Saturday, December 31, 2011

2012 Here We Go!

2011 has held many emotions, heartache, joy, and blessings. May the ones I love be blessed in 2012. May Ruby be ours in 2012. May our marriage be stronger, our family be closer, our parents be well, and our kids be kids in 2012. So many dreams and wishes for the coming year...mostly, though, may God be glorified in my life, my marriage, my friendships, my family, and my children. I am so thankful for a new page and chapter. ♥
I am really hoping to get back to blogging. I miss it like CRAZY...not just reading, but writing.
There are lots of changes ahead, including working my allotted time, and I'm hoping this will bring about a sense of balance in life.
Here's to 2012 and all the moments that lie therein.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Where I've Been...

 So I promise I haven't dropped off the face of the planet. I really do hope to really get back into the blogosphere very shortly.

This...



is where I've been.

We call her Ruby Grace. She came very quickly (we had less than 24 hour notice). And she has changed the course of our lives. I would say God has a sense of humor, but the reality is...I've been praying for a baby for the longest time. Little did I know she would come as our adopted son's birth sister and that she would quietly sweep into our hearts and lives and radically change everything.

This certainly isn't how we planned it. But what in life is, right?

All this to say: I miss you. I miss blogging. I miss reading blogs and keeping up with all these random strangers. I will be back. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Because to be quite honest...I feel like I'm going to come OUT OF MY SKIN if I don't get to do a crafty project ASAP.

Anyway - we would appreciate any prayers as we learn to function in a purely chaotic state.

XOXOXOX jos

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Susie-Home-Maker...NOT

So...I'm getting ready to crush some of you. I mean, really.

I have good intentions, I really do. But I just can't seem to do it.

Do what, you ask?

Be a good Susie-Home-Maker.

Now, to be quite honest up front, the measuring stick with which I measure is P.R.E.T.T.Y. big. My Marmi Jo-jo is an UH-MAZING housekeeper. A perfect blend of Susie (HomeMaker), Betty (Crocker), and Martha (Stewart). No really. This woman is just...someone I can only attain to be.

When I was teaching (pre-kid), I thought I was struggling because I was busy. Especially those first 2 years...man, I spent a LOT of time in the classroom. There was rarely energy left for cleaning/cooking/picking up/straightening/being a good home maker. So I rarely did.

Then we bought a house. It had 2 more rooms than the past house (that I had already struggled to keep up with). Not to mention a yard, etc. So...Uhhhhh....Not sure why I thought "maybe here I will do well." Nope.

Then we got a dog. Love him to pieces. Don't even GET me started on the mess they make, smell they make, etc. (And mine even does his business outside! He's just a stink-er!)

Then we got a 4 year old. Oh, brother. Again...love him to pieces. Can't live without him (literally...don't think I could.) Can't BELIEVE the mess he makes. Every. Waking. Hour. {Though to be quite honest, I am trying to teach him to clean up after himself. 1.5 years later, he's not doing too bad.}

{Now, in case you're wondering...this post is not JUST about how I suck at being a house keeper.}

I've tried everything:
  • Daily Cleaning Lists/Chores - Woops! I'd go days without looking at it.
  • Fly Lady - she's neat, she really is. Just can't keep up.
  • Weekend Cleaning - nope...doesn't work
  • Week Night Cleaning  - refer to the above comment
  • Split Cleaning - The Mister & I will split chores and take responsibility for only those chores. He quit that after there wasn't a clean towel (in the whole house)...Not to mention other things that are quite necessary.
All this to give encouragement to a few of you out there who secretly are not the best @ this ever-loving, never-ending job.

I found something that works!

 

Yup. It's an egg timer. I make a list of areas that need to be cleaned up (usually ALL of them). I split time up (usually 10-15-20 minutes). Set the timer. Give myself a few 5 minute internet breaks (because I'm severely addicted...maybe THAT'S why I stink at this). And work my way down the list. It makes it fun, quick, and I end up trying to beat the timer. After all, if the bathroom gets cleaned up before the 10 minutes is up, I can have a few free minutes on Blogger....so...ya know...it's worth it.

