The Blog

I have struggled with having a blog and am finally beginning to feel comfortable with it.
My good, sweet, beautiful and dear friend Fee originally introduced me to the blogging world. I would read hers which is always so interesting and fun...then I began to "shop around" and noticed quite a few other bloggers that were fun reads. Now, almost a year later, I can't believe how much it has affected my life! I don't spend much time blogging per say, however, those blogs that I do read have had such a major influence on me. I just don't understand how to juggle the time in order to make my blog what I want it to be. So, it's really just a hodge podge of different things I feel like writing about. But, I don't know if it really represents who I am...

However, blogging is a great way for family and friends to keep updated--especially those in South Africa! My sister down South. Or even ones right around the corner who I don't even get to spend as much time as I'd like with!
It certainly put the homeschooling bug back in us! It's one of those things that you don't realize--your environment truly does affect you. God began to stir in us a heart toward homeschooling. Yes, we homeschooled two years ago, but I was very naive about it. Now, I feel as though I am equipped and prepared. The resources I have gained through blogging, well, they are priceless.
I've been able to find lesson plans through Trivium Academy. Yes, lesson plans. For science. For real. From the Well Trained Mind. Yes, for real.
Smooth Stones Academy. Awesome.
Sara's Art House. Artilicious. She's so talented. Check out her house. It's like Candy Land, except with paint!
A new blog I've discovered, Beth from Pages of Our Life. I have been able to get many ideas from her and she even shared a fabulous morning routine chart that she uses in her homeschool.
Kelly from Embracing the Journey inspires me every time I read her blog. She is truly one of the most devoted Christian woman I have come across and probably too humble to hear that. Her blog is so focused on Christ--I love it!
Then, there's my dear Mrs. Manz. This woman has been tested and tested and is passing with flying colors. I have cried a small pond while reading through her testimony of a life sold out for Christ.
Elinor from Barton College...I spent about an hour reading through her posts about homeschooling and couldn't believe how inspired I was. What a gem.
These are just a few of the amazing people I have come across.
I feel guilty not mentioning everyone that I like in bloggyland. But, I just wanted to share a few who have really inspired me. I hope one day, when I grow up, that I can sort this blog out, find a focus and perhaps I can be a blessing to others like they are to me.

THE CAR CAKE...he does loves cars and this was no exception

Homemade pound cake...sliced a little here...trimmed a little there. It's a start.This actually stayed in one piece when I flipped it, a miracle in itself!
OK, so two and one half 9x13 cakes. Looks like the start to a roadway.

I started to get a little excited after I did this. I usually RUIN cakes!
Take the little end piece that I sliced off, add a little white frosting and voila, it's a windshield!

The final results. Complete with custom Canada mints headlights, brakelights, a custom license plate in the front and one in the rear. Grass and rocks to boot along the highway. Kewl. It actually came out better than I thought. Like I said, I usually RUIN cakes. It might be sloppy, but my baby loved it. "Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep"

My Baby...a toddler now!

My baby is turning two this weekend. My doctor did tell me with all three boys that I must stop giving birth to toddlers as they were so big, even though I went one to two weeks early!

Now, my baby is really a toddler--I can't believe it. As all moms say, the time goes by too quickly. My little guy is such a joy to us, he is just so much fun to play with.

He a big blue eyed hunk of sweetness. He's very smart and likes everything to be in it's place (he gets that from big brother dos and we don't know where son numero dos got that from, because we could care less if stuff is in its place most days!) For instance, if we're getting in the shower, I'll take that diaper off and put it on the floor til we're done and then throw it out, but oh no, baby cakes has got to carry that thing out the room, with no worries about wasting water and place it properly in garbage pail. I mean how could one shower prop'ly if ones' dirtay diapah be stayingest in thine bathe!? OK, so you get the idea of how picky he is....

