Going Backwards.....

Big exciting news!

If you have been reading my blog for some time now than you know how we felt about leaving OH about 5 years ago...our house, family and friends....due to the economy, job loss and many of you were going through your own situations that made you stronger in the end.

Almost 5 years later and we have the chance to go back!

My Husband has received a wonderful job offer that we will be accepting and moving back to cooler temps, changing seasons and white Christmases!

We should be settled into our new house by Thanksgiving!

We are beyond excited for another chapter in our lives to begin!

If any of you are near the Central OH area Please share your fav. Country decorating store with me, I have a house to re-decorate!

Kayaking at Shingle Creek and Caught the Bug...

We are having so much fun with our new hobby...Kayaking! 

So much so that we went and purchased 2 new to us Kayaks off of Craigslist. We caught the Kayaking bug after Kayaking at Shingle Creek with the kids last month,  We enjoyed it so much!

We then took them out for the first time across the lake that we live by , no kids and not 1 alligator was seen! It was a great time spent with my Hubby but I did learn that I need to take some time and study all of the different paddle strokes and which ones work best in choppy waters. 

Next we need to purchase an actual kit for loading the kayaks on top of the car , right now we are using pool noodles but hey it works! 

Enjoying every moment outside but can't wait for cooler temps! 

July 4th

We had a very nice July 4th weekend! 

Our front door 

Our table, We love how simple this is while we eat!

Another Festive table setup that I've played around with. 

Our 3 kiddos! My middle one has such the personality!

It was such a relaxing holiday, just what we needed! 

How was yours?

Making Memories...

We have been so busy, having fun and enjoying just being together!

We spent the day at a Civil War Re-enactment...

Richard bought this wool vest!

We celebrated Easter...

Morning 

Afternoon

Then home to Easter dinner

We've been busy with Joey, Crystal is brushing him up on English. 

Hope your enjoying this Beautiful weather!!

Ponce Deleon Lighthouse

We took the day to go fill out Volunteer paperwork at the New Smyrna Beach Ponce Deleon Lighthouse and visit the Beach.

We had a great day and as I write this we are sitting on the couch relaxing since we got too much Sun!

We all made it to the top...all 203 steps going up, even Daddy!

We walked around the top twice 

A rather shaky look as we all make our way down

This is the very first lens that was used in the Lighthouse, it was so interesting to see the wick and how much Kerosene it took to keep it lite.

After the Lighthouse we visited New Smyrna Beach for about an hour, We saw a few jellyfish and caught Sunburns..lol..

We will be visiting the Lighthouse again August 16-17 for International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend..We are setting up a few Ham Radios and will see how many different Lighthouses we can reach in 2 days!

Tanks 9th Birthday

Our boy celebrated his 9th birthday!

He sure is growing up and changing into a sweet,thoughtful young man.

I shared more pics of his Birthday on my facebook page, he had a nice party which included a bounce house and friends.

Growing up so Fast!

I have had fun looking through old photos of Tank and these are my 2 favorite that I could pull up easily.

Enjoying ice cream

So Tiny!

Spring Break 2014

So Spring Break 2014 has started with a trip to our local Barnes and Nobles where we let the kids pick out 1 new book to start reading.

Crystal~Sky on Fire

Abby~Wings of Fire

Tank~Jungle of Bones

After the bookstore we drove over to Melbourne Beach for some quick beach time even though we were not really dressed for the beach, sometimes ya just have to go with the flow and have Fun!

In the car and waiting to gas up

Soaked and Happy

So tomorrow is Monday and the kids have the whole week off , gotta make fun plans!

What do You typically plan on Spring Break?

The Nerf Rebelle

We were one of a many that was chosen to host the Nerf Rebelle House Party!

All of this came via UPS and OMGOSH the kids are so excited! We are sending out invites for a little friends get together. Richard will print out some fun and unique targets and we will see which side wins!

The party will be on the 29th and I'll of course take pictures and a quick video.

We want to Thank House Party and Nerf Rebelle for giving us this box of Fun!

Exciting Photo Opportunity!

Just Sharing a great photo of Crystal and Joey that Grandma and her good friend Jane took today. Some of which may be used for an advertisement in the Tampa FL area. We shall see!!

Abigail eagerly waiting and listening to help

Horsey Stitches, No Stove and Colds

Last Friday night was a Doozy!

Joey freaked out while in the cross ties, we don't know why or what spooked him but he did a number on himself, ended up needed emergency stitches on his lip where he tore it. After 7 days the vet will come back and remove his stitches. The swelling has gone down and he's back to being his sweet self. For now we are not going to be putting back into the cross ties until we are able to get Crystal's trainer out here to work with him.

So after the Vet left and Joey was tucked in for the night I went to fix a fast dinner, it was late and we were tired, I was thinking about some tator tots/nuggets and a veggie. As I was waiting for the stove to heat up the element decides now is a good time to die. Alot of sparking, smoking and even though I turned off the oven in a panic, It kept going almost causing a fire! So fast forward to today, we are still without a stove, Landlady said one is supposed to be delivered sometime on Thursday..I'm thankful for my Crock-pot and our Grill. 

Last night I started to feel run down and had a slight sore throat so I went to bed early but this morning it's so much worse, every time I swallow it feels like I'm swallowing glass. Ouch!! 

I wanted to post every day in March but these past few days have run me down.

I'll be back with a Happier post in a few days, I have ton's of posts I want to do but have no energy to do them.

