustang. To bad it never ran, so I never drove it anywhere. So does it still count as my first car??
3. My sweetie and I will have been married for 7 years this fall! I like him more now than I did then. He still likes me, too. (I am suprised by this sometimes, as we are to the point of complete honesty with each other---he seriously knows about ALL my problems, my bad attitudes and my tendency to complain--yet he loves and encourages me daily. (Not to mention how his arriving home at the end of a day is a breath of fresh air, a sigh of relief, and cup of chili on a blustery day!)
4. I have no idea how half of the "blog thing" works. I have figured out just enough to be dangerous!! (just last week I finally figured out how to reply to comments without just adding a comment myself---but that doesn't work very well because then the commentor has to come back and read the comments again to see what I wrote back---what a waste of time.) Oh, and the other thing that is really fun is the whole "feeds" concept!!! Saves me so much time!! wink wink!
5. I love/hate thrift stores and yard sales. I love finding great stuff for not much, but I hate ending up at home with stuff that I wish I hadn't bought. And the thrift stores have to nerve to refuse returns! Bummer!

This chair is so great---weathered and rusted,

yet sturdy enough the I can sit on it

while I pretend with Nathan

that I am over for dinner at his house!

My baby.

Grace

Walk to the Park

The Blacksmith Shop

Just walking

Lonesome House

The Bandaged Big Boy

(only mosquito bites)

Ian was not impressed with the merry-go-round.

I, on the other hand, was very motion sick

from trying to take pictures.

On the swings that I played on as a little girl!

Nathan the Grublet

proving why he gets so dirty

He's not afraid to lay on his stomach

and swim through the gravel!

Ian was only moderately amused by the baby swing,

he is so busy watching his brothers that he forgets to

enjoy what he's doing.

Tiny.

Hold on, Braden, while Daddy pushes it faster!!

Peaceful flowers on the way home. I love the rock collection,

it looks like the grandkids have brought them

just enough to edge the flowerbed.

Hey, there, Handsome!

The boys are experiencing the fun of thrifting---new clip-on ties from Good-Will.

They anxiously counted the days until Sunday,

and then even convinced Daddy to wear a tie!

4 months of Joy

Retro

Can you believe the aqua color?

Perfect on my kitchen shelf.

$2 at an otherwise worthless yardsale!

Memories

Ian and Nathan nose to nose! Poor Nathan gets sooooo cold in the water,
shivering and shaking within minutes,
we really need to look into a second-hand wetsuit.

Braving the waves and Daddy making castles.

Nathan took this shot of Ian!!

Nathan with his face only *barely* dirty---I think this was the

cleanest it was all weekend!

Ian is really developing some coordination---

hand to mouth coordination!

Home Again!

I can't decide which is more fun---

spending a wonderful weekend camping

with family and friends,

bike riding and beach playing---

or coming home to a clean kitchen,

air conditioning, cool shower

and fresh sheets?

Busy Work

Today found me refreshed, re-energized and re-focussed on the work that has been given me to do. I do want to live a simple, consistent lifestyle---not a sparkling clean house when company comes and cobwebs when it's just us. Consistency is the thing I struggle with the most, in parenting and life in general. Faithfullness in the little things is the character trait I so long to develope.

The boys also need to learn to work and to work well. Last night they worked very hard cleaning up the debris pile in the back yard from the bathroom remodel. This morning I let them each mow half of the lawn (I was right behind offering instructions and encouragement!) It looks so nice---it won't be long and my job of lawnmowing will be completely taken over.

Our suburban broke down last night, thankfully in the driveway after a trip to get ice cream cones for the hard workers. We were supposed to go camping this weekend, now it's all up in the air.

But not having a vehicle made for a pleasant walk to the library and corner store. Books, milk and smarties---the basics of life!

We're still here.

Whew. Breathing again.

That was crazy---I've not had that many butterflies in my stomach since I don't know when.

It was over in less than a minute (well, not technically over but OVER our maximum price) and all I could think it "This is STUPID!" Why did 50 people (or more) take the afternoon off, get their financing all in order, only to have 2-3 people even bid. Seriously, it's really just mean. If the Trustees of the estate could have just listed it, we could have all saved ourselves a whole bunch of trouble. Oh, well, I guess everyone was just hoping it would go for next to nothing seeing how it's such a messy old house.

Yeah, it's messy, I didn't like it at all.

Coming home to my messy home, but with such lovely air conditioning---Thank you for your direction, Lord.

I trust my heart in you.

(borrowed from my boys' favorite prayer!)

Home

My home is not a place, it is people. - Lois McMaster Bujold

Off to the real estate auction---I've been holding my breath for weeks now---will the exhale be a sigh or a shout?

