And so we move forward!

That's it!

As of Friday, my husband is officially retired from the Air Force.  What a weird feeling it is.  I have to tell you that I don't quite know how to feel yet.

On the one hand I'm excited for this new journey, but on the other hand it's sad to see this Chapter in our lives come to an end.  It's been all we've known for so long.


Right, so onwards we go and I'm excited to see what is ahead for our family.

Thank the Lord, my husband started working last week.  You know we've put it all in His hands since the beginning and we've been faithful and haven't questioned the path we're on, and I think we're being rewarded and taken care of because of that.  So thankful that Curt was able to not only find a job already but start working as well.

I know that I haven't been around, matter of fact I've been downright awful at blogging the past month, and I am not going to even try to explain the why's because you all know how busy I've been, but I just can't let the blog sit in the corner and gather dust.   I have to make a genuine effort to get back to my normal blogging.

You know the other day I actually went and looked through some of your blogs and I felt like I've missed out on so much.  It's almost like a whole year has gone by in the time that I've been away from the blog.

As we move forward with this new Chapter, things are falling into place.  I'm back to my normal routine, homeschooling, cooking and baking and homemaking, crocheting and photography and everything that makes me.....well....ME.

I'm hoping that this is the kick off to my return to my blog, not that I was gone, but I wasn't really updating and it's not like I forgot about because every single day I would tell myself that I need to sit down and compile a post but by the time I got a few spare moments, it was 11pm and I just climbed into bed and fell asleep.

Let's see how things go starting this week :)  For now, I'll leave you with pictures of my past week.....

Happy Homemaker Monday - 08-26-2013

Good morning friends, hope you had a wonderful weekend :)

I wanted to start today but asking (once again), that only links to your Happy Homemaker Monday posts be added to Mr Linky.  I have asked this numerous times and I still find links to other posts, recipes etc on there.

It takes time to go through them all and delete them, so I am begging you please, respect my request and my blog and follow the rules.

The weather.....
We've had a bit of rain over the weekend which felt so good.  Looks like we're starting to cool down and I'm getting excited for a real Fall after so many years :)

Right now I am....
Drinking a cup of coffee with Vanilla Caramel Creamer....talking to my hubby about his drive to Twin Falls in about an hour.

Thinking....
That I should know better than to watch scary movies.  LOL  When I was a teen it was the fun thing to do, watch a really scary movie even knowing that it would terrify you for days.  As I've grown older I've stopped watching them because they have a way of playing on my mind when I go to sleep, and again last night it happened LOL

We all decided to watch Paranormal Entity and then the boys spent the rest of the day scaring all the girls in the house....problem is that I forgot about the movie until I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and then....oh boy....Hahahahah

On my reading pile....
Still getting through my list of library books, plus I have a bunch of books coming in every day for reviews.  

On my TV.....
Hell on Wheels
True Blood - Still catching up
White Queen - Still catching up
Breaking Amish - Why do I watch this????  I can't stand reality TV, yet....


On the menu for this week....

Monday - Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
Tuesday -  Fettucine Alfredo
Wednesday - Broiled Parmesan Tilapia, Garlic Potatoes
Thursday - Spaghetti with Bacon
Friday -  Homemade Pizza
Saturday - Sausages with tomato sauce, rice
Sunday - Barbecue Glazed Drumsticks, Salad

On my to do list....
Laundry....finish the last load, iron, fold and put away
Homeschooling
Housework

In the craft basket....
Dishcloths, afghans, baby booties.  It's all or nothing with me LOL
  
Looking forward to this week....
Being one week closer to my husband starting his job.  He is finishing up some requirements like medicals, fingerprinting etc.

Looking around the house....
Kids are all asleep, my hubby, brother and sister in law are getting ready to head to Twin Falls.  I have a few dishes in the sink needing washing,and a little straightening up in the living room to do.     

From the camera....
We have such a cute park near our house, so Saturday we all went there just to walk around a bit and let the kids run around.

