An Unexpected Day

Today was a surprise of sorts. I got to sleep-in just a bit and have a lazy morning with my hubby. That was fun.

Big Mike helped Kylee with her pinhole project for astronomy, Mike discovered that LeCrae was signing autographs at Mardel, and Brianna texted me to say that they "would be cleaning at their rent house, if I wanted to come and help."

Today, I had intended to finish the cleaning of my own home that I started yesterday. But, I decided that I would serve today and give my children an opportunity to serve, as well. I gave each of the kids three chores to complete: *wash, dry, and fold a load of clothes; *sweep & mop a room; and *clean a bathroom. I went to start the dishwasher, so that I could unload it when I got home. The dishwasher would not start. Bummer! I told the fam I'd wash the dishes, make my bed, and clean my room when I got home. I grabbed some cleaning supplies and got in the truck to head to Bahamas. (Not THE BAHAMAS, but Bahamas.) Yes, that was our old house. I went to help a friend clean the house that I moved out of a little over 5 years ago. It sure did bring back floods of memories. So many things are different about the house, and yet so many things are the same. The front door looks different, but it is the same door that I opened to find my mom standing there after a very difficult day, welcome my hubby home after a full day of work, and welcome our guests to sit a spell. The walls look different, but they are the same walls that stood when we moved in, brought our baby girl home for the first time, heard about 9/11, and celebrated birthdays. Our bird bath still sits in the backyard. The trees we planted are getting so big. The blinds that covered the windows in Kylee's room are still there. The ceiling fan that cooled my son on hot summer days is still there. The "denim" bathroom with fence-wood trim is still there. There is even a shelf in the garage that says "Mike -n- Kym." You knew that would be somewhere, didn't you? So many memories flooded my mind while I was there today. I told my friends that I so vividly remembered doing all of this stuff the week we moved in while I was pregnant with Kylee. I could have never done it without the help of Toni and her mom, Honey. (I sure do miss that sweet lady.) We moved in on my due date, and Kylee arrived 10 days later. Just thinking about that time brings thousands of other memories. But I will refrain from adding all of those to this blog.

I introduced Bradley and Brianna to the neighbors. I sure do miss those neighbors. I miss that front driveway that forces you to use your front door and actually see people that live beside and around you. I do long for that connectedness with neighbors. I miss it. Did I already say that? I really do.

At the end of the day...the kids did a wonderful job! Mike got to go to Mardel for autographs. Both kids made it to a birthday party for a mutual friend in the student ministry. Hubby got his things done. I, finally, got home, washed those dishes, made my bed, cleaned my room, did a load of laundry, and watched the Rangers win so they could head to the World Series!

God gives us unexpected days sometimes. I am thankful.

findJoyintheJourney

-kym^

Come On Rangers!

We are definitely rooting for the Rangers to go ahead and finish this today! I guess we'll know if they do in a few hours. The boys are enjoying game-day hot dogs. Kylee chose Ramen Noodles for her game-day meal. I put a pork tenderloin in the crock pot this morning, so I think I'll have a pork taco. I have also roasted some peanuts. We all enjoyed hearing the 4Tops sing the National Anthem. We are ready for victory!

Our Ranger flag is hanging out front.

Let's do this, Rangers!

I've been busy decorating for fall. Never mind the fact that the weather here says it is still summer. Decorating one area usually leads me into another area which leads me to another area which leads to another. You get the idea. Below is the result of fall decorating with the Harpers. 

A closer look at the wagon set. Found the wagon at a yard sale around the corner this summer. I love it.

This was what the entryway looked like for about a week and a half. I have since changed it to be the family launch pad. They were already using it for that. Now it reflects that.

Here is a closer look at the subway art. It is one of my new favorite things to create.

Here it is. Everyone has a place for their keys and a clipboard for sweet notes from the momma (or anyone else) in the home. The calendar was blank, but now has all of our activities listed. Hopefully this will help us remember appointments.

Here is the living room mantle. I love it. My chair sits directly across the room.

Here it is at night. I love to look at it.

