December Moments

We’ve been looking at lights. ❤️

Drinking hot chocolate.

Buying stocking stuffers.

Enjoying the tree. 

Having fun with crafts and books.

 And spending time with each other. 

It has been a good week. ❤️❤️

Schoolroom Cheer

Last night, I started working on the schoolroom/playroom area. I go back and forth with doing school only at the kitchen table or splitting it up. 😉 Honestly, being able to change it up gives us motivation, I think. At least, that’s what I tell myself. 

Josh drew the artwork for our chalkboard. He’s a good sport when it comes to my late night whims!

It may seem insignificant, but I’m finding that little details mean so much more these days. Just spreading the Christmas cheer!! Happy Wednesday. 😁❤️

 

Joy

 Coffee? Sunglasses? That’s my girl!! 

Goodness, she brings us so much J O Y. ❤️

Christmas Books

Our Christmas Books have been sorted and set under the tree. We will read most, if not all, over the next few weeks. 

One of my favorite Christmas books for kids is called “Cranberry Christmas.” The illustrations are precious and the story is heart touching.  It’s perfect. 

Do you have a favorite read aloud this time of year?

Drinking, Reading, Watching, Listening

 

Drinking: Today, I made homemade hot chocolate and topped it with whipped cream for a post lunch snack. Evie had some, too, but Ella chose plain milk with marshmallow's.

Reading: I've been reading several Christmas novels lately. I finished up "Trading Christmas" by Debbie Macomber last week. It was a fun novel that had a unique twist with a hallmark ending. I just started reading "Mrs. Miracle" by the same author. I think both books have been made into movies, so I need to check them out soon!

Watching: I finally watched the new "Little Women" that came out last Christmas. I cannot believe it had taken me so long to watch it. I LOVED it. Maybe to the point of being one of top five favorite movies of all time. The cinematography was top notch. I loved it so much, I cant wait to watch it again.

Listening: Whenever I'm in the mood for Christmas music, I usually look up a YouTube video that offers a variety of "old school" songs. Give me Etta James or Nat King Cole any day.

December 1st

I bought a few Old World style ornaments to add to our tree. These will forever be my favorite. I remember buying my first set of Old World ornaments at a flea market. Back then, I scraped pennies to purchase Christmas items. Each year I add to my collection. I tend to find them at TJ Maxx or even Hobby Lobby. :) 

The girls in their new Christmas Jammies.

Oliver The Elf arrived earlier this evening...they still "play pretend" that he is real even though they informed me last year that he probably came from Target. Hee hee.

Thankful

 

There are so many things to be thankful for this year...

...My faith. This year has brought excruciating pain, confusion and discouragement, and yet, it has also brought many blessings. Through it all, Christ has been my all. 

...My Family! There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t feel an overwhelming since of gratitude towards being a wife and mother. It is my greatest joy. I’m equally thankfully for our extended families. 

...My friends. Laughter and venting with like minded ladies is so soul nourishing. 

My list could go on, but I will leave it at that. ❤️

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Saturday

 Princess Ariel & Queen Elsa. 💜💜💜

Pumpkin Patch 2020

 We finally made it to the pumpkin patch! The girls burned off energy for over an hour and momma got her favorite gorilla picture. 😉 

The night ended with chicken noodle soup and watching It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! Do you have a favorite meal and movie this time of year?

Falls Arrival

Today, thunderstorms moved through our region and the temperatures finally dropped. The colors are almost at peak, so we enjoyed driving around and soaking up fall in all her glory. 🍁

I posted on Instagram about how rough this year has been (for so many of us). I’m learning to unplug regularly and take time to rest my mind and heart. Listening to worship, reading scripture and making time to get outside. It has helped so much. 

How are you taking time to rest? 

Things And Such

The last few months have been filled with so many changes...friendships, relationships, moving, and day to day life. I thought I would document a few things...

Josh still works in Architecture. He has been with the same firm since we married. He really loves his job and I think he has enjoyed living closer to his office. When he's not at work he is busy doing projects with the girls. Every once in a while he still picks up his guitar! 

My days are full with homemaking and homeschooling. I love teaching my girls and thrive on learning along side them. I recently determined to find a new hobby for myself (growth mindset and all) which led to a new pack of chalk pastel and an art pad. My goal was to set an example for the girls to not be afraid to try something new! 

Moving has been harder on my heart than I thought it would be. But, there is always a purpose, right? I've been in a nesting mode ever since we moved! Trying to make it feel like home.

I recently purchased a few Memoria Press workbooks to add to our daily homeschool routine. I love the idea of steering us more towards a classical method of learning. I see both of my girls thriving with  a few minor tweaks here and there as we enter our 9th week of school!

We are reading aloud from Little House on the Prairie series and I have so enjoyed watching the girls fall in love with Laura and Mary. I've also had fun coming up with little crafts to go along with our read alouds! 

I also try to find time to read as much as possible. I've been on a Sally Clarkson and Karen Andreola kick over the last few weeks. However, I'm ready for a round of fiction again. I'm open to suggestions! ;)

Evie is six and such a delight to my heart. She is confident and hard working. Her art has really bloomed and taken off this year as she spends hours each day drawing and coloring. She is still deeply devoted to Paw Patrol. Her imagination is off the charts as she is always creating worlds and characters with her toys. I also love watching her big sister wheels kick in when she sees that Ella needs help. 

