Reflections...

I'm sitting here reflecting on the past year...

It has gone extremely fast. Last January, we left a party and watched the fireworks light up all around us, even though it was an hour into the new year.

We worked on our home and worked some more.  Then we worked some more.  Isn't seven years supposed to be a Jubilee?  We are planning more work projects for this year.  I'll try to hold down my excitement.  I just want to be done.  Or move!  However, I'm extremely grateful that my family has a home and an income that way surpasses our needs.  I'm just a little tired of living among the work process but I'm NOT going to complain.  Okay, I did a little complaining.  But, NO more!!!

I thought back to -  the sweet gift my hubs and children gave me.  Photography classes!  They were truly an asset to my life!

I thought back to - our trip to Houston.  We went to the homeschool conference where we met the author of Hank the Cowdog.  How I needed that time with my husband, just him and me.  Sweet memories!

I thought back to -  how this summer was the last time I would see my step-mother.  She had been married to my Dad since I was 7 years old.  We had tons of memories, some good and some not so good.  But, I'd like to remember just the good ones.  My heart hurts for my Dad and half-brother. 

I thought back to -  a couple of years ago, where a Doctor told me I was allergic to milk.  Now, a new test comes back to say I'm not allergic to milk.  How I have missed those milk products.  Okay, I never really quit drinking milk, but now I CAN without a guilty conscience.

However, now the Doctor says I have exercise induced asthma.  Before I got too excited, that I would never have to exercise again, he told me 30 percent of Winter Olympians have the same type of asthma.  Great - now I can go snow skiing in the the Alps.


I thought back to a couple of weeks ago, I spoke to the real Martha Stewart on the phone.  I saw on Twitter a phone number to call her with holiday questions, so I called.  I really didn't think I would get in and didn't really have a great question.  "Uh, Hi, Martha Stewart.  What color should I paint my brick wall?"  It sounded really bad.  Next time, I will be ready!!!

I thought back to last Saturday, where I talked to Kim Komando on the telephone.  My family is going to take away my phone - I just know it.  Again, not the best interview.  (I suddenly understand how Sarah Palin felt with Katie Couric.)  "Uh, Hi, Kim Komando.  I have a blog.  What should I do with it?"  Okay, that is not really what I said...it had something to do with LLC and privacy issues.  She gave me some suggestions then said I should ask my lawyer.  The very next day, guess who we ran into at lunch...our family lawyer.  He told me what really to do and it was really already done - so no worries there.

I thought back to my children.  Time is going too fast with them.  My eldest is so tall and wears deodorant. My blonde is reading long books and wanting to just play basketball outside.  My blue-eyed Princess is writing in cursive and putting her own hair in a pony-tail.  My brown eyed Princess is making her bed and is adding 2 digit numbers.  My baby boy is no longer in diapers and tells me that I'm pretty.

I thought back to our cat.  We vowed never to have one.  Now we have Parker Alexandria.  We have bottle-fed her and she is ours.  However, I'm not liking the hair.  She still brings more smiles than frowns - so she is still a keeper, for now.

Reflections...kind of make me sad.  Plus, it means I'm getting older.  No, seriously, it is my birthday.  Yes, I'm a year older.  I know I'm sooo young to have 5 children and still be in my early 20's.  It happens, in my fairy tale.

Just wanted to thank all those tens of people who read my blog and leave nice comments.  If you get this by feed, you really might never see all the changes, so come and see them once in a while.  Who knows what I may have put up?

Thanks again for really reading my ramblings!  I really do appreciate you!

Blessings to you!!!  You are LOVED!!!


©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

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A fave gift – A Ceiling Fan

When my hubby and I got married 12 plus years ago – we had very little, as finances go.
He was a Youth Pastor and I had been a church secretary and treasurer.  Our courtship had been quick and the engagement seemed quicker.  All within a week of getting married – we had closed on our first home, started new jobs, and had our very first over night company in our new but tiny home.
We were young and loved to live life to the fullest!  Our home was to be our hub of our life.  I was not into decor back then.  Everything just had a purpose and it seemed all thrown together.  But, I did want every item in my home to have a meaning – as I still do.
One of my wedding presents, which came from a very dear person to me, was a ceiling fan.  This is what she wrote to us, that accompanied the fan.

Your Fan
Air going up = Praises to the Lord

Circulation down = His praises coming back down in the form of answered prayers

Air Going Down = God blessing you, refreshing you just like sitting under the fan to cool off.

4 Lights = minister to the 4 corners of the earth – you will bring God’s light to the 4 corners of the earth.

5 Blades = 5 speaks the G R A C E of God

When we sold that house, I wanted to take that ceiling fan with us.  But, my hubby wouldn’t let me saying the new owners wouldn’t appreciate us leaving a hole in the ceiling.  So, the next house we bought, we bought the exact same ceiling fan so it would be in our lives again.  (Not to mention, it truly is a pretty fan.)

