Laundry soap

Today I made liquid laundry soap. It was SO easy. I have A LOT of soap....5 gallon bucket full to be exact. Here's the recipe-you can find all of this at Ace hardware in Lynden. The recipe is from the Duggars-if it looks familiar. I think the total cost for everything was about 6 dollars.

4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap with a cheese grater and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

ENJOY!!!!

Walking

Right before nap-not too happy

Kohen is walking everywhere! He walks from one end of the house to the other and fast. Kohen started walking the day after his first birthday. He just all the sudden walked across the living room. The past two weeks he has become more and more comfortable and actually doesn't even want me to hold his hand. He is still a little unstable on the grass but he will get there!

New happenings

The peas have grown 5in in the last week

New hanging basket

Kohens new turf tractor

New pillow shams-I got for 6 dollars

Jordans new reclining chair

New entertainment center coming this weekend!!!

Strawberry Jam

Last Monday I got the chance to make Strawberry Jam with my Mother-in-law. She's the master canner and even has a canning journal starting in 1979. She has amazing knowledge when it comes to canning. My mom canned a lot but I was young and didn't ever pay attention or care to learn. Well, now that I have my own family, I felt like it was time to learn. It was a lot of fun! Im going to can raspberry jam next and then in August Im going to do pasta sauce. I will keep you posted on how I do totally on my own......

Traditions

This summer is all about starting family traditions. We're trying to do and think of as many family traditions we can take part in, and continue till our kids don't want to do any more 'FFF,' -Forced Family Fun! Jordan and I love family and we love spending time with our families but also want to start doing things more with or little family! Here is a list of a few traditions we are going to do for years to come.

-Ice Cream for dinner once a month during the summer

-Family walk night once a week

-Dinner out as a family once a month

-Deming Log Show

-Picking strawberries on fathers day

-Camping

-Trip to Moses Lake

-Demolition Derby

-Sumas Fireworks

-Everson Days

-Farmers Day parade

-Chelan

-BBQ in Semiahmoo once during the summer

There are more to come .....

Happy Fathers Day

Before I get too sappy, I want you to know that Jordan is an amazing husband but more important he is an amazing father. He loves Kohen so much. Jordan gets home from work and the first thing he does is go and play with Kohen. They lay on the ground playing till dinner is done. After dinner Jordan will typically (if the weather is nice) take Kohen outside with him. I just love seeing them together!

Above all Jordan gives me the best gift any husband can give a wife, and that is letting me be a stay-at-home mom to our kids. I can't imagine missing so much of my little boys life b/c Im working. Or having someone else teaching him how to sit, eat, drink, sleep-thats what moms are for! I love being home with him and wouldn't change it for the world! Happy Fathers Day Jordan! I love you so much!

Our little logger

We're not sure if he will be a truck driver or logger when he gets older. All I know is he is stinkin cute in his logging outfit. Last weekend was the log show. Jordan is secretary of the log show and I know it will be a LIFETIME tradition for us to attend. I love it! I'm also very proud of him for all he does there and he loves doing it.

Kohens One!!

My baby boy is one year old. So now that he is one he has decided he is quite the big boy. He is down to one bottle....not that he wants it but its more for me b/c Im kind of freaking out by the fact that hes getting a lot less milk. You all probably know by now but Im a huge advocate to babywise. It worked wonders with Kohen and his sleeping habits, but it also was such an easy of mind for me when Kohen was younger. Well, Kohen has been on some type of schedule since he was born and now he's on no schedule (besides naps are always at 9 and 1, and bedtime is always 7:30). Its rather a weird feeling. Some what freedom but also some what un-easy!

Kohen also decided sunday that he was going to walk the whole length of our living room...all by himself. Jordan and I were sitting on the couch talking and all the sudden we see Kohen take off and just walk across the room. I have some footage of Kohen walking, but I still need to figure out how to upload it on here.