We're making headway!!!!

I wrote about how wonderfully Arabella did without me the first week at my BSF Bible Study.
Well, it slowly wend downhill from there.
She is so attached to me.
She won't play without holding on to me when we aren't home.
She won't let anyone else hold her.
She really thinks I'm going to leave and never come back.


I thought after a few consecutive weeks,
Arabella would get used to the routine.
She would happily play and eat her snack.
In two hours I'd come to get her.
Well, she just cried.  and cried.  and cried.

It was breaking my heart.
The first week of October, Jimmy and I agreed on a timeline.
If she wasn't ok with it by the end of the month,
I'd put off the study for a year and try again.

I didn't want to see her so miserable week after week.
I didn't want her to make the other kids nervous.
I didn't want to add stress to the wonderful teachers.

The first week of October, I pulled out all the stops.
Every week, we'd been singing the songs they sing.
Talking about the toys.
Talking about the friends.
Making it an exciting place to go.
This time, I tried something new.
My Essential Oils.
I chose Valor and Lavender.

Valor is an oil that gives you a sense of confidence and well-being.
Lavender is so calming.
Guess WHAT???

She had a wonderful day!
I checked on her two times and she was sitting playing contently.
Last week, I did the same again.
She fussed as I handed her to the teacher, but immediately calmed and played.

I'm not saying it was solely the oils.
It was a combination of everything the teachers and I were doing.
Since then, Arabella is growing and changing.
She has gone to the church nursery twice (for about 1/2 hour each) and enjoyed it.
She has let go of me and played with other toddlers at a church event.
She has become more friendly to adults that try to talk to her at our weekly bible study.
Those times were with no oils.

I want to clear something up.
In no way am I trying to push my baby to be without me.
Or grow up.
Or want other people more than me.
Or scare her.
I do, though, want her to be less anxious around others.
For some reason, she clings to me as though somone will take her an never give her back!
I want her to feel confident that I am there;, I will return if I am not.
I don't want her scared all the time.
I love her and I want her to feel calm and at ease.
I want her to love to lay with others.
I want her to feel the joys of letting go of me for a minute and watch what another toddler is doing.


I see her growing confidence in herself and slowly learning to trust other people.
I'm so grateful for the tools to help her.

Homemade Learning Tower

I did it!

Just beginning to measure.

By no means is it perfect.
It has edges sticking out - and it's a bit wobbly.
I'll fix the wobbly though.
And sand as much as I can.
And it still needs a few coats of clear polyurethane.

All cut!

But I did it!





















And she LOVES it!

Here is the pattern. 
Or plans - but I'm a girl and I sew.


It was very easy.
I love Ana White for that.  So straightforward.  

Reading a magazine on the counter!

We went to Menards and bought the wood and screws.
I think it came to about $40.

Have you seen the real learning tower?
It is so cool, but look at the price!



I can't justify that - even if I have more than one kiddo to use it.

The only major drawback, is the height.
I was hoping it would fit under my bar side of my counter when not in use.
It is about 2 - 3 inches too high.
If I was thinking, I could have accommodated that into the plan.
Oh well.

Who am I kidding?
She is at my side every second without it - she will definitely be using it ALL the time.

Washing off the counter.

Let me know if you build one!!!

How do you work out???

 Do you - or don't you???
I really want to be a worker outer.
Yes, that's a word.
I plan it and think about doing it all the time.

Do I do it?
NO.
Once in a while I get on a kick.
I'll do it for like 4 days.
hen I give up.

I just can NOT force myself to make the time!

I could get up early....
but I already get up about 6 to shower and be ready before Arabella gets up or Jimmy leaves.

I could do it during first nap.....
but that's the best time for me to read to the kids or go over school work.

I could do it during second nap....
but that is when I get the house straightened up and any prep work for dinner going.

I could do it t a random time when the baby is up.....
but I tried it and all she wants to do is hug me the entire time.

I could do it when the baby goes to bed....
have you seen me after 8?
It''s time to get any odds and ends finished so I an go to bed.
I do not have energy to work out that late.

I really don't like to get all sweaty during the day.
Things I like to do are:

Kettlebell - this is something that I can do during the day.  It is quick and simple - you don't get too sweaty.

Ballet Bar - This would be my workout of choice - but I don't have room to store it upstairs and the workout needs to be a good 45 minutes, so for now - this is out.

