Me and My Five Boys

Why have I never heard of Libera before now?! I am going to spend some money on their CDs in the very near future.

Labels: music

So my dad sent me an e-mail today saying that they got 2-3 inches of heavy snow in Cedar, and he was worried about his vegetable garden.

I replied that we've only had rain so far, and that I haven't planted my tomatoes, peppers or beans yet, but I have lettuce and peas coming up, and rhubarb coming out my ears.

My dad, ever the punster, wrote back, "I'd like to see a picture of that."

So after school I cut some rhubarb, stuck it in my ears, and had Adam take some pictures of me.

Then some of the neighbor kids joined in as well. I don't feel comfortable posting their photos without their parents' permission, but we had rhubarb princesses, a rhubarb king, and something vaguely resembling a Maori warrior. Silliness and fun!

By the way, anyone want any rhubarb? It's coming out my ears!

Labels: food, fun

Jared has an animal report due on Thursday. He chose to do his on the gray wolf. He has to give a short speech about it in front of his class, and visuals are encouraged. Knowing it would be another crazy busy week, I made him start on it yesterday after school. Last year in kindergarten he had to do a diorama for his animal project. We made an origami penguin and he was so excited about it.


When he suggested an origami wolf for his visual this year, I was all for it. Luckily we found a simple one online. Origami fascinates me, but it's hard to follow the instructions/diagrams when they get too complicated. Here is what we finished up tonight:

He helped color and fold the wolves, and colored all the background. As you can see, he's pretty happy with it too.

Labels: Jared, projects

So I don't usually post more photos than words, but this may be one of those times. Just got to catch up a little, and I think my brain is too tired to write more than captions at the moment.

Labels: family, life, photos

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I saw the musical adaptation of this book with my in-laws a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it, but I had never read the book. I picked it up on the recommendation of two good friends, and I'm so glad I did. I love it! I love the descriptions of the flowers and gardens and life. They made me want to go outside and grow things! I love the transformations of Colin and Mary and Mr. Craven. I love the undertone of Magic, of a Creator who from whom all our blessings flow. This is now one of my favorite books! (Thank you Charlotte and Jeri!)

Two profound quotes about things I've learned the hard way:

"One of the new things people began to find out in the last century was that thoughts--just mere thoughts--are as powerful as electric batteries--as good for one as sunlight is, or as bad for one as poison. To let a sad thought or a bad one get into your mind is as dangerous as letting a scarlet fever germ get into your body. If you let it stay there after it has got in you may never get over it as long as you live."

"Much more surprising things can happen to any one who, when a disagreeable or discouraged thought comes into his mind, just has the sense to remember in time and push it out by putting in an agreeable determinedly courageous one. Two things cannot be in one place. 'Where, you tend a rose, my lad, A thistle cannot grow.'"

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Labels: being positive, books