Fluffing the chicks room!

A few months back, Kaite got a little toddler bed....off craigslist of course. I had intentions to paint it all along, but it was cold and I procrastinated. Her bed is in Kayla's room, so whatever color she and I chose would have to go blend with Kayla's things. The blonde wood was not doing that with the dark wood on Kayla's bed and the dresser.

Kaite wanted blue, so we chose a bright, fun turquoise. Kayla was growing tired of all the pastels and her bedding set also had the "knobby disease" so we used this as an excuse to do a little update.
Here is the old version. Nothing wrong with it, but I have 4 girls and I have to admit, I was weary of all the pink. I showed them some red and turquoise and tried to use my influence in that direction. Didn't work. They wanted HOT pink and turquoise.

Target had HOT PINK RUFFLES!!! Taget had a whole bed-in-a bag of hot pink ruffles. Target had a whole bed-in-a-bag full of hot pink ruffles ON CLEARANCE! $19.98! It was our lucky day!

She chose some fun bright fabric scraps and I recovered her hanging photo boards.

The lamp got shot with the same paint as Kaite's bed and the shade got a few new embelishments too.

Even the laundry basket did not escape the paint can!

Finally!

Everyone in our little family loves snow. We have waited all season for it too. Finally, on Wednesday, we got about 6 inches dumbed on us. It was warm wet snow and awesome for packing.

It only took about half an hour to make this guy. The hardest part was lifing his head up above my head. He was about 6 feet tall.Kaite loved playing in the "no" although about the 4th time bundling up she said, "Playing in the no is not berry easy!"Snow was in the forcast, so I had them do extra schoolwork the day before. It was gladly done. =)

The first time we bundled up to go out, it took a while to locate all the right sizes of hats. gloves, boots, snowpants, ect. No sooner than I was just zipping the last zipper, when Kammy says, "Anyone else besides me, need to go potty?"They had a fantastic time and it was good that we played fast. It kept warming up throughout the day and by the time daddy got home it had turned to rain.He took the girls on a couple of short cold and wet sled rides and we called it a night. All that remains are a couple of small piles in the front yard where I shoveled the driveway and sidewalk. Frosty is just a puddle of slush.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

I haven't posted for tiny talk in a while and the comments are stacking up, so here goes....

Kammy: "The ONLY reason I ate ALL the potato chips is so I wouldn't have to hear daddy sneaking out to snack on them in the middle of the night."

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Kalli: "Why do adults have to act so.....so.....adult-ish?"

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Kalli: "I have a barbie shoe missing and I can tell you who my #1 suspect is.....K.A.I.T.E."

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Kaite: (at 12am and in the middle of mommy & daddy's bed) "Daddy, you be Dondald. I be Mickey. Mommy, who you be?" Mommy: "Oh, Kaite, Mommy is sleepy!" Kaite: "Okay. Like Sleepy in Snow White?"

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Kaite had pizza for supper at Kammy's party. Kaite loves pizza, so it was Pizza for breakfast. Pizza for lunch. Then the pizza was gone, so I made ham, potatoes and broccoli for supper the next night. Kaite said, "Get pizza at the door?" (I guess that was her way of asking of we could order for delivery, lol.) Once we convinced her to try the ham, she said, "Mommy is a good bake!"

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Kammy to her sisters: "The older you get, the greater your grandparents get. Probably by the time I we are mommie's age, Papa and Gramma will be our great, great GREAATT grandparents."

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Kammy: "Mommy, you'll never believe this, but you are better than hot chocolate." (Well, it's not horses, but it's a start. lol)

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As I was tucking Kammy in bed, the night of her birthday party, she told me thank you for the "wonderful" birthday party. Then she said, "You are the reason it was so special, mommy--you always make things special for us!" That little statement, articulated by a girl of only barely six, melted my heart and made every trying mommy moment worth while. I'm so thankful that this mommy is still here and pray I can stay a very long time!

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And on that note, many of you have asked for a health update. I try not to talk about it too much--I don't want to complain all the time. I have been doing better recently though. My dr has taken me off ALL my medication and is pushing me more in the direction of more natural health. I do have some heart issues including tachycardia, mitral valve prolapse, and possible POTS (postural orthapedic tachycardia syndrome). They want me medication free for a full month so they can tell exactly where everything is at without the added side effects....then we will talk about possible treatment. I still have strange lumps in all sorts of places where they don't belong, but still nothing major such as cancer showing up so they are trying their best to reassure me. I just pray they are correct.

