Heritage Of Home

little BIG Family

2012-01-27T06:42:00.000-08:00

I will be linking up with Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling today. GO and check her sweet blog out!

Our Homeschooling Schedule varies...Wake up, make breakfast and lunch and iron my husband's shirt. He leaves for work and I sit and pray, read the Bible and check emails. The children begin to awaken and one by one are greeted by the family pup. Each one heats their homemade bagels or toast, get coffee or tea. They read their Bibles and I do a little phonics and math with the twin 8 year olds. The olders do math and the oldest does S.O.S. Switched On Schoolhouse.

Lunch is around noon or so. Usually "so".

And we resume our unit study with 5 out of 6 children at the square table. Care Rooms at around 3:30pm.
And Daddy arrives at around 4pm.

Here is our Chore Chart...

I am not sure if you can really see the little family members, but there they are on the left.

I use to be a very overwhelmed mommy for a long while. 4 years ago I found a site called Flylady.net. And it helped a lot! Anyway, I don’t like to admit it but…

When I was young and married and only had two children, I actually called my mom and asked her to come over to sit on my couch and tell me what to do! I would start my day off with, standing in the middle of my living room and not know where to start. Really. And that is why I called her.

Well, that didn’t last long.

Then I was to have a set of twin boys. Now what was I to do? Four children! I was completely overwhelmed and my husband sold our home and we had to move in with my parents and then in with his all before the boys were 6 months old! Yikes! It was crazy! I couldn’t see which end was up much less keep anything clean or organized! When the boys turned four, I was pregnant with our last set of twins. Now what? I can only say that contentment is such a gift from the Lord! Because that is what got me through…Now the girls are 8 and about 4 years ago, I sat down in a creative mood and ended up with the chore chart pictured above. I assigned everyone a "care room" except Daddy. He helps out where ever. But the children and I have a care room a week. I want them to CARE for the room they have been assigned and every time they go through it during the course of the day it would be nice if they look for things out of place. I change their Care Rooms every Monday.

The care rooms are: The Living Room, the School Room, the Circle Table Room(parlor), the Guest Bathroom, Wash Room, and the Kitchen.

I get the Kitchen every week and have our son who has asthma help out in their more because he really shouldn't do dusting and vacuuming....yes, it's that bad.

Every morning after the morning routine(wash,comb, brush teeth, eat breakfast) I tell the children to do their care rooms. It usually only takes 5 minutes to go look and straighten pillows, throw trash away, put away stray toys, sweep, or vacuum, depending on what room is given. And then every afternoon before Daddy comes home they do the care rooms again.

Now, you may have noticed the Shared Chores on the top right of the picture. That has to do with after dinner chores. It is called Shared Chores because they "share" in doing them. They do complain about it from time to time. But Daddy is on the lookout for that. While they put away leftovers, clear the plates, cups, forks, and glasses, and also load the dishwasher, Daddy and I have our little date time in the corner of our living room. Share Chairs is what we call them.

The kitchen is just to the right of this photo...But we have since moved the chairs to a better corner. I might try to share that photo soon.
So this is our little BIG family!!

Christmas and Crazyness...

2012-01-04T07:46:00.000-08:00

Okay... Christmas snuck up on us this year! Maybe it is because I am getting older, or maybe because time is actually moving faster!

I shared a booth with http://www.etsy.com/people/faithintoart Blair! Just love her!

She has some really neat art that she hand draws and colors with some amazing markers, and of course her amazing talent!

I made(sewed) some covered dish carriers, and aprons in a jar and some other odds and ends.

This is supposed to be an apron in a jar.

Here is my table...Decked with my Ninja clips and other fun stuff. I sold just enough to cover my part in the festival and buy a Mcdonald's Big Mac! Yikes!

This large box came from a sweet girl in Texas! Can you ever guess what was in it? A real life Tumbleweed!

Here are our stockings that I made about 10 years ago!

Not the best picture of me and my honey, but it will do for now.

My husband always reads the Christmas story from Luke before we do gifts. Even if we have heard it 5 times during the season...I think the birth of Christ the Lord should be read year round! Praise the Lord for His Holy Word!

We finally got a tree from Mr. Jones' Tree Farm a week before Christmas.

