Sneaky

I let the girls pick one thing to sleep with at bedtime. Each night they carefully make their choices between all the dolls, stuffed animals, and small toys. It's a process. Every. Single. Night. 
Seriously. 

Looks like Joy is trying to buck the system. *I counted six stuffed animals crammed under her doll's nightgown. 

Joy's Four

d-d-d-Dentist!

My Texan

Texas girl--born and raised.

Dead Tired

Have you ever been this tired?

Dead Tired from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

Mother's Day 2013

I forgot to post about my Mother's Day.  Mother's Day...remember...almost two months ago.  

Better late than never...

Ladies Tea with AG

my three precious treasures

Joy *made* a little canvas for me in Sunday School.

Since this is my online scrapbook, I am required to post about Mother's Day, right?  Thanks humoring me.

Five on Friday

It's FIVE on FRIDAY, but more importantly, it's my JoJo's 3rd birthday.  Happy Birthday, Joy!

I have been away from this blog for some time.  The other day, I glanced at the BLOG ARCHIVE menu and had to laugh.  I posted less last year than I did in my first full year of blogging.  Although I've been busier than ever--three kids, homeschooling, directing CC, and just all the other stuff in life, I am not ready to walk away from this very OLD (in blog years) blog.  I know that a year of hardly ever posting has cost me followers and views, but eh...that's not why I blog.  I just like having this online journal(that I've printed into paperback books).  What started out as a way to keep family in the loop with the kiddos is really outdated now.  Hello...facetime, who needs an ancient BLOG!?!  I don't even think the family reads this blog anymore.  But, I'm still here and gonna attempt to blog more regularly now that things are chill for a minute.  

[ONE]  

I'm so grateful that the Lord is still growing me in Him.  Even when I've had a shortage of time, I'm thankful for the push to grow.  He is faithful!

[TWO]
I got a new light fixture for the entryway and I'm so pleased--less than $100 and it puts a smile on my face every time I walk by it!

[THREE]

I may be late to jump on the bandwagon, but have y'all tried Benefit's Roller Lash?  It's no hoax, it's the real deal.  *I've never done a sponsored post and I'm not being paid to say this...it's the best mascara!

My BEFORE and AFTER

[FOUR]

My Classical Conversations community was so kind and generous to me.  On our last community day, they gifted me money and lots of gift cards, a coffee cart, plants, neat things for my house, a coffee mug, candy, and a bunch of very kind and thoughtful cards.  I'm so appreciative to the moms in our community.  They serve, encourage, inspire, and give of their time and resources.  I am so glad that I don't have to homeschool on an island all by myself.

Godiva chocolates for the W-I-N!

[FIVE]

Joy Tatum is THREE.  Last week we celebrated her birthday, Charlie Brown style!  Click HERE to see pics and read about the party.

Thanks for stopping by.  If you are new to the blog, follow along!   I am hoping to post more regularly....at least for the summer.

Happy Birthday, Joy

HAPPIEST of BIRTHDAYS to my PRECIOUS, JOY TATUM!

 three years old

You are a treasure to me.

Charlie Brown Birthday

Saturday we had a little Charlie Brown birthday party for our soon to be three year old.  Joy loves Charlie Brown so it was a no-brainer that we would have a Peanuts-themed party.  Nothing real special, just some play time at the park, cake & ice cream, and fun with friends.

invites

For a special birthday outfit, I hot-glued some black rickrack to a yellow shirt.

About two weeks before the party, I called my favorite cake lady to order a custom cake for the big day.  She is awesome and really inexpensive.  She apologized and told me that she had to quit making cakes to spend time with her family.  WHAT????  Plan B: The cake wasn't anything special, but it tasted good.

The "unused" Bath toys we put on the cake to spruce it up.

One of the gifts was red clown noses for our weirdo family.  Graham's face is priceless.

Joy got an adorable teepee from Na, Pops, and KK, complete with a chandelier.

I'm thrilled my little girl liked her party! It was fun and I'm glad it's checked off the list of to-dos!  Her actual birthday is tomorrow and I'm sure we will celebrate with a good breakfast and lots of time loving on our very special and adored three year old!

Happy THIRD birthday, Joy!!

Home Tour | Joy's Room

It's been a while since I've posted "around the house" pics so I finally got my camera out and snapped a few.  Some weeks ago, I mentioned that I've been working on sprucing up the house.  I've repainted the living room (pics to come), I've updated the fireplace (thanks for the tips!), I've rearranged, and on and on and on.  As Graham always points out, "this house will never be 'done'."  Ain't that the truth!?!  I find happiness in rearranging, decorating,  painting, and changing things up.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Recently, I rearranged Joy's room.  Here are the changes...

I moved her bed out from the wall because she hasn't had trouble transitioning to a twin bed.  She's never fallen out and I'm sick of that bed being smashed up against the wall.  

I. can't even.  I just adore this little piano.  It was a gift from my Gran when I was itty bitty and now it's my girls'.  Our home alarm is super sensitive and they've banged the heck out of this thing and triggered the alarm numerous times!  :) That's one solid toy!

Hand-embroidered pillow cases passed down from Mamaw--yes please!

I'll be back in a few days to give more updates from around the house, the fireplace update, some touches of fall, our trip to the pumpkin patch, and what I'm reading.  This ole' blogger is finally getting geared up so stay tuned!!

INFO wall color: Sherwin William's Compatible Cream bedding: *used* Pottery Barn wall monogram: Etsy shop most of the wall items came from antique/thrift stores rug: Target curtains: Pottery Barn and paisley fabric (Hobby Lobby)
TO DO replace twin bed with a queen-sized or full-sized bed
Our Joy His Glory Home Tour | Index