tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85602561854524510422012-02-04T12:14:26.368-08:00"Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God, but only he who sees takes off his shoes; the rest sit round it and pluck blackberries." ~Elizabeth Barrett BrowningCherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.comBlogger1151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-24650301738387554932012-02-04T08:21:00.000-08:002012-02-04T12:14:26.380-08:00

for warm "winter" afternoons spent out of doors....for a horse that taught my girls not to be afraid to ride and whom they've already outgrown....for a sweet mare of mine that i now have to share with two other girls....for sleepovers. because they're even more fun at 35 than they were as a kid....for donuts delivered on a saturday morning by my sweet father-in-law....for a daughter is who is

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-24336276345958909062011-11-26T09:04:00.000-08:002011-11-26T10:51:49.107-08:00

i do not enjoy christmas songs about mary. every other song on my pandora christmas station is about mary. the worst so far: "mary's christmas baby".....a horrific cheese-fest of a song intended to replace {mock?} "merry christmas, baby". there are no words. christian radio and i have a very tumultuous relationship and it is not helped any by christmas music. a couple months ago jake

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-61658365176371090172011-09-16T19:42:00.000-07:002011-09-17T23:05:13.119-07:00

In early August, we went to our first 4-H poultry meeting.The other moms mentioned that the kids have to stand in line and hold their chickens during showmanship at the fair. For an hour or more!My heart sank. There was no way Lauren was going to be able to do that.She was terrified of her chicken and I had to bribe/beg/threaten her to hold her inside the coop, even for 10 minutes.On the way

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-89452487677053442522011-05-17T07:39:00.000-07:002011-05-17T08:03:25.908-07:00

I am reading my way through "Morning and Evening" by Charles Spurgeon for daily devotions and loving it. The man is just plain brilliant! Most days I read both the morning and evening selection in the morning....and I usually have to re-read it 3 or 4 times in order to digest it all. The man can say a lot in just 2 paragraphs! :) I've also heard tell that he was known for preaching 3 hour

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-13946921932995610712011-03-20T14:21:00.000-07:002011-03-20T15:03:12.445-07:00

Although the gale force winds and rain might suggest otherwise, the calendar says today is the first day of Spring.What better way to celebrate than with a sweet surprise in our arena this morning?

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-51633673538387035482011-03-12T13:05:00.000-08:002011-03-17T13:01:32.541-07:00

Things we learned about the true meaning behind St. Patrick's Day:St. Patrick was born in France, but was kidnapped by pirates and taken to Ireland where he was sold into slavery. He tended sheep and pigs for a farmer and often ate the pig swill just to survive.He prayed more than 100 times per day!God called him back to France at age 17 where he trained to become a pastor.God called him back to

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-70532551404885512622011-03-10T13:18:00.000-08:002011-03-10T15:25:02.656-08:00

Because the blogging world is full of posts dedicated to the observance of Lent right now, I thought I'd rock the boat a bit and share why I don't observe it. This post might alternately be titled, "if you didn't know I was Reformed, you do now...." ha.1. It trivializes the work of Christ. Period! Christ suffered the torments of hell on our behalf. He bore the full weight of God's wrath

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-86934299396757860072011-02-14T09:13:00.000-08:002011-02-14T10:14:48.269-08:00

...super excited about the school calendar that I came up with over the last few weeks! It's a sort of modified year-round schedule. We still have 2 big chunks of "summer vacation", but it allows for more one week vacations during the school year! This is one of those weeks! Hooray! :)...in denial that emma is old enough to go to church summer camp this year. my mother in law and and i are

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-32378518494774514182010-12-23T21:03:00.000-08:002010-12-23T21:25:44.804-08:00

Everyone on our Christmas list this year is receiving something handmade. Not all of their gift, but at least part of it was made with love by yours truly {or one or both of the girls}. The following three recipes were made and given to the assorted teachers, pastors, neighbors and male family members {because I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have adequate appreciation for a headband} in our

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-59694967762920881292010-12-17T20:23:00.000-08:002010-12-17T21:46:00.707-08:00

I intended on doing Christmas cards this year. I do them every year. Then the thought of picking out {and probably buying} matching outfits, finding someone to take our picture when we were all clean and home and dressed and available at the same time, braving Costco {yet again!} to pick them up and spending a small fortune on stamps sort of got me out of the mood real quick!Then I remembered

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-75891060292108555422010-12-08T10:13:00.000-08:002010-12-08T10:55:37.800-08:00

Since I've been a total slacker in the WIWW department, I decided to link up with her Christmas tree party instead this week. :)So here is our tree in all its {fake!} glory....The pictures are sort of horrible because of all the back light from the windows...but our neighbor always tells me she likes seeing our tree lit up in those windows at night. I saw a picture in Country Living of a tree

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-81397889382845325192010-12-06T05:58:00.000-08:002010-12-06T05:58:00.148-08:00

In case you don't know me in real life, I'd like to share a few things with you:I have a mentally and physically retarded sister.Her name is Christie.Wednesday is her 29th birthday.I have the worst time trying to come up with gifts for her! What in the world do you buy someone who can't read and doesn't care a lick about TV or movies? She doesn't carry a purse or wear jewelry. She doesn't

