St Augustine Tour

Today we went down into historic downtown and did a trolley tour (turn off volume or it might scare you) and visited the old jail house. I found an ad last night that said all residents of St Johns county received free three day pass for the trolley and entrance to the old jail during the month of November. So being the last day of November, today was the day. The girls loved it. Savannah wasn't sure about the sherriff in one part (the actual picture on the website) as it was a fake guy that moved and talked.... She though he was real enough and actually going to lock her up I think. We were the only people on our particular tour too. Then we hopped on the trolley. We only stopped once along the way at an old historic church that Henry Flagler built (Flagler Memorial Pryesbeterian Church), other than that we just rode. Zoe actually fell asleep riding the last leg of the trip.... I still can't figure out how. A horse and buggy on a road full of potholes would still be a smother ride than those trolleys!

It did give me a few more ideas on how to explore St Augustine with the kids, some of the attractions that are free to get in like some of the old churches and old drug stores, that kind of stuff. Also learned some fun facts I didn't know before. When you live in a city, sometimes it is hard to remember the cool stuff about it. Other times you just stop taking advantage of it cause the kids are too hard to travel with.... but now that Zoe is old enough we really got to get out more!

Since the Last Time...

Since the last post, I have:

• ripped the carpet out of two bedrooms
• painted one bedroom from gray builders color (we aren't sure if they actually painted or not, it could have been just plain drywall) to a lovely shade of purple
• pulled down all the shelves in the purple room, dusted, reorganized and reassembled shelves once the paint dried.... now what do I do with the leftover stuff?
• prepped the girls bedroom for pink paint (top only, they have stripes for the bottom half)
• ordered new linoleum floors for the two bedroom
• objected about the lawn mower not being worthy of finishing out the season around here and gratefully received a new one (I guess my husband really didn't want to have to mow the lawn for the next month)
• went camping at our church, and
• helped pick up the new floors

That is what I have been up to.... How 'bout you?

Beach Time!

We made it to the beach today, and had a blast, though we forgot to take the camera along, so you all missed it. Savannah buried herself in the sand all the way up to the neck (with help of course. She said it felt good. I thought it was rather weird. It reminded me of all those cheesy postcards from Florida where the old man's head is sticking out of the sand...... hmmm.

Zoe had lots of fun sitting in the waves until a rather large one pushed her back on land by about a foot and she decided she didn't like the waves..... she did eventually get back in the water, but real reluctantly.

Nature and Playgrounds

We went up to the local park in early March before our trip to see Mike's family. I actually remembered to take along the camera too. Lucky You.

Mommy, I want to swing. It's my favorite.

Not another picture mom, I am trying to play on the stairs here!

Hey look, a stick....

Yeah I like this stick.... It makes me look older.



Look, not only did I find one, but Savannah did too.

(No, I don't remember what the found in the dirt....a pine cone?)




Hey Mom, I can use it to draw!

or drag along behind me....

(my favorite pic from that day)

We started on the playground, and then went on a walk around the baseball and soccer fields where they found their sticks. Savannah and Zoe both tried to sneak them into the van too, but without any success.

Seeds Family Worship

I was introduced to this group through Jolanthe at Homeschool Creations.

Seeds Family Worship Go, watch it.

Race Day at Turning Point

Savannah attends an Awana's club on Wednesday nights at a church right up the road. They did a race day where the kids got to race little wooden cars that they made back in the very beginning of March.

Making the plan.... and picking out which car she liked the best.

Dad cutting out the car. Sorry it is sideways.

Helping Dad fine sand the car.....

Adding weight to the back of the car is supposed to speed it up. It is actual molten lead.

Her pre-paint job design scheme.... She did not understand why we couldn't paint it there that night, and so decorated it herself..... later she asked to do rainbow colors, which was done by dad....

Savannah's car is the rainbow one in the second row, as she asked her Daddy to paint it rainbow colors....

Savannah at the race day track....

Taking a break in a real race car....

The tracks from up high.... Can you find Savannah?

The end of the track where they were judging who won the race.... Savannah and I are down there somewhere.... Savannah didn't win anything but a blue participation ribbon.... but that is all she wanted so she was as happy as can be!

Bits and Pieces

• I applied several days ago for the Homeschool crew. The group of moms is associated with The Old Schoolhouse magazine, and they receive homeschool supplies in the mail or online and review the product. Then basically I would become a salesperson for the product and hopefully boost sales for the creator of the product. I have heard nothing back about my application.

• I know it is Valentine's day this Sunday, but lately I haven't felt like celebrating it at all. Maybe cause It's just been so rainy and gloomy, kids have been semi-sick, and/or the wintry blahs. Whatever the reason, I just not too in the mood. That makes me sad.....

• We still have a Halloween pumpkin from last Halloween.... No, we never carved it, we painted it instead so it hasn't gone bad. I have been debating carving it with hearts and using it as the centerpiece for Valentine's day. Don't worry, I have thought about carving it every holiday since Halloween, and yet it still sits there.... I don't think this holiday is going to get a carved pumpkin either.