His new world of vocabulary has us all excited each day. We never know what's next. His newest and most common word is "more." Only is comes out like this. "moooooowwwah" And, it is just so cute! "Mooooowwwwah" (milk); "Moooooowwwah" (chicken/crackers/cheese/brown rice etc); "Moooooowwwah" (water running down my widdle head washing shampoo bubbles away--[as he stretches his head so far back]); "Mooooowwwah" (believe this or not, lotion for Grandma to rub on my feet/legs/arms/back/shoulders!!! Yes "Moooooowwwah" massage Mom (what he calls Grandma--I am mommy, she's mom!)

I'll say, Oh you want Grandma? He says "yesh, mom............mom,beep" which means that Grandma isn't here because she left in her car. Just like every morning he says

"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy"

and I say "Yes"

He replies, "Daddy"

I respond: "Yes baby, Daddy"

And, he says "Daddy, beep, bye bye"

And, I say "Yes, Daddy went to work in his car"

And he says "Daddy....beep, bye bye"

That is the same conversation we've had every morning for weeks now and I just don't tire of it cuz he's so darn cute.

And, each day when he hears the mail truck he goes running for the door..."mommy, mommy!!!!" and he is so excited that I just have to rush to open the door and get him to the window to look out because it just has to be the first time he's ever seen that mailtruck.

And, he loudly proclaims "beeeeeeeeeeeeeeepppp beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepppp mommmmmeeeeee beeeeeeeeepppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and then the mail truck stops at the house across the street. So the baby pauses because now he just must have no idea what is going to happen next and as the mailtruck starts up towards the next house, he says, "bye bye"

and we do that for each house that the mailtruck stops at before he rounds the culdesac and gets to ours!" Only the other day, the little guy surprised us with Mommmmmmeeeee, Daddddeeeeeeeeeeee beeeeeeeeeeepppp mayolmayol...that's the mailman for those who can't read phonetically!

And, tonight we had the ever emerging taekwondo champ who is now into copying his brothers and trying to break everything in half! This oughta be fun for a while.

My favorite thing is how he folds his hands in fists and puts them to his chin while we pray and then looks around at everyone so secretively as though no one can see him do it. He has said AMEN a couple of times. Soooo cute!

I cherish this little guy so much. After two miscarriages and four years of wondering and waiting if we'd have another--he is truly a blessing. I remember the moments after he was born, when my husband brought him to me all wrapped up (after a c-section) and I just was completely astonished at his beauty. It captivated me. I was in awe that a baby could look so stunning. I'll never forget that feeling. Especially since the other ones came out so squishy and weird and bent in odd places, OK just number one did, but I couldn't single him out. Sorry, but true. He's gorgeous now, but not so much at birth -- (and they were c-section babies too!) Anyhoo, my littlest honey was just so beautiful. Then, I noticed he was really chubby and hunky and kind of hairy with all darkness up and down him--so cute and I thought---"I'll call him Bruno." And, I did, for a day. He was my little Italian hunk for just the day.

ANyHooo.....Happy Birthday to you...

FATHER'S DAY PICS

For Father's Day, I was supposed to have a girl from church take them, but our schedule got so busy, I canceled So, my mom offered to give it a try right before and I am very happy with the way they came out! I played around with the photos a bit in Fireworks, then framed them with frames from Walgreens! Simple. Hubby was very pleased. He has wanted framed pics for his office for a long time.

BUDGET IDEA DINNER SWAP

This is something I must share and I hope it's a blessing to many. Myself and five girlfriends are doing something we call Dinner Swap. It's a money saver, a time saver and a wonderful ministry!

Here are some of the details:

• We each make SIX yes, 6 portions of a meal including one for our own family.
• We meet at a sheduled time and give out our prepared meals, so each of us walks away with 5 new meals that only need to be heated (or baked) plus probably the sixth one that we all have admitted we either don't make or use what is left--keeping in mind Phil 2:3 where God tells us to think of others as better than ourselves.
• We spend between $30-60 on the food (and containers) and we've all seem to spend between one and four hours preparation to prepare the bulk meal. If someone only spent about $30+ they add something extra, like healthy whole grain pancakes that we can use for another meal, or corn muffins or a healthy loaf of homemade bread.

