Avery Nanal

A New Year Has Come Again

2012-02-05T20:02:00.004-05:00

We have had an incredibly mild winter so far. I am not complaining in the least. My windows have been able to be open almost once a week. We have had a tiny belt of sickness hit us. Again I am not complaining. I am thankful to God for the fact that only one has been hit with the stomach bug. There are four of us walking around with this annoying tiny cold/cough.

Right before Christmas Tripp was in the ER with the croup. That little dude scared us to death. We deal with the croup seasonally around here so we knew what to do and when to finally go let the doctors intervene. He's been basically healthy since. Again another praise for God!

Report cards came out last week and my kids did great. Not that I expected any less. I am pretty blessed in the smart/witty kid department.

Things we are looking forward to:

*The fast approach of the camping season
*Even more warmer weather
*The fast approach of the camping season

okay so I repeated the camping one twice, but seriously I am excited to use my lil' lemon drop again. I know she has missed us ;)

(okay so these pictures were taken in the fall near my parents home in PA, but I felt like I needed some photos. These were before I really knew how to operate my new camera, oh the things I would change now, OH WELL!)

Christmas Card Reveal

2011-12-15T16:20:00.005-05:00

So now that I'm confident most of my family have received their holiday cards from us (and very few read this blog anyways) I will reveal the final choice:

Fits perfectly with every one of their personalities I think.

Christmas Card

2011-11-30T18:20:00.005-05:00

I am dabbling more and more into photography. I love taking pictures. I have since I can remember. I have a nice camera, a very nice camera, thanks to my Mr. I have started taking workshops and doing online tutorials. I am starting to shoot in manual. I am still learning.

Today after the kids got home from school we set out to take our Christmas card photos. We loaded up and went down the road about a mile. These are some out takes from the shoot. My kids don't always want to cooperate with me.....

My Mr C

2011-10-27T15:04:00.004-04:00

I love my husband. He makes my heart happy. He gave me 3 beautiful children. He makes me proud. We have had highs and lows as most couples do, but in the end he's still the guy I pick to carry my heart around. He's my Mr Darcy, with that same quiet demeanor. When he smiles at me he means it. I love that too.

Loving 4

2011-10-01T19:20:00.002-04:00

Soon he will be 5....like in 22 days. Boy have I enjoyed my little buddy at 4. Sad that they are all growing up! Too fast.....

Heavy Heart

2011-08-24T22:15:00.004-04:00

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weakness, so that Christ's power may reside in me. So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressure. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2Corinthians 12:9-10

It has been a tough couple weeks here. We have been affected by some great sadness and loss. My family is still intact, but I know too many that are not. But over and over this bible verse plays in my mind. It gives me great comfort to read it and think about it. Maybe you needed some comfort today too.

Summer

2011-07-27T19:51:00.003-04:00

(playing headbandz with visiting cousins during a storm power outage)

So summer is nearly over for us around here. Less than a month and school starts. I am contemplating that idea. We are going for year number 2 at Public School. I mean it is fine. My kids have no problem making friends and fitting in. But it is me that has a problem with the whole idea of it. I still feel overwhelmed by homeschooling, but public school isn't something I love either. So here I am stuck in this weird in between place. So I am just praying over it. God will give me answers, that I know is true. Maybe you could pray for me and us too??!!

There's No Place Like Home.....

2011-07-02T21:32:00.002-04:00

I'm home with the kids visiting my parents.....There is no other place I would rather be right now, except if my Mr could be here too. My kids are finally at an age where it is less work and more fun, I am enjoying it!

Before my Mr went on his trip he brought me home a little gift. A new Nikon digital SLR. I have had to buy a book to understand it as I have always owned a Cannon in the past. But I am enjoying taking photos with it and can't wait to improve my skills. I truly love taking photos! I will do a bigger post about it later....

Family Photos

2011-06-27T16:05:00.004-04:00

My Uncle recently came for a visit and we worked together on taking my family photos. Usually it is just me a tripod and a self timer taking pics of the fam. This was much easier and they turned out great for a 15min session.

What Have I Been Up To?!

2011-06-07T16:26:00.006-04:00

Here's a quick picture over view of the last month and a half.......

As much as I hate it at times, I have found a passion in running. I use to run track in HS but that was a long time ago.....I'm finding the joy in it again and loving the way it makes me feel when I am done :) All three kids are kayaking on their own, my fav 4 yo and I have been strawberry picking, I have been riding on the back of my Mr's bike, and we are anticipating the end of the school year. Hope you all are doing well!!!

This Past Week

2011-04-26T20:06:00.002-04:00

My little guy had to have surgery again on his eye. I hope this is the last time for this problem. We still anticipate plastic surgery in the future to fix the tissue damage that has been caused from the scaring.

In his "banana" suit waiting for surgery

On the ride home. It was a tough wake up this time around.

Later that evening.

What did I do this weekend?!

2011-04-18T20:48:00.003-04:00

Just went camping with a few of my closest friends....

(group shot)

And for good measure a picture of the inside before I made the beds for the night.

I love the people I have in my life. Everyone of them are blessings to me. We weathered one terrible storm on Sat night that moved up along the East coast. We survived and continued to camp til the next day. But being stuck in my tiny camper with 3 small kids just reaffirmed the need for just a tad more space!

This Weather

2011-04-01T21:26:00.002-04:00

So glad I found these boots on clearance at Old Navy for $10. This is what I have been wearing since....well it seems like forever really. This weather makes me want to hitch up the Lil' Lemondrop and head farther south, in search of the sun. I need some vitamin D on my face and flip flops on my feet. I might have been born and raised in PA, but I have turned into a wimp in the 13 years of living in coastal NC. It is not suppose to be 47 degrees this time of year.

(you may now insert a thought of me crossing my arms and stomping my feet)

It's A Sickness Really

2011-03-27T16:22:00.005-04:00

So as much as I love my Lil' Lemon Drop and could never think of parting with her, I have my sites on a new project. After camping this past weekend a few things came to light for me:

* I am in need of a self contained unit.
* I really could use one more sleeping area.

I go camping minus the Mr most of the time. It is the thing the kids and I do to help pass the time when he is away. The campground we stayed at was wonderful but the bathhouse was about a 1/4 mile away. Not good for a momma with 3 kids that have to stay in eye shot of me. So I talked to my Daddy and he found some other options for me. Here is one of them. Please excuse the photo quality it is from a cell phone.

This is a 1972 Shasta Starflyte.

