A very sweet jet lag story

It was 3:30 am and I was laying with my oldest daughter who woke up earlier and had just starting falling asleep. I was about to get up and go back to my bed when my middle daughter started singing quietly...Lydia was singing stories...she sang three different ones while I lay there quietly in her sister's bed.  The first few song I barely could hear, one was about her little stuffed lamby that she sleeps with and the other I couldn't really hear until the end where she would end all her stories with "this is my story for the day", repeated by 4 to 10 thank yous following and all this is sung in a sing songy voice.

The last song I was able to hear all the words. "There once was a little boy who liked to dance, who liked to dance, He put on some music and danced his heart out, his heart out. It was funny because he was dancing on a frying pan, and it had butter on it. This is my little story for today. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you." She then fell asleep. :)


This was one of the sweetest jet lag instances ever and I just had to share and record it for later!

We are heading back to Turkey in 7 days, our time here in the States with my mom and family has been invaluable and full of new memories.  

Happy Thanksgiving weekend…I hope it is full of family and tradition and very little shopping.
I look forward to blogging again when we return to our west corner.
Becky 

Cardboard Super hero house tour :)

Well as I shared a bit ago..(here).. that I made this super hero cardboard house for my little guy. 

I semi- promised I would show you more of it, so here it is. 

Enjoy.

The fun features are the trap door at the top and the workable jail.

I made the jail with a tea box. Also it has a secret passage on the side. :)

The beds are made out of cork board hot glued together and painted and the mattresses from foam and I sewed the bedding. The table is a lid and spool of thread. I have yet to make a few chairs for the 

super heros to rest their weary heroic bones. 

Here is the tea box and a pic to show you how I attached it.

Truth is Isaac loves that I made this for him but it is not on his list of favourite toys. It gets played with on and off. I think it would help if I made a few more pieces of furniture. However it was ALOT of fun to make and he often calls it 'special'. I love my little fellow and all the boyishness that he brings to our home!

Hope this is inspiring to someone. :) Here is the girls carboard dollhouses from years ago, (we still have one in good shape after 4 years!!) and another homemade toy from cardboard that I made for Isaac a few years ago can be found HERE.


In my west corner, Good night.
Becky

Homeschool journal & journey #1 ~ Taking things too personal.

2013/2014 School year has been in the workings for over a month now and this year I have 

two girlies home and one little guy off in kindergarten for the mornings. I will be continuing my Homeschool journal and journey posts this year as well. 

Ok so the truth is I am their mom. Yep and that comes into the learning experience. I am an emotional mom at times, they are emotional girls at times and that too comes into the homeschool experience.  Last year I think I took things too personal and truthfully had my feelings hurt more times than I can count by my 8 year old. :) This year my perspective has changed and I feel like I am able to see clearer. I realise that my 7 year old and almost 10 year old are not struggling with 'me' it is the subject or the learning style or there own immaturity. I feel like we have made greater strides at the beginning of this year just by me growing in that one area. My desire this year is to be a better student of my children to understand them more; how they learn, think and what they thrive in, what they are afraid of and why. Examples like what are there preferred learning styles, what are their individual love languages, what are the gifts God has given them, what are their personality tendencies and yes even what is their favourite color this month. I want to 'get' my kids so that I can love them more and teach them well.

~ ~ ~

In just over a week we will be traveling to the States to visit my mom. This summer my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. It was such a shock to my family and me.  I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to visit my family and be a part of my mom's journey that she is traveling right now.  I am looking forward to being around my mom, sisters and their families. I really hope I am able to be a help and support in some way. I am also a little nervous, I know my mom has changed so much.

We will be homeschooling while we are there so we she see how that goes. :) I am pretty eclectic in my style so I think we will adjust ok. ;)

In my west corner... journeying,
Becky

Here are my posts from last years Homeschool journal and journey: Homeschool J & J page
Also here is a post from Mother's day a few years back I dedicated to my mom.
She is a women to be admired

Welcome art (Hoşgeldin)

Welcome. 

A little piece of wood art. 

This is your first lesson Turkish lesson to all you none Turkish speaking readers out there. 

Hoşgeldin (hoshgeldin) = Welcome 

Still would like to add a wire so that it can hang, I also think that will make it look more complete. :) 

One fun thing about this piece is that I stained the wood with black tea, brushing it over the wood on and off for a few days and then letting it dry. 

