The First Time

The Lambies took their first swim of the season today. EmBlem captured some amazing water splashing that her sister was doing. Neat, huh?

Quackers!

I got this wonderful picture at Park Day today. My boy sure does love fowl!

Hard Working Boy

Nothing makes my heart so glad as seeing my boys working like men. Today was the first mow of the season and the thick backyard grass wasn't all that dry. Vic sure enjoys making the yard neat and clean. I'm glad he takes such pride in his work...

...even if he wears hippie-shoes to do it.

Pillow Mess

Jack is surveying the extensive pillow construction that went on today. EmBlem, GirlofGod and Trixie constructed pillows with all of the younger children. Everyone has at least one pillow keepsake of the great time they had together. Even Missy and Troubles got to help with the sewing!

Missy: circa 1880

I've been enjoying a site called How to Be a Retronaut. I especially liked "Smiling Victorians". I thought this pic of Missy would look nice all black and white'd like those beautiful smiling Victorians they showed.

Books For Wilson

These are some of the Books For Wilson books.

Here are more. I have donations coming in all the time and work daily to add books onto the $5/$3 lists, the Amazon store and onto LibraryThing accounts: Wilson and Mommaofmany. I'm having so much fun doing this fundraiser! It'll be even funner to see pictures of Wilson in his Mommy and Daddy's arms!

Sculpty

Several of the Lambies created with Sculpty Clay this afternoon. We've got a trayful of beautiful cakes and other objects to bake tomorrow. Can't beat it when kids create their own toys!

Just call me Mrs. Librarian

I spent some time in my library today. Much needed time! I straightened, sorted, thinned, moved and organized books. I think it looks so much better!

Here's the last shelf that I need to do:

Yeah, I think I need another shelf...or two. There's no way all those books are going to fit.

Brotherly Love

Isn't it wonderful?

SO Little!

This is a pic of a pic, so forgive the flash. Aren't they cute?? It's my eldest and second eldest.

Pepper!

We were getting low on pepper once again, so I called for Polly to get the pepper mill. Really, the Marga is a hand mill for grains, but it works really well on peppercorns. Also, it's so much fun to do, Troubles, Missy and Polly almost always do it for me!

A New Picture of Wilson!

Wilson's Mama and Papa will be traveling next month to see him. There will be new pictures! Here's one that I hadn't seen before. It was over at Ginger's blog. There's only two more days to get the Purses for Adoption deal! If you want a cute bag and to help Wilson at the same time, HURRY! Click the link from Ginger's blog to get in on the deal.

Books for Wilson is continuing, so go see the new books available. I add more almost every day, as a matter of fact! Last night saw a box of elementary science books added and today I expect to add some history and maybe some teen literature. The Amazon store is constantly updated, as well, as donations come in. Did you see how many books have been bought already?

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/WilsonWooddel
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/mommaofmany

Valley Abundance

A friend dropped off two big boxes of oranges and lemons from her trees. One box lasted two days. We'll see how long this one lasts.

High School Biology

Em was excited to do her second dissection of the year this week. So thrilled was she that she wouldn't let me get any pictures of her face. Instead, you can see the beginning of the end of Mr. Crawdad.

Birthday Humor

It was recently Vic's 13th birthday. He was so tickled by his main gift!

Precious Moments

This cross-stitch compilation was stitches in 1995-1996 to decorate my first baby's room. See the little football player on the upper left? My husband changed the pattern colors so he would be a 49er.

Spring is Coming Part Three

Last week I took pictures of different flowers gracing the neighborhood as I walked with the younger children. Today, I figured out how to make all those pictures into a pretty collage.

It's Getting There!

Wilson's donation tub has collected some funds. It won't be too long before we'll have enough to send off. Yay for helping that cutie to get home, dollar by dollar!

The Castle

Here's another cross-stitch I did years ago. It was finished in 1993. It's called "The Castle" and was designed by Teresa Wentzler. Here's the detail shot:

I made a small error while stitching this, that I didn't notice until after it was framed. I mentioned that fact one day to some of the Lambies. It's turned into quite a competition to find the error. So far, no one has found it!

Christ At Heart's Door

Here's a cross-stitch I made back in 1998 or 1999. The date is slightly blocked by the frame. It's called "Christ at Heart's Door". The original is a painting by Warner Sallman. He also painted the famous "Head of Christ" and "Christ at Gethsemane". Here's a detail picture:

I don't know how many times I stitched the left eye. It looks ever-so-slightly crossed to me. Happily, it's hard to see when looking at the overall piece.

Yard Sale Treasures

I went yard sale-ing this morning and found many treasures! This tub of REAL Legos? $5!



Almost all of these books are going to be listed for Wilson. Just three four will be staying with us. (I was told that we do not have one of the books I thought we did)

FIVE pairs of good Rollerblades (one even Rollerblade brand!) to fit growing, active feet.

I also bought five pairs of kids jeans, a shirt, a pair of Teva shoes (for me!!), Vans and a pair of slip-on 'barn shoes'. All of this set me back a mere $19. I actually came home with change in my pocket still! Thanks, Lord, for the blessings.

What a Guy!

This is my dear father-in-law. I'm thinking of him tonight, as he is not feeling well. Get better quick, Dad!

