I just returned from a most lovely weekend away in the company of nearly 30 beautiful ladies. 
I flew on a jet plane for the first time in years, that was so fun in itself!
I am still whirling mentally from all the conversation and late nights, and smiling at the memories made.
Getting to meet such beautiful women in real life that I’ve only dreamt of interacting with…
Words evade me about details. But a huge thank you to those of you present ~ you know who you are!

Thank you for the comments and feedback on the first Guest Post!
I am thinking I’d like to have them a regular feature. Or goodness, they may as well just take over.
They’re far more popular.

And this is just a little heads-up for whoever is interested…
Ervina and Claudia began a blog when they were in Cambodia for several months in the summer of 2010.
And Claudia has a small business making lovely feathered headbands and headpieces, found on facebook at The Feather Factory.
100% of all profits go toward the ministry in Cambodia.

____________________________________________________________________

And now this is like a second guest post, only by many contributors!

At first when I gave the invitation made the plea for organization tips and ideas,
I was a bit nervous that I’d be left high and dry and end up saying [sheepishly],
“Umm, sorry, ladies, but um, no one sent ideas…….”

I am so very happy to say that there were so many wonderful tips and ideas given,
and they should probably each have their own post, there were that many!
I am so grateful and very much indebted to you all! Thank you, thank you!
There are so many great ideas, and as they kept coming in
I thought to myself that each one of you could easily be featured in some great article on housekeeping!

What I loved about all the ideas and pictures is that they are so real life and yet so wonderful.
I am not one that goes for a sterile, stark, and cold environment.
Magazines and the pictures in it are lovely, but so often they feel so staged to me.
Like, really, someone actually lives there? not sure about that.
What I like is order and calm, but where it also looks inviting and warm.

And that is exactly what these pictures and ideas portray to me.
To say I’m thrilled with every single contribution is an understatement.
Thanks again, ladies, so very much!

I’m going to be separating the ideas into two separate posts, so if you sent me some pictures and ideas, you are not being forgotten!
[and I apologize for the long delay, it's been a whirlwind here].
Also, if you were wanting to still send in some pictures you are welcome to do so.

Annnnnnd, *drum roll, please* here are the featured contributors!

 Esther offered some tips on organizing containers on her blog, as well as a kitchen tour after their remodel!
[I'd show pictures, but I'm not really a picture-stealer, so... ]

 From Laura:

“Just thought I would my two cents worth your organization article, Part II.
I am not by nature an organized/super clean person…however, I married one. =)

General pick-up/put away gets done all through the house every day of course, but actual bucket-and-rag cleaning has its designated day.
It has worked wonderfully for me! I can do my days chores, then spend the rest of the day sewing or whatever I choose/needs attention,
without feeling bad about the rest. And yes, when company comes, the entire house does get cleaned all at once.
But for day to day, normal living, a little each day is perfect! Just wanted to share what works for me…”

From Tracy Cassel, some great tips on laundry and mudroom organizing…

“Here are a few pictures from my mudroom/laundry area.
These shelves hold my bigger pot and occassional kichen necessities.
We hang our coats on the bar that runs along the bottom.

Another view of the same area. 

 
To the left of the shelving is the front door of the mudroom.
I love having a place for all of our shoes and boots, back packs, and hats.  
Under what we call the 'the shoe bench', 
are three canvas boxes where socks and other winter gear are kept.  
This works well for us. 
 

 
To the right of the shelves is my washer/dryer.  
Right outside of the door is the back yard where my husband build me a large 'Amish' 
wash line system a few years ago.  
I hang my wash year round and only us the dryer on occasion.
 
 
 
 
From Mary, with some wonderful organization…
This is in the nursery.  Elizabeth’s changing table/dresser is right by her closet so I have this hanging inside the closet door.  
It’s handy and keeps the dresser free of clutter.  
 
I love plate organizers!  They’ve helped out with our dinner plates.
  I’ve also liked having quite a few of those white things that fit into cupboards, I forget what they’re officially called.  
They’re great for making efficient use of tall counter space; stuff can go on the top and bottom of these handy things.  
 


This is a cupboard above the stove.  I love this for kids’ meds, adult meds and spices that I buy in bulk.  
 
 
Self-explanatory picture of where I keep paper products.  
 
The fridge!  I am big on keeping this thing wiped out constantly because I don’t like a dirty fridge.  
It takes seconds to wipe out a spot before I set something else in there.  
I also move things as quickly as I can which helps with making sure food doesn’t get wasted.
  If I have leftovers and there is still some left after already using some, I move this into a smaller container.
  It helps keep the food looking nice   which is more appealing and uses less space in the fridge.  
My friend, Tracy, [look above! ~c] is the fridge queen and I’ve learned some of this stuff from her.    
 
 I am with you, Clarita, on not being sure how to store empty storage containers.
  For as long as I’ve had my own house, I have stacked them with the lids on and that mostly works well.  
I just think it takes too much space but this is how I do it……until I find a better way.    
 
This is my pantry.  A few years ago, I saw this shoe thing used on the back of doors.
  I’ve loved it especially for little things that might otherwise get lost on pantry shelves.  
Using ice cream buckets isn’t the fanciest thing but it sure has helped keep stuff organized.  
I typically keep bulk food in bags and then just stick it right into the bucket, it helps keep food stuff fresh.  
 
This is a cupboard right above the coffee machine.  
I again used those shelf organizers to help keep the mugs organized and not falling over.  
I still do stack the mugs on top of each other but now it’s only two instead of five or more.    
It’s handy to have this right above the coffee pot.  
 
This is supposed to be over by the other picture that has the cupboard above the stove.  
This is the other cupboard above the stove.  
Lazy susans have been great just as you said in your post and for me, it’s been the best way to keep my vitamins and spices organized.
  I love that these kinds of things are above the stove, away from eager beaver little hands that would love to have all this stuff.     
 

 
 

Aimee, from My *Pink* Life  said,
 ”I like to think outside the box when it comes to organizing and running a house. 
We don’t need to things like our moms and grandmas did things ~ this is something I’ve learned throughout my married life. 
And sometimes what works for you doesn’t work for someone else. 
You have to make solutions for yourself that work best for YOU.”
She referred me to a great post she did recently on a baking station -
 just beautiful and yet practical, so worth visiting her site to see!
[sneak peek]

 
Thelma:
“I too have my little morning ritual. I’m much more in the mood to get my house in order in the a.m. then at night. 
I always go through my upstairs rooms and put away any stray clothes, make the beds, put away random shoes, 
clean off the bathroom counter, it’s amazing how it gives you this good feeling later when you dash through and see everything nice and neat, 
at least in that part of the house. i do the same in my kitchen too…”
Bek said,
 “I hate clutter and I feel like I’m always fighting it in this small house full of busy little children.
 In the past year I’ve come to the solid belief that less is more. The kids can only play with so many toys. 
I’m not going to throw away their precious toys, but i will pack half of them away for a while… then trade them out again.
 It’s fun for them and I’m tripping over/picking up half the amount of the toys.

