Carley Kae King is FIVE!

Five years ago today, I became the mother of a beautiful daughter! Everything about that day was absolutely a joy!  She was by far my easiest natural home birth!  It was also the day Sean became a father to a daughter and Colton become a big brother!  I remember it as if it was yesterday!

First glance..... 

she was such a good sleeper

two weeks old

Five Years Old!

Carley Kae King, is just a beautiful person inside and out! God has blessed us more than words can describe!  I wont make this long but wanted to share some baby pictures of our little angel! We are planning a small birthday party here at our home next Sunday where her and her friends will ride Horse together!

just a good Monday...

Today was a pleasant day. I kind of wish more days were like this one.  But usually "LIFE" happens and I get many more interruptions and bad attitudes that get in the way! I started the day out by getting up to make my hubby his lunch and send him off to work with the normal goodbye kiss. 

I really wanted to go back to sleep since all my kids were still sleeping. (hence the late Super Bowl party last night) I really LOVE my bed. No that's not me but that's totally how I feel. Comfy and in heaven!

But as I laid back down on my bed I heard my oldest (Colton) crawling in around my bed to say good morning to our dog. Who sleeps next to my bed. 

It was about that time that I got a text from my "work out buddy" to see if I was working out yet. I sent her a text back to let her know I was just getting up and I'd be ready in an hour. Boy was I glad I didn't let a few extra minutes of sleep come back over me. I jumped up and immediately started homeschool with my 6 year old. We flew through three subjects and then it was time to work out.You See, my friend Micah and I are pretty much the worlds best work out buddies. We check in on each other almost daily! Holding each other accountable when it comes to healthy food, working out, scheduling... even parenting! Lately we even tell each other when the other one needs to spank a child or just back off, be patient or take a break! Never offending one another.  Today was one of the days that it actually worked out where we got to work out at the same time.  Texting each other between breaks and rooting each other on!  It's amazing how a little competition and encouragement via texting can actually boost your efforts! Best part is... we encourage each other in the Lord!


She made this the other day! I Love it! It really is perfect because we always feel like that after Insanity. Completely exhausted and sweaty from head to toe! But inside we really feel like we just climbed Mount Everest and could practically conquer any task set before us!

Now I just want to say, If you don't have a work out buddy. Try hard and find one. Either way, I encourage you to put your relationship with God number one. He will give you the strength and courage to do more than you ever imagined. Too many days go by that I get so caught up in "getting stuff done" that I let my devotion time go. When I make that a priority, everything else falls in line. Also, some days. We just need to relax, breath and enjoy our family! I remind myself constantly to live for TODAY! We do not know when our last day will be. Enjoy your family, enjoy your children, Give God the glory and take care of your temple!  These are things I have to remember daily! We can not do it all alone! 

Anyway...I finished the work out strong and headed straight to the shower.  IT FELT SO AMAZING to get done early!  I hadn't eaten yet so I made a nice big fruit, flax, yogurt and Almond milk shake! And back to homeschooling I went. Colton got a little break and then started back up strong. WE finished everything (even some catch up reading) by 10:30 am! Only bragging because this DOES NOT happen very often.  I really don't want to give anyone a false look on my life thinking that every day runs this smooth! Because NO, it's rare but I enjoy it when it happens!  I thought I'd get some crafting done today since we got done by that time but I decided to do some laundry and clean up the house quick since it wasn't too bad.  I had cleaned really good the day before getting ready for the Super bowl. Some days I feel like all I do is clean, cook and fold clothes! But today! I folded one load of laundry,cleaned up breakfast and drank some tea.  I even got a nap!  Yes. I let my kids play video games while I dozed behind them on the couch. As soon as they started getting loud.. I got up, made them pick up all the toys and sent them outside to play! 
 

Today was almost 70 degrees in the desert. Literally a perfect day in February! The boys came in and my daughter and I decided to go play with the horses.  On the way out I heard a bird chirping. To my surprise the humming birds were back and singing!  I didn't know they sang! I had only ever heard their loud wings! So, I ran to get my camera but it never came back. Maybe I'll catch them tomorrow. 

I have been dreaming  of the day I would be a Mom. Looked forward to teaching them to ride horse, sew, cook, read, ride a bike. Today was one of those moments that just brought pure joy to my heart. To watch my daughter enjoy horses, enjoy nature and enjoy spending time with her Mama. She helps me lead them out, feed them and brush them.
 Even if it's something she can't do yet.. like put the saddle on her horse she watches me, she sits Indian style on the shop floor, telling me how much she loves her horse.  How perfect, peaceful and calm her horse is. She reads their body language already.  Amber the mare I was going to ride was pinning her ears while I cinched her up and Carley says "Mom, I think she's just mad because she wants the other hay that my horse is eating" Good idea honey.. but no, I had to explain she was mad at me for tightening the saddle. We finished getting them ready and decided to go for a short ride. 

