My Reminder Jar

Because I can be a sensitive gal.....one who lets what people say get to me(I'm getting better about that), have days that I just feel sad, or discouraged and have PMS each month(which probably contributes to all that I mentioned)....I decided to make myself a reminder jar. I write down scripture, quotes from books, epiphanies, etc that have brought me encouragement or made me realize something. Things that have set me back on my feet, brought me back to what's real and true. Then, I put them in the jar. It's not filled very high.....yet.

The things I write may apply to homeschooling or parenting my children. They may just be things that.... simply encourage me. My hope is that on days I am feeling discouraged about anything....I can go to the jar, pull a piece of paper out and think "Oh,yeah!". Simple, but effective....for me. Maybe I should call it my a-ha moment jar??

Now, I just need to remember to go to it ;)

Boredom Busters

When the boys were younger I had an array of items that we used if boredom set in. Items that were not your typical toys, usually hand made or pulled together from random places. They were a big hit with the boys then......so recently I thought let me try them again NOW. I'm not sure why I stopped using them......to be honest, I think I left my creative gene at our old house. I wish I could remember where I found this Karo syrup idea. I cannot take credit for this fun idea, but I can share how easy it is to make. I started with empty water bottles, added a good amount of Karo syrup and then searched around the house for anything I thought would look interesting floating inside.......sparkles, plastic pegs, colorful dots. The Karo syrup makes everything move slowly. Ross loved watching how long it would take for the Karo to fully drip.

I like to have rocks, glass stones and pitchers on hand. Strange combination.....but when you use them together .....it's pouring fun.

Add in some measuring cups and bowls.....and you can scoop and pour. My boys still love this activity.

Obviously, pouring in any form is fun.....for my guys. I put measuring cups and pitchers on the counter, filling 1 with water. Ross then decided to pour the water from container to container. We also talked about liquid measurement during this activity. It can get messy, but it's just water. My floor needed washing , no biggie :)

The boys love water races, too. We used a piece of wax paper, straws and a couple drops of water. The boys would race their water drop by blowing into their straw. You could also use food coloring in the water drop.

There you have it, a few of our boredom busters. My next project.....I want to make a giant geo board. I'm enlisting G-man's help for that. I think all I will need is a big piece of thin wood, a bunch of nails and rubber bands.....a super sized geo board. Simple fun!

Sometimes You Need To Get Dirty

The temperature was warmer earlier in the week.....so we decided to go out and find some mud puddles. To be able to play in the mud and be allowed to get all kinds of dirty.....in my book that is priceless.

We found a little hill in our backyard.....with a convenient mud puddle at the bottom.

The boys had a blast jumping and running in every muddy puddle available.

Their favorite part after all the mud......stripping down on the deck and running inside for a long, warm bubble bath. Good times :)

Their Twin Touch

There is something I have noticed over the years......and looking back over old photos has only confirmed it. From the very beginning, Sam and Ross have always liked.....or needed to be touching. As infants, if they were laying near each other, they would soon gravitate closer....and closer.

There would always be hand holding or an over lapping leg. To this day, that fact is true. When we snuggle they will even put one of their legs over mine.....always. It is the sweetest thing.

Notice the over lapping leg :) They would just naturally go into this position....they still do this.

While sleeping, they have always needed to be close to each other. Really close....touching.

In this photo, they are not only touching.....but Ross is also holding Sam's foot.

This one......well, I'm not sure how to explain this picture :)

Still, even as they are getting older, they love to hug each other.......

......hold hands or walk arm in arm.

There is definitely a twin bond that I will never understand. It should make perfect sense....they did share a womb for the first 9 months of their lives. God did create them -together.


As obvious as their love is.....they are typical siblings as well. They still have sibling squabbles and can be competitive with each other. Sometimes, I think they know each other too well....like they are always looking in a mirror. I pray that their bond will continue to grow.....I'm so thankful for it.....for them.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Psalm 139:13-16

Mud, Baseball and Boots

Three words that describe our day today.......mud, baseball and boots. My boots are full of mud. Living in the country, I live in them during the spring. I had to run out this morning and buy the boys a bigger pair. My only choice of stores .... Walmart or TJ Maxx. Otherwise, I'd have to drive closer to the "big city", which meant toll booths and time. I found these rubber beauties at Walmart....$15...a so-so deal.

We spent the day playing baseball.....almost the. whole. day. Last year, Ross gave himself the nickname "El Slambito". I'm not sure if there is a real player with that nickname, but it fits Ross well.
The boys have gotten a little tired of my over zealous picture taking. They were yelling "no more pictures!"

Can you believe it was 60 degrees today? No coats.....crazy -fun!

Advice From Sam and Ross

Last night, when G-man arrived home from work.....he sat with Sam for a bit and chatted. Soon, we heard this piece of advice from Sam~ "Never dress like cheese at lunchtime!".

It came out of nowhere.....but such wise advice, don't ya think?

Today, Ross and I were playing soccer in the basement. We both were daydreaming while playing, it was completely quiet for a bit. Then, Ross shared~ "Boys should not get mixed up with girls".

Hmmm, interesting observation. I'm not sure if he meant in the game of soccer or something else. I will have to investigate that little bit of advice more :)

G-man.....I sure hope that you did not dress like cheese today?! But, I'm glad you got mixed up with me ;)