Isn’t that a great gift?  Of course, every time I see a ceiling fan – I think of God’s Grace and His Mercy plus His refreshing wind and power!

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

If you get a chance - will you go over here and vote for me?  I'm in the top 5 and really want to win so I can give half to the money to Beaded Hope.  It takes like 7 seconds!  Just enter your name and email.  Plus, you name will be entered in as well for a chance to win $1000.00

This Works for Me!

Merry Christmas!

This song is Awesome and just reflects my heart...

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

 O Holy Night

John Sullivan Dwight's Version

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of Our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world In sin and error pining,

'Til He appear'd And the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope The weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks A new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts By His cradle we stand.

So led by light of A star sweetly gleaming,

Here come the wise men From Orient land.

The King of Kings Lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials Born to be our friend.

He knows our need, To our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us To love one another;

His law is love And His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break For the slave is our brother;

And in His name All oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy In grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us Praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory Evermore proclaim.

His power and glory Evermore proclaim.

©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Hangman, Hormones & Homophones

My office is right beside the playroom.  So, as I’m working at my desk – I can eavesdrop on the kids as they play “nicely”.

They came and asked me if they could play hangman.  I said “As long as there was not a real man involved, than sure.”  I love when kids want to practice their spelling and play together.

They play for  a while, then I hear  my eldest say to his brother, “You know a HORMONE – a word that sounds the same.”

His younger brother corrects him – “You mean HOMOPHONE!”

I love that they are learning something in school!  

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

Another Christmas Tradition…

I’ve always been a lover of books!  So, this is one tradition I had hoped to pass down to my children.
Here is another Christmas/Easter Book that we love to read…The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt.
 
It is about three trees who tell want they want to be when they grow up.  They grow up to be something amazing and God truly fulfilled their wishes.
I read it to my children today and was amazed how they “understood” everything.
This is one book that I love to have in my permanent library.

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

I’m being featured today…

What a sweet surprise that I woke up to today!

Our office is being featured today on .

What a blessing! 
I just love that site…so many cool things to do…Thanks Roeshel!

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

The Butt of the Story

Lately, my kids have had dirty mouths.  Really!  Okay, it depends who you are, if they really have “dirty” mouths.

My step-mom would just cringe if she heard my three year old say -

“Mom, did you turn on your “BUTT warmer?”  Translation – Mom, did you turn on your leather seat heater in the car? 
My response – “We don’t say butt.” 
His response - “BUTT warmers– BUTT warmers – BUTT BUTT BUTT.”

Okay, at this point – I’m a terrible mother because I can hardly drive – I’m laughing hysterically.  I just realize that there are more battles than the word “Butt” and quite honestly, I say butt a lot. 

However, I realized yesterday, there may be a problem…when I hear in the other room my three year old and five year old singing to the tune, Jingle Bells, something like this….

Butt Butt Butt
Butt Butt Butt – Butt Butt all the way…

Yes, they sang the whole song.

Houston, we may have a little Butt problem!

Blessings to you!!!  You are LOVED!!!

Healing Sands – Book Review

A Sullivan Crisp Novel: Healing Sands

By Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn
ISBN: 1595544283
The main character is Ryan Coe.  She is photographer who has been divorced and chose a career instead of fighting for custody of her children.  Then she decides to get back in her kids life. 
It is harder than she thinks.  When she is out photographing one day, she finds her son is at the scene and he is being charged for a crime.  But, he is not the only one who going to need some help – she has anger issues that HAVE to be resolved.
I really liked this book.  It kept me captivated and some of the methods that were used to help Ryan’s anger – anyone could use.  The book had mystery, love, and real parenting issues that needed to be resolved in a real manner.
The one drawback of the book was the cover.  It felt like sand thus the name Healing Sands.  It made me feel gritty.
Overall, I would totally recommend this book to a sister, friend or parent who enjoys reading.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program for sending me a complimentary copy to review.  This is not a paid review!
Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

RAG QUILTS: Guest Post: Infarrantly Creative

This is my first guest post!  Oooh, I’m so excited!

I asked Beckie from Infarrantly Creative if she could do a tutorial on a Rag Quilt, decades years months days ago (my days, months and years all run together)  – I explained that I was special and needed LOTS of pictures to understand what she was talking about. 
If you not into sewing – go see her site just for her Roadkill Rescues…I could stay there for hours and look at all the creativity!She came through!  Thanks Beckie – You are a doll!