That's what I've been doing the past hour. Beating the clock. And 1 hour went by VERY fast, yet I got a LOT done.

Off to see if I can get dishes AND laundry done in 10 minutes flat...

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

First Day of School Blues...

I used to be on the other side of the door.

As the teacher, I pried children off parents, telling them they will be just fine and will have a great day. "You just wait and see," I would say. I saw mom's break down, drop & run, snoop (stick around much longer than needed), and I saw my share of silent tears, as well.

I didn't think I'd struggle. I've been needing a "break." Working and being mom and trying to balance hasn't been working terribly well (yet), mostly because he has to be there. {Try being productive with a hyper-active 5 year old on your heels...it's NUTS!} Add to our crazy equation...a week stretch where Daddy has to work a LOT extra. Not only did D struggle with that, so did Momma. I needed a break.

My Mister is so good about giving me a break when I need one (if he's able). And so I got several breaks this weekend.

But then this morning, as we walked to school, I was chastising myself. I should have enjoyed a few more summer hours with my sweet boy before shipping him off for 7 hours a day. I coulda just waited for my 7 hour break. And then reality hit me that I am not going to be there all day with him. Every day. For, like, 180some days.


180 days of not knowing what he REALLY eats for lunch.
180 days of wondering if he's going to break a limb (for he's not only accident-proned, but also just quick to action, slow to think.)
180 days of hoping and praying that he's standing up for those being bullied.
180 days of praying that he's not BEING bullied (or being the bullier, too, I suppose).
180 days of someone else calming his fears and insecurities for those hours in the day.
180 days of someone else seeing his lightbulb go off and watching him learn new things.

Ugh. I've never quite felt like this before. Now, more than ever, I want to spend every minute with him, soaking up his sweetness and hilarity. And so I did. After school. We were quite inseparable for those 5 short hours together. How fair is that?! (Not at all.)

I'm not one to worry. I don't really believe in worrying, and those who worry REALLY bother me. But I'm not gonna lie...in those 15-20 (possibly 30) minutes where I was having a breakdown once we got home, I mighta been a bit of a worrier. God & my Mister calmed my fears and my unknowns {and truth be told, my lack of control}.


And now, here I am. Wide awake (since I slept for many hours today) and wishing my D was awake with me. I can't wait to see him tomorrow.



A chuckle worthy moment from this past week.
Me: "Sweet D, I'm gonna miss you. You're going to be at school for a long time. What am I gonna do without you?" D: "It okay, Mom. I won't miss you. I be having fun at sool." {At least he's honest. And excited about school. I love that.}



 

Can you tell he's excited to be there?!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Fabulous Food Friday: Sweet, Sweet Strawberries

When I was teaching, we had Fabulous Food Fridays in our classroom. Every Friday a.m., we would make something fun together. Do you know, my first year instituting this, only 3 out of TWENTY 3, 4, and 5 year olds had ever MADE J-E-L-L-O with their parents. Really, parents?

Baking/cooking/making with your children is one of the most enriching things you can do! I'm not talking big stuff. No grand meals served here in the Keathley Homestead.

But most meals are made with my 5 year old. We have some of our best and coolest conversations in the kitchen. We each wear aprons. Lil' D is the Master of the KitchenAid...I taught him how to be gentle with our precious beast, and he even helps me make bread.

Today I thought I'd share one of my favorite fruits. My little man can eat a pint of these in one sitting. I love eating them whole, but my Marmi always sliced them to make them go further (in my family of 6). This is a variation of how she did it.

 

It's simple. Start with a quart of strawberries. Rinse and wash thoroughly but gently. Take tops off (with your preferred method).

My mom would then take each individual strawberry and carefully slice with her Cutco knife....have y'all every USED a Cutco knife? Yea....THAT'S a good way to lose a finger.

Being that I'm lazy I like to save time and energy in the kitchen, I thought I would try something...the food processor. It has a slice method. Surely it would work!