• I have been thinking about going back to work lately. I even debated renewing my teaching degree, thinking maybe of teaching in the private sector so that my kiddos could get a private school education. The Voluntary Pre-K school where we have Savannah registered for next year, has K-5th grade school on the same campus. It is a small little private school that uses the Abecka curriculum, which is highly popular even amongst homeschoolers. Then we realized if I work, Savannah loses her health care. We can't afford for Savannah to be without health insurance and we can't make more than what we do now and still be covered. We can't even buy health insurance because of pre-existing conditions and the cost of medications. So basically we can't afford for me to work. Unless the system changes, I am a stay at home mom for the next 14 years.... Most days I don't mind.... other days I want something different for a while.

• I have been debating homeschooling for a long time. I find the idea of it to be mind challenging and interesting. Since I can't work outside the home, I can consider homeschooling as a serious option. I don't look forward to the curriculum search or the thought of "being out there on my own" not to mention that the rumor is we loose all special services for vision as soon as we register as a homeschooler. Well I may have found a happy medium. Turns out the state of Florida has a virtual school option called Connections Academy. Through the academy you are registered as a public school student through the district (meaning we can still receive vision services *I think*), all the curriculum is sent directly to the home, the grades are all online, etc. As a virtual student we send in sample work and so forth to the Orlando office, use the computer to do virtual lessons and speak on the phone with the certified teachers on a regular basis. I think it will be a happy medium as we can always bring in extra supplemental work and not have to plan out every subject. Next school year she isn't eligible, but kindergarten year I am seriously considering registering her through virtual school. Even if we find it isn't the right fit for us, it is a nice jumping off place into homeschooling as it runs on a lot of the same basics as homeschooling does.

• I think it is sad that all our kiddos are growing up so fast. This past month both grandma and I no longer have a crib for babies to sleep in. Grandma decided Ella was too big (which she was) and Mike and I converted the crib to the full size bed for both girls to sleep in together. It just makes me sad that there are no more little babes needing cribs down here anymore.

• We found out this past week that one of Savannah's best friends are planing on moving. The dad's job is up in the air and they are thinking that they will be moving back north come the beginning of summer. After they paint this weekend and next, they are putting their house on the market. We will miss them once they move.

THE Best bib ever

I have never been a big fan of bibs, as neither of my kids would actually leave them on. Then trying to find a place in my kitchen to hang them in order to have them handy enough to actually use was always a challenge. Until this bib. This thing is AWESOME! I love it. I put it on Zoe this morning and she didn't mess with it at all cause it felt like a shirt..... and it actually kept her clean!

Here is the company's website.... Since I can't read Japanese, I can't get much more specific. Maybe your computer will translate it better than my computer did. The ones I have came from my sister Takako, who speaks fluent Japanese and can read the website a lot better than I can.

A Wonderful Poem....

The Road of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.

But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable . . . It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!"

I worried and was anxious and asked,"Where are you taking me?"He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared,"He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine.

And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says . . . "Pedal."

-- author unknown


Copied from Holy Sweat by Tim Hansel

Memory Lane

It is funny how when you go back to an old spot, certain things stick out to you that never stood out before.

Today I went to a bridal shower at my old church. I hadn't stepped foot in the church in about eight years. Everything was exactly the same as when I was last there.... but back then it seemed bigger, more up-to-date, and well kept.

Now I don't mean to sound down on it.... It is not that the building or anything changed (In fact I think the candles are still identical, which would make them at least ten years old) but since then my entire world and life has changed.... back then a big church for me was a church of 300.... now it is a church of 3500. My perspective on things is just different.....

But it was good to go back. It is always good to go back to where it all began..... Where I attended youth group and was part of the crazy gang...... and then I thank God too, that one must grow up and move on to other stages in life.....

Life is different now then it was back then, but both are great in their own way.

Randomness

So she wants to crawl.... bad. Boy am I in trouble!

Mike's Birthday present

His present, halfway completed. I will post a finished picture in a little bit..... right now I have to go finish the pantry project.

Don't you wish you were me???? I do.

Yup, the entire contents of my pantry, almost... I didn't bother to show you my other kitchen counter.


See, I told you it was everything!


See this container???? It's supposed to be airtight, right???


Well, It's not. See, here is my proof!

My morning activity is to remove the moth infestation from the pantry. Sounds fun huh?

Like I said, Don't you wish you were me?

The Smile Award

So back on September 2nd, this blog was awarded the Smile award by the gal's over at The Jo's Know. In order to receive this award, one must display certain characteristics and follow certain rules. Here they are:

The characteristics for the Smile Award are:

Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human).
Must love one another.
Must make mistakes.
Must learn from others.
Must be a positive contributor to blog world.
Must love life.
Must love kids.


