ears

michael had a check-up on his ear today.

a few days after he had the fat-patch repair done, he got an infection. it pushed the patch out of place.

it hasn't healed, and most likely won't.

in the future, certainly after cold and flu season has dropped off, we are looking at a fascia patch. a fascia patch is where they take a small piece of muscle from above the ear, and place it behind the perforation. then they pack it to make sure it stays in place. but, we don't want to do that until we have gotten through this winter season. probably apr/may/jun.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the wisdom of the prophets.

2. for the dollar store.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for cooperative health providers.

2. for positive reinforcement.

3. for an amazing hubby!

observations

my sisters came for christmas. sadly, it was a short visit, but it was better than nothing.

one of them is asd, and studying is the autism program at uvu. she made some interesting observations while she was here.

we are going to see if we can't get some more evidence to see if elizabeth's diagnoses of ptsd is incomplete.

we'll see how it goes!

coloring

this was my newest stress relieving coloring page. specific to christmas!

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. that the lord has given me the tools and resources i need to be able to be the mother my kids need.

2. for the sunshine.

3. for calming activities (coloring!)

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for working spare tires.

2. for helpful neighbors.

3. for my Savior, who is the reason for this wonderful season!

vehicles

we went to go to church this afternoon, and discovered that kronk (the suburban) had a flat tire.

we went to take the van, it's battery was dead.

so, we put the spare on kronk.

christmas

breakfast has been made and eaten.

presents have been unwrapped.

games are being played!

everything was loved!

taylor got:
a quilt top (only cause i ran out of time to get it all finished. should have started a month ago.)
an art kit
a jacket that zips all the way up to include a "mask"
a couple of books: one about dragons (i think)
a nano bot track
some pokemon cards
a sleeveless jacket from grandma brady
socks from aunt brianne

elizabeth got:
kinetic sand
facial washing stuff (burts bees!)
an art kit
some new bras
a couple of books: spiderwicks illustrated guide book
disney scene it game
socks from aunt brianne
jacket from grandma brady
raggedy anne doll

shannon got:
an i spy game
new gloves and a hat
new sunday shoes: silver sparkly ones
a couple of books: big coloring book, one about louis braille
princess lego set
raggedy anne doll
a sweater from grandma brady
socks from aunt brianne

ashley got:
6 princess puzzles
an art kit
2 new long dresses fro church
a couple books: big coloring book, a benjy book
bunchems: velcro puff balls
socks from aunt brianne
raggedy ann doll
gloves from aunt candice
a sweater from grandma brady

michael got:
an art kit
gloves and a hat
a new church outfit
couple books: paw patrol coloring book, puff the magic dragon
a v-tech learning game
raggedy andy doll
socks from aunt brianne
gloves from aunt candice
a shirt from grandma brady

shaun got:
portable usb charger: his phone is always dying on him
a book about rembrant
a bumblebee papercraft
a robotech model kit
a shirt from grandma brady

nadia got:
a storybook to color
2 new skirts
2 new shirts
a shirt from grandma brady
a new quilt book
a new wallet

family gifts:
jenga quake
raggedy anne book
science resources for school
book about bodies for school
monopoly
life

it seems like a lot, but it's much more manageable than the last few years!

completion!

i am done!

in simplifying christmas this year, i am already done. the presents are under the tree, the stockings are stuffed, and santa has landed.

my children are getting 4 gifts from the family.
something they want
something they need
something to wear
something to read (a few of them have 2 books)

then they have a santa gift.

my front room is not half way full!
there's room to sit!

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. to have made it through another year!

2. that the furnace is only old, and not broken, yet.

3. for beautiful snow on christmas eve.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for online chat assistance.

2. for store pick-up.

3. for unexpected visitors.

Gratitude

Today i'm grateful…

1. for indoor bathrooms.

2. for good friends who listen to the spirit.

3. to dejunk.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for understanding leaders.

2. for quick and easy meals.

3.

Sewing frustrations

i'm making a couple of skirts for shaun to give me for christmas. My sister kindly gave me some fabric a year or two ago, and they are uber cute patterns.

