tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763884159798023832024-02-06T22:13:11.837-06:00A Peaceful and Quiet LifeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522858606679761337noreply@blogger.comBlogger629125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-9051462568409637942014-01-29T09:09:00.000-06:002014-01-29T09:10:18.829-06:00January DaysIn years past, January's felt like such a 'blah' month. This year it hasn't, and I am thankful. Even as I notice the drab grey and brown world outside, I'm getting excited about spring bursting forth in a few (okay, so maybe more than a few!) months.
My husband and I were raised in Texas, but have made Kansas City our home for the past 16 years. We love it here: the people, the city, the four Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-43997329761869306742014-01-15T08:07:00.000-06:002014-01-29T09:10:55.238-06:00Thoughts on Cooking
Being a homeschoolin' Mama to eight requires, as my friend Barb says, 'wearing a lot of hats.' Over that past two or three years, I've found myself resenting/dreading/slacking in the area of cooking for my family. It just seemed like one more task to try to fit in, and often I failed to plan, so after a successful day of homeschooling, at about 4:47, I'd suddenly think, "Oh--DINNER!!" Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-91743939649839780912013-12-24T09:11:00.000-06:002014-01-29T09:11:40.091-06:00Merry Christmas!
Here are some of the things we've been doing over the past few days. We got a couple of inches of snow, which isn't quite as much as we'd have liked, but is apparently enough to carry a sled down our steep backyard, with a nice little shove. :) Annesley celebrated her sixth birthday, and unfortunately has been sick since that day, but she seems to be improving, so we're thankful.
Merry Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-15355527157267935322013-12-05T12:27:00.000-06:002013-12-05T12:27:07.559-06:00Simplifying Christmas
Like most people, I love Christmas time. It's so much fun to give and receive gifts, wrap presents, listen to Christmas music, bake goodies to enjoy. Last year, I was just plain tired. All the many Christmas traditions we've started and maintained began to feel like a burden. Inwardly I groaned, "Do we really have to decorate Christmas cookies, make gingerbread houses, go look at lights, Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-6941613815616851942013-11-27T09:31:00.000-06:002013-11-27T09:36:14.493-06:00Before and After: Kids' BathroomWe rented this house for a year with no thought of actually purchasing it at first. It was just a blessing to have a rental at a reasonable price, that would fit all ten of us. After living in the house, though, it really grew on us, and even though it was in need of a lot of work (major and cosmetic), the Lord allowed us to buy it last May from our friend and landlord at a reasonableCandice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-49523587267886425962013-11-21T13:37:00.001-06:002013-11-21T22:03:51.371-06:00Bibles and Smartphones
Like just about everyone, I really enjoy my phone. I like Instagram, and checking email wherever, and reading my favorite blogs and news with such convenience. I have a few apps that I use a lot, and one of them is a Bible app. It's beautiful and functional and has lots of neat features such as reminders, different versions, reading plans, etc. For the past two years Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-2674607590070123872013-11-13T08:01:00.001-06:002013-11-21T13:49:07.209-06:00Quiet House
I feel a bit awkward blogging after four months off! But, here I am again; we are all alive and well. Today the dog and I are alone in the house. The kids are with their grandparents for the whole week so Kevin and I can tackle some of our many house projects and have a little break.
So far I've actually found it hard to relax. My brain keeps saying, "This is your chance. Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-35465986867373757502013-07-09T17:26:00.000-05:002013-07-09T17:28:57.149-05:00Happy JulyJuly is here (1/4 over already!), and we are back to school. The night before we were to start back, I admit I didn't feel ready or excited. However, I love that schooling year-round (taking off June) allows me to not feel guilty when we decide to take off days just 'because', or because we need to for sickness or travel. So, this year I have a 10th grader, 8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd, and Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-61359630112650386612013-06-20T09:11:00.001-05:002018-04-15T16:45:11.229-05:00Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-1307710095679138212013-06-15T15:16:00.000-05:002013-06-15T15:16:55.028-05:00Catechism Songs!I'm so excited that I just discovered these CDs of the Westminster Shorter Catechism questions and answers set to music. The kids and I have been participating in our church's memory work for the past couple of years, but I plan on focusing on the Catechism next year instead of memory work. We shall see how far we get. But, I think the songs will definitely help!
Do you Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-18079466468086327282013-06-12T08:00:00.001-05:002013-06-12T08:01:28.356-05:00Birthday in the BackyardYesterday marked my baby's fifteenth birthday. Can it be? Fifteen years ago today I was waking up in the hospital with an unbelievable joy, realizing that I had a baby! Keely has been a delight and a joy, and I love how our relationship is growing and changing as she does.
While at Aldi grabbing a few things for her birthday dinner, I couldn't resist picking up some water guns for the Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-30407897309788177582013-06-10T08:33:00.001-05:002013-06-11T11:54:09.682-05:00Funny Photos and BooksThe books aren't funny, just the photos. That title is quite unclear, actually...
Here are some pictures I took of the kids on our last day of school:
Look how cute
and intelligent
and normal my children are!
On our last day of school, we ended up having a closely divided vote concerning what fun thing to do. Roller skating was what some wanted, and the olders Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-28904998211095139902013-05-31T09:29:00.000-05:002013-05-31T09:29:48.502-05:00Playing Catch-up...