Yoga - I do love to try to fit in my yoga video when I can.  Yoga is probably my favorite workout for the stretching/lengthening of  my muscles.
Power Yoga Total Body with Rodney Yee [Deluxe DVD Edition]
10 minute trainer - I love these DVDs.  They are quick.  You can do one, two, three - whatever you have time for.  I get too sweaty to just randomly do these in the middle of the day.  They are good!
10-Minute Trainer DVD Workout
Treadmill - again takes at least 30 minutes and I get sweaty!!!
Proform 505 CST Treadmill
See all my excuses!?!?!?!?

Well, about 6 weeks ago, Jimmy dragged me kicking and screaming (ok that's a little dramatic, but I was almost crying) to a Boot Camp at a local church.  A friend runs it.  I imagined all these beautiful young people looking amazing while perfectly in sync with some routine.  I was so intimidated!!!

When I got there, I immediately felt comfortable.  There were about 10 people in all different fitness levels, all different ages.  It was fantastic.

We meet every week on Monday and Thursday nights.  It is about an hour long.  Our leader makes a bunch of circuit for us to do while watching our form so we don't have injury.  It is really fun!  You can get competitive with the other people or you can just compete with yourself.  I'm really liking it and looking forward to it helping me greatly after our next baby!

We are the Shepherds and we only get one chance

Wow.

How can you not want to do right by a sweet girl like  this?

God is teaching me alot.
I have tried to be good a "discipliner".


I've tried the Love and Logic type of stuff.
You know.  Natural consequences instead of getting mad.

I've tried laying down the law.
You know.  I'm the parent you must listen.

I've tried reward charts.
You know.  Giving them stickers or candy or money for doing what they are supposed to.

I've tried positive reinforcement.
You know.  Going crazy with praise whenever you catch them doing something well.

None of this is wrong.
BUT....
        NONE of it is right.

Am I training them to make me happy?
Am I training them to sit quietly in a restaurant?
Am I training them to say SORRY when they hurt someone?
Am I training them that good grades are most important?

YES, YES, YES....

Am I training them to TRULY love people from deep down in their heart?
Am I training them to put others before themselves ALL the time?
Am I training them that it upsetting me is nothing compared to sinning against GOD?
Am I training them that knowing and modeling the love that Jesus showed is the most important?

NO!

This study I'm co-leading (Shepherding a Child's Heart) is teaching me so much.
I have so much changing to do
.
Every behavior comes from the heart.
It shows what is in there.  Deep down.  Hiding.
Is it greed?  Is it self-centeredness?  Is it anger?
It is our DUTY to help our children weed through their emotions.
To see where they are sinning against God.
To see how they could show the love of Christ.
Every discipline needs to point toward the gospel.
Teach them what it means to sin.
Teach them what it means to pray.
Teach them what it means to LOVE.

I love these kids.  I want them to truly love God and truly love people.
We have some changing to do around here.
It starts with me.

She deserves her own post :)

Lexi has been busy creating.
She made a very special gift for our neighbor.
We love to give sibling gifts when a baby comes into a family.
Older siblings are often forgotten, but can't understand what is going on.

Lexi made her a bunny.
She cut the pattern.
Stitched a cute little face.
Pinned it.
Sewed it.
Stuffed it.
She did great!
This was Simplicity patter 4225.

Did you Halloween?

So, after all the debate on whether to Halloween or not Halloween,
we did it. 
We didn't focus at all on the yucky, scary aspect,
but we didn't have kids that missed out, either.

A few days ago, we carved pumpkins.
Lexi did a cross with Jesus carved into it, and Dylan did a pacman chasing a ghost guy.

The kids put costumes together of things they already had.
I did, though, make Lexi a cloak.
She'd been wanting one to go over her dress up dresses for a long time.

Dylan just wore his favorite mask.

We had a few families over
ate lots of good food
let the kiddos roam around the neighborhood

gave out glow bracelets and gospel tracts
the baby had so uch fun greeting everyone
 

It was nice and relaxing!

Here's what I made:

Paleo Pumpkin Chili

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip

We also had pizza, goodies contributed by others, and hot apple cider :)

Now on to Thanksgiving - and holiday truly worth the effort!

Pumpkins, pumpkins and more pumpkins....

I love fall.
Especially when we have beautiful fall weather and NOT snow.
This year, we have had a blizzard already.
Last night it snowed again.  Though nothing too substantial.
Blessed that it will be gone by the weekend.

Today, I decided to roast up 2 of the four baking pumpkins
I bought this year.
Nothing like fresh roasted pumpkin to use in your recipes.
(Although I did buy a case or organic puree from Azure!)
I'll share more of what recipes I'm making with it soon....