It's All Here

All of the curriculum I have ordered is here! I've been enjoying reading through the new books and mentally planning next year's studies and activities. I still want to get the experiment kits from Home Science Tools, but they are extras...we may end up putting the stuff together ourselves.

Methuselah-Kitty

Here's our half-blind, older-than-dirt, ever-loved cat. He began life as Little Boy, progressed to Boy, then to Old Man. Now is known by many names: Puddy, Crusty, Methuselah, Zombie...It's been a good 15 years. Here's to at least another summer!

Books For Wilson

The Books for Wilson fundraiser has begun in earnest. I have a few different places where I am selling. There are two different Library Thing lists to visit...one under Wilsons' name: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/WilsonWooddell and one under my net-name http://www.librarything.com/catalog/mommaofmany All books there are $1 each. I will figure out media mail shipping to your address. Also, almost everything in my Amazon store is for his benefit right now. The link there is here . Here's a list of $5 and $3 books that are available. They are first come, first served, so contact me quickly if you see something you want!

$5 Books

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons (Brand new softcover!)

The Complete Tightwad Gazette (nearly new softcover)

Tales From Silver Lands by Charles Finger (hc-ex-lib)

Book of Myths by Helen Sewell (hc-ex-lib)

Tales Told Again by Walter de la Mare (hc-ex-lib)

Riders of the Pony Express by Ralph Moody (hc-ex-lib)

The Golden Fleece by Padric Colum (hc-ex-lib)

The American Song Treasury: 100 Favorites by Theodore Ralph (sc, new)

Rise Up Singing by Peter Blood and Annie Patterson (new softcover)

America's Providential History by Mark Beliles and Stephan McDowell (new sc)

Creation: 13 6-in-1 Comprehensive Curriculum Lessons, Grades 1-4 by David and Helen Haidle (new sc)

Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer ill. by Maurice Sendak (hc-ex-lib)

The Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden (hc-ex-lib)

The Healing Power of Herbs by Michael T. Murray, N.D. (new, sc)

$3 Books

The Red Fairy Book by Andrew Lang (ex-lib, hc)

Owl Moon (FIAR, sc, new)

Sarah Palin: Going Rogue (hc, new)

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (new condition, very nice version)

The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace (with free separate study guide! Study Guide chapters 1,10 and 11 are completed, but other chapters are unused) (vgc, sc)

Created to be his Helpmeet by Debi Pearl (nearly new sc)

The Green Fairy Book by Andrew Lang (fair to good condition, ex-lib sc)

Believing God by Beth Moore (nearly new hc w/dj)

The Kids' Multicultural Craft Book by Roberta Gould (new sc)

Handwriting Without Tears Teacher's Guide, An Overview of the Program (new, sc)


I also have a new copy of Easy Grammar Plus and Easy Grammar Plus Workbook. The set available is $27 PPD.

Thanks for supporting the Wooddells and Wilson! I can't wait to post pictures of him in his mommy's arms!

Spring is Coming Part Two!!

The waders are here and so are the blossoms! The trees are blooming all over and the temps have been in the 60's. I love Spring in the Valley!

A Primal Breakfast

Two farm-fresh eggs, cooked in butter, with three heaping tablespoons of finely chopped swiss chard/spinach/tomatoes (greens from my garden!) and a tablespoon of bacon included, seasoned with kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, garlic and onion powder, topped off with Tillamook Cheese.

Robot Face

GirlofGod is painting faces again...and getting pretty good at it, too! Jack is a robot in this design.

My Honey

I caught a great picture of my Honey today. Isn't he just the handsomest man ever?!

Spring is Coming...

...and so did my waders! I'll be joining my Honey in the cold Sequoia waters soon. Trout, watch out!

Happy Day!

EmBlem turned 15! She seemed to like her gifts. She got the last Percy Jackson book, a Sigg water bottle, a large candy bar and some cash.

Raising Wilson's Ransom

Little Wilson is longing for his family to come and get him, and his family is longing FOR him! However, first a large ransom has to be raised. Ginger has blogged eloquently about it and also how the Lord provided the ransom for their three children who were born in Liberia, West Africa.

The Crew has been praying for Wilson and his family. We were stirred to do something. As we tossed around ideas, we kept returning to our love of books. So we are doing a book drive and sale to benefit Wilson. Local friends can donate any and all kinds of books over the next couple of weeks. We are sorting, cleaning and organizing them. In a few weeks, we will hold a sale and all proceeds will be sent directly to Wilson's adoption fund at Reece's Rainbow. I will be posting the best items on Amazon. I'll post links to them as I list them. The Lambies will also be offering baked goods during the book sale. Who can resist cookies, caramel popcorn and fudge?!

Any little bit helps, so if you are able, please, visit his page and leave a gift of any amount. Together, we can ransom this dear child and bring him home! You could also be a Piece of the Puzzle by visiting Wilson's GrandDad's blog or benefit him by buying a gorgeous purse from Thirty-One. Let's join together for this boy!

Drama!

There was a vampire about the Crew's digs! GirlofGod struck again with her face painting talents and transformed EmBlem into The Count! We ever had a huge box available to serve as a coffin for her to rise out of. Never a dull moment, I tell ya!

High School Science

We had our first ever high school science dissection. We purchased a specimen kit from Home Science Tools to avoid a live dissection.