This has worked out so amazing for us all. We are all pretty much in shock that it hasn;t been a disaster thus far. Our husbands love it! There's no way I'd be able to prepare 6 meals (mostly gourmet type) for my family in a three hour time span. And, I'd never be able to make these types of meals on this budget. But, because you buy in bulk, it's much cheaper.

When it comes time for dinner, I just shop in my freezer or fridge and follow the directions that one of my lovely sisters provided on the container!

Here's what each family of 4-7 people ate the first week:

Chicken Piccata (Weight Watchers style which was delicioso)

Vegetable Lasagna (zucchini, mushrooms, red pepper with white or whole wheat noodles)

Turkey chili, which was by far the best ever!

Good Chicken (a recipe with apricots and russian dressing, yum!)

Sausage and Peppers (WOW)

Chicken Enchiladas (My husband was upset that we only had one HUGE tray and not five!)

I highly recommend this Dinner Swap.

• What we all did was chat about our likes and dislikes and we all happen to want very healthy food. We decided on portions of 4 chicken breasts per family and if we have extra that we throw it in for the larger families. (We all said we shouldn't eat so much anyway!) The chicken for the chicken piccata was filleted, so we all had about 9 pieces--a lot of leftovers with almost every meal! We can easily supplement with salad and/or bread if there isn't enough one week. Using say Gladware containers that are about 8-10 cups, those get about 3/4 filled with sauce/chili. Pastas and rice aren't included unless it's part of the dish (like lasagna or a casserole.) We all have also said that we take all this as a blessing to our families so we have all been very gracious and thankful.
• Even those who were stressed the day of because they felt stressed by preparing the large amounts, realized it's worth it--financially and time wise. It just takes a little planning and time management.
• Twice now I've divided my prep to a little bit of time one night and a little time the next day. I even had enough meat sauce this week to give dinner to a neighbor/friend and stash away a few extra portions for my own family.

This week's menu:

Meat sauce (ground sausage/beef), eggplant parm, monastery stew, pot roast with veggies, chicken parm. Can't wait!

If anyone wants more details or has questions, please ask! I think this is one of those gems!

Turning Six in Spring!

As you can see he has had six birthdays! Oh my goodness, I can't believe my honey pie is six.
He is such a fun little boy. I wish I could post all his funny clothes pics, but I wouldn't want to embarass him. He is well known for camouflage and cowboy boots by all who know him. And, anyone who knows him knows he'll go with just some boxer briefs as long as he can when he's home. We're homeschooling next year and all he talks about is how cool it is that we'll homeschool in underpants. I don't think so! I love my little guy who came into the world a week early weighing a whopping 9 pounds 13.6 ounces. Yikes, I gave birth to a toddler! He didn't speak until he was three as he had a numb tongue and it was difficult to cope--but God answered our prayers and once he was able to speak it was in three syllable words in full well spoken sentences! He is a smart little guy and has a crazy sense of humor--he often has us all in tears with his quick one liners. I love him to pieces.
This year we opted for his first party out at a kids' place--it was great fun and I loved that there was a host and I could actually socialize! Well worth the money spent!

I went into the classroom and did a fun edible plant project with the kids which seemed enjoyable! Pudding for the dirt, crushed oreos as topsoil, gummy worms for uh yeah worms! etc etc.

HERE WE GO BIRTH THROUGH 5TH BIRTHDAYS...

Turns out our chunky monkey was sick with RSV...but we didn't know it at the time.

He was already potty trained for months at this age. I said, "Big boys go on the toilet and don't wear diapers" when he was just over two. He nodded and never wore a diaper again.

No lie. He's just that way...
I think, yes, I know, I am wearing the same shirt in his 2nd birthday pic as I am in his 3rd birthday pic, hmmm...heeee heeee ooh and maybe the same pants.
If you notice above-- fourth birthday pic--he NOTICED in his peculiar little-everything-in-its place-kind-of-way that he has, that one candle was not lit. Do you see it? That one little stinker that I missed!? Well, when we finished singing he just couldn't make a wish and blow it out because well that just wouldn't be right since all the candles weren't lit properly. So, he tried desperately to get my attention and I was unaware. So, in order to get my attention, he tried pointing at it and ended up burning his hand on another candle. Hence the crying and the icepack in the following pic. Poor baby. I was just a few months from having baby boy three here. A new baby taking away mommy's attention and you fail to light all my candles? The nerve!
Birthday five was a St.Patty's Day celebration and everyone wore green, we ate green, everything was GREEN. It was fun, we used the community room at my church and played music for the kids to dance and played fun games. It was a nice traditional party.

