8th Grade Graduation..

Friday night Tyrel graduated from the 8th grade with High Honors... High honors is getting straight a's and one b.. (You are allowed one b) So we are extremely proud of Tyrel for doing so well in school.. His year average in History was a 101!!! All the other subjects were in the 90's, so yes we are happy with how well he has done!! :)

A few pictures:

Tyrel with Mrs. White.. A very good teacher!!

A Word of Advice...

Never let a roll of toilet paper go through the wash... Seriously!! We keep our tp on a shelf above the washer and dryer.. Well... Tuesday when we were doing laundry, Laban threw the boys darks in the washer. I was behind him w/ my clothes and he said "That sounded weird" so he looks in the washer, but didn't see anything.. Hmmmm...oh well, I throw my clothes in and we go on our way. Later I went to change the toilet paper and couldn't find the last roll or the package... LIGHTBULB!!! I looked in the washer and sure enough, soggy pieces of tp!!! Oh boy... threw the clothes in the dryer...They come out covered with little bits of tp!! I shook them out and threw them back in the washer for another go around.. Vacuumed out the dryer, emptied the lint trap, and dried them again.. Shook them out, but they still have bits and pieces on them. So...... we have been using the lint roller, over and over...and over!  The moral of this story? Never wash your clothes with toilet paper!!!

Kirsten's shirt, after the second wash!!
It looks much worse in real life... Little teeny tiny bits!

A "New" Computer..

My brother sold us his old computer so I am able to get back on here.. I might not be on as much in the next week with school ending and all.. Then again, maybe I will!! :) Today was field day at HCS so we were there all day.. My kids all came home with atleast one ribbon... You can always tell the more athletic ones, they get all the ribbons! And in our family that is Laban, he placed in the top third, four times out of six events.. (I won't mention that he has a smaller class... LOL) It is true tho, he is very athletic!.... And it was warm today!! For the first time this year, I actually got a little bit of sun.. Maybe summer really will come! I am pretty sick of chilly days when living in an old house and no heat. (ran out of pellets and wood) Anyhoo, better run, just wanted to let you know I am back online!

Comptuter Crash...

So my computer decided not to work anymore... It is "only" 7 years old!! :) I am at my mom's right now so figured I would let you all know and if I don't comment on your blogs that is why.. Hopefully we get something figured out soon!! Until next time...

Secret Sisters...

So I had mentioned secret sisters in This post here. I said I would tell you about that and I guess today is the perfect day!! Every year the ladies of our church (and the surrounding ones) get together for singing, a message, and yummy food! We often play games too.. Then for the BIG part, we pick names for the coming year, and reveal our names from the past year. Basically what it is, is that we commit to praying for our "sister" and sending them gifts to brighten their days. It is alot of fun to see who had you and to find out who you have for the next year. Well today was the day!! We had a brunch at 10:00 and I made a spinach and sausage egg bake.. Ummmm  mmmm was it good! I did get lots of compliments on it so that is always nice! ;) We sang some songs, my favorite being "Go Light Your World", and heard a message, then ate... There was lots of good food!! :) We played a candy game where you had a clue and you had to guess what candy it was.. Like "two pronouns for a girl?"= HERSHEy! Whoever got it right got to keep that candy. I came home with M&Ms, Almond Joy, and Starbursts! A great game for a party or get together. Then we picked the names and I am happy with who I got! :) It always makes it easier when you have ideas of things to get that person. You are not required to spend lots of money either. A card here and there to let them know you are thinking of them. Of course it's always fun buying little things for them too! So that is what a secret sister is and now you can't say I didn't tell you!! :) It really is just a fun way to fellowship with the ladies of the church and I really enjoy it!

The Versatile Blogger Award

This award was given to me by Amy at Non-Stop Mom. Thank you so much Amy, what an honor!!! So to let her know how much I appreciate it, I am sending my readers her way.. So stop in and say hi!

           So the rules of the Versatile Blogger Award are:

       *Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.

   *Tell us seven things about yourself.