Here are some of the boys playing their new Trouble game with R2 D2. Dad is trying to be Obi-Wan Kenobi. Funny.

The girls are playing with their new jeep and Target Dolls!

So the next week I was to make a wedding cake for a very sweet couple in our church. And my friend and I did get the cakes made with fondant and ready for the big day, when one of my children got a bad cold that sent him to the hospital by ambulance.

So glad he is finally home and better...getting better! He has asthma. So, the cold attacked his lungs. Praise the Lord he is home now and doing well. The rest of us caught the cold. My husband stayed in the hospital with our little froggy man until they released him on Monday!

While I was being a "Mom" and staying home to take care of the little ones who were sick, I started preparing the Boy's room so when little Froggy man came home it would be allergen free and easy to maintain. So off came his top bunk...

There is less room now, but it will be easier to change sheets and vacuum the lint and dust! I even sewed new curtains! Later that night I came down with the cold...eeek. I felt like someone was sitting on my chest! Cough, cough, wheeze, wheeze.

My dear friend Becky(who taught me how to make wedding cakes) and her husband finished the cake for the sweet couple in our church and I was able to continue with what the Lord had lined up for our family at this time.

Red velvet cake with homemade butter cream frosting and homemade fondant. Thank you Becky and Chuck!

So here is to a very Happy New Year in the Lord Jesus, who has brought us through all things and guided, provided, and supplied all our needs.

Updates and Whatnot...

2011-12-08T08:01:00.000-08:00

Loving my new blog cuteness made by my sweet daughter...Bugnanny!

Imagine a big heart going out to her!

She does really great work with the computer! I know we borrowed the background, but still, she did a great job! She even added snow! EEEE! I love it. I can be pretty giddy sometimes!

Oh well!

God's Christmas is at hand! He always provides, and loves us through good times and bad! Love the Lord Jesus and what He is to us and our family! Thank you Jesus for saving us and putting us where you need us to be!

I will post some more soon!

Give Away and such...

2011-11-29T11:57:00.000-08:00

I know I just posted, but I just found this awesome giveaway!

And here is my daughters blog (In the previous post she took most the photos and drew the cute pictures!)

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Love,

Maralena

Crazy Busy Life

2011-11-29T11:08:00.000-08:00

Well, my Crazy Busy Life is getting back on track!

Through a daughter with an infection, to losing my mother in law, to another daughter with an abscessed tooth...this past month has flown by us!

Not much school has been done, not much cleaning, or planning or anything has gotten done!

But the Lord God is still gracious in His mercy! Still loving in His kindness towards our family! Oh Praise Him, Hallelujah! "All Creatures Of Our God and King" love that Song!!!

My oldest daughter and I are gearing up for a Christmas Festival this Saturday. We are sharing a booth with a VERY Talented artist...http://gezusfreek.blogspot.com/
Though we differ on our artsy talent...she loves the Lord and We love her! Go check her out, and while your at it check out her Etsy shop too!http://www.etsy.com/people/faithintoart

So, my sweet daughter Bugnanny has changed my blog design for me. It is marvelous! We will be tweaking a little more. I love this color pink. It's the same color as the curtain in my craft/sewing room. Love it!

Our thanksgiving was good this year. I hope yours was as well. The men folk went hiking(that gives us ample time to craft and sew),and the women folk got together a little and shopped and ate leftovers, and tried to find a decent movie to watch with the young ladies. That is a feat in itself!

I will be sharing some pics of our Christmas Festival Booth as soon as I can.

Weekly Reflection

2011-10-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I would like to say that this is a weekly reflection from the fourth week of October. But it isn't.

So, this is last week's(week 3 of October.).

Our family was given a dresser for the girls. Now, we won't have them living out of the cute baskets that were also given! They are so excited!

There was an impromptu picnic in the front yard when the weather was cooler!

Here they are coming in from said picnic!

This was the week before the Fall Festival. And our boys were painting for their booth on Nehemiah.

I decided to get crazy and make homemade apple fritters like Publix!

They were too yummy!

The cooler weather just makes the trampoline so much more fun!

The boys are getting ready to help make some sandwiches!

Yes. You see a "cheater" bread! It was a crazy week. We even took off from homeschool just to get ready the Fall Festival.

