It's Friday Already?!

I love it when weeks go by so quickly that that phrase is uttered by me!

I always bemoan the fact that the weekends go way too quickly, but frankly, my weeks go just as quickly. Maybe it's the fact that I always have three hundred things left on my weekly to-do list that never quite get all the way done.

But seeing as it's Friday, and I'm ignoring those three hundred things for the moment, it's time to celebrate Friday Follow at Hearts Make Families! For whatever reason, I can't get the adorable button to work (like last week), so you'll have to follow the link to get there. It seems to be working on everyone else's so I'm assuming it's human error. Me being the human, of course.

Trust me, if you have some time to do some blog hopping it's worth it! Head on over, link up and follow along.

If you've come over here from Friday Follow, check out the About Me page (but only if you're truly, truly brave) and help yourself to all the blog posts you can read. I personally like my last one where I tattle on myself. I think it's a good laugh. But it could be only me...

Anyhoo, welcome, welcome! Let me know who you are so I can pop over to visit you, too!

OH, Oh, oh! I have a question for you bloggy experts out there: I would like to know how to make an area on my sidebar for all the blog buttons of blogs I follow. I like the ones that rotate vertically. Anyone know how I could get one for my blog? Thanks so much!

Blame It All On The Dark Side

It's my 100th post!!

Can I get a whoot, whoot?

C'mon! Don't be a party pooper.

WHOOT! WHOOT!

Thank you very much.

Now, some people may have fantabulous giveaways for their readers for their 100th post. Some people may wax poetic and write a love sonnet to their blog.

Alas, I'll be doing neither today. I'm feeling quite prosaic and I have nothing to give away except a few broken oatmeal butterscotch cookies. Not really celebratory enough in my mind, even if they are incredibly yummy.

Instead, today I'm going to do something that I do so well. I'm going to tattle on myself, laughing all the way.

About two years ago, Bubba had just turned three and Mama had decided that it was now time for him to use the throne. (You know the one.) I had just gotten pregnant with Ju-Ju and Ya-Ya was almost two and I did. not. need. three. children. in. diapers.

It was going pretty well until one bright morning when I made a terrible discovery on his bedroom carpet. There in front of his bed was a perfect circle of wetness.

Note to the readers: I was struggling through morning sickness at this time. Don't judge me.

Continuing on...

The frustration level went immediately sky high. No warning, no gradual increase. Nope. It was instant irritability.

"What is that?" I said with my index finger pointed fiercely at the offending spot.

Bubba replies quite casually, "Oh, Darth Vader did that."



Ex-cuse me?

Another note if you will: He was going through a stage where Star Wars was the epitome of coolness. No, I should rephrase this. Darth Vader was the epitome of coolness. In fact, he was to the point of insisting that we call him that rather than his beautiful name. I was very worried. The worry only increased when I realized my not quite two-year-old was humming Darth Vader's march non-stop. She didn't even know Jesus Loves Me, yet.

Continuing again...

My reply, "Darth Vader? Darth Vader did not do that. Bubba did that."

"No, Mama. Darth Vader did that."

This exchange went back and forth for several minutes before I finally came to the end of my patience.

"Darth Vader DID NOT do that! Your name is NOT Darth Vader. Your name is Bubba."

"No, Mama. I promise Darth Vader did that."

I'm pretty sure I was just about to keel over from a heart attack. Luckily, Gi-Gi walked in right then.

"What's the matter, Mama?"

"Bubba is saying that Darth Vader made that wet spot on the floor right there."

"Yeah, he did. Darth Vader did that" was her reply.

OH. MY. WORD. She's doing it too. This pregnancy was draining me of my mental capabilities rapidly.

"HIS NAME IS NOT DARTH VADER!!"

And then in one of the funny little shows of God's humor, I realized. Darth Vader had done it.

As in Darth Vader the squeezable bath toy. He had had an "accident" on the bedroom floor when Bubba brought him in the bedroom from the bath tub.

I'm pretty sure the neighbors were considering calling the asylum after hearing the uncontrollable hysterical laughter coming from our house. And I don't think my husband couldn't even understand what I was saying through the gasps of air I was trying to get into my lungs between the laughing fits.

I'm telling you, I laughed for months after that.

In fact, I'm still laughing right now.

Here's to another 100 posts!

It's Friday, Y'all!

Happy Friday to you, my friends!

That means it's time for Friday Follow! Have you tried it yet? Super, super fun way to find other bloggers and have them find you!



If you're visiting from Friday Follow, here's my disclaimer:

*In this blog, you will NOT find amazing crafts that I have made from products purchased at the dollar store. Not that talented, I'm afraid.