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-4652045739812860842010-10-28T12:29:00.000-07:002010-10-28T13:52:36.264-07:00

We decided today was a nice day for carving pumpkins. We grew these {and several others....although not as many as last year} ourselves. Translated: 20+ pumpkins cost us about 10 cents. I about choke when I see what pumpkin patches charge for one measly pumpkin. I think we're in the wrong business!! Gutting the pumpkins was both girls' favorite part. Or not. Lauren with her

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-51346309631501940052010-10-13T04:25:00.000-07:002010-10-13T04:25:00.515-07:00

Thursday: New tires at Costco! Oh joy! ;)Black Sweater: Gap Outlet {recently}Purple Cami: Old NavyLevi's: Costco {recently}Zebra Print Flats: Target {Spring}Necklace {that you can't even see!}: Lisa Leonard Silver Flower Ring {that you also can't see!}: Hume gift shop {recently} Friday: Em's follow up appointment with the neurologist at Valley Children's. It went great and we don't go

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-46225086274955358482010-10-06T15:33:00.000-07:002010-10-06T16:52:25.363-07:00

I only have 3 pictures this week because I was at a women's retreat at Hume Lake for 3 days {yipee!}. And if I'm being completely honest, I didn't get dressed on Monday. I was tired and didn't feel great. I don't think anyone needs a picture of that! You're welcome.Last Wednesday....Enrichment classes for the girls.Sundress: Gap outlet...couple of years ago.Sandals: Gap....couple of years

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-86578957394102995702010-09-29T07:44:00.000-07:002010-09-29T07:44:13.499-07:00

I decided to jump on the "What I Wore Wednesday" bandwagon so I'm linking up with Lindsey over at The Pleated Poppy! I've been following WIWW for several weeks now, but always forget to take pix {because my mirror is in Em's room while our room is still under construction}...but now I have enough saved up to do a respectable {?} post! ;)I love the reasons Lindsey gives for why she started this

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-44863071387878043312010-09-21T20:22:00.000-07:002010-09-21T20:22:45.445-07:00

I know most {probably all} of you are also my friend on facebook and already know about everything we went through a couple of weeks ago. However, this is my attempt to sort my thoughts and clear up any questions that might be lingering about what exactly happened {not that we actually even know!}.We have two girls. Two healthy girls. Two girls who haven't even been to a doctor in nearly 2

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-5558071158173320632010-09-15T15:32:00.000-07:002010-09-15T15:52:07.338-07:00

There is a {fantastic} deal going on right now at One King's Lane! Just create an account with them and automatically get a $15 credit to spend on whatever your little heart desires! I just bought the 2 square baking dishes pictured above for the cost of shipping {$7.95}! Run, don't walk! I logged on again 10 minutes later and there are already several that say "Sold Out". I love finding

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-22452484813647933222010-09-03T17:42:00.000-07:002010-09-03T17:58:47.350-07:00

Chicken butt!What does it say about me that this little "joke" was the first thing that popped into my head {and made me laugh} as soon as I saw this picture on my camera? Nevermind. Don't answer that.

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-36467551616687419632010-08-31T20:48:00.000-07:002010-08-31T20:51:30.593-07:00

Technically, we've been "{not} back to school" for about 2 weeks now.Except Jake and I went to the Dodger game that first week so the girls spent the night at grandma's. No school that day.The next day we left for the beach. I took our books {because I always do}, but we didn't do much more than a few chapters of reading and a math lesson {because the girls were driving me batty and I needed them

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-75549956940494542702010-08-27T06:55:00.000-07:002010-08-27T08:23:17.556-07:00

Jake & I went to the Dodgers v. Rockies game last Wednesday night.This was the view from our {amazing} seats! We had our own private snack bar. Ok, not really, but it always feels like it!If only they would sell our garlic fries on this deck!{Don't worry. I went downstairs for them!}In typical Dodger form, they quit playing about half way throughthe game and lost to a really terrible

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-75654804043885319312010-08-17T19:39:00.000-07:002010-08-17T20:29:39.273-07:00

I didn't even know there was such a thing...until my sis-in-law sent me this article the other day. I still don't know how I feel about the name, but something in this really spoke to me {and my inner Caroline Ingalls :)}.Disclaimer: I love that this article puts into words exactly how I feel about being a producer, not just a consumer; that I want to provide my girls with an education that

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-44398595791459566772010-08-10T19:02:00.000-07:002010-08-10T20:39:54.962-07:00

I knew I would like having chickens. I was excited about fresh eggs! But I didn't realize how much I'd love watching them out in our yard.All that I had read is true....they each have such funny little personalities. The feathery little Silkie {Mama Chicken} is a complete spaz...the black/white {Dottie} goes out of her way to terrorize the cats and dogs and mercilessly chases them all over our

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-25151848943807916252010-07-25T20:03:00.000-07:002010-07-25T20:21:40.265-07:00

I had a great week in Vermont!! Here are the highlights {in no particular order ;)}....* I ate a lot! I laughed when Pam and Drennan went over the list of restaurants that we had to eat at while I was there with them. I couldn't believe we could possibly get to them all in just one week....alas, we did! I think my favorite was this little cafe in the town Drennan lives in. It's run by this "cult"

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-61328154027173689002010-07-08T18:30:00.000-07:002010-07-08T18:33:51.395-07:00

