love this skirt pattern and she's giving away the quilt next to it!!!!!
http://lilatuellerdesigns.blogspot.com/
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Ahh...the familar smell of pencil lead
Sorry so long since a new post...but my hands have been covered in poop and throw-up for awhile now. We survived the 11 day pandemic that hit mi casa, and it wasn't all that bad because I had a lot of cuddly couch time w/ the younglings and more importantly lost 1 whole pound! That's right folks, it takes a pandemic for my body to drop a pound...or exercise, but I'd rather throw-up!
So back to the fresh smell of pencil lead...the other thing the sickies provided me with is a chance to sit down, sharpen the pencil and do some serious school planning. If you hate planning go to http://thepioneerwoman.com/ and you will find a dear friend. A friend of mine lead me to her blog and it is worth a glance...she also loves to give things away, worth 2 or 3 glances!
So, back to planning. I have about 3, 3ft high piles of books and such that I have been thumbing through like a mad woman, jotting down this and that, why, when, and how for days now. The entire time resembling some kind of mad scientist on the virge of a gigantic, world saving breakthrough, but no, just little ol' me planning out the days of my 5 kiddos for the next 9 weeks.
Pencil lead breaks and then you have to get up, out of the comfortable (right leg under the buttocks) position and sharpen it. After the 3rd step or so you realize that comfortable position #1 has left you with a lame right leg and you are going to hit the ground hard or grab on to something really quick. I chose the high road and grabbed the chair, didn't let out a peep but must have looked rather awkward. I heard, "You ok mama?" from my 4 yr old, hormonal mess of a daughter. Yes, my four yr old acts as though she were 13, gets angry at toothbrushes, Santa Clause, McDonald's and cries more than I do... for the love of God, just make her stop! That's been said a few times, but not by her loving mom, of course. I gently lead her into the path of righteousness, which happens to be my bathroom. Ok, I say it under my breath while leading her down the path.
But the pencil issue...so I went out and bought the mechanical pencils and thought, problem solved. I used it, it worked. Something was missing and I couldn't put my finger on it right away. Then it hit me, (Oprah calls these "ah ha moments" I think they are just normal everyday occurrences for women whose children have kept her up all night for 9 yrs straight and her brain is in a constant fog of floating thoughts and misplaced to do, to buy, to call lists) it's the smell of pencil lead. You know the smell...your entire elementary school smelled like that combined with nasty lunchroom aromas every morning. I loved that smell, disliked school, but loved that smell. They should make a candle and name it Schoolroom...I would faithfully burn it every morning.
So, I had no other options...it was back to the good ol' NO. 2 and comfortable position #1. I wised up and added a cup of Starbucks w/ coconut white chocolate creamer to the mix. It was lovely.
So back to the fresh smell of pencil lead...the other thing the sickies provided me with is a chance to sit down, sharpen the pencil and do some serious school planning. If you hate planning go to http://thepioneerwoman.com/ and you will find a dear friend. A friend of mine lead me to her blog and it is worth a glance...she also loves to give things away, worth 2 or 3 glances!
So, back to planning. I have about 3, 3ft high piles of books and such that I have been thumbing through like a mad woman, jotting down this and that, why, when, and how for days now. The entire time resembling some kind of mad scientist on the virge of a gigantic, world saving breakthrough, but no, just little ol' me planning out the days of my 5 kiddos for the next 9 weeks.
Pencil lead breaks and then you have to get up, out of the comfortable (right leg under the buttocks) position and sharpen it. After the 3rd step or so you realize that comfortable position #1 has left you with a lame right leg and you are going to hit the ground hard or grab on to something really quick. I chose the high road and grabbed the chair, didn't let out a peep but must have looked rather awkward. I heard, "You ok mama?" from my 4 yr old, hormonal mess of a daughter. Yes, my four yr old acts as though she were 13, gets angry at toothbrushes, Santa Clause, McDonald's and cries more than I do... for the love of God, just make her stop! That's been said a few times, but not by her loving mom, of course. I gently lead her into the path of righteousness, which happens to be my bathroom. Ok, I say it under my breath while leading her down the path.
But the pencil issue...so I went out and bought the mechanical pencils and thought, problem solved. I used it, it worked. Something was missing and I couldn't put my finger on it right away. Then it hit me, (Oprah calls these "ah ha moments" I think they are just normal everyday occurrences for women whose children have kept her up all night for 9 yrs straight and her brain is in a constant fog of floating thoughts and misplaced to do, to buy, to call lists) it's the smell of pencil lead. You know the smell...your entire elementary school smelled like that combined with nasty lunchroom aromas every morning. I loved that smell, disliked school, but loved that smell. They should make a candle and name it Schoolroom...I would faithfully burn it every morning.
