Mothering

This week one of the boys came running off the bus sobbing. The gut wrenching hyperventilating cries that breaks a momma's heart. He wouldn't tell me what happened. Just that two people made fun of him. He didn't know their names or where they lived, just that they made fun of him and he was sad! And I was mad. Mad that someone would make my son cry. Mad that I couldn't make it right. Mad that this will be the first of many times someone makes him cry. Then I found this picture. This was a happy day when no one made him cry. And I have to believe (just like the wall above him says) that everything will be okay.

And then I found this quote in a book I was reading. Mothering is tough work, but so worth it!

I am your mother, the first mile of your road. Me and all my obvious and hidden limitations. That means that in addition to possibly wrecking you, I have the chance to give to you what was given to me: a decent childhood, more good memories than bad, some values, a sense of a tribe, a run at happiness. You can’t imagine how seriously I take that - even as I fail you. Mothering you is the first thing of consequence that I have ever done. LIFE ~Kelly Corrigan

Ice Ice Baby

The boys have not had school since Monday! We have lots of days to make up at the end of the school year now. Our yard and driveway is one solid sheet of ice. It's scary just going to get the mail. But it does not stop the birds! This is my favorite backyard tree 11 months out of the year. The other month is when the birds (there were 41 of them when I counted) feast on the little crabapples that have fallen. Then they fly over the house and leave their crabapple droppings everywhere! It's very hard to get off of the vehicles...not even the power car washes take it all off. Oh well, it gives me something to think about when we are stuck inside for days!!

GiveAway Teaser...

I am so excited to be doing a future review and giveaway for the CSN (they have over 200 online sites) store! They contacted me about doing this giveaway, so in the next couple of weeks you will have the opportunity to win. CSN stores have everything from swing sets (oh how I wish my swing set wasn't covered in ice!) to cookware sets.

Stay tuned...

Brotherly Love!

Why is it that this is the only time my 3 boys can get along?!?

Addicted to Valentine's Day crafts!!

So I am pretty much addicted to making crafts for Valentine's Day. It could be the bitter cold and foot of snow in our yard that is making me want to make stuff. Or it could be that I spend way to much time looking at craft blogs. Or it could be that I want to totally redo my master bedroom and instead of focusing on that, I am worried about February decorations! Anyways, I found this website and now have a list of things I want to make. I started with their snowflakes...

I cannot remember which blog I saw this on, but after finding this pepto bismol pink frame at Goodwill for $1.99, I knew I had to make it!
And lastly, this idea came from How Does She?
What's next?!? Maybe this.

100 DaYs!!

Tomorrow is the 100 Days of School celebration for my two kindergartners! And in true Evanoff fashion they are each celebrating by taking 100 pieces of candy to school.

100 Starbursts.
And 100 Tootsie Rolls (or just Tootsies. that's what we call them).

I wonder how many pieces of candy they will come home with?!?

DID

After my last post about all the things I didn't do, I decided to touch on a few things we did do over the Christmas season.

We had a very electronic Christmas. If only they always played this quietly. And I love how kind Noah is helping his little brother!
I made my traditional Christmas morning pine tree french toast.
We burned our Advent candle and got through (most of) our scripture readings every day.
We ate all of our chocolate advent calendar (can't miss a single day of that)!
We consumed Frosty the cheeseball that my sister made for Christmas evening. I think this will be added to our list of traditions!

So what's next for us......well I want to make these and this and try this yumminess. I'll let you know how it goes!