An update on us!

Everyone has been sick for the past week! First I had sinusitis (which I get several times each year) then Irelynn and Ainsley were both teething and had fevers/runny noses (Irelynn still does), Daddy was sick the past couple days but seems to be feeling better today, and now Emira isn't feeling well. Summer ickies!

Shane has been working almost every day with usually only 1 day off per week. He did drop one of his routes so now he will have 2 days off after working 6 each week. Mostly he enjoys playing his Xbox 360 when he's not working.

Emira has been busy with baseball. We are in the playoffs now and tonight is our second game. The kids on this team have improved so much since the beginning of the season, it's really amazing! I'm thinking we could go all the way!  A couple of the boys on her team have a crush on her and this is all new to her LOL. She likes it though she knows to tell them she is not dating til she is 18 (per mommy LOL). She also stayed overnight with one of her team-mate's sisters this weekend. I am so glad she is making new friends. She is really enjoying the new pool as well, she is a great swimmer!

Ainsley is busy too! Busy with everything, she is always into something! This week she poured an entire box of baking soda into my refrigerater, flushed my new hair brush, covered the laundry area and walls with chocolate ice cream topping, ate styrofoam cups, dumped my jewelry box, and that's not even half of it LOL. She got to stay overnight with my aunt and grandma while Emira was away on her sleepover. She loves staying there and didn't want to come home.

Irelynn is really learning so much in such a little time period. 2 weeks ago she could barely sit alone unsupported and today she is crawling! She started yesterday and today she is able to crawl about 3 feet. She is also good at sitting again after crawling and today she even started to pull herself up onto her exersaucer. That's a lot of milestones to accomplish in just a couple days! She has been drinking from her sippy cup too! Although she is not a fan of juice yet lol. She has a thing for her Pawpaw, he is her favorite person right now. Maybe because he takes her outside to swing, ride in her push car, and gives her all his attention

Pawpaw (my dad, who lives next door) went back to work on Tuesday! Thank God for answered prayers! A few months ago he was laid off from his job due to the recession. He builds coal mining equipment and since the mines are slacking now, they didn't need equipment. Things are picking up now thankfully and he is back to working hard all day. I think even though it was really stressful not having work, he enjoyed his time off and we enjoyed spending it with him!

I have been feeling lots better the past couple days. Even though we didn't make it to church with the girls still being sick, I wanted to get a head start on this week's chores. I have 3 loads of laundry done, dishes are in the dishwasher, rolls are rising for dinner today, carpet is vacuumed and toys are mostly picked up. I am also working on our meal/grocery plans too, I need to get some stuff from the store this evening.  I haven't had time or energy to do much in crochet this week. I plan to whip up a few things this week to get the etsy store stocked. I had ordered some wool and dyes and am excited to work with that this week as well.

Sorry for the pictureless post! I know I need to get some photos OFF my memory cards!! LOL

Hello world!

Welcome to our new home on the web! This is our new family website and here you can read all about the Painter family happenings. We will update you on what's going on in our lives, the girls and how they are growing and learning, and all our fun adventures in our faith, homeschooling, homemaking, cooking and recipes, photography and everything else we love!

Finally! We now know…..

She weighs 4lbs 3oz so far and has very long legs! I have a couple 3d pics but need to get them scanned so I can share. I will be having a scheduled C-section on November 28th, the day after Thanksgiving, early in the morning.

*Kit is Dream A Little Dream Collab by Amy Sumrall, Ellie Lash, Kreative Karma, Krystal Hartley, Meredith Cardall, and Sugarplum Paperie @ Faith Sisters.

Finally! We now know…..

She weighs 4lbs 3oz so far and has very long legs! I have a couple 3d pics but need to get them scanned so I can share. I will be having a scheduled C-section on November 28th, the day after Thanksgiving, early in the morning.

*Kit is Dream A Little Dream Collab by Amy Sumrall, Ellie Lash, Kreative Karma, Krystal Hartley, Meredith Cardall, and Sugarplum Paperie @ Faith Sisters.

