Home, and much to tell...

We made it home and Theo had a great birthday. Lots of pictures to share, but I need help to get them downloaded. Maybe tomorrow that will happen. Check back!

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N VACATION! VACATION! VACATION!

Yeah!!! It's the night before vacation! The van is packed, the car-top carrier (Thank you again Sharon and Louis!) is locked up tight, the snack box is loaded, and the knitting bag is in place. We will wake up and eat breakfast, shut down the computer and leave, hopefully by 8am sharp. FYI: at the tone it will be 1:35 am. ....................................Dooooonnnnnng.

In other news, we looked at the house in Vass today. Lovely lot, wonderful hardwood floors, 3 closets (ouch), and honestly, not enough room. We have moved into something not quite right a time or two and I refuse to do it again. It's always a nightmare, and frankly, I'm too tired to re-do another house. We have enjoyed living here and just.....living. There is so much more time to play and go and do when we are not always trying to get this or that project done. This kitchen has spoiled me terribly, and I think it will be very hard to go back to the one counter-3 plug in-plywood cupboards-ugly linoleum kitchens of my past. I so enjoy making things in the kitchen for my family and having people over for supper. I want it to be a happy place.

American Water will not hear about the 50 year contract until Sept. 30th anyway, so nothing will be done until we know what's in the future for that. If we are to be leaving here in 2 more years, it's not be worth the hassle of moving. I really like the moving people---I'd like them to do it again next time.

We will return Thursday night and bright and early Friday we will begin the birthday day for T-Bird, who will be, unbelievably, 7 years old. His cake is baked, frosting mixed, enchiladas made, and everything is in the freezer to be pulled out Thursday night, ready for Friday's preparations. He's getting...SSSHHHHHH......don't tell...........a new bike, and the rest of the parts to the castle. For his "Mama-made" gift I have sewn a felt horse with wire armature so he can move, and a little brave knight figure in red. Just like T-Bird, my little brave knight. Pictures will be in order, I'm sure.

Have a great week, we will!

That's odd...

When Matt was here last August (has it been a year already?) he looked at a house in Vass, but has never been able to find it again. Today he found it, and I drove by it. Tomorrow we are going to look at it. Remember, this week we accepted an offer on our house? That's just weird...

A funny for you

See the post below with the picture of our old house? Today I showed Theo ad he says "Hey! I really like that house!" I cracked up, and then he did too, when I told him it was OUR house. Then.....I'm showing Sarah, and she says "Yeah, I like that house too!" Oh, to be young and distracted again.

The Tale of Three Trees

Today we read The Tale of Three Trees for our Catholic Mosaic selection to celebrate the Feast of the Exhaltation of the Holy Cross.
Then we painted and decorated wooden crosses and ate + shaped cookies.
At supper they took turns narrating the story to Matt. They did a great job! I was pleased, and they were proud.Clockwise, starting with the light blue:

Mama's, Amy's, Sarah's, Theo's and Marty's finished work.

I love how they each have their own unique ideas!

In other news, Matt was sick last night and this morning. He is feeling better, but is wiped out. We are all praying that it was fluke and nobody else will get sick. Vacation starts Monday morning--no time for sickness!

We accepted

an offer on the house in Creston today. I know this is good news, and it really is, but I will admit to an air of sadness. It means we are not gong back. Of course, we weren't anyway, but as long as the house was there and it was ours, we could have gone back.

It was a good offer and we will come out even. No gain, except for the 3 1/2 good years there, and that is enough. The "farm" as we call it now, held us close and let us be in touch with nature during a time when we needed nurturing from the harsh realities of life. The girls started school in that house. Theo started school in that house. Marty came home to that house. We built the treehouse and spent many happy afternoons having picnics in the yard, and just plain messing around. And then we moved on. We will keep good memories of "the farm" in our hearts for a long time and we pray that the new family will have as many if not more. I always feel like a house blesses the family that lives there, and that sure one did.

Some thoughts about candle dipping

OK, I can't get the blogger to do what I want it to do in the order I want, so bear with me. I have posted below about candle dipping, which is where I want these thoughts to be, but blogger won't let me do it how I think is logical.

Anyway, I digress.

If I had to produce candles for my home, for the whole year, with 4 kids helping, without electricity, without water, well, let's just say: It would be dark at our house.

No really, we had fun. Really, we did!

Candle dipping

Hot wax and boys.....
lovely girls and hot wax
On the path around the kitchen
Something so simple can be so lovely!