These next several pics are of the boys painting the walls for Nehemiah's Booth. They put on a play.

I found the girls doing school late one night...I guess this is at 9p.m. or so. They were so cute!

I guess they heard my camera beep. They looked up at just the right time!

So silly! They love their math books!

Here they are trying out some swivel rocking chairs that I hope to purchase some day, if they are still there when I raise the dollars!

Here is my booth for the fair...a Photo Booth! we were in the setting up phase. Our sweet sister in the Lord, Brett and my sweetie posed for me so I could figure out where to stand with the camera! Thank you guys!

Photo of several youth working together hauling one of those very heavy tables to another booth!

So, that was last Saturday...and I will update you on week four in October soon. We have had a bit of sad news. My mother in law is not doing well after a stroke Sunday morning. Please pray for our family...they are dealing with many things.

October week 2 Weekly Reflection

2011-10-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

So my birthday was this week...and the girls surprised me with this poster and a keychain.

I really love it!

Made homemade chocolate and granola. This is how Mushy watches the contents because she is too short to look in the pot! Funny.

Homemade chocolate and granola mixed together to make homemade candy bars. MMMMM.

We have started eating our granola chopped up instead of in bars.

Here is the chocolate ready to go in the freezer.

Here is some scripture we have had on our hearth since Christmas, but I just had to take a picture to share with you and for Doorposts....I love those guys(and gals).

Sparkplug at work and no play...

They look like they are working...but I am almost certain there must be some playing going on!

Our Social Studies definitions.

I made these curtains this week from some fabric that a dear friend gave me.

A very sweet friend sent me some birthday money to buy something special just for me and I found this at a quaint used furniture store!

My sweet Queen B.

Here is a better photo of my neat find!

Straightened the craft room for the umpteenth thousandth time!

Sweet Mushy has a picture for me!
It has been a great Birthday week! Pretty good school week. And now onto the weekend and the start of another week!

Our Granola Bars...

2011-10-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

Homemade Granola Bars

September 16, 2009 in Uncategorized by Maralena | 5 comments

Homemade Granola! Yay! I only wish I had known how to do this years ago!

Here are most of the ingredients that you will need.

2-3 cups of rolled oats(old fashioned)

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup sunflower seeds (unsalted)

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup coconut

1 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup turbinado sugar or brown sugar

1/3 cup of honey

3 tbs butter ( I use salted butter)

raisins( optional)

chocolate chips ( optional)

Here is some items you will be using to make the granola. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

large pan

medium pot

Put the oats, seeds, coconut, and wheat germ in your pan. You are going to put this in the oven to roast a bit. Stir occasionally for 10 minutes.

If I forgot to list some of these items, here they are! (I am so easily sidetracked sometimes!)

Sugar

Honey

butter

vanilla extract

cinnamon

When your oat mixture is roasting for about 10 minutes, you need to start melting your butter and sugar and honey in the simmering pot for about 5 minutes. Put in your salt and cinnamon when all else is melted. Take it off the burner, and add the vanilla. Don’t be alarmed at the bubbling sizzle like I was!

Take out the oat mixture from the oven. Ooh it’s roasty!

Pour it into a large bowl. Now pour the hot melty sugar and butter mixture over the oats and etc. And stir with a spoon until all is covered with your sugary glue!

Here is the point when you will want to add your raisins or other dried fruit, and or also chocolate chips. About 1/2 cup for each should be good.

I have also roasted almonds and walnuts for my husband and I in a separate batch of granola. I don’t really like using nuts at all in my home because of the severe peanut allergy that some of my children have. So I am very extra careful at keeping nuts put way up like a medicine!

After you have mixed all ingredients you can scrape it into a gently oiled 9 by 13 glass pan and press with an oiled spatula. And hopefully you didn’t turn off the oven because you need to bake this for another 10 to 15 minutes!

When it is almost completely cooled I cut the granola bars either with a knife or the spatula seen in the picture above.

Here is mine fresh out of the oven! Oh the cinnamon makes it taste so good! And for the same amount that I pay for 6 bars, I can now make 16-20 bars! Wow!

Here they are all stacked and ready to consume.

