Children

I'm so excited today!  Little Man and I are loading up in the car today and making the short drive to Amarillo to pick up Flower!  Oh, once Little Man sees her, he is going to go crazy!  I think he misses her more than all of us combined.  Its hard to explain to a two year old where "Tahtee" is, and that we are going to pick her up in a few days, so he really has no idea he will get to see her today.


It is only 6:30 in the morning, as I am writing this.  Already this morning I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for my children, and for their health.  As I was scrolling through my Facebook feed this morning, I saw three different friends post prayer needs for their newborns.  It just reminded me how we too often take for granted the health of our children.  I said a prayer for each of those babies, and the parents, and thanked God that my two are healthy, strong kiddos.  


It breaks my heart that their are parents out there who are desperately pleading with God for the life of their child, while another parent pleads with a court to believe her, in order to spare her own life.  One parent is praying their baby will be able to take another breath, while another parent knocks the breath out of their child because he won't "mind".


If Barb Wire Man would let me, I would take everyone of those "unwanted" children into my home.  I always say "Oh, if they could just come here...we have more than enough love here!"  


I know it sounds so cliche, but never miss an opportunity to hug and kiss your kids, and tell them constantly how loved they are.  (Little Man already has it figured out that Mama kisses his cheek every time I pick him up...now he turns his face because boys don't need kisses from their Mama!  Until they get hurt, of course!)


I can't wait to see Flower today.  I haven't hugged her since I dropped her off at the airport on June 18th, and my arms need to hold her!  


I added a new item to 13 Plum again today!  I'm on a roll!  I have today's Sale of the Day posted on my shop banner, so won't you take a visit!?  And please, if you would, say a quick prayer for my friends and their babies.  God knows their names, and their needs.  I know they would appreciate it!

A Quiet 4th of July

I believe this is the first Fourth of July I didn't fall asleep to the popping noise of fireworks.  The only loud banging noise I heard was a neighbor hammering on something in the distance.  

This year, fireworks were banned due to the lack of rain.  Generally, I am not for any government, be it local, or national, banning much of anything, just because, well, we have our freedoms.  However, ironically, I am glad there was a ban on Independence day.  We are just so dry.  And some nincompoop setting off fireworks could start a terrible chain reaction of fires, loss of homes, and the potential loss of life.  Ironically, storm clouds built up during the day.  No rain, though, but the clouds did help cool off an otherwise sweltering day.


However, we still had a wonderful weekend, and Independence day!


After Little Man's nap, we went outside for some fun!  Here are a few pictures documenting our Fourth of July Celebrations!

First, we put sunscreen on my ghostly white child.  He definitely got his skin tones from the Norwegian side of the family.  I'm tan even in the dead of winter.

We scoped the lay of the land...just to make sure no ladies were watching.  Things were about to get 

c-r-a-z-y, and couldn't have his bad boy reputation ruined by a little childish fun!

We ran around the yard until mama was exhausted from just watching

We jumped into the pool........

We jumped out of the pool....

Then jumped right back in again!

We splished....

And splashed...

..and splashed....

And we splished a little more!

But then, we saw an airplane!!!

But then, a sad thing happened.  We discovered that if we push on the pool, Daddy's lawn gets watered, and we loose all the water in our little pool.  So we had to get out.

  We did stay outside and run around for awhile.  And had a nice talk about how our bachelor neighbors really should pull weeds and put their drinking chairs away.

We went for a walk around the block later that evening when it had cooled down a bit, and by that point, this Mama was ready for bed!  Little Man still had more energy than the Energizer Bunny on Speed.  But once he finally did go to bed....he crashed HARD!

I hope everyone had a great Independence Day!  I'm thankful for our freedoms as Americans, and even more thankful for the freedom found in Christ.  Neither of them were free; each came with a cost, but are available to all.  

Before I go, please be sure to check out my newest listing on 13 Plum!  Throughout the month of July, everything gets shipped for FREE when you use the coupon code "JULY11".  

****Today's Sale of the day****

RECEIVE A FREE GIFT WITH ANY PURCHASE $30 OR MORE!

And, if you would be so kind, please take a minute to look at this beautiful Treasury I was featured in!  Treasuries are created by the many Etsy shop owners, showcasing some of their amazing finds, and I feel honored to be included with this one!  Comments and clicks on the Treasury are how we get noticed, so feel free to leave a comment about my item, or any other item you see on the treasury!  Thanks so much!!

Ode to My Dad

July the 2nd was my Daddy's birthday!

My daddy...this is a pretty recent picture!

I always have been, and always will be, a Daddy's Girl.  


He is the only man I will ever completely trust; his word is the gospel.  


I really think he is the only man whose love for his family is outweighed by nothing, except for his love for the Lord.


