Summer Decorating

Doesn't this room just envelop you in the warmth of summer?  Yes, the view of the pool definitely completes the look.  My dear friend recently changed her daughter's room from toddler to 10 year old savvy.  This look can follow her into the teen years.  

I loved the whimsical throw pillows.  The subtle monkeys add a punch of fun without being too "themey."  Like my new word?  Made it up myself. :)

Check out these great window treatments.  Two pillow shams folded in half diagonally and tacked up.  The bamboo shades offer privacy and fit beautifully with the toppers.

I. LOVE. THIS. LAMP.  It's so grown up and yet fun at the same time.

This room doubles as the guest room.  Don't you want to be a guest?!  It is so fun yet relaxing.

Randomness in my Life

This precious gift of LIFE turned 10 last week.  T-E-N.  I cannot believe I have had the privilege of being a mom for ten years.  God is so good.  She is such a blessing, in so many ways.  My heart bubbles with love for this beauty.

Speaking of beauties...

My beautiful mom and I attended our first home school conference in May.  It was so fun to get away together.  She waited so patiently while I browsed for hours.  She even attended some seminars for me so I wouldn't miss anything.  After taking a spill on the sidewalk, ripping a hole in her brand new, never-been-worn white capris, getting a giant booboo on her knee and cutting her head (which I believed she needed stitches for), she still wore a gorgeous smile and never complained.  What a trouper!  Oh, and by the way, the whole blood thing was handled without any passing out, thank-you-very-much!

While at the conference, I had a chance to finally meet one of my dear blogging buddies...

Jen from Balancing Beauty and Bedlam!

We had planned get together that day, but just prior to our meeting time, I ran into the bathroom to do a quick lipstick, hair check.  You know, meeting someone 'famous' for the first time can be a little intimidating.  Well, before I even made it to the mirror, there she was!  So, in true girlie fashion, we met for the first time in the ladies room!  So much for the primping I desperately needed.   And yes, Jen is just as adorable and fun in real life as she is on her fabulous blog!  

Speaking of fun, my manly man had some fun this week, too.  His softer, artsy-fartsy side came out again:
Yuhuh!  He did it again!  He wanted to make our daughter's birthday cake.  She loves all things beachy, so he made a flip flop cake.  Watch out Duff! (Ace of Cakes)  Oh and while we're at it, let me show you his cake from our 8 yr. old's birthday:
Any guesses what she likes?  Yes, horses and chocolate.   

If you know my husband IRL, I know you are probably shaking your head in wonder.  I know.  It's an oxymoron.  I'm still scratching my head, wondering where this cake baking gene fits in with his "if it's brown, it's down; if it flies, it dies" hunting mantra.  Love him!!!

Gratitude

Humble gratitude to my anonymous friend.

God's timing was perfect.  

You blessed us SO!

Jumping In

It's almost comical how differently my children and I approach a swimming pool at the beginning of the summer.  The water is cool and refreshing, often taking my breath away.  As I carefully maneuver the gradual descent into the water I catch my breath, dreading how cold the water will feel with each step.  It is a slow, almost painful event, shivering and gasping as I go.

Meanwhile, my children have jumped in and are squealing  with delight.  Their bodies quickly adapt to the temperature and they are enjoying the benefits of the initial plunge.

Oh, how this parallels my spiritual journey!  So many times I hear the Lord calling, and yet my lack of faith hinders me  from taking the plunge.  I delay the benefit of being able to bask in the rewards of faithful stewardship.  I slowly respond to His call, waiting for Him to confirm and then reaffirm the call. When He calls to me, I know His voice (for He is my Shepherd), yet I often hope that maybe He actually meant to call someone else's name.

When I asked my children what they thought about this, their answer was amazingly simple: "We need to listen and obey."  It's funny how our favorite parental phrases can come back to bite us!  Yes, I need to just listen and obey.  We have taught our children the importance of immediate obedience ... what a lifelong lesson!

I want to be the sheep that follows the voice of her Shepherd, simply because He has called.  I want to respond immediately to His call.  I want to jump in, ready to rest in the assurance that He has called, and I have obeyed.

Today I must make a choice:  Am I ready to take the plunge, or will I endure the disappointments of choosing to follow his call only on my own, unsteady terms?

Lord, help me to respond to you with a cheerful, enthusiastic attitude.  I don't want my clouded view to hinder the joy of jumping in and following your plan.

John 10:3-4

A New Chapter

Friday was a bittersweet day for our family.  

A turning of the page, to a new chapter of our lives.

It was the last day of school.  Not just any last-day-of-school.  It was the last day that my children's education rested in the hands of another.  This new chapter of our lives is titled homeschooling.

Before you gasp and cringe and think " I hope she knows what she's getting herself into," let me assure you that this has not been a quick decision.  In fact the Lord pricked my heart just over a year ago.  It was a simple whisper to my heart, and over time, my attitude and preconceptions have changed.  