And clothing… used to pick up anything at yard sales, or on bargain racks. 
It turned out that we all had a lot of clothes, but not much really nice to wear. 
So… totally cut back. All the kids need is a few skits/pants, and a few nice shirts to go with them. 
Of course there are a few Sunday dresses hanging in the closet too. But I love how it simplifies everything in their room.
And that’s about all I know. Organization is very much a work in progress around here!:)”
[I LOVE the trading out toys idea!! I'm definitely going to start doing this! [~c]
 
A reader:
“About your container drawer…   
I’ve found that if I keep all my containers in a cupboard, nested in each other as nicely as I can, and keep all the lids in a drawer, it works best. 
I sort my lids- all the round ones in one drawer, and all the square, rectangular, or otherwise odd-shaped ones go in another drawer.
 I have a very small kitchen, and I had to give up some other things that I really wanted in drawers & cupboards 
to be able to do this, but it is by far worth it to me. “
And that concludes Part II! Thank you all so much again for your tips and tricks and contributions!
And Happy Leap Day! 
~ clarita



							

Okay, so I am really really excited about this post.
Probably more excited than I’ve ever been about a post on my blog.
Probably because I didn’t write it.

Modest is Hottest….

Or… New Ideas for the Practical Woman

Together, I, Claudia, with my sister, Ervina Barkman-soon-to-be-Yoder, have combined our love for photography, our fascination with unique clothing combinations, and a deep gratitude for our sisterhood, to bring you the highly anticipated and most delightful post.
Of course, I had to take this opportunity to use the cheesy and bestest title ever. Hence… The title.

It was June 8. 2011. And We Committed.
On a plane enroute to Bangkok, Thailand, Ervina and I, made a most momentous decision… to cut off all communication with the Shopping-for-super-cute-and-fashionable-clothes-World.
Seeing as how I am a five year thrift-shop veteran, and Ervina a 10 year H&M veteran, this decision was not made lightly.
However, I convinced her that this was a pivotal decision for our lives, and so we decided on a One Year Clothing Fast. YAY!!

However, It only took a few months before Ervina realized I had pulled a fast one on her. “I’m sorry, But a wedding dress….” I regretfully told her, “ ….is not even an option.”
Of course, she found plan B, and planned her wedding for June 8, 2012, claiming that her dress was on a payment plan.

Ok. Ok. I’m Lying. It was I, Claudia, who Heroically and quite alone(elly) committed to the 1-year clothing fasting plan. With the exception of:
A. Using Gift Cards (Not gonna lie. I thought about buying myself gift cards, so I had to add on:) …that have been given to me as gifts (Not gonna lie. Again, I thought about buying myself gift cards as gifts, so I had to add on:) FROM FRIENDS (Not gonna lie. I have pondered the question, “Am I my own Friend?”).
B. Clothing bought as a gift for Dear BoyFriend.
C. Maid of Honor dress for June, Bridesmaid dress for March.
D. 12 DIY projects

Since June 8, I have been having quite the fun wearing the same articles of clothing in as many different ways as is possibly possible. I have especially enjoyed bringing periodic heart attacks to Mother as I come downstairs in another t-shirt hacked into a vest or an old sweater made into a cardigan. Many thanks to Ervina, who has gone along with my swell inventions.
So. Today, we bring you Mother’s latest heart attack, in the form of a Scarf.

In Ervina’s Words: It all started with one of those decisions to stop shopping for clothes and begin exploring new ways to wear what’s in our closet. Naturally, you can mix and match and layer in lovely ways but our most recent [and fun] discovery was finding out how versatile a scarf can be. First of all, make sure it’s one that’s fairly large and either rectangular or square in size (triangular could become a bit scandalous). When worn as a skirt or tucked-in top, secure with a dramatic belt.

The Church Service

The Bridal Shower

It’s simple to create these outfits, really. Just brush up on your kindergarden shoelace knot and you just might be good to go. And If that doesn’t work, just pull out your HDDP (Handy Dandy Diaper Pin) for some added security. 

For the Scarf: Wrap once, twice, or thrice around neck. 

For the Skirt: Simply wrap the scarf completely around your body. Making sure that it is adjusted so that the bottom layers are even all around. Tie the two ends tightly together and tuck securely underneath a rad hipster belt. (If in a pickle. Resort to the HDDP for help) This can also be worn as a high-wasted skirt. 

For the Shirt: Wrap the scarf evenly around the upper body, tying or HDDP-ing securely. This outfit can be completed by tucking in the scarf, wearing a big buckle belt, and finishing it off with a cardigan.

Even if none of these are exactly your idea of style, perhaps they’ll inspire you to reevaluate your wardrobe and have fun experimenting with unusual combinations of accessories — and save a few pennies while you’re at it.

[ brought to you by the sisters ]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I loved this. I think because I learned so much from it. They are some of the most creative, unique but lovely dressers I know. I call them my fashion consultants.

When they told me their ideas, I was thinking, “A scarf as a skirt? What??”
But I sure wanted to see it. I think it’s fabulous.
And with two kids tugging at my skirts, I will most certainly be using the HDDP.

And I didn’t even realize until I read this that Claudia was on a one-year clothing fast. She definitely doesn’t take a martyr’s stance on it, but makes it a fun challenge.

So let them know how much you enjoyed this and maybe we can convince them to come back for re-runs.

~clarita

p.s. i’m still hoping for emails/pictures/messages with organizing tips from you all! or else there will be no second edition to the Second Edition.

So January is National Organizing Month.
Just hearing that, “organizing month,” makes me happy.
Not that I’ve actually even done that much this year,
with just getting back and adjusting to a routine again.
But I really do love having a bit of organization in my days and life and home

I thought it might be fun to do a little “tricks of the trade” of house-wife-ing,
in honor of this month. Since I have one day left in January.

Any other occupation tries to find ways to better itself and find shortcuts and time-savers, so why not the career of housekeeping?

[Now as a disclaimer: This is not about a clean house.
I'm not talking about dustless baseboards or spotless floors or weekly cleaning.
This is not about trying to have "the perfect house."]

[Yes, there are flowers blooming in January. I think winter forgot to come.]

 This is just going to be some tips and tricks that I’ve learned from so many other people throughout the past six years of marriage. And even before that, observing my mother with her six children.

 These are just things that seem to make the days go by with more calmness
and keep the home functioning more smoothly.
Things that promote orderliness and that are easy to teach to younger children.

