Patriotic shirts

Every year, I try to find us some cute shirts to wear on the fourth of July. It makes for good family pictures and I love the tradition that we started from our first 4th of July as a family. If they weren't packed, I'd love to share pics of the first shirt DH created with a white t-shirt and spray paint! It actually turned out better than I expected and has last for many years now!

When I first saw this blog, I just knew I had to try it...I couldn't get to the store fast enough to get the shirts and paints! lol I was able to find cheap shirts for DH and myself at Walmart and then found the cutest little white dresses for the girls (complete with a white tutu!) and before I knew it, the girls and I were out in the grass getting creative with our shirts!

The night before, the girls and I talked about what we wanted our shirts to look like and I set to drawing on the stars and stripes with the Elmer's washable Gel glue.(I put the shirts on those cardboard cutouts with wax paper under the top layer of the shirt)....finding a place in the trailer for them to dry without the cats laying on them wa the trickiest part! lol

Once the shirts were dry, we took the shirts outside in the grass to paint with the watered down acrylic paints (I put the water in the cups and just a little bit of paint mixed in went a long way!)

The girls had a blast painting and I think they turned out cute!

Here they are all washed (I soaked them in wamr water to get the glue to soften so I could scrape it off with my nail) and ready to wear! I can't wait to take family pictures this year! And now my mind keeps thinking of all the other things I could make with this painting effect! The possibilities are endless!!! So go get crafty, there's still lots of time to make some patriotic shirts of your own!! Wear the stars and stripes with pride!

George Harrison Got My Mind Set On You (2009 Stereo Remaster)

The Song Remembers When Challenge- I've got my mind set on you

I think I was 7 or 8 years old when this song came out, I didn't know anything about the Beatles I just knew that there was a guy named George Harrison with a really cool music video called "I Got My Mind Set on You"...actually two videos. I can remember watching the video every chance I got when it played on MTV, you know, when MTV was good and actually played music videos! lol I'll post the one but haven't been able to find the other,( yeah! I found it!) which of course is the one I remember and the video that plays thru my mind while I'm walking thru a store and this song comes on the radio! I just can't help but smile when I hear it...I have loved George Harrison (and later came to love the Beatles too) ever since!



I finally got someone else to play! Hop on over to Hermits on the Hill and read about how the song remembers when for Kathy too! (She just so happens to be my mom so please leave her a comment and tell her I sent you! )

The Song remembers When challenge & Lavender Festival

This weekend we headed out to explore more of our area and ended up in Oklahoma at Lavender Valley Acres' 6th annual lavender festival!






I so miss or lavender plant at the old house! I can't wait to plant some in our new home!







We enjoyed the vendors and I even got a new pair of earrings!









It was all I could do not to buy a new plant!







The girls loved watching the belly dancers! Their dancing was beautiful!

It was SO hot...and we were all thirsty! lol

the gardens were beautiful and so full of flowers and veggies!

The details on this bird are amazing! The girls ooo and ahhhed until we had to finaly pull them away! lol

It's funny that we'd be reading a new fairy book this week about a lavender fairy getting ready for the mid summers ball...and she was singing this song! I had forgotten about this song, haven't probably heard it since I was little....so glad to have a new song to sing with the girls! Now I need to find the guitar chords! Don't you just love Burl Ives?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcvQcPatQdQ

Lavender blue

Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, lavender's green,
When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen.
Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so?
'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so.
Call up your men, dilly, dilly, set them to work
Some with a rake, dilly, dilly, some with a fork.
Some to make hay, dilly, dilly, some to thresh corn.
While you and I, dilly, dilly, keep ourselves warm.
Lavender's green, dilly, dilly, Lavender's blue,
If you love me, dilly, dilly, I will love you.
Let the birds sing, dilly, dilly, And the lambs play;
We shall be safe, dilly, dilly, out of harm's way.
I love to dance, dilly, dilly, I love to sing;
When I am queen, dilly, dilly, You'll be my king.
Who told me so, dilly, dilly, Who told me so?
I told myself, dilly, dilly, I told me so.