I keep them in an air tight jar. They have stayed crunchy. My husband actually takes one or two of them and crushes them in a cereal bowl and pours milk on them and eats that for breakfast some days.

I hope you all enjoy trying to make this granola recipe. I just put together 3 or 4 different recipes I found. Some say leave out the butter, some say leave out the sugar, some say cook shorter, some say cook longer. This is just what worked for me. Ya’ll be blessed today!

Weekly Reflection

2011-10-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

Oh how we love fall. Praise the Lord for Seasonal changes. Even if it is Florida with all it's heat and humidity! There are cooler mornings, sweet smells in the air, and wind blowing through the trees. It is going to rain soon. The smell is in the air along with the dark clouds. But it is lovely.

Not much really going on here. Just a little BIG family home schooling and attending and serving at our local church body. Loving one another and loving Jesus!

Homeschool is going well. With a few sick days that are finally over, are getting back to work! Onto studying Ancient Greece! Oh it is so fun to do this unit study! I have been planning and searching for links and free lapbooks and notebooking pages. I wish I could have been homeschooled! So much room for the imagination to brim over and create...

My "Blogger-Writer". Always with a computer, a journal and pen, or scrap piece of paper ready to write. She actually interviewed my boss from 20 years ago at Publix! That was funny!

My sweet twin girls. They are reading now! No more spelling things to my husband in front of them!

Some friends call him "Stompy"! He was having a frustrating time with his math this day. We got through it. Doing okay now.

I still am trying figure this one out...puzzling. I wonder if they are giving cart rides on a wagon?

Here is our rose amongst the trees. It is very sunny today. As I write this post it is sunny and Rainy at the same time. I tried to get a picture of it to share on here, but just managed to get myself and my camera wet. Eeek!

Playing calico critters...such fun, such imaginations, such a mess! But they will pick it up, I am sure of it.

I love this math program that one of the twin boys is working on. When we rearranged the living room, we connected the computer to our t.v. It is interesting. Now the boys and dad can play civilization and everyone can see!

Whispers of Autumn Giveaway

2011-09-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

Whispers of Autumn is having a giveaway, there are adorable prizes, I encourage you to enter!

God bless !

Nook & Cranny Craft Room

2011-08-29T17:12:00.000-07:00

I Just Can't Believe It! I have a "Craft Room" now! EEEK! Actually, I will be sharing this craft room with my 3 daughters, but I can deal with that!

It all happened this past Saturday as our family of 8 was sitting around our living room staring at one another after a work day at our church. My husband had mentioned going to the springs, but I didn't want to...the kiddos would have liked that or to play some video games or maybe watch a movie. I sat up and said; "I know what to do!." Let's rearrange our living room so daddy can have a desk. He needs a desk and I have two! Two is too many desks. Any how...it happened and we are just now recovering from it! It was 4pm on Saturday when we began.

This was a den of sorts. We watched movies a little in there and now look at it! Sew Cute!

My sweet daughter took these photos for me. This is a faux wall that we makeshifted out of two entertainment centers. Actually one is a computer armoir.

I really like this corner. I am hoping to get some more white bookshelves for more organization. I ran to my husband and thanked him so much!

Here is my little white bench with our art supplies organized. It is darling!

This is my oldest daughter's desk for her writing and crafting. She wants to be an author. I think she is on her 5th book so far...

She was blessed by our sweet friend Papa Jim with a wonderful Fuji Camera. Because now she's into photography as well as her writing. Her blog is: http://themeltedcamera.blogspot.com/

Oh I can't wait to get here and start creating. The twin girls and oldest daughter already beat me to the punch!

Not Back To School Blog Hop School Room!

2011-08-10T13:09:00.000-07:00

So this year I am so excited about our school room change up!

Last year I had the older four in the Parlor at the round table doing S.O.S. curriculum on their netbooks.

But this year I get to do a full year unit study program with 5 out of 6 of my children. So I moved us to the kitchen. I am using our big square table that has a bench with storage and our cabinets that are hardly used for anything other than stashing large things.

I am glad that we get to use these cabinets. I sit in the chair in front of the new school cabinets, so they will come in so handy.

