HI!!!

We are soo excited that it is springtime! We are loving the warmer weather! We have been outside as much as possible playing kickball, fishing, riding bikes, working in the yard and anything else we can come up with.

Thad is busy preparing for the upcoming spray season. We are trying to get his things ready to go as well as everything here at the house taken care of. We hope to spend most of the summer with him but that is a "wait-and-see." He is keeping busy at the airport flying with students most of the time.

The kiddos are still working hard at school. We are preparing for the standardized tests that are coming up in May. Brendan has started track. Lauren is getting ready for dance recital. Most of all, they have enjoyed playing with our new neighbors on a daily basis:-)

and for me:

I am still working at the Thrift store two days a week. The kids are with me and have made some great friends there.

I am reading an awesome book that I hope to blog about soon.

I learned to grout tile this weekend;) I am hoping to apply my new knowledge to MY bathroom floor.

I learned to make homemade cinnamon rolls and.............a chocolate stout cupcake that is to die for! More baking experiments coming soon!

That's all for now. Just checking in to let you know that I haven't quit blogging yet!

Happy Birthday Lauren!

Where does the time go? It seems like this was yesterday!! This is her very first birthday.


















Her best friend-Solomon









My five year old

Puppies

So what do you think about puppies?






















Ok, How about eleven of 'em???
















Just in case you're wondering......it's too cold for them outside. They have been staying in Thad's room. Guess who is having to clean that up?? So glad its not me :-)

Kite Flying

Yeah, I know-where have I been...blah...blah...blah.... I just haven't felt up to it-haven't had my heart in it. Enjoyed a little pity party but....I'm back. Up and going. Ready to share, inspire, entertain...whatever you are seeking, I am up for the challenge.
I thought I would share some of my favorite blogs with you. I could use a blog roll but I'm not one for doing things the normal way. I will try to categorize these beauties that I check daily. They inspire me, teach me, help me organize, help me decide what I am going to cook for supper, save me $$$, and most importantly help me keep up with long distance friends:) Here goes:

Missionary Heroes
www.michawn.blogspot.com
www.nevinurey.com
kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com
vankampens.blogspot.com
psalm45one.blogspot.com

Inspiring Blogs
aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com
lysaterkeurst.com

Food Blogs
thepioneerwoman.com/cooking
foodformyfamily.com
www.picky-palate.com
www.blog.superhealthykids.com


Coupons & Deals
www.dealseekingmom.com
bargainbrianna.com
www.couponcravings.com

Hope that you enjoy these as much as I do!!

Goings On

What's going on around here?????

prefixes and suffixes
cursive writing
ham and sweet potatoes
a weekend garage sale
care and share
friends for supper
a dsi in the washing machine
a car in the body shop


So that doesn't leave much time to blog! Promise I will try again soon!

Homeschooling, Birthdays, New Baby & More

We have been pretty busy around here. Homeschooling is still going good. We get more done on some days than others. I guess regular school is like that too (just without the Mama guilt). The boys are doing well in their studies. Lauren is so eager to learn and she gets tired of waiting her turn!
Ethan and I have both celebrated another birthday. He is nine and me...well...I won't tell. We did have special birthdays though complete with special family celebrations.
















I have a brand new neice!!!! Sara Beth was born a couple of weeks ago. She was 8lbs and 9oz! I am so proud!!! We hate that she lives a couple of hours away and we can't kiss on her as much as we want to!











We had a wonderful few days of autumn weather but now it is 90F again this weekend:( Still we are enjoying this season of football, pumpkins, and getting ready for hunting season (at least the boys are). We had our first weiner roast of the season last week (before the burn ban) and the kids loved it. I love it too. Nothing is easier for supper than that and everyone is happy! Thad and I had our first date since he has been home. We ate at our favorite place and then went to Target. You know you're old when your date nite looks like that. We had a relaxing evening and enjoyed it.

More to Come!!!