Getting back to the basics

                                                                         My handsome hubby and me at the pumpkin farm


After the shootings in CT last Friday, something changed in me. I sat down, first frozen, then angry, sad, and now knowing that a change has to be made for me and my family. I know that we need to get back to the basics.

 

 

Michael, my nephew and Aaron

 

 

I tend to burden myself with too much "stuff". I don't concentrate on what matters most: teaching the gospel to my children, so they have a wealth of knowledge stored for a "rainy day"; having the freedom to homeschool my kids, teaching them what they need and having the availability to teach them extra; doing what I can to have a healthy, happy family; and fulfilling my newest role as Relief Society President in the branch I belong to and having the ability to serve others and teaching my children to serve.

 

Those are the basics to ME!

 My husband and I are blessed to be able to read a story to our children and the scriptures nightly and be able to tuck them in each night. I can't imagine those parents that don't have that oppurtunity now. How quickly it was taken from them.

 

I hurt for those people and can't stop thinking about them. My prayers go out to them. Though  don't know them, I feel a love for them.

 

So, my new year's resolution is to get back to the basics. Family Home Evening ideas, scripture study ideas, homeschool ideas, and getting healthy tips. We have a tremendous tool that is the internet that we can use to inspire and help us! I love that there are so many sites out there that help us with great ideas to help us be better people!

 

Hope you have a great day! I am looking forward to the new year!   

 

 

Still Life, Tulips by Emil Nolde

Today in school, we had a little art lesson. The boys try to make their on version of the painting below entitled

Still Life, Tulips by Emil Nolde

Below is just a few pictures of the process! Aaron wasn't too concerned with the colors! But he did want to do what his big brother was doing!!

Below is Michael's picture! I think he did a pretty good job for a 7 year old!! He was so excited!

And finally Aaron with his picture! He actually threw me a smile!!! I love it!

Hope you are having a great morning!! It looks to be another lovely day!!!



Freezer Cookin'

Well, since I am officially obsessed with Pinterest, I figured I may want to give some of the ideas a whirl!!

I decided to try my hand at freezer cooking. And after about 5 hours of work, I ended up with 20+ meals!! WOHOO!!

I am pretty tired and after a good floor cleaning and two dish washer loads later, I am done. I even made some amazing gravy from the roast drippings in one of the recipes!! Yummo!!

Below are just some of the recipes I made! Haven't tasted any of them yet! But boy they smelled and looked great!!

Above is pepper steak

Above is italian beef

Then some steak fajitas

Above is beef stroganoff

teriyaki pork chops

honey garlic chicken

And the last picture is of my silly boys!!!!!!!!!! They didn't want a smiley picture so they did a silly one!!

So, that's been my day!!!! I hope your days are lovely and full of goodness!!

Thanks for stopping by!!!!!

Dear Summer,

You came and went!!!!!! What happened!!!

Yesterday was a wonderfully hot day here in Pennsylvania so we decided to take a swim! Hold on to summer just a little longer!!

 Above is little Aaron, a water baby from the start!! A little too fearless for this mama, but he had a blast no matter what

Aaron and Mike, splishin' and splashin'!!!

The last one is of Mike, hanging out, lovin' one of our last days of warm weather!! Today is is RAINING! And raining and raining!!!! And today's high is only going to be 68 degrees!!!!!!!!!! So we are trying to soak up as much of summer that is left!!!!!!!!

Gospel Art Show

Tonight at our branch we had a wonderful art show done by our awesome missionaries! Members of the branch took things that they drew, wrote, painted or collected and brought them for display. It was AMAZING!! I feel so blessed to have such amazing missionaries!

Below are just some of the many wonderful things brought! Hope you enjoy!

Below is a picture of the project that we worked on in primary! I painted the border and then had the kiddos put their feet on the "path"! The sign reads "We Follow Jesus Christ when we Choose the Right!" Then at the end of the paper is a rock with Jesus on it!! It's too cute! The kids were so excited!

As always, thanks for stopping by! Have a great night and enjoy tomorrow! The Sabbath is such a wonderful time to remember Jesus Christ and to be grateful for all that He has done for us!!

Night all!!



Happy LAST Day of School!!!

So, Wednesday was the last official day of school for my niece and nephews so we decided to throw a little last day of school party!!!

Below is a picture of my oldest nephew Brian being a goofball!! He was the most suprised!! He ran up to me and jumped up and down!! I love him to pieces!

The next picture is of my niece Kara Sue! She is such a hamball!! She is as fearless as they get!! Beautiful and goofy is a wonderful combo for any little girl!

And then there is my little Aaron!! He is as fearless as his cousin! He jumps from tall places, dives into any activity head on, no holding back!!

Below is my other nephew Brody. He is a wonderful sweet little guy! He can have his moments, but is all around a nice kiddo!!! And he LOVED the doughnuts!!

Then there is my Mike! He truly has a heart of gold. He would give you ANYTHING just to see you smile! And he also loved the doughnuts!!

This next pic is very telling of who these kiddos are: silly, goofy, happy-go-lucky kiddos! I'm not sure what any of them are doing in this picture!! But I think it's funny!

We did waterballoons,

Sat on the gigantic rock pile,

Rode quads with cousin Markie and ran through the sprinklers!!!

We had good ole' almost free fun!!!

Did you do anything fun for the last day of school??

As always, thanks for stopping by!!!

Summer Lovin'!!

Nothing says summer (at least to me) like buzz cuts!!

I tell meyself every year that I won't cut their hair too short, but then I can't resist!!

My Mike and Aaron look "like Daddy" , as they say! Their dad keeps a very short cut! I like rubbing my hands across their heads with their soft chicken fuzz!

Looking forward to working in the garden tonight, IF the rain will stop!! My tomatoes and pepper plants are looking AWESOME!! So excited to eat fresh, homegrown produce!