Thursday, November 26, 2015

Thankful

for:
the God of the universe
my husband who loves me
Katie's humor
Gabby's giggle
Nate's patience
Ellie's growing vocabulary
getting to review two books before they launch
the girl's AHG troop
a beautiful house
food in our bellies and the pantry
clean water at the turn of a knob
a computer and Internet to stay in touch with friends, old and new
a washer and dryer in my home
sunshine
our church
friends to drop by and visit
extended family that love us



Happy Thanksgiving!



Friday, November 20, 2015

Operation Christmas Child


It is Operation Christmas Child collection week!  The girls' AHG troop filled boxes (and my trunk) to overfull again this year.  We were able to drop them off earlier this week.  That is always so fun to do.

If you don't know about OCC and Samaritan's Purse, you can learn more here.  OCC is a really wonderful ministry specifically aimed at the the children of the world.  It is also fun for kids because they can, with a little guidance about what is best to send, choose items to send to a child like themselves.

Samaritan's Purse heads up many, many relief efforts during the year too, far beyond shoe boxes.  They are on the front lines of the refuge crisis--distributing backpacks full of supplies to those in need.  They work in medical missions, disaster relief (here and abroad), and share the love of Jesus in real, tangible ways.


Monday, November 16, 2015

Picture Books

According to Kate these are the best picture books:

Amelia Bedilia
Busy Town
Someday
Tales of Peter Rabbit
Fairy Tales
The Little Engine that Could
My Little Golden Book About God
You are Special
Pumpkin Soup
The Velveteen Rabbit


Friday, November 13, 2015

SIX

Six years ago, on a beautiful Friday the 13th, this little man joined our household.

 He is thoughtful,

 fun,

 and funny.

He's learning to read, write, and do math;
tuck in his pockets and take care of some household chores.

I can't believe he is already six!  He is a great brother.  He adores Ellie and is patient with all the activities he has to tag along with the older girls.

We're looking forward to seeing the young man you become.

Monday, November 9, 2015

Books for children

According to Kate:

Harry Potter books
The Chronicles of Narnia
Anne of Green Gables
The Hunch Back of Notre Dame
Ella Enchanted
The Railway Children
Little Women
Little Men
Little Pilgrims Progress
The Little Princess
Bridge to Teribithia
The Complete Works of Shakespeare
The Witches
Treasure Hunters
The Shakespeare Stealer
Shakespeare's Scribe
The Little House books
The Rose Wilder Lane books

Friday, November 6, 2015

Friday Funnies

Ellie to Nate: Mommmy!!!
Nate: I'm not Mommy.
Ellie: Mommmmmy!!!
Nate: You are dishonoring me!  I am a man!

By the way, I believe that mommy means more food these days.

*     *     *     *     *

Ellie: Keys! (pointing to Justin's pocket knife)
Justin: No, my pocket knife.
Ellie: And keys!

Monday, November 2, 2015

Room Re-Do (The Little Girls)

A few months back, a couple of friends were planning a move.  They gave us a set of bunk beds.  This encouraged us to spend some time rearranging!

 The first room we worked on was for the younger two girls, so here it is!


When we moved in, several years ago, this room was this medium to light blue.  I hung a transportation themed border and valance along with a Noah's ark puzzle.  Nate was still using the crib at the time, and it has never been taken from this room, even after he grew out of it, before we had Ellie.  It has looked the same the past couple of years as he and Ellie shared.

We painted it a soft baby blue.

Each girl has her own white dresser.  They also have shelves to keep their pretty little things, like the Precious Moments figurines, that their Aunt Holly gives them every year.

On the left, we have Gabby's laundry hamper.  On the far right there are baskets were I keep diapers, wipes, and crib bedding.

The crib is still there for now, but there will be a nice open space for them eventually.

Gabby's bunk has a quilt I made her.  It also has a small shelf (an Ikea spice rack) for keeping her Bible, a flashlight, and small books up out of Ellie's reach.  The toy hammock was a gift for her birthday.

The bottom bunk is currently made up with a quilt that my Grannie made for me when I was a little girl.