Ballet and the nutcracker

This fall Riley has been doing ballet. She has enjoyed it and was able to be in the nutcracker. She was an angel and did a great job. I was so proud of her.

Wow

I can't believe how time flies. I mean my kids are growing so fast. The holidays are coming so fast and I haven't written in my blog in over a month. Wow. I read blogs regularly, but I just don't feel like there is a lot to say. I have been cleaning more houses. And I know I am strange. But I actually enjoy it. I had one lady call and ask me to clean and organize her cupboards. I mean how great is that. To get paid to do something I enjoy. I also have started applying at the school district. I really want to be in the kids school. We are getting a new one here and so we don't know which one B will be at next year. But, I would like to work there and have the same days off and be home in the summer. So we shall see. I am praying super hard that it will happen.

Otherwise we are home for Christmas this year. I don't have my shopping done but I am not stressed. I will get it done this weekend. Riley is doing the nutcracker this weekend. So, next week it can snow. That would be amazing. I just really want Riley to get to experience her ballet. To be the angel she is. So exciting.

Can't do it!

I hear about all these amazing finds people find second hand shopping. I just can't. Every once in awhile I think and feel like I could go somewhere and find an amazing deal or stuff I am looking for. Doesn't happen. I went again today. Nothing. Then I went to TJ Maxx and found all kinds of stuff.
I don't think it is the used think cause I love getting hand me downs for my kids. Maybe it is the smell of those places. I don't know. I am always up for a deal. But I am unable to second hand shop. I love Walmart, target and Ross Dress for less. Tj maxx.
Do you think I am a snob?

Pioneer Woman

So, back in February or March so sweet friends brought up some ideas they got off "The Pioneer Woman" website. So, I got on and checked her out. OH MY GOODNESS! I find her hillarious. She just writes about fun things and does it with a sense of humor. I love it. When I told Jim about it he thought I was talking about an old fashioned lady in long dresses and gardening. So now he kind of likes her just cause I make him listen to some of the things she writes.
So thank you Vanessa and Julie for the fun.

Stella

I don't think I have made it any secret that I am not a die hard dog lover. I think I have realized that I like small dogs better than big dogs. But overall they are needy and under foot. They stink are in the way. They scratch and are insane.
But, how do you dislike a dog in all her instanity when your daughter loves her this much.


She also listens to Riley incredibly well. Sit, sit, siiiiiit. Lay, lay, laaaaaaaay. Good girl stella. And there are giggles and kisses when they play. So even though Jim and I think she is stupid and question our sanity at getting her. She will stay and be loved by Riley. And occasionally Brayden. He is to busy to care most of the time.

Style

I have been thinking lately. First I have been thinking about decorating. See my friend Vanessa over at southerninmyheart.blogspot.com (sorry I don't know how to do the attach thing.) And I love going to Vanessas. Her home is warm and cozy and very relaxing. But, she LOVES to decorate. As, I don't. I love to have cozy comfy things that don't take a lot of time to clean or maintain. I love rock and craftsman style. So it got me thinking. What is my style. And this is great. According to the internet it is Northwestern. So how perfect is that. I am in the right place.
I have also been thinking about what Jim and I are going to do when we are empty nesters and retired. Still trying to figure that out. Travel and golf are what we have so far. However, I have never golfed before. Even though I would like to learn.
Another thing is food. I had been in a funk on cooking. So I started researching recipes on line and found Allrecipes.com. LOVE it. So far everything we have tried has been wonderful. I love that I am finding new things that are simple and I have most of the ingredients.
Another thought I had but it was just this morning. If God knows everything and Satan can't read my thoughts. How come awful things come to my mind and yet I haven't spoken anything out loud. Especially when you know Satan put it there.
Well those are just random things.

1st Grade, Extreme Home makeover

Today my sweet boy started 1st grade. I can't believe it. He was great. He was so excited. He made his own lunch today and was ready early. (hoping we can keep that up) Riley was not happy about him going and being gone all day but hopefully we made it fun enough for her. I didn't cry which surprised me. I think it helped knowing that his teacher is a Christian lady and oh so sweet. I think he will thrive under her. He came out from his first day smiling and so happy. He LOVES 1st grade. So that is wonderful. He did tell me that he wouldn't go anymore if I miss him to much. I told him that it was okay. I would spend as much time with him after school as possible.
Then tonight after dinner we went to visit the building site for extreme home make over. It is one of our families favorite shows and to have it so close was awesome. Jim was part of the demo team on Monday and well we have hardly seen him since. They are short handed on skilled people to help and since Jim used to do construction he has been helping a lot. We didn't even get to see him while we were there. However, we were watching these guys hang the windows and realized the one on the ladder was our great friend Uncle Dan!! The kids thought that was great. Even though we couldn't get his attention with all the noise.
It was a nice time.
I will have to post pictures later.