I’m not a neat freak, but I do love order.
I also think that as a follower of Jesus my home should reflect His character and Spirit.
Jesus is the Author of peace, of order, of rest. He’s also the One who created laughter and fun!
And I want our home to be a reflection of Who He is.

I’ve quoted Edith Schaeffer before, and she says,
“The fact that you are a Christian should show in some practical area of a growing creativity and sensitivity to beauty, rather than a gradual drying up of creativity, and a blindness to ugliness…”

I love that. And yet, honestly, with small children, it can be challenging.
Add an adorable but small cottage with two closets and it’s even more challenging.
I want to live functionally, practically, and yet beautifully.

I also know that in about three months our world will be changed by a little person less than two feet long, and I’m hoping the things we do now will stick then and hopefully help with the adjustment.

So, while order and neatness are important, I also never want my children to feel like they are in an institution, where a organized house is The Most Important thing to me. While I want to teach cleanliness and consideration and respect of others, I also don’t want shoe tracks across the freshly-cleaned kitchen floor to mess up my whole day.

As a mother, I think there must a be a fine line to all this, and it’s Wisdom that can tell the difference. I don’t always have it, and therefore ask for it. Often.

Somehow, in all the responsibilities of keeping a house, and cleaning up and washing dishes and laundry, I believe it can all be worship to God. I want to be a happy housekeeper. And yet I also don’t want to lose track of what really is eternal, and that is the souls of my children, and showing them LOVE above orderliness.

House-wife-ing, for lack of a better term, can be worship of God, but it can also be worship of self.
And how I need God to speak to my heart [as He did this morning] when I was doing the latter.

So I hope this can be a mutual encouragement, and not a comparison of who does what better.
It’s a mutual learning, and that why I want to hear from you too. Maybe someday I’ll look back and all this and think, “Goodness, girl, just let it go!” or maybe not. Time will tell. But for now, these are things that are working well for us, and as our family changes I expect some of this will to.

So, let’s start in the kitchen.

I think I’ve learned more about kitchen organization from two of my sister-in-laws than anyone else! I’ve lived in three different houses since we’re married, and two of those kitchens were organized by my sister-in-law when we moved in. She’s just really good at it. She thinks so logically – like baking stations and putting mixing bowls and scrapers close together for convenience-sake, and all sorts of wonderful things.  I like organizing too, but Sonya is just really good at kitchens.

One fantastic thing I’ve learned from her and Mary Jo is to put lazy susans in the refrigerator. I’m sure the thought would never have crossed my mind, but when I saw it in their kitchens I thought it was brilliant. It works wonderfully for those little jars of all sorts of things, that are difficult to find if stacked all behind each other.

And not just in the fridge, but all over the kitchen. Under the sink for the soaps and scrubbies. In cupboards for spices, for vitamins. Little lazy susans like that are so cheap and you can buy them at Walmart or almost anywhere, but they have helped keep order so very well.

A lot of people have drawer organizers so this is not a new thing, but I love mine.
TJ Maxx or similar type of stores carry very good quality ones for under $10 and I love the shining pieces all in order.

[for silverware, large utensils, and small cooking items]

I solemnly affirm by Tupperware’s modular mates.
Pretty? Well, not especially.
But if organized is beautiful to you, then you’re in luck.
But functional and practical and organized as can be.
And now I hear they come with black lids, which are quite classy.

Every January for the past many years I’ve collected a few, because in January and part of February they are 40% off, which makes them quite affordable. Other times, not so much, unless you have a party. You can go http://my2.tupperware.com/tup-html/H/hildabean-inthenews.html to order them. [sorry, I'm having great trouble with my weblog page and can't do short links right now].

Also in the kitchen… Does anyone else have a problem with The Mail Collection?
It seems that it piles in the kitchen no matter how hard I try to take it to the desk.
So I may as well have a little place for it. This is Ben’s place for bills/reminders/coupons.

The kiddo drawer.
I wanted my kids to have easy access to their plates and cups for several reasons: so they can learn to set the table, so they can grab a drink if they need it, and so they can help unload their things from the dishwasher.

I think this was a Better Homes & Gardens tip, the assortment of napkin rings into little bowls.

In the girls’ bedroom.
One of two rooms that has a closet. Advantage must be taken of it.

The Closet:
It serves as room for their hanging clothes, but also organization for some of their toys.
Can you tell I ♥ baskets? They can be a bit of an investment, but to me they were well worth it.
Some of these I bought years ago, some I even received as wedding gifts, and they last so long. I keep wanting to make little signs to put on them to label what is what, but so far the kids can’t read so the signs would only be for their mother.

I have a basket just for Zoe’s K-4 supplies in her room, so that we can just grab it and take it to the table when we want to work on it. Glue, pencils, scissors, crayons, and everything are in it.

For pretty and practical – 5 little tins from the dollar section in Target.
They hold erasers, crayons, pencil crayons, glitter glue, and markers. 

Trunks:

not just for looks, although I like the vintage touch they add.
The bottom trunk holds princess outfits, the top one baby dolls clothes and bottles and…

There is one more trunk in their bedroom that serves as the General Toy Chest. 

Dresser:
There are two small and two large drawers, and that’s the only bit of furniture besides the beds. It’s a small room, and somehow Baby #3 is going to fit in there too. Zoe and Olivia each get a small drawer for shoes/socks and a large drawer for everything else but hanging pieces of clothes. It helps me keep their clothes up-to-date with sizes and also minimizes how many articles each one can have.

Bathrooms.

hair pretty organizer:
this idea [seen in Pottery Barn and replicated] is wonderful for those little bows and flowers that would just get so lost in a drawer.

And a little tin container works well for the satin and metal headbands.

bathroom drawer organizer:
I’m big on bins, baskets, and storage things ~ they simplify and organize life so much better.
These aren’t that cute but they’re hidden in a drawer and work perfect to keep everything from falling over each other. From Walmart.

A tiny plastic organizer, for those little objects:

The countertop can be a place of organization too, because we’re short on space.
The key is displaying it attractively but practically.

Hair accessories:
these are little condiment dishes I picked up at a yard sale.

Daily uses [junk shop or goodwill special]:

The laundry room is my other place of storage. We had custom cabinets build when we moved in, and without them I would be lost.

Above the washer and dryer the bins hold cleaning rags, spot cleaners and laundry soap, and the first aid supplies.

Also in the laundry room, various other storage units.

Our games are also stored in the laundry room, for lack of a better place, and the small ones we keep in a basket for easy access.

Shoe organizer:
We take off our shoes most times in the house, and so a goodwill basket is a great place to put them.

General Clean-up Time:

We have two different clean-up times in the day. One is for me, and one is for the girls.