On my prayer list.....
Still the same people on my prayer list.  I have to keep reminding myself that all is done in God's timing and prayers are answered according to Him, not my wants.

Bible verse, Devotional....
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5 NIV

It's time!

You know, 3 months ago I put my crochet hook and yarn down, and I said "I'll get back to you very soon".....then the move got in the way and the drive and setting up a new house, and family moving in and before I knew it, the very soon turned into months.

Crochet, as you know, has always been my way of relaxing and de-stressing, it's always been that one go to when I'm sick or feeling a little down.  No matter what was going on, it relaxed me, and I've missed it so very much.

I know I said the other day that I was getting back to it, but guess what???  Homeschooling started and that got in the way and so here I am, back at square one, and ready to just get to it.

These baskets and bags have been sitting here waiting, patiently...sometimes not so patiently as I've found some yarn on the ground having fallen off.  Now of course I know it was one of the kids or the dogs as they walked by, but I choose to pretend that it was the yarn jumping out, begging to be made into something cute.

I have so many projects saved that I want to make, quite a few actually.  They're all saved in my Crochet Folder, and sometimes I open it up and look and go through the list, but then I get a bit overwhelmed so I close it again.

I decided that the best way to tackle this is to open it up, and start right at the top, go one by one and make my way to the bottom.  Right???

Or at least that's what I envision happening, though to be completely truthful, I have a feeling that I'll get halfway through and get distracted with something else. HA!

For me the best part of the whole process, from start to finish, is picking the color.

Sometimes it just comes to me, but then other times it is frustrating because I just can't seem to decide.  That is when I turn either to the web and look through color wheels or my favorite.....I just look around and get inspiration from items in my home. 

One of my most used color schemes?  Inspired by my Cath Kidston items.  But then I don't have to tell you that, I'm sure you already know.

And one of my most enjoyable yarns to work with???  Crochet thread.  Oh I was terrified the first time I tried, I felt like I had huge fingers and couldn't hold the delicate thread, but once I got the hang of it, it was just pure joy.

Matter of fact, I am making some dishcloths using double crochet thread, it works really well.

So yes, I am ready to get back into it.  I am smiling so big this morning, if only you could see me.

I do have to finish this blanket though, it's been sitting around waiting.  I can't just crochet this one, I am kinda weird when it comes to blankets because they're so big and take so much time, I always have to make sure I have a small quick project on hand to break the monotony. 

Am I the only one who does this???

Alright, now I'm curious.  How do you crochet, do you stay on one project until it's finished, do you have a few going at the same time, do you prefer yarn or crochet thread and the question I am most curious about......what is the ONE crochet or knitting item you have sitting in your basket unfinished???

And I'm talking about the one item that has been sitting there for years LOL 

I'll tell you about mine.  It's my African Flowers Blanket!  I know, it's a shame because it's so gorgeous, but I ran out of the yarn I was using and now I don't know what to do, not sure whether to buy more and continue to make it into an afghan or if I should use the individual flowers to make an owl which I'm leaning heavily to.   Decisions, Decisions!

Your turn!!!

The Days of our lives....

I have honestly lost track of my days and nights and week days and weekends, everything seems to just run together from one day to the other.

At the moment we are all at home, trying to get settled into a new way of life.  Some are looking for jobs, others are learning to live in a new country, and in the middle of all this we have homeschooling.

It's been an exciting journey, that is for sure.

It's strange and I had forgotten about how different schooling is in South Africa, so the kids are having a bit of a hard time adjusting to American schooling, the subjects and how different things are.  But we'll get there, one step at a time.

The one thing about living in a house with 8 people is that you never really have much privacy or a moment to do things on your own, and I'm a firm believer in that everyone needs some time to themselves.  So, we all, in our own way take moments, whether it is going outside and sitting quietly, or reading a book, or going to the bedroom shutting the door and catching up on a show on tv or Netflix.