     *Award fifteen recently discovered new bloggers.
            So here goes....Seven Things About Me...

1. Even tho I am very outgoing, I actually am very nervous meeting new people, speaking in public, etc.

2. I do NOT like the smell of lilacs... It's the truth, I don't like real florally (is that a word?) scents.

          

3. I don't like cleaning, yet hate a messy house...       

4. I can't stand getting dirt under my fingernails so therefore do not make a good gardener. Even tho I love having pretty flowers and all that. Just don't make me weed!! 

5. I really enjoy baking, cooking, and trying out new recipes, as long as I have the ingredients! :) 

6. I am enjoying my teenagers.. 

7. I would love to write a book someday, maybe about our miracle story... 

So now, to bestow the honor on 15 more bloggers.....these are blogs that I follow regularly, so go check them out!

1.A Little Healthier A young mother that posts healthy recipes as an alternative to all the yuckiness out there!

2. Blooms Buttons and Budgets A young creative mom who saves money all while taking care of her family

3. Coloring Spirit An artistic Momma and military wife

4.Counting Our Blessings A mother of a terminally ill child, who lost another baby..Yet through it all her faith has stayed firm...

5.Delightful Order If you would love help in getting your house organized, then check out this blog! A very organized and creative woman!!

6. Devotion Mama The title pretty much speaks for itself.. This woman has been through alot, yet has stayed strong!

7.Frugal on the Cheap Looking for help saving money.. Head to this site for lots of great tips!!

8. Pioneer Girl at Heart  A homeschooling Mama that loves her family dearly!! (oh and I am part of that family.. LOL)

9.Quiet Ramblings A sweet young mother, who has some adorable children.

10.Recipeaholic A talented cook with some yummy recipes.. I really like the calzones!

11.Stenersen Daily Life The life of a family that always seems to be doing fun things!!

12.Stuff and Nonsense A mother that will make you laugh...or cry.. or scratch your head..Maybe all three?

13.The Chronicles of Windy Ridge A very talented mother of 9 that has her own famous clothing company.. She also happens to be my sister-in-law!!

14.To Everything There is a Season A sweet homeschooling mama who is also in my family tree!!

15.When Eight Create 8 women that can do pretty much everything!!

So, there you have it! Go read these blogs and show them some love! Bloggers love readers, and bloggers really love readers who follow them, and bloggers really really love readers who follow them AND leave comments

                                                    



They Came Back To Me....

Soooo early yesterday morning I heard the door open and my kiddos walked in.. They had arrived early, so instead of calling to wake me, my uncle (one of the chaperones) dropped them off. I was so happy to see them!! They had lots of stories to tell and then crashed for a few hours! I cannot believe how much I missed them and was so excited to have them home again... Now I need to get ready for a CPR class this afternoon... I will try and post some pics that Kirsten took of their trip someday!! :) 

A Giveaway...

Wish I could be the one to give something away, but alas I have nothing to give!! Anyway go Here to enter to win a gift certificate and autographed book!! Tata for now!! Oh and I am surviving being left behind.. My kiddos come home tomorrow! I can't wait, been following their progress on the itinerary.. Yesterday I got a text from (assuming.) ( It was somebody elses phone) Tyrel with one word: Alive!! Hehe... he knows his Mama worries when she doesn't hear from them occasionally!

I've Been Left Behind...

Ever since my kids have gone to HCS I planned on going with Tyrel on his Washington DC trip... Sadly this did not happen, early this morning (3:30 to be exact!!) I brought both him and Kirsten to the school to climb on a bus and leave Momma behind.. The two oldest were going so there was no way we could come up with the money for me to go too.. Although most of their trip was paid for through fundraising we still had to pay some. So with a sad heart I said goodbye and watched them excitedly climb on this HUGE bus! Sigh..... I really am excited for them... Really, I promise! A part of me is sad tho, to see my kiddos growing up and leaving me behind!..... On Saturday I took them shopping to get some clothes for the trip, we had a fun time and they were very happy with our purchases. Plus we got to spend some time together. It's kinda hard to do w/ 5 kids and all the busyness of life, so I am glad we went!.... Now I just have to wait until Friday to go and meet the bus with them on it, coming back to me! :)      
    Don't mind my dark fuzzy pics.. Kinda hard to get good pics in the middle of the night and w/ a camera that didn't want to cooperate!!