During that time, I had found another blog, MOODY GIRL PROJECTS who also had a FAB Rag Quilt.  


She did hers a little different so hop on over there and see hers as well. 

I can’t wait to do one or get one! 
I love these!

  Now on to the guest post….

Posted with permission from Infarrantly Creative. The original post can be found here.




Supply list:
Walking foot - this is a strong recommendation! (If you don't have one they sell them on Ebay for cheap seller: dafent)
Thread
Fabric (you can use anything 100% cotton - I like flannel the best because it is so cozy)
Batting - I use Warm & Natural (Joann Fabrics) A walking foot looks like this. You don't need, need, need one but if you are going to make a few they are definitely worth the investment. Just make sure you order the right one for your particular machine.

• Throw 49” x 63” -11.25 yards of fabric - 63 quilt sandwiches 
• Large throw 63” x 77” -18.50 yards of fabric - 99 quilt sandwiches 
• Crib 35” x 49” -6.25 yards of fabric - 35 quilt sandwiches

General directions:

This is a fun scrappy project so don't worry about which color of fabric is next to each other or if a plaid is straight. Due to the nature of this quilt, it is not necessary to be "perfect" in cutting, pinning, or piecing. After the completed quilt is washed, the frayed edge hides a multitude of sins. Do not pre-wash the batting or flannel. Remove selvages. All seam allowances are 1". Yes, 1". Use a walking foot for all sewing. All stitching and seams are on the "outside" of the quilt. Press or pin all seams open, as you would when sewing a garment.

1.  Begin by cutting out your squares of fabric. I use 9" squares. To cut I use a quilting ruler, rotary cutter, and mat. But you don't have to do it that way if you don't have the supplies. Just measure and cut 9" squares with scissors if you must.

2. Cut the Warm & Natural batting into 6 3/4" squares. Look above at the size you are making. However many "quilt sandwiches" it says for your particular size that is how many squares of Warm & Natural batting you will need. Sewing a "Quilt" Sandwich: When making your sandwich, be sure that the right side of the fabric is on the outside. Center a batting piece on the fabric. It isn't necessary to use the same fabric on the top of each "quilt sandwich" as on the bottom. Top with another fabric square. Pin in place (if you like pinning. .. . I don't pin though).

 

3.  Using a matching, contrasting, or a specialty thread, sew an X on each of the "quilt sandwiches". You can use a pretty wide stitch since it isn't holding the quilt together rather just giving it a quilted look. After all the X's are stitched on the squares you are ready to assemble them.

4.  When you have completed all your sandwiches it is time to sew them together.  At this point it does not matter which side is which because they look exactly the same.When sewing the “quiltlets” together lay them back-to-back (wrong sides together) so the fringed seams appear on the front of the quilt.

5.  I lay out all my squares so I can make sure I like the pattern. Then using a 1" seam allowance I sew the first row of squares together, followed by the second, etc. I sew all the rows together first. I do actually pin the rows together. It is much easier. Then I sew the first row to the second row and keep adding the rows until the quilt is assembled making sure to pin the seams down.

6.  It will look similar to this when it is all sewn together.  Once the whole quilt is together BEFORE cutting/clipping the edges (seam allowances), you will want to stitch around the entire quilt outside to make sure NO batting is showing. This, too, will be about a 1-inch seam allowance making sure the seams are pinned down. Now you want to clip all the edges (be careful not to clip through the seams) about every 1” or less depending on your liking.

7. Grab yourself a cup of coffee for this step. Turn on some music or watch a movie and let's begin. This is the time consuming part. Using utility, heavy-duty scissors (Fiskars has the easy grip rubber handled ones, loves those, easy on the hands), clip all seam allowances almost, but not quite, to the seam. Make clips 1/4" – 1/2” apart approximately. This is what makes the fringed look. Clip all the seams and around the quilt.

  

8. You will then put the quilt in the washing machine, full cycle, with fabric softener and a bit of detergent. Wash fully. Dry fully. You will want to change the lint traps OFTEN during the course of drying. Once dry, fully shake the quilt good once or twice outside, removing any loose threads.

 

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

P.S.  If you make one – let me know!!!

Technorati Tags: Rag Quilts,Quilts,Easy Sewing Projects,Easy Sewing,Rags,Easy Projects

Winner…

Shell won with “I follow you”. 
You have 48 hours to respond…Congratulations on winning the Flip-Along Fun Book!!!!
Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!!

Moving Christmas to January, who’s with me???

Due to the fact, that I have had a huge cough since the Monday after Thanksgiving, it has caused our holidays to get messed up.

We still have NOT decorated for Christmas.  I have only gone to one party and feel like this festive season is leaving before we have even started.