It's so crucial that in the middle of all the chaos and newness, that you don't forget who you are and what you like and that you take time for that.

So in my spare moments, I have been catching up on my shows, one of them which I'm really enjoying is Who Do You Think You Are?  on the TLC channel.  I love anything to do with genealogy and sometimes wish I could search up my own family, but for that I would need names and places and dates and it's quite hard to get all that info at the moment.

The new season of The Great British Bake Off started yesterday on BBC and I am soooooo excited for that one.  I told you all about a few months ago and since I love being in the kitchen so much it's one of those shows that is right up my alley.

The Real White Queen and her Rivals is a great documentary, especially if you've enjoyed The White Queen series based on Philippa Gregory's book.  You can watch Episode 1 and Episode 2 on Youtube.

Another I'm enjoying is Kirstie's Fill Your House for Free.  I'm a huge fan of Kirstie Allsop and all of her programmes so anytime she has a new one, I'm ALL.OVER.IT.

Of course in the midst of all this I am still enjoying my two Portuguese soaps and reading my books and doing puzzles on the Kindle Fire.

I think it's all about the little moments that you take advantage of, right???

How do you take time for yourself on a daily basis???

Happy Homemaker Monday - 08-19-2013

Where did the weekend go?  I can't believe it's already Monday again and we're halfway through August as well, goodness.

Hope you all had a good relaxing weekend and are ready for the week ahead.  Now, let's get right into our Happy Homemaker Monday :)

The weather.....
We're cooling down this week and even have some chance for thunderstorms.  I say bring it on, but leave the lightning out as we really do not need anymore wild fires.

Right now I am....
Writing this post up, drinking my coffee and getting ready to go over today's lessons.

Thinking....
About school starting today and having 4 kiddos who will be sitting around this dinner table learning.  Will definitely be an adventure lol

On my reading pile....
All the books I grabbed from the library, plus school lessons and some paperwork I'm helping my brother and sister in law with. 

On my TV.....
Hell on Wheels
True Blood - Have to catch up on this whole past season
White Queen - Watched the first episode and then the move got in the way and now I have to catch up on all the episodes of this first season

On the menu for this week....

Monday - Carne Guisada
Tuesday -  Grilled Sirloin w/ Twice Baked Potatoes
Wednesday - Fettucine Alfredo
Thursday - Roast Chicken with potatoes
Friday -  Cheesy Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans
Saturday - Taco Bar, Mexican Rice, Salad
Sunday - Barbecue Glazed Drumsticks

On my to do list....
Laundry - Yippee
Homeschooling

In the craft basket....
I'm hoping....really hoping, that now that school is starting back up, that I'll be able to get back into a routine and get back into my crochet goodies.  I have a few finished already and ready to sell, it's just a matter of taking pictures and posting them.
 
Looking forward to this week....
Getting back into a routine.

Looking around the house....
The kids are all awake and there is a buzz about school starting.  Two of them are excited, and the other two are acting like they were told they will be facing the firing squad LOL  It's pretty funny actually.
   
From the camera....

On my prayer list.....
My husband, he will find out today if he has the job he applied for.
My father and stepmother
My grandmother who is in hospital with a bleeding ulcer
My brother who is recovering from Bell's Palsy
My friend Jen who is going through a very hard time with her daughter

Bible verse, Devotional....
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.We love because he first loved us.
– 1 John 4:18-19 (NIV)

Time for reading!

You know in our busy lives, one of the things that I really need to do is read.  It is my safe haven, my go to when I start getting too stressed.

Maybe it's the fact that the fiction takes me away to a completely different world, or it might be that I just need my brain to disconnect from the everyday stresses.

But most of the time, it's really just that I love reading and love having books around me, and can't imagine my life without bookshelves and gorgeous books to dive into.

I went to the library a few days ago, by myself, everyone was still asleep or just getting up, so I wandered around in there for a long time, just browsing, running my fingers through the books on the shelves, grabbing this one and that one that caught my attention and then placing them back into that little spot that never quite seems to fit once they're out.

