This little stinker is the love of my life!

Oh Piper - this girl is just the cutest thing ever. Of course, I say that about all my kids. Piper is in the obnoxious and super cute stage where she is so curious and getting into trouble all the while being so adorable. She pretty much knows that she has us all wrapped around her little finger. If I am trying to eat when she is not - this is where she perches herself...

I was eating my cereal the other morning after everyone else and Piper just couldn't stand that she was not getting to eat too (again).

A little later I wasn't quite sure where she was but heard annoying music coming from the kitchen.... I came around the counter and found her doing this (and yes, I had made her hair into a mohawk, I didn't realize I'd be taping her and then blogging it! She has the worst hair - you've got to let me have a sense of humor about it sometimes)...

She used to be scared of this dog - now she loves it. It's a little creepy - it tells her she is 'won-der-ful" and asks for hugs but she thinks it is pretty great. I just love this girl so much. I really think I have the greatest kids in the world.

Homeschool Convention

Things you'd expect to see at a homeschool convention:

a place for all the nursing mommas...

making sewing and wholegrains something spiritual...

great ways to braid and wear long hair...

a 7 year old working the cash register (he must do Math-U-See!)...

Things you would NOT expect to see at a homeschool convention:

(I don't know... that uniform is a little form fitted)

Who are these super cute, hip mommies?
What about these cool guys?

uh-oh... a tattoo... tisk tisk...

OK -so, making fun of my own. How do you think these people would like that I secretly took pictures of them and posted them on my blog? Nice. I may joke about homeschool stereotypes but the truth is that the face of homeschooling is changing. It was actually HARDER for me to find denim jumpers than it was trendy dress - not that that even matters - right? The truth is that these are all AMAZING people, amazing families, amazing moms who work so hard and sacrifice to do what they feel the Lord has called them to do. I am so encouraged at the homeschool conventions by the speakers, the people I meet, the great curriculum, and all the support offered to homeschoolers -new and old.

It doesn't matter if you have a denim jumper and a head covering or the latest designer shirt and a pair of heels (or Toms!) I love and salute you other homeschool moms out there. I am blessed to be among your ranks. And props to all moms out there - homeschool, private school, public school, stay at home, go to work.... moms that love their kiddos and are doing what they and their husbands believe the Lord would have them do. We are all called to different things and that is beautiful. Let's glorify God wherever we are. Moms rock!

Love to Vacuum

Babies are supposed to be scared of the vacuum - right? All of my other toddlers have never liked when the vacuum gets pulled out. Not Piper. She loves it. If it's out and I haven't turned it on yet she will go turn it on. And when I'm ready to use it, she climbs on board... and has for as long as she was mobile. What a funny girl. it makes me love to vacuum!!

If Only... (a mother's day card)

I will post about my awesome mother's day/anniversary soon. For now, I wanted to share the Mother's Day card Madison made for me. The front said : "Without Mothers" and had this picture:


If you can't see it, it has 2 sections - the first is entitled "Words said" and you have "I hate you," "poop," "no!" "You're stupid," "pee pee," and "poopy face." It is followed by the section entitled "Scene" where she drew a house in chaos.
Inside is the title "With Mothers." The two sections appear again...

The "words said" are "yes ma'am," "I love you," "Good job," "please," and "thank you." The scene (spelled wrong again) is an orderly, lovely living room.

What a sweet sentiment but it does beg the question... "Does she actually live in this house??" I'm around pretty much all the time and I am VERY familiar with scene one. :)

Hobby Hiatus

I love blogging. I love to read all my bookmarked blogs written by friends and sometimes people I don't even know. I enjoy reading people's status updates on Facebook. But I hear about people who are so obsessed with these things that it monopolizes their time and their lives! I had wondered if i was one of these people.

I've heard of people who say they've "cut back" to 2 hours of facebooking a day!!! 2 hours? I spend MAYBE 15 minutes in day looking at FB. It doesn't take me very long to catch up on blogs. It really doesn't take me long to post to my blog either.

Recently we have been SO busy. I am glad to say that when push comes to shove I HAVE NO PROBLEMS STAYING OFF MY COMPUTER!! I hate that I haven't blogged and I've missed reading my friends' posts but I'm still alive and quite healthy. I've still made time for family, husband, reading, cooking, fellowshipping - just had to cut out the "extras."

I'm looking forward to catching up on all our activities but am glad to find out I don't have an obsession - just a hobby. :)