Here's how you roast them -
in case your a novice....

Cut and scoop out.
DO NOT throw out those yummy seeds!
If they are small, you can just cut each half in half again.
If they are larger, you may want to third or quarter them.

Line a baking sheet with foil and spray it.
This is just for ease of cleanup, and not necessity.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about an hour and a half.
This will depend on the size and thickness.
You'll know they are done when the skin is wrinkled and
your fork or knife goes right in without resistance.

Take out and let cool.
Scoop out of the skin into a food processor.
Blend until smooth - adding a bit of water if you need.

My two pumpkins gave me about 4 cups of puree.  YUM!

Now, the seeds....
They are SO good for you and easy to roast.
I don't rinse mine.
some do.
I don't dry mine.
some do.
I just toss with olive oil and salt.
Spread on a sheet
Roast at 350 for about 45 minutes or so.

My favorite fabric and some sewing

Locally Grown by Creative Thursday - LOVE

I have been in love with this fabric
ever since I read this blogpost.
The colors are so beautiful!
The design so simple.
Of course I love all the farm animals and
dainty little flowers.
My head was spinning how to get my hands on this fabric
and what I could make with it!
I decided at the price of more than $10 a yard,
I could live without it.
It wasn't a necessity.
Well, a couple weeks ago, I decided to check on it again.
I found a few pieces of the collection at only $5 a yard!
I gobbled them up and immediately began deciding what patterns to use.






I got some of the red scattered flowers on the top row.
I made a little apron dress with white lace and a turquoise bow in the back.
The pattern came from One Yard Wonders.

I got some of the green fabric with the little yellow chicks.
The green is so muted and pretty and the chicks are buttery and dainty.
I just love it!  I only used a tiny bit for this pocket, so I"ll be able to make a skirt or something when Arabella gets a little bigger.
The pattern came from Sew Liberated.  It's the Woodland Shirt
I love this pattern and I have so many ideas for other shirts!

The last is my absolute favorite fabric.
I is sort of a lime green with chickens all over it!
I made a dress our of it with brown ribbon ties on the sides.
Then, I made a pinafore out of muslin to go underneath.
I hope it fits her forever!
The pattern was McCalls 6687.

I still have a yard of the light blue sheep fabric.
I'll save it for something special as she gets a bit bigger.  I love these fabrics too much to let her grow out of them!


A quick project for Lexi.
She always wanted a cloak.  We made a white satin hooded cloak.  Added a frog clasp and fur trim around the edges.  She is in love!
This was Simplicity pattern 1583.

Oh, life... you get in the way.

It has been nearly a MONTH since I wrote in this space.
Do you ever feel like you really have nothing to say?
Like nothing is new or different under the sun?
The last month or so has left me
 -BUSY
         (homeschooling, violin lessons, bible studies, church activities)
 -BLESSED
         (God is pressing more and more on my heart every day that I am so very blessed with a wonderful family as well as amazing Christian friends and the ability to study and grow in his word)
 -TRAVELING
         (Jimmy's grandma passed and we took a week to trek to Milwaukee and stay a weekend in Pierre for a wedding)
 -TEACHING
         (Homeschooling is wonderful and exhausting at the same time.  Sometimes it feels as though it gets in the way of life - and sometimes it feels like life gets in the way of our homeschooling.  Perspective.)
 -LEADING
         (Began co-leading Shepherding a Child's Heart as a small group at church.  I am being shown SO much.  I hope it is blessing the other mommies as much.  We will change the world if we can apply these principles.  More on that in a future post.  It greatly deserves it's own.)
 -LEARNING
         (My BSF study is amazing.  Every week.  So timely.  God is showing my parts of the Bible (Matthew - which I have read many times) that are so convicting to me.  Definitely provoking change.  Also helping Arabella to trust others and be comfortable when mom isn't in sight!)
 -CREATING
         (I've been making baby gifts for friends and costumes for Lexi and clothing for Arabella.  Feels good to be creating again.  I long to make more time to create.)
 - MOSTLY JUST TAKING CARE OF ME AND MY OWN
         (My family is my first ministry.  My husband.  My kids.  First, my God.  If I don't have the time to devote to those three - nothing else should get any time.)

I haven't even wanted to read blogs.  When I say that, it may not mean much in your life - but I LOVE reading other blogs.  I love seeing how people create and what their family dynamic is.  I am quite partial to those who love God, love to live simply, love to create, love to garden....