I am already dreaming up a new color scheme for her. The fact that she has her original wings is always a plus in my book. I am thinking of a nice airy interior seaside cottage style....I mean we do live at the ocean after all.

I would love to hear your thoughts. The idea of getting to do another project with my Dad makes me happy. And coming up with the inside look and outside color pattern is something I love.

The Lemon Drop Spread Her Wings

2011-03-23T16:25:00.006-04:00

We had an awesome weekend camping. The weather was perfect, as if we special ordered it just for this trip. It was so great to get my tiny trailer on the road again. I had missed her. So had the kids!

Pancakes always taste better from a pink stove!

We went with two other families that have become our family, since we live away from "home". It was just me and the kids as my Mr was away on business as he so often is. This gives me and the kids something to do to break up the time.

I love that they love camping. I hope to give them so many happy memories doing this. I hope to give them a love of being outside and enjoying the more simple things in life. God gave us this amazing world and I want them to know it!

I am so blessed in so many ways and all the people there this past weekend are one of the many blessings. God sure must love me to have put them all in my life, my awesome kids included!! Can't wait for our next trip and some more campfire popcorn!!

* Thanks Johnny, my popcorn maker is going to be one of the most used gifts I've ever gotten for Christmas!!

The Things We Have Been Doing

2011-02-17T07:21:00.003-05:00

Life is busy as normal around here. The bedroom redo is slowly coming around, well to be honest its kinda stalled out. That's ok with me, I'll get back to it soon. In the mean time I have been doing a little of this and that.

I put Tripp in swim lessons this month. My other two swim like fish, Tripp not so much. So in looking ahead to the hot summer months that are just around the corner I am hoping to make him a little more comfortable in the water.

He spends a good bit of time flirting with the four little girls in his class.

This is him finally allowing his teacher to kinda let go of the noodle. Little steps, we'll take 'em!!!

And while he is learning to be the little fish that I know is in there somewhere, I sit on the side lines crocheting. This is a star blanket that is worked in the round. It is for the one in the swim class, he is picking the colors as I go. I'm loving his bold color choices so far!

Master Suite Progress

2011-01-25T18:49:00.004-05:00

Progress is being made in my master suite redo. This will be the first time in nearly 13 years of marriage we will have a put together room. It always seemed like the other rooms were more important to furnish. So this is long overdue. Here is a sneak peak at what I've finished so far!

My lovely romantic chandelier. I super heart this. You can also see a glimpse of my new color in the background. It is by glidden and called Stone White.

These are two pillows I was in the process of making. They were drying in this photo. They turned out so great. They look super cute on my bed. I finished them into small rectangular pillows.

Still plenty more to accomplish before it is ready for a full reveal. I am calling this phase one. I want to finish everything in the next few weeks. I'm so excited to finally get a grown up bedroom!!

Being Inspired

2011-01-20T14:35:00.005-05:00

I'm sitting having a cup of tea, thinking of my love, and being inspired by the color of this ball of yarn. I often look at this yarn and think how much I love everything about it. Crazy I know, cause it is just a ball of yarn.

I am getting ready to paint my bedroom this weekend and found some other inspiration while looking at my sweet friends blog Nora Pearl. The camper she featured had me swooning. I love how these ladies take their little (some not so much) houses on wheels and turn them into something you would never expect! Having a tiny trailer and trying to girly it up as much as possible I get it. When my lemondrop is all set up I want to hang a sign at my campsite for people to stop and take a peak. My dad and I put so much work into making it pretty that its a shame we are the only ones who see it. So after pouring over the photos most of the morning I decided I needed to get on the ball and make my bedroom retreat. I want to surprise my Mr when he gets home. And to think the inspiration started with a camper and a ball of yarn ;)

Dusting Her Off

2011-01-09T09:32:00.003-05:00

Starting to put plans on the calendar to take the Lemondrop out. Oh how I have missed her. I feel she has been neglected. There are some modifications that need to be made so that we can use her all summer long. (I need her to have a removable AC unit cause you can't camp past june in the SE without one) My daddy is also going to help me put in an electric fridge instead of the retro icebox I had originally put in. Lesson learned that you also can't keep things cold in an icebox without the actual blocks of ice and I have yet to find a place that sells them, and even with a drain it is a crazy mess when the ice melts.....But oh I just can't wait to get her out!

Up My Sleeve

2010-12-29T07:52:00.003-05:00

via on Pinterest

I found an old door along the road about a year ago. I had been waiting to find something to do with it. I think I have found my inspiration. We could use an extra place for seating/sleeping in the front room, and now I have something up my sleeve ;)

Merry Christmas

2010-12-20T22:01:00.005-05:00

Wishing you all a crazy happy holiday season!! Enjoy your loved ones and remember He is the reason for the season!

Close to Home

2010-12-07T11:07:00.004-05:00

I am making a point to stay close to home this week, in the hopes of making it a habit. Since I put the kids in school I have been in the van more than in the house. Maybe it was the freedom of it all, who knows. I am finally sick of running around. The colder weather may be helping with me wanting to stay in. I am welcoming it. This house of mine needs some attention. I often get defeated with how quickly it gets away from me, or how it only takes Sat and Sun to destroy all the work I did the previous week.

I will admit one of my faults is accepting defeat too quickly....In my mind this house is so crazy organized I would put Martha to shame, but in reality it is lacking. I am human and I don't have a fleet of workers to get stuff done. Goodness a lot of the time I don't even have a partner to help thanks to his crazy job. I am not complaining because it keeps us fed and a roof over our head and clothes on our bodies....he just has to leave...a lot!!!

With all that being said I came to the conclusion that I need to try to stay home and get into some sort of routine. Some of the days have been spent on the couch crocheting gifts and trying to get a few items together to put in the shop. A lot of laundry being put away is taking place...vacuuming and throwing away bits and pieces of trash. It has been a breath of fresh air.

Piper is not complaining either....

My Hooks Have Been Working

2010-11-28T07:57:00.002-05:00

A gift for my girlfriends new nephew. My hands have been busy with little projects like this. I have another to show of a crazy cute black/white/hot pink hat with matching ankle booties for my Misters friends new baby girl. These tiny projects are always so satisfying because I can finish them up in a jiffy.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and now are geared up for Christmas! We had a nice relaxing day at home with just the fam. The Mister and I even got a starbucks run in :) That always makes me happy!!!

