Letter Sounds

When I was doing home school with Audrey I was always trying to come up with ways that I could help her love learning.  I came up with one of these for each letter of the alphabet and a few for letter blends.  She loved them!  

When Audrey started school I started helping a few days a week in a 2nd grade class. I was surprised find out that a lot of them still didn't know letter sounds.

While helping them I would draw these small drawings to help the kids remember.  After a few days the teacher approached me to put together these cards.  I had so much fun doing it and I hope it has helped. If you're looking for a way to teach letter sounds, let me know.  I'd love to send these your way!

Pretty Lights on the Tree

 We decorated early for Christmas. I knew we would be leaving for Utah so I had to get it up before Thanksgiving.  I think decorating might be our favorite part of Christmas.  Audrey and I enjoy the decorating part and Paul enjoys the Christmas cookies and pudding. :) 

This year he made us Spanish rice pudding, which is so different from what I grew up with.  I loved it so much that I requested it again the next day but we were out of rice.  I think we might have to revisit it soon! 

I didn't get too many pictures this time around.  I think we go side tracked with all the awesomeness going on.  Paul was sweet enough to get these few.  

I love this little girl in her Christmas hat and her Daddy.  Moments like this wouldn't be quite so special without the two of them.  

Audrey was so excited to open up her nativity this year.  She told me all about the story as she carefully pulled each piece out of the box.  Then I brought her over to their spot and she lined them all up in their places.   I couldn't help but be so grateful that she knows about Jesus Christ and the gift he is to each of us.  

Holiday Crafting

Audrey's favorite thing to do is paint.  When I pull out the paint she will usually be busy for at least a couple hours.  It's a little messy, but so worth it.  Lately I've used the holidays as a reason for anything crafty.  We always make simple things...I'm not too crafty of a Mom. :)  We made a paper turkey, we painted turkeys and Christmas trees, we made an ornament for our tree, and did countless coloring pages over the last couple months.  When we have extra time on a Saturday or after school I put out something like this that we can do together. 

 I really enjoy sitting with Audrey and talking while we work on something together. I've also noticed that anything that has to do with art has a calming effect on on her.  If she's really frustrated about something it's her way of working it out in her mind.  I also love watching what she comes up with when all she has is a blank sheet of paper and her imagination.  

When we are done I have a wall that we stick our projects up on.  She knows at the end of the month I take pictures of everything so we can remember, throw them away, and then we start all over again the next month.  

You better believe I'm going on milk Valentines day for all it's worth.  We might do this:

Heart hand warmers

 Or these cute notes for everyone we love

and as always a coloring page: https://bestofcoloring.com/coloring-pages-11724/

Our First Winter at Home

I'm so behind that I'm going to start blazing through these photos.  I was chosen to take candid photos for Audrey's school yearbook which has kept be so busy, along with my new job of substitute teaching.  I teach almost everyday this month and I have to say that I love it.  It's tiring, but so worth it. I feel like I'm busier than I ever have been...but it's a good busy.  

I'm hoping that with this new year I can make some commitments to my blog and get more done.  My journal/picture book has gone by the wayside and I really hate that. So here goes....

It happened.  We had our first snow in Montana and I would have to say it was magical.  I wasn't ready for it the day after Halloween but it was beautiful.  I was once again in awe over another season change.  Audrey made her first snow man away from Grandma's house and then made her very first ever snow angel.  I'm pretty sure it was everything she ever imagined it would be.  I've never heard so many giggles.  I showed her how to roll the balls for the snowman and as a result she wanted to build this one all by herself. She would have preferred to build a snowman a day for the next week and end up with a snow family but there wasn't enough snow.  It all melted away pretty quickly and we didn't see more for almost two more months.  

