Three Rs Thursday

I'm in the midst of moving in 2 days and I've got soooo much packing to do before then. This will be short and sweet.

One of the things I like most about homeschooling is reading to my kids. We love the library, if we weren't so busy moving we'd probably go every day. We're looking forward to figuring out our new library and where everything is at. Every time we go to the library I have Moriah pick a theme and I go and find several books on that theme. She loves to dance so most of the time the books are about dancing and ballet. Our most recent trip to the library I asked her if she wanted to read about moving since we'll be moving soon and these have been some of her favorite books. I love when we get up in the morning and I go into her room and she's "reading" her books out loud. Lastly, my favorite is to hear her daddy reading her Bible stories before bed. We have a little devotional for her that was given to her when we had her dedicated to the Lord at our church and she gets to choose 3 stories every night. Why 3?... because she's 3 years old, lol. Mark tells her when she's 4 years old she can have 4 stories read to her. I love it!

Work In Progress Wednesday - the Kitchen

We bought a house that needs a ton of work so I'm going to share this "Work In Progress" with you all every Wednesday.

Today I'll share with you the things that are happening in our kitchen.

Before: check out the grossly moldy fridge and the missing drawer and cabinet door, lol. We ended up buying a huge refrigerator that hasn't been delivered yet but we had to take out the cabinets in order for it to fit... unfortunately, the hardwood doesn't go underneath the cabinets so we're working on figuring out what to do in that spot. We weren't too sad about losing the cabinet space either... that space seemed to kind of close off the kitchen so just by taking them down the kitchen seems much more open.


The kitchen hasn't been cleaned in ages and none of the appliances except the moldy fridge work so we have to replace all the appliances. We have decided not to replace the built in microwave because with me being so short and well endowed we thought it was kind of a fire hazard to have it above the range. We did buy a new range which will be delivered with the refridgerator. We've taken off all of the cabinet doors and drawers and brought them back to our apartment to clean them in the evening while the kids are sleeping. The pendant lights weren't very bright so we took the shades down for now and are trying to find new lights that will work in our kitchen. It's rather difficult to find lights that aren't super expensive that will work with a vaulted ceiling. We also are still looking for a dishwasher and will replace the faucet eventually too.





This last picture is just a test of paint color. We are going to put in all new hardware and paint the cabinets white. The current color is just so dingy looking and so drab. We really need to brighten it up.


Next week we should have the floors cleaned up, the cabinets all clean, hopefully the walls will be painted and the cabinets all painted with the new hardware. We'll also have the new fridge and range installed.

TWBA from The Dressing Room

This week's blog assignment from The Dressing Room is to finish these sentences.

Outside my window… a tree and the Metra station

I am thinking… I really don't want to have to clean any more cabinet doors

I am thankful for… my husband

From the kitchen… I smell garlic

I am wearing… capris and a t shirt

I am creating… a mess

I am going… to bed early tonight

I am reading… For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School

I am praying… for my children

I am hearing… fans running

Around the house… are boxes ready to move

One of my favorite things… is going to the Arboretum with my family

A few plans for the rest of the week... get some pictures with Carrie wearing our Sakura Bloom slings, finish cleaning the cabinets and start painting them and putting on the new hardware, move all of our stuff over to the house, finish packing and clearing everything out of the apartment

Tuesday's Two

So, I have a new theme for Tuesdays. I'm going to feature two items every Tuesday. For now I will be featuring my favorite items but eventually I hope to feature some products from WAHMs.

Today I will feature two of my favorite photography items:

Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

This is the lens that doesn't leave my camera hardly ever. I love the depth of field and it's so much sharper than any lens I've ever used. If anyone were to ask me what one lens I would recommend it would be this one. At first I wasn't so sure about whether or not I would like a prime lens instead of a zoom but I've tried several zoom lenses and I still go back to his lens as my fave. I really think this lens is a must have for any DSLR users. Unfortunately, this lens does not auto focus with the Nikon D40, D60 or the new D5000. For those who have those cameras there is a AF-S version of this lens although it costs twice as much.

