Well, the other night I got a call from our neighbor - the traps they had put out to deal with the mice problem they were having in their tomatoes, similar to the problem we experienced, had caught a mouse.
Said mouse was 4 inches in body length and 5 inches in tail.
Yeah, I don't think it was a mouse either, but I am more than happy to humor her.
So last night after supper we were out once again harvesting all the not green tomatoes to bring them in the house to ripen on the counter. We did not discover additional damage, thankfully!
Also, no more visitors like this guy either!
What we cannot eat we are sharing and freezing to make crushed tomato sauce.
And we will be having Pasta Fasta for supper tonight - recipe to follow...
Although we did harvest green and yellow beans, which are very late because the snails kept eating them. Unfortunately we discovered that something was burrowing in and eating the beans inside. So we are going to have a rather lackluster bean crop this year.
Oh well.
This is really our first year of all out gardening in Southern California, my first ever, so we are just chalking things up to learning experiences and noting what we will do differently next year.
We will again plant tomatoes, beans, peppers, cucumbers and carrots, but no lettuce as it just attracts slugs and snails and were not able to eat it any ways, and hopefully next year our fruit trees will be established and give us fruit! (This year we got lots of blueberries, and it looks like we will get some mandarins, but that is about it).
How are your gardens going?
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
3 more weeks...
We went for a walk tonight, and the conversation turned to the arrival of baby. We realized that in 3 weeks, at the most, we would be holding our sweet baby.
Part of me panicked that we only had 3 weeks left, but most of me shouted in protest that I could not wait that long!
But if we make it to our planned C-section date, three weeks from tonight we will be holding our baby for the first evening, checking her out, talking to her, kissing her, cuddling her. I cannot wait!
Although I am praying to make it until reinforcements arrive in one week so that Miss Pear is well cared for by her grandma, and also there is a family birthday before then that I really wish to avoid! (I was a continual disappointment to said family member, and would like to avoid August all together for baby's birthday). But really, I am more concerned about grandma being here for our first blessing while we are in the hospital welcoming our second.
Part of me panicked that we only had 3 weeks left, but most of me shouted in protest that I could not wait that long!
But if we make it to our planned C-section date, three weeks from tonight we will be holding our baby for the first evening, checking her out, talking to her, kissing her, cuddling her. I cannot wait!
Although I am praying to make it until reinforcements arrive in one week so that Miss Pear is well cared for by her grandma, and also there is a family birthday before then that I really wish to avoid! (I was a continual disappointment to said family member, and would like to avoid August all together for baby's birthday). But really, I am more concerned about grandma being here for our first blessing while we are in the hospital welcoming our second.
Thank You Cards
Did you want to see the thank you cards I made for Baby's arrival?
There are actually 5 different ones as the background bottom paper changes slightly, only three are shown here. And the flower part with the green frame and ribbon is actually raised.
I was very pleased with the way they turned out! Especially that this is the first ever serious card making project I have undertaken on my own! (Although 2 friends consulted on the colors!)
If there is interest I would post the how to and what materials I used (complete with pictures).
I did not know this as this before, but there is something very special about sending out thank you cards you made yourself. So far I have just used these for the Church baby shower, but will be using them for all the baby stuff and other things that come up until they are gone! Then I will just have to make more!
There are actually 5 different ones as the background bottom paper changes slightly, only three are shown here. And the flower part with the green frame and ribbon is actually raised.
I was very pleased with the way they turned out! Especially that this is the first ever serious card making project I have undertaken on my own! (Although 2 friends consulted on the colors!)
If there is interest I would post the how to and what materials I used (complete with pictures).
I did not know this as this before, but there is something very special about sending out thank you cards you made yourself. So far I have just used these for the Church baby shower, but will be using them for all the baby stuff and other things that come up until they are gone! Then I will just have to make more!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Being Flexible
Last night I had today all planned out, including two posts that I will be saving for next week's Kitchen Tips Tuesdays and WFMW, and finally working on the hope chest series again (I found my scribbled notes), and the thank you notes I made. I was going to finish said thank you notes, bake bread, and get lots of desk work done during nap time.
Yeah, go ahead and laugh.
Then we went out last night to harvest tomatoes, and something with teeth had been eating one of them - I am hoping it was mice, but guessing a rat. So I tossed that one in the composter and harvested everything that was not green, even if it was not red either, to ripen on the counter. I don't willingly share the garden with unwelcome visitors! However, that work did me in.