Possible Christmas Photos

2010-11-20T17:40:00.003-05:00

It is not easy getting everyone to cooperate for family photos. Add to that the fact that we take them our selves with a tripod every year. And sadly my #1 complainer is the hubby....here are two possibilities. I think I need to go back in and fix the brightness of number one though....

I Love These Girls

2010-11-04T21:31:00.004-04:00

For my Birthday these ladies and my hubby planned a night out for all of us.

It was the night all the restaurants were celebrating Halloween...Don't adjust your computer screen that is fog engulfing us...hahahaha!!

I have known this lady for over 10 years. She's the sister I never had.

These people make up some of my family away from family. I can count on them for anything and I love them to death. God blessed me with some pretty awesome people in my life.

Another Year....

2010-11-02T21:32:00.003-04:00

Today was my birthday. This is what I got from my husband and kids. A Franchi .20 gage over and under. Yes friends, I was actually excited about this gift. The Mr and I have been shooting skeet/trap together. It is a lot of fun and I enjoy the time we get to spend together doing it!

Love Them

2010-10-29T20:34:00.004-04:00

Crazy Big Crochet Flower

2010-10-19T15:26:00.003-04:00

In your hair:

Or on your shirt:

You really cant' go wrong.

If you want one you can go here.

Funny #3

2010-10-05T15:56:00.003-04:00

He sure does crack me up!!!

"Mommy I can tie my shoe like you"......."Um yeah that's just like mine"

Crocheting Again

2010-10-02T20:26:00.002-04:00

I've been crocheting again. I have a lot of girls I know having babies this fall and a hat is an easy thing to make. I just love this little appple. I have also made a few pumpkins. I made an apple for Avery's new teacher who will have her baby at the end of the month, I thought it was fitting for a teacher. I am having a lot of fun with these....

New Project

2010-09-26T15:09:00.003-04:00

So now that I have the two older kids in school daytime life has shifted a bit. The time I am having with Tripp has been great. He is a different kid without his brother and sister around. I am enjoying finding his personality, something I was missing out on when the other two were home and needing so much of my attention.

One of my missions while the kids are at school is getting my house back in manageable order. Taking care of things that have been neglected while my focus was so much on the kids. I want to become a housewife/mom again that has somewhat of a grip on the house and daily life/routine. I had lost that somewhere along the way. I had become lazy. It was my own fault. I am okay with this.

Now onto the project that all this "extra" time has allowed for. Below are pictures of the toy room, also known in this house as a FROG (free room over garage). This room once served as the school room when we first started homeschooling, but I quickly discovered that being upstairs for a chunk of the day was not conducive of getting much downstairs work done. In the beginning of spring I ripped out the construction grade carpet that was here when we bought the house 5 years ago. It smelled BAD. I painted the subfloor to help seal out the odor and make it look okay until we could decide what to do with it. Well I have finally figured out what I want done with this room off the upstairs bedrooms/and bath. I am turning it into a room for me!

My goals for this room are:

*to stick to a budget 200-300 dollars max (not including the carpet which is off the roll at HD)
*have a comfy place to sit/relax
*still have a place for some of the kids toys
*move all my crafting/sewing supplies to this room instead of downstairs in the laundry room.

When my Mr is gone away for work I often sit on my bed to watch TV. Being alone downstairs just seems too, well, lonely. So I want a place that has me close to the kids even if they are sleeping and still close enough to my room without being in it.

Wish me luck. I am going to post as the changes start to happen. All the while I will also be plugging away at getting the rest of the house organized again.

~~Lisa

Wedding Date With The Mr.

2010-09-19T15:28:00.005-04:00

Last night the Mr and I went to a lovely wedding. It was a perfect night for it. The details were so cute. Sadly I was only able to photograph a few, since my new replacement camera doesn't let me old SD card hold as many photos. We had a great time. I danced my butt off in heels that weren't made for dancing, but anything for style right?!

* getting ready to leave

*sending off butterflies as they walked down the aisle (do you see the hay bales? that is what we sat on)

*The spunky bride in her short in the front long in the back dress and blue satin shoes

*cupcakes instead of cake. I am bummed cause I was so busy dancing I forgot to get one :(

*Mason jar mugs that held our beverages all night and where then taken home as a gift. Mine might become my new favorite Southern Sweet Tea glass.

*wanted to show a photo of my dancing shoes...and the fact that my neighbor had a wedding on the exact same night, just a different venue. We were joking that it looked like we were ready for prom ;)

First Day of School Re-do

2010-09-14T13:39:00.004-04:00

Well my homeschool friends,our year started out great, loved all the curriculum, the kids were eager to do work (at least most of the time), I finally got a handle on what was enough. THEN my Mr came to me with the news that he would be traveling A LOT for work over the next year. My husband has a job that takes him away from home quite a bit so I live a lot of the time as a single parent. I am 6 hours away from my family and steady help. We live in a larger home with a decent sized yard. I have a lot on my plate. Something had to give. I have been overwhelmed by house work, yard work, my garden is non existent this year. I was starting to lose myself in all of it. I was taking it out on the kids. I had stopped appreciating the time we had together. It was making me pretty sad. So I started praying. Then I started waiting for answers.

There are a few blogs that I check daily, other moms of kids my kids ages. Some are homeschoolers some are not. A few weeks back I read this post from Crunchy Peas. I have always enjoyed seeing what she was doing with her girls in their homeschool. And I was surprised when she posted that her girls were going to public school this year. I loved her honesty. The things she wrote were the very things I had been praying over. I kept my thoughts to myself and continued to wait on Gods answer. Then last monday I read Erens post from VintageChica, and again she put words to my thoughts. God was giving me answers through others words and I finally listened. Last Friday I signed the kids up for school. They met their teachers and saw their class rooms. We bought a few supplies that we didn't have on hand already.

Yesterday I dropped them off at their class rooms and walked out of the little school with peace in my heart. They got off the bus yesterday afternoon glad to be home, and I was glad to see them. They had stories to tell and papers to be filled out and a bit of homework to be done. I love that God answers our prayers. That he speaks sometimes not like a hurricane, but like a soft breeze. We will take this one year at a time, the same way we homeschooled.

I Might Be Crazy

2010-09-10T18:00:00.001-04:00

But we let my mom and dad bring a bunny down for Avery. The thing is cute!!

This Past Weekend

2010-09-08T08:08:00.007-04:00

The neighbors had a cornhole tourney. See the lady in the white shorts?! She was my partner, she had never played cornhole before...needless to say we didn't last long in the tournament.

My man made it to the final three. That's part of our house next door.

