In Need of Some Spring

I'm in need of spring for several reasons... one it's snowing as I type this, even though it is supposed to be up to 40 today. I'm so over the snow. I want to be able to go out (and send my kids out) into a beautiful sunshine-y warm (I'm only asking 40s or 50s) day. It's March... it's time.
Also as some are aware of we are trying to sell our home (1000 sq ft and one bathroom gets a little squishy at times) and have been for a year and half now. Recently as spring is approaching... because it has to be coming right?... I have been in cleaning mode... hoping the change of weather brings people out looking again. I've fixed broken things, touched up paint, spot cleaned the carpets... and so on. I would like to work on the curb appeal thing... but that Idaho weather hasn't cooperated.
So since my flowers are still a few weeks from evening sprouting up, I decided to make a wreath with some flowers and bring my own touch of spring to our home.
I went to a blog post I pinned http://www.tipjunkie.com/diy-decorating/make-wreaths/ that had a bunch of wreath ideas with links, got ideas and then did my own thing.

Bought a straw wreath and wrapped it in twine, but ran out, so it became two tone with off-white yarn I had. I then decided I was going to leave this as my base and just change out the decoration on top of it, so I water-proofed it. Again, it's still winter in Idaho, and I want it to last.

I think fabric flowers are so pretty (so are paper ones but wanted something more durable). I bought a few $.99 pre-cut fabrics from Walmart and along with fabric I already had I had a nice little spring-y collection. I cut various widths of fabrics and experimented and came up with several. (I ended up not using them all.) I wanted it to be easy, so I just used my handy dandy hot glue gun. It was fun, and I think they turned out pretty.

 

I wrapped and tied on scrap pieces of fabric where I wanted the flowers to go and then hot glued the flowers on to that, so it would make reuse easier. It wasn't too hard. And not too much time, except wrapping the string... that was slow going. What do you think? I'm happy with it and am glad for a little cheeriness on my front door.
 

Ben, Xander, and Landon were all trying to photo bomb as I took my outdoor pictures. What stinkers!

Oh BOY!

I'll admit, I was hoping for a girl, but after watching this little guy in the doctor's office I'm already in love with him. He is going to be a handful just like his brothers.
Take a look...

Yes, you see right. He is standing on his head.
He'll fit right in.
Now we're working on name ideas... so far we have a leading first name, but no for sure middle name. SO we'll see what we actually decide on. ;)
We're so excited for July. Usually every day and often several times a day, Gavin asks, "Is your tummy bigger yet?" My response... "Not big enough. It has to get REALLY big." And the whole idea of waiting until summer is so beyond their little time spans...
For me I think it's going to come faster than I know.
Then on to a life of 4 boys!

A Good Man

We knew that my Grandpa Shoaf's life was soon going to be ending here on earth. Well today was the day. He has gone back to that God who gave him life. 

Sunday morning I woke up with something I just needed to write down... that happens on occasion. I. Need. To. Write. Somehow it's the only way my soul knows how to express itself in that moment. I doesn't happen too often... usually the opposite... words seem insufficient. But I decided to do something about this need and put the words running through my mind down on paper (or screen).

Here is my tribute to Grandpa Shoaf I wrote yesterday morning.

Reflections of an Older Grandchild

By Lachelle Barnes

Grandpa wasn't a perfect man, but he was a good one.

Like each one of us, his life had times of goodness and light and times of darkness and despair.

For me, the times of growing up on Grandpa and Grandma’s farm were happiness and light.

Grandpa could seem gruff and intimidating at times –

            Especially if we were caught messing with the animals or something we shouldn't have. We’d hear a “Get” and all scatter.

But in his own Grandpa Shoaf way, he was also a great teacher.

He taught me the miracle and wonder of life –

            Through the incubation and hatching of baby chicks each year. And the amazing reality of imprinting with a gosling that followed me around all summer long.

He taught me history –

            While walking fields in search of arrowheads and explaining all about his finds.

He taught me to be brave –

            As I gathered the eggs. It was coolest and scariest job ever. We were always so excited when Grandpa hadn't gathered the eggs yet, but I was also secretly afraid of chickens flying in my faces or pecking me to death!

He taught the grandchildren the art of watermelon –

            Salt was a must, though I never did learn to embrace that one. But there was no better way to spend a summer evening than at Grandpa and Grandma’s with cousins, popcorn, and watermelon.

He taught me about love and family –

            By telling one of my favorite love stories (even to this day). The story of how Grandpa fell for Grandma, and how he still had one of the prettiest girls around. Even after 59 years together, it was still important to him because he gathered us together to celebrate as a family. And even though he wasn't a man of many words, especially about love, I know he loved me and our family by the beautiful things he created with his hands… cradles (real and toy), places to live remolded and made nice, shadow boxes of arrowheads, rolling pins and cutting boards, and so many more. He showed us he loved us by showing up to the things we invited him to all cleaned up from the work of the farm, hosting numerous elementary school field trips, and making sure Grandma always had us fed well.

He taught me to be a better person and that I could change –

            I have heard stories. I know the Grandpa I grew up with wasn't always the way he was. But he conquered his challenges and changed in many ways, and because of that I knew and still know that I can overcome my struggles and become a better person… no matter what. I always knew if Grandpa could help, he would - whether you were a person or even a small fawn caught in a fence. He was supportive of Grandma in her church endeavors, even though he wasn't a member himself.

            Grandpa Shoaf may have been an imperfect man, but he was good one. A good man I hope to be like. A good man I love. A good man whom I and many others will always miss, but a good man I will see again one day.

This was taken in August when we went out to visit.  

Little Blondie is 2!

Yesterday Landon finally turned the age that matches his attitude. This little boy thinks he is older than he is! He is a head-strong "do-it-hisself"er. He's a talker, especially compared to his other brothers at this age. He is my climber. He is been really good at 2 year old tantrums for a while now. But he is also hilarious. He pretends to be different animals. He loves being silly, and bugging his brothers.  We love this fiesty little blondie!

He loves Angry Birds... He is always asking to play. It was a fun cake to make and pretty easy, and He loved it, so it was a hit! Though the funniest part was when I asked Gavin if it looked like an Angy Bird, and he said, "It almost looks like an Angry Bird." LOL Oh well, I tried. ;)
 

Green Smoothies

My kids love green smoothies... Isn't it great when you can get kids to drink up spinach?
We use straws to try to help with the mess and the brain freezes, but about half way through Landon decided he was done with his.
At least he enjoyed it, right?
 

That's weird...

That's what Gavin informed us when he lost his second top front tooth the week before Christmas, and we sang "I'll I Want for my Christmas is my Two Front Teeth."
He's up to six lost teeth now. He's growing up so fast.