A Little Knitting Going On!

I'm completely flattered that my husband asked me if I could make something for a man at work whose wife who is having a baby. I even had some baby yarn in the stash!!!

Made this small blanket and hat, from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louisa Harding.

Then casted on a pair of socks for Faith. So far she hasn't asked what I'm knitting or who it is for. Hoping I can get them made and put them away for Christmas for her.

I'm hoping I can do more knitting for the kids and gift it to them for Christmas. Is that corny? Or old fashioned? Well... even if it is... I am corny and old fashioned so it doesn't matter... does it?

Small Successes

1. Finally wrote and mailed the letter to the school superintendent notifying him our plan to continue home schooling for this school year. Suppose to do this by August 15th every year. Whoops!

2.Went to visit cousin Larry for an overnight stay. This was long over due. Mike had gone with the Haley and Jacob last fall, but I haven't seen him since December or his family since last July. This is a huge success in my book! Trying to be more like Mary and less like Martha.

3. Knitted a baby blanket and a hat. Someone Mike works with's wife is having a baby, so now we have a gift to give when the baby is born.

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that. Now you can do the same. Go to Faith and Family and join in.

Visit with Family

Although it was a short a visit, it was a wonderful visit with cousin Larry, his wife Diane and their two sons, Zeb and Eli.

Our 3+ hours of travel (each way) went just swimmingly. In other words, Faith didn't get car sick thanks to anti motion sickness pills.

Here are a few photos of our trip.

The kids enjoying the pool.

The beautiful water fall and pond Zeb put in a few years ago.

Cousin Larry

Faith enjoying some dessert after a swim in the pool.

All the men enjoying some dessert while watching VT football.

Some of the many trees growing on the farm. It is really cool to look out at all the rows of trees.

A scenic lookout on the ride home.

Are you kidding? Never in my life have I seen this!

We're Hitting the Road

Mike has been working a lot of overtime! Add to that his regular schedule is really lousy Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 7a -7p. Thursday night he made the comment, "Tomorrow begins my 3 day sentence to Hell." It is really hard to see the man you love in such a state! Especially when you know what he's doing is to provide for the family.

So when he mentioned he wanted to take a trip to visit cousin Larry and his family, how could I refuse?

My cousin lives in south western Virginia on a lovely 90+ acre tree farm, about 3 hours from us. Mike and him are like 2 peas in a pod and because Larry is in his late 50's he is like a big brother to Mike. Mike does have 2 older brothers, but the relationships aren't like that.

I'm packing the kids and the dog up, loading the truck, picking Mike up at work and we're off to visit overnight with Larry. Mike's one day off will be tomorrow and we had nothing planned I had to agree!

I'm a home body, there I admit it. I love to be at home! Which works out really well for my carrier of being a SAHM!! It's really funny too because my oldest sister is a go, go, go, kind of gal and has even made the comment, "Poor Michelle." Like being at home was some kind of punishment for me!! It's really funny!

But, I'm breaking the mold this week and I'm headed out! All in the name of love for my husband and okay I'll admit this too, I enjoy spending time with Larry and his wife Diane. It will be well worth it for all of us!

Ready for Colder Weather

As I look back at all the knitting/crocheting I've done for the summer, I'm quite impressed with my efforts. Not only have I gifted a few items I've also added to my wardrobe for the coming winter! 2 new sweaters: Olivine and Summer's End and 3 pairs of socks: a basic ribbed pair and Embossed Leaves

Then here are the most recent finished pair. Hedera by Cookie A.

I RARELY buy myself any clothing! I'm not much of a shopper and would rather get my kids clothes than myself when the mood finally strikes. So I'm feeling really good about my accomplishments and am ready for the weather to turn colder!

Small Successes

1. I finished the sweater for my sister. She was able to wear it home Friday morning when she left.

2. Finally got around to emailing the chair of the Justice and Peace committee at church to let her know that I wanted to be on the committee! Why is it I always have the best of intentions, but I never get around to "officially" doing whatever it is. I'm counting this simple task a huge success this week.

3. Got my car inspected! With a day to spare!! Part of my reasoning for putting this off is because my car is 11 years old and I'm really afraid they'll find something seriously wrong with it! It passed!!!

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that. Now you can do the same. Go to Faith and Family and join in.

Oh What a Day!

Have I ever mentioned Mike works for Frito Lay? Well he does! Although there are a lot of things I'm sure he would change about the day to day operations of the place he works, there are some really good things they do for the employees.

Like: Every summer they give the employees tickets for their entire family to go to King's Dominion here in Virginia. Plus "food coupons"! Our family received $60 in food vouchers.

Because we home school we opted to take our kids yesterday, after most everyone was back in school. It was a hot 90 degree day and it was perfect! The best part being the longest we waited to do any ride was 10 minutes (maybe). When at the prime of the season there can be 1 or 2 hour wait for the most popular rides!

The place is HUGE! I don't think we walked that much when we took the kids to Disney World! There is sooo much to do!

We spent a few hours in the water park where we all got wet and laughed until we cried! Sorry no photos the camera stayed tucked safely away in the locker.

After drying off we headed to the "dry" rides!! Faith enjoyed the slower paced stuff, Jake was the thrill seeker and Haley just watched it all go down (she's the safe one, the merry go round is her favorite).

Here is the ride Jacob sought out: The Intimidator 305

Faith dreaming about getting to go on the intimidator:

And Haley content to watch Jacob on the intimidator:

All I could think to myself, "Where is that little boy that used to want to ride the fire engine around in a circle?" Gone are the days I guess.

Although this morning there are a few of us doctoring blisters, and all of us have sore feet, we are already talking about next year's trip!!