I truly do love my other two kids, but this guy seems to be the only one cooperative when I want to take a photo!

The sky was amazing

We had family movie night under the stars. I HEART doing this big time. Okay so the movie was not the best selection of the night, but still so much fun!

I found out I wasn't half bad at shooting skeet. We may have created a monster!

All I wanted was for this boy to sit still for a quick photo....no luck. But we did have a great date while his brother and sister were at the aquarium with their Grandma.

**We made a big decision with our schooling. Not ready to talk about it yet, but soon. Please keep me in your prayers for peace about our decision!

RIP Canon Power Shot

2010-09-02T12:14:00.004-04:00

Soon after this photo was taken my beloved point and shoot was drowned by a rogue wave. booooooo

2010-08-27T14:13:00.003-04:00

**photo by avery

School has started very well this year. I feel a little more settled with it. I finally realized they are doing enough, even if my enough isn't every day!! Kids learn no matter what environment they are in. We had a small hiccup with Averys math. We started with Switched On schOOlHouse, hated it after just two days, and found Rod and Staff instead! She was using them for grammar already and when the hs bookstore didn't have the math I was looking for I decided to give them a try. I found a gigantic blessing in that unanswered prayer!! I am loving R and S more and more, they are no nonsense cut and dry facts only, and we love it!!

So now I just sit back and let the school year unfold, and roll with the punches. Because I have finally figured out it's not about me or them at all...its about Him, and he never fails :)

School Photos

2010-08-16T20:12:00.003-04:00

A great start to the new school year. Thanks so much for the support Ladies!! It warms my heart more than I could ever say!

Getting Ready for School 10-11

2010-08-15T12:53:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow marks the start of the new school year. We are still waiting on Averys math and the teachers book for ETC for Keegan. I have been praying over our school year that our enthusiasm is maintained throughout the year and our hearts and minds are open. I am really excited about the Apologia science we will be doing this year. I was considering getting myself a notebook to do it along with the kids!!

Don't Hate Me Because My Bike Is Beautiful.....

2010-07-31T15:17:00.002-04:00

I think I am in love......have two other "baskets" to switch to when it strikes my fancy. A wooden crate that needs sealed first and an aqua plastic crate too.

A Good Day For The Beach

2010-07-27T20:23:00.004-04:00

My kids play the best together at the beach. I was feeling a little bogged down with house work that needed to be done. My cure?! Come on kids lets go to the beach. It was just what we needed and I was able to come home and get some much needed things down around the house and outside.

It was the perfect not too hot kind of day and a little overcast. But that was okay I didn't mind and neither did the kids.

Once on the beach they quickly made some friends. Three sisters the same ages as my three, God sure knows what he is doing :)

Some crabs were found and shared and examined.

This ham and I were messing around with his beach hair. I love that he loves for me to take his picture, well most of the time.

Then we had to do one together of course.

Then Tripp had to take one on his own. I love his technique, point, shoot, doesn't matter what the subject is!!

One of my favorite parts of the beach we go to....The Shower. This was the end of a good afternoon. I like that we can be spontaneous like that, it keeps life interesting.

My Old Bike

2010-07-24T13:20:00.002-04:00

Since I gave an entire post to the new bike, that should be arriving in about 10 days (seriously can't they move any faster?? Patients is not my strong suit), I thought I should at least give a shout out and quick photo post of my always faithful beach cruiser. I call her my mango dream. I special ordered it 11 years ago after seeing it in an add in a magazine. I had to have that orange bike, what is truly strange about it though is that my favorite color is pink, not orange/mango! Something about it in the sunset picture just called my name. So I searched out a local dealer that could get it in.

Recently in my search for a european bike I came across some dutch bike accessories that I just LOVED!!! One of them was the handlebar flowers. Loved the idea was not going to pay the price plus shipping to get one. So I set out to make my own. And this is what I came up with. It is actually for my new dutch bike, but I gave it a go on my beach cruiser for now to get an idea of what it was going to look like. I love it!! I love the peony and all its creamy goodness!!!

And of course I had to do something for my girl too. I hate the stage she is at in her bike owning. My poor girl is a bit like her mom and on the "petite", ok or some just say flat out "short" side. So our options for bikes are very limited. We did get her a beach cruiser that she used for about 2 years and this is a pass over bike from our good neighbors. I would love to get her something cool too, but I either have to pay an arm and a leg or they just don't have it in her frame size (which is around 20" or maybe a little less)....So for now we are dressing up the one that was gifted at a good price (free) until she has some vertical growth and we can get her a reasonably priced one from good old Wally World. I think she is soon in need of a bigger basket.....

My New Bike

2010-07-21T11:09:00.005-04:00

I have had my mango Earth Cruiser for 11 years. It still looks brand new. However it is terribly heavy and it was not quite what I was truly looking for. I have gotten my moneys worth from my bike, and I will keep it as a back up. But I was getting antsy for something a little more retro. I knew what I wanted but the beach cruisers I would find weren't quite it.....then I discovered Dutch bikes. You see it wasn't a beach cruiser I wanted at all....it was a european style bike I was looking for. And now I have one that will be here in the next week and I am sooooo excited!!!! These things are built to last and the back racks and front racks aren't just for looks, they are to be used. I like that a lot!!! I still need to order a front head light which I found on a different site, but for now I am just sooooo happy to get the bike! And now here she is:

**click here to go to Republic Bikes. Image from republic bikes gallery

Seriously how cute is that bike???!!! I am thinking instead of a basket I am going to use an apple crate. I mean won't that just look perfect, can't you just see little Piper sitting in it peaking out. Now just to get that silly dog to sit still and enjoy the ride.......

Everybodys Happy on a Jet Ski.....

2010-07-20T15:50:00.002-04:00

We had a wonderful time in Cabo. More pictures to follow.......

A Vacation is in my Future

2010-07-07T17:38:00.003-04:00

*from our date night this past weekend, pretty happy after 4 months apart ;)

This boy and I are getting ready to spend 7 glorious days together.....by our selves. This is our first vacation alone since we went on our "honeymoon" 12 years ago this month. I hope we remember how to talk to one another....... Pictures will follow! I hope you all are enjoying your summer. It is HOT here, 103 on my outside car temp today. CRAZY

Part of My Heart......

2010-06-25T21:59:00.003-04:00

.....has been away with this guy while he was taking care of business. I can't wait to see him again soon.