...we have been very busy around these parts. Busy living life, doing and building new things and painting....lots and lots and lots of painting. As a result, the computer has gone by the wayside and with it, blogging. I didn't want you to think I've given up on my "try one new thing every week" resolution, because I haven't. I just don't have the time or desire to blog about every little thing

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-40922455708883967612010-06-29T19:18:00.000-07:002010-06-29T19:27:33.541-07:00

...where I revert to an eight year old. A few days ago, it was my half-birthday! My mother-in-law remembered (because she always does) and bought me the most fabulous gift!!It's a chicken topiary! :) We went to the BC Garden Fest earlier this year and there was a vendor selling these. Her husband makes the "forms" from what looks like plastic coated chicken wire. There were humming birds,

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-29397158045167438422010-06-23T10:15:00.000-07:002010-06-23T10:23:29.790-07:00

A few weeks ago, we discovered two new kittens. What we didn't know was that their mother(and there is still some disagreement as to who the mother actually is) was refusing to feed them. That is, we didn't know until Jake stepped out of the back door and saw this. Poor, dear Jasmine. She knows better than to be mean to kittens and she knew Jake was standing there so she dared not move. But look

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-76607114160805797782010-05-24T10:24:00.000-07:002010-05-24T22:53:41.759-07:00

Life has been full and busy around here, but that will have to wait for another post.On Wednesday, I'm heading out with my mother-in-law to visit my sis-in-law in Vermont. I'll be gone for a week. eek. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit freaked out about being gone for so long....and about flying. I haven't been on a plane since college (aka since before 9/11 and before kids). I had kinda

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-68972550923772991102010-03-17T16:11:00.000-07:002010-03-17T19:09:07.007-07:00

I was on a real baking kick this week and I tried several brand new recipes! A couple of the money saving blogs I follow have what they call "Freezer Cooking Days" or they refer to it as "Once A Month Cooking." Basically, they spend one or two days in the kitchen making all of their meals for the next 30 days so that, in theory, they don't have to spend hardly any time in the kitchen for an

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-16106687847339876542010-03-09T17:32:00.000-08:002010-03-09T17:47:55.790-08:00

I apologize. I'm sure my delay in posting this final chapter of the great bathroom remodel has been the source of many sleepless nights for all of you. So, without further ado.....I'm especially fond of these two pictures hanging above the toilet. Mostly I like them because I made them. Ahem. Also, I like them because I already had all of the supplies with which to make them so they were

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-86079297575051513872010-03-08T09:19:00.000-08:002010-03-08T12:19:07.368-08:00

This week...I continued to make (and find new recipes to try) all our bread. It may last much longer than one month as I am really enjoying baking more.I started and finished a new book while the girls and I were at the beach! Nothing brilliant, just fun and easy!I made 2 skirts, 2 new oven mitts (my old ones were disgusting and embarrassing!) and started a purse.....all from patterns in my new

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-28944956790325214002010-02-25T15:13:00.001-08:002010-02-25T15:18:51.160-08:00

What do you see while you're doing dishes?

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-88719271379979615862010-02-24T16:29:00.000-08:002010-02-24T17:06:24.679-08:00

Last week I dug waaaaay back into a kitchen cupboard and pulled out my bread machine. And then spent a good 30 minutes trying to scrub the thing clean! Jake bought me this bread maker for Christmas about 8 years ago and I think I put it away about 7 years ago. ahem.The problem was, all of the bread machine recipes I had were sort of cumbersome and made reeeeally dense and frankly, awful tasting

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-15335759324418888772010-02-23T17:42:00.000-08:002010-02-23T17:42:32.871-08:00

Since the handyman we were using for our bathroom remodel had a full-time day job, Jake decided we could save a lot of time (and money) if he did the demolition himself. Basically, that involved knocking out all of the tile in the bathroom. If you remember from the previous post, there was a lot of tile!Here is the inside of the shower after most of the tile had been removed. See the pile at the

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-11804735027499286642010-02-18T09:21:00.000-08:002010-02-18T11:39:59.027-08:00

We started a remodel of our "spare" bathroom almost 2 years ago. The final touches (i.e. hanging the cabinet doors) were completed last week. *sigh* Without further ado, I give you the "before".....That metal square under the medicine cabinet was a fancy, revolving door which housed toothbrushes. And check out those cabinet doors! I hope I'm not causing anyone to stumble through envy.

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-77257435834044622452010-02-15T08:46:00.000-08:002010-02-15T09:55:06.577-08:00

This particular thing I tried was so exciting to me because it fed my inner Ma Ingalls and my inner Dave Ramsey! I made my own laundry detergent!!It is super easy and ridiculously cheap! I can't believe the amount of money I've been wasting on stupid, boring laundry detergent!! No more!So, here is the ingredient list: My girlfriend said that she had bought all of the ingredients (minus the

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-59660921566159788652010-02-06T20:55:00.000-08:002010-02-06T21:43:28.750-08:00

Because we went to Disneyland for a few days in the middle of the week, I didn't have a chance to try the one thing I was really wanting to. I have it planned for Monday though. I know you're on the edge of your seats.I did manage to make some braided fabric headbands that I had seen on this blog. I love Ruby's site and her girl's names (she is so much braver - no pun intended - than I) and