I have a sweet friend I want to give this too. I am saving it for a Christmas gist. :) 

Off to make dinner. In my beloved west corner. 

Becky

Dancing alone...a Saturday to myself!!!

Saturday I spent my full afternoon ALONE in my bedroom!!!! (except for a few sweet interruptions) It was simply wonderful, exquisitely lovely and quiet.  The kids had ballet and gymnastics and David took them so I had 2 hours by myself and then when they came home David said I could just hang out in my room and he would let the kids play outside and he would get dinner around etc.  Wow I feel rejuvenated.  I blogged. I read my Bible. I journaled a bit and I watched 2 movies!!! I can't tell you the last time I did that, I mean really I have no idea??? By the end of the the first movie when the credits were rolling I was dancing a fun jig, yes busting my very own moves and life wasn't feeling quite as heavy. :)

Can you feel the stillness and quietness in my home? 

It was a sweet few hours of bliss. 

Over the past several months our lives has been filled with news that will and is changing our current life and future.  With all these pieces of news my mind thinks, works and seems to be in a constant rolling mode. It was such a relief to laugh, eat chocolate and drink tea all by myself and not have a plan except to rest and reenergise. Oh how I needed that time!

So there you have it. What about you, are you able to recharge?

Grateful for the freedom I have in Christ, (no matter where I live)
Becky

If you want to celebrate this amazing free life we live and dance a jig...I highly recommend this song.  Enjoy Friends.

Our fall leaf people

We are enjoying the beginning of Fall weather here in our little west corner. 

So the next obvious thing to do is make 

Fall Leaf People,  you know those little creations that come from the fallen leaves. ;) 

We used a glue stick and a hot glue gun for the larger sticks.

Isaac loved this and made his creations without much help, except the hot glue gun. 

This one was mine. The kids called it the 'fat leaf fairy'. :) 

On the day that we went and collected these things I was determined to find a place away from apartments and not one of the two parks we go to ALL the time. It is very hard to go for nature walks here and I had a moment that day to feel bad about it or ask the Lord to help me find somewhere to go. We got in the car and I prayed. I was reminded of a little walking area that is REALLY small but it has lots of trees so off we went. It really was amazing to me how much kids just love to be out, they did not notice that it was really small and had no grass just dirt. They had a riot looking for bits and bobs for our creations. My attitude and determination make such a difference in the fun of our days. Also that day I was again reminded the Lord cares about my/our daily lives and that makes my heart full.

Enjoy the beginning of this glorious fall weather. 

Tea will be abundant at my house so feel free to stop by!!!

Learning to ask the Lord to help me 'use what I have' to create and enjoy life. 

In my little west corner,

Becky

Czech Republic in doors and windows- Crazy Europe tour #2

Czech Republic

 

 Pieces of architectural art.

I love solid, secure structures that have stood the test of time.  

I have such a respect for those who have worked hard and left in their place something to look to, to remind us of determination, true craftsmanship, pride, gifting and quality.  These doors, windows and buildings were such a delight to see and to experience history and ages gone by.

The Czech Republic was truly one of the most amazing cities I have ever seen. 

Charles Bridge

The tops of these buildings are so whimsical. Each one is different. TIme, effort and thought were put into the architecture of these simple buildings and I like that. 

I thought maybe I could use them for inspiration for my next mixed media houses I make. 

 Prague astronomical clock

The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still working.

I took to this clock. It drew me in. It was my favorite landmark of our whole trip. 

It rained everyday we were there. 

My Birthday cake. We celebrated my 39th birthday camping in Vienna our our way back home. :) 

In my west corner...looking for God to open a door or a window. 

Becky

Mixed media houses

Here are a few mixed media houses I have worked on over the past several months on and off.
I guess you could call them recycled pieces of art. :)

Now that they are individually done I am trying to figure out how to work them as a corporate piece?? 

I am not too sure if I should do them together or independently.

These pieces were made primarily from cardboard and acrylic paint. Pieces of burlap, magazine clippings, pages from an old book, scrap book paper, ribbon, small pieces of wood, hemp, felt and fabric. Oh yes a a few beads and buttons too.  All the pieces  held together with Mod Podge, thread and a glue gun. 

I have thought a lot about how each family/household has a distinct thumbprint (personality) and these houses represent that to me.