Mine falls in the mornings mostly, and is breakfast for everyone. This involves a cleanup of the whole kitchen area, cleaning all dishes out of the sink and either washing them or stacking the dishwasher. All countertops in the kitchen are wiped, the rug in front of the sink vacuumed, the floor swept, and a general tidy appearance is made.

Also included in this is an overall walk through the house, stopping in at the girls bedroom, getting them dressed if they didn’t already put on The Rainbow or The Sunshine, helping them fix their beds, putting jammies in drawers or in the hamper. Then on to the bathroom, making sure faces are washes, teeth are brushed, hair is combed.

Next is laundry - I’m still figuring out if a small load every day is best or making two big laundry days a week is better. This varies by week. And by weather, since I hang out most of the laundry. So if it’s laundry day I get that started, and if not, I make sure clothes are not left lying in a rapture-like state around the house.

And after all that, which takes around a half hour normally, my part of the house is in decent order, the girls are making a happy play mess somewhere, and that’s when I can take some time for projects, computer time, [and in a perfect day] a walk outdoors with the girls, or some other housewifely thing.

For the girls, their cleanup time is a little different.

With small children, you could walk in my house at almost any waking hour and it’s a play area.
Toys, dolls, princess dresses, play kitchen things,
markers and pencils and colors and pads of paper will be found nearby.

So when it’s playtime those things are allowed. It’s just part of life with kiddos.
But three times a day we have clean-up time:
1. before lunch
2. before suppertime
3. before bedtime

And each of those three times is needed very much.
But it allows enough of playtime to where my kids are not frustrated by cleanup.
There are times when certain things are allowed to stay out longer than the three respective cleanups, but as a general rule this works really well for us.

And it helps me wake up to a clean house every morning.
I have this thing for a clean house upon awakening:
my morning time is very precious, and I do not want to spend any of it cleaning up.
Also, I cannot, and I mean, cannot, have any quiet time in the middle of a mess.
A mess makes my mind feel cluttered, and it completely distracts me from time with God.
So, even if it means staying up later in the evening, I will do it,
just for the sake of a clean house in the morning.

Confession.
I have several disaster zones. Try as I might, I cannot figure out how to organize them.
HELP.

The Container Drawer.

The Under-the-Steps Cubby
[home to brooms, vacuum, extra table leaf, various miscellaneous...]

Now this is the second part of the post:
I would love it if some of you would share your tips for the rest of us to learn about.

Within the next two weeks, I’m hoping for messages and emails, and hopefully some pictures,
of things that have helped you. I’m talking about very practical things, but if they’re pretty and practical that’s great too. My email is (so embarrassing, I created the account as a teenager and have never changed it) starbucksfan (@) juno.com. Please include your name, a link to your blog if you have one and care to, and pictures if you like. In about two weeks, if anyone has sent me anything I’ll do a Part Two Edition. I’m really hoping for your input, and would love to learn from you!

So, here’s cheers to anyone who keeps a house, who makes a home, and who wreathes it in smiles!

~clarita

It’s quiet time at the Cottage.

However, the two year old is still singing loudly at the top of her lungs, and talking to her bunnies in the bedroom. She’s the one that sings all day, singing a phrase from one song, stopping to play with her baby doll, then jumping in to a whole new line in a brand new song seconds later.

Yesterday her lisping song of the day went like this,
“If you’re happy and you know it, then your WIFE will surely show it…”
I laughed then, and I laughed all day whenever I thought of it.

[during a peanut butter & honey lunch]
a bonding sister moment

The four year old is still trying to figure out which books to look at and what to draw for her hour of quietness, humming in the book corner to herself. I hear a sleepy yawn, which I’m sure she was trying to hide from me.

Quiet time is relative, I guess.

It’s been a good past week.
These are such good, fun days, our little family of four.
Today is just one of those days when I’m so happy to be a mom.

Even if they made me play “Pirates” in the backyard for an hour this morning.
Goodness, I don’t even know how to imaginary play anymore.
I spent a whole childhood in an imaginary world, and then I feel put on the spot without notes when Zoe is captain of the pirate ship and I’m supposed to ad lib for one hour. Can’t say I was the most passionate pirate. I’m sure all the neighbors wondered what I was doing in the boat with the kids on dry land.

It’s exactly four weeks since we’ve been back, and we’re feeling much more adjusted and in a routine again.
Almost exactly three months before the Baby is due to arrive,
and while that would make some people wildly fly about doing all sorts of cleaning and arranging and nursery-preparing, I’m doing just the opposite.
Just taking time to sit back and enjoy these last few months with my two little girls.

Maybe soon it’ll be three little girls, we don’t know. Zoe is sure it’s a boy ~ she thinks Daddy needs another boy in the family and she really wants a brother. We’re sort of thinking it’s a boy too. But if it would be a girl, it would be pure delight and happiness. A little girl is just like a real live dolly, and goodness, is it ever fun to dress them up and put pretty little outfits on them and wear little flowers in their hair. Or put them on their heads, if they have no hair.

But then I see some of my friends’ little boys, and I think they would be just so fun too. I see their beautiful little boys and I think, “Awww, I’ll take one of those, please.” Such cute little men little boys can be, and such leaders they have the potential to be. Either way, either gender, it will not be a disappointment.

But three months still sounds rather far off, and this pregnancy hasn’t been as easy as the past two. Round ligament pain, anyone? I don’t remember ever even hearing about it before, but I went to the doctor this time around thinking something must be seriously wrong with me, only to find out it’s a common problem in pregnancy and there is really nothing to do about it. Sometimes it doesn’t bother me that much, and sometimes I almost see stars, it’s that painful. I normally like to do a lot of walking and exercising when I’m pregnant, and the round ligament pain makes it not quite impossible, but very difficult.

But I’m not on bed-rest, and it’s a healthy baby ever kicking around inside, and I am grateful. I just can’t wait to meet this little one in person, and see who’s been so active for months already!

One day, I’ll be “nesting”, I’m sure. But until then, we’re just enjoying winter.
Even if it is 70 degrees outside and balmy. Maybe we’ll even hit the ocean this week, we’ll see.

SIMPLE SUPPERS
toasted cheese and hot tomato

LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS

In the past month, I’ve read these two books to Zoe. We finished the last one just before quiet time, all 335 pages.  I don’t know if she or I [or her daddy] enjoy them more.

I can’t believe she’s old enough to enjoy them, and she wants me to read for hours at a time until my tongue is dry and my throat is parched. Sometimes I oblige. Sometimes it’s just a chapter or two. But it really is so fun and something I have looked forward to for years ~ the cuddling on the sofa together with my children, reading about Mary and Laura and all their adventures. It blows my mind how pioneers like they were survived. Months without going to a store? Laura was four years old before she even saw a store, before she even saw a town? Ma adjusting to life on the prairie, not going to town for a whole year, just trusting the little supplies the Pa brought back once or twice? Unbelieveable. I’m thinking I want to simplify. At least somewhat.