A very big little girl!

Our little cowgirl is getting all grown up on us. Six. Where do the years go? Kammy was a big surprise and one of the best ones ever! She was the easiest baby. Ever. Feedings, baths, bedtime and naps were a breeze--at least by comparison. It seemed she was practically born on a schedule. Sort of made me forget what most babies are like and tricked us into having another one. =)

I thoroughly enjoyed taking her birthday pictures today. It was cold out, so we hurried. I think they were the fastest pictures ever, but I thought they turned out great for all that! Kammy loves to be outside so she was happy as was Rancher!She was sweet and cooperative--as usual--love a kid who's willing to indulge my photographic whims.Kammy has always been our little country girl, maybe that has something to do with her easy going personality.We tried to wait until it was a little bit warm and sunny, and then we ended up with shadows. I thought this one turned out pretty cool though, shadows and all!

No, it didn't snow, but JoAnn's sells snow. =)

A Little People Christmas

The best part of Christmas is kids. I love seeing the awe and wonder in their eyes. I love knowing that they understand the reason for all the anticipation, festivities and decorations. Here is Kammy's sweet little purple tree (her favorite color). It is decorated with a string of horse lights, which we found at the thrift store this summer. She has been waiting all these months to use them!

Kaite is 2, and I don't think she remembers much about last Christmas or the one before that--which was her first, and the one on which she took her first steps. What an exciting day! She was 8 months and 2 days--yes, she has been mobile far too long. She is a little fashionista. She loves ruffles and soft fabric. If I put a jean skirt on her, it only lasts a few hours and she goes and changes herself. I love how she is wearing "cordinating" socks and "sock mittens" in the photo below.I know it's not Tuesday, I have gotten so off schedule-- but here are a few of the latest "tiny words"

Kammy (very seriously) "I've done lots of lies in my life, but I always forgived myself for them."
Kammy: sitting, looking at the angel on the tree, "So, the devil used to be an angel and then he got FIRED right?"

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Overheard from the 5 year old, "I think you should quit making fun of boys. You can't get born without boys!" (HUH!?!?)

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Kammy at the parade, "I hope that the grand finality is a manger scene!" She was very disappointed that there was not more of Jesus in his birthday parade.

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I'm not sure what happened but daddy was teasing Kal and she began to cry. Of course daddy was saying how sorry he was and I heard Kalli say, "That doesn't help! You really ought to know after 9 years of having me for a daughter that I have very sensitive feelings!"

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Kammy has done "take away 1." Today we were supposed to learn "take away 2." Before I could get the learning blocks out and explain, she had two pages done perfectly. She said, "Nothing to it, mom! Take away is just counting backwards!"

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Kali: I am starved and ready for lunch! Kayla: You are always ready for lunch! Kalli: No, I'm not. Sometimes I am ready for breakfast or supper.

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Fast Fluffy Fleece Scarves...

The girls and I whipped up a few last minute gifts. Some easy peasy fleecey scarves. They are warm and comfy and as you know, fleece comes in the funnest colors and prints! I've been asked by several for a tutorial, so here goes....

I used 1/2 yard of fleece for each scarf. You can totally play with the width here--I made some narrower ones for the little people. Just bring the fleece home and fold it in 3 even rows the long way. See? 1, 2, 3.Now cut, so that you have 3 long strips all about the same width.Sew all 3 long strips together using a tight seam down the middle. Make sure to backstitch or tie off the ends securely.Then, make cuts all the way down both sides, making sure not to get too close to the middle seam. You'll want these strips about 1 inch wide. It will take about a million cuts, so use a good fabric scissor, and you shouldn't get a blister (like I did.) Of course we did make 14 of these....and that might have something to do with the blister.

Throw your finished product in the dryer with a softener sheet to freshen it and fluff it. The center seam will not be as visible after you do this.

If you have a dog, you can now go out and play with him AND stay warm on a cold winter day....that or you can just beg your mom to let him in for a while.