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-68317099474432830032010-01-28T14:00:00.000-08:002010-01-28T15:33:31.575-08:00

The girls and I have been busy over these past weeks. Busy making things. Trying new things. Loving all of it. First up are these delicious chocolate covered orange peels. I'd bookmarked these when I first saw them on one of my favorite blogs and last week I finally made them. Yum! Lauren has been busy making rings and necklaces galore! She received a Shrink-It Art Set in her stocking and

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-22325301925305161102010-01-18T13:47:00.000-08:002010-01-18T13:53:29.972-08:00

....my dear, sweet friend from college, Amy! Congratulations!! Thank you to the other girls who entered.....I promise I'll have more giveaways soon! :)

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-24614698230990246002010-01-18T08:15:00.000-08:002010-01-18T08:53:47.913-08:00

Because my previous post was wildly unsuccessful, we will simply be making a donation for the amount we originally anticipated making. Not $4.20! Thank you so much to those who took the time to comment!We will also be donating to the Orthodox Presbyterian Church's Committee on Foreign Missions. There was an update in our bulletin yesterday that was received by our pastor via e-mail from some of

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-62774353084679752932010-01-15T08:30:00.000-08:002010-01-15T09:10:37.908-08:00

We all know what is happening in Haiti. But did you know that there are amazing things happening in the "blogosphere"? Go here and be inspired! I did!Which is why our family is going to donate $.30 to Numana, Inc for every comment left on this post today. Go to their website and see how they are providing meals to Haitians for just $.30. Thirty cents, people! You don't have to be a

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-22245752204376200942010-01-14T21:43:00.000-08:002010-01-17T22:16:22.879-08:00

*****Updated: Comments Closed! I'll pick a winner in the morning! ****So I haven't done a "Resolutions" post as it seems everyone else has in the past 2 weeks, but I have made some "resolutions" of sorts. One of those is to have more pretty in my life. I read and am inspired by all of these blogs and etsy shops (Oh etsy! How I love you....) and it finally occurred to me the other day that I

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-13939027685387319102010-01-09T21:20:00.000-08:002010-01-09T23:28:35.340-08:00

Each of the girls received 2 yards of coordinating fabric and threads from a sweet friend for Christmas. They are in heaven! And look at how adorable Lauren's is....it fits her perfectly. She immediately declared that she needed a purse made with hers. So we designed and sewed this little number together. She decided after it was done that she needs a little pocket on the outside to put her

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-59415065846548225302009-12-29T22:29:00.000-08:002009-12-30T22:31:24.862-08:00

I'm sorry to say it, but I think this is the first year since Emma started school that I have actually enjoyed Christmas time. It sounds awful, but it's the truth! There were class parties, choir concerts, parent Christmas lunches, school board Christmas parties, gift exchanges, dance recitals, endless Christmas program practices, etc, etc, etc. Granted, I "volunteered" (or, "allowed myself

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-69478941785833152482009-12-04T16:12:00.000-08:002009-12-04T17:08:23.544-08:00

This was a good week! And I came in waaaay under budget. :)4 boxes of General Mills cereal 4 boxes of fruit snacks/rolls/whatever3 boxes of crackers (I'll pass on the All Bran ones from now one because they taste like, well....All Bran. :/ You live and learn...and they only cost .50)2 boxes of kleenex2 shave gels2 deodorants2 shampoo/body wash for men 2 6oz cartons of blackberries1 lb. of

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-39115399017206842922009-11-30T15:39:00.000-08:002009-11-30T16:35:40.078-08:00

The onions are in. I think there are 180-something. Between the girls obsession with Little House on the Prairie and Jake's innate need to farm, we just might get a tad carried away when it comes to planting our gardens. And it seems to get exponentially bigger with every planting.....and that got us thinking. Every year we talk about the girls and I having a little stand at our small town's

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-55321566974535526842009-11-26T06:53:00.000-08:002009-11-26T07:10:00.568-08:00

Last night at our Thanksgiving Eve worship service, this was printed in our bulletin...."It is a delightful; and profitable occupation to mark the hand of God in the lives of the ancient saints, and to observe His goodness in delivering them, His mercy in pardoning them, and His faithfulness in keeping His covenant with them. But would it not be even more interesting and profitable for us to

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-87041404886690047812009-11-24T22:29:00.000-08:002009-11-24T23:25:08.489-08:00

I promise you that at some point, my enthusiasm will die and I'll stop posting my shopping trips. Until then....I got the bulk of this at Walgreens and Target and the grand total was....$26.74! The Loreal shampoo & conditioner came from CVS and I wouldn't have bothered, but they overcharged me last week (& I won't tell you by how much because then you'll really think I'm crazy....) on something

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-18962098986245421072009-11-19T14:34:00.001-08:002009-11-19T15:08:16.347-08:00

This weekend, while Jake and I are at the beach, the girls are going with my parents to Stockton for my cousin's wife's baby shower. I was sad to miss it, but the girls are going in my stead and they are more than thrilled. Our gift to the new baby was fun to make. And made me wish ever so badly that I had a snuggly little boy of my own! ;) I lined the diaper clutch with this fantastically

