Sunday, September 19, 2010

Mama, Do You Like Your Children?

I woke up this morning to this post (Mama, Do You Like Your Children?) in my inbox.I really enjoy subscribing to this blog and reading their posts,really encouraging.When I read this one,it struck a cord.A cord,that I believe,we all know very well as Christian mothers or any mother for that fact.But,I've realized myself that it IS what our world view is when it comes to raising our children.Are we looking to God to guide us or are we seeking the world for the guidance.I have been there before when my children were younger and when I was working outside the home.I clearly remember how much time I had for MYSELF,embarrassing to say,the selfishness of seeking ME-time outside activities because I was too overworked,the children demanded too much from me and there just wasn't enough time for ME,ME,ME!!When I came "home" to stay home with the children(2000),it took me several years of praying that God would change my heart towards my kids and to weed out most of that selfishness,about 6 years to be exact,ahemm...Yes,I needed work,reconstructing.The 7th year God even presented the opportunity for us to move across the country,1600+ miles away from where we had grown up,a job opportunity for my husband within his company.With that,we decided to remove all outside activities and concentrate on the family for a while.We believed that the whole family needed a new outlook on what FAMILY should mean and look like.The children even needed to learn how to enjoy each others company and '"like" each other.It was the best thing for our family.God has brought everyone closer and I just love being at home.In fact,sometimes I find myself questioning whether I like it too much,because,I don't have any desire to go anywhere.The Devil really likes to make us question the things of God,doesn't he?Even through outside influences.I have heard people say to me,that I don't know what it's like to have to go to work and try to take care of kids and that I have it easy because I am at home with my children.I've been on both sides and I do have to say that I know that going to work outside of the home while someone else takes care of my children is far easier than having to do it myself.On the contrary,it would be "easy" to stay home with my children than to go to work,IF I didn't make any effort in the upbringing and training of my children and just did the minimal like so many out there do;make sure they are clothed,fed and put to bed!That is not what God intended our job of keepers at home to be.It is far more than that and work!Work like I have never known in my life.I will be honest and tell you that it is HARD.Yes,I'm tired,yes,I'm stretched,yes this is knew to me,no I don't have it all figured out,no I am not perfect.But,God has given me His strength,peace,comfort and change of heart to do it.I am thankful that my children will have this family model to live by(not a perfect one),when my husband and I did not have it growing up.I pray that God will use it for His glory and my children's children's children will continue the legacy of a God centered family.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Got an Old Pair of Jeans Laying Around??

Here's an idea for you if you have old holey jeans laying around. I happen to have several "old" jeans or worn out jeans that have holes in the knees etc...,laying around in my "I need to patch those up or make some sort of use out of them" pile! I tried patching Craig's jeans without success.The patches kept coming off.These holey jeans are just everyone's "work" jeans and I hate to have to go out and buy something for them to "work" in and ruin anyway. So,I still have my pile thankfully because I was taught a better way to patch those darn holes up.But,before my learning session occurred,I had a brilliant idea that came to mind when I was going over my pile of jeans.I had remembered one time being at a friends house and noticing a potted plant that someone had given to her.It had the top part of a pair of jeans on the outside of the potted plant.Kind of a cute idea, I thought to myself.For several weeks prior to this new found idea,I had been looking for some potting material for my hanging baskets.I had used spanish moss before and some other types of basket material,but,my plants always seemed to dry out really fast and,well,die on me....
I kept hoping to come across some "new" innovative idea in the garden centers for these hanging baskets and kept coming up with nothing...soooooo back to that moment,with jeans in hand....
I thought,couldn't I just use the jean material on the inside of the basket?Wouldn't it help to retain some moisture and yet provide drainage AND look really cute at the same time??
OF COURSE!!I got right to work and "tried" on different sizes of jeans for my different sized baskets and found ones that seemed to fit the best.I wanted to be able to have most of the waist part of the jeans folded over the edge of the basket,so when I put the dirt in,it wouldn't cave in and also it would add to the "cuteness" of the basket.I made sure I cut the jeans off in shorts style and overlapped the insides of the leg holes and then cut up more jean strips off of the remainder of the jean legs to fill in any gaps.It worked wonderfully.
I was so pleased with my little baskets and glad that I was able to do something with some of the jeans that I felt hopeless about.Also glad that I didn't use all of the jeans and learned how to patch properly....now I just have to get into my sewing room and put the good knowledge to work!!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Hard Work Sometimes Pays Off When It's Hot!



This is what summer (and family) is all about,hard work and a little play to go along with it! What happened was,Craig was doing some watering in the garden and he didn't realize that Matthea was near him,so,when he swung the hose around he accidentally sprayed Matthea and she went off to grab the other hose to spray him back........That is how this fun water fight began.



Matthea wouldn't quit either!When Craig was "done" she kept on squirting!!
















Oliver stood nearby laughing.He was tickled to death watching his daddy get wet!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Butterscotch's Babies!


