{hit by the bug... not the love one!}

Well.... I thought that the "bug" was over with only a slight case. The A-man & I had sick tummies on Friday and over the weekend {# 3s- named by my man child}. Use your imaginations please- I haven't the strength to go into it. But... low & behold on the way to school this morning- the "pukes" {again named by him} began for the A-man. He was pretty pitiful {but not as much as Prissy :) }. She dared not witness the blessed event! And the girl who begs to be walked into class- asserted her independence & walked right in with no protest- thank goodness! We are home, he is bathed, crackers are a plenty, Backyardigans are in progress... & now car carpets must be tended to. OH how I wish I had someone else to play "grown up" around here today...........

*****

But.... he wants me to hold him like when he was this age. I guess that's the Lord's way of making this "bug" bearable!!!

*****

p.s. A-man wants me to mention that the new Star Wars Legos come out today... He thinks maybe he might feel better if his daddy brings one home- hint hint!

{He'll fight for you...}

... and He will win! I can easily let the mother bear out when it comes to my kiddos. I can. I am NOT perfect nor do I pretend to be. I am cross some days just because & almost always I take great offense when the hearts of those I love get broken.... I instantly want to jump in & settle things {i.e.- make it all better}. But... sometimes I can't because it is not my fight. You see I am learning right along side of my sweet babes that life is not always pleasant. Good sometimes {even for Anakin Skywalker} doesn't always win. And sweet spirits do often get taken advantage of. But that being said- don't think that you are alone! You are NOT. He who formed you in your mother's womb is with you my sweet girl & He will make it right. When others break in like thieves & try to steal your joy- He is with you. When I am not there to give you the words to say- He is! When you are scared & to the point of tears- close those tiny watery eyes- & you will see Him. He is fighting for you even before you ask him to. I know these things cause He & I are close like that.... He & I talk about you. He & I.... we love you! And as much as I adore you {and that cannot be fathomed on a worldly scale} He adores you more! Remember this my sweet girl & all that we have talked about. He will fight for you!

~Ex 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.~

*****

I saw this today & instantly thought of that kind of love. The love that protects NO matter what. The Momma love... The Julia Sugarbaker kind of love!!! He loves you like that too!!!

{brought to you by the letter.. N}

I thought we had letter "M" for snack.... I had wonderful ideas for "Mickey Mouse" cheese & "milk & M cookies" or "mini" anythings.... But- I had signed us up for "N" snacks! Why my brain doesn't work when it comes to alphabet snacks.... I'll never know? The kiddos & I raided the pantry last night in hope of inspiration. They turned up their noses at the idea of "natural" peanut butter, "navy" beans, & "noodles"- YES we need to make a market run :). We decided on "necklaces" made out of gum balls, pretzels, candy, fruit loops, & whatever else fun treat that could be threaded onto "navy" blue yarn {Prissy's idea}!

*****

The kiddos & I dumped the before mentioned into bowls, cut the yarn , labeled the bags, & strung the "Necklaces" like one some gone mad!

*****

The A-man was meticulous about getting a little of everything.... on his- ha ha!!

*****

Prissy was ALL about making them pretty... she made Mrs. Archer's & most of the little girls'!!

*****

A-man said it was a success???

{conversation rings...}

Yes! It is time to start thinking of Valentine's day already..... Although I thought I was ahead of the game :: only to find most stores putting out St. Patrick's & EASTER stuff. Any-who we here @ Harris House- {heart} V-day! I saw this simple tutorial on Pinterest. Super cute, cheap, & easy as taking candy from a baby- shame on you {Joey} if you have done that!!

*****

~Conversation Ring Tutorial~

{start out with a bag of candy & some wedding favor metal rings}

*****

Simply size the rings to your 8 yr old- no surprise who helped me- ha ha! Then glue them on.

*****

It's as easy as that! We put them in some little boxes that we scooped up on clearance last year {or was it Cooner that scooped them up?}. No matter- they have them again this year @ Wally & Harris Teeter.

*****

I'm pretty sure they are gonna be a hit. Now hurry up & get gluing!!!!

p.s. I also picked up some "conversation heart" erasers @ the Dollar tree- I think I'll make some of those into rings too.....

{Magnum Opus...}

Today I am asking myself what is my greatest life work, my masterpiece.... my magnum opus? I instantly think of my sweet Prissy. Who is the very best & worst of me. She has a heart of gold {you can ask anyone}. She is precious to the very core. And she could walk in high heels at 1 & 1/2..... {don't ya just wanna pinch that little tooshy?}

*****

She giggles when you take her picture even now {mommas love that}. She is kind, patient, & sweet.... She is! And I love her little ways- wanting to mother her brother, her daddy, & me!!!

