Happy Green Day!

My need to craft and a holiday just means more fun for this Mama and Grandma! I ended up appliqueing shirts for all four of the young ones and then last night Grace and Jeffrey asked me to crochet them hats to match. They know how much I love matching! So here is the end result. Two cute kids! Pictures of the David and Caleb later. Wish I had them all together today...well everyday!

Can't leave this post without mentioning my Mom. Today she is sixty-four years young! Happy Birthday Mom!

 

Mother & Son

Put this together just for fun. I have never had a child that looked like me. Cassie is the spittin' image of her Daddy and now David is following suite. Just fun to watch David grow and look so much like them.

Cassie Lee is...25!

Seems like a silly post..but hey she is my baby too! Cassie Lee born 2.2.1986 on a rainy Sunday night. All I ever wanted to do was to be a wife and a Mother. And she is my firstborn. We couldn't have dreamed for a more beautiful, stubborn, blue eyed, great sense of humor, God fearing woman that she has become. She sure gave us a run for our money when she was little..busy busy girl. Funny thing is now that she is a Mommy..her David is doing the same to her! Love how that happens.

Cassie is the spitting image and character of her Daddy and I feel like the Lord is blessing us in that David is him made over. Never would have thought that when he was born..we thought he looked just like his Daddy. But has he has gotten older. Me oh My!

Happy Birthday to my Casaundra Lee! My daughter, best friend, and an incredible wife and Mommy! I love you!!

2010 in Subway Art form

At the next Crafty Chatter....

We will be making these cute Fall Monogram Tiles! The key to these is Mod Podge! I think it turned out cute! I made this one for Cassie's house.

Items Used:

6x6 tile
burlap, or you can use scrap paper
artificial leaf..($ store)
chipboard letter
Mod Podge!

Calling all pumpkin fans!

The following article was posted on a blog I follow:

MOM Tip: Pumpkin Shortage

from: Susan Fox
24/7 MOMS Family Life Editor


I don't know if you've heard about the "Great Pumpkin Shortage"??? in 2009 many pumpkin crops were apparently lost due to flooding fields, caused by too much rain and too little sun. Libby's, a Nestle company is the primary supplier of canned pumpkin in the US. Most of their supply is grown in Illinois. There is still concern about shortages of pumpkin this fall. Hopefully store shelves will fill up again after harvest later this fall.


I am reading stories about 16oz cans of pumpkin being sold on E-bay for as much as $30. Locally, here in the Seattle area, most stores are completely out. However I have been able to find a small amount of Farmer's Market Organic Pumpkin on some store shelves. I bought a 15 oz. can at Safeway for $2.59. The same product, same size is being sold on Amazon for $5.99.


So if you are getting in the fall baking mood like I am, if you see pumpkin you might want to stock up. Let's hope for more supply coming by Thanksgiving!


Here is a link to an article run by the Washington Post concerning the shortage.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/01/AR2010060100801.html
 
So I had to see for myself and here is the link to ebay  ..yikes! All I have to say is if you see some pumpkin in the store stock up! Cassie was already finding it hard to find it in Colorado.

Busy Fall ahead!

Well, school is in full swing..which includes a lot of homework for Grace. She is feeling a bit frustrated with one of her classes as the teacher seems to move a bit fast for her. This bothers me because Grace is a great student always on the A honor roll. So we are praying things get into some sort of a groove for her. Jeffrey is loving first grade and his teacher is so sweet! I am looking forward to starting crafts with them soon.




As, for me I have had to drop one of my classes..the anatomy class was a drive to Weed twice a week and the financial aid office didn't get my VA submitted in time which means no funding from them...which means the cost in gas to high for me without it. So I will take it next fall. The reason for next fall is that Cassie is due in the spring and I hope to be spending a few weeks out there with them.




Other news..I have gladly taken over the roll of T&T director for our AWANA program. We will start that on the 15th and really look forward to learning all the T&Ters names..other than just my group of girls. I am excited as we have new leaders this year as well. Really looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for these young people.









Crafts! Christie and I will be doing crafts with the first grade once a week and once a month (the planning takes place tomorrow)at the church as a fellowship outreach. We are excited about both of these opportunities. Christie..just love her! My crafty friend! As I am typing she just text me a picture of a magnet she mod podged! We are becoming addicted to Mod Podge!









Bible Study! I hear that we are going to be doing another Beth Moore study this fall. I am so excited about this! Love Beth Moore! Looking forward to seeing what blessings will come from this study with a great group of women.




Oh and I don't want to forget the upcoming Montague Balloon Fair coming September 24-26 right here in our little town. It is a lot of fun watching those balloons go and up and the best part is inviting over friends for breakfast that Saturday morning. Love the fellowship and the noise from the kids!

So..yes we have a busy time coming up but i wouldn't miss any of it for the world!

Catching up...

I have not blogged in so long and it's not for lack of things going on or to say. I have just been so busy.

Let's see my last post was Easter..so shortly after on the 16th we had eight bunnies born. Oh my goodness so darn cute!! We were also in full baseball/softball mode and with school and AWANA going on..well it's such a busy time of the year, I get tired just thinking of it.



