Random Rambles

It’s overcast and cool out; my soul is begging for fall!  This has been such a mild summer and I have very little tan left on my arms and legs…might as well call it and hide them under sweaters and jeans, right?!  Come on, fall…

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Wryder’s namesake and great-grandpa is turning 85 this year and I have the distinct honor of providing decor for the grand event!  I’ve got about 10 projects half done and quite a few *ahem* that I have yet to embark upon.  For some reason, this overcast weather makes me uber-productive, so I’m hoping to take advantage of that today.  I’ve already got these bad boys in the dishwasher…

A few spoons
A few spoons

Stay tuned for a DIY this week!  Maybe that will REALLY make me get it done this week…

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Our church cleaned out their library and had tables of free books for us to peruse this past Sunday.  For bibliophiles, it was hard not to take them all, but we decided upon these:

Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories
Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories

These are the sweetest little stories that discuss character and wise choices and how the Lord would prefer us to live.  They’ve been a fun edition to our daily readings and we highly recommend them if you can get your hands on a set!

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I missed my kiddos terribly while I was at jury duty last week so we’ve tried to make up for lost play time with LOTS of playtime.  I must say, I have the cutest playmates of anyone around.

My little party planner
My little party planner

This girl throws quite the party and this little guest sure makes them fun!

Cheeeeeese
Cheeeeeese

It warms my heart how well they get along.  I’m sure those feelings for each other might change and evolve as the years go on but I hope they only intensify amorously.  It’s so cute to see them interact together and greet each other in the morning and give random hugs and pull each other close to sit…

Awwwwww
Awwwwww

I wish I could say this attentive shot was during our family devotions…but I was letting them watch “Let it Go.”  *ahem*  Maybe I should start theatrically singing all of our Bible lessons…

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I don’t know about your kids, but Sawyer is a lover of rocks!  Every parking lot/driveway/restaurant/farm/house/business/ we visit, she finds at least one to add to her “collection.”  Wrex was cleaning out his pickup last night and found a stash under her seat.  He brought them in and she put them in a little baggie and showed them to us and said, “These are so I can remember all the places I’ve been.”

It was completely cute and completely heart melting.  We talked to her about how incredibly Biblical that was.  Over and over in the Old Testament, stones are placed at significant places of significant happenings so that when people saw them, they would remember what transpired there…they would remember the faithfulness of God and what He did.

That’s sort of what this blog is; a giant rock of remembrance for me and my family.  He has done so much for us and I don’t want them to forget where all of this good comes from.

I don’t think I’ll be forgetting her and her rocks anytime soon.

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If you’re not familiar with Angie Smith, you should be!  She has quite the story, the best red hair, an adorable self-deprecation and I swear she’s my sister from another mister…or something.  Her latest book, Chasing God, is on sale today for $0.99 (Kindle edition) at Amazon.  I haven’t read it yet but if it’s anything like her others, it will be worth the buck.  Bought and downloaded!  

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All right, I better hop to it!  The coffee cup is empty, the play tent is set up and the natives are growing restless; time to camp and then create!  Enjoy this cozy day!

 

 

Thanksgiving 2013

My heart is full.  My proverbial gas tank maybe a little empty after such a wonderful weekend, but my heart is FULL.

We traveled out to Denver and spent the weekend with our adopted family – always a good time!  There’s never an inadequate amount of hugs or smiles or laughs or food…just time.   Would any amount ever be enough??  I think not…

That's a good-looking, gracious bunch...
That’s a good-looking, gracious bunch…

We stayed at the {beautiful, pregnant} bestie’s house.  It was so nice to spend some time with her and her hubby before their lives get even busier with baby.  She’s scheduled to arrive the 16th!!  EEP!

Gorgeous pic (taken my sister Stephanie Kelley)
Gorgeous pic (taken by sister Stephanie Kelley)

They have a piano in their foyer and Sawyer couldn’t get enough of it!  We’d set the timer for five or so minutes and she’d play her heart out.  She and Dessa sat down and played together one night before supper, which thought was especially wonderful.

