birds, baking, books

Found this pic online (pinterest) and I absolutely LOVE it.  Brings joy straight to my heart. so funny.   I just love when our library system works for me!  Sometimes dragging the children into the library , upstairs (don't like to take the stroller in the elevator with the homeless people if I don't have to), and then having the youngin's not so patiently wait while I search for my titles....is one of the most torturous tasks on the planet...so when I can look something up online and put it on hold, be notified when its ready/in and then go pick it up at the front desk...that is a wonderful thing.  I wasn't even annoyed to pay my 80 cent fine today, that's how happy I was. I am So excited about some of the books that I picked up today!  Got to keep them away from Olivia so she doesn't add color (crayon drawings) to them.  Of course, one of the gross parts about library books....as wonderful as the system is...the gross part is opening one up to find obvious food or something else type stains...and it totally grosses you out...makes you want to put surgical gloves on or just return it into the book drop and speed away.  Well, I noticed some kind of Cheetos stain on one of the books and all I can say is geez people!!!! do we really have to eat Cheetos as we read a library book?  seriously.  what the frick is going on in your head when you put that combination together?  anywho...I just baked the most awesome dessert/treat/snack and I can't wait for the kids to try it after school.  Not only is it super yum but its pretty darn good for you as well.  It is coconut milk custard.  I found the recipe on line and I am in love.  I have some funny pics of Olivia eating it.  So funny.  I must scoot, as I have to shovel my way out through toys and household items and such now laying in my pathway.  Olivia has been quite the busy girl today.

Random just because...I am.

 Olivia decided that she would fry up some chicken for dinner.

 Found this book under our kitchen table after dinner tonight...with cottage cheese all over it.  Quite appropriate. 

 Right after school today, Ben made me make him a viking hat.  It wasn't staying on so he tied his bandana on it as well.   Olivia always jumps into a picture any chance she gets.  She bats her eyes and sways.  Yesterday Ben was a ninja turtle.  I wonder what he will be tomorrow.

 Winter Woodland friends. ...squirrels have to eat too...I keep telling myself as they help themselves to the bird's grub.

Isabelle working on handwriting homework tonight as I prepared dinner.  (bunless hamburgers, cottage cheese and PeAs).

So, a big storm is brewing supposedly.  We shall see what tomorrow brings.  The kids are now waiting for me to read to them (after we get the baby to bed).  Last night we started LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  We are all really enjoying it.  Today I made a lapbook for us to go along with it.  A lapbook is a learning tool that is a fun interactive way to review and recall and discuss the item you are studying.  Ill take a pic of it later on in life when we get it all filled out.  Isabelle's horse folder is falling apart.  I should tape it.  Olivia likes to put Ben's batman underwear on.  I have set up the potty for her, now I have to properly introduce her to it instead of her putting the bath toys in it.  U2 is on my ipod.  The dog is barking. ugh.  Must go retrieve him.  Wish me luck.  I must lure him inward with a piece of bacon.  Well , the children are waiting.  Good Night & God Bless.

flakes and feathers

 Olivia and I had inklings of colds, so we watched the sledders from the window.

 I get so excited to watch the birds come eat during a snow storm!  It's amazing.   Nothing like a Cardinal in the snow.

 Seriously, this is one of my favorite winter past times.  Nature just becomes so alive out there and you can see it all. Neat to see the relationships and routines.

 Lance is loving the snow as well.  I think he would sit out there all day if I let him. 

Despite the fact that I and Olivia have colds and I strongly dislike feeling this way, I am enjoying being home this weekend, get a few projects done, reading with the kids, making some nice meals (homemade chicken soup for example and lots of tea).  I played Angry Birds for the first time ever.  I wanted to see what all the excitement was about.  It is kind of fun, flinging those birds.  I think we might start selling our honey coming up next season.  If so, I need to think of a cute little label/name...cuz that is the most important part (well besides the taste and content and all).  Noah and I planned a whole week or sos menu of meals this week.  It is flexible for the most part ingredients are bought and the days are mapped out.  Hopefully this will make things easier, I feel like Ive been in a meal idea rut lately.  Also trying to change up the kids school lunches a little bit.  I am praying for many situations and people this week.  I am especially thankful for a warm house and a healthy (for the most part despite the temp. colds) family.  Excited to see what this day has in store for us (no school, MLK day).  Just waiting for the sun to come up.

