wonderful

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE our acreage?! It is so peaceful and beautiful- even with the dull faded brown and yellow foliage. We headed out there Saturday afternoon to visit John's parents and enjoy the absolutely PERFECT weather! And of course we had to grill out for dinner...perfect end to a perfect day!

The twins and I took Ems for a walk in the pasture. As we walked, we talked, checked on the 'hideout' and I snapped some photos. Here are a few of the photos from a truly delightful afternoon...

The twins acting silly...not so much 'acting' - they just are silly! So cute how this photo really emphasizes their personalities....Kwynnie (daring, sarcastic and dramatic) Kynna (shy, quiet and guarded yet still sweet as can be)






Love this one of Kwynnie and Ems- that dog is CRAZY, but as loyal as they come. She loves to HERD us...especially the kids- she doesn't like them wandering off. In an effort to protect us, she runs circles around us to keep us together- kind of sweet! Unless you factor in that she's treating us like cattle... hmmm




Finally- our lone tree. The twins and I have become quite fond of this little tree. Why you ask...for a lot of reasons. For one it stands all by itself in the middle of this field...which is kind of strange because its a cedar (Cedars are spread by their seeds. And the seeds are spread by the wind. So usually cedars pop up in groups...where the seeds finally rested in a clump, usually along a bank or a fence line.) But this cedar stands alone. And there aren't any around it, not even saplings. We decided that this was significant...the fact that it was growing where no other cedars wanted to grow. The girls, in all their 5th grade intelligence, said it symbolized individualism. And that you don't always have to do what everyone else is doing to make it in the world. Now as a mother to pre-teen girls- I can't tell you how happy this made me! They are pretty dang smart little girls! My analogy was alot more philosophical and long-winded and the girls decided they liked their explanation better...win some lose some!:)

The girls also like it because of how it looks...most cedars look like full jagged christmas trees, but this one was trimmed a few years ago...and hasn't filled in. John just let me know that the tree is that way because the cattle that we were once there would rub against it...whatever!:)
They said it resembles a certain tree from one of their video games. Either way- its a pretty sweet tree!

It was good day...simply wonderful!

What do you do?

We recently attended my husband's holiday party for work- and I was asked by several people...and What do you do?

I confidently answered that I'm a mom and I'm home with the kids. (The CEO of the Kelly family...which includes budgets, finances, acquiring goods, schedule maintnance etc. )

Its a full time job- and one I'm proud to have. Its work - fun and rewarding work!


John thought that I was embarrassed or insecure about what I do...but I'm not! Many of the women who hear I'm a stay at home mom envy me and willingly tell me so. Its all rather crazy, because 11 years ago - being a mom was the farthest thing from my mind. I didn't want children and definitely wasn't going to be playing stay-at-home soccer mom! Talk about a 180!

I grew up with a single mom- she worked all the time trying to provide for us. She wasn't able to come to school events or participate in our activities as much as she would have liked. As a kid- I understood why she couldn't always be there...but I want to and have the opportunity to be there for my kids. Help out at their schools, be there when they get home, all those little moments that I wouldn't miss for anything.

One of my favorite things is picking up the kids from school...there's always so much they have to say or report on, the latest gossip or how a particular test went.

Another part of being a full time super mom - is groceries! Now that's some serious business! I always try to make my shopping lists around the store flyers in the Wednesday paper. I plan a two week menu based around what's on sale and what we have at home (in the freezer or in the pantry). Its a little time consuming- but I love saving money! I'm always so excited on shopping day. I call John and tell him how much I spent on groceries..his reply is usually that he doesn't care, but I have to brag to someone! Russ's is the best- because they print off on the receipt how much you saved! I always save that for John...evidentiary proof and all!

Anyway- I think he's finally getting into this grocery thing or at least appreciating what I do. He sent me this blog-link and I wanted to share with you...click here to find the latest grocery deals in town. I saved it as a bookmark- its pretty useful!


I think all mom's are awesome- whether you stay at home or work...infact I admire those of you who work all day and then come home to be mom and family manager! You're simply amazing!

The Written Word

"I'm addicted to the written word..."

Me too! Me too! I love books! So much so that my life has to hit the pause button until the last page is read. There's something to be said about losing yourself in another person's life...the fictional characters are what I prefer- although I do read a few biographies every year. There are some seriously fascinating people out there!

But fiction is my passion. Not the 'way out there' stuff involving other planets and stuff, but just good old fashioned story telling. I love a good story. The way the stage is set, how the characters are introduced, how the drama unfolds and the superbly satisfying ending. How can you not love it!? Its like a really good movie- but it lasts longer and you don't have to put up with mediocre acting...because in your head every scene is perfect!

I'm in need of some good books. I've been frequenting the library and am through the Fiction section all the way to the Qs. I haven't read every book (A-Q) just the ones that appealed, but I did look through almost all of them, reading the cover and what not to see if it warranted a full days attention to read it. I've read ALOT of them though- some where so-so, some were great and some where not very good at all. I'm one of those loyal readers- who gives a book every chance to 'get better' chapter by chapter. I think I've only NOT finished two books...but I don't think you can fully envelop the story unless you give it fair chance by reading it cover to cover.

I find myself much more inclined to read a book than watch tv. And so do my children- thank goodness! The girls love their books! The twins have just started the Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie series. They need to know the classics! Most dads who have a house full of daughters- fear the mall...clothing, shoes, handbags etc. Right now I think John fears Barnes and Noble! Our shopping trips there are enough to make him crazy. I recently went to a used book sale at the mall and came home with like 20 books...I would have bought more but my arms were full! It was like Christmas morning when the girls got home and saw the new additions laid out on the counter!

Some of my favorite books aren't even ones that can be read...I have a small collection of 18th and 19th century hymnals and some educational readers from the early 1800s. Love them!


Anyway- I guess what I'm saying is books are awesome! Cookbooks, fiction, biographies, collections of poems, botanical reference books, photographic travel journals of far away places and even the quintessential coffee table book...they are all GOOD!

Going Green!

Our family is doing our best to be 'green' or at least green-er than we used to be! We recycle all the plastic, cardboard (food boxes), tin cans, aluminum cans and paper that we can. We are also buying more eco-friendly cleaning products, using cloth bags at stores and the girls use reusable plastic containers in their lunches to cut down on waste.

The recycling program is really neat! I first heard about it through Christy's blog- its called RecycleLink. They give you a special tote to fill up with recyclables- not sorting necessary! How great is that! There's a point/incentive program along with it...but we've yet to really use it. I'm positive we will - but for now I totally think its worth the minimal fee we pay just to have our unsorted recyclable trash picked up!

I really hope the girls and all children for that matter- learn how important it is to take care of our planet! I'm sure their on the right track...when we go on walks we take an extra bag to pick up any litter we find along the way. And they really don't like it when they see someone throw trash out the window of their car...Kwynnie almost called someone the "s" word one time when she witnessed a driver throw a drink out the window...you know- stupid! :) (They refer to that word as the "s" word- so cute, but getting off subject!)

All that being said, I think the only part of being 'green' that our family has yet to work on is buying green. There are so many products out there that are better for our environment...I had no idea how many there were or how easy it is to buy a green product in place of another.

Here are a few websites I found that have some really nice stuff and they aren't all that expensive!

The first one is Pure by Chantal- its cookware.
Super cute and classic- would fit into almost any kitchen decor!

There's also a cute organic shop called Totally Organic...I really like the kids clothes! I think it would be great for a baby gift too!

greenpeople.org and evo.com are really great Eco-friendly marketplaces too!