My mom taught me to love gardening,  reading, and being at home.  She was the first one to teach me a love for sewing, and I remember learning how to pick out pretty fabrics and sensible clothing patterns.  Although my first several homemade outfits probably made her wonder if I’d been listening.  (Sorry, no pictures of those!  haha.)

She taught both my brother and me to be good drivers, and always insisted we learn to drive stick-shift  (so did you, Dad!), thoughtful children, good cleaners, and hard workers.  To be respectful of others, especially adults, and to love church and the family in it.

Happy Mother’s Day to you, Mom. So grateful for the sacrifices you’ve made for us!

And we get a phone call from our realtor:  our buyers were starting to act a little strange.  Demands that we felt were completely unreasonable and made at the last minute.

So, after a last-ditch effort to meet them in the middle as much as we were able, they backed out.  And our house is for sale again, with empty bookshelves, no curtains, no rugs, no decorations, and a garage packed full of boxes waiting to be moved.

(sigh)

Anyone want to buy a pretty house in North Carolina?

I’ve re-discovered how much I adore my Fiestaware sets.

Although packing is a bit of hard work, it’s been kinda fun to pull my lesser-used dishes out of the cupboard and get a full view of them.

Anyone remember these cups?  I think we got them at Pizza Hut.

I remember drinking chocolate milk out of these cups.

These were my grandmother’s.  I don’t know if her mother owned them before that, but I love them.

I’ve  inherited a large 12-piece-setting collection of bone-thin china from my mom (I’m not sure how old it is), and it’s been fun(it’s so pretty! )  and scary (hope I don’t break any of it!) at the same time to pack it all up.

We are counting down the days (22!)…..then it’ll all get *un*packed.

“Enjoy these years while you can.”  Every year I learn more and more how true that wisdom would turn out to be.

Nine years!  Nine.  From a beautiful, pixie-fairy tiny baby who changed our life the most + forever…

to the sweetest, most delicious chubby toddler you’ll ever meet…

to a young lady who loves to read (we can hardly keep enough books on the shelf for her), write notes and stories, ride her scooter, wear dresses, shop for clothes, and sew.

We are blessed beyond measure to have Ivy June in our family.  It’s been nothing but wonderful from the very first, and she keeps getting better and better every year.

Happy, happy birthday, my love.  I have a feeling Year 9 will bring some wonderful things for you.

And so the packing begins…

(yippeee!)

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.

What a gift she is to our family.

New things for turning one:  saying everyone’s name (“Iiiiii-eeeee!” for Ivy  and “Aaaaaaaa-thbbbpppttttt” for Asher.  She hasn’t quite mastered “Charlotte” yet, and I guess it’s a tough one), learning to walk (on her tiptoes!  like a fairy!), and discovering that books are good for more than eating.

She’s also discovering that it’s a LOT more fun to stay awake than it is to take a nap (we’re working on that one), and that Daddy just might be our favorite guy EVER.

Annie, we love every single inch of you, and we’re so happy you’re a part of our family.

She got her own set of wooden shoes from Opa for turning one,

to add to the other pairs….

Mommy also stitched up a little coverlet, for the big-girl toddler bed she’ll move into in a few months.

Happy Birthday, sweet baby girl.  xo

This one was toddler-bed-size, and made with half-square-triangles.  This pinwheel design seems just right for a child’s quilt!  ( I forgot to take pictures before the big birthday bash, so Rebekkah was kind enough to do it for us.  Thanks Rebekkah!)

Next up is a dress for me.  I don’t sew dresses for myself very often, but this one is out of knit fabric, and it doesn’t have a zipper.  My chances of success are high.

If it turns out normal, I’ll show you a picture!  Until then…..

Meg is asking Marmee if she has “plans” for her daughters.  “Yes, my dear, I have a great many;  all mothers do, but mine differ somewhat…I suspect.  … I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good;  to be admired, loved, and respected; to have a happy youth, to be well and wisely married, and to lead useful, pleasant lives, with as little care and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send.

“To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman; and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience.  … My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world, -marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is wanting.  Money is a needful and precious thing, -and when well used, a noble thing,- but I never want you to think it is the first and only prize to strive for.

“…Leave these things to time;  make this home happy, so that you may be fit for homes of your own, if they are offered you, and contented here if they are not.

“One thing remember, my girls:  mother is always ready to be your confidant, father to be your friend; and both of us to trust and hope that our daughters, whether married or single, will be the pride and comfort of our lives.”

“We will, Marmee, we will!” cried both, with all their hearts, and she bade them good-night.

Seeing them in a group outside makes me feel like I have some tiny chicks or ducks to care for.  Fresh air and a rain bath, and I think they’ll be happy.