monkey

My baby is a monkey. She can't stand on her own or walk, but she sure loves to climb! She also loves bananas and makes weird sounds, that is also why I conclude that she is a monkey. This morning I am missing a MOPS meeting becuase Ben is sick. I kept him home from school yesterday. Poor little guy. He is watching movies on the couch again today, I hope that will heal him. So, my toaster is: offically deceased. I was so excited to buy bagels yesterday, totally had a taste for them, get home - pop one in the toaster. My toaster has failed me. I guess I should not say that because honestly, I think we have had it for a very long time. I can't remember when we first met. So, I suppose I was lucky to have him this long. Microwaved bagels are not so grand. Yesterday, I finally decided to take advantage of the free coffee offer with a fill up at shell. Well, let me just tell you that the free coffee might supposidly be $ free, yet it is not hassle free. I shall not take advantage of that offer again. thanks, but no thanks. Today I plan to get some major cleaning done. Organization is on my agenda. If the little rascals allow it. Have a beautiful Thursday!

what's a typewriter?

A fun chair that I started to paint, but have not finished yet.
Our new deck out the back door. Please ignore all the mud...it's mud city around here right now! It will be so wonderful to grill and eat and sit and read here instead of on the ground. It will be nice to let the dog out of the back of the house again instead of opening this door to find a huge drop to the earth if you step out!

Isabelle wearing her glasses!

Wild Thing...I think I love you!

(digital elements/papers from: Amanda Rockwell-My Love kit) Sunday morning: We had a lovely visit with my parents yesterday. It is always hard to say goodbye. It was also so nice yesterday to see and feel the sun. Isabelle was very sick last night, but says she feels way better this morning. I truly hope that she is. Maybe we will get Shamrock Shakes today. There's no school tomorrow for presidents day. I guess I better go make some coffee since 3 of the 3 children are now up with me. As I was typing my blog post, Isabelle asked me how I learned to type so fast. I told her it takes practice and that I started learning to type on a typewriter. She asked me: what's a typewriter?

Winter Branch

I can't put any new pics up at the moment because my camera connection cord is in the bedroom and I cannot risk waking the baby up (since she wouldnt go to sleep last night). So for now, here's a pic I took after our last storm. It's not the clearest pic, but I thought it was so very neat the way the different birds are all sharing the same branch. Roundup: I kept Isabelle home from school yesterday, she was sick. I hope she will be better when she wakes up this morning. I am very much in a scrapbooking mood, I hope I get a chance to do some of that this weekend (at this point I am years behind!). I am excited, last night I got a phone call: my parents are coming out to visit today, we haven't seen them since Christmas since we have had all this bad weather. The other night the kids and I were watching a little American Idol and Isabelle asked: Who is that? Is that a boy or a girl? (referring to Aerosmith's Steven Tyler). The squirrels love to do acrobats off the bird feeders. Speaking of outdoor animals...no matter what we do our shed door always winds up open...I wonder how many frozen/thawed out animals we will find in there in the spring. Ben gets in his modes in which he likes to dress like a cowboy. he was dressed the other day and Isabelle says: Look it's a cowboy! and he corrects her: No! Actually I am a Cowboy with 4 dollars! (and he pulls the cash out of his pocket to prove it). I have finally got him to call bebe guns, bebe guns instead of baby guns. Yesterday Isabelle asked me, Mom - Arn't you glad our oven is fixed? Ben asked: Who fixed it? Isabelle most defintley answered: The plumber! So, this slight taste of spring we have received recently has inspired me to go forth with hope. The promise of the sun and warmth and growth...beneath the winter snow.... it's coming...I know it will be here. We need to start thinking about planning birthdays, Easter, First Communion...there is so much to celebrate. I think about how I had a wonderful bible study this week. It was exactly what I needed to hear at the right time...reminding me that there are things I cannot control or understand and that I need to leave them in God's hands. Also , the fellowship with these amazing women, is the greatest gift to look forward to when we meet. I feel so truly blessed to be a part of these groups. uh-oh...I hear ramblings of children. Of course they are up early, because it's the weekend!

