31 Days to Clean – Having a Martha House the Mary Way

So, I've been wanting to read this since it came out. Now I can ... and you can, too ... for free! Just follow the link and her directions to get your free ebook! Exciting!

http://www.likeawarmcupofcoffee.com/home/2011/04/free-copy-of-31-days-to-clean/

Snapshots from Today

While water whooshed out of the faucet into a pot, onto a drop of soap- making bubbles abundantly grow, I bent to take in the beautiful scent of that little blond head.  The little blond head that belongs to the very enthusiastic three year old who was begging me to "take just one glove off, Momma, please!" with her tiny hands full of her not so tiny school book with eyes that said, "teach me, Momma, please!"

"Do you need help?"
"Yes!  The zebra won't stay still!"

With my one dry, now gloveless, hand I held her book still so she could put the zebra picture on the zebra outline.

"Thank you, Momma!" and off she ran.


When dishes were done and my coffee break had commenced with Springtime dancing in through open windows carrying us all for a little twirl in the breeze, I looked down at the heart capturing smile of the precious 8 month old who was willing my eyes to fixate on his.  Eyes to eyes, his smile deepened.  that intoxicating laugh started to gurgle and my heart was captured once more, deeper yet.

It's a good day.

Brr, Baby, Brr!

We had a field trip to the American History museum planned.  We were wishing for a beautiful spring day so we could also enjoy the cherry blossoms and have a picnic on the Tidal Basin.  However, this year March chose to come in like a lamb and go out like a lion.

The day got colder every minute it seemed.

Before long, it got a little hard to walk ... I wonder why?

I deferred to the shorter people and allowed them to stay warm and toasty together.

Just because.

Trust

 ⁵Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

 ⁶For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.

 ⁷Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

 ⁸For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. 

Jeremiah 17: 5-8

Of Pi(e)s and Parks

On March 14th we celebrated Pi Day.  Originally I was going to make a lemon meringue pie.  However, I had doubled a batch of peanut butter sandwich cookies for Tommy's first day of school (I'm so proud of him!) and it was a recipe that so didn't need to be doubled.  So.  With lots of extra peanut buttery goodness floating around my kitchen, I added some chocolate, and fresh whipped cream and  concocted a pie worthy of Pi Day.

(Do you see that adorable little finger I caught snitching a lick?  Those little fingers belong to Miss Katherine.)

Abigail said it was the best pie she had ever tasted. Well, thank you my girl! It was pretty tasty ... though, I think I'll stick with lemon meringue next time.

After indulging in that rich pi(e), the children were pretty content to just lie around waiting for devotions and bed time.

Well, until the little man decided that he wanted to play a little rough ... he didn't have pi(e), after all.

We also spent a beautiful day at the park and took over 200 pictures.  Yes, I know, that is a little over board.  I promise I won't post all of then, however I do want to share a few.

Like this one of me and my little man on the swing.  He is just so ticklish it is hard to resist sometimes.

I came across a picture frame that is very "boylie" (the term my children created to counter "girlie") with the beautiful word "Brothers" written across the bottom. I just had to choose just the right picture to put in it.

Now, Mr Ian just loves holding his baby brother. However, we were at the park. There were slides to tumble down, swings to hop over, and stairs to leap up.

I did manage to snap a couple of the boys.

I love how he kept his hands out to make sure Jonathan didn't topple over as he ran back to run, jump, and play.

Topple over, he did. Miss Katherine was quick to run to his assistance.

Or, at least try ... for a moment.

After plenty of playing, she may not have been ready to go ...

but he sure was!