Easter Coupons

There is an idea I thought I wouold share that we came up with years ago when our oldest were around 5 & 6.  We struggled with the desire to make Easter special and wanted to do something fun that the children could look forward to getting besides just a basket load of candy that would also encourage strengthening relationships and service. We hoped it would be fun and more focused on Christ and the real reason we celebrate Easter. This is what we came up with:

the coupons are all versitile for ALL age levels--teenager to 2

The boys look forward to it every year. 

Book of the Month

This month's book is---
                                                              

     I first read this book a couple years ago and was delighted when I learned that my sister had read it too. Although I wasn't really fond of the book, and can't say that I feel any differently even now,  she and I had a great discussion about it and both of us were glad we had read it- if for no other reason than understanding the culture better, helping us to appreciate what we have, and the blessings of our circumstances...before they are lost.

        Here's to hoping you will enjoy this read over a couple cups of  vanilla red  herbal tea and a generous piece of  my favorite bundt cake . Enjoy!  

She is trying!

I'm perfectly aware that many people are irritated by the fact that, across the nation, the weather is being kinda cruel {at least they say so} since it keeps teasing us by being beautiful one day, rainy and cloudy the next, 70 degree temperatures or even in the 80's the day after, to hoping the sun will be poking a few rays of light at least at some point of the day stillthe next. And many people {fortunately not our neck of the woods} waking up to snow blankets....just when they thought it was finally spring! I'm in agreement, but being the kind that likes to look for the light in a muddle of pitch dark, I tend to just want to enjoy the things that signify spring. Such as...

-My tulips blooming
-Our grass turning a healthy shade of green in the front (despite all the Oregon moss)
-New grass rising (really? there really was grass there at one time) in the back yard (among and in spite of all the mud)
-Spring blossomed trees

and then, there's my favorite....

Dandelions on my counter in the old cream container that was once my mother's that held the same kind of flowers all the years we were growing up. There is nothing more precious than the would otherwise be dreaded weed picked and handed to me through the grasp of those adorable little hands with the light of a sweet smile in the delivery. What a sweet blessing these "weeds" are! And now we know, Spring is truly in full swing, despite the curves the weather throws her way. She is truly trying!

What they say Wednesday

"Dad, 

                                                                               were you in the civil war?"

Wheels and Pine

It's taken me awhile to get back on my feet since coming home from our trip to D.C. Steve and I took the older two boys. We need this time with them. Bryon is going to be leaving home in the blink of an eye. I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I've heard many a people say that when they come home from a vacation, no matter how fun or enjoyable the vacation was, they need a vacation to recooperate. Well...that is what I needed last week. From the moment I came home...literally,  I was running children back and forth to the Dr. for ear infections and up with one or two of them every night for 6 nights while Steve was out of town again on business. Yes, it was a hardy welcome, but since I was so refreshed, I was glad to be with the little ones again and didn't mind it all that much. I do admit that it did get challenging once the exhaustion kicked in.

This is why I haven't posted anything... until today. I think it is a great reason to celebrate when your son places 1st in the big pinewood derby race of the year.   *Alright Jeremy!!!*

Bryon and Tyler helped their brothers install the wheels since Steve had to be out of town. He was only home long enough to cut out the cars as a Family Home Evening activity and then asked Bryon and Tyler to promise and help with the wheel application. They're old pros by now... 

Once there, they weighed in, added more weight and glued the wheels in place...

And then our other Cubscouter placed 4th for his first EVER race. (Way to go Michael!)

I think we are finally getting the hang of this car making stuff due to the many cars we've made throughout the years. Car styles are chosen from experience, and the paint jobs are improving. I rather enjoy the challenge of painting whatever image the children ask for now-a-days. What do you think?

                                               Waiting with much anticipation for the race to begin                 

   Unfortunately we have a grave lack of photos since I took two cameras and they both were apparently low on battery since they, neither one, made it to the end of the race for the big award picture! At least you are spared an endless string of blue and gold endless photos. Suffice it to say, after suffering with ear infections and lack of sleep for a week, Jeremy's pay off was the BIG WIN. What a wonderful way to make up for an otherwise uncomfortable week! What was so incredible about the whole thing, was that it never even occured to Jeremy that he might win. Not once. 

Michael seemed rather pleased with his results as well. it was a FUN night!!

Sick

     A couple of weeks ago I was feeling a bit under the weather and knew that I was just "fighting something". You know how that feels, right? When your throat gets just a little scratchy, but not bad, your nose drips a little-kinda annoying like, but still tolerable (you're just grateful it isn't worse) and you can tell you aren't quite feeling up to speed. This all started on a Friday. Well, I thought I was really doing a good job battling the oncoming influenza. Then it started. The sneezing. Ugh! I don't know how it is for others, but for me-if I start sneezing...I know I'm DONE FOR! Soooo, what's one to do? Especially one that is an M-O-M??

Not only an M-O-M, but one with 3 dependant littles?!? By Monday I was completely sucked under. So sick that I couldn't stand without being dizzy and feeling like my head was in a fog. The only thing I could do was NAP. change a diaper. nap. and NAP some more.  After one of those naps, I went downstairs to see the conditions. 

This is what I saw: 

"So, someone decided to get a snack, huh? Okay, understandable. What a mess. That stinks. Bummer."

 Then:

"To be expected. There's kids here. I'm glad they were enjoying themselves." *sigh*

THEN:

"Whoa!!! Who hired the {help?}!"

It only took my sick, tired body an hour and a half to clean up this oh so joyous mess with the hefty crafsman shop-vac.

That's what I get for:

Getting SICK.

Oh how I appreciate my health!

Blogging

Okay, truthfully...I've hit a little of what I call "blog depression". Usually I have to refrain from posting too much. But lately, I haven't wanted to blog at all. I have to give myself some credit that I have had some contributing factors to my difficulty with blogdom. What kind do you ask?  I'll just name a couple:

1) our desktop broke down on us 2-3 weeks ago.
2) although our wonderful neighbors loaned their laptop to us, it is missing the "b" key and the spacebar. The "b" key...little deal. Space bar HUGE PROBLEM. We have to punch the little round circle button precisely ON THE RIGHT SPOT.
3) until literally two days ago, I couldn't get my camera to upload. This is a biggy. To blog without pictures...not my style. Silly, I know.
4) WHO CARES IF I STOP!?! Sincerely, I've asked myself this question since I started blogging. Then suddenly people will start telling me how they "love" reading my blog, or ask questions that they could only have known to ask by reading. Who knew?! The most comments I've ever gotten were 5. Ridiculous that it matters, but feedback is helpful!

So...there you have it. My feel sorry for myself reasons for blog depression. I see a pot of gold on the horizon, however, for when I was typing this very post...what should the UPS man bring? But our new keyboard!!! WOO HOO---I'm signing off to install it now. Bryon's essays will be SO much easier for him to type!