Endless Winter or so it Seems

(this is not my photograph, I got it off of a newspaper website during the big storm. I just fell in love with it!). So, I sit here with a lingering cough, but for the most part the flu/cold is gone. What a nightmare those days were. They pulled me down and knocked me out. I could not function, I could not take care of my family...it was horrible. Lessons learned: It really made me ask for help when I needed it and it also taught me to appreciate what I do each day a little more....because seeing it not done, really made a difference. Those freezing temperatures were getting so old too...I was afraid to step outside. I would be fine with eating stale crackers just so I wouldn't have to venture out there...in the frozen world. But, the weather has let up some and it makes all the difference in the world. I even saw a robin the other day...it was high in a tree (not pecking on the ground like in spring), but it was there. Let's see news around here: Isabelle finally got her glasses and loves them (now all of a sudden Ben is having trouble seeing the board at school...he says the letters are fuzzy but he is not blind...hehe)., Recently we celebrated valentines day and Noah's birthday. The kids wanted to get him a Bee pillow pet...so that was his gift from them. Our oven is still broken!!!! Supposidly, the repair man now has the part and is coming today. Our back deck is now complete and it is sooooo exciting! Also, we now have a doorbell and a new mailbox up. It's the little things! hehe I think all we really have left to do on this house is: storm doors. Our basement is even clean! I cleaned the kids toys/my craft side and the laundry/tools/brew making side is cleaned as well! Olivia is now approx. 10 months old. Wow, is the time flying by. I love when that little baby sleeps. Like right now, she is sleeping, so I got to take a shower and type this! Ben is sitting next to me watching Peter Pan. Yesterday I caught him singing: "Sweet Home Avacado!"...with that I leave you. Have a beautiful day. :)

thoughts: on the flu

coming soon.

uh-oh!

(digi scrap elements from shabbyprincess) We've been noticing lately besides the other sounds that sound like words (mama, da, etc)...Olivia has been saying: Uh-oh!, which is so appropriate for this little bundle of trouble. So, it's Sunday Morning and I feel like crap. For the last two days my throat has been killing me, feels like I coughed up a lung. Ben is also sick now as well. This weekend has not been fun. I super worked on cleaning yesterday because the mess/clutter was just too overwhelming, well by the time I was done: everything hurt and I was about to pass out (and thats only two rooms and some laundry done). Oh well, at least it's better. Its snowing like crazy at the moment. Last week the kids had 2 days off from school due to snow/freezing weather. Last week also we found out some big giant news...all of Isabelle's wishes and dreams will finally come true...she needs glasses. She hasn't stopped talking about it or asking questions since she found out the grand news. They should be in sometime this week and they are the most awesomest glasses she has ever seen in the entire world! Other news around the homefront: The repair man in regards to the oven, still has not called with the part. So now, this is getting old. It was ok for awhile, but really, I'd like to use my oven again, that would be lovely. Also, our deck wood/materials are here, but the work hasnt begun yet. Also, I am one of the rarest creatures on the planet, I have absotuley no interest in the superbowl today. Also, I began refinishing a single lonely chair. I' am painting it fun colors and so far I have painted a nostaligic looking bird on it. Then I had to call it quits, cuz life got in the way. I should make us clean the basement today (toys and crafts everywhere as far as the eye can see), but my energy level is at an all time low. If this dog doesnt stop moaning, I am gonna kick him out into a snowdrift. I guess I should make breakfast of some sorts, I wish I had something easy like cherrios to throw ina bowl, but I dont. Maybe a second cup of coffee will help me function. Ben needs a hair cut. Ben's buzz lightyear pajamas are so small that his toe is poking out, but he refuses to give them up. Now I can barely talk, my voice is froggy. fun stuff. o.k., guess I should go do something...like lay on the couch amongst the dog hair and cry...or cowboy up and have a decent day the best I can. I'll decide after my coffee...

