Christmas Time is HERE!

I really really REALLY cannot believe Christmas is already right around the corner! I have put up about all the decor I think I will. I want to spend the rest of my time making gifts and spending time with my loved ones as that's the most important part!!!

Here are a few shots of our tree; AFTER the Christmas fairy came and repaired the broken lights and rearranged the hodge podge ornament placement. These were taken with my iPhone so don't expect great focus play tricks!

I love our fresh assortment of handpainted gingerbread children and houses, snowflakes, polka dots and glitter! This is all from last year but it's just as spectacular now as it was then.

Stay tuned for a NEW MIY decor piece on a budget!

On another note...without speaking in "Oh ye of little faith" lingo, this year is going to be quite the scaled down model of Christmas' past. Although it always seems to point that way, something always seems to give just in the nick of time. I don't doubt that can happen this year as well; however, as a mama looking out for her babes and wanting to make it the best year ever, I have to be prepared and plan around the seemingly hollow pocketbook.

I have some fabulous MIY projects brewing! I can't even begin to list them here for fear I will work myself into a panicky frenzy and excessive anxiety levels that I will fail to get them all done. But...just think homemade fairy houses and dolls...waldorfy toys made from felt, cute accessories and home decor.....

(((sigh))) I feel the panic rising already....

How 'bout I move on to what COULD happen? What COULD happen is a magic money tree could sprout up in my yard and then my WANT list would be acceptable!

I have so much to be thankful for, I feel like a spoiled child even uttering the words "want list". *slaps hand* (BAD GIRL)

How about if I change it to a "NEEDS" list?

Would a Kitchen Aid Mixer fall into a "needs" category? How about a 28mm 1.4 Canon lens? LOL Probably not...

A food dehydrator? Sounds needy to me! Or an oil expeller for my Samson Juice extractor? As you can see, I am not a bling bling girl with high hopes for material pleasures. I always covet the things that could make life a little simpler, or healthier. Oh that reminds me, I cannot forget my newest item of NEED. I am very much so coveting a pair of Mizunos running shoes. Wave Nirvana 7's to be precise. Size 7 to be even more precise. In White/Sunrise to be ultimately precise.

You see, I have taken up running and my beautiful, out of my normal budget pair of Nike's are not supporting my overpronating feet like they should. :( I have developed shin splints which are QUITE PAINFUL to say the least. Thus I NEED the Mizunos in a bad way. I am debating selling my Nike's on eBay, but can't bear the thought of being stuck with my Puma's for the duration of the transaction...(sigh) I am in a pickle indeed.

Anyway...I have lot's of projects to tackle so I'd best be leaving you faithful readers alone.

Happy December 1st!

The Science Loving Family!

Here at Discovery Tree Learning Centre, science is a highlight that absolutely cannot be missed. Not for one day. Sometimes we do science even on weekends! Of course I don't mind a bit! (not really haha)
I wanted to share with other homeschool moms this great vendor called Science Academy for Kids. I love their kits because everything is pre-packaged and ready to go and comes with a handy instruction and lab booklet. We recently finished the"Rocks and Minerals" kit and thoroughly enjoyed it. They have an internet linked learning program as well as online quizzes and tests which makes it really fun and thorough.
These photos are of Caeden and Ava experimenting with "sedimentary layers" and fossils.

The farmers at work

-- Post From My iPhone

Ava's Happy Day

It was mine and Ava's birthday last week, which most of you know marks a very special time and place in my life and heart. We spent time with my mom celebrating on the 16th, then on the 20th, Ava had a cowgirl princess party with all of her little friends. It was quite a party and the little celebrity just glowed all day with the festivites.

I had a fiasco at the bakery when picking up her cake-it was nowhere to be found and once they "found" it (more like whipped it up real quick in the back) it wasn't even close to what I had ordered-solid white with plain pink writing "Happy Birthday". I had ordered this spectacular "My Little Pony" cake with a castle on it and everything and it was all I would settle for. It was quite humorous really because technically, Ava had no idea I was getting so frantic about this cake thing, she was in fact happily pushing her own little cart in the store and was gloating in her birthday glory while wearing her birthday best-the boots and petti you see in the pics. She had just taken a sharp turn in her glee and had toppled her cart over, spilling its contents. It wasn't a huge deal, I scolded her ever so gently for the spill, but as tenderhearted as she is, she was quite downcast and heartbroken at this latest turn of events...I used this to my advantage, and said to the negligent baker lady, "Do you think I can tell HER that she won't be having a "My Little Pony" cake?" The lady said, "Oh of course not honey, we'll get you your cake!" OMW I thought I was going to come unglued, I had this huge lump in my throat like I was going to cry, so I had to be really strong and tell them I was not paying for that pathetic looking cake but that I was not leaving without a cake. (this was 1 hour before the party started mind you!) Needless to say, I got my cake, a few gray hairs added to my collection but all went well after that.

