Done . . . For Now.

I finally got the mantel and the bookcases filled. I still want to do so much more, I'm not totally satisfied. BUT, they are done and I'm happy with how they are right now. They are (and will continue to be) a work in progress and I'm sure they will change a lot over time. I already have a few ideas of things I want to do, which will include more baby blue, some frame profiles of my favorite people, etc.

I love having all the books close at hand. The kids are staying out of the books and only getting the ones that they should (for the most part.) It is great to get these things unpacked and feel settled into our home.

Flowers

Don't you just love flowers?? Did you know that my favorite flowers are Gerber Daisies?? I love them. These are some that Steve got me for Valentine's Day. Since I just bought some red ones a couple weeks before he decided to get me some gorgeous orange ones. I put them on our island with our favorite winter treat. I don't know how many bags of these Clementines I've bought in the last few months, but we sure have enjoyed them. The first time Jakob had one he asks for another, telling me he could eat these all day long! Me too!

What I Treasure Most

I was saying my prayers last night and thanking my Heavenly Father for these people that I spend my days with. It has become quite routine to include these four in my daily prayers. When I really think about it I'm overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude and joy. I truly treasure them most and am so grateful for having them in my life.
They teach me patience, love, and respect. They keep me on my toes and are the reason for so much laughter and joy in my days.

They give me purpose. They fill my time with opportunities to serve, to learn and to grow in ways that would not be possible without them.

I hope that they will always know how much I love them, how much they mean to me. To think that 9 years ago I didn't know any of these people in these photos!! I can't even imagine not having them in my life. Thank you Heavenly Father for knowing the plans you had for me and blessing me with so much!

Calendar

Here is the calendar I made to put in my calendar holder. I have never been a big fan of any of the calendars you buy at the store, nothing has ever really appealed to me. One year I made a calendar and I just loved it!! BUT, it was way too much work and too hard to keep up with. So, I came up with a plan to make my own calendar where I could change the month below without changing the decorative page above. So, I can switch the month when I need to and switch the page above when I have the time to scrapbook something new. Love this solution!
This is on the wall above my desk in the kitchen. I'm working on finishing this corner. Trying to make it pretty and functional. I just bought a clock that I love and am considering putting some of my kid's artwork on the wall. I also have a Family Home Evening sign and need to get the letters for and put on the wall. One day it will be finished.

What's Next?

I think I'll go with Andrew's favorite for my next book. I little science fiction never hurt anyone, right??

Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson

I read a little write up on it and it looks like it has some time travel in it. Would you consider it a science fiction Andrew?? I hope it isn't too dark or creepy. I'm not into dark or creepy stories. BUT, Andrew does have amazing taste. He has introduced me to Lost, The Office, Wicker Park, etc. I'll just trust that he knows what he is talking about.

Go HERE if you want to check out my original family book list.

To Kill a Mockingbird

I just finished To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and was reminded again why it is one of my favorite books. I didn't know that it was my mom's favorite until I compiled this list. It was so wonderful to read at this stage in my life. I was single when I read it before.

This time I thought a lot about how I treat my children and what I'm focusing on teaching them. I thought about life through their eyes, how they view me, and what is really important to them. I thought of the world around us and how it is teaching them what it views as moral and right. I need to make sure they know what is really moral and right, what God says is moral and right. It made me want to rededicate myself to teaching them and working with them.

I truly loved it. I cried at the end.

"Daylight . . . in my mind, the night faded. It was daytime and the neighborhood was busy. Miss Stephanic Crawford crossed the streeet to tell the latest to Miss Rachel. Miss Maudie bent over her azaleas. It was summertime, and two children scampered down the sidewalk toward a man approaching in the distance. The man waved, and the children raced each other to him. It was still summertime, and the children came closer. A boy trudged down the sidewalk dragging a fishing pole begind him. a Man stood waiting with his hands on his hips. Summertime, and his children played in the front yard with their friend, enacting a strange little drama of their own invention. It was fall, and his children fought on the sidewalk in front of Mrs. Dubose's. The boy helped his sister to her feet, and they made their way home. Fall, and his children trotted to and fro around the corner, the day's woes and triumphs on their faces. They stopped at an oak tree, delighted, puzzled, apprehensive. Winter, and his children shivered at the front gate, silhouetted against a blazing house. Winter, and a man walked into the street, dropped his glasses, and shot a dog. Summer, and he watched his children's heart break. Autumn again, and Boo's children needed him."(To Kill a Mockingbird page 321)

I'm planning to rent the movie and watch it with Steve. I'll post the next book on my list tomorrow.

Painting Faces

My kids love to paint! I have found that it really isn't that difficult to do, aka it doesn't make THAT big of a mess. These little masks I picked up for $1 a piece. They used the paints they got for Valentine's Day to add some color.
Karter was more like fingerpainting with watercolors. Possible? Messy? Worth it? Yes to all three! He loved it and I just washed him up when he was done.

I love having little things for them to do when Jakob has the day off. It makes the day feel special and gives them something fun to do that breaks up their free play.

Usually on these days off they just wear what they want to wear and run around like the little rascals. I throw in a couple structured projects. I do believe in lots of free, unstructured play, with some structured, Mama directed activities. Less TV, more outdoors. With the weather nice this is becoming so much easier.

Jakob's pirate spent most of his time peeking at me through the treehouse. Jakob said he was watching the house. Loved seeing that little pirate face throughout the week and watching my little guy have fun imagining away.