It has been decided

For those of you who know me, know I adore my kids. I am not someone who needs to be away from them much. I just enjoy playing and being. School has been fun for Brayden and for me in the sense that I get time for Riley but I have always been anxious to get there to pick him up. And this year is going to be even harder because he will be gone from me ALL DAY!! Yes, that is right he is going to be in 1st grade. I am so excited to see what he will learn this year and the friendships he will make.
Then due to her brother being in school Riley had been asking to go to school. So we have her all signed up to go to two day preschool. They called today and said she was the only one signed up for the Wednesday/Friday class and would we be able to do Tuesday/Thursday. Well yes that would be fine. Even though I have not been excited about this from the start. She is only three and I love being with her. Well, I was talking to her and she was fine with the change. (doesn't really get it.) and then she said I will do preschool and hearts at home. (a mom and kid bible study) Well no you won't be able to do that if you are in school. Needless to say after talking with Jim and Riley we decided she is going to NOT go to school this year and do fun preschool stuff with me at home and do hearts at home and we are looking at a ballet class. I am thrilled. She can do school next year. But for now I get my baby home another year.

Books

I don't know if I have said this before, but I LOVE BOOKS. Children's are my favorite to buy. Since I teased my husband one day about his clothes addiction he has teased me about my book addiction. So, I have been doing really good about buying any books. I have bought two for myself and they were a dollar at a garage sale. We frequent the library quite a bit because I honestly don't like stuff and the more I buy the more stuff I have in my home. So, since he pointed that out I have been trying so hard not too. (Even though he was teasing)
My favorite author is Karen Kingsbury. A wonderful Christian author who writes fiction but does it in such a way that you are apart of the family and you desire to deepen your relationship with Christ. I also really like Francine Rivers who also challenges me.
I do read Christian parenting and marriage advice books and have read The Eldridges books on men and women and loved them. Love Dobson and all his books. Lehman is another one who is good and Jim and I really enjoyed "Love and Respect"
My only problem is that sometimes I end up more stressed about parenting and the scary stuff that is out there that I start to question everything I am doing. I feel like I have good kids. They aren't perfect but good. They both love the Lord and have asked him into their hearts. They wake up singing praise songs in the morning which just warms my heart. They seem to be kind to others from what I see. I know they are just on loan to me anyway but wow. Sometimes these books freak me out more than if I just kept loving them, teaching them about Jesus and praying fervently for them.
Am I they only one with this problem with "Help" books.

Friends

As I have said Jim is gone doing his army stuff and tonight a dear, yet new friend invited us over for super. You know those people whom you get around and leave wanting to be a better person. She is one of those people. I come home more patient with my kids, striving to be a better wife and woman of God.
I so desire to be that friend to others. You know the friend that asks you what has God been teaching you this summer and what are you doing with it. What are you going to do to grow through the year? Bible study groups, church activties. And you come away praying and thinking about those things that are so important. I love friends like that.
Thanks again God for the wonderful new friend I have.

Overwhelmed by God

A few weeks ago Pastor Steve spoke in church about places where you have been met by God. I have really been met by him in a creek on a big rock up past Detroit. I have been met by him other places as well but that one sticks out in my head. And then this morning. As I was sitting here in my recliner (I can call it mine cause Jim isn't home right now.) It happened again. I was reading in Mark. A rich young ruler came and wanted to follow Jesus and when he asked what he had to do Jesus said to sell everything and come. The rich young man couldn't do it, because of his wealth.

Jim and I do just fine financially. We aren't rich by any means but we do great for our family. I am able to stay home and aren't in need. Anyway, as I sat here looking out the window, watching the sprinkler and thinking about this. I was overwhelmed by how great God is and how he is an amazing creator. The ocean, the lakes the trees, the people. I am what I consider to be a simple person. I don't need or want much. Just time with my husband, kids, family and friends. And I have all that. God is so amazing.

I so love those moments. Have you had those before?

Thoughts

I have been reading a friend of mines blog and it made me think of a few things that are dear to my heart. She writes about decorating and her kids and her love of things southern. She posted the other day about little girls and ladies. I am always glad to hear that from other moms of girls.
I am not a girly girl. But I do feel like I dress reasonably. For sure modestly. I believe strongly in that. I also enjoy painting my daughters nails and have embraced the princess thing and all that comes with it. I also feel like I have good manners and was raised to be proper.
I so have a desire to raise a daughter that is femine and embraces that about her self. I want her to respect herself and others. I want her to be polite and just be a lady. I am encouraged by dobsons book on Bringing up girls. It is wonderful. I am really enjoying it. I am excited seeing how girls relationships with their fathers effects things. And just how letting them embrace the princess thing (within reason) is good. It will not hinder them as they grow and make them feel entitled.
So I am enjoying raising a little lady. I am hoping we are doing okay and that she will embrace it as she grows and she will be the woman of God that she was designed to be.

