Give Thanks Banner

In all things give thanks, for this is the will God has for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Love this time of year. I put this banner together with old sheet music and jute. Super simple and really cute, I think. I just cut the paper to fit my printer and printed the letters. No problem!

Little princess fashion!

So I started sewing, as I mentioned earlier. It is FUN  and I have had lots of positive responses.  Lexi loves some of them, because they look "like a princess."  Here ya go:

And this little love...

She LOVES the Fall dress:

And hated the pants... Until lots of people at church said she looked cute, then she decided they are alright:

Next in line... Christmas dress, and PANTS!

Been busy sewing!

I like to sew. I WISH I would have paid much more attention as a little girl when my Grandma Mary tried to teach me! I learned some, and surprisingly remember more than I expected to. But, it has been a long time and I need lots of practice. My mom surprised me with a new sewing machine, and I finally got my Grandma's serger back in working order!  Somehow!!!!???

I am excited about the outcome so far.  Most importantly, Lex says she feels "like a princess," which is what it is all about, anyway!  Love this sweet baby!

Evidence!

Have you ever had a day you think you are going nuts?  Me too!  I lose things. I am sure I have placed them  in a certain spot, and they aren't there.  Then, usually, I find them weeks later in a random location.  I normally blame my kids.  Helps me feel sane:)  BUT..Today... this is what I found on my lazy Susan.  Evidence that I DO have a helper!  Wonder who put this here?  I will give you three guesses!

Dining room makeover

Been a busy girl today!  Finally, it is out with the old and in with the even older. This makes my heart SING!  I seem to be turning into my grandmother, as I have a love for vintage and antique beauties!  Things just aren't made how they were way back when. I love the craftsmanship. But, somehow, things from days gone by have a calming feel about them. They remind me of a simpler time where things weren't so convoluted.

Anyway, I will save that for another day!  Here is the fruit of my labor today.  I am loving the table, chairs and buffet in my dining room.  They changed the entire space!  This set actually belonged to my great grandparents, then my grandparents.  I remember sitting around this table as a little girl.  Good times, good times!  Now... Hopefully it will survive my bunch!

 

Tired Shopper

Shopping at nap time... 

With this guy around, it is always entertaining!

Putting a sticker on a sleeping Lexi "just seemed like fun!" ~ Luke

 

 

 

Gonna punch her lights out

Flu shots stink.  Shots in general stink.  But, ya gotta get em!  Last year at this time, I took all three kiddos to the pediatrician, lined them up, and they all three got their shots.  Sam did great, as always.  Not a tear.  Luke did well, but did not like it.  Now it was Lexi's turn.

Luke is extremely protective of his Lexi.  Always has been.  I adore this about him.  She is his girl and nobody better mess with her!  This applied to the nurse that day, as well.  The nurse did her job and gave Lexi her shot.  Naturally, it was followed by tears and lots of crying, she was only a year old.  Now, a momma knows her babies.  Somehow,  at the very second Lexi let out a scream I grabbed Luke, who was already headed toward that nurse!  He was gonna get her!  He started yelling "STOP!  You are hurting MY LEXI!!!!!!"  Glad my instincts kicked in and I grabbed him!  This all happened in about 2 seconds.  The nurse never knew what happened until later. 

After the smoke cleared and Lexi was consoled and no longer crying, I laughed!  I asked Luke what he was going to do to that nurse.  He said "I was gonna punch her lights out for hurting my Lexi!"  We had a little talk about punching people's lights out and how that may not be the best thing to do. :)

At our next visit, I told the nurse about this.  I thought it was funny.  She found no humor in this AT ALL!  She said "That would be the last time he did that!"  I smiled, but thought she needed to lighten up!  We have an awesome pediatrician!  She told him the story and when he came to our room, he laughed and thought that being a protective big brother is a great thing.  I agree.

I am proud to report we had our annual "line em' up and shoot em" event. (That sounds horrible!  I mean shots, immunizations...  geez.)  It went off without a hitch.  Not one tear or threat of violence!  Yeah!  So...  we had ice cream!

Muy Grande, baby!

We are hunters. We respect those who aren't. But, this is a big part of our fall and winter each year. In the summer we fish.  We love it. 

This is exciting!  This  guy was taken by my hubby with a bow at he Newell Ranch in Albany, Texas. He scored 164, which is awesome!!!