However, getting the pattern to fit on the amount i had was tricky. There was barely enough of the 1, and not quite enough of the 2nd. However, being a seamstress, i knew it wasnmt impossible.

I'm already putting a trim on the bottom of the second skirt, so there's a little bit of play room on the hem. When i laid everything out. It looked like i would be fine, until i started cutting out. Then i discovered that i wasn't going to be able to get a second piece on the fold. Oh well, a hem in the back is not the end of the world. After i had cut them out. I put them together to fold up until i was ready to sew. Turns out, i cut part of it backwards. So, i had to finagle another piece!!
Good thhing i'd already decidd that the pockets could be plain white and not out of the skirt material!!

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for locks on doors.

2. for people who follow through on their promises.

3. for the internet.

christmas decor

last week, i got the outside snowflake lights up.

today i put up my village. there's nothing new in it, and i wish it were bigger... alas, i haven't done anything new, and don't have the pieces i would like.

the kids have been informed that there will be no tree put up unless they will clean the family room. that was yesterday, today, i'm still waiting...

it's slowly getting there.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for hand-me-downs.

2. for a functioning dishwasher again!

3. for a decent night's sleep

guess what? Guess What? GUESS WHAT?!

my dishwasher is fixed! YAY!!

it took him all of 20 minutes to get the old part out, and the new part in.

my kids did a little happy dance. they no longer have to wash the dishes by hand.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for happy singing kids.

2. the the imagination of children.

3. for heat and warm water.

appeal

about 2 years ago, we got a notice that an appeal was being made to the case. today, i got the results from that appeal.

he claims that a neighbors testimony that was suppressed, claiming that there was previous exposure, was pertinent to the case.

he claims that by exercising his right to not submit to the psychosexual evaluation the court unnecessarily made his sentence harsher. 

he also says his term of confinement is too long.

the court upheld all rulings. 

previous exposure was not pertinent information because it was not sexual in nature. also, he failed to submit proof in the allotted time.

with no additional information to work with, the court had to rule "harshly."

sentencing subject to standard unless none is available.

he has 21 days to appeal again, and probably will.

crafty

yesterday, one of the things i was grateful for was knowing how to crochet. 

here's that story.

i went looking for some lacey stuff to put on the hems of a couple of skirts. with the limited resources available in rexburg, i was unable to find any i liked. then i remembered that you can crochet trims. so, i got a spool of crochet thread, and went searching for a pattern i liked. now i'm working on that, and finishing up all the rest of the projects for christmas.

torn

it's bitter cold outside today. 5 degrees when i left the house at 7:45 this morning to run an errand. as such, we are attempting to stay indoors where it's nice and warm.

on the other hand, i need to take ashley in for some testing.
elizabeth had activity days at 4.
shaun and i have a class at 6:30.

at the same time, i'm still getting over yesterdays migraine (ok, i still have the headache. not the other symptoms, but still...).

how in the world am i going to get things done...?

Gratitude

today i'm grateful…

1. That i know how to crochet.

2. For a curious, "fix-it if i can" hubby.

3. That although i don't have much, i am still able to give to others.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for appliance warranties.

   no, i just need to have more patience until we can get it fixed.

2. for changes. nothing stays the same, and that means unwanted situations will also change.

3. that we aren't homeless.

magic

while i was browsing through one of the few facebook groups i belong to, i came across a post from a mom looking for advice. she has an 8-year-old girl, whose older siblings have killed the magic of santa for her. (my heart aches for that). the mother still has a small child, and was wondering if there was anything she could do that might bring that magic back.

it reminded me of a conversation i had to have with elizabeth about a month ago.
i can no longer remember how it started, but it ended with her in tears.

there is no santa, mom and dad do it all.
there is no easter bunny, that is also mom and dad.
the tooth fairy is also made up.

last year, we had to tell her that mom and dad help santa get things, cause he's so busy, and anything we can do to help makes it that much easier for him.
this year, i had to tell shannon that same story.

it always makes me sad when they reach the age that the magic starts to crack. and even more when the magic dies.

however, my kids have been really good about keeping the magic alive for the rest.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the ability to heal and recover.