Stillness

Do you like to be still? I do not. I am not a still person by nature. Since I have been sick though, I have been much more still than usual. The only kind of still I really enjoy are those moments in the early morning~with a cup of tea or coffee, my Bible, a good book, facebook, or quiet conversation with my hubby. One other kind of "still" I like is the still after the work is completed....the satisfied still of looking around and seeing success. Being sick is not the sort of still that brings me pleasure. Often the laundry is NOT done, the dinner is NOT made and sometimes even the children's hair is NOT combed. It is an uneasy still that does not know what is wrong and fears the worst. I do know this though....that even in the still, He is STILL God.

Our Thanksgiving was one that made memories. Of course, I was feeling sick, but made a few of the traditional favorites anyway in preparation for dinner at my parents. My girls all have colds and Thanksgiving eve, Rick came down with a fever and sore throat! One our way to my parent's for dinner, we hit and killed a poor puppy dog. There was nothing we could do, but of course we felt terrible! The clothes washer also went out recently as did the garbage disposal and we made the horrifying discovery that we have had small furry visitors in our house! Keren WAS one of Job's daughters for a reason, right?!?!

All these things, while I am "still." My only consolation is this, that while I am being "still," I know that He is STILL God!

PS. Please keep me in your prayers. I see the Oncologist Tuesday. I would LOVE for God to heal me before then!

About time...

I guess it is about time I catch up here a little bit. I have been sick for almost 3 months now. Briefly...beginning with headaches and incessant dizziness, followed by increased heart rate and neck and facial swelling. Lumps in my neck (that do not "appear" to be cancerous.) Most recently, the neck, back and shoulder pain have become more and more unbearable. I've also lost (unintentionally) 16 pounds in the last 2 months or less. I have had every blood test known to man, CT's, MRI and X-ray. Nothing bad has turned up yet, but I'm still not feeling well, in fact...it seems everything only gets worse. Tomorrow I get a 30 day heart monitor and the 29th, I see an Oncologist. If nothing shows up there, and the oncologist doesn't find anything concerning, the next step will be taking a more extensive look at the thyroid (it is enlarged even though all my levels are perfect.) I deal with a good bit of anxiety over all of this. I LOVE being wife and mommy WAY too much to think there might be something serious wrong with me and I covet your prayers. I want nothing more than to have a small part in raising these precious ones for Jesus.

So...now that you have the scoop on me, and your prayer assignment, I will fill you in on the kids.

School is going great. I have learned to teach mostly from the couch and I have also had some help from my mom and my kids' dad in the education department.

Rick has been busy at work, but evidently not too busy to catch a cold. He kindly brought it home to me and all the kids. I have been giving extra doses of vitamins, applying vics and running the humidifier. Kammy loves the "humilifier."

One day I was feeling especially bad physically and scared emotionally. I was laying on the couch letting the tears flow and Kammy came along in all her 5 year old wisdom and said, "Mommy, death is not the end of everything!" (Wow...that was encouraging!)

Kammy was trying to think of the reference for a certain Bible verse and she said, "Mommy, what is the password for this verse?"

Grandma and I were both talking to Kammy at the same time and evidently it was distressing her because she gave this huge sigh and said, "All peoples talking to me same time!"

We were at Grandma's house and I put a hand-me-down jumper in Kaite. It was just slightly large in the tummy area, but Grandma was telling her how cute it looked. Kaite said, "I don't like it." Grandma wanted to know why and so Kaite said, "Because it fat. Like you-rs."

Well, I guess that's about it for now. The washer and garbage disposal were broken, but are now fixed. Now to get mommy fixed and all will be well once again at the Pink Parsonage.

The things they say!

Kalli: "Kaite likes it when I play with her. It makes her feel special and loved. Which she is." ♥ My lovey, mushy Kalli!

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Kayla: I'm reading about Job. Kalli: What about him? Kayla: Well, like God said Job was His man, and the devil said we'll see about that. Then he made things really bad on Job. All his family died and his friends made fun of him and Job said, "I would that my words were written in a book." I think it's pretty cool, because now they are written in a book and we can read them. =)

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Me: Kaite, please pick up your ponies. Kaite: O-kaay. I wheel. Aneething to sleep wif you. (Huh?!?! Since when was that part of the deal?!?!)