Paintings on display

Hey local friends, some of my paintings are up on display through the art museum at FHN/Burchard until Feb. 24th.  Go check it out if you get a chance!  I'd love to hear what you think.  I need to get over there.  The kids are very excited to see them (and I am too).   Ugh, I just woke up feeling very dizzy and sick.  I drank some water and ate two cuties (the best little snack in the world - seedless, easy peel, sweet , mini oranges).  Hoping the combo of those things help.  I think it's dress up day at school today, I need to check into that.  I wonder if I have anything to make for lunches.  I hear that snow is supposed to come tomorrow.  The kids will be thrilled.   Better put gas in my car today and find my gloves.  hehe  I have a horrible wonderful new addiction...I have been visiting the used book store in town.  Problem:  Olivia.  She doesnt let me stay long and she is quite horrific the whole time we are there so I can barely think or look.  If she's in the stroller she screams (unsatisfied with snacks, drinks, looking at nearby books) - If I let her loose, she hightails it as far away from me as possible, giggling the whole time in which of course I cannot look at books, but need to chase her instead.  There's even coloring there, but she takes no part in it.  She does try to rearrange all of the shelves though.  It's kind of nightmarish to tell the truth...but I torture myself anyway, because I so desperately want to see what gems that I can find in this paper & word filled wonderland.  Speaking of Olivia, I was at Joann's getting paint the other day and while waiting in line, she decided to whip a bottle of paint that was in my cart.  It landed between the cashier and an elderly customer.  Gave us all quite a fright.  Luckily they laughed about it, probably because they were in shock or just so relieved because they were not injured by the projectile merchandise.  Oh, sweet little Olivia. 

4amish ramble

Pictured:  Miss O sneakily wearing Ben's cowboy boots.  I wish I could sleep but I can't.  I decided that I couldn't lay in bed anymore swimming in my head with all my thoughts that were going nowhere.  So, I got up at 4ish.  This weekend flew by like a migrating bird.  Where did it go?  Swoosh...gone!  What did we do?  not much.  hit the library and hung out at home mostly.  I've been reading a book that I quite enjoy:  Folks, this ain't normal by Joel Salatin.  It's about the food industry...and also about local farming.  How people need to get back to the basics...including homecooking and homesteading.   The weather has been so mild it hardly feels like winter.  In fact the kids had so much energy, I had them go outside yesterday in sweatshirts and run around the house , etc.  I think they came back in with even more energy. hehe.  Olivia's new favorite thing is to take off her clothes...and her diaper.  I think It might be time to see if I still have the "childrens" potty lurking in the basement.  She's been such a doll lately...well besides all her usual adventureness that leads her to trouble.  I tried a new recipe yesterday.  It's a healthy snack that I found online.  Isabelle, Noah and I love it.  Olivia, it's hard to tell since she threw hers on the floor, it could have been a mishap, it could have been intential, Ben did not like it, or so he says (since there are raisins in it).  It is a simple thing...3 ingredients:  almonds (1 cup), raisins (1 cup) and cinnamon (1 teaspoon).  rinse the a and r, put them in the blender with the c , make them into little balls.   I have renamed them:  Powerballs.  Yesterday, Ben got in trouble quite a few times.  Once for kicking Isabelle with his cowboy boot on, once for shooting her in the back with his nerf gun, once for shooting my lamp with his nerf gun...once for taking all his clothes off (wonder where Olivia gets that from) and climbing all the furniture like a monkey, several times for tooting and burping at meals (typical boy so instilled in this child), once for tying his lasso rope to my table and pulling it....and I am sure more things that my brain is choosing to ignore.  Like I said, way so much energy.  Ben is amazing me with his great drawing lately.  Santa got him a special sketchbook and he is filling it up with lots of wonderfulness.  Isabelle saw a great idea in he American Girl doll magazine, so we tried it this weekend and all her dreams came true.  She is so excited.  It is pink embroidery floss wrapped around a braid in her hair.  She loves the flare.  I kind of like it as well.  hey, I might even try it , it might hide some gray.  So, we are thinking about getting a few chickens...start them out as chicks in the basement...and then build them a nice little safe home outside a little later on.  I must say I'm kind of excited, we have wanted to do this for a long time and it would be a great way to get us started, just doing it on a very small scale.  Call me crazy, I don't care...life is crazy.  I wish my glasses prescription was up to date, because when I wear them it seems I am hindered in my vision capabilities.  I am hoping to work on some thank you cards this week, for gifts that have been sent and given to the children.  This week, some of my paintings will be begin being displayed in a gallery of a local building through our arts center/museum.  I am excited but also somewhat disappointed with myself because I wanted to have more pieces made, more to choose from to display instead of just sending what I had left.  With the Christmas season, I gave away some as gifts, which I am thrilled to the moon, because the people I gave them to were meant to have then.  But, I never got around to making anything new.  But , that's o.k. and in the words of my mom:  it is what it is.  I pray that the display goes well and that my paintings might touch a few people with a smile in their hearts.  So, I guess I should go do something as it is nearly 5 am. he he  (come evening I will be spent).  Be good, be brave, and have a lovely day.