Leaving with one book is out of the question, that never happens....I'm usually asked if I want a bag for all the books I'm balancing between my arms.

I don't know what it is, but walking out of the library I always seem to have the goofiest smile on my face.  It just makes me that happy.

One thing is for sure, I love my Kindle Fire but it will never come to the same level that holding a real book in your hands, does...and that is the reason why I will never get rid of my books, it's also the reason why I can't stop myself from buying more even when I have some on the shelves waiting to be read.

I think I have enough books to keep me busy for a few weeks.  A little bit of everything on this stack:

Wedding Night - Sophie Kinsella
Sisters of the Confederacy - Lauraine Snelling
A Simple Winter - Rosalind Lauer
When will this cruel war be over:  The Civil War Diary of Emma Simpson Gordonsville, Virginia 1864
Tapestry of Fortunes - Elizabeth Berg
The Judas Field - Howard Bahr
Return to Beauty...Old world recipes  - Narine Nikogosian
Homemade Root beer, soda and pop 
The Forgotten Skills of Self-Sufficiency used by the Mormons

AND I still have the two cookbooks in the basket too.  I think that tomorrow I'm going to take a few moments to sit outside on the deck and read, or I may just set a quilt down under one of the big trees in the back and lay with a book.

What are you reading lately, anything interesting?  And are you more of a fiction or non fiction fan?

Is there a book that you think I would love, cause I'm always open for suggestions :)

A lifetime of missed events!

When you are living thousands of miles away from family, one of the things that most stands out is the fact that so many life events go by without you being there.

For the past 15 years, I have missed out on my niece's and nephew's lives and many of their firsts.

It's upsetting and it's heartbreaking and it makes you cry and want to go home, but it's also something you learn to live with.  Not that it gets easier, but you learn to accept that there is nothing you can do to change it and you live vicariously through the photos and updates on Facebook and through emails and phone calls.

But it's never the same is it?

Now I have one of my nieces and nephews here and it's been wonderful seeing them every day and talking to them and learning who they are, their likes and dislikes.

Knowing that I will be witnessing many of their firsts in this new journey in their lives, makes me so happy.  I may have missed out on the earlier years but I will be here for the older ones as they set out into the world.

One of the biggest accomplishments for a teenager is learning to drive, and that's exactly what my niece Tiffany is doing.

You see, back in South Africa you have to be 18 to get your driver's license, so she would have had to wait a few more years. I can't even explain to you just how excited she is and to be driving her Uncle Curt's big truck.

She looks so tiny in that big ol thing LOL

Uncle Curt is very patient though and loves teaching so she's loving this.....and I'm loving the fact that I get to witness this first hand, such a big event in our lives :)

Only thing that would make this better is if I had all of my nieces and nephews here with me, but, maybe one day :)

We've had two days of reprieve from the fire haze and the smell of burning, and the farmers have been out there plowing and enjoying the fresh air without all the ash.

Unfortunately today, we are back to hazy, smoky, foggy skies and a horrible stench. I feel so bad for the firefighters who have been battling these fires for days now, I pray that the fires subside and soon.

It has made for some stunning sunsets though as it's turned the sun a bright red ball in the sky.

Anyway, I wanted to come in and give you a quick update of what is going on in my side of the woods.

Have a super busy day with bill paying, grocery shopping, errands to run and hair cuts for all the boys, so I better get finished with my grocery list and start waking up kids, takes forever to get everyone ready to head out the door.

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone :)

Happy Homemaker Monday - 08/12/2013

It's been a scary couple of days.  If you're not aware of it, we've been surrounded by massive wildfires caused by lightning from a storm we had a few days ago.

Last night the fires were raging on the mountain just across the highway, it was a scary and surreal feeling, ash in the air, the strong smell of burning fires.  Makes you realize just how fragile life can be.

