EKjourney Backup

I generally avoid errand running until desperate!  I don't like spending my time in the car, in traffic, and battling through crowds.  Not to mention, shopping with small children is no easy task.  It takes 20 minutes just to get everyone in and out of their carseats at each stop and it throws off napping, eating, and homeschooling schedules.  So, I stock up and shop only when necessary. We spent an entire Saturday running errands.  We made a big Costco and Target run and several other small shops.  We needed bulk foods, a few winter wardrobe necessities, and household odds and ends.  It took us 9 hours to complete our shopping trip.  Phil and I were beat by the time we got home and the children were wound up and hyper.  LOL! The girls sporting their winter boots.  They wanted ones that were much shorter and purple but I talked them into these by promising that I would crochet flowers to put on them.  

I made my first Afghan (so much fancier than saying "blanket").  It cost me about 35 dollars in yarn (and that was on sale) SHEESH!  At one point in time, people saved money by sewing and knitting/crocheting their own clothes and blankets.  In fact, there were no fabric and specialty stores because department stores carried fabrics.  It is so much more economical for me to Garage Sale and Goodwill shop (if only I had the time).  I can buy a finished product cheaper than I can purchase the materials to make it.  This is hobby and accomplishment rather than a necessity! There is a reason that the blanket is 'draped' instead of laying out flat - one end is a good 2 inches wider than the other.  LOL!  A lesson in the importance of even stitches.

Cold and rainy weather took over and Sawyer wanted to play outside but it was too chilly.  Good thing it was laundry day!  Here he is cuddling up by the cozy vent. Phil had the tent spread out on the table to dry out and fold up for next year...a perfect fort.  Glorielle didn't think so though. I had a Bumbo seat on a list of possibilities for Glorielle for Christmas.  They are quite spendy so I checked on Craig's list and found one for 10 dollars!  It is not in mint condition but I saved a good 30 dollars!  I love bargains! How adorable is this girl!!!!!!

We drove up to Seattle the morning of 11-11-11 to celebrate Gram's 88th birthday! The day before, I busied myself packing and cleaning and the morning of, Phil performed some kind of supernatural feat by actually getting everything in the car!  We don't pack light with 7 people and our van is really a station wagon in disguise (with an extra seat).  We picked up snacks, topped of the oil, put air in the tire, filled up the tank and we were ready....until, "I have to go potty."  Phil and I looked at one another and burst out laughing.  With children, it seems that a simple task is an adventure! This is the birthday card that I made for Gram.   Ready to party! Gram and her daughters.   I hope that my daughters are as blessed in their marriage as I am.  My husband is the most wonderful husband and father.  I adore him! This is a wonderful picture of my  mom....and my brother.  LOL! Family picture minus Poppy and Eric.  What would...

I was so blessed to be able to attend another Above Rubies retreat this year.  My dear friend Michelle brought her oldest and youngest daughter with her and stayed with us.  It was a so nice to spend time with friends and fellowship with others who share the same visions of children and family. It was a very different experience this time around than the other retreats I have been to.  This is the first time I have had a little nursing baby.  All other times, I was either pregnant or had a baby eating solid foods that Phil could bring out for a day time nurse.  I will confess that I didn't get nearly as much message out of the weekend as I was used to.  I spent a good majority of the time trying to soothe an overtired baby. Jubilee was thrilled to join us on Sunday. Twinsy girlies! With Nancy Friends with their babies! Praying over the daughters! Nancy is so dynamic.  I love how she prays and speaks with such passion.  

Last year at the Above Rubies retreat, Michelle had just found out that she was expecting number 8.  I was lamenting a bit since I have always been pregnant when my baby turns 9 months and I wasn't this time around or so I thought...  We were both due the same week but we have both gone overdue so we were in a race to see who would have a baby first!  Michelle emailed me the morning of July 25th and told me her water had broken.  I emailed her back in the afternoon and told her I was having sympathy contractions.  Rebekah was born just before midnight, Glorielle was born just after.  1 hour and 39 minutes a part....our Twins! I think this one is hilarious.  Petite little Rebekah is pinching Glorielle, "My, you are chubby!"  Rebekah, "Hello, friend."  I am so sad that these little girls live so far apart!  (And sad, that their mothers live so far apart!)

5 sweet little Kelly children (I took 24 pictures and this was the best one !) The cold and flu season is upon us.  We spent about 3 weeks having a cold run through everyone (I was very sick, much worse than most normal colds).  Brighton is the first to go down with a high fever.  Here he is wrapped in a blanket being attended to by the children.  By the way, who says a chair needs to be sat in a certain way?? Sawyer "read" him stories and he eventually fell asleep right there on the floor.  We opted out of our normal school routine and I read Little House on the Prairie all morning while he dozed.   Feeling a bit better and cuddling with sister. I made this hat for Rebekah but it was a little too tight for her.  Funny, it fits Glorielle and they are the same age.  

Hello sleepy burrito wrapped baby! How was your snooze? Plaster of Paris leaf prints I have been trying to do more art projects.  They are my favorite thing to do and the children love them as well. Halloween Phil and I are still pondering about Halloween.  It snuck up on it this year before we had a chance to really talk about it and we did allow an early trick or treat time in downtown Silverton.  We really want our focus to be on what glorifies the Lord.  We are all for seasonal celebrations, adventures, and fun but we want to keep on eyes on Jesus and train our children to do the same.