Holiday Gift Idea: Wire Rings!

My cousin's wife Laura is a busy person.  She teaches high school English during the day.  Comes home to a bouncing little 1 year old boy and is expecting another little boy in a few months.  How she has time to make these cute little rings...I do not know...but she does it!

I am a huge supporter of people who start their own little home businesses.  I have tried doing my own little thing a time or two..who knows what is next?  I have no clue.

I wanted to share with you these cute little wire rings that she has started making....just in time for the holidays!!!

Think teacher gift.  Gift exchange for a small group.  Gift for your daughter/niece/wife/insert family member here.  Gift for you!

She has lot of different button color options available.

If you don't see one below, you can e-mail her with what you had in mind...color of buttons to color of wire to size....she will come up with a few options for you to select based on what you have suggested.

Wire options:  She works with 20 gauge wire in silver, gold, bronze, copper, black, and charcoal and for younger girls she has 24 gauge wire in pink, purple, or blue wire.

Custom ring prices:  For 2-3 buttons they are $10 per ring plus shipping.  If you supply the buttons it is $7 per ring plus shipping.

Shipping:  Add $2.00 to ring price...$1.00 for each additional ring.

E-mail Laura today to place your order!  

Her e-mail is:  laura.mcquinn {at} yahoo {dot} com

Here is what she currently has for sale.  E-mail her before your favorite sells!!

 

 From the left:  3 button pink, size 10 $7.  3 button-teal, size 8.5 $7.  2 button (stripes on dots), size 8-8.5 $5.  2 button (front-dots on stripes), size 8-8.5 $5.  3 button-red, size 7.5 $7.

 

All are $10. From left: orange bead/charcoal wire, size 6.5-7. Mustard bead/bronze wire, size 7.  Pink bead/charcoal wire, size 9 or 10. Red bead/ silver wire, size 9. Blue bead/charcoal wire, size 9. 

 All are $7. From left: black/cream size 5. Leopard button size 8. Maroon/ green size 7. Cream/maroon size 8.5-9. Gray/black size 9. 

 All are $7. From left: size 9,  size 6, size 8.5.

 All 3 are $5 each, size 8.5-9

 $7.  Size 9

Made for young girl. About a size 5. $7

 Thanks for looking!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my little guy!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my sweet little boy!  He is a barrel of energy!  He loves singing and playing the guitar.  He likes eating dog and cat food.  He loves to play with his older brother and loves to be outside.  Love this little guy to pieces!!!  Can't believe he 2 years old already!

Unplugged.

A few weeks ago I just about lost it. 

We let the kids watch their morning shows....so Sean and I can get a little extra shut-eye in the morning....the girls were in such a zone that the baby wiped poop all over the carpet...right in front of them.  I don't expect them to babysit, but when someone is damaging property...I expect them to report it.  There were a few other things that set me over the edge that morning so I declared that we were unplugged. 

There would be no iPad, computer, or TV unless it was for school or we were watching something as a family such as a movie.  They could still watch their DVD's in the car...the car has been so peaceful since we upgraded to the minivan.

The kids didn't really watch very much during the day.  A program or two in the morning, depending on what time they got up and then something after naptime.  I would occasionally let them watch something right after lunch while I was cleaning up. On the weekends it would get a bit carried away.  Sean is usually gone all morning riding his bike and then I am gone in the afternoon running...so the TV was on most of the day. 

I realized...not just because of the poop incident...that we just don't need the TV or electronics to survive.  They have plenty of toys.  Toys to the point that I just want to throw up.  They have plenty of games.  Puzzles.  Artsy type things.  Crayons and coloring books.  They have each other. 

I have several friends that don't even have TV's in their house.  They have survived.  

Has it been a bed of roses here since we have unplugged? 

No.  Not at all.  I don't really get quiet time...at all until the kids go to bed or if I am at the Y.

It is a lot noisier here.  I guess the good thing is they are playing with their mountains of toys...makes me want to throw up just a little less. 

It is A LOT messier here.  I can no longer use the TV as a bait...if your room isn't clean in such a such a time you can't watch TV.  Now I just take away snacks...we are going on two missed snacks in a row today...they will learn. 

But they are playing.  They aren't zoning out.  They aren't picking up bad habits from characters on TV.  They are surviving.

I don't know how long I will continue to have the kids unplugged...but so far...it isn't that bad. 

I am curious...how many of you have your kids unplugged?  A friend gave me a good suggestion of turning everything back on at 4pm on Friday if things are finished up for the week.  That isn't such a bad idea...and I am considering it. 