In this cabinet is my file crate system, pencil basket with index cards and white board spray, Books that we will be using for the next 30 days and a calendar. I am on my second year using Dawn's file crate system from http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/file_crate_system/ I just love her organizational thoughts on this file crate system! I hope that you go and check it out. I will simply pull out the basket and get the folder that I need out for the coming week.

Sorry for the dark, blurry picture. But that is week 1's folder. I will simply put any printables or scheduled appointments, recipes, or ideas in that folder for that particular week.

This is the bottom cabinet. It has our glasses and patch for the kids that use them. Some math manipulatives, 3 ring binders, books we will use next year and our American Flag.

This is our top cabinet. It has colored envelopes, my journal, a lapbook project, spiralbound notebooks, and books that we will use later in the year.

So blurry! My apologies...my camera cord is missing and I am forced to use my daughter's kodak. But this is where my twin daughters will sit for school. I love our farm table! It has four drawers. So the twin boys across the table will have two drawers too.

This is a great organizational idea from a very crafty friend of mine! The kiddos just grab the flower pot of whatever medium they choose for their artwork and just put it back when they are finished. These are actually plastic "clay looking" flower pots. Very useful! I love finding a new way to use things around the house! Speaking of that, does anyone have an old wooden screen door they don't want anymore! I need it for my pantry door...

So here is our white board. I have the first days lessons ready. Can you tell what we are starting our unit study on? To the right of the board is our artwork clothes line. I will probably be adding a shelf above the lines and another line or two below the current ones.

My oldest child(tenth grader) will be in and out doing things with us. He will be continuing in the computer curriculum. But he will be helping me with some of the unit study this year. He loved the Egypt study he did when he was younger, so this is going to be fun for him.

2011 Not Back To School Blog Hop

2011-08-02T13:02:00.000-07:00

So I am so excited about this new year!! We are changing things up a bit. I discovered these Teaching Textbooks last week and am just so excited to get to order them! I asked the Lord to provide so we could purchase this excellent computer math program. And He did! Praise Jesus Lord of All!

And speaking of the Lord providing! A dear friend who didn't know I was praying about curriculum and what to do this next year, brought me this unit study to look at and possibly borrow! I am so glad she did! Because it is going to cover a gap in history that I just found out we had for three of my children! God is so good!

We are hoping to continue our oldest in the 10th grade S.O.S.

I will be using Rod and Staff for my twin daughters. They are going into 2nd grade. And will join us during the unit study time with the twin boys and Bugnanny(big sis).

I have six children. Grades 2, 6th, 8th, and 10th. May the Lord Bless this school year at our home as well as yours!

Update Summertime Business

2011-07-14T18:04:00.000-07:00

It has just been one big busy summer so far!

We did VBS at our Home Church, the boys all went on a hike while us girls did Horse Camp, then off to Virginia for another VBS where I sang every night! Yikes!

Here is my husband and I at Floyd's Country Store in Virginia...

Bluegrass Gospel Music playing live in the background.

It has been so busy that I have no other photos to share! I was given the one above by my sweet friend! Thank you Eva!

I know Mr. Bob took pics, but I haven't had time to even upload them! Crazy isn't it?

I will get to it soon enough! Sorry to make you wait...

Neat Planner!

2011-06-03T06:49:00.000-07:00

I was just visiting one of my favorite blogs and she is having a giveaway of a planner she designed! I just love it! So cute and very usable! Ya'll might just want to head on over to the http://blog.aussiepumpkinpatch.com/
and see what she has made! I am currently using one of her free planners, but this one would be so fun! It should be at the top of her page.

Sewing...

2011-05-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help myself getting ready for our trip to Sea World. I just had to make a few things!

I decided that a little cute back pack would be a good idea.

A little matching clutch too!

And a makeup bag.

Oh and just had to have a hanging organizer for the bath room!

And let me just say that they all worked great! Boy am I glad that we had them on the trip! Because grocery bags just wouldn't cut it!

16 th Anniversary!

2011-05-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it, it seems like just a few weeks ago I was getting married to my best friend! And here we are celebrating our 16th year together as a married couple!

This is a wonderful man that the Lord allowed me to marry and love!

We decided to go to Sea World. I had never been! It was very moving to see God's Creations up close.

