Making Memories, It's Sophie Bear's Birthday

It came again. Another birthday for Sophie. I keep telling my kids that, Nope, you aren't allowed to turn another year older, and then they go and do it anyway.

I have no other way to say it. I love this girl so much.

Very early morning, and all who were up were tucked in, watching PBS kids.

It was cold, and Gram's love blankets warmed them.

We thought the kiddos would enjoy a trip to the city to the state museum. We have so many fond memories of going with the big guys when they were young. It was an inexpensive, fun way to spend time together on nippy days. So much to see. Jake, the younger crew, Daddy and me, packed up and headed east.

I just-so-happened to notice a bald eagle in the trees above a small body of water. You'll have to click to get a good look. Of all days. Veteran's Day. What a gift.

The truckload of country bumpkins, aka, well, me, squealed and oohed and awwed when the Capital's buildings came into sight. So much creativity in design and architecture. I REALLY love it. The other notewothy buildings are in my mind's eye. But they are like a painting against the sky.

The kids want to go back here. Maybe we'll catch a play this spring.

Through the tunnel.

And to the museum. We were warmly greeted by the front desk...and a yelling lady in the parking lot. But that's a story for another time.

Two strollers, Jake, Jeremy, little crew, and I were off on museum explorations. We took so many pictures. It was just fun. Really and truly. The kids loved many of the exhibits.

Jake was a great teacher.

Sophie trying out the longhouse bed.

Dr. Jake, future wildlife biologist, or something like that.

Can you guess what they see?

waiting....

The Carousel.

Home to a home decorated with streamers and balloons by Cotter, purple frosted chocolate cake by Hannah. Chicken nuggets, home fries by her request.

Presented with a box of candy by Bannon and Abby. See their excitement.

Maama and Poppy came by with specialty gifts for a little girl who loves to cook. Phone calls, and a visit with cousins.

And I think she said it three times.

"This is the best birthday ever."

What's Really Important to Me

Last night, when Jeremy came home I finished putting the bread dough for feather loaves in the oven. He grabbed a little of this and that and whipped us up some very yummy hummus. The little guys got into their jammies and lent a hand. Everyone sampled some, and overall it was a big hit!

This morning while I was doing dishes and folding laundry, some loud music began downstairs.


And it was loud, let me tell you.

A little one left out of a card game came up to me with the fingerpaints, Please Mama, paint? An art extravaganza with lots of creative smushing and painting resulted. Who can resist this? Who can resist the satisfied smiles? Who can resist the gifts?

More leaf collections gathered and searched for, presented with fanfare, received with a smile and appreciation.
Puzzles to practice math.
Sweeping to help out
while pudding is being stirred for teatime.

And then the bigger-people-troop come through the door, and some are off to football, one gets together with a friend, and little folk chase the bigger folk and watch a little television.

That's it and a whole lot more. :) But, I love it! As crazy-busy as it can get. I love it!

Seeing the World

"French chickens lay elegant eggs-and you want only the finest ingredients for your pie." ~How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World Marjorie Priceman

Sometimes, I need perspective fixing. Does that ever happen to you?

Messes become blessed when I remember life passes quickly, and little feet grow into size 12.

A pile of papers that are on the clip because the tape is lost, ends up holding a present right on the top that makes my heart sing every time I open the fridge door.

I have more peace when I cast all my stresses into the Arms Everlasting, and leave them there.

Arms Everlasting have the anwers I need. And if my faith is but the size of a mustard seed, that faith is enough receive the freshest wisdom and answers that I could never make up on my own.

Color

This picture has a title called "Bella Doesn't Eat the Crayons"

"I found the macaroni and cheese!" ~a Crayola color discovered by Bannon

*Thank you to Jeremy who entertained the kids while I peeled the potatoes.*

A Homeschool Mama's Journal

We finished House at Pooh Corner last week. Bannon has done math, journaling, and copywork every day as well. Apples that have soaked in lemon juice and salt are now in the process of drying out for another 2 weeks so we can turn them into dolls. Abby has been sounding out her first words, trying out vibrato as she sings, and making up all sorts of hums, as now a friend of Pooh understands. We've collected some heartwarming booklets that I've tucked away for keeping.

All spare minutes are spent running down to keep the laundry going. The leaves fall in beautiful ways. So much so, yesterday it looked like (to quote Bannon and friend Dan) it was snowing leaves. David Nevue on the Pandora accompanies our days. Dinnertime is really my favorite time of day because it is dark early and whether we are having eggs or roast, I cherish the time we sit together and share food and hearts. Bella is, for sure, needing some extra attention right now. She is 2, and living it up :) Bedtime and mealtime and everytime of the day she and we are needing to figure out how to survive and thrive with the noise of a spunky 2 year old.

But back to Pooh. I cried at the end. Not weep, just teary. Christopher Robin grows up and takes along pooh to try and tell him. He never really gets Pooh to understand. But I saw that they were going to be friends in Christopher Robin's heart for as long as Christopher Robin was Christopher Robin. I understand Christopher Robin....and even Pooh's cloudyness :)

I love and appreciate the time my children are here round and about as much as I sigh and roll my eyes at the never ending noise. I really do. Now off to snuggle the teething baby.

He Holds Everything Together

*All pictures by Hannah who took an afternoon walk with the girls

"Taste and see God's goodness; take notice of it, and take the comfort of it. He makes all truly blessed that trust in him." ~Matthew Henry

"Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise his Name, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love. " ~Robert Robinson

This Fall's Bounty

~New plants shared by a friend, and bulbs from my Dad are planted in the ground.

~Jeremy's clearing the woods. Cutting wood for our winter's need. Cups of tea, cups of cocoa, cups of coffee. Chowder. Bread. Too many spider webs for me to keep up with. Laundry piles. A home to care for, to share with others.

~World Series on the television that I finally enjoy the sound of.

~The wisdom and humility in older women

~A large leaf
a pile of new books from my mother in law
a telescope
innocently piled
innocently gathered
tools of the 7 year old scholar

~ the yard and the padding of feet, the toss of a ball. The knowledge that brothers can be friends.

~a grape wreath begun by my Mom's thoughtfulness, embellished with the fruit of the woods by Jeremy just because he loves me

~Sophie making snacks for the kiddos on the floor in the living room. Watching It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown in their jammies.

~Early mornings, where the Holy Spirit waits for me as I turn my heart's direction. And He's there. Every time.

~Answered prayer. It never gets old to see even small miracles.

~Joy, because I delight in Him.