pull out the paints and some more friday favorites

by Rachel Marie Martin
It’s been another {wonderful} week of summer.
I’ve been busy. Very busy.
But I took
 moments to slow down
and remember to be grateful.
friday favorite things | finding joy
Watercolor painting in the afternoon

paints that are blended together

and little brushes dipped in Ikea cups
{that were left outside in the sandbox}
knowing that my little ones
were joyful
and called themselves
artists

the look of lemons in a cup
(especially my old etched POM juice glass)

Samuel being a goof outside on our patio table

especially in knowing that it has now been seven months
since he was diagnosed with Celiac Disease

the difference in him since he’s gone gluten free brings me
to my knees in thanks
grateful for the new lens that Hannah will be getting {replacing one that broke}
and thankful for the pictures{and video} that she’ll be able to take of my
Oreck vacuum review & giveaway
(which I haven’t posted yet as we’ve been waiting for the replacement lens)
coming next Tuesday

this little deal
with threadUP
I think I’m going to try this out — it’s free
(remember the pile of toys in my boys’ room?)

(please note — this is an affiliate link so if you do join I’ll get a little compensation which I’ll use for our homeschool curriculum)
lapbooks
{do you guys ever use these?}
I absolutely love them and am so excited to use them with the 
Geography Matters Paths of Settlement curriculum that I’m using

and Caleb eager to start working on his school work now

and, of course, that silly little and yet, oh such a fave of ours, dice eraser

opportunities
I’ve been blessed with many opportunities this week
{including linking up with PaisleyJade a fellow friday fave type gal}

my blogging friends
and my twitter friends
{find me at finding_joy}
grateful for the connections
breathing deeply for the last week of August
and working to savor and enjoy
and find joy.

If you’d like to add your own {friday} favorite — write a post {or share a picture or a list or share your favorite post}, grab the button, add your link, and make sure to comment on other bloggers {friday} favorite posts — because, remember, comments are a fave!

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23 comments

Aurie{OurGoodLife} August 26, 2011 - 10:18 am

What a wonderful list! I’m so glad that your little man is doing so well!!

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Gwen Toliver August 26, 2011 - 10:44 am

So glad to see your sweet Samuel has made such big leaps of improvement – it must bring a lot of joy to a mama’s heart. 🙂

I recognize a lot of those school books as being some of our faves too!

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Gwen Toliver August 26, 2011 - 10:46 am

Okay, did I really click “submit link” twice??! Sorry, Rachel, I’m not trying to be facetious 🙂

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Megan August 26, 2011 - 12:25 pm

Great list. I’m so happy to see Samuel doing so well.

We love watercolors in our home too. 🙂 We probably do it atleast every other day.

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starla August 26, 2011 - 12:39 pm

OH coloring is a staple in any home with kids…lovely pics!! :0)

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Jenilee August 26, 2011 - 12:39 pm

we use our IKEA cups to paint too! 🙂 that water gets gross fast lol enjoyed your post!

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Casey Martinez August 26, 2011 - 12:42 pm

I just love the creative angle in your shots. Always gives me ideas for my own shots of the simple everyday things. I love the picture of your son practicing his letters next to the wooden box of crayons. Just love that simple, creative shot! This is such a great list friend. Loved your comment yesterday by the way;0. Thank you!

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Lea also known as "CiCi" August 26, 2011 - 12:48 pm

Indeed, a picture is worth a million words! Your post brought a smile to my heavy heart this morning. I’m so glad I could link up and share today. Blessings to you and your sweet family!

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Trisha August 26, 2011 - 12:59 pm

Beautiful photos and many blessings, Rachel.

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carissa August 26, 2011 - 1:16 pm

now i want to go paint!!! and thank you for reminding me to put dates on my kids’ work… i don’t know why i haven’t! crazy me. i’m such a newbie. ; )

phew… i’m glad hannah will have her lens back! i always sit and STARE down all her pictures. i guess i try to soak up her talent through the screen.

that etched pom glass is way cool.

samuel does look so healthy!!! he is a doll baby and so cute.

that oreck looks might fine. can’t wait to try to win one!

yay for opportunity; glad it’s knocking in your door! you deserve it.

tell me how the thred up stuff goes… i’ve seen and thought about it but haven’t tried it yet.

now that is a load of curriculum! it’s amazing to me that you’re able to teach it all. you are supermom.

i need to breath deeply today, i am feeling way overwhelmed. i guess going to two family funerals in one months time can do that to you.

love ya!!!

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Relevant Notes Blog August 26, 2011 - 1:31 pm

This is a great link-up, thanks for hosting! My first time participating 🙂

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chelsea {joy} August 26, 2011 - 2:44 pm

love all of your photos. makes me want to get a professional camera and learn how to take lovely pictures 🙂 so glad that sweet samuel is doing so well! happy friday friend!

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Cheryl August 26, 2011 - 3:25 pm

glad samuel is doing so well – praise the Lord!
and that shot of the watercolors is fantastic!!

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Kelli August 26, 2011 - 3:46 pm

That sweet Samuel…I just can’t get enough and am so grateful that he’s better. I just love eager students…I have one of those at home. What wonderful opportunities that you’ve encountered 🙂 And blogging friends…we love you too!

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Masto Mama August 26, 2011 - 5:50 pm

Prasie God that Samuel is doing so well…it’s such a huge blessing.

Can you do a post on what curriculum you are using? Since you have so many kids I am curious : )

Hope you have a great last remaining days of summer!

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Mallory August 26, 2011 - 9:28 pm

I’m in awe on how much you have on your plate and how gracefully you seem to handle it. I’m excited for the Oreck review and giveaway. My mom has had her Oreck for years and loves it.

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PamJ August 26, 2011 - 9:57 pm

hopin your lil giveaway is for canadian too! 🙂
the blended paints make me smile because that is exactly what my two year old did with the paints on the plate yesterday, despite the oldest not wanting him too!
happy friday to you 🙂

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Joanna August 27, 2011 - 2:54 am

Wonderful favorites! Glad that Samuel is doing so well. 🙂

Water colors..a favorite of ours. We just got our latest Tinkerbell watercolor book!

Can’t wait to read your Oreck review. We are in desperate need of a new vacuum and we’ve went back and forth between the Oreck or Dyson.

Have a great weekend!

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Cinnamon August 27, 2011 - 3:35 am

So glad to hear you’re breathing deeply and enjoying life. Samuel does look wonderful doesn’t he!? The picture of health and that is a huge blessing to you I’m sure.

WE LOVE POM GLASSES! My kids use to say they were Papa ♥’s Mama ( P ♥ M ) glasses because we were the only two that indulged in them. Did you notice they don’t sell them anymore? Makes me very sad.

Love all the pictures of life at home~

~Cinnamon

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Coby August 27, 2011 - 4:14 am

A beautiful list! I had to laugh at the paints – we did finger painting today which, for my 2 year-old, quickly turned into body painting! It was a delightful mess that I’ll wait a few months to repeat!

I’ve done a little bit of lapbooking with the twins. We just finished one today on trains – their latest passion!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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PaisleyJade August 27, 2011 - 10:33 am

Such beautiful photos – love the paints!

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trooppetrie August 27, 2011 - 11:13 pm

i love drive through history, we actually watch it on trips

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Leovi August 28, 2011 - 9:22 am

Beautiful compositions with beautiful colors.

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