More Summer-time Happenings

This week has been a full, full week for us.  This week we have:

•  made a trip to the library
•  read lots
•  paid a visit to the Asheboro Zoo (very hot but lots of fun)
•  been to the pool
•  gone to a few classes at the gym(for me of course)
•  been grocery shopping(hate)
•  and watched Emma have her riding lesson(she's in love!). 

Of course with all of the Summer-time fun my house and it's dirt and crust have been neglected.  So today I joined up my two oldest to help me.  It took us quite awhile to get it all done but now my house is sparkling,  clean enough anyway!  We don't expect perfection around here but let's just say it's not gag nasty anymore!  AND they both received a dollar each for their help and Beau got some pennies for his piggy bank.  :) They were more than delighted with that! 

I also put a new recipe from Pinterest in the crockpot.  It's chicken fajitas.  Oh and there are chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven.  It's enough to make me feel pretty doggone productive today. ;) 

We have a packed weekend ahead of us with a trip to visit family in Virginia tomorrow and Beau's birthday on Sunday and cookout with our care group that night. 

It's been busy alright and not slowing down quite yet but it's a good kind of busy.  It's kind of my way of waiting out, or surviving you could say, these last 3 or so months until we are moved. 

I just keep waiting, waiting, waiting, and been almost fed up at times with the waiting game but it will all be worth it in the end, right? 

Friday Fotos and I DON'T LIKE SPIDERS!!!

I had a little inspiration from a friend who told me that by the time a girl is 10 years old she should be able to replace the mother.  Well, heaven forbid that should ever happen, but I'm on top of it now!

So Emma made breakfast this morning.  Actually, it would be a lot easier to open a package of poptarts or something but since we (I) am on a mission to reduce/remove processed foods from our regular diet, I told her to pick out a recipe from her cookbook. 

If you think this looks vintage you would be correct!  Printed in 1979, it is most definitely old  vintage.  And it used to be mine. 

Anyways, she chose muffins so we set to work this morning putting it all together. 

Except for a wasted egg which ended up on the counter instead of in the bowl, I think she did great! 

She was proud of her accomplishment and had fun making something new. 

She even thought it was fun to wash the dishes.  ;)

There they are in all of their jelly goodness. ;)

Finger paints! 

Beau's first time with paints. :)  All he needed was for his big sister and brother to show him what to do.

Probably every child has done this.  It's just too tempting, right?

And something else.....

Cory invited us to drive up to the house with him to lock the gate and check out what the "brick people" did. 

So we did that. 

After we had been there 15 minutes or so he and Cody went upstairs.  Emma started up after them a few minutes later and I was right behind her with Beau. 

But just as we were going up, Cory was coming down carrying the cardboard sample of the shingles that will go on our house. 

As he came closer I noticed something large...long-legged....and LARGE on the back of the cardboard. 

He was coming toward me on the stairs and he had NO IDEA. 

No idea that he was carrying a monster of a spider down the stairs towards myself and two of our children. 

Oh but I did. 

As I elbowed Emma back down the stairs, dragging Beau by his arm so that his feet didn't touch the ground, I tried desperately to relay the message of my knowledge of this ghastly creature that was inches from his hand. 

He stared at me as I pointed and yelled "There's a spider on the back of that thing!".  "On the back of what?!"  he kept saying. 

Oh.my.word.

Seriously?

I was practically falling over myself and my children to get away from him and pointing and staring at what was in his hand. 

I thought it was obvious.

When he finally realized what I was trying to say he threw it down and that...that...THING..that wolf spider that sent chills through my body went SPRINTING across the basement floor. 

I yelled at him to "KILL IT!!"

After a few missed stomps (that thing was fast!) it was finally dead. 

Goodness gracious. 

Help me. 

32 and counting....

"I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June." L.M. Montgomery



Birthdays.  When you're a mom of littles it's really just another day isn't it?  I've learned not to have too high of expectations when youngun's are involved.  Simple and low key is the way to go.  I mean it may be my birthday and all but the world doesn't suddenly start revolving around Tara.  I still have diapers to change, lunches to make, and dishes to clean. 