I didn't think I would get emotional about seeing animals jump out of the water! I mean, I have seen them on Planet Earth(dvd), but to actually see them up close and be splashed cold salty water by them was amazing! God is AMAZING! All the things He thought of to put on this earth! Thank You Lord!

Sleeping Flamingos

Huge Puffer Fish

Blurry Penguins

Sting Rays

The Shark Grill where we had dinner with sharks watching us eat! The Irony!

Trolley Rides to the park and back to the hotel.

See how quaint the Trolley is!

Oh and this was too cute!

Sunset at the hotel before we went to the movies!

We ended up watching Pirates 4, but our intention was to watch Hoodwinked 2. But I guess they think it is a kiddie movie, because they stop showing it after 5pm!

So when we seen this bus go by with our anniversary date on it and the movie we had seen, Rob wanted me to snap a few pics of it.

Goodbye nice hotel! Very family friendly and affordable at that! I can't wait to bring the children to sea world! As a matter of fact, that is mostly what we talked about! How much missed the children and how fun it would be to see their reactions to this place! But we would not have taken them to the movies! Those mermaids were frightening!

hello

2011-05-17T05:47:00.000-07:00

I am just so excited about a bunch of things...like this cake I made:

It is made of rice krispy treats and homemade marshmallow fondant.
Of course regular cake with homemade icing.

I am also excited about this coming weekend! My husband is taking me somewhere I have never been!
Sea World! He gets in for free because he is a Teacher, and I get in 20% off. We are going to the Grill that is under the sharks! I can't wait to share about that experience!

Anyway, I hope you like the cake. It was a real doozy to make!

Our Worldwide Classroom: Homeschool Planner Giveaway

2011-05-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

Our Worldwide Classroom: Homeschool Planner Giveaway: "I love planning, the digging, the searching, the preparing of it all. So when I saw that Kendra from Aussie Pumpkin Patch had designed a pl..." I just absolutely love this sweet homeschooler family! Oh to find planners that are so very unique and useable! Very rare fine indeed! I encourage all my readers to go check it out!

31 Days to Clean Giveaway!

2011-04-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home: 31 Days To Clean Giveaway!: "I know that many moms out there like me are busy spring cleaning, and maybe some of you need a little motivation or inspiration-- Have yo..."

I am so inspired by Godly Women who want to keep not only their homes clean, but their hearts too! That is just how I picture SarahMae who wrote this very helpful and clean hearts and homes hopeful, book! Praising God for encouraging women like her! God Bless!

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home: 31 Days To Clean Giveaway!

2011-04-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

Spring Break Field Trip

2011-03-24T06:27:00.000-07:00

My husband really wanted to do something special with the family over Spring Break. He had it in his mind and heart to take us all to a real working farm (1870's) called: Morning Side Farm.

It had a one room school house, a forge, stables, gardens, and a homestead.

These girls were so funny! They dressed up like "back then times" as my littlest kept saying.
(*smile)

A grouping of tangerine trees. The fruit is drying on the tree...

The beautiful tree in the background is an asian fringe tree. At least that is what the lady at the homestead told me.

These photos do not do the tree true justice. It was beautiful!

The boys ran off to the stables and the forge. The blacksmith made most of the children some nails that curl to put on a string or leather cord for a necklace.

I really want one of these stoves! There is homemade biscuits going in the oven, black eyed peas in the small cast iron pot, and soup being started in the large cast iron pot. I asked the lady what the pail of water was for on the floor. She said: "for in case of fire." Yikes! The whole house is made of lighter wood. You know, kindling.

I love the counter top too! Cannisters and bowels, and wooden spoons.

My youngest girl asked if she could help clean the collards and mustard greens, so she is washing her hands with homemade lye soap.

After cleaning the greens, she and her twin sister helped the lady take them to the cow.

This was something interesting. It is the heart of a palmetto tree that has been rounded on the bottom. They use it to scrub pots and pans. I think I might have to make one of these and save some money on scrubbies!

My oldest girl asked if she could wash the dishes! Hah! Never have I heard those words at my house! I was envious.

But she did it. And seemingly enjoyed it.

She was just tickled to be doing this. I wonder if her little sister is hoping to get a chance at this?

