Random happenings of the week

Since Jesse had been on vacation all last week we tried to pack as many things into it as possible while still trying to relax a bit.  Well, maybe the relax a bit was lower on the list but we definitely got some things done!  It is hard for Schutt’s to relax.  And in fact in a strange way working together is relaxing.  At least it can be a fun thing to do together!

So with baby number three fast approaching we thought it time to get Lauren transitioned into a twin bed since we will be needing her crib, which she is using as a day bed right now, for baby mushroom (Lauren picked that name!).  So, with Jesse’s mad woodworking skills he went to work on a new bed.

He has a long way to go but Lauren is pretty excited about the idea of him building it for her.  It will end up being a “loft” bed which will have some dressers and shelves underneath it to maximize all the space we can in her small bedroom.  Since the upstairs of the hour has the half walls the loft bed will only end up being about 44 inches high off the ground but plenty tall enough for her to use a ladder which just made her day!  I’ll post more pics once the project is complete….

Then a few days later we ended up ordering a dump truck load of gravel to fill back in our driveway.  Over the past few years that we have been here the gravel has just disappeared!  So, the dump truck came and dumped it off.  We have been working hard at spreading the gravel evenly over the driveway.  It is lots of work and we are almost done but it has been another one of those family activities that brings us all together for some fun!

Lauren helping to rake the rocks to get them evenly spread.  And yes folks she has no pants on, but give her a break it was almost 90 degrees this day and her rain boots are quite fashionable so that should count for something! 

And finally I remembered to bring my camera to the library this morning for Wednesday story time.  They read about pigs today and made there own pig to take home.  It has been really good for Lauren to learn to listen to a “teacher” and interact with other kids her age.  Today was the last time now for a short summer break but we are looking forward to going back in July. 

Listening very quietly to the story.

All the kids and their pigs that they made!

Little Dresses For Africa

The other night my friend Tawnya and I got together to sew some dresses for girls in Africa.  I came across a website that ships dresses that people make out of pillowcases to help clothe little kids.  Since the dress is made out of an old (or new if you want) pillowcase they can be sewn very quickly and with minimal materials.  So, we spend a few hours and whipped out several dresses.  I still have several to sew, thanks to another friend that raided our local thrift store!  We sure enjoyed doing this and are hoping it will be a blessing to several little girls in Africa.

Check out their website if you are interested.  You can even make some yourself!  http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/

Here are a few pictures of what our evening produced!

Tawnya and I sewing

Some of the previous nights work

Lauren modeling one.  She keeps asking me where Africa is so it has been a good lesson for her also in using our time and talents to bless others!

Ice Cream For Books

Now that the kids (well mostly Lauren at this point) are getting older we are finally starting to feel more involved in our community.  Each Wednesday morning the little library down the road has preschool story time.  Lauren (and Jack too!) has really enjoyed going and getting to know more of the kids in our neighborhood while listening to books and learning about a different topic each week.  “Miss Debbie” is the one who has been coordinating it and she has been doing a wonderful job adding music to sing and crafts for the kids to do as well.  For some reason I keep forgetting to bring my camera each time to snap some pictures but maybe one of these days I will remember to do that.

Anyway, last month they did “Ice Cream For Books”.  Each child ages 3-5 that their parents read 5 books to got a certificate for a child sized ice cream cone at the local pizza place.  They also were then put into a drawing to win a $15 gift certificate for the same pizza place.  For every 5 books read to your child you got entered into the drawing.  Well wouldn’t you know Lauren was the winner!  When I told her she had won the coupon she was trilled and has been asking when we can go to Mann-Made to get our pizza and ice cream ever since.  Guess that will be on the agenda to do in the near future!

Here she is all excited about winning!

We sure feel blessed to have been placed in this community.  Thank you to all those that support us faithfully in prayer as well as financially.