Growing up Country

Monday, June 13, 2011

Top 8 Reasons I Love Country Living

#1 and 2 - the beautiful scenery and our big porch!

#3 - the hammock on our porch:)

#4 our vegetable garden

#5 - summer flowers

#6 - Gardenia's that smell heavenly!

#7 - Probably my favorite flower - the Hydrangea

#8 - Clothing is optional:)

caught Wyatt and Anna Lea doing some nude bathing

Summer Weekend

Well, after a long week of work and Bible School every day, we were ready to do some relaxin' this past weekend. We originally thought we would go to the river in Tellico, but thought we would give Gee Creek a try since it was a lot closer.

I'm glad we did! We found the PERFECT spot for a fun day with the whole family!

Layla and Anna Lea wading (there was a nice sandy "beach" and plenty of shallow water for the kids to play in)

Rob cooling off (this water is COLD!)

keeping our melon cool

Wyatt spent a lot of his time just collecting "BEEG STICKS!"

It was a beatiful spot and everyone was able to enjoy it!

Anna Lea's collection of river shells

When I asked the girls what their favorite thing they did that day was, they said swimming in the deep water on Daddy's belly:)

Cute bottom!

After supper that evening, Rob made his famous homemade strawberry ice cream!!! The kids wanted to watch him make it.

watching very intently

they don't want to miss a thing

After an awesome time of worship at our church Sunday morning, we enjoyed some more quality time in the "family pool". Rob had an awesome idea and this is what the kids ended up with...

we borrowed the slide from their playset and attatched it to a ladder to create a slide into the pool:) (don't get too nervous, we were right there helping them up the ladder)

Anna Lea's turn

Here comes Layla

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

All Natural Recipe Experiments Part I: Deodurant

I have always leaned towards doing things the natural way. It just makes sense to me. If I learn of a natural way to use what God created to help with an infection, moisturize my skin, or feed my family, then that, I believe, is the best way to go.

It was not until recently that I have been able to spend a little more time researching and finding easy and frugal ways of implementing this philosophy into my daily life. My friend, Sally, showed me a website that I have gotten a ton of homemade recipies from, on how to make everything from toothpaste to shampoo, and I have been dying to try them out and see how they really work. I won't go into every detail, but if you are interested you can find everything you need to know at this website: www.passionatehomemaking.com.

Last night I made my first batch of all natural deodurant! It was super easy and only has 3 ingredients in it: arrowroot powder (similar to cornstarch), baking soda, and coconut oil. I had saved my old deodurant bottle and refilled it with my homemade concoction.

If you like the sound of this recipe so far, but wandering if it actually worked, well...
It DID!! I am in the middle of VBS at our church this week, and have over a hundred kindergarteners coming through my class everyday! So, I am excited to say that NO! I did not stink today while using it! (I did check periodically, just to make sure:) Be aware that this deodurant is not an anti-perspirant. It will not stop you from sweating. But, you will be odor free, except for a light, delicious coconut scent. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical at first, but happy with the results!!

I purchased my coconut oil and arrowroot powder online at Amazon.com and my baking soda at Wal-mart.

3 ingredients: Coconut oil, arrowroot powder, and baking soda

You mix 1/4 cup of the two powders together, then add the 6-8 Tbs of coconut oil in with a spoon until it is this consistency.

Then, I just spooned it in to my old deodurant bottle and put it in the fridge. (Coconut oil will melt at 76 degrees F)

It was so fun to make it, and to wear it this morning!!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

First Family Camping Trip

Last weekend, we decided to try our first family camping trip. We didn't venture too far from home, staying at Gee Creek Campground about 20 minutes away from our house. I had never been there before, and was pleasantly suprised at how nice of a campground it was. The kids were very excited about the trip!

We wisely picked a campsite that was in close proximity to the bathrooms and the playground, and we let the kids ride their bicycles around to do some exploring.

We arrived Friday about 2:30pm. The kids rode their bicycles and tricycles around, played at the playground, and waded in the "creek". Meanwhile, Rob got the tent set up and the fires going.

Pop joined us for hamburgers and hotdogs at suppertime. He also brought some special "goodies" for the kids, but promptly left before their sugar rush began! (Thanks ALOT:)

Everything went very smoothly and everyone was having a glorious time, then it was bedtime...

We really hadn't used our tent before, and hadn't really realized just how small it was. Let's just say it wasn't made for a family of five to sleep in together. It took a while, but finally everyone fell asleep. I was the last one to drift off to "sleep" sandwiched in between Layla and Wyatt. I kept praying for morning to come quickly and promised myself to NEVER get into this situation again!

The next morning Rob cooked us some yummy sausages and eggs for breakfast. The kids played and rode until we had to leave.

All in all it was a fun time together, and we do plan on doing it again, but we will be taking another tent so that we can sleep separately from our precious children!

practicing for the camping trip in their "tatoons" (cacoons) as Wyatt calls them

playing in the sandbox at the playground

Layla and Anna Lea riding their cycles

Anna Lea showing us her "mean" face

The Three Muskateers

Pop and Layla

Enjoying their candy from Pop

Friday, May 13, 2011

My New Clothesline!

Call me crazy (it won't be the first time) but, I really do enjoy spending the time to hang my clothes outside on the line to dry. Any household chore that I can turn in to an outside chore, I will do it! I had been asking Rob to build me a clothesline for a month or two, and then our dryer broke, so... He went ahead and built me one, and I have been using it for several weeks now, and am loving it! I believe that it will also save us a few dollars a month on our electric bill.

In the winter I am planning to use our bonus room for drying clothes, so that I can keep it up all year long. Another plus in letting our clothes air dry as opposed to drying them in a dryer, will be better quality and a longer life for our clothes!

This is also a way that we as a family can be more self-sufficient, which is something that I have been spending alot of time thinking and talking to Rob about recently. This is something we both have a great interest in, and we will continue to update you on our progress:) Don't get too nervous though, I still plan on shaving my arm pits, and wearing makeup when I have to! HeeHee!

A Milestone

Well, we can now say that our youngest child is 2! Wyatt Young turned two this past Sunday on Mother's Day. Here are some pictures Rob took Sunday morning of them while I was getting ready...

Birthday Boy!

Layla (who is FIVE now!)

Anna Lea (who is 3 now!)

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

My Best Friend's Visit

I love having company. I really enjoy it when friends or family are able to come and stay at our home with us for a few days.

Monday, my very best friend in the world, Sally, and her two sweet little girls came to stay and play with us for a few days. Sally and I have known each other since high school, and we became really close during our college days together.

It was action-packed to say the least! When you have 4 preschoolers and 1 infant all in the same house, things can get crazy! But, it was a good crazy, and we are sad they have left us. (for now:) We did manage to squeeze in a little adult conversation Tuesday night after the kids had gone to bed, and that is always a treat! I will let the pictures below tell the story of their visit, and you can use your imagination to fill in the blanks!