Here are the rules:

The recipient must link back to the awards creator
You must post these rules if you receive the award.
You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.
You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award (see above.)
You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
You must create a post sharing your win with others.
You must thank your giver.


Well the creator is of this award is the blogger behind this blog. The rules have been posted. The characteristics are posted, and I am posting about it now. And here is the Thanks again for the Jo's. But I just don't know who to send the award to, that hasn't already received it. (I have a very short list of blogs I check I guess and the ones I would send it to have all already received it.)

And just as a side note, I am not sure this blog fits all the characteristics either...(come on, we all know that I am perfect.... hehehehehehe, Now THAT is funny! No really, a positive contributor to the blog world???) but I am glad you guys all think so. In fact, I sometimes still get shocked that anyone even reads this blog.

Simple Mom Giveaway!

Did you see Simple Mom's giveaway!?!? One lucky winner is going to walk away with seven prizes from fellow full time moms and families. Go check it out if you want to know more!

Our Garage Sale Finds

So I know that this is supposed to be a baby bathtub, But Savannah thought it was the greatest thing ever, and really bought it for herself. Yes, I don know she is technically too big for it, but it actually came in handy having her wanting to be in it. She was able to hold baby Zoe so that I could give her a bath. Maybe one day it will make it down to the pool as a pool float too... you never know how useful it can be....



At the same Garage Sale as the duck, we found these letters. They take up tons of space (well in a house that is already kind of full and needing to have it's own garage sale) but Savannah thought it was the coolest thing ever when we got them out and started playing with the alphabet. First, we put them all together and she just wanted to play on them. Then, we tore it appart and put all the outside edges of the alphabet in order and Savannah matched up *most of* the inside letters. She had an absolute blast! Afterwards, she made an....



alphabet raceway out of them. I kid you not, she must have raced her car along the alphabet for at least an hour... or so it seemed.

But after all that alphabet work, Mommy and Zoe just had to sit down and marvel at the simple activity that captured the mind of a two year old.

Which is your Favorite?

Precious is she & oh so sweet,
tiny hands & adorable feet,
given to us by God above,
a darling daughter for us to love.

Baby can't wait to share the joys,
Sister can't wait to share the toys!

Ten little fingers and a cute nose.
Everything is perfect
from her head to her toes!
Announcing the birth of...

I have a new sister
She'sas cute as can be.
I'll be the best big sister
just wait and see!

Double the trouble,
double the fun,
our second baby girl
has finally arrived...

Phones, Internet.... what next?

So now that our phones came back online, we lost the internet. Looks like it will be a few days before we get back on too, so see you later!

Phones

So our phones seem to be acting up. It is amazing how much you can take for granted the phone and how useful it is, until it no longer works. We have been having issues with the phones themselves, but it wasn't till this morning that they actually haven't had a dialing tone at all. It also happens that it wasn't till this morning that I really needed it either, you know for making all the doctors appointments and such.

"Why not use the cell phone then?" you ask. Well, it doesn't have enough reception out here by our house to be much good.

Memories

So this little pile of Chex mix brought back some really nice memories. It is officially called Muddy Buddies, and though I made it with the recipe off the back of the box, you can also find it here at the Chex website.

It brings back the memories of going to my Grandma's house up in small town Mentone, Indiana. For those who have never heard of it (which unless you are family probably includes you), it is a little town in central Indiana with a population of almost 1500 people, and only has a land mass of .6 square miles. Despite the small size though, Mentone "is the self-proclaimed 'Egg Basket of the Midwest' because of prolific commercial egg production in the area." (There is a big concrete egg in the town square that we have many a picture of me standing in front of through the childhood years.) But I digress...

Anyways, it brings back the memories of going to my grandparents house, which was the typical country house, not with the country furnishings like in the magazines but the furnishings of a house that was kept super clean and in very good repair (with little wear and tear) even though nothing had been changed or remodeled since olive green and shag carpeting was in style. There wasn't a dishwasher, and in the florescent pink basement was a second refrigerator, probably dating from my grandparents early adulthood, and a second freezer.... Anyways, I remember that my grandmother would always make this stuff when she knew us grand kids were coming to visit. (Knowing her though, she would actually make it weeks or months before our visit, along with all the other meals for our visit, and store it in the freezer downstairs in an old butter dish container with the date on it, so that she could rest up for us coming to visit.)

If you can't tell, I have many, many fond memories of going to my grandparents house in Mentone. So many that it is hard not to get sidetracked from one to the other. In fact, I don't think I have any bad memories of the place or those grandparents at all. The only thing I wish is that I could have been a little older before they were into all the health problems, so that I could have gotten to know them more. It is one of those things, where, if I could become more like anyone I have ever known, I would want to be the solid, Bible believing, family centered, small town individuals that they were. Yes, were. They passed away the Christmas when Mike and I were engaged. I can't complain though because I have never met anyone else that was so sure that Heaven exists and so unafraid of death as they were. I know too, that they are up in Heaven praying and cheering our family on, just like they did here on earth.