His patience seems unending.

A not-so-recent picture!  I think I was about 2 here, and this is my all-time favorite picture!

My favorite memories of him are snuggling with him in the early morning.  We would sit in his recliner, me in his lap, his coffee cup balanced on one arm of the chair, and his open Bible on the other.  


He was a living example of having one's priorities in line...God, family, country.


He is a wealth of wisdom.  I've been around him for 28 years now, and am still surprised at some of the things he tells me!  I wonder how he knows it all!

I haven't seen an instrument he can't play, but he just doesn't look right without his guitar.  He always plays me this one song.  I don't think it has a name, but when I ask him to play it, he knows exactly which one it is, and which part I want to hear.

His smile is great!  It is genuine.  Warm.  Inviting.  It can make anyone comfortable.

He makes some killer ribs in the smoker.  No one goes away from his table hungry, no one.

I could count the number of times he has raised his voice on one hand.

My love for God, my state, my family, and homemade ice cream came directly from him.  So did my nose, which I don't love so much.

He taught me how a man should treat me.  He set the bar really high.  My mom is quite possibly the luckiest woman in the whole world.  Today, by the way, is also my parents' 30th wedding anniversary.  They are disgustingly in love.  Seriously.  They are worse than a couple of teenagers.  However, if more people would follow their example, there would be very few divorces.

I could talk to my daddy for hours on end, and never run out of things to talk about.  He might know me better than anyone.

Daddy and Mama at a cousin's wedding

If you've never met my Dad, you are missing out on knowing one of the most wonderful people on this earth.  And I am not saying that, just because I am his daughter.  I have been told that by many, many people who know my dad.  He will automatically love you, respect you, and assume you are a great person.  But, if you ever screw with his family, you will never have his respect again.

He is not a father.  He is a daddy.  And he is my daddy.

Busy, Busy Day!

I'm quite busy today, so unfortunately today's post will be rather short.  But, at least I am getting something written, right!?


First, since I don't blog on Saturdays, I want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Daddy!!  On Monday, I intend on writing a little about him.  He is one of those people who everyone loves, and is genuinely a great man.  And I am not saying that because he is my Dad, either!  Happy birthday, Daddy!  I love you!


We named our new little puppy!  Not only did we stick with our "gun" theme, but we also chose a great Norwegian name, "Sig"!  Little Sig is such a cutie.  I love him, but he is probably going to be the death of me.  I was up with him all night long.  Playing, taking him outside, and telling him to stop whining.  Night before last, he was really great.  He slept almost all night, and didn't make a mess in the house.  Last night, it was mess after mess.  I didn't get to stay in bed for a full hour at any point last night!  He went to the vet this morning for his first shots, and the vet said he was a really good looking dog!


My in-laws are coming, so I am staightening the house a bit.  They should be here tonight!  Tomorrow, I think we may take Little Man to the Fourth of July parade, then later in the afternoon my Mother in Law and I are going to sneak away for a little "girl time"!


I've talked with Flower a few times the last few days.  She is having fun, but sure misses home.  We sure miss her.  It just isn't the same when all my ducklings aren't in a little row behind me.  


Lastly, today is the first day of 13 Plum Knitting's Christmas in July Sale!  Today, I have added my first new listing; Matinee Lace Sachets!  They really are quite pretty, and smell really great too!  Plus, you can always change out the lavender scent that comes with them for what ever scent you might prefer.  I will be making them on an as-ordered basis, so you can specify which color ribbon you want on yours!  At only $2.50, they would make really great stocking stuffer ideas for some of the ladies on your Christmas list!  To make it even better, I will be offering free shipping on every order this month.  All you will have to do is type in the code code JULYSHIPPING when you check out!  I know I have said it before, but buying handmade from individuals really is a great way to help the economy.  All the money you spend goes directly to an individual, who is able to then go buy more!  (And trust me, and money I make is typically spent right away!  HAHA!)


Have a superb three day weekend everyone, and be sure to check out mine, and all the other awesome shops on Etsy today!

Please Welcome...

The running joke in our family is that any time I want a baby, Barb Wire Man buys me a new dog.  So, just about every two years we add a member to our family.


Our first Christmas together, Flower was two years old, and I was really feeling the need to be a mommy again.

Poor Miss Remi.  She really needs a haircut!

So we he bought me an adorable little Schnauzer we named Remington.  Yes, Remington as in a gun.  Remi is a spoiled little dog, and queen of the house.  Mike and I both had schnauzers growing up, so we new we loved them.


About two years later, my biological clock started ticking again.  Flower was 4 at this point, and I wanted another baby so bad, I was certain I couldn't wait anymore.