May kept us busy with again sports and the last full month of school reports and activities. Grace did her state report on Alabama (cuz of RW) and she did an amazing job and was rewarded with an A+ and an artistic award as well. Each of the kids classes had field trips and Cassie was preparing to head to Colorado to welcome RW home from Afgha***tan. During this time I was plagued by vertigo which was horrible..come to find out it was allergy related!



So June came quick and here we were the last day week of school! While Cassie was welcoming home her hubby and they were house hunting we were having field day at school and the talent show. Grace and Ashton sang I am not ashamed by Newsboys and they did a great job. We have some mighty fine talent here in Siskiyou County.

So just a week into June Cassie and David came home while RW had some military things to take care of. It was so nice to have them back home for VBS. June brings the annual Gold Rush Days in Yreka. There are a lot of great antiques, reenactments, old time pictures, food, & antiques...I loved the antiques! Next Grace was headed to Kidder Creek Ranch Camp for a week. This was her fourth year and she loves it so much. They are amazing out there and have such a great staff of youth that love the Lord. When I drop Grace off she is teary eyed about saying goodbye and when I pick her up she is crying as she says goodbye to her horse. She loves BIG my girl!



We also said goodbye once again to Cassie & David as they met up with RW and all headed to TN for vacation. After dropping them off it was just me and my little man..so Jeffrey and I had a date! We went to a couple stores and then out to dinner. I sure love him he is still my sweet cuddle bug.



Well..after camp Grace's birthday was around the corner..and so between my Folk's and In Laws they gave the kids the money for a swimming pool. So that Friday after camp BBQ and showdeo we went and bought the pool and got it put up on Saturday the kids were having a blast and so Sunday I got in and out..well it was getting out the.. not sure what time and I fell and twisted my ankle and hit my knee. PAIN!!! I had to crawl to the lawn chair. All the while Grace asking if she should call 911 or a friend and me Screaming, "NO"! I was in my swimsuit for goodness sakes! I didn't care if it was fractured..nobody was seeing me in my swimsuit! Thank goodness for my sweet kids who took very good care of me and on Monday I was able to see the Dr. who said it was a bad sprain and a bruised knee bone that would take quite some time to heal. It is getting better slowly.

Things running through my head!

Do you ever wish you could crawl into the arms of Jesus? Or ever feel like you know your gifts that the Lord gave you and yet Satan creeps in and tells you that you are not worthy or good enough? I am having that struggle right now. I have been blessed with a love for children having had one the natural way and two adopted loves. I have felt a pull towards doing foster care and yet here is where the struggle comes in.

Having lost my husband five years ago to cancer there have been times over the years that I feel I just can't do it all. Note the "I"... I am so thankful to serve a Lord and Savior that is there 24/7. Because let me tell you I have been on my knees! It is so hard being a single parent..the loneliness alone is deafening, the chores..come on seriously I need a man around! But, the Lord reminds me in..

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4.Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

..that he is not done with me! My hearts desire is to serve God with all my heart. I will continue to pray about foster care and go to scripture to hear my Lord tell me that I am worthy of His love and that He promises to continue caring for me and my children as He has by placing such dear friends in our lives.

He's here!

RW arrived safe and sound and has spent the morning getting to know David. Monkey as we call him has taken to his Daddy very well. Praying they have a great time together while he is home on R&R. God Bless our troops!

Spring is in the air!

Toothless

Jeffrey has started losing teeth! Here is a quick page Cassie did.

Halloween Faces

Light Night

For our family..we spend Halloween at church where we have Light Night. It is a great time of fun, games, face painting, yummy food and great conversation. Here are a few pictures from our night. Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween.

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Pumpkin Patch

Today was the class trip to Hunter's orchard and pumpkin patch. The kids had a blast and I had fun taking pictures and visiting with all the other Mom's. Here are a few pictures..

Jeffrey & Grant searching for their favorite

David's first trip to the patch

Mrs. Meek's 2009 Kindergarten class

My loves

The weather has really changed almost overnight here..not complaining at all. In fact we are loving the change of season. Cassie has been baking up a storm and the kids have enjoyed the cooler temps outside...they love the trampoline!

Lil' David

David is eight weeks today! I feel so blessed having Cassie and this lil' guy with us. Here he is all dolled up..he and Mommy have a lunch date with a friend today.

Psalm 127:3-5a
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

He's here!

I would like to introduce David Ray Roley he came two weeks early and weighed in at 5 lbs 8 oz. and is 19" long. Cassie stayed true to her plan and did not have any meds of any kind and after contracting for a week had lightening fast labor. Her water broke at 11:30 pm...She hit transition by 1 am and delivered David an hour after we arrived at the hospital at 2:50 am. Oh and yes...I am a proud Mom...one big push! She was awesome! Shauna was an incredible coach! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Grace and Ashton were there as planned and they loved the whole experience. It was just GREAT!!!

For now after having little sleep...zzzz I will post more later.

Playmates

When the kids are outside even though Cassie and I were also..the dogs are never far from them. It's the working dog in them..they have to keep track of the kids. I love it!

Beware of Dog??

We made a quick run to Medford today to pick up a crib. And while up there came across this! Yes that is a horse in a front yard..actually there were two horses. Cassie had asked me as we were leaving why I always bring my camera..I proceeded to tell her that if I don't I always wish I had so it's just easier to have it with me. Needless to say...Case and Point made today.