Let's Talk About the Weather

So, it's been raining here.

Disclaimer: Emma was watching him, not me.

He was really mad when we took him in....

look at the compassionate dad face compared to the muddy mad face.

Aren't they both just too stinkin' cute?

Feeling Rather Thankful for Crocklings (Thanks Mom)

This cute little shoe is one of the pair that my Mom bought for Quinton. She also got a pair for all the other kids, but I am especially thankful for these. They are the real deal Crocs for toddlers, aka as Crocklings. Quin just adores them. He wears them all the time and when they are on his feet he instantly assumes that means we are either going somewhere in the car or going out to play in the yard. He has his little routine of bringing them to you and holding them up for you to take. Once you have them, he immediately flops down on his back side and waits for you to put them on. Once they are on, he toddles straight for the door and attempts to open it on his own. SO cute!

We had a brief time of distress when one went missing a few weeks ago. I think I was more upset than Quin was. I was quite afraid he had thrown it in the trash (which is where my long lost, but since replaced, mixer attachments ended up I fear). Well, there was great rejoicing when the lost shoe was discovered in the box of Barbies. I hear they like shoes, so they obviously were hording Quin's crocklings.

Crocs, I have discovered are the nearest thing to a perfect shoe for our family. All of our kids would go barefoot everywhere if it were acceptable. Crocs are close to going barefoot and they live in them. They don't need tying, so that saves time when we are all running out the door and are late. They are easily rinsed off when they get sandy or dirty. And they don't require socks so that cuts down on the laundry I have to do... definately a plus in my book.

Mom, thanks so much for the Crocs for the kids. They love them. I love them. I have less socks to fold. You are wonderful.

I may hit you up next year for another round for everyone :)

Mid July Checking In

Well it is nearing the end of July and work on the house continues. I am happy to announce that all the room painting is done!! We have some touch up work in the family room and three doors to paint but the complete end of painting is so close I can see it. In the last three years Tim and I have nearly perfected our painting skills. Every room in this house has been painted and some twice. We've spackled and painted more in the last three years than I ever thought possible. And do you know what? I STILL don't like to paint. I love the look of fresh color on the walls but I really have gotten to the place of not liking the process. But, it's nearly done and that makes me very happy.

We have the floors to put in the laundry room and the bathroom.... purchased and ready to go. The heaters need to be put back in and one light needs to be installed. Our punch list is getting shorter and it is a good thing.

Tim and I are continuing our journey through the DVDs at the library and are into the second season of All Creatures Great and Small. We are enjoying them and have found ourselves wrapped up in the stories. A nice break from all the craziness of life.

Everyone is well here and for that I am quite thankful. We've gotten to the pool a few times and seem to be managing the summer for the most part. The annual baptism and church picnic was last weekend. Only one person was dunked this year, but it was a celebration none-the-less. The weather threatened to ruin the day, but it held off until the festivities were over.

Sorry, no pictures this time... I haven't spent any time downloading them yet :)

Chasing Chipmunks and a new author....

Look carefully at the above photo. I have attempted to highlight the little chipmunk running under the step by leaving it in color and making everything else black and white. Now, see that blurry little boy on the right there? That is Quinton. He has discovered that chipmunks live under our front deck steps. All that white stuff spread by the step is corn. The corn is actually purchased to put in our deer feeder, but the girls felt bad that the chipmunks were missing out, so they feed them too. Well joy of joys these chipmunks are. I'll insert here that the little girls consistantly call them "chick"munks which just cracks me up. I'll always have a picture in my mind of a hooded, cloaked svelt cheerleader type woman... the really religous chick. Anyhow... Quin will sit on the step of the garage which is about 12 feet from the deck steps and wait and watch with great patience. Soon, a little chipmunk peeks out and begins to gather some corn (which really is hilarous to watch them fill their cheeks), then Quin hops up and toddles as fast as he can toward the chipmunk. The little animal really is pretty brave as he (or she... I can't really tell :) ) waits until Quin is nearly on top of it before it scoots back under the step. Sometimes it'll run into the downspout thing which totally delights Quin as he pounds on it until it runs out and across the driveway. Poor Quinton isn't quite quick enough! You would think Quin would tire of this game, but as of yet he hasn't. In fact, he followed this routine for over an hour the other day. He also has discovered the joy of sitting in puddles.

I go to the library all the time and I just love to read. Sadly, my reading does keep me from other important things like laundry and housework and other not-so-important things like scrapbooking and sewing. But, I enjoy it and find that relaxing in our fluffy chair with a book helps me make it through another day sometimes, so I do indulge occasionally. Well a few weeks back when browsing the new titles, I came across Jennifer Chiaverini's book, Circle of Quilters. Being a quilt lover, the cover caught me right away, so I grabbed it and thought I'd give it a try. Well let me tell you.... I couldn't put it down. What a wonderful story and what a fabulous writing style she has. Her books all have quilting and quilters intertwined in the storylines and let me warn you, you'll want to quilt if you don't already! On the inside covers of her newer books are the designs of the quilts mentioned in the story. On her website you can find the actual photographs of the quilts that she as made to go along with the stories. Beautiful quilts! I finished Circle of Quilters eager for more! I was a bit concerned that I had jumped into the middle of a series, however after looking at her website I found that evidently, the order of the books doesn't much matter. I went back to the library and got her first book, The Quilter's Apprentice. Fabulous!! It is rare to find a book that holds my attention but still is "G" rated. I can't stand reading filth. I am so afraid to read a book that I've not gotten a trusted review on so I began this new book with some caution. Cover to cover it was good wholesome reading. I can't wait to read them all. I have her second book on hold and in the meantime the library got in her newest release, The Quilter's Homecoming, so I picked up and enjoyed it just as much. So while I am attempting to read them in order, the two that were out of order really didn't seem to be problematic at all. At this point I think Jennifer Chiaverini has moved into the second spot as my favorite author. My all time favorite is still Beverly Lewis. I am impatiently waiting for her new series as I have already read everything she has written... even most of the children's titles :) I've gotten Hannah hooked on her too, so you know I trust her writing. Beverly Lewis is technically classified as a Christian author, but I believe her Amish based stories would be very attractive to many audiences. Therein ends my author reviews for tonight!

Now, if you take my advice and begin reading some of Jennifer Chiaverini's books and get inspire to quilt, let me leave you with this fabulous website I discovered, Quilt Blocks Galore. There are over 1000 quilt blocks with instructions for free! I spent over an hour just browsing and dreaming!