Adorable.
Adorable.

Wryder was teething all weekend (hello, top teeth!) and wasn’t the happiest he’s ever been but he got to play in the laundry basket while we got ready for supper and I think he actually liked it!

Containment, people...containment!  ;)
Containment, people…containment! 😉

On Saturday, Wrex took the kids to run some errands down south and I got to go out and Christmas shop.  Alone.  I’m never alone!  I had Starbucks for breakfast and Red Mango for lunch and walked until my feet were about to fall off. It was nice to get in and out of places so quick and to have a little break, but I was ready to meet back up with the troops that afternoon.

Sunday morning, the lovely and oh-so-talented Stormie (I know you haven’t forgotten about her) took our family photos.  God bless her.  It’s not easy with two incredibly unphotogenic people, one toddler with a vicious smile and a 7 month old.  I can’t wait to see the finished images.

We spent the rest of Sunday with the lovely Stukas family.  They bless us more than words can say.  They have four gorgeous kiddos that are incredibly sweet, kind and well-behaved and we love that they love Sawyer as much as she loves them!  The Lord has interwoven our lives in a beautiful way and we are so so so so thankful for them.  I can’t fully describe what it’s like to have people in your life that you trust so fully and implicitly.  Wonder if they’d ever move to Holyoke….hmmmm….

How do we know so many beautiful people?!
How do we know so many beautiful people?!

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend.  So needed.  We grew so much during our time in Denver and we made some phenomenal friends that we miss being able to do daily life with.  We know that we know that we know that this is where the Lord called us and that makes missing them a little easier, but miss them we do.  Thankful for the time.  My heart is full.

Pinterest Picks

Oh, Pinterest.  I don’t spend as much time with you as I did in the beginning…and that’s more than fine with me…but you’ll always have a special place in my creative heart.  You make organizing for the holidays a lot simpler, as I love having all of my PINspiration in one, easy-to-find place.  I’ve jumped on a few times here lately and these are some of my favorites as of late!  ***Beware – randomness ahead***

These little fellas look so divine…

Apple Pie Cookies
Apple Pie Cookies

One of the cutest mobiles I’ve seen (and simple, too!)…

Seriously cute
Seriously cute

This bunk bed will soon be built for a little cutie that resides in our home…

This lady has some great and EASY plans!  We've made the seesaw - WIN.
This lady has some great and EASY plans! We’ve made the seesaw – WIN.

I need want this!  Better buy some more glue…

How fabulous, yes?!
How fabulous, yes?!

Hysterical. You’re gonna have that song in your head all day now, huh?!

foxI would sip on this if it were in my hand…

Anything coffee is good in my book!
Anything coffee is good in my book!

Lovely.  I think I’m heading to the chicken house again this afternoon…

Oh the things I can do with these!
Oh the things I can do with these!

How incredible is this double shower curtain concept…

Fancy nancy!
Fancy nancy!

Crocheters, Sawyer would DIE for this

I mean c'mon - how adorable is that for the little chicken girl!?
I mean c’mon – how adorable is that for the little chicken girl!?

Great guestbook idea…

Who doesn't love celebrating birthdays?!
Who doesn’t love celebrating birthdays?!

Painted pinecones will be happening soon…

How cute and easy?!
How cute and easy?!

What are some of your favorites you’ve found lately?!  Paste your Pinterest link in the comments so I can follow you!

A Good Day and a Gift from Goo Goo

Today?  Was a really good day.  I think we were all desperate for some family time together that didn’t involve someone feeling like death warmed over.  We had breakfast and cooked some pretend food in the toy room kitchen…

We let Sawyer get a little outside time in since it wasn’t too chilly or windy and we cooked some more in the barn…

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IMG_3104We checked the mail and found we had a gift from Goo Goo so we all put it to good use…

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IMG_3132IMG_3133The kiddos bathed together and got all snuggled up in their jammies…we ate a little supper and Sawyer watched a little show before bed.  It was just a simple, good, familial day…my favorite kind.

