Shaving cream "fun"

Today I put a bunch of shaving cream on the boys Little Tykes table for them to smear around and play and have fun. (hint: it also cleans all the crayon and marker and stuff off of the table but I don't think you can use it on wood). Anyway, I thought it would be great fun for all! Maverick was less than thrilled with the shaving cream on his hands and after like 45 seconds, he wanted to wash his hands. I should have known since the kid will go through several napkins per meal if we let him. Anyway, Aiden had fun and the table was clean...now they are playing playdo.

Spaghetti Time!

Griffin has decided that he is pretty much done with most baby food. He will let me sneak in a bite here and there but he wants to eat what we are eating and he wants to do it himself. He does pretty well and seems to eat pretty much anything.

What I want to know is why it is cute when he looks like this after a spaghetti "experience" but not me? And contrary to what one may think from looking at these pictures...he did actually eat some. Yummy!

HE DID IT!

Last night at bed time Daddy was reading some books with the big boys. They read a Bible story first and discussed it a little bit (10 Commandments). We talked about the importance of listening and obeying and following rules. That many rules are made to keep us safe.

Then Shane had picked the book "Hop on Pop" and AIDEN READ IT!!! He needed help a couple times but he really read most of it. He sounded out some words that he wasn't sure of and did a great job!!! I am so proud of him!!!

Our next family trip??

So today we had to make a quick run to Rural King to buy pig feed and chicken feed! As we were checking out I asked Maverick, "Are you ready to head home?" And he replied without missing a beat, "No, I wanna go to Hawaii." Yes, that's right...Hawaii. The check out lady in the lane we chose AND the other two lanes were laughing. I replied "Don't we all want to go to Hawaii." He just looked at me.

I can only figure that he heard "Millie" (one of the skit characters at VBS) mention it. She was confused and thought she was in Hawaii on Sunday night. She probably said it 3 times in that skit. Just goes to show you how well kids really do listen...when they want to!!

A Successful Week of VBS!!

Well, it is Friday and Vacation Bible School is over! I have to say it is a little bitter-sweet. Although I am tired and my house is a mess and tonight's meal will be the first "real dinner" that we've been able to actually enjoy all week, I had a great time. We averaged around 65 kids each night including the infants and 2 year olds. One night there were 25 Kindergartners and 1st graders (GASP!!).

The kids really loved the songs and crafts. The Bible lessons interested child and adult volunteers both. Snacks were a huge hit thanks to "Grandma Darlene" who indulged their "I don't likes..." each night! Game time sounded fun although I admit I didn't head out there much since it was sweltering at least half of the nights. I tried to "duck in" each night in each area...but I know I didn't quite make it.

Our mission for the week was Oblong Children's Christian Home. The kids raised $755 and some odd cents. So they met the goals we set for them. At the $500 mark there was a contest...boys agains girls...boys win=a pie in the face for me OR girls win=a pie in the face for Shane. Well, the girls won but in the spirit of good sportsmanship we both got pies in the face! THEN if they raised $750 Shane and I, along with my friend Cherish (who is the ministry representative for the home) had to bob for apples in a bowl of goldfish...real ones NOT the crackers. It wasn't as gross as I thought it would be but the kids LOVED it!!!

We had great volunteers and a great time! I so enjoy everything about VBS...and although I am tired I can't wait till next year!!!

Maverick's Dinner Time Prayer!

Last night Maverick said the blessing before dinner. We had pancakes and scrambled eggs. This is what it sounded like.

Dear God,
Tika ti good (he always says this and we don't know what it means). Thank you for mommy, daddy, Aiden, and Baby Griffin too. We are gonna eat dinner. We're eating pancakes and eggs...(head jerks up and looks at his plate). Hey, wait...I don't have any eggs! I need some eggs.

Mommy interjects- I'll get you eggs...finish praying.

Maverick-
Thank you Jesus. In Jesus name. Amen.

We all collapse in still silent giggles. I scoop him some eggs which he doesn't eat anyway!

Amazon Expedition at SACC!!

Well, 2 days down and 3 to go and I am LOVING it!! The kids are doing great and the teachers and workers are fabulous!!! I feel so lucky to be working with such a wonderful group of people!! It is so much fun!!! Tonight we had over 60 kids. WOW!! And they have raised $150 for Oblong Children's Christian Home. WOW again!!!

