A City Life For Me

I can’t go wordless today, so how about a Wednesday Wow?  For the 2012 Republican nomination, “We Pick Rick!”  Today, my brother Wesley got to meet Rick Santorum at a rally held at The Crown College (where Wes is a student) in Tennessee.  When Rick finished the speech, Wesley got a picture with him!  Ben is going to be jealous when he finds out!

I found a Motherhood quote subway art on Pinterest the other day.  I really liked the quote, but it wasn’t a good enough image file to print full sheet.  So I decided to recreate it.  And I thought I would offer it as a free printable. To print, click the image to view it full size.  Then right click on the image and save it to your desktop (or another location which you will remember).  Now you have the .jpg image which you can print.  If you choose to use this on your own blog, please link back here. 8x10: 5x7:

I found this picture on Pinterest of a boy’s bedroom wall. Ben and I decided it was the perfect definition of Nolan!  We often refer to him as “the noise with dirt on it.”  Recently, it has taken on a new meaning.  Because Nolan’s new best friend is the vacuum – and it is literally noise with dirt in it! Really - Nolan is in L.O.V.E. with the vacuum cleaner.  He absolutely goes crazy when you turn it on!  If you turn your back for a moment, Nolan crawls as fast as he can to the hallway, where the vacuum lives.  He crawls up on it, laughs to it, and gets downright excited. So…the last couple of times that I have vacuumed the house, I have left the vacuum in the floor for Nolan to explore.  Today he played with it for over an hour.  Seriously.  Happy, laughing, excited.  The whole time. So it is decided.  When Nolan grows up, he wants to vacuum.  And I love my little dirty noise!

A while back I printed several Bible verses on half-sheet sized papers to teach Elaine.  For each verse I added a clip art picture to help her remember the verse…you know…because she can’t read yet!   I laminated the pages, and added two binder rings so it would function as a book.  As I come across other verses that she should learn, or that can be shortened to just a few words, we add to the book.  Elaine has been learning very well!  The pictures help her remember, but I am surprised at how well she knows the verses.  We turned on the video camera today so you could join us in our memory time.  She was a little mesmerized by the camera and didn’t do as well as she usually does, but I think you will still be impressed!

{love these little feet}

I’m sure you’ve all just been on the edge of your seat waiting for an update from us!  I couldn’t believe it has been over a year since we sent a letter – I’m sorry for the delay!  This update is more about our family than our ministry, but it should catch you up to speed! February 2012 Update To view the rest of our updates, and the sign-up list to receive updates by email, please click here .

We made this a couple of weeks ago, but I never posted the pictures.  Inspired by Pinterest , and my friend Sarah , we colored rice to make an indoor “sandbox.” Similar to coloring eggs, use 1-2 Tbsp of vinegar and some food coloring.  My food coloring was the gel kind, so I shook it up in the vinegar until dissolved, before adding 1 1/2 cups of rice.  Then shake to coat the rice – we used a canning jar and plastic lid. Lay the rice out on a foil covered cookie sheet.  Bake at 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes (to dry the rice).  Then have fun!  We had neon rice in four colors. Elaine used her play dishes, empty spice bottles, and measuring cups to have fun! I also hid some small toys in the rice while Elaine was closing her eyes.  Then she had to dig through the rice to find the treasures.  We had too much fun, and she has asked to play with the rice on several occasions since!

Here is a little bit of what I am thankful for, and a little bit of what’s going on in our lives, as seen through the camera lens! :: My little girl and her great big imagination, and how fast she is learning and growing!  Here she is feeding Betsy a hot dog for breakfast. :: A random visit from Grandma Fezzi! :: A library that we can easily visit, since it is only 2 blocks away! Elaine loves books and going to the “library”! :: Siblings finally learning to play together without too much fighting! :: A little helper to pack my diaper orders, which continue to come in consistently.   :: Opportunities to teach Elaine to share the Gospel.  Though we were the only family who showed up for soul-winning, we were able to pass out some literature and teach Elaine too.  Here she is handing out “papers” with Daddy!   :: A big box of Valentine’s goodies {read “chocolate”} from Grandma Godby.  Elaine loved th dress and insisted in wearing i...

Here are a couple of recent Nolan videos.  He just started eating puffs, and really likes to be able to put things in his mouth, by himself, and not have Mommy pull them out! Nolan also likes to play this game with Daddy.  But…sometimes he gets tired or lazy, and forgets to supply the noise.  Then he looks at Ben with shock as if to ask, “Where is the noise Daddy?”  It makes us laugh every time!

Elaine is coming via Priority Mail to visit you!  Warning:  She will drink your coffee, eat your chocolate, and steal your heart! How’s that for a snazzy outfit? Notice the mailing label?  Can you guess what Elaine was helping me with today?

{and my life will never be the same}

I was working on a blog post when Elaine came running over.  She wanted me to take a picture of Betsy (her baby doll).  I decided to humor her, and grabbed my camera.  I followed Elaine to the living room, and she helped me take this picture: You may be thinking I have lost my marbles.  Perhaps I should explain why Betsy is “nakee”.  You see, Betsy had a dirty diaper, so being a good mommy, Elaine took it off.  Betsy then went “poo-poo” on the big girl potty.  Isn’t that amazingly fast for potty training?  I said to Elaine, “What is Betsy doing?”  I received this reply, “She paying.”  {She’s playing }.  Nolan has just started pulling himself up on the furniture, and I loves to stand here at the “coffee table” and play with the handle or his toys.  I guess Betsy is just following his example! Now you’re probably wondering why I put this on my blog.  Well, Elaine wanted the picture on the computer.  And I just t...

Did you know that I have a home business?  I sell cloth diapers online.  My store is called Doable Diapers .  I won’t get into the whys and hows of cloth diapers in this post, but you can feel free to email me if you have questions.  I love talking about “fluff.” November and December were very slow months for my business.  I was barely making my obligatory payments for things like my website and postage.   Then Ben lost his job.  I have been asking the Lord to increase my sales.  And He has!  Business has been very   good in January.  New customers.  Repeat customers.  Lots of business.  Just when we needed it.  Just when I turned it over to Him.  And I am thankful.

{daddy did it}