I decided to take the kids out for breakfast at Starbucks (Cory still being in SC).  It was nice actually.  We sat outside and the weather was beautiful. 

Emma chose a butter croissant. 

Both of the boys had little chocolate donuts.

Then we went to the park and "treasure hunting" at Goodwill.  Who goes to the Goodwill on their birthday?! 

Apparently I do. 

But it was fun and simple and the rest of the day we hung out at home and rested a bit and waited for Cory to get home from work. 

That's it.  Oh, and I made strawberry shortcake.  Yes, I made my very own birthday shortcakes.  They were yum though.  Cory had two heaping, and I do mean HEAPING, plate fulls of it. 

Emma gave me a necklace that she made herself last night at the gym.  I wore it ALL day. 

I'm thankful for the cards, gifts, phone calls, texts, facebook posts, and messages I received today!

“It is the month of June, The month of leaves and roses, When pleasant sights salute the eyes And pleasant scents the noses.”
Nathaniel Parker Willis

Summertime Plans

School is officially over for us here at the Peters's household!  This weekend I started planning out our Summer.  I believe in having fun with my kids and enjoying them as much as possible!  

Yes, there will be laundry and cleaning, etc.  You can never really get away from that, can you?  I like to cram it all into one day and be done with it!  Well, with the exception of the laundry.  Sometimes a couple extra loads a week is required for this family of five. :/ 

BUT, hey, life is short and my kids get older and taller by the day.  I will never get these days back and THEY only have one childhood. 

So tomorrow we are packing it up and heading to the ocean for a week filled with sand, sun (while smothered in sunscreen of course) icecream, and probably another ferry ride to the aquarium. 

And by the way, the last time we visited the aquarium I bought a membership which now gets us all in free to any of the aquariums and the zoo here in NC.  Most of the zoos/wildlife/aquariums are free or half off across the country too.  SO, for us this is an amazing deal since we will most definitely use it several times this year.  (Just an fyi for any of you moms who want to take advantage of that deal.  It's awesome.)

When we get back from the beach Cody will turn 5.  It's crazy to think that he will start kindergarten this Fall!  And also by the time we return, the pool will finally be open and I know they will all be begging to go swimming every day.  :0

So here are some things I'm planning for us this Summer '12.  By the way, if I don't plan these things out then the days come and go and before I know it it's time for school again. 

We our planning to:

• Swim alot
• See the animals at the Zoo
• Celebrate some birthdays and our 13th anniversary
• Have playdates at Reedy Creek Park (new fave)
• Take a long road trip to New York to visit my Gram!
• Take part in the reading program at the library
• Hopefully do the beach thing one more time

It's pretty simple but it will fill our days.  I hope you are making your Summer plans and that you have a great time just enjoying your kids. 

I hope that my kids will look back on their childhood with fond memories. 

I know I will. 


Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~

Green Velvet Cake

I love coffee in the mornings, don't you?   

My day was a busy one.  Not hectic busy but just full, you know?  I spent the morning at home with the kids while Cory took care of something out at the house site.  I finished up a little laundry and ironing, not that it's ever "finished" really.  Oh and I baked a cake.  It was a "from scratch" cake with homemade frosting. 

Here it is.  It's Red Velvet.  Well, actually we can call it "Green" Velvet cake.  I didn't have enough red food coloring.  So I went with blue.  I don't know why.  I thought blue might be pretty.  It turned out green.  BUT, that's ok.  :)  It still tastes the same.  Heh heh. 

My friend Amy M. came by for a bit and had some green tea with me.  She should have had some green cake to go with it.  ;)

I got through my 9 miles this afternoon.  It was a gorgeous day to run and I was thankful for that. 

Dinner with the family cooked by hubby, clean-up, and baths and I'm exhausted. 

Tuckered.

Pooped.

Goodnight.

It's been a busy week so far and we're only half way through!  Coming off of a whirlwind trip to my brother and sister-in-law's house for a visit over the weekend, and an 8 miler on Sunday afternoon...I was already tired.  So far we've had co-op, more school, grocery shopping at 2 different places, more half-marathon training, cleaning, laundry, a womens meeting at church, speech therapy and the normal every day stuff.  Part of my resolution to simplify hasn't worked out too well this week.  As long as I realize it and get back on track, right? 