Blizzard 2011

They said it would snow...and it did. Waking up to a white world, was beautiful and peaceful. Right away, we all got dressed in our snow gear and made our way outside (besides the baby). Something that I absoutley truly love about events such as these...is the unity of the neighbors...working together to clear everybody's paths and cars. Even though we hired someone to come out and snowblow/shovel....everyone was still out there helping eachother anyway to get the task done.

Lancelot sure enjoyed the snow...and the socializing.

Isabelle enjoyed clearing the cars and climbing hills...and the socializing.

Ben had such fun climbing the hills and falling down!

Yes, it was a great snow day indeed. The guys came to finish the bathroom so it is now offically finished! Whoah!!!!!! I want to invite people over just to use my bathroom. We made homemade chicken soup yesterday. It turned out awesome! Last night we got the offical call that there would be no school today either due to dangerous wind chill/temperatures. So, today is an at home cleaning organizing and hanging out day. Except for the biggest event (if they are open today, which I am assuming), Isabelle's eye dr. appt. has finally arrived. All her dreams may come true if they tell her, yes she needs glasses. I just have to munster up enough courage to get us out in this weather. Hopefully it will warm a smidge before our adventure. Tonight will be: Taco Night. Right now the snowblower guys are back, clearing out a path in the back and I giant area of the back of the house. Why? Because finally, the materials have been ordered for our deck! Work should start on that tomorrow. It will be nice to open the backdoor and to not step out to a drop to the ground! (when our siding was done, the concrete porch was ripped off with the intentions of our deck being built right away but then we had to put that project on pause). How exciting. Well, I better get to work, there is a lot ahead of me today. This place is kind of chaos and I need to create some order. I hope Olivia with her elastico arms doesn't eat any more of my books when I am not looking.

In the Midst of a Storm

My beautiful happy baby. The most exciting thing happened this past week (not captured on film yet), Miss Olivia has begun clapping! It's so adorable, I could watch her clap all day. Even better news...she has slept two nights in a row...I hope we are starting a new trend here!

My winter birds.

A glance at our bathroom thus far. Still there needs to be some finishing detail work done, sealing, painting trim, etc...but for the most part it is done. I can offically take a shower today, I cannot wait! Since I couldnt find a black & white shower curtain that I absoutley love, we just went with a plain white one for now. This room turned out so nice. The best part besides having a toliet that actually flushes is the tall cabinet/pantry we now have (can't see in pic), that will store all the bathroom necessities. Yay!!!

Speaking of baths and such...my baby rarely likes hers. It is usually an unpleasant and quick experience for all involved.

Other thoughts at this time:
Snow day today - blizzard conditions - no school, no work. Looking outside at the moment, the windows are crazy. Thankful for a day at home with heat, electricity - etc. Praying for those who need protection from the storm or who have lost the basic neccesitites with outages, etc. Praying for saftey on the roads for whoever has to be out there. Other stuff: Isabelle was very disappointed not to win a cake from the raffle at school yesterday (teachers made cakes, the kids bought ticket, cute idea!). I told her once our oven is fixed, we will bake something special. Last week the repair guy was out and had to order a part...so we are waiting and just using stove top and crock pot for now. I stopped in a pet store the other day...I suddenly had this inkling...to get a bird for inside the house! I checked out all the options, costs, etc and I really wanted to bring one home, but I figured I better not. Maybe in the future, but now is not the the time. :(. So, I will have to wait for all my dreams to come true. Speaking of Dreams, I have been doing a lot of painting lately. It has been so lovely. The kids keep watching Despicable Me. Cute Movie. Made some new recipes for dinner lately. Beef Goulash from Cooking light (recipe website), it was excellent, very tender. Also from that site: Pork Vegetable Stir-Fry - It was good, but I don't know if it was worth all the work involved (lots of ingredients and chopping & grating and thinking and time). I also made something the Aunts have been making and raving about: Boneless Pork Chops in the crock pot with apples and sauerkraut (and onions and a little brown sugar). I am not a big fan of sauerkraut, but it was very good. We have been drinking alot of tea and hot chocolate in front of the fireplace around here lately. I guess that is one of the best ways to pass the winter moments. I suppose this has been enough ramblings for now...nothing of major discussion, just me here - doing what I do. Oh, wow! Those are giant snowflakes dancing past the window and I see at least 7 bright red cardinals outside right now. good day.

