EKjourney Backup

I love crocheting.  It has been such a therapeutic part of this crazy football season.  During rest time, I relax by crocheting.  During those long evenings when Phil is gone or on those particularly tough days, I regroup by crocheting.  If we watch a movie or have some down time after dinner (if is the operative word here!) I keep busy, by crocheting.  I can sit down and crochet on the weekends when Phil is here to help with the children.  I love it because as a busy mom, it is a hobby that I can manage!  I can pick it up and put it down even if I only do 2 stitches.  I can crochet in any room of the house, in the car, outside, wherever.  Once I start a pattern, I don't have to have the concentration that I might need to do something else.  I can see progress quickly and once it is done, it is an accomplishment that doesn't need redoing! Sawyer's camo beanie. Baby Beanie Glorielle not happy about wearing a baby beanie! Dou...

We have been so busy that I just haven't had much time for journal writing or taking pictures.  The long hours, trying to keep up on chores (with a broken dishwasher) only one working vehicle, doing school, and a nasty cold that made its rounds leaves little time for much else.  Phil figures that we will gain an extra 13-15 hours a week in family time, once he is home.  I can't wait! Jubilee is my little mother.  She loves babies and always wants to hold them and cuddle them.  A few babies down the line and I am sure she will be my right hand.   I find it nearly impossible to make the bed in bunk beds.  Sleeping bags are so much easier! On overcast days, it is so nice to do school by lamplight!   Isn't this just a picture of loveliness.  I am sure all homeschooling families are blessed with calm, serene school experiences such as the picture above reflects...(hahahahaha!!)  Actually, in between those times of Brighton managing to pl...

We have been reading Little House on the Prairie. (I have probably read that series 50 times, no joke!)  There is a chapter that describes making butter.  We borrowed my mom's butter churn but the wooden paddles were a bit moldy so we went on to plan B.  I divided up a pint of cream into 3 jars and the children shook them for about 10-15 minutes and they turned into delicious, creamy, whipped butter.  We then ate an entire loaf of bread and most of the butter!  It was so fun, that Phil bought a few more pints and made some over the weekend as well. We had waffles and butter for dinner!

Do you ever just stop and "look" at the life that you have in wonderment!?  Sometimes, I will just sit back and look at my children and say to myself, "I have 5 children, I can't believe I have 5 children!!" Glorielle, 9 weeks Sawyer, approaching age 7 Evangeline, 3 1/2 Brighton, 2 days shy of 21 months Jubilee, 5

Sunny September has ended and rainy October has commenced.  Here are some highlights from the month. We watched Uncle A and Auntie Tina compete in a mini-triathalon.  They swam 15 laps in the Silverton Pool,  biked the back roads from Silverton to Mount Angel, and then did a 5 K run. The following pictures are taken by Phil on Daddy and children outings.  Phil is so wonderful about taking the children on fun little exertions.  It give him some time to spend with the children and it gives me a time of rest where I can snuggle up with one on one time with Glorielle, crochet, and do some quick cleans! Cannonball Camp at Canyonview   Swimming with friend Noah Sawyer really got the hang of kayaking. I LOVE this picture!!! Phil took the older 4 to a bike park just outside Silverton.  The children had such a great time speeding down the hills and doing jumps. I think this girl needs a bigger bike and no training wheels!  Not sure we can ta...