I'm very thankful for my boys and privileged to be their mommy.

P for Lavender Penny

I meant to post this a while back, but forgot to...this is the P that I created for "Lavender Penny" (as I refer to her) after she won a giveaway I had offered. I searched through her blog and tried to design something that fit her. It became one of my favorites. You can read what she wrote about it here: http://lavenderhillstudio.blogspot.com/2008/02/give-me-p.html
I had written to Penny after searching through her blog--and panicked because I realized she is a REAL ACTUAL artist, and I thought, what was I thinking doing a giveaway and now I have to create something for a REAL ACTUAL LIVE ARTIST? She's really creative and talented and is published in LIKE ARTSY MAGAZINES! (I hope you can all tell I'm not a real valley girl, just exaggerating for effect!) So, anyhoo, I had written to her and said something dumb like UH YEAH I'm really nervous because I've just realized through your blog what you are (the like real actual live artist.) She so graciously responded with very sweet encouragement,
"Hi Katrina -I am sure whatever you do will be fabulous! Please don't be intimidated! I am just like you. Really.... I am just looking forward to getting this from YOU!
Hugs,
Penny"
Well, those words gave me such encouragement about doing this for her. I felt like she had mentored me in some respect. She wasn't looking for me to do what she does, she was looking for what I do. So...I did what I do without any nervousness and it was such a treat...







It was done with a basecoat of black paint, then a crackle medium--on which I painted a cream-white paint. I then decoupaged the lavender florals that I delicately cut out. I cut out pieces of aqua scrap paper and attempted to emulate mosaics (attempted!) and then bordered them with some cream paint. I couldn't find toile anywhere, so I found some on-line and actually printed it on my own printer, lightly wet it and glued it on...never knew it would work, but I hoped! Last but not least--quite a few layers of mod-podge, some light wet sanding, a varnish--and completed with vintage ribbon!

cReATinG in mE a nEw hEaRt...

It has been so long since my last post, but I have been busy...! Not doing art and certainly not blogging. I am in a season of change. I say that with the hope that I am giving all glory to God for it. I have been blessed to be at church where I've been involved in small group studies for years now. Currently, I am in an ladies' group of an inductive study of I Peter, 2 Peter and Jude--which is incredible---I love breaking down the scriptures verse by verse and really getting fed. My pastor has been doing a series of sermons on change since the start of the New Year--very powerful stuff. It's been an incredible series. I'm also doing a short, four week study that an area Pastor's wife is holding at her house on Monday nights. I felt like since it was only four weeks I could handle it. It's themed around CJ Mahaney's, "Cross Centered Life." Wow, what an amazing and thought provoking little book. Who knew that my life wasn't about me being happy or fulfilled!??? If you did, why didn't you tell me!?? In all seriousness, this is a concept I was well aware of...but I wasn't truly getting it. OR if I was getting it, I wasn't living it...no, I wasn't getting it! Therefore, I wasn't living it.
I have been doing these studies and God has definitely been giving me homework. It's been a rough few weeks, but I know that there are many things about my life that are changing for the better. I am one of those people that needs a big event to help the truth get through my thick skull. Even with my artsy stuff, which I love--I was letting that be an idol in my life. If I am a Christian then my life ought to be Christ centered. Always returning to the fact that Jesus laid down His life for me. The first chapter of this book opens with a question, "What's at the center of yours?" ['yours' referring to life]. "Think about it for a moment" Mahaney continues, "What's really the main thing in your life? Only one thing can truly be first in priority; so what's at the top of your list, second to none? Or let me put it this way: What are you most passionate about? What do you love to talk about? What do you think about most when your mind is free? Or try this: What is it that defines you? Is it your career? A relationship? Maybe it's your family, or your ministry. It could be some cause or movement, or some political affiliation, perhaps your main thing is a hobby or a talent you have, or even your house and possessions. " He continues further on with this: "Here's how Paul answeres that question for us: 'Now I would remind your, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you...For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins.' First importance. Paul is pointing us to the one transcendent truth that should define our lives. In the midst of our various responsibilities and many possible areas of service in the kingdom of God, one overarching truth should motivate all our work and affect every part of who we are: Christ died for our sins...nothing else--not even things that are biblical and honorable--are of equal or greater importance than this: God sent His Son to the cross to bear his wrath for sinners like you and me."
This truth has become so evident to me in the past weeks and months. It has been life changing. I greatly recommend CJ Mahaney's book. I love how he breaks down what he believes are the "three main tendencies in particular that tend to draw us away"...from the gospel:
1. Subjectivism or basing our view of God on our own thoughts and feelings.
2. Legalism or basing our relationship with God on our own performance
3. Condemnation or being more focused on our own sin than God's grace.
paraphrased from Page 16, Mahaney