And it does! This is my preferred method. Little D's job is to put said strawberries in the hatch for the processor and turn it on. Then we sprinkle just a tad bit of Splenda on top. Refrigerate for yummy juices and whatnot.

This also freezes well in cottage cheese or cool whip containers. If I'm going to freeze a batch, I try to put a little "Fresh Fruit" on it...not sure what all it is, but keeps it nice and red when it thaws out. Otherwise, it's kinda...brownish-reddish. Fresh Fruit can be found in the jello aisle usually on the top shelf (FYI).

Enjoy! (And cook with your children for goodness sakes!)

Monday, June 27, 2011

At the Cross...

Ever have one of those days? It's been a rough one around the Keathley Homestead. {Good, but rough. Is that possible?} We had many ups and a few downs, but in general, I was just in a "funk."

Ever have one of those songs? A song that puts your mind so much on the right things that it just turns everything around? Enter this song.

I remember it from when a group from Olivet came to sing at my church a year or so ago. It touched me so very deeply then. I listened to it over and over, but then couldn't find it again before buying.

Be assured. It is now on my iPod Praise playlist.

A friend put it on Facebook tonight, and I've just had the greatest "God time" tonight right her in my office/craft room. There is clutter and chaos all around me and a million things to do...But "at the cross I bow my knee, there's no greater love than this...what can seperate me now?"

Ah-mazing. {Seriously. You should listen to it.}

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day!

Those of you who know me know that I am abundantly blessed. I have so many men in my life that have been loving and influential. This is my Father's Day tribute to 3 of my favorites:

Grandpa Ken


I may or may not have a slight reputation for being "Grandpa's girl." We might even have a song to go with that name. This gentle, genius of a quiet man has loved me through and through. He's a craftsman...building furniture with timeless style, never leaving out small details that make it priceless. I have a coffee table he once made for my great grandmother that is solely made out of levels. Seriously. It's classy, functional, and so very special to me.

We have spent countless hours on the porch swing at the Schooner house. Sometimes we swung; sometimes we were still. Sometimes we talked/sang; sometimes we were silent. Sometimes he had his arm around me; sometimes we held hands. But we always went there. We listened to "country life" out there - dogs barking, birds chirping, horses neighing...and it was divine. I miss that house. I am thankful that I do have the porch swing for the sweet day that I have a porch I can hang it on. I am positive that I will always think of him when I sit on it.

Thank you, Grandpa, for loving me so much. Thanks for the time you invested in me, and thank you for instilling in me a love for silence - which often goes against all of me. It is growing to be one of the things I crave for as an adult...silence. I miss you & wish I could see you more often. I love you always.

Daddy


I haven't always appreciated my sweet Daddy - probably not until I was 17 or 18. But this man...loves God to his core, longs to bring people to Christ, and loves his family deeply. He is Christ-like when there aren't many men out there who are. He is the prime example of a love that sacrifices for my mom. He would literally do anything for her, and is quite crazy about her.


He was tough when he needed to be, soft when he needed to be, and shared with me a love for connecting God's word to my every day life. Sometimes I still call him to see what his perspective is on a particular passage of scripture. He is my advice-giver...I rarely do much without his wisdom and prayers being involved. I am proud to say he is my friend, and I love this man to pieces!


Daddy - thank you for loving me in my most unlovable moments. Thank you for choosing me, not knowing exactly how God planned our life. Thank you for hours of conversation, be it silly or serious. {And thank you, especially, for the talking billfold...which will ALWAYS make me laugh.}

My True Love


When we first started dating, he balked when we sat near kids at a restaurant. They were too noisy, he would say. {To be quite frank, as a giant kid-lover, I wasn't sure how we were going to work out.} However, during a family trip, it was my 9 month old nephew, Isaiah, who changed the heart of my {now} big, smooshy, silly, loveable, kid-friendly teddy bear of a husband.


When there were concerns that adoption may be something that only I wanted to do, I struggled with the possibility of that. Enter in my brown-eyed boy, who has changed all of us {and really anyone that has come in contact with him}. One of the things I love about adoption is how God uses it to change us. It's not just the child that receives a blessing.