~~Happy Homemaker Monday 2-24-14~~

I thought I would try something new this morning while tank lays on the couch. We just got back from the DR's, he has an ear infection and has to stay home for 2 days on meds. Poor guy is running a fever and watching G.I. Joe on Netflixs.

As I look outside my window:::
I am sitting here at our kitchen table looking out the sliding doors and watching about 25-35 robins playing in our backyard, they just appeared this weekend. I'm listening to my wind-chime and thinking I need to replace it since it broke in the storm this past weekend.

Right now I am::: 
drinking my Skinny Salted Caramel coffee from 7-11 that I got while gassing up to take Tank to the DR's this morning.

Thinking and pondering:::
I'm thinking about how our 3 kids are doing in school right now and what we can do to make it easier on them, we are stumped as to why this year is so hard for our oldest Crystal. Poor girl is struggling so much, I'm calling around for Tutors later today.

On my bedside table:::
I'm reading the Book Thief and have really begun to enjoy it, it was slow to me in the beginning.
2 random magazines that came in the mail on Saturday.

On my tv tonight:::
I really haven't watched anything here in the past few days other that Youtube, my little obsession as of late.

Listening to:::
The sounds of G.I Joe in the living room, brings back memories of when I'd watch it before school when I was little.

On the menu for this week:::
We are having pork tenderloin tonight with mixed veggies but so far that is all I have decided on, I'm in a cooking slump.

On my to do list:::
Pick up Tanks meds
take Abby to Tutoring after school
pick up Crystal from school late
call about Abby's braces

Happening this week:::
Lots of laundry and making sure Tank is feeling better enough to go back to school on Wed.
Take car in so they can put my trunk handle back on tight.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Sadly I haven't stitched anything in a very long time, life has just gotten away from us in a bad way. I need to work on this.

My simple pleasure:::
Grabbing my first cup of coffee out of my new Keurig, I love this Keurig!!

Lesson learned the past week::: 
No matter how bad we think we have it at this moment, our worst moments may be someones else's good days.

Looking around the house:::
I see a huge mess that I need to work on around my little boy with an earache today. With 2 of Crystal's friends staying all weekend with us my house is a mess.

From the camera:::
nothing as of yet

Prayer List:::
My Husband as he tries to deal with the stress of work
Crystal as she battles 8th grade, her grades are so bad

Weekend ReCap

What a Weekend.

All 3 kids had Friday off due to Rodeo Day, Crystal was able to go along with a group of her friends and their Grandmother. The other 2 youngest stayed home with us, Abby was over at a friends playing and Tank was staying busy. Then we had 2 of Crystals friends staying over and they stayed up late watching every scary movie they could that was not rated R on Netflicks. I tried to watch one of the movies but I simply got tired..plus I found the movie boring.

Saturday we started the day off with Chocolate pancakes that Richard made, he makes the best pancakes! We all stayed busy doing things around the house but really just relaxed. The 2 girls went home and we ended the night with the new movie "Turkeys". It was a cute movie, the 2 youngest really liked it.

Sunday, today, was a crazy day as Crystal's 2 friends came back over to work on schoolwork and eat dinner with us. I'll not say too much here but I'm saddened by the state of some families out there. Today has opened my eyes to how lucky my family is even though we are still struggling in so many ways. We will continue to do whatever we can for Crystal's friends. Thank goodness I have continued to coupon and stockpile, these girls can eat! We made homemade pizza tonight and Abigail loved helping out so much, I will def. keep her interest up in the kitchen and show her how to bake cookies next weekend!

Life is such a Journey!

Sunday Inspirations

Good Morning or early Afternoon!

We are truly being Lazy today, Richard is in his office cleaning/organizing/puttering, the kids are playing Animal jam together and Crystal is finishing up mowing the back pasture- a true 2 day job but she likes to help out and is part of her chore since we bought the Horse for her. I'm starting to read a new book ( The Newcomer by Robyn Carr) and finish up the never ending laundry.

We are trying something new on Sundays~ Not leaving the house, total jammie day. So far, so good but I know this afternoon someone is going to get bored and want to go somewhere.

Whatever your Doing today, Make it a Good One!

No Buy January

So for the New Year I wanted to buy a few new items for the House but with the purchase of a horse comes extra expenses. I was up last night while not being able to sleep and thinking....

Today while it rains outside I'm walking around and trying to decorate with some of my forgotten items that I've had in my closet just sitting on the shelf. 

Good-Bye Santa, It was a great Christmas!

Hello forgotten Americana Star

This is missing something....I Love candles but they can get pricey

I found a small black wrought iron candle holder and adding a Vanilla candle...Much better

This blank wall now has this wall-hanging that my Mom stitched for me one year, Thanks Mom!

This wall is a hot mess, I'm spending the day working on this

So nothing spent out of pocket and I'm starting to feel better already with just some easy changes.

Boy, I have my work cut out for me with these darn bookshelves.

Any ideas??

Joining in on these Parties~~

Savvy Southern Style

Horse Ownership, Take 2

Today was a very busy but delightful day!

It started with a little horse show that Crystal, our oldest was in.

She did real good, won 3 Ribbons and $2.00!

The other 2 stayed busy daydreaming or playing with whatever they could find,

Then to end the day We went to go visit our New Purchase,

Meet "Joey"

You will be seeing lots of him in the future. We are working on boarding right now so he is staying with his old Mommy for awhile.

This new Mommy (me) has to get used to nightly stall cleanings again!

I'm joining these fun parties~

Between Naps on the Porch