handsful

I thought I’d speed through our last week here on the blog.  Just for kicks.  Life is never dull.

** Randy spent the early part of the week in NYC.  He and his engineer were working a big vendor fair right in downtown…in fact, his hotel was 1 block from Times Square.  Yes, I was jealous.  I’ve never been to NY, and it’s definitely on my bucket list.  I love visiting big cities (San Fran is a favorite), but I most certainly prefer to live in the country.  As far as scenery goes, cows over cars I always say…

** Like I did last year, I’m participating in our church’s 21 day fast.  It’s a time to put aside the things we view as “necessities” and remember where our blessings come from.  I’m taking a Facebook break for 20 days…gotta sign in one day early for my mom’s birthday wish, I knew she’d be mad if I missed THAT!  I also did what’s called the “Daniel Fast” again, but this time 5 days instead of 3.  I know many people who do this the entire 21 days….No sugar, processed foods, dairy, meat, butter, breads, and only water to drink.  It’s not exactly easy, but that’s not the point.  Yesterday was my last day, so today I enjoyed this…

Hot tea is my friend in the morning.  And, I’ve got a pint of frozen chocolate yogurt for later.  Thank you Jesus for the sweet things in life.

** For the first time, Lainey and Dylan have their very own outside homeschool class.  Our friend Sandi (Hollyn’s mom) told us about it, suggesting it would be an awesome way to get them active AND give them time together on a regular basis.  They are in heaven with this class.  It’s through our town’s parks and rec, and involves one hour learning about a certain sport (so far, they’ve done basketball and volleyball), and then one hour on a health/safety topic (the last two were bus and fire safety).  We’re giving the kids some extra playtime afterwards, too.  Last week at our house, the coming week at Hollyn’s.  I’ll try and get some pics next time they go!

** My northern friends are laughing right now.  It’s okay.  This is the only snow we’ve had so far this year, and the kids loved feeling it on their faces.  It didn’t stick so well, since we’d had rain, rain, and more rain for days before.  But, the dusting was very pretty in the morning.

** One thing about homeschooling that I find interesting is that you’re always making changes.   Early on, I assumed there’d be this time when I would have it ALL figured out.  Ha.  This is our 12th year.  I think I forgot to factor in the changing ages of our kids, along with the increasing difficulty of their classes.  We’re always changing.  This semester, Payton switched to an online math class that, so far, is going very well.  We also tweaked how we manage the kid’s accountability,  as far as getting their work done and turned in.  Last, after having a family meeting with the kids, we agreed on what’s expected of them and gave them the incentive of allowance in return.  Teens love a little spending money in their pocket.

** Payton has always wanted to learn to cook…I tell him to SHOW UP in the kitchen when I’m cooking, but so far he’s not done that.  Enter Abbey’s friend D’Qota who’s been spending some time with us lately.  He LOVES to cook, and yesterday I found him going through my spice cabinet.  That was a first, as far as my kid’s friends go!  Turns out they were inventing a recipe for a spiced-up philly cheesesteak sandwich.  They even named it… the B Shooks Philly.  Not sure how they came up with that.  I tried it…very flavorful, I was impressed.

While they were cooking, they flipped through my Southern L*ving magazine and decided to try the lemon cheesecake today.  This recipe is involved…you have to make lemon curd!  I’ve never even done that.  The curd is chilling in the fridge as I type.  I’ll get back to you on how that worked out.

Here they are making those sandwiches…

** Lainey has been looking forward to today for about a week.  She was invited to her friend Anna’s birthday party!  But, that’s not the best part.  She was invited to spend the night, just her and Anna.  Deliriously happy would describe her response to that last part.

I asked her if she was excited, she said yes.  I asked her if she was nervous, she said no.  I do wonder how she’ll be at bedtime, this is only her 2nd friend sleepover.  I’m sure Anna’s mom will let her call to say goodnight.

We’ll pick Lainey up at church tomorrow.  Marley is at her friend Kylie’s house until Sunday.  D’Qota is here till tonight.  Payton and Ethan are going to their friend Jason’s house tonight, with Payton sleeping over.  Ethan and his friend Trevor are leaving Jason’s early and coming here to spend the night (since they both have to be at church super early for worship team).  Confusing?  This is quite common for weekends around here!

So, that was last week.  Tomorrow is church and two Testify practices, as usual.  Randy leaves for Atlanta for 2 days/1 night on Tuesday.  Life is busy, but great.

Last Saturday, we invited teens to our house for the day.  Not to just hang out…course, they did some of that.

But, to work.

We’re still in the process of getting the building  on our property renovated for Randy’s bi-weekly “Shop” meetings.  We want the kids to be fully involved in getting THEIR building ready.

The plan:  build acoustic panel frames and get the stage installed.  And, gather wood for a bonfire.

