Time Flies...

...when you are having fun, right? I can't believe it, but I have now been a full-time SAHM (stay at home mom) for exactly ONE year!! So, I'm gonna reflect on that year.

(feel free to log out if this seems uninteresting!)

First of all, I need to express just how blessed I know we are to be able for me to even be at home. We made goals last spring to only make purchases with cash versus credit, even large ones, and have been successful thus far. I am proud of us.

*small sacrifices= NO concerts and NO travel  for a year-ish (both things we LOVE)

I also made the decision to keep Josh home from preschool for 2 reasons: 1- he doesn't need 2 yrs of preschool, and 2- I wanted all of us to be home together for this last year before school does come and separate us a bit.

.  I think he's doing just fine!!

I have come to learn and appreciate different "home-making" skills that I had no time for while I was teaching. I already loved to cook and try new recipes, but it is so much better when I have time and energy to do it!

 

Oh, and now we only eat my homemade bread and jam. YUM!

 

Sewing was one of those skills I never thought I would even want to learn. I rarely replace buttons with thread and needle, let alone pull out a machine. But, when I was in my 3rd trimester-craziness, I did sew Layla's quilt and curtains. I then went on to sew baby Gracie's, baby Owen's, and 2 other quilts in the last year. 

Needless to say, I am burned out for a bit!

    

And of course, we added our baby girl! 3 KIDS!

Josh was also in a speech therapy class from fall-spring, and I am SO proud of his progress and accomplishments. His quarterly progress reports showed consistently decreasing # of speech errors. There was a lot of at-home work to be done, and I know that being home with Josh all year really made a difference with how quickly he progressed. We held each other accountable; me with the homework, and Josh with his speech corrections.

    

We have been able to experience new things all together, or just with me and the kids. Currently, we are doing some hiking around the valley or in nearby canyons. I was raised very much to love the outdoors, especially our own state's "backyard," so I am excited to share it with my kiddos.

(anyone is welcome to join us... just let me know)

 

But, there have been many days when we just hang out. I love watching the boys' creativity at work, as well as listening to their hard-to-understand conversations. (not hard to them, though) Those have been some of my favorites, as well as some of the most trying. Winter is just plain hard with little kids. But I survived the cold weather with all the crazy and endless energy the boys have. 

Here are my favorite time-fillers:

COOKIE FRIDAYS * playdough * watching Backyardigans * Laird Park * Tanner Park * Liberty Park Canyons-fountain * walks to Gramma Goates' house * SILLY SINGING * playing with friends * NAP TIME! * gym time * zoo trips

    

So, here's another summer with all the adventures it holds for our family. You will find us trying to keep cool, entertained, and happy! 

I am happy at home.