Well,one of our rabbits has kindled today.From what we are able to count,there seems to be 10 baby bunnies.We are still waiting for three other female rabbits to kindle any day now.I'm thinking we will probably wake up to some more babies in the morning...

Heading to bed,goodnight.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Grandma's Summer Visit and More!


My mother and Aunt Mary came to visit us this past week(13th-20th).What a blessing it was for all! My mother hasn't been out here to visit us in almost 3 years!I know this visit really made her happy,as you can tell from the smile in the photo.My mother never smiles in photos.The children pointed out a couple of pictures,including this one, where she was smiling.This made me happy just to see how happy she was!





























Seven days was definitely not enough time for all of us.We were all sad the day that they had to leave for the airport and fly back home to St. Louis.We are now trying to make plans to have grandma come out more often and stay longer.We miss her and her company.
















During their stay,one of the many blessings that were bestowed upon us,Jade and Matthea learned how to sew.They made a couple of outfits and have projects started that need to be finished.Aunt Mary was kind enough to give the girls beginning sewing lessons.They took to it very quickly and would not stop.They sewed from morning to night,every chance that they got!!






By the time the week was up,the girls were so tired.But,now they are very thankful that Aunt Mary has given them a good start and a great love for making things with their own hands.

We did a lot of things while they were here...took a drive up into the mountains and stopped at a picnic area where we encountered many flies and some really fat American chipmunks,went to Miracle Hot Springs and had a really nice soak in the mineral water,went to Cloverleaf Creamery for some ice cream and cheese curds,YUM!Walked along the Snake River Canyon and saw a few waterfalls and vultures,went to Shoshone Falls,shopped at some local thrift shops and found a large,square ottoman for my walk-in closet for only $5!!! and fabric stores for the girls' sewing projects,re-upholstered my dining room chairs(thank you Aunt Mary), made homemade bread and fed them our own free range chicken for supper one night,which my mother could not stop commenting on how good the flavor was! :) We also spent a lot of time relaxing in the back yard enjoying the cool air in the evenings after we would go on our walks after dinner.I think my mother fell in love with the weather more than anything and was dreading having to go back into the Midwest's humid heat. :( Hope to see them soon again.


Our area has had a late start to summer,which was not good for my garden,nor my cherry trees.Each day that I go out to my garden,I find myself sulking/pouting.My garden depresses me.It isn't full of "green" stuff overflowing, pressing through my gates crying out "pick me! pick me!" there are only a few things that are growing well...the potatoes,the onions,a cucumber plant (notice that I say A cucumber plant,yes,one lonely cucumber plant)and my sage.I am the most proud of my sage because it is 3 years old...but,the tomatoes are just now getting their flowers on them and the carrots,lettuce,radishes,beets,basil,peas,and green beans are wimpy looking things.So,yesterday,while I was watering and realized that I was pouting again and I decided to have a different outlook and I was going to just LOVE my garden.By that I mean it in two ways,LOVE it the way that it is and also show it LOVE.I put the hose down and went to each section and meticulously plucked every darn weed that I could find and tended to each and every tiny or big plant that I have.When I was through,I looked around and realized that I was smiling...and my plants were smiling back at me!We'll see how long I can hold onto this new outlook.There is roughly a little over a month left of summer and we'll be looking into winter's eyes in no time,ugh!


I feel bad that I have not posted my two precious babies birthdays on here :( . I haven't posted anything since March,as you can see.I will post a few pictures later of Oliver and Charlotte's birthdays.

The children have been really busy.Keeping up with homeschooling,animal chores and their house chores.They are all doing so well. Craig,Sebastian,Jade and Matthea volunteered last week with Paint Magic.It's a non profit organization that helps senior citizens to have their home painted.The children really had a lot of fun doing that.I stayed behind at home with the babies.

The Lord has been pressing me to kick it up a notch with our biblical studies.You know,as a homeschooler,we are always feeling as though we are never doing enough as it is.But,I know in this area,you can never do too much and we all need the spiritual nourishment,not just once a week,or once a day as a routine.But,throughout the day.We ought to be praying without ceasing,thinking of His ways and commandments... waking,walking,sitting,laying....all day long! Just feeling somewhat convicted lately,thankfully.I have been trying to work on gathering some ideas for bible studies with the children.I know I want to do a study with the girls such as Polished Cornerstones
and most definitely do a proverbs study with all of them,we already have purchased Hidden Treasures for that study.I have a couple of books for a father/son study for Craig and Sebastian to do as well,but,there is one or two more that seem to be grabbing my attention more.Oh well,we'll see what we decide for that one.On top of all of that I have been trying to re-organize our school system and get MORE organized and MORE focused,needing to prepare for next years curriculum.I do have to mention here that we are so very thankful for our new school computer that was given to us as a gift!!This will help us tremendously with all that we need to do and all that we have been wanting to do to improve our homeschool! God works through so many people!! Praise God!