*I have very few wise things to say. I wish I did, but before I can share them with you, I have to learn them myself. I'm still working on that.

*Even though we homeschool, I am not super mama. Nope, nope, nope. Never have been, never will be. I try to do fun and educational things with my kids, but it doesn't take long before you reach the top of the fun meter in spelling.

*I am not a perfect housekeeper, cook, laundress, person in general. I'm okay with that. I think.

*I'm not a professional photographer. I wish I was. These pictures are taken from a good camera by a mediocre photographer. I do my best, though.

Here's what you'll find here:

*Me laughing at myself. A lot!

*Me trying to figure out to be the best Christian, wife, mama, friend, etc. I can be. Everyday and in that order.

*Me bragging on my hubby and kids. Again, a lot!

*Me loving meeting new people who share my opinions, or possibly don't. I just like people!

*Me just trying to keep sane and hoping that there's something here that you can relate to.

I'm the typical people pleaser, which means I'll do anything to make you like me.

Well, maybe not anything.

But close.

So, grab a drink, pull up a chair, look around. If you like what you see, be sure to let me know. If you don't, then well, that's okay too. I'll just cry under the covers where no one can see me.

I'll be sure to come and visit you, too!

Happy Friday!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Do you know how great girls are? If you don't, then let me fill you in.

They're pretty great.

I'm blessed with two of my own and I'm getting quite the education. Quite the education...{sigh}

One of the things that we encourage our girls to learn is how to be godly young women and future caretakers of their homes and families. Teach 'em young, I always say! Won't be long before they get to make dinner. Heavenly...

Because of this, Gi-Gi is part of a literature club (Ladies in Training) that meets monthly to discuss books that the mamas picked out for them.

This month's book was Little Pilgrim's Progress. Read it? It's a kid's version of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and every kid that's read it loves it! It's a fantastic allegory.

We got to host this month, which was especially cool because it was also Gi-Gi's ninth birthday (HOLY COW! NINE?!)



After eating, giggling, opening hostess/birthday gifts, giggling and singing the birthday song, we discussed the book. These girls knew their stuff!! They loved this book and they "got it". I was so impressed. These girls were so excited about this book that we could have spent the whole night talking about it. We almost didn't make it to the homemaking skill that we do every month.

Oh, it sounds so lovely, old-fashioned or pioneer-like.



Unfortunately, this month kind of snuck up on me, so I wasn't as well prepared as I like to be. Quick, quick, Jamie! Get something together!

What would be useful, fun and easy for me to throw together?

Buttons! You know those things that often pop off at wrong time and the uh, wrong position of your shirt? (Not like I've ever experienced this. AHEM)

What little girl (or person for that matter) doesn't need to know how to sew these little puppies on?

So, we got to work. Buttons, material, scissors, needles, thread...

May I brag just a bit here?

None of the girls wanted to leave. When the first mama knocked on the door, all of the girls groaned and said, "Oh, please don't let it be my mom!"

I like it when little people like my house. I like it when anybody like my house.


Gi-Gi and her Peeps!

And I also really like it when my daughter is proud of me. I think that's pretty fun.

What are some of the special things that you do with your kids?




Come on over to Sharon's Just For the Joy of It and share what you're joyful about this Thursday!

Once In a Lifetime Offer!

I love sleep. I adore sleep. I NEED sleep.

I heart it mucho. Unfortunately, I don't get to experience it nearly enough.

I'm often confused and uncomprehending of people who tell me they have trouble sleeping at night.

What?!

No offense intended if that's you. In fact if that is you, have I got a deal for you! It's a once in a lifetime deal, never to be repeated - unless it is.

I have found the cure to insomnia. Forget the pills, the sleep-aids, or the crazy things that you may have found yourself doing to get forty winks.

Here's the cure: For a limited time, I'm offering you (my lucky readers) the chance to rent my children, either all four or one at a time.

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed!




These four little people are the best sleep-aid I have ever found! Plus, they're pretty darn cute. It's a win-win situation.

In fact, I'll even give you one satisfied customer's review:

"These children are so great for inducing sleep! No pills needed here. At first, I wasn't sure if it was working. However, at bedtime, I did a little experiment. I wanted to see how high I could count before completely losing consciousness. I counted one......two................three........ I wasn't even able to finish saying I love you to my hubby. These kids really work!"

See? Told ya.

Do I have any takers?

*These findings have not been confirmed by the FDA. They don't have to be. We parents have been experiencing this since Creation.

A Call To Worship

Nine years ago today, at this very moment, I was in labor with my first born. I was exhausted, exhilirated, full of belief in myself. And completely, utterly naive.

