D & C 123:17

Seems May is almost over. These first few months of 2012 have really tested our faith. Well, I can't speak for Tom, but it has tested mine a lot. Two experiences have taught me that after we do all in our power, all we can really do is just put it in the Lord's hands and hope & pray things work out for the best. And if it seems it's not going the way we'd like immediately, to have the faith to keep moving forward anyway. Both experiences were about Collin. I have no idea what to think sometimes about him. We've prayed many years for him to improve. He has, albeit not as quickly or as much as we'd like. After I went to TOFW the beginning of this month, one of the speakers helped me to realize that while I'm "waiting" that I'm not enjoying the present like I should be.

In any case, we got 2 small miracles of being able to switch therapy companies, and also having his anesthesia paid for(not by us--a BIG deal since we're talking $400+ not even including the work on his teeth) for dental work this week. The second was quite the challenge. The dental insurance was supposedly going to cover it starting this year, and then they negate that once they get all the proper documents. Medical offered to pay after a sweet pediatrician answering our fax to request authorization, but the dentist office proved to put up a fight until this past Monday. All this because we did what was in our power and trusted the Lord.

Millions of peaches, peaches for me. Millions of peaches, peaches for free

Ok, well not millions, but still a lot! Every year we deal with the same thing. Our tree likes to go peach crazy. This year I thought I'd try to outsmart it, and pluck blossoms(a little tricky since blossoms pop up during the rainy season, and then when it's dry again there are tons of bees around our tree). Didn't make any difference whatsoever. The tree has a mind of its own and its own agenda.

This year, they've decided to start falling earlier than I recall last year. And that peach song (Peaches by the Presidents of the United States) taunts me during the clean-up, picking and more clean-up process that lasts about a month to month and a half. I only can wish that song would get out of my head.



The tree so far. Note: this is actually an improvement over last week, when the front left was super low & drooping over the walkway up to the house.

How many we've picked(and not thrown away) today:

We're likely to be canning peaches & making peach jam for Memorial Day, but in the meantime, I've started "pinning" peach recipes. We've done smoothies, popsicles, and raw before so I was looking for some more variety.  Here's what I've found so far: http://pinterest.com/icab/recipes-for-peaches-from-our-tree/

If anyone has any other ideas before we start doing jam and canning, let me know.

No-sew diy charging station part 2

Fabric is now all attached with the adhesive spray. All that's left is to cut out 3 circles for cords. This is partly why I chose this particular fabric--circles are already there for me. ;) That and it's not to girly for Tom. The colors go well with the green on the walls in the kitchen too.

Total cost was ~$15, since I had to buy the adhesive spray($8) & buy a multi-outlet plug strip($7) for everything to go into.

A no-sew diy charging station

I've been inspired by today's IHeartOrganizing blog post on using what you have but re-purpose it, as well as another post she wrote on covering cardboard boxes in fabric so it looks nicer.

The idea hit me today when I found an empty shoe box.

Starting materials: Shoe box, 4 pieces of foam from a jewelry box,  2 pieces of 12x12 scrapbooking paper cut to size, 1 piece of fabric a little bigger than the bottom of the box(to cover foam), and outside fabric

Using double-sided tape, I taped down the 5 pieces of scrapbooking paper that I had measured

Added one layer of foam(2 pieces). The foam is to help it sit higher in the shoe box.

Added the other foam pieces, this time, upside down. I had contemplated putting the  phones & ipod just on the foam, but needed contrast, hence them upside down.

Ended up covering the foam with the fabric, just tucked the excess in & under the foam

Testing out width. This'll hold what it needs to: ipod & 2 cell phones

All that's left is cover the outside of the box(need to run & get spray adhesive from Home Depot) & cut 3 holes for the chargers to reach through.

Recent happenings

Family updates. Got a new/used car a couple weeks ago. Tom's 16 year old compact(we've had for 13 years) was needing about $1500 worth of repairs and the car was worth a lot less than that. After a couple weeks of looking, bargain shopping online(and awesome timing of federal tax return) we got a 2011 Hyundai Elantra and have already paid for over half the cost.

Tom wanted a farewell shot.

Here's the newer car:

The kids just had Spring Break--one of the longest weeks of my life! Collin also started up with his new therapy company this past week. Starting this next week through mid-June, I'm going to be taking a free class from the local community college once a week that's a Parent & Me style class for Brent. Obviously, Drew will be tagging along too.

What else? It's becoming more & more obvious Brent is quickly approaching the 2 yr mark. One minute he is so sweet, the next minute he's so beyond disagreeable that I'm not sure what to call it. He had/has the Ornery Ones, quickly approaching Terrible Twos. I sure hope we have the Terrific Threes instead of the Trying Threes.

I don't think I've sat in all of Relief Society at church in months(we switched times our ward meets after Christmas, and now naptime is supposed to be during sacrament meeting which usually isn't happening & someone's having MAJOR separation issues). Which means, I have got to put more effort in at home if I expect to have any semblance of spirituality left before the end of summer. Any tips from anyone who's able to squeeze it in with kids who need almost constant attention/redirection while they're awake?

Project update

So, haven't finished this latest project before starting up something new. Typical of me. I got tired of our incoming papers almost taking over the house, so right before the kids' Spring Break started, I made a mail sorter. After a couple weeks, the paper piles are almost gone--old habits die hard.

I give complete credit to this blog post on the 'A Bowl Full of Lemons' for the idea & set-up. Though, in my opinion, her mail sorter station looks better since it's not as stuffed as ours is at the moment:

Entering the Land of DIY(yet again)

Went to a friend's yard sale this afternoon, and got all these for a grand total of $1.50. Saw this tutorial(via a friend's Pinterest board) and my wheels started turning.

First order of business was the baskets. Removed the handles to get rid of the picnic basket vibe. Next order of business, do something about the red & green stripes. Stayed tuned.