Now, he is my rock. He is the one who keeps me laughing when I feel like crying. He supports anything and everything I want to do {even my crafting obsession}. He challenges me. He encourages me. He helps me see when I'm over the top, and also when I need to push a little harder.


Little D wants to be just like him. If Daddy wears sandals, so does D. If Daddy wears an undershirt, so does D. If Daddy loves BBQ, so does D. They are pretty much inseparable when Daddy is home from work.


To my Mister - I have loved you these past 5 years, but my love grows as I watch you with Dillon. You are fair and fun; appropriate and loving. And he wants to be just like you - which is pretty much the best example of what a great Dad you are. Happy Daddy's Day, my love. I can't wait to grow our family with you!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Show 'N Tell: A Summer of Fun

If you're an addicted avid blogger like me, you already know that the Summer To Do List is all the rage.

I love, love, LOVE the idea and have made ours. We worked on it all day, but I did finish it (and it's only 7 after midnight!). Here are my inspirations: Home Stories A2Z, Clean Mama, & East Coast Mommy. You won't believe the inspiration you get from other's great ideas all fleshed out! You should totally go check out these three great ideas!

I just made it my own after stealing borrowing some of their ideas, plus things my little brown-eyed boy thought up!



First, compile your list. This took us a long time. We are both, however, complete spazzes (is that even a word?!)


 Cut our your lists into little strips. We printed ours on super cute (coordinating) paper. I know...I'm a total geek. {Also - how did I talk D into purple, gray, and green?! I don't know, but I love it!}


Modge 'em onto leftover Crystal Light containers. {I may or may not have an endless supply of these. I think I might drink a gallon a day.}


 Print cute labels on more coordinating paper and apply. See below.



Super cute, easy, cheap {in my case, FREE!}, and I think it will help us to do different things this summer and keep us on our toes! No one wants a boring summer when one can have a Summer of Fun!

I know, right?! AH.Mazing! ;-)

What's on YOUR Summer of Fun checklist?? {Official or not...I wanna know so I can steal it from you give you a virtual high five!}

Linking up with:
Funky Polkadot Giraffe: Too Cute Tuesdays
Not Just a Housewife: Show Me What Ya Got
Sweet Peas & Bumblebees: What I Made Wednesday
Night Owl Crafting: Hoooo's Got Talent?
Hookin' Up with HoH #52

Saturday, June 4, 2011

DIY: Flippity Flops

In the spirit of summer, I thought I would post my new favorite flips!


We made these at a Family Fun Night at the end of the school year {I know, I know...I'm catching up, slowly and surely}.

All you need are some strips of fabric (1"x6") and a cheap-o pair of flops in any color you desire.

{Can you tell I adore the cute green flowered one!?}

I love them b/c they are easy to make and totally fun to look at {not to mention CHEAP}! They dress my ugly feet up just nicely!

{Probably could have done without this picture. Please excuse my "tankles" and the incredible need for a pedicure.}

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Not Guilty...

Our kids can bring out the best in us.
And oh, boy, can they bring out the worst.

I feel like my lil' D can, with simple actions, take me from laughing to anger in 3 seconds flat.

Seriously.

In our Growing Kids God's Way parenting SS class, we are looking at a child's conscience. It's interesting the way God made us. It's also scary the job that we have in forming our child's conscience. It's a big job.

I do not want my little man to be good to just simply please me, which I believe is the phase he is going through now. He is so good. Really. He's a doll. But I do believe he might turn into a little monster when I'm not around, which is evidence for my aforementioned statement. The goal, ultimately, would be to foster a conscience that is Christ-like: others-minded and self-controlled.

I also don't want him to be good out of guilt. I do not think that guilt is a good emotion to have. It is as unhealthy as it gets. To do something for fear of what another might think/do is just...probably how I live my life sometimes. But I don't want to. And I certainly don't want that for my child. How do I...not pass this on to him?