And that is when Tank entered the picture.  Tank is a Rottweiler.  We love Remi, but were ready for a dog who would help protect the house.  Our families weren't too thrilled with us getting such a "dangerous" dog, but we are firm believers that it is all in how you raise them.  Despite looking the part of a huge mean guard dog, and barking like he will eat anything that moves, Tank is a big ol' pansy.  He loves playing with the kids, and the kids love him.  He has a few health issues, as many Rotts do,  so he mostly lays around in the backyard.  But he sure is a good dog.

It really disgusts me when Flower lets the dogs kiss her...

Skip ahead another couple of years.  I finally put my foot down.  I told Barb Wire Man I never wanted another Dog.  I would settle only for a baby!  Flower was almost 6, and it was high time for another little one.  Barb Wire Man said he would think about it.  Apparently, All Barb Wire Man has to do is think about getting me pregnant, wink, and it happens, and 9 months later, Little Man appeared!


And now, here we are.  Little Man is 2 and a half, and guess what. While I am not sure I really want another baby, I'm not sure if I don't want another one.  Barb Wire Man is certain he doesn't want anymore.  SO history is repeating itself!  Barb Wire Man called yesterday to let me know a man had some American Boxers  for sale.  We went and looked at them, and oh - my - gosh!  They were so freakin' adorable!  Little Man fell in love with every one of them.  We finally settled on this little dude:

Little Dude here is an American Bulldog, just like Petey on The Little Rascals.  He is all white, except for his right eye, a tiny brown speck on his left ear, and lots of brown freckles on his tummy.  If he grows up to look anything like his daddy, he is going to be one heckuva big dog.  He is still at "The Sleepy Little Puppy" stage, but when he does play, he seems to prefer toes.  And Mike's Boxers (maybe it is because he is a boxer?).  He also likes Little Man's toys, but he doesn't share well.


Our first night went pretty well!  We gated him in my laundry room.  He cried for a bit, but I went in and told him "NO!" three separate times, and he stopped!  He woke up crying again about 2 AM, but I repeated the same thing I had done earlier.  He stopped, and went right back to sleep.  Not even a poop or pee mess to clean up!  As I sit here typing this, he is playing on my bed with Little Man.  This dog has some gas.

Little Man is really enjoying him, and the puppy seems to be enjoying it as well.  Remi, doesn't much care for him.  He wants to play, and Remi just wants to be left the heck alone.  Tank isn't too sure of him, yet.  He doesn't dislike him, but I am not sure he really likes him either.  But we still have to find a name for him!  Both my other dogs are name after some type of weapon....Tank...Remington.  My son's real name is Gunnar.  So, I think we should stick with the theme here.  I'm thinking he looks like a Ruger.  Barb Wire Man has suggested "Chester" (for Winchester) and "Scud" (as in SCUD Missile".  He also suggested Frank, to which I said "Uhhhhh, no."  "Browning is another name, which my dear friend suggested.  Also another weapon maker, and fits great with his one brown eye.  Barb Wire Man just suggested "Dozer" to me, as in Bull Dozer, which goes somewhat with Tank.


Any suggestions?!


One last thing real fast!  My big Christmas In Jule sale will be starting soon!  YAY!  I will be adding a lot of great stocking stuffer ideas, and gift ideas, so be sure to check out 13 Plum Knitting each day!  Each day I will offer some type of sale, as well as add a new item!

Now if you will excuse me, I must go keep an eye on this puppy!

Recapping...

I've allowed myself to neglect my blog again.  I really hate when I do that, but some things just have to come first.  But this morning I was able to get in a shower, most of the laundry done, and even a not-so-quiet time pretty early, so I have time to write! What is a not-so-quiet time?!  That is what happens when one sits down in the quiet to pray and read the Bible.  But instead, your kids wake up, jump on your lap, and are ready to play!  So, they usually sit there with me as I read, talking.  I actually like it better this way, though.  My kids are a blessing from God, so hearing their sweet voices is just a reminder of how blessed I am.  Also, as parents, we lead by example.  My kids seeing me having a devotional time every morning and seeing me live my faith speaks greater volumes to them than just telling them what they should do.


Last weekend I took Flower to the airport to meet up with her step-mom.  She was flying back to South Carolina with her to spend a few weeks with the other side of her family.

Walking into the airport, all smiles!

She was excited, scared, and apprehensive all at the same time.  As was I.  Flower hasn't ever been that far from us, and it was her first time flying.

Apprehension setting in....

I'm thankful I have a good relationship with Flower's step-mom, though, as that made it much easier to see her walk away from me in the airport.

Flower standing in line with her step-mom

I knew she would be well taken care of, but I did shed a few tears!  You know I always try to look at the positive side of everything.

Last picture I could snap of Flower.  My favorite part is where the sign says "No Joking".  It made me really want to make a joke.