The Song remembers When-This Land is Your Land

As we all think about our plans for the upcoming 4th of July holiday weekend, it's hard not to think about the amazing patriotic songs we have in our history too...My girls have been learning this song and it brings such a smile to my face when I hear their little voices singing it. I don't know if its possible for them to fully understand how lucky we are to live in the country we do but I hope that this song stirs up the same kind of pride in our country and our military that it always has for me....Growing up, I didn't take part in a lot of patriotic songs, due to religious beliefs at the time, and I can remember asking if this song was ok to sing because we sang it in music class and I always loved it. I remember being asked why I would want to sing it and I just remember thinking that it made me proud to be an American and that the song just made me feel good. I know that pride isn't always a good thing, but I think the word pride can sometimes be interchangeable with the word "thankful"...and I am so thankful to have seen the diamond desserts and the wheat fields waving...and that my children can someday see the beauty of the redwoods and all the other amazing things this land has to offer... This land was made for you and me...

I have be so lucky to have seen Arlo (Woody Guthrie's son) a number of times and could listen to him sing forever...folk music speaks to the soul like non other!

Aloha Friday

Aloha!

Isn't Friday a great day for making new friends? Head on over to Aloha Friday and join in on the fun!

The question for today was what do you have planned for the 4th of July? We are actually going to get to spend ours with family this year! What a treat! Fourth of July has always been a big deal in our house, big bbqs, fun desserts, outside games, friends and matching patriotic shirts! From the time DH and I first were married, we have always had some sort of matching shirts, either store bought or handmade. the first year we were married, we were almst late to the BBQ at my parent's housebecause DH was finishing up his spray painted flag shirt! At the time I thought he was crazy but it turned out to be one of my favorite shirts! lol This year the girls and I are trying something new...tutorial and pictures to follow!

My question for you....what is your family tradition for the 4th of July holiday?

Crazy Peaches

Every year we have planned on going to the Peach Festival and every year something comesw up that we aren't able to. So this year, we marked it on the calender and stood strong that nothing was going to get in our way....not even the 100 degree weather! lol Had the heat been a bit less, I'm sure it would have been fun but to be honest it was miserable!!! Lunch was amazing but the heat got to us before they even brought out the peach cobbler and icecream...and when hundreds of people started standing in line (for what seemed like forever!) at the empty tables waiting for icecream, we decided that Braums with air conditioning was sounding better and better....lol

I was trying to lighten the mood, and said something like " Good food, good music and good friends, what else could we ask for?" and my good friend Jackie answered "Air conditioning!" I thought that was just too funny...maybe you had to be there! lol

Never the less, we FINALLY made it to the Peach Festival and we can now leave Texas without wondering about what we missed! lol

I couldn't believe how many people were there during a work week! the heat was insane and some people had long sleeves on!! It was so hot out I couldn't think straight!

The lunch was worth the drive!! Yum!

I loved hearing the old time music...and it was even better with a Granny who could rock! lol

I thought for sure the mob of people were going to jump those poor workers for the icecream!! It was CRAZY!

The girls were SO ready to go! lol

J asked "Why's it have to be so hot in Texas mom?"

Three shades of crazy!!!! AKA The best husband in the world!

As I write this, I don't even know if I will ever be able to publish what I am writing, but for the moment I just want to get my thoughts down in words and perhaps someday...sigh...I'll be able to push that publish post button!


For those of you new to my blog, this story actually started almost a year and a half ago on a cold January day when the Unexpected happened...since that whole mess, there has always been a naggying at my heart that something was missing. It got better when we got Kobuk, and things have been feeling whole again in our family, not to mention insanely crazy with the move and such so that's what surprises me the most about these turn of events! I was looking thru cheapcycle a few weeks ago and saw an ad for shih tzu puppies, and I recognized the email to be that of the people who had Remi. I wrote to her and found out that Remi had in fact run away and they never found her, but that they had these pups with another dog....