Then this morning I got word that my oldest brother was taken to the hospital with his face drooping and was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy.  Don't know what is going on, but the past few months I've had quite a few friends come down with Bell's Palsy.

Needing some major prayers for these two issues and for my dad and stepmom who are going through a very difficult time at the moment.

Anyway, on to today's HHM:

The weather.....
Hazy dark skies, ash falling and very windy.  Supposed to get a thunderstorm tonight which would be wonderful for these conditions and to help fight the wild fires, but praying there is no lightning involved.

Right now I am....
Sitting at the kitchen table.  Everyone else is asleep.  I'm drinking a cup of tea as I spent all night feeling sick to my stomach.

Thinking....
That I ate way too much yesterday and mixed a lot of things I shouldn't have.  I'm paying for it right now with this nausea.

On my reading pile....
Aside from the two books I had picked up last week, I also picked up a few more at the library.  I go through these stages where I read constantly and right now I'm devouring books :)
Have some Amish ones, some cooking books and some historical fiction.

On my TV.....
Hell on Wheel's new season just started so today I'll be watching the first episode.
Not sure what else, but I have quite a list of shows I'm trying to catch up on, so I'll probably watch one of those when I have a spare moment.

On the menu for this week....

Monday - Fricassee Chicken
Tuesday -  Sausages and Mash
Wednesday - Great Grandma's Meatballs, Fries, Salad
Thursday - *Grocery Day*
Friday -
Saturday -
Sunday -

On my to do list....
Had a few things to get done today, but honestly the way I'm feeling this morning, I think I'm going to just camp out on the couch with a good book.

In the craft basket....
Nothing, I have fallen way behind on the dishcloths and there's been so much going on that I just haven't had a chance to get back to it.  Really, really need to though.

Looking forward to this week....
Enjoying the last week of summer before school starts on the 19th.

Looking around the house....
The sun is trying to shine through the smoke clouds, so it's bathing the house in this reddish orange tinge, it's gorgeous.
There are a few Xbox controllers on the floor in the living room which need to be picked up, some items on the kitchen counters and the dining table.  Aside from that the house is actually clean and tidy :)
  
From the camera....
Little blurry, but just to show you what we were seeing last night, across the field.

On my prayer list.....
My husband, he has a second interview today and a few others this week.
My father and stepmother, things are just not well between them and they're both suffering.
My oldest brother who has come down with Bell's Palsy.
Friends needing prayer at the moment.

Bible verse, Devotional....
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
– Galatians 5:4-6 (NIV)

Well, hello 39!!!

 
I would say the year flew by, but then again I think you all know that.  Where has the time gone?

I feel like just yesterday I was writing a post up about turning 38 years old, but now here I am, turning 39, just one year away from the big 4 0.  It doesn't scare me, matter of fact I'm so excited for this age and for what is to come.

So what I have learned?  Oh boy.  So very much. 

Good things have happened, bad things have happened, things that have broken my heart have happened but they've all made me who I am.  This morning I woke up and the very first thing I did was thank God for bringing me to this point and for the past 39 years of my life.

I thanked him for EVERYTHING.....and I mean everything, not just the good, but even the sad moments and the ups and downs.  I am thankful for it all because each moment we live is a lesson, every single thing we do, every single tear we cry, and even every "I can't take it anymore".

What you do with it all is up to you.  I choose to live it, learn it, and love it.

This next year I have no idea what is coming my way.  I used to cringe and I used to be terrified of what may come, and then I learned to just accept it.

Every single line on my face, every wrinkle, tells a story.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

So, let's see what is in the future and where this road takes me.  One thing is for sure, as long as I have this man beside me, I can take it all with a smile on my face. :)

God will provide!

 
The hardest part of this transition is the not knowing what is coming around the corner.

Truth is that retirement alone is not enough to live on, so my husband has been actively looking for another job, putting in applications, going for interviews etc.