MY FAIRE LADY… has kept me busy this month… such a fun little hobby for me.

And, a new addition to my blog – WHAT {SHE} WORE WEDNESDAY, the Zoe’ Edition.

I have a little girl who has suddenly taken a great interest in clothing. Might I say that she has an eye for the brightest articles in her closet and drawer, whether that be patterns, prints, or solids. Coming up with her own outfit brings great delight. To her. It leaves her mother speechless and trying to stifle laughter.

The Rainbow Attempt:
 

When the Sun Doesn’t Shine, I Will:
 

Whoops, It’s My Jammies:
 

Pink’s the Color:

It’s called, “Find the Skirt”
 

So now it’s way past quiet time,  and no naps have been taken.
Time for dinner prep, and a touch-up of face and house before husband returns home!

Happy Tuesday!

~clarita

TWENTY-TWELVE

So it’s a new year, and a new start each day.
Last year my goals changed drastically from “to-do’s” to “to-be’s”.
This year it’s a lot the same.
Not projects to complete and activities to check off
but more on a personal level, where it’s between me and God.
Goals are great, I fully agree.
It’s just that for so many years I got hung up on the goals
instead of The Goal, and I don’t want that to be a pattern of my life.

So I still have them in my head, they have not yet reached paper.
Some are personal, some pertain to my marriage and things I want to BE,
some are practical and relational as I interact with my little family,
some have to do with time management…

Several years ago I realized that not nearly all of my New Years Resolutions were happening,
and it was due largely to expecting other people
to do things a particular way to enable their completion.
Enter frustration and conflict, because of expectations that should never have been placed on other people.
Expectations they were not even aware I had put upon them!

That is why I’m changing from To-Do to To-Be.
Some people may need to do the opposite, but this is what is right between God and me.

So much of life is like that, isn’t it?
Yes, there are very clear rights and wrongs in some things,
but in others, it has to be a communication between God and you.
What works for someone else won’t work for you.
What God leads you to do in a certain thing isn’t what He tells everyone else to do.
It’s simply an attitude of listening to Jesus Christ,
of being content in relationship with Him,
to where I don’t feel threatened by all the other wonderful things other people are doing.

And goodness, this is real for me, especially having internet access again.
I’m rather staggered and overwhelmed by the incredible myriad of blogs and ideas and amazing words
and wonder why I even write at all. Sometimes it feels like one person can just be swallowed up
in the vastness of the internet, and feel so small and insignificant.
There is so much comparison that can happen
[and Jesus doesn't like when we compare ourselves with each other, remember?]
and I fall so short of all
the amazing cooking
and writing
and blogging
and creating
and crafting
and family-loving
and vacationing
and God-loving
and… [you probably can fill in a few more blanks]

And yet it can be so obsessive, this internet world,
that we have to learn where to start and stop, how to set boundaries,
even in things that aren’t necessarily bad, they’re just time-wasters.
They can be things that either make us feel good about ourselves
or send us down a path of self-loathing.

Either way, it’s taking our eyes off of Jesus.
It’s about us, about ourselves,
and I don’t want it.
I don’t think that means shutting off all internet forever,
although from personal experience a time away can be a very healthy experience.

But learning to keep my eyes on Jesus,
learning to be sensitive to His Spirit…
to the quiet Voice that says, “Okay, close the computer. Spend some time reading…”
Or “take _________ a meal, she’s exhausted today.”
“Your child needs some time with you, try a walk outside.”
“Write a note and drop it in the mailbox.”
“Take some time to prepare for your husband coming home, some makeup and perfume.”
Or sometimes it may mean, “Write that blog post…”

It can be so many different things,
and I don’t know what it’ll mean for me each day.
I won’t live it perfectly,
but by His Grace I want to live near Him, in Him, and He in me.
Drawing all security and all sense of belonging from Him,
no where else.

I think this is a life-long learning,
not of internet-usage,
but of learning to walk with Jesus,
hearing His voice,
and obeying.

I’m excited about Twenty-Twelve!

For us it includes:
~ a sister wedding
~ a baby arriving
~ a second sister wedding
~ a brother-in-law wedding
[as the biggest things]

and other lovely things will be:
- a sister moving to the south because of her marriage [yay!!]
- snuggling and loving on Little Love when he/she arrives
- trips to the ocean
- My Faire Lady fun projects
- lots of extended family time
- the daily wonder of Jesus!

[ Little Red Coats while in Colorado]

[i bought the smallest coat on clearance at the children's place for around $10 when zoe was just little, and she wore it until her little arms poked out of the sleeves much too far. THEN i found another size at a consignment shop for just a bit more than i paid for the first one, and this winter they could wear matching ones! i was so thrilled. dressing my kids is way too fun. especially when it's cheap. ]

 Be blessed by and filled with Jesus today!

~clarita

This week marks two weeks that we’ve been back in the south and in our own little house.
Back to the balmy 70′ days, although I don’t expect this to last all winter.
I’m just thankful for all the cold and snow we had in Colorado,
so now I don’t mind the warmth this time of year. As much.

It’s quiet time in the household.
One down for a nap,
another quite content with paper, scissors, and glue stick.
And I quite content with a few cookies that a friend brought over yesterday…
If she knew how quickly we devoured that plate, well, I’d be embarassed.

We’ve had to find a new normal for our little family,
schedules and time change and even just being together most of the time.
In Colorado I was in class every morning, and now I find my patience stretched!
For three months we were only together half a day, and now we re-learn what is expected of each other.
Granted, in the past four weeks since leaving the west, it’s not been a normal schedule at all.
Much traveling and time with family and friends, and now getting resettled.
It’s taking the kids and me a bit of time to find a rhythm with each other again,
and honestly, there is some needed training that has been going on with the kids
as well as repentance and apologies from me.

I often think of the quote by Ann Voskamp,
I don’t remember whether it’s in her book or if I just read it on her blog one day…

“The parent must always self-parent first, self-preach before child-teach,
because who can bring peace unless they’ve held their own peace?”

It’s so very true. Unless my heart is first at rest with my God and with the today He’s given me,
I will never be able to welcome peace in my children or my home.
Peace is not brought by forceful words of, “Guys, play nice with each other!!!!!”
or various other strategies.
It’s brought only by the Spirit of the Lord allowed to indwell.

And as a dear friend reminded me once,
sometimes that means falling to my knees at the kitchen sink
and pleading for His Sweet Grace,
first of all to be lived out in me
and then that I can share it with my children.

