An angel arrived in the mail

I got some 'goodmail' over the weekend!

In some emails with two dear friends, Susan and Ginger, I was asking them about the act of confessing. I've always thought 'confessing' was only to admit my sins - I'm learning that there is another side. "Whenever the word 'confession' is used we instinctively think of confessing sin, weakness and failure. This is the negative side of that question. Christianity is called 'the Great Confession.' Confessing is affirming something that we believe. It is testifying of something that we know. It is witnessing for a truth that we have embraced."

As I continue to meditate on these thoughts, I received a book this past weekend to help me grow in my understanding. (Actually, the above quoted text is from this book)

Susan sent me the book, The Po*wer of Yo*ur Wo*rds. Inside, in Susan's handwriting, were the dates she last read her book. She has marked 8-26-01 and 1-23-05.

In August of 2001, I was gearing up to begin my final year of teaching - unbeknownst to me, I would become pregnant in the following months to give birth to my first child in June 2002 - which, if I'm correct, was about the time Susan was visiting my "neck of the woods." In January of 2005, I was sitting at home with a 2 1/2 year old and a newborn, just a month old, little girl.

At the bottom of the page, she made this inscription, "To Leigh Ann - May these words bless and build you up in the Lord as they have me. In Christ, Susan 9-22-07"

I am so touched that she has passed along to me, such a precious instrument used in her own spiritual growth.

I knew the book was coming in the mail, but when the box arrived, I thought it seemed a little large for a book. When I reached inside the package, I was in shock when I pulled out an angel music box.

Upon reading her enclosed letter, I learned that this was an angel from Susan's collection. If you've ever read Susan's blog, you know her love for angels. How wonderful to receive one of her special angels to treasure in my house. How wonderful to have a piece of her here.

Even though we have never met, and may never meet on this earth - I have so grown to love and treasure this wonderful friend. Even though we have many years between us, I have indeed found an angel on earth - a special gift from our Lord. I look forward to our emails concerning this book and I can't wait to take my angel up to my bedroom to set on my dresser.

Book Giveaway

Life in a Shoe is hosting a giveaway of Vision Forum's exciting new adventure series, Ballantyne books.






From VF's site: Ballantyne was not just another writer of the Victorian age who penned exciting historic fiction. His strong and uncompromising Christian presuppositions undergird all his stories. He encouraged his readers to put their trust in God for this life and the next, and taught in his stories that the one safeguard against evil is the redemptive love of God....But for Ballantyne, Stevenson might never have made his travels through the Pacific where, notably, he wrote his masterpiece Treasure Island. Reading Ballantyne’s The Coral Island at age fifteen sparked in Stevenson both his life-long love for the South Seas, and a fierce devotion to his fellow Scot. Stevenson even included Ballantyne in the introduction to his book Treasure Island, where he dubbed this proponent of Gospel Christianity and boyhood adventure, “Ballantyne the Brave.” The title stuck.




Life in a Shoe is taking entries until midnight tonight and will draw a winner Saturday!

Our School Room

Its time for Show & Tell this week! To see what others are Showing & Telling, head over to Kelli's! Thanks for hosting this again Kelli!

When we built our house, we decided to make what the architect designated as a dining room, into a playroom. A wonderful choice, I believe.

On either side of the window we have small bookcases and next to the table there is a small shelf that holds the toy bins.

I keep most of our school books in our den, but the ones I'm using daily sit on top of the bookcase. I just recently got a set of drawers to hold paper, crayons, and odds 'n' ends craft items. We had those things stashed all throughout the house, so now having them all together saves time.

The children's artwork is displayed like clothing on a washline with little plastic clothes pins!!

We received the table and chairs through our local Freecycle. If you've never checked this site out, please do! We've been able to pass somethings along as well as find some things that may have gone in the trash. Our table came from a church who was getting rid of them - its actually the church we were go for co-op. The chairs are a bit rusty on the bottoms, so I purchased chair pads and they slide great and the rust doesn't touch the floor.

I have some more things planned for the room, but this is how we are using it now!




Thanks for visiting my show & tell.

