three months

operation christmas child

Today is the last day of Samaritan's Purse national collection week for Operation Christmas Child. But it's not too late to get involved! You can also mail your donation... go here for details. Your kids will love packing shoe boxes for children their own ages {hello, Target dollar spot!}, and I can't think of a better way to kick off Thanksgiving break!

"...'You're far happier giving than getting.'" -Acts 20:35

ten on ten

ten on ten: Take a photo every hour for ten consecutive hours on the tenth of each month. Document a day of your life and find beauty among the ordinary moments!

{I shot my photos a day early this month, as part of a
compilation today on Mama Manifesto.}

9 am: Clean laundry pile.

10 am: Smiles & a silly singing sister.

11 am: Quick cruise before school.

noon: Errands in my new ride (aka minivan... finally).

1 pm: 'Hi, I'm Cole. I refuse to nap unless I'm in the car. The second mommy takes me out, I wake up ready to be entertained. Good thing I'm cute!'

2 pm: One of many piles o' randomness... just the tip of the neglected housework iceberg (see 1 pm).

3 pm: 20 minute lapse between picking up kid 3 and kid 1... enough time to climb a tree.

4 pm: Diaper change #6, and counting!

5 pm: 'Daddy's working late & I'm not cooking with a baby in one arm' homemade roasted chicken dinner.

6 pm: My helper gets a bit more than she bargained for.

it's ba-ack!

Remember last year's Scarf Along?

Are you up for an inexpensive and fun sewing project that leaves you with three happy, handmade gifts for the holidays?

Oh My! Handmade Goodness will be the place to be tomorrow, the 10th.

I've updated the instructions, creating one basic tutorial style post, simple enough even for beginning sewers.

Go change your rotary cutter blade, and join me tomorrow!

What's the point?

Thursday, at the park:

Chayse: [on the slide] "Camden, will you come over here and play with me?"
Camden: [on the swings] "No, thanks."
Chayse: "CAMDEN! That's the whole point of brothers and sisters!"

This morning:

Mommy: "Chloe, do you want to blow dry your hair?"
Chloe: "No."
Mommy: "What I meant was, go blow dry your hair please."
Chloe: "MOOOOOMMY! Then what's the point of even taking a shower?!"

Yep, our kids know it all.

thankful on paper | week one

Thankful on paper:
Let's use the power of the written word to show our Thankfulness this season. We all have so much to be grateful for. Let's tell one another how much we love them.
Head here for more details on how to take part!

week one:
CHLOE

I chose to write to Chloe this week. Chloe reminds me so much of myself at her age. She is extremely mature, and me so often being caught up with the littler kids, I tend to forget to express my appreciation for her help. Since Cole has arrived, she makes breakfast for herself and the others every single school day, packs her own lunches, folds her own laundry, helps me out with dinner, entertains Cole while I shower, and makes sure Camden is read to each night. Really, I don't think I could get through the day without her.

Did you know you should praise your children ten times per behavior correction? It's hard work, and Chloe deserves more praise. I have found this article to be a huge encouragement for building your kids up, and promise to work especially hard when it comes to her... maybe as hard as she works to make my day run smoothly.

I am so thankful for my daughter,
Chloe.