I went to the doctor yesterday.  After many meds he gives me more – don’t you love when that happens?  He took my blood and said come back in a couple of weeks.  He thinks I might be allergic to something that causes the cough…I think it might be my kids.  Just kidding.  Well, sort of…every time they walk in the room – I do start coughing.

One of the things we have been able to do this season, is see an implosion.  I wanted to show more of the still pictures of the building – it truly was an amazing site.  If you missed the movie – go here.

 

It was the largest reinforced concrete building ever to be imploded.  Therefore, it goes into the World’s Largest category – we are on an adventure to see them all!

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!!

Fun learning tool

Contest Closed...
Last week, I received Flip Along Fun Book in the mail.  Immediately, my three year old son, grabbed my hand and walked me to our chair to look at it. 
His attention span is less than 1 minute long and this book captured it for at least 7 minutes.  It is interactive and he loved the counting it provided.  As an adult, the pictures of the pigs were not realistic but as a child he liked them with wigs on and cartoonish.
I liked the fact that you turned the first two panels and then tried to find final panel to match the pictures from the first two.  It made it kind of a game that was fun, had rhyme and reason.
Some of the panels were hard to turn and would be hard to break in the future providing a long time learning tool!
Here is a video about Flip Along Fun!


Guess what?  They are giving one to my readers as well.  Yep, you heard me right!  
Here is what you can to do to win it…
Mandatory:  Leave a comment on this post telling me - who you would give it to – leave your email visible or on your blog (I will not hunt very long for it).
Extra Entries:

1. Follow my blog and leave a comment telling me.
2. Subscribe to my feed and leave a comment telling me.
3. Look at my video of the IMPLOSION and tell me what you think. 
4. Tell me what the perfect gift you got as a child.

Yep – that is 5 ways to enter to get this book!  It will be ending on December 17th.  You will have 48 hours to claim once I email you! 
If you want more information about the book please visit the FLIP ALONG’s website.

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

This is NOT a paid advertisement, I only received the book to review.

IMPLOSION – What a blast!!!

Getting up at 4:25 a.m. in not my normal routine.  But, for a implosion I did it with a smile on my face.
We went to South Padre Island to see a 31-story building blown to pieces.  It reminded me of Jericho being surrounded by Joshua and his army.  The walls came tumbling down.
We got to see it up close and really personal.
Here is our video…

What a neat experience it was for our family.  National Geographic is going to do a video on it, they had cameras on it on every other floor.  Needless to say they were sacrificial cameras. 
Guinness Book of World Record was also on site.  It being the largest concrete building ever to be imploded.  Yes, we saw history.
The building was 31 stories and concrete reinforced.  It was to be a condominium complex but due to foundation problems it had a huge crack up the North side of it that was visible to the naked eye.  Some say it had already sank 14 inches.
It truly was a blast to see!
Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

Whataburger Deal…

Whataburger is having a sweet deal right now…

“The Twelve Days of Whataburger”

Starting December 1st, they will email you a coupon for free food valid every other day from December 2nd until December 24th, 2009. It could be anything from a shake, to French fries, to a Whataburger®. 

In order to receive these free offers, along with other future promotions, please click here to sign up.

Go here for more details…

I love Whataburger!!!

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

Easy Fragrant Ornaments or Gift Toppers

We have a few Christmas trees in our home (only one is up right now).  One of the kids’ trees is just decorated with homemade ornaments. We made these a few years ago and decided to make some more.

It is so simple and the smell is out of this world delicious!

These are NOT edible!!!
 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups ground Cinnamon
(2 bottles of cheap cinnamon will do – I think they were like .25 for each bottle at Wally-world.)

1 cup of applesauce (Un-Sweetened)

1/3 cup of White School Glue 

Cookie Cutters

Straw

Ribbon for hanging

Pour into bowl.
 
Don’t forget the glue!  Mix well.

Knead into a ball.  Use wax paper for easier clean-up.  Isn’t that a pretty cinnamon clay ball? 
Let it sit for 30 minutes. 
Reminder:  It is NOT edible!

Roll out dough to approximately 1/8 inch thick and cut into shapes using cookie cutters.  I let my kids use their hands to flatten it out like you would with play-dough. 
Word to the wise:  Use Wax Paper!  It makes clean-up easier!  Poke a straw through the dough to make a hole to be able to hang later.

Lay them out flat so they can air-dry turning them over occasionally.

Might take up to 5 days to completely dry.

Let me know if you have done these and have pictures.  Some people use puff paints to decorate them.  I liked them just with a pretty ribbon. 

Blessings to you!!!  You are LOVED!!!

I’m participating in Day THREE -Handmade Gift Ideas at Girl Creative Blog-Fest.

This also Works for Me!  Also hooked up to the ornament party.