rights of passage

                         

One day he’s mowin’ the lawn. . . next he’ll be drivin’ a car!

Happy Saturday,

Heather

Race car photo courtesy of Flickr

Little Girl on the Prairie

Mr. Z found this coat in little Miss A’s closet.

He just had to put it on her.

We all said “Awwwww. . . .she looks soooo cute!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My mom put this exact same coat on me. . . many years ago :)

Miss A. . . our fun little dress-up doll.

Heather

Simple Woman’s Daybook

FOR TODAY, Memorial Day, May 25, 2009

Outside my window...a beautiful, breezy, sunshiny day.

I am thinking...I should go for a walk.

I am thankful for...the joy the Lord has put in my heart.

From the learning rooms...there will be no school done today.  I am planning to finish school in two weeks.

From the kitchen... a favorite French Toast breakfast casserole was a big hit with everyone this morning.

I am wearing...an oatmeal colored shirt and black skort.

I am creating...thank-you cards.

I am going...to plant flowers today.

I am reading...nothing in particular at the moment.

I am hoping...little Miss A feels better from her cough and cold.

I am hearing...the sound of the washing machine.

Around the house...I have completed several projects I had hoped to tackle during this long weekend.

One of my favorite things...is my freshly showered/bathed kids after a fun yet dirty day playing outside.

A few plans for the rest of the week: finishing up school lessons, 2 doctor apts., and homeschool co-op.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

A picture taken by my mother-in-law on the beach in Florida.

Be sure to visit Peggy’s blog to read other Daybooks or to create one of your own.

Happy Monday!

Heather

springtime Saturday

kids are fishing. . .

  

mr. e is planting. . .

     

                     

flowers are blooming. . .

    

      

Lovin’ this springtime Saturday,

Heather

 

I ♥ Faces – Week 19 - “Blurb Photo Book” Contest/Amateur Category

There is a very special contest this week at I ♥ Faces! Submit your best photo to have it be added to the brand-new I ♥ Faces Blurb photo book!

Here are the details, which I’ve borrowed directly  from the I ♥ Faces site, and were written by Amy and Angie, the site’s founders:

1) There will be two categories (Professionals and Amateurs.) You will only be able to enter one of them. We recommend that Beginner photographers enter the Amateurs category. One winner will be chosen from each category and then we will have a special “Readers Choice” winner as well. All three of these winners will receive a free copy of our I ♥ Faces photo book from Blurb.

2) All participants whose photos are chosen to be in this book will receive photographer’s credit for their photo and 10% off the purchase price of the book.

3) Each participant can only enter one photo.

4) You will want to enter the very best face photo you have ever taken.

5) For this week only, you can even enter a photo that you have already entered on our site before. Typically this is a big no-no here at I ♥ Faces, but we want everyone to be able to choose their very best photo and we realize that some of you might have entered that photo into one of our photo challenges already.

6) The photo you choose can only have one or two faces in it. It doesn’t matter if it is a baby, child, teen or adult. As long as it only has 1 or 2 faces in it. (If you enter a photo that has more than two faces in it, your photo will not be considered for this contest.)

7) It has to be a close-up shot of the face. This challenge is all about focusing in on what we love most on this site ~ the beautiful faces!

 

Here’s a favorite of mine submitted in the amateurs/beginners category.

I like the coloring in this natural light photo.

I like  this very sweet smile.

I like those blue eyes.

More than anything else. . . I love this 9 year old boy of mine,  Mr. J!

"I am submitting this photo into the www.iheartfaces.com Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites."

Happy Tuesday!

Heather

More Camera Fun

A big thank you to my friend Lisa.

I had more fun with her SLR camera today.

A few of my favorite natural light shots of the kids:

I had to be quick.

 

No one was quite in the mood.

But I was!

 

Thanks guys!

 

And little gal.

Who went from this. . .                                                               to this. . . in a matter of moments. 

I think it’s naptime.  For her. . . .and me!

Sunday Blessings,

Heather

unexpected fun

 

My friend Lisa and I were at a party this afternoon.

She was the official photographer but needed to leave early.

So. . . she asked me if I’d like to use her (Canon SLR) camera and take pictures for

the rest of the afternoon.

Yippee!, Yes!, Whooo Hooo!, Yeeee Ha!. . .

I mean. . .  Yes Lisa, I’d be happy to. 

After the party, I came home excited to try out my borrowed treasure on my favorite photo subjects.

Needless to say, the camera has been around my neck ever since.

Here are a few memories from our (windy! gusty! cold!) family walk this afternoon.

 

 

Wonder how the daffodils will survive this 30 something degree weather we’re experiencing?

Yes, I’m having fun.

Hope you had some unexpected fun in your Saturday too!

Heather

 

Schoolhouse Rock!

We have friends visiting today!

The kids were very excited to have their friends do school with them!

Between giggles and chatting, some work did get done. . . I think.