This is my beautiful little lady. Thank you to all the beautiful ladies in my life who have helped shape me along the way.
I will save my rant on what society has done to ladies another time.

Ryan & Meggan

My brother has been dating this amazing girl for 6 1/2 years. We have loved her since the begining. She has been in my kids life since before they were born and they have only known her as Aunt Meggan. And on Saturday they were married. We are so very excited. I felt like I might get emotional about it on Friday night and Saturday. But, like I told my mom it was from happiness. And in all honesty to all of us they have been married. She comes to all holidays, we buy her gifts and she buys us gifts. They have not lived together so obviously they will for sure feel the difference. But, we are so happy.
Congrats to a wonderful couple


My very handsome husband and my beautiful daughter during the daddy daughter dance.



The handsome groom. My great brother Ryan


Riley looking in the flowers.


Beautiful bride and flower girl.


The best Ring bearer and flower girl ever. Yes I am prejudiced!
.

Again

I know I am so horrible about remembering to write on here. But, after finding a good friend of mine now has a blog. I thought well I need to get better about this.
Summer is off to a wonderful start. This has been our first full week and the weather is finally cooperating. We had a good friends kid Monday and Tuesday and she is great. Plays great with both of our kids. Loves mud and water and all that our kids like. Then yesterday we went to our new favorite pool in Corvallis. It is an amazing place. Lots for the kids to do and they can wade around and play and there is a great water slide. (That they let you go down with your kids)
Today we are going to pick up Riley's dress for the wedding and play in the sprinkler with the neighbor kids. I love that I don't have to take my kids places in order for them to have fun.
OH and very exciting news. Brayden can now ride without training wheels. He is a cautious child and didn't want to try. So, I took them off. Knowing he could do it. And I worked with him. No luck. But I would not put them back on. I texted Jim to see if he would help him and within 5 min. He was off and going. I LOVE IT. It is so great. I am so proud of my little man.
That is it for today but I will try and do pictures tonight. Jim is going to be gone to Seattle this weekend so I will have more time.

Pics and other stuff

Once again I haven't posted in awhile. Things are great here and we are really enjoying the weather we have been having lately. I am not one that is bothered by the rain but wow the sun is sure wonderful. Jim is gone on his first real trip with the army since coming home in August. It is really weird having him gone. We both were like, hum don't like this so much. But he will be home tomorrow so it won't be long.
We are having fun with T-ball this year and Riley and I are enjoying our time together. We are happy that things are starting to wind down. Bible study is done. One more week of Hearts at home and School is almost done as well.
Jim has been really busy which is really nice. What a blessing for us. And we have been talking about what we want to do when we decide to move.
Property or not? Well we are really leaning to not. I have always considered myself a country girl. But talking with my friend who has property that they help with and helping my parents at there place this week. (Getting ready for the wedding) I really like my city lot. We have a large space and the kids love the neighbor kids and we live in a really quiet neighborhood. And with Jim so busy we want him to be with us when he is home not working on our property. I can manage our yard just fine. I can even start the lawn mower now, once he starts it first. So, for now we stay where we are and wait until the perfect time and house makes us decide to move.l
I will try to post pictures later of the kick of to the wedding festivities. Today is Meggan's first Bridal shower. I am so excited.

School

Pictures from Easter!



I am one of those moms who LOVES to be with her kids. So, of course I miss them when they are away from me. Some days I get talking to moms who homeschool and I desire that and yet worry I wouldn't do it right or my kids would lack in their education. Jim isn't on board with homeschooling for several reasons and I truly don't know that I am on board for us as well. It would truly have to be the lord if it was to happen in our home. Anyway, then there are days like today when I help in Brayden's class and I am so glad he is where he is. We have such a great teacher and school. I love that they like that I am involved. It is so great.
Tonight was our first T-ball game. Our team and coaches are great. I love being a sport mom. It is so fun.

Catch up

We have once again been so busy. I don't know how some of you do it to blog daily. I wish. So, today was a rough day. Whoever said girls are easier didn't spend a day like today with my daughter. She woke up fighting and went to bed easy but not after she fought with her dad. So, Brayden was great today. He has been lately. So, here are some pictures of us lately.


Riley's Birthday cake


Brayden shot the gun but it had a kick. Poor kid.


Brayden is student of the week and gets to have Rex home for spring break.


Riley trying on her dress for my brothers wedding.

Thank you cards

I am sitting down to write the Christmas thank you cards and I got to wondering. Does anyone care if I send them? Does it mean something to people to get them? I know it is good to send for birthdays and baby showers and weddings. But what about just getting gifts or Christmas. Especially when I am the only one who does them. Sure the kids help a little but what it your thought and what is right? Thanks