~ The Butterfly Circus ~

T
his is a short video that
is beautiful, inspiring, and
I believe - life-changing. It
is a beautiful example of
bravery, love and kindness.

Please take 23 minutes to watch this video.

I know you'll be blessed.

The Butterfly Circus - HD from The Butterfly Circus on Vimeo.

~ attitude adjustment ~

M
an! I've had a week-to-remember
and I'm not meaning in a good
way. My kids have all been... well -
stinkers. I honestly don't know why
this week has been so different from

all the others - it just seems like I was feeling more

frustrated than usual.

This morning I woke up early and just felt...

better.

I've really been praying for God to help me to remember to not

sweat the small stuff.

Who cares if Pauly wants to wear his gloves, hats,

snow pants and winter coat when it is 90 degrees outside -

It makes him SO happy...

Who cares if Sweat Pea constantly asks through the day what we are doing next -

I decided to try and beat her to the punch and tell her before she asks...

Who cares if William has had blow-out after blow-out this week -

Praise God I don't have problems with him NOT pooping, right?

That would be stressful.

I am so immensely blessed to get to hang with these three everyday.

I don't have to jerk them out of bed at the crack of dawn to get them to

a lady's house where they are just one of many.

I don't have to hear from someone else, "William said, hippopotamus today!"

I don't miss out on one darn thing... very blessed.

I've got to remind myself of this more frequently or

 sometimes I let the hustle and bustle, whining and lying,

and cooking and cleaning take over my every thought

and I just get so overwhelmed and consumed.

Today, I saw something on a Brave Girl's Soul Restoration Facebook page that I

thought was kind of fun -

it just kind of encourages you to stop and

Be Still

for a second.

I'm going to try and use positive words throughout - see if I can't give myself an attitude adjustment.

We'll see how it goes.

One word:

1. Where is your cell phone? Cute

2. Your significant other? Loving
3. Your hair: Tidy

4. Your mother?: Funny

5. Your father?: Smart

6. Your favorite thing?: Family

7. Your dream last night? Dreamy

8. Your favorite drink? : Coffee

9. Your dream/goal?: Ocean

10. The room you're in? : Living

11. Your hobby?: Art

12. Your fear?: None

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Happy

14. Where were you last night?: Movie

15. What you're not?  Disappointed

16. Muffins? Blueberry!

17. One of your wish list items?: NYC

18. Where you grew up? : Idaho

19. The last thing you did? : Sip

20. What are you wearing?: PJS

21. Your TV? HGTV

22. Your pets?  Snoring

23. Your computer? Qwerty

24. Your life? : Full

25. Your mood? : Content

27. Your car? Buick

28. Something you're not wearing? Bra (GASP!)

29. Favorite store?  Thrift

30. Your summer?  Beautiful

31. Like someone? Ben

32. Your favorite color?  Green

33. When is the last time you laughed?  Pauly

34. Last time you cried?:  Thursday

35. Today? Races!

Happy Weekend, Love Bugs!

~ duds ~

I
t cracks me up how when
kids just aren't tired they'll
fight you and fight you
during nap time but when
they're tired... well they're

OUT!

Yesterday was a terribly rough day,

the kids were at each other's throats.

Finally at about 7:30p we just separated them and the boys watched Cars upstairs and

Sweet Pea watched a princess movie of sorts downstairs.

It's is such a blessing to see them playing nice together today. Don't get me wrong -

there has been tears already today but it's just a better day over-all.

I layed down this little rascal and gave him a book to look at while

I went downstairs to start some laundry and he fell asleep.

 I couldn't resist taking some pictures.

Often, I'll take a nap when the kids do but since he was already asleep -

I snapped some pictures and snuck out of the room so I

could have some Mama Time.... so I'm blogging/facebooking/and emailing my mama and sis,

working on my menu and grocery list as well as listening to

Praise and Worship music. 

I'm so much more effective of a mama if I can have a moment to breathe.

If not - I'm. a. dud.

Speaking of duds...

our 5 little eggs that our mama hen was trying to hatch out were all duds.
Insert sad face here.