I had no idea what I was doing. Sure, I knew how to change a diaper and how (theoretically) to figure out why the baby is crying, but that was about it. Of course many things come with practice and common sense and I learned most of them quickly.

What I didn't realize was the spiritual responsibility I had to this precious new little soul that had been entrusted to my care. I figured out how to bathe, to nurse, to dress, to take care of the physical part of her, but what about the eternal part?

As a single mama, I thought the church was the answer. I honestly thought that if I brought her to church every Sunday and helped her memorize her Bible verses I was doing pretty well. You see, I was raised in a Christian home with loving parents, but with virtually no training or understanding of how we, as Christians, are supposed to run the spiritual portion of our home.

This is not to be taken as a put-down to my parents. Looking back, I honestly believe that they were doing what they thought they should. Funny how now we are doing things so much differently. So intentionally.

It wasn't until a few years ago that we began to realize we needed something more.

But what?

Paco realized that he needed to be the leader, and I believe that every woman needs and desires for her man to step up to the plate to take responsibility for his family.

But how?

Enter Dr. Voddie Baucham.

We were introduced to the ministry of Voddie Baucham during the 2009 Arizona Families for Home Education (AFHE) convention.

WE. WERE. BLOWN. AWAY.

We had heard about him through various people leading up to the convention and I'll admit, I was a little leery. He sounded way more extreme than I thought I could ever be.

Yet again, WE. WERE. BLOWN. AWAY.

As impressive as this man is, it wasn't him that blew us away. It was his words, his convictions, his passion. He called to a renewed belief in the centrality of the home, the preciousness of godly families and our parental responsibilities. We left that convention hall shell shocked. We were challenged, convicted, inspired.

We left knowing that we had to do more. We had to worship as a family. In our home. {gasp!} To some, this may seem a no-brainer. To us, this was a major lifestyle change.

We have learned that we are responsible for so much more than we realize. As parents, that job cannot be filled by anyone else, as good as some church's children's ministries/Sunday schools might be. Our job as parents is to see that our children are learning daily about the Word of God, singing, memorizing, how to pray for each other.

It has made all the difference.

My kids at 9, 4, and 3 now know more than I did as a teenager. How little credit we give to little ones in the area of memorizing and paying attention. We've learned the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, our family verse (Colossians 3:12-14) and now we're learning on the Catechism.

Granted, there is just no possible way to do this every night due to events that pop up or emergencies. There are nights when the numerous interruptions make us ready to chuck it all. Our kids still fight, at times I still let frustration and impatience get to me, BUT our kids see us making this a priority in our lives. They see us learning with them and answering questions that they have. Hard questions, might I add. Questions that have turned my head and made me say, Excuse me? (The story of Lot and his daughters. No more details needed, I hope.) But the point is that they're asking! They're soaking all of this up and learning how to apply this to their young lives.

I think we might be on the right track.

If you're interested in the book we read it's called, Family-Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham. It can be purchased through Amazon (it's on my Amazon faves on the right over there), Christian Book Distributors or Vision Forum. Fantastic book for parents! Plus, there are so many other resources out there to help families learn how to do this whole thing, complete with ideas and activities.

Try it. I promise you won't be sorry. Your kids will probably even thank you someday.

That's enough for me.

Proud and Prejudiced

The time had come.

It's a crucial moment in every young girl's life. A moment when a mama's love is there to introduce her to a new world that marks the beginning of womanhood.

No, I'm not talking about {ahem} bras or THE talk, although those are coming much, much too quickly. (Still waiting for that darn book to arrive in the mail...)

I am talking about her first time seeing/hearing/experiencing the one of the greatest love stories of modern times.

Pride and Prejudice. (Are you swooning yet?)

A friend of mine and I took our two girls to see a high school dinner theatre production of P&P last Friday. They are now on their way to becoming true women.



The play, well, the play was put on by high school students who may or may not have ever heard or read the story. It was condensed and modified because of obvious logistical issues, but the spirit of it was still there. Mrs. Bennett was still a bundle of nerves, Mr. Bennett still as removed as he could possibly be, Mr. Darcy was still stand-offish and Lizzie was still Lizzy.

The girls paid attention and tried to follow along as closely as possible. The play still used much of Jane Austen's style, while omitting two of my favorite lines in all literature ("Had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner..." and "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."). Even still, I got a couple taps on the arm and a whispered, "What did she say?"

As I sat that, I pondered this phase of my life with her. She's not a baby anymore. Bittersweet to my mind. I miss the baby stage, but I like the experiences we get to share now. Time with my girl. How does it get any better?

