5 1/2

These little munchkins are both now 5 1/2 years old.

Do they look a little extra crazy or is it just me? :)

Blessings,

~Michlyn

Progress

I posted at my blog about starting a new project, and low and behold I did. :) I started embroidering another towel, and love the pattern I chose. I think it was appropriate because we just moved about 2 months ago. I haven't exactly been working on it very diligently, but I do have good reasons.

I have finished stitching the words, flowers, and the hill. (haha basically a green line)

As you can see, it's just following the lines. It can be a lot of work though, if you want to make it really neat on the back too.

I think the next thing I'll be finishing is the tree. I hope it's not that hard. I've done harder but just need to think through how I'll actually be starting it. [???]

This handy little box, keeps all of my materials. It's nice to have when I'm traveling and want to work on my towel.

What's been keeping you busy?

Blessings,

~Michlyn

Our New House: 3 More Rooms

Here are a few more rooms in our house. We've officially been here about 2 months! It's crazy how fast time goes by.

This is the upstairs living room! It's still in process as you can see. There is a footstool missing a rocking chair, and a lamp missing it's shade. lol I think the shade ripped, and the rocking chair we're having new fabric put on it.

This is the very dark upstairs bathroom. We really need to repaint both of our bathrooms.

This is the right side view of the downstairs living area. This is where the boys play most of the time, and so it's nice open space. I think we might eventually add some shelves or pictures.

Then this is the left side view. Our couch (that we had upstairs in the old house) and our TV. As you can see... the sign was taped on at that time. :)

I still have a few more rooms to post:

'T's room

The boys' room

My parents room (if they let me hehe)

And the downstairs bathroom if I can get a picture that won't blind you. Seriously... it's that orange!

Blessings,

~Michlyn

By Your Side

This song reminds me of the tough times that we sometimes have with 'T'. It shows that God is always with us, and always showing us his Grace. It's something that we often need to be reminded of. No matter how tough things get...

His hands are holding us...

Blessings,

~Michlyn

Michlyn's Beautiful Smile - Video

Michlyn's braces journey 2006-2011 (We await the day her beautiful smile will show without all the metal!) :D

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

AWANA

Tonight after we finish homework, eat dinner, and are ready to go we start AWANA. Of course only the three youngest are going, but Erin will be at youth group. Both is at our church, so it's going to pretty fun.

'T' didn't sleep very well, and has had a hard emotional day. If simple things don't go her way, she just about bursts. So my mom said that she would like my help, since I know how to help her appropriately. I think it will be a busy night, but pretty fun.

It's been nothing new here. Our routine is still the same, school is the same, and even the weather is pretty much the same. It's been colder, so I'm not too thrilled about that. 

Sorry it was just a short post, but just wanted to update here. If you think about it, we would love your prayers that things will go smoothly tonight.

Wishing you all a good and cozy Wednesday night!

Blessings,
~Michlyn

Cleaning Day

Today is a cleaning day here at our house. Our school has Friday school days about 1-2 times a month, so today we got to stay home. Erin and I got to sleep in finally, after getting up at 6:00 am every morning. Yuck! That was very much needed! We woke up to a really good smell coming from the kitchen. Mom has already started cooking in the crockpot for dinner tonight!


It's yet another chilly Fall weather day. It's been a very brisk and still morning. So far this is what has or is still happening today.

What we have done:

Swept the kitchen and dining room.

Cleaned up and organized the entry way.

Beds are made.

Picked up the bathroom that two teenage girls were rushing through the past 4 mornings.

Started on some homework.

Tried to keep 'S' on track with picking up LEGOS.

Went through a few things in our closet.

 Cleaned out the fish bowl.

Mom is putting yarn extensions in 'T's hair today.

Cleaned the bathrooms.

We've all realized that if we work together for just one hour, that our house can be clean. I do mean clean.

We love having a clean house, and with no school today there are many distractions. So... this sign has been used frequently over the last few weekends: (Taped to our TV -- I did mention we got cable right?)

And finally... If I decide to actually get dressed and ready for the day, I might find time to clean out "The beast". :)

Wishing you all a productive and clean Friday!

Blessings, 
~Michlyn

A 'T' Update

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us! I know that there were many of you, and I just wanted to recognize you all for it. Our days are going a little bit better, and we've passed a few bumps along the way.

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but my mom is homeschooling 'T' this year. She has been learning slowly but well. Half of her time she is working at "Table Time". She's used to it, and keeping that routine will help with some of our transitions. So it's a healthier choice, to help her do her best.

My mom has been asked to help teach a few days this year at a preschool near our house. So this week, she has helped out two days. With 'S' going to everyday afternoon Kindergarten she has to get someone to watch 'T'. The first day a friend of mine, and super good babysitter watched them until 'S' went to school. Then, today my friend's mom came and watched them for a few hours. Since we try to keep it pretty low key, and don't go to many places, very often 'T' has had a couple hard days.