This is mine and Mike's room. I had planned to put the letters above our bed inside a frame, but they ended up being too big for the frame I have. I like it the way it is. Might just leave it. I have another project in my head. I'll let ya know when it gets outside.

One last thing before I sign-off today. A friend gave me this mum. I am killing it. Any advice for this novice? The plant that I brought home from Dad's memorial service is doing really good. Maybe mums are just too high-maintenance for me. : )

What should I do?

This one is alive and well.

Have a great night. Tomorrow is cleaning day. I might just have some new pics of things that I decided to rearrange. My family is hoping I don't, I am sure.

findJoyintheJourney

-kym^

Pocahontas Museum

You may or may not know that we are studying American History this year. Now you do, for sure. Kylee and her friend, Kate, made a Pocahontas Museum and we would like for you to take the tour. After entering you will follow the pictures from top to bottom then from right to left. Enjoy the museum and do visit again soon to see what happens next.

Exhibit One: Stones & Clubs

When John Smith arrived in Jamestown, the Powhatans put Smith on rocks and were standing around him holding their clubs when the young Pocahontas stepped in to save him.

Exhibit Two: Held for Ransom
When the settlers kidnapped Pocahontas, part of the ransom they demanded was corn and the weapons that the Powhatans had taken from them.

Exhibit Three: Furs and Corn

Pocahontas would go to Jamestown to visit John Smith. She would bring him furs and corn.

Exhibit Four: Learning About Jesus
Pocahontas was taught English and she was taught about God and Jesus. She got saved and then changed her name to Rebecca.

Exhibit Five: Marriage to John Rolfe
John Rolfe and Rebecca got married on April 5, 1614.

Exhibit Six: Thomas Rolfe
John Rolfe and Rebecca had a baby boy and named him Thomas.

Exhibit Seven: Trip to England
The Rolfe family took a trip to England. She met Rolfe's family and was even reunited with her friend John Smith. They headed home seven months later.
(This picture is missing. The ship was made from the bathtub, and it didn't make for a very interesting picture. Use your imagination.)

Exhibit Eight: Death of Pocahontas

On their way home from England, Rebecca became ill. The ship docked at Gravesend, England. Before she died, she told her husband that, "All must die. Tis enough that the child liveth."

Exhibit Nine: Remembering Pocahontas
Pocahontas helped make peace between the "white" man and the Indian. She was a friend to both.

Thank you for visiting the museum today. Hope to see you soon.

findJoyintheJourney

-kym^

Kitchen Kapers

This year, Kylee has decided that she would like to do more cooking and baking. We enlisted the help of our Kitchen Mentor, Tami Mills. She has been so gracious to help Kylee where her mom falls way short of the measuring spoon. I don't know what it is about the kitchen that scares me, but I just fumble around in there most of the time. I can't substitute this for that or that for this. I just eat it plain and dry. Boring, I know.

Anyway, Kylee has learned lots. She has even taught me a thing or two. For instance, did you know that when you are baking cakes and cookies, you should always use jumbo eggs? I sure didn't. She has made Ravioli Lasagna, Chocolate Reese's Cookies, Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup, Oreo Brownie Cupcakes, Cranberry Orange Chicken, and Candy Corn Sugar Cookies. All were delish! She and her dad like a lot of chicken in their soup, so she doubled the amount she added. The Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe is from a friend. Kylee has amazed me with her skill and determination. She is still going strong.

Can you see the smile on her face?

We are going to add "Sandwich Night" to our weekly menu. Mike (formerly Little Mike) is going to start practicing sandwiches for the Sandwich Shop he wants to open after he "finishes" school. (I have always said "school" is what we all do everyday. It is just learning.) Anyway, he wants to make burgers and sandwiches in his place. So, let the practice begin! Big Mike (formerly Mike)  takes us to Chick on Wednesday nights after church meetings so that we can hang with the teens, So, that is three nights of no cooking for the momma. She is thrilled.