*****

She adores all things regarding crafts:: paper {fun or just plain white}, tape, glue, fabric, googlie eyes, puff balls, & sewing.... And always has! She colored in the lines when she was 2!

*****

And she's FANCY! She loves boas, ruffles, sequins, jewelry, & anything other accoutrement that makes an ensemble more than before. I {heart} that about her!!!

*****

She is compassionate. When I was on bed rest she took care of me. YES- my then 3 yr old brought my lunch {prepared by Joey & placed on the bottom shelf of the fridge} to my bed almost everyday. She brushed my hair, brought me lotion, played card games with me, tucked herself in for her nap, & learned to wipe her own bottom! Yep- she did!

*****

She is loyal. My sweet girl is on my side.... even when I'm wrong- bless her little heart. It's not easy admitting I'm wrong, but she drives me to it- she makes me want to be better!!!!!

*****

She is generous- so much more than me. She would give you anything you asked for. She is constantly giving away her favorite things, I hesitate & want to tell her to keep them. But am reminded that she is teaching me {most days} on this journey of ours....

*****

She is beautiful! Both on the inside & out. But her beauty is breath taking! She has a way of making your day in her sweet words, notes, & phone calls. Her voice is one of most favorite thing about her.... and Cooner's too! And she is also a beautiful dancer- I love to watch her. And singing... we sing on the way to wherever we are going on ALL the way home. It makes me miss Cooner so much {she's our trio}!!!

*****

She has been reading Charlotte's Web for school {we've read it a few times- she & I}. It makes me think of me & my life as a mother. What I'm doing in this world that counts? I think of her & the legacy that I am leaving. She is one of my finest works- my Magnum Opus!!!!

*****

"Are you awake, Charlotte?" he said softly. "Yes," came the answer.

"What is that nifty little thing?"

"Did you make it?" "I did indeed," replied Charlotte in a weak voice.

"Is it a plaything?" "Plaything?" I should say not. It is my egg sac, my magnum opus.

"I don't know what a magnum opus is," said Wilbur.

That's Latin," explained Charlotte. "It means 'great work.'

This egg sac is my great work- the finest thing I have ever made.

~Charlotte's Web

{FYI}

I am mildy obsessed with Downton Abbey. Have you heard of it? It aired on PBS last year & I quickly became a HUGE fan. Season 2 began last Sunday. You can go online & watch all of season 1 & catch up. It is full of wonderful! Am I the only 30 something girl that loves british love stories???

*****

...and 2 quick notes~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my gentle-giant of a brother! I hope you have a super wonderful day big bro..... And please pray for my sweet SIL Carol who is having her gallbladder out today. My kiddos are very concerned that "Uncle Carol" will be scared. She was quick to let us know that "she will be brave, because she has Jesus!" Amen!!!!!

{another office re-do}

In an effort to actually "live" in all the spaces of our home, I'm attempting to change the office a bit {again}. I really want it to double as a guest room {meaning more than an air mattress} & an office/sewing room. I found this little bed in one of my favorite 2nd hand shops. It is a bit smaller than a twin, but perfect for my space. Although it started out a bit extreme PURPLE.... I knew it had potential.

*****

I painted her & had the man rough her up a bit {bless his little heart}! But I need some help with furniture placement people.... and bedding ideas...... white or color?

*****

I tried it up against the wall- like a day-bed/couch... but it didn't feel right? It does look spectacular with the trunk at the foot... but again I'm not sure?? Suggestions PLEASE!!! Should I make it a couch against the wall or keep it out like a bed???

*****

But... I am for sure about 1 thing! I love this little basket- kinda fun for company to have some magazines to look through.......

*****

And I love this little candle with a cameo- shiny & antique chic ALL in 1!

{source $4.00 @ TJ Maxx}

*****

help me sweet friends.......

{good deeds...}

Well.... we are taking it easy today. I {heart} Sundays! I love the whole day off together & knowing that we don't have to be ANYWHERE [after church]. Today we are starting these...

"good deed cards".

I saw this idea months ago, but decided to start it fresh after the new year. The kiddos get a punch for every "good deed" that they do. Now... that does not mean helping your little brother put on his shoes {that should be done no matter if prizes are awarded!} or unloading the dishwasher {although that is new around here too}. We have never really had chores or allowances {and aren't starting now} but I do think it's important to "train" them in every area including but not limited to: setting the table, clearing the table, & unloading the dishwasher. I'll let you know how it goes- hopefully they will gain some independence & I'll be appreciated a bit more- only time will tell?