**photo taken last Aug in the Blue Ridge Mts

We've been puttering away around here. I am starting to look ahead at the upcoming school year and the things I need to change and work on. I was not on the ball this year. But I am going to brush myself off and start again!

Off the Hook

2010-06-17T07:33:00.003-04:00

Here is one of the two projects I have finished while taking my blogging break. I still need to get a photo of me in the other. I really thought this was going to be huge on me when I was making it, but it turned out just like the photo. I love when that happens! It was a free pattern from Bernat called the deep v sweater. Cant wait to put it over a crisp white shirt or dress. Hope you all are enjoying the beginning of summer. We are off to the beach today.

Blogging Break Interruption......

2010-06-01T19:27:00.002-04:00

To share a photo of my way too cute kids......

now back to our regularly scheduled break :)

Taking A Break

2010-05-09T19:35:00.002-04:00

So I can enjoy more of this:

and this:

I love a good storm...

2010-04-26T19:07:00.002-04:00

Fire pits and Camp outs

2010-04-25T22:07:00.004-04:00

I love that the weather is getting warmer. I also love having great friends to share it with. I went for an impromptu burn last night. The kids played in the yard until it got dark....and then continued to play for a bit more while the adults played a spontaneous game of name that tune. It was too much fun!!

The rest of my week will consist of getting ready for our next camping trip to a little place just down the road. We will be joining this fine family again and one more family of friends. I am quite excited because this time we have electricity!!

Life in PA

2010-04-20T22:36:00.004-04:00

This has been the last two weeks of my life in no particular order.

I think I miss PA.......

My New WIP

2010-04-13T15:12:00.003-04:00

I love Crochet Today, it has some of the best, up to date, crochet patterns I have seen. That is my one beef with crochet, there are very few cool trendy easy to wear items to make. Sure I can make enough afghans to supply a small town, but I would like to wear some of the things I work so hard to make. Well this months crochet today has so many things to wear I didn't know where to start. So I decided to give this cute chevron cardi a try.

I love the colors, although I am not using the exact yarn they called for, it is pretty darn close. It is a very simple pattern. The only problem I have had is because I didn't check my gauge (I know, I know, very dumb) so I had to rip out the better part of the back when I realized it was a 1x and I am a small....oops!!

Feeling Better

2010-04-08T20:16:00.003-04:00

So I have been spending time doing this....

And yes I might have the worlds most freckles.

Home

2010-04-06T15:17:00.004-04:00

Hello blog friends. It has been a little over a week since I have updated. Things seem busy this time of year. My parents came down for a visit over Easter and the kids and I ended up driving back to PA with them. You see I started getting sick on Sat night which totally ruined plans of going to church. My dad drove our truck home, and we followed my mom and Avery in their car. Unfortunately, I am still not better, what ever this is has gotten the best of me. Before the sickness kicked in I had run my first 5K saturday morning, and Avery and Keegan did a one mile fun run. My dad got a little caught up in the moment of the runners coming in so I got no action shots of me running that day, but there is always next time right?! They both did great! So here are a few photos from the last week.

There's my gazelle.

There's my little rabbit...

Brother and Sister. She ran it in 7:03, he ran it in 8:something. I am so proud of them!

Finding Easter baskets. We do not teach about bunnys bringing baskets. They know the real reason for Easter and if that is all I have taught them by Homeschooling I am okay with that!!

Spring arrived about a week ago full force in the neighborhood. Not only do the mailboxes match, so do our front trees....

This is seriously the biggest turtle I have ever seen. He was on the road when we were leaving the neighborhood so I carefully helped him into the grass.

12 Years Ago

2010-03-28T13:37:00.001-04:00

We were going to the Chapel to get married in Vegas....by ourselves

Six Years Ago

2010-03-26T18:32:00.006-04:00

Six years ago on the 24th Keegan came into our lives. What a shock he was a boy, but he was a keeper. He is crazy and loud and passionate and the most loving kid I know. Seriously all he wants is a hug. He makes me laugh, which is a good thing because without that I would want to cry with his strong willed nature. The other day he said "mom, I love you.......that was news just in". That kid is a corker. I sure do love him!!

His birthday was spent playing with silly string, eating beef jerky, opening gifts, and getting fake tattoos "just like Daddys". We finished up the night with pizza and cake(a bunny by special request) and confetti poppers. He had a great day.....I went to bed with party belly.

My Heart is Heavy......

2010-03-18T20:29:00.001-04:00

Revelation 21:4
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Have I Ever Told You....

2010-03-17T12:34:00.003-04:00

That I am a licensed cosmetologist?? Yup have been for 12 years now. And do you know what all those hours put into that beauty school provided me(besides meeting my husband there while he was visiting)? The ability to give my kids kitchen hair cuts. My boys were scheduled last night and aren't they handsome now?!

Next up? My girl has an appointment for high lights. Yes I high light my 8yos hair have for a few years cause the drying it out with bleach keeps it much cleaner in between washings.....

Maiden Voyage 2010

2010-03-14T15:13:00.008-04:00

Piper thought this was her own personal dog house...she thought she was the queen.

Trying to dry out and warming up in front of the space heater...

Make shift weapons......

Dancing at the campsite

Friends

PB&J at the neighbors ;)

My table scape...ready for 7 layer salad and cOrnelL Chicken mmmm

Never Enough Dirt aka: Mt Party

Friends

How come things are so messy on the way home???

My traveling Gnome....until next time

**We came home a day early due to my girlfriend getting sick. Mr Flora just called to tell me she is having her appendix removed. Praying for fast recovery. I love you friend.....it's not nice to make me worry like this!!!

The Last Few Days

2010-03-10T18:39:00.006-05:00

My dad had to shovel the grossness out before we moved it from the mans yard. It took 3 contractor garbage bags to do the job.

While the guys worked(my Uncle came along to help) the kids played. I watched from the bed of the truck to make sure they didn't get in any trouble and to be ready if my dad needed me for anything......like taking pictures ;)

Compared to how it looked when we got there this almost looks sleep worthy!!

Getting ready to head back to my house to do more work on it to make it road worthy for the near 8 hour trip back to PA.

The one cute find in the whole darn thing. Salt and Pepper shakers that will now reside in the lil' Lemondrop, cause well they are just cute.....

We couldn't work the whole time. Took my Uncle to the beach cause it has been a few years for him since he saw the ocean!
**can you tell my kids enjoyed his company?

The back curb side dropped nearly 12" on the way back to my house. The wood supporting that corner is completely rotted away. This is the solution the men came up with for the ride home.