DIY: Red Hot Applesauce Jello

In the midst of all this sickness, this yummy goodness sounded tasty to me yesterday so I ventured off the couch and made a quick batch.

Red Hot Applesauce Jello
Red Hot Applesauce Jello

The first time I ever had this was at Wrex’s family’s house for Christmas one year and I fell in LOVE.  It’s like Christmas in a bowl!  We have perfected the recipe and its consistency over the years so here is the official recipe.

Red Hot Applesauce Jello – Makes 12+ servings

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup Red Hots (you can use Cinnamon Imperials if you can’t find Red Hots.  They work….they’re just sugarier, where as the Red Hots add some spice!)
  • 1 packet Knox Gelatin
  • 6 ounces Raspberry Jello
  • 1 large jar of applesauce (5-6 cups)

IMG_30581.) Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a large pot.

2.) Add in 1 cup of Red Hots and boil and stir until dissolved. 

This will make your house smell DIVINE!
This will make your house smell DIVINE!

3.) Slowly add in 1 packet of Knox gelatin to dissolved Red Hot mixture.  Make sure to remove any clumps that may not get dissolved well.  They don’t taste good.  🙂

This will help the recipe not be so soupy.
This will help the recipe not be so soupy.

4.) Mix in 6 ounce of raspberry Jello until dissolved.

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Wrex’s mom says you can use any red Jello, but we prefer raspberry.

5.) Remove from heat and then add jar of applesauce and mix well.

You can use either original or unsweetened.
You can use either original or unsweetened.

6.) Pour mixture into a serving bowl and place in freezer for about 2 hours.  After 2 hours, place in refrigerator.  Don’t forget about this lovely stuff in the freezer; if it does freeze, the ice crystals later melt and it gets soupy and not as good.

There's a LOT of volume here so it really needs freezer time to set it.
There’s a LOT of volume here so it really needs freezer time to set it.

7.) Try not to eat the whole bowl in one sitting.

Seriously, this stuff is delish.  I have a certain pregnant bestie that loves this stuff.  And? I love her so much that when she came to see Wryder the weekend after he was born AND told us she was pregnant herself, I made some in my 5 day postpartum stupor.  She MUST be loved.  Haha

Enjoy!  Let me know how you change it up and what you thought!

 

Thankful Tree

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.  Psalm 100:4

The first of the month kicked off our family’s thankful tree activity.  Nothing fancy – just pure, unadulterated gratefulness for the countless blessings we have in our lives.

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We ARE a blessed people!  We have a roof over our head that is comfortable and climate controlled…we have access to a clean, safe water supply (that can be heated for comfort and cleanliness)…we have the cheapest, safest and most wholesome food supply in the world…we have the privilege to worship how we so choose…we live in a democratic society that although, not perfect, is better than every other alternative… we are healthy and thriving…my husband has a job and one that provides for our financial needs…I have the benefit of staying home to raise our children…we have more than enough food in our cupboards and freezers and stomachs…we have totes of clothes we aren’t currently wearing…we have extra shoes in our mudroom…we own animals for pleasure…we have access to more than one vehicle…we have MORE.THAN.ENOUGH.

Let us not forget from whom all blessings flow.

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.  He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.  James 1:17

So, we will praise Him.  We will praise Him with our voices and words and blogs.  We will praise Him with our attitudes and the posture of our hearts.  We will praise Him with our paper leaves.

IMG_2988It’s funny how something so simple can evoke such emotion.  To hear Sawyer say she’s grateful for her…

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Baby brother

just takes my breath away.  She gets it.

Daddy said he was thankful that…

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We live in America.

to which Sawyer quickly replied, “No, silly!  We live in Holyoke!”

And the past couple of days?  I’ve been especially thankful…

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That my husband prays for me.

The ways in which He provides for us are many and we’re really good at celebrating the gift…but let us not refrain from worshiping THE GIVER.