My Own Recipe and a Blessing

Well it's one of those days when I haven't been grocery shopping in a while and we had to make do with what I had on hand. Thankfully I had some stuff to whip up a tuna mac casserole of my own and it was a hit! Hubby and the kids loved it, and I was rather impressed with myself. Here is the recipe:

Nikki's Easy Tuna Mac Casserole

3 cups elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices American cheese
2 cans tuna drained
1 cup milk
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup Italian bread crumbs

Boil macaroni as directed; drain. Mix cheddar cheese, tuna, milk, cream of chicken soup and 1/2 of the bread crumbs into the macaroni. Spread evenly in casserole dish and top with remaining bread crumbs and cheese slices. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 mins.

I haven't cooked in a few days since I've been sick. Hubby has done most of the cooking this past week. Yesterday we ate out at Taco Bell and on Thursday my sweet friend Angela made dinner for us. She made some really amazing Teriyaki chicken, au gratin potatoes, garden green beans, a pitcher of yummy sweet tea and a huge plate of monkey bread for dessert! All made from scratch of course and it was DELISH!! And while she slaved over the stove making this meal, she was also making her own family's dinner, homeschooling her kids and she kept my kids for 3 hours - she insisted! She truly is superwoman and I feel so blessed to have her in my life! Now you'd think I would want to get sick more often LOL.

State Fair

We did indeed go to the State Fair on Monday. The girls had a great time and my dad said he did as well (Shane had to work so he didn't go.) I was not so impressed. The Fair seems to get less and less exciting for me each year. And then I soon realized once we were in the grounds that I had forgotten my camera in the van. I was not about to walk all the way back out into the parking field to get it. So I used my camera phone, although I haven't quite figured out how to send them to my email yet.

First we went to see the farm animals - my fave part of the fair. Ainsley really enjoyed seeing the pigs, cattle, sheep, rabbits and especially the goats - she was able to pet those. And surprisingly she stayed in her stroller for the first couple hours.

Next we went to see the National Guard car and Dad, Emira and Ainsley had their photo taken. Thankfully the photos were online so we could get it. I didn't even realize when they took the shot that Ainsley was turned completely around LOL.

Last we took the kids to the rides. The girl at the ticket booth told me that Ainsley would have to have an arm band or tickets to ride so we purchased a $20 arm band for each of the girls. Turns out Ainsley could only ride 2 rides in the entire fair - the carousel and a small train. Even with an adult they still would not let her on the kiddie rides. I was not thrilled to say the least!

Emira did enjoy the rides even though she had to stand in line and ride alone. She loved the mouse coaster and the swings the best. She really wanted to ride the big ferris wheel but couldn't ride alone; Dad and I had not paid to ride and Ainsley of course couldn't go. So we will ride it next year, I promised her.

We are going to Carowinds in NC on the last day of this month. My dad's company is paying and we are excited to go. I am hoping that maybe Ainsley will get to do more there but if not there is always next year

Shane and Ainsley came home on Tues afternoon and her eyes were bad again. So I took her to see her dr. It was conjunctivitis but not pink eye! So I was right to begin with! He gave her some drops and since we have been using them her eyes are almost completely healed! However she is still very needy especially at night. I have been up with her most of the night and am still up now. She finally went to sleep in daddy's arms. I think she is just used to all the cuddling and attention.

Wednesday night I took Emira to see the High School Musical performance at the Grandview Outdoor Drama Theater. It was fun and we had a really good time, not to mention great seats- we were in the front row! My cousin had the tickets and her husband and FIL decided last minute that they didn't want to go. So we bought bought them and went with her and her 2 girls. I had kept it a secret from Emira all day so it would be a big surprise to her. It worked and she was ecstatic! She was also thrilled that she knew one of the guys who was in it. Now I must admit I am not a Disney fan at all when it comes to HSM, Hannah Montana, etc. I really hate for Emira to watch this stuff because I feel it's not appropriate for an 8 yr old and is more for the pre-teen and teen age. BUT she does watch it sometimes, mostly at pawpaw's house (simply because he enjoys it too I think). And of course she loves it! But lately I have noticed that it's not been as big a deal with her as it used to be and am thankful! I seen some kids at the theater who were absolutely screaming with obsession and I thanked God right there that Emira only loves it LOL.