Crumpler 4 Million Dollar Home

This is the camera bag that I use. The size is perfect for me to carry my flash and camera with lens or camera with lens plus an extra lens. I love the fact that it just looks like a normal messenger bag and doesn't scream camera bag. The fabric is water resistant so I'm not afraid if I get stuck at the Arboretum on one of the trails that my camera and gear are going to get all wet if it starts raining. I think it's very well padded and has an adjustable divider. The velcro closure is sturdy although I would not use this bag for silent events like a wedding or funeral since it's pretty loud. For normal out and about though, I use this bag all the time. I think I may get a bigger one though some day so I can use it as a camera and diaper bag since I love it so much.

Trim Down Tuesday - the last one

Well, I've decided to make this my last Trim Down Tuesday... This past week has been really stressful and what do I do when I'm stressed out? I eat and eat and eat... I also was so busy that I couldn't get any exercise in this week. Lastly, everyone in this household has a terrible summer cold so doing the shred was not in my best interest anyways. I gained 3lbs this week. I've decided that blogging about my measurements and weight just aren't in my best interest right now. My first goal is to be happy with the body I was given. I really need to focus on being healthy and strong and not on numbers. The numbers don't make me feel good or healthy or strong so they have to go. I need to focus on truly being gluten free and low carb due to my gluten intolerance and insulin resistance. Once I get my diet down then I know I will feel better and won't be having the health issues I'm having because I'm eating foods that are so bad on my body. So, as I'm packing up my apartment for the move... I think I'll be leaving the scale packed up, never to see it again. I don't want this for my kids either, it's not cool to see my daughter stepping on the scale every morning just like her mother. It's much more cool for us to go for walks and to run around the fields at the Arboretum and play tag and fun games like that.

Adios scale!

Saturday Social

Where is the farthest place from home you've ever traveled?

The farthest I've ever gone is Malawi, Africa.

Foto Friday - pics from the week

Three Rs Thursday - my journey to homeschooling

Well, if you had asked me several years ago if I would ever be homeschooling I would have said "NO WAY". We had Moriah and everything changed. I fell in love like I've never been in love before. She was my miracle child after being told it would be a miracle if we got pregnant. The month before getting pregnant with her I was on a women's retreat with my church and Linda Dillow was our speaker. The last day on Sunday morning we had an amazing worship service. Her message was on Genesis 22, the story of Abraham and Isaac going up to Mt. Moriah to sacrifice Isaac. It was then that I realized that I wasn't trusting God the way that I was supposed to. I'm an artist and see things very vividly. I had realized that I needed to put my womb on the altar and give it back to God. I literally closed my eyes and pictured myself giving him everything. I even pictured, as I was hesitating to let go, having a tug-a-war with my fallopian tube. Yes, that vivid... Linda had a little altar up front and she asked us to right down what it was that we needed to give completely to God. My girlfriend turned to me and said not to right down "babies"... she said I needed to write their names on the paper. I looked back down at my Bible through tear blurred eyes and wrote down Moriah and Isaac on my piece of paper and put it on the altar. From that moment I had complete peace like I've never had before. I knew that God was going to give me those children and I was going to hand them right back to Him.

The summer after having Moriah we were on our way to Michigan to vacation at my parents house. The only station that would come in was a Christian station that was having a "message" about homeschooling. It was then that I felt an overwhelming feeling that this was God's calling us to homeschool our children. We had given Moriah back to God and He was showing us how to raise her. Every scripture passage read just confirmed it more and more. By the end of the message we couldn't get the radio station anymore, coincidence? Maybe it was, but I couldn't get it out of my head that it was God's calling.