The past weeks have been full, to say the least. We have had several rounds of houseguests, two birthday parties, Kevin started a new job (after almost fifteen years with the same company!), we bought the house we've been renting for the past year and embarked on improvements. Life is good, and the Lord is stretching us! Today, actually, is our last day of school, though it will not involve Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-92138712633474184602013-03-21T21:32:00.000-05:002013-03-21T21:32:53.231-05:00Spring Break Projects!
Yesterday Lily and Rowan and I worked on new dresses for their dollies. They both helped some, watched some, listened some, and took breaks to do other things while I sewed and ironed. ;) I didn't get any photos of Lily, but she was very anxious to do as much of the sewing herself as I would let her. Sewing is not my most favorite thing, but I hope that my girls will Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-72659101303909219092013-03-18T06:59:00.002-05:002013-03-18T07:02:32.339-05:00First Day of Spring BreakCan I just say....YAAAAYY!! All you homeschool Moms out there know that you get just as excited about breaks from school as your kids do! And I should qualify: breaks from 'normal' school. I have some sneaky ideas to get school in this week disguised as fun. Shhh.
Baby feet!
Last night as I was getting my boots to head to church, I pulled a toy out of one and Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-33335861192541783772013-02-16T20:09:00.000-06:002013-02-16T20:09:00.293-06:00
Christmas Day hot chocolate
A couple of days ago I was in the boys' room, helping straighten beds and pick up toys when Sam and I had the following conversation.
Sam: Mommy, you need to get dressed.
Me: I am dressed, Sam.
Sam: No, Mommy, you need to go get dressed.
Me: Sam, what do you mean? I am dressed.
Sam: You need to go Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-76272360056304793832013-02-14T19:39:00.000-06:002013-02-14T19:39:23.855-06:00This 'n' ThatIt's been busy around here with projects, school, field trips, and friends. Here are some pictures of what we've been up to.
We've been here in our rental house for almost a year, and I finally accomplished the removal of the navy/baby blue/pink/gold wallpaper in the kitchen and breakfast area. What a job! I managed to get the first coat on a couple of weeks ago, and I'm still looking Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-2287864311870812922013-01-25T16:40:00.001-06:002013-01-25T17:11:13.970-06:00Still here!
This is by far the longest time I've gone between blog posts! It's okay, though, and I am enjoying the approach of laying 'secondary' things down for a while when life gets too busy and more important things are pressing. Instead of giving you an exhaustive list of what's happened at our home since November (which would probably be too tedious for anyone, anyway!), I'll just Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-13502549659708199222012-11-09T22:11:00.001-06:002012-11-09T22:11:49.221-06:00Fall Photos
No fall decor is complete without...Mater.
I'm glad I got a picture of Sam's addition to the centerpiece. I came through the dining room later and he was gone.
Last Saturday was our church's fall party. Here's my artistic friend Mary Jane getting ready to paint some faces.
Sam gets ready to exit the Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-26250993508022042242012-10-27T11:26:00.000-05:002012-10-27T11:26:40.346-05:00Pumpkin Patch Pictures
We made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go to the pumpkin patch last Friday, then went to the local cider mill for our annual cider doughnut and cup of cider. This year we had it chilled instead of hot, because it was such a warm day.
I think the fall color peaked about two weeks ago, but there are still some colors to enjoy, and a growing pile of leaves to play in in our backyardCandice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-84168395828497782742012-10-08T05:44:00.000-05:002012-10-08T05:50:09.502-05:00Leading Gently
No, we actually don't do our schoolwork on slates.
Rowan was practicing her times tables at the one-room schoolhouse at Deanna Rose.
Last week I asked one of my older kids to take over leading a portion of our memory work practice while I was unavailable for about 30 minutes. After I came upstairs later, I was met by several children with animated accounts of whoCandice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-73644845928901243432012-10-02T08:56:00.000-05:002012-10-08T05:44:52.500-05:00My First 5k!!I am not an athlete. I never have been, and never have been in particularly good shape, either. Last spring, my friend Gretchen started a running group, and I decided to join in an effort to get those pregnancy pounds off. So, running was hard. It was painful, and I didn't really like it. In the beginning, I could only run three or four minutes without having to stopCandice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-29473366248105075982012-09-28T20:18:00.001-05:002012-09-28T20:19:15.215-05:00Photos and a Few Words
Annes enjoyed this juicy peach at our neighbor's house a couple of weeks ago.
I love to hear Keely play piano; I only wish I knew how!
Lily began violin lessons a few weeks ago, and was so excited to receive her very own instrument from my parents!
We enjoyed a fun time at the local children's farmstead with my parents during their Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-54100908388610324142012-08-29T21:27:00.000-05:002012-08-29T21:27:00.353-05:00Growing More Like Christ Through AfflictionThis talk was given by Dr. Joel Beeke at the conference we attended last month. It is so good. If you have some ironing to do, or knitting, or maybe even a minute to sit and listen and be still (!), soak this one in. I was blessed by it. Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176388415979802383.post-12941870787508082172012-08-25T22:05:00.004-05:002012-08-29T14:06:37.075-05:00Writing Prompts and a Very Good BookI am so tired right now, so I think I'll write guided by the photos. :) I am hardly ever on the computer these days, and often think of things to share--something funny that happened, something the Lord is teaching me, a good book I've read--but I don't make the time to sit down and get it on the blog. I am happy these days, but so tired! I am trying to figure out what needs to happen to help Candice http://www.blogger.com/profile/14376385337708360284noreply@blogger.com0