Homemade Laundry Detergent

I've tried this once before and felt it made my clothes dingy. I decided to give a new recipe a try and so far I really like it. Why, you might ask, do I even feel the need to make laundry detergent? Well, because I use a lot of laundry detergent and I'm hoping to save some money! I seriously do 3-4 loads of laundry a day in order to keep up with our family of 7. 

The boys helped me. Here's the recipe I used. http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/08/make-a-years-worth-of-laundry-soap.html

You should definitely check out her site even if it's not to get the detergent recipe. She has a lot of fun ideas for making your life awesome.

Isn't it pretty?

Last Rent Check

We got word today that we will be closing on our new home next month! We are thrilled to be moving into a home that accommodates our family size in a community that accommodates our 

lifestyle. Today, I mailed our last rent check!

The kids are as excited as we are. Grayson and Landon helped me make a paper chain to countdown the days until moving day. We even made it educational! Grayson suggested we link the paper in a pattern. It was really fun cutting and looping and counting. I love my children and the great ideas they come up with. 29 days to go to moving day!

2014-2015 Soccer Season

We played soccer in the Fall and Spring this year! Grayson was old enough to play this year and he had a blast on the Purple Team. Ethan returned to play with his team on the Lime Slimes. Both boys excelled in the sport, each scoring at least once per game. Most games they scored multiple times and assisted other teammates in scoring as well. 

Grayson is very aggressive on the field and puts his whole heart into the game!

Coach John and Grayson

Coach Kent, Coach John

Sammy, Grayson, Tollan, Johnny, and Nathan

I don't have any action shots of Ethan, but he has really become a mature soccer player!He is a real team player and also excels on the offense. We are so proud of both our boys. One of the things we are going to miss most when we move is our soccer league! We have made some great friends and really will miss seeing them on a regular basis.

VPK Graduation and Party

Grayson has completed pre-kindergarten. He had a great year and learned so much. We are so proud of him!

Here's the entire school at the graduation. They sang some beautiful songs. 

Grayson's class! Thanks to Mrs. Fisher for an amazing year. 

Silly selfie!

Grayson and his buddy, Jack.

A celebration isn't complete without cake, games, and a splash pad!

Home Update 5/22/2015

I asked Landon what he is looking forward to the most about our new house. His answer, "sleepovers with Gigi and Papa." I am excited about so many things.  Cooking in a new kitchen with more than one outlet. Cabinets that shut and stay shut.  Drawers that are on rollers that open and close with ease. Oh, and a pantry and a closet to keep my vacuum in. Taking baths in my new tub and showering without fear of decades' old growths getting on my feet. The list is really endless! Here's photos from this week's visit. Progress is going steady. I really hope we can close and move next month.

This will be part of my view on the way out of the neighborhood. It really is a beautiful, cozy neighborhood. I am so happy to live in place with wide open spaces.

View from living room into the kitchen. So happy with how it is coming together!

View from top of the stairs into the flex space. Love the little desk that comes standard. I'm thinking homework zone or a mini-Lego land.

Cannot wait to take a bath in my new tub! I haven't had a bath (showers only) in four years because I don't currently have a bathtub. I've got a brand new bath pillow ready to go.

Master bathroom sinks! I love that there's more than one.

We are all so excited! Wonder how much will be finished by next week.

One month

One month can go so slowly when you're 9 months pregnant! One month can go so quickly when you don't want your baby to get big! Weston hit his month mark and I am happy to report he is growing and healthy and a sweet little fella. We are so happy he is part of our family.

He's working hard on his double chin and chubby cheeks!

Home Update 5/15/2015

Things continue to move along at a steady,efficient pace at ye ole' homesite. Our house got its paint and paver driveway in! It's really starting to come together.

Sneak peek of the master bathroom shower. The soaker tub is also going to have the same tile and pattern.

Shot from the entry with the tile laid. They had all the tile in and texture on walls and ceilings. Cabinets were in the garage, so hopefully they go in this week.

Weston's First Three Weeks

Weston is a huge hit around here. Everyone loves him so much. He is eating well, learning to sleep, and so sweet. His looks change every day. At his two week checkup (on April 30) he had gained almost an entire pound from birth. This means he is a born overachiever because the goal was just to regain his birth weight (7 lbs 15 oz). He weighed in at 8 lbs 14 oz. Way to go, Weston! 

Fell asleep during tummy time and gave us a little smile.

One of my biggest challenges of having a new baby is making time for my other littles so they don't feel unimportant. It has been particularly challenging this time. I don't like taking a new baby to largely populated places. I have missed the last three weeks of soccer games, church, etc. I hate missing that kind of stuff. It's hard because Weston needs me so much and no one else can feed him. Jared is gone most of the waking hours of the children, so he's not around to do other things which would free me up to spend time with the others. 

After dinner the other night, Weston was asleep so I left Jared to do the dishes and walked the other four across the street to our neighbor's dock and lakefront. We had a great time wading, finding baby frogs, snails, and shells, watching the fish and birds, and we even saw a paddleboarder out on the lake. My big kids love being part of a large family and are adjusting pretty well. However, it was nice to spend time with just my big kids. I love the littles in my life. 

Home Building Update 5/4/2015

If you can't already tell, I am super excited about our new house. I'm pretty much going crazy at our current abode. It is small and baby Weston is calling the living room his bedroom. We stopped by last week to check out the progress on the house. Every time we go, I'm so pleased with the rate of progress. The outside is ready for stucco, paint, and finishings.

The inside has been drywalled, sanded and seams painted up. Seems like the inside is also ready for finishings. Here are some indoor shots. 

Looking from the garage entry towards the living room, nook and kitchen.

Taken from the flex space at the top of the stairs. From left to right, Bedroom, Closet, Bathroom, Bedroom, Master Bedroom, Staircase, A/C Closet. Not pictured on the right are the Laundry Room and another Bedroom.

Looking from the nook towards the kitchen, dining room, entry and living room.