Paint - tastic!

Here are some recent paintings I have been working on: The fairy one is from the previous post. The frog one is acrylic on an 8x10 flat canvas. The bird (tufted titmouse) is on a 2x2 stretched canvas. These are all for sale if anyone is interested or if you would like something special made, just let me know. I do anything from Angels to Elvis to a piece of stale fruit. :)

This painting was so fun to create. It was a gift for a very special girl who I just adore. It is acrylic on 9x13 stretched canvas.

I was so happy with how this project turned out! My client wanted this as a birthday present for her niece who Loves dogs. Acrylic 12x12 stretched canvas.

This bird painting is my current favorite and is also for sale. It is acrylic on 9x13 stretched canvas.

Up before the Rooster

Here is a fun painting I finally got to finish (started it months ago, put it away...brought it out again...hehe). It is probably hard to see from the picture, but there is glitter on her wings. I love how this little fairy turned out. It is a 8x10 - flat canvas (verses stretched canvas), acrylic.

Here is our bathroom after it was ripped apart. It has been a busy and cold week, so new drywall is up, but taping and painting still needs to happen, then tiling floor and shower and wall and installation of fixtures...and more plumbing...so we still have a ways to go.

It's always nice to see a Woody wiz past you on a remote control car. boys. Speaking of Woody, whom Ben drags around everywhere with him, drops him in the slush, hangs him from the shopping cart, sleeps with him...etc... well, he just got a new bedding set. Aunt Mary is here for the weekend and Ben talked her into making custom blankets and pillows for Woody and Buzz. They are sleeping very comfortably in this freezing weather.

Isabelle and Ben love to listen to the book that Grandma recorded for them as a Christmas Present. The story is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, it is a recordable Hallmark book in which my mom reads the story to the kids. It is awesome and they love it!

Sure, don't let this adorable, sweet , calm little peaceful baby fool you. This little girl, kept me up half the night, I have no clue why and forced me to be up by 6a.m. (on a Saturday mind you!). I had to get up, I had no choice. She has been a pistol all morning (yes, I can say pistol cuz shes my little puddle duck). So anyway, let's just say, I would have seen the sun rise if it ever came out this a.m. I've had one cup of coffee and I guess it is just not enough. Good news is this should mostly be a non requirement day at home. It's snowing again and freezing, but we plan just to be at home and take the day as it comes. Have a few fun surprises (activities) planned for the kids today. I am hoping to get a few personal things done, but my expectations are not set super high. This weekend I plan on reading the book: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Only problem with this plan is that I really need to concentrate in quiet, to grasp and understand this subject...and I have a feeling it will be slightly loud here today. Wishing you a WaRm and BeAutiFul Saturday :).

Morning Report

Good Thursday Morning. Just a quick report before the day begins. No pictures included :(. I am drinking my coffee, sitting on the leather chair in the fireplace room (I don't want to sit on the couches cuz I don't want to risk the chance of dog hair contact). Took a sink bath this morning. Honestly, a sink bath is way better then no bath which I have gone for the last couple days. Our bathroom project was put on hold due to our contractor, got ill and was in the hospital for a few days. :( , but he is better now and things are back in full swing. The next two days are supposed to be dangerously freezing tempatures so I am not looking forward to that. Oh well, what can you do but buck up? I am working on some canvas paintings, so I am very excited about that. My painting stuff is all over the kitchen. There is nothing like adding that first brush of color on a white surface and creating a little world from nothing. I love how the kids play their Ninetendo DS and don't understand that they don't earn an actual prize. Like Ben yesterday, won the piston cup on his cars game and asked me how he was gonna get it, would they send it in the mail??? Olivia had her 9 month dr. appt. this week and she is doing SUPER as I suspected. There is no cure for her non-sleeping...but, that's o.k....I can deal with it most the time. I have signed up for a very special conference in march called: Hearts at Home. It is amazing retreat for mothers to be encouraged, inspired, united and skilled. The best part is that I am going with some of the most wonderful friends that I have the privilege of being in my life. A new bible study series starts today that I am very excited about. I really look forward to these sessions because the women involved truly gift me with their knowledge and presence. Well, I suppose that I should start the morning process of waking up, feeding, dressing and directing the troops. It was nice to sit for a few moments of peace and thought. Good Day to YOU.

