The Playhouse!

My ambitiously talented husband decided (with the help of his father) to build our children a playhouse in the backyard. It began about a year ago when he had been looking online at some really cool treehouses - needless to say we do not have a tree that is large enough to even hold a birdhouse let alone something my children can play in. So, he decided to build one next to the shed. At first it was supposed to be a small one room "mercantile" for Addison. Then he thought it would be cool to have a "jail" for Rhett and the plans expanded. He always knew that he wanted it to look "old western" and I was all for it. I did not think it would turn out as cool as it did. We still have a few touch-ups here and there and I will post any add-ons that we do but for the most part it's functional now and the kids LOVE it! Here are a few pics from start until now (because it's not quite finished yet.)

The beginning

Walls go up

she played in it even when it was like this

starting to look like the old west

hubby working on the roof

outside is finished

First wanted prisoner

The jailhouse

complete with working door ( we just need a lock and key now) and yes - we will get them along with some handcuffs. We are trying to make it as real as possible.

 First prisoners (and Rhett can still fit through the bars) Luckily it doesn't matter because he's the sheriff.

Summer Ambition!

Every year as school draws to a close I begin thinking of my goals and ambitions for the summer months. What will I do, who will I want to see, where will I go, etc . . . . I often make a list and probably will do the same this year. However, at the end of every summer I look back on the list and mark off all that I've accomplished. After doing this I feel extremely humiliated due to the fact that the three things I crossed off were all done in the same day. Needless to say I begin the summer with great expectation and end with an overwhelming sense of frustration and disappointment.

So - this summer is going to be different. I'm a list person so I will probably make a list but I'm going to live by a few small principles this summer that should help me to feel free from the restraints of a neverending "to do" list. #1 is to do at least one thing on my least per week and #2 is to be proud of what I actually do accomplish.

Here is my list for the summer.

1 - I will get up at the same time every day, establishing a summer routine - take Solomon for a walk (or run), do my devotions and have some coffee before the youngins awake.

2 - I have established some new ambitions in the past year - one of them being crafts (which I've always loved) and the other one being baking. So I'm going to alternate weeks with both of them. One week will be craft week and the next will be baking week. I have many new craft ideas I would like to try and many new recipes as well. If I'm anxious to try something I have a tendency to cram it all in one day and when I can't I get frustrated. This scenerio will eliminate that problem and I'll look forward to each week and be able to plan ahead.

3 - I am going to continue to read - preferably when the kids are outside playing or in the pool. I love our Cabella's lawn chairs and enjoy reading outside in the shade while my kids play.

4 - I am going to say "no" to a lot of things this summer. I'm not sure what they are yet but I need to work on things around the house, spend time with my kids and my husband. And I have a tendency to say "yes" to a lot of things - especially when it's summertime and I feel like I have the time. Who ever really has the time?

5 - I am going to spend some time out in Melba this year and excessively plan for the year ahead. I feel like there was so much more I could do with my kindergarteners this past year if I only had the time to prepare ahead. I would like to have a ton prepared before the school year starts in August.

6 - I am going to spend some time with my grandparents each week. I would like to set aside a day each week in which I go over there and spend time with them. I look forward to our outdoor picnics and lazy conversations. I also look forward to helping plan their anniversary celebration in August.

7 - I am going to be taking a class at NNU. That is the one thing that I dislike about being a teacher - the fact that we have to continue our education and recertify every 5 years. I'm looking at 10 years of teaching and have to recertify again which means 6 credits more for me. I really don't mind taking the classes I just don't enjoy the time away from my family or the money that I have to fork out up front to get those credits.

8 - I am going to be taking a few vacations this summer. One to Lagoon in Utah with some of our friends and another to Spokane, Washington for a Franklin Family Reunion. I'm looking forward to both as well as a few weekend cabin trips.

9 - I am going to set aside 2 hours each week to work on my children's scrapbooks. I think that this is such a fun way to commerorate their lives and am way behind in this task. I think that I may be spending some time at my cousin's house in Meridian a few evenings a month to work on this - otherwise those 2 hours will be spent doing something much less important - like laundry or the dishes!

10 - The most important thing this summer for me to accomplish all these tasks is planning and organizing. I need to plan ahead and make arrangements - for crafts, baking and childcare.

11 - I'm also going to try and master this couponing thing - there is so much to be saved out there and I need to take the necessary steps to try and save money in some areas so we can afford things like a new vacuum, some much needed curtains for our dining room, some new light fixtures, and the list continues. I'm also going to continue making a budget and make sure that we stick to it.

12 - Continue our library day on Thursdays as well as participating in the summer reading program.

I'm sure that as the summer continues I will be listing many other things that need to "be done" or that I want "to do". I'm looking forward to planning my summer and enjoying it!!!

I Made Her

This is a poem that Juanita Bever shared with all of the ladies at ladies retreat. We loved it so much she sent it to all of us. I think I might print it off - laminate it and keep it in my bible to be reminded from time to time how much God loves me.

I made her,

she’s different.

She is unique.

 With love I formed her in her mother’s womb.

I fashioned her with great joy.

I remember with great pleasure, the day I created her. (Psalm 139: 13-16)

I love her smile.

I love her ways.

I love to hear her laugh, and the silly things she says and does.

She brings me great pleasure.

This is how I made her.

(Psalm 139:17) I made her pretty and not beautiful.

Because I knew her heart, and knew she would be vain.

I wanted her to search out her heart, and to learn that it would be me in her that would draw friends to her. (1 Peter 3:3-5)

I made her in such a way that she would need me.

I made her a little more lonesome than she would like to be, only because I need for her to lean and depend on me.

I know her heart.

I know if I had not made her like this she would go her own way and forget me, her Creator (Psalm 62:5-8)

 I have given her many good and happy things, because I love her.

I have seen her broken heart and the tears she cried alone.

I have cried with her and had a broken heart too. (Psalm 56:8)

Many times she has stumbled and fallen alone only because she would not hold my hand.

So many lessons she has learned the hard way.

Because she would not listen to my voice. (Isaiah 53:6)

 So many times I have sat back and sadly watched her go her own way alone, only to watch her return to my arms sad and broken. (Psalm 34:18)

And now she is mine again.

I made her and then I bought her because I love her (Romans 5:8)

I have to reshape and remold her… to renew her to what I planed for her to be.

It has not been easy for her or me. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I want her to be conformed to my image.

This high goal I have set for her, because I love her. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

I made her, she is different.