This is the hearth. It is decked with cast iron pots and pokers, and momma and daddy's bed to the right of it.

Here is another corner in the home.

A really neat thing hanging in the middle of the walk way, on two cords, a little wooden bear. You pull each string at different intervals. It is suppose to teach children how to milk a goat or cow.

How about a working loom? Very large. It takes up a whole corner in the home.

Here is the ladder to the loft. There is a rope bed up there for the little ones.

The beautiful kitchen garden with the asian fringe tree in the backdrop.

the mulched path in the middle of the garden.

The wash room...I told the young woman; "It must hurt your hands to ring out the laundry, you need a ringer." But she said how nice that would be, "but the ringer wasn't invented until 1890." So this being a 1870's farm there isn't one. You see how necessity is the mother of invention. Sorry it took twenty more years to come to fruition.

The collard's blooms are just aglow.

Homemade checkers board and a match at the window.

Guess who won... Queen B.

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor." ecclesiastes 4:9

"And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." ecclesiastes 4:12b

Queen B is irritated because the cow wouldn't stay around to let her pet her.

My handsome husband. I love, love, love him.

I think we need a porch on our little home now. Look how content he looks. This was a great outing as a family. We want to go back at the end of April for a "hoe down". I guess I have some sewing to do. Oh, and I forgot to mention that the girls did not want to leave. They wanted to stay and live like in "Back then times."

A Few of My Favorite Things...

2011-03-04T08:55:00.000-08:00

My favorite things in Life...

Well, there is a whole list of things I could begin with. You know the normal everyday things, or the normal everyday things... Can you tell in my life are the "normal everyday things"?

Over Christmas, I was blessed with a plate set. Currier and Ives, blue and white plate set!
And guess what else? I was given my grandma's actual plates for my birthday from my mom! They may be a bit chippy, but I love them and the memories along with them!

These plates and cups bring me such joy! And the best part about it is that I know the Lord put it on the heart of one of His dear Daughters to give them to me!

I decorate all over the house with them. And we use them. My husband says he enjoys them so much, as do my children!

I have some Cheri Blum plates sets with roses on them. And I love them. But I bought them in a time of my life where I doubted who I was as a child of God, as a wife, as a mother, and as a friend! Although I may still struggle with these same thoughts from time to time, I have been given a confidence in the Lord from the Lord in His Holy Word!

The reason these blue plates mean so much to me is that they bring back good memories from my childhood. Times when I knew two things with all my heart.

1. Jesus loves me.

2. My grandma loves me, no matter what.

You see, my grandma had a plate set of these Currier and Ives. And we ate on them often. And when I got older, I washed them for her.

I didn't live with my grandma, but I wished that I did! She listened to me, she knew how to make me feel better, she made me feel safe! Childhood can be a real shaper in your adult life. I find I want the simple pleasures in life, like grandma! I want to be gentle with my children, I want to listen to them, make them feel better, and make them feel safe! Praise the Lord I have Jesus! Because of Him we are all those things.

When I was still a young girl, about age 7, we went on a trip with my grandma and her sister take her home to Chattsworth Georgia. On the way up we stopped at a place called Day. It is where my grandma was born and raised. We visited a person named Uncle Oliver. He was a tobacco farmer. I tramped all over his beautiful farm. I was able to go in his silos, and in his vegetable garden. But what I remember most is at breakfast he drank his coffee from a saucer! Not a cup! I thought it very strange. So, I tried it too! It cools off your coffee so you are able to sip better.

Well, I found a poem the other day on a blog(wish I could remember it's name). It is written by an anonymous person. It is perfect for how I am feeling today.

Drinking From a Saucer

I have never made a fortune

and it's probably too late now,

I don't worry about that much,

I am happy anyhow.

As I go along life's journey,

reaping more than

I have sowed,

I am drinking from a saucer

cause my cup

has overflowed.

I don't have lots of riches

and sometimes the going's tough.

I have family that loves me and

that is quite enough.

I thank the Lord for his blessings

and his mercies he's bestowed.

I'm drinking from a saucer

because

my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things

went wrong and

my faith got a little thin,

and then all at once the dark clouds

broke and the sun peeped in.

Lord, please help me not to gripe

about the tough rows I have hoed.