2. for the ability to see a doctor when needed.

3. for the beauty of snow.

insanity

i haven't forgotten about my gratitude posts, nor have i stopped. this last week was just a little more insane than normal, and i never could get around to putting them up.

jury duty selection took a lot out of me, and i spent wednesday recovering.
thursday i was running errands all day with a friend.
friday was our last day of momschool.
saturday we cleaned and i did a few projects. saturday night, we had friends over.
sunday i was home from church with 3 sick kids, and an emotional preteen.

today, i'm starting to get back to normal. i also started getting rid of some excess today.

christmas is almost done. i have 2 gifts to finish making, and a stocking. and 3 other gifts that i need to get figured out.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the library bookstore.

2. for a calmer day.

3. for unconditional love.

jury duty

today, i had to show up for jury duty. 

i was concerned. (ok, i was seriously stressed and concerned.)

i didn't know what the case was going to be about, and didn't try to find out.

when i got there, i had an anxiety attack that i was able to successfully work through (yeah me!). then i learned what the case was about, and my stress level went through the roof. 

a young man accused of soliciting enticing young boys for sexual acts. and sexual abuse by performing acts on or with them.

there was no way i could be an impartial juror for that.

but, i had to sit there and wait to see if i would be selected as part of the panel. 

the stress induced a migraine. 

however, i dodged jury duty by the luck of the draw. they never pulled my name out of the hat.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the luck of the draw.

2. for energy work.

3.for the ability to find something to laugh about.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for legos! my kids have a blast!

2. that the rain turned into snow.

3. for the dollar store.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. that i can be someones shoulder to cry on.

2. for a full tank of gas!

3. for the reason for the season!

dishwasher

turns out my dishwasher is still under warranty!

it will be fixed this wednesday!

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. that my kids love and want to be with me.

2. homemade gifts.

3. that kids can be easily entertained.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for warmer weather!

2. for stolen little moments of peace.

3.

ears

michael had to have a fat patch repair done on an ear drum. his post-op appointment was the day before thanksgiving. in the chaos of the week, we didn't make the appointment. so, i had to reschedule for today. the repair is failing.

about a week after the surgery, he had a lot of drainage from that ear. i called in, and started using the drops for infection. 

the doc thinks what happened, is that infection pushed the patch away and stopped it from being sealed. now it's a watch and see game again. if it fails completely, and doesn't start to close at all, we'll have to do different repair. 

along the same note, i've been hearing strange things when people talk. i KNOW my brain interprets is NOT what they have said. 

so, when i was getting groceries at sams yesterday, i had a quick hearing test done. 

the results came back within the normal range, so i'm good for now!

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for a son willing to help others.

2. that i can make something delicious out of "nothing."

3. that i am never alone, even when i am.

Gratitude

Today i'm grateful…

1. that i have an extra set of sheets and blankets for my bed. 

2. for understanding friends  

3. that there's always another solution. 

Stress

it's been a stressful night.
I was getting cool, which anymore, is nothing new. I checked the temp of the house, noticed it was cool, and went to bed. Thought to myself that i'd better check and make sure one of the kds hadn't turned the heat off. Thankfully they hadn't, but the thermostat was reading cool. I went back to bed, and decided to keep an ear open for the furnace.