I told DH about it and nothing much was said about it...till him and a friend were sitting outside shooting the breeze and he said, you should just email her- offer her $100 and see what she says.... !!!!!!!!!!?!?!?!? I thought- WHAT? Could this be, is this really my husband? Could it be the beer talking? Is he serious!? So, I went crazy for the rest of the night, not emailing her and not sure how to bring it up with him...surely he wasn't serious!? Sure thing tho, the next morning, he asked if I'd heard back from her and I told him that I had never emailed her. He was just like a kid when I tried to have a serious discussion about it and said to pretty much screw being responsible people who would wait, and to just email, cause he knew I wanted one...so I did....She just wrote back today (finally) that the offer was a bit low but that she'd get back with me if she didn't get what she wanted for them...


So there it stands....I'm still going crazy...still thinking that even thinking about doing this is absolutely insane and that I must have lost my mind...but then part of me thinks, I have the best husband in the world and that perhaps being a gypsy, living in a travel trailer has it's perks...I don't know if it's guilt that made him change his mind, or his love and want to make me happy but even if it doesn't work out....I just think the world of that man of mine!


I decided to post this even tho we have heard nothing else about the puppy. I know that we are better off without one now...can we say CRAZY?! But I did want to shout it out how great of a guy my DH is...he puts up with so much! lol

The Song Remembers When- Mr Bojangles

I was talking to my MIL today about names for a boy dog (she just got a puppy) and I mentioned Hobo would be cute. She said something about Bojangles and it was all I could do to get to the computer to look up the song! I used to love this song as a kid and it was such a kick to hear it again!

What is a favorite song from your childhood?

I can remember the day I got one of my favorite teddy bears, there were lines of them at the store but mine was the cutest (they were all the same!)...and Mr Bojangles was the perfect name! Can't you just see a little ball of fluffy puppy named that too!? Ahh...someday....

Tickled Pink

I'm not even sure how I found The Texas Darlings blog, but boy am I glad I did! I fell in love with the idea of her Flip Flop Swap! I got in on it last minute and quickly went about putting my package together for my new swap partner , Gina from TheCannaryFamily blog! I've been enjoying her blog ever since and getting some great crafty ideas! I wish we lived closer to each other, I really think we'd be good friends!

Yesterday, DH came in with a package....for me for once! (The girls are always getting mail!) I was just tickled pink to find this amazing pair of Okabashi flip flops and this pink Texas longhorns shirt! What a great package!!! I had never heard of these flip flops but quickly looked
them up and was amazed at all the little details I learned...like they are made in Georgia, USA (see they can make plastics in the states! lol), recyclable and dishwasher safe! lol Not to mention SUPER comfy! I feel so spoiled! From the moment I put the flip flops on I loved them and pretty much wore them non-stop until bedtime, when I put on my new shirt! It's too stinkin' hot to wear a t-shirt outside but it was PERFECT for a nightshirt!!!! (hence the wrinkles in the picture-since I forgot to take pics till this morning!)

So to my new blogging friends....

Becca- thanks so much for including me in this fun swap! I definitely want to do it again next year! Count me in!

Gina, thank you for the wonderful package and the thoughtful card!

Other bloggers I've "met" from this swap- it's so nice to "meet" you!

I love how the world of blogging can brighten a person's day and the good friends I have met on this blogging journey...

Walking to the laundry room by our travel trailer was so much nicer in my new shoes! :)

The Song remembrs When-"Bob That Head"

As I mentioned before, each of my girls have a song that is "theirs"...and today it's J turn to share her favorite song! I remember the first time I heard this song, I was unpacking my bedroom in TX and listening to a sneak peak of the newest album from Rascal Flatts online...no I couldn't wait for the cd to come out! lol

J wasn't quite three when she fell in love with this song, I can still hear that little voice muttling thru all those fast lyrics! lol It was hilarious! She still loves this song, only now she actually gets the words right! ha!

Another Texas outing

While our time here is dwindling fast, we are trying to fit in a few last minute trips to places nearby. When we went to by our trailer, we went thru some of the coolest little towns and knew we just had to got back and check them out! This was one of them!

This place had some of the best food I've had at a little dinner in a long time...so much better than what we'd have gotten in a fast food joint! As we were walking out, we got ot talking to a gentleman and he said that when the inspectors come thru once a year, this place always gets the highest marks and no markdowns! That made me feel even better about the lunch we'd just had! It was SO yummy!

