Sweet Madeline

I saw this adorable pup pop up on my Facebook page. Our local high-kill shelter had picked her up that day. I went to see her as soon as I woke-up.


She was a horrible matted mess. She smelled horrible. She was matted so badly on her belly...we are talking poop in her matts. Matts that had been there for years. I have never seen such a mess up close. She spent almost 9 days at the shelter in freezing temps, rain, etc. I cried nightly wanting to bring her home. From the first moment I was hers. It was something I knew. I knew I had to be her person. I prayed nightly her owners wouldn't find her. How could they have treated her that way?

The day finally arrived. I arrived bright and early with the boys and waited for hours to be the first in line when they opened. I had people coming up to me wondering if I was there for her. I told them sorry, that I was, she was mine. As soon as I had her in my arms I felt complete. This moment...right here...


The boys held her as we drove to the "puppy spa".


Didn't she clean up nicely?


I miss her long hair and bathe and brush her all the time. She is my doll baby.

She met her daddy when he came home...


We celebrated her return to us after we had her spayed.


We showed her our favorite spots.


She helped me knit and crochet.


She traveled from Louisiana to Florida to surprise my mom with her long awaited Yorkie Pup.


She has been such a joy. The lessons learned in our homeschool were many.

1. Love for someone who needed adoption.

2. Gaining trust from someone who had no reason to trust.

3. Helping someone through surgery.

4. Praying for someone until they came home to us.

5. The joy of watching someone come to life again through love.

The list could go on and on...for your next pet...go to your local shelter. The feelings I had those early days were something I didn't expect. She blessed me to the depth of my heart. Such a beautiful girl. She is my faithful companion. She no longer thinks of her past and fully accepts she is rotten. She believes she is important. She knows she is loved.



My New Tiny Obsession

It all started with these...


...and that snowballed to these.










Are they not just EYE-CANDY????!!!! I enjoy crafting these little sweet shoes. :-) I have been selling quite a few, too.



If you are a crocheter and would like to make your own you can go and do a search for The Lovely Crow. ;) Happy Crafting!



A Space for Noey ~ Baby School

I have been decorating a little space for my Little Boy Bleu for some time now. This one was a "go" theme...anything that rolled.




I try my best to only use what we have around the house. I might buy from the second hand stores or consignment. The Dollar Tree has also graced his table. Whatever he is into at that moment or a holiday close by is my inspiration.



Fire Fighters ~ Baby School

Noey started his Fire Fighter Day with a color page. He reviewed the color red and talked about the fire trucks, the fire fighters, and fire.


I had the big boys babysit for a bit while I drew this house in the throws of a fire raging out of control. I went back in, gave him his fire truck, and told him to put on his fireman hat. We ran to the scene.


I gave him is "hose" a red spray bottle and he went into action.



Whew! This is hard work!




All in a days work...


Inside we would spin the red top for him to make "flames" for his trucks to visit. He had so much fun with this pretend play.


We read books before supper. He kept holding them. I guess he liked them and didn't want to let them go.


After supper we had a special treat for our fire fighter.


First you take the cup and draw a little face.


Cut out the little ears.



Attach to the cup with tape on the outside.


Make some vanilla pudding and add some mini chocolate chips.


Voila! A dalmation dessert fit for any baby fire fighter. ;)



Eat Like a Frog Game ~ Baby School

I took some of Noey's chunky lego blocks and built a little place to set the "bugs" and gave him a red party favor toy as his "tongue". He enjoyed this very much.




I would set the "bugs" on the points and he would use his "tongue" to knock of the bugs. He had a little frog coloring page this day and we reviewed the color green.



When You Feel Your Getting Nothing Done

I am trying to come back and blog like I used to. I enjoy it so much. I have many things I want and need to say.

I was looking through my photos. I don't have near as many as I used to. I don't even take many now. I do snap a lot with my phone and post to facebook for my family. I think that took up my time of sharing. The thing is, I am missing the record of our lives on here.

I remember the day I took this picture.


It was one of those moments when I remembered how far Elijah has come. He cried learning to read. He cried because he couldn't tie his shoes right off the bat. He was always upset and apprehensive of new skills. Writing. I could fill a bathtub or more with the tears we had over writing. You know what? He doesn't cry anymore. Is it always done quickly, no. He suffers writers block. Have the child speak about something he loves and the words flow and flow...out of his mouth! *giggle

This research paper took weeks. He had certain tasks to meet here and there. He read, he researched, he told me he couldn't do it. Somehow out of the labor a paper started to appear. He finally saw how all that prep work was for something. It started to fit. Yes, I did some hand holding. I had moments of pure aggravation where I wanted to scream, "JUST WRITE, it isn't that hard!" I sat looking at this paper and told him how proud I was.

He was thankful it was over. One day he will call me and tell me that those hours we spent on that paper were for a reason. I know because I have called my own mother and said thankyou and sorry about numerous learning moments in my life. It just seems in the midst of it that you are going no-where. It is too hard. Is it even worth it? Will you ever really use this lesson?

The beautiful thing about helping my children through tough spots in their education so closely is that it teaches me, it nudges me with reminders of things I need to work hard on in my own life. Have I dropped the ball on a task, a project, or my calling in life? Homeschooling is about more than education. It is a very spiritual evolving lesson...for the whole family. 

The Gulfarium ~ Going Home

I loved visiting the Gulfarium with my boys. It was always a favorite trip when I was younger. Isn't that the fun of taking your kids home with you when you live away? Sharing the places and people, OH, and the foods you loved!?
My momm, sister, and I loaded the kids up and headed out EARLY. I am not an early morning person. I long to be one. I just can't cut it. If you are one, I tip my hat to you....if I had a hat. ;)



My favorite kiddos!


Sweet Eli.


I stinking love my mama! How cute is she?

Noey really was enthralled with the dolphins. I love his wispy hair in these photos.




These two little mermaids wanted a picture with the prince. He wasn't too into it.



Sleeping otters.



Kayley watching the sharks swim.


Hands on tank!




My beautiful sister!!!


Loved this guy.




Brave Eli.


Remy my curious nature boy.


Another show.



Observing.




:) An unexpected photo.


Swimming with the rays.






A baby.


Waiting on Eli. My cousin Sandi and her children came along with my grandparents.




Once again, I LOVE MY MAMA! Noey is pretty obsessed with her.


A break to play in the sand.







Remy went to see the penguins and snapped this one himself. :)


Loving up on my granparents. Meet my Ninny and my Pawpaw. They are my father's parents.



Remy met a new friend.


It quickly turned romantic.







Then it was home to my mother's for a bath and supper. It was a great day, so full. We bought the boys hot doughnuts from Krispy Kreme and drove by another landmark from home. As you come over the bridge from Gulf Breeze into Pensacola you see Graffiti Bridge.