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-90165751382532281012009-11-13T19:27:00.000-08:002009-11-13T20:18:02.332-08:00

I'm going to start with my CVS shopping trip.....I got 2 gallons of milk, 2 dozen eggs, 2 boxes of blueberry muffin mix, a bottle of dish soap, one each of Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioner, 2 bottles of Arm & Hammer laundry soap, and 2 Loreal lip glosses......for $22.17. I wasn't so impressed with this trip because the milk and eggs were cheaper, but not that much cheaper than WinCo, but

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-28326440556248974232009-11-11T13:56:00.000-08:002009-11-11T14:45:36.309-08:00

While daddy went deer hunting a couple of weeks ago, the girls and I went to our favorite place....Disneyland! :) I had been planning to take them while he was gone and then Emma was invited to go with a friend to celebrate the friend's birthday on Wednesday of that week. It worked out perfectly! We left early Tuesday morning and spent the day at both parks. It was the least crowded we have

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-1053853702267815762009-11-07T21:09:00.000-08:002009-11-07T22:29:22.111-08:00

We're trying some new things around here....and so far, it's been really exciting! And really good!First of all, we are now full-fledged members of the Dave Ramsey phenomenon. We didn't actually "attend" Financial Peace University, but we listened to the CD version and I read one of his books. At first, my husband thought Dave Ramsey was some kind of cult leader and if you "followed" him, you

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-2221722593092542992009-11-03T11:47:00.000-08:002009-11-03T12:07:29.564-08:00

I have to tell you about this website I found that I think is about as clever as anything! It's called ebates.com. Basically, you sign up with them and you get a $5 "bonus". Then, every time you buy something online, first you log into ebates, then you search for the store you want to shop with (say, gap.com), you click on the link and it takes you straight there. So, basically your just

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-36076832475421649932009-10-23T15:15:00.000-07:002009-10-24T13:58:01.631-07:00

I was so excited to get my big box in the mail yesterday! I mean, really excited! Who doesn't love mail? And cheap household items? All delivered for free?6 bottles of Suave shampoo/conditioner: $.60 eachRoll of paper towels: $.5912 rolls of toilet paper: $3.572 boxes of Kleenex (2-ply): $.68 eachSince shipping is always free, all of this cost me $10.20 after tax (Honestly, I have been racking my

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-30319450421798616222009-10-14T11:24:00.000-07:002009-10-14T15:24:32.050-07:00

Isn't he cute when he wrestles steers? I think so too! ;)The girls, anxiously awaiting the start of the pee-wee rodeo..... Ride that stick horse, Emma! Here she is running back to the finish line after pulling the ribbon off of the goat! She came in second place in this event.Lauren riding her stick horse .... My little milk maid..... Ridiculously huge trophy for taking first in the dummy

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-24676897047894700932009-09-27T15:01:00.000-07:002009-09-27T15:29:30.229-07:00

I just got a phone call from a number I didn't recognize. They didn't immediately answer when I said hello so, I hung up. Then Jake called and while I was talking to him, that number came up on my call waiting again. I didn't click over. I hung up with Jake and the phone immediately rang again. Same number. I answered and shouted, "Hello!", an irritated tone in my voice. "Cheri? Hi! It's

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-8829673603391889032009-09-15T13:01:00.000-07:002009-09-15T13:01:45.855-07:00

Over the past couple of weekends, Jake, with the help of some (very brave) friends, built our hay barn! It required much equipment and many long hours, but it is finally done!Here it is after the posts set and the perlings and cross beams were welded. The first piece of tin is about to be put in place...And then my (crazy) husband goes up to the roof in the cherry picker and bolts it onto the

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-1492538349336029112009-09-12T14:53:00.000-07:002009-09-12T15:43:53.511-07:00

Wednesday was the first day of Enrichment classes for the girls. Lauren was so excited to go to school with all her friends....literally, almost all her friends are in her class! Lauren and Juliet waiting in line for class to start.... Some kids ride the bus to school.....ours ride a hay wagon pulled by a tractor! Love it! When it was time for them to board the wagon, Lauren freaked out a

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-72475638645895199162009-09-03T15:15:00.000-07:002009-09-03T22:16:05.821-07:00

Last month my husband brought us here.......to stay in the little cabin he has stayed in every year since he was 11 during deer hunting season. It was gorgeous, the weather was perfect and there was no internet, phone service or washing machine. Of course, there was no indoor toilet either. The girls were oh so thrilled to live like Mary and Laura for a few days. :) One day as we were

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-60853834244172847012009-08-21T12:08:00.000-07:002009-08-21T16:03:49.119-07:00

Fall is my absolute most favorite season of the year.....I wait with great impatience each year for it to come. I get especially antsy come mid-July when we've had something like 48 straight days of blazing inferno-like temperatures! I love everything about Fall and what it brings to our yard and our home. Shorter days, brisk mornings, cool days and chilly evenings, blazing fires in the stove,

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-45885113467274010752009-07-21T20:13:00.000-07:002009-07-22T17:42:56.912-07:00

Yesterday afternoon was full of...busy little hands sewing.... and cutting....and creating. This was my favorite creation of the day. A little bird made by Lauren. It was in a card under my pillow last night.... Little pouches and purses made for sweet friends.