The picture above is Cody's breakfast this morning.  Or rather his last bite. :)  We aren't too busy for pumpkin pancakes though.  All three kids love them.  Good ol' Pinterest. ;)

Just having a little fun and a short update.

It's been awhile, huh?  Eight days to be exact.  That's a long time! ;)  Actually it's been a busy week....good busy though.  This past week was pretty normal with school work and all the every day stuff we do 'round here. 

Thursday we packed our suitcases for a night at The Great Wolf Lodge.  It was a  Christmas gift to the kids from Cory's sister and his parents.  Ok, actually we BOTH had a pretty good time too. :)  The best part was watching the kids have a blast though!  It was two days of water fun, donuts, pizza, and gift cards to spend on whatever they wanted.  Christmas in January!  A big THANKYOU to Aunt Summer and Nana and Pop. 

They also took all three kiddos for the rest of the weekend!  SO, I made good use of the time by catching up on fun stuff like cleaning and laundry of course, a long trail run, dinner in Charlotte with Cory, and a nose piercing.  Then there was church this morning, lunch, and then Sara C.'s baby shower. 

Huh? What? 

Did she say nose piercing?

Yes.  Yes, I finally did it. 

Just a teeny tiny little decoration.  :)

That's all.  ;) 

Not so bad!  Actually Cory said it was a good thing the big dude that pierced it told me to close my eyes and breath in and out slowly.  Apparently he didn't want me to see the HUGE needle he was going to stick me with! 

AnyWAYS. 

Here is a house update.  Cory and his Uncle Daniel got the area staked off where the house will sit.  He said that when they shot the elevation for the house, the lay of the land and the grade worked out perfectly.   Now we are just waiting to see when the "grader dude" can get started. 

I'm thinking I have a lot to learn about building houses!  Grader dude?

First Post of the New Year

January 4th.  The first post of the New Year.  Four days into it and so far it hasn't been too bad!  I've rather enjoyed it so far. 

We started back to school on Tuesday with the new schedule.  Today was a little off as I expect most Wednesdays will be.  Cody has speech therapy on those days and today we had an extra appointment for Beau's 18 month well-check soon after that.  We have a healthy little boy who is shooting up there in height to try and catch his sister and brother who have been in the 90th and 95th percentile for age/height range.  I will eventually be the shortest one in the family at the very average height of 5'5.  :/  He has great motor skills too!  :)  He should also be giving up that bedtime bottle soon according to the doctor.  :(  Mama's not so anxious for that. 

Last night I had coffee with my new friend Lisa who offered to show me some photography tips.  Of course I took her up on it because 1) she is an awesome photographer and 2) she is an amazing person and I knew it would be fun to have coffee even if we didn't talk cameras!  So I still have so much to learn but today I tried playing around with a few different tips she shared with me. 

As always my kids are the favored subjects. 



Emma



Cody




Beau

See!  He DOES smile. :)









A Few Random Updates

• I know I haven't updated about the house building process but we are still moving forward however slow it may seem.  And it DOES seem slow.  Believe me.  Anyways, the land has been bushhogged (is that a word?) again and Cory is currently getting estimates from "driveway and basement digging dudes."  He met the third one just this afternoon.  So there IS some progress being made.  I know once it gets started though it will go much faster.  Soon.  Very soon. 
• Today is my moms birthday.  She is a great mom and just as great a mother-in-law.  She loves my husband like a son and never puts him down either to his face or behind his back.  She also handed down the making of homemade apple pie to me.  :)  He is blessed I'd say. 

• I am looking forward to Christmas with the kids.  Gifts, Pancakes (breakfast), Lasagna (dinner) and apple pie for dessert. 
• After all of that food talk I now come to a running update (for any of you interested in that sort of thing).  I'm considering a half-marathon in the spring.  Training starts next month.  I've also been doing some cross-training to keep from getting injured...or bored! 
• We are taking a break from homeschooling until the beginning of the year.  I'm going to try some new things.  A new year, a new schedule. 