Either way, I'm praying for rest and peace in God's will for our simple lives.

What Do Daddy's Do?

• go for bike rides in the evening after a long day at work---even in this hot weather!


• play squirt guns, run through sprinklers, and generally just be a boy for the boys!


• spend "vacation" time working as hard as ever at teaching, training and entertaining!


• read the Bible every morning after breakfast, Proverbs and Gospels!

Inspiring!

Jewels at Eyes of Wonder has done it again! Seriously, this lady makes me cry with nearly every post she writes! How I long to live and love in this way!

On another topic, we are excited about the prospect of buying a old "fixer-upper" in the country about 3 miles from where we live now. It is a nice place, 7.5 acres, a shop, garage and open barn. There are some trees, though they are not as nice as the ones we have here. The house is the same era as this one, but has 3 bedrooms instead of 2, and an unfinished attic (I LOVE attics!!!). We will find out on Wednesday if we are going to be able to buy it!! Oh, the suspense is building!!!!

Bitter~sweet

This weekend has been wonderful. Many beautiful memories were made--- of simple, everyday fun together. Moments like these make me cry out with the Psalmist "My cup overflows"!

We spent a lovely evening with friends on Friday, helping them with their remodel, sharing a BBQ and just visiting!! It was so pleasant and peaceful in the company of old friends!

Saturday morning found us out early to beat the heat. We headed for the kids' favorite park (30 minutes from the house) and Daddy plunked down $9 for bug spray to keep the kiddos safe. While Ian slept in the shade, I ran and played and climbed and slid and hid with the boys and Daddy. It was the first time I have played at the park with them in over a year. Getting back in shape after baby has so many rewards!!

Speaking of getting back in shape, I am so blessed to have been complimented about 5 times this weekend on losing weight. That feels so good!!!

Today we had a yummy BBQ at home, and the boys and Daddy went on a bike ride while I cleaned and moved furniture (great therapy as my Mom always says.)



But mixed in with the good is a thread of sorrow. Today was good-bye to a dear friend, and next weekend brings another good-bye as well. It hasn't been fun, but growing times aren't always fun, are they?

My prayers and love go with you, dear one.

Bring Flowers Inside

My To-Do list

Check.

250 Pictures

On Monday night after a water fight, Mr. MK took this picture of my Nathan---budding photog!! This is an old camera found in our old house, and it is hilarious how he treats it like a digi cam---after every "shot" he leans over and shows me the back and says "See? That is a good picture!" So I started thinking---"why don't I let him take real pics with my camera? " This morning, after a fall that threatened the life of the new camera, we are back at it, and all together, since Monday night, we have taken 250 pics. Obviously I won't bore you with them all, but here's the highlights.

The one that started it all.
Ian with Fuzzy

"Cars" taken by Nathan

Remodel Action Shot by Braden

Mom and Ian by Braden

Bathroom Remodel

Just when I had the bathroom cleaned, look what happened!!

Demo crew, comin' through!!

Riggging up a shower for the night---until tomorrow when it's all

coming out!!!

Mr. MK and I have been enjoying trying new recipes on the weekends. Last time it was Grilled Shrimp with Fresh Garden Sauce (just OK) and this weekend it was Spicy Beef Kababs (soooo spicy---lay off the cayenne next time!!) While we are not very good at either cooking or grilling, we are good at eating, so I think we'll keep at it!!

In other food news, I have decided to organize the fridge. ( Yes, you heard me, and yes, of course I have better things to do, and no, I don't want to clean the bathroom!!!)

But after cleaning the fridge 'till....well.....'till it didn't stink anymore, I was faced with a problem. How does one organize a refridgerator? By color or by size? By food type, expiration date or frequency of use? How about nutritional value??

Here's what I came up with:
Milk and often used items (like applesauce and blackberry jelly) on the top shelf, along with the kids' yogurt treat.

Cheese, sandwich meat, tortillas and pizza fixin's in the drawer. Eggs under the drawer. Meat next to the eggs, and leftovers that need used up in a highly visible spot on the second shelf.

Bottom shelf, breakfast meats and breads.

Veggie drawers hold the veggies (brilliant, I know!!!)

But then the fun part.....The Door!!

Dairy on the top, butter and cream cheese in the little cubbie with a door,

Sauces and dressings on one side, cooking bottles on the other,

syrup on the bottom, along with the sandwich and burger fixin's.

Let's not bet on how long it stays this way.

Today I had fun making a full length apron

from a thrifted vintage strawberry tablecloth.

It's a gift for a special friend. Her kitchen is aqua and red,

and she also collects strawberry vintage.

Perfect.