My latest read

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have always enjoyed historical fiction, and this is another great one to add to the library. My grandmother grew up in the 20's and 30's in NYC. She was always so proud of her ability to work, to receive a paycheck, and to be noticed for a job well done. As a young girl, I never really "got" that. I figured anyone can work if they want, and everyone gets noticed for a job well done, etc. As I have grown up, I felt like I understood this perspective a bit more. However, this book really painted a picture of what my grandmother's girlhood would have been like. The sentiments of the people, the different societal groups, and the views of womanhood. The characters in this book are about a Russian Jewish immigrant, an Italian immigrant, and a wealthy New Yorker. Although my grandmother was none of these (she was the daughter of Irish immigrants), I felt like I was seeing her life in a new light. If she were still with us, it would be insightful to hear her feelings about these events and how they were portrayed by Haddix.


View all my reviews.

Miracles!

My girls' piano teacher sent me this link. I love the artwork depicting the Savior's life, and the music is uplifting. Go here and enjoy:
http://sonofmanproject.com

HELP!

Well, once we close on our new home, we have some painting to do. (It is always easier before the furniture goes in!) Anyway, there is a large gameroom that will be the main hangout for the kids and their friends, if they aren't outside in the pool. I want to decorate it in a fun way, and was thinking baseball. Our whole family loves the game. I found a couple of quotes that I could do in vinyl for the wall. The two I like are: "Diamonds are a girl's best friend." and "No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference. ~Tommy Lasorda" There are a few other good ones out there, too. If I did baseball, what color scheme should I use? Any ideas would be great.

I also thought about doing a "world" theme and using a dr. seuss quote. You know the one:
"Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to great places.
Your off and away.
You have brains in your head,
you have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose."
Then I could have a huge map on the wall, and different decorations from around the world.

Do you have any good idas, or color schemes? I really need some inspiration!

Spring Has Sprung!

Born of April's dame,
exuding intelligence,
May’s son mirrors her…

And out of death’s mud,
she protrudes through blades and blooms--
reborn in March dreams…



The appearance of the bluebonnets each March are the signal to all Texans that Spring is here. We only get a few weeks to enjoy these beautiful fields of bluish-purplish clusters of wildfowers. Somehow, I missed the chance to take pictures last spring, but we got to it this year. Hope you enjoy!

No Foolin' (this time)

We really did find a new home. We are so excited, and hope everything goes well from here 'til closing. To see the listing page go to: http://www.ebby.com/property/4634078/. We will have a bonified swimming "hole", and the kids are so excited about that. I am excited that it is a salt water diving pool. The yard is pretty big, and we are looking forward to lots of get togethers! Really, y'all should come visit. (but give us a couple of months to get settle once again!)


This is a waterfall. The kids think they can jump off of it into the water. Kevin's not sure that's such a good idea!


It will be nice to have a big yard. It needs some TLC, but I am sure we can get it to come back to life.

We have a few pictures of the inside, but they turned out a bit dark. The listing should have some decent pictures though! Really y'all should come and stay a spell.

The Sweet Smell of Spring!

Jenn and Maddie enjoyed a kindergarten field trip to the Dallas Arboreteum. We had a fun day exploring the gardens especially during "Dallas Blooms!" We couldn't have asked for better weather. The few days before and after were quite miserable, but this was a perfect Spring Day. Sometimes Heavenly Father rolls out the red carpet for us, doesn't He!

Monday Menu

Here's the menu for the week. It helps me so much when I plan our dinners in advance. I just like thinking about our menu and groceries once a week. I think it also helps on the budget because I can plan around my pantry items and sale items.

Monday: Pulled Pork bbq sandwiches, corn, and lemonade
Tuesday: Enchiladas Verdes, green salad
Wednesday: Leftover night (this is our craziest night of the week with piano lessons as well as church activities. So, I try to do leftovers or crock pot meals on Wed.)
Thursday: Homemade Pizza
Friday: Tomatoe soup, grilled cheese sandwiches
Saturday: Park City Potatoe Soup, rolls
Sunday: I haven't decided between the traditional ham dinner, or if we should do Brisket. Let me know what you think. This also doubles as my dad's birthday dinner, so we will be having the whole family over that night!

No place like home!

As most of you know, we have been house hunting for a year and a half. We moved here as Michigan refugees, and have been looking for our next place since coming to Texas. We had so much fun selling our house there (a year and a half), that we thought we should spend at least that much time buying one. As they say, balance in all things. Well, we finally found it. I grew up in the country, and I would like my children to have that experience. It's been difficult to find something that we all agree on. I like rustic, Kevin likes new. I want a swimming pool for diving, Kevin's not sure he wants to take care of a pool. We made a lot of compromises, but you just can't beat this deal. I think we can even pay cash, and I don't think the property tax will be too bad. There will definately be some honey-do projects, and things that need to be done. That's okay with us, because then we can make it our own! It's in the country, with lots of horse land. (I've always wanted a horse!)

I love the bluebonnets everywhere! Plus, now there's an excuse when I ask the kids if they were raised in a barn!


There's even a swimming hole. I know it's not the pool I always wanted, but there is a diving board. And I don't think we even have to balance the chemicals or scrub the tiles. More compromises, but we can stay cool in these hot Texas summers in this little pond! We hope all of y'all will come down yonder and visit us:)






APRIL FOOL'S

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You!

My baby turned 6! While that is a huge exciting milestone for her, I had a moment of crisis. I realize that my oldest only has a few years left with us before her college years are here, and my baby isn't a baby anymore. Maddie has grown so much this year. She is much taller, stronger, and more physically coordinated. She is reading, and loves to spell everything. I love to hear her read the scriptures, and to see her smile when she figures out those hard words like "Zarahemla"! I am constantly amazed by children and their ability and willingness to learn. Why do so many of us grow up, and lose so much of those desirable qualities? I understand more of Peter Pan's wishes to never grow up. Even when we try to ground them and punish them, they just can't help breaking our family rule that:

there will be no growing up in our house!

Quote from the movie "HOOK":

Your children love you, they want to play with you. How long do you think that lasts? Soon Jack may not even want you to come to his games. We have a few special years with our children, when they're the ones that want us around. After that you're going to be running after them for a bit of attention. It's so fast Peter. It's a few years, and it's over. And you are not being careful. And you are missing it.

I don't want to miss it!


Of course, the day started with our family tradition of breakfast in bed!


Maddie had her first friend party at Planet Pizza! She had so much fun playing with her friends. Of course, she loved all the gifts and cards. Thank you everyone for making this a special occasion for my little girl!