Just curious as to what other do?

and here are a few photos from today....this was after the girls supposedly cleaned their room...um...say what???  They must need their eyes checked.  I am tempted to get a trash bag and add it to the other trash bag full of toys in the garage...they haven't missed those toys...they surely won't miss these.

and now you will get a tour of their American Girl dolls room...there is a bathroom in the far right corner and a whole bunch of other hodge podge thrown about. 

Dreams do come true....at least for now....

For years now Jocelyn (our 7 year old) has been wanting a cat.  She adds it to my weekly grocery list almost every week.  The answer has always been no.  A cat will never live under our roof….ever.  My husband strongly dislikes everything that goes along with cats.  Sorry cat lovers….I know I have a lot of cat-loving friends and family.  Just personal preference I guess.  I lived with a cat during my college years.  It wasn’t mine and I didn’t have to do any of the cat maintenance of kitty litter etc.  I wasn’t too keen about the smell of the cat or the shedding.  Anyways…dogs are much better.  But we have a dog and even though she is quiet annoying most of the time…she is pretty precious when she is laying on the couch sleeping.

So last week our little neighbor boy carried a cat over to our house.  I guess this cat had been hanging out on our block for a few days.  We were out of town, so we missed all of that excitement.  I think he was maybe waiting for my cat-loving children to get back, because he knew they would scoop him up their arms and love him.  We then were out of town again….thinking surely this cat would be gone when we came back…but nope…it was still here.  I wasn’t sure what Sean would say when he came home, but I think once he saw this sweet little cat and how excited the kids were….he agreed that the cat could stay…unless we found its original owners.  I am sure our neighbors are thrilled. 

So right now the cat has a little bed on our back porch landing.  He actually sleeps in it.  Sean went out and bought some cat food and the girls have been taking pretty good care of it. 

There have been a lot of tears here as well.  I have warned the girls that this cat may have an owner appear and claim it.  I warned them, that the cat might move onto another family…since we are his second known caretaker in the neighborhood.  Jocelyn worries that the cat will get cold outside and freeze to death.  She also came to me crying because it was raining outside and how horrible it was that the cat has to be outside.  If no one claims this cat, Sean plans to build it a house and we will take it to the vet to get the proper shots.

So my little girls’ dreams have come true!

Meet Tiger Snowball Maxwell!

He is a pretty little thing.

Maggie has not calmed down yet...he knows this little booger is right outside...

A sad day for many....a happy day for many....

I have been meaning to sit down all day and write a blog post about my reaction from last night's conclusion to wonderful presidential campaign. Do you sense my sarcasm?  I checked out Facebook before I started writing this post and oh my goodness...someone...and I am sure many others stole the words right out of my mouth as to what I was about to say.  Well I have more to add...you can find the article link at the bottom of my blog post.

I know many keep their votes hush hush.  But I didn't.  I told my Facebook friends that I was going to vote for my husband.  I wasn't joking.  In good conscious I could NOT support either candidate.  Yes...I was fully aware that my husband was not going to win.  Yes, I was fully aware that in Nebraska Romney was a shoe-in for our electoral college votes.  Yes, I was fully aware that I was not helping Nebraska keep the Republican vote.  But I was voting for me....my heart....my conscious....my family....

I know...people can pick one or two issues and say I am voting for this person based on this one issue...or this other person based on this one issue.  I just couldn't do that.

I know some people are Republicans or Democrats...and no matter who the candidate is they are supporting them no matter what.

I know some people do not have a clue what is going on and vote for coolness...vote based on how many hand outs they think they will get...vote because they haven't stepped foot in the real world....haven't been faced with real challenges....don't know what the Bible says on certain issues....doesn't care what the Bible says on certain issues. 

I do know...I could NEVER support Barry.  The anointed one....as many call him.  The Messiah...as others have called him.  I do not support someone who is out to destroy the very definition of FAMILY that the Bible has set before us.  You think supporting gay marriage and rights has a good outcome?  It destroys families.  It is NOT Biblical.  I know some people who read this will not agree.  But do you know what the Bible says?  It is pretty clear.

He is also supports abortion.  I will not discuss this....everyone has their opinions...but watch this...you may just change your mind: HERE   At what point is it ok to kill someone?  1 day...2 days....3 months...9 months??

I couldn't support someone who isn't qualified to run our nation.  A community organizer?  Say what?  I am good at organizing...could I be president??   Oh wait, I am not old enough...the girls wanted to me to vote for myself...and reminded me that during the next election...I will be old enough...yay!  Since when the did qualifications for the top position in our government become sooooo low?