The only thing positive I can find about Flower being gone is the drastic decrease in laundry.  Why is it that eight year old little girls feel the need to change clothes 6 times a day?  And "forget" to re-hang what is still clean?  I guess its just easier to toss it on the wash room floor and let Mama deal with it.


It is hardest on Little Man, though.  Flower is his best friend, and they play together for hours on end.  Now, with all the daycare kids gone for the summer, and "tah-tee" (that's sister in his language) gone for three weeks, all he has is Mama and Daddy!

Little Man playing in the sprinkler with his "girl-friend".

We have gone swimming with friends a couple times, and played in the sprinkler.  Daddy comes home from work and plays wrestle with him on the floor.  But he still walks around the house occasionally yelling "Tah-tee, er war you? Es play tah-tee!"  Breaks my heart!


I visited my grandparents on the same Saturday that I dropped Flower off.  Unfortunately, my grandfather is quite ill.  He is in his 80's, so we are all prepared for the fact that he will not make it much longer.  I felt like I was visiting him just to say "goodbye".  Its difficult knowing that you most likely won't be able to see someone you love again.  I've had grandparents very suddenly taken from me though, as well, so I am thankful that I was able to see him.


I am excited about next month for 13 Plum Knitting!  It will be July, and I will be apart of a huge "Christmas in July" promotion on Etsy!  I will be adding something new to my shop almost every day in July!  Many of the things going up are going to be great stocking stuffers, and most things will be $10 and under!  If you are like me, and start your Christmas shopping in January, (no, really, I do.) then you need to visit Etsy next month.  There will be some really neat things!  I still have everything on sale for 15% off, if you use the coupon code CRAFTSHOW when you check out.  I've also added some custom order options.


It is time to go hang out some laundry before it hits 120 degrees.  Alright, it won't hit 120, but the high today is supposed to be 108.  Once it gets that hot, it might as well be 120.  (The bright side to how dry it is here is at least it isn't un-godly humid out.  I can't imagine how hot it would feel with all that humidty.)


Have a wonderful Friday, everyone!  Be blessed!

Now Hiring - Any Takers?

I am exhausted today.  At 2:00 this morning, I felt small stuffed animals being thrown into my bed.  Barb Wire Man didn't flinch, but that is probably because the hard button nose of a stuffed puppy didn't hit him in the eye like it did me.
"I by you mama."  That what the Little Man says when he wants me to hold him, sit by him, or let him sleep in our bed.
"Oh no.  You sleep in your bed.  This is Mama and Daddy's bed."  And off we went, walking down the hall holding three stuffed puppies and a Harley-Davidson blanket.  He crawled back into bed without an argument, told me night-night, and I made my way back down the hallway in a sleepy stupor.  Until I hit my toe on what I think is a 1/32 scale  tractor trailer model. I stifled my "OUCH" as best as possible, and heard Little Man giggle.  I just know he must have thought "I knew I left that somewhere!"
I should have just stayed awake at this point, but I didn't.  I climbed back into bed, and realized my toe was hurting pretty bad for just stubbing it on a toy.  I got up, again, and flipped the bathroom lights on.
After my momentary blindness, I saw blood pouring out of my toe.  Maybe not pouring, but it was bloody.  And it hurt like the dickens.
Next thing I know, our alarm clock is going off.  It seemed like just ten minutes before I was awake, but in reality it was a couple hours.  Thankfully, Barb Wire Man hit the snooze a few times before he announced that it was time to get up.
I toyed with the idea of going back to bed, but I didn't.  My job as a homemaker is as important to me as actually leaving the house to go to work.  I had things to do and if I wanted them done on time, I had to get going.  I'm glad I did, because its not even noon and all my daily chores are finished, and supper is already in the crock pot cooking.  The kids are napping, Flower is reading a book, and I could lay down and take a nap.  But I won't.  I always say I will, then I pick up my knitting needles and loose track of time.
But last night got me to thinking...

If mothering children and homemaking were reimbursable jobs, no one would apply for the job:

"All applicants must have experience running on little to no sleep.  Paid vacations, sick days and personal days are not provided.  Job duties include kissing boo-boos, constant laundry, and constant cleaning.  Refereeing experience preferred but not required.  Ability to pull whatever it is your child needs whenever they want it out of the blue is expected.  Must be able to play monster, trucks, dolls, and tea party all day long, while ensuring supper is on the table when your husband comes home.  Customer service skills, and good manners required, as you will be constantly training our future.  All applicants should consider applying  for a HazMat licence, as you will be wiping butts and boogers often, as well as cleaning out leftovers in the refrigerator.  Pay Scale: Commiserate of experience.  Starting pay is smiles and giggles.  Glass ceiling is reached once you are able to sit back and watch your own children complain about the fact that you are spoiling their children."