One Dream of a Meme! :)

I've seen this at Susan's, Ginger's and Just Mom's and I just wanna be like them...so, here's my meme!! :)

I don't drink.
Alcohol, tea or coffee. Do you understand now, why I need pepsi?

Chore I hate.
Emptying the dishwasher.

Pets.
Riley, a bichon frise, 9 years old.

Essential electronics.
Computer, radio (I need music on!)

Perfume.
My favorite is Sunflower by E. Arden

Gold or silver.
I like both. My watch band is both and my wedding rings are yellow gold and I wear two rings of white gold on my right hand.

Insomnia.
Nope - this has never been a problem with me. In fact, I sleep so soundly and deep, that T ususally has to wake me up. In college, my roommates had to wake me up during the fire drills. I sleep through thunderstorms. If T is not home, it takes me a while until I hear any of the children. Usually their cries become part of my dreams until I realize its one of the children. I hope I never lose this gift.

Job title.
Domestic Engineer

Most admired trait.
Making people smile.

Kids.
2 sons and a daugther (see top of blog!)

Phobia.
Heights. And, people turning their eyelids inside out.

Religion.
I don't like the term 'religious.' I am a follower of Jesus Christ. If you'd like to read my testimony, click here.

Siblings.
A brother, 8 years older than me and a sister, 4 years older than me. I'm the baby!

Time I wake up.
Usually around 7, but have been trying to get up earlier to exercise.

Unusual talent/skill.
I can sew my lips together. Would that make for an interesting vlog? Can we have a Bloggy Talent Show? Anyone with me? I'm not doing it alone, folks!

Vegetable I hate.
Brussel sprouts

Worst habit.
Being too sarcastic

X-rays.
Do I like them? Have I had them? HUH? I've had many x-rays, but do you really want to know about 'em?

My favorite meal.
One that is being enjoyed by many and has lots of fellowship!

Thank you!!

Thank you Ginger and Heather for passing along the You Make Me Smile Award!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Quintin and his dad, when we were up at the cabin earlier this month, were in the truck on their way to go fishing. They had their windows down and Quintin was taking everything in. A wild turkey walked out on the road and T slowed so they could get a better look. Quintin yelled out, "Dad! Look! There's an ostrich!" :)

To read what more tiny ones are saying, head over to Mary's!!

A Whale of a Tale About a Sale

The garage sale went well this past weekend! Well enough that I will be heading to am*azon to purchase some things in my "wish list."

The sale was to start at 7am, and around here - and I'm finding it happens everywhere - that means the early birds will be flocking here as early as they can. I was expecting to be up and ready by 5:30 - but then my sweet hubby informed me that the sun isn't even up then - I wouldn't know, I'm not usually up then either!

So I gained some extra sweet sleep and then T was kind enough to crawl out of bed on his only morning to sleep in to help me carry the tables out of the garage and set them on the driveway.

I thought I had it displayed perfectly - the clothing racks set up at the best spot as to attract customers to come back our long driveway. T went back to bed and I continued to move the smaller things out for the ultimate curb appeal.

Since our house sits back, I decided to walk down the driveway to see if anyone else was ready to go. As I neared the end of the driveway, I felt drops - yes, you read that correctly. "You've got to be kidding me!"

I debated for a few seconds as to whether I thought it was a passing shower or if we were in for a good soak. After standing out in the rain for what seemed like forever - I ran back in the house, up the stairs and into the bedroom. T had fallen back asleep but was awoken rather quickly by my frantic (but soft) "Its raining!"

He came back down and helped me pull everything back in - then went back inside. Now I was faced with what to do since I had no "curb appeal" anymore. I decided to make a sign for the end of the driveway to lure potential junk buyers back to the garage. As I set the sign at the end, my friend Megan came. She and her family had been over the night before so we could organize our kids' clothing and other odds and ends. We spent the first one or two hours in the garage but were able to move outside a little later in the morning.

It was a successful garage sale - but oh my goodness - how tired I became of putting clothing on hangers to only have to take off what didn't sell. We boxed up what didn't sell so we could take it to the local thrift store.

All in all, a great day even with the unexpected rain. It was a blessing though - because it was much more pleasant to have an overcast morning that be sitting in the hot blazing sun!!

