Purse Organization

Laura at Organizing Junkie's monthly organizing round-up this month concentrated on purses and getting them organized. My purse is one of the few things I feel confidant in my ability to keep organized, but I took on the challenge and made a couple really nice changes, as well as purging some non-essentials!

So, here we go:

I took everything out and piled it on my table. I went through everything and purged all the garbage, receipts and miscellaneous papers. I went on a short search and found a small zippered bag for the little stuff that floated around my purse and needed a secure home. Then, I put it all back together:

It is quite nice to find I can make my purse even more managable. Thanks, Laura!

Check out the others who have organized their purses by clicking here!

Look What I Can Do!

He was very, very pleased with himself. I righted it and he turned it right back over! It was quite hilarious!

Our Weekend

Friday saw Jon's last day working for the landscaping company. This meant we could deep clean the car and possibly KEEP it clean for more than a day or two! We did this on Saturday and I must say, the car looks really, really nice!
Saturday evening we went out to the Butcher Elder's house, so Jon could be up early with the rest to go on the Oyster Run. He was riding his mom's harley, which is why we had to be out in Granite! The boys spent the evening playing outside while Jon mowed the lawn, and they sure had a blast with the wagon!

The boys and I spent Sunday out in Granite, to save on gasoline and be there when Jon got back to bring him home. We went to the river nearby and played for a little while....until Liam disobeyed and got soaked.

We had a good weekend but are glad to be back to our weekly routine!

My Favorite Season

...in my reluctance to see the summer end, I had temporarily forgotten just how much I love autumn. Especially September/early October. Now that it's here, I've been pleasantly reminded why autumn truly is my favorite of the seasons. Here's some of my reasons:

*My birthday!
* crispy, crunchy leaves to jump in, run through and crackle under my feet
*gorgeous sunshine, but cooler temperatures...and
*beautiful colors everywhere, as in this lovely tree that was at the park we took the boys to on sunday:

Yep, I'm loving this time of year!

And now, I have a NEW favorite to add: the beginning of a new school year! Yipee!!!

David's Balancing Act

Dont you just love the look of glee on his face? Priceless...

FIRST DAY OF HOMESCHOOLING!!!

Today was our first day of homeschooling and boy, did it turn out to be a great and wonderfully encouraging first day!
Liam was so excited. I've been telling him that we were going to start today since I got the curriculum from Pamela last week. He has been eyeing the box of books with wonder and longing all week (that probably helped with his excitement...).
So, this morning after breakfast, we dressed him up nice for "first day of school" pictures, and then cracked open the box...

"Can I open it yet?!?"
So happy with his curriculum!

We built a "Noah's Ark" with blankets and played for quite awhile (you can't see them , but in the basket behind Liam are the lions. Had to cage them up so they wouldn't eat us!):

Working with his "Might Mind" blocks activity (he REALLY liked this):

Letter "A" tracer page:

We also:

*read the Bible (which I've been trying to do with the boys every morning anyway)

*read a almost wordless -but with lots of pictures- book about Noah's Ark (hence the building an ark activity)

*read "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" and made cookies for an activity

*Read pages for social studies (Richard Scarry's What Do People Do All Day?), science (Usbourne Body Flip Flap book), and poetry (Poems and Prayers For the Very Young)

*Played Memory and Go Fish with Teddy Bear Cards

*and much more!

Liam did so well today. He loved his school work and kept asking for more, more, MORE. It made my heart so happy! I hope and pray he carries this love and desire for learning with him always!

We're using Sonlight curriculum. Check them out!

Feet Friday---Swinging Feet

Took this picture while Liam was swinging at the park the other day! It sure is hard to capture feet that are moving so fast!

Also, check out my mom's feet friday post. Pretty cool!

Weekend Trip

So, here is my promised post from this last weekend. There is alot of pictures, so bear with me, this should be fun, fun, fun!

This is the beginning of our trip, waiting for the bus to take us to downtown Seattle. The boys and I take the bus in town alot, but never for a long period of time. I think it took about forty-five minutes to get to Seattle. But, I am happy to say, they did great!
We just got off the bus and were making for the Space Needle. Liam was excited and being silly.

I wanted a fun, "artsy" picture of the boys in front of the Space Needle. I think I managed it! When Liam asked me what the Space Needle was (I kept telling him we were heading for the Space Needle), and I pointed it out to him, he said, "Oh. You mean that water tower?" So funny!

This photo-op station is at the front door of the Seattle Childrens Musuem, but we didn't actually take the picture until we were leaving. My friend Amy took the picture while I held David up!

Liam climbing through the hollow log:

David's turn!

There was so much to do and see at the museum. A big "mountain" to hike up, cultural exhibits, art rooms, a "grocery store", a theater, a story room and much, much more. We went there for Liam's friend, Noah's 5th birthday party and the party was fun too! We sure did enjoy our time at the museum, but it was soon time to get going! We had a long walk to the ferry!

Liam resting during the walk. It really was a long way for a little boy, but he did great!

Finding these pigs near Pike's Place Market was a nice diversion from the walk:

On the ferry at last! Liam enjoyed watching us pull out.

At Nana and Grandpas! Here's David, trying to find a way through the new rail my Dad put on the front porch:

Oh, it's finally Apple Time!!!!!

The spiders are out in force and I managed to get a couple really good pictures of them and their webs. This one is my favorite. I actually like garden spiders, provided they stay outside and off me!