20 minutes later, it still hadn't turned on. Now i'm starting to have conversations in my head with the landlord.
A. "Steven, it's nadia." "Nadia, why are you calling me at 2 in the morning?" "Well, steven, the furnace isn't turning on, and i need you to pay for a couple of hotel rooms until you can get it fixed." "Nadia, i just had to replace your fridge, i can't afford to replace the furnace too." "Too bad. While you and your family are nice and warm in your beds, my kids are huddled in blankets in the car to try and stay warm. Get your butt out of bed and get it fixed."
B. "Friend a, do you enough floor space for us for a night until i feel it's ok to call and tell the landlord the furnace is broke?" "Steven, the furnace won't work, we are staying with a friend until you get it fixed. I'm calling idaho housing in the morning and letting them know. You have 3 days to repair or replace, or we have to move." "Friend b, i can't go grocery shopping with you, i have to find a new place to move to."
C. "Idaho housing, my furnace won't turn on, my house is a frigid 50 degrees, i'm tired of the landlord complaining about everything he's had to replace, i don't want to call and tell him. What should i do?"
D. "Daddy, my heat isn't working, and i'm afraid to call landlird cause he'll just complain again. Can you help us get a couple hotel rooms for the night?" Dadday-"steven, i expect this to be fixed, and to be repaid for doing your job." Steven-"i just had to replace the fridge last week! I had to replace the carpet in may! I had to replace the linoleum last spring! I had to replace the roof next door 2 years ago!" Daddy-"none of those are relevant. It's your responsibility to take care of those things, regardless. Fix it, or i'll take you to court on behalf of my daughter."
E. "Idaho housing, i'm done with this landlord. When something needs to be fixed, he complains about what he's already had to fix. His other solution, 'you guys take care of it, and i'll pay you back.' I waited  almost a month for him to fix/repair the dishwasher. I finally got fed up and did it myself with my husbands inheritance. Are any if these enough of a reason to get us out of our lease?"
(Have i mentioned that the dishwasher isn't working again?)
(I shouldn't have to be afraid to tell my landlord that something isn't working.)

I sent shaun a message on skype…can't sleep, furnace still hasn't turned on…freaking out about having to tell landlord.
Shaun comes in…still no heat?! It's 66! Maybe we just need to reset it, remember how?
Nope
Shaun resets, another 15 minutes later, furnace turns on.

Breathe a sigh of relief!

glasses

everyone had an eye appointment last week. no one new needed glasses, but they wanted them.

so, when we got home, we popped the lenses out of some old frames, and everyone can now wear the "glasses."

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. my kids like my cooking.

2. to be able to help shaun with a project.

3. that i can be someone's "safe" port of conversation.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for ideas for dinner.

2. for good clean movies for my kids to watch.

3. for inexpensive used book stores.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. that my furnace is working on this cold day.

2. for fun new goody recipes to try.

3. to be able to finish up projects! my ufo pile is slightly smaller! (unfinished objects)

projects

yesterday, i did a bunch of sewing.

i got two lap quilts finished off.
i got all the blocks cut for a quilt for taylor for christmas. and a good portion of those put together.

today, i'm doing a bunch of baking.

banana bread, 2 batches
pretzels, 4 batches!
chocolate crack
hot chocolate cookies (new recipe! and i used the mallow bites instead)
   i put it in the fridge, and now it's too hard to scoop out...

hm…

today, i was thinking, and i couldn't find a satisfactory answer. i'm just going to put it out there, and maybe some day i will.

why do we exagerate? why do we feel the need to change things or stories?
is it because we want others to think better of us? or do we do it to make ourselves feel better?

do we think that if we change things, that we can make them so? are we so egocentric that we have to make everything about us?

i don't have any of the answers, but i think the questions need to be asked.

Gratitude

Today i'm grateful…

1. for socks and blanktets!

2. that i know how to wash dishes the old fashioned way.

3. for scrap fabric.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the gift of life.

2. for all those who fight so we may be free.

3. for adoptive family.

life

so, here's our life in a nutshell...

chaos

alright, it's usually better than that. but some days it feels that bad.

today, i sat down to try start working on a quilt for taylor for christmas. his 2 year old quilt is shredding at the seams. i figured out the design i wanted. and then started cutting. only then did i discover that i didn't have enough to do what i wanted. not even by half. and the worst part, the fabric i need is no longer available! now to figure something else out...

yesterday, we discovered that they dishwasher is not functioning correctly (yes, it's barely a year old). it will fill with water, but the spinners don't move. therefore, no cleaning. we have yet to call the landlord and inform him. it's been less than a week since he replaced the fridge.

this morning, i went to help a friend, only to have michael barf while we were there. our visit was cut short.

i've missed a few days of my gratitude posts, but not because i've stopped doing them, life was just a little more chaotic than normal.

i think i just about have a handle on how to deal with all this chaos.
now, watch, everything will change again.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the knowledge of eternal families.