Hitched up ready to go and getting our last good byes in. My kids (and me too) hate to see them go. It was so nice to have Pappy and Uncle Ronnie here for a few days.

Looking forward to future camp outs with great anticipation!!!

I love you Daddy!

I Spy With My Little Eye.......

2010-03-03T19:22:00.003-05:00

Another Shasta Compact.

I just bought this beauty for my dad. I found it while looking at houses one day and forgot about it. It was brought to mind the other day when I saw a photo of one just like it. So after church on Sunday I told the kids we were going for a ride. Sure enough it was still sitting there so I thought what the heck I'll ask them if they would want to sell it, what would it hurt?! They said sure how bout $100. I said"Sold!" And then we looked inside.........

So dad is coming down this weekend to pick it up and take it home. I have no worries about how it will look when he is done. Look at what he did to the lil' Lemondrop!!

Grace and Mercy

2010-03-01T19:26:00.003-05:00

.......some days that is a tough one for me to give. I don't like that about myself, but praise God He gives it so freely!!

New Favorite Past Time

2010-02-25T20:51:00.003-05:00

We were going strong on family movie night here for awhile and then all of a sudden I realized two out of my three kids were quite fun to play games with. So for the last few weeks we have been enjoying family game night. Their favorite?! Mouse Trap that their daddy brought home as a surprise one night, even Tripp can play along!

This boy does not like to lose!

How cute is she without those front teeth?!

Getting Ready for the Maiden Voyage

2010-02-23T23:23:00.004-05:00

I am so excited that in a few short weeks the kids and I, along with our very good family friends (actually they are more like family) are going on a short trip just a little ways down the road. So I have been making sure the lil' Lemondrop is ready to go. The most exciting purchase so far is the bedding. The kids will be sleeping in individual fleece sleep sacs on top of a mattress pad and sheet. This being the first time to use her I am not sure that I have everything I need. To me this is much different than tent camping. So anything you can think of as a must have while camping please leave me a comment and let me know! For now here are a few pics of the bedding.

Doesn't it look inviting??

**post edit: my apologies if you read this earlier, as it was late and my mind was a bit preoccupied I didn't proofread before I hit the publish button..........

Family Time

2010-02-22T19:35:00.003-05:00

It was nice to have a little family time that made us think of summer to get us through until the real thing.

Valentines Day Fondue Party

2010-02-15T17:16:00.004-05:00

Yesterday my hubby and I hosted a Valentines Day Fondue Party. It was couples only, no kids. Okay well mine were upstairs having a little movie and popcorn party but I couldn't kick them out of their own home. So this was my first attempt at something like this and it was an awesome success if I do say so myself! So much fun in fact that I didn't remember to pull out my camera until the dessert came out. We ended the night with some Rock bAnd which is always a blast!

setting up rOck BaNd...very serious stuff here people....

Great conversation was had

And plenty of being silly

Can't wait to do it again!!!

SweetHearts Day

2010-02-09T18:59:00.002-05:00

We are getting ready for Valentines Day here. The kids are filling out their cards for our co-op on Friday. I remember this fondly from being a kid. It was always so much fun to decorate your brown bag in school in preparation for the cards. Then walking around the desks in the classroom dropping them in to the bags, I loved it! I would look at the cards over and over. You know what I miss?! The little envelopes that they use to have to put them in. They don't make them like that anymore. I have even worked it into a school lesson with copy work for Keegan. He is having to practice writing everyones name and writing small enough to make it fit. We have 17 kids in our little group and he is only a quarter of the way through. Good thing we have a few more days.

What else on the agenda?! I am trying to put together a Valentines Day Couples Fondue for Sunday night. Three courses with a salad between the cheese and broth. You know how in your mind it looks like something out of Martha S. but in reality it won't even be close, one can dream right?!

What We've Been Up To

2010-02-07T16:46:00.003-05:00

We get very little snow here on the SouthEast Coast. I mean we usually get a dusting here or there that will shut down the surrounding cities cause people panic. Real snow fall though seems to be elusive. Well not this year. For the first time in like 20 years we had a measurable amount of snow fall. The kids were over the moon. I however was not prepared cause you see they always cry wolf and we get nothing. So we stayed in last weekend and just enjoyed a day of snow. The kids were a motley crew because most of our snow stuff is in PA where we actually get snow.

Never the less they had a great time playing and getting soaked in the white stuff. Halfway through the day my husband asks "Where is their snow stuff?" My response was "What snow stuff? We live in the south, we usually don't get snow"

So now this summer I will be hitting the thrift stores hot and heavy finding winter wear for the just in case days we get in the winter. And if nothing else they can wear it out on colder days and stay warm.

Please note the pink snow pants on Keegan and the pink mittens on Tripp. I tried my best, that was all I could come up with. I told Keegan real men wear pink, don't worry about it.

Part of our backyard, with snow actually falling.....never happens I swear!!

This was Pipers first time in snow, she ran out on the deck and started barking at it and trying to catch it as it was falling. Crazy dog.....

Tooth Fairy

2010-01-29T16:31:00.002-05:00

Avery had her two front teeth pulled by the dentist cause those stubborn things just wouldn't come out on their own. This is what the tooth fairy leaves every time along with the appropriate amount of money. A tiny little note from her own personal tooth fairy.....she loves it!

Love This

2010-01-23T08:42:00.001-05:00

Love her voice and I am a sucker for harmonicas (my dad plays one) and I love when a husband and wife can make such sweet music together! The words are so beautiful and true. Enjoy!

Happy Second Birthday Piper

2010-01-22T18:42:00.003-05:00

This little doggie has gotten a lot of face time on my blog lately. Can't help it, she's my friend. Today we celebrated her 2nd Birthday! Not that she had any idea what the day was. So we made her "pupcakes" for her big day.

They are peanut butter and carrot pupcakes(however I didn't have carrots). Frosted with a bit of cream cheese and more peanut butter.

She had one and my hubbys dog Bain had one(they are best buds) and we took two next door for her walking partners, Cody and Riley.

Needless to say, they were a hit. She licked the plate clean, and the floor and anything else she thought might have peanut butter on it.

