May in review

Although May was a busy month, with wrapping up school, graduation, and a visit from family, somehow I didn't take many pictures.  One of the highlights was taking a family bike ride almost every evening throughout the month.  We had absolutely perfect temperatures in May, and I'm happy to say we took full advantage. On one occasion we counted 5 gators that were also out enjoying the nice weather :| Fortunately they are quick to jump back the water when they see someone.  But still...  

A low for us this month was a massive sewage explosion that took out our three downstairs bathrooms.  The utility district was working on our line, something went awry, and the next thing we knew we had sewage literally gushing from all three toilets and two bathtubs.  Thank the Lord Jon was home.  I don't even know what I would've done.  He acted fast, grabbed the shop vac, Henry grabbed the neighbor's shop vac, and we managed to keep it from entering the main part of the house.  But it was completely traumatic you guys - it was several inches deep throughout.  We now have all flooring, molding, doors and dry wall cut out of those rooms, and are awaiting repair.  It was one of those crazy fluke things, but we'll get through it!    

Here's a little peek at our month...

Our new Scottie is in this litter, born on May 12th. Our Scottie longing is REAL, and I can't wait to get my hands on our new baby!

Life Lately

Happy February! Here's a little peek at life lately, primarily Valentine's Day weekend.  We are in the midst of a huge winter cold front, something that Houston hasn't seen since 1989.  Our low today is 14* (!) and the high is 20*.  We even got an inch or so of snow, which I'll be sharing on the blog soon. Unfortunately Jon's office lost power and closed, however the silver lining is that he's NEVER had a snow day, so...  :D

One of the biggest changes in our household in 2021 is we pulled Henry out of the new CC community that we joined in August, and are continuing the curriculum with just one other family.  We still meet each week (at one of our homes or a coffee shop) and go over assignments, discuss books, read papers, do experiments, you know...all the things.  I just placed a huge order with Carolina for the boys' dissections this semester.  It was actually pretty fun to unpack crayfish, worms, frogs, grasshoppers, and a pregnant shark. Biology labs are so cool. 

Our weekend was spent winterizing the house and yard, aka, wrapping the citrus trees, covering the plants we don't want to lose to cold, and wrapping all exposed water pipes (in Texas they aren't underground). The kids keep commenting that it had the feel of getting ready for a hurricane, and I guess they're not wrong.  The difference is we (Lord willing) won't be flooding!

Be back soon with snow pics! 

 

Henry's gift to me for Valentine's Day (as requested by me ;)

A little bit of life lately

Time is marching on y'all!  It's so hard to believe it's late November - in some strange way I feel like I've been waiting for this year to get started.  Such a weird feeling!

It's been a fairly eventful month at our house. One of the highlights was getting away to San Antonio for a few days; Jon scored a great deal at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country where we had spent a weekend in 2019 while he was at a conference there.  We've looked at going back several times, but it was too pricey.  I guess we can thank covid for rock bottom prices, ha.  We all feel like we've maxed out our touristy options for SA, so it was a nice change of pace to stay somewhere that felt all inclusive.  We only left the hotel once, and that was to use a gift card at Texas Roadhouse (thanks, MB!), otherwise we just hung out, playing games, hiking, and swimming.  Just what the doctor ordered.  

We recently took advantage of free museum day to visit the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Henry is working on a persuasive speech and was tasked to choose any piece of Renaissance art, speaking on whether it has a Biblical message or not. It was fun to wander around and be tourists at the museum.  Even more fun to have Jon along since we went in the evening.

Another high of the month is Havalah was accepted into her college of choice! She submitted her application in October, had her interview, and received her acceptance letter a few weeks ago.  We are so proud!  It's a classical Christian college in Houston, and she'll be living at home to save money.  She'll major in English, and hopes to focus on her writing, trying to get a book published before she's 25.  Super proud of her and her strong direction and what she hopes to do!  

A few pics from the month...

Keeping my hands busy on our drive.  With the kids watching dvds in the back, Jon and I listened to Michael Berry on the radio.  

