Things That Make Me Happy

Once upon a time, years ago, I had the prettiest, sweetest, most capable babysitter ever. In fact, she was a mom’s helper to me on many a Saturday for quite a few years. I always tell her she was my girl before I had a girl. In a house full of boys, I wanted a daughter, and she was like a daughter to me. Over the years she really grew into a good friend. Children don’t stay little, you know.

She went shopping with me and helped me watch my oldest two boys. We stopped at a photo booth and had our pictures made. Joseph wanted to be with her instead of me. In fact, I think Joseph thought she was his mama.

I had my picture in the booth made with Daniel.

She helped me with Daniel.

And she spent many an hour basically raising Joseph. Joseph was a hand full.  Let me repeat A HAND FULL.  He ended up being the easiest most laid-back teenager the world has ever known, but when he was 2…  Oh my.   I used to say with a half a smile that I thought my sciatic nerve was pinched in two from peeling him off shelves and table tops and out from under places he shouldn’t be.  I had to pull over on the side of the road and explain to him not to unbuckle his seatbelt and climb out of his carseat.  Mind you, he was too little to even be doing such things.  Do you think he listened to me?

My two oldest sons both walked at 8 months.  Have you experienced this?  Trying to watch a very curious and wide-open 8-month-old WHO CAN ALREADY WALK?

Many times when I felt like I couldn’t take one more step from exhaustion, my sweet little helper would scoop up Joseph and watch him.

My sweet little babysitter used to say she wanted a baby just like Joseph.

I am happy to report…
 

she got one.   Isn’t he just the most-cutest, adorable, cuddly baby you ever saw?  I think so.  When he sees something new he says WHOA.  That’s one of his new words.   He can also say kitty-cat. 

And guess what?

He even walked at 8 MONTHS. 

I just wanted to share with you that I had the chance to visit with this lovely mom and her son on one of my days off this week.  You know what was really sweet?  As soon as this beautiful little fella saw Joseph, he put out his arms to say “hold me.”  I think he’d met a kindred spirit.

On a homeschooling note, guess what arrived in my mailbox yesterday?  The newest issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC.

Purple Chair + TOS + Hot Tea = Happy Homeschooling Mom

I wanted to give you a broader view of my chair this morning.   Just look at the stacks of folders.  What, you may ask, is all that!  Well, I’m putting together a representative scrapbook (or scrapbooks) of all Daniel’s years in school.  I do this for all the children.  Sometimes I do a book a year, sometimes I put two years into one book.  Would you believe none of Daniel’s is done yet?  I’ll be working on sorting for awhile.

On a shopping note, I got a new handbag yesterday.

I’ve been looking for one, but did not plan to get one yesterday.  I went to Rugged Wearhouse to get some clothes for Michaela and there was this bag on clearance for 5 dollars.  It has both a handle and a shoulder strap.  If only they were leather.  But for 5 dollars.

Last but not least, like mother like daughter. 

In a moment of boredom yesterday, Michaela made her own coupon holder.  I am SO impressed.  At the moment it is full of TOY coupons.  She’s been so industrious.  Should we go shopping?

Happy Friday!

Lynn