Eggs to Dye For!

People used to get dyes from plants. You can, too. There are two ways of dyeing eggs. Boil them first, then cold-soak them in dyes; or boil them with the dye. 

*Boil eggs for 30 minutes or more with lots of oinionskins; they'll turn a pale orange to light red. 

* Boil eggs with spinach leaves for pale green. 

* Soak hard-boiled eggs in grape juice; they'll turn lavender.

* Boil eggs in tea for pale brown, in coffee for darker brown. 

* Boil eggs with beets or cranberries for lovely pinks and reds. 

* For a golden color, dissolve the spice turmeric in hot water and soak the eggs. 

* To create patterns on boiled eggs, draw on the shells with wax crayons or wrap them in rubber bands before dyeing. 

mud is squisy between my toes, flowers bloom beneath my nose

birds are singing, bells are ringing 

the easter bunny hides eggs on the farm

when I get close, mom yells, "you're warm!"

pollywogs squiggle in the creek (they'll be frogs within a week)

it must be spring

As Busy As I Claim To Be, I Still Have The Greatest Job In The World.

It's been a super busy month for me. There seems to be so much going on right now. 

This week the stomach bug has been keeping me occupied. Nothing like cleaning vomit. Yuck! Four down and three to go! I'm ready for it to be out of here! Poor Sequel is scared to death of getting it. He has locked himself in his room, won't come out to eat, or be around the other kids at all. I'm going to feel really bad for him when he ends up with it anyway. What are the chances? 

What I'm really looking forward to is Sunday with my husband! We are going to the Zac Brown concert! I can't wait! I haven't been to a concert in YEARS. I'm pretty sure Marilyn Manson was the last one. My how things have changed. :) 

Easter plans are in the works too. Silly but I think it's one of my favorite holidays with the kids. The food is great, decorating and hunting eggs is fun, and it's always nice spending time with family. I'm not sure what we are doing this year. Normally we spend Easter weekend at my dads but due to unforeseen circumstances that won't be possible this year. I'm sure no matter where we end up, we will have an amazing time! I can't wait! 

The other big plans in the works is my becoming a surrogate for a couple in Oklahoma. We are still in the very early stages of everything but I'm thrilled to be able to help them out and hope that everything runs smoothly. I'm flying up at the end of the month to meet them in person and to start the first steps. Of course I'll update everyone as things progress. 

and finally... the most exciting thing... going to California to spend the weekend with Casey just me and him! I can NOT wait! It's a much needed break for both of us and the kids are excited to spend the weekend with Grandma! 

<3

 

Mothers of Teenagers Know Why Animals Eat Their Young

April 1 my oldest, Venus turned 13. No joke. It's not really a big deal but at the same time it is. He's entering his teen years. The countdown has begun. 5 more years.

I went into his room sobbing, gave him a hug and sat on his bed. He looked at me and asked why I was crying. I told him that I couldn't believe it had been 13 years already. Time is flying by so fast. I really expected him to keep playing his computer game and laugh at me but he didn't. He took his headphones off and turned around to talk to me. He told me he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. "I still have five years before I finish high school, mom." "I know son... but it's still hard to accept."
We talked a while longer. I shared some silly stories with him from when he was a baby and cried some more. He said the sweetest things and made me feel a lot better. He talked about getting a car and helping me out with the younger kids and how he would still be here through college because he would NEVER go out of the state. He's a good kid. 


So much will happen in his life in the next five years and I hope that I do a good job of helping him learn and helping him make smart decisions. And when that is all said and done... I hope that he is as proud to have me as a mom, as I am to have him as my son.