Then at 12:30 last night, we woke up to road work, and it had been going on for some time as Mr. Pear and I were both having weird dreams. So we closed up the house and turned on the air conditioning so that we could sleep, but clearly no one got enough.
So today turned into super easy light day. My only accomplishments are knitting while watching cartoons with Miss Pear (who clearly did not get enough sleep but cannot sleep in either), writing 3 thank you notes, and emailing in my stamping order it use up my hostess credit.
We are now going to all nap, hopefully for a long time, and supper will be apple pancakes.
I anticipate an afternoon of paint with water and puzzles.
This reminds me of what a friend used to tell me all the time when I would get up tight about my schedule. She would tell me that the Lord wants His people to be flexible - meaning committed to Him and what He is doing rather than our plans and schedules. And on days like today I am certainly glad He has a plan because I certainly don't! (Except maybe early to bed...)
Yeah, go ahead and laugh.
Then we went out last night to harvest tomatoes, and something with teeth had been eating one of them - I am hoping it was mice, but guessing a rat. So I tossed that one in the composter and harvested everything that was not green, even if it was not red either, to ripen on the counter. I don't willingly share the garden with unwelcome visitors! However, that work did me in.
Then at 12:30 last night, we woke up to road work, and it had been going on for some time as Mr. Pear and I were both having weird dreams. So we closed up the house and turned on the air conditioning so that we could sleep, but clearly no one got enough.
So today turned into super easy light day. My only accomplishments are knitting while watching cartoons with Miss Pear (who clearly did not get enough sleep but cannot sleep in either), writing 3 thank you notes, and emailing in my stamping order it use up my hostess credit.
We are now going to all nap, hopefully for a long time, and supper will be apple pancakes.
I anticipate an afternoon of paint with water and puzzles.
This reminds me of what a friend used to tell me all the time when I would get up tight about my schedule. She would tell me that the Lord wants His people to be flexible - meaning committed to Him and what He is doing rather than our plans and schedules. And on days like today I am certainly glad He has a plan because I certainly don't! (Except maybe early to bed...)
Monday, August 18, 2008
Unwelcome Guest
While I love to extend hospitality, I do have my limits! Look who we found in the tomatoes!
If you are having trouble spotting the little invader, start with the tomato that looks like a large animal has been eating it, that thing attached is not a leaf..... (Enlarging the pictures helps too!) That thing is actually a tobacco hornworm, and if left unchecked will mow through the tomatoes.
Needless to say the tomato went in the compost and the the worm in the garbage. Although he was so attached to the tomato plant and refusing to let go so we clipped the whole branch end off!
That's what he gets for not asking first.....
At least he was polite enough to eat the green ones and not the nice juicy red ones....
If you are having trouble spotting the little invader, start with the tomato that looks like a large animal has been eating it, that thing attached is not a leaf..... (Enlarging the pictures helps too!) That thing is actually a tobacco hornworm, and if left unchecked will mow through the tomatoes. Needless to say the tomato went in the compost and the the worm in the garbage. Although he was so attached to the tomato plant and refusing to let go so we clipped the whole branch end off!
That's what he gets for not asking first.....
At least he was polite enough to eat the green ones and not the nice juicy red ones....
Friday, August 15, 2008
Great Frugal Read
I enjoy the Deputy Headmistress' writings very much, especially when she touches on frugality. She has a tremendous post up over at Frugal Hacks today. I highly recommend it! Sometimes a little perspective goes a long way.....
Where are you finding frugal inspiration that does not involve spending money, but rather involves using more wisely what you have?
Where are you finding frugal inspiration that does not involve spending money, but rather involves using more wisely what you have?
Garden of Weeding
To date I have identified 4 ground cover weeds in our garden - this does not include the other kind of weeds...sigh.
The problem with the ground cover weeds is that they keep coming back - even in spots where we dug down over an inch! And weeding is becoming a problem as at 35 weeks the ground seems to be getting further and further away, so the weeds are growing where I cannot reach them.
Not to be outdone by weeds of all things, and refusing to go down in defeat. I decided to try an old trick used to kill grass - put down news paper!
So we carefully put down the newspaper.
Being certain to leave enough room around the fruit trees, plants and sprinklers. Then over top of that we spread compost, grass clippings and leaves.
We began this process a little over 5 weeks ago, and the weeds underneath are slowly dying as the newspaper suffocates them, but not our trees. Unfortunately some are growing out of the holes, but there are a lot less to deal with!