*****

Now back to the cards- I issued the cards Saturday. They were briefed on the meaning of "good deeds" & all the necessary questions were answered. "How many punches do I need?" {13}. "What do I get when my card is filled?" {A prize that you'll love, because you will have earned it!} "When does it start?" {Now}. "Momma can I massage your back?" {Of course, but remember a "good deed" is something above & beyond- ha ha ha}. Anyway- as you can see the punches have begun, the kiddos are crazy excited, & .....long live the Queen!!!!!!

*****

I found them here.

Just go to this site & download. Please keep me updated with your "good deeds".....

*****

And speaking of new around here.... Joey & I are attempting to read through this bible in a year together. We read on our own, journal about it, then discuss it @ night together. So far so good! It has always been a goal of mine, hopefully with a buddy I will stick to it. And something about the shameful look that I imagine him giving me... makes me dare not skip a day! Prissy has joined along side us too! We are 8 days in & her journal entries would make you cry your eyes out. Oh the faith of a child.... thank you Jesus for your sweet spirit in her!!!

*****

And the A-man has made a couple of resolutions too.... like learning how to spell his middle name & playing Legos at least 5 out of 7 days! I think he'll make a valiant effort {at least with the no. 2}- ha ha!

*****

Happy Sunday!

{free-cycle friday..}

Well.... I promised to share what I've been working on this week. I have been itching to change some things, but hesitate to put a lot of money towards something that I might want to change AGAIN very soon- y'all know me- ha ha.

*****

As you know I {heart} white almost to a fault sometimes. Most of the red is gone & has been replaced with softer hues of blue. Our kitchen chairs were stained red {by Joey about 9 yrs ago}. I thought of going white, but when I saw a pint of some bluish color.... well you know what happened.

*****

Joey distressed them- sorta fun with the red showing through. I really LOVE the new look & it was free- score!!!

*****

Next I bought a rug {which I hated & now have to return- boo} but in the process realized how GREEN my fireplace was.... So I begged asked my sweet hubby to paint it out for me {he is much better @ details than me}. And- I ADORE it!!!!!

*****

Do you remember the before?

{this looks black in the picture, but trust me it was GREEN}

*****

Now after.... Aha so much better- & again FREE. I always have white paint on hand :)

*****

Then..... I brought in the little blue sofa from the office {finally}. It's my very very favorite piece in the whole house & now we get to use it more!

*****

The kiddos are nuts over the new set-up. A-man plays in here more than ever. He now has his very own Island of Hoth {snow scene from Star Wars = white sofa} & 2 forts to fight with his Nerf guns- yeah! I think????

*****

Plus we now have seating for 3 more- bring on the company!!!!

Have a great weekend....

&

Never underestimate what you can do for FREE!!!

{Christmas break highlights....}

Well.... break is over, the tree is down, & we are back to school.... but the memories remain. I really think this break {doing nothing but hanging out here @ home & with friends- was so wonderful}. We stayed in our pj's about 50% of the time- {total bliss- I tell you}. We all took turns under my comfy quilts & enjoyed movies in my bed with the heated mattress pad {my very VERY favorite of my Christmas gifts}. What can I say? I am a VERY old soul that tends to channel even older comforts in life- like heating pads, aprons, knee socks, vicks vapor rub, & black & white movies- now heated mattress pads can be added to my list- ha ha.

*****

Prissy cracks me up! Here she is wearing a hair clip that I put on one of her presents & her new glasses. She has been wearing my "fake" glasses around here for months- y'all remember the ones from Claires that covered your eyebrows & were peach? Well... the new & MUCH improved ones just fit little girls & actually look real. She has worn them everyday since Christmas!!!

*****

A-man- well let's just say he's in LEGO heaven. He was over the moon with his gifts, but the Republic Frigate won 1st place in his heart. We all chipped in with the assembly & it was completed by the afternoon- Amen!!!!!

*****

And {being the frugal shoppers that we are huh hunnn} BOTH got each other this toothbrush. Regularly $80.00- 1 day 1/2 off = $40.00 + $10 off coupon + $20 off rebate = $12.00! We cracked up when we both opened it up. I told y'all he was my soul mate!!!!!!!! {p.s. yes I know I look a bit rough here- but I worked Christmas Eve, got home around midnight, put a roast on, filled the stockings, then showered, barely closed my eyes, & was awaken by 2 little VERY eager children........}

*****

And although it was not a "white" Christmas... I made some of these for my little guy. Does this make you think of anyone???? If you were thinking "Yoda" then God bless you & may I say "the force is strong in you"!!!! A-man hugged my neck clean off when I gave them to him. I saw the idea on Pintrest.

*****

But.... I think one of my very VERY favorite moments was Prissy's piano recital.... Can I just say... tears!!!! {you can click HERE to listen to a smidgen of it... as many times as you like :) }

*****

Now I'm off to finish up some things around here- I can't wait to show y'all. Hopefully later this week........... Remember my red chairs?