Happy Anniversary

And then my life began....

...not as one alone against the world, but as two, husband and wife..forever changing what was into what is and can be through the cohesive and constant Faith that Jesus has given us. Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Michael Hurst

Through work and vacation, job loss and book writing, children and more children...and more children!  With our Lord Jesus forever leading the way, from here to eternity! ♡

14 years! In a blink, it has flown! I could not believe so much time could be true, were it not for all the kids in our house, and the wrinkles by my eyes - from all the smiling ;) 

We are in ministry together for God, and I have grown closer to you over the last two years than any before, and I look forward to growing closer and closer  as we give our hands and feet to God's work.

I love you more today than when my stomach twisted and flipped with butterflies, and if you'd asked me then I wouldn't have thought it possible!

On this, the Christmas Adam before Christmas Eve (or Christmas Eve-Eve as we said when we were engaged), with four beautiful children, a home and in new ministry for God's vision guiding our lives...I love you!

I Still Do!
And Always Will!

♡ Happy Anniversary! ♡

Why Can't Pie Be Calorie Free?!

The problem with the fall/winter and holidays is I love to bake! And then the weather's cold so I don't mind having the oven on. I just can't figure out how to magically not gain weight from all of these delicious goodies!
Any ideas?

Shopping is School!

We went to the store last week, right in the middle of our homeschooling day, because, well...we needed food! LOL

Me, 5 kids and 2 carts is quite the excursion! And it will likely take 2 hours of our day! So we make it a little school focused too!
     Math - price comparison, keeping in mind per ounce cost, as well as cost per person in a meal, adding up to keep a budget, etc.
     Science - ingredient comparisons between organic and non-organic, brand and off-brand, etc.

Kids are learning AND I get shopping done!
Win-win
....well, I guess the kids might disagree :/

#dontcare! ;)

Playground conundrum

Am I the old homeschool mom who takes the kids to the park to see this?

At home you complain you claim boredom sitting around, so let's go use energy. . .sitting on a swing at the park?! (And yes, they are all on one swing together after fighting for personal space at home!)

*Face Palm*
Ok, we'll I guess it's at least fresh air!

Craft Mom Strikes Again!

Well I'm getting ready for a craft Fair and taking requests! A friend of mine wanted some toddler belts for her little potty trainer so they can keep her pants on, but still easily removed, so I made her these.

They are really simple if you're even a little crafty. You need:

Knit Elastic

Matching Thread

Snaps

Snap press

Scissors or cutting blade

Ruler, measuring tape or self healing cutting board (which has measurements marked)

Awl

Measure out the knit elastic (bought in 3yard bundles, though you can probably buy by-the-yard somewhere) on your chatting board at 10" lengths.

Fold and sew each end with about 1/2" seam to create clean seams.

Using awl, make holes starting from each end at at 1.25", then 2" (from first hole) and 1.25" from second hole. (Totaling six wholes)

Use the snap press to insert male snaps into the outer holes, and four female snaps into the remaining holes, being careful to have them facing the right direction (all smooth sides should be on one side while all male/female sides face the opposite).

Now you're set with awesome toddler belts! Have fun!

My Frozen Sisters Apron Project

I have begun my projects for this fall's craft fair circuit and I'm really quite proud of this one! These Aprons are fun for play time as well as helping mom and dad in the kitchen.

I have these and others in different fabrics that I'm selling at the craft fair, also available for purchase online, but if you are crafty, then you could always make your own! Here's how:

First, cut the fabric to the right length and width, plus an inch to allow for hems.

Next, fold the fabric in half and cut off the corner to create the sides of the top. I did between 4-5" across the top, and tapering down the sides, depending on the size of the apron, leaving about 8-9" of fabric for the chest of the apron.

After pinning and heming a quarter inch hem around the entire apron, pin the 1" ribbon on to the sides and top in three places. And the top I chose to fasten in D-rings to make the neck strap adjustable.

Stitch the ribbons and D-rings on and add a hem on the ends of the neck strap to help it be secure when wearing. Then either hem or melt the ends of the waist straps to keep them from fraying.

That is it! My beautiful Frozen Sisters apron, now available on MyStore.com

http://www.mystore.com/snuggle-bunny-kids48963

Good-bye Summer

We had a fun summer, though I didn't document it all here. We ended the summer with a camping trip where we met with cousins and grandparents...it was awesome! 

Beautiful mornings

Exercising in the brisk morning air

Hanging out beside the fire

 

Wildflower fields

Scavenger hunts, swimming, fishing...like I said...it was awesome!

Now school is off to a running start. 

Being a homeschool household, we started a little earlier than public school so we can have 4-day weeks (woohoo), giving us Fridays to go on field trips, play dates, long weekend vacations, etc.

We are really already almost 30 days into our school year today, and already my kindergartener is starting to read, my preschooler is proficient in her numbers colors and is learning to read and write the letters she is always singing, and y second grader is doing 4-digit addition, subtraction and "carrying" math. My kids are awesome! In fact, EVERYTHING IS AWESOME! Hehehe