Little by Little

So, here we are in the second week of school. I realize that the plans and visions of myself homesteading, homemaking and homeschooling rub right up against the part of me that needs discipline. The part of me that doesn't want to pull weeds, harvest the garden or change the chicken's water. The part of me that wishes my children could learn through osmosis (me too, for that matter). The part that wants to bake bread, but mostly in my imagination.

This homeschooling, homemaking life is a good life for my soul. Truly, truly, it puts me up against myself day after day.

Little by little the bird builds its nest.

A Sewing We Will Go

My mom came to visit this week. We had such a nice time. Lots of opportunities to chat and to sew. She taught me how to read a pattern, cut it out and put it all together. Wednesday and Thursday we worked on an outfit for dear daughter. Too Cute!!

She is wearing the outfit in the photos of the Butterfly Pavilion :)

Thanks Mom! I miss you already!

Sadness Peaking Through

I had dinner with some of my close friends on Monday night, and during our conversation I revealed to them how sad I have been about the baby that would have been born about now. I came upon something that astounded me with its poigniancy, and I felt such a kinship with this woman. Please read if you're interested in her perspective. It was very helpful for me. http://karenedmisten.blogspot.com/2007/07/my-broken-rosary.html

One of our Favorite Traditions

Life is so sweet.

Pinnie Pig

Pinnie Pig - our new pet.

A sweet little varmint. Quiet, non-smelly. Cuddly, and he'll sit and watch TV. No potty-training necessary. Minimal maintenance. Awesome.

His name is White Stripes, I'd like to call him Wes.

I Wanta kiss a Cowboy!

Another interesting comment from Funky Princess:

"I don't wanna kiss a BABY, I wanna kiss a COWBOY!"

It was a birthday/dedication party for her cousins Joshua and Caleb in which we decided to add costumes to the mix. (They didn't get to see each other during Halloween). Bremma was Sleeping Beauty, Turin was a Clone Trooper, Josh was a Cowboy and Caleb was a Froggy. We were arranging a picture of the princess kissing the frog (he he, get it?) and that is when Bremma blurted out her true feelings!!

Berry Patch Farms

Today we went to Berry Patch Farms and picked raspberries with Aunt Marcia. We also came home with local, fresh, unfiltered, unprocessed honey, cilantro, and roasted anaheim peppers. Yum! At home, Aunt Marcia made vegetable beef alphabet soup and we had cornbread with our honey.

Bremma spelled her name today!!

Little Sisters are So Helpful!

Turin started hockey on Saturday. After he was suited up for the very first time ever, his nose began to itch. Hmmmm..... "Mom, will you scratch my nose?," and I did. Bremma enthusiastically interrupted, "I wanna do it Tuwin!" and she did.

These moments are priceless.

Sushi for Beginners

The day of Lisa and Rick's wedding it rained and poured! Our basement flooded. Our power went out. Before we realized the basement flood, we were handwriting postcards by candlelight, and eating sushi for lunch. Here is a picture of Bremma eating and liking her first California Roll.

Notice that Kevin is wearing a headlamp? It was dark, though the flash more than compensates in the photo.

Quiet Evening

In the midst of the campaign fury, I decided to take a breath of fresh air - so the kids and I went out for a little bike ride before the Obama speech. Here are some pictures of an idyllic Indian summer's evening. This was Bremma's first bike ride on her own bike! She is using the pedals to propel herself.