This whole discipline thing can be done so wrongly {and so quickly, depending on your temperament}. I do not want my child to fear me...be scared of me. I simply long for him to mind, even if it doesn't make sense or he doesn't want to.

{I wonder if that's how God feels about me and my wayward, selfish spirit.}

Speaking of the greatest Father of all...what a blessing that we have His ultimate example to lead us. If we are not in the Word, we may not see it. We might just miss out on great parenting advices and examples. But tonight, I ran into this which made me think about our child's conscience:

"...do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" {Romans 2:4}


The section is on judgements. And what I really want to grow in my brown-eyed boy is a sense of right and wrong, along with the desire to do the right thing in his core. I can't make him do right. I kinda can right now with all the nudging, coaching, discussing of decisions. But what about when he's 12? 18? 21? 29?

And the truth is, as stated in the passage above - God's kindness is used to lead us to repentance. 

It isn't a fear of Him {though that is there}.
It isn't the judgements other people will give me. That's pretty pointless in life.
It isn't the fear of Hell {not that I wanna go there, though}.
It isn't out of an unhealthy guilt {that might be there even when you're doing right}.


It's His love. His kindness. His gentleness. The way He stops everything to look for the 1 lost sheep, throws it over his shoulders and throws a party when He finds it {see Luke 15:1-7}. It's the sacrifice that He gave for little ol' me and my bad choices.


Now...how do I relay that to my 5 year old? How do you discipline with such love, kindness, grace, and gentleness as displayed by the Father?


Deep thoughts for a Sunday night...I leave you with this:


{really...does it GET much better than this?!}

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Show 'N Tell: Caddy Make-over

This is the story of Belle's caddy.

Please note: none of the crafts I do are hard. But most of them are cute (and cheap).

Another note: none of my ideas are original...too bad, cuz I'm sure I could come up with some cool ideas with lots of time and an extended amount of cash flow.

Back to Belle's caddy...



I'm not gonna knock on whoever created this or bought it, but it is NOT pretty. I believe it is a hallmark brand. Really sturdy. Very smooth. But really? A painted on hankerchief? {Things that make you go "hmmmm"}

Read a bunch of blogs about "upcycling" and redecorating and giving new purpose to things. Who can't use another caddy? Hello, easy and simple organization {helps if it's cute, too!}.

Add a couple layers of this pretty gray paint - not too shabby...



Then add a few sheets of this adorable crackled paper with the ever popular Mod Podge, and wa-la! Beautimous!



 Total cost of this project: less than $1 (I think I had to buy the paper...I let her pick it out) {Sa-weet!}

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

My Constant...

Okay - so I didn't really go MIA. Really! I promise.

Life has been so hectic that - {gasp!} - I haven't even logged on to blogger in quite some time! For an addict, I'm tellin' ya...this is a big deal. I just had to let one of my plates drop...and I knew this would still be here when I got back.

I also learned something great: life goes on if I miss a few days (or weeks) in BlogLand. Really, it does!

On to the topic at hand - my constant. A few things you should know: 1) I am in LOVE with Francesca Battistelli's voice. 2) I also love that she writes most of her stuff. 3) I loved this song {Constant} the minute I heard it...and then my soul started needing it. I'll explain.

Here I am sailing along life's way, minding my own business (as much as possible), and BAM - God puts an issue on my heart. It gets heavier and heavier. He uses people, songs, scripture, sermons, and (even) blogs to get my attention, turning me ever towards His will and way, not mine.

And His will and way is starting to get uncomfortable.

I'm a teacher...trained for itty bittys, and I love that. I love teaching, I love itty bittys (people, that is), and I certainly love teaching itty bittys. They love you if you have a smile on your face. Actually, they love you if you are a person in their space/world. They're forgiving and happy and creative and funny and...well, just think of your favorite itty bitty....you know what I'm saying.

Suddenly an opportunity opens up to be "interim" children's director/pastor (whatever you wanna call it), and it starts to make sense - this "issue" that has been placed on my heart. So I apply...I go for it...just to see what happens.

Tonight was my first night on the job. It was fun & exhausting; entertaining & eye-opening. I could go on.