small things great love

 Olivia's new best friend (from Aunt Elaine).

 One of my newest paintings.  It makes me feel happy. :)

So, I know I have a ton of updating to do and lots of photos to share but for now, for this very moment...I just want to say good morning.  I hope your new year is starting off on the right and left feet.  I have jumped into this new time frame with so many ideas, projects, expectations, goals, plans....but it is all good, it is all exciting.  Lots of wonderful things surrounding me these days.  Want to embrace it all.  One breath at a time.  I tell myself to breathe.  So, as I sip my coffee and everyone else in the house slumbers, I plan my day.  I think about how it is so amazing...the paths that God leads you on.  Places that you have never expected.  I think about how much I love this soft plum colored robe that my mom got me for Christmas.  I look out the window and hope I see a unicorn...or at least a cardinal or a bunny.  I think about how I will miss the Christmas tree once it is taken down, how I love looking at the lights at night, but how I look forward to the clutter of it all to be gone.  I wish I had more bookshelves.  There are never enough homes for these gems.  I wonder why I keep filling the bird feeders, when the squirrels just invade them immediately.  I guess I figure they must eat as well.  There must have been at least a hundred crows settled in the tops of the trees by our house the other day.  It was quite awesome to see.  Is there anything more exciting then filling out a new calendar for a fresh new year?  Well anything besides, splashing ideas and color on a blank white canvas?  Out with the old, in with the new...and that is my current goal.....organizing and decluttering the home front.  Way too much stuff is lingering around these days.  Stuff without purpose or place.  I am quite thankful that I have a purpose and a place.  Have a beautiful day.

Fragile Things

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.  ---  This weekend the kids enjoyed a wonderful day out in the fresh fallen snow.  Olivia giggled every time she was pulled on the sled and she didn't want to come back in the house when it was time.   This week was extremely busy and crazy , but finally at this very moment, I feel like I can breathe.  Isabelle has been sick home from school for the last two days but is finally feeling better.  Now the kids are officially on Christmas break.  This is good news.  The running around the last few days for party prep, gifts, etc. etc. etc. has been a bit overwhelming.  My battery is going to cease, so I shall end this note for the moment.  I am thankful for my warm house this morning and I look forward to making some coffee.  The Christmas lights on the tree sure are beautiful.   Have a Wonderful day, I plan to!

