A link for you

Read here for more info. about our morning......if you want.

My first Saturday Confession....

1. I've been wanting to link up with Melissa at her site for Saturday confessions, but haven't felt like anything I had to 'confess' would be interesting.

2. I am still in my pajamas....and often am at 10:30 a.m.

3. I am doing a Saturday Confession on Tuesday......I'm rogue like that.

4. I love that my baby wants me to hold her a lot, even though that means she may not sleep in her crib next time. :{

5. I got a thrill out of seeing my kids' test scores this year, even though I know testing is not really necessary.

6. We have a family picture that we have been putting off, well, for about 7.5 months (which is as long as Autumn has been around!)

7. It has been so long since going through my oldest son's clothing that he still had size 8/10 shorts in his drawer....even though he is 13 and wears size 16 now!

8. I'm doing this 'confession' and I don't know how many I'm supposed to do.....for a rule-follower like me that is pretty risky.

Making Whole Wheat Bread...

Here is my first attempt at making whole wheat bread with my KitchenAid. It did not rise as I had thought or hoped it would, so the loaves are a little narrow.I did a taste test and it has a nice flavor.
Any tips on how to encourage better rising?

Some sweetness for you...

It has been a sweet morning. The older kids are at SAINTS and I have been home with my little girls. They are always sweet, of course. But this morning Autumn couldn't (wouldn't?) sleep in her crib so I got her out and put her in my wrap. It works every time. She may not sleep as long as she would in her crib but usually goes for 45 minutes or so. She would have made it longer than the 30 minutes she got in this morning, but the click from my camera (capturing her sweetness) woke her up. She is happy though, so no harm done. She'll sleep well this afternoon, I expect. Here's the photo I got of her...

Isn't she pure sweetness?

Some cooking

Recently, I came across this site, and I have been reading ever since. Her recipes look delightful, and yesterday I decided I HAD to try this one. They are a favorite of the kids but I don't usually buy them anymore....too expensive, unhealthy, and leave you feeling hungry an hour later.But when I saw the above recipe, well, I had to experiment. If I could make homemade pop tarts they would be healthier (not healthy, just better than store-bought!) AND a lot less expensive. Corbin and I gave it a whirl yesterday afternoon. Here are some photos of our time cooking together.

Rolling out the dough
Corbin crimping the edges of our first batch
Some of our second batch before crimping
A close-up of crimping
The finished product
Don't they look lovely?

My mama is amazing....

I have been watching The Biggest Loser for many seasons. I don't even know how long it's been on...but I've been into it since the very beginning. Each season I am amazed as I watch the contestants lose weight.....and I LOVE the finale, where I get to see them completely transformed, inside and out. But none of them amaze me the way my mama does.

My mama is amazing! She has been on a weight loss journey all her life. She's lost, then gained......lost, then gained. But about 2.5 years ago, something changed. She began again, and has lost about 100 pounds. She is now within 10 pounds of her goal weight! The difference in how she looks is amazing, no doubt. But the difference in her voice, her activities, her happiness is even more amazing. I am so excited when I call her each week to hear all of the things she has been doing. At one point she had stopped driving, was using a walker, could not do much for herself at all, and certainly not without help. Now, she is driving anywhere she likes, she is cooking, cleaning, sewing, doing yard work......these are all things that she used to do when I was a kid. They are true signs that she is healthy and well, inside and out. I am overjoyed to see it, to hear it, and to know that her diabetes is under control. I am amazed at her determination, her willpower, her strength......and I am so proud to call her Mama and friend. I thank God often that she is happy, and healthy, and here with us. I have always known that she could achieve this. The difference is that she has learned that she can achieve it, and that has been the key to her success, I believe. And she didn't even need The Biggest Loser to learn it! I love you, Mama.

Words are profound

Profound(#4 in particular), that's what I feel today about what I've just read.

.....so I have a link to share....I think I've recommended this sweet lady's blog before. She has such a way of writing....it pierces my soul. It's a God thing.....she is a gifted woman, with her writing but in many other ways as well. As I read, I begin to dream that my life might be like hers....reflecting Christ in the things that I do. She would, and does, say she is not perfect....and she is not. But she is an inspiration to me, just from reading about her life, her struggles, and I think some of you may feel the same if you spend some time reading. Check it out if you want.

Some time with family...

We had a visit from Grandpa and Grandma this weekend. Everyone had a fun time.
The girls especially loved be read to by Grandpa.

Pictures from our week....

Sacked outLoving some cuddle time
Riding in her car
"I made!" She was building with Hailey.
More horseback-riding

A snapshot of our year together

'Our' boys, playing football before the study last night. We only have two more weeks left with them, then our season is over. I'm sad they won't be coming over anymore, but we'll see them at church. And, maybe some of them will be in Logan's Life Group next year.

Some activities of the day...

Having a snack in her new tiger chair (Auburn tiger...or at least we're calling him Aubie).I found this today at Winn Dixie for $9.99. I got one for Autumn too, even though it will still be several months before she can use it. I feel confident this will be Emma's 'sweet spot' once football season starts.
Wearing her "towboy hat".

She knows just how cute she is!
The KitchenAid Professional 610
I never knew how much I wanted it until I saw it work.
My little helper....."I watch."
Rising in "a warm spot with no draft."After the first rise......
then formed into cloverleafs and rising (again) in "a slightly warm oven"
The finished product......
and they were delicious!

SLU finance update

Wow! I wanted to update all of you on Logan's SLU camp financial status.We have received $475! That's over two-thirds of the total cost. We have been so blessed by all of you who have given towards his trip. Thank you so much! He is looking forward to it with great anticipation! He just told me this morning that he thinks "the leadership camp will be good for me."

We are beginning to think about what we will need to pack for the trip. Our family vacation is the week right before the camp, so we will need to have everything packed and ready to go for his trip before we leave for Georgia......he will head right back out a day or so after we return.

Emma's new 'crib'

Emma got the new crib and mattress. It will later transition to a toddler bed, then full size.Her bedding does not match the walls......such is the life of a renter. Oh well, we do what we must and live with the consequences. :)

Cradle to Crib

Autumn has outgrown her cradle.

This morning we switched her to the crib.
Her 'new' bedding was only $5 at Goodwill....I LOVE it!

We are also moving her and Emma into Corbin's room, which is bigger. He will now be in their old room. We're not finished making the transfer, hence the 'mess' in the background.

Baby-tested......
AND approved!

Ultimate Homeschool Expo

Here is a link to what I've been up to this week.....it's been a wonderful, learning experience.

Random pictures

Pre-Algebra classCutie pie
A project


The finished product
Holding her "sis-tah"
Drawing
In the Bumbo
Joining the family for dinner
Can you see her?