Point is: I'm in untreaded waters, here. This is not something that was on my 5 year plan {or my EVER plan, to be honest}. And yet, tonight, though I'm ready to rest, I have peace. And lots of ideas. And many prayers for sweet faces I met for the first time tonight.

I leave you with the song that I started this whole post about and named it for. Constant by Francesca Battistelli. I included a link for you to give a listen to if you'd like. Great song. Great truths in the song. Lyrics below:

I’m just a little bit afraid of where I’m going / And it feels like a hurricane is blowing over / Though I can’t find the ground below / I’ve lived enough to know / I’ve lived enough to know

You’re my constant in every moment / Constant / You’ve never failed me / All my life / You have never left my side / You are my constant

Okay I really don’t like change, but I can’t stop it / I’m moving forward anyway with the promise / You are the anchor for my soul / That’s all I need to know / That’s all I need to know

Before I was a thought on earth / You knew me then and You gave me worth / When all of this is said and done / You will be the One I’m standing on

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Show 'N Tell: Recipe Binder {FINALLY!}

Sorry for being MIA, folks. I promise, I'm going to try to come back, be it ever so slowly. Life has just...gotten in the way...although that's a weird way to put it. Maybe I should just say I've barely had time to log onto the computer in the past few weeks, let alone blog, read blogs, catch up with all that's going on.

Here's my latest project, though I have a few confessions.

1) I've been working on this since February. {Yes, I just said February!}
2) I hate it that sometimes it takes me months to finish a project.
3) I loved this project and have enjoyed every single moment I worked on it.

I wish I could take credit for this. And maybe I will {a little} because I did have one of these, it just wasn't as extensive or cute. And it didn't have all my recipes, which didn't help much.

Don't get me wrong. I still have my cutsie recipe box that houses most of my mom, auntie's, and gramma's favorite recipes {in their own handwriting! How special is that!?}. This is just a collection of my collection. You know...all those recipes I get from others, write down, get off-line, tear out from mags, etc. They were in ziploc bags, people. Gallon-size ziploc bags. Just sitting. Never even been looked through.

Until one day, Jen over at IHeart Organizing {who is fabulous, by the way}, sent out her monthly challenge (again, back in February) to help organize recipes. And though I would have liked to have completed it then, I'm happy with it now, too! I think I will send her an email so she can be proud of me, too!

Here are my sections {subsections will be noted}:
  • Appetizers
  • Bread
  • Breakfast
    • Muffins
  • Crock Pot
  • Dessert
    • Bars & Brownies
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Holiday
    • Pies
  • Main Dishes
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pasta
    • Pork
  • MISC.
    • Cooking Info
    • Recipes
  • Salads
  • Sides
  • Soups
Don't make fun of me that it's Alphabetical. I can't help myself.


Now for the pics!
 Found these at the clearance rack @ Wally World for a quarter each. I kid you not. I bought all 8 packs they had left. Who doesn't need dividers?!
 Oh my word. It's so cute!
 Yes, I used my label maker. It's the best way to label things if you ask me.
 These are the sub-categories. They're on top.
Ahhhhh....Project Complete!
Also - cost of project = less than $1.00 {I used 3.5 packages of the 25 cent dividers...everything else I had on hand..} In case you're wondering...I just patted myself on the back. Literally.

You'll have to excuse me, I am going, with great gusto, to mark this off my to do list. {And also look up and see if that last sentence is a run-on...I just hate run-on sentences.} Until next time...

P.S. - I'm linking up with:
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Skip To My Lou's Made By You Monday
Don't Waste Your Homemaking
Get Your Craft On 
Thrilling Thursday Linky Party 
Hookin' Up with HoHepworths
Delightfully Inspiring Linky Party 
Night Owl Crafting 
What I Made Wednesday 
Sundae Scoop Link Up Party @ I (heart) naptime
Friday Favorites @ Inspiring Creations 
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Hooooo Are You Tuesdays 6.0

I guess it's time for me to get back in the groove of blogging. I will blog more later about stuff that's been happening around here to make me disappear...