My heart overflows in gratitude for all He has given…and for the things He took that He knew I didn’t need.  Really thankful for those things, too…

Let us cultivate a spirit of gratitude among us, in all things and in all times.  It leads to joy.  It leads to selflessness.  It leads to a greater perspective.  It leads to Him.

Trick-or-Treat

Happy day after Halloween!  I hope you’re surviving the sugar crashes and runny noses.  We had a good day together and I tried to make it fun for the littles, because they are only little once, ya know.  I made these for lunch..

Mummy dogs!
Mummy dogs!
I could eat my weight in these
I could eat my weight in these

and Sawyer got a fun little dessert!

Marshmallows are one of the few sweets she'll eat
Marshmallows are one of the few sweets she’ll eat.
She was trying to make it look spooky!
She was trying to make it look spooky!

After lunch, brother took a short nap and sister thought she saw a “scary shadow”…which I think translates to, “I’m too excited to take nap.”  🙂  So, we got around, got dressed and headed into Grant to trick-or-treat at the businesses downtown.

Oh, yes, Cubbie bear got to go trick-or-treating, too!  (More on that in a future post!)
Oh, yes, Cubbie bear got to go trick-or-treating, too! (More on that in a future post!)
SO cute...and sooooo windy!
Sooooo cute…and sooooo windy!
Sawyer holding hands with Craton - her self-proclaimed favorite part of the night.
Sawyer holding hands with Craton – her self-proclaimed favorite part of the night.

We did a little speed trick-or-treating down main because it was cold, at least to us.  I’m starting to think Sawyer’s about as tough in the cold as I am…which means, she’s not.  We hit all the main places and then decided we were just going to go on home and finish partying at our 3rd annual Phipps Family Camp IN.  We always set the tent up in the living room on Halloween and eat a fun supper and watch Charlie Brown and just have fun together! She and brother fell asleep on the way home so our party started like this:

Tired little indian
Tired little indian

I woke her up for some pumpkin pizza but it never got too wild around here.

In the tent
In the tent

We did watch this…

You can't NOT watch this
The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

I just wish there were fewer uses of the word “stupid.”  Sigh.

All in all, a good Halloween.   I encourage you to show grace to the littles today, mommas. They probably had too much candy and not enough sleep, but love will cover a multitude of sins.  Love is patient, love is kind…it keeps no record of wrongs.  They are only little once…  Next week, you’ll look back on the halloween festivities with fondness and it will have been worth the tears and meltdowns and incessant disciplining you might be experiencing today.  Don’t ask me how I know…  😉

 

 

 

DIY: Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins

Each week at Cubbies, one of the little cuties is responsible for bringing back the cookie bucket full of, well, cookies for snack time.  This week was Sawyer’s week.  (Don’t tell me you’re surprised that I signed up for a fun week…)  You don’t have to bring cookies so we decided to make Rice Krispie treat pumpkins and they turned out really cute!

You’ll need:

  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 package of marshmallows
  • 5 cups of Rice Krispie cereal
  • orange food coloring
  • 15 mini Tootsie Rolls

1.) Melt down your butter and marshmallows over medium heat.

De-lish
De-lish

2.) Add in the food coloring and then coat your Krispies.

Halloween in a bowl
Halloween in a bowl

3.) While these cool, unwrap your Tootsie Rolls.

You should eat a few for good measure
You should eat a few for good measure

4.) Coat your hands in butter and shape your Krispies into a ball of sorts.

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Note the buttery hands

5.) Make a well and insert the Tootsie Roll in top.  We curved ours for a little character.

Perfect pumpkins
Purdy pumpkins

These are super easy and super cute!  Are you seeing a theme here regarding the kinds of projects I like?  🙂

 

One Little, Two Little. . .Indians

After a friend sent me this overly adorable costume for little Wryder (thanks, Emily!!)

This is not Wryder.  ;)
This is not Wryder. 😉

I knew I wanted Sawyer to be an indian with him.  Our church’s harvest carnival was this afternoon and we found her costume…….yesterday.  (Phew.)  Nonna let us borrow one she had and I was just gonna take it and add a little fluff/beads/fringe…until Wrexy came across this little number at the thrift store.

