Pocket Microscopes for Nature Hikes

I recently saw a blog post about taking pocket microscopes along during nature hikes. I was skeptical about how well these would work, but curious enough to order six of them from Amazon ($2.59 each and free shipping). After using them for a week, we're crazy about them! Not only has it cultivated curiosity in my girls (ages 8, 5, and 3), but you can even take PICTURES with the microscope using your smartphone. We've observed and photographed leaves, flowers, aphids, bark, skin, hair...you get the picture.

Demolition Days {The Old House}

 We spent days in July and August doing demolition work in the front rooms.

It's messy work but any progress is good. Thin plywood was pulled from the walls and sheet rock pulled from the ceiling. Under the sheet rock ceilings we found old wall paper and cheese cloth. That had to come down as well. You can imagine the dirt and dust that fell. Even the fireplace brick was taken down. The next step is to remove all of the staples and nails left the in ceiling and walls.

A One Armed Paper Hanger {Our Wooden Fence}

 It's obvious that Steven came from a line of hard working men, but the story of a relative who was a one armed wall paper hanger, well, that just amazes me. That's about what this project was for Steven. He had much needed assistance from his father in setting the posts, but after that, he was a one man fence builder. Not only does the finished fence give the girls so much more room to play and freedom to roam, but it's super pretty to look at too.

February 2, 2015. Steven and his dad set the posts.

 We took a snow vacation and then on March 6, 2015 Steven set the top and bottom rails. 

 We took another trip out of town for a funeral and then on April 3, 2015 He hung the pickets. 

April 11, 2015 he added the last of the trim. 

Now we're working to strip and paint an old door to act as a gate. This beautiful fence was finished just in time for us to enjoy the lovely spring weather. It's so nice being married to a capable, "one man fence builder."

Easter Tradition - He Took Our Sins

I'm giddy when I find a simple, but meaningful way to teach the girls about the love of Christ, so when I saw this He Took Our Sins - Carnation Experiment I was thrilled.

To create your own all you need is:

White Carnations (Jesus the pure sacrifice)

Red food dye (our sin) About 20 drops

water and a vase.

Sitting around the table after dinner we each took turns adding drops (about 20 total) of red dye into the water and talking about ways that we sin and how none of us are perfect. Then we each trimmed our own white carnation, placing it into the vase. We added three more white carnations each day so that we had varying shades of pink. We placed the first few flowers in on Monday and by Saturday, they were tipped beautifully with red.

This simple activity lead to a meaningful discussion about the beauty of Easter and the sacrifice Jesus made because of LOVE. It's important to me that the girls know that our faith is based in scripture, so I shared these scriptures with them: 1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:5 and

2 Corinthians 5:21

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,

so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 

Thanks be to God! Happy Easter!

Curiosity Renewed

Sometimes it feels as if we've lived here so long that all of the mystery surrounding the old house has been discovered. But, then, one day when you're digging around in the old garage and cleaning an old louver door you find a little gem like this. A metal plate, engraved with the name of the family who built the home. A new discovery that gives you a glimpse into the history of the house and renews your curiosity about what else is waiting to be discovered at the (previous) Home of Mrs. J.A. Muller.

Family Room {Last Wall}

 This is what remodeling with kids looks like.

Working while they play and working late into the evening.

But the last wall is finished and it's BEAUTIFUL!

Coralee's 3rd Birthday {A Visit to the Fire Station}

 I'm big on tradition, if you didn't already know this. At times, keeping up with all of the traditions can be challenging, but this time it SAVED me! New Year birthdays are the worst and I really struggle with making plans to celebrate Coralee's birthday, but this year, tradition saved the day. I knew exactly what we were doing and where we were doing it. Third birthdays are spent at the fire station. See: Marin's 3rd birthday and Adalyn's 3rd birthday.

As it was with the other girls, Cora loved her day at the station. In her birthday interview I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she held up four fingers.