We found some really great old signs (reproductions but still very cool) that I hope to put up in our new kitchen once we move!

I love the little details of a small old town!

Zhu Zhu crazy

I told myself I wasn't going to jump on this train....no...real animals are always better and junky toys will loose their appeal....but the girls were so convincing and we had some great coupons so we let them each get one of these little zhu zhu pets that are all the craze. Surprizingly, they are pretty cool and for once, maybe even better than the real thing! No squeeky wheels, no messy cages= hours of fun! BUT... I said I wasn't going to buy the extra additions...if they wanted to have cages and clothes they had to make them...so J set off to knit them a blanket! Well, their birthdays rolled around and Aunt T sent them a big box with sleeping bags and a housing kit.

Ok, I didn't buy it so technically I was still sticking to my guns on not buying the stuff myself...ok, I have to admit when I am wrong...these things are cool and my girls LOVE them!!! So far they haven't gotten bored and so far I still haven't actually bought them attachments...however I am doing everything in my power to win them some!!!

Go over to my good friend, Robin's site Mark it with a B and check out this amazing give-a-way! I can already imagine the squeels of delight coming from my girls if we'd win! It would be the perfect activity on a hot Texs day in the trailer! lol The things we do for our kids huh? ;)

The Song Remembers When challenge-Who He Says I Am

Now, I know this isn't a song that you are likely to hear on the radio but my family has it on cd now so I am sure to hear it pretty often and will always remember the time I had at VBS this last week and the children that have touched my life...

The Song Remembers When Challenge -"Stand"

On Facebook this morning, my friend Tricia posted this question..You're sitting in a bar. A song comes on and suddenly you think of me. What song is playing? Re-paste this in your status and see how many crazy songs you get back! While she got some funny replies, like Baracuda and Honky Tonk Woman...I always think of her when I hear this song....

We both lived in Alaska together, on the same street actually and we were such a huge part of each others daily lives....this cd came out the day (or maybe it was the day after) she left to move back down to the lower 48. I had dreaded that day for months and didn't know how I was going to get used to her and her family being gone...for some reason this song gave me comfort that we would both be ok and that all the baggage that came with our friendship was only going to make us stronger....It's funny how a song that was probably meant for a whole other meaning can make so much sense and give us comfort thru a very tough day...

Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried (Official Video)

If you have ever ridden in the truck with us, or spent very much time with us at all, you know that my girls like to jam in the truck while we are going down the road...they each have their favorites (I'll post J's another day) and will proceed to sing them word for word (or pretty close!) at the top of their lungs!

Well, this just happens to be R's favorite and she will ask to here it over and over and over and over and over again!

We had the best day today...once again it was a simple day out with friends, nothing flashy but we had such an amzing time. On the way home this song came on the radio and we jammed out to it on the way home. I hope the girls remember it as warmly as I do...and I'm not talking about Texas weather! lol

We took a ride to Young's Orchard in Charlie to pick peaches!

And then we stopped at some farm stands along the road for some of nature's goodness...great for dinner!

The Song Remembers When Challenge- Indescribable

This week, my husband and I are volunteering at VBS (vacation Bible school) and I have been so moved by the lessons the children have been learning and the joy that I have witnessed on their faces. The lesson yesterday was based on Psalm 139:14 " I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful and I know this very well." I know the kids don't grasp how amazing that is (I know I can't fathom it completely as an adult!) and that some of the kids at VBS don't come from homes that remind them just how amazing they are...that's why I'm so glad they have a place like VBS that they can learn about God and His love for them...

I am working in the craft room (go figure huh??) and I have so enjoyed listening to the kids talking to each other and hearing their ideas about things. I know VBS is supposed to be for the kids, but I am learning alot too! There are a few kids that I would love to just take home with me...they are all so special!

Everytime I hear the kids reading the memory verse from last night (Psalm 139:14), I think about this song...

...and when I hear this song, I think about our church in Alaska and then about our trip down the Alcan. We were driving thru a horrendous rain storm in Colorado, so bad that we couldn't see the road and I was getting scared...this song was playing on cd...It has given me comfort ever since and is one of our families favorite songs...I hope you like it too!