She. Is. ADORABLE!
She. Is. ADORABLE!

It was PERFECT (and needed no extra work, mind you!)  I threw together a head dress, painted a couple of stripes, threw on a bow and arrow……and the CUTEST little indian I’ve ever seen made her debut!

Seriously, the weaponry made the outfit
Seriously, the weaponry made the outfit

I thought the carnival started at 3:00, so we ate an earlier lunch with the thought that the kids would still get a decent little nap in before we had to leave.  I fibbed (oopsie!) and told Sawyer that Mr. Russ (our pastor) said that all the kids had to take a nap or they couldn’t come to the carnival, so she snuggled right down!  Then, I decided to check the official start time.  Good thing I did!  It started at 2:00!  So, no nap for Sawyer.  We got up and got around and dashed out the door.  As we were driving, she said, “Will you still tell Mr. Russ I slept good?”  HAHAHAHA  Oh, geez.

Pretty sure anybody would let this face into the carnival..
Pretty sure anybody would let this face into the carnival, nap or not.

Daddy fixed Wryder’s costume so I could wear him in the baby bjourn but have it look like an actual papoose.

He rocked it.
He rocked it.
He was thrilled - really!
He was thrilled – really!
I love these 2 little indians...
I love these 2 little indians…

Sawyer played A LOT of games and got A LOT of loot!

Searching for pennies
Searching for pennies
Tossing balls
Tossing balls
ANY game with Kenyon is fun in her book!
ANY game with Kenyon is fun in her book!
Bean bag toss
Bean bag toss
She won a root beer!  IS there a better prize?  Not in her world!
She won a root beer! IS there a better prize? Not in her world!

She got to help drive Mr. Koop’s horses, Rose and Ruby!

She was a happy girl!
She was a happy girl!

Super fun time with super fun people – how do ya beat that?!  Thursday, we’ll head back to Grant to trick-or-treat downtown and then head home for our annual Phipps Family Camp In!  Until then, we’ll attempt to get a little rest under our belts…

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Harvest carnival casualty

A Walking We Will Go

I always say that Sawyer is ALL girl and ALL boy!  She loves to be outside playing with the chickens or in the hay stack or brushing her pony or stomping in the mud…as long as she has on a bow and some bracelets, of course.  One of her favorite things to do is to go on walks.  Not just leisurely walks, but walks with a purpose.  We’ve been on listening walks and animal saving walks and stick hunting walks…but her favorite is a good ole nature walk!

This morning was doggone cold quite brisk, but we bundled up and headed out to see what we could find.  She dressed for the occasion, of course.

Wrong feet and all...but they had sparkly jewls!  (And heels, mind you...)
Wrong feet and all…but they had sparkly jewels! (And heels, mind you…)
Juniper berries
Juniper berries

Daddy came along for the fun and was REALLY good at finding less “natural” objects, but it made for a fun display in the end.

Daddy always makes our adventures more fun!
Daddy always makes our adventures more fun!
Pine cones...
Pine cones…
and pine "noodles."
and pine “noodles.”

Once our pockets were full and our hands were numb, we took our finds back to the barn.  I had seen this idea on Pinterest and knew Sawyer would love it!  We took contact paper and tacked it to the barn door, sticky side out.  Then, we started sticking our nature walk treasures on to the tacky surface to showcase them.  (Way less messy than construction paper and Elmer’s…)

Stick it to it
Stick it to it
Isn't she a doll?
Isn’t she a doll?
What's a nature walk without a shotgun shell?
What’s a nature walk without a shotgun shell?
Paint the cat had to get in on the action, too.  He's a very patient cat.
Paint the cat had to get in on the action, too. He’s a very patient cat.  (Note the Tootsie Roll Wrapper at the top.  Another one of daddy’s finds.)

Fun morning!  I’m curious to see how long our treasures will stick to the contact paper.  Wrex is excited to see what gets stuck there inadvertently just because it’s hanging around.  🙂 I’ll keep you posted…