Even when it feels like I don’t have time to stop,
like there are things to deal with now and I have to keep moving,
nothing is more important than allowing the Sweet Spirit of Jesus
to be present and to be residing and in control.

It’s not that I have some little hellions on my hands, not at all.
But it’s just that I desire our home to be one of rest and peace,
not one of chaos and perpetual cat-fights.
And I do believe that with Jesus, that is possible.
It just starts with me, not with my kids…

[of christmas past]

[the whole dear family]

[the three dating couples, two of which are engaged!]

[fun family times]

[family rule for christmas eve and day]

[brown paper packages tied up with string, and other pretty presents]

[the tree, and homemade ornaments]

[christmas eve candlelight dinner]

Enjoy your today! And upcoming weekend!

~ clarita  

we’ve returned!

the long journey is over.
the last boxes are unpacked and thrown away.
the suitcases are stowed up in the attic.
the little cottage sweet and cozy and drafty as ever.
the memories of traveling over 6000 miles in the last 3 months very real.
the question of “what world are we in now??” by a certain 4-year old is over.
the time at ellerslie so precious and treasured.
the christmas season is experienced and past.
the new year was brought in with a strep-throat child
   [not even a sniffle for three months, now southern allergies strike hard].

it’s so wonderful to be back.
hellos are being said to friends and family and neighbors.
“new” toys are being discovered by the girls – ones they forgot they had.
corners are being organized and cleaned – ones that were abandoned in pregnancy illness.
the lovely christmas pictures mailed to us are hung on our refrigerator and we smile back daily at these celebrities.
goodness, it was fun to have so much lovely mail!

the past three months have been some of the richest of our lives.
such deepening of our faith, strengthening and fortifying of our souls,
enrichment of our marriage, bonding of our family,
making of many new sweet friendships.
we loved every day spent there.
i think we could have stayed forever
but the Lord has called us home and that is where we gladly return.

it’s so hard to describe our past season in a nutshell.
perhaps a few quotes would sum it up better than i can:

“The Christian life can only  be explained in terms of Jesus Christ,
and if your life as a Christian can still be explained in terms of you –
your personality, your willpower, your gifts, your talent, your money,
your courage,, your scholarship, your dedication, your sacrifice,
or your anything, – then although you may have the Christian life,
you are not yet living it.”
[major ian thomas]

“To believe in Jesus Christ is not just a mental acknowledgement,
but a disbelief in all other systems on earth,
a repentence and a turning unto God,
and a literal giving of our lives and everything we are to Him.”
[eric ludy]

it was just so full of Jesus.
and although i leave and am in a different place,
i still want my life to just be full of Jesus.
that’s all that matters.
what a high, unattainable impossible desire.
possible only through His enablement and Spirit.

i am really looking forward to reconnecting with many of you, now that we have internet once again. it was a positive thing, to have a season of being removed from so many distractions with online things, but i was ready to connect socially again, since in some ways we felt like we dropped off the planet! and i am looking forward to connection again through this little bit of online space. thanks so much for those of you who thought of us and prayed, send notes and messages and cards and packages… it really was so special to us!

our tradition of sending out christmas pictures was held off this year. our money allotment went toward schooling instead.

but for those of you who want a picture, here’s a happy new year greeting from the little clan at the cottage!

[north carolina / september, 2011]

Happy New Year!

~ clarita

Um, hi! It sure feels funny? strange? hands-behind-my-back-saying-a-shy-hello? coming back after almost two months away, hardly even popping my head in to say hello between now and then. This internet “fast” of sorts was not intentional really, but no internet in our apartment has definitely made it a reality. I must say, for the most part, it’s been a lovely refreshing time. I’ve taken the kids to McDonald’s once a week or so and I check my email and messages while they scamper around the play area, but other than that, I have no idea what’s going on in the online world. But in another month or so, I will be happy to be more of a regular (which for me is not “regular”) again!

Several people have asked if I could do an update on our lives in the West… A few details, some pictures, just so they know a little bit of what’s going on. Soooo, when I’m not even eight weeks full of exciting life adventures I can be long-winded. Now when I feel full and overflowing, this could be a real challenge to keep it concise and not miles long! I’m not sure I’ll even promise to try.

// Olivia and Zoe at Estes Park, Colorado. Early October. //

Just as a bit of background, the beginning of October our little family packed up, loaded up, left south Georgia and drove over 1600 miles in three days, over 27 hours of driving time, two motels, with two kids 4 & under, and arrived at our destination in lovely northern Colorado.

Whew. If that makes you tired reading that, well, just imagine being the mother of those two little ones outside and one inside, actually living that out. The trip went exceptionally well, and I had even forgotten to buy a DVD player for the kids. We sang and read until we were almost hoarse, and sang silly songs the top of our lungs until the father in the front seat drastically raised his eyebrows.

We loved seeing the changing season as we drove. Zoe came up with this sweet poetic line that I just loved~ she must never have seen brightly colored leaves on trees before, because she said, “The red trees are sooo beautiful! They look like dancing twirling girls!”

Our reason for the journey was Ellerslie. It is a short-term Bible Training school begun by Eric & Leslie Ludy. Quite a few people know them as the authors of When God Writes Your Love Story but they have authored over a dozen books altogether, and then Ellerslie was birthed in the summer of 2010.

Attending the school was a dream of ours, yet we thought it impossible for a while. It is no small feat for a young family to pack up and leave for almost three months. Unlike being single and just easily leaving Mom & Dad’s house, this required months of planning and preparation, and ultimately, the hand of God working in amazing ways to enable all the details to come together.

// Zoe also started school in Colorado.
I can’t say we’ve been very faithful, but she has absolutely loved it! //

// Chloe Barkman, the coloring book you gave Zoe is the most adorable I’ve ever seen! //

// Cold mornings make tea drinkers out of us all //

It still feels like a dream to actually be here. Ben was the one that signed up for classes, and we rented a small furnished apartment nearby where I could stay with the girls while he was at school. After about a week of being here, one of the girls who graduated from a year of Ellerslie offered to babysit the girls every morning if I’d like to attend classes with Ben. Would I?!? It was more than a dream come true, because I never expected to be in class, although I privately cried big tears of longing.

So that has changed the face of us being here, drastically. No longer did I have long days at the apartment, wondering what I’d fill my time with for 9 weeks. Instead, we’ve all been getting up early, and try to be out the door by 8am Monday-Friday. Ben and I are in class until noon, then I bring the girls home for lunch and naps, myself often resting or reading (no internet, remember? it’s amazing how many books can get read!), and attending 1-2 afternoon classes with kids in tow. We pick Ben up from school around 3:30, eat dinner at the apartment, and then often head back to the school for the evening activity/session. Just to give you an idea of a typical day.

