Hello There!

I had no idea I would be taking the summer off from here, 

but if you follow my instagram you know we've had a busy summer!

Nik just got his cast off!  He was amazing through the whole thing!

For someone that had three broken bones, he sure was tough.

We were gifted a chance to repaint the interior of the house,

so we jumped on it!

But, if you give a mouse a cookie...

Seriously the painting led to decor changes

on a budget of hardly anything!

 Thrift stores, spray paint, and serious discount hunting have been good to us!

Schemes for painted kitchen cabinets and new back splashes 

are floating around in our heads...

It also led to major purging and organizing!

Which translated into we need to have a yard sale...

that is happening tomorrow!

I have never been so ruthless with clearing out in my life

and it's been awesome!!!

We are in love with all the changes,

but I feel like these changes were getting us ready 

for bigger changes in our lives.

Nothing official yet, 

but hopes and prayers for better opportunities 

could be answered in the near future!

The biggest change is that I am enlisting help to design a new blog 

to combine this space with Amy's Monkeys.

I'm not sure when that will happen,

but I will keep you posted!

If you made it this far you deserve a treat!

Have a great weekend!

Until next time,

{2012}

This year was a time for changes and things finally falling into place for my little family.
 I can safely say 2012 was a good year in my house.

I think I have finally found my voice and my style...

all of a sudden I am not holding back when something is not right. 

It's kind of liberating and terrifying at the same time.  

 Don't get me wrong, I have always spoken my mind (ha),
 but it was much softer
 and usually much more mild than what I was actually thinking! 

My style has become more colorful and full of texture...
in the clothes I am wearing and the little changes that we're making in the house.
I am loving all of it...
thrift stores and Pinterest are so good to me!

This I added another candle to the birthday cake...

rounding up to 40 now {yikes}.

We added a nephew to the ranks...
he is keeping all of us on our toes.

My boys are becoming such amazing men...
when strangers compliment us on our "obvious" parenting and family centered lifestyle...
can you say tears in my eyes and happiness in my heart?!?

Kenny has found his grove with his microcontrollers...
helping to build a brand new company doing something he loves...
it's not just a job for him anymore...
happiness and pride trump a big paycheck any day!!

Amy's Monkeys is becoming more of a business than just a hobby...
getting to make things that other people want to pay for...
really?!?
It's amazing to me that my creations and love can help keep me in fabric and pay a few bills!
This year brought more confidence in what I do...
quality and detail are so important to me and others have complimented both in my products!

Living on what we have and planning for what we need were big milestones for us this year.
Dave Ramsey's common sense approach has finally, really taken hold.
We're not perfect, but we have such a better handle on all things financial.
Having a plan and working the plan has been so empowering!
Hopefully we'll gain some more traction and knock out more debt in 2013.

So 2012 we really liked you!

2013 we're ready and we're expecting another great year!

 Until next time,

 

Moving Right Along

It's amazing how life just keeps moving along...

keeping myself busy with last minute Christmas shopping and sewing...

Connecticut is still on my mind...

avoiding the news and all the negativity and just focusing on my family.

This year so many people have gone simple during the season...

bless their hearts!

We toned things down last year and I hope we never go back to a big Christmas!

Focusing on less has made it so much better...

less pressure and less busyness!

Less keeping up with all the craziness...

I'll take it!

My sewing machine has been humming with secret gifts...

my list is shrinking...

three more secrets to make...

I'm loving all of it!

Enjoy your family my friends!

Until next time,

{thankful}

To say we've had an interesting past three years might be the understatement of the year, but it truly has been interesting. 

 We went from two full time jobs to only one.  

From a dad that hated his work to a dad that has found his passion in his new work. Seeing him thrilled to delve into a brand new venture has been so exciting!

A dad that is willing and able to help out with school projects anytime. 

 From income that barely paid the bills to much less income that has made us so much better stewards of our finances.  

Amazingly we are thriving!  

So am I thankful this year??  

Oh you bet!  

I am thankful for circumstances flinging us into a new life, 

time with each other, 

healthy and growing boys (well maybe not the growing part...I will be the shortest one in the house next year...I bet), 

deeper love for my husband than I had the day I knew I loved him forever, 

and being able to create freely in this house  

(we may have dust bunnies and bits of stuff everywhere, but creating is flourishing!).

We have more than enough and for that I am eternally grateful!  

We are on an amazing journey so carefully scripted...I cannot wait to see where it leads!

I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving 

loving, eating, and laughing with all those you hold dear to your hearts!

Until next time,

Linking up with sweet Casey

Decisions

Over this last week I have been struggling with the idea of applying for another position in my school district.  Being a resource teacher would get me out of the classroom, so it was a very tempting idea with all of the struggles I've faced with having such a big class this year.  