What are your favorite blogs to read?

I'll leave you with a little "quack,quack,quack" from the bathtub!

Happy weekend!!!

Funny, I'm so looking forward to this weekend, because there is nothing planned.
I can knit, and cook, and play with the kids.
Jimmy has to work all weekend. :(
Bummer.
He is NOT looking forward to this weekend.
Friday movie night.
Saturday wedding.
Sunday wedding.
He will be one tired math teacher on Monday morning.
We'll have to be extra nice to him.

Movie night last night was great.
Great turnout,
Great weather.
Here are some pics:

Both kiddos got up with me for Bountiful Baskets this morning.
That's always a welcome surprise!
Even though I know they only do it because I bribe whoever comes on the early ones with a starbucks.
Oh well, 7:45 is early and they both cheerfully came along.
Got stocked up on 2 amazing baskets, peaches, and a juicing pack!
We're set!

Jimmy and the baby got ready while we were gone.
We decided to enjoy the crisp fall morning with a run.
Woohoo!
Felt good to get out!
Lexi came along on her bike.
I love these fall days where the morning is crisp and cool,
but the days still get a warm 80.
Great for sleeping and playing!
Map My Run said we went 3.88 miles.
Not a bad run/walk for an old lady.

Cam home and made peanut butter/banana smoothies.
YUM!
I just took four or five bananas,
about 3/4 cup peanut butter,
a couple cups of water and ice
blended it.
Then stuffed as much spinach as I could fit in the blender.
Blended that, and spread between cups for all of us.
Great breakfast!

Hope you have  great Saturday!!!

Halloween: YAY - or - NAY ???

Do you do Halloween?
I think this is a big one among Christians.
Do you participate in dressing up and giving candy/tracts?
Do you only hand things out but not dress up?
Do you avoid it altogether?
Do you leave home and do a "fall festival"?

We have friends that do any or all of these.
Some are passionate about their stance.
Some have never given it much thought.

For a few years now, I've felt that I didn't want to participate in the costumes.
I'm fine with handing our tracts and making it fun for others,
but I really haven't felt the need to have our children be fully involved.
Jimmy, sees it different.
He doesn't see a problem with Halloween as we do it these days.
He has fun with the kids dressing up, lighting the house, and passing out tracts and candy.

SO, we do it.
It's not a hot button issue.
He feels it's fine, so I don't push it.
No scary costumes.
No scary decorations.
No scary pumpkins.

This brings me to - - - WHAT DO YOU HAND OUT????
We try not to have much in the way of candy around here.
It doesn't sit right with me to give it out either.
I don't want to be THAT house that passes out pretzels.
or toothbrushes.
or little spider rings.

This year I thought I was really cool.
Today at Target, they had 15 packs of glow bracelets for $1.
I bout 8 of them, so that's 120 bracelets.
I was all excited when I showed the kids.
They told me I was lame.
We were now THAT house.
The one that doesn't give candy.
We'll let Jimmy be the judge.
:(  I thought I was cool.....


Also on my mind is 4-H.

Photo credit goes to the 4 H website!

Do you do 4-H?
Did you growing up?

The sign-ups are about to begin online - October 1st.
Lexi is all over this. 
She has a list of things she really wants to do.
Archery, possibly fashion, rabbits, preserving food.....  among more.
I'm still really unsure of how it all goes down.
We will definitely do the intro to 4-H class to find out all the 411.

Dylan isn't so sure.
I think it would be good for him, but he is such a teenager.
He wants friends, but doesn't want to step out to actually meet anyone.
He wants to do things, but doesn't actually want go anywhere.
I know some things interested him, but I dn't think I can convince him to step out and try it!


The Love Dare for Parents tells us to treat our children with compassion.
We are to model after Jesus.
He was SO compassionate in so many areas.
There are many examples listed in today's reading of exact instances where Jesus showed comopassion.
Things we can model exactly!
Why don't we do this???
It's not roket science.
It's reading the bible and actually DOING it!
Wow!  Novel idea, huh?

Photo credit goes to the feeding South Dakota website!

We have a Movie night tonight downtown!
If you are local, come down and check it out!
We have teamed up with Feeding South Dakota and are showing Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.
This month, they are raising awareness of all those kiddos that go home with nothing to eat.
The free breakfast and lunch at school are about all they get.
Couldn't be a better cause to raise awareness for.
Hopefully I'll have some great pictures to show you tomorrow!