Visitor

My mom came and visited for four days last week so that she could be here for Case's preschool graduation.  We kept her busy and I think she needed a vacation from her vacation when she went home!

At Case's preschool graduation - I love Siahna's expression here!

This is how Siahna stayed quiet during graduation - she emptied the contents of my purse.

These are Case's two best friends at preschool - Nathan & Samuel

We took the kids to the zoo.

We visited Hudson Gardens and Case was enthralled with the tadpoles that we found.  He wasn't aware of how frogs evolve.  He wants to go back just to see the tadpoles again.

First & Last

First Day of Explorers

Last Day of Explorers

First Day of Explorers

Last Day of Explorers

Cake Class

I have been taking a cake decorating class the last three weeks and have a final cake "due" next week.  I've learned a lot of new skills and have enjoyed the process of decorating cakes and cupcakes.

This is the rainbow cake I practiced last week for Siahna's upcoming birthday.

Decorated the cake.

Last night we decorated cupcakes.

Little rosettes.

When I got home, I promptly dropped the container with cupcakes and the frosting was smashed all over the lid.  Thankfully, I had taken some pictures before I left class.

Grateful & Humbled

Words cannot even begin to express my gratitude to the people who have sent money donations for our trip.  One set of friends gave a generous amount even though they are facing financial difficulties.  Another person, whom I have only met twice, sent cash this week because they want to support our journey.  Our family has also been supportive and generous and we honestly are humbled at what people have given and grateful that our financial needs are being met.  I have raised over $800 doing my crafts (still taking orders, by the way) and that almost pays for one of the kids.

I'll be honest, raising $5,000 seemed like an overwhelming amount and it still is, but thank you from the bottom of my heart to those who have purchased one of my crafts or sent in money.  We took a leap of faith knowing that we should go on this trip and that we couldn't pay for it all by ourselves.  It has been an amazing process to see God work and provide our needs day by day.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Start of the Internet

I don't know if my BFF Holly will remember this or not.  But, many years ago she and I were roommates on Avenue M in Kearney.  Back in the day of cordless phones and answering machines.  Back in the day when the Internet was just coming to fruition and email addresses were slowly being given out.

She and I were both friends with this guy named Matt who had just moved away to go to college.  One night, while we were away, his parents had called and left a message with his new email address.  Being as how we were all new to this phenomenon of email and Internet we weren't exactly sure how email addresses were supposed to look.

I distinctly remember listening to their message and this is the email we came up with.

mattbro@hotmaildotcom

Or something along those lines.  But, for some reason I always think of this when people give me their email because I remember how silly we were to not know that dot really meant (.).

Holls - do you remember this?

Etsy Store Now Open!

I'm pleased to announce that I have opened a store on Etsy.  Stop by and take a look.

From The Mouth of Case

Case's teacher made a little book for Mother's Day and asked the kids some questions to see what their answers were.

My mom is ________ years old.
Case -  "60" - What?  Really?

My mom's favorite food is _________.
Case - "Popcorn" - you got that right, Mr.
One little girl said her mom's favorite food was "diet food."

My mom's favorite color is _______.
Case - "Pink" - not sure on that one.

My mom weighs ________ pounds.
Case - "40" - thank you very much.
One boy said 200!

My mom doesn't like to ________.
Case - "clean up after my sister."  Right on again!

My mom loves to go _________.
Case - "home."

My mom's favorite activity is _________.
Case - "painting blocks and letters."  See a couple blogs ago on what he told me his response was vs. what she actually wrote.

My mom thinks I am __________.
Case - "her baby!" - this made me cry because I always tell him he'll be my baby no matter how big he gets and even when he's big like daddy he can still sit in my lap and snuggle.  I'm glad that thought has stuck with him.

Homemade Unedible Butter

In our quest to be more self-sufficient, Jeff decided he would trying making butter.  Simple really.  Take some whipping cream, put in a food processor and blend until the cream because butter and the excess turns into buttermilk.  Well, he decided that while the food processor was running he would scrap down the sides of the bowl.  And then my Pampered Chef spatula was cut in two!  But, to make matters worse, Jeff didn't stop the processor and dig out the piece of spatula.  No, why would he do that?  He just kept on blending until the spatula was blended up along with the butter.  So, yes, he did make butter but no, we couldn't eat it because it had pieces of plastic blended up in it.  Maybe he'll try again and hopefully he learned his lesson.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Being a teacher myself, it is nice to be appreciated once a year for a whole week.  This week is Teacher Appreciation Week so if you know a teacher make sure you appreciate them.  Of course we got little gifts for Case's preschool teachers, but then I decided that the teachers at the gym should be appreciated as well.  After all, they provide me some babysitting a few times a week and are super nice to the kids.  There are 8 different teachers there throughout the week so this is what we got them.

We dropped them off this afternoon - Siahna has been sick all week so we haven't been to the gym.  The teachers were so appreciative - I don't think they've ever gotten a gift before!  The kids got hugs and hi-fives from the teachers and we all left with smiles on our face.  Sure does feel nice doing something nice for someone else.

Practicing My Letters

I have been painting a lot of letters lately due to our fundraiser.  We have raised almost $800 to go towards our trip and I feel overwhelmed with gratitude from friends and family who have purchased one of my "masterpieces."

Meanwhile, at preschool, Case's teacher has been asking him questions about mommy.  "What is your mommy's favorite thing to eat?"  "What is your mommy's favorite color?"  Things like that.

Today, Case told me that their newest question was, "What does your mommy like to do when she has extra time?" 

Case's reply - "She likes to work on her letters."

Great!  Now his teacher is going to think I don't know my A,B,C's and that I practice my letters in my spare time!  Oh, well. 

Welcome

Hey!  You found my new blog.  Everything is pretty much the same - just a new name.  Check back later for new posts.  Leave a comment, if you will, to let me know you found me.