So, I had no other options...it was back to the good ol' NO. 2 and comfortable position #1. I wised up and added a cup of Starbucks w/ coconut white chocolate creamer to the mix. It was lovely.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A fabulous line...
check out this fab line for little ones...you'll love the design.
http://rebekahmerkle1.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-post.html?showComment=1245781757308#c1774886560690855078
http://rebekahmerkle1.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-post.html?showComment=1245781757308#c1774886560690855078
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Happy to be Home
Little B signing Daddy
Laughing at Mommy
Clapping for himself! We are so thankful to have him back home. He is such a joy. Friday, April 03, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Our own little Washington
Tanner has been taking a writing class at our co-op. At the end of the term the children have to pick a famous American and write an essay about them. After perfecting the essay they dress accordingly and recite the essay in our "Faces of History "program. He was very nervous, but did an excellent job. Mom and Dad were very proud.
Here he is with his wife, Martha. :)
This is his good friend Ben Franklin.Fun In The Snow
Yes, it did snow in the South! We had an offical snow day, just so my kids could say that they had snow days! Our days of fun was complete with storage container lids for sleds, socks for mittens, and three layers of pajama pants for warmth! Enjoy the pics!
Bayleigh taking a snack break!
Oh so pretty!Friday, March 13, 2009
Catching Up
The past few months have been rather busy for the Costner Family. We have grown in number and in thankfulness!
In January little guy arrived and changed our world around. He has many medical needs and a full time nurse that accompanies him. We have been inspired by his consistent smiles and love for life and amazed at his ability to endure the worst of things. Born with his liver and intestines outside of his body, partially deaf and blind, unable to crawl or walk, on oxygen and with a trach, liquid feedings through a g-tube in his tummy, and unable to talk or cry...but little guy is full of smiles, kisses, hugs, and claps. In just a few short days of arriving he learned sign language for mommy and daddy and started to make up his own. He loves the kids and they are amazed by him. He just melted our hearts with his silent laughter and silent tears. I will never forget the first time I heard him cry, it reminded me of the day my boys were born, Chris and I both cried with joy for him. In Feb he ended up in the hospital with a blockage in his intestine. They removed a portion of it and put all of his parts back inside his body. This was rather complicated and he ended up back in the OR for another round of fixing the tummy. This time it worked, but he has had a hard time adjusting to all of this and is on a ventilator to help him breathe. This past week he has made huge progress and will be coming home soon.
Here are some pics for everyone.
Here are some pics for everyone.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Spike
About a month ago we awoke to my 9 yr old crying and saying that his cockatiel Gomez was sleeping on the floor of his cage...presumably dead. He was and so we buried him with much remorse and regret. You never really appreciate your pets until they are gone, and we sure did miss Gomez's constant chatter and song.
While I was detained, Daddy took the crew on a little shopping trip to the pet store and came home with this little guy...a Chinese Water Dragon. His name is spike and he is loved by all, even mom. I love him because he is not a snake! :) Here are some pics of Spike.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Sunset Quilt
This is my most recent creation for a dear friend of mine, in celebration of their new son. It is my first landscape of the local Blueridge Mts with the sun setting behind.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Contentment
For care is to the mind as a burden to the back; it loads the spirits, and, with overloading, sinks them.
Thomas Watson
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Quotes and such
"A plump wife and a big barn never did any man harm." (*personal favorite*)
"Eat yourself full of what we got."
"Kissin wears out, cookin don't." (so not true)
"Make with a smile for once."
"Some folks are wonderful nice."
"Look for the Orange milk cans at the Entrance."
Taken from the Amish Homestead Cookbook
"Eat yourself full of what we got."
"Kissin wears out, cookin don't." (so not true)
"Make with a smile for once."
"Some folks are wonderful nice."
"Look for the Orange milk cans at the Entrance."
Taken from the Amish Homestead Cookbook
Monday, October 13, 2008
Tanner's Pen
Travel To The New World
By Tanner Costner
Oct. 2008
In 1620 the anxious pilgrims, who sought freedom, decided
to journey to the New World. They sailed on a scanty ship named
the Mayflower. During the trip, a perilous storm sprang up,
causing strong gusts of wind and whirling waves. Fearfully, the
pilgrims took shelter below the gun deck. They crowded
together as they watched the chilly seawater seep through the
cracks of the wretched ship. The drenched and freezing pilgrims
were frightened as they listened to the booming thunder. They
prayed for mercy.
Goodman John Howland, who was tired of being cooped up
below deck, foolishly progressed towards the upper deck.
Instantly, a humongous wave tossed the battered Mayflower,
sending Goodman into the freezing water. As he fell, he grabbed
onto a rough rope. He was transfixed.
Luckily, sailors observed Goodman fall overboard. The
cunning sailors, who took action, pulled him in with a huge hook.
