Garage Sale FINDS

You know what they say..."One mans junk is another mans treasure."  I am not a big shopper but I love garage sales. Yes, usually there is a ton of junk that needs to be just tossed but often there is at least something for someone and I decided I would share a few of the treasures I have found this past year. Look at my chicken...I am not too into farm animals but when I saw this $2 egg poacher I could not resist. It even hard boils eggs and all you have to clean is this little dish afterwards. If I was crazy I might make a pedestal for it - that is how much I love it. OK, I am kidding but you know what I mean. AND it even chirps when the eggs are done!

And who couldn't love this little cutie and for .25 cents too. Yup, you heard me .25 cents.  He's just so cute I want snuggle up on the couch and hold him.

Look at these jars... they are my most expensive find at $12 for all 3. They are large, and the original older canning jars. I have no idea what I am gonna do with them but when I saw them I thought how COOL. Any suggestions?

And last but not least my $3 FOLDING chair. I have been needing extra chairs and it beats the cold metal ones. Plus, it matches the colors in my house perfectly. How could I resist.

Happy garage saleing...I know you can find something!

MY GIRLS

the loves of my life...

I know that all parents look at their children and think they have the most beautiful and amazing kids. And I know that I am biased but really... how can you not look into their eyes and not think that.

 I love the funny things they do. And the joy that fills my heart when they make a joke and think it's hilarious and they are the ones laughing harder than anyone else.  I actually caught my Lindsey girl in the bathroom making faces in the mirror. It was so cute. She had no idea I was watching and was having so much fun... and then she saw me and we both started laughing. Who hasn't done that? I admit I have ... on more than just one occasion. 

I think they are so cute when they are so serious and say the wrong word.  For example, Emily was working on her figure eights on her bike to learn to turn both right handed and left handed with ease (with no training wheels...I know I am a proud ma ma). Anyway, she came running into the house and said. "MOM! I did it! I did my cigarettes!!"

And who wouldn't like all the hugs and kisses and the frequent, "Thanks Mom, your the bestest mommy in the whole world."

A little bit of grit, a little bit of grime and some sandpaper!

I have been thinking a lot lately about sand paper people and have had to ask myself, "Am I a sand paper person?"  All of us are sand paper people at some point or another. Or more than likely have sand paper moments. That is probably a more accurate definition. To be a real sand paper person in my opinion I guess is the kind of person that you can  ALWAYS count on to rub you the wrong way or at least more often than not. So I need to possibly reconsider the couple of sand paper people in my life and ask - are they sand paper people or just have sand paper moments.

We all at some point in time are caught off guard by life and react in ways that on any other normal day would not react that way. And sometimes given your life situation that period of time may last awhile. We all have battles in life that no one else is usually aware of and too bad for the person that happens to cross us on those day that the battle is raging hard.

We all have grit and grime in our lives that affect us certain ways that may not even be a personality issue but more of a defense mechanism from something deeply rooted in our past lives. The stresses of life can weigh heavily on us that we aren't always gracious. Hopefully the people we come into contact on a regular basis, they are the ones that are more apt to feel the sting from the paper, will look at the situation and see our hearts, our motives, our intentions and easily look past it. 

Am I a sand paper person? or do I have sand paper moments. I know at times I do. If I am a sand paper person to someone and not just having a sand paper moment or moments to them - I hope they love me enough to stick with me, talk with me and help me change the way I rub on them. Because I certainly don't want to be a sand paper person. 

May we all remember that we have no idea what battles people are fighting ... let's all extend a little more love and forgiveness to all. And hope they do the same in return when we are fighting our battles.

Twilla

Last night we found our little Twilla. After 3.5 days of looking  - we found her and she did go away to die. It was a relief to finally know. We did not have to look anymore. Did not have to wonder. Did not have to wake up each morning to see if she came back to resume her daily routine. We could have closure and move on. Sounds funny... it was just a cat. But it is a similar grieving process as a lost family member or friend.

It was such a sad night. But it gave us the chance again this year to talk about death with our kids. We buried Twilla in our back yard and said goodbye.

We cried and talked about what death means and talked about Jesus and His sacrifice. We then ended our night telling stories about Twilla and ended up laughing together. It was a good family time. A time only the four of us can share. A time only the four of us will remember.

So Twilla, thank you for giving us memories to share together and with that, staying apart of our lives.

SAYING GOODBYE

Tonight is a sad night in our home. Our Twilla got sick today and is now missing. If you knew her you would believe as I do that she probably left to find a peaceful place to pass on.

This cutie little thing was a special kitty. The girls picked her out 2 years ago and she has been a joy of a kitty. Twilla is the most affectionate, gentle and loving cat I have ever known. And almost silent. She rarely meowes. We prayed for a kitty that would truly be the girls' and for the most part she was.

