Candle By Night

I can honestly say that I will not miss 2011. We had good times, but we had so many ups and downs I am ready for the start of a new year. I just wanted to let you all know that we are doing fine. We have a lot going on. Somethings I want to talk about but can't yet. And then there are somethings that I can talk about but they need to wait. All I can say is...the waiting game is no fun.  So anyway, I pray you are all having a wonderful December and I hope to be able to update you all very soon!

It's a very special day. Special K is now two years old! It's amazing how fast two years fly on by. She is my adorable, sweet, and lovable baby girl. I am so blessed to be her Mama. = ) Minutes old... About a week (maybe two) old 1 year old 2 years old

I have been struggling with whether or not to write this. Since I decided to write something I have been struggling with what to write. Most people know that I had a miscarriage a couple of months ago. At first the pregnancy seemed to be going just fine, but there was always something. Some feeling that I had that things weren't the way they should be. After a few weeks I went in and had an ultrasound. All I can say is it's pure torture to have your ultrasound done on a Thursday and have to wait till Monday for the results. Anyway, the ultrasound confirmed my suspicions. Even though I felt like something wasn't right it didn't make it any easier. I would have been ten weeks a couple of days after the miscarriage. And I know people meant well, but a lot of people just made things worse. My emotions were all over the place. I never really got a chance to grieve. I felt forced to push through and just move on with life. I know I needed to take time to grieve. Time to cry ...

I had the privilege to review WonderMaps  by Bright Ideas (thanks to Timberdoodle ). When I heard about the product I just jumped at the chance. Our curriculum for the year requires a LOT of maps and this is perfect. We are studying different countries and cultures all year long.  So, you are probably wondering what is so special about the WonderMaps program. It's so special because you can customize it! It's so funny to see homeschooling mamas get excited over maps. When you are given the opportunity to make it match up with a lesson it's makes a person giddy. = )  There are over 350 maps to choose from (just to start with)! And it's not just the typical maps that you expect to find. Besides the maps of the world and the United States there are also historical and thematic maps (bible maps included.)  Features (as listed in Timberdoodle ) WonderMaps is designed with easy-to-use layers that allow you to enjoy great customizable features with just a click. Selec...

Today is our 9th wedding anniversary! It's amazing to think all that has happened in nine years! (In September it will be 12 years since our first date). So, I wanted to take time to share some pictures with you. I have divided them up into groups: our engagement and our wedding.  ( this is a repost from a couple years ago ) I will first tell the story of our engagement. We had been together for 8 1/2 months when Hubby asked for my hand. And boy...was the proposal a good one. I had many friends jealous over this. That summer I was babysitting for 3 children and when I returned home from work I came home to an apartment filled (and I do mean FILLED!) with streamers and balloons. I think I had about a hundred balloons in my apartment and streamers were everywhere. On the table were a dozen yellow roses (one of my utmost favorites) and a box. What was inside that box you say......It was a gorgeous black dress that he picked out for me and instructions to put on the dress and meet hi...

I thought about making two separate posts, but I think it will be fine with just one. First up is Miss H's bridal shower. I am going to miss this girl. I already do (her family moved away). But the thought of this wonderful young lady getting married puts a huge smile on my face and makes me cry all at the same time. I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked, but I did get a couple. (and some video of the music too)  The last wedding shower I attended was for Miss R . I wanted to do one for my sister last year, but I failed (it never happened. Sorry Sis) Anyway, this was a nice shower and had a good time visiting with friends. (Until the children got covered in mud, but I will get to that in a minute) Opening Gifts Next in line to get married (Miss B, not Special K) Enjoying the sunshine Playing in a puddle they were told not to and got splashed when the pony/cart when through it. Gross! The next day was the Mother/Daughter dinner at my Mother-in-Lo...

The Friday after Resurrection Sunday was a special night for the boys and me. You may remember the Princess Ball last year. Well this year it was the boys' turn. It was time for the Knights to have a special night with their Mama. The bad thing was that we had to wait almost 30 minutes longer than what was written on the tickets. Not good when Little E can't stand still for more than 2 minutes. It was pretty neat to see some of the older boys at the door to greet the guests. They thought this suit of armor was pretty cool.  Mr. Ornery himself What boy doesn't love a boomerang? I am just glad he didn't give any of the boys a chance to throw one. Someone could have been hurt. ;-) After we watched the demonstration of the boomerang and the didgeridoo we had a big meal. The boys sure loved the mini cheeseburgers. We were blessed with a talk from a son (soccer play for MVNU) and a mother (of 10 boys). It was a very nice evening that ended with the boys being knig...

Wow, a whole month since I posted last. Really? It can't have been that long......can it? I guess I have let "life" take control. Not good. My sister kindly reminded me that I needed to get a post up. (She is having withdrawal. :-) The day before Resurrection Sunday my parents came up to see us and bring the children some goodies. :-) Checking out all the goodies Getting help from Grandma Special K loves to go on walks!   Then after my parents left we went with my Mother-in-Love to the circus in town. I had to turn away for most of the first act because it made me so nervous. Especially since they did all of this inside of a building at the fairgrounds. He was just inches from the beams in the building. Aack! Big T was chosen to be apart of the hula hoop contest. Poor kid didn't have a chance. ;-)  Resurrection Sunday was wonderful (although a very long day). We attended sunrise service, breakfast, and the morning service. Then we had the church se...

My 6 year old! Okay, I should have posted this ages ago. I know, I know. Shame on me for not being able to catch up with posting. But at least I am getting to it now. ;-) She asked for a doll cake again, but requested that it be pink this time. When I look at the picture from last year (the blue) and this year I can't help but remember the final scene in sleeping beauty (the Disney version). She loved all of her presents but the ultimate present was this princess dress from Nana S. Of course Big T step right in front of me when I went to snap the picture! She loves playing princess and this was just the greatest thing. Nana S worked hard on getting this made and even has an injury to show for it. ;-) I don't have any better pictures of the rest of her gifts. Had a hard time keeping Big T out of the way! Crazy boy........  She has used her stationary from Grandma K a LOT since her birthday. This little girl absolutely loves to write letters. So, not a massive post abo...

Another wonderful item to review. (actually items....we received three things) When I saw these products come up for review I knew I had to get them for Little E. He loves to play with Sweet E, but we didn't have any boy action figures for him to use. Manhattan Toy sent Goalie Gavin and Slope Shreddin Shaun. Oh yeah, they also sent the Extreme Sports Zone. I wanted to get pictures of Little E with all of this but I never had a chance with everything that happened last week. Plus the fact that I can't get him to slow down! (haha) You can purchase these and many more from Manhattan Toys . You can also find them on FB . The action figures retail for $18 and the sports zone is $30. These are geared for boys ages 3-8 (3 years because of the smaller accessories like the soccer ball)  Little E was so happy to have these. Once he had them in his hand he didn't let go. Not even at bedtime. He took both his action figures with him to bed and they were the first thing he played ...