.:Home:.

{sigh}
And here we are. Back in Iowa. Back in our own beds, sprawling across our own couch, eating our own food. We are home.

While my heart is a little sore today and I miss my family something fierce... there is something so lovely about home. My littlest girl keeps crawling to me, throwing arms around my neck and face planting 1 year old kisses on my face. She loves her Poppa and Grammy - but she LOVES her home.

We had a great visit in Ohio complete with grad parties, seeing grandparents and other relatives and enjoying really HOT weather. Now its back to reality. We woke up this morning and it was just us 4. Daddy and 3 ladies. I'm done babysitting so no alarms were set. It was lovely. It feels like summer now. And we are thankful for a new chapter of life to begin. :)

I'm so thankful for how the Lord has provided in our lives. I'm so thankful for home.

Happy Homemaker Monday {Memorial day edition}

 

I'm spending Memorial day with my parents here in Ohio. It's been wonderful to celebrate with them, and get to see my Grandpa - one of our vets! What a blessing to still have my grandparents still pouring into my life! 

Wherever you are this Memorial day - remember to take time and give thanks for those who gave their lives {and still are} for our American freedoms.

Let's do some HHM!

 

The weather:::

Yikes it's hot! It's been in the 90's for days and days and days. Ohio and Iowa weather is very similar.

 
On my reading pile:::  

I'm on a mini-vacation which means little to no time to read. Chasing children and visiting family is the name of the game. But, all that said, upon returning home its back to "Made to Crave" and starting up a new bible study reading through, "Strong women, Soft hearts" by Paula Rinehardt.
 

On my TV:::

Dad has the History channel on and we are all watching recaps of the wars fought in years gone by. Right now its focusing on the attack on Pearl Harbor. Seems unreal!

On the menu for this week:::

 Monday -   Cook out foods!
Tuesday -   on the road again... probably value menu items from who knows where. ick.
Wednesday - ??
Thursday -  ??
Friday -  ??
Saturday - PF Changs for a friends bday!   
Sunday -  ??
obviously not much menu planning was done for post-vacay :/
 

On my to do list:::

Relax :) 
and, possibly help mom tidy the home my kids are destroying! 

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

I finished my button monogram art for Auggies room! Need to take a pic and get one up to show you!


Summer Fun:::

Splash parks open this weekend! Free splashes and if you live in DSM...free lunches!  

Looking around the house:::

Mom and Dad watching the TV. Hubby and 3 year old playing dominoes. Baby sleeping in our back room. It's calm and laid back :) 

From the camera:::

 

One of our teens was baptized this weekend! So exciting to continue to watch these kids grow!

 

 

 Something fun to share:::

I did a post about this already this week, but, really excited to try harder at finding deals at stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army. I was so challenged by this gal and her blog posts about dressing well and spending little. :) The challenge digging through all the weird-ness on those racks is going to be fun!

On my prayer list:::

Our 12 hour drive home tomorrow. ugh. Please cover us in your prayers!


Bible verse, Devotional:::

 

Reminded yesterday of Hebrews 11 - the hall of faith! So many believers who lived for the Lord boldly and many times without knowing what was ahead. I want to be like that! 

Memorial Day

Thankful today for those who gave their lives for our country and freedoms. Thankful today for a brother who continues to serve with the USAF! Don't forget to teach your children the value and the cost of those things! 

.::The funny thing about style::.

I'm happy to admit that I'm not stylish. I'm not.
When I go into stores i have no idea what I'm looking for or what goes with what. Clueless. Same with jewelry and pairing things with certain outfits...duh...what?! But I'm surrounded by stylish friends - cute outfits, fun hairdos, stylista type jewelry and accessories to boot - cute, cute, cute ladies. They usually inspire me to at least try something new. Though, to be honest, sometimes I just feel plain ol' PLAIN. My solid shirts {that I have one of each color}, jeans and black skirts leave something to be desired. I know ultimately that this does not matter in light of eternity. Let me state that again. This is NOT important or counted into my eternity with Christ. Many times I justify my plainness {to myself} by saying I'm plain so I don't use my $$ on clothing, etc. But then I end up using my "extra" money on Starbucks healthy smoothies or some kind of edible something er other. Which, in turn, helps no one, including my waistline.

But, sometimes I think it would be fun to have some style. I'd love to come downstairs some morning and have my husband be wowed by a cute outfit, or, to notice some stylish earrings during a church service. And, let me be clear that my husband is AWESOME at encouraging me and building me up with compliments. :) So don't think he never does. He does. This week I came across a blog called, "Biblical Homemaking". The gals name is Mandy, another reason I already like her. {grin} But, she for real has some cute cute posts! She does a "series" called, "What I wore this week" and posts what her outfits were each week. She incorporates where she finds her stylish pieces and gives great ideas on what looks great together. Check out her site here. I love her use of two of my favorite stores - Salvation Army and Goodwill. However, I believe her Texan stores must have a ton more variety then my little ol' store up the street. She's also a big Ebay buyer, yard sale shopper, and basically deal finder. I loved her post this week and I loved her outfits! I love her "put togethers". I never would think to wear a sheer shirt like this - with a belt. And yet, looks fantastic, eh?

 

So, yea... really excited to continue following her and maybe trying some of her ideas. Also really excited to save my pennies and branch out a bit and pick up something new next time I'm at one of "my" stores. :) 

Today I already tried something - a safe something - the accent nail. You know...the one nail on each hand that is painted a different color then the rest. I know, daring! So far hubs has not noticed. :) But, I feel cute and motivated to dress this God-given bod and glorify Him even by what I wear! And, for the record, this is not my hand or nails... i wouldn't know how to wear those bracelets. :) hehehhe.

 

What about you? Trying anything new to bless your husband by how you look? What are your secrets to scoring sweet deals and cute looks for less? 