One month later Rob Rienow, family pastor at WBC had a message that once again spoke to us personally that we were to homeschool our children. But, then we got a little side tracked, really it was fear that pushed it all aside. I was scared to teach my child... how could I, someone who only has a high school diploma, teach my child everything she needs to know? Then I remember her name and what it means. Moriah means God is my teacher. Ooooooh, now I get it... I'm not her teacher, God is. I'm just the one who gets to share in the joy of seeing her learn. It's God working through me to teach her.

Umm...OK, so where do I begin? I quickly get a bunch of books from the library... WOW, I had no idea all the different styles of homeschooling from curriculum based to "unschooling". Then looking at curriculum, WOW, there is just sooooo much out there. I finally figured out that Moriah learns best by experience. We're already unschooling her by reading to her and telling her about everything around her. She's so smart already. All we do is answer her questions and share in her interests. OK, so fear sets in again... how do I know she'll learn everything if I don't use a curriculum? I found another book at the library, "Christian Unschooling: Growing Your Children in the Freedom of Christ". WOW, that was a real eye-opener. It really truly is all about putting your faith in Christ to teach your children. I may still use curriculum for certain things and may eventually use curriculum for everything but this is where my journey is getting started and can't wait to see what God has in store for me and my family.

I am really enjoying this journey now and letting the fears drift away, obeying God like Abraham did and putting my children on the altar trusting far greater than I've ever trusted in anyone or anything before.


btw, I have my Isaac too after another rough road of suffering and then putting all my trust in God to let me meet that Isaac I had laid on the altar years before.

Just for fun quiz

You Should Spend Your Summer on a Road Trip

For you, the summer is all about possibilities. And you're not going to be tied down. This is the time for you to embark on an epic road trip, with no ultimate destination in mind. You know you'll have a ton of crazy adventures... at least until you run out of cash!

Where Should You Spend Your Summer?

I think this is pretty accurate for me =) although, not with two little ones who hate long car trips... hopefully in the future we can go on long car trips again. We gotta go to all those historical sites we learned about in homeschooling ;)

Trim Down Tuesday - Surprised again

So, I had every intention of working out every day this past week and being really good about my diet... well, I ended up missing Friday, Saturday and Sunday and we were out most of the days working on house stuff and on Sunday we had our Sunday School class picnic. Once again, I was pleasantly surprised by this morning's measurements.

arms 11", no change in measurements but definitely can see that I'm more tone
chest 39", still no change but I'm not surprised... I never lose in the chest, just gain lol.
waist 31", another inch lost since last week, totaling 3"
hip 37", another inch lost since last week, totaling 2"
thigh 22", same as last week, totaling 1"
weight 135lbs, 3lbs since last week, totaling 5lbs in 3 weeks, YAY!

Make It Monday - Curtains

I need SLEEP! So, we are in the process of moving into a new house and one of the things I've been working on is curtains for the bedrooms. We all seem to need it pitch dark in order to sleep so I've been making my own curtains and adding blackout material to the back. I really hope it works. It's been fun to make things for my own home. I love decorating and making curtains just seemed like the perfect first project for our new home. I've made Moriah's curtains from fabric I found at IKEA... it's the perfect fabric for my girly girl. For the master bedroom I found some gorgeous heavy linen that matches our bedding perfectly. This is the first time in almost 8 years of marriage that I get to really have a master bedroom that I get to really truly decorate and have some fun with. Isaac's room well, I just don't know what to do with his room yet. I need to do some shopping to find a fabric for his room yet. He's still in our room so I'm not sure how quickly I need to figure that out though ;)

TWBA from The Dressing Room - Quiz time - Who's the true you?

The True You is Romantic

You want your girlfriend or boyfriend to be together with you always, no matter when or where. With respect to money, you spend carefully and save your pennies. You think good luck is something you won't attain - you expect bad luck. The hidden side of your personality tends to be satisfied to care for things with a minimal amount of effort. You have a tendency to overdo things, but basically you value your friendships highly. When it comes to finding a romantic partner, you don't have any particular type in mind, but you are inclined to look for someone who will say yes when you ask him / her out.

Who's The True You?