I am drinking from a saucer

because my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me

strength and courage

when my way grows

deep and tough,

I will not ask for blessings,

I'm already blessed enough.

May I never be too busy

to help another bear his load,

I will keep drinking from a saucer,

cause my cup has overflowed.

Author Unknown

It is a sweet poem and I am glad I found it.

I hope this post and poem has blessed your heart today.

"I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord." Psalms 116:13

What is Normal?

2011-02-09T05:18:00.000-08:00

So, what is Normal?

Everyday getting up and making breakfast, doing the "morning routine", starting homeschool?

Yesterday my husband had to take the day off. Good reason behind it! We had an orthodontic appointment and he needed to talk with the "bill department". Praise the Lord! They lowered our bill! When he came out and we were leaving, he turned and said to me: "They really respect you here. They love our family. They said that 'I don't know how she manages it all.' and that our children are so well behaved!" Yikes.

I'm thinking this must not be Normal! I am flattered and feel blessed to have someone speak well of me in the gates. My husband is respected because of mine and our children's behavior. And I must and want to say it HAS to be because of what Jesus Christ has done in our lives! I get upset and Lose my Temper. I yell. More than I want to admit. Praying on that one...Anyway, just to say, we are NOT perfect! I am not and my children are not. But God is refining us! The Holy Spirit is leading us!

This an old picture, but it is so sweet! Plus my husband has lost about 30 pounds since then. the kiddos have grown up alot too! But I just had to use a good picture. I'm not in it because, someone had to snap the photo!

Baptism

2011-01-27T07:13:00.000-08:00

My sweet daughter's Baptism...

She is so gentle.
So mild.
Kind hearted.

Well the list could go on and on!

I think she exhibits all the Fruits of the Spirit! Her tree of faithfulness to the Lord is full!

Here she is before the baptism. All full of anticipation.

She has been saved for a while now, we just were waiting for her to ask to be baptized. She began asking her daddy some time ago what it means to be baptized and why she would want to be baptized.

Her big sister even wrote a poem about her and her sweetness along with her Faith in the Lord Jesus!

About 6 or so months ago, this precious little one asked me if it was okay for her to love God more than she loved me! She was afraid that it would hurt my feelings! Well, I told her that I could take a lesson from her example, and should love God more than I love her...

She is very quick to point out that God is the only Awesome thing... That He is to be lifted up and praised...that He is to be thanked for all the good He does and to pray for those who need Him!

I love her so much!

May the Lord continue to not only use her as an example in our family but, but also to others lives. Praise God for little ones who love Him!

She said that she accidentally opened her mouth when she went below the water...
But she was okay.

She was excited about the fact that her baptism had happened. "Now she can make disciples." she said.

Felicity has a bed.

2011-01-21T07:19:00.000-08:00

Hello...

I am late in posting but, have a little surprise for you.

I made Felicity a canopy bed.
Some of you may think: "Big whoop!"
But as for our little ones and the young girl I made it for, they love it!

So, here goes...

I cut a baby changing table into 20inch sizes.

Bought some fabric.

Saved a picture online of what I intended to try to make. And, last year it was started.

I know, I know. Last year? Well, long story short...I tend to be busy.

What do ya think? It was fun and easy and I think I have to make 3 more!

God's Christmas

2010-12-22T08:49:00.000-08:00

My Littlest daughter is so very dear and sweet! She has been telling us all month long that this is "God's Christmas".

And My husband and I just love her all the more for it! It has been a focus of sorts at all the needed times!

God's Christmas!

This Christmas in a worldly sense, was going to be the bleakest.

No money, no gifts, no food or groceries...But, if it weren't for our Faith in the God of Isaac, Abraham, and Jacob. Father of all the Universe! Heavenly Father of our Savior Jesus Christ born in us the Hope of Glory! We would be so pitiful by the World's standards.

Through God's People...He has sent money to buy some gifts, food for our Christmas dinner, clothes for little ones who needed them, boots for our oldest boy and for daddy, 40 rolls of toilet paper, yarn for a daughter learning to knit, Publix gift card, Olive Garden gift card, Currier and Ives plates to match my granny's plates, hot chocolate, chocolate covered pretzels, queen ann cherries, apple