David loves climbing on things and balancing. At Nana's, it was this rock. Notice the grin of delight on his face....(check back soon for a picture of what he balanced on here at home the other day):

Liam also loves the rock. For him, it's a place to sit and imagine fighting off the bad guys.

Gorgeous, beautiful, plentiful apples. You should see all the apples on the trees! I think we should have an apple picking/cider party on the fourth of october (as an extension of my birthday party! Which I am so excited for--- a tea-party with "the girls": mom, faith and Pam!)

Dad and I took the boys to a new park in town while my mom was working:

We also got ice cream, right after visiting my mom at the quilt store she works at. Liam was so kind to share some of his cone with his brother:

We had a great time, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and got some much needed R&R!!!!

another cute picture....my current favorite!

This picture is on my computer's desk top, and I've now loaded it here and on facebook. I am loving this picture. I think I will get it printed and framed, I love it that much! Such happiness on their faces! And they are mine! Ah, joy. Pure joy.

Look for it in black and white in the side bar soon!

Just Cute

I haven't gotten around to getting any recent pictures off my camera, so I am pulling a couple cute ones of the boys to share. I will post again soon with fun pictures from this weekend (including a trip to Seattle, and time at Nana and Grandpas and a really cool spider/web picture).

So, here is a picture of Liam from Tony's wedding. He looks incredibly bored, but at least he's sitting still!
And here's one of David. His face is just adorable! I think this is my current favorite of him:

I hope this satisfies your blogging cravings. ;-) I know I am always happy to see new posts on others' blogs!

BTW...my mom's most recent post is great! I laughed....alot. But quietly, cuz everyone else in my house is asleep.

feet friday---friend feet

Liam's friend Caleb and his sister came over to our house yesterday morning and the kids had lots of fun together!

Generosity

This afternoon, the boys and I took a walk to the mailbox to get it contents. I like to try and do this every -nice- afternoon during the week, but it doesn't always happen that way (doesn't that just sound like normal life?).
Well, I pulled out the mail and took a second to look at what we had received. Netflix...the second disk of the Firefly series.....a car insurance bill....some advertisements....and.....

A letter addressed to Jon and I. From my hometown (but no name).

"What's this?" I wondered and immediately opened it (my curiosity is always piqued with mail!)

I was astonished by what was inside. Are you ready for this?!?

A money order for 400 dollars!!!! I was, well, I already mentioned my reaction. I scanned the order for some hint as to who it was from, but the sender was very sneaky and certainly didn't want to be found out.

So, whoever you are, THANK YOU!!!! Thank you for your generosity and willingness to give. Know that your gift brought so much joy to our family! We prayed for God to bless you big in return!

Life In Every Breath

Okay, I did it! I renamed my blog!!!

I actually created a blog awhile back with this name, and someday I may use it...but for now, I've made that blog private and am using the name here.

I think this name really fits me right now.... it reminds me to live every moment fully and completely and since this blog is pretty much my journal, I think it works.

So, there you have it! Be sure to change your links!

mustard seeds

I've been having to go to the food bank lately, as money has been seriously tight and every penny is going to pay rent and other bills...
Well, last time the food bank was open, we didn't get there in time to become members, so we had to try again today and this time we made it!
God is good. He knew all of my anxieties about going and everything, and He came through in amazing ways this afternoon. Gave me peace and trust that what I was doing was necessary for my family.

We have been so blessed in the last few weeks, with friends and family helping us as well...each time we run out of something, someone asks us if we need anything. Or doesn't even ask...just gives. It has been amazing watching God provide for us. And I know He will continue to do it, because the bills don't stop and His provision is VITAL!

(thanks to all of you, who have been so open and generous with us! Know that you are being used by God!)

He really makes all my worry and stress seem so laughable when He comes through for us like He always does. It always makes me wonder, "Why don't I just trust Him?" I know in my deepest heart that He will provide, but I always let the screaming doubts cover the mustard seed of faith. And yet, time and time again the Lord helps us just in time. Thank You, Lord!

PS totally off topic, but isn't my son's hair MARVELOUS!?!?

New Name

I need a new name.

For my blog.

I am very much done with "Scant Reflections Of Reality"

It doesn't fit anymore. Doesn't fit me, my life, my self.

Give ideas if you want, or just be fore-warned that changes are coming...

Playing at Church

I brought my camera to work last night and got some fun pictures of David playing. Take a look!

What is he doing with the high chair???

Ah! He's reorganizing! LOL!

Chewable feet are fun, but do we really want our kids chewing on feet?!?

Surrounded by stuffed animals!

We have alot of fun at Church. I am so grateful to have a job I can have my kids at!!! (I'll have to get some pictures of Liam at Church sometime soon!)

Feet Friday---hiding, sleeping, kitty feet!

Liam pointed these little feet out to me the other day, and I just HAD to take a picture for Feet Friday! Our kitty, Sal, was asleep under the couch, with his wee paws sticking out!

Autumn Doings

Yesterday was a day that I enjoyed immensely. I woke up in a good mood (at 8:10, thanks to the boys sleeping in!), I managed a near-perfect balance of chores, time with the boys and time for myself. I did some cooking and freezing, including this strawberry-apple sauce (some of which we had with dinner):

We went for a walk after nap time, and found some beautiful autumn leaves on the sidewalk:

They triggered an idea for an art project, which we sat down to do as soon as we got home:

Here is a picture of all of our drawings (the black/blue scribbles are David's):

These three are Liam's drawings. We glued the leaves onto the each drawing they went with. The middle one was his first, and in my opinion, his best look-alike, but they are all nice:

As you can see, we had a very pleasant autumn day!