My "happy place"

There's an odd mix on my dining room table tonight--the cordless DeWalt, drill bits, tealight candles, and scraps of grossgrain ribbons. But don't you agree with me that the mess is worth this end result?!? It turned out just perfectly! Girly doo-dads on my walls. Yeah!
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This is another one of those "perfection" shots...

I guess I should sweep the mudroom more often! This pile's closest competitor lies a few feet away in the dining room. Ok, back to cleaning now!
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Isaac's new toy

Seems to fit his personality just right! Wish they made one in my size--it looks like super cool, 360 degree fun!!!
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All in a day's work...

...Much to the neglect of my housework. But it's way more fun to build Legos with my two favorite guys!
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Two gifts that brought tears to my eyes

How I will treasure these always! My mom helped my boys create these for me. Ian learned to cross stitch and worked on this bookmark so diligently while staying at my parents' last week. Then Isaac used plastic canvas to create his cross bookmark this week. They did an amazing job and really surprised me! Thank you, sons! I'm proud to be your mama! I love you more than you'll ever know, Ian and Isaac.
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Some kind of nasty bug's got us down...

But hopefully not for long!

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Perfection nonsense

Is it just me? Am I the only person not living a perfectly choreographed, painstakingly organized, poshly decorated, and professionally photographed existence?

Ok, I'll confess, I have a few favorite blogs I enjoy reading. It's my "adult conversation" in this empty house after the boys are in bed. But after a week of my internet being down and then feeling like I needed to "catch up" on all my "friends", I felt like I overdosed on blogs a bit. After peeking in on the pretty parts of people's lives (let's face it, that's what we put out there for everyone to see), I had to chuckle when I opened my fridge to see this mess!

It instantly took my mind to two bloggers' recent refrigerator posts--one in which the author was given an amazing new state-of-the-art fridge and another in which a different author was extolling the virtues of her fridge organizing skills--everything neatly tucked into sleek tupperware storage beauties.

Let's just say, that is SO not my life right now! Here you'll find two week old chicken leftovers, groceries still in the bags hastily tossed in to stay cold between grocery shopping and a quick trip to the library, and containers of creamer balancing sideways.

Enjoy!

And for all of you who used to think I was a perfectionist--NOT!
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Stained glass beauty

I love our little church with it's old stained glass windows. I know it's not about the building, but you have to admit there's something nice about the sun shining through these!
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She sure looks comfy!

Why is it that the member of the family contributing the least around here gets to spend the majority of the day in MY bed!?!
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OCC Shoeboxes

Every year we have a blast choosing gifts for our shoeboxes. And than we enjoy the challenge of fitting all of our choices into the box!!! I must say this year's boxes are bursting at the seams. And we're going to try a new aspect this year--helping out at our local collection center. Can't wait to pitch in!
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Awana grand prix

What a fun morning! The boys had a great time painting their cars--Isaac's "wave runner" and Ian's "big cheese". Ian came in 6th place!
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Pics from the zoo

So I was having a little trouble finding my pics for the last post. Ready or not, here I come!

A walk on the wild side

Today we took a field trip to the Cincinnati Zoo. Some favorites were the polar bears, penguins, bats, bonobo monkeys, giraffes, and numerous colorful birds. It's always amazing to see the variety of God's creation. We had a fun time and enjoyed the warm weather on this November day.

Where can I buy a sign like this?

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My budding reader!

Ian is really an excellent reader for being in second grade. He's venturing into chapter books! And yes, that's FINALLY our new ottoman he's lying on to complete our living room--just in today, ordered August 20th!
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IMHO...

...These are the two cutest guys on the face of the earth. They sure brighten my days!
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Home improvements

Laid new yellow carpet in the front yard this week. May I recommend the best Installer in the universe?
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Frost covered leaves

Not exactly what you're hoping to see when you're sleeping in a tent!
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Roof guys

So maybe I spoke too soon with that last post. This may be an even better kind of "high"! The kids were very excited to help Uncle Larry with his shed roofing job yesterday. When I arrived from work, Ian came running to me talking excitedly about how he had gotten to help on the roof and even shoot a few nails. All in a day's work!
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The best kind of "high"

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The problem with buying Graeter's by the pint...

...Is that the nutrition facts are staring you right in the face! Now I know why they scoop it quickly into cones! But can I just say that their cookie dough chunk is my favorite. Move over Bruster's!
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Homeschool day at the Air Force Museum

Lots of cool discoveries! And it's all free!!!
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Mom's new "throne"

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Our new couch!

Finally, a place to sit in our living room! Very comfy!

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