Done.

Next up, lots of pizza.  Nine in fact, and by the end of the night, only ONE piece was left.  At least they brought the snacks and sodas!

Fed and happy, it was time for the Shop meeting…a little worship first, and then Randy taught the lesson.

Bonfire time…

We love opening our home to teens…yes, it’s loud and crazy.  But, we feel blessed to have a place that they can hang out, have fun, worship, and grow in their Christian walk.

Welcome, 2013.  We stayed home and took advantage of the fact we have land…

While Randy played pyrotechnic, the kids lit sparkler after sparkler.

We played by the rules, and purchased our fireworks here in NC.  There are some folks who wander over to SC, where the BIG stuff is legal and then bring it back over.  Not us.  Well, at least not this year.

These were fun, even though on a small scale.  Bright, lots of colors, and some were LOUD!

After our mini display, we ran inside with about 2 minutes to spare.  Quickly turned on the TV and counted down with the rest of the US…Happy New Year!!

But, we weren’t done yet.  We had a Christmas tree to ceremonially dispose of.  In a blaze of fire.

We dragged it down our drive, to the spot we usually use for a fire pit.  Randy lit a small firework and threw it in.  Almost immediately…

It crackled and literally swallowed up the tree in less than a minute.  The heat coming off that tree was intense, and we all had to move back.

About this time, I’m thinking “I hope we got all the ornaments off…”

I guess we’ll never know for sure ;)

Cloud of sparks

That tree was quickly turned into a charred main trunk with short, spindly branches.  Amazing.  I guess it’s true what they say…Christmas trees DO burn quickly!

These shots were taken on my phone, by the way….too lazy and tired to drag out the big camera!  I’m not exactly a night-owl like most of my family.  Yawn.

It was a great, family-fun way to begin 2013.  We pray that this year brings God’s blessings, whatever they may be, to us and to our friends and family :)

Get your motor running…

Head out on the…field?

Looking for adventure…

in whatever comes our way.

BORN TO BE….Wait.  I don’t like where this song is going.

Born to have fun on dirt bikes!!  Without any concussions or broken bones!

Not a very catchy song, huh?

Random Christmas shots too good not to share…but, somehow had no time to get on here before today.  Such is life.

Christmas craft with Lainey and Dylan.  I think I shared the initial salt dough handprints we did.  It took them quite a few days to dry, and then they painted them.  I helped a little by drawing lines and showing them which sections to paint which color.

I think they turned out great!  Nevermind that I still need to spray seal them…

“The” cookie recipe that must be made each year.  My mom made them every year when I was little, then I took over after I was married.  I still use the same press that my parents received as a wedding gift.

The happy baker!

Must. Concentrate…

My three helpers were terrific!

We decorated inside and out.  We have trees that line our winding, gravel driveway.  Randy put lights on every other one all the way down.  My favorite decoration this year, hands down.

Marley helped Randy with HIS NC State tree…all sports related ornaments.

Love our full mantle

This is our 9th year reading the Arnold Ytreeide series of Christmas stories…we began in 2004, when Abbey was 8 and the trips were 6.  We’ve only missed 1 year, 2010…when we were in China with Dylan.  We rotate through all 3 books, so the one we read this year was last year in 2008.  We forget much of the story, too, so there are still surprises!  And, Randy makes it fun by being silly with all of his “voices”…we crack up and then finally convince him to read normally.

Nativity calendar.  The kids take turns each night, and we all guess what could be behind the door.  Donkey?  Wiseman?  Sheep? Spiderman??

Christmas eve…after we came home from our church service, I gathered the kids by the tree.  They agreed, as long as…

…they could do a silly pose.

I didn’t even make them do this!  They just did…gotta snap that picture.

A mom and her oldest son…

My big girls

My littlest kids.  Ugh, those reds clash…

So, there’s some Christmas randomness!  Next up?  Pics of the kids riding those dirt bikes…

Is that a word?  Probably not, but I’m still on vacation so I can make up words if I want to.

We had a great Christmas day around here!  And, I do mean “around here”.  We were fortunate to have the whole day to ourselves, with no where to go.

The day began kinda late, as far as Christmas morning goes.  The littles were up and playing together upstairs…no one is allowed downstairs until we give the “ok” sign.  But, the teens were still snoozing away at 10am.  Really?!  So, I made the traditional cinnamon rolls (no, not homemade…they refuse to allow me to break tradition and insist on the canned version), and Randy woke them up.

I’ll avoid going through every-single-present and just hit the highlights of our morning…

Stockings first, as always.  Marley is opening her charm bracelet from her dad.  Randy started a tradition years ago of getting each of his girls a piece of jewelry and last year it was charm bracelets and 1 charm for each daughter and a necklace for me.  Unfortunately, Marley mis-placed hers.  Randy clenched his teeth and replaced it, the charm, and even added another charm.  I got my bracelet and a charm this year, too.  Love it!