The newspaper is also acting like a mulch, so it is keeping things nice and moist in this heat, which is a nice benefit! Over time the newspaper will break down thanks to the sun, etc. In fact, we have already had to add more paper in some spots.
So the newspaper was part of our regular subscription - no addition money was spent. The water was part of our regular watering except for a bit the day we did the project, just enough to get the paper wet, and the whole project is chemical free.
That definitely sounds frugal to me! Head on over to Crystal's for Frugal Friday!
The problem with the ground cover weeds is that they keep coming back - even in spots where we dug down over an inch! And weeding is becoming a problem as at 35 weeks the ground seems to be getting further and further away, so the weeds are growing where I cannot reach them.
Not to be outdone by weeds of all things, and refusing to go down in defeat. I decided to try an old trick used to kill grass - put down news paper!
So we carefully put down the newspaper.
Being certain to leave enough room around the fruit trees, plants and sprinklers. Then over top of that we spread compost, grass clippings and leaves.
We began this process a little over 5 weeks ago, and the weeds underneath are slowly dying as the newspaper suffocates them, but not our trees. Unfortunately some are growing out of the holes, but there are a lot less to deal with!
The newspaper is also acting like a mulch, so it is keeping things nice and moist in this heat, which is a nice benefit! Over time the newspaper will break down thanks to the sun, etc. In fact, we have already had to add more paper in some spots.
So the newspaper was part of our regular subscription - no addition money was spent. The water was part of our regular watering except for a bit the day we did the project, just enough to get the paper wet, and the whole project is chemical free.
That definitely sounds frugal to me! Head on over to Crystal's for Frugal Friday!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thoughts on Leviticus
I finished Leviticus last night, and despite it's reputation of being hard to read and difficult to understand, I really enjoyed it, again. I have had a whole new perspective on Leviticus since I studied it in BSF 7 years ago (wow, was it really that long ago?). We studied it as part of the Life of Moses study which is beginning again in September, and I cannot say enough about BSF's dedication to the clear teaching of God's Word and teaching people to study for themselves or the study on the Life of Moses.
Anyways, as I was reading, I was struck by three things.
1. In the first few chapters where sacrifices are being discussed a key phrase keeps reappearing in the NKJV, and that phrase refers to the offerings as a "sweet aroma" to the Lord. And it got me thinking about it in terms of my daily life, my daily tasks, are they a sweet aroma to the Lord or just something to get done. I would like to think that they are a sweet aroma, but know that sometimes my attitude is...um...lacking. Definitely something to work on here.
2. Kind of in tune with that was the way the Israelites, specifically Moses and Aaron responded. "Just as the Lord commanded." They were obedient to the letter in the method, there was no quibbling or whining, they just did what God said, even the hard stuff. Yup, lesson here too.
3. Leviticus 11. There are so many things I understand better in the Bible now that I am a mom, and this chapter is one of them. Is it just me, or does this somehow sound like the modern equivalent of, "Eeew, don't eat that, it's gross!"
On a side note, I was wondering two things as I typed this up:
1. Do you avoid and skip Leviticus the same way that I used to, or skim it when you get to it just to get through it?
2. Does each member of your family read the same translation of the Bible or are you all different? (We are all different here as we ended up getting a children's translation for Miss Pear, but I guess that she and baby will have the same translation, so we will be 4 people, 3 translations...)
Anyways, as I was reading, I was struck by three things.
1. In the first few chapters where sacrifices are being discussed a key phrase keeps reappearing in the NKJV, and that phrase refers to the offerings as a "sweet aroma" to the Lord. And it got me thinking about it in terms of my daily life, my daily tasks, are they a sweet aroma to the Lord or just something to get done. I would like to think that they are a sweet aroma, but know that sometimes my attitude is...um...lacking. Definitely something to work on here.
2. Kind of in tune with that was the way the Israelites, specifically Moses and Aaron responded. "Just as the Lord commanded." They were obedient to the letter in the method, there was no quibbling or whining, they just did what God said, even the hard stuff. Yup, lesson here too.
3. Leviticus 11. There are so many things I understand better in the Bible now that I am a mom, and this chapter is one of them. Is it just me, or does this somehow sound like the modern equivalent of, "Eeew, don't eat that, it's gross!"