 

Taco Soup

Taco Soup is one of our favorite meals for cool weather nights.  I love it because it is super easy to make.  They just like to eat it because it is good!  Here goes:

Taco Soup:
2 lbs          ground beef
2 cans        pinto beans
1 can         Rotel
1 can         green chilis
1 can         corn
1 pkg        Ranch dressing mix (powder)
1 pkg        Taco Seasoning

Brown beef in large pot.  Add Ranch and Taco seasoning packets.  Empty in all canned items.  Let simmer for at least 30-45 mins if you can.  Top with shredded cheese if you like.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Yum!

 

We are in 3rd grade... Together!

School has always been super easy for Sam.  He has always been an "A" student, and we are so very proud of him!  That is why 3rd grade threw us for a loop!  It is a different playing field, 3rd grade.  He is still doing well.  But, it the beginning has been a challenge. When our grades started slipping a bit, we realized we needed to get control of this, and figure out what to do to fix the problem.  We have never needed to actually "study" before.  And as crazy as it sounds, we didn't really know how! 

SO...  we - together - put a system in place to tackle the homework and study time. It looks like this:

Our process is very simple, BUT IT WORKS!
Each week we update his calendar and plan what we will do each night so that we are prepared for the week.  We think about what activities we have each night and make sure we are planning AHEAD! 

• Each Monday, I type out vocabulary words and whatever else he may be tested over for the week.  We cut them up and make a matching game out of them. 
• Each subject has a labeled envelope - color coordinated- and clipped to his board.  He looks at the calendar and decides which items should be studied on that particular day. 
• Some things are everyday, such as reading and practicing POP math. 
• POP math has become a FUN thing - he lays out flashcards and uses the small marker board (with the graph) to take a quiz.  He has his own timer and can orchestrate this whole thing himself, and report the outcome back to me. 
• Special things, such as memory poems, reading challenge forms, etc. are attached to his bulletin board for daily review. 

In a nutshell, this is the system we put together.  It really seems to be working!  His grades are back to the normal "A's," and the stress of after school is at a minimum. 

AWESOME JOB SAM!  Check this science test out!  So very PROUD!

 

 

I am a firm believer that in order for a child to be responsible, they must be taught and held accountable. Telling them what to do and expecting them to do it perfectly each time is NOT enough. I say we are in 3rd grade together.  His job is to go to school, learn, study and do his best.  I can't do that for him.  My job is to assist in making this happen.  Ultimately, it is all up to him.  It is a hassle sometimes.  But the time I spend helping him learn to manage his time and take ownership of his responsibilities is well worth it. This skill is extremely important!  I enjoy watching his confidence rise, and   I love it when I ask if he needs help and he tells me he has it under control. And he does. 

 

She is grateful

We say our prayers. We are faithful. Guiding and traing little hearts according to their bent is tricky. Many moments I wonder if my leading is sufficient. But, I am grateful for moments when I know my efforts aren't fruitless.

Lexi was saying bedtime prayers. This is one of my favorite moments as a mother. Innocent and pure. Clasped hands and bowed head with eyes closed. I hear:

Dear God,

Thank you for my family. And thank you for our mayonnaise. Amen. 

Amen, I say, too. Then smile:)

What does this mean?  She is getting it and it makes me proud. She, at her sweet young age of 2, recognizes that we should be grateful for what we have. She doesn't yet understand the importance of this, or know this is an attribute some will never  possess. She just likes mayo and is glad we have some!  I, however, see a developing heart of gratitude. And, remind myself that moments like these are what make it all worthwhile.

 

I'm a "3 dot"

He always has a way of making me see the world in a different view. That's partly why I LOVE him so much!  You never really know what you are going to get with this little love of mine.

The other day he said he needed my help. I was ready for the challenge. Then...  The conversation goes something like this:

Him- ya did it wrong the other day, ya know. 

Me- I did what wrong!

Him- I'm a 3 dot. 

Me- I am confused. What are you talking about?

Him- you made me a 5 dot. I am 5 years old, but I'm still a 3 dot. 

Me- what is this conversation even about???  Please tell me!

He runs off. 

I am bewildered. Totally ignorant and lost. What in the world is this child talking about!!!???

He returns with this. 

His baseball cap. I had adjusted it the day before and used the wrong "dot" thus leaving it too large. He is a "3 dot" meaning to only connect "3 dots" not 5!  Duh!  Totally makes sense now. :)

 

Great day to get started!

Here it goes!  Been saying for a while I was going to do this, so here it is!  I am so excited about sharing all the ins and outs of our days.  Sometimes things just get a little cooky around this place.  I LOVE it that way!  Enjoy!