New Scripture for Sunday!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 

 I have been saying this to myself all week already.  Last night another friend posted it on Facebook.   Definitely something everyone needs to know and remember. 

My day with Dyson

My in laws took the girls for an over night last night.  You would think it was time to relax but no.  I clean, did laundry, tried to get a $5.00 off coupon for paper towels online.....  I did go to movie night with MOPS.  We don't go out to the movies we just get together and watch the stuff our hubbies groan about and have child care so we can enjoy the movie.  Then I got home, hubby worked over and I was back to laundry. 
This morning I started cleaning again.  Now, I admit I am getting super forgetful and easily distracted.  I folded laundry and it was like the carpet was mocking me with it's filth.  I have wanted to get a steam cleaner but can not afford it.  Luckily i have a friend willing to let me borrow hers.  So before the laundry is even finished being folded I look again and think " I need to vacuum before I can scrub the carpet".  From that I look over at my Dyson (Absolutely LOVE it) and see it needs emptied.  I empty the canister and think about the hair (I shed a lot) wrapped around the roller.  So I take it outside to cut the hair off so it will clean better. 
If you have a Dyson you know they are wonderful not just because of the cleaning power but that they come apart easily so you can clean them or fix a clog that may occur.  With two little ones that used to push items under the couch this feature became even more amazing.  Long story short, I had my Dyson in pieces .  No really I did.  I then stumbled on a section I didn't even know about.  The filter chamber. (Hubby assembled it when we bought it).  Turns out the filter is to be cleaned every 6 months.  Dyson is almost 5 years old and I do not remember ever cleaning it.  Again, I may have and bad memory made me forget but if I did it was only once.  In the filter were pieces of a cereal no longer made that my oldest loved when she was 1.  Yep, the cleaning was a long time coming.
I thought Dyson was just having issues working at top shape because of all the hair stuck on the roller.  Which was bad.  As in you couldn't see the brushes on the roller there was so much hair.  Eww I know.  Looked like a human head was in the trash bag when I finally got done with it.
After cleaning the filters and the main air system that had dust and dirt caked in it, I wiped off everything I could.  So tomorrow I am excited to use it and see how much my work pays off.  I know, getting excited over a vacuum is sad.  No doubt it will work amazingly though.  No fear of being crushed here.  I heart my Dyson and he must be very happy I finally figured out to clean him.  : )
Now I just need to finish folding and putting away that laundry.

Proud Mama

Today was my Katherine's last day of Pre K.  Naturally, I took pictures as I did the first day so that I could end her Pre K scrapbook the same as I had started it.  Yes, I am saddened by the fact that she is no longer a "baby"; she is now a "kid".  Preschooler sounds so young and innocent (I get that she still in fact is but you know what I mean) yet she is 5 and now officially a Kindergarten student. 
When she came home in her backpack was her final report card.  I believe they don't mail them because Pre K has large report cards and the postage must be a lot. I looked it over and she got all 3's which is the same as straight A's!!! She has been getting 3's with the exception of the 2 in using scissors.  Stepping outside of my comfort zone paid off as she has improved.  So here I am this afternoon making sure to post and or tell everyone of Katherine's achievement.  Annoying Mama or Proud Mama?  : )
What can I say?  I have a very intelligent Katherine.  She has been able to read since before she started school this past year.  My husband and I both are extreme book lovers..... okay I may be the extreme one but he does love reading also, and we are beyond pleased that she has picked up our love of reading. 
I believe that Kat is actually trying to figure out why I keep telling her how proud I am of her.  I don't know what has come over me.  Really I don't.  All I know is that I am so proud of her and what she has accomplished and hope to create an environment for her to continue to achieve.

There she goes for the last time. 

Scripture Sunday

My friend Devotion Mama started Scripture Sunday.  A scripture that you or your family will work on for the week.  I like the idea and am entering her linky. 

Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous.

