simple

The weekend and Sunday especially seemed so long!  Peter worked most of Saturday and Sunday we went to church (which was great) and then waited for Kate to get up from her nap and then we left for Fargo!  It didn't really even seem real that we got to go, but it was a celebration of the end of beets; a tradition we've started before the kids were born.

My goal really wasn't to do a lot of shopping... I was planning to get some of my christmas gifts bought, however, I had a coupon that expired (which would have saved me $3) and my husband told me I could not get it b/c I have plenty of time to shop for gifts, and I could get another coupon another day. I think it is definitely smart to wait for sales and coupons, but it is also nice to just have it done. With two large families to shop for, 8 birthdays (including mine), two weddings, two bridal showers, and 13 family members, not including our own) that we have to buy for, it is wise to start EARLY!

Some really neat finds that I came across was a $10 chair at a thrift store.  I am going to stain it, and reupholster it.  I am also trying to make subtle changes in the house, like window coverings and lamps, etc. So that is what we looked at while in Fargo.  I also got some fabric for headbands and barrettes. I am excited to start those sometime soon!  I forgot; on Saturday during nap I did start on two pages of Kate's 1-2 scrapbook.  I had sworn to myself that I just wouldn't do much of that since I have a few new crafts that I've been getting into.. but then i realized....... they don't need to be super fancy. Why can't I just throw a few pictures on the paper and embellish lightly? When i scrapbook, I always try to be super original and creative... and I don't have to be. It doesn't have to look like it came out of a magazine.  So,  to do a couple pages a month, which can literally take 30 minutes if I keep it simple.  SIMPLE.. That is my goal!

Pictures to come.

ideas

I had this post saved for last night (uploaded pictures during the day so i could type at night) but i didn't get to it. Peter was playing guitar and I was watching him. Then I did my Beth Moore Bible study for 45 minutes. It was hard to put down!  Anyway,  I am trying to figure out ideas to help with the MESS that invades my house. I thought... what could I do to decrease how much toys and things get dragged  out each day.  My solution:  Putting the door knob covers over both Kate's and Maddy's doors.  That has helped quite a lot.... because I like to keep their room clean, and each day they sneak in there and literally drag all the dolls or stuffed animals, or books, or train sets, all over the floor, and then leave.  They do the same on the first and second floor of the house. It is hard when you have a lot of different rooms to 'mess up'.  So that is my trick as of the last two weeks, and for the most part, it's worked. They can't open those doors. Anyway, time for school!

first day of "school"

It's all I have time for, but here's a couple pictures from "school".  I had to write it down and plan to keep it for when she's older, but I asked her to draw a thank you paper to God, for everything that she is thankful for: so she drew: Trees, birds, god, and flowers.  She has been drawing suns really well too; the little circles with the stems are the flowers.

wow, blessed!

This summer has been really busy with meals and doing everything I possibly can to help my busy husband out. I did feel like he appreciated it most of the time, but when you have routines and do it day in and day out, it gets hard.  It is kind of strange, but even though at times it was a lot of work, I loved doing it. Not because I knew I would get reward or to impress him, but I really care about him and want to please him in every way. Last night I was catching up with my "Women making a difference in Marriage" bible study, and it talked about the Virtuous Woman. And though I've read it times before, I never stopped to think about each sentence like I did last night. Peter was on the other side of the bed, reading his bible, when out of no where he said to me: "A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.  That's you." That was so sweet of him to say and it is a good reminder, this bible study, for even the little things like, how you greet him at the door... is he coming into a peaceful, tranquil home?  Though this bible study is not exactly the most challenging, like my beth moore is (challenging meaning I am in the word a LOT), it is still helpful and I am still grateful for it. I am trying hard to do both studies.

Anyway, tonight he tells me a gift is on the way... it brings tears to my eyes!  Though what it is, is not important, I try to tell him I don't need it but he insists that this is how he likes to show his appreciation, his love for me.   That is his love language.   I don't know how I got so blessed to have him!  

success

Today ended up being a pretty good day. I was up for some of the night with an unexpected sore throat but it didn't bother me too much today. It was really painful.........finally at 1:50 i climbed out of bed with my eyes still glued shut and got a cough drop! I guess today kate was up when Peter woke up for work. She said she was really hungry...so she asked for yogurt and juice, ate it up, and said, "I'm going back to bed".  That is definitely a first in this house.  "Bible Study", as kate calls it, went well today.  It was kind of review from what we were doing in Sunday School but it had a few different activities.  I ordered the CD and one of the children's bibles that go with it, along with 4-5 other Christmas gifts today too.  The whole lesson took 45 minutes, which isn't too bad. I actually thought it would take less.... so this is good! Parts were boring because she's been able to read ABCs and 123s for quite a while, but I think it will be good for Maddy to review. It was fun because when we went to her preschool screening, the nurse said she was the only one so far that could read letters. It made me feel like I did something right...especially when at times I feel like a complete failure. We also practiced cutting with a scissor, and to my surprise she caught on faster than I thought.

We also went for a walk this afternoon. We took: two babies, two strollers, and a backpack along.  Maddy kept up at first, but after 1/4 of the block she ditched her stroller. So, for a while I carried a stroller, then I carried Maddy, the baby, and the stroller,  and then Maddy took over and I carried Kate's baby.... and then the stroller got ditched a couple more times. Anyway, my plan is to try to go to bed early tonight. So I better go!! I will post pictures later.

family devotions

We have been doing some family devotions, or at least I have been when Peter has been gone in beets. On Saturday I got my book so tomorrow I will start that... I quickly ran through it and it seems really good. It is bible based school teaching. Lately I have been convicted HARD about teaching my kids --in my Paul bible study, at church; it seems everywhere I go there is talk of 'training your children " with Godly things. So, I hope this winter will be positive and they learn lots!

the kitchen

is so intimidating! I asked my sister if she gets a lot of groceries and she said, "Not really".  It makes me think that I am doing way too much cooking. I think a lot of people eat leftovers? For example: I went to the grocery store and power shopped on a Wednesday. By Monday I had at least 10 things on my list that I needed to buy, and I go to the grocery store non-stop in town.  I do a 2 week meal plan and everything.  What is your secret? Our grocery bill is through the roof.

Anyway, today went well. I uploaded photos because I am behind a few months in printing, so I want to get that done with soon. I washed sheets, played outside, and brought food out to some of the beet crew. We rode with for a little bit and then baths & bedtime followed.  I can't tell you what a relief it will be for the completion of beets. It hasn't even gone bad this year, or even really that long... to me, the end of beets means the beginning of more time with Peter. Something I have been longing for since planting began. I am so blessed to have a marriage like I do.  Anyway, It is time for bed again and I am having lots of fun doing my B Moore study!