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-15065396505061423662009-07-21T14:33:00.000-07:002009-07-21T14:58:08.472-07:00

Before.... After...

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-72731935844498881782009-07-18T18:33:00.000-07:002009-07-18T19:59:49.532-07:00

This was Emma's third year on our local swim team and she announced that it will be her last. I kept thinking she would really learn to love it, but no. She complains that the water is too cold (and in her defense, they start practicing 4 evenings per week in April and the pool isn't heated! brrr). She wishes there were a doggy-paddle event. She claims that her favorite thing about meets are

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-5328053431630149272009-07-13T22:02:00.000-07:002009-07-13T22:11:42.335-07:00

"They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord..." Jeremiah 31:12

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-35893383681933622002009-07-10T07:08:00.000-07:002009-07-10T07:33:48.395-07:00

In honor of John Calvin's 500th, I have selected a few of my favorite quotes of his. "A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent."“Let us not cease to do the utmost, that we may incessantly go forward in the way of the Lord; and let us not despair of the smallness of our accomplishments.”“Is it faith to

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-61917465095727984022009-07-06T09:01:00.000-07:002009-07-06T09:28:37.876-07:00

I cannot believe I forgot my camera!!! There were so many times over this past weekend that I wished I had it. I will simply have to tell you what we did....and you will have to imagine what it looked like! However, words do not do justice to the Fourth of July in Cayucos....but you'll just have take my word for it!Our favorite Fourth moments:*huge desserts at the Sea Shanty*belly dancers in

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-63265145316319869652009-06-26T16:04:00.000-07:002009-06-26T16:07:35.939-07:00

(This post was supposed to be published yesterday - the 25th - but our Internet connection was jammed up or something and it wouldn't let me...)Today is my half birthday! I know this is pretty insignificant for most people over the age of 10, but humor me for a minute....us Christmas babies have to have something to look forward to in the middle of the year! :)Every single year on June 25, my

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-74847151877057799352009-06-25T15:04:00.001-07:002009-06-25T15:13:54.977-07:00

Somebody forgot to tell her it's 105 outside!

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-68977517099999724332009-06-05T15:00:00.000-07:002009-06-05T16:39:16.748-07:00

A couple of weekends ago we headed up to Glenville for the "Thomas Midnight Pewitt Memorial Ranch Rodeo" for the second year in a row. Jake competed on both Saturday and Sunday and the girls had a couple of pee-wee events on Saturday morning.Before the rodeo begins they have a "grand entry." All of the people who are going to compete line up side by side on the horses in the arena (this picture

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-71055609828141573212009-06-02T21:28:00.001-07:002009-06-02T21:40:57.466-07:00

Splurged on the cute, coordinated, summery, expensive fabric at Beverly's this time. I just spent two hours making a skirt that I could have bought at The Gap for half the price. Hmm. It's the sense of accomplishment that makes it all worth it, right? ;)

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-84159881606691315232009-05-31T21:44:00.000-07:002009-05-31T22:49:33.416-07:00

...only it was in a fabric store and with small children who are attending a sewing class and showing off their creations. And there were no super models or eliminations. Other than that....it was just like Project Runway! ;)Each student got to walk down the runway 3 times, wearing three of the outfits that they had designed &/or made. Emma modeled her sundress, a pink & brown leopard print top,

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-51104762571894933772009-05-28T19:23:00.000-07:002009-05-28T19:48:23.755-07:00

This is four heads of lettuce I harvested this morning! Salad anyone?!_______________________________The Bible study that we are going to do this summer is....."Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David"!! Yay! Thanks, Kala, for getting the DVDs for us! You can all order your member books now ($12.95)! We are going to start on June 17 (and then also meet the following 5 Wednesdays) here

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-62733118680733026622009-05-25T15:30:00.000-07:002009-05-25T16:33:53.556-07:00

My grandpa, Raymond Meyer was drafted into the army during World War II when my grandma was pregnant with their first child. He cleaned up the beaches of Normandy with a backhoe. He was enlisted as a Heavy Equipment Officer to operate heavy machinery, but at the Battle of the Bulge so many Americans had been killed that he was handed a service weapon and told, "Congratulations. You're an

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-18107792458396113522009-05-24T20:42:00.000-07:002009-05-24T21:07:36.774-07:00

All 7 names went into a bowl....(yes, those are crumbs leftover from dinner on the table...sooo classy!)....and I chose (without peeking!!)....My dear friend, Sunny!! Yay!! In case you have never noticed, she has left a comment on every single post I have ever published! It was about time the poor dear won something for it! :-) Love you Sunny and I will bring you your winnings soon!

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-31781037584140021912009-05-16T19:49:00.000-07:002009-05-16T19:54:00.282-07:00

Lots to catch up on....First of all, Bible study. The latest on that front is: Kala was able to talk to the women's director at her church and they are going to allow us to borrow one of their Beth Moore DVD series which means, each person would only have to purchase the workbook to go along with it. I'm still not sure exactly which one we will do, but I don't think it matters too terribly much..

