Pumpkins

I like to put cloves in the top of the pumpkin lid, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar - when the candle warms it up it smells like pumpkin pie!

Wilson!

Matt (left) Bria's (right) - Matt's pumpkin is crying because he is afraid of ghosts.

just being mom

So we head out of town after a busy week. For me it was filled with homeschooling, meal planning, budgeting, working, shopping, driving all around, more working - all the little roles I have that together tend to overwhelm. Dont tend to, they just do.

I wasn't sure we should just pack up for the day and go. There were floors to be mopped, drawers and closets to be weeded out, recycling cans to cash in, lesson plans to be filled in....

But as we did, I became simply happy - just being mom. I love being the one to remember all the essentials and that when we are gone from all the other responsibilites - I am just supposed to be mom. Holding hands across the street, noticing when to apply chapstick, having an extra water bottle in my purse.

and I loved it. Even if it was for only a day.

we kicked it

Mom and Dad rented this cute farmhouse in Big Bear for the weekend.


we were silly

we ate a breakfast meal here on our honeymoon 17 years ago.

so we were remembering......

..... and then we were smiling and it was nice 'cause

..... it had been a while

A Music Weekend

This was a weekend of music performances for my family (minus me). Brian did a 40 minute set at the Temecula Arts and Music Fest. Just him and acoustic guitar. He was well received and did an excellent job. I love that he is playing gospel saturated songs at secular venues. He always hangs out to talk to people.

Matthew played his "graduation piece" at his recital held at the Temecula Library. He did so very well. It amazes me that he finds it so easy to memorize such long pieces of music. He is sounding better every year. It is always good to go to recitals, not just because the kids get to perform music they have been working so hard to perfect, but because they leave being excited about the more advanced performers and seeing what they will be working on next. It also makes me thankful for the time we have invested in getting them to practices each week, nagging all week to get them to work hard before play and for their amazing music teachers.

Bria played too. She did so well - she usually gets so nervous, but she improved a lot this time and had fun playing her music.

After her bows, she runs back to her seat! It cracks me up!

Nate wowed the audience with his latest piece - he did great!


My artist-types.....I think it is funny how much we all enjoy classical music.

I Heart Saturday AND......tracy bringing her camera to co-op

memories

When the weight of all my dreams

Is resting heavy on my head,

And the thoughtful words of health and hopeHave all been nicely said.

But I’m still hurting,Wondering if I’ll ever beThe one I think I am.I think I am.

Then you gently re-remind meThat you’ve made me from the first,

And the more I try to be the bestThe more I get the worst.

And I realize the good in me,Is only there because of who you are.

Who you are...

And all I ever have to beIs what you’ve made me.

Any more or less would be a stepOut of your plan.

As you daily recreate me,Help me always keep in mind

That I only have to doWhat I can find.

And all I ever have to be

All I have to be

All I ever have to be

Is what you’ve made me.

Cannot tell you how I loved this song growing up. I had forgotten all about it until she sang it last night. - I cried. Well, actually I cried a few times. Its funny because Nate woke me up this morning to ask how the concert was. He was so sweet - and he asked "how many times did you cry?" :)

Thanks Mom - it was fun to have fun with you and remember being just a kid

My view of Amy

Holly's view of Amy!

My fellow Amy dork stayed an hour after the show and got a picture with this rockn' 48 year old. Love it!

guess who is going to see Amy tonight?

Thanks for all your encouragement! It will be fun - mom is coming along and she will love it. She knows all the songs too as Amy is all I listened to in Jr High. It will bring back such sweet memories of how God has used music to encourage me through family and personal trials growing up. We hope to see Holly and her sister who thinks I am such a crazy lady that I would blog about wanting to see Amy so bad who cannot even sing all that good - there tonight too! Im excited! :)

the countdown begins

I Heart Saturday AND........purposeful acts of kindness

WANTED: tickets to Amy's concert - updated

She is coming to Escondido Performing Arts Center October 22.

Steps taken (so far) to get tickets:

1. Invited by Carrie during the summer to go with her. Did not know the exact price of tickets, but was hopeful that my man would have more work and I would be able to swing it.

2. Found out tickets were $75 - invited multiple friends for "girls night out". Tried to justify the expense with the man, almost relating like a field trip for moms - but he just rolled his eyes.

3. Went to Amy's blog and told her I was not going to cut and weave my hair even though I really need to - but would use the money to buy a concert ticket instead. This was in hopes that she would feel for me and maybe, just maybe, email me a little note saying "tickets at will call" . Did not happen.

4. Remembered that hubby is friends with Randy Stonehill and thought "hey, Amy mentioned Randy on her blog not long ago, so they are still in touch....mmmmmm" So, asked him to give Randy a call and see if he possibly has some giveaway tickets - maybe throw in a back stage hello, dinner with Amy would be asking too much I know...

....sweet man, realizing how important this is to me , just left Randy a message - so we will see, say a prayer,crossing my fingers... :)

UPDATE: Stop! A collection! you guys are too much. Im going to give RS until Sunday night to get back to brian - and then.....Im checking on line for tickets and I will take you up on your offer as humbling and silly it is considering this is an obsession that I have had since jr. high. Stay tuned :)

Bria had a growth week

Bria has goals. She may not make a list or keep a journal (like her mother - to constantly make herself feel guilty and like she never has enough time in the day and to remind her that she has not reached a goal since the Atkins diet of 2000)- but, she has goals.