// Husband was beyond thrilled as we came upon several massive elk in Estes Park //

// Lily Lake, Colorado //

It’s a busy season of life. The early mornings have been a challenge because I was still quite sick with the pregnancy until about two weeks ago, plus had an awful reaction to antibiotics I was put on which made me so sick I thought my end was near, or my baby’s end was near. It was a rough two weeks of recovering just from the antiobiotic reaction. Thankfully, that is all past, and I now am feeling wonderfully healthy and actually have energy again! The second trimester definitely has been better than the first.

And the busyness… With a family, this is a schedule that could not be had for long periods of time. But for this small select season, knowing this opportunity is so rare and treasured, it has been wonderful.

// Olivia at our “Monkey House”, affectionately wryly named after the gigantic gorilla found in a closet. he was drug into the living room for a few days, but i have not allowed him to stay. not my idea of restful decor. //

It’s very special too, because I have always wanted to go to college and God never allowed those doors to open. I pushed hard, but the lock was fast for many years. Now, it’s rather humorous, because I never would have expected to be a mother of two children, pregnant with my third, and be going to classes! But it really feels like such a gift, and now I get to go to a Bible Training center with my husband, as well as live in beautiful Colorado for three months!

This time of focusing on Jesus Christ, and having so much concentrated study has been precious. Anyone that is a mother of young children knows how much pouring out of self that requires, which is a wonderful and yet exhausting part of mothering.  So often my longing for time just with Jesus far exceeds the time I actually can spend with Him. These weeks out here have been so special, and although this isn’t the schedule that life will be after we leave here, this is a treasured, treasured time, and I’m soaking in all that I can!

It is a stretching, challenging, soul-searching time. Learning to know Jesus more fully requires a stripping away of everything that we are, until He is the only One that can fill us. It’s been good, SO GOOD, but the true good only comes when we intentionally move out of the way and allow God Himself to have His way with us. That is sometimes painful, sometimes with tears and struggle, but good, so so good…

And Colorado, beautiful Colorado. We are about 40 miles east of the Rockies, and can see them from where we live. We drive straight toward them on our way to school, and I never tire of looking at them. It seems they are different every morning. And I have yet to get a good picture.

The altitude has been something for us to get used to! Going from hardly above sea level in the deep south to almost 5000 feet above is no small change! A few days after we got here I attempted to take the girls on a walk in the stroller. The combination of being so sick with my pregnancy and hardly exercising for a period of time, plus the high altitude, plus a very. flat. tire. in the stroller made me huff and puff like I never before remembered doing! Embarassing! So a few days later I went out by my lonesome and was able to actually run for quite a while before tiring, and felt that I had perhaps redeemed that earlier walk. Although you must remember for “running for a while” is relative. I shan’t give details.

// Olivia asleep in the car seat after running outside most of the day //

Just several weeks after arriving, and still in October, a most lovely winter storm came through and dumped a glorious eight inches onto our little town. Zoe and I thought we died and went to heaven.

It was especially neat for Zoe and me because last winter she heard about all the snow that the northern states were getting, and was just tragically sad that our almost-Florida state never even gets flurries. So she declared one day that she was going to pray that we’d live in a place that gets snow. I thought it a sweet, although impossible, prayer from my precious daughter. But what do you know, but a year later we are [temporarily] living in a place that got eight inches of snow not only once, but TWICE, so far, along with another dusting.

So, please indulge me as (drumroll please) I share a bit of answered prayers of a child.

// the neighbors ran out with a sled for us to borrow, after [apparently] watching us attempt [and fail] to sled with a cookie sheet //

// the apartments where we are living. we’re on a second story //

// eating snow is the most fun ever //

And, truth be told, our entire family went and played in the snow. Because, how could we possibly miss out on the fun of a four-year old who thinks snow is God’s smile in physical form? And, truth be told, I quite think the same.

// hoar frost, just breathtaking beauty //

One of the wonderful things about being here is that every Tuesday is Kiddo Night. By interpretation, that also means that every Tuesday night – once a week!! – Ben and I get a date night! We are going to be so spoiled out here, no joke. And not just is it a date, which in itself is wonderful, but within 15 minutes there are endless options to choose from for inexpensive but wonderful dates. Scores of coffee shops, including Starbucks, Panera Bread, other one of a kind shops, as well as scores of frozen yogurt and ice cream shops, as well as……. let me just say, we are LOVING it!!

// not on a date night, but a rare picture of just the two of us //

We’ve done just a few little crafty things, the girls and I. Just a few, because time is short, but both Zoe and I love doing projects together so much that we pulled a few little things together and used what we had.

// inspired by my sister Claudia, and by a student at Ellerslie, a personalized journal. stickers, magazine cut-outs, a quote, a glue stick and mod-podge. jenny k, recognize that ever-so-lovely sticker? //

// i love this quote //

// zoe was so excited about this project, and dug out a magazine [thanks, Shelly! ] and did her sketch pad cover //

The girls have made a fast friend, another little girl also babysat at the same time weekday mornings.

And as if life at Ellerslie and Colorado is not exciting enough, two of my sisters added over-the-top excitement by coming to see us for a few days. Truly, I feel as if I have THE best sisters in the entire world. I have no idea why or how I’m so very blessed, but I love them so much it hurts.

// oldest, youngest, and third-born. they make me want to have four girls in a row so my daughters can experience what i do!//

// Ervina was a radiant newly-engaged, so one afternoon was spent at various bridal shoppes //

// next spring and summer should be quite exciting – my other sister [not pictured] is since engaged to be married is March, Baby Yoder is due to arrive in April, my other sister’s wedding in June, and Ben’s brother’s wedding in June as well! I think we’ll move north for all the excitement. ha! //

My girls absolutely love their aunties, and Zoe just sobbed and sobbed when I drove away with them to take them back to the airport.

// they make us so happy. //

And the baby on the way, oh yes, the Yoder Baby! He is alive and growing. And thus making me grow as well. He must have quite an active personality, because I felt him move for the first time a little shy of 16 weeks, which is the earliest I’ve ever felt a baby in my womb. [And no, we don't know if he is a "he," but Zoe is sure she has a little brother on the way...]

My sisters took a few pregnancy pictures while they were here, but showing them almost make me blush, because I feel like I’ve so suddenly popped and look quite pregnant. People that saw me two months ago? Well, two months makes a big difference.

// downtown Windsor, kiddos window shopping in the background //

// and to continue with my sister Ervina’s lovely idea of a fruit for a visual, the baby is a bit bigger than this but it was the closest thing I had to use impromptu //

// and the two people who fell in love and married six years ago are still in love //

Thanks for sticking with me, if you read this far!

