Asher's Cookie Monster Extravaganza!

Last week we celebrated Asher's 2nd birthday!  As always I spent all week working on his party.  I told Trevor my parties have always been over the top.  Thanks to pinterest they are now - ridiculous.   Here is the problem - I love parties!  I love the planning, the creativity, and the baking!  I just have a tendency to go overboard.  So much so that the day of the party I am a stressed out mess!  Trevor told the the kids once on the day of the party, "it's birthday party day, mom is not a fun person to be around today, leave her alone."  Wow that hurt, but he was right.  So I hope my children remember the fun mom who spends hours planning a few hours of their life!   Not the crazy person who shows up on party day!  So here are a few pictures of the party!
I think everyone had a great time!

The cookie bar!  (ignore the falling brown paper)

Cookie Monster Cupcakes!

This stuff was amazing!

Monster Cookie Dough Dip

Party hats that Eliana and the twins made

The Birthday Boy!

Birthday kisses from Vivian

All most everyone is looking the same direction

Book Review: Short -Straw Bride

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0965-9

This is a historical romance set in the late 1800's.  The character development is amazing.  Within the first few chapters you know who Travis and Meredith are and what makes them tick.  The author shows you the true personality of each of them. The common themes in the book are family, trust, friendship, and loyalty.  It encourages all of these as important traits in life.  The suspense in the last several chapters kept me up until the late hours to finish the book.  I could not put it down, I read the entire book in one evening. 

I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one in the series. I would give a warning to parents of daughters.  I would not let my unmarried friends read this book.  A big part of the plot is wrapped up in a marriage being consummated.  I could easily see it stirring feelings in young woman that are inappropriate.  I was unaware that a Christian book could make me blush.    The story is a true love story not a Hollywood romance.  There are things that could create curiosity in young readers.

This book was provided free to me by Bethany House Publishing Group

Home School Newbies

A few weeks ago we had our first parent meeting for our local home schooling group.  I met lots of first year home schoolers.  They were full of questions and wanted lots of advice.  It is hard for me to step into that role.  I still have no idea what I am doing most of the time.  This year we are embarking on our 4th year of home schooling.


That sounds crazy even as I type it!  The way that new homeschoolers  perceive me reminded me of my first years of marriage.  I vividly remember sitting in Steak & Shake with a couple from church we had just met.  Trev and I had been married only a few weeks.  They had been married 2 years and were expecting their first child.   I remember thinking we can't be friends - they have all this marriage stuff figured out.  As I approached my second anniversary I realized how crazy a thought that had been.  I had wasted years of what would have been a wonderful friendship, because I thought they had it all figured out already.

So I compare this to homeschooling - 4 years later - I still don't have it figured out.  I have learned some things, but still have lots to learn.  I am happy to share my experience with others.  I am thrilled that others have followed God's calling and are teaching their children at home. 

So if you are new to homeschooling- please do not be intimidated by us that have been at it awhile.  Ask questions, seek advice, we may not always have an answer but we are willing to listen.  We have all been there, that first year for me was the scariest.  For those of you that have been doing this longer than me - please share your experiences with us!

This all reminds me of one of my favorite pieces of Scripture:
Titus 2:3-5
Likewise, teach the older woman to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanders or addicted to much wine, but teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.


Yesterday our local paper wrote on article on homeschooling and featured our support group.  Here is the link to that article.  Eliana is in a few of the pictures.  She was pretty excited to see herself in the paper.  Her 2nd comment was, "Why are Nathan and Luke's pictures bigger?"


If you are local here is the link to the home schooling group I am a part of ECIHEN.  It is a great way to connect to other families in your area.  There is a  mom in the group that has a heart for 1st year home schoolers. If you are a first year homeschooler I encourage you to check out her blog: blairfamilyschool

Life with boys

This week has had a few adventures:

Since it has been so dry we have not been able to burn our large pile all summer.  The kids know they are not suppose to play on it.  Asher made it to the top and then couldn't get down.

Josiah found a tree frog and had to show me

Yes he brought it in the house!

And the last event involves the toilet (sorry I didn't take any pictures, it's a toilet)  The toilet in the kids bathroom has been working sporadically for the last few weeks.  Trev took it apart to see if he could find the problem. The problem:  Some one had flushed a hard plastic twisted drinking straw! 

Just a normal day around here!

Asher turns 2

Today our baby boy is 2 years old.  

We started the day with donuts and candles.

Papa George spoiled him with his special root beer for lunch.

Our normally happy boy! 

This is the look he gives me when I ask him to smile!

 Happy Birthday Asher Jude!

Pinterest Club First Meeting

Our first meeting was a few weeks ago.  Our numbers were small but a great time was had by all. Here are a few pictures of the evening.

Look at all the yummy food

Mint Oreo Truffles

Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

Luscious Strawberry Party Punch

Here are a few of the projects that got completed.

We will be meeting again in September.  If you would like to join in on the fun, just leave a comment or send me a private message!

My garden

Due to the heat and drought we are having in the Midwest, my garden is not looking good.  We have had zucchini & potatoes.  Nothing else is producing well enough to stock up for the winter. Even the things that are growing are small.  My corn is the same height as my tomato plants.  Most of the produce is miniature this year!  Here is one of our favorite summer treats!

Even my cherry tomatoes are miniature

red onions

super small jalapenos

Finished product:  straight from the  garden salsa!

VBS 2012

This was the first year the twins were old enough to join their sister at VBS.  Eliana and Josiah were so excited to go.  Jeremiah was apprehensive.  Monday morning started with him not wanting to go because he didn't want to be with strangers.  So we prayed he would know his teacher, we called dad and had him pray too!  Eliana was with her cousin. Josiah was with a teenage boy we have known since birth and Jeremiah was a with a complete stranger.  So I did everything parents should never do when dropping off a preschooler.  I finally got him to stay by letting him sit with Josiah.  He was still crying when I left.   That was the most eventful day of the week.  Jeremiah had a great time - he just had to be with Josiah at all times.  Eliana, as always, loved the music and dancing.  Jeremiah was the only one who could tell me what the story was each day.  The stories are acted out and the kids have a part in the story.  It gave me great insight into how Jeremiah learns.  Josiah loved games - what 4 yr. old boy doesn't love running around!   Here are a few pictures:

Josiah really go into the dancing

The boys are in the front in the striped shirts

Josiah would not stop dancing!

VBS is more fun when you get to attend with your cousins!