in which i blame facebook and other things

My blog has been suffering terribly. I blame it all on the time I spend keeping up with friends on Facebook. And homeschooling. Oh wait, we're done with that for the summer. Um. Well, I'm keeping busy otherwise with things like: homemade bread, yogurt, and strawberry jam--and other food 'experiments'. Out of state family/company. Along with the normal, mom/wife-duty things. And many other things too lengthy to write or bore you with. hmmm.

Well, all that to say...AT LEAST I've been taking pictures for all the blog posts yet to come! Some day soon--not making any promises on a specific date--I will begin catching up here. The posts will be back-dated in somewhat of an effort to cover-up my lack of blogging/laziness/whatever. They will begin back in February. Yes, 2010. And yes, I purposefully did not use proper sentence structure. Yes, I am qualified to home school our kids. I think.


*note--first 'back post' is already up! Feb 14

strawberry time!

This afternoon the kids and I went to pick strawberries. It was HOT, but the pickin' was so good and the strawberries so HUGE. We picked 6 buckets (4qt size) in an hour! Once we were home, I got busy making jam and freezing some for smoothies.

Check out this beauty! It nearly filled the palm of my hand and it wasn't even the biggest one!
The finished product! I made about 2 buckets into jam and got 27 jars!

I'm rather embarrassed to say that I've never made jam before! I just never liked how much sugar is needed and oh, I don't know, lazy maybe? Well I found out about a recipe using way less sugar and SUPER easy to make, so I decided to try it. What's that? You want the recipe? Sure!

2.5 cups strawberries
1 cup (or less) sugar--- I used 3/4 cup
2 T. instant clear jel
Place in blender or food processor in order given and pulse until clear jel is mixed in. Fill jars and freeze.

How easy is that?! And it's yummy too!

baptism

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

Yesterday was R's baptism (there were 6 others too!). Praising God for R's choice to follow HIM!

flower and patio show 2010

Every year (I think we've only missed one or two) for the past 10 years or so, my sisters, mom, and I (as many of us that can make it) take a day and go the the Flower and Patio Show in Indianapolis. It's always a FUN and LONG day! We really enjoy the splash of spring indoors while the weather outside is still less than desirable. This year however, it was gorgeous outside!

We usually start the day out by eating brunch at Le'Peep before going to the show. We drag along 'nerd carts' to haul our snacks, water bottles, etc and the goodies that we find to buy. The boys went to work with Eric, so Miss G. and I had a 'Mommy/daughter day'.

This year, the theme was 'Books' and the gardens/landscaping designs depicted all different ones. Some of the ones we saw were The Bible, The Wizard of Oz, Robin Hood, Dr. Seuss, Little House on the Prairie, and many, many more!

The Bible

Something random I thought was neat

The Wizard of Oz

The Adventures of Robin Hood

Not sure...

Little House on the Prairie

Miss G. played and played here!

The group + nerd carts - me = picture opportunity!

Random sign I liked

What a fun day! Hope you enjoyed the mini tour!

nerd nite at awana

Miss G. is sportin' Pippi Longstocking braids!

scary, huh?!

awana grand prix

Yesterday was the Awana Grand Prix race. The kiddos had a lot of fun getting ready for it and the anticipation of whether or not we'd have a winning car was building (no pun intended)!

A shot of all the cars. There was quite a bit of creativity!

Here they are putting their cars on the track for round one....Each of them were in a different 'age group'

Trophies! R. got 4th place for speed and 3rd for design and I. got 1st place for both speed and design! Miss G. *almost* got 1st place for speed!

What a fun day! It was so neat to stop partway through the races for a time of devotions. The kids have really enjoyed their first year of Awana, and it's such a blessing to see them growing in their knowledge of and relationship with the Heavenly Father! To HIM be the glory!

Happy 4 Years Home, Miss G!!!

4 years ago today was one of the happiest and most fulfilling days of our lives! Miss G. was finally home!!! It was a long and exhausting day, but we were filled with so much joy and happiness! Our family was finally all together under one roof!

Here are some pics of that joyous day......

~Waiting for the shuttle to come~

~We were so blessed to have my mom with us on our pick-up trip~

~Surprise decorations and snacks~

~Waiting for my dad to arrive with the boys~


~YAY!!!~


~Together at last~


~Meeting Grandpa for the first time~


~The boys spread out their blankies for G. to sit on...so sweet...R. said, "Don't let her burp up on it!"~


~And then the relatives came~


~Asleep at home...at last~

And here are a couple pics from today!






My heart is overflowing right now....and my eyes as well! Looking through those pictures brings so many emotions and a little nostalgia.....

WE ARE SO BLESSED!!!!