 Each family has a unique style and way about themselves, not needing to compare themselves with the next household because that household is made up of uniquely different individuals with their own set of strengths, weaknesses and style.

Anyway there you have it. I would love any input if you think I should do a piece with all the houses or do 3 individual ones....?

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Eph. 2;10  

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Gen. 1:27

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Ps. 139:14

Bye for now. :)

In my little west corner,

Becky

Out our back window.

Here's a little Turkish culture for you:

Summer is the season for weddings and circumcision parties here in Turkey.  :) This summer for several weekends in a row we had celebrations around our neighborhood.  It is typical to have these celebrations outside and the music and dancing is allowed until midnight. (They do have receptions and parties in weddings halls as well but the cheaper route is not reserving a hall and having it open air.)


This particular night it was in our apartment's parking lot directly in our back yard!
I took this video out my sons bedroom window. 

It was very loud!  As I write this post I hear traditional Turkish music off in the distance where yet another end of the summer wedding is being celebrated outside, and the hoots and howlers of the dancers are heard. However off in the distance is MUCH more tolerable than directly out your back window. I am guessing this will be one of the last ones we will hear as the summer has come to an end here.

Good night from our little west corner,
Becky

Austria ~ Part #1 of our Crazy Europe tour

We drove through Bulgaria, stayed a night in Serbia, arrived in Budapest, Hungry in time to eat a famous and delicious Hungarian duck dinner at 9 pm. Then we got up the next day and found ourselves in...

Looking out our bedroom window at the Farmhouse apartment in Austria. 

Austria 

Pristine, full of agriculture, 

sculptured, simple living,

natural

I loved staring out the window at the paths in the distance 

and just thinking. 

I had to put this pic in. 

The colored car Bingo that I printed out for Isaac, was a HIT!! Car Bingo

It was so fun to watch him be so intent on finding that orange or green car.

I had some fun print outs in a 3 ring binder and placed the car bingo in a protective clear sleeve and put sticker dots on the side. It was really a perfect car game.

They have no idea how privileged they are.

This is the farm house we stayed in. It had two small apartments in it. 

We are on the 2nd floor. 

The  Farm house was over 100 euro cheaper than a hotel and the emenities were right up my alley: 

A fresh herb garden

Lavender pillows

Rolling hills

Homemade yogurt and fresh cows milk

Scenery that seems meant for only kings yet God in all His glory allows all to see.

A fresh water spring with water that is crystal clear.
Goats :)
Trampoline and pool

The  fresh spring was about a 5 minute walk from where we were staying. 

The water was so amazing. I had no idea water could be so sweet and refreshing. Super fun. 

There was one other German family staying at the farmhouse as well. 

Lydia enjoyed their littlest girl a lot. 

Camping in Salzburg, Austria. 

It rained the whole time. :) 

The Gazebo from Sound of Music. :) 

We played family Travel Bingo. 

Printed them off put clear contact paper over them and gave everyone a sheet of sticker dots. 

Here we are at one of our border crossings. 

The longest we waited at a border was 2 hours, the shortest was 15 minutes. :)

I considered the word 'wealth' on this trip. We camped often and stayed in unique places in order to save our pennies. We didn't have a luxurious trip to some standards but to me, to us the beauty of Austria was luxurious and we felt wealthy every time we looked out on the green rolling hills. 

I loved Austria!  Even the little bus stops were ladden with fresh flowers.

Well I have finished the first part/post of our trip the 2nd is sure to come soon- Czech Republic. :) 

In my little west corner full of wonder for our world,

Becky

Cardboard Super Hero House

Ok so I have a TON to blog about ....but instead of bloggin about all that 'ton', I just had to share this one little pic.  I have been working on a cardboard Super Hero House for my amazing energetic son who is tired of playing doll house with his sisters, and I just have one pic to show. :)  I am so excited about this!

I am not quite finished still working on the top, paint is still drying here and there and a few more details on the inside, but it is coming along.

The funnest part is that jail. The door opens and shuts with a real place to lock away bad guys caught by super heros! Justice will be served with this Super Hero House.  I promise...or rather almost promise to give a pic tour when I am done. Off I go to parent my future hero. ;)

I will be back soon. :) Maybe even tomorrow. 

Using what I have and today it was a cardboard box and some paint. 

In my little west corner,

Becky

PS. Several years ago I made these cardboard Doll Houses for my girlies. I think they have lasted 4 years! Crazy amazing cardboard.