The simple life...

I want my kids to love the simple pleasures in life...like picking blueberries with grandpa.

Or gardening with me.

Or serving pretend coffee.

Or coloring.

Or doing things that do not require money or new things.

We don't buy our kids birthday presents or Christmas presents.  They are spoiled enough by other family members and friends.  My wish is that they recognize holidays can be special and fun without the greediness of wanting MORE gifts.  It's a difficult concept to teach, show, and learn, especially since I, myself, always seem to be wanting more!

Instilling these ideas in our kids while they are constantly submersed in a culture that tells them they need things to be happy is an ongoing process.  To do what makes you feel good, to watch things that shouldn't be seen by anyone, and eating things that are so bad for the body is what our world tells us to do to be happy.

It makes me want to take them away and seclude them from all the bad things.  It brings on fleeting thoughts of wanting to move to an Amish community where beauty is found in outdoor scenery, in sharing with others, in serving God.  That thought quickly diminishes when I realize I can't sew, I don't know the first thing about milking a cow, I would not like wearing an Amish kapp, and I definitely do not want to learn Amish deutsch.  Maybe we'll just visit? :)

I'm pretty sure life with the Amish has its flaws too.  No life on earth is perfect.  But it's fun to dream, right?

Therefore, instead of becoming Amish, I will be trying some Amish recipes.  Yummy food makes a cozy home and a happy hubby.  Cooking with the kids makes great memories.  I'll keep you updated on what's been cooking around here.  We'll see how much cooking gets done once Skyelynn arrives.  And if the weather ever gets warm, this new venture of mine will be postponed until further notice...

Here is a smattering of simple pleasures that have been keeping us busy lately..

Playing in the back of daddy's truck, making play-doh frogs, trying on daddy's shoes, playing in the kiddie pool on the back deck, sitting on daddy's motorbike.

What simple things make your life better?

Little funnies... and special moments

My kids make me laugh everyday...example:
Mel was using my big spatula spoon to slowly carry a little ball around the house to see how long she could keep the ball balanced. (No, I didn't teach her this game, although it sounds like something my dad would have had us doing at that age!) Easton, in an effort to copy his big sister, went and got this:

Mel's spoon and ball are on the left, Easton's on the right. lol

I laughed so hard. I just had to take a pic of what it was they were using when they were done playing.

On another note, being made to feel special and loved is something that brings me the utmost pleasure in life. Yesterday, my husband brought home a small bottle of Cherry Coke for me, just because he knows I have been craving it during this pregnancy. I didn't ask for it.  I didn't even hint for it.  He just did it.  I just love him.  A simple gesture on his part gave me butterflies and let me know I am loved by him.  In a world where disappointment happens from all ends, Darrell always seems to know how to keep my spirits up.

Well, that's all I have to say today.  It's baby shower day for Skyelynn.  I'm excited to see some good friends.

Babies=the good stuff in life.

Ready, set, GOAL!

I don't like laundry, but I think I've found a way to make it less daunting, less overwhelming, and even somewhat enjoyable. Doing laundry has never given me more satisfaction than it has in the past 10 days in my entire life.

I've challenged myself to do one load of laundry every day for the month of July.  How's it working out? FABULOSO! Our laundry is so under control and so not overwhelming that I'm ashamed to say that I didn't think of this idea sooner.

When I get my one load of laundry done for the day, it makes me feel like I've accomplished something and I don't have anymore laundry to do after that one load!

                                The kids were napping, and I watched TV, while a cute dog watched me fold my laundry for the day!

I began this project by taking one day and getting ALL of the piled up laundry taken care of in the entire house, besides the clothes we were wearing, of course. :) I think I did 5 or 6 loads.  Darrell came home and was impressed and mentioned something about it, so you know it must have been bad. Then, I made up my mind to do one load a day in order to keep up with it and to keep our lives a little less cluttery.  You should try it.  I make myself wash a load even if I don't feel like it because I know I'll feel better sticking to my goal.  Oh and I started making homemade laundry detergent. (Thanks Haley Johnson for the idea and recipe) It's much cheaper and all natural. A lot better for our health and babies skin. Want to know how?
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
1 grated bar of ivory soap
Mix in a blender til it becomes a powder, and voila!
I love it!
Here's a couple more things that I love lately: This blog---> http://www.kellehampton.com/ and this little shopping site that I found on that blog---->http://www.darlybird.com/index.html

Next goal? Declutter our bedroom before little Skyelynn gets here.  I'm thinking I'll need a babysitter for the day, so that I can focus all of my attention on that project. Any volunteers?  :)  They're really cute and fun to hang out with!

Here's to sticking to goals and making life less cluttery!