Back to School

K started school this week. I know it seems early, but we're only doing 3 days a week until August. I find that the long breaks off don't do well with us. Not only does K really dread doing anything, but it's hard for me to get back into a routine.

K has almost completed his 1st grade math last month. We only have a few weeks left in it and although I know we don't have to finish every book that we start, I feel that finishing his math book will help him have a better understanding to go to the next level.

Here are a few things we did today that complemented the things we did earlier in the week. The nice thing about the projects are that his brother and sister can do them with us.

For History, we did a little excavating. We just so "happened" to find a toothbrush and a can.

For science, we made the planets. He wanted to hang them in his sister's room in case he wanted to look at them while his brother slept.

They really enjoyed this project. He also started an Astronomy notebook. I'm looking forward to seeing his work progress throughout the year. We are using Apologia for his science. I really like the way it's laid out. We read two days a week and do projects and notebooking one day. So, even when we start doing 5 days a week, we will continue to do science and history 3 days a week.

Baby Boy Outfit

There are so many babies being born right now in my small circle of friends. It's such a wonderful time. I made a onesie dress for the little girl that was born yesterday. Last night, I made an outfit for a new brother that was born on the 5th. I absolutely adore this outfit and have decided to make T and maybe K one. I might even make L something that matches. I LOVE the stripes on it. This outfit was pretty simple and although it took me a couple of hours, now that I've made one pair of pants, I think I can do another pair pretty quickly. These pants are tapered at the leg ONLY because I messed up. Because they are so small, they were hard to hem the pant leg. Lesson learned!

Onesie Dress

A friend of mine might be having her baby girl tomorrow so instead of doing the traditional meal that I tend to do, I decided to make her something instead. When I make another one, I will probably gather it more so it flares more. This one is a little too straight for me. I also like the idea of having ruffles on the backside of it in a contrasting color. I think that would be cute, but I haven't researched how to do that yet. :-)
My friend had her baby yesterday. She's gorgeous!!! I will still probably provide a meal, but first I need to buy little gifts for the two brothers.

Twirly Skirt

I've been itching to make my daughter a "twirly" skirt AND using some extremely bold and bright fabric that I have. After doing some research, I finally found one that I liked. Although I didn't follow the instructions to the tee, this is what I have. It has an elastic waistband and I hemmed the skirt. I'm super excited that she already had the perfect shirt to go with it. Thanks Ms. Alex! It defnitely twirls!!!!

I REALLY like the way it turned out, but if I do another one, I'll probably use more fabrics. I only used 5 different fabrics, but would have preferred 7 or 8. Now, it's time to make the boys something... Stay Tuned!

Repurposed Shirt

I've been in the mood to sew lately and I absolutely LOVED this button down shirt that I NEVER wore, so I decided to make something for my daughter out of it instead of just give it away.
If I make another one I will make the top bigger so there is an actual need for elastic. Originally, when my daughter wore it, she had the buttons on the front, but as the day progressed, the dress got lower, so I decided to turn it around and let the back be the front by adding a flower to it.

Peace Like a River

"If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea." Isaiah 48:18


Before I was born, my parents spent a lot of time in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. From the time I was 6 weeks old, maybe younger, my parents started taking me to their favorite destination with my siblings and some of my parent's friends. Most of what I remember from my youth are memories from those weekends and summers. We, as a group, would hike MILES to a waterfall or to the top of a mountain, collect blueberries, tube down the river and walk back singing songs and getting lost in the time. At night we always played cards or dominoes and since we always camped directly near the water, there was always a wonderful sound of serenity flowing not too far away.

When God talks about having peace like a river in Isaiah, I can relate. When I read those words recently all the memories from my youth came flooded my mind. Initially, thinking of a river is very relaxing as you think about the water cascading downstream. I can't recall how many times I fell asleep listening to the music God created. I don't know how often since my youth I have wanted to escape to the mountains just to hear the rushing of the rivers again. A river is very calming and serene, yet underneath the beauty and serenity of the white caps lies a bed of rocks. The bigger the white caps and the louder the music, the bigger the rocks usually are.

Following God's wisdom is VERY much like a river. When we just pay attention and listen to His command the outcome is very serene and appealing to not only us, but everyone around us. It's when we actually obey his commands and have that peace that people notice our peace because we not only fill it inwardly, but we express it outwardly as well. What most people usually only see are the calming effects and the beauty of God's work. What they don't see is the work it took to get that peace. The battle within that happened before we obeyed God. The struggle we went through while we waited to make sure it was really His command and not something we just did or didn't want to do. They don't see the rocks beneath the white caps. It's not until they step into the river that they feel the rocks, pain, and discomfort that are underneath the tranquil peaceful river.

Almost always, peace like a river comes with a little discomfort and sometimes pain of growth. While I might feel peace in one particular are right now, there was a time when God told me to do something and I hesitated because I didn't know if it was His plan or mine. When I finally obeyed and did as I was told, I was flooded with peace knowing His plan was being done. It was very uncomfortable for me to step out of doing something I completely enjoyed and loved. That discomfort and slight nervousness was replaced with deeper cravings for the Word, more time with Him and my family, a better understanding, deeper friendships, opened eyes to something I had not noticed before, a stronger trust, and an even bigger smile than before. Peace.

"IF ONLY" It's so simple. If only my son would have listened to me and not yelled at me he would have been able to stay up later. If only my daughter wouldn't have done something she shouldn't have she wouldn't have got in trouble. If only I could keep things as simple as God intends them to be then I wouldn't have the constant struggle for peace. As my relationship deepens and I get in His Word more, it becomes easier to recognize His calling and prompting and the "If onlys" start to disappear from my hourly, daily, weekly walk and peace like a river becomes more abundant.

"If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea." Isaiah 48:18

Dress A Girl

Our local MOPS group gathered today to host a sewing party to make pillowcase dresses for Dress A Girl. In the fall when the group goes to El Savador, they will give the dresses to the girls in need. I wasn't able to attend because I had a Cloth Diaper Showing at my house scheduled, but here's a picture of the dress I made.