Piggies & Singing

 My homemade wreath this year.  I took a wire hanger bent it into a circle, used the leftover tree limbs, stringed some cranberries, whipped up a bow...and bam - door wreath.   Kind of fun despite the sappy needle poked fingers that I was left with.

 So, it seems this to be a tradition for us now....every year it seems the kids watch The Christmas Story quite a few too many times and they continue to beg to eat like "piggies" , so we let them.  Then we all laugh and it's out of their system for the season. hehe 

 No need for a picture of Olivia since she eats like a piggy every day.  Noah even joined in but I didn't get a picture of him...probably should have.

 This week the kids had their Christmas concert at school.  I was taking pics of Isabelle and Ben before we left and Olivia decided that she would make her way into the picture as well even though I did not invite her.  (but, when I want her in a picture, the kid does not cooperate at all..hehe).  Noah is out of town so he had to miss this event.  I was so blessed to have a friend come over to help me get the kids ready and go with us.  This friend even brought us a surprise fun dinner to make the evening even more easy/special.  This school program always gets me in the Christmas spirit.  There is such delight in hearing and watching all of the children sing these meaningful songs in a beautiful church setting.  Despite the fact that I had to wrestle the social acrobat Olivia the whole entire time...I truly enjoy this experience. 

So here we are.  A little over  week until Christmas arrives.  There is so much to do.  So many things going on.  Lots of planning and prep.  I am getting excited and really looking forward to these upcoming days.  I love the projects that I am working on and the surprises that are planned.  I do have to apologize to my friends and family, that I am debating at the moment of whether I will get cards out this year.  I might actually skip them, as much as it would make me very sad to do so, it might have to be that way.  So, if you don't get a card from us this year, it isn't because we are not thinking of you, cut you from the list, or don't truly love you...it's because of time & funds.  Anyway, the baby is up and calling me.  I already had my coffee around 5am.  maybe i am due for another cup.  Ben has added to Christmas list that he would like somewhere to hang his ties.  This morning Flick is waiting for the kids to find him, he is sitting between Mary and Joseph in the manger.  Yes, I do think I will be needing more coffee, I am looking at my to do list and it is long...and I am already tired.

Santa Visit

 It was a chilly evening, but we heard a rumor Santa was around.  He was in the country at a secret location...so we took a drive...and we found him.  There were so many beautiful decorations and lights, it was quite special to arrive.

Here the frozen children wait in line (not a long line, just a few kids in front of us).  While waiting in line, we came across a boy who informed us that Santa is way fatter than when he saw him at Garden Deli.

 Then it was their turn!  What a wonderful Santa!  When asked, Isabelle said she wants: books and Ben said he wants:  An alarm clock. 

 This was a grand visit indeed.  Before leaving, a special elf gave each child a big box (candy from Swiss colony) and an ornament for the tree.

I suspect that Olivia wasn't super excited to visit Santa for the first time.  Maybe she figured out that this is the guy who is supposed to bring her gifts, but knows that she has been a bit naughty. hehe

Christmas Card Outtakes Part One

The part that needs to be enjoyed and savored from the attempt of taking Christmas card photos experience, is the outtakes.  What I love about the ones that I included here is Ben's increasingly patient but aggravated digression of tolerance with Olivia as she makes the whole task a tad bit impossible.  Olivia was not cooperating at all.  I took over 160 pictures and think that maybe I got one decent one of the 3 children and I say decent, not great and not even really good.  Of course I reach the point of throwing in the towel and calling it done.  It is what it is.  I will probably take the decent picture and insert it into a premade Walgreen's design, have them printed and move on with the season.  There was a time I made my own Christmas cards.  I laugh at that now and think I shall never have the time to do that again.  Maybe someday, I will.  I miss the creativity of it...but more so, at this moment , I just like to keep things simple...and as we can see the photo session with 3 children is a challenge enough.  I might attempt one more photo session before I give in to the powers beyond me...I might not.  You finally get a decent pose out of the baby and one or two of the other children were not smiling or paying attention.  I might as well throw the dog in the photo too and go for broke.  I know I can take all their pics separately, but really truly just once in a grand while, I have a dream.  It would be nice to see them all in the same photo, wearing decent clothing, with no food on their face, no garbage in the background...happy , clean, ...kids just hugging each other in perfect world.   Maybe, next year.

