A creative weekend

What do you get when you put a small white vase and a cool looking pink plate together?

You get a cool looking cake plate!

This last Friday I hit some thrift stores and for about $5 I got some really cool things to do some projects with.


I found these hurricane lamp parts for 25 cents each. I make these cute pumpkin candles with them. I also purchased a couple more vases and plates to do other projects with. I have been wanting to make some things for a long time and finally decided this weekend would be my "get some projects done" weekend. I did just that and finished some letters for banners I have been working on. Finished my fall sign -

I am making a sign for all the seasons to hang by my front door. I started with my patriotic one and have my Christmas one done. I have a snowman one to do for January and I think I will do one of hearts for February and then a spring one and maybe a summer one. I have finished all my pay it forward projects and just have to finish delivering those. I am so excited to be creating! Fall does that to me - I just like to stay home and be by the warm fire and make things. I guess it helps that around here the rains come and it gets too cold to be outside so staying inside is bearable when I can make things!

Happy Birthday Chad

Happy Birthday Chad my dear. I cannot believe you are sixteen years old! I know I keep saying how I cannot believe how old my children are but when you are living in the moment with them the time just slips by. This young man has such a sweet heart. He is not perfect by any means and has made his share of mistakes but along with that he also has learned many lessons that have helped him grow and become a better person. I love his love of learning. He loves school or at least the learning part of school. He is a fantastic writer and I only wish I could someday write with the same use of language as he does. Chad is good at sports and he really loves and cares for his brothers and sisters. I love you Chad - Happy, Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Seth

Seth turned 22 today. I just love this boy of mine. He works hard - well when he has to - and is such a funny guy. He loves to tease his sisters and he also protects and watches over them. He got his first paid vacation and decided to take his birthday week off. Wish I could take my birthday week off - oh wait, I don't work so I guess I'm off all the time. I really am blessed by this young man and he always surprises me with his wit and sense of humor. Happy Birthday little man - I love you tons!

Happy Birthday Ashleigh

Happy Birthday Ashleigh! It was so fun to have our family birthday party today on your birthday! How special was that. I am so proud of how hard you are working and all the time and effort you are putting into your school. You are going to be awesome at your job when you graduate. I can't believe that it is just around the corner. You are an awesome big sister and I love that you help me out so much with the children. You are beautiful and I love you baby girl! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Chloe

Happy 18th Birthday Chloe! Wow - I cannot believe you are 18. This year it has hit me hard at how old all my children are getting. I have always been the mom of all these little kids. Now over half of them are young adults. Something is wrong here - they are not supposed to grow older like this and make me feel older. Back to Chloe though - it is her birthday:)

I am so pleased with all that you have done so far with your life. You are an awesome daughter and such a great friend to me when I need to have a shoulder to cry on. I really appreciate your listening ear and your wisdom. Plus I really enjoy your beautiful smile. Thank you for being you and have a great day!

Happy Birthday Chelsea

Today she turns 25! I cannot believe that I have three children 25 and older. With so many still left at home and little ones around me all the time I do not feel old enough to be her mother. Let me say in my mind I don't feel old enough - sometimes my body lets me know how old I am;) Happy Birthday sweet child of mine. I hope you have a wonderful 25th year and all your dreams come true. I am very pleased with your goal you set for yourself as a birthday present to yourself. Running your marathon and completing it in 4 hours and 45 minutes is quite an accomplishment for anyone. I love that we have both set lofty goals and completed them. Now we need to run together! Love you Chelsea - thank you for all you do!

Why did I have kids?

Can someone please remind me why I had children? Just putting it out there - not having the greatest day today and really it will all be alright but for the first time in a very long time I have wondered all day what was I thinking? If I had stopped at the two to four children like most people have they would all be gone and out of the house and David and I would be living a completely different life. Why did I keep having them? This has seriously gone through my head all day. But then of course, when I least expect it I get the answer right dab square in the face. Yesterday Autumn shared with me a drawing she made.


I was very busy getting everyone out the door for school yesterday and she kept wanting me to read her a book. Well, long story short the picture was inside the book, she didn't want me to read to her but find the picture. I said it was nice and then off with our day we went. Well, today at the worst possible time of the day for me I found this picture again. Look at the smiles. Look at how happy we are! This is why I had children - this is what it is really all about. Who else could love these guys like I do? Who else could handle all the ups and downs with them if not me? They were given to David and I to teach, love and help through this life. I need them as much as they need me. I know everyday is not going to be easy. There are many challenges when raising so many young people. My prayers once again answered through an innocent child - Heavenly Father has a lot to teach me still with these kids. I am grateful for everyone of them even on days like today!

Another New Blog

Check out my new blog. I know another one - but like I said a couple of months ago I wanted to do an "Everyday Matters" project. This is what I have come up with. The link is under "My Other Blogs" on my side bar. I am trying to update my food storage blog with the new direction we have been given. I am working on it and that will soon have a new look and things to check out. And I am going to continue my personal history one. I hit a question that has me still thinking believe it or not! Anyway, just letting people know that I have lots to say I guess:)