2. for the letter calling me to jury duty...i think.

3.

Gratitude

Today, i'm grateful…

1. for the sunshine.

2. for arguing kids. It means they are trying to show they are individuals.

3. for quiet.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for a landlord that cares.

2. for the sound of music in my home. (kids learning piano is a beautiful sound.)

3. for the support of friends and neighbors.

update on fridge

we stuck a thermometer in the fridge, and could only get it to stay stay at 42 while on the highest setting. 

24 hours of that, and the landlord decided to replace it. this morning, about 11:30, the new fridge was delivered and put in.

this evening, just after dinner, i can go get my items from my friend and put them back in my (albeit slightly smaller) fridge.

today, i'm so very grateful that the landlord stepped up and took care of his responsibility like he's supposed to.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for a sweet 3-year-old!

2. for the cold, because it makes me appreciate the warmth.

3. for the ability to think.

Argh

the kids informed us tonight, that the fridge was not working. We tried to look at it, but neither of us know anything about fridges. We tried calling the landlord, but he didn't answer. We than texted him, and were told he was busy and to leave him alone. (Ok, fine, but at least respond to the concern.)

I started looking for coolers to borrow so i wouldn't lose all my food in the fridge. The big freezer has enough room that we could fit everything in it just fine. One of my visiting teachers manages some apartments. She told me she currently has an empty apartment and we were more than welcome to utilize its fridge until we could get ahold of the landlord for a replacement. 

While we were moving the freezer contents, the fridge turned back on. We postulate that we may have extended it's life by removing a bunch of dust build-up. I'm just hoping it continues to work. I have anywhere from $200-$400 worth of food in the fridge/freezer. 

A little later the landlord called to talk. Problem is, he halfway burned his bridge. I'm so fed up with his attitude or lack thereof, depending on the situation, that i'm SO ready to move and not have to deal with him anymore. 

I suppose only time will tell what will happen.

when mama is sick...

i have been struggling a lot this last week and half or so with some insane exhaustion.
last week, friday, i had to go into the doctor cause i was having some pains. they treated me for bacterial vaginosis, (again) and yeast. then on tuesday, they called me and said the urine culture came back positive for strep b (oh, the irony). Thursday they called me to tell me (again), and find out where to call in a prescription at (finally).

I finally relaized that the reason i was so exhausted was because i was sick. Even though i couldn't tell. I'm really hoping this last medicine will help alleviate the majority if the exhaustion!

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for snow in the mountains.

2. for sleep.

3. that i know how to bake yummy treats

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for helping friends.

2. for a cleaner house!

3. for small lectures.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. that i still have a pair of chenille socks!

2. to be able to help someone else with my excess.

3. for people who understand and remember.

toddler reasoning

mom, "michael, you didn't clean off your hand well enough, and now you have ketchup in your hair."

proceeds to feel his hair with his hand that has the fork with a candied carrot on it.

mom, "...now you have caramel in your hair too!"

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. that i have enough.

2. for other options, even when i decide not to take them.

3. that i live in a small sheltered community.

…failure…?

my house is not clean.
we don't even get a half a day's worth of school done every day.
i don't make breakfast for my family.
my gas tank is empty.
none of my kids are in extracurricular activites, other than church activities.
i can't get my kids expensive new toys for christmas.
half of the time, we need assistance to pay bills.

BUT,
my kids are healthy and happy.
we have a roof over our heads.
we have plenty to eat and share.
we have what we need, just maybe not what we want.

hearing

i've been hearing strange things lately. i'll be talking to someone, and what i hear is DEFINITELY not what they said.

i've decided that i'm going to have my hearing checked next time i go to IF.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the insanity. it makes me appreciate the normal.