What fun it was to see such big smiles this week as my youngest had successes!

Heres to a big week for reading. Not stopping as much to sound out letters - just reading out loud with confidence!

Riding her bike! She learned last year, but did not pick up her bike for some reason for months. She forgot how to ride, lost confidence. But his week, she is riding her bike all over and having lots of fun.

She is blowing bubbles! After working for years to master this very important, lady like and flattering skill - mission accomplished!

I Heart Saturday AND.....girls at afternoon tea

She wants to be a princess

I really loved this article from "Rocks in my Dryer". My princess is growing up and we loved every minute of her princess beginnings and similar talks like this -

By Rocks in My Dryer

I have, on occasion, heard some parents of daughters rail against the phenomenon that is the Disney and/or Barbie princess craze. I’ve heard some parents wonder if we are setting unrealistic expectations of “happily ever after” for our daughters, or if we’re teaching them to define success by someday nabbing a handsome prince.

If that’s the case, then I am hosed. Because I have a three-year-old daughter who has bought in to the entire thing, lock, stock, and barrel. She is a walking billboard for the Disney princesses. She dances all over the place in her Jasmine slippers, carrying a glittery Cinderella purse, and she makes up songs as she goes along. The tune always changes, but the words go something like this:
“Belie-e-e-e-e-e-eve in your dreams...when you wish…in your heart…and the magic happens…of the whole world…and you can shine…and don’t give u-u-u-u-u-u-u-up…and your dreams come tru-u-u-u-u-ue…”

You get the idea. It’s like a cloud of Disney princess pop psychology follows her through our house. I’m not concerned about this. It’s not like she’s choosing a husband next year – she’s three, for Pete’s sake. I have plenty of time to teach her, by my words and actions, that happily-ever-afters actually require a lot of work, and that the best handsome princes aren’t the ones with the best ballroom dancing steps – they’re the ones who unload the dishwasher.

Anyway, I don’t believe it’s a bad thing for a little girl to revel in her femininity, should she be so inclined. There are plenty of years ahead for learning a healthy personal balance between a love for pretty dresses and the more cerebral things in life. I want to teach my daughter to embrace every part of who she is, including the delightful girly-girl part. My daughter would tell you that her favorite princess is Belle. Why? Because, she would say, “of the pwetty yellow dwess, and she likes BOOKS!”

And there you go.

So we’re diving headlong into the whole princess thing, though I’m keeping my radar up for little chances to reminder her gently of what real happy endings look like. The other day I sat with her as she watched an episode of

Princess Stories. At the end of it, Cinderella shared her story. “I found my handsome prince,” she sighed, “and then we lived happily ever after.”

I nudged Corrie. “I found my prince, too, you know. You know who it is?"
“Daddy!” she giggled.
“Yes!” I said. “And you know why I picked him for my prince?”
She shrugged.
“Because he’s smart, and he works hard, and he makes me laugh, and he’s kind.” I thought about explaining how he encourages me to develop my own potential, and how (talk about princely!) he does the taxes every year, too. But I could tell I was starting to lose her – she was wondering when I would get to the part about the pretty dresses.

So instead I just sang along with her as she started her song: “Be-lieeeeeeeve in your dreams….”
We’ve got years for the good stuff.

I love you Miss Bria - and I look forward to seeing all that God has for you and who the very fortunate Prince will be!

October Scary Movie Nights

This past Friday night began our October Friday scary movie night

LOVE this movie! I remember telling Jessica that Angela Lansbury was in this movie - and she said she did not think so. Well, she is right. No Angela. All the kids enjoyed the movie - perfect start for Bria.

Im looking now for any suggestions - anyone have an idea of a good family friendly scary movie?

more fall fun

I love the fall colors in this candy......



her favorite snack pick at Trader Joes

It's A Halloween Party

Ok -I have never decorated just for Halloween. I typically just get out the "fall" stuff and enjoy through October and November. But, when did the Halloween decorations get so darn cute!? I just could not resist - I decided its because the decorating got whimsical. Kimba at Soft Place to Land is the inspiration to many of my projects in progress and my new love for spray paint.

Today I am joining the Halloween party and showing a couple of decorations I added this weekend.

This is a before shot of what I am working with....

Stole this idea from a few blogs. They are more sophisticated than me and actually rub on the letters on the pumpkins (fake) and it looks great. I used large letter stickers and just attached to the pumpkins.

Here is boo on the mantle by the spooky tree. I loved this tree. I found it at a thrift store super cheap. You can't see from the picture, but it has a cute face and a place to add a candle.

This was a stretch, but I still like it. I spray painted an old wreath that was not being used anywhere and added a little purple "happy halloween" ribbon. Not sure how it fits with my "peace to all who enter here" door knocker. :)

Just another picture to show you how much southern living I have...

Now go look at all the other entries in the party at Soft Place to Land...her barn star on her door is really adorable, especially on her black door, brick house.......all fun to look at.

I Heart Saturday AND.......Wet Fun in the Fall

Well at least she pronounced world leaders names correctly

Good political coverage found at "Reformed Chicks Blabbing"

Now we can never go back