around the house

If you walked into my house, these are the sights you would see.

1. Meet Shelob, the creepy lego spider from Lord of the Rings. My boys think she adds a nice touch to our home decor. I shudder, but always leave her up til they take her down again. I figured, if you can't beat'em, join 'em.


Ollie thought he would weave a web from our blinds.


No lie, but John and I were in our room for one minute discussing our budget and I walk out to find this scenario.

His face was so nonchalant. Like "what?". Finn had dressed him in black so he could be the spider Shelob from Lord of the Rings. It all happened in a matter of minutes.

I had to leave the house for a party and was frantically shouting at John to take care of this mess before Ollie strangled himself. My husband thought I was a lunatic and just stared at me while I shouted and waved my hands wildly. These boys and their father are gonna be the end of me.


2. The weather has been so nice, I thought I'd do some gardening. And by gardening, I mean re-potting my dead cacti. That counts as gardening, right?

This stereotypical cactus with his arm cracked me up. Had to buy him. He's the king of the cacti with his lil crown.


Waving his arm, "hey guys, wait up"



My little sister taught me a trick: keep the cacti in their little plastic containers when you put them in the pot...to contain their growth to keep them wee and cute. Dwarf them, if you will.

So I tried it. I noticed it kept them straighter as well.


This is my first time getting a little spiky cactus and I was super excited about it.

Calvin asked if he could change the date ^ each day for 1 penny. I hired him on the spot.

3. Practicing my rainbow drawing on my chalkboard decal. And admiring the resulting chalk dust. Isn't the dust just magical? I'm 100% serious.

And this^should be my theme verse this year. Learning to trust God more. Those who trust in God like a little child will be considered the greatest in the kingdom of God. Thus far in life, I think I would be considered least in the kingdom:( But like I said before, I'm slowly learning.

4. Ollie and Twain's lego creations scattered about the house.


And just so you know. That is MY little mouse that they beg and plead to play with. I've had mousy since I was a young girl.


Why hello frog.




Eavesdropping on their little convo:

Ollie: "Sorry, no frogs allowed! Mouse doesn't want any babies in here!"

Twain: "Why? My frog has no babies."

Ollie: "Is your frog spayed?"

Apparently someone was paying close attention when we recently got Moo and Blue neutered/spayed. I hope it's that easy to explain the bird and bees when they come of age. Our friend Nick in small group just had the "talk" with his son and he said it was hysterical. I'm slightly horrified. I will let John take care of that convo.

5. From another room, I hear BANG! THUD! SQUEAL.

I really don't want to get out of my seat, but I know I must figure out what is going on.

I walk into Finn and Cal's room. Ollie and Twain are chucking their stuffed animals at the hangers, to try to get them to fall down. Clothes scattered all over the floor. Hangers everywhere.

This is honey the kitty. She is very naughty and is responsible for at least 75% of the recent hanger thefts in our home recently.

And what, pray tell, do you boys need these hangers for?


They greatly admire Legolas the elvin warrior from Lord of the Rings, with his bow and arrows. Well, Ollie's name does mean 'elf army'.

Twain's form is not half bad for a little twerp.

Such serious business.


My 2 younger boys are destructive tornadoes these days. Not a moment's rest for this mama.