2. for clarification.

k is for key

ashley,

michael,

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for cute fun christmas decorations.

2. that i can still find a decent book to read every now and then.

3. for an industrious hubby. (he fixed the piano bench!)

gratitude

today, i'm grateful...

1. for helpful friends.

2, for modern medicine (ouch!)

3. for fun crafts to do.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. eternally grateful, for forgiveness.

2. for socks to keep my feet warm.

3. for heating pads.

toddler jokes

ashely, age 5, " why did the dog cross the road?"

..." to save all of his babies!"

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for understanding and competent doctors.

2. for all those who have served and fought to keep us free and assist others.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the beauty of the earth that lord gave us.

2. for finding fabulous things to help with school. (the parts of speech poems!)

3.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. that people feel they can come to me when they need someone to talk to.

2. for a cleaning hubby.

3. for a warm coat to wear!

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for tights to wear with my skirts.

2. for primary programs. i love hearing the children sing.

3. that i'm not alone. some things are easier to tackle when you have someone by your side.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for my testimony in my savior.

2. that i am able to help people out, even though it's no always in the way i would like.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the internet.

2. for cottonelle toilet wipes.

3. for nice productive days (full day of school before 2, and even goodies baked, and dinner ready to cook early!)

gratitude

today i'm grateful....

1. for calm quiet kids when i have a migraine.

2. that my kids are able to entertain themselves when they choose.

3. that shaun has friends willing and able to help him out.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for adoptive grandmas.

2. for a copier/printer.

3. specifically, for my beautiful daughter who was born 7-years ago today!

gratitude

today i'm grateful....

1. for clearance items.

2. for awesome friends!

3. for snow in the mountains!

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for strangers willing to stop and help.

2. for friends willing to help me "find" halloween costumes for the kids.

3. that i don't always have to make the final decision.

halloween 2015

we only barely managed to get costumes together this year. and only because some great friends helped out.

taylor pulled out last year's power ranger costume, and it still fit.
elizabeth had a friend lend her a dress, and another friend lent her a hat, and she ended up as one of the cutest witches i've ever seen!
shannon pulled out elizabeth's costume from last year, and went as a princess.
ashley had a friend lend her a dress (that was temporarily altered. an adult small does not fit a 5 year old.), and shaun turned his fedora into a witch hat.
michael started as a pumpkin, and ended as super hero mix. batman shirt, captain america shield, belt, and arm band. he also had a cape. i call him my super michael.

i refused to take the kids out to play until my house was semi clean. so we got a later start than we normally would have.

we headed up to the art lab for their halloween carnival, and the chance to see nana. we let the kids play the games for about 20 minutes, and then got some pictures. during the pictures, elizabeth threw up. thankfully, not on the floor, or anyone. she was able to make it to the bathroom where she spit it into the toilet. we promptly packed up and started home. only to have kronk give out on us. we ended up running with the hazards on, and maxed the power out at about 25 mph. when we got off the highway to come into town, he stopped and wouldn't start again. a kind lady stopped an towed us to the gas station, where shaun put some gas in, and she then followed us home to make sure we got there.

looks like we are "grounded," and i won't be able to make my grocery run monday morning...

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the opportunities that arise to pay it forward.

2. for the 4 bags of stuff i'm getting rid of today!

3. for birthday cards from great-grandparents. they make the kids so happy!

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for layering clothes.

2. for a few minutes to relax.

3. for the ability to make homemade costumes when there's no other way...

j is for jumprope

ashley,

michael,

i is for igloo

ashley,

the i is kinda hare to see, and the igloo is a little boxy...

 she totally missed the i's in is...

michael,

h is for horse

ashley,

 a handprint art horse!

michael,

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. that baking cookies heats up my kitchen.

2. that soup is an inexpensive, filling meal.

