Blue Castle

Little Things....

  ....that make me smile

He's Reading

When our first child was about 4 1/2, he started reading.  Since he was little, we had surrounded him with books, taught him his letters and their sounds, and regularly spelled and sounded out words in daily conversation with him. 

Then, one night, Daddy said "Get out Dick and Jane" - which we had never read before.  We sat down and he started to read.  To me.

Without prompting, on his own he sounded out each simple word. 

That started off his reading career.  Since then, it's been hard to pry a book out of his hands.  We can't plan anything after a trip to the library, as he's immersed in books and can't be distracted from them.

Having Izzy read from such a young age (we never pushed him into it, just gave him the tools to learn when he was ready) was quite a boost to our homeschooling plans.  Since before we married we had determined that we would homeschool our children. 

Opposition and doubt had been expressed on many fronts, but once our methods worked with Izzy learning to read so young and so well, we felt justified and sure of our decision.

Our second son is not like his brother in many ways.  At 5 1/2, he had yet to show he was ready to read. I was starting to worry a bit. But, we decided to leave him alone and not rush him either.  We took the same approach with him as with our older boy.  Izzy has been a big help as he's spent countless hours reading to JWes, patiently teaching him too. 

Finally we saw the results. 

Last night Daddy said, "Get out Dick and Jane" and so we did. 

JWes has been reading it to me ever since.  I woke up this morning to "Can I read to you some more, Mom?".  I made lunch and cleaned out the fridge to the background of Dick and Jane's antics as he read on through the afternoon.  

I made him take a break a little earlier, but now he's back, "Please, can I read to you?".  So we're off to read some more...........

 

Living In Thanksgiving

 

This week, I am thankful for the gift of my family.

12 years ago I moved out of my parents' house and flew across country to start my college career, fully intending to go back home when I was done.

I never finished my college education.  Instead, I married the very charming, very bright man who is now The Man of my life. 

After he finished getting his Master's degree, I hoped - and prayed - that we would move back to be near my family.  It didn't dawn on me to pray that they would move here.  

That's what's so great about serving a God who is so much bigger than me.  Because, not only did He give me the desire of my heart, but He did it in such a big way, that it could only have been by His Hand. Jesus not only provided the necessary funds, but He also provided my mum with a job before she had even set foot in our town.  Every obstacle was taken care of and we look back and see that, truly, God has provided for us all in a very extraordinary way.

 

My sister and JWes

Today, my sister and my parents live 3 minutes from my house.  My children now know my family in a very real way, not just as a voice at the end of a telephone line.  I am so thankful to have my family close and to be a part of their daily lives again.

Now, it's your turn.

What are you thankful for this week?

Link up here.
   

Organize Your Life With Windows

I think by now you all know about my obsession with windows.  It doesn't help that my neighbor keeps throwing away his old windows as he replaces them with new ones.  You'd think he'd realize that people would pay him for them, but he hasn't caught on yet.  He keeps setting them out in the trash and I keep taking them and adding to my stash.

For awhile now, I've needed a central place to write down each week's events - a calendar of sorts.  But I needed a lot of room to write everything - meals, chores, events, etc.  I came up with this idea and it cost me about $5 - for the dry erase pens that also came with a handy eraser in each cap.

 

Here it is:

I took scrapbooking paper that I had accumulated, tore it into various strips and then decoupaged them onto the back of the window panes. 

I hung it above my computer and it looks kinda funky while being very functional. 

 

Check out these other uses for windows:

House Number

Wall Art

Thank you for visiting! My original post was linked to Works For Me Wednesday, and it's now doing double duty as I'm liking it to Sanctuary Arts at Home's "I made it with scrapbook paper party!". Come join the party!

 

That's what Works For Me! Check out Rocks In My Dryer for more Works For Me Wednesday tips.

Don't forget to join me tomorrow for Living In Thanksgiving!

Coming Soon

My Etsy store will be opening soon......

We Call Him The Toothless Wonder

He was complaining about his teeth hurting at dinner time.  Next thing you know, one of them is wiggling a little. 

So, he starts wiggling it some more.  Back and forth. Back and forth. Soon, the backside of the tooth is exposed. His brother recommends his favorite trick - dental floss.

There's the promise of ice cream when it comes out, and he'd like to have his treat tonight.

 

Patience running thin, he lets The Aunt have a go at it.  She pops the tooth out in record time.

   

Bloody, but victorious, he cheers "YESSSSS!" 

 

We all cheer too, then it's off to enjoy our ice cream and laugh at his toothless smile.

Meditation

  Therefore will not we fear,

though the earth be removed,

and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Psalm 46:2

Rebelling

I've given up trying to follow all the "rules" of decorating windows. 

I tried hanging my curtains higher than my windows, but I Didn't Like Them that way. I love my wood molding too much.

After coercing The Man into hanging the curtain rods, the next day I dismantled his hard work (He's not letting me forget about it, either) and hung them the way that makes me happy: inside the window frame, and hanging down - unhemmed. 

 

I know, it's bad.  Sue me, but I like it.  A lot.  And these curtains are insulated and cheap. 

I made them out of two twin-size sheets ($3 ea) and one plain blanket ($4.88).  $10.88 for each curtain panel made my day.  Now my heating bill will be lower and I have pretty windows.  Even though I broke all the rules in the process.

Game Night

 

In all my years of playing UNO,

 

I have never had more fun

   

than when playing it

with these guys.

Living In Thanksgiving

A friend of mine started a tradition with her family where they write on a slip of paper something that they're thankful for, or a blessing that comes their way.  They put that slip of paper into a box and at different times, they sit down as a family and go through the box, recounting their blessings and cultivating a spirit of thankfulness. 

While I have yet to start my own thankful family traditions, I do want to live in a spirit of thankfulness. One way I can do that is to write about the ways that God has blessed me and our family.

In that vein, I am starting this little blog meme - Living In Thanksgiving. I would love to have you join me - each Thursday -  in writing about someone or something that you are thankful for.

    

Sometimes the biggest things that happen to me are also the littlest.  I am coninually amazed at how God takes care of me and our family.  Especially in the little areas - the areas that aren't necessarily needs.  He also sees fit to give us our desires in His timing.

Case in point:

I wanted to save some money to buy a new recliner for my living room. Right now we have a couch and a club chair - both of them purchased new in the last year.  We didn't need a recliner, but I wanted a confortable place for my dad to sit in when he comes over to visit for the day.  Being in chronic pain makes sitting for any length of time uncomfortable, and neither the club chair or couch quite fit the bill. 

Last week, I was thinking about how I could manage this purchase and where to find the best deal, when a thought came to me - why not pray about it and give it to God?  He does care about our little life details.  I've learned that firsthand.  Many times over. 

On Sunday, my mom was approached by a lady at church.  She was getting rid of her two recliners and could they use them?  My mom only wanted one, so I was given the other one.  Free.  Delivered right to my living room.  My dad sat in it today and exclaimed at how comfortable it is.  Yes, God is good.  Yes, He does care. 

That's what I'm thankful for this Thursday - a new to me recliner and evidence of God's attention.

 

What are you thankful for?  Link up here.