On a side note, I was wondering two things as I typed this up:
1. Do you avoid and skip Leviticus the same way that I used to, or skim it when you get to it just to get through it?
2. Does each member of your family read the same translation of the Bible or are you all different? (We are all different here as we ended up getting a children's translation for Miss Pear, but I guess that she and baby will have the same translation, so we will be 4 people, 3 translations...)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
It's the small things...
...that seem to bring the most satisfaction!
The double batches of scones and cookies in the freezer!
The hand made thank you notes that I made and am using to write shower thank you notes (pictures to follow).
The laundry all done.
The promise of buttermilk pancakes and fruit for supper.
Nap time...for Miss Pear and Mommy
The double batches of scones and cookies in the freezer!
The hand made thank you notes that I made and am using to write shower thank you notes (pictures to follow).
The laundry all done.
The promise of buttermilk pancakes and fruit for supper.
Nap time...for Miss Pear and Mommy
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Share with a Neighbor
I think my best kitchen tip is to have a very good and very close (location-wise) friend who has similar kitchen interests to yours!
It helps if it is your next door neighbor.
Since we have moved here and become friends with our neighbor I find I am encouraged to try new things in the kitchen, and do a better job because she encourages me (no competition, just spurring each other on!). We both have a last ditch help when we find we have run out of something. We get calls about what that delicious smell is. And we pass cookbooks back and forth. On top of that, we have also been know to pass food back and forth, share project Fridays, and swap freezer meals.
I know that in a crunch we can count on them, and vice versa. It is not just a kitchen thing.
Also, I have a friend who I keep in touch quite closely with via email, and because of her I am trying lots of things that I would not have tried without her encouragement, and that is resulting in a healthier menu!
But this is kitchen tip Tuesday, so that is my kitchen tip!
Monday, August 11, 2008
A Very Pleasant Saturday Surprise
On Saturday our church threw a baby shower for us. This is the church we just started attending in the fall, so almost a year ago, that we missed lots of with morning sickness and cold and flu season (because we are polite and take turns in our family), and that we just transfered our membership to in June. It is a friendly church, and a smaller church. And it seems like half the church is on vacation while the rest are either just back or on the way.
So the combinations of that and not really knowing a lot of women yet had me thinking it would be a very small shower, and I was really looking forward to that and getting to know some of the women better. I figured 10 women this time of year. And I was very happy. I kept thinking how great it would be to get to know those 10 women better!
So imagine my surprise when more women than that were there when I got there, and I was far from the last to arrive! I got to know many more women, got to visit with ones I don't usually have a chance to, and had a great time! The time of fellowship was so sweet, but the time of prayer was indescribably wonderful. And then we got to the presents, I was so completely overwhelmed. All the women were so sweet and so generous to us! And many women who were not there sent gifts anyways! Plus a lot went together!
It was such a shock!
But then the Lord reminded me of the prayers we had prayed for our new church home as we prepared to move. That we would be in a solid church that loved Him and faithfully taught His word, that encouraged us as a family, and where we truly felt that we were part of a family.
Yup, answered prayer, the women in their words and prayers and gifts made it clear to me that we are indeed part of the family. The Lord is so gracious to us!
So the combinations of that and not really knowing a lot of women yet had me thinking it would be a very small shower, and I was really looking forward to that and getting to know some of the women better. I figured 10 women this time of year. And I was very happy. I kept thinking how great it would be to get to know those 10 women better!
So imagine my surprise when more women than that were there when I got there, and I was far from the last to arrive! I got to know many more women, got to visit with ones I don't usually have a chance to, and had a great time! The time of fellowship was so sweet, but the time of prayer was indescribably wonderful. And then we got to the presents, I was so completely overwhelmed. All the women were so sweet and so generous to us! And many women who were not there sent gifts anyways! Plus a lot went together!
It was such a shock!
But then the Lord reminded me of the prayers we had prayed for our new church home as we prepared to move. That we would be in a solid church that loved Him and faithfully taught His word, that encouraged us as a family, and where we truly felt that we were part of a family.
Yup, answered prayer, the women in their words and prayers and gifts made it clear to me that we are indeed part of the family. The Lord is so gracious to us!
Friday, August 8, 2008
34 Week Check Up
Time is counting down quickly!
Today we had our 34 week check up, and all is good. I remain the boring patient. Perfect.
Weirdly enough I managed to lose a pound in the last two weeks. I think it just evaporated in the heat. Although I feel as big as a house so it is hard to imagine that a whole pound just disappeared!