No stocking for Jack, he got a new bed.  He likes it a lot.

How about I share favorite gifts?  Abbey…

She loves the show Duck Dynasty.  If you’ve not checked it out, you’ve got to.  It’s a hoot.  I knew she’d love this shirt.

And, her very favorite was her new bow.  She’s been wanting one for a while, and was thrilled.  She spent all of Christmas day shooting, and by the days end was in love.

Marley…

It’s hard to say with Marley because she didn’t really ask for anything big this year, and she seemed to love everything!  She noticed these shoes at the mall a while back and I quickly snapped a pic without her knowing.  So, she loves them!

This one could be her very favorite.  She wanted a purity ring this year, but wanted it to be something different that SHE picked out.  It’s a single pearl with a couple of diamond-like stones on the side set in sterling silver.  Beautiful.

Payton…

He was easy this year.  And, that’s saying a lot.  In the past, he’s been our most mysterious kid…never wanting anything specific.  Not this year.  The tailgater speaker system was high on the list.  As was the robe he’s wearing.  He found it while we were out shopping and fell in love with the thing.  Now, all he needs is a pipe.  Just kidding.

Ethan…

This one’s easy.  Although, he might say his bag of Skittles and Simpson’s movie from Abbey ranks pretty high, he was pretty surprised with this new 17 caliber air rifle.  Much larger than his last one, which he used so much it broke.  It’s heavy and loud…sounds like a .22 going off.  He’s very happy.

Lainey…

Again, easy peasy.  She asked for a kid’s tablet with Wi-fi.  She got half of her wish.  (does a 6 year old NEED wi-fi?)  This is her reaction when she opened it.

She immediately jumped into my arms, yelling THANK YOU, MOM!!!!

One of my favorite moments of the whole morning…

Dylan…

Well, I can’t figure this kid out.  I wasn’t sure what his fav was, so I asked.  Turns out it was the clearance slip-on shoes I found at Old N*vy…bought them as an afterthought, not planned at all.  They are cute, white with black little skulls and crossbones.  Ethan wanted to borrow them.  Heh.

Randy…

Biggest surprise for him was that I went to the ABC store and picked up his favorite whiskey.  I’m so cool.  I also gave him an NC State coach’s polo which he loved.  And, a Steeler’s sock monkey.  That last one goes without saying.

Me…

Love my new Justin boots…I’m fitting right in around here, now.

Biggest surprise?  An Ip*d mini.  I had hinted about a new e-reader…didn’t expect him to spring for this!

And, because I love them so much, I’m sharing all the sibling hug pics.  The kids drew names just like last year, and had so much fun picking out just the right thing.  They were all so excited for their sibling to open their gifts!  I love that…

Payton to Dylan:  Hulk hands

Marley to Lainey:  Slushy Magic cup

Abbey to Ethan:  Skittles and the Simpson’s movie

Ethan to Marley:  red and black plaid jacket

Dylan to Abbey:  bracelet and earrings set

Lainey to Payton:  Itunes card and his fav candy

After all the opening was over, Randy suggested they walk down to the downstairs garage.

Dirt bikes, for sharing.  And, for the littles to grow into (they got hula hoops and a pogo stick, too).

And, this is how the family room looked like AFTER…

Like I said, it was a wonderful day.  We ate left-over Christmas eve goodies and the kids spent the day outside, playing with their new “toys”.  Ended the day with a Christmas movie.  Perfection.

Next post, I’ll share some random Christmas pics that I never had time to share before!

Unfortunately the “something” isn’t very close to the 40, but it’s not TOO close to the 50.  That’s all I’m saying.

I’m a Christmas baby, born 1 week before Christmas Eve.  I used to hate it…especially when I was in college and had to study/take finals around my birthday.  Yuck!

And, it’s been a while since anyone was guilty of combining birthday and Christmas presents (gasp)…Randy learned long ago that doesn’t fly with me.  I mean, c’mon…

I got to choose my birthday dinner destination, as is usual with us.  Ever heard of the place with the huge porch and lots of rocking chairs in front?  Half shopping / half down-home, southern comfort food?  Yep, that’s where we went.

Afterwards, we made a stop at Wal-*art.  This, in itself, is crazy, since I truly despise the place.  But, stop we did and made a few purchases….vowing to never go again.  Like I always do.

Back home, and it was present time…

New winter coat!

Gloves that work with my touch-pad Iphone :)

Beautiful black cardigan sweater

A picture, just for me!

A goofy boy to look at.

Marley has in mind what she wants to get me, and Randy has taken her to two different places with no luck.  So, I’m still waitin’ on that one!

I’m one blessed mama…

And, a happy birthday girl.