From the mouth of babes...

In the last few day's Sophie has had the funniest comments:

Dog barking in background, which always startles her, she ran and grabbed me and buried her head in to my arm and said, "I'm not scared,it's OK, I'm just smelling your shirt".


Today while I was propping my foot up, that was throbbing by the way, I was eating a small bowl of ice cream. Sophie informed me that she wanted a bite and proceeded to tell me that, "Jesus will be sad if you don't share".

I have never broken a bone in my life...until today!

Today I was attempting to leave my house when my dog got out. I was trying to get her to come across the street when I stepped on one of those porkie pine ball thingies that fall from the trees and I "rolled" my ankle. I fell to the ground, scraped my knee (without tearing my favorite pants)and managed to break the bone on the outside of my right foot. I heard it too! I knew I was doomed, especially when I was overcome w/ nausea, thank goodness that passed. Thankfully I was blessed to have Daijha over today so she was able to help me back to the car and got my phone for me. Sophie was already buckled in. David and Davis were shopping. So... I debated what to do and finally decided to drive myself to urgent care. By the time we arrived I couldn't even walk. Sure enough x-rays showed it is broken. I have a temp. cast now and will see a ortho Monday or Tuesday. My biggest disappointment and inconvenience is going to be not driving. So far the pain is tolerable...I will post more when I know more.

Straw Bale Homes

I'll Huff and I'll Puff and I won't Blow your house down...

Over the years (the last 10) I have researched various ways to live more simply. At times being obsessive about it. I have several books to prove it. The Internet has also been a valuable source. Having done all this I am sad to say we still have debt...that is not going anywhere. After many discussions we are considering selling our home and renting (an apartment most likely) for a year or two to free up some much needed cash flow. We are still not sure due to the economy and real estate market right now. It will all be in God's hands.

Following this financial decision our goal is to build a home. Our goal is also to do it with as little money as possible...that is what leads to the title of my post. We are very interested in straw bale homes. Yes, they are made of "hay bails", and then plastered/stuccoed over. They can be very simple to very extravagant...we of course will lean towards the simple ones. There are awesome books on this structure if you are at all interested in having a look for yourself, here is a link to get you started (strawbale.com) One of the things I like most is the energy efficiency of these homes. I would love to be able to cut our heat/air bill in half! There are other homes that we are considering as well, such as a metal building. The possibilities are endless I guess, when it comes to building. Doing it on a tight budget will be a long ride I'm sure! Please keep us in your prayers as we embark on yet another adventure!

I'm giving myself a bath...in the car

Today on the way home from school Sophie removed her shoes and socks. I really didn't pay attention and then noticed she was sucking on her blankie? Still didn't say anything. After we picked up Davis I asked her why she had removed her shoes and socks. She proceeded to tell me that she had been giving herself a bath...in the car, with her blankie as the "saliva filled washcloth". She said her feet were all clean, even between her toes. She later said she needed another bath tonight to finish cleaning the rest of her body.

I get such a kick out of...

the comments other bloggers post about the things their kids say, so I thought I would conform.

Last night after dinner while David and I were actually having a converstion...

Sophie: My sister won't stop hitting me.
Us: What? You're sister?
Sophie: yes, we are on a roller coaster and she keeps hitting me.
Me: What's he name?
Sophie: Johnnie
Me: Are you ok?
Sophie: It's OK she didn't hit me that hard.

Anything for attention I guess. Oh, her tone was so matter of fact??? Strange???

Halloween 2008

We had an eventful Halloween before Halloween this year. The kids actually did not do anything on Halloween night, except go to CR as usual :) But...on Sunday night, before Halloween they enjoyed Trunk or Treat at church and on Thursday night Sophie and I went to the dorms at OC and Davis got to go to Haunt the Zoo with his cool aunt and uncle who, by the way ,do not have children. That was so kind of them...I heard the line was looooong! Needless to say the results were too much candy as usual. Here are my kiddos and a few other kiddos...