Twenty nine, yes 29, kids that are 6, 7, or 8 years old is interesting to say the least.  

There were so many pluses with the idea of leaving the classroom...no report cards...no conferences...no millions of copies and materials to prep...but I was just unsettled by it all.

I literally was sick to my stomach as the decision tumbled around in my mind all last weekend and into the beginning of the week.  What to do...what to do...so many encouraging me to go for it...but a nagging voice in my mind.  We have so many amazingly good changes coming up next year and leaving the classroom would take me out of experiencing a fresh approach to teaching.

So after pleading in prayer for direction the decision was made...I am staying put.

Teaching is what I do, I'm good at it and I love it...not always, but most of the time.

I see big positive changes on our campus next year...

it's going to be exciting to refocus on teaching and not test giving.

My stomach is settled and my heart is content...

I think all of my prayers asking for guidance were answered...

I am a classroom teacher.

Until next time,

Linking up with Miss Casey

On the Night Stand

I have been reading like crazy over the last year.  We rediscovered the library last summer and I love that I can request just about anything!  Since buying a lot of books is not in my budget right now, the library has been a huge blessing.  It has also save me from purchasing a couple of books that I wound up not loving :)  So I thought I would share what I'm reading right now and see if anyone has any suggestions for me!

 

From the top I just got Guernsey  Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society...I am really enjoying it!

Next is Money Saving Mom's Budget...so good and totally straight forward.

Then you see One Thousand Gifts by the amazingly poetic Ann Voskamp...her words are beautiful!

I am also reading Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P. Freeman...really making me think and evaluate!!

I found the Herbal Guide to Food at a junk shop...nice explanations and some recipes I'd like to try.

Decision Points has been on night stand for a while...It's like a history book, so I am really trying to take it all in.  The stories and perspective are so good!

Last but not least is one of my favorite magazines, Country Living...I love it when Amazon has the $5 deals!

So that's what I'm into right now.  I love having a stack, so I can bounce between different styles and stories.  After having to read for college and work for so many years it is really nice to be able to read things for fun again!

Until next time,

Lessons I've Learned

Since my husband has been out of work for just over two years I have learned a lot about myself and our little family.

I have learned that going to a horrible job at a terrible place is much worse on a soul than not having a steady paycheck coming in every two weeks. The spirit that has filled my husband since he lost his job is such a blessing. He is happier, looks, and feels better than he did while he was dragging himself to that office everyday.

K was helping me with Marketing my aprons!
He said he had to make the "macho face" for the full effect! Pretty cute model, don't ya think!

I have learned that we don't need a whole lot to be happy. Our boys are perfectly content staying home and playing their games or with their Legos. We don't need fancy outings and elaborate vacations. The true blessing of our personalities is that we are all pretty much homebodies. So fitting since we need to stay home now!

My building boys!

I have learned that we are a very good team. K and I work very well together, we balance each other! Putting our heads together we have been able to figure out better ways to take care of our boys and our home. We invested in bicycles a couple of years ago and it has been so nice to run errands around town together. We get some one-on-one time together, some exercise, and save fuel. K has also put the word out to friends and family that he's available to help with projects or repairs on just about anything. It has been a blast helping K when one of our friends needs something done to their home.

Someday I will learn how to take a better picture of us!

I have learned that I don't need to go run errands every day. I have plenty to do at home, so using the fuel to go run around really isn't necessary. Making trips into town are much more planned and farther and fewer between. My sewing machine is my friend and we have been spending a lot of time together creating. I am hoping Amy's Monkeys continues to grow and supplement our family. Bringing extra income to our home while still being at home is an awesome thing! I never had the courage before to try to market myself and my creations, I guess I needed a push!

I have learned that it is okay to pray for us. I used to think that we were doing pretty well so other than being thankful we really shouldn't pray for specific things. Not any more, if I am having a great day or struggling or frustrated or my back is really hurting I am praying about it. I have had more conversations with God than I ever did before. Man was I missing out before. Weight is lifted from my shoulders. No more borrowing trouble for me.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~Matthew 6:34

This job loss has truly been a blessing to our family. We are better for it. Do we wish K had a full-time income? Absolutely. Will he settle for a horrible working environment again? I hope not. Financially it has stretched us, but emotionally it has strengthened us beyond measure! We will make it through financially, someway or another. Friends and family have blessed us and we will continue to make do!

Until next time,

Linking up:

Family

We were able to sneak away for a day to visit my grandparents who had come in from Arizona. It had been almost 6 years since I had seen them. My boys kind of remember them, but not well.

I think it was totally worth having a long day to be able to see the boys interacting with their great-grandparents! They giggled and talked and got to know each other. It was amazing!

