Back in the Yard Again

It seems that everything fabulous happens in our backyard. 
It is where Frisbee's get tossed, houses get built, soccer gets played, sprinklers are run through, watermelon is munched on and memories are made.
But what happens when Dad starts showing his son how to work on his chip shot?
3 year old mavens decide they need to learn too.
And what do you think good Daddy's do when they see a pipsqueak attempt to hold a grown mans club?
They show them how.

And then they realize that their child is left handed and can't hold the club.
So, they start shopping for little tykes left handed clubs.

And then they watch the video their wife made while watching the impromptu golf lesson commence and realize their wife has no technological skills whatsoever.

But they don't care because they are good husbands. And because there children like golf.

The End

Bible - Just Keeping It Real

For some people Bible reading is a very stoic and somber time. Not so much here. It is a family affair, a labor of love, and it takes some of us to new heights . . .

Are you enjoying reading your Bible today?

Wise Owls and Mischievous Monkeys

I have called my children little monkeys since birth. They were so cute and had a mischievous twinkle in their eye from day one. It has been a term of endearment for a very long time.
When we arrived back from our short stint in Kentucky, I decided I wanted to redo the children's bathroom. Now two things you must know about me . . .
#1 I am cheap.
#2 I am really CHEAP.
I hate to spend money. (Husband applauds loudly.)
But I REALLY wanted to do this, so while staying in a hotel waiting for our home to open back up, my oldest and I set off to buy bath mats. (We had thrown ours away in the move. They were old. Still hurt to throw them away though.)
While in Ross we saw the cutest monkey shower curtains. "Oooooh!" Norma said. "We should get those!!!!" The price was right so I put them in the buggy.
Then we saw the cutest owl bath mat. And the price was right too.
"Let's get both!" Norma replied with a wide grin.
"No, they don't match," I replied.
Then we debated back and forth.
Monkeys . . . . Owls.
Owls . . . . Monkeys.
Then it dawned on me. "Norma, what character qualities do monkeys have?"
"Well, they are kind of naughty."
"And what character qualities do owls have?"
"They are wise."
"Yes honey, you are right. You children are no longer my little monkeys because you are not naughty. You are my wise owls because you are becoming so wise."
And the bath mat was bought.
And a matching shower curtain.
However, I got a wee bit tired after moving in and the bathroom redo got pushed to the side.
Until a week ago when creativity got a hold of me!!!!!!!
Let me show you my "wise owls" new place to get clean!
I used two colors of paint. One reason, I like variety, and the other reason . . . I had both bought on mistints for $7.50 total.

A Full View.

The darker green.

What started it all.

My Friend Made This For the Room.

These are homemade for about a dollar. Tutorial to come!

I made these to remind my children every day how wise I think they are becoming and because hiding scripture in our hearts is so important. And I made them because, well, they were fun and I think my children are pretty cute! (Now don't fret, I think your children are really cute too. I mean aren't they all!)
So there it is folks. A project complete.

Do you have terms of endearment for your children?

Thankful Thursdays Posted on Friday

OK  Y'all! I am posting this little bit of nonsense.

It still fits. I'm just saying . . . :)

Kindergarden Quandries

"Hazel, I want you to find the two pictures that start with the 't-t-t" sound."
She looks at her book, wide eyed and determined.

"See Mommy, Here is the t-t-turkey and here is the t-t-pamato."
I reply with a grin, "The what again?"
"The t-t-turkey and the t-t-pamato. But Mommy, I really don't like pamatos though."
At this point I can't help laughing out loud.
I really do like t-t-tomatos. Or pamatos as the case may be.

A Disengaged Smile

"Don't do that, " I sort of heard my son say.
"It's ok. Mom said it's ok," five year old beauty replies.
"Mom didn't say it was ok," he shoots back.
"No, but look, she's smiling at me so it's ok."
Eyes roll into blue eyed boys head. "She's always smiling. You had better ask."
I snap out of Mommy fog and engage the situation, not really caring what 5 year old is destroying.
"You think I am always smiling?" I ask, in awe.
"Pretty much."
Wow. W-O-W.
Me, high strung, year of grief ridden, self doubting, always tired, vacillating and contemplating, low self esteeming, not doing the dirty dishes-ing Mom,
is. always. smiling.
Ain't God good?!

All Seriousness Aside . . .

So our dear friends from WA were here.
Good times. Good times.
Now you might not think it to look at him, but my hubby loves him some babies, and when he thinks no one is paying attention, he is apt to tell me to fork over innocent babe and give him a quick hug. He loves to talk to babies, and speaks to them as if they are adults, after all they will be adults someday. <wink>
As I was holding sweet baby boy for my dear friend, who was out of the room, my hubby saw his opportunity to have his first heart to heart with this sweet babe. 

He cuddled him, with a mushy gooshy look in his eyes. Then a wave of seriousness washed over him and he sat this budding man on his knee.
His voice became low and serious.
Sternness spread in the crinkles of his brow.
"Now, just remember," he said, "that we are those that pisseth against the wall."
I looked at him sideways and started laughing hysterically.
Why should I have thought anything different would come out of my King James Bible reading hubby.
Luckily, our friends have a great sense of humor and laughed heartily at my hubbies antics.
God wants us to have joy and laughter.
No shortage of laughter here . . .

1 Samuel 25:22

So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

Kentucky Chronicles (The Journey Home Part 2)

We were so happy to be on the road and heading home, we couldn't restrain our excitement. God had set such a peace in our hearts that we were to live here in Montana. We were told we would get to go home on Saturday, which turned into Wednesday, but hey, we couldn't be more thankful!
We got tired of traveling in South Dakota and pulled off in some little town that I still don't know the name of but they had the best playground ever. Old school and still dangerous . . . <wink>

And the danger didn't stop there. James had a great idea . . .

Sure hoping the hotel didn't see this crazy horse play.
We always know how to have fun . . .

Don't worry, we did stop this horseplay after I videoed it! Lol!

Flea Market Flip

So, this is a bit off the beat and path for me but I wanted to share a show I am loving watching! Flea Market Flip. Yep, it is a bit heathen of me to enjoy such a carnal show, turning old junk into treasures and competing in sales, but I really enjoy it. And I really want to do it! Not the show I mean. But the flea marketing and flipping. <hee hee> I have no real skills but I do have a mind to look at things in a different way.
One big constraint though, trying to fit it all in. Homeschooling, cleaning, cooking, bathing. (Yes, I do think that is a daily priority and I happen to be a homeschool mom. If you homeschool or have littles you know what I am talking about!) (Oh and one more thing, shhhhhh, I like to go to the bathroom by myself. Yep, I make it a priority not to have my littles with me on this very important occasion.) <wink>
So, where was I, oh yes, Flea Market Flip. Fun stuff when you just need a little lightness in your day.