Kayla's Piano Recital

Kayla began taking piano lessons in September. She has come so far in 4 months. I am so proud of all that she has learned and I see such joy in her eyes when she plays and when she talks about it. She has had the opportunity to play in church twice. Her teacher is our organist at church so the other day after her lesson Kayla gave us a mini-recital. She did such a great job! This mom is proud! My prayer is that she would always use her talents for the Lord.

Baking Day Fun/Fiasco!

Yesterday the kids and I baked 2 batches of cookies, Bakers Chocolate Chip with holiday chips and Bakers Chocolate Chip with M&M's. We made sugar cookie mix, but haven't gotten around to baking them yet. We had a good time, but before we even started half of the bag of baking M&M's was dropped all over the kitchen floor :( I wish I had more patience and had not lost my cool with my kids. But they are very forgiving and we had fun anyway. I am trying to figure out if they really like to bake or if they stay in with me so they can lick the beaters. Hummmm....

My next thing to make was Crock Pot Candy. I first encountered this yummy treat at our church's Christmas fellowship a few weeks ago. It's sooo good! I found the recipe and everyone said it's so easy and makes soooo much candy. Michael picked up all the ingredients for me at the store(thanks, honey) and I was ready to start. A little while after I put it in I noticed a burning smell, but decided it was nothing. The recipe said, "DO NOT OPEN LID". Cook for 3 hours in crock pot. I think this is a time I shouldn't have been such a rule follower and just opened it and checked. But, hindsight is 20/20. I kept smelling the burning smell- for 3 whole hours and what did I do???? Of course I didn't open it because it said DO NOT OPEN LID! I know what you're thinking, but I was busy, not just sitting here watching the crock pot for 3 hours. After 3 hours, I opened it and found my mess. The peanuts on the bottom had burned. Not just a little, but burned to a crisp! I tried to salvage what was on the top, but it's still not the same and has a kind of burnt taste. I was so upset, because I'd looked forward to eating and sharing my candy treats with everyone. I guess I'll have to find another crock pot because I'm never making crock pot candy in it again. That is if I ever attempt it again. Everyone keeps assuring me that it must have been my crock pot because you can't mess up this recipe.... well, I did.

One Week til Christmas

Have you noticed the craziness? The kids and I ventured to the store yesterday and I was amazed at the traffic and volume of people everywhere. Everybody is running around trying to buy that last present or get food for that party, etc. All that is why I try to have my shopping msotly done by Dec. 1. Of course it doesn't always happen, but, hey, at least I have a goal :) Silas bought the board game Sorry with his birthday money. I taught he and Kayla how to play this morning after we did our school work. I think they are hooked now. They really enjoyed it. Kayla won so Silas wanted to play it again so he could win. It was one of my favorite games to play growing up. Maybe we can all play and still get along. Michael and I are both very competitive so they get it naturally. As I was typing this post Holly, 2, who was supposed to be napping walked in here and stood by me. I told her to go back and take her nap. I smelled something and noticed something in her hair. I said what is that? She said watermelon. I asked her where she got it and she showed me her sister's lotion that she found. Apparently she'd tasted some of it and rubbed it all over herself. She immediately said, "it's yucky!" Well, at least she realized that. If there's something to get into she's the one that's going to do it. That little girl keeps me very busy that's for sure.

Big Helpers

After the adjustment of having four children, I have learned to be thankful for this season of life. I often forget what it's like to have just a two year old and a baby. If you're not following me just hold on. I'll get to my point. The other day my 6 1/2 year old and 5 year old were gone to Bible Buddies at church and that leaves me with just my two year old and baby(well, now she's one). You'd probably think wow that must be great to just have 2 children to take care of instead of the usual 4. Wrong! I can't get anything done. I must get each of them dressed for church plus get myself dressed. What's going on? That's when I realize: I need my older two. They are such good helpers!!!! They help find shoes, diapers, hairbows, socks, etc. while I'm getting one dressed. Then they play with one while I'm working on the other one. All this to say, it's much easier with more children because those children are trained helpers. Thank you, Lord, for all my precious children. I pray that I never take them for granted, but that I always train them up for your work.

Christmas banner

My previous post about this banner was deleted. I messed up and hit the wrong key :( I wanted to repost since I don't think it can be saved.

I have seen banners on different blogs and thought they were cute. I saw this tutorial on

asnipofgoodness.blogspot.com I thought it looked simple and easy to do. I got the stuff and thought it would be harder than it was, but it wasn't. I started making my own letters out of cardstock and then realized they weren't turning out like I wanted so I found some at a craft store that were so cute. I cut out my circles and pieced them together to sew. I'm not that great of a seamstress so the sewing could be much better, but I still like how it turned out. It's hard to sew in a circle :( It was easy to hang up. My sweet husband put some screws in the brick for me and there it is. I'm not sure if I like the stockings hanging above the banner, but it will be that way at least this year anyway.

"What God Wants for Christmas"

Last year after Christmas, I found a boxed Nativity set called, "What God Wants for Christmas". Of course it was marked down about 75 % off and I really like a great deal :) so I bought it for about $4.00. It's kind of like the "Ressurection Eggs" if you're familiar with that set for Easter. There are 7 boxes to open with a part of the nativity inside. Then you place the character in the stable. We've chosen to do one box per day and the children are excited each day to find out which part comes next. It's an interactive way to tell your children the story of Jesus's birth. We've enjoyed it so far.

Slowing Down

Take the time to focus on what really matters this season. It can be so busy and stressful for most families during this season. Take time to tell your family about the true meaning of Christmas- Jesus's birth. Read the Christmas story from one of the Gospels. Take the time to listen to your children. Play a game with them. Read them a book. Sing Christmas carols with them or as a family. Get in the car and go look at all the Christmas lights in your area. There are so many fun things to do this time of year, but don't try to do everything. Make time for each other and share the love of Christ as you do. You'll be thankful that you did.

Snowy/Sleety Day

Well, I'm not sure if it's snow or sleet, but the kids have sure enjoyed it. We went outside for a few minutes, but it was so icy, slushy, that we didn't stay too long. I did take a few pics.

We came inside to drink hot chocolate with candy canes. Then I decided to experiment a little. I have a few odds and ends and had thought several times about making a gingerbread house. I didn't have a clue how to do this. I just thought we'd try. Well, here's what we made. Not quite like the magazines :( but at least we had fun!

The kids and I went outside Monday afternoon and they played in the leaves while baby girl slept. They had so much fun making piles and jumping in them. Then they decided to roll down the little hill in our yard. Lots of fun! Of course I had to get my camera :)

I am a stay at home mom to four beautiful children. My husband and I are southerners who reside in a beautiful southern state. We homeschool our children who are 6, 5, 2, and 1. They keep us on our toes and we trust the Lord to give us the strength to train them in His word. Of course, that doesn't always happen and we fail and fall on our faces many times, but he gives us the grace and strength to continue. The weather turned cold today. The forecast for tomorrow is predicting a chance of snow. We don't see much snow here, but the chance of it is exciting! We'll see. I'll post tomorrow to let you know if it snowed.

My thoughts

I've been following several blogs for a few years now and always enjoy reading other people's thoughts. I have contemplated starting my own blog, but never took the time. I hope this will become a way for me to share my thoughts. I don't know if I will write daily, weekly or when I can, but this is a start.