So, I remember--and try to remain focused on the cross and not myself.
Thanks for reading. I'd love to hear some thoughts on this if you have read the book or want to...
AUTHORS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND at the moment:
John Piper
CJ Mahaney
RC Sproul though I don't share his belief on infant baptism, I think he's a genius
John Macarthur
Elizabeth George
J Vernon McGee
Kay Arthur

Seafood Mykonos & A Chocolate Heart

VALENTINE'S NIGHT...My hubby and I went out for a bite to eat while Grandma babysat. We went to our absolute favorite restaurant and as we sat down I was so excited. My husband had made reservations and I knew exactly what I was getting, Seafood Mykonos. We've just recently changed our way of eating so we can get healthy. We eat very strict, but it just so happens mediterranean is great for us. Seafood Mykonos is my favorite--shrimp, scallops and lobster with mediterranean spices and FETA cheese!!! over a bed of broiled tomatoes. I couldn't wait!!! As I sat down to eat, the kind waiter placed a piece of paper over my plate...and announced that he would be back for our order momentarily. I looked at this paper and said to my husband, "where is the menu?" Really I meant, "uh what the heck is going on, where is my Seafood Mykonos???"

Well, our pleasant waiter informed us that "this" is the menu for the evening and he has strict orders not to take any other orders. "OK, thank you" we responded. As he walked away, we looked at one another and said, "wanna go to Chili's?" and giggled. It was pretty funny. Neither of us wanted to stay as there were no more than five items listed on a piece of paper and no where did it say seafood or mykonos...so we politely thanked the waiter for his time (he brought us water) and excused ourselves. He didn't seem surprised at all, the poor guy. Perhaps this is custom, but not for us. So...we actually went to a fantastic seafood place about five minutes away and had a great meal, we had to wait all of five minutes for a table. On the way to restaurant numero dos, I thanked my husband for his efforts and told him that it was really sweet. He had no way of knowing.

Once we got home, we all sat around the table and had chocolate-dipped strawberries. As you can tell...the baby doesn't like chocolate AT ALL. Weirdo! And boy I wish he'd learn to use a spoon properly!

My blonde hunk discovered some of the chocolate that missed the strawberry and it was in the shape of a heart which he so lovingly presented to me. All my sons are little romancers and can have me wrapped 'round their fingers in a matter of seconds.

NEW ART PROJECTS

The K is my interpretation of a modern day Dick & Jane theme

I hope I got it right!



I've been busy creating some new things. I haven't block mounted in a very long time and this was the first time I ever used scrap paper (that I can remember)--I normally used proper decoupage paper.


The e was for a friend's daughter's birthday present. I love that I can create something for someone that will be lasting and so personal to them. I hope Little E loves her letter! But, it's not as much as I love her.

The K was made for someone--and that person will give that as a gift to her friend's daughter. Pretty kewl...


The front of the letter was completed with scrap paper...all the sides were painted with a muted pastel pink and then just some light accenting.