My School Room

I know, I know, I know! I haven't posted in a couple months, and believe me I have my reasons. Anyway, I was going to do a couple posts and show some pictures of what we've been up to since I last posted, but that'll take up so much time and I have plenty to show you as it is. Maybe I'll slip something in later on. Right now, I wanted to show you my school room! I know most people don't remodel their school room before the school year is over, but we've been getting by since we've moved and I needed something to motivate us. Thus, the new school room! I got some ideas online, and spent forever in Lowe's trying to pick just the right colors (believe me with five kids that's a chore), and three days afterward painting. Tell me what you think! If you have any ideas, feel free to comment!

I made the kids a fort with a hula hoop, some shower curtains, and a sheet. The kids love sitting in there to read!

  I couldn't find a bean bag I liked so I found a pattern and picked out my own material! 

 I bought some chalkboard paint and did the sliding door on my closet.

 This is Paul's desk, and above it is our "Art Wall" where the best pictures of the week are hung.

I didn't think to zoom in, but I taped off a 21" square on the corner of my desktop, and painted it with chalkboard paint. Now when the smaller kids sit here we can practice writing together.

Thinking of Spring

I took a walk around my yard and took some pictures of the flowers that are blooming right now. Honestly, I don't know what they are, so if any of you know, let me know! :) Enjoy!

Just Keeping Busy

Matt was gone for three weeks this past month, and that's my excuse for not keeping ya'll informed on our daily fun. Hopefully he'll get some internet on our home computer before he leaves this time.
Anyway, we've been staying busy working around our new house, trying to get things in shape. I've been working on the school room, trying to make it into a room that the kids love to be in!Paul's been doing pretty well with his school work, he insists still that he can't read very well, but he slips when he thinks I'm not paying attention and he does really good. I've gotten an app on my phone that is a penguin spelling game. He loves this game, and will tell me excitedly that he's on the fourth level! Haha He hasn't figured out yet that it's the same as doing school work, just fun.
So, I've got things to be doing right now, and I'm just going to toss some pictures out there for you.

 Gracie's trying out the chalk at Bro Al's 

 My friend, Emily Sampson. We had a work day out at the church, cleaning up outside.

 Hannah and Emily with my Grace

 They put in some newer equipment! The kids love the pine shavings.

 I haven't a clue what to call this thing, but it was taking down trees like they were toothpicks!

 Me, Hannah, and Grace taking a break

 Bro Neil watering the beds that we worked on

 Doing yard work at our own house

I'm trying to get rid of all these little stones so I can have a flower bed here. Lots of kids come in handy! ;)

Happy New Year 2013

We had a wonderful meeting on New Year's Eve at our church, where we had three ministers through the evening until midnight when we took communion, and had foot washing. The three ministers were Bro Charlie from GA, Bro Matthew from AL, and our very own Bro Al Stowell. We brought the new year in with the Lord on our minds and in our hearts...what a wonderful way to start the year!
New Years day we spent quietly with our kids (at least, as quietly as one can with five kids), and I fixed a huge pan of pork and kraut. The girls are growing up on me and insisted they knew how to wash dishes so I let them at it (don't worry I took out any knives and did those myself), and found Matt playing 'Go Fish' with Paul, and Gracie mad in her pen. Take a look at some pictures I have for you, and let me know what you think!

Texas Christmas

Our Christmas turned out pretty special this year, when two very special people showed up to spend a week with us, here in Texas. My Mom and Dad, Billy and Lavonne Riley, came from KY to stay Christmas week, and the kids were thrilled! We had so much fun (if only Dad hadn't gotten the flu), and yet we also had some bad things happen as well. Matt contracted an infection in a small scratch on his right pinky finger, that got so bad while out on the rig they had to fly him back to a hospital. They flew in a surgeon to do a surgery on his hand in order to save it, and kept him hospitalized for five days. All around the world saints of God were praying for my husband (thank you everyone for your prayers!), and although the doctors told him he probably wouldn't be home for Christmas, God heard my prayers and they sent him home with three days to spare! So, Matt is doing good, and while it's still not pretty to look at, the doctor says it's doing really good. Anyway, here's some pictures of the past week....enjoy!

 My pretty baby

 Making reindeer cookies

 Of all the presents they got they still love the boxes!

 My handsome man

The kids got bikes for Christmas!

Catching Up

I know I haven't posted anything in a long time, and I'm sorry. Things have just been too hectic, and the short of it is that I was too lazy at the end of the day to bother typing about it. :) Anyway, we've moved into our new house, Matt has a new job on a huge oil rig, and school work.....well, we have some catching up to do. We also spent Thanksgiving at Bro Al Stowell's, so I'll just post some pics and if my computer will let me, I'll try posting a video of what we did at Bro Al's.
First, here's a link to show you where Matt's going to be working, on the Thunder Horse. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Horse_Oil_Field

 I caught Paul feeding a cupcake to Gracie.

 MMMMMM

 Pickin' and grinnin'

 Sis Pansy coming back for more?

 Black friday surfin'

 Two sweethearts, Gracie and Sis Dorothy

 My kids and dirt and sand....need I say more?

 EEWWWW

 I think they're missin the snow, Mary's making a snow angel

Sis Nora finally sitting down!

We Have A Home In Jasper!

 The Lord always provides, and now He's provided a home for us here in Jasper, Texas. We've bought a beautiful home out here that we can move into after October the 29th, and we're all so excited! I thought I'd share a few pics of the place, since I know most of you won't be able to see it for yourself for awhile. The house has a large screened in front porch (which we've already set up our porch swing onto!), an 1.5 acre fenced in yard, hardwood floors throughout the whole house, and (the kids favorite) a swing set/fort in the backyard.

 This is the view from the back, did I mention it has a carport?

 The large tree on the left is a pecan tree! The "fort" as the kids are calling it is on the right.

 Master bedroom, I love the shutters in the windows!

 First part of the master bathroom, to the right of this is a walk in closet.

 Hallway coming from the Master bedroom, this is the laundry "nook". I'm gonna take the carpet out of the hall and put a runner in it's place eventually. 

Kitchen from the dining area. All cabinets are new.

 Sorry about the window, the sun was really bright today! This is the other corner of the kitchen.

 2nd bathroom

 Living room. I'm taking the carpet up since it's not tacked and has that wonderful wood floor underneath. The fireplace is gas, and the bookshelves are built into the wall.

 2nd bedroom. Closet is on the left.

 3rd bedroom. This one has two closets!