I'll let ya know how the first Sandwich Night unravels. Stay tuned.

findJoyintheJourney

-kym^

Pinterest Inspires

Who doesn't love Pinterest right now? It has inspired friends to bake, make, and take (junk they never would have taken before). I remember the day I discovered it. I sat for a couple of hours just creating boards and pinning pictures to them. It was so much fun. It is what I have done for years. Only, I've done it with magazines. I have had a 3-ring binder filled with page protectors full of ideas "stolen from magazines." And, yes, they were categorized. Now, I have them all at my fingertips, pinned neatly to boards I named just the way I wanted to.

I have been inspired to do many things this summer. I now use my entry way table as my seasonal spot, all because of pictures from Pinterest. The very first project I did was for it. All you have to do is get a 2x4 and have the man in your life cut it into random sizes. You need some scrapbook paper, modge podge, a paint brush, a paper cutter, scissors, and a sanding block. I also used some stickers and made a few extra blocks.

The next project I "stole" was for my son's swimming lessons graduation day. He gave lessons to 6 kids. He did a fantastic job and they all finished around the same time. So he had one graduation party for all. Fruit Kabobs were delish and beautiful!

Watermelon on a stick. Great idea!


We even made our own water bottle labels.

I made a anklet out of an old t-shirt. Pretty cool. I would like to make more, just haven't yet. All you need for this is an old t-shirt that you like the color.

I even cleaned my washing machine. Brace yourself for the nasty pictures.


But, oh the beauty of it now! My laundry smells better than ever.

I made some post-it note holders to give as thank you gifts. I made mine with coasters, scrapbook paper, modge podge, a paint brush, sanding block, binder clip, ribbon, and post-it note pad.

My final project this summer was for my new themed entry way. I made my very own subway art for our Back-to-School entry. We each thought of a few words that say "Back-to-School" to us and I added them in different fonts. I sent a request out via facebook and got a few more inspiring words. I absolutely love the end result.

With only a week and a half left of my summer break, I must get busy on those lesson plans. I'll go check Pinterest for ideas first. : )

findJoyintheJourney

-kym^

Tah-Dah

Summer is quickly winding down and we are having to gear up for school. It is time to actually begin using the Tah-Dah list that I love so much. I want to share it with you here, but am so new to this that I am not exactly sure how to do it. I have gotten tons of ideas and inspiration from others and want to do my part to inspire someone.

It is fun for me to write things on this list and I love to look at it.

I write the day's date at the top of the page. Today's MIT's are "Today's Most Important Things." They could be "Smile, Laugh, and Pray." They could be "Pray to God, Kiss my husband, Hug my children." They are the three things that you absolutely know you need to get done that day!

I try to write down the other things that I need to do under the Tah-Dah heading. I like that name. It reminds me that I have accomplished something in my small part of the world. Insignificant to others, but achievement to me. I highlight through the things I have accomplished for the day.

I try to work on memorizing scripture. It gets more complicated the older I get. So, I read the scripture each time I see my list. My scripture for the day might change or it might stay the same for a few days or weeks.

Under the Miscellaneous Notes, I put just that. It might contain things that need to be added to tomorrow's Daily Docket, or a movie a friend mentioned, or a song I want to download, or a word I want to find in the dictionary.

I love it as it is today. Next week, I might add something or change it. I do love change. Feel free to use it as inspiration to make your own with whatever makes you smile when you see your mundane list of things that need to get done that day.

findJoyintheJourney

-kym^

In Our Home

Is it even possible that school is starting in just more than three weeks? I can't imagine that it is. But one glance at my calendar tells me to believe. So, press on, I must. Time is slipping by at break-neck speed. Not only is my summer just about gone, but my kids are not slowing their roll either. As I sit and look at 5 boxes of books lining my fireplace, I just can't imagine where those little people who needed those books have gone to.

With one beginning middle school and one beginning his junior year, I am becoming progressively unnecessary. It becomes more and more evident just about daily. Sometimes it makes me smile and sometimes it brings tears to my eyes. I miss those days and yet I look forward to the new things God has in store for my life. As the relationships within my own home change, it amazes me. I know that God is working here to grow each of us to be more like His Son, and I am so grateful. We all make messes, slip and fall, toot our own horn, cry, act sinfully, and have a blast together. We also seek forgiveness and offer forgiveness. All of that happens in our home. Together. One of our favorite places to be.

findJoyintheJourney

-kym^