**Of course we had to take Birthday portraits

One of Those Days

2010-01-20T14:56:00.004-05:00

**this photo has nothing to do with my post, just hate not having a photo to share

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like you should just crawl back in bed until it is over?? Well that has been today for me. I got up early to try a new class at the Y. I got there with plenty of time to spare, kids in the child watch area and ready to go. Only I walk into the fitness room to find out there is no room left....How early should I get there to be able to get a spot?? I envision a mad dash through the doors once the class ahead has finished. I was discouraged to say the least cause I was really looking forward to it. You see my hubby is away on a trip for the week and I had a terrible night of sleep. A keep the light on cause you are scared of the dark and are having anxiety kind of night. So thinking I would make a better start to the day I got up for the gym...fast forward to not being aloud to take the class I was pretty upset. So I go to the weight room only to feel very intimidated by all the large men walking around and the gong ho cardio machine users and I meekly turned and went out to gather my kids.

Okay so the gym wasn't going to work, no big deal, I'll roll with the punches. I had some errands to run anyways. I go to the homeschool bookstore to purchase the next set of books in the explode the code series for Keegan only to realize they don't open until 12, it is 10. Okay I need to go to Target so I'll do that first. Only to get to Target to find they are out of the two things of makeup I need. I get pull ups and a few items for the kids co op bags and leave. Go back to the homeschool store and wait a half hour for them to open. Go inside go straight to the section of XTC to find they too are out of what books I needed for Keegan.

I give up go home order the books on line, pay bills and now am sitting here writing this. Praise the Lord I am able to laugh at it or so help me I would cry.

Christmas Photo 2009

2010-01-18T08:11:00.003-05:00

This is the photo that I sent as our Christmas card. I love this photo, well except that the chilazion on Tripps eye was at its peak. I am going to try and find a reasonable company to put it on canvas so I can hang it proud on our wall. I love the fact that I take my own photos, me a tripod and the self timer button. It is all so much more relaxed cause we don't feel like we are performing for someone. Amazingly it looks as if we are all looking at the same thing! Anyway....if you did not receive a card from me please know I was thinking of you!

Love

Lisa

What's Going On Around My House

2010-01-10T15:45:00.002-05:00

I am working on this blanket using fun bright colors to put in my Lil' Lemondrop

I found this boy asleep on the steps a half hour after I sent him up for his nap. Guess this is all the farther he could make it. He was up until almost midnight "rearranging" the dresser in his room, and we did go swimming for a half hour in warm water at the Y after church this morning. I guess it did him in :)

And this girl dressing like a princess and trying to play cats cradle on her own even though I told her it was for two people.

I am also making a couple loaves of bread from a new recipe, I will post pictures if it turns out. Okay my timer just went off, I must go and knead the bread some more!!

I hope you all are having a great Sunday :)

New Year New Start

2010-01-06T15:31:00.005-05:00

Well hello friends. I took a small break after Christmas, mainly because I really didn't have much to say. We are well started into the new year and I have determined to make a fresh start of things. No resolutions, just refocusing. I have joined my local Y. I am giving myself 3 months, if I don't use it regularly (I am aiming for 3 days a week) then I will drop my membership. On monday school will resume, and I am hoping for a bit of a fire to be lit not just in me but the kids.

Homeschool moms please tell me I am not the only one that wakes up some days and wanders why in the world I don't just put those kids on the bus?! So many days I love homeschooling but when you hit that wall it is such a struggle,ya know??

Other things I am looking forward to in the new year?! I am beginning to plan a small road trip for me and the kids and the Wee Camper. I am hoping for some place warm and sunny. I do hate cold weather! Anyone live on the East Coast that reads my blog and has suggestions I would love to hear them :)

Here is something fun, my husband made a snow machine and has blown snow for my kids twice now. I know crazy, but that's what you do when you live in the South East and rarely see the stuff. I was raised in PA so I have had my fair share of snow days, my kids however have never even been sled riding. So we took it in our own hands to have some of the white stuff to play in. They think it is awesome and I am pretty impressed by my husband if I do say so myself.

**seriously how cute is he so proud of himself that he made snow ;)

We came home from church on Sunday to find my poor puppy was not her self. She had been squinting all morning and I thought nothing of it til we came home and she had green gook in her eye. So first thing Monday we took her to her Dr and she had an ulcer in her eye, so now she is on antibiotics to chase away the infection and clear up her eye. Poor thing she was shaking all night Sunday from the pain, I felt so bad for her. Good news she is on the mend and back to her old spunky self!

I hope everyone had a great Holiday!

Piper

2009-12-26T19:44:00.002-05:00

She should be white, after all she is a West Highland "WHITE" Terrier

*first pic the color she should be
**all the rest the color she is most of the time.....

Merry CHRISTmas

2009-12-25T18:50:00.007-05:00

The stockings were hung on the railing with care.

Santa had his cookie and left a "Thank You" note

They were a blur coming down the steps

I love matching PJs

Each taking their time opening gifts

Keegan so wanted an Indiana Jones hat, this is what we found

Tripp was so much fun this year

The sock monkeys I made for the kids were a hit (please note the Jones hat that he wore all day)

It was such a great and cozy day. We were exhausted from the last week of late nights, so the rest of the morning we napped on the couch.

Not too much rest for me though soon I needed to make dinner.

And here is a little gift I found on my film when I was uploading it. Just thought it was funny and would share.

My Hooks Are On FIRE!!!

2009-12-21T10:21:00.004-05:00

What I have been up until 1am crocheting the last few days. One down 2 to go!!

****how many days til Christmas?????

When No One is Looking

2009-12-14T18:09:00.003-05:00

When no one is looking this sweet faced boy goes from this:

To this:

That's right folks after spending the better part of the afternoon tidying his bedroom I went downstairs to make dinner. When I came back up to let them know it was ready this is what I found. That little stinker dumped almost and entire bottle of powder all over his train table and body! He walked over to his dresser and grabbed a wipe from the container and said "here mommy, here's a wipe". I then made him stand in the crime scene so I could take a photo........

But darn he is cute.......

Happy Cismas

2009-12-09T20:10:00.003-05:00

I have been a busy little elf trying my darnedest to get my crafts finished. I'm not doing bad.

I decided to also try and crochet a tree skirt in the midst of everything else. I am not going to kill myself though, if it gets finished this year great, otherwise there is always next year!

And finally here is a shot of the "Cismas" tree, as Tripp calls it, after he had his hand at decorating it. Thank goodness for shatter proof ornaments. Hmmmm bet you would never guess how tall he is....

I hope you and your family are having a great holiday season!

Newly Listed

2009-12-01T19:22:00.004-05:00

A fun little scarf for the cold weather I just listed in the shop.

Man I have really been enjoying crocheting lately. Quick little projects at night are so satisfying!

