Counting to One Thousand

There's this book. Perhaps you've heard of it. After all, it's a NY Times Best Seller. But maybe you don't keep up with the "NYTBS" list. (Who has the time?) Maybe, instead, you've heard of it because someone you know mentioned it. Well, if you haven't heard of it yet, you will. And soon. (Even if you weren't reading this post.) Because its content is causing a sort of holy wildfire among believers.

Especially women. And I think it's because...we women? We are generally the naggers and complainers of the population at large. We are usually the ones sad and despondent and wishing we were somewhere else other than where we are. (Or maybe that's just me.) Not that this book is written FOR women. It's not. It's written FOR perspective. In case that's what you need. And if I were a bettin' girl, I'd bet you do.

'Cause we all do.

MTM: Who Needs a Muffin Tin?

Our muffin tin meal was tin-less this time. Because we were showing our house later, and I was trying to do without any kind of dishes whatsoever. So the muffin cups went directly onto paper plates. And it worked out just fine. They even matched!

Today's fare was a dill pickle, sliced in half lengthwise, kiwi, strawberries, a chunk of apple with peanut butter, granola bar, and horrible extruded cheddar bunny crackers the kids' always-thoughtful Daddy got for them (albeit, horrible organic extruded cheddar bunny crackers the kids' always-thoughtful Daddy got for them). I was happy to empty the box during this fun lunch, while...simultaneously scoring some (homemade, soaked) brownie points with my youngsters.  ;)

See other muffin tin meals at Muffin Tin Monday.

Project 365: Week 31 "frustrations, friends, & fun"

It's the first full week of life without a decent camera. And it stinks. Truly. I'm. so. frustrated. :(

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Paul has trained all his children to walk on his back. It's a typical Sunday afternoon activity. Even Atticus knows how.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Y'all. You won't believe it, but the folks who called to cancel their appointment to see our house last weekend had rescheduled to finally see it today...and this time they just didn't show up!
I was infuriated!

Gabriel's First

For Flashback Friday, I thought I'd reminisce a little about Gabriel's first birthday party. By the time he was ready to turn one, Noah had already had five birthdays and Saylor three, so you might think that by this point I would be an old hat at planning birthday parties. But the truth is I wasn't an old hat. I was just old. Old and pregnant. Yep. It was a first for me--being pregnant AT my child's FIRST birthday party. And not just barely pregnant either! I was already past the morning sickness and knew I was having another boy!! But back to the party...

Party Theme: Nautical Memorial Day Celebration

Gabriel's birthday fell exactly on Memorial Day his first year. So I found this adorable sailor suit on Ebay and used it as inspiration for a party theme.

Project 356: Week 30 "ballgames, bible clubs, and beach bums"

Sunday, July 17, 2011

We have a group leaving for Costa Rica from our church. They put on a lunch for donations following the service today. It was an authentic Costa Rican meal. Yum!

Then the fam convinced me to make homemade ice cream tonight for dessert. We do love our ice cream around here. I think Gabe liked it a little bit. ;)

Project 365: Week 29 "swimmin', paintin', & movie-watchin'"

Sunday, July 10, 2011

One of Noah's friends down the road invited him to come along with his family to the neighborhood pool. He was so excited!

Snips, Snails, and Pretty Pigtails

It has been so LONG since my last "Snips" post!! What kind of a mother am I?? ;) Okay. To explain, "Snips" are little tidbits of information I want to remember about each of my children at their various stages and ages. When I don't write these things down, they get lost in the jumbles of my brain, so really...it's proactive memory sustainability in action! (You can read other "Snips" posts by clicking on the tab just below our banner picture.)

Noah, 9

He is the leader and instigator of all things thought out-of-the box. There's always a fort/clubhouse to build, a rocket ship to make from a shipping box, a strange invention made from rubber bands, pencils, and index cards. That's just who he is. Evidence of this is all over this blog. You can even see it in how he plays. For example...

Project 365: Week 28 "the fourth, family, friends, & frying"

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Today we went "back home" to visit MY side of the family. And I totally stinkin' forgot to take a picture today. SO. I'm going to share a picture from LAST Sunday that I just found on Paul's phone. It was taken unbeknownst to me by my eldest son. He's always playing around with our phones. In this case, I was glad he did, because I had completely forgotten to commemorate the occasion with a picture.

Project 365: Week 27

Sunday, June 26, 2011

This little guy was in our house uninvited!

Soaked Whole Wheat Muffins

So...you've soaked some flour, milk, and raw apple cider vinegar, huh? What can you do with it? First, get a cute helper to unveil the happy mess.