 
NightOwlCrafting



1. Do you plant a garden or flowers, or neither?
 I am supposed to landscape...I will get it done this year, but we'll just see how it looks. I do have one big planter that D & I will fill with pretty flowers. I was just admiring all the colors they have at good ol' Wally World the other day. I, one day, want a garden. Sadly, though, this is not the year due to most of our backyard being dug up for sewer installation. Next year...(maybe)
2. Does it bother you to have your blinds or curtains open after dark so people can see in your house?
 It does(ish). It REALLY bothers the Mr, though, which is kind of cute. And he grumps about having panel curtains instead of the pull blinds. He doesn't like climbing all over the couches to shut the curtains. It really is cute. ;-)
3. Do you like to go camping?
I love (love) love to camp! Not when it's hot though...seriously. So we do Spring/Fall camping. And that work for us. One day, we'll have a pop-up with an air conditioner, and I would camp any time of the year. One time my family went to Orlando, FL in June and camped for 10 days. {I actually thought I was going to die....and we even had a pop-up!}
4. Do you have a laptop or a desk top computer?
Both. Our laptop is slower than the 7 year itch. It is used only for checking the occasional email or looking up weather. We also let D play his games on it. We travel with it as needed. We got a new desktop last fall, and I {heart} it.
5. What time during the day do you have your most energy?
Is it weird to answer this question with time? 10-2 is when I'm good. I'm so tired in the mornings. And I'm worn out in the evenings. Depending on what has gone on, I occasionally get a sudden burst of energy after supper, and get lots of stuff done. But...most of the time, I'm productive between 10-2. Agh.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

He is Risen Indeed!

Hey y'all! I promise I'm not done blogging (nor have I forgotten about my little giveaway - with only 3 entries!). It's been a rough couple-a weeks around here. I did want to share this video I saw on Better Life Blog's Easter video. {She's awesome, by the way...you should totally check her blogs and bags out!}

Make sure you watch this video all the way to the end...GOD-BUMP time!



He is Risen, Indeed! Happy Easter, friends! My love to you all...I hope you are living with the promise of the empty tomb!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Note to Self...

We're in the middle of a big (year long) project here...painting D's room! We promised it the first week he came (1 year ago), thought we'd do it over the summer, bought the paint at the beginning of the summer (killer deal, y'all!), got the first wall painted at the end of the summer, leaving THREE other walls to do.

My genious Mr decided if it "inconvienienced us," then we would be quicker about finishing the walls. In other words, we put D's toys, furniture, and did I mention TOYS all over the house (simply because there is not one single space that would hold all this stuff). Got wall #2 done on Thursday of last week (7 days ago), wall #3 done yesterday (with much ado - more to come in a bit), and today, I'm GOING to get wall #4 done (maybe even all by myself).

I am a perfectionist. It's a known fact, and though I think it's okay to be a perfectionist, I HATE IT. {On that note, if any of you have a remedy for this, please advise...}

I was teasing/getting on to the Mr for accidentally dripping our blue paint on our beige carpet...then I go to fix a "problem issue" at the top of the room, come off the ladder and STEP into a butter tub FULL of paint.

Yes, there was a HUGE blue glopping spot in the middle of the floor. {not to mention my foot and super cute toe ring were also drenched in smurf blue}

Three reasons for this post:
1) Do NOT {under any circumstances} tease the Mr about spilling a few drops of paint...that are really quite easy to clean up.
2) Always look where you're going when coming down from a ladder. Why do I not know this? I'm going to chalk it up to my fear of heights, causing me to not be on ladders very often...(there's the perfectionist in me just justifying away...) Okay - it's because I'm stupid! Good grief, I think I might have even KNOWN that paint was there...
3) In case {God forbid} anything like this ever happens to you. Here's how to clean it up:

Stockphoto from Google. Sadly, my paint wasn't this lightly colored.

