Friday, January 22, 2016

Owen's Homework

Owen had 11 lists of 20 sight words that he had to be able to read without messing up. He passed list 11 on Thursday so he is done for this year, thank goodness. He stresses way too much about these words. He practices writing them on the white board of his easel, he's a very visual learner so he loves his easel.

Kids Mopping

A few more pictures of the updated kitchen with kids working on their snow (except there wasn't any) day.

We've Been Busy

Before Christmas Bentook all the doors off and last week we took out all the drawers, we stripped them, stained and lacquered and now we have an updated kitchen. Aunt Christine and Uncle Ken gave us the Noah's Ark cookie jar for Christmas which found a perfect home on the open shelf. Aunt Christine filled it with ginger snaps last week but they only lasted two days. I have all the ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies so that's the plan for tomorrow. Tonight we have a dinner in the crock pot and all counter tops are cleared and shiny.
In the midst of the kitchen updo we had a great friend in need of a table for her new apartment. We had an oak table in bad shape that could easily be used if it had a little love. Our problem was Ben and I were so busy with the kitchen we had no time to give the table. Beau and Anna solved the problem, cleaning and sanding the table before painting it. They painted the base black and the tabletop white. Our friends found matching chairs and I think it looks great plus I'm really proud of Beau and Anna for stepping up and getting it done with minimal supervision. Guess they have learned something from their dad over the years even though they might deny that. Now on to the next project which is singing the basement. 
 

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Happy Birthday Mom!


 Today is my mom's 60th birthday. I really wish I was there to celebrate with her, but over the last 20 years I think I have missed all her birthdays. Some people get huge parties for their birthday or a great gift, my mom didn't get that and she would never ask for it, she's happy just to get time with her family whenever she can get it. So this is her birthday gift, the things I've learned from my mom.

1. I've learned her faith in God has carried her through and her prayers have carried me (and my siblings) through more times then we will ever know.

2. I've learned how to love unconditionally.

3. I've learned to forgive because I love.

4. I've learned it is possible for someone to love my kids as much as I do because she does.

5. I've learned she might not always say the right thing or do the right thing but she's always got my back.

6. I've learned in letting go she gave me the confidence I needed to create the life I have and I too will be able to let my kids go one day.

7. I've learned sometimes she has faked it til she made it, but nobody knew it because she's that good at faking.

8. I've learned in putting others first she finds happiness.

9. I've learned she's not perfect but her love for me is.

10. I've learned I'm incredibly thankful for the person she is and the role she played in making me the person I am and the role she has played in the lives of my children.