** In other news school has been going good here and the kids are still enjoying it. We have been doing school while listening to Christmas music. I am hoping to have "Christmas" (as Tripp calls anything decorated for Christmas) up around the house by the end of the weekend. Now if only we could get a week of snow the week before Christmas, that would be AWESOME!!

Thankfulness

2009-11-26T17:34:00.003-05:00

Today is a day to give thanks and all though I have so much to be thankful for I thought I would give you my short list.

**I am thankful for my friends who are more like family.

**I am thankful for my family and especially my kids.

**I am thankful for having this time with them while they are learning along side of me.

**Most importantly I am thankful to know the Good News of The Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross a sinless man so that my sins would be forgiven....That's pretty HUGE

--Lisa

The Last 8 Months

2009-11-22T23:44:00.006-05:00

There is still some work to be done. A little bit of painting that I didn't get to before we left PA and of course getting her decked out. But here is the progress from the last 8 months....

"lil' Lemondrop"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

Not bad for a dad and his daughter.........

This is not an end......it is just the beginning!!

Hold On To Your Seats......

2009-11-21T23:50:00.003-05:00

Yes all you blog followers the day has finally arrived..........

The lil' Lemondrop

has arrived home, slide show to follow in a day! Props to me for driving it the whole way home, 8hrs, 3 kids, 1 scruffy dog, and an awesome Dad for moral support. She is resting happily in my driveway tonight and I can't wait to doll her up finally.

Lisa

Prize

2009-11-15T08:22:00.003-05:00

I wanted to post a photo of the giveaway item. So here it is right before it was delivered to the lucky winner:

And here she is in her winnings...I "worked my magic" very little she is just that darn pretty......

I feel another give away coming soon....

Please Send a Boat.......

2009-11-12T14:42:00.004-05:00

.....and it's only getting worse!!!!!

Nothing at All

2009-11-10T01:41:00.002-05:00

Sometimes it's just better to say nothing at all.........

8 years ago

2009-11-07T16:58:00.003-05:00

.......today this little girl made me a Mommy. She amazed me then and continues to now. I have been blessed by my kids, I remind myself this often.

From my Birthday

2009-11-04T17:30:00.001-05:00

A super great friend knows me so well....

For the lil' Lemondrop :)

And the Winner is......

2009-11-03T07:16:00.004-05:00

ESSKLEIN...I'll be getting in touch with you for you to claim your prize..One catch you have to take a picture of it on you and email it to me so I can post it here :)
Thanks for all the lovely Birthday wishes, it was a great day. I had a lot of fun doing a give away......more might follow!!

And this is the hat the names were pulled from. I just made it for Keegan and he loves it!

32 Years......

2009-11-02T17:02:00.003-05:00

**Give away now closed. Comments still welcomed.

"Through The Years"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

***Bonus: You have until Midnight your time tonight to post on this post or the previous one to be entered in a mystery crochet item give away. The number will be pulled from a hat by my lovely assistant Avery.....Good Luck!!

Birthday and Give Away

2009-11-02T11:17:00.001-05:00

It's my birthday today.....a slide show will soon follow.
***Bonus: You have until Midnight your time tonight to post on this post or the one to follow to be entered in a mystery crochet item give away. The number will be pulled from a hat by my lovely assistant Avery.....Good Luck!!

My Friends Rock

2009-10-30T14:11:00.004-04:00

I needed a few more photos taken for a new listing I am putting in my shop. My girlfriend LeAnne took the ones of my cuff bracelets and today I called on Sonya.

Making her debut on my blog.....Sonya!! They turned out great, thanks for helping me out :)

**"friend" photo by Avery

Just Listed

2009-10-28T14:27:00.002-04:00

I just listed this in my Etsy shop. More colors to come and other items. After 2 years of having an etsy shop I have actually posted something. It was a scary step for me!!

Things I Learned Camping

2009-10-26T07:45:00.006-04:00

It was his birthday and he had a blast!! The question who ate who?
Things moved quickly from this

To this.....The smoke from the campfire was unyielding and the wind was relentless. This made for a not so fun campfire experience.
This girl had soccer on Sat morning and she made a goal(well she always makes a goal) and she loves camping
Please notice the boy in the green shirt in the tree....why yes that is Keegan in a tree again. I swear he should have been a monkey. The kid without the shirt is not mine, but a friend.
Piper had to be embarrassed and wear those booties that you see lying there in the photo. The sand spurs were TERRIBLE they alone have made me never want to camp at this state park again.
After a HOT Friday night and Saturday afternoon we woke up to a windy cold Sunday. These are the friends we went with, and Avery.

Lesson 1: Never camp at fIrst LanDing state park again, unless we have no kids or animals along.
Lesson 2: Never camp again with out the Lil' Lemondrop, does this really need an explanation??????
Lesson 3: Refer back to 1 and 2.
Lesson 4: Make sure everyone is on the same page as you when it comes to cooking and being prepared......

Other than that there were memories made and some fun times had. Oh yeah one thing on the plus side, the shower rooms were nice so I give them an A+

***Delena Thank you so much for my lovely surprise in the mail. Your kind words were much needed and appreciated more than you will ever know!!!

What I've Always Wanted

2009-10-21T08:07:00.006-04:00

Here is just one more thing that I would love to sit next to my vintage camper. It even comes in pink!!! It would be an awesome birthday gift, any takers???

Second Wind

2009-10-18T23:53:00.004-04:00

For the last month or so things haven't been the greatest for me. I have had a lot to deal with internally. I am still prayerfully dealing with these private matters, but in the mean time I have finally caught my second wind. I have allowed school to slack just getting by doing math and spelling most days, but no more. Tomorrow I will be going at it head first. I need to start putting the pieces back together so my life is something that I recognize. The rest I am leaving to the Lord to get back on track. I thank Him daily for the great friends(who have become my family)that I have to lean on and listen and care so big it makes me emotional to think about. I am so glad I serve and awesome God whom I can run to in all the peaks and valleys of my life. It is truly humbling to know His love and understanding never ceases!!!

For a Friend

2009-10-16T10:47:00.002-04:00

My latest crochet project for Margaret.

Pattern from www.ravelry.com, I did alter the pattern a bit to fit better.

This Ones For YOU Fairmaiden:)

2009-10-13T21:57:00.003-04:00

A side by side of me and my mom. Although my dad would like nothing more than for one of us to look like him, we all seem to resemble my mom. With the exception of my freckles....those I get from my Daddy!!!