Blueberries for Sal

Today we went on our much missed family outing. Since Craig has been working crazy hours, we have not be able to go on our weekly family outings, much to Deirdre's chagrin. However today was the perfect day to do one. We've been in our new home for a week now and we are settled - so now let's go on an adventure! An adventure inspired by her favorite book, "Blueberries for Sal."

And off we went to the Pungo Blueberry Farms in Virginia Beach! It was a lovely family friendly place (restrooms, sheltered picnic areas, cold water, and wagons to help you carry the little ones around). The farm was also family owned and the really cared about their farm and its patrons. They even had a cute play blueberry figure! I will so come again next year!

The kids were in heaven, despite the heat. Deirdre actually picked some while singing a song about a blueberry gnome named bill whom was protecting her from the blueberry troll name grimace.

Jonas just ran from bush to bush stuffing his face. He was wild and having so much fun. We did not care how many berries he ate or how far he tarried, he was loving life and will surely remember this experience for years to come. Family fun.  

Bonne Nuit, Mes Amies

Corners of our home: The Great Room

I have to say when I first walked into our new house, the reason I immediately fell in love with it was due to the 'great room'. The 'great room' is to the left when you walk in the front door off the foyer. Instead of having a separate den and living room, our landlords combined the rooms together into one HUGE room. It is just such an open space, and I love it. 

In our last home, which I also loved, we had a separate living room and den. I converted the living room into our playroom however. Much to my dismay though the rooms were closed off by a wall so the whole space seemed much more boxed in.  

(Disclaimer: these photos as all photos, do not do this home justice. You have to just come see this yourself!) 

In this house we now have our playroom...

Family room...

Library/Music/Secretary Nook...

I have had this for 5 years now and its still one  of my favorite things. 

In one room!


I apologize for the photo quality but we had lovely busy day- and I did not have time to snap some photos when the sun was out but I will update these when I do. Not only did my car not start this morning on the way to church but we went out to lunch with church friends, had to fix the car afterwards, and then attended a divine birthday party this afternoon! Phew. However I must say that the party was one of the most laid back and fun parties I have been too. I loved being able to let go and be with people that my children and I can be ourselves around without judgement. 


At any rate, I am going to start working on a tutorial for some reclaimed wooden blocks. Once my gnome tutorial is published, I can also post my rainbow toadstools tutorial. Due to the similarities and publication rights, I think its best to wait. :) 


Our sermon today was very convicting and challenging, in a good way. I have to says its the first time I have heard a balanced and sound sermon on biblical familial roles where a wife's role was treated with dignity. Way to go TK. 

Daily Verse or Quote: 

Ephesians 5: 8-14

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:

   “Wake up, sleeper,
   rise from the dead,
   and Christ will shine on you.”




More of our eat in kitchen...

And our kitchen...

DD's table setting station. Tonight she set the table without asking and put her dirty dishes away! 

Introducing Our New Home

Well I am back from my respite my dear friends! I must admit that I did miss the internet, not the TV so much, but most definitely this space. Soon hopefully we will be getting rid of their TV altogether. This week has just re-solidified why we do not need or really use it all that much. The only reason we still have it is really for Craig. After a LONG 8 hour plus night shift, he likes to watch his TV. And I totally support that. But I digress...


As mentioned before, we are moved! What a crazy and blessed experienced that was. We had so many lovely people and dear friends helping us. We began at 8am and we were done and mostly unpacked by 3pm. Seriously I am so indebted to these dear souls. The love Craig and I felt on that day will stay with us for years to come. 


Our move was across town, so we are still in VA. I can see the James River from my window and I am walking distance from my old university. The house we are in belongs to our church friends. We are renting from them for the next three years. While we could have bought a home this move, we could not have bought the kind of home that we'd be happy to own. So we are going to wait and save for as bit longer and then hopefully in three years we can find our forever earthly home. But truly we are so blessed as it is and in the end a house is temporal and just a dwelling. I'd prefer to pin my hopes on something greater than that. :) 

The new house however is stunning. I cannot lie, it also is huge. 3400 square feet and tennis court in the back yard huge. The poor kids get lost in it and this it too much room for us, so we won't be using it all really. But I am not going to complain. I plan on filling this house with friends and family as often as I can for as long as we have it! I also want to begin a Waldorf homeschool co-op this Autumn, so this place will be perfect if that plan comes to fruition. 


At any rate I will leave you all now. The kids are fabulous. We are having no regression issues and they are both sleeping happily in the same room (photos to come). We have found our rhythm and routine in this new place and I am in love. See you all tomorrow! 

Many blessings from mine to yours, 

Nicole 

PS: My tutorial is getting published! I am quite excited! I will let you all know when is comes out and where to find it! 

New Home

We are safe. We are moved. We are settled. We are blessed.

We also do nto have internet until saturday, so that is when the blog and photos will return. 

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Life is quite wonderful and we are having no issues. 

PS: The kids LOVE their new shared room!