Proverbs 27:4

A Mommy Leap of Faith

Last week my 5 year old and 3 year old daughters decided to play scribble.  Scribble is a game that they made up and all you need to do it scribble on the wall with marker and the other player ( ie sister)  comes behind you and scribbles on top of that.  Now we have been through what markers are used for and never have I said to color a room, in fact when I give craft stuff to the girls I make sure to say "For paper only".  Who knows how or why this game came into their heads?
Tonight they got their art sets out and wanted to make something.  So I cleaned off the kitchen table and set it up so both had room.  Then I did something that may shock you, shocked me too, I gave them the scissors that had come with the set and also the glue.  I had removed them promptly after they opened them so that we wouldn't have any hair issues if you know what I mean. I have known too many stories of scissors and impromptu barber shop games.
Even during the craft period of story time at the local library I never let them try and cut out stuff.  Partly because I didn't want the project ruined, didn't want them to get hurt, and again didn't want them to think of other things they could do with scissors. This has hurt them though.  My oldest, Katherine is in Pre K this year and she excels in every area (seriously, I'm not just a boasting mama) except for cutting.  She still needs help from an adult and there is a lack of control over them. Now Ava, the 3 year old, is enrolled for Pre K next year. 
So here I am, trusting that they will listen and allowing them the chance to play using the scissors and glue.  Hoping that Katherine will master them next year and that Ava will not have the issues with scissors that Kat has had.  It's not easy but it is for the best.

                              My Ava.  I do believe this is the first time she used scissors.

My Katherine.  She needs work so I need to get out of my comfort zone and let her practice more.

Making Retro New

Today at my local MOPS group we had a speaker in to teach us about canning.  Several of us had been talking about learning it which is how the speaker came about.  It made me wonder though, why is canning almost a thing that was once done?  The speaker herself seemed shocked that we were interested.  Why?  It allows us control over what we add to it, uses items from gardens or allows us to take advantage of great deals at Farmer Markets.
  Food safety has been an issue for the past couple years with many recalls on what was once considered "healthy, safe foods".  I know I feel better knowing that I canned it, that the foods were washed, that I know where they would be grown, what was used to grow them (Farmers Markets are great for finding organic foods cheap), and exactly when the foods were canned. 
Another plus is cost.  As we are all aware the increase in gas prices has caused an increase everywhere else food it no exception.  Yes, to get started the jars, lids, and rings may be expensive though sometimes even those are on sale at hardware stores. (I know this because my Father in Law works for a local Ace Hardware and stocks up at those sales).  In the picture you see a boiling method which you can get for under $20 at Walmart etc.  Pressure cookers will be more expensive but may be found cheap online or at flea markets. 
My point is that in times like now where money is tight for many, especially people with children, why don't we look to the "old fashioned way"?  Maybe if you can green beans you could trade a few jars with a friend who canned carrots. 
I guess my love of the past makes a soft spot for these things.  I would just hate if it became a lost art, a thing that was once done way back when.  Especially when it could really be helpful now.  Our group has great fun doing these things together.  I can imagine a couple friends in the kitchen canning and talking while the kids play in another room or even outside.  These images are the ones that I hope to create in my home and life.  To show my children that in the midst of the crazy now now now world, simplicity is beautiful.

Are we any better?

Now I know you may be laughing and thinking "did they really put radiation particles on her face?" . Yes they did. I too sat here after watching thinking, "wow, did they seriously not know how dangerous that was?" Then i realized maybe they didn't know better and thought about the things we do know better than. For example, Botox. Constantly on the rise, getting used at this point by people who are young enough not to need it (I have seen people on tv getting it in their 20s). What do we know about it? That it "fills" the lines on our faces by deadening the nerves. Oh yeah, and it's POISON! People are spending tons of money to inject poison in their bodies!!! How crazy is that? How did it even get out on the market? At least with cigarettes people are starting to fight back and support others in quitting. People are being educated about the dangers and yet here we are with Botox. It is almost common place now, no big deal just stop at the dermatologist office and walk out, or have a Botox party. Eeek! ( Please do not feel the need to invite me to one of those. ) All of this makes me realize that the statement is true - the more things change, the more they stay the same.