Can't Sleep

 I painted a portrait of our special magical elf, Flick.  He sat really still.  It was great.

 Painting:  Mother & Child (11x14 canvas, acrylic)

This is the most recent project that I had the Kindergarten class do.  It is called santa's closet.  I found the idea on line.  All the kids projects turned out so great!  (besides there were a few minor major glue incidents).  I think the kids had fun doing this, I know that I did!

 This is a picture of Ben from his Thanksgiving feast at school.  We made these fun turkey drumstick hats for the occassion.  (sorry pic is up so late, just finally downloaded it)  (hey, Sal - recognize the sweatshirt?)

Here's my biggest trouble (joy) planning her next move. 
I can't sleep.  I woke up at 2.am and I can't seem to return to slumber.  This has been happening to me often lately.  My mind races.  I can't get comfortable.  I just lay awake...wondering, pondering, planning, recollecting.  So, here I am.  Awake.  The house is quiet at least.  I kind of want to have some coffee, but I'll wait...hehe.  I was so happy to be able to paint a little bit yesterday and I hope to paint some more today.  I started reading a book called:  the pig that sings to the moon (the emotional life of farm animals) and maybe I should not be reading it because now I don't think I want to eat bacon in the morning...the eggs I can probably deal with...but I kind of have to not think about that stuff I guess.  I read the pig  chapter, the chicken chapter...I don't know if I should move on to the other chapters.  Very sad how lots of these animals are mistreated.  Very interesting how they have intelligence, personality and such.  Also lately, I have been thinking about birds alot.  I have been observing birds around the house as usual (there are a few cuckoo's that live inside) and I started thinking about birds in the bible and what is said about them.  There is a ton of reference to birds in the bible.  I have always had a strong urge to paint birds and that continues on and I just couldn't help but wonder if there is a significance to that desire.  So, anyway - have just started researching that subject a little more in depth than just my surface interest in the nimble creatures of the air.  The dog is snoring.  He has had a hard time getting up sometimes lately.  His bark never suffers though.  I keep thinking about how I have to get a picture taken of the kids so I can whip up some Christmas cards.  I plan the picture in my head, but know for a fact, that it will not come out that way...so just have to go with the flow if only I can get the flow going to go.  (I kind of felt like dr. suess there  but not really).  I think about chopping all of my hair off these days.  But, then I rethink it.  I think I am thinking too much...I wonder why I cannot sleep.  I hope the garbage man picks up all my garbage.  I purchased special stickers for the extra bags.  why so much garbage you ask?  cuz it was not taken out last week, so now we have double.  Speaking of garbage...After the new year, I plan some major purging.  throw away, give away and packing of things that are not in use.  I send a call out to people of my life to please start saving your boxes for me if you don't mind.  I am quite serious about this organizational goal for I can no longer live in clutter and abundance.  We hope to move someday and I want to be ready! Well, I guess I could keep on rambling but I think it's best to end this now.  I will try and sleep again and if not I will stay up and read my singing pig book.  Hope you are resting well.  Goodnight, or Good morning - however you feel about it.

Decemeber What?