We are looking forward to a very quiet weekend, maybe some puttering in the house, but Mr. Pear has officially put me on the "take it easy" track. Besides, his mom arrives in two and a half weeks and keeps telling me to just leave stuff for her...sounds good! Although I think my head would explode if I left all that she would like me to and just sat on the couch and knit until then! I will be leaving washing the 3-6 month clothes (complete with treating the old stains that reappeared) and some organization and baking. Somethings are just not as important as playing with Miss Pear and being relatively well rested when Mr. Pear returns from work!
Any ways, I just wanted to let you all know that I am officially boring....
Today we had our 34 week check up, and all is good. I remain the boring patient. Perfect.
Weirdly enough I managed to lose a pound in the last two weeks. I think it just evaporated in the heat. Although I feel as big as a house so it is hard to imagine that a whole pound just disappeared!
We are looking forward to a very quiet weekend, maybe some puttering in the house, but Mr. Pear has officially put me on the "take it easy" track. Besides, his mom arrives in two and a half weeks and keeps telling me to just leave stuff for her...sounds good! Although I think my head would explode if I left all that she would like me to and just sat on the couch and knit until then! I will be leaving washing the 3-6 month clothes (complete with treating the old stains that reappeared) and some organization and baking. Somethings are just not as important as playing with Miss Pear and being relatively well rested when Mr. Pear returns from work!
Any ways, I just wanted to let you all know that I am officially boring....
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Psalm 7 according to Miss Pear
After reading Psalm 7 as a family last night Miss Pear said,
"I don't want iniquity on my hands, I want chocolate in my hands!"
Yup, budding theologian...and my girl.
"I don't want iniquity on my hands, I want chocolate in my hands!"
Yup, budding theologian...and my girl.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
July Baby Preparations
July was a busy month for getting baby stuff done!
In addition to this list we got lots done on the long weekend!
We also:
In addition to this list we got lots done on the long weekend!
We also:
- Uploaded and ordered all the pictures to finish Miss Pear's baby book (a necessary part of preparation for this one as if it was not done it would never be done!) Actually getting them was more difficult than anticipated. Added find a new photo service to the to do list.
- Had the Salvation Army come and pick up what we needed to get rid of to make the nursery a nursery! (I tried not to cry when they took the futon away - that was easier when Mr. Pear reminded me about the time I got stuck in it during my last trimester with Miss Pear!)
- Revised and updated the to be done list numerous times, but the list is definitely growing shorter even while more stuff is being added.
- Worked with Mr. Pear's mom on the phone as she cut up her wedding dress to make a christening gown. She cut the material in such a way as to preserve the beading from her dress to be on the christening gown. I have not seen it in person, but the pictures reveal and incredibly beautiful dress!
- Baby's furniture was delivered! (More monumental than you think!)
- Completed the list for the baby's birth announcements - I will need 60 announcements, and will order 10 4x6's as an insurance policy for anyone I missed. This way I can just print off the list and start working on them!
- Completed updating the Christmas card list - I figured it was a two for one deal with the birth announcements and another thing done! Of course, as soon as I was done, two friends moved.
- Finished Miss Pear's afghan, and while that was not technically required to prepare for baby, it did allow me to start baby's afghan.
- Started baby's afghan, figured out what was wrong with the pattern, fixed the mistakes and now we are doing good. Had completed almost 12 inches of it by the end of the month.
- Sorted through some old books putting them into a to keep pile, and a to be used to start Paperback Swap with in the spring, as well as sorted through my to be read pile and organized it! This was long on the to do list, and sorting through the to read pile made room for a comfortable chair in our room that needed a good home!
- Started working on the thank you cards as I really wanted to make at least some of them.
- Miss Pear and I taped the nursery so it could be painted, and then Mr. Pear turned buying paint into a field trip - Miss Pear thought it was great, but she things everything Mr. Pear does is great.
- We painted the nursery - Miss Pear "helped".
- Arranged the furniture (except the crib) in the nursery.
A Wonderful Break
A blogging break was just what I needed.
With feeling extra big early, complete with sore hips and lower back I felt almost pressured to get some stuff done, so over the weekend we strapped the furniture that needed to be strapped to the wall for safety (my contribution was, "Little to the left? Looks great honey!"), assembled the crib (again, my contribution was to hold the end to make sure it did not fall on the worker and little assistant), and then we washed laundry, a task which carried into Monday (folding carried into Tuesday and today....), and made up the crib. While it is definitely early to make the crib, it serves as a great work surface for me as it is the right height for me not to be bending over. Plus I put a throw sized quilt over it to keep it dust free, and it is our quilt, so it is not a big deal if it is not perfectly clean and ready to go when baby comes home.