Packing up "baby" things...and other "sniffle" moments

As I emptied the dishwasher today, I went for a plastic bag to pop the baby bottles into. Our littlest turned 1 last week - and, so begins the transition from bottle baby to... sippy cup baby. Now, I'm not a stickler to this. Especially when it would mean giving up those delicious moments of sitting quietly, babe in arms, snuggling for 5 whole uninterrupted minutes. If I could keep those moments... my girls would have bottle time til they were 12. {kidding} Anyway, as I tossed in bottles, lids and parts - I got kinda choked up. This isn't abnormal for me. I'm more emotional now in my life then I ever have been. It's an answer to prayer, actually, after feeling so emotionally dry for so many years...but, that's a whole other post. But, the lump formed in my throat as I realized just how quickly this last year went. My baby was growing - evidence not only in size, but, in this very act of packing away the beloved "bah, bah". Tears.

Yesterday was spent packing up clothes that no longer fit her little body, and busting out the 12-18 month clothes. More tears. Make the time stop!!! Seems the "mom pain" of heart flip flops is running at an all time high right now. My babies are growing. I rejoice and praise God for their lives and health...but, so fast to grow?

(pizza nite!)

In her own precious way August is still {and will always be} my baby. She isn't walking - and loves her permanent position on my left hip when we move around. With only 4 teeth she still likes me to soften and do some special prep for her food. When she does want to "stroll", she firmly grips my two pointer fingers and away we go. She needs me. Yesterday she was ill - woke up in a pukey mess. She was my lap baby most of the day. The crook of my arm was full of baby and I loved it. And if I look away I feel like she grows and changes that quickly. So I stare at her. I cannot believe we are at 1 year already. I cannot believe how much in love with her I am.

Thank you, God, for my time at home raising my babies. I know these are precious heaven sent moments for my heart to enjoy. I am beyond blessed.

Every bit of 3

Something has happened. It snuck up on me and almost caught me off guard. Sometimes I think it happened overnight - from one day to the next. She grew up. My chubby, precious, first born girl... is becoming a little lady. Her hair is long, she wants to wear dresses and skirts every day. She has opinions and speaks just as clearly as anyone. And now, out of nowhere she is thinking. I don't mean to say she never thought before in her little life - but, bigger thoughts are forming. She's smart.

Ava is learning so many things. Lord, use me to teach her the RIGHT and GOOD things. She is compassionate and tender towards her baby sister. She never harms her, or is rough with her - always patient, always gentle, always looking for ways to make her smile. For that I say, Thank you Lord!
Her pretend is extensive. She gives away Mommy's weakness by playing, "starbucks", on a usual basis. "Yes, I would like a tall mocha, please." {gulp!} She is learning to be sneaky, something we have to talk about a lot. I have found her hiding in weird places eating something she didn't ask for... little hoarder.
She loves to wear her fathers HUGE shirts for fun. She plays with hangers and pretends they are people. At bed time every, single, stuffed toy and baby doll she owns is in her bed with her. Along with several baby blankets, her full size quilt, and another shirt or 2 of her daddys. These are the precious things about her I never want to forget.

Her specific requests crack me up. "Mommy, did you remember to buy more of your diet popcorn?". "Can I please have a snack that is not a cheese stick or an apple." "I may please have more milk." I LOVE when she says "I may please have" or... "I think so I don't want anymore." :)

I love how at random times she feels lovey and will say "I love you" to me. I love how she is my constant companion during the day - even now, she is counting daddy's money on the floor near me. She's my girl. She is every bit of 3 that I imagined...and more.

Good morning friends. It's Monday - are we ready? I woke up early {before the family} and had a great time with my hot coffee and the Word of God. So thankful for the reminder from Psalm 121 - HE is our help, He never sleeps, He is our keeper. Hoping to kick off this week with a bang! Here.we.go.

 

The Weather:: 80's and some 90's this week! Lovin' some summer weather! 

On my reading pile:: Back into finishing "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkuerst. Want to get that finished up in the next few weeks. My sweet friend Emily and I have been reading it through together as a bible study.

On my TV:: Kids are watching some My Little Pony. Then its off for the day - much to do. Hubs will probably turn on some NBA playoffs tonight... and then I'll doze on the couch. 

On the menu for this week::

Monday - Cube Steaks, not sure what I'm doing with them yet. But, found them in the freezer.

Tuesday - Creamy potato soup

Wednesday - Walking Tacos and sno cones with the teens at church

Thursday - Open house food for another teen! 

Friday - Momma's home cooking {we'll be in Ohio with my family!!!}

Saturday - Same

Sunday - Same

On my to do list::

Laundry day! 

Call to make Aug's next dr appt.

Mopping linoleum floors - ick! 

Looking around the house::

The baby is pulling out every one of my plastic freezer bags and playing with them. Hubby is sitting across from me studying for Wednesday night. Kitchen is clean!!! {did it last night} Sun is shining in the back door window and it's already amazing outside!

From the camera:: 

 

Just another reason why I LOVE our church family. Our tech guy caught this pic during our worship time. Some of our senior ladies juts loving each other. Precious.

Something fun to share::

Not sure if this is really "fun". My family is doing "Survivor Month" for eating, until the end of May - possibly into June if we can. What this means is that we will eat off of what we already have in the home. I will only purchase milk and produce as needed, and not very often. It helps us save money when it's a little tight and causes me to use all the creative juices I have! :) 

On my prayer list::

My teens. Everyone just seems to be sta-rug-a-ling lately. :/ 

Our van, it's in the shop now... praying it's nothing serious.

Bible Verse/Devotional::

Still reading through Ezekiel - wow, it's very interesting! I'd challenge you to take a few days and check it out (with a study bible on hand).