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-19117283429357617452009-05-06T15:14:00.000-07:002009-05-06T16:09:52.024-07:00

Today, Kala and her darlins came out and we went to Insect Lore and lunch. Then the kids went outside to play and Kala and I went to look at the garden.....We were standing about where I took this picture from when brother started to venture out toward the almond trees. Kala called him back, he smiled over his shoulder and then ran toward the trees. Well, he went over that little ledge about

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-90445782206354756092009-05-01T09:00:00.000-07:002009-05-01T09:26:26.324-07:00

I have been reading certain blogs for quite a while now....Angie, Adrienne, MckMamma. They are really good at expressing their thoughts, sharing their faith and encouraging others who struggle. I am not. When I started to write this post I thought maybe I should just link you to their blogs and say, "Everything they said....that's how I feel." It would have been a lot easier. But the truth is,

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-11721813981881585402009-04-27T22:39:00.000-07:002009-04-27T23:07:31.509-07:00

We made a trip to Insect Lore a few weeks back to purchase a cupful of adult ladybugs....... because the girls spend hours playing with them, talking to them, pulling them out of each other's hair, naming them and enjoying every minute they can with them before the ladybugs fly away. We also bought ladybug larvae and a habitat for them. The girls watched them transform into pink adult ladybugs

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-21315077302430752002009-04-17T14:25:00.000-07:002009-04-17T15:07:44.277-07:00

....to the reader across the Pond. Ok, when I checked my google analytics today, I discovered I have (or had) a new reader from....dum da da dum......Manchester, United Kingdom! Wow. I have had analytics (you know, the thing that tells me who everyone is that's reading this....it's like reverse-stalking!) set up for quite some time, but I've never had a reader from outside the United States.

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-19950593568863638022009-04-15T14:19:00.001-07:002009-04-15T14:49:58.942-07:00

Ok, I'm copying Talia (actually, she asked at the end of her blog so I'm really just being polite!) and posting some things that I have been grateful for recently:~time spent at the beach~little sprouts coming up in our vegetable garden~a hard working husband who lets me stay home with our girls~anticipation of a new pastor....possibly soon!~a Savior that humbled himself and who, taking on the

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-18632527483273007932009-03-31T22:01:00.000-07:002009-03-31T22:10:17.352-07:00

Last Friday, Emma, Lauren and some dear friends (who will remain nameless because my girlfriend doesn't use their names on her own blog and so I'm assuming she doesn't want me to broadcast them on mine) and I ventured down south to the Ronald Reagan Library to experience Colonial Days. We decided to go later in the afternoon in order to avoid the public school crowd because we thought it would be

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-78256051603351613752009-03-30T10:28:00.000-07:002009-03-30T13:45:13.050-07:00

Meet the newest additions to our zoo.... The little bay stud colt in the above two pictures was born about 3 weeks ago to our sweet mare, Molly. We haven't named the foal yet, but he is so friendly ans curious. He comes right to the fence and sticks his head through waiting to be pet. The girls are in love!! The sorrel stud colt in these previous two pictures was just born last Thursday morning.

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-83424907046380676542009-03-24T22:46:00.000-07:002009-03-24T23:17:40.226-07:00

I'm just gonna throw something out here and see if anyone is interested. I have been looking at a couple of Beth Moore Bible studies recently and think I would like to do one during the summer. I am particularly interested in the Daniel or Esther one. I really don't know anything about Beth Moore (except that she is hugely popular - something that usually makes me more sceptical than

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-42249663910949921662009-03-06T20:30:00.000-08:002009-03-06T20:31:53.261-08:00

We are definitely that family. You know, the one that loads the car well beyond capacity and sets of to LA at 6 am in order to avoid traffic and be the first ones in the park. :-) My husband sang the Beverly Hillbillies theme song as we drove out of my parent's driveway with the stroller and several suitcases on top of my mom's car, seven people and several more suitcases, a case of water and

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-35937536639990666212009-03-05T21:30:00.000-08:002009-03-05T22:32:12.939-08:00

There are a few, short weeks in Shafter when it is really beautiful.....and this is it! All of the almond trees are in bloom and it is truly breathtaking! The girls and I took advantage of the beauty around us and had a picnic in the orchard behind our house. We ate our lunch, read some chapters in Anne of Green Gables, named our picnic spot (just like Anne and Diana would have) "Almond Blossom

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-25413000887880267332009-02-27T13:20:00.000-08:002009-02-27T18:54:21.807-08:00

Wednesday night was the grand prix at AWANA....a favorite night of year in our house! Each of the girls painted a car to race. The cubbies do not participate, much to Lauren's chagrin, but she made one anyway and was allowed to race it afterward. This is the race track. There are four lanes and each car is raced on each lane. Emma and friend, Meah, after Emma's car went.....and was first! A

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-23055096321566326812009-02-16T17:29:00.000-08:002009-02-16T18:45:56.070-08:00

As I mentioned before, Emma and I are in a sewing class at a local fabric store. We are having a great time and learning a lot.The first day we made a scrunchy (very fashionable!) and the next week we made backpacks. Lauren is somewhat annoyed that she is too young to participate and so I agreed that whatever I made would be for her (especially the scrunchies!). It is so rewarding to be able to

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-90441199297550446782009-02-06T14:00:00.005-08:002009-02-06T15:01:24.271-08:00

We let the calves out to run and play on the grass yesterday. Here are a couple of pictures of them exploring their surroundings.......and meet the horsesRight after this was taken, she stuck her head through and snapped at the calves who ran over the top of each other trying to get away! It was pretty funny. :)