  • Dob as much of it up as you can. We now have no rags here. I threw them all away. Then we used up 2 rolls of paper towels. {It was a lot of paint.}
  • Use cold water. Repeat dobbing process. Now it will be MUCH lighter blue, but blue nonetheless.
  • Put a SMALL amount of "Joy" or dishwashing soap on it. The reason I say small is b/c we used a large amount and...had a LOT of suds and rinsing to do.
  • Rinse & scrub. Use cold water always...a scrub brush helps, too. And lots of fresh buckets of water.
  • We ended up (b/c of all the suds) using the carpet cleaner (which got full and SPLATTERED DIRTY WATER ON MY FRESHLY PAINTED WALL)...so if you have one of those, you could do that at the end of the process, too. We didn't clean it with that, just used the rinse cycle b/c it pulls water (and suds) out of the carpet.
  • Ugh. Don't beat yourself up over it. It happens to people all the time {does it?}.
Anyway - hope someone finds this helpful, even if it is is humorous. I will think it's funny when D's room is put back together, and I don't have to walk around his toys at night and during the day. The only place where his stuff isn't is the bathroom....my refuge.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

The Day God Gave Me a New Name

It's been one year. ONE YEAR. It's hard to believe, but true. Time really does fly. A year literally seems like just a few instants and sleepless nights.

In May 2010
And yet, here I am, a year later.

My favorite shot of him. Feb 2010. He was the lion for our class circus.

April 10, 2010 was (probably) the best day in my life up to this point. We were told 4 days earlier that our soon-to-be-adopted-son would be moving in on 4/10. I remember every little moment about this day. I will spare you the details, but I won't ever forget the anticipation. I wondered how he would be. I wondered if he would come willingly or with tears. He, in fact, came willingly, excitedly, and actually called me "Momma" as we pulled away. {He was ready...}

His first night with us. Superman jammies and all.

We had been waiting since October, when we first learned he would be up for adoption. Those 5 months were some rough months, but we did learn a lot about God's timing, worshiping while we waited, and enjoyed many "kidless moments" as we awaited our sweet brown-eyed boy.

D with his favorite person - Daddy

Before that special day, I was Joslyn. I have mild OCD which annoys everyone I know (sorry!). I was a teacher, referred to as "Mrs. K" by 80+ previous students, the families, and other students in the school where I taught. {In fact, I was "Mrs. K" to my brown-eyed boy the day before I became Momma.} I would sleep until noon if I could. I would go to sleep at 10 p.m. if I could. {I love sleep!} I crafted on weekends while watching chick-flicks when Aaron worked {out of sheer boredom}.

Swinging...seems we go to parks to do this more than anything else.

Now, I'm still mildly OCD. I can't help myself. I am only "Momma." It's rare to hear my old name anymore, and since I'm staying home with him, there are no "Mrs. K" references. I am still a teacher...most moments are "teachable moments" with a 5 year old. I rarely go to bed before midnight, and I usually am up before the 8 o'clock hour. The latest I've slept in this year is 9 a.m. {and that was the one and only night we have been away from him in this year!}. I craft now because I love it (and because I'm cheap), but I have to fit it in 15 minute segments or when he's napping (which is rare).

Family Night downtown. Fall 2010

His laughter and silliness fills my days now. His mischievousness (if that's a word) now keeps me alert and on my toes at all times. His "energy" (aka hyper-activeness) helps us stay active and busy. There is literally never a dull moment around here. His snuggles warm me all the way to my toes, and when he touches my face and says, "I love you, Momma," there is no greater feeling. Sneaking kisses and tricking him into the next time I can kiss him (he is 5 now, you know...he's starting to like them less :-( ) is the next thing on my to-do list always.

My boy does like his ice cream. Cooling off on a hot day over the summer 2010.

I'm a Mom now. It's exhausting and fulfilling. It's purposeful and draining. It's rewarding & meaningful always. And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the whole world. Seriously...the BEST.JOB.EVER.

Can't get enough sleeping shots of him. He falls asleep all the time in the car now that we don't take naps!

God, thank you for the gift that my sweet brown-eyed boy is. Thank you for your timing, and the way you had this worked out long before I did.