Yesterday we visited most of the day with my Aunt and cousin who are in from Portsmouth, VA. It is always so good to see them! Most of my family (dad's side) don't really get along with each other or visit anymore which is sad. But everyone loves my aunt and usually visits with her at grandma's. We may go back for a few hours today but first we are heading to a friend's house for her garage sale and Emira is going to pick blackberries for her turtle.

Oh yes we have yet another pet! Daddy brought the girls a turtle home that he had rescued from the middle of the road.....again! Yep, he does this about once a week and we usually let the girls play with them and then let them go after a day or so because they are too big to keep inside. But this one is a little one (about 4in) and fits nicely in an aquarium so we decided to keep it. It (we think it's a girl and Emira picked out a name for her, but I can't remember now what it was lol) is eating well and seems to be very friendly. I suppose maybe when the excitement is over I can talk her into letting this one go as well. I LOVE turtles, always have, but hate to keep them locked up in such a small area. They need to be able to move around more. Of course, then they might end up back where he found them to begin with, in the middle of the main road LOL.

I'll have to get a pic next time we get her out to play, she is adorable!

School is going well! Emira has been much more interested and more disciplined this year and I am so thankful! I have to admit I have been enjoying it more myself. Just proves the first year is the hardest and this year I think will be much better. She has done rather well with her quizzes and spelling tests so far. Of course much of everything has been a review so it's not been challenging. She seems to enjoy history and learning about Christopher Columbus, John Smith and Pocahontus is next week so she excited. I think so far the curriculum we have chosen is working well for us!

Well we haven't quite figured out what we are doing this weekend but we are planning to go to the state fair on Monday. That will be fun for the girls, not so much for me - being pregnant, heat and lots of walking! Stay tuned for some photos!

Tomorrow’s Adventure!

Today was a good day! After church we went to pick up my newspapers (gotta get my coupons!) and to the grocery store. I made a huge pot of spaghetti that I thought would last a couple days, but tonight it looks like that's not going to happen lol. It was just too good! Then I spent some time outside with the kids and later dh and I took a long nap. Ainsley napped too so she may be up all night tonight :/

Tomorrow we are going on a family field trip to the Summersville area. It's only about an hour away but I have only visited a couple times. Dh works there most of his days and knows his way around so he is taking us, and my dad is joining us as well. Here are some of the places we plan to visit:

Summersville Lake and Dam

West Virginia's largest lake; Summersville Lake has over 28,000 acres of water and 60 miles of shoreline. I don't think we will be swimming and definitely not boating (I wish!) but more less sightseeing and taking photos. And of course I want to see the dam!

The Mystery Hole

This may be the last and final attempt to make plain this hard to explain MYSTERY HOLE, where the Law of Gravity seems to have gone berserk and left so many people puzzled and bewildered. I have heard this is really fun for the kids, but I am excited to see it as well!

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is an important Civil War battle site. On September 10, 1861 Union troops led by Brigadier General William S. Rosecrans engaged the Confederates and forced them to evacuate an entrenched position on the Henry Patterson Farm which overlooked Carnifex Ferry. The Confederate commander, Brigadier General John B. Floyd retreated across the ferry to the south side of the Gauley River and on eastward to Meadow Bluff near Lewisburg. This Civil War battle represented the failure of a Confederate drive to regain control of the Kanawha Valley. As a result, the movement for West Virginia statehood proceeded without serious threat from the Confederates. I have been here before once when I was a child and I remember I LOVED it! I am truly excited to take Emira and I think she is old enough now to understand and enjoy it herself!