Just wanted to update you all and let you know I have found my way out from the of piles socks and one-sies!! Now, please pardon me while I excuse myself to go do a little shopping. :)

Where has this week gone?

I can't believe it is Thursday already. We are participating in a neighborhood garage sale this weekend - and I've waited too long to start getting ready. :(


...If you don't hear from me


....please send out a search party!

A contest and a Thank You

Do you like to read? Do you like Vera Bradley?

Jill at Who Could Ask for Anything More? has her September Jill's Book Bag contest up on her blog. It is a winner's choice biography/autobiography selection and a Vera Bradley bag to tote your new book in!! I really enjoy Jill's blog and her stories about her family and cute son!! If you haven't stopped by her blog, head on over! You're in for a smile!


:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)


And, speaking of smiles - Sweet smilin' Ginger passed along the You Make Me Smile Award! Thank you Ginger - I'm smiling and blushing!! You make me smile too Ginger!









I'm passing along the award to these 10 bloggers who make me smile!

1 - Amber (trust in the Lord) is makes me smile with her cute (0: smilies on her comments as well as her huge heart!!

2 - Sandy makes me smile because she's a great mom who shares stories about her cutie Pattie son!

3 - Jennifer makes me smile because she leaves encouraging comments for me and is a sweet friend!

4 - Diana makes me smile because she is sunshine and always has fun links on her posts that I get addicted to!

5 - Tracy F makes me smile because she is like my long lost twin and sends me fun emails!

6 - Dawnelle makes me smile because Yogi needs a side kick named BooBoo!!

7 - Heather K makes me smile because she checks back in with me to see what we are up too - in the midst of her crazy schedule with 4 daughters!

8 - Tara makes me smile because she's a fellow Weaver homeschooler and her kids are the cutest - her new scrapbook layouts always bring a smile to my face!

9 - ~Amy~ makes me smile because her posts come from her heart - and if you come to my house in November, Amy, I will cook you a birthday meal for sure!

10 - Jezz, Heidi and Monica make me smile because they are IRL (in real life) friends who read and comment - I'm still waiting for the rest of you irl-friends to let me know you are here!! ;) wink-wink

I guess I must stop at 10 - but all of you reading, know that you each bring a smile to my face!

Happy Birthday Mom!

It was my mom's 64th Birthday on Saturday. We enjoy having our parents to our home for a meal in their honor. We were able to have my parents on mom's birthday this weekend!


Having family for meals provides me with a great opportunity to try out some new recipes - this weekend was no exception.

We enjoyed Cheesy Sausage and Tomato Manicotti with a salad, Cheddar Bay Biscuits (just like R*d L*bster) and a slice of heaven - Double Chocolate Cheesecake! YUM. You can click here, to see all the recipes!



It was this good!

It is getting cooler here, Fall is on its way. Colin has been fighting a cold on and off for the past week. He also has some teeth coming through on top, so it could be that too. But he still smiles!

Fall has come to my blog too! I was enjoying all the other Autumn changes I was seeing, so I made some changes today! I want to say thanks to Annie for changing my siggy to match the new look! She's such a sweetie!

Show & Tell

It is Friday and that means that Kelli is hosting Show & Tell at There is No Place Like Home - head on over to her place see more.




I'd like to share a special treasure that I keep with me everyday. These are my wedding rings.

The center stone was from my engagement ring and the outer ones are from a special ring. My maternal grandmother gave me the ring in 1997, when I graduated from college. My birthday is in July and rubies are my birthstone. Her birthday is in April and her birthstone is diamonds. She wanted me to have her ring since it shared our birthstones. She purchased the ring sometime after 1972, after my grandfather passed away. After she picked it out, she would go to the store each week after work to make a payment on it.

Originally, her ring was two rows of rubies with a row of diamonds in the middle. It was gorgeous. I really wanted to wear it all the time, but it felt too large on my hand. I asked her if she would mind if I had it made into something I could wear with my engagement ring. She loved the idea. I had a wrap made in 1998. Last year, for our 10th anniversary, I had the wrap and engagement ring combined into one ring. It is something I will always treasure. My dear grandma will turn 90 on her next birthday in April.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share today!

Our little comedian!