There is a way that you can check eggs to see if there is a baby growing in them -

it involves it being dark in the room you are in or just do it during nighttime like we did,

then you hold a flashlight up to the egg and if it is bad you'll see a dark ring around the bottom and no baby chick inside. 
If it is good - you'll see a baby chick moving around or at least veins in the egg.

We were so bummed out but maybe we'll get some more and I'll keep y'all posted.

Wouldn't that of been amazing to see the baby inside!!!?

It is amazing to me,
how through just about everything through my day -
the Lord speaks to me...

It's funny yesterday, my husband was getting frustrated with me - I forgot to water the lawn and I was supposed to go and take these eggs from the mama chicken and get her movin' out of the chicken house and maybe block it off so she wouldn't be able to go lay in her spot anymore...
this would get her out of this wanting to be in "mama mode"
and that would get her to start laying eggs again...
anyhow, I had forgot and he was teasing me -
telling me I was "On strike" which he knows, I just forgot and that's okay
- he was just teasing me and we were teasing each other back and forth...

But still it made me remember about not being a dud -
the words that first came to mind were:

Rise Up!!

God is the only one who can bring real joyful LIFE to this body.

Only He can put that yearning in your heart, soul and mind to LIVE!

He is the only reason for Living - all else will undoubtedly fall short...

Ezekiel 37:5

This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones:
I will make breath enter you,
and
you will come to life.

Happy Living!

~ casework ~

O
ne of my major struggles when
I'm "zhushing" around in my
home, is arranging my lovelies
on shelves, bookcases and such.

I'm a huge fan of simple.

I detest too many knick knack patty whacks -

they're just not my thing -

but I DO

adore a bookcase chalked full of books

and if they are organized in some form or fashion....

ooooooh la la!

I love it!

I'm pretty sure that I've only arranged one shelf,

in my whole life,

that totally makes my heart skip-a-beat.

It's SO tough!

I've got a hankering to rearrange my living room but just the idea of having

to redo shelves, pictures and such makes me nervous.

I decided to take it to Google recently

and this is what I came up with...

source

source

source

source

And also in my Googling :)

I found this - you should go check it out for more ideas on

arranging shelves and such.

Have a fabulous week darlings!

P.S.  The picture of the sandwich from the Summer Post was a Green Chile Pork Panini with Peach Sauce that my husband made....

and the book I was reading was Ida B. Adored it.

~ will you? ~

A
ll His ways are good,
All His ways are sure.
I will trust in Him alone.
Higher than my sight.
High above my life.

I will trust in Him alone.

Where He goes, I'll go.
Where He stays, I'll stay.

When He moves, I'll move.
I will follow Him.

 

~ the ultimate love letter ~

C
ould you imagine getting
a real tangible letter from
God? A letter, addressed
to you, with your name on
it. 

I bet it would glow.

Don't you think?

A real luminous glow because if he touched it,

it would probably be glowing right?

Then maybe you would start glowing, too... right?

I don't know, maybe.

Anyhow, if you were to get a letter from God -

what do you think it would say?

Well... here's a hint.

We all have letters from God.

Real.
Definite.
 Living Letters.

and this is what they say...

  

My Child,

You may not know me,

but I know everything about you.

Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.

Psalm 139:2

 

 

I am familiar with all your ways.

Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.

Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.

Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.

Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.

Acts 17:28

 

I knew you even before you were conceived.

Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.

Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,

for all your days are written in my book.

Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth

and where you would live.

Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:13

 

And brought you forth on the day you were born.

Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented

by those who don’t know me.

John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,

but am the complete expression of love.

1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.

1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child

and I am your Father.

1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.

Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.

Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.

James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.

Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless

as the sand on the seashore.

Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.

Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.

Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you

with all my heart and all my soul.

Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.

Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,

you will find me.

Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you

the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.

Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you

than you could possibly imagine.

Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you

in all your troubles.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,

I am close to you.

Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,

I have carried you close to my heart.

Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away

every tear from your eyes.

Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain

you have suffered on this earth.

Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you

even as I love my son, Jesus.

John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.

John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.

Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,

not against you.

Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression

of my love for you.

1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved

that I might gain your love.

Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,

you receive me.

1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you

from my love again.

Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party

heaven has ever seen.

Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,

and will always be Father.

Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…

Will you be my child?

John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.

Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad

Almighty God

Thank you, Farmgirl Paints for sharing this beautiful compilation with us that your mother sent to you.
It is most precious and lovely - I adore it so.
My prayers are with you and your family as you make your way to your new home.

Love to y'all and have a blessed weekend,

~ summer-to-remember ~

I
have to say, this is the
first summer in a long
time that I am actually
enjoying. Granted we
are having a very mild

summer but, I've noticed that even on the super hot days

I'm cool with it. (ha ha pun intended)

This summer,

so far,

has been full of fun and happy memories have been created.

A summer-to-remember

should include:

~ delicious new recipes

~ reading through a lovely happy novel with your feet up

~ chubby babe legs

oh so chubby.

~ riding in the car with boys...

without your seat belt...

(It was only 3 blocks in a subdivision at about 5 mph)

~ enjoying summer days with your belly out

~ sitting in the sun with a sweet boy

~ taking a nap after a long swim covered in daddy's t-shirt.

~ breathing in that sweet smell of Granny linens

~ photographing a little one napping

~ laying on the cool grass with your Granny

~ bird watching with your Granny

~ wearing your favorite boots with shorts

~ hugs. lots and lots of hugs

~ waiting patiently for five little ones to hatch

~ beckoning for a banquette ~

I
've been entertaining with
the idea that my little sweet
house would adore a gathering
space much like the ones I've
collected below. As many of

you know, our little house is...

well....

little.

 and there is no mystery that a banquette would save space

AND

create space.

I could add some space under the benches for cookbooks,

baskets of linens for dressing up my table,

or maybe even pretty mixing bowls.

Note to self:
Hang a map of the United States on the wall -
it looks amazing and is WAY cool all at the same time!

k - sorry for that little interuption...

...  I DO have to say I adore my dining set that I have but,

I can't resist thinking how lovely it could be to have such a cozy space

like these...

and I really could combine some of my existing chairs and
maybe even my table...
right?

source

And pardon me as I drool all over those painted wood floors.

*drool*drool*drool*

I think also having a drop light fixture would add
a bit of playfulness and
I adore this round lampshade.

source

I'm quite sure but I think I've already posted this picture before but I can't get over
how similar it is to our space that I'm thinking of for a banquette
as our space is also surrounded my windows
just like this one.

Oooooh. That old-fashioned fisherman's light fixture is calling my name.

...wonder if I could buy one of those off Ebay for ooober cheap.

hmmm.....

Now all I have to do is figure out who can build me one of these beautiful banquettes...

Maybe my ol' Pa?!

I mean - he did build my mom a whole house! Lol!

~ dirty girl & dirty boy ~

A
couple weeks ago, baby
girl was looking particularly
shabby. I was excited to get
to have my go at grooming
her thinking it was going to

take me 6 minutes flat

as she is about

as big as

gallon of milk.

I was sadly mistaken.

It took me 3 hours! My kids played SO nice during that time.

I was so thankful - until I looked at the clock when I was near done and realized it was 2pm

and my kids hadn't even ate lunch yet!



You know that moment when your kids realize they are starving,

they're tired, you're tired and you're trying and trying to wrap

things up so you can tend to them and you're just not moving fast enough  -

then something more happens to set you back and things just get worse and worse?

THAT is exactly what happened this day.

I took this cute little picture of the finished product of Iz and..

SHE WENT AND ROLLED IN THE DIRT!

Not just any dirt.

The really fine powdery dirt that my chickens play in

to clean themselves off with!

THEN!

My husband pulled up.

Oh yes - it just got better and better.

Starving children - finally groomed dog but is now completely filthy! ...

and then my husband pointed out this to me...

William was SO STARVING he started eating dirt!

Yay!

Dirt!



That's right buddy - how does that taste?

Nummers!



Thankfully - the husband tended to the children.

He cleaned up the filthy, fed the hungry,

&

I handled Mizz Izz and all was good.

Our Daddy to the rescue!