Alls well that ends well!

Fourth of July Kids Parade

What a Life

Here is a snapshot of Caeden enjoying a popsicle...what a life!

Chandler's B-day!!!

My big boy turned NINE years old on the 18th!!! Can't believe it...what a dude...

Chandler you're COOL, SMART, FUNNY, HANDSOME, CRAZY, and the LIGHT OF MY LIFE...keep up the good work lovin' Jesus and growing like a weed!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

Caeden!!! 

Happy Birthday Chandler!!!

6 years old!!! I can't believe it buddy!!! My little "Caboy" is growing up!!! Front teeth missin' and all you're still the cutest cowboy Mommy knows!!! I gotta tell what happened this morning-"birthday morning"-I sent Chandler to the bathroom to brush his teeth, soon thereafter I sent his older sister to do the same. When she went in, I heard the motherly tone of voice she so often embraces, inquiring "What are you DOING???" The soft answer was a voice hoping Mommy wouldn't hear, "Shaving"...Ahem...I enter the scene...I could not contain my laughter, the little guy had shaving cream plastered ALL over his face, his school clothes had dollops of it here and there as well. It was quite a kodak moment I can assure you!!! Maybe we'll post a picture of that sooner or later. Anyhow, he was quite perturbed I didn't allow him to continue

as he insisted he "knew how to do it".

(((Sigh))) I'm so glad shaving days are not really here yet...I don't want to even GO THERE!!! For now, I'll settle for unbrushed teeth now and then, dirty undies stuffed under the bed and little army guys all over the floor. Chandler you are mama's biggest prince-I love you dearly and hope that not only your birthday is filled with joy but that your whole life is blessed beyond measure.

You have truly brought your mommy pure happiness.

Our little Angel...7 weeks old!!! I can't get enough of this child! Can't kiss her enough...Mimi says, "If lovin' makes a baby grow this one sure is gonna be big!!!" Of course...did anyone think there might not be anymore room in my heart for another?

I can't imagine life without this little wonder.

Ava...I can't tell you enough how much you mean to Mommy!!! You are my sunshine on a rainy day!!!

Princess Ava Katrielle

...mommy took this picture of the little fairy child who is growing like a weed!!! She's gained 8 oz. in one week and is now 19 3/4 inches long!!! We are enjoying EVERY minute of her...can hardly put her down!!! She went with me to my treatment appt. and all the nurses were in tears because of her perfect beauty. God is so gracious and kind, I cannot thank him enough for this precious miracle!!!

The Grand Arrival!!!

Ava Katrielle Morgan was born at 5:38 a.m. on September 17th 2004!!! She weighed 5 lbs and 4 oz. and is the most precious little baby in the world!!! She is content and peaceful and ever so sweet and soft. She was in Special Care Nursery for a few days for observation but is home now and doing WONDERFULLY!!!!!

Words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation to our God who has been so good to us. What a beautiful blessing this baby is. I can't believe there were some people to advise me that I had three other children to care for and that I should decide who was more important, the baby or myself. I would die for this child or any of my other children as well.

Ava punkin' you are SO important to Mommy...I asked Jesus for you and He heard my prayers!!! I am thankful for your precious little life and feel so overwhelmed with love for you.

I know God has his hand upon you and that you are highly favored in His sight.

I love you little peanut and am SO glad you are mine.

Only fourteen months after our daughter was born, we were blessed once again with this little guy, Chandler!!! He is ALL boy meaning that he loves working with Daddy, has an extreme fixation with his play station and is usually dressed in either full army attire, football uniform or cowboy garb!!! My "little boy blue" I've always called him as he is our blonde blue-eyed special little boy. He turned five years old on April 18th and absolutely cannot wait until Kindergarten! Notice how he did not let his big sis have anything up on him-he lost his two bottom teeth right after she did...I think he wiggled them continuously in order for that to happen!!! Chandler, you mean the world to Mama and I love you beyond words!!! 

My second little blessing...Chandler McClain!!! 

Meet Princess Elise...the toothless superstar!!!

This is my six year old daughter Elise Laurenne!!! She just graduated from kindergarten!!! She is quite a prissy little thing-loves dressing up, creating new hair-dos and playing with her dolls. She is a great big sis...helps give baby brother his baths and often feeds him breakfast while Mom is still snoozing!!! She is a dream come true child-I never thought I'd ever have a daughter as precious as this one. I love her beyond words and hope you think she's as cute as I do!!!