Isn't she lovely?

Pottery with Andrew - week 2

The theme is birds so Andrew makes a different bird "thing" each week during pottery class. Last week he made a birdhouse and this week he made a bird feeder. None of his clay projects have been fired and painted yet so they will look totally different in a few weeks when that happens. Again, he is really enjoying this time using his hands to make something out of a slab of clay!

Fabulous Giveaways!

Money Saving Mom has got it going on...again! Go to her blog to see all the people who are simply giving away stuff! It's so easy to enter by leaving a comment or following the specific instructions on each giveaway. Have fun!

$5 off $25 purchase WALGREENS

It's that time again....another coupon from Walgreens (aka: WAGS) for $5 off your $25 purchase. It's good tomorrow and Friday only. Use those newspapers and online coupons to make the deal even sweeter.

I thought of you when I saw this coupon, Joni!

Wordless Wednesday

Act the fool

On our weekly trip to the library this morning, I reminded the children that they were to obey me while in the library by whispering, walking, staying close, and picking out a few books each. This was the conversation immediately after my reminder.

Andrew: "I think I'm gonna pretend to be a dog today, Mom."

Me: "Suits me fine but not while we're at the library. You're not allowed to act the fool outside of our house."

My thoughts exactly

She took the words right out of my mouth.


I still love my Twittering friends (and husband), though.

Remembering Apollo 11

I wasn't born yet (not until five years later) but some of you may remember the events surrounding the wonder of Apollo 11. Enjoy these pictures. I know my mother will.

O Heart Bereaved and Lonely

Fanny Crosby penned the lyrics to her hymn, O Heart Bereaved and Lonely (track 9), way back in the 1800-s. She became blind as an infant, the result of a botched medical procedure, yet, she still praised her God. I've mentioned my love of the old hymns being made known today through new arrangement, thanks to Kevin Twitt at Belmont University, igrace music, and the ministry of RUF. Indelible Grace has newly released their fifth album, Wake Thy Slumbering Children, featuring more beautiful rewritten hymns....and it plays constantly in my home. Can't get enough of it.

Although O Heart Bereaved and Lonely is a bit sad, it reminds me of the faithfulness of our Lord. It's my favorite song on the CD and that's a HUGE statement 'cause the CD is amazing. But, the song reminds me to pray for those in my life that are hurting, waiting, and mourning. I pray for my friend who has suffered miscarriages and struggles with infertility. It causes me to pray for my friend who is waiting for her house to sell so her family can make a new step in their journey. Another friend is brought to mind as I think of how she misses her mother more and more, year after year. A couple in our church is pregnant with their first child and are in need of a BETTER job with more hours and security....he's been looking for a LONG time. I think of my many friends who have recently moved away to unfamiliar places and how they long for fellowship with community. My friend's Daddy just passed away....she is aching.

This song exposes my sin but makes reminds me of my desperate need of Jesus who took all the dirt away. This song makes me cry because I can rejoice in His goodness. My favorite part of the hymn is the last three lines in the last verse:

Trust on, whate'er befall
Remember, O remember,
Thy Savior knows it all.

You can go here to hear a clip of the song as well as all the other tracks on the CD.


O Heart Bereaved and Lonely

O heart bereaved and lonely,
Whose brightest dreams have fled
Whose hopes like summer roses,
Are withered crushed and dead
Though link by link be broken,
And tears unseen may fall Look up amid thy sorrow,
To Him who knows it all

O cling to thy Redeemer,
Thy Savior, Brother, Friend
Believe and trust His promise,
To keep you till the end
O watch and wait with patience,
And question all you will
His arms of love and mercy,
Are round about thee still

Look up, the clouds are breaking,
The storm will soon be o'er
And thou shall reach the haven,
Where sorrows are no more
Look up, be not discouraged;
Trust on, whate'er befall
Remember, O remember,
Thy Savior knows it all

D. Webb & S. McCraken

Two of my favorite singers (who just happen to be husband and wife) singing Shelter, unplugged. Lyrics below.