Hawaiian Monk Seal

C is for Cookie and that is good enough for me! Just a reminder that Brownie Scout Isabelle is once again selling Girl Scout Cookies! (Family - be prepared...she may be making a phone call your way...hehe). She really wants to get to her goal of 1000 boxes for the Ipod touch, but I am seeing a prize of a nice t-shirt in her future.

So thankful that today is Saturday. It has been a lonnnnnnnnng week. Last night I was up with Olivia 3 times. That kid just can't cut me a break. hehe - I am a zombie thus far this morning. My coffee is bitter but I don't care. I just want some quiet time before my 3 little ducklings get up and start following me across the pond. Construction zone is full blast around here. Bathroom in the basement is about complete (mind you this is not a pretty bathroom, it is a functional place to take care of business and honestly at the moment it is a wonderful option rather then going out in the woods). I must be honest, I am getting sick of all the clutter, dust and noise, but I know it is for a good cause. It has been such a crazy week and next week is jam packed as well, so I'm thinking we won't be in the midst of it too much. I have been researching, planning and thinking about my decorative (murals, furniture, glass) and fine art (canvas)painting business non-stop....I am so excited. One step at a time, I know I have such limited time right now (those darn kids steal most of it, they are lucky they are cute) and I can only do what I can do, but I want to do it the right way so I am going very slow with the set up and expectations upon my self. I think I will make banana bread today. If I could save one endangered species from extintion this year, I think it would be the Hawaiian Monk Seal. I counted, there is only about 1,500 in the wild today. Isabelle told me the other day that she is very lucky because God gave her 2 talents! I asked, really what are your 2 talents? She proudly responds: Singing and Art! I couldn't help but smile (anyone who has heard Isabelle sing, would slightly question if that is truly one of her talents, hehe). That coffee was so bad, I think I may switch to tea. Chai that is. I suppose I have rambled enough for one moment in time. Have a beautiful day and may the best be yours!

Hard Days Night

Olivia Helen is 9 months old today!

