• 06.30.2010 Wordless Wednesday
    One Comment
    » Continue Reading
  • 06.29.2010 3 Turns 4
    2 Comments

    Number 3 turned 4 last week: His brothers put together a parade, a birthday procession if you will, in honor of the birthday boy. Love and Legos sent by Grandma and Grandpa a few states away. His first baseball game on his birthday. He requested Fudds. Number 3 has always got silly on the agenda, even on his birthday. Happy birthday to the boy who knows no fear, heeds no caution, and accepts no boundaries to loving and living large.

    » Continue Reading
  • 06.28.2010 Education and The Soul: A Quick Summary
    Education and The Soul: A Quick Summary
    4 Comments

    You know when someone’s been to an inspirational conference by the glint in their eyes and the slew of new vocabulary now entering in each conversation they engage in. Graciously allow me a minute to either inspire or enervate you… The Headmaster and I spent the better part of last week attending a conference hosted by the Society for Classical Learning in Williamsburg, VA. It will take some time yet for me to process all that I learned and absorbed through the featured speakers, of whom were Susan Wise Bauer, Tracy Lee Simmons, and Andrew Kern of the Circe Institute. Of all the mind-spinning insights on education, history, and classicism that I could share here, I will only subject you to one, by Andrew Kern: What you attend to will form itself into your soul; it determines everything about you. I may never capably articulate the truths underlying Kern’s statement […]

    » Continue Reading
  • 06.25.2010 Them and Us
    3 Comments

    Some spur of the moment photos I took of our friends while in Williamsburg, VA: It was 107 outside and humid…and yet, they were photogenic as ever. Then, there’s us… …just being us.

    » Continue Reading
  • 06.24.2010 The Little Engine That Could
    4 Comments

    Number 1 does such a good job giving free rides to Number 4… …er, perhaps it’s the other way around, as Number 4 fully thinks himself the train engine… …the caboose is cute too!

    » Continue Reading
  • 06.23.2010 A Belated Word on Father's Day
    One Comment

    It only occurred to me today that I had forgotten to post for Father’s Day. What I had in mind to say, I’ll take the opportunity to say now, late as it may be. Father’s Day–not the holiday, but the celebration of fatherhood–is significant because God has allowed us to experience, in the most fundamental of ways, what it means that He calls himself Father, and us, his children. Protection, provision, guidance, strength, sacrifice…a few of things we can attribute to our Heavenly Father. And while our earthly attempts at parenthood can be feeble at best, His grace and adoption of us as sons, makes it possible for us to reflect what fatherhood and motherhood was meant to be. I can’t help but give thanks for the Grace in my life shown through the love of a dedicated father, a discerning father-in-law, and a husband who’s desire to be a […]

    » Continue Reading
  • 06.21.2010 Washcloths For the Gulf Coast
    One Comment

    Are you disheartened at how far removed you feel from the struggles and sufferings that currently plague the world, even our own nation? I know I do. You may see photos of the oil spill on TV, and wish you could help, but don’t know where to start. Here’s a simple and practical way to get involved: Craft Hope is calling all who can stitch, knit, crochet, cut, or tie– to make simple, small washcloths and hand towels for cleaning the nooks and crannies of the dolphins and sea turtles who have wandered into the oil spill. The washcloths need not be fancy, and will only be used a few times before being thrown away. Are you in? Anyone can do this…even your kids! Here are some ideas for washcloth possibilities: 1) Terrycloth squares 2) Simple crocheted washcloths, without decorative edge 3) Knit washcloths 4) Cut up old cotton t-shirts […]

    » Continue Reading
  • 06.18.2010 Decorative Catch-alls
    3 Comments

    I’ve grown very fond of sorting, organizing, and containing as of late. With 6 of us leaving things behind as we go throughout the day, keeping odds and ends where they belong can be rather tricky. Even more baffling is how to store and organize items used everyday in a way that adds to your decor, rather than detract from it. Admittedly, there is nothing more effective in organization than clear plastic bins of all sizes. Closets and garages would not make it without them! However, I’m always on the lookout for ways to display, or tuck away (!) everyday things that find their place out in the open. Here are some ways we make homes for little things around the house: Vintage milk-glass bowl that sits on my desk… Li’l birdie at the dollar store atop of the china armoire… A carved little box from TJ Maxx… A shiny […]

    » Continue Reading
  • 06.16.2010 Wordless Wednesday
    6 Comments
    » Continue Reading
  • 06.15.2010 15:4
    9 Comments

    Remember back when summer felt sooo long? When each day of summer seemed to last forever with lots of lounging around? Summer break doesn’t quite feel this way to me anymore, as it did when I was a kid. Instead, now I anticipate the fleeting days of a relaxed schedule and am tempted to feel overwhelmed at the vast amount to be accomplished before the leaves turn. Projects around the house, dates with my kids, closets to be cleaned out, people to spend time with, books to finish reading, skills to pursue and develop….all these and more make it to my to do list. And while my kids have enjoyed plenty of hours with their imaginations in the backyard, I have hopes to tackle many “unfinished projects” with them as well. Teaching my boys how to paint, starting Number 2 on the piano, and working on specific issues of character […]

    » Continue Reading
  • 06.14.2010 Houseful of Blessing
    One Comment

    We usually think of hospitality as the blessing of others. While that is the truth, I often think that being the host is the greater privilege. It is the opportunity to share all that you have, to see God provide, to learn to consider others more important than yourself, and to be stretched beyond one’s own comfort zone. Such a privilege was had at our home this past weekend, as a dear long-time friend of my husband’s and his family stayed with us during a rare and special visit. And, as we had a total of 9 kids under 8 years of age under the same roof, there were ample opportunities to learn to bless and be blessed. Amazingly, there were only minor mishaps scattered amongst the many laughs and good memories. The Lineup, minus the baby. The Dance Party. The Chinese Acrobats. The Guys. The Whole Gang. As I […]

    » Continue Reading
  • 06.11.2010 Breezy Beanie
    4 Comments

    It may be possible that you have bad hair days as I do. Or just plain ol’ roll-outta-bed hair days. We fondly refer to those days at our house as “hat days.” However, sweltering summer heat precludes me from enthusiastically donning a hat other than the ubiquitous summer straw hat. (Think black hair and enclosed space on top of my head.) I love straw hats. I just find them impossible to wear while driving, silly to wear indoors, and altogether itchy if worn all day! I want a hat that breathes, looks cute, and can be worn doing chores or going out. And now I have one. I never win anything, but lo and behold, a few weeks ago I was the randomly chosen winner of a giveaway hosted by fellow etsyian Jenster76. Wouldn’t you know I won a cute beanie that makes for breezy summer hat wearing! Here it […]

    » Continue Reading