Friday, March 19, 2010

Whirlwind of Change and Blessings


Where on earth do I start? I haven't been on here to write in months! I will probably leave out a whole lot of what has been going on around here,but, I will do my best.

I have been on auto pilot since November.God has carried me for pretty much most of this winter.Since Charlotte has been born, I have had 2 solid good months of sleep.The first two were typical newborn months,waking up every 3 hours or so and then when she hit 3 and 4 months of age she was sleeping 9 hours a night for us.But from about 5 months she went back to waking up every 3-4 hours again.We realized that a lot of it has been from teething issues.Needless to say,my dark circles are horrendous without the use of make-up to cover them up.I'm too tired to go anywhere that would require the application of it anyway.The children have been a big help with letting me get in a nap here and there .This sleep deprived season will soon give way to more restful nights,yes,I have hope.

So, our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations went well.It was another peaceful, family bonding time again. For Christmas, Craig got three rabbits, as a gift from the children,to start raising meat rabbits,something he's been wanting to do for some time now.Soon after that Jade purchased a few,Matthea bought a couple and then Craig bought a few more as well.I'm not sure on the count, but I think that we may have 9 adult rabbits and now about 9 baby bunnies as well. Jade has just posted her bunnies on craigslist for sale.Jade and Matthea have been planning this bunny business for a couple of years now and are eager to get their bunny business off and running.Sebastian is still in the beginning stages of getting his goat to make money for him.But, all three have their chickens laying really well now and they now have a couple of regular egg buyers.Pretty cool! Our buckling,Firecracker, is on his way out soon.We have a buyer and we'll be sending him to the butcher.Tough business when you have a majority of the household emotionally attached to the food! We just purchased some new baby chickens,ducks,a couple of geese and 3 turkeys to add to the menu around here.Most of the ducks are already spoken for.We just need to fatten them up and they'll be on someone's dinner table soon!Of course we have our name on one of the turkeys for this years Thanksgiving.This will definitely be a first for us!So exciting!

January and February were our typical slow months...Jade and I had our birthdays and Johnny's birthday soon followed in March.I got news right before his birthday that he was coming out to visit us for a couple of weeks.We hadn't seen him in about 18 months,so,this was a real blessing to have him come out for his 20th birthday and spend some time with us. Another surprise soon followed.My half sister Rebecca,whom I had never met before,contacted me,my sister Wendy and my brother David.Everything kind of went so fast after that.My father,who I hadn't seen in 30 years, got into contact with us as well and within days,Wendy flew out here and we drove to California to meet Rebecca,her sister Lupita and to be reunited with our father.I am still,I believe,in a state of shock.Soon they both will be coming out to visit with me and my family and also they'll be visiting Illinois to reunite with my brother David and possibly, my dad's sister,Aunt Karen.I,truthfully, had thought that God,had,for whatever reason,decided that my father just would not be a part of my life,ever.I never thought that this day would come and here it is,very surreal.I remember how I prayed for years that God would bring him back into my life.Now,the saying that "God does things in HIS OWN TIME",really hits home hard.A lot of mixed feelings goes along with all of this,of course.I've found myself questioning God's timing and asking why? Why now? Why not 10,13,15 or 20 years ago or even 5 years ago? Then the selfishness of thinking that I didn't have him for 30 years,am I going to get 30 years more or will it only be 10 years? Or what is it that you're doing with me now? A lot of prayer and succumbing to his will is needed. God has been good to me and His blessings upon my life have been overflowing these last few years, truly amazing.I am thankful.I am thankful that I have my "new" sisters,step sisters/brothers..nieces and nephews...step mom...and thankful that God has answered my prayer and brought my father back to me and has shown His love for me in so many ways.It took me a long time to realize that I had always had my Father,my heavenly Father,all of these years.I guess I had to acknowledge Him first,in my heart and in my ways before I could have my earthly father back,I don't know.I do know that He is perfect and his timing is perfect and I can rest in that. Another season in my life that will most definitely bring change to all of us.

Well,Johnny was here from March 9-23 and those weeks went by way too fast.The kids are still mourning his leave.I feel like I need about,at least,3 months with him.It really makes me sad not to be able to be around him as much as we use to be.The other day we all sat around the TV and watched our wedding DVD.Johnny was only 6 years old then.It really puts things into perspective when you see your little boy jumping around on this video and you know he's a grown man now and isn't right here with you to hug you or ask a million questions.SAD...:(
But at the same time,I'm so glad that he was here and I have a picture of all of my babies,big and little ones, together!! Now that makes me happy! :)

I can't believe I actually have finished this post! I put Charlotte to bed around 8,Oliver down at 8:30 and the older 3 went down at 9:30.I need to get into bed and hope that Charlotte doesn't wake up soon.Now that I feel somewhat caught up with my blogging,maybe I'll be able to get on here more often with short and quick posts.

May God continue to work in me and bring good change,for His glory and may He bless my family now and for generations to come.Goodnight all!