Hair Fun

I love to play with long hair. That is something I have missed with my hair when I donated to Locks of Love a year ago. It is growing out some, but I keep getting it trimmed so it is only about a couple inches below my shoulders now, with layers. Ah well, thankfully I have three daughters, and the twins' hair is way down to their waists, so I enjoy experimenting with their hair, much to their chagrin. Jerusha's hair is getting pretty long, but four year olds are much less tolerant of the fussing around with hair than the almost 11 year olds. Of course, by the time I finish with all three girls, I don't have much time to do a fancy hair-do on me, so maybe the shoulder length, wash and wear style is best for me right now!

Here are some pics of the "Do'" we've been enjoying. They aren't as elaborate as they look. It is really amazing what you can do when you master some of the basics of braiding.

Elizabeth is wearing her hair in two simple french braids. I love this style because it holds the hair neatly, and prettily back from the face. A tiny little bit of spray gel holds the fly away strands well enough.



Here is what is called a "cameo bun" I believe. I pulled the top half of Elizabeth's hair into a bun, then braided the remainder underneath and pinned it around the bun.


Esther's hair is pulled back into a flipped pony tail here, braided the tail, then clipped it up into a little updo. This was wicked quick and easy, and turns out very nice, as you can see.


This is a two tiered braid, featured in the Anne of Greene Gables movie. Again, very easy, quick, and fun to do.


Jerusha's hair is always more interesting to do because she is four, squirmy, and has slippery, fine hair. This is just a simple french ponytail.


Hair styling is easier when the hair hasn't been washed for about 24 hours. The natural oils and stuff in the hair make it easier to braid and style. When it is just washed, there is no immediate oils, and the hair is slippery and won't hold the style well. Myself, and the girls, wash our hair about 3 times a week. We could probably get away with less, but that is good enough for now.

Happy styling!

Still On the Journey....

I haven't mentioned Aaron in a while. That isn't because we have forgotten him, or pushed his memory far from our thoughts. Actually, in some ways it has been the opposite. With Isaac around, it reminds of what we have and are missing with Aaron. I keep thinking there should be a little toddler around. Isaac should be growing up with a brother close to his age. It is strange to be holding Isaac in my arms and yet aching from time to time for the son I will never hold again.

Every so often I have a "boo hoo" day still, but they are much further apart now, thankfully. But sometimes, the whole grieving process comes back to bite me with a vengeance and I am reminded that Aaron's death is still very much part of my immediate memories and influences me emotionally. There have been times when I just sit in the rocking chair, holding Isaac, and bawling and looking at Aaron's portrait. Weird, I know, but it is cleansing in its own way.

As usual, this whole process of grieving is full of contradictions. If I take time to grieve for Aaron, I feel guilty because Isaac is here with us, healthy, loveable, cute, and totally addicting to watch and play with and take care of. I have joy on the one hand because of Isaac, but my heart still aches some times for Aaron.

Overall however, that deep, hard, terrible greiving is much abated, and like I said, only rears its ugly head from time to time. I find I am much more prone to it when I am very tired, or overwhelmed or stressed.

There are times, like today when I just have to say in my heart, "I miss you, little boy."

Back!

We are back after a busy busy week of schooling, getting ready for our guests, and having our annual missions conference. It has been a wicked busy, but wonderfully refreshing week for us. Our speaker was Tyler Masters. He and his wife Gretchen, and so cute 18 month old daughter, Norah, were a huge blessing to us. There was good preaching every night, and good fellowship as well. You can always tell when you hit it off with the missionary family when you aren't getting enough sleep because of talking too late into the night!

While Brother Masters did all the preaching, our family did all the music. The kids did a fantastic job! They really worked hard, and I am one proud Mama of how well they handled the busyness and pressure of being "on" all the time. I should have thought to do some video clips, but wasn't that clever. We had several family songs, and a couple of flute/recorder duets (Elizabeth and I), and Benjamin, Esther, and Josiah all played offeratories, and Dale sung a solo. We basically had to specials per night, along with all the congregational singing, so it added up to lots of music, which Dale really likes for several reasons, but that is another thread for another time.

As is our custom, we made a trip down to the Science Center with our guests. The outdoor area wasn't open the last time we went, but is was this time. They had a a couple new features, that replaced a couple of old ones, but it was all still so fun!