Raising children requires all we have and all we are. So, when I feel I am holding on by a thread...I pray. I pray for the strength, wisdom, guidance and most of all Heart to make it through the best way that I can for them with kindness instead of bitterness and a smile instead of tears. The demands and the responsibility of being a parent, often overwhelm me. Oh, but the LOVE...the love of being a parent...this is why I am here. A crumb just fell into my keyboard. joy. So, our bathroom is going to have a black and white theme. The floor, shower and wall tiles will be b&w and a black and white vanity/cabinet. So, I am kind of excited, we need to pick an accent color. Noah want's red...I want robin egg blue...or a nice lavendar...maybe even charcol. I am very sad to realize that my beloved shower curtain (shabby cottage-ish) will no longer belong. I will never find a shower curtain that I feel so connected to...unless I order a new ELVIS jailhouse rock shower curtain like I had in the past!!!! Of course, then I would feel the need to do that whole theme throughout and honestly, I am not in the mood. Today was not the best of days. I hope I don't sound too down, but it was kind of just plain rotten for no major reason just a bunch of small ones that started to feel like too much. Having workers at the house early in the morning, getting the children ready for school, keeping the dog contained, not being able to take a shower, not being able to find one of the lunchbags while the baby cries...that's not the best way to run out the door (late). ((plus snow and cold and cold and snow)). Not wanting to be at home cuz all the clutter, noise and dust...not wanting to be at the store cuz theres no fun shopping money and the baby is fussy, not wanting to impose on any friends because I am dirty and exhausted...I felt I belonged nowhere today...like a rolling stone with no home. The librarian guy at the library probably thinks I am insane cuz Ive been there 3 days in a row (only because books I put on hold keep coming in). Did you ever notice that when you go out into the world not wearing make up and your hair a mess, that you are mostly treated like crap by store clerks and such. Well sorry, screw that...got more important things to do with my time at the moment. Today I came across some incidents of some totally rude/ignorant people...and I let it get me down/dishearten me. I hate that I let negative people get the best of my emotions sometimes. I was feeling weak and tired so when these things happened , I kind of let them beat me down instead of raising above what does not matter. I can say now though, that I am trying to place those things, put them behind and move on with my evening as there is too much to take care of and do. Tonight I made a lazy dinner (turkey hot dogs) because Noah would be out and the kids requested it. While at the library today, I picked out lots of great books for the kids while they were at school. I layed them all out on the living room table and when they found them they were so excited and have been reading most of the night. Tomorrow, I have a neat and simple surprise for them. Since I really want to get some drawing done, I bought them each a little drawing/doodle pad of paper and new colored pencils. Tomorrow after school I will lay them out with some "How to draw animals, people , etc" books that I got from the library (wont show them those til tomorrow). I know they will love this. I am excited. Simple, cheap and I will hopefully get do some sketching/drawing as well. I am freezing all of a sudden. I love the smell of Tide. Where are my slippers? Tomorrow should be a better day, in fact - I am counting on it. goodnight

Dust & Dumpster

Here are a few shots of little Miss Livy as she is approaching 9 months of age.

Don't let the cuteness fool you....sure she smiles at you...but there is a bunch of trouble wrapped up in this little package.
Below is an example of when shes not exactly in the smiling mood:

Here is my beautiful trio of trouble....they are in a cage.

There is a dumpster on my front lawn. So my house is a construction zone at the moment. It's a good thing, but it will be hard to function for a bit. We are remodeling the UGLY bathroom on the main floor (believe me it is a neccessity)and installing a simple bathroom in the basement. We are also finishing off the extra room (that we have been using for storage since we moved in). Of course all of a sudden, our kitchen sink leaves a wonderful swimming pool for me to step into this a.m....so that of course is another story. So afterschool, I decided to be strong and brave and take the trio of trouble to the library because A. I wanted to pick up a book that I had on hold and B. I wanted to stay out of the carpenters way (Ben likes to follow them around and question their techniques). I threatened no DS tonight if they were anything less then angels while we were in the adult (quiet) section. Let's just say their behavior was just slightly below satisfactory which was better than what I anticipated. I managed to get some wonderful painting and art books and the kids even picked out a few books themselves when I got them to focus on the task at hand. Back home to eat some honey crisp apples (yum) and start the evening routine of homework and dinner prep. Well, the baby is not happy so I have got to go. Someday there shall be peace, but today is not that day, I know that and I am o.k. with that. I sure wish my hair would grow. I haven't made it back to the gym yet, I am such a loser...yet not. bye.

Chicken in the Oven

There is Chicken baking in the oven and I need to get off the comptuer and set the table because there are people here who would expect a proper place to eat. Elton John on the radio. Can I just say that it is about time that people who still have their Halloween decorations up, should take them down about now! Just my opinion. Girl Scout Cookie Sales start tomorrow. If you are interested in purchasing these amazing treats for a wonderful cause from an adorable girl, please let me know. k. I have got to pick a green vegetable. bye.