We are learning the TRUE, Biblical history of the world with the Seven C's...Creation (world created by God around 6000 years ago), Corruption(sin enters the world), Catastrophe (great flood) Confusion (Tower of Babel), Christ (God's only son), Cross (His death for our salvation), and Consummation (Christ's return for us someday)! It is a wonderful lesson for kids to learn with all the "scientific fact" they are learning.

If you are in the area...it isn't too late to stop in and see us. We start at 6:15 pm and are finished at 8:30. We'll be there till Thursday!!

None of that Sissy Stuff!!!

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good,
but never actually come close to reality?
Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship.
You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card-
Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.


1. When you are sad --I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

4. When you're scared -- we will high tail it out of here.

5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.

7.. When you are sick --Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8.. When you fall -- I'll pick you up and dust you off.

9. This is my oath..I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask -- because you are my FRIEND!
Friendship is like peeing your pants,
everyone can see it,
but only you can feel the true warmth.

A Better Behaved Maverick!

Mom and I noticed something interesting about Maverick the other day. Today Cherish and I went shopping in Terre Haute and I decided to test it out. So on the way we stopped at a gas station and I bought him a can of Coke. Actually, I gave him a dollar and he got to buy it all by himself. I gave it to him in his cup in small "doses" and his behavior improved SO much! Even Cherish noticed how much better he was listening and obeying. I don't really know WHY it works..but it does. He seems to be able to focus better and think about what he is doing. He listened the first time I asked him to do something. And stopped immediately when I asked him to. He didn't have any screaming melt downs and even walked in the mall and stayed right with me. It was like he was a different kid! It was a wonderful day!!

Granted, I can't and won't give him Coke every day...but for days where we have to go to the grocery store or do something like that, it seems to make a big difference.

Good morning Mommy!

Yesterday did not get off to a great start...I'll not go into details...but it was loud and WAAAAAYY to early.

This morning was a totally different story. At 6:45 (which is sleeping in at this house), Maverick came in my bed, snuggled up to me, and said "Mommy, let's talk about God." That woke me up and we talked about how much God loves us and that He made the whole world just for us. And that He sent Jesus to die so we can go to Heaven and be with Him forever.

Then Maverick looked at me and said, "Can I have a snack?"

Griffin's New Happy Face

Griffin has started crinkling his nose and "snorting" through it. It is kind of like a laugh and is definitely a happy face. It is so funny to see. He does it mostly while he is eating so it often looks and sounds like he has sneezed and it is all over his face! So cute!

"I spy with my little eye..."

We are playing this game today. The boys really like it.

My clues were...brown, furry, with sharp points, and high on the wall before they finally got that it was the deer heads.

Maverick just did..."I spy with my little eye...I see something brown." We guessed the table. Then he said "It is comfy." I said daddy's chair. He says "Nope." Then he said, "It's brown, comfy and I can eat it." Duh, it is the peanut butter cookie he is eating. I wonder if he knows what comfy means??

Aiden likes to guess the most. He is getting really good at it!

Saturday Projects!

Today was a day of projects for us. We didn't make plans to go anywhere because it was supposed to be stormy...thanks Jen and Jace for the invite though. As it turned out the weather was nice for most of the day. The clouds are blowing in now though and I can hear thunder.

Anyway, last weekend I got the stuff to build a gate for our deck and a headboard for in our bedroom. So today we got to work making the projects.

After Shane cut out the plywood for my head board, he got to work building this gate. It is perfect for keeping the boys on the deck when they want to go outside. But it's primary use is to keep the chickens off the deck. They come right up to the house and peck at our sliding glass door. Not to mention all the poop all over the deck. Hopefully, Shane's masterfully built gate will solve that problem.



I covered a section of plywood with foam and then with red fabric to make a head board. You can't tell but it has a red on red vertical stripe. It is framed on either side with a red fabric with gold fleur de lis. It turned out great. I am very happy with it. I just had my uppercase living party and when I get the order in I will be putting I love you! over the head board. I'll post more pictures then. I am so pleased. I also need to make a few red pillows and a valance for the window. Again, there will be more pictures then too!



