Indoor Gardening

Things are going pretty good around here. I focus on school in the morning and have one of the children make lunch. They have a schedule for their chores and have been doing a good job starting on them without reminders, so that has been a blessing.

We usually invite children in when they stop by and our house is often a bustle of activity after school and on weekends. Our little house can pack in quite a few active kids! It makes things busier for us, but it gives opportunities for them to see/experience a Christian home. I know we are not perfect as parents and have a long way to go, but pray that they see Jesus in their time here. Some of them are trying to move in with us.....

After failing at growing anything outside for 3 years in a row here, I've decided to attempt it indoors this winter, using our south facing windows. I've started with organic lettuce and heirloom tomatoes (we saved the tomato seeds from tomatoes we bought in town at the market). So far they seem to be doing well. And, it sounds like the guys are brainstorming on how we can move the operation into the neglected greenhouse here - if they can get the temperature control figured out in an affordable way. I gets too hot in summer, (needs better ventilation) It runs about 90 degrees when the days are only 40 to 50 outside, with windows open and fan running) Now I would be excited if we could make use of that greenhouse. There is just nothing like home grown produce.

I've been working on quiet books, one for Matthew and one for our friends in Kansas' daughter. It is more work than I anticipated but I enjoyed seeing it come together. I learned things I should have done differently as I worked on it, but I am pleased with the end result. (Matthew's is still in progress and I may wait to finish it for his first b-day) I used rings to bind it so it is possible to add pages as she grows. I was able to use the freezer paper painting for the cover, which turned out better than I expected.

Still need mini clothespins for this page.

Need to get a pencil for the yellow pocket.

You can open the doors and there are finger puppets inside.

Jim says that in small print at the bottom it should say "except for the velcro pages" :)

Matthew is going to need a different bed. He is starting to scoot around (mostly in circles) on his tummy and his small travel bed has floppy sides. He sleeps in the living room and it is amazing how well he sleeps through all the racket of school and everything else going on around him. He weighed in at 13#9oz at 5 months. Maybe this is over kill on Matthew pics but I didn't know where to stop. Too cute! :)

Arms and legs just wouldn't stop.

Getting tired.

What big eyes you have.