L and N showing Grammy how to play a game on the ipad from my classroom


All the boys...love the big smiles!

This is the last set of grandparents K and I have left, so every day God chooses to let them stay with us is a blessing. After losing my other set of grandparents in the last year I am acutely aware of the importance of getting in as much time with the people you love as you possibly can!

Family shot...did you notice how tall Z is?!?

I am grateful that we were given this chance to visit! The smiles that it brought and the joy in lots of hearts will stick around for a long time!

Until next time,

Joining up with Heavenly Homemakers for Gratituesday!

Pure Happiness

Yesterday I canned plum jam for the first time!

Let me just say it was wonderful and not too hard and totally worth it!

Z and I processed about 10 pounds of plums and came up with 26 pints!
I am in love with canning!

It is so amazing to know that we used the best ingredients in something that will be feeding our family for a whole year! You want to know what all the ingredients were for our beautiful jam?!? I know you want to!

Here's the list...be ready it's really long...

plums {From our backyard tree!! YAY!!}
demerara (raw cane sugar)
fruit pectin
water

Yup, that's it! No junk. No bizarre chemical compositions. Just the good stuff.

I am so excited. Now I have to get my hands on some concord grapes!

Well I am off to finish processing our beautiful plums that were grown with sunshine and water!



Have a great day!

Until next time,

Sewing, Sewing, Just Keep Sewing

I have been a busy bee on the sewing machine and with the glue gun! When someone knows you sew, watch out they will put you to work.
Like I need an excuse to be on the sewing machine. hehehe

I am getting ideas and requests for things a lot these days. I just have to say I love it when someone says, "Do you make _____?" or "Have you seen _____? Do you think you could make me one?" I am up for a challenge and I am always up for learning how to make something new to me.

Here's a little peek at what I've been up to...

Bible or Book Covers
I love all the possibilities for these little covers. My bible is totally styling now!


A Topsy Turvy Doll
This little beauty may or may not have brought cuss words out of my mouth...Miss T is probably going to have a one of a kind doll!


A super cute pillow case dress
These I could make all day! I love them and they come together super quick!

Well there's a little peek at what I've been up to. I finally decided on a server/host for my online shop, so you'll be seeing more products soon. It might be a couple of weeks since I have to change classrooms for next year and get the boys finished up with their school year. I will keep you posted!

Until next time,

Happy Friday

I love this song. It is spot on to life. So many of us get caught up in all the little junk that we forget all the great things that happen everyday!

I am working really hard not to forget "how big I'm blessed"!

Have a wonderful Friday!

Until next time,

Happy Things

Last weekend I was working on my computer when the most beautiful colors filled my room.

The sun was rising with the most glorious shades of pink, purple, and orange.



I had to grab my camera and capture the beauty.



This is the reason I am so glad I am a morning person!

Doesn't it just make you smile? I love sunrise, it makes my heart so happy!

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Happy thing number two came on Valentine's Day. I asked K if he remembered the first Valentine's card he gave me. He just smirked and said he didn't. Well I started telling him about the Santa in a Ford Mustang card that he had given me. It was hilarious because my husband loves Ford Mustangs, so to him a card with a Mustang was the best gift ever. He had written something on the inside about how this card was better than any old mushy Valentine card, but if I really want a mushy card he would get one for me.

The best part of the story is I had kept the card in my hope chest and was able to dig it out to show him. We were laughing and remembering. It was so much fun! I am so glad I choose carefully when I save things. It brought back a lot of sweet times!

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We may not have a fancy life or a big bank account, but we have wonderful things all around us everyday. Soaking in the ordinary is what I am focusing on in my life. These days are definitely finer things!

Linking up to Finer Things Friday over at Amy's Finer Things!

Until next time,

Finding My Balance

When I decided my word for this year would be balance I wasn't quite sure how I was going to go about getting a better balance between all the hats I wear. So far it has just sort of organically morphed its way into reality.

For the first time since I have been teaching I am leaving my planning and prepping and record keeping to my time at school only. I am not staying late, but I am trying to be a better steward of every spare moment I get. I am using my before school time, after school time, and any time my students are working without me to get myself set up for the following week or weeks. We are more than half way through the year and many of my materials are already prepped to get me through to the end. All without me neglecting anything. I am so pleased to be able to leave my plan book and teacher bag at school over the weekend!

This past weekend I focused on my home and my family. Together we were able to clean up and clear out some things. We even made a run to our neighborhood park when the sun broke through the fog. Not once did I think about stuff I needed to do for school. Home was all about home!

I am grateful that I am finding more balance between home and school. They are not being intertwined and tangled. Believe me, that makes for a much happier mama!

I am linking to Gratituesday with Laura over at Heavenly Homemakers!

Until next time,