I'm proud that she's my daughter and that she wants to do things with me and I'm prejudiced that she is one of the world's two best daughters. Funny, the other one is my daughter, too.

How amazing is that?

Oh, and the other great thing were all the hydrangeas we got to bring home. There were little bouquets as centerpieces and they told us to take the flowers home with us. I didn't need to be told twice!

Hydrangeas were in my wedding bouquet and don't grow well here at all, so anytime I can enjoy the, I jump at the chance. It was just the perfect ending to our night. I've been enjoying them all week long and every time I walk by they bring a smile to my face.



What has brought you joy this week?



Linking up to Sharon's Just For the Joy of It Thursday.

Time to (Blog) Par-Tay!

Alright, so I've been seeing this everywhere today and had no idea what was going on. I didn't even get an invitation.

Whew! Thank goodness I didn't let that get in my way. I'm crashing this blog party! It sounded like so much fun that I couldn't help myself. I'm linking up to The Ultimate Blog Party and I've got my metallic high heels on ready to party like it's 199- Oh, wait. I don't have metallic high heels and it's already 2010.

Scratch that. Man, that could've been embarrassing.


Moving on...

Okay, my name is Jamie and I'm a blog-aholic. The truth, it's ugly at times. I've got a grand old about me page over there (pan right), but let me personally introduce myself to you.



Yes, that's me and the most beautiful children on earth. I do not lie. While we have very good days, some not so great days, and days when there is just, well, poop, I've never been more happy, content and fulfilled.

We are some of those crazy homeschoolers, who are passionate about training our children up in the Lord.


Gi-Gi doing a science experiment

I am passionately in love with my husband (Paco) and my four kiddos (Gi-Gi, Bubba, Ya-Ya and JuJu). We laugh, we love, we dance, we eat... We pretty much have a grand time being with one another.



We are blessed with incredible friendships. You know, the kind that last for-e-ver.


Me and the Best-ies

So, to summarize, here is my life:

1. God
2. Husband
3. Children
4. Everything else.

Disclaimer: Chocolate squeezes it's way in there. It's never number 1, however, it has been known to usurp Hubby's #2 position at times. Just a warning in case you ever want to come back.


Just about the yummiest cake ever. Sorry for the bad lighting. I was way too impatient. I had to go face first into it.

This is me. Just an imperfect woman, wife, mama trying to get her ducks in a row, laughing and crying all the way!



I love new visitors, so drop me a line and let me know you stopped by! Come on over anytime. The light's always on. (Usually because there's a child up in the middle of the night.) Come laugh with me, or maybe just at me. I love, love, LOVE making new friends (as well as keeping the old), so let me know who you are and what your blog handle is. Get it, like a cb handle?!

{crickets chirping}

I guess I'm the only one who thinks I'm funny.



Hopefully, I haven't scared everyone off. Maybe there are a few brave ones out there...

Oh, and by way, there are GIFTS! What's a party without gifts?! Originally, when I did this post I didn't care so much about those because I was just excited to meet new people and have them meet me. But now that I have looked around... Well, the gifts are definitely icing on the cake!

So here's my wish list:

1)US6 - A hand-stamped necklace by Kristen's Custom Creations valued at $48

2)US85 - $40 gift certificate to Beautiful Blooms kid's clothing

3)US20 - $50 in jewelry from Cookie Lee by my family jewels

4)USC30 - $50 gift card to Paperlicious from paperlicious.com

Here are some other fabulous things, too!

US28
US50
US73
USC27
USC46
USC64

Oh, I hope I ween! Sorry, bad spanish accent there.

Another Member of Our Family

There's someone who lives at our house that you haven't met yet. He's such a valuable addition to our family that I can't believe that I've overlooked introducing him to you.

His name is Foof-Foof and he is Bubba's favorite psuedo-dog/toy/stuffed animal.




This is actually Foof-Foof the Second. The first is sitting on the closet shelf because he was loved just a little too much. He's missing his nose and his eyes were about to be chewed off, but we couldn't bring ourselves to throw him away. Notice that this one is nose-less, too. Poor, poor thing.

For a long time, he went everywhere with us. He's been on long road trips, short road trips, and everywhere else Bubba's pleading eyes could get me to agree to let him go to. We've gotten to the point now where he doesn't travel as much with us, but he's still a nightime necessity. Even now, there are times when we have to mount a frenzied search to find our son's precious security dog.