And a huge thanks to those of you who have been praying for us and our time out here. That really means so much to us, and we are so grateful for that!

A huge thanks to for those ever-so-sweet cards and notes and even packages!! Let me tell you, it is fun to be remembered at home on your birthday, but to be remembered so far away, even when my birthday is a few days off, is so special! It’s my last year in my twenties… I shall enjoy it to the fullest!

A lovely Thanksgiving to each of you! And may Jesus be honored and worshipped not just as the Giver of all good things, but as the Giver of Life, true life, eternal life even in the here and now!

~ clarita

p.s. My little Mary Kay business will be joining the sales of the Thanksgiving weekend, and Friday through Monday (25th-28th) 20% will be taken off your final purchase at www.marykay.com/claritayoder, as well as free shipping to your home.

The countdown is on!
Wednesday morning we leave the land of cotton and peanut fields and head for the great Rockies.
I’m excited. We’re excited! About what the Lord will do in us through our time at Ellerslie.
I know it’ll be stretching, and thrilling, and growing…
and we are so grateful to God for opening up this doors for us!

One last post before we head out…
I’m hoping we’ll be able to pick up Wi-Fi from someone else in the apartment complex,
but that’s wishful thinking.
If not, I’ll hope to pop in and out now and then to say hi!

[a little autumn touch]

[I love little lanterns]

[some favorite toys ♥]

[cookies from a friend]

[little girls' bath toys]

[fresh fruit]

[auntie from far-away who do fun tea parties]

[sets of piggies]

[ a grouping of three]

All these pictures had some common thread… anyone catch it?

They all are groupings of three.
Symbolizing, showing, hinting that….
well, we’re thrilled and excited and humbled 
that God has heard our hearts’ desire and has granted new life!

I’m so humbled though,
because I know I am only one among many women who have desired a child.
Why God has chosen to grant our desire and withhold it from others is a mystery.
I don’t understand it, but I receive with an open hand whatever it is He desires for our family.

Beyond the excitement, I have been quite sick the past month
[thus the real reason for my hiding my face].
A lot of the time has been on the sofa or in bed.
It’s definitely been a challenge with preparing to leave
and with all that has needed to be done.

Friends and family have been beyond caring and helpful, and I don’t know how to thank them enough.
They’ve been Jesus’ hands and feet to me the past few weeks!

 I know the sickness will not last forever.
But I will ask for your prayers the next few days with traveling and the many hours and miles to go…

But sickness or no sickness, we are greatly anticipating Little Wee Baby next April!
[or, as late as I go, it'll probably be next May ]

[eleven weeks and counting]

~clarita

“The family.  We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ”
~Erma Bombeck

It’s the last Saturday when Ben is working a long day, trying to finish up the last of the jobs before we head to Colorado… next Wednesday.

Three months worth of toys and clothes and living will be packed into a white suburban and we’ll drive 24 hours out west where we’ll spend the next three months in a two-bedroom apartment. Exciting? Yes! Scary? Yes!

There is SO much to do in the next few days. I’ve hardly begun packing, because there is so much I can’t pack until the last day or two. I keep asking God for a calm heart and mind, because it looks a bit overwhelming to get everything together in the next 3 days…

So I took the girls to a local festival this morning – good, old-fashioned redneck country festival. It was great fun. Maybe just to escape the feeling of all that needs to be done. And then I sit down and blog. Why? When there is a myriad of things to work on? When I could at least bring in the laundry that’s been hanging out for the past, um, three days. Or double-check my packing lists, or…

Well, for one, the girls are napping, and who wants to disturb sleeping children by packing?

For two, I just found out this week that our apartment will not have internet access, so I suppose I’ll be going on an online fast of sorts. I’m sure I’ll run to a coffee shop or the library, but we’ll only have one vehicle, and trying to keep two little children quiet while I’m on the computer doesn’t sound like my idea of relaxing. So, I’ll be popping in and out, but not as often as before.

So I had thought that I can just do some catching up online after we get to Colorado, but since that’s not going to be happening like I thought, I wanted to do two most posts before we leave. Here’s one, and we’ll see if I get the other one up.

Going back a month again….  (thanks for not minding!) Family vacation in Asheville, North Carolina!

We’ve done ocean vacations mostly, and that’s great fun. But we decided to do a mountain vacation this time – and loved it! The beautiful Smokeys were such a restful and relaxing place to stay for a long weekend. My parents rented a house (vacation rental by owner) on top of a good-sized range, and the view was beautiful from the long front porch!

It had been 6 months since I saw some of my sisters, and 2 years since a family vacation. We just loved every moment of being together! Being with my family is one of my favorite things in the world!

Most of the time was just spent together at the house… Plans were being made for hikes and such, but it rained one day, and was really hot another, and Barkmans can get long-winded when it comes to family time…

A few went to see the famous Biltmore Estate the last day, and I was really hoping to go as well, but had gone to bed with a terrible migraine that still wasn’t better the day of the trip, so we had to miss it. That was a bit disappointment. Probably the only disappointment of the weekend though, so it was okay.

There is something so refreshing about being with family… when you know you can be you and be real, and don’t have to worry about how someone is going to take you, or if someone is going to hold a grudge against you, or if the weekend will end in chaos. I’m so blessed to be part of an imperfect, but loving family!

So the rest of this will be long on pictures and short on words.

We made cake pops…

Little girls snuck food with their aunties on the kitchen floor…

We played games until late at night…

Evenings were beautiful on the front porch…

Aunties taught neices how to make faces…

Aunties loved on little neices…

I think someone likes me… ♥

Oldest brother, youngest sisters…

Children ate uncontrolled amounts of candy…

And we did a photo shoot one afternoon. One thing about my family – there are cameras everywhere!!

At a sapphire mine, holding a sapphire embedded in a rock…

Sister pictures were taken…

Mother and daughters pictures were taken…

Brother pictures….

Six-of-Us pictures…

Father & Mother pictures…

Attempts at family pictures were taken… goodness, it’s difficult with this many people!

Zoe and Olivia snapshots were taken…

Attempts were made at pictures of our little family of four. You’d think it would be no big deal, but just check out some of the pictures that made it on the camera…

     “the floppy-knee child”                                          “the run-away baby”

                            ”the hand-tugger”

                            “the case of the missing baby”

                                      “in need of grace”

And at last, a few that might be okay!!

And we’re left with more lovely memories of family time and laughter and talks… God knew what He was doing when He created family!

“Families are like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.”
- unknown

“In some families, please is described as the magic word. 
In our house, however, it was sorry. ”
~Margaret Laurence

Today, enjoy your very own family – the quirks, the sweetness, 
the wonderfulness that makes them YOURS!
[even if you're in one of the above moments, "in need of grace." ]

~ clarita