She's 2 3/4 years old - turning 3 this December. I'm very thankful she's potty trained - however, I notice big differences between her and her brother (besides the obvious!!)

Quintin, when told something, follows directions the first time. Elle? She loves to make a JOKE out of EVERYTHING. (Not sure where she could've possibly inherited this trait?)

She's very capable to walk in, get herself undre*ssed to sit on the potty. She'll call to me and tell me when she's done. I walk in to help her finish and am greeted by this huge wad of TP that she's pulled off as well as a huge grin. I usually tear off what I think we'll need and leave the rest for whomever may visit next.

Each time this happens, I ask her to just wait until I come in, or to pull off less. We don't need this much (you can hear me saying it, right? You've been here too?)

Now, Quintin - he would have pulled off less or just waited. Elle? No, she's too much like her mother. This is what she's handed to me the next couple times after our talk.

Yep, that should do the trick!

So, there's our little comedian comodian!

Mom & Dad - remember you said you wanted me to have a little girl that acted just like I did? Guess what? I think I do!!

We've all got happy faces here today!

**This is an update to my earlier post - see below.**

Its 3:20, the kids are tucked into bed. I know the younger two are sleeping, the oldest is at least in his room. I'm guessing he's not sleeping, but reliving the happy moments from earlier in the day.

I'll back up a little about our co-op. I was planning to wait until Colin and Elle were a little older before joining. I don't know about the rest of you, but it is tough for me to get little ones ready and out the door by 9!

I decided to join after my neighbor (who is in her first year of homeschool) asked me to join. She has 2 girls, 7 and 5, and a boy, 3. Our kids play together a lot and I'm excited about her homeschooling this year. When she first asked I said no. But then I talked it over with T and decided to put in our application. The director got back to me and said she wasn't sure if there was room for us - the prek/k class was already pretty full. We waited about a week and were told they'd make the room for us to join - this particular co-op has over 40 families in it!

First this morning, I took Elle to her class and my neighbor offered to take Quintin with her and her girls to Chapel - I was serving in Colin's nursery for the first session. After Chapel, Quintin went to Art where they will be making a salt dough nativity! They were allowed to paint this morning if they had their paint shirts along. BUT, I forgot to put his shirt in his backpack and it was with me in the nursery! I felt awful. He told me it was alright and just said, "silly mommy."

He moved into Music class for the next session. This is where he had Show & Tell with our family picture. He wouldn't tell me what songs he sang, but he's been humming the tune to "Farmer in the Dell" since we got home. He also was able to share what his favorite colors are. They are orange and blue - I had no idea! But, we need to change them to blue and white! (hee hee, just kidding - Go Penn State)

I had 'free time' for the second session. I spent some time just familiarizing myself with the church and where the classrooms were as well as meeting some of the other moms.

Elle had show and tell in her class, but I didn't get the email about it. I felt bad about that, but I really don't think she understood. I'll have to try to get a picture of them in their backpacks next week before we leave!

For the third and final session I was helping to teach PE for Quintin's age. (I forgot to add that each co-op mom must be involved in 2 of the 3 sessions). There were two other teachers - I let them take the lead as they have been involved previously. We did the bear walk and the crab walk. We listened to a cute cd that had a story to act out about a donkey - Quintin has been humming that tune too!

I really enjoyed the ride home with them as they told me about their adventures. I was excited to share with them what I did too - as they enjoy hearing what toys Colin plays with.

I know this time on Wed mornings - for the next 9 weeks - will be such a blessing to our homeschool journey. It will be a pleasant break in our week - one that I know each of us will look forward to.

I'm thankful for the laid back approach of this co-op - I think it is a perfect fit for our family! And, thank you to those of you who prayed while we waited to learn if we'd be able to join.

Gray skies are gonna clear up...

...put on a happy face!


It rained all day yesterday - which I know we needed - but I am looking forward to seeing the beautiful blue sky today and having less humidity!

