The best husband ever...

A little while ago Trav said he was going to Best Buy to pick something up. Because the kids were in the tub, and I couldn't go with him, I asked him if he would run into Michael's for me and pick up some more silver rhinestones that I needed for my current project. Without much hesitation, my sweet husband set off to his very "manly" store to pick up a video game he'd been wanting and then to the craft store to buy my silver "sparklies." Even better, he went with me last night as well just so we could both use the 50% off coupon! What husband goes to the craft store 2 nights in a row to buy silver rhinestones? Yes, I am one lucky lady!

Handing it over to Heavenly Father...

A few weeks ago Trav's company (EDS) was bought out by HP. We, being silly people thought it was going to be a great thing, possibly advancement possibilities, pay raises (you know, all those things we dream about), but a few days ago we found out that it was probably not going to be so great for us. HP is now laying off over 25,000 people here in the next while. Of course we don't have a clue what is going on and if he will have a job next week or next month, which is why I'm asking for some prayers in our direction. You know me, I don't ask for much, and I'm not even asking that he keeps his job, what I'm asking for from the Lord is peace. I worry about everything on the planet, but I can't change what is to come. I can't wave my magic wand and make it the way it should be. But this time, I just handed it over to him and said "I trust you."
That is something I've probably only done twice before in my entire life.
I needed the oppertunity to grow closer to him, to lean on him and to trust more fully, and not that this is happening because of that, it's just amazing that how when we ask for something, we usually get it. I've been amazed as well by when I have moved out of the Lord's way, stopped controling the universe and just let him do his work, amazing things have happened.
I cannot change the outcome, and we might get lucky for awhile, who knows, what I do know is that God loves me beyond words, he is aware of my needs and even when things are uncertain and the worry is about to swallow us alive, he is there to help pull us back to solid ground. No matter what happens, I trust that we will be taken care of. We always have been and I know we always will be.

" There's nothing wrong Mom, I'm just going to change my underware..."

So, Tristin just came in from playing outside with his friends and said to me in passing, "Don't worry Mom, there's nothing wrong, I'm just going to change my underware."
With our past week of direaha, & vomit, my mind went to an unpleasant place and I stumbled, "Okay, then Bud, why do you need to change your underware?" "Oh, so I can be a cool kid." (Then showing me his underware) he says, "because these are not boxers. Cool kids wear boxers. Jacob is wearing them so I want to wear them too and be a cool kid." Well, alrighty then... how do I argue with that? Just one of those funny moments with my beautiful 6 year old boy!

Listen to that voice...

I am really the most blessed mother on the planet. I have the best sleepers known to man and when girlfriends start talking about their nights up at all hours, I just lower my head and back my way into a corner because I really have no clue what they are talking about ( I do, but maybe only 6 nights total with all 3 kids when they were babies and then only a handful of times when they were up sick during the night) Anyway, last night when I heard Grace fussing, I ignored her. I thought it was just her teeth coming in, she's just whining, no big deal. Then I had a feeling to check on her, and guess what? I ignored that too, so guess what I woke up to?
VOMIT! Yup. All over the crib, wall, sheets, blankets, everything! That's what I get right? Not that it mattered that Daisy threw up all over the carpet the night before or that Grace had pooped on the carpet the week before! Just thought I'd remind all the Mommy's out there... listen to that voice!

My first batch of applesauce!

Here's the applesauce Jen & I finished Thursday night! We had a lot of fun for 2 days and our kids were amazing for all we put them through! We were definatly tired (poor, pregnant Jen) and our feet ached, but it was great going to the orchard together and spending a few days in my kitchen talking and sweating and making yummy applesauce. I got 29 quarts which was great, but I think I'll be going back to the orchard to pick more apples. Is it selfish of me to want more? With over 50 quarts each of pears/peaches, 29 just doesn't seem like enough! Plus, it's addictive! I just can't stop! Actually, it tastes like Heaven, so yummy!

My first batch of pears!

So, more evidence of what I've been doing the past few weeks ( and the reason why I'm WAY behind on laundry!) They turned out so pretty. I went with my girlfriends to pick them weeks ago and then canned them all by myself! It is so simple ladies! If I can do it, ANYONE can do it!

A very sad, tired Grace...

So, after our morning in the corn field (picking corn), Grace had finally reached her limit! It no longer mattered that I had not taken any pictures the entire weekend, and this was going to be one of two, she was done! So, with no cute hair bows, and seriously wild bangs, this was one of my only pictures of the kids! What a horrible Mom!

Picking corn...

So, I was late getting my camera and this was the only shot I got... heads chopped off , crying babies, & kids looking off into weird directions. Oh well...

My first batch of freezer corn!

Yes, I have fallen off the planet again, canning season has kept me busy! Two weeks ago we went to Trav's brother's house for 3 nights for a family reunion/come pick some corn if you want it weekend. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a blast running around for 3 days chasing each other. It was fun hanging out with my sister in laws/mother in law doing corn. Like everything else, it was my first time, so I learned once again, how easy it really is. Cammy was so sweet to teach me/us how it's done. We did about 90 bags together and then we got to pick as much corn as we wanted to bring home. We were busy for 2 days when we got home, but it was well worth it (everything goes much slower on your own! Although, Trav helped a lot, thanks babe!) And thanks Cammy for a great weekend!!

My first canning experience...

My WONDERFUL friends, Tammy & Michelle let me hop aboard this year for the canning season! I had no clue how to do it, so for 2 days, we canned like wild women and canned over 100 jars! We were tired afterwards (Michelle still has 2 bushels to can on Monday!), but it was a lot of fun to learn! I called Mom the first day and said, "I can do this, Mom" and she said, "Of course you can!" (her response to anything food/baking related). I was thrilled to walk away with my 28 beautiful jars and now am so excited for pears and applesause in the near future! I think I might have turned into a peach snob though, because I don't want to buy those awful store bought ones ever again! Although it is a lot of fun to do with friends, I could TOTALLY do this on my own! One day....