Brother Masters was such a good sport in playing game after mind numbing game of chess with Benjamin. He said he enjoyed bored games... um, er.. board games, rather. We like most board games too, for the record. Chess just drives me batty. I can never keep straight the different moves, and the exceptions to the moving rules, Oiy vey!



Here I was trying to get Norah to grin at the camera, but she was still not happy with Mama and Daddy leaving her with this weirdo lady while they were elsewhere in the house. She did eventually warm up to me.






FOR TODAY April 13th, 2009

Outside my window... Sunshine! But it is chilly. Was only in the mid-20's when I first got up.

I am thinking... How refreshing the missions conference was!

I am thankful for... The time spent in making new friends.

From the learning rooms... We are taking today off. I need to get organized for this week in the home and for their schoolwork, and I have some grading to catch up on.

From the kitchen... I will be starting some ham soup in a little bit, and the girls will be making some bread.

I am wearing... Ack... caught me in my pj's and bathrobe! LOL

I am creating... Dresses for the girls, and a knitted laprobe for our Fibers of Faith group.

I am going... For a walk later, I hope!

I am reading... in the Psalms.. my favorite book in the Bible.

I am hoping... today will be relaxed, but that we can do a few little chores around the house.

I am hearing... General soft chatter from the children, the washer running, and soft music in the background.

Around the house... Catching up on some laundry folding, washing several loads of laundry, general picking up, menu planning, school work planning, and grocery list making for the week, then I get to sew!

One of my favorite things... A nice relaxing cup of coffee or tea, snuggled up with a book.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Basically just working on the spring/summer sewing list and going about our usual chores, schoolwork, etc. We also need to work on some new music.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



(This pic makes me remember that spending time with Isaac is a wonderful priority, and a privilege, and that I am allowed to enjoy it and not feel guilty about anything else that isn't getting done.)

Appalling. Simply Appalling.

I don't even know what to say! This is just unbelievable. Obama has got to be setting some kind of record for the worst president in the history of the USA. UGH!

Declaration of Independence Repealed

Read it and weep. Literally.

FOR TODAY April 6th...

Outside my window...It is gray and rainy... welcome to Wville's mud season!

I am thinking... that if this computer doesn't stop acting up I'm going to put my fist through the monitor.

I am thankful for... The perfectness of Christ.

From the learning rooms... New lapbook study on the Constitution. We just finished one about the Boston Tea Party.

From the kitchen... My helpful little bakers are making homemade ginger snaps. We will be making blueberry muffins and bread tomorrow.

I am wearing... chocolate brown 3 tiered skirt and a green tunic with embroidery. Oh, and my slippers. :)

I am creating... dresses for the girls, and getting ready to make a quilt for my neice.

I am going... No where.. too much to do here at home to prepare for the Missions conference this week.

I am reading... Psalms! My favorite!

I am hoping... that I can curb my temper at the puter today. I have a lot to do for school and the computer is ornery today!

I am hearing... Some children working on schoolwork, some baking, and one doing the breakfast dishes. Isaac is in the swing gearing up for a cry so I need to hurry here.

Around the house... I need to do some general organizing, and a TON of laundry today!

One of my favorite things... Snuggle time with the children and DH.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Last minute cleaning, Missionaries coming in on Wednesday, and our Missions conference from Wednesday through Sunday night. LOTS of music practice going on for everybody. Hoping to get some sewing in before the conference, but we'll see.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


I need to spend more time in God's Word and in prayer!

Thank You!

... to HomeschoolmummyX3 for the above award!

The award is as follows:"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated."

The rules are:


Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

Each of the following ladies, I simply love. They each have faced their own challenges in their lives and the way they encapsulate their experiences endears them greatly to my heart.

I see on Regina's blog that she reads most of the same blogs I do! LOL... so, I may have to break the rule. I haven't been reading a lot of blogs online for the last several months for some strange reason. As far as charming blogs go...

1. Proverbs 31 Living

2.Jengi33

3.Hands and Hearts

4. The View from Hidden Valley

5. The Savage's Lair

6. The PrairieFrog Blog

7. Melissadsc's blog

8. Evening Shade Morning Latte

More Sewing!

I got to check a couple more things off my sewing list for this spring. Here are two dresses I made for Esther and Elizabeth. I have started two more dresses for the twins, and have a nursing top cut out for me, and will cut out another one as soon as I have 10 minutes to myself and the big table unused.