An Apple for the Teacher

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Chlo: Let's play school. You try to guess what I'm drawing.
Me: Ok. Uhhh, it's a girl
C: no.
Me: It's a mom
C: no.
Me: It's a flower.
C: no.
Me: it's a lizard
C: no, Mooooommm. It's totally pink.
Me: a bug
C: hummph, no it's purple and pink with white stripes.
Me: a cute little girl
C: no. she has a black face.
Me: a flower
C: you already said that, feeeww....fine, one more clue, she stands like this and doesn't move at all. (Standing up with arms at her side.)
Me: a statue
C: Yes! A statue. I guess that was a too hard for you.


Me: Do you like being a teacher? Don't you think I'm good at guessing?
C: Mom, I guessed it.

I thought to myself, 'Yep, girly, it's not always easy being the teacher'.

And then I remembered an apple I got from one of my students today.

Somehow I totally spaced out watching the Inauguration of our new President.
I saw distant glimpses on CNN from the treadmill at the Y...boohoo... and then was gone the rest of the day...oh well. I feel a little better after seeing these incredible photos. Can you believe the crowd?! Although, I do not agree with much of what Pres. Obama stands for, I will pray for him.
He is the President after all, no changing that.
My hope doesn't lie in a ruler or any man or earthly "system". Because "the earth is the Lord's and all it's fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call." (Psalm 20&24)

Sledding

has been our favorite activity lately. Each year the children get a little braver and a little tougher. That helps when it comes to flying down a hill and trudging up a hill.

This Saturday morning was especially exhilarating after a fresh fall of powder with no one's tracks, but the ones we were making.

It took some exploring to find a hill.
Daddy guided us safely across the bridge.

There are some good things about IA winters.

My long ago camp friend (who knew she was so talented?) is doing a giveaway on the cutest red purse.

~vintage & embellished~

I'm sharing the wealth and telling you to go leave a comment, quick you only have a few hours!
And if I see it under your arm, I promise not to be jealous.

playing

Big sis (Leyla): "Brother did you have a good hunting trip?"
Brother (Caden): "Yes, I shot 5 lions, 8 bears, 2 deers and one little puppy."
Big sis: "A puppy?"
Cook (Chloe): "I cannot cook a puppy."
Brother: "Ok, I will go hunt for puppies, but I won't shoot them. I won't even bring my gun or sword."

This day is for forever

Seems like everyone has breathed a big sigh of relief. Another holiday past and done. Hopefully a fulfilling one for all.

With a new year beginning, it seems appropriate to be a time of hope, preparation and contentment, reflection... Especially after ending the year with such crazed merrimental bustle.

My husband sometime hears me ask, "what's the point of life anyways?" (I know, but don't you just feel that way some days?) It's always reassuring to hear his answer, "we're preparing for eternity" and he might throw in "why would you ask such a dumb question?". Because he knows, I know.
So I'm reminding myself again that this life, this year, this day is preparing for eternity. To see the eternal weight in each day and make choices to further them. That's a pretty incredible point to life. A perfect honing to my days.
When I remember it, that is.

"Therefore also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him."
2 Corinthians 5:9
"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison"
2 Corinthians 4:17

To: Mom and Dad

Love, your children and grandchildren.

My mission for a family photo ended here.


This is one homemade gift that came to fruition. Barely.
My artist sister-in-law did the tree background which I love. My other sister's helped with the precise cutting. And gave opinions.
Can you tell who's who?

Since you asked:

Instructions
1. take a pic of the person against a white background.
2. load them into a photo editing programs. I used "gimp". This enables you to size comparatively. Also I like to brighten the photo to get the best tracing line.
3. Use tracing paper with a couple pieces of tape to hold in place and trace the pic right on your computer screen. You got to be VERY precise.
4. Lay tracing paper on good quality paper (tape on outside of tracing to keep in place). I will try photo paper next time. Use a small precision scissors to cut out.
5. Spray paint with black paint - I used gloss, but did not love the glare it gave, worse even with the glass in the frame. But I definitely recommend painting these even if you use black paper(which I did). The paint made them look so much more finished.
6. My sis-in-law suggested spray adhesive to attach them to the backing. It worked like a charm.

That's it! Does that sound easy? Maybe not.
There are many ways to do silhouettes...