Family Fun!

We took a little time off this afternoon and took the kids to the Canyon County fair. I don't know what the fair is like where you live, but here it's very family oriented, agricultural and educational. Sort of like going to the zoo...only better! The kids got to dress up like Little House and have their picture taken. They all thought it was great fun...all but Kaite. She represents Grace in the line-up and 'Grace' was NOT impressed! Not with the dress, not with the photographer, and not with the whole idea. We say that 'Grace' was not being very graceful. I love the picture anyway.
'Grace' loved the corn dogs!
Kayla is getting so big and brave! She rode the ferris wheel all by herself!

I think Kammy's favorite part was the animals. She is a true animal lover. Very gentle and dedicated.

I took a liking to the rooster BEHIND this one, but this guy was so proud and cocky, that he kept puting his head in the way of my camera.

It was quite warm, and after a few hours of heat and animal smells, we were ready to cool off with some icecream. Kaite would make a darling poster child for Dairy Queen!

On the way home, we felt it our duty to do some 'thrifting'. Kammy found this horse and convinced daddy to buy it for her with the promise to pay him back from her piggy bank. After we got home, she brought him 27 cents. He said, "I thought you were going to give me $2." "Well...." she said, "that was all that was in Kayla's wallet."

Shine on Harvest Moon.

I had a bit of a hard time deciding which finished object to display in Chari's Finished Object Friday feature this time, so if this one doesn't suit you, you could try here for one involving more spray paint, or here for one involving sewing. Meanwhile, Charity has made some really cute lambs. I'm going to have to remember those for Sunday School crafts!

Maybe you got an email awhile back telling you that there are to be '2 moons' this August? Saying that Mars would be coming closer to the earth than ever before and yada yada? Well, sorry to disappoint you, but...FALSE. I checked it out at SnopesIt did get me to thinking though...

about the moon... and harvest... and burlap... and wood scrapes... and carpet tacks.

This is what I came up with:

I raided the hubs wood scraps and found a piece which he kindly let me have and even cut to size for me. Then I borrowed his belt sander and roughly sanded the edges, spray painted it black and roughed it up a bit more...after the paint dried ...(sort of). Then I got my trusty black permanent marker and free-handed on some lettering, and a 'moon'.
Got me some upholstery tacks and nailed the burlap to my board. I added some jute twine and a few sheaves of wheat. I likey.
Now I am ready for harvest time...and FALL TEMPERATURES.
What I am NOT ready for is school and moving. I really wanted to be moved before school started, but for some reason, we are still here. Hopefully by October, someone will truly take this house off our hands. It doesn't help that I have my eye on a 6 bedroom house with a beautiful view of the mountains. I am REALLY trying to trust God to save it for us, if he wants us to have it. Just so you'll know...it's not new and fancy...needs some paint and a few special touches...but I feel confident that I/we can handle those issues. :)

A boring project for today.

Well...it was! Very boring! I hate to sew! Oh...did I already mention that? This was one of those "I feel obligated" projects. Our office chair was completely in shreds, but the frame was still perfect. I had a good bit of that clearance table vinal left from the 4-wheeler project (not pictured yet...hubby is still working on his part) and had no clue what I'd ever use it for. When I priced new office chairs, I decided it was my 'Proverbs 31 duty' to at least give this project a try.I'm no pro, but I tore the old stuff apart and used it for a pattern and sewed up this new one all before noon today. Perhaps my haste shows a bit, but it's better than it was and much cheaper than a new one...even a craigslist new one! Score!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Once again, I am joining Tiny Talk Tuesday to share with other mom's the fun things our kids say.My Kammy (4), loves to help her papa in the garden. A few days ago, she had picked some peas and was sitting there shelling them. She said, "I'm taking the peas out of their hatches!"

Taking time....

...because time has a way of telling us what really matters.

First. Sharing a random picture from this weekend. My sweet baby who is both the answer to my prayer and one of the biggest trials of my life :) and my hubby who works so hard and is so patient and kind to ALL his little girls...myself included!

Second. Sharing some of my thoughts.

I want to take time for the important things, but what are they? Maybe no one else ever feels this way, but with 4 children and a husband and a home to tend, not to mention being in ministry.... I sometimes feel 'spread-too-thin'. When I am reading to Kammy, I should be holding Kaite. When I am holding Kaite, I should be folding the laundry. When I am folding the laundry, I should be helping Kalli make chocolate chip cookies. When I am helping Kalli make cookies, I should be shoe shopping with Kayla. When I am shoe shopping with Kayla, I should be snuggling with the hubby. Does anyone know what I am saying here? Am I selfish to sometimes desire a little 'me-time'. Maybe a bubble bath, or coffee with a friend who talks my language? I didn't even get started with the extended family obligations, or the duties of ministry. The worry and stress of providing for a family...wondering what tomorrow holds? If a gal isn't careful, she can get to feeling a bit overwhelmed and maybe even a trifle sorry for herself.

I was thinking of the scripture from Galations 6:9. "Be not weary in well doing for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not." I truly think it is a trick of the devil to make stay-at-home-moms feel as if they are not 'well-doing' and when you look around you at the parents who have seemingly failed, it has to scare the *boogey water* out of you! Verse 8 says that he that seweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that seweth to the spirit, shall of the spirit reap life everlasting. I realize that I may be taking this out of context a bit, but as a mom, that means to me that if I am selfish with my time and affections (in any area of my life), I will reap it in the lives of my children. They are my harvest!

Verse 10 tells me to do good unto ALL men, but first unto those who are of the household of faith. Ahh! All of the sudden it is pretty clear. My own family first, then those we have been called to minister to but NOT to stop there! This verse tells me to prioritize and shows me how!

Snuggle the baby when her teeth hurt (which must be most of the time), read to the 4 year old and take the time to help her decorate the horse's mane and tail. Make the cookies with the eight year old, take the extra time to visit with the 12 year old, be patient when it takes f.o.r.e.v.e.r. for her to make a decision. Pick up the telephone and call the parents, drop a note to the siblings, make a pie for the sick, take an evening stroll with the hubby. Best of all, sit at the feet of Jesus...thank Him for the small things and suddenly you will realize they aren't small at all!

*boogey water = snot. In Kammy-eze.