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-5189452464661792652009-02-05T16:10:00.000-08:002009-02-05T19:31:13.317-08:00

Sunny tagged me!Here are the rules:1. Pick the fourth folder in the program you store pictures in on your computer.2. Pick the fourth picture in that folder.3. Post the picture and describe it.4. Tag 4 friends.*Remember, no cheating, cropping or editing!*I checked to see what picture it was before I decided to respond to this "tag". :) This is actually one of my favorite pictures of Lauren taken

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-79115053576057709132009-01-30T13:51:00.000-08:002009-01-30T15:50:16.863-08:00

Earlier this week, we took a drive, horse trailer in tow, to a local dairy to pick up a few new friends! Here they are waiting to be taken out of the trailer when we got home:Lauren welcoming Amos into his new pen....She isn't quite as brave as Emma, but she was willing to pet his head before fleeing! :-) Amos was a bit less steady on his feet and the first night we fed them, he kept falling over

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-16645138260545460892009-01-17T13:01:00.000-08:002009-01-17T14:23:53.474-08:00

My two monkeys each ate a clementine, a banana and two bowls of blueberries and blackberries for lunch! We love the day after a trip to Costco!!But, lest you be too amazed at my mothering skills.....directly after lunch they went to play the Wii. Who was it that said the Wii is better than most video games because at least it gets the kids up and moving? Oh yah, I think that was me........

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-21742625119334828262009-01-14T21:09:00.000-08:002009-01-14T21:52:10.086-08:00

I don't do the whole "New Year's Resolution" thing.....but I think its great to have things to look forward to accomplishing. So this is just a list of fun, new things I'm excited about trying in 2009:1. Learn to sew. Ok, this has been something I have wanted to do for as long as I can remember. When I was little, my grandma always made me dresses and matching ones for my doll....even my

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-53883723781701512702009-01-07T14:45:00.000-08:002009-01-07T15:03:03.792-08:00

Now I understand why all of those "experts" say that teaching our kids the alphabet song does more harm than good! Because when you are pointing to the letters in the phonics book and you get to "L" they say, "ELEMENNO".....in fact, I distinctly remember all of us parents being chastised by Emma's kindergarten teacher about that very thing! "If you are going to sing the song, make sure you

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-75426056485900508752009-01-06T22:57:00.000-08:002009-01-06T23:22:46.268-08:00

Well, we finished our second official day of home education (like how after 2 days I'm already one of those annoying people who has omitted "school" from my vocabulary? I kid....kind of) and we're all still alive to tell about it! Actually, it has gone amazingly well and I am at total peace with our decision! Emma seems to be really enjoying herself and is commenting on all of the perks. It

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-43017744840711962202009-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:002009-01-06T22:54:33.161-08:00

....I think I am a video-game widow! My parents bought us a Wii this year for Christmas and my husband hasn't been heard of since! Knowing how opposed to all things technological Jake is, my mom and brother thought that if they gave him "Cabella's Big Game Hunter" to go with the system, he would be ok with us having one.....well, it worked. As I type this he is in Zambia hunting water buck (huh?)

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-86341335473891164372008-12-19T23:41:00.000-08:002009-01-06T22:56:56.709-08:00

....I am now a homeschooling mom. That's right, we made the decision, told everyone we "needed" to tell and officially pulled Emma out of school as of today. (EEEEEEEEEEEK! What have we done?!?! Ok, I'm really glad we did it and I'm confident we've done the right thing, but I've had a few mild panic attacks this afternoon.) I brought all of her school curriculum home and we're just going to

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-8295260813674836932008-12-17T10:41:00.000-08:002008-12-17T11:02:47.743-08:00

My secret pal gave me an early Christmas present...a fully-assembled, ready to decorate, all supplies-included gingerbread house! So much fun!!

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-76814486663134803632008-12-16T13:29:00.000-08:002008-12-16T16:24:53.033-08:00

Monday morning was Lauren's "Big, HUGE dance recital" (as she likes to call it). It was actually quite small this year. She was a bit timid on stage and didn't do much dancing. I think it didn't help that we were in the front and she could see us. Oh well, it's still fun to watch.They performed in the big red barn next door to the studio(Lauren asked me earlier that morning if it was a "pretend

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-63441104407677834202008-12-06T08:07:00.000-08:002009-01-13T21:59:15.085-08:00

Thank you for your prayers concerning Rev. Clark. He has decided that the Lord desires him to stay where he is. He is supplying the pulpit for a small church that he feels led to stay at for now. However, good news came from this week's consistory meeting.....4 new names of men that may be interested from the Orthodox Presbyterian denomination. We're a small denomination (Reformed Church in US)

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560256185452451042.post-6351789764915800562008-11-30T19:29:00.000-08:002009-01-13T21:59:53.512-08:00

I absolutely love living in the country.....the solitude, the room to roam, to plant gardens, keep animals, all of it! However, if I couldn't have country, I would take Cayucos! I know, I'm such a sacrificer! :-) For everything that I love about where we live, I love Cayucos for one major difference. We don't have to get into a car the entire time we're there.....we walk (a real novelty for us

Cherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03306181927351922598noreply@blogger.com5