Today we have our first day of our homeschool co-op. I'm nervous. Why? I have no idea! I wasn't originally planning to join this early in our homeschool journey - but T thought it would be a great opportunity for me to meet some like-minded moms and have some much needed social time (does he realize that I blog?) LOL

Quintin is very excited about it. Colin will be in the nursery, Elle will be in a class for 2s and 3s and Quintin will have 3 classes. Art, Music/Show & Tell, and Phys Ed. He asked me what Phys Ed was (Apparently, I'm not doing my job - my own child doesn't know what PE is - he even spent the final year I taught in utero - was he not listening?) :D

I told him it was like gym (thinking he may have heard this term before). He confused it with a TV show. Then I told him he'll get to move, dance and learn some sport skills (this he could relate too).

For Show & Tell, he needs to take something to tell about his family. I suggested a picture of us and then he started planning. After supper last night, he gathered us in the family room and said he needed to take a picture. I figured I'd hold the camera and snap a shot of us all together. He insisted that he not be in it.





I don't know why I like this picture so much. Is it because Daddy is between a blink and looks oh so tired (which he is)? Or, because it looks like Colin is encouraging Daddy that everything is okay? Or, because Elle has a big dimple in her cheek? I don't know which - but I wish the photographer was in it.

After Quintin took the picture, I asked him why he didn't want to be in it. He answered, "Because I'll be in my class - I'm taking all of you with me!"


Here's to a fun first day at co-op!

Pausing...and TTT

In memory of the innocent who died

Pausing, first, to remember 9-11-01.

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Tiny Talk Tuesday

Mary @notbefore7 is hosting Tiny Talk Tuesday. Head on over to her blog to read what more tiny ones are saying!

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Quintin has just begun naming more rhyming words. So, this is a typical conversation
at our house right now.

Q: Train, mane, plane...all rhyme.

E: Riley, baby food and pickle...all rhyme.

(I figure she's got a few years to pick it up!!)

Quintin is still enjoying his bow and the book it came from.

Elle was looking through the book the other day and Quintin said, "Elle, be careful, that book is dangerous!"

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I also posted today at:

Multi-Tasking Moms and a you'll find a new recipe at Momma Roar's Kitchen

Go*oey gunk...Glasses...Really?

~Go*oey Gunk~

On Friday, the kids and I made some more gooey gunk (what I had made with my nephew last week.) It is some rather weird stuff - but the kids are enjoying it!

Solution A:
mix the following in a bowl:
1 c water
1 c white glue
7-10 drops food coloring

Solution B:
in a second bowl, mix the following until completely dissolved:
1 1/3 c warm water
4 tsp borax laundry booster






Slowly pour solution A into solution B.

DO NOT MIX!!!!

Roll solution A around in solution B 4-5 times.

My photographer capturing our assistant at her best!!!

Lift solution A out of solution B.

Knead for 2-3 minutes.

Store gunk in an airtight container or plastic zip lock bag.

It goes from this shape....

...to this!

It really has a different feel to it. Let us know if you make some!

~Glasses~

I felt it was time to update my glasses. So, last week at my eye dr appt, I chose a new pair of frames. What do you think?

The old pair

The new pair

~Really?~

Ginger had a post about people looking like their pets. Here's Riley, our bichon frise. Do we look alike? Maybe back in HS with my 90s perms!!

Labor Day Weekend Pictures

T's brother and his family are on the left - they have 2 boys and 2 girls. T's parents are sitting on the steps. We are behind his parents. Next to his parents are T's sister's children. She has the red hair - she and her hubby have 5 children. They are each holding one of the twins - they will be 2 next month. On the far right is T's other sister, and her hubby and 3 daughters. They have another daughter who is 18 and doesn't live at home. She was adopted as was T's brother's youngest daughter - in the yellow shirt on the left. We are a big group to squeeze into a cabin with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms!!!

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I forgot to take my camera to my parent's house for our picnic - I did take some pictures on my dad's camera, but forgot to get them from him. :( I had some great ones of my niece playing with Colin and my dad swinging on his hammock with the older two.

This is my nephew, on Tuesday, with Quintin's bow and arrow.

Quintin is loving the bow I made him - it isn't anything grand, but it doesn't hurt his hand like the red one he has. Yesterday, he told me he didn't like it anymore and when I asked why, he said because he couldn't find it when he shot it into the woods behind the house. So, he painted the arrow orange yesterday afternoon!!

Target practice:

**I need to acknowledge T's sister T who emailed me some of her photos from the weekend!!