I could tell you that I'm freaking out, but I really am not, and the reason being that I know we are doing our part and God will provide.  He provides for the birds, why would he not provide for us?

Doesn't make it easier when you are having to learn a new way of life, a new budget, going from two payments a month to one etc.  It's all a big adjustment we are going through, but thankfully we have a lot of faith in the Lord and in each other.

My husband went for a few interviews this week and he has a few more coming up next week.

It's all in the Lord's hands.

Even though this is a huge change for us, I have learned so much and continue to every day.  I could look at it as a terrifying experience, but I choose to look at it as an exciting time, a way to start over and do things differently.

I'm sure there will be days where I may feel a little overwhelmed, and that's ok, as long as I keep reminding myself that "God will provide".

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

Bright and early....

Oh my allergies have been bothering me something fierce, if I could scratch out my eyes and nose, I would.

Had a bit of an off day yesterday, just wasn't feeling very well and so by 8:30pm I had bid my goodnights and headed off to bed.  Took a pill for my pounding headache and was out pretty soon after.  Think my body needed that early night too, I slept quite well and woke up feeling rejuvenated, so I'm hoping today is a much better day for me.

How are you all doing?  Anything exciting going on?

Yesterday I did some homemaking, got some things started and replenished, like my infused vinegar for cleaning.

I had just made a batch of my Fat Flush Water, and instead of throwing out the peels from the orange and the grapefruit, they went straight into a big jar of vinegar.

I'll let it sit there on the window sill for a few days and then it's ready to go. Don't think there's quite anything like cleaning with vinegar so I always have a jar on hand.

When we left the old house, I actually brought my onions and my squash plant with me and surprisingly, they made the trip and are thriving.

I do wish I could have brought everything with me, but I couldn't, so I hope whoever moves in next will take care of the veggie garden.

I can't wait to get my garden started at this house, going to have hubby build me some raised beds and get to work, I miss have fresh veggies out of the garden, on hand.

I think this one is a Hosta, but I could be wrong as I'm not very good with flower names LOL  So if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.

After watering the garden, I came back inside and started a batch of Freezer Pickles, which I love.  It takes 3 days to make them but they are delicious and well worth the wait.

Spent the rest of the day relaxing, trying to catch up on my shows and diffusing fights brought about by games of Nerf gun in the house.  Annoying to say the least LOL

Oh I have to tell you, remember I mentioned that right after we moved in I had noticed a nest on the tree next to the deck?  The mommy had laid two eggs and pretty soon after they hatched into the cutest little mourning doves ever.  

I couldn't believe when we went back less than a week later, just how big they had gotten and just the other day they left the nest with mommy.  How amazing that life is created and developed and moved on in such a short period of time.

Not quite sure what today brings, but I may need to make a stop at the library to see if the books I put on hold are ready for me.

Learning how to fly.  I could just sit and watch them for hours :)

Alright the house is stirring and that is my cue to start breakfast.  Have a wonderful day everyone.

Happy Homemaker Monday - 08/05/2013

Good Monday morning everyone :)

I sure do hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was relaxing and filled with laughter and family time.

Now, time to get back to business, have a busy week ahead.   

The weather.....
Been just beautiful around here, it's 60 degrees right now, just perfect morning weather :)  We'll be in the 90's the rest of the week and even though it gets hot, it's nothing like we had before.

Right now I am....
Enjoying my cup of coffee with my Girl Scout Cookies Coconut and Caramel coffee creamer....my word it's delicious.  Also had half of a maple donut.  Being naughty this morning.

Thinking....
About the blog and getting back to my daily postings and how much I can't wait for that.  Also have other things on my mind.

On my reading pile....
Picked up two books from the library and have a bunch more on hold.  For now though it's:

Southern Living Little Jars, big flavors
Meals in a Jar

On my TV.....
Have been catching up on my shows, almost there.  Also got the family into Doctor Who so they've been enjoying that one.