She insisted on riding alone when we got back. Just to be safe on the ride I kept a lead connected to her.  She also said "Mom, I don't want you to teach me to ride, I want to teach myself!"  Wasn't sure what to say to that other than just continue helping her when the need arose.  I think she learned quickly that she may need a little guidance :) I pray that her independent spirit pushes her to do what she sets her mind to do. I am reminded how sometimes we as human adults do not always want to be told what to do. But that sometimes it's wise to take council from people that my know more than we do when it comes to many different things in life.  God is teaching me these little lessons daily through my children that He blessed me with :) 

I love this verse that I read today form the Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion. 


"For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13 (HCSB)

Rag-Quilt for Humility Faith

Beginner Sewing Project- Pj Shirt

I made my daughter Hello Kitty Pj pants awhile back and with a recent move I hadn't had much time to get back into sewing. I didn't have a pattern for the shirt so I used one of her t-shirts as a pattern and just sort of figured it out as I went. I have sewn dresses, purses etc... but I thought this would be a great beginner tutorial for someone just getting started sewing. Kids will always wear homemade Pj's especially if they are soft flannel! 

To see the directions better just click the pictures to enlarge and scroll through! 

 

a warm day in January

Doesn't seem like a warm day would be rare in Arizona, but it's been raining and cold the last two to three weeks.   I am  trying to explain to my kids that we really need to enjoy the warm winter days.. because warm summer days here may be unbearable!    So, today after homeschooling I decided to let the kids paint in the garage!  (love that they don't have to do it in the house anymore)  I sort of refrained from doing it all because I HATE those kinds of messes.

Carley and Stetson loved it.. but Colton was off catching bugs until he got the bright idea to put some on his face!
  (click photos to enlarge)

Painting in the shop!

a little plumbers crack.....

just cute!

I think it was suppose to be a butterfly.. and the more she worked on it.. the less it resembled a butterfly

My farm boy... two favorite things... climbing trees and catching bugs/reptiles

the word "fart" always makes a boy smile! 

Best Buds!

Homeschooling blues....

OK, well sort of. But here's my question.  How do YOU as a homeschooling Mom keep it fun?? Lately I feel like the wicked witch of the North. Always harping and always punishing. I still reward but it's a fight to get there some days.

My son Colton is very active. Pretty sure the public school would label him ADD. BUT I don't agree with that and have found that since we live in the country where he can totally be a BOY and run off all his energy in the wide open spaces that his attention span has already grown! I am not one to like to use bribes but of course I do.  What have you found that helps with your sons to keep them motivated and WANTING to learn.

Here's what's happened for us lately. Not sure if it's right or wrong but seem to be working.

For reading, instead of making him sit at the table with my all seeing eyes watching every move. I have begun to let him wonder. What I mean by this is... he will take his reading book to the living room or the spot of his choice and read it ALL alone! Even if he makes a few mistakes.. it seem like he is getting through the pages so much faster.  I tell him if it's a hard one to tell me part of it and then I'll jump in to help him sound it out. But for the most part he hasn't asked for help very much, since I am letting him do this on his own. The last two days his subject of choice has been reading.  Is it because I've let him have some freedom? Does he now feel more confident?

He is in first grade and is 6  years old. His attention span has grown 110% from last year. But he still can be so distracted.  Last week was tough cause we had to play some catch up. That really frustrated him. If we are on schedule and he only has to do one days requirement he can get everything done super fast and in about 2 hours time. Of course on project days it takes longer but that's usually fun anyway.

But my main question is- What are some things YOU do for your boys and girls to make class FUN? And what motivates your children?

I do try to give him treats or special privileges.  And I always encourage that if he focus' he can have fun and play the whole rest of the day!  That is his big thing... he just wants to play!  I've noticed as well that if the other two kids are out of sight he does so much better.  I don't always do school with all of them at the same time as that is also very distracting at this point. I like to work with Carley in the evenings. 

Thanks!

I took him by surprise with this picture.. :p

Carley's Staples

On December 22nd Carley was out helping daddy fix fence.. (blog post below).   I was standing next to Sean visiting when Carley came walking up from the other side of where we were standing, heading toward me and the pick up. As she walked between Sean's digging bar and Sean she bumped the digging bar.  It started to fall but didn't hit her head until was at the tail gait of the truck.  The top of the bar got her right in the back of the head. No one saw it coming.

After I held her for a minute I realized her head was bleeding.  After taking her into the house we cut away a little hair and washed her up and decided it was too big of a gap to try and seal ourselves. So we loaded everyone up and headed in. After a quick call and finding out that there was no wait... we could be in and out fast.

She did so well and felt fine so we decided to take the kids shopping so they could spend their Christmas money.

 First they numbed it with gel and we had to wait 20 minutes.

Then came the staples... and she didn't even cry!

They gave Sean the tool for taking out the staples ourselves... yikes!

 again, she didn't cry.. just said "owe"

 This is the girl that used to throw tantrums for her shots and I mean 

kicking and screaming the entire time, I've had to hold her down a few times! 

So, I was relieved to see how well she did with this. Probably helps that

it was Daddy helping and not Mommy, He is so good with this sort of thing and I 

am so happy he was home!