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I would not have missed family prayer at our house last Friday night for anything. Hilarious! I was taking mental notes and as soon as it was over they went down on paper so I would not forget. I think the three youngest were trying to be eloquent and "out-do" each other. As follows....
Kaite: Oh God, *groan* help me! Help me have a Birtday!" End.
Kammy: Dear Lord, thank you for all the wonderful things you made for us to enjoy. Thank you for creating this world. I am so grateful. Thank you for creating us. Without us this beautiful world would be useless. And if you were coming to get us, this world would be useless. But, you have not come yet, so we have this world to live in. Thank you. I am so grateful for this world and the ground. Amen. (Seriously.....I'm not making this up!)
Kalli: .................(insert long prayer for everyone she knows) and help us to consider the ant, like your word says in Proverbs 6:6. Amen.
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We received a very nice pounding today for pastor appreciation. Kalli wanted to know why we got a "smashing?" =)
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Semi-annual new frocks

Twice a year, Easter and Christmas, we all get new clothes. All the way from new shoes to hairbows or a necktie. I try to do get the Christmas clothes together while the weather is still nice, because we also take family pictures this time of year. Of course, there are other times throughout the year when one or another of us gets a new article of clothing, but those purchases are usually based on needs, these more for fun. =)

I have a thing for men's clothing. Love it! Upper halves at least. Not so fond of pants--they are so boring! In particular, I love shirts and ties. Colored shirts, most of the time. =) Shirts and toes, however; can be quite expensive. To pay $40 for a shirt is nothing. $30-$40 for a tie as well. I scored this one at Kohles for $19. It's sort of a pin-striped gray. The tie is black, mustard, and gray and was $15.I'll not tell you what I paid for mine. It was my big splurge of the year, and will probably last many years to come. Seriously, I have found that buying nice things sometimes pays off. I have some timeless fashions that have been around my closet 5-10 years. Purchase justified.I made Kayla a gray skirt and got the mustard shell at Target. I happened to run across the sweater at Saver's thrift store and knew she would love it!I made Kalli a skirt as well. The top is from Children's Place and I made the mustard colored flower pin. Children's Place had a great Colombus Day sale. 20% off--even sale items.I made Kammy a circular skirt. I didn't have a pattern, but I figured if you fold the fabric in 4's and measure an equal distance from the middle corner all the way around then cut, it would work. I got lucky, it worked. Then I cut a small circle in the corner for her waist. Hemmed it and added elastic to the waist. Done, and very cute. =) Her shirt is from Children's Place as well. I just added an inner ruffle to the neck, waist and sleeves. I also made her a sweet little fabric headband.Kaite's little outfit is all from Children's Place. Mommy is praying that everyone will cooperate on picture day. After that, the outfits hang back in the closet until Christmas Sunday. Thanks for joining our little sneak peek at new semi-annual frocks.

Princess Palace

Pie is not really what this post is about, but as a bonus I thought I'd share. This is a favorite of my family. It's called Caramel Apple Cream Pie. All you do is bake your bottom pie crust (don't prick it) and sprinkle with a layer of crushed pecans. Pour over that about 1/4 cup of caramel icecream topping. Then, cook your apple pie filling as you normally would and pour those apples over the caramel and pecans. For the cream cheese layer, mix together, 8oz cream cheese 1t vanilla, 2t lemon juice and 1/2 cup sugar. Carefully spread that over the apples and Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes. I love the way my kitchen smells when I make this!

Remember in my last post, I said that Kammy wanted a dress like Kaite (only she wanted a skirt and top seperate.) Got 'em done!I wanted something unique for her top, so we did a fabric 'K'There was barely enough fabric left to make some sweet little curtains in the girls' clubhouse above daddy's tool shed.Daddy was home for Columbus day today and we spent a lot of the day helping the girls settle into their special place. They came up with a name on their own and asked mommy to make them a little sign. They are calling their play house "Princess Palace."My parents found a table with benches and a kitchen set at a "free-sale" last week and the girls are positively thrilled! Daddy worked hard making a railing around the floor entrance and lining it with chicken wire so 'maybe' mommy won't worry quite so much. =)Of course in an ideal world, the walls would be finished and painted a bright white, but it's all the same to them and they are already spending many happy hours up here. I had a terrible time trying to get photos though...lighting is just not the best.I got a huge kick out of the rules. I especially love #15! (Photos enlarge when clicked.)