Best Scouting Theme

That is the award that Charlie received at his Blue and Gold dinner last night for Cub Scouts. I think that Charlie and Nat did a great job on this themed cake.this is a camp out theme.

Here are some other cakes that the other boys and their fathers made...

We have a talented group of young men, if I do say so myself.

It's a Plane, It's a...

... a car of fruit!

This is what we saw as we headed up the 'hill' this morning on I-80.

Who ever did this has such an imagination!

Nat was driving, so I was able to capture this moment in time.

Making a Choice

I was reading one of the blogs that I like to lurk, My Book of Common Days. Please go over to her blog and read the following story: Make a Choice for Life. She has taken the words right out of my mouth... a 12 year old girl speaking out on Abortion.

Happy Birthday My Love

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Nat, Happy Birthday to You!

My love turns 35 today. I would list a trait that I love about him for every year of his life, but I don't want to bore you all with all the mushy love stuff, so here are just a few of his qualities that I love. Nat is the love of my life. He is my dream come true, my Prince Charming...

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1. Nat is a very patient person

2. He is always thinking of others

3. He always makes the kids and I laugh

4. He is a giver

5. Nat is a very hard worker

6. He is very supportive person (he's very involved with the kids lives as well as schooling, just to name a few)

7. Nat is a provider... always trying to improve for our family

8. He believes in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father

9. Nat is the ROCK and Foundation of our family

10. Believes in the kids and I, that we can accomplish anything (and himself)

Day 2

It's amazing, when I do have wheels, I don't 'have' to be anywhere, but as soon as you take them away from me, I have a million and one errands that I 'have' to get done, not to mention all the places (field trips) that the kids and I could be going on (like over to the Planetarium @ Sierra College -- we're studying astronomy, or even a blacksmith shop). We have talked about going down to one car, but that was a while ago... now, I'm not so sure. Granted, it would be cheaper car insurance, cheaper for upkeep on one car vs. two, cheaper gas, etc.

Am I being selfish, no. The kids and I don't have any 'real' commitments anymore since we aren't doing gymnastics or going up to Meadow Vista anymore, so it was good that Nat's car decided to get sick (sick enough that he made it two miles from work, called AAA and had me come get him). I am just getting used to not having the freedom of a car at my disposal. If I do need to go somewhere, Nat will take his furlough day that day or we will work something out if I can't get out of an obligation. Besides, the kids love to go on nature walks (our nature walk yesterday ended up being over an hour - Nat beat us home), and we can walk to the several parks that are close by and the library.

Cabin Fever, Bored, Restless, Spunky

We (kids and I) have cabin fever. It's raining, it's raining, it's pouring, it's not stopping. But, we are not complaining, we need this rain. Our little city has been put on restricted water usage, everyone has to cut their water usage by 20%. 20%! Please tell me how I am supposed to do that, when I have small children? If we don't, we will get a fine. So, we have implemented a new rule... Yellow, let it mellow, Brown, flush it down (gross I know). The kids aren't used to the new rule. They say, but you always tell us to flush! What's more important here, good, clean, bacteria free toilet, or a fine? I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder... me, I will forgo the clean, bacteria free toilet to avoid a fine. Hey, I am the odd ball in my husbands family--they don't always 'get' me... in my family, I just follow suite in the flower child & hippie mantra.

Now, you may ask, why cabin fever? Well, it's not that we don't get out, we DO... Mud puddles are the bestest thing ever invented. Yes, I DO let my kids go play in the rain, get soaked and muddy, jump in puddles... that's what the puddles are for, right? I mean, they are kids (heck I'm a kid!) and we will go out without umbrellas and just get good and soaked to the bone...

Nat's car engine is all torn apart right now, and is having to use the van to go to and fro work, so we can't go and "do" our little errands during the day. Oh, how I am already missing my van, (my FREEDOM away from the house, the chores, the ever ongoing 'honey-do' list that a mom of 3, who just happens to be the best mom ever to homeschool's her kids so they don't end up corrupted by the public school system {imho--no one else better judge me}), and it has only been a measly 9 hours without a set of wheels. And today is only the 1st day without my wheels, with many more to come.

I guess, it is now time to take a nice long walk in the rain, get all muddy and have fun jumping in puddles... who cares about having dinner on the table in an hour... life is tooo short.

forgive me, I am in a spunky, bored, and restless mood... hence the sarcasm in this post

Pictures

Yes, I am going to gloat and be proud for a second or two. Here is the dishcloth that I made for my Monthly Knit A Long. I wish I had red or pink yarn to use, but cream will have to do...

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this is "Kiss Me"

Pattern By Lisa Millan www.digknittydesigns.blogspot.com

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This one, I found online and just HAD to do for Valentines Day.this is "hearts"

I wish I could remember where I got this pattern from, but I can't... I knew I should have written it down.

Now, I am onto my 2nd KAL. I just got day 1 and am ready to get started. All the yarn that I am using is Peaches & Cream.

Snow Day

It was so nice to have a surprise like snow right in our own backyard. Well, not literally, but pretty darn tootin' close! We had to go up to Meadow Vista for homeschool and on our way up, we got the pleasure of seeing snow. Once in Meadow Vista (a 40 min drive from where we live), the kids had fun playing, throwing and just plain having fun with the snow. My only regret is not taking the camera with us up the hill to get pictures. Thankfully, by the time we made it to our destination, they had just plowed the roads.

k,k,p,k,k... sc,dc,dc,sc

I have gotten into the mood of doing Knit and Crochet Alongs. I am about to finish my very first knit-along and can't wait to see the finished product. I will post a pic once I am finished with it (it will be done tonight). Unfortunately, I didn't have solid red or pink, but have off white. I will dye it once it is finished, maybe. For those who would love to knit something up quick, for a gift or whatnot, here is the link... Just go to Monthly Dishcloth KAL. In order to get the pattern, all you have to do is join the yahoo group, MonthlyDishcloths. Who knows, maybe I will just make dischloths for everyone this year for Christmas presents. That'll make my life easy, and stress free :). After all, everyone could use a dishcloth or two, or maybe 24, right?

For those of you who don't knit or crochet, this is what the title means:

K=knit, P=purl, SC=single crochet, DC=double crochet

I love Jesus, but I Drink A Little

Now, mind you, I don't watch Ellen, but when I saw this on a friends facebook, I just had to share with ya'll. (no, I don't drink, but I DO love Jesus)

United Nations' threat: No more parental rights

What is this country coming and trying to do?

Expert: Pact would ban spankings, homeschooling if children object

A United Nations human rights treaty that could prohibit children from being spanked or homeschooled,...

Click on the picture above to read the whole story..

An Update

There has been a lot going on, since our little excursion to 1820. And I am sorry that I haven't had the time to write. We finally got the $800 back, and got all our finances squared away. Man, when they say things happen in 3's, they REALLY aren't kidding! After 2 weeks, we finally got the money back, then, come to find out, (1) Nat has to take 2 UNpaid days off a month (no, he doesn't work for the state). We are thankful that Nat still has a job though, so we don't have a problem with the furlough, if it means saving some jobs. (2) Nat's car has a motor mount crack or a head gasket that needs replacing (we are hoping for the latter), and (3) our fridge quit working (we really have bad luck w/fridges), we go through fridges like a child with candy it seems. On a positive note, everyone is in good health, and school is going good. Well, I wish I had time to post more, but life as a mom, teacher, playmate, friend, etc is calling me back into reality. 8:30 am Update: Good news, we now have a new $50 fridge... Craig's List is my new Best Friend. I just hope that this lasts longer than the old free one.