Your Boots

Everyone else says it's a WOLF. Ben says it's a Husky. So Husky Hat it is. There are some things in life that will never cease to delight me such as spotting a bright red cardinal in the snow or how good a nice cold glass of water tastes when you are thirsty beyond the norm. I'm heading off to the library once the baby gets up (unless there's not enough time ,then I will have to drag all 3 little people in with me...maybe, I will wake her up.) , some of the books that I put on hold have come in. I am so excited. (hint: they have to do with ART). I look out the window and it's snowing again. I hear the furnance heating the house and the dryer drying the clothes (yes, I am doing laundry again). My lips are dry and cracking and my hair is a total mess. I just wrote down this quote I found online that I find quite appropriate for some of my current ponderings: ((Your Boots are not set in concrete. Life IS change)). I failed to write down the person who said it, but I am sure its been said many times before in just this exact way or quite close. Today one crappy thing came in the mail: An advertisement for Kohls. Hi, I don't have a Kohls around here, I don't really want to look at your ad. thank you and good day. It was not worth the trip (of a mere few feet) to the mail box. k, I got to go. Really looking forward to the weekend :)

Warning: Tired Crabby Rambling Ahead

Today is one of those days...you know the kind in which you are completely exhausted because you have been going non-stop ALL day...and there's still much to do and the day isn't done yet. Ugh, I am seriously just so beyond spent. Just got 2 of the 3 kids to sleep. The baby remains awake crying in the crib. (last night she took a long nap from about dinner time til my bedtime, not kidding you the second my head hit the pillow she got up screaming and would not go back to sleep...I brought her out to the living room so she could play in her new playyard since there was no way she was going to settle down (playyard - big gated circle type thing to keep her safe and contained yet give her space to crawl etc. Kind of like a cage but different, hehe). So, lets just say it was a long night. Well, you won't believe this but I bring her back to bed and eventually get her to go down again and all of a sudden I hear a thump and crying from the other room, Isabelle fell out of bed. It was like one big giant non humorous joke on me last night. so anway, that may be why im a bit exhausted and (I must admitt) crabby at the moment. Olivia is teething and I hope that is what is contributing to her onereyness, etc. lately. So anyway, there was no way I was gonna let her nap this evening at all and she crabbed most the evening. So now I listen to her crying but the sounds are getting less loud and further in between. She may be giving up on the battle to fight awakeness, and may just rest. I am very envious of her right now in her safe little warm bed , with her footy pajamas...because not only does she have all that, but she also has a musical glow worm. What more could one ask for in regards to a perfect night of slumber? Youth is defintley wasted on the young. I made sloppy joes and misc. vegetables for dinner tonight. I know what you are thinking " What a lamo ungreat dinner" and I agree. I hate sloppy joes, but the kids love them and they were easy and Ive been cooking like crazy latley so I thought I'd go this route. Honestly, I just felt like ripping open a bag chips, throwing them on the table and shouting: dinner served! But, I didn't do that. A. I don't have any bags of chips and B. The guilt of my neglect would eventually get to me. I am kind of sort of freezing right now all of a sudden. I hear the dryer going and that is such a comfort sound to me...it says hey: household duties for loving family are being performed in the simpliest everyday task. I finally took down all the Christmas Decor. I pretty much want it out by new years day and Noah likes it up til the 7th, so I kind of compromised. It feels so good to clean up a bit. More open space. No more nutcrackers starring at me. Pine needles be gone. Christmas I loved you kindly but your time has passed for now, to everything there is a season. Ok so Im sure I could write a ton more but I will end this now cuz the baby has rekindled her crying and I just can't even really think at the moment. Maybe next post I will provide a picture or 2, maybe next post I will have something interesting or excellent to say...maybe. goodnight.

Winter Games

I used elements/papers from the kit : spontaneous delight by Carrie Stephens.

o.k., I really need to stop this digital scrapbooking....the dishes and laundry are piled up to the ceiling.

Good day.

Olivia Branch

Happy New Year & Those Loving Arms

(poem excerpt from a very old book)

I did a quick and simple digital scrap page today. So fun!
(papers and elements are from a kit called: walk with me / Jennifer Barrette.