Good Evening Ranch

Contained on our 1000 acre ranch, are wide meadows and pastures, all with sweeping views of the lush wooded countryside. Also, there is a spacious Outdoor Banquet Center (The Waterin' Hole), an exotic petting zoo with dozens of different species of animals, The Feedbox Saloon serving numerous grilled favorites, and a gift shop. We will probably just visit the zoo to see the animals. I have heard that a lot of them have been removed but we are still anxious to see. Also I want to see the salt water aquarium and the gift shop inside the Feedbox Saloon.

Babcock State Park

Babcock State Park offers its guests 4,127 acres of serene, yet rugged beauty, a fast flowing trout stream in a boulder-strewn canyon and mountainous vistas to be viewed from several scenic overlooks. All of this variety is located adjacent to the New River Gorge National 'River and the heart of the whitewater rafting industry of West Virginia.
The Glade Creek Grist Mill is a new mill that was completed in 1976 at Babcock. Fully operable, this mill was built as a re-creation of one which once ground grain on Glade Creek long before Babcock became a state park. A living monument to the over 500 mills which thrived in West Virginia at the turn of the century, the Glade Creek Grist Mill provides freshly ground cornmeal and buckwheat flour which park guests may purchase. Visitors to the mill may journey back to the time when grinding grain by a rushing stream was a way of life, and the groaning mill wheel was music to the miller's ear.
I have been wanting to see and take photos of the gristmill forever, so I am excited to finally get to see it!

We also may stop by Fat Eddie's which is supposed to have the best ice cream ever! And who knows where we will end up eating for lunch. So I hope to post tomorrow eve or on Tues with pics of our adventures!

Good day for good deals!

Today we headed to Beckley to pick up some school books that were offered on freecycle! (Thanks Tracey!)

Then we headed over to Chik-fil-A to eat.

Monday evening from 5-8, kids eat free with adult. So both the girls got kids meals free, they had a craft table set up and Emira enjoyed making some crafts, and Mr. Funnybones the clown was there and he made the girls some ballon animals! Not bad for 11 bucks and we have now collected all 4 of the foreign language learning CDs!

Then I went to CVS to take advantage of the last day for June's ECB deals as well as some of the new deals for this week.

CVS #1:
4 Hershey candy bars 2/$1
Accu Check Compact Plus $9.99, get $9.99 ECBs
Right Guard Prof $6.99, get $5 ECB
Colgate Toothpaste $1.77 -$1.50 coupon
Listerine Smart Rinse, $3.98 - $1.00 coupon, get $3.98 ECBs
Listerine Smart Rinse, $3.98 - $1.00 coupon, get $3.98 ECBs
Bic Soliel Razor $6.99 -$2 coupon
Bic Soleil Cart 4ct $6.99, -$2 coupon, get $5 ECBs
Physicians Formula Mascara $7.99, get $7.99 ECBs

Used $7.50 in coupons, and 10.50 in ECBs
OOP 34.03 and received 35.94 ECBs

CVS #2 (The first one was out of these):
Kleenex Cottonelle 12pk TP 4.99 -.50 coupon
2 Coppertone sprays 9.99 each, get $10 ECBs
Oral B CrossAction Toothbrushes 2pk $6.99, get $6.99 ECBs

Used .50 coupon and 9.99, 7.99, 6.98, 5.00, and 1.00 ECBs from previous purchase
OOP .56 cents and recieved $16.99 ECBs

I am pretty happy and still have plenty of ECBs to spend next week!

Shane is now on vacation, today was his last day of work. We are going to clean up the house tomorrow and get some things together. Storytime at the local library signups are tomorrow so we will go there and the girls can watch a movie. Then wed is payday and we are going to his dad's house to stay for a couple of days so the kids can use the pool and see family. Not sure what we are doing for the 4th but I'm sure we will cook out somewhere and then go to Beckley to watch the fireworks display.