What do you think? Those of you that know me, does this describe me... some of it yes, but some of it I'm pretty sure it doesn't.

Scrumptious Sunday - The best and only way to make bratwurst

Well, it's already the middle of Summer, I can't believe it's flying by so fast. My favorite thing to make in the summer is a joint effort between Mark and myself. I LOVE grilling out and Mark loves being the manly man at the grill! I like that I kind of get the summer's off from cooking, we just buy a bunch of meat and Mark grills practically every night as long as the weather cooperates.

Beer Brats
*1 package of 5 bratwurst
*1 can of beer... feel free to try out different beers... we've tried several and like the cheap beer from Trader Joes the best
*chicken stock

In a pot big enough to fit all the brats in one layer, put in the brats and the can of beer. Depending on the size of the beer can you may not need the chicken stock. If the beer doesn't cover the brats, pour in some chicken stock until the brats are covered. Simmer on low for 25-30 minutes. Remove them from the pot and put them on a preheated grill (medium-high) turning once for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with mustard... We also grill some onions in olive oil and butter and top the brats with them, YUMMY!

Saturday Social

What's your favorite color?


My favorite color is orange... I like the citrusy orange better than the burnt orange but really I just love all shades of orange.

Foto Friday - pics from the week

This first picture was not taken this week as you can tell, but it is a picture of the house that we saw for the first time almost 6 months ago and finally closed on it this week... it's a major fixer upper so you'll be seeing lots of before and after pictures while we fix it up.


The rest of the pictures are from the 4th of July, Enjoy!

Trim Down Tuesday - Pleasantly Surprised

Oh boy! I was really dreading today... three days off of the 30 day shred because of being too busy on vacation... and of course eating horribly while on vacation (huge bag of marshmallows and a whole box of cookies in one sitting, at least the cookies were gluten free). Back to working out yesterday was a huge surprise, I was able to do level 2 w/ very minimal modifications. I'm definitely getting stronger. So maybe if I actually have a week where I actually watch what I eat and stop eating the foods that make me sick then I'll see even better results... although, I must say I'm shocked by my measurements this morning! Totally shocked!!!!

arms 11", still the same
chest 39", still the same
waist 32", 1" loss since last week, 2" total since starting
hip 38", 1" loss since last week, 1" total since starting
thigh 22", 1" loss since last week, 1" total since starting
weight 138lbs, 2lbs since last week, 2lbs total since starting

Make It Monday - Amy Butler Sunflower pillow

Well, I'm changing my daily themes up a bit and changing Manic Monday to Make It Monday... I had realized I hadn't had a day to talk about all the fun DIY crafts I like to do but had two days for photography, lol.

On The Dressing Room forums they are doing a quilt-a-long so I decided to join the fun. Since we are in the middle of buying a house and fixing it up and then moving into it, I don't have a lot of time to actually work on a full quilt so I decided to make a pillow for the master bedroom. I'm really excited about it. This is the first week and our goal for the week is to pick out the fabric. I already have the print fabric that I'm going to use and the other colors are going to be solids that match the print.

Here is the Amy Butler print that I love so much and will accent our bedroom in pillows, the three solids will be the seafoam green in the flowers and the orange that outlines the flowers and the ivory that is in the inside of the flowers and also matches our bedding.


This is a picture of the Amy Butler pattern that I will be using... it's from the new Amy Butler softwares CD.

Scrumptious Sunday - Broccoli Salad

I'm back from a little vacation and remembered one of my favorite summer salads.

Broccoli Salad
1 large head fresh broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces (stems discarded)
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup diced onion
1 cup mayonnaise
2 TB. vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
8 slices of bacon, crisply fried
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Combine the broccoli, raisins and onion in a serving bowl. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar and mix well. Pour over the broccoli mix. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or longer to soften the raw broccoli. Thes can be made a day ahead and I actually prefer overnight. When ready to serve, crumble the bacon on top and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Leftovers keep well in the fridge if you have any!

Wordless Wednesday