I just love a day when something fun is accomplished!!

That's A Dandy!

I had a conversation with Aiden today and it went something like this...

Aiden: Hey mom, have you ever seen a dandy?

Me: Honey, what's a dandy?

Aiden: (with 'duh mom' written all over his face) It's a fish!

Me: Really. Have you ever seen a dandy?

Aiden: (obviously thinking his mom is an idiot) Yeah!

Me: When did you see a dandy?

Aiden: When I was fishing with Nanny and Pappy at Too Tall Tony's pond (that is Tony Brooks).

Me: Oh Wow! How did you know it was a dandy?

Aiden: Cause Nanny said "Well, Aiden, THAT's a dandy!!"

Questions answered. Of course, Pappy is trying to teach Aiden the different names of the fish we catch...so Aiden has been able to identify blue gill, crappie, and cat fish. But now he is adding dandy to that list. Isn't that just sweet!!

**Just a note...I just found that picture online...it is NOT the official dandy caught byAiden or anyone I know...I just wanted to illustrate today***

Newest Family Member!!!

Thank you to the Pitcher Family for a wonderful afternoon today. After a yummy lunch and time swimming in the pool, Tony, Pappy, and Daddy went to pick out our pig. Tony was going to give us a bigger one and a baby...but only found a baby. He was giving us ones that can't be sold at market...THANKS again!! (although I don't think they read this blog...but anyway!) This one has an injured foot.

So here are pictures of the little guy in his new pen! The boys just love him ( I mean her...Shane says I finally got my girl...whatever)...I hope they are ok when we butcher. Oh, her name is porkchop! If we got 2 they were going to be Oscar and Mayer.

It just occured to me that I didn't take any pictures of the fun we had at their house...eating swimming and all that! So you'll just have to imagine that!

What "type" are you?

Ok, so I took this free personality test at http://similarminds.com/jung.html and it said I am a ESTJ personality. It stands for...
E=extroverted
S=sensing
T=thinking
J=judging

Here are some characteristics that fall under this category.
ESTJ
organized, group oriented, focused, conventional, leader, emotionally stable, anal, attention seeking, planner, realistic, fearless, responsible, finisher, decisive, norm following, respects authority, punctual, hard working, stiff, self confident, thinks rules and regulations are important, follows the rules, clean, outgoing, social, content, does not like being alone, normal, regular, does not like weird or strange people / things - intolerant of differences, strict, disciplined, aggressive, assertive, content, happy, proper, formal, strict with self, meticulous, strong sense of purpose

There are a few that make me scratch my head in wonder (I don't think I'm intolerant of differences and I'm not always emotionally stable)...but for the most part...I fit into this description.

So, where do you fall?

Uppercase Living Party!!

OK, here is the info if you can't come to the party. You can check out the product. here's how you do it.

Log onto www.uppercaseliving.com
click on customer corner.
Demonstration ID: 250670
Registration Token: Boyer

I think if you order directly from the site I can't get credit for my party...so if you can come to the party...please do. Plus, you'll get to do a little craft with the product and see how easy it is to use and how cool!! I can try to find out how you can order under my party from far away...so if you really want to...post a comment on here and I'll do some checking again. She has told me once how to do it...but I can't remember. I also get a reward if 3 people from out of state sign on to Customer Corner...so let me know if you do and what state you live in!!! For pictures of my new Uppercase Living projects in my house...scroll down a few posts. I am so pleased with how it looks and how easy it was to apply to the walls!!!

So long and Happy Decorating!!!

Amazon Expedition!!!

....I can't get the big cool logo to copy on here...I am a little frustrated by it...but...


SACC is headed for the Amazon!!!

Gather your gear, lace up your hiking boots, and join us on a
journey through the amazing Amazon rainforest. While we're
there, we'll also explore the 7 C's of history: Creation, Corruption,
Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross, and Consummation.

If you are in this area and would like to sign up...we will be on our Expedition July 20-24 from 6:15-8:30pm. We would love to have your 4-12 year old (or any that you know) join us for the fun and learning. For more info...leave a comment on this blog and I will get back to you!!!

I am SO EXCITED about this adventure!!!