Looking real happy to have their picture taken

Countdown to DC

The bus, or part of it!!

My Firstborn Turns 14.....

Crazy to think that 14 years ago today I became a mother!! Happy Birthday Tyrel Michael. Here is a glimpse of his personality:

Snowboarding

Playing w/ Brandt and spoiling him rotten!!

Reading, he goes through books like water!!! Seriously!

e-mailing his cousins or "painting"

And eating!!! :)

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Go Here to join!

God's promise of spring after a long winter!!
Growing in our cobblestone path

The path w/ Brandt and his "puppy" Trigger

My Little Man, my reminder of God's love to me!

Technology

So I have had this post in my head for awhile.. Let's see if I can get it out that makes sense and doesn't bore you at the same time! Well here goes..deep breath...let it out...ummmm ok! Technology has been bugging me lately, on the one hand we can "communicate" with so many more people through the internet (obviously here I am now), texting, etc... BUT at the same time, how many close relationships do we have left? I don't know when the last time I TALKED to somebody long distance, on the phone, and heard a voice was... Oh wait ya I do, my SIL Jen called me...BUT it was on accident! She was carrying her baby upstairs to bathe and had her phone in her pocket when she heard me saying hello!! LOL.... Anyway there are so many ways to hide your true feelings on the internet, for that matter you can make up a person that isn't you at all!! I know more about what is going on with others, but do I really know when they are going through a hard time and just need to rant? It isn't quite as easy on here where anybody can read to get out some deep hurts, know what I mean? And texting? Here is an example.. somebody's bridal shower is coming up and we get a text, but not everybody gets it. My sister just found out about it today from my mom and now she doesn't even feel like going.. Shouldn't we double check and make sure everybody knows about it? Why can't we send out invitations or atleast call...Oh because it's too hard to take the time to do!! It seems that with all of the convenience of technology we have given up some great friendships.. All for the sake of saving time! I am preaching at myself here too, but I am tired of always being the one to reach out and contact others so I have gone the "easy" way also.. About the only one that will call me is Ronda  It is extremely nice to have somebody call when they hear my baby is sick with advice (I did get some elderberry, Ronda) or to ask a question. So I am just asking, is it really that hard to reach out and communicate?  Sorry for the rant, but at times I feel a little bad living far away and feeling so removed from the rest of the family like we don't really matter.. Maybe it's just me, but I miss PEOPLE!!

Still here

What a busy life I have been having... Last week we ran every day for HCS's annual auction and Friday night was the auction. It went great, we made more than they had budgeted for so I am happy with that! The auction is one of the two big fundraisers that the school does to keep the tuition down.. And since the school took all four of my kids for a fraction of the cost, I had agreed to head up the auction committee... A lot of work, but also alot of fun!! My favorite part? Shopping with other peoples money...hehe... We get some monetary donations so we get to figure out how to spend it.. This year we bought a trampoline, gas outdoor fireplace (simply gorgeous), Radio Flyer wagon loaded with outdoor toys, patio set, and lots more! Anyway it was a successful evening and now it's time for me to relax.... Or not, I have to do some baking today, have an HPO (Heritage Parents Organization) meeting, errands to run, and my house is turned upside down from neglect.... Oh boy! But atleast I get to sit here for a little while holding my sleeping boy, who by the way, has two more teeth that came in sometime during all the chaos and mayhem. I noticed them yesterday at church during our Spring services. Brandt never got real crabby with these two teeth and he has actually been very happy what with all the craziness that has been going on!! I love my little angel bug!! :) I better run tho and take a shower before he wakes up as it is kinda hard to do when he is awake.. He is the busiest kid EVER!!! So, just wanted to let you know that I am still here and apologize for not making it to all your blogs lately...