What I found while surfing the net....
Oh boy, haven't had much online time so I don't think I have something to share again with you.  I may just leave this one out from now on lol   

On the menu for this week....

Monday - Chicken Curry
Tuesday -  Feijoada (Portuguese Bean Stew)
Wednesday - Sweet and Spicy Bacon Chicken with Homemade Fries
Thursday - Sausages and Mash
Friday - Country Club Chicken with Homemade Noodles
Saturday - My Birthday
Sunday - Roast Fish with Roast Potatoes

On my to do list....
Finish getting my niece and nephew set up for homeschooling
Iron, fold and put away laundry

In the craft basket....Goodness, my dishcloths are still sitting in the basket, just waiting for me.  Those are one of the things on my list to get back to this week.

Looking forward to this week....Routine, routine, routine.  Need I say more?    

Looking around the house....
My sweet nephew is sitting here at the kitchen table with me, chatting away while I write up this post.  He picked up the whole living room for me and took out the trash.  Love this kid :)  There are a few pans in the sink from last night's dinner which I couldn't fit in the dishwasher, I also have a few loads of laundry to get through.  Other than that the house is tidy.
  
From the camera....

On my prayer list.....
My husband, he's been applying for jobs everywhere so hoping he gets something.
My brother and sister in law.
My father and stepmother.
Friends needing prayer.

Bible verse, Devotional....
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
– Genesis 4:7 (NIV)

Back to business....

As much as I love new adventures and new things, after a few days I start craving the normalcy of my days.

So it's time to get back to business, back into the routine and back to my blogging :)

I wouldn't say I took a break per se, more of a cut back on the amount of blogging these past two weeks while we welcomed the family and reconnected.

Oh it's so important to reconnect and to talk and chat and laugh....goodness to laugh, until your stomach hurts, until your snorting, until you have tears running down your face.  It feels wonderful.

Anyway, it's Sunday morning and the house is fast asleep, the kids are all camped out in one bedroom, some on the floor, others in the beds.  It makes me smile, I love them all so very much and they get along beautifully.

Is there anything better than cousins?   I don't think so.

Church this morning is not going to happen, I woke up with a sore throat and congested, my hubby and sister in law both have stiff necks and sore backs, my Jasmine has a sore neck too, my brother's allergies are bugging the heck out of him and I think we're all just a total mess to go anywhere.

We'll stay home, watch a movie or something, relax and just take it easy.

Yesterday we packed an easy lunch and headed to the lake for a few hours.  I do love going out there, it's beautiful and so peaceful.  The best place to forget any stresses that may be bothering you and to let it all go.

Along the way I stopped quite a few times for my niece Tiffany to see the horses and take pictures.  You have no idea how much this child adores horses, she just beams when she's near them.

And it melts my heart.  I would like nothing more than to get a horse for her.

Love, love, love this picture I snapped of her.  You can see in her face how much she loves these horses.

These two girls are so cute together.

Just a little glimpse of our day at the lake.

As I said, it's back to business now, I've relaxed, I've enjoyed myself but I do miss my blog something fierce and I miss knowing what you've all been up to.  I've started coming around to say hi but I'm afraid it will take me a little longer than a few minutes to get to everyone's blog.

No worries though, got all the time in the world right?

Oh and I didn't forget about the dishcloths for sale, I have one to finish and then I'll start selling the ones that are already complete.  I don't know just how many I'll be able to get to, as my time is going to be very short with all the family here......matter of fact I'll be homeschooling my kiddos AND my niece and nephew, so that's 4 kids which I'm sure will keep me really busy LOL

I guess I'll finish this post with what I have planned for today......


WHAT I'M COOKING:

Lunch will be something easy, either sandwiches or I may even grab some tacos which the kids love and my niece and nephew haven't been able to have in South Africa, so they're always asking me if they can have some now lol
Dinner will be Chicken Curry



WHAT I'M WATCHING:

Doctor Who (got the family into it lol)
Haunted History
Who do you think you are?