So, I told myself that I would not get overwhelmed with this season and I already am, knee deep in it...the worry, anxiety...and all of not enough time, not enough $$, to pull off all of my dreams and plans for this season.  ugh.  I've been laying awake at night with non-sugar plums dancing in my head.  Just thoughts of:  how will I do this?  what should I do?  how will I get this done? how will I pull this off? can I do it? will i do it? does it matter? what time is it?  why do I care? who will care? what? how ? where ? when? who? ugh.  Ive even totally neglected this blog and it's only Dec 5th.  I  didn't even have any pictures to share so I pulled up one from last year.  I must say though, just a note, that our Elf Flick - is truly such a fun experience every morning .  The kids coming rushing out of their beds, mangled hair, rubbing their eyes, searching for the little bit of magic that moves each night.  This year Flick has brought them a movie and and a note from Santa. (telling them although they have been mostly nice, they have also been somewhat naughty).  It think he will bring something else soon.  Maybe candy.  So, anyway, I'm super exhausted and freezing so this note will not be running on all evening.  In fact it will probably end promptly as I hope to get some reading in tonight.  I am reading a book called : dirty work about this city girl who moves to a farm.  I have no clue what I will make the  children for lunch tomorrow, I will have to be creative since the pantry is understocked at the moment.  ugh.  Olivia has been very accident prone lately, I wish I could put my baby in bubble wrap.  Noah canned beef broth yesterday.  We have some Christmas decorations out including our advent wreath (first year for us to do this), but no tree in sight.  Hopefully next weekend.  I think we plan to chop it down this year.  We haven't done that in a while.  Every single day Ben asks me to make him a batman suit that really flies.  I tell him I am not really good at that stuff, but he continues to ask me anyway.  I bought us some peppermint ice cream and egg nog recently.  To get us in the Christmas spirit.  Yum  - good stuff.  I am out of coffee.  I don't know how I will function in the a.m.  I have to get ready for art class in the morning since Olivia wouldn't let me tonight.  Hope I can get my act together.  We are working on something called:  Santa's Closet.  There was a tad bit of snow outside when I went out side last this evening (to let lance out) and to take a leaky garbage bag outside before it drenched my entire kitchen floor.  Well, I suppose I have rambled and I had not much of importance to say.  I hope I get the chance to paint this week.  got lots of ideas in my head and lots to do.  good night, until we meet again.

Gather Here with Grateful Hearts

I can't find my camera cord at the moment so I included a pic I took a few weeks back of Isabelle showing Olivia our first snow of the season.  The last several days, I have witnessed and celebrated Thanksgiving in so many ways.  I thank God for the amazing blessings in my life.  I have so many.  As we begin this Christmas season, I vow to try my best not to get wrapped up in the hustle , bustle...but to enjoy the genuine moments, to realize (and create) the magic, to celebrate the true reason and to truly enjoy.  Well, Flick our Elf has returned and the children have awakened and I can't wait for them to discover him... (more later!) Have a beautiful day!

Pukey Fruit and a 1st draft Christmas list

 Here thing 2 and thing 3 are pictured after baths.  They are getting way too old for my liking.

 Here are some : upset eggs.

 We have been curling Isabelle's hair via Rag Curls and she absoutley loves it. 

 My handsome Ben.  He gets so excited when there is dress up day at school.  It's like his ultimate favorite.

 I have finally finished the firefighter themed mural that I was working on at a friend's house.  I have more pics of the other walls (now if only I could remember my painting site password/loggin so I could update my galleries!).

Monster fruit.   I prepared this for the kids afterschool snack yesterday.  they abosolutely loved it.  Besides the fact that I stabbed myself twice with a toothpick and also used frozen blueberries that stained my fingers...I thought it was pretty much a success. 

It is so windy outside today, I dont want to step foot out there again...but I must.  I am thankful that the weekend is here.  I am tired.  I want to take a nap.  

My brain isn't super top notch functioning at the moment so I will just share with you Ben's Christmas list for now.  This is exactly as it was dictated to me last night:  first draft:   Ben's Christmas List :  A flying green lantern suit.  An Iron man suit (flying!).  A Bat costume.  A Bat costume that never breaks and the stuff are all hooked together --please!.  A boy american doll with an aquin sweat shirt and aquin football clothes.  A computer.  A phone.  A two-wheeler.  A stuffed green elf that is 10 inches.  No, 24 inches.  I should have said 24!.  A flying buzz lightyear toy.  2 ramps for my jeep.  I think that is all.  that's a pretty good list I think.  Oh, and A baby ruth bat that talks.  A baseball that talks.  ..and some Chicken. 