Twilla usually slept on the girls' bed at night and playfully checked in with us all day and night long. Today was a different story. It was clear from the moment we woke up and saw her that something was wrong. We are hoping for our girls that she will show up in the morning but we are trying to prepare them that it is highly possible she won't. I have had this dreaded feeling all day about her. We have searched for her but cannot find her and she never wandered too far from home. The farthest we have ever seen her was when she would follow us on walks. I have never seen that before. She would follow us for blocks and then stop and wait for us to come back and follow us home again. It was so cute.

Tonight has been hard on Emily especially. Both girls prayed sweet prayers for Twilla and finally have drifted off to sleep. If you think of them -- say a little prayer for Emily and Lindsey.

They feel so deeply and Twilla was the only pet they got to pick out and care for from a baby - she is truly special. Goodbye our little Twilla...

Love of Money

I have been pondering money for awhile now. Mainly, because it is the biggest factor in why I decided to home school my oldest daughter and it had to do with a huge misunderstanding that I had last year and this year over school...something I am still working on.

But...the Bible says "The love of money is the root of all evil." WOW - that is huge - I am not even sure I entirely get that. Do I love money? The root of all evil? What does that mean? ALL evil? I am not even going to pretend I have the answers for that.

A friend mind always challenges me in this because I am ALWAYS working. I am ALWAYS looking for another job to do. Another way that I can contribute to our financial needs.
Do I want to be rich - no not really. I just want enough that I don't feel like I can't buy a new shirt if I need or want to. I am thankful that both my husband and I are not shoppers. I want just a bit more than I actually need. I also feel that I SHOULD contribute to our financial needs. But my friend challenges me in that.

I grew up with a single HARD WORKING mom that got things done. She carried the weight of the world on her shoulders and raised my sister and I the best she knew how. Work hard, pay your debts, take care of yourself and you will have what you need. She taught me A LOT more believe me. But I am listing things that relate to this topic. So often growing up there was not a lot of money. We did not have a lot of extras. But we had what we NEEDED and we learned to be responsible and I know that as I parent my daughters I can tell a lot of what my mom taught me is what I want and do pass on to my girls.

With that said - I think that environment put in me this underlying thought or belief that we need more because we don't have enough. I don't have that extra, that I think I need or want. My friend challenges me a lot - is that true? It's not a bad thing that I have that belief. It is is what it is. An unconscious belief that may or may not be true?

My hard working husband works a lot and pays for our financial needs. Our bills are taken care of. Is that enough? I say yes! And sometimes I need to remind myself of that. Do I drive a new car? No, but I have what I need and it is a nice older car. Do I have a huge custom home that has everything I ever wanted? No, but I have a new home that is big enough and is nice. It is enough and more than others have.

Do I have a lot of toys-boats, RV's, trips around the world? No, but I have an old tent trailer and enough money to get away a few weekends a year. That is enough!!

Are my basic needs taken care of? YES! As long as I can say that...then maybe this underlying belief that I have is wrong. Maybe it is ok for me to happy to not work so much. (keep that relative to what I am saying - it is good to work hard for your needs.) But take care of what I have. Be a good steward of what I have. Sure I do have a couple P/T cleaning jobs and I will keep them but I do I need to have 10 - probably not if I can't take care of what I have. If it interferes with me being a good mom and wife.

So something I am pondering...enough is enough. And the rest keeps me trusting in God to make sure I have enough. And He does! Always!

Busy Days!

These past few days have been busy days for sure! This is Emily, she is 6 and is in the 1st grade. We have ventured on into the homeschooling world. We set up a school station in the garage with the intention of building walls to create our school room. Here is Emily, sitting at her desk on her first day of school.

I definitely have a deeper appreciation for the art and skill of a teacher. Those that are called to teach are GEMS and should be treated as such. I will never again bock at hearing about another teacher strike and say "What are you complaining about you have the summer off paid." (oh, come on, I know I am not the ONLY one to have thought that!...be honest)

Teaching is hard! We have had some good days. On those good days we have so much fun. I love being with Emily and learning together. Seeing her think about things and get excited when she gets it. We have also had some really hard days. Which is expected. However, we are trying to determine what is best for Emily right now and the family so this story continues...

And here is Lindsey! She is 5 and in Kindergarten. This is her first day of school and she is riding the bus. It was a little scary at first but then she made a friend. While we were waiting for her to make friends she brought her stuffed "spidy" as her bus buddy and that helped.

Lindsey is excited to be in school. She is doing well and loves her friends and teacher.

So that is life right now... at least leaving it on this note for awhile has got to be better than leaving it on the toilet paper note for so long...sorry about that.

;) Laura