The Jacobs Journal

Friday, February 15, 2013

BtB {Part 2} Update

Did I really promise to have all 5 of these done by now?? I'm using the handy (and very real!) excuse of having limited freedom due to 3 babies, 1 growing teenager, and 1 super hardworking man. (Refer to the end of this post for more specifics).

Here is what has been accomplished...

1. Shelves in the basement for the DVDs.

Derek took some extra pieces of wood that I made him keep after we lowered Marie's loft bed, and hung them up. So hopefully we can keep sticky little hands off of them and they might last a couple more years. And more space in the storage room! We probably shouldn't need it...

2. Lining on the fridge shelves.

I lined the first shelf. I didn't like it. The wrap doesn't cling to the glass of the shelf very well. I know there are other ways to line the fridge shelves, but it's just not worth it to me. A quick wipe of the shelves once in awhile seems easier to me.

We haven't had a chance to go back to the Habitat ReStore for some tiles. The little brown mirror is still sitting in the same place, unpainted. And the decor on Jack and Kempton's walls have not been changed.

Each time I see that little mirror still propped up against the wall, I'm reminded that there are some things that are simply not important. Instead of completing the above things, I hosted several playdates,

Totally got lucky, Justin. That's all I got to say.

worked hard at being consistent with homeschooling (and Jack has been more involved!),

got the house cleaned every evening for Derek and his student who now lives with us, dinner 11 out of the last 12 days, and continuing on the weightloss journey (and training for my next half!)

Just to name a handful of things... highlights!

Those things matter so much more to me. People.Matter.

So I'm not ashamed of my excuses :)

Oh, and tomorrow is Derek's 29th birthday. Man, he's getting old. I'm considering turning 26 in April... being 25 for the last four years is getting kinda redundant. Don't want my kids to catch up with me. ;)

((You know you love all the iPhone pics!))

Thursday, February 14, 2013

This is Love

Happy Valentine's Day :)

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Hearts, hearts, everywhere!

Valentine's Day never meant a whole lot to me. But now that I have kids and am homeschooling, I can't get enough of it! So if you're like me and trying to stuff in as many hearts as possible before the big day (tomorrow for those who weren't sure!), here's some ideas.

Craft:

Paper heart necklaces.

Perfect for today or tomorrow because you probably have all the supplies that you need already. Excellent way to work on fine motor skills and sorting/patterns. Find the directions HERE.

((Refer to THIS post to find a quick list of other Valentine's crafts))

Verse:

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11

If you go to my church (First Baptist of Elkhart), your kid is either learning or has learned this verse. Set the verse to the tune of Row Row Row Your Boat and he/she will have it down in no time! Make sure to spend some time talking to your babies about how much you love them, and how God loves them even more!

School:

Just today I found these two pins on Pinterest...

Source: moneysavingmom.com via Rachael on Pinterest

(Thanks, Rachel!)

Of course I immediately printed out a handful of must-do activities and put the kids to work. I saved some for tomorrow.

Most of this stuff was a little easy for Marie but she still enjoyed the review. It was perfect for Jack. I'm so proud of these babies!!

Read:

This is Derek and my all-time favorite book. The first time we read it, we were just dating and we were in a library in New York City. We sat down against some book shelves and read it aloud.

One of those memories I hope never fades.

We've been reading this to our babies since Marie was still in the womb.

Bake:

Does puppy chow count as baking? I don't care. This picture has been taunting me for days. Unfortunately (read: fortunately), I don't have all I need to make this so we won't be making this. But I had to share so someone out there can enjoy this whilst I only dream.