Interference

{Otherwise known as the episode in which I lost my invitation to decorate the guys' workshop. Oh, wait. . .I wasn't invited in the first place. Yes, the night I interfered with the excitement of getting a new bandsaw for the workshop!}

Tarver, practicing his sarcasm skills. Also his 'freak-mom-out-'cause-she's-sure-we'll-cut-our-fingers-off' skills. {Psst. . .fake blood would help, Tarver!}

I'm not exactly sure why my husband wasn't excited when I crashed the new bandsaw party and announced I had something for them to hang up in the shop. Sweet of him to put up the housewarming, or shopwarming, gift I made for my guys anyway. {I haven't checked back to see if it still hangs. . .}

I have to admit, though, I am warming up to the idea of more finger-threatening power tools around here as I hear plans for garden benches, book shelves and various kitchen blocks.

The Mom in me will always be a bit protective over these fingers, though. I had to leave my influence in the workshop or it just wouldn't have felt very mom-ish of me!

A Date With. . .

My craft corner. Sometimes, I just need to go and put paper with paper and make something pretty. It happens a lot in the winter.




A steaming cup of tea and my favorite slippers are necessary companions. Quietness is a rare treat in this home. I love the bustle and blessing of energy that unfolds within the walls of our home every minute of every day- but sometimes my head and heart yearn for the thinking kind of quiet.

Withdrawing to the quiet of my craft corner is how I can re-energize and find focus again. Creation always needs a purpose, and the other night I just had to make something for a dear friend. After years of praying for another baby to grace her arms, she has just found out that she will be Momma, for the third time, this summer.

Wall art and bookmark for her Bible seemed appropriate. And these words from the book of Samuel were the first to pop into my heart when she shared the news.

This week my Mom will celebrate a birthday and so I also set to work creating some sewing themed items for her. If you know of my Mom, you will know how appropriate the sewing theme is for her.

These little sewing machine tags should be perfect for her to attach to her sewing projects when she offers them for sale.

I'm so thankful for my husband who understands this need for me to get away and create and plugs in my electric foot heater so I don't freeze in my craft corner. He also puts my little guys to bed {bath and all!} and keeps the older boys safe in the workshop as they spend time working on their crafts. I guess we all have a bit of creating to get out in this family!

How are you spending these long, cold winter days?

Free Time Addiction

When weekend plans get de-railed, and we find ourselves on an alternate route and I am fighting with myself to not push to-do lists into our free weekend and let this weekend be just that -

free

This is the activity of choice. For every member of my family {except when I stop to take pictures of the quietness in our home.}

We are a family with serious book addictions.
And since our selections aren't fluffy and stress character, virtue, adventure and true education, I am really okay with this addiction.

This is our 'school' basket - these are the books we are journeying through as a family this week.

{There are more, trust me there are many more. . .this is just our upstairs basket!}

Our end-table reading basket, for just picking something up and reading in a spare moment. Or so I have something to offer our guests when they sit in our home, to go along with coffee. {As if!}

Ryland's corner of choice this afternoon.

My to-do pile on my nightstand. I seriously need to pretty up my nightstand pile.

And as if I needed any more books, our mail lady delivered these gems just this afternoon. My 'to-read' list just keeps getting longer and longer and longer. . .

I know there are a few other book addicts out there- please tell me, what are you reading this winter? What are your children enjoying?

My Best Friend's Birthday

The man of our home celebrated a birthday this week. I love to see how his children rally to show how much he is loved and appreciated. . .

Breakfast, compliments of the young men in our home. {With some help from the 8 girls who live in our barn, too!}

After supper at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Mint Brownie Pie compliments of yours truly.



A little bit of Happy Birthday singing. . .

And presents, too, of course. Langston was so excited for Daddy to open up his gift that he kept telling Daddy all day long, "Is it time for you to open your trains yet, Daddy?" Bob did his best to act surprised when it finally was time to open up his trains.

A gift certificate for some serious Lego playing from Tarver and Ryland. Braden gave his Dad a present in the making (it's a palm-sander holder) but since Bob has to be in the workshop to supervise, the surprise element was a bit lacking. I sense a theme here. . .

A new game from Carol and some help unwrapping from Ryland

A funny card from Bob's Mom

And a really funny card from Bill (You could start your own line of Hallmark cards, Dad!)

Some new shoes from the sons to keep their Dad comfortable, warm and safe this winter during work.

With the gifts unwrapped it was finally time to kick back and enjoy dessert.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

{not} Just a Trim

Before. . .

During. . . Chop, chop!!

And after!

My sweet friend, Cindy, who can hack quicker than I can change my mind.

My youngest youngsters, one of which inquired during the haircut, "Are you still my Mommy?"

I'm the Man{-Mommy}

While indulging me in the squeeziest of throat constricting hugs {you know, those little hugs that mommies love so, so much!}, Langston proclaimed his love to me this afternoon.
"I wuv you, Mommy!"

Heart swelling. . ."I love you, too, Langston."

"You my fave-wit (favorite) man, Mommy!"

A Bumpy Start. . .

To the New Year. Literally.


Langston missed a tackle on Dominic yesterday at a weekend get together with friends. Dominic zigged (Ryland was holding him down), Langston zagged, missed his intended tackle and went face-to-face with the wood part of the couch.

Ouch!
Look closely (flash photography washed out much of the color) to see the ring of the goosebump. This thing is huge! Plus, he got a bit of a welt under his eye.

What a bruiser!