3. to be able to get in a full day's worth of school!

alphabet book credit

i realized, that i really should share where i got all these goodies from. 

page 1 is a simple uppercase letter out of construction paper decorated to look like something that starts with that letter (with the exception of x). as we are doing TJed, all of the items are classic.

page 2 has the first poem, it comes from confessionsofahomeschooler.com this is the poem that michael looks for letters in, and is left clean in ashley's book.

page 3 in ashley's book is the second poem. it comes from carr creations at teacherspayteachers this is the one that ashley has to look for the letter in.

page in ashley's book is simply looking for letters and items in magazines.

the whole idea stemmed from this. however, i tweaked it to free things, and to fit what i was looking for.

however, ashley has something similar to this, from headstart.

g is for goat

ashley,

ashley did not want to turn her g into a goat...

michael,

strange looking goat. i made the pieces too small.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for friends who don't make me feel like a charity case.

2. for windows that close.

3. for warm sweaters and socks

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for rain. when you can't work outside, the inside gets cleaned.

2. for water in general. we're made mostly of water.

3. for those tender mercies the lord sends our way.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for less expensive options.
less than $20, and i have enough laundry soap to last me 5 months. and i substitute this for the laundry beads.

2. that even when things are hard, i can still get the basics done.

3. for leftovers that i can turn into another meal. a DIFFERENT meal.

f is for fish

ashley,

we started adding in handprint art! for some reason, ashley wanted a black fish...

 hm, page 3 seems to be missing.

michael,

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for "artsy" kids.

2. for friends who become family.

3. for my faith in my savior.

backyard rexpo

a good friend of mine held an expo in her backyard. she wanted to be able to connect with other vendors, and hopefully sell a few things. she didn't advertise a whole lot, and not many people showed up to look.

we put my rugs and my new hotpads. we also had the pallet bookshelves, headboard bench, and shauns ability to do portraits. shaun also brought his paints and started a landscape (from his imagination).

a few people loved the rugs. no one even looked at the hotpads. lots of people commented on the painting in progress, and someone even said they loved the bench. and we did give someone contact info for a painting commission.

i was slightly disappointed that no one purchased anything, but not overly surprised. however, i was extremely disappointed in one of the other vendors. as i was hauling stuff back to the car, she stopped me and asked me what i used to make the rugs. i told her i used old tshirts. she responded by saying that she could easily do that. (i could easily make the crocheted hats she was selling as well. but, in no way would i tell her that.)

ok, i realize that trying to sell homemade goods in the mormon bubble is difficult. we are a fairly thrifty people and generally taught to do things ourselves when possible. however, telling an artist who spends their time and effort on making something, that you are going to go do one yourself is rude and demeaning.
yes, i have no doubt you could probably make it yourself. but i didn't show my work so that you could go home and make it yourself. i brought it hoping you'd be inspired to reimburse me for my time and effort.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for warm blankets.

2. for hot chocolate!

3. for semi-casual outdoor events on cold days.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the opportunity to serve.

2. i own a second set of sheets for my bed.

3. for an ocd husband.

gratitude

today i'm grateful....

1. for the opportunity to try and grow my business. i've been a busy bee lately.

2. for when the children ask for jobs to do to earn money. (not that i always have said money, but i like that they want to do something extra to "help".)

3.for the opportunity to try and find myself again. i hope it works.

skinny

this crazy kid, this one right here, has started refusing to eat.

today, we had a wic appointment for him. he has lost 2 pounds in the last 2 months. he has completely dropped off his own growth curve.

they are putting him back on whole milk (they have started giving everyone 1% or skim milk. my kids need the extra fat...). there is now an option for yogurt, which we are taking, and they are giving me some pediasure to try and put some weight back on him.

i'm really hoping that this doesn't turn into a more serious problem than it already is.

i need to make an appointment with our regular doctor to talk about it.

gratitude

today, i'm grateful....

1. for warm showers after coming back from water aerobics.

2. for green smoothies (YUM).

3. for seemingly "random" funds.

e is for elephant

ashley,

hm, no tail...

michael,

d is for dog

ashley,

michael,

somehow, the tail ended up as the nose...?

c is for cat

ashley,

michael,

he didn't want to turn his c into a cat...