As a former educator, people would often ask if we were going to homeschool when our oldest was ready for kindergarten.  I would automatically stiffen and reply, "no way, I don't meet the criteria of having 12 children and wearing jumpers."   Recently, I've had the privilege to get to know some REAL homeschool families.  And that is just what they are.... real.  Normal.  Fun.  Beautiful.  Happy.  Gone are my misconceptions and sad prejudices.  

Back to our decision to homeschool...

My initial desire to homeschool my children did not come from a dire situation that we needed to get out of.  Rather, it was during one of their track out periods, when I had them to myself that I felt the Holy Spirit ignite my desire to teach them.  When I approached my husband about it, he simply said, "Let me pray about it."  Music to my ears.  I didn't want this to be my decision, or even our decision.  We wanted this to be a God thing.

Over the course of the next few months, we received one confirmation after another; some big, some small.  Nevertheless, we witnessed God's faithfulness as he gently guided us to this decision.

Which leads me to this past Friday, the last day of school.  As I drove out of the carpool line for the last time, a slight panic of "this is it" flashed through my brain.  It was one of those moments of parenting that you think, this is big.  A giant step of faith.  But the panic was replaced with excitement and the true satisfaction of knowing this is exactly where the Lord is calling me to be.

We had to deal with the bittersweet emotions that come with any major life change.  My children are thrilled with our new venture, but saying goodbye to school friends was tough.  I enjoyed my last morning of dropping them off at school and meeting a friend for breakfast.

We step into this new chapter of life with great enthusiasm, much excitement, and a sense of newfound freedom.  

My boys on our Memorial Day hike

We love to hike the mountains, even in the rain.

Bye-bye, Hello Again??

First of all, let me just say that it is totally ridiculous how much these ducks have consumed my blog.  I really and truly thought that this would be my very last post about them.  Mmm... we shall see.

We deemed Saturday to be the day of  liberation for our feathered friends.  It took a village to get 6 full size ducks to the pond.  We first tried to load them into a wheelbarrow/garden cart.  Uh... that didn't work.  Then we decided to carry them down the path, through the woods to the pond.  We wrapped them in towels for protection from scratches and transport poop.
The path we take to the pond from their pen is just under 1/2 mile.  Far enough to give them a new place to live.  Close enough to go visit when we want.
As you can see, it is a beautiful, secluded pond.  The perfect haven for 6 ducks.

It was a hard day for our animal girl.  She was sad, shed a few tears, but very brave.  We took our time to say goodbye.  We slowly backed away, one by one so the birds wouldn't follow us.

Sunday afternoon my dad did a reconnaissance mission to make sure the 6 made it through the night.  After an a-okay from him, we took little miss down to see for herself that Doodle and friends were enjoying their new home.  Although sad, she did great in saying goodbye. 

And then Tuesday night happened.  

Around 7 pm my daughter and I were working in the bonus room when hubby came upstairs and said, "you wanna see something funny?"

He pointed out the window and ...

THERE WERE OUR 6 DUCKS enjoying a feast of homegrown grass and clover.

Ya'll.  Let me say it again.

Ya'll!!!

I couldn't believe it.  Those ducks walked all the way back to our house (they can't fly yet) after being gone 3 days!  How did they find their way home?!  We carried them to the pond.  It's not like they walked there and left some kind of scent on the path.  Seriously!!! What are we going to do now?!  

We had already cleaned out their pen and planted a garden.  (Manly man doesn't waste any time on a new project, you know)  We offered them some water to drink.  But the stinky kiddy pool had been put away.  So with no pen, no pool what do I have now? Yard ducks?  

Little animal girl doing a happy dance in her pajamas on Tuesday night.  "I knew they would come back!" she screamed.

So much for my "perfect temporary pet" theory.  

Noteboard

As I said in my last post, I got a little crafty last week. When I say little, I do mean little. Like my 8 year old could do this, except for the fact that it involves an exacto knife.

I wanted a little bulletin/note board for my kitchen "desk", a.k.a. junk collector. I have a basket there for the paper mess but sometimes I forget about a certain coupon or something I want to save.
I found this nice big frame in a junk store for $5. Even though it was off-white with gold showing through, I knew it had great potential. Two coats of flat black spray paint and it was ready to go.

5 Simple Tools:

~foam board

~felt or batting

~exacto knife

~pretty fabric

~fabric/craft glue

5 Simple Steps:

1. Measure and cut foam board to fit frame, using exacto knife

2. Cut felt/batting to fit foam board

3. Glue felt to foam board

4. Stretch fabric around board, glue to back.

5. Attach fabric board to frame.

*I didn't have to tape it or nail it in... it just fit perfectly. The back is not pretty, but who's looking?