no clue

The terrorism (destroying all things in her path) of Livy Monster continues through the land (my house and every single place we go).  I have decided to embrace her mischievous and rambunctious spirit instead of fighting it .  She yells at me less this way.  I think pretty soon I will be able to put this baby's hair in pigtails.  My coffee is weak and cold this morning.  The world is cold.  It snowed crazy wild yesterday and it was freezing.  The world can be so cruel.  By the end of the day yesterday, I was feeling so defeated by certain situations, I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry.  I prayed for my heart not to feel so much saddness.  I feel better this morning.  I have no clue what today will bring, but I will just take it one step at a time and breathe and breathe and breathe and I will know that we are o.k.  Yesterday was an extremily busy day for us, part of the day was teacher conferences.  They went so well.  I am so proud of Isabelle and Ben, they are doing wonderful in school and feel so blessed by the teachers that they have.  I know they are in good hands with loving hearts.  Ben keeps adding leaves to our thankfulness tree.  The leaves keep getting bigger and bigger. hehe.  Also, I taught my first kindergarten art class this week and it went great!  I truly enjoyed being with those amazing little people and seeing their creations.  I look forward to the next session!  I should go since this is my second attempt at this post and time is fleeting.  So this is much shorter then my original, but I will write again someday...maybe even today...maybe not...Have a beautiful day!

ugh

ugh, I just wrote this whole giant post and it didn't go through and has disappeared.  joy.  Maybe, Ill try again later. 

paper and glue and zoo

This was a fun project (painted photo stand-in) that I made for Ben's classroom halloween party.  Each child had their picture taken and they will be printed and sent home for the parents.

 Me & Mario

 A bunch of Suckers.

 A recent painting of mine:  Nutty Blessings. (acrylic 12x12 stretched canvas).

 The children working on our Thankfulness Tree.  Somethings written on the leaves:  God, family, friends, warm house, good health, healthy food, Jesus, laughter and smiles, candy, Travis, love, are (our) world, etc.

A journal that I made out of an old golden book, twine and misc. papers.  I forgot how much I love making journals.

We have actually been working on a ton of projects lately, so of course the house is an insane mess.  oh well, must move on.  Isabelle is absoutley loving playing basketball, she has a game late this afternoon.  Since Noah is out of town, I will be trying to wrestle Olivia in the stands by myself.  Snack size chocolate bars are pure evil. Currently I am Reading a book called:  God Makes Lemonade, it's a bunch of short stories.  Noah and I celebrated our 14th year anniversary this past week. I thought we were like on our 12 but I did the math and wow - it's fourteen.  We decided to just make it a quiet dinner at home since it was a school night with lots of homework and we coming off of the Halloween high.  Exciting news I have is that I was asked to help with Art in Ben's Kindergarten class...so I get to plan the projects and then teach them the art session once a week.  I am so excited.  What a wonderful opportunity.  I love being around this age group and seeing what they create , I just find so much delight in them.   I am almost finished with the firefighter themed mural that I started awhile back.  I get there about once a week for a couple hours. I keep thinking I will finish today while I am there, but then Olivia throws a wrench (or actually toys at me) in the plan.  I thank my friend Teresa for her patience with me.  I will show pics when its completed.  We have been trying some new recipes lately.  Most are turning out good.  The garden is offically done.  I think I might make us some hot chocolate, there is a definte chill in the air.  Isabelle has been having some major meltdowns lately and it really makes me wonder how I will survive the teenage years (she is 8!).  Olivia's word list grows:  Uh-oh, MOM!  No! , Ut Up (shut up to the dog)!, down, night, hi, etc.  I barely ever sit down to watcha movie, so yesterday I watched Zookeeper with the kids.  It was cute (not the greatest flick in the world).  Speaking of zookeepers, thats how I feel latley, that I am running a zoo.  Wild animals everywhere.  Which reminds me, I'm tired.  The End.