And that's all folks!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Just laid back.

So we have had a pretty uneventful weekend so far.  There was nothing that was pressing.  Nowhere we needed to be.  This morning the kids slept in a little.  Well I guess for some 7:30 isn't really sleeping in but for these kiddos who are in the bed before 8:30 most nights that's a long time to sleep.  I don't really blame them for being up with the sun. 

After coffee and breakfast with Cory and "the three" I went for a run.  I don't know what the humidity percentage was this morning but it was high!  Yuck.  I can handle heat but humidity like that?  I am not a fan.  But I managed to do what I could.  I was slightly intrigued by the elite runner looking woman who had her own photographer over there?  What's up with that? 

So next weekend is our twelfth anniversary.  Just say twelfth out loud.  Kind of awkward.

Anyways, I'm very much impressed with my husband for picking out a location and a place to stay for the weekend and making reservations.  I was completely taken by surprise when he came to me last night with a couple of different options asking me to choose.  I had no problem doing that of course.  ;) 

Can I just tell you that I don't get overly excited about much but I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT NEXT WEEKEND!!  This week will probably draaaaagggg on of course!  I don't care whether the sun shines all weekend or if it pours down rain.  We will be JUST fine. :)

Keeping my cool

I get my optimistic perspective in life from my mom.  I can't remember many (if any) times while growing up that my mother ever imagined the worst of anyone or any situation.  She is still like that and I guess some of it has rubbed off on me.  I say "some" because I'm not completely like that.  I'm usually optimistic about situations and circumstances but not often about people.  You know what I mean?  Well if you don't then we'll just move on. 

So in light of my present trials and tribulations I have kept a mostly positive attitude.  Life goes on and as I've mentioned before, God is in control anyways and always brings good out of the seemingly bad.  I can't reiterate that enough.  So I press on.  My job is to trust.  The only thing I can control is my attitude.  So............

On a positive note....:)  I have the beginnings of a bruised toe.  That would be my middle toe on my right foot.  As it progresses into awesome blackness and blueness I'll take a picture and post it for all of you runners out there.  For those who get lightheaded at the sight of things like that, just bear with me and skip that lovely post.  I noticed it after my run on Sunday.  I did 6 miles.  Some of you do more than that every time you run but I'm thinking that's pretty good for running in the 95 degree weather, give or take a degree.  I was a soaked mess by the time I was done so I came home and showered and went swimming with the family.  :)  Cory thinks I'm insane.  Actually in all reality?  It helps me KEEP my sanity. 

On a different subject, I still haven't ordered Emma's curriculum for this coming year.  I'm considering something completely different than what I had decided on before.  Yes, I can change my mind if I want to.  I'm a woman.  It's what we do! 
I'm considering a classical type of education.  It's more expensive though.  Have any of you gone that route? Just curious.

Well it's supposed to be over 100 degrees here in North Carolina.  The pool has become like a bathtub.  We went swimming yesterday but not today.  Today I'm meeting a dear friend for lunch and keeping my cool inside in the AC..............until tonight when I go for another run!  Can't wait!  Yes, I'm serious.

Just a few random ideas and thoughts from today



Look, even her doll is waving! 

 1. Yesterday afternoon Emma went on her first train ride with my mom to spend a few days with my parents.  She was so excited and had been waiting for her turn ever since Cody took his ride back in March. 

She was so cute boarding the train with her doll and little pink suitcase from when she was a baby.  I didn't worry about her though.  I knew she'd have fun.  But talking to her on the phone was interesting because she sounded so grownup. :(

2.  This morning we started our 10 week class at church that is required for membership.  We are taking the leap and are anxious to get plugged into a small group next month. 

3.  I have no idea what to do for Beau's 1st birthday!  Is that bad?  My dilemma is simply this: the park is going to be waay to stinkin' hot, my house isn't big enough for all of the family, and the clubhouse across the street is over priced! I'm running out of time.  What to do..what to do...It's bugging me! 