In the arms of a good Father
You can go to the deep water
Where the questions, we have left unspoken
Come out in the open
We will find shelter here

So I lay down, what I cannot hold in my hands
Every sorrow and hope spinning out of control
And here I find sweet resolution comes in letting go
And we will find shelter here

When I look back I can see,
And when I am old I'll remember these things
Like a mountain of stone
And the longing that makes me believe...

There is a tree by the blue river
Where the shade stretches wide over
In this breaking we are hand and glove
Come with me my love
We will find shelter here
We will find shelter here...

I cringe

Ok, I hate sores. I hate boils. I hate puss pockets. My skin crawls just to think of those things. I found this picture on a blog I follow and it makes me want to puke. Call me crazy.....click on the picture for an even larger disgusting view. Yes, those are baby spiders on the mom's back. So gross. I don't even know what compelled me to post this.

Cow Appreciation Day at ChickfilA

As I mentioned, we headed to ChickfilA for some free food yesterday. It was fun to dress up and act the fool. Andrew and Abigail even entered the restaurant moo-ing. Luke wasn't as thrilled but he still played along with our little game. We received some smiles and "high fives" but we tore those paper costumes off as soon as the free food was in our hands.

To make the costumes, all I did was take two poster boards (per person) and decorate them with spots and logo, stapled them together to form a round about the body, tacked on the tail, and then tied on some yarn for straps. The nose and ears were drawn and stuck with tape to our bodies.


And, let's hear it for the boy....my sweet husband was more excited about the free chicken than I was. He wore his paper suit with pride and even dressed himself in it in the parking lot (it's hard to sit and drive with poster board wrapped around you) while the onlookers smiled, gawked, pointed, and laughed out the restaurant window. What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man....anything to help the budget, right?

Freaky Friday

What are these brothers up to?

Kettcar fun

Thanks to our churchwide yard sale, we are now the owners of an Original Kettcar Safari GT (thanks Fell family). Andrew has asked if he can now spend his entire days outside riding the pedal car. Luke usually just hangs around for a ride (and Abigail, too).

Free BBQ at Arby's

Here's a coupon for a free Arby's BBQ Bacon Cheddar Roastburger with the purchase of a drink. The coupon is good until July 12 (that's this Sunday!).

Free ChickFilA tomorrow, July 10

MOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ChickFilA is doing it again. Arrive dressed like a cow and you'll get a free combo meal of your choice. Here's the proof!

I wish....

I wish my boys would stop fighting. No exaggeration - I spend most of my day breaking up fights and disciplining my sons. It's very discouraging. Seems being at home is when it's worst.

I wish one of my children didn't try to be in control of EVERYTHING, even in how I discipline!

I wish my daughter would tee-tee in the potty consistently. It would sure help with the laundry. Not to mention she is often found climbing on the kitchen and bathroom counters when I've turned away for a second or two. No kidding.

I wish one of my children would stop asking for candy ALL THE TIME (yes, this is the child with two cavities waiting for root canals).

I wish I wasn't full of sin....but then I wouldn't know the love of God or understand his marvelous grace towards me.

.....I wish, I wish, I wish

Skatin' babies

This video cracks me up. It makes me think of my husband during all of his skating days as a youth. Thanks for sharing this with me, Mad.

Pottery with Andrew

Andrew has always been very involved in organized outdoor activity but this summer brings a rest to those sports schedules. We decided together that he could do something creative with his hands so we checked out our community art center. Year round pottery classes are offered for children ages five and up so I hurried to register him this past spring for classes that would take place this month! Last night was Andrew's first class and I know he really enjoyed it! In an hour, he completed a fine piece of work - a cool country birdhouse. It will soon be ready to fire, paint, and bring home. It's exciting to think of all that he's learning, including vocabulary, fine motor skills using various tools, and how to serve others as they all sit at one table sharing many items. I'll be sure to update each week with a picture of his newest clay creation.

RedBox Code today only

RedBox code good today til midnight. Make sure you return it before 9pm tomorrow night!

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