I took a quick laundry break.  And when I returned?

Schoolbooks had been replaced with notebooks of trading cards!  Lots of them!

Trades were made. . . and sealed with a handshake!

But then I noticed the girls. . . the cards did not distract them one bit! 

I’ve never seen a student stay so focused?  Is it a girl thing?

The noon bell just rang.

It’s time to get lunch ready.

Then we’ll have some quiet reading time (am I dreamin’?)

and then sports club.

That’s our schoolhouse rock report for the day!

Happy Thursday!

Heather

I Heart Faces-Laughter

 

KIDS ENTRY:

This is one of my favorite pictures of Mr. A.

It was taken 3 years ago. 

He was 2 at the time.

It’s a fun week over at I Heart Faces!  Go HERE to check it out.

Happy Tuesday!

Heather

 

Simple Woman’s Daybook, May 11

FOR TODAY Monday, May 11. . .

Outside my window...the sun is shining and it’s 64 degrees.

I am thinking...about school curriculum for next year.

I am thankful ...God has given me six children.

 From the learning rooms...we are in the home stretch but the kids are way too easily distracted!

From the kitchen...I cleared out the refrigerator and washed the shelves.  All ready to go grocery shopping tonight.

I am wearing...my black sport pants, light green top and black sweater.

I am creating...bridal shower invitations.

I am going...to clean this office clutter one day this week.

I am reading...Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott to the kids.

I am hoping...to begin going to bed before midnight.  I’ve been a night owl lately.

I am hearing...the bounce of the basketball out at the court.

Around the house...two are studying, one is sleeping, two are playing, and one is playing but should be studying!

One of my favorite things...is having a fire out at our fire pit.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Dentist apts., congregational meeting, piano lessons, food pantry, two co-ops, and a party for a friend returning to her homeland of Japan.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...  One of my favorite things for Mother’s Day!

You can visit Peggy’s blog HERE to create a daybook of your own or to read other entries.

Happy Monday everybody!

Heather

 

My MarioKart Mom!

(A post from Mr. E)

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

It was great to see you and Dad.

The kids loved teaching you how to use the MarioKart Wii!

This is the kids’ #1 favorite game. . .

and you are my #1 favorite mom!

Love,

Charlie

 

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

Mom to two,

 

wife of 44 years,

 

“Oma” to nine,

“Olaaaa”,

From Little Women to Boxcar Children,

friendships matter,

chocolate lover,

R.N.,

loves her naps,

Jesus follower,

“I’m soooo glad to be home”,

beautiful quilter,

creative cross stitcher,

knitter,

encourager,

avid reader,

Fox News fan,

best orange jello maker,

cheerleader,

fun-loving,

and the list could go on. . . aren’t my sister and I blessed?  Yes, we’re proud to call this wonderful woman, our MOM!

We Love You, Mom.  Have a great Mother’s Day!

Heather & Cathy

I Heart Faces – Hats!

KIDS ENTRY:

This is our typical “winter couture” when it comes to hats!

At least when one is ice fishing!

Go  to  I Heart Faces  HERE to see other fun “HAT” entries.

Heather

Can you see it?

 

 

Yes, the mama bird chose our back door wall decor to create a nest for her little ones.  Hope mama gets accustomed to lots of noise and activity.  It’s a beautiful spring day and the kids are having a ball playing outside!

Just as these eggs are settled safely in their nest. . . so are our two family members who had successful surgeries this morning with no complications.

We are thankful to the Lord.

Heather

Sometimes in life. . .

 

Sometimes in life there are mountains you have to climb;

You wish you could just close your eyes and have it all be over;

But you plow ahead knowing that this is what’s best;

And before you know it, you’re on the downhill slide;

Ready to face the days ahead;

 

With a swing in your step and a thankful heart to God for answered prayer.

 

Praying for two family members who face surgery tomorrow morning.

May God give you peace and healing.

Heather

Not Me Monday!

I am definitely NOT elated that the temperature is 70 degrees today!

I did NOT excitedly welcome three tired chicks back to the nest last night after they had experienced a fun week away with family last week. 

It’s simply amazing how all the children did NOT forget to do their chores this morning and have NOT argued one little bit since getting back into the regular routine of responsibilities.  And it’s been delightful to NOT hear any tattling today either!  If only you could just be here to experience it with me!!

Last night as I was cleaning up the kitchen I did NOT eat the last four oreo snacks my mom gave the kids to enjoy.

No way, NOT me!!

They are definitely NOT so tasty and do NOT “go down” easy at all with a glass of milk! 

And isn’t it wonderful that it’s Monday and I do NOT have any questions in my mind as to what we’ll be eating this week now that I’m back to feeding eight again?!

This has definitely NOT been a fun, sarcastic post to write today!!

Head on over to My Charming Kids to read other Not Me! Monday posts.

Happy Monday!

Heather