Wordless Wednesday Mr.Snazzy

Bit o' Spring- Grateful Sunday

Finally finished a bit o spring to go on our fireplace. Kool-aid dyed yarn for the flowers and some Patton's blue wool for the chain. I've had it sitting for weeks so glad to be done.

Here is the flower pattern in case anyone else would love to make it too!

Other things I'm grateful for:

Nanner's having learned and respected our rules for dressing and remembering to apply them at all times, even when its her dance costume.

Finding a breast milk donor for Giddy so that although I am not producing as much as I use to that he can still get breast milk.

Koda finally turning 18 and getting the ambition to take her driver's test soon. *crossing fingers*

Ryguy finally talking more.

Randy is able to go riding a few times with his cousin and enjoying having a motorcycle buddy again.

What are you grateful for?

Mandala

The value of life does not depend upon the place we occupy.

It depends upon the way we occupy that place.

St. Therese de Lisieux

Easter Monday?

So... I'm a bit late on the holiday posting but I'm ok with saying happy Easter Monday!

I have had the last week off due to some medical issues. Between some extreme fatigue and pain I have lived more in bed and at the doctor's office than I had my entire 3 pregnancies combined. This has really put me back unfortunately and discouraged me as I feel I am at a disservice to my family at the moment. Luckily Randy has stepped up and been great and supportive. Koda has upped her game as well as well as working more hours which I am so grateful for. I was unable to do some of our regular Easter activities like Resurrection rolls and dying eggs. I had to take a step back and pick between keeping calm, sane and pleasant vs doing the activities. Colored eggs don't have to be just for Easter and we can celebrate Jesus' resurrection every day. I had to promise myself it would be ok as it will. It will always be ok as my children care about my attitude for activities more than the activities themselves.

 Here are a few photos from our holiday weekend.

Nanners bunny she drew/copied from her chocolate rabbit. I was quite impressed as she is only 5. 

 

This was my first ever holiday ham decked out in extra cherries that I made cooking from my barstool in the kitchen.

 

My 2 boys behaved so well at church last night in the nursery with me even when I was not feeling well. I appreciate every time they try to make my life a little bit easier.

Breast is best

PSA don't ever ask a breastfeeding mother to cover up or even mention nursing in a bathroom.  It is illegal in most states and completely unneeded. That is all

Craftin

I have found a newfound love of the Waldorf swaps. Basically in a nutshell a bunch of moms pick a theme, do some major crafting and then swap and share! This months theme was "Play Kitchen" so I was very excited seeing I just finished making the kids their own bigger kitchen out of a repurposed coffee table. I hope it isn't just me but I get frustrated when I look at some of the toy kitchens and it seems only 1-2 children can fit over there at a time. With 7 total its just not an option so the coffee table was a much better fit.

 My contribution for the swap is sushi so I journaled a bit for inspiration.  

and then Beanie and Koda helped paint all the pieces I had cut out from my new scroll saw I received from my dad for my birthday.

Aren't they sweet?!

Its been awhile

Cue the sappy Stained song.... Actually I like that song a lot. There has been several changes through the last few months and I realized how little I have been posting. This use to be an online journal for me and a reminder to take lots and lots of photos to remember everything. I have been taking less photos since Koda is now pursuing a photography major as she does all the work for me. Here are some of the big things I need to update on.

I had our new baby in early October. He goes by Giddy and for the most part is a very pleasant baby.

 

 

Koda is inches close to graduating and we are starting to plan graduation parties and picking out diplomas. She does not have a college picked out for the time being and is flip flopping her college path of doing criminal justice or photography first as she needs both to do forensic photography. Yes, she wants to take photos of dead people and crime scenes and this confirms she is her father's child.

Nanners is almost graduated from her Cubbies class for Awana and has started a new dance program. She really enjoys her new teacher and luckily since it’s through our local park district that I work at I can be involved and spend more time backstage with my little dancer.  

 

 

RyRy has FINALLY started talking. There was some major concern of a language delay with him as only spoke 20 words, most of them being made up. Then one day, BAM. His vocabulary just exploded and he talks about how cool and happy he is about things. He adores being a big brother and is always insisting on helping with "baby".

 

Homeschool wise I have chosen to take a different approach for the littles as Nanners is approaching school age. As much as she begs to read and many peers are reading it is obvious that it isn't clicking yet. I have done some more research and talking it over with Randy and have decided to take more of a European approach of waiting until 7 to push any real "schoolwork" and we are adding more of a Waldorf approach to their preschool time. There will be an entire entry about that change when I get a chance to write it.

 

Although it’s been summed up in a few paragraphs its been some exciting changes and I can't wait to share more of our adventures with you.