4.  This was my dinner tonight. I don't cook on Sundays so it's every man for himself.  I'm smiling right now because I know some of you are rolling your eyes!  :) 

5.  I had Cookout with Cory on Friday.  A chicken sandwich and fries.  See!  I do eat normal stuff too Andrea! ;)





Musings

I've started reading this book by Elizabeth George, "Loving God with all Your Mind", that my Mom loaned me a few months ago. I hope she doesn't expect it back very soon. :0 I've only gotten through the first part but have learned so much already.

Philippians 4:8 is the focal verse. "Finally brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about THESE things."

Taking every thought captive! Man, am I ever guilty of not doing that. Think on things that are true and real! I have GOT to do that.

She says "Taking our thoughts captive to Christ-to the Word of God, to what is true and real-calls for energy, effort, and a heart commitment to obey God. It is a battle-a battle fought in the mind and a battle for the mind. And it is a battle fought one thought at a time...for victory over one thought at a time. It is warfare! And the truth of Philippians 4:8 is a weapon we simply must have in our arsenal. Praise God, this is a battle we can fight-and win!-by His grace."

Yep, I have SO needed this... only just ALL of my life!

Updates and Randomness

This post will include a little of this and a little of that and might not be connected at all or then again it might be. Either way it is what it is. Don't you love when people use that saying? It is what it is. I think it means that they can't think of any explanation for whatever it is. It just is....

This weekend was a good weekend. We spent some time with Cory's family at his grandparents house on Saturday and then skipped over to see some of my family for a graduation party and got home in time to feed the kids, bathe them, put them to bed and then carry our own exhausted selves to bed. Sunday (today) was the usual. Church, lunch, and naps for the boys while I ran. It was so hot today! Emma said I "looked really bad" because I was soaked with sweat when I got home. :)

Last week was Emma's last week of school so Summer break has officially started here at the Peters household. She also had her end of year testing on Wednesday and scored above average on everything. I knew she would be advanced in her reading for sure but I didn't think it would be as high as it was. We were all so very proud of her!

This week finishes up Cody's last two speech therapy sessions. It took some time but I can see improvement in some of his sounds. Emma has two more ballet lessons and then she will be done for the Summer as well. Then we will have no comitments for the rest of the season. Ahhhh, that's a good feeling.

We will be beach bound again this weekend, Lord willing. Cody's birthday is on Memorial Day so if everything goes as planned we will be celebrating on the beach! I'll be praying for better sleep this time though.

Also, let me just say this. Cory is a master at keeping his feelings hidden. Yes, I realize this is a random thing to say but it's something I'm trying to get better at and I'm taking my cues from him and I think I am getting better. Gotta let the Holy Spirit run this show instead of my flesh.

I should say that I think it's good sometimes to let your feelings out but at other times...I guess it's just best to let things go. Sometimes people try to get under your skin. Sometimes it's in your face and sometimes it's just sly. Sometimes they take huge swings at you and other times it's like a little dagger in your back just kind of twisting back and forth. Well, that's all I will say about that! :)

Anywho, it's time to shut it down for the night. Until next time...

Not exactly raindrops on roses

A nice little list of some of my favorite things ( which really aren't ALL things per se):

1. Hats. I just like hats for some reason. I like them on me and I like them on other people too. Ball caps, sunhats, cowgirl hats, newsboy caps, etc. You KNOW I was lovin' the hats at the royal wedding last month!

2. Skirts/dresses in the Summertime. Lucky for me that seems to be a big trend this year and I am eating it up. Just makes me feel all girly and pretty. : )

3. Trail running.

4. The way Beau smells. He still has that baby smell and I constantly sniff is head. And kiss it. :0

5. Fresh eggs and berries from the farmer's market.

6. A spoonful of Nutella.

7. Fresh air blowing through my windows in the Spring. One of the reasons I love NC.

Yep, that's only 7 for now. What an odd number to end with but there you have it!
I have more but I'll save them for another time. Don't want to get carried away. :)

Farmers Rock! and other things...

I love this time of year when everything is so green and it's warm but not too hot. I went for a run this morning and it was perfect. I appreciate days like this because I know that North Carolina summers are HOT! I'm not complaining though because I spend all Winter long wishing that Spring would hurry up.

