In my kitchen! DIY menu board, labels, and a new stove!

This is one of those fun and easy projects, that really is useful! I found a frame at a thrift shop, backed it with scrapbook supplies, and added clothes pins, and a little paper covered box. I laminated our basic meals so we can clip them on the desired day. The clothes pins are painted lightly, I also added a sticker to represent each day.

I like this because even my younger kids can help plan meals.

This week we also printed labels to put on our glass containers. I think it really helped to coordinate them!

Last, but not least, my sweet husband bought me a new stove! Yay!! This is Brady giving it a BIG thumbs up! We really needed a new one!

Living out here

I just love living out here. My little boys run around with chickens and ducks... They climb trees, swing from tires. They play in the dirt, grow veggies.....

Morning come, and Little hands wave, as they watch Daddy and Brady take the truck to work. Its cold on the kitchen porch early, but they don't come inside until that truck is out of their sight.

Late in the afternoon, we hear something coming up the dirt road. Then, little feet run back to the porch, doors swing, and excitement is heard "Daddy, Daddy, we missed you". Off to enjoy their Daddy. His Carharts worked hard that day! Brady's did too. All our men check the gardens, the animals, maybe repair a step, or fix the truck. All with the little guys in tow.

They build, and grow, and work, and love, and learn, and live. Life is good.

Use what you have!

We're in the process of trying to spruce up a few things around here. Our girls need some clothing storage that is in good shape. We hang most of their clothes, so they don't need tons of space. Mostly, somewhere to out Jammie's, undies, etc.

I had a few pieces that were in sad shape... So today we repurposed them. I used chalk paint, in white. I distressed the pieces, and then finished them with soft wax. They have bunkbeds that are distressed, too. I plan on doing most of their furniture like this.

If your interested in how I did this, check out "chalk paint" on google. There's no prep, and it covers almost any surface!

Here are my before and after pictures. My girls really like it!

Going To and Fro

A few days ago, I was pulling a shirt over his little head. Words of direction were spoke. "Here, put your arm in"...."Benjamin, put your legs in, hurry.... Stop bouncing.... Put your leg in.... Now, it's time to go.."

He looked up at me, in all the sweet, kinda silly, honesty, that's in my 5 year old, and asked "Mama, why are we always late?"

You know, I can't recall where we were going? Maybe, it was just outside to play, I honestly don't remember. I DO remember feeling sure that I get too hurried.

That one got me. It spoke volumes. I need to slow down. Even when the circumstances around me are hurried. I need to be calm. I need to be an example of steadfastness. Not hasty in my goings.

I have found a good gauge to use to see where my heart is. Can I talk to Jesus right now? Am I prayerful in my heart? Or am I too busy with the cares of the world to attend to eternal things? Like teaching Benjamin to love, to attend to important things, heavenly things, the hearts that are around him, relationships...and not rushing to and fro.

One thing I've been aware of is that this hurried mentality can sneak in when our time is out of place. If we spend too much time on devices, on leisure, or even too much time working.

Lord, help me to serve you and keep all areas of my life in balance. To love people, and not ideas, or things. Show me Lord, anything that's out of place in my life. I want to love you above all, and to love my neighbors as myself.

Family Encouragement Weekend (FEW) 2013

We spent last weekend at the FEW Conference in Marble, NC. Our family was blessed beyond measure. We appreciate all the effort that is out into this conference. Here are some of the families that host...

http://theneelyteam.com/
http://staddonfamily.com/
http://thewilkesteam.com/

We not only were blessed by the conference, but we enjoyed time as a family, too. We take our camper when we go somewhere like this. We usually stay a few extra days, and make it a mini vacation.

We were so excited to see snow flurries!! Not only did it flurry, it snowed the whole weekend. We don't see much snow in Georgia, so that's pretty neat for us!

These pictures are at the campground we were parked at. We didn't get many conference pictures. So this is just us, enjoying our weekend! You can see a little snow, if you look close. Brashton is in his Ikea high chair, which I love! I'll try to write more about that later. Benjamin is holding a snowball. He kept it in the freezer later that day, so he could bring it home.

Precious Morning Gifts

I wake up to the piano singing hymns, to the Glory of our Saviour, by the hand of my son. His fingers dance across the keys, bringing sweet praise into our home.

I wake up to him kissing my face. Lips so soft, gentle scratches brush across my chin. I love it when he skips his morning shave for me. Whispered prayers escape his lips. Praise, help, gratitude.... There's no making our way, no joy overflowing, without Him.

I wake up to precious little hands reaching for Mama... Soft cries of wanting, warm comfort in the dark early hours. Skin to skin is soothing, a memory I'll hold forever. Mamas heart is full of love. Overflowing.

I wake up to prepare. My hands run through the cold hard grains. What a journey this life is....Then they become powder soft, turned and turned, baked a golden brown. Now, to nourish all the little bodies with their goodness. Life is good. We're blessed.

Blessed Music!

It is such a joy to serve The Lord with music and song. For years I prayed that my children would have the opportunity to learn music. My four oldest play piano. They are all gifted with an ear, and a measure of talent. Praise The Lord! My Baylen has a special gift. He plays with out effort. His fingers dance across the keys... It makes my heart sing to hear them all.

As we were getting dressed for the recital I had to remember that we were out of hair spray! I very often like the girls long tresses up high in beautiful curls. This time, Marendy was dressed casual and her style was easy to accomplish. Madison was dressed formal. We twisted her locks and gathered them together. It was beautiful!!

Madison dress is the American Girl brand. I was able to get this for $5 shipped from ThredUp! What a blessing. Marendy a Gymboree sweater was a $4 find, new with tags, at our local Goodwill. I love a quality bargain!

My oldest looks so grown in these pictures! Brady I'm so proud of you! Your a man now. It's bittersweet for your Mama.

I hope you enjoy our pictures from recital day!