I have worried about her over the last few months, though. This year has taken so much away... Her ballet classes, church and our old homeschool group. She is my extroverted child and she loves nothing more than being with friends and making new friends. I find myself praying for her heart constantly. 

Ella is at that oh so sweet age of four. She is confident, independent and has such a funny bone! She loves to tease. She loves Paw Patrol and has a knack for legos and building with blocks. She really loves math and working on her preschool books.

Thankfully, she is still our snuggle bug. I don't know what we would do without our angel baby who is not such a baby anymore. If I call her a baby she always corrects me..."I am NOT a baby! I am a big kid!"

Honesty moment: Both girls say something "Missdapeared!" instead of disappeared. And I can't bring myself to correct them.

A Homeschool Dream

 

This week has been a homeschool dream. We’ve spent more time honing in on team work. The girls have helped with loading dishes, baking, cleaning and finding ways to earn money to save up for a pound puppy.

We’ve read silly books, chapter books and vintage books. 

We’ve watched Daniel Tiger. 

We’ve hiked together, shopped together and simply enjoyed our time together. 

Poetry, nursery rhymes and hymns have been sung during our morning school work. And they are working on memorizing Row, Row, Row, Your Boat.

There have been messy moments to be sure, but goodness what a dream. 💚

These Days

 

We've been going on nature trails and hikes pretty much every weekend for the last two months. It feels good to be outside and exploring. I think this may be one of the best things to come from having "less" on the calendar. We spend even more time together as a family...and that says a lot coming from a homeschool family. 

Whenever we are out in nature, I see my kids personalities shine through. Evie is fearless, confident and mischievous. She's constantly picking up rocks, leaves and sticks. We call her our very own "Huckleberry-etta Finn". Ha! And Ella, loves to trudge ahead and push boundaries by running around the bend or the next corner. However, she does NOT like heights. She's our little Miss Independent.

We haven't had a family photo in a while, so I propped up my phone camera on my coffee up and snapped this while visiting Petite Jean Mountain. Blurry, but I'll take it. Thankful for my family. <3

14 Hours A Day

 

It starts usually at 8am...the bed head, the calls for mom, wondering why daddy is at work. Breakfast, running around, swinging, chasing cats, climbing, laughing, playing, homeschooling, reading books, lunch, screaming, fighting over toys, time outs, building things, asking questions, making messes, snack time, more laughing, silliness, running, jumping, chores, snacks, helping, cuddling, dinner, settling down...and going back to sleep. 14 hours of my days that I wouldn't trade for anything. 

Thankful for the gift of homeschooling my girls and getting to watch them grow up into the ladies God has called them to be. 

And now I need a nap. *wink*

Butterfly Garden

 

A couple of weeks ago, we set out to create another butterfly garden. We had a small area dedicated to butterflies at our last house and I wanted to do the same at our new one. Not only does the butterfly plants attract butterflies, but we also had tons of hummingbirds come visit (last year)! So far, we planted zinnias, butterfly bush and latannas. We also added herbs and tomato plants. We've  had a few visitors...manly bees, but today, we had a monarch butterfly. I may or may not have cried. 

The last few months have been fairly stressful and unsettling (as for most of us)...and having these sweet little moments digging in the dirt with the girls have been so healing. I have not always been a nature person, but seeing the magic of flowers and butterflies through the girls has turned my heart inside out. In a good way. <3

Book Chat

 

I just read The Fifth Avenue Story Society last week and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I'm pretty certain this is a new to me author, as well. The book switches back and forth between a small group of people that each receive a mysterious invite to join a local society. It follows their joys, triumphs, and lows during their time together. There were a few things I felt the novel could have left off, but otherwise, it was really good. There is a surprising twist at the end that I didn't see coming coupled with a few cheesy hallmark moments. 

I have read Colleen Coble's books for YEARS. Maybe over a decade, now? Her books are always suspenseful coupled with relatable characters. However, this book was probably a bit more on the thriller end. I couldn't put it down. Classic suspense with a weird twist at the end.

I have read most of Moriarty's books and I have to say this one was not a favorite. Too many weird scenes. Too many weird characters. And the ending just left me feeling blah. 

All that to say, I have thoroughly enjoyed having time to read this summer!! :D What have you been reading??

First Day of School

 

New crayons, new school books, new school year!! 💙

Happy Things

This post is going to be pretty random. Starting with my current craving...Iced Lattes with One shot of French Vanilla Swirl from Dunkin Donuts. How many cups of coffee is too much? Just curious. ;)

We live in a new construction area and there are views for miles within our neighborhood. This view will change as homes are built, but for now we are loving it!

I go through weird phases with my breakfasts. Right now, I'm loving Old fashioned oats with maple syrup and blueberries. It's delicious!

I love going to the lake even if it's just to sit and soak up the views. So relaxing. I took the girls the other morning and it was so nice to do something relatively 'normal' again.

The other night, Josh grilled steaks and I made a new salad recipe. It was a lemon vinaigrette with chickpeas, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. It was such a nice break from cooking over the stove top! I think we need to make grilling a weekly habit.

Happy Tuesday!

Summer Fun

Last week, the girls made homemade Popsicle's for their evening after dinner treat (or two)! 

I've come to realize that the girls have reached a new stage in life...they love to play games! I taught them Candy Land the other day and it was a big hit!

We try to soak up outside time first thing in the morning before the heat wave hits. <3 

Happy Friday!