I also couldn't support Mitt 100%.  Yes I agree with him on his stance on abortion and gay rights.  But he is has flip-flopped so many times during his past few runs for White House...how do we know that he isn't going to flip if elected?  I think he would be influenced by $$$ to make certain decisions. I think he would be influenced by the head honchos of the Mormon Church.  The Republican party chose a really, really poor candidate to run.  Really poor.  He had no chance at winning against "The Kenyan." 

I also couldn't support him based on the fact that he is from the Mormon Church.  If you are Mormon and are reading this...I am sure you will be offended that I wrote this.  Sorry.  Well I guess I am not really sorry...I meant it.  But I pray that you will find what the scriptures (the Bible) says and become Born Again.  It is OK to leave the only thing you know and have grown up in.  Know that the ONLY way to get to heaven is by believing that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins.  That one day he will come again and everyone will be judged at the judgement seat of Christ...and that those who believe...by grace through faith we will be saved!!  That's it.  We don't need a book of Mormon or extra pamphlets that Religions crank out....or some guy to worship....our guy is Christ alone.  Have you actually studied what Mormon's believe?  I know it is tricky...a pretty secretive cult...um religion...um...but someone who I know very well...won't out this person in this post...has worked with several Mormons.  They aren't good news...if put in authority in a business...they only hire other Mormons....no joke....and the walls come crumbling down.

Ok...I will leave my soapbox.  I am sure I made a few people upset by the post.  I know some of my friends disagree...agree...whatever...I was writing how I feel...not what you feel.

I will leave you with a few Bible verses that will maybe get you through this day...happy...or sad.  There are several others out there.  Thank you Lord for being our one and only Leader! 

Oh and here is the link the the article I was talking about:  Focus on the Family.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Romans 12:2

 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.

 1 Timothy 2:1-3

oh and one last side note...stock up on guns and ammunition...the prices are about to go sky high...actually you are probably already too late.

Making progress!

Back in February I wrote a LONG blog post about a few things that my husband and I have on our "would like to change about our house" wish lists.  You can visit this post:  HERE

Since February we have been busy checking things off!

Our kitchen:

Our cabinets were peeling big time....so my husband worked on our new cabinets for over a month.  He spent every night/day doing something new.  We bought unfinished doors and he stained them really dark. 

BEFORE:  (pic taken in 2009...I wasn't home when he started pulling cabinets off)

Peeling cabinets:

AFTER:  Love!

Lighting in our living room.  Dull.  Boring.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

New school room walls.  Dull.  Boring....again.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 Walls painting in the main area and termite damage fixed!  Dull & Boring...catching a trend??

BEFORE:  Well at least part of it...

AFTER:

 I am currently working on the upstairs bathroom.  I have the walls painted and I am waiting for the new lighting to go up and then I can finish painting that final wall.  I can't wait...it is going to look so nice compared to what it looked like before.

We still need to replace a few more light fixtures in our kitchen...and then onto other household projects:)

A few "more" things we have been doing around here!

It has been a while since I posted what we have been up to in regards to homeschooling.  We have been busy...between the RV trip of a lifetime to starting activities to field trips with our homeschool group...we have been busy.  The nice part is that we can fit homeschooling in between these activities.  We can do a little bit in the morning and little bit in the afternoon...whenever we are home.  We can even do it while we are out and about.

Here are a few little activities that the kids have worked on:

The kids made fall trees with their hands and finger prints:)

Easton has started putting words together.  I had him use magnets for the activity.  He had to spell out the words on the flashcards.

 He is still practicing his name.

 He was working on counting tcubes to match up with the numbers on the board.

Katelyn (not pictured) did an activity where she counted how many rolls it took to get the 20.  Great addition activity.

The girls having a "time" competition.  I call out a time and they get a point if they can position their clocks to the correct time.

The girls did a Science experiment to see what type of element will make a penny shiny.

I can't remember what the results were...I think it was vinegar and salt...but they enjoyed the activity.

Weston fishing...

 and doing a puzzle.

We have been going through Genesis...the kids were painting a picture of what they thought Joseph's coat of many colors looked like...and then building towers...very similar to the Tower of Babel in the Bible....well maybe a little shorter than what the real one looked like.

We had a trivia contest...I asked the kids random questions relating to their school work.  If they got it right they got a point and then they could shoot a nerf bullet at the window to receive more points.  Only Easton was able to make a shot.

We did quiet a few activities outdoors....here we are at a local nature center...the kids dug in the dirt....

 and we hiked.

Here we are on another hike near the Platte River.

Hope your kids are having a good school year...in home school or in public/private school!  Can you believe the school year is almost 1/2 way over!!!