Flashback Friday...A Day Early

I will be gone from the computer for a couple weeks.

When I get back it will be time to talk about fall, Holiday projects and comfort food for the cooler weather.

I thought it would just be fun for today to put some fun pictures of memories we've made.

That's what I'll be doing for the next couple weeks...making lots and lots of memories.

Slumber party with lots of kids.

Raking leaves...okay I'm not really sure we raked as much as we did play.

Watching airplanes fly over.  

These kids aren't little anymore!  Where did time go?

Visiting museums with grandpa

Watching nieces grow and grow!

Swinging...we've done lots of it.

Goofing and laughing at Aunt Theresa

Trying to beat up Uncle James

and attacking him with silly string

Corn mazes
Oh, I miss them!

Spending time with Emma.

Family Day

Yesterday was family day.

James works a lot so it's always nice to just have a day to do something together once in a while.

It really is a "once in a while" thing.

He really does work....a lot!

It's how he was raised.  His family didn't watch television or play video games.  

Growing up he spent his time building, working, creating and reading.

I don't complain to much.  His hard work is what enables me to stay home and do the things I love.

We went to Devil's Tower yesterday and took a jolly stroll around the trail.

It was a little warm but we took our time.

James makes his way up the hill with the stroller. 

 

Today James is back to working on a rather large deck doing what he loves.

I'm at home playing with Emma, crocheting and cooking doing what I love.

God is good!  

 

Mid Summer

Does anyone else feel summer is slowly slipping away?

 I do.  I went into Wal-mart the other day and all the school supplies are out.

 Oh, I'm so glad, glad, glad that I don't have to start school in the fall.

Although I do love the colors they have of the coffee pots, glasses etc. for college students this year.

Emma and I have been enjoying the summer so far.  This week we've been home most the time playing, eating, napping and playing some more. I did make 8 trays of granola bars...just for you dad!  :)   You really can't beat that.

I do believe Emma has better balance than me already.  :)

I just know one day she is really going to love me for taking pictures of her with the crazy hair.  It's really quite cute though.

Tonight James and Emma were looking at a tool catalog.  She was looking with him for quite some time.  I guess I know where her allowance will be going. 

I told James that he can share with her. :)

Someone At Our House Loves To Chatter

Evenings

Last week James worked four nights.  He works quite a few nights and I find myself going out to Wal-mart or other stores just to kill time until Emma's bedtime.  She seems to be happy and content riding in a shopping cart and looking at the people and merchandise on the shelf.

I've heard that evenings are when kids can be the crankiest and I find it easier when I just don't have to deal with the whining.  :)   When James is home it's easier but when he is gone I like to be doing things with her so that she is happy.

And I'm happy.

Over the weekend I found this little pool at the store.

She loves to swim so I thought instead of heading out all the time maybe she would be happy playing in the pool in the evenings.  I can watch her while I sip on some tea and she can have fun.

Last night I gave her some yogurt.

She was a mess so after she was done into her pool she went.

Emma eating yogurt and cheese.  Two things she doesn't spit out at me.

 

It was a bit windy out last night so she didn't stay in it long. 

The Weekend

Emma's hair is getting longer.

The longer it becomes the more crazy it can be.

 

I also love the fact that she can look so tough but is really very quite sweet.

Yesterday we had company over for lunch after church.  I just took this picture because it is a basket that used to belong to my niece.  I've been holding onto it a long time not sure what to use it for.

Well, I finally found something to use it for.  It worked out pretty well.

James mentioned last week that I hadn't had anyone over for quite some time.  I'll admit that cleaning up the house, getting food ready and entertaining is not easy for a quiet, lonely, to herself gal like me.

But I did it and it was really quite painless so I'll try to do it more often.  I made up my mind that the house didn't have to be perfect and James helped so that made it easier.

It also was an excuse for him to pick up all his clutter that was around my house that I've been trying to get him to pick up for a while now.

Hmmm...maybe I will have to have people over more often so he continues that habit.  ha! 

I really need to get better about getting my camera out and taking some shots when we have people over.

James and his two dogs.  They just love snuggles or being right next to you even when it's hot out.

James and His Apprentice

James finished the floor the other night with a little help.

Next thing you know she'll be up on the roof with him.

Not for another couple years though.  :)

Being Fruitful

This is one of my favorite books.

I'll admit that it was easy for me to read though because I've never had the problem of deciding how many children we should have or when we should stop.

Emma is my blessing!  I wouldn't trade her for a million!

So...before you roll your eyes..I just wanted to say that. :)

It is full of information that most of us probably don't know and should know if we are Christians. 

It makes you think.

After reading it I really had to do some praying seeking out God's will and not my own.  That is something I have to do on a daily basis.  It's so easy to do what "I" want to do. 

So in celebration of a dear friend & her hubby who got a little "surprise" news last week this is for them.

In the back of the book Nancy lists 100 reasons why having a big family is so great.

I'm only going to list a few of them.

I'll have more people to love.

I'll have more hands to help.

Babies teach the older children so much about caring for little ones, being kind, protective, and unselfish.

Children teach me patience.

My children think I'm beautiful no matter how I look.

More children help to grow the church.

Having children causes us to depend upon God moment by moment.

My children help me surrender the selfish desires of my flesh.

We want our children to have the riches of many relationships with brothers and sisters.  When we are no longer living, our children will have each other for encouragement, fellowship, and a sense of family.

       

Preparations

Preparations are under way for little Emma's first birthday.

It is a little over a month away.

I have a lot of ideas.

I have had many years to think of them.  :)  

Today her  birthday banner that I ordered from Etsy came in the mail.

Oh, it's beautiful but I can't show you yet.

Here is some yarn and something special I'm making for the party.

I can't tell you about that either.  It's for my little girls that are coming.

You get an idea of the colors though.  

 I could not have a party without something I've hooked.

This week has been nice and toasty in our area so far.  Emma and I have ventured out to Wal-mart or the grocery store just to "mix" up our evenings since James is working.

Today at Wal-mart I found yarn that was marked down.  I threw all the dish cloth yarn in my cart.  I'm sure I looked crazy but it's not often you find yarn for sale around here.

I've continued to work out this week.

It's hard.

Progress is so slow but I know if I continue it will be worth it...maybe...I think.

Really though, I would rather just sit and eat.  Eating is more fun.

Speaking of eating,  I guess I'll dive into the sweet and salty popcorn I just made and watch a movie.

I'm continuing to learn that God's plans are not our plans.  Sometimes that is a tough lesson to learn and I'm learning that it just continues throughout life.  Tomorrow I'm posting s special "list" for a sweet friend of mine who is adding some blessing(s) to their  family.   

Hats Galore!

I have been busy hooking all sorts of hats for little girls.

Sometimes I find myself staying up late into the night working on them.

I'm addicted to my hook.

I add sweet little flowers to some.

Weekly Photos of Emma

Some pictures of Emma from last week.  :)

Helping James with the floor.