This "Foof-Foof" has endured many surgeries, the humiliation of having Mama stick her hand up inside to redistribute his lumpy stuffing, and many, many washings. He's taken it all with just a quiet and peaceful resignation and acceptance. Hmmm, what if my children could do that? (Nah, it'd never happen!)




And even though he's stuffed, his neck has been stretched out from being carried around through the years, his ears have been chewed on and has wiped one particular nose too often, Foof-Foof has been the recipient of one of life's most precious gifts: the love of a child.

That is true joy, my friends.

What brings you joy today?



Head on over to Sharon's for her Just for The Joy of It Thursdays! Link up and tell us what brings you joy and tell her I sent ya.

Wanting To Hide From My Children...

...and not being successful.

The baby woke up this morning. Alright, so there's nothing so unusual about that.

It is unusual, however for him to wake up at 5:45 am. And he was mad. Screaming mad.

That's when I knew. It was going to be one of those days. Too bad I'd already made the bed or else I would have been hiding under the covers.

Usually, when I post on this loverly blog of mine, I try to dwell on the lovely things that motherhood and life bring my way. I'm not so sure that's going to happen today.

I heard my mother's words come out of my mouth at Costco today. "Who died and made you queen?" just popped out at my oldest, completely unbidden by me.

Oh. My. Word. It's never a good day when I scare myself like that.

Yup, one of those days.

And I'd been doing so well, too. I really had been. Pride goeth before the fall...

Splat!! Right on my face, I was.

Maybe it's because of the holiday, maybe the extra sugar, but I think it was the spelling.

As a homeschooling mama, I have a very clear understanding of what my children's educational weaknesses are.

Spelling is our Waterloo. And it isn't even like she's bad at it. She just Hates It. That is capitalized for a reason. Alright, I'll admit it. I'm a spelling snob. I totally get that we have spell check to avoid all of it, but I just can't get myself to train myself to use it.

I'm still holding out for the return of snail mail. Then, where will all of you poor people who use spell check be? I'm feeling quite smug right now.

Back to spelling... It can be quite the, uh, touchy subject at our house. Running away was even threatened. Surprisingly, it wasn't even me who threatened.

Well, tomorrow is another day and it's bound to be better.

Now, how long until bedtime?

A Love Like No Other

It really is, you know.

I cannot put into words the overwhelming love and gratitude I feel at this time for my Savior.

Do you know my Jesus? Oh, how I pray you do.

Have a very blessed Easter.

Houston, We Have Poop!

Since some of you don't know, my sister is pregnant with her first child. And I am more than anxious to share with her the plethora of motherly information and experience I have gained (I hope) over the past years.

Had she been around these past few days I could have given quite a thorough education in the matter of poop.

Yes, your favorite and mine.

Funny how obsessed you can be with it after you become a mother.

Anyways, poor Ju-Ju has been suffering terribly the past three days with nastiness, and Mama and Daddy along with him.

Have you ever wished you could boil your hands? Or perhaps dunk your entire body in a vat of bleach?

I have. Many times.

Ugh! The grossness of it all. And yet the world is still spinning.

Welcome to the world of motherhood, Sister. You'll be so glad you joined us all.

Really. I promise.

I pray that you have a blessed Easter weekend!

It's Friday again and so time for Friday Follow! Come on over and join in the fun.

E-I-E-I-O

Did you know that we're farmers?

Don't laugh! It's completely true. Here, I'll prove it to you:



Our bountiful harvest!!

Yup, that's it. One tomato. Old MacDonald, I am not.

I've always wanted to grow things. I love watching things sprout and grow and produce something lovely and/or useful.

Alas, I have a black thumb. Actually, it's more olive-toned, but you get the picture.

I've tried. Again and again, I've tried. I've blamed it annually on our wretched Arizona sun. What I think it is really, is procrastination and ignorance on my part. Because of our strong summertime heat and intense sunshine, I actually need to plant in February. And, well, I don't really know anything about gardening.

This year, I didn't even try. I was hoping (ahem) that with our house on the market, we'd have moved out before anything was ripe enough for us to eat, so why bother. I don't think I should have worried. I am convinced that in the next house, I will take the time to scout out the perfect spot for a garden and really learn how to do this whole growing thing.

The best we could do this year, then, was buy a potted tomato plant. I managed to keep it alive to produce one tomato.

It tasted mighty tasty in my Tortellini with Tomato Basil Sauce.

And that brings me much joy!!



Linkin' up to Sharon's Just for The Joy Of It Thursday!

Oh, and just in time, This Mama Rocks is having a giveaway of "Survival Seeds" from Hometown Seeds. Head on over and check it out! If I win (I hope, I hope, I hope), I wonder if those seeds could survive me. Hmmm.