#4

There are so many words to describe Joshua.

Determined, noisy, creative, talkative, intelligent, busy, wiggly, loving, & snuggly.

Since I was never a 7 year old boy I confess that sometimes I really don't understand him--however--Steve assures me that he is perfectly normal. Sometime he really reminds me of Calvin--you know the cartoon character. There is really is a lot going on in that little head and I don't have any idea what it is!

Things that amaze me about Joshua. He is a bottomless pit. You would think it was the teenage boy in my house who can't get enough to eat. NOPE it is the 7 year old. I am afraid of what the teenage years will be like. He asks me what is for supper before breakfast is over. I feed him double snacks and he's still hungry before everyone else!

Joshua also loves to be on the computer. He has learned to play Age of Empires which is his brother's game & I think he got it when he was over 10. Joshua does great on it. It is astounding what he has learned from it. While studying the Middle Ages in history we read about notable people from that time period(ie King Richard, Robin Hood, Attila the Hun, etc) and he will pipe up with "Oh I learned about him in Age of Empires." Then he will proceed to tell me all about that person. It is great our computer games are so "educational." :)


Joshua is the people person in our family. He would rather hang out with people than eat & that is saying something. He is the slowest eater at the dinner table for just that reason. He loves to play games. Some of his favorites are UNO, Blink, Galactic Heros, Pictionary, & many others. I am lucky to have Joshua around--I never go without hugs. He gives them to me constantly!

I know he is an animal lover too. He takes care of feeding our cats. I know that Popcorn, our 3 legged cat, enjoys hims like when he traps him under the laundry baskets or when he "helps" him and our dog get together.

He is my youngest. He drives me crazy & keeps me on my toes. He is ALL boy and he is just like Steve. Must be why I love him!

Menu Monday

The menu isn't complete yet--there are holes that I haven't decided about yet. Some weeks are like that I guess. Wiggle room--a place for left overs & creativity. :)

Mon Waffles, Broccoli & Rice, Beef Tostadas

Tues Oatmeal, Frittata, White Bean Chili

Wed Bacon/Eggs/Muffins, Spaghetti, Confetti Fish

Thurs Yogurt, ? , Pasta Salad

Fri ?, Pasta Meatball Soup, Tatertot Casserole,

Sat Cereal, Hamburgers, Out

Sun Oatmeal, Ham & Potato Scallop, Cheese & Crackers

Sewing again!

It has been a really long time since I sewed anything but a friend asked me to make a flower girl dress for her daughter! The wedding is in February and we get really busy in February so my goal was to finish it by the end of January. She gave the fabric & such to me just a week ago & it is DONE!

It was a really easy pattern so that made it go fast. I need to make a sash tomorrow & it will be ready to go. Feels great to accomplish something and have it turn out well.

There weren't any huge mishaps except sewing the bodice on backwards the first time--had to undo that and then redo it! I am hoping that the little girl who wears it has a ball twirling because it is really full. That is what fancy dresses are for after all.

Now maybe I can get my quilting back out but I need to make Michael a pair of pj's first!

Winter Declutter

It all started on Wednesday last week. I was going crazy spinning in circles trying to accomplish something. There have been some problems around our house that have prevented it from being organized and tidy. We have had remodeling going on for what seems like years. All of it has been good in the end.

As many projects begin, we had water come in our window well & soak some carpet. After it was ripped up we decided to lay tile

instead. There also was a need to have another drain(which meant busting up the concrete foundation) so we also decided to rearrange the drains in the bathroom so the toilet was in a better place. So our bathroom has gone from looking like this(which is actually better than when the shower & cabinets were still there) to this beautiful bathroom that is functional and we all are thankful to have. Yes my dog & cat are enjoying it too!

However, our main bathroom developed a leak and had to be gutted so now we are on to another project. I have been amazed that everyone hasn't been as sick as other years. I am wondering if the mold was causing some respiratory problems.

We are slowly getting the time to finish the drywall work. Steve is doing an awesome job. I often ask the kids when they are feeling overwhelmed "How do you eat an elephant?" They know the answer is "One bite at a time." That is how all our home remodeling has to be done as we are busy with LIFE!

Sometimes when I cannot figure out where to put something I dream of another garage sale to clean out somethings that we are not using. But then where would I store things for a garage sale? Such a fun merry -go-round that I ride on!

God always makes a way though! A friend of mine sent an email that Ellis Cancer Hospital was holding a Winter Clean out Garage Sale & they desperately need items to sell for their fundraiser. Wow! Only problem was time.--we had to deliver things by Tuesday. So that set the stage for the first ever Brush Winter Declutter! We got rid of roller blades, helmets, puzzles & some misc. Yeah 50 items GONE! Maybe in February I can do the same thing again. That would be so great! Here is what I packed in the Suburban and drove off today!

#3

This week I get to tell about my sweet Megan. I think one of the things I like best about her is her laughter. We giggle about a lot of things around this house but Megan loves to laugh & her laugh is infectious. Just this evening we were listening to Steve read to the kids & we both knew the story so as the funny parts came along she would start to snicker & then would just give up and giggle. I couldn't help it . . . . . I was giggling too.


At 11 Megan has started to get long legged and is beginning to loose that little girl look. She is fast growing up and becoming a young lady. She has been growing her hair out for a year and now doesn't have any bangs. She keeps it tucked behind her ear & likes to swing her hair around because it tickles her neck!



She is her brothers best friend and they play together all sorts of made up games. I have seen them lately building forts out of mattresses. Dressing up and chasing each other all over with swords in an elaborate game they invented. On the other had Megan loves to play on her own. She is content to do a puzzle for hours or get out her doll house & get it set up just right.

I often say Elizabeth is the creative one but Megan has some talent in that area too. She makes woven pouches that are incredible. Latch hook and cross stitch are fun too! Just the other night she surprised me with a drawing that was very accurate & I could really tell what she had sketched! Her creativeness needs structure--like in latch hook. She likes to know where the lines are and how to stay inside of them. As a little girl I remember her being this way and now it is surfacing again as she grows.


There is a tenacity in this girl--something that is very determine & won't let go. When she decides to do something then it gets done. A couple of years ago we started her in soccer. I was a little unsure because some of the girls were a lot bigger than her. But you know what she was FAST & she went after that ball like nobody's business! She is like that in learning something new too. She keeps after it and doesn't give up. I love this picture because it really shows her attitude. This was in a very cold game where it rained but she didn't stop for one minute!

Some things Megan loves--pink, chocolate, puzzles, hugs, dancing with her Dad, helping others, & babies. Things that she doesn't like--being unsure of what to do, having someone unhappy with her for ANYthing, or disappointing herself.

I think maybe it is because she is #3 but Megan is the flexible child. She likes her vegetables, she rarely fusses about clothes or chores. I will often see her pick up the slack when another person is unable or unwilling to pitch in. She doesn't ruffle when plans change. But she has a long memory--if I promise something you can be sure she will remember & remind me. I miss my little girl but I see that God has great plans for my young lady that is emerging from my precious sweet child.