I came into the room and saw these two sitting together, and chewing their lip identically.  Two peas.

This sweet girl is hanging in there! She's nearly 12 and is always by my side. She doesn't make an appearance on the blog very often because she looks away when I pull out my camera lol.  I love this  scottie girl so much. 

And there's this looker.  He's the resident heart throb :)

And my minnie me - we came out of our bedrooms dressed in the same shirts, and with plaid masks :D
  

 My people! :)

Life Lately

Whoops!  How did two months just go by?? I really have no idea.  January is always a quiet month for me.  Texas finally cooled down and we even got to use our heaters most days.  Ha!

To get ourselves back on track after Christmas we always treat January as a no spending month, or as we affectionately call it, "no spenduary." It's actually kind of fun.  I love the challenge of looking for free activities, an excuse to cook from the pantry/freezer, and work hard to stay home more (staying home = save money).

February is always a quick month - Valentine's Day and it's celebrations, a weekend or two visiting  favorite places around Texas, and, this year a science fair weekend.

While the posts where I just unload a bunch of photos aren't necessarily my favorite kind, it is fun to look back and see what's been happening lately.

This little cutie joined our family.  Meet Panchito! :)

I found the cutest library everrrrr. It's in Round Top, Texas.

Which happened to be having a book sale!

We made the drive to Brehnam to finally try out a friend's bbq place, but they were sold out for the day. Nooo!

Valentine's Day prep

Henry found a rock from the #kindnessrocksproject on Valentine's Day. So sweet!

one of my Valentines

and my littlest Valentine (he opened a gummy video game remote. Ha!)

I finally broke down and purchased a fruit dehydrator.  Y'all. I LOVE it.  So far we've dehydrated apples, mangoes, bananas, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, strawberries, and plantains.  What should I try next?

Lots and lots of hot tea everyday. Havah bought me this mug and it feels so good in my hands :)

The kids did such a great job on their science projects. I was very proud of the way that they presented their projects to the judges.  

Havah's class this year is all girls :)  (just missing one in this pic)

Monster Jam was back in town - and this time the girls came along!

Havah's class had a bake sale to raise money for their mock trial which is coming right up. So many yummy choices!

The cookies that we contributed were so good. We've actually made them two more times since the bake sale for other school events. If you want to give them a try it's a cinch: 1 box strawberry cake mix, two eggs, 1/4 c vegetable oil.  Roll them into balls and cover in powdered sugar, bake at 350 for 10 min.  We made ours into sandwich cookies, but they don't need frosting to be totally delicious! 

We stumbled upon the most whimsical nursery that specializes in creating fairy gardens. 

The last thing I wanted to leave you with is a quote that I happened upon after last week's shooting.  I really loved it, and is something that we've talked about as a family since then.  I hope that it encourages you as well.

"Don't become preoccupied with your child's academic ability, but instead teach them to sit with those sitting alone.  Teach them to be kind. Teach them to offer help. Teach them to be a friend to the lonely. Teach them to encourage others. Teach them to think about other people. Teach them to share. Teach them to look for the good. This is how they will change the world." 

Phillippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Life Lately

I love October!  And October in Texas is especially nice.  The weather is cooling down so we can be outside more, plus it's the birthday month for two thirds of my favorite people. Win win.  We're just coming off a trip to NYC and D.C., so there is lots to blog about, but until then, here's a little bit of what we've been up to.

The Astros!  amiright??

We squeezed in a day trip to Sea World. Henry is obsessed with all things roller coasters.  

the sea life is pretty good too ;)

Future Halloween costume.  I think Chip approves.

Jon had an all day class a few Sundays ago, so the kids and I spent the afternoon painting pottery.

Something Henry takes very seriously.

Grandma and Grandpa gave Henry a metal detector for his birthday - such a hit!!

...and because a trip to Chacho's must be documented.  

I love Halloween!

...and this is what happens when your 12 year old finds a white board marker on the table.  :) Ha!

I promise to be back soon! :)