So with all the 0-3 clothes washed and put away, all the blankets washed and almost put away, and the room essentially set up (just don't look in the closet), I feel much better about things, and don't feel the pressure of "how am I ever going to get this done when it is so hot and I am so uncomfortable!"
I also worked on the Thank You cards I wanted to make. It turns out I did not have enough ribbon, but will order some next week at the class, and will be able to wait for it to arrive to finish. I am actually making cards that will be enough for two small showers, baby's arrival, meals from our church, gifts from family and friends who are far flung, the baptism, and other stuff that comes up in life in general like occasions, so it is not like they all have to be done immediately...except in my head. Plus I also have some "back up" thank you cards that would be great for baby's arrival, but also up to easily a second birthday or more thanks to a great sale! (Although the thought of occasions reminds me that I wanted to make a list of card needs through the end of the year!)
So basically I may not be feeling at the top of my game, but I certainly feel on top of things! Plus, I have more reasonable expectations! Friends of mine who are not expecting or chasing littles are complaining about the heat and how it is making them feel, so what makes me think I should be superwoman?
I am also happy to report that we have finally found a method for evening family devotions! Something we have wanted to do, but have no friends who do, and did not grow up with it, so we were kind of feeling our way along without a real guide or idea of what to do! We basically get Miss Pear ready for bed, pile into our bed, and read Big Truths for Little Kids, working on memorizing the questions, then we read a Psalm and briefly say something about it - usually that we are thankful that God cares for us, protects us, or something simple the Psalm teaches us, then we move on to the bed time routine which ends in prayer. Maybe not perfect, but we feel like we are on the right track and are making progress, plus Miss Pear loves it, participates, and pays attention - that major factors of success at this point. We would like to add singing to it so that we could work on learning songs as a family, and talk about the passage more, but for now we will take what we can get!
With feeling extra big early, complete with sore hips and lower back I felt almost pressured to get some stuff done, so over the weekend we strapped the furniture that needed to be strapped to the wall for safety (my contribution was, "Little to the left? Looks great honey!"), assembled the crib (again, my contribution was to hold the end to make sure it did not fall on the worker and little assistant), and then we washed laundry, a task which carried into Monday (folding carried into Tuesday and today....), and made up the crib. While it is definitely early to make the crib, it serves as a great work surface for me as it is the right height for me not to be bending over. Plus I put a throw sized quilt over it to keep it dust free, and it is our quilt, so it is not a big deal if it is not perfectly clean and ready to go when baby comes home.
So with all the 0-3 clothes washed and put away, all the blankets washed and almost put away, and the room essentially set up (just don't look in the closet), I feel much better about things, and don't feel the pressure of "how am I ever going to get this done when it is so hot and I am so uncomfortable!"
I also worked on the Thank You cards I wanted to make. It turns out I did not have enough ribbon, but will order some next week at the class, and will be able to wait for it to arrive to finish. I am actually making cards that will be enough for two small showers, baby's arrival, meals from our church, gifts from family and friends who are far flung, the baptism, and other stuff that comes up in life in general like occasions, so it is not like they all have to be done immediately...except in my head. Plus I also have some "back up" thank you cards that would be great for baby's arrival, but also up to easily a second birthday or more thanks to a great sale! (Although the thought of occasions reminds me that I wanted to make a list of card needs through the end of the year!)
So basically I may not be feeling at the top of my game, but I certainly feel on top of things! Plus, I have more reasonable expectations! Friends of mine who are not expecting or chasing littles are complaining about the heat and how it is making them feel, so what makes me think I should be superwoman?
I am also happy to report that we have finally found a method for evening family devotions! Something we have wanted to do, but have no friends who do, and did not grow up with it, so we were kind of feeling our way along without a real guide or idea of what to do! We basically get Miss Pear ready for bed, pile into our bed, and read Big Truths for Little Kids, working on memorizing the questions, then we read a Psalm and briefly say something about it - usually that we are thankful that God cares for us, protects us, or something simple the Psalm teaches us, then we move on to the bed time routine which ends in prayer. Maybe not perfect, but we feel like we are on the right track and are making progress, plus Miss Pear loves it, participates, and pays attention - that major factors of success at this point. We would like to add singing to it so that we could work on learning songs as a family, and talk about the passage more, but for now we will take what we can get!
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