That spunky girl (and I do mean spunky) you see up there, has had a hard time listening. Sometimes she might not listen to directions, and will want her own way. She doesn't always use her nice words, and I know that a few things we're still working on. Today, I can tell that she's pretty tired just from the different routine from the past two days. Since we've been going to school, 'T' has had more stress than before.

When most days throughout the summer, she would be used to us all home with her. The first day we left for school, she had a hard time not focusing, and since she was on the "worrying side" she had a lot of that spunk come out. Now she's been having "bad thinking" as she calls it, (bad dreams) and often is still thinking, "Will they still be there in the morning?" "What will happen next?" All of these things going through her little brain, can sometimes make me feel nervous.

Just thinking, that my little 5 year old sister is worrying about those things, is somtimes hard to process. I can't imagine what's she's thinking, and we would all appreciate any prayers, as we still smooth out a few wrinkles. Of course I'd rather not explain in full detail how these attitudes have been driving us a little nuts, because that just wouldn't be fair to 'T'. We will choose to keep most things private, because it's best for our  family. 

I'm sure I'll get on here again soon, but as you can tell I've been pretty busy with homework, school, homework, youth group, and everything else life has been throwing at us.

Wishing you all a great Wednesday night!

Blessings,

~Michlyn

Prayers Needed

Our life is pretty hectic right now

We start here at home and then its....

School

Between the rides to & from school,
it's 3 hours a day of driving for my mom

Laundry

Homework

Family time

Time with friends

Church

Youth Group

Getting outside when we can

Three meals a day & snacks too

Dishes

Bedtime

The list will never end... We have our ups and downs - highs & lows. No one ever said that life was easy, and we need to remember that.

I have some pretty amazing people in my life! We as a family need lots of prayer right now.

Even when tears fall, God holds each and every one of them. He doesn't like to remember our sin and hurt, He is and always will be there for us!

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Blessings,

~Michlyn

Fall Weather

Today has been a beautiful day! This morning at about 10:30 my parents, 'T', and I went to visit the old house. We wanted to pick up a few more things in the yard, and also clean up the yard a bit.

The weather has been perfect today. I was actually able to wear a sweatshirt and jeans, without dying in the heat. I think Fall is finally here.

I haven't seen any color changing yet, but now that school has officially started, I can't wait to have this weather continually. These are the days, when you can open your windows, and still keep the house cool and not hotter.

When you can have campfires, and not be rained out by storms every time. To roast the smores, and hot dogs for dinner.

When we can take an annual trip to Duluth, MN for hiking, site seeing, taking pictures, lunch, and sometimes pumpkin picking.

Aww I love Fall weather! I'm off to eat lunch, and finish up the rest of my homework.

Wishing you all a fantastic Labor Day!

Blessings,

~Michlyn

School Starts Again

I know most of you can tell, that I'm slackin'. I haven't been posting, but I do have good reasons!

So this week, starting on Monday was our first day of school for the 2011-2012 school year. It has gone by really fast already, but gone well.

-Michlyn- (Me)

I started high school this year, and love it. On the first day of school, I was pretty quiet and didn't know very many people at all. My locker had a lot problems. I could never get it open, and it jammed a few times. Thank the Lord that Erin "popped in" every once in a while. She saved me from being late a few times. Finding the classrooms was fairly easy, but since Erin had it down she reminded me a few times. I'm so lucky to have a sister like her! The second day was much better. I figured out my locker, and met so many new friends. They are really nice, and they welcomed me with smiles. We usually all sit together at lunch. Science is my favorite class so far. I know almost everyone, and my teacher is funny and nice. I'm still getting used to the new routine, but can tell it's going to be a great year!

-Erin-

This is Erin's 3rd year at PACT. She began in November of 6th grade, when she got in. This summer she only had a few sleepovers with her school friends. So when school started she was excited to see them all again, and "be in the loop". haha I'm pretty sure she knows her classes like they've always been there. Then again, she's been around the school about 200 hundred times.  Her favorite subject is Drama. She's always been a good actress/singer. Although she is pretty shy, and I've already heard from a few people that's kind of quiet. Well at least we know she pays attention in class! :)

-J-

Mister 'J' went through a few transitions this year. Last year he started PACT for the first time, and was nervous. There are two levels in the school, and the classes are placed in their rooms by grade. So after being on the bottom floor last year, he had to move to the top this year. It caused extra nervousness, and he was a bit grumpy on the first day. At the end of the day, he came home with smiles and said his day was awesome. He said recess has been a lot of fun, and got to see some friends from last year and play with them. Praise God for answered prayer!

-S-

Our little man started Kindergarten this year. At first, I don't think he was that nervous. After open house, he came back excited, and ready to start. He attends everyday afternoon kindergarten. So when he went with to drop us off at school, he thought it was his turn to leave. :) Later, when my mom came to drop him off he did very well. He had fun that day: having a snack, seeing his teacher again, meeting new friends, and coloring. On the way home that day he said, "Mom, later when you dropped me off I feeled like crying but I didn't". Aww such a brave boy! On the second day, he was a little more hesitant my mom told me. But he's doing great, and I'm confident that he will continue to!

Wishing you all a great long weekend!

Blessings,

~Michlyn