He was thankful be safe on the boat. He thanked the gallant sailors
and slowly walked below deck. Meanwhile, the faithful pilgrims
prayed for his safety. Goodman was safe. The journey to the New
World was difficult.
By Tanner Costner
Oct. 2008
In 1620 the anxious pilgrims, who sought freedom, decided
to journey to the New World. They sailed on a scanty ship named
the Mayflower. During the trip, a perilous storm sprang up,
causing strong gusts of wind and whirling waves. Fearfully, the
pilgrims took shelter below the gun deck. They crowded
together as they watched the chilly seawater seep through the
cracks of the wretched ship. The drenched and freezing pilgrims
were frightened as they listened to the booming thunder. They
prayed for mercy.
Goodman John Howland, who was tired of being cooped up
below deck, foolishly progressed towards the upper deck.
Instantly, a humongous wave tossed the battered Mayflower,
sending Goodman into the freezing water. As he fell, he grabbed
onto a rough rope. He was transfixed.
Luckily, sailors observed Goodman fall overboard. The
cunning sailors, who took action, pulled him in with a huge hook.
He was thankful be safe on the boat. He thanked the gallant sailors
and slowly walked below deck. Meanwhile, the faithful pilgrims
prayed for his safety. Goodman was safe. The journey to the New
World was difficult.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Tanner's Pen, the writings of an 8 yr old boy
The English Settlement
by Tanner
In 1607, a troop of English men successfully sailed to the New World. They landed in Virginia and named it Jamestown, after their king. In Virginia, the land was a swampy wilderness. The settlers, who struggled for survival, grew weak because they did not want to work. Sadly, over half of the starving settlers died.
The settlers, who were inadequate, would not have survived without the cunning Captain John Smith. John Smith kept peace with the agreeable Indians and traded goods for food. Cleverly, John Smith devised a rule...No work, no food. He saved the settlement.
The settlers did not collect gold, but gathered useful tobacco. They grew the tobacco and sold it to England. Jamestown Virginia, the first English settlement, is still a city today.
by Tanner
In 1607, a troop of English men successfully sailed to the New World. They landed in Virginia and named it Jamestown, after their king. In Virginia, the land was a swampy wilderness. The settlers, who struggled for survival, grew weak because they did not want to work. Sadly, over half of the starving settlers died.
The settlers, who were inadequate, would not have survived without the cunning Captain John Smith. John Smith kept peace with the agreeable Indians and traded goods for food. Cleverly, John Smith devised a rule...No work, no food. He saved the settlement.
The settlers did not collect gold, but gathered useful tobacco. They grew the tobacco and sold it to England. Jamestown Virginia, the first English settlement, is still a city today.
Friday, September 26, 2008
A New Year In Classical Education
It has been quite sometime since my last post on Homeschooling, so I thought I would write a little about what we are doing for school this year. It's rather exciting, in a scary sort of way! :)
This year we are starting something new. We enrolled the kids in Classical Conversations, which is a rigorous, classical, co-op that meets one day a week. To make it more plain, it is like sending your children to a private classical academy one day a week.
The kiddos are doing enormous amounts of memorization this year and doing student presentations in front of their class every two weeks. Tanner is in an English Grammar class that is akin to taking steroids, and a writing course that is, how shall I say it, a form of sanctification for mom?! Tanner and Dawson are beefing up their math studies this year with Logos' Classical Math series and Gena is enjoying learning Phonics with the Phonics Museum. Bayleigh has mastered the art of innocent interference and seems to be just as quick to learn her states and capitals as the others.
I am always amazed at how quickly the children soak up facts and hunger for more. They are simply knowledge vacuums right now.
This year we are starting something new. We enrolled the kids in Classical Conversations, which is a rigorous, classical, co-op that meets one day a week. To make it more plain, it is like sending your children to a private classical academy one day a week.
The kiddos are doing enormous amounts of memorization this year and doing student presentations in front of their class every two weeks. Tanner is in an English Grammar class that is akin to taking steroids, and a writing course that is, how shall I say it, a form of sanctification for mom?! Tanner and Dawson are beefing up their math studies this year with Logos' Classical Math series and Gena is enjoying learning Phonics with the Phonics Museum. Bayleigh has mastered the art of innocent interference and seems to be just as quick to learn her states and capitals as the others.
I am always amazed at how quickly the children soak up facts and hunger for more. They are simply knowledge vacuums right now.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Nothing like a good give-a-way!
Ladies, some of you have never heard of the skirty, but it is this ingenious invention enabling little tree-climbing girls(like mine) to frolic modestly. And best of all Amoretti Designs is giving away a pair! Along with some salt! To check it out go here: http://rebekahmerkle.blogspot.com/2008/09/and-another-one.html
Enjoy,
Karla
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