Poppy thought the snow was a gift from the heavens and it became even better when we started putting food in the snow for her to find.  She thought the carrot nose we put on the snowman was hers for the taking.  Audrey wasn't very happy that she had to keep saving the snowman from being nose-less.  It didn't help that it was the last carrot in the house. :)

I've come to realize that cold isn't so bad as long as you have a few things.  Paul bought an outdoor fire pit and with it I can handle endless snowman building as long as I can take a break here and there to warm myself by the fire.  Boots are a significant upgrade to shoes and wearing thermals might save your bacon when it's below freezing.  A hat, gloves, and wool socks are almost as good as wearing another coat and having a garage is very nice.  Winter isn't so bad in my book.  I might feel differently in a few years when the excitement has worn off, but for now I'm sticking with liking it.

Missed Seasons and a Visit

As much as I loved Houston, and I really loved it, I forgot how nice it was to have seasons. October came around and I found myself falling in love with fall all over again.  There's something magical about the change in the leaves and the gradual chill in the air.  It's nice to wear a jacket and snuggle up on the couch in a blanket with the fire on.  I think our fire in Houston was more for show than actual warmth. 

Rod came into town and we had to take him to the local corn maze and  pumpkin patch.  We went as a family a couple of weeks before and fell in love with it.  We found ourselves staring at each other saying....this is how October is supposed to feel?  I think I actually found myself giggling a few times in my awe over October.  Audrey must have said this was the best day ever several times.  She had a blast leading us through the corn maze. 

This time around didn't disappoint either.  We had such a good time roping, animal feeding, sliding, racing pedal cars, trying to show our strength, and making our way through the corn maze again.  This time we waited until it got dark and went through with flash lights.  If we weren't cool parents before, surely we are now.  Audrey loves flash lights just as much as her Daddy....which is a lot.  She loved going through in the dark but she mentioned that she only liked it when she pointed her flash light a certain way....because if she pointed it the other way it made spooky shadows.  I had a good time trying to scare other maze goers by doing my best witch cackles and ghost noises.  Eventually I couldn't help myself from all out singing my best spooky song.  Audrey gave me the eye roll at one point and told me to stop trying to scare people.  I guess for the first time in her life she was a little embarrassed by her Mom, don't worry that's not the last time it will happen. I'm not afraid to be myself.  :)   

In addition to going to the corn maze we also did a spooky sleepy hallow ride, rode the local Ferris wheel, went to the tool store a few times, watched Emma together, and Paul and Rod did some projects.  It was exactly what we all needed.  Some times it takes someone coming into town to find out that you needed a little break.  

Thank you Rod for coming to visit!  We thoroughly enjoyed having you here!

Hope and Courage

I am months behind on this but honestly who cares.  It's really just my journal and it doesn't matter if I miss a few months here and there....right?  

Over the last 6 months I've been trying to find a place for myself doing something that mattered.  When conference came around I was seeking answers or I guess you could say I was seeking peace and confirmation of what I was doing.  I found it in a few talks.  I'm going to share the links because they were truly amazing.  

After every conference I have fully intended to sit down and study the talks and every time I find myself forgetting.  Just a couple weeks ago I was up alone getting ready before school and I had the thought to start listening to them.  So every morning while I'm getting ready, I listen.  It turns out that it's probably just as effective as sitting down with a paper copy because I find myself remembering the messages throughout the day and when someone is struggling I think first of their words.  The morning is the best time too, because I'm fully awake and my mind is ready to listen. Three of the talks given have brought me the peace and comfort I needed and I hope that as I continue to listen that I will receive more guidance in choices to come.    

This conference was a turning point for us.  I usually buy Audrey a sticker book and I let her do stickers while we listen; usually it's counter productive because she wants me to do it with her.  This time I decided to pull out the bingo board and surprisingly she listened to every talk.  I know I won't always have beautiful peaceful conference weekends, but I was so grateful for this one because I needed it.  

So without further ado......here is the peace and comfort you might be looking for. Go ahead a give them a listen....you know you want to!

By Divine Design

I Have A Work for Thee

Be Ye Therefore Perfect Eventually