Another reason I love this time of year is the farmer's market. It's not just the fresh produce, eggs, homemade breads, jams, etc. that I like. It's also the people. And I mean the farmers. There is just something so refreshing about them. There is one couple that I often buy from that are there every Saturday (and other days too when it's open). The man has a weather-worn face, the kind of face that has seen many days in the sun. But it suits him. It's a gentle face with kind eyes. The kind of face that has found some kind of joy and contentment in working the land. He would probably think me crazy if he knew that one of the reasons I buy produce from them is because I like his face! It's true though.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day! This will be my 8th Mother's Day and first one with my little Beau. :) Emma has her Spring performance tomorrow afternoon for ballet and I will be busy getting her ready for that after we get home from church. But just because it's Mother's Day doesn't mean I stop being a mom. I will just enjoy watching her do her thing on stage with the rest of her class. After all, she is the reason I was able to celebrate being a mom all those 8 years ago.

Happy Mother's Day!

Can we just bring back Manly?

Alright, so I've been noticing a growing trend lately. Well, ok, I've been noticing it for awhile actually. Maybe you have too? Skinny jeans. On boys. I find it completely and utterly um, unattractive? I guess that's the nicest way I can think of putting it. But really. What is going on??!! What happened to the manly men? Are we raising our boys to be wusses? Seriously! I know this is a deep subject and it goes way beyond the type of jeans I see so many of them wearing. Well it got me thinking about how I want my boys to be. We will be raising our boys to be MEN. My desire for my boys is for them to love God with all of their heart, soul, and mind. I want them to be courageous and unashamed to speak the truth. I want them to love their wives and families and to work hard. I want them to be leaders. I want them to be men the way God designed men to be. Whoa. I've got a lot of work to do. AND I guess I should add that I want that kind of man for my daughter too. Wusses need not apply please. No mama's boys here.

Walk by the Spirit

My reading this morning led me to this section in Galations 5.

V. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.

(Now the contrast)

V. 22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with it's passionss and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

For Auld Lang Syne

What did I do on New Year's Eve?

I sat on my couch with a mug of hot cocoa and watched a Rocky Balboa movie. That's what I did!

This year has had some exciting events with alot of pretty normal every day stuff stuffed in between.

The best part of 2010 though was hands down, the birth of baby #3! Beau Haddon was born on June 24th. He has been a wonderful baby and I'm thankful for his little life.

2011 promises to be pretty awesome as we watch our new home take shape. We've been able to see our dream of buying land and building a house come true. Tim Mcgraw's "Where the green grass grows" was our song when we were dating. Funny how these things come full circle.

Good bye 2010. It was a good one. God has blessed me more than I deserve. Welcome 2011.

It's a Wonderful Life

10 thoughts on this Christmas Eve:

1. My baby turned 6 months old today. Can it be? I feel like I just brought him home!

2. I am highly aware of how dry my hands are as I type.

3. I have a small spruce tree in the corner of my kitchen in a planter that came to me via UPS. It was an extra gift from my mother to the kids. I think it is supposed to be planted on our new land sometime. It's a very nice little tree...let's just hope I can keep it alive until this Spring so we can transplant it!

4. Emma INSISTS we listen to her read from Nancy Drew every day. We are now on chapter 9. We have no choice.

5. I had to give Cody a suppository this morning. I think sometimes he holds it so long it turns to stone. Seriously. It wouldn't go down when flushed. Cory came into the bathroom with a pencil and said one of us needs to break it apart. I said that if he broke up a turd with a pencil I was putting it on facebook. I guess he decided not to do it.

6. I went for a chilly run this afternoon and it felt good. When I was done of course.

7. Other than number 5 and 6, it's been a pretty relaxing laid back kind of day. I like those days.

8. Cory cooked dinner tonight and it was GOOD!

9. All kids are tucked in bed and I am sitting here watching "It's a Wonderful Life". I've been looking forward to watching it all week.

10. Cory doesn't appreciate old movies the way I do. ;)

11. Today Cody said "excuse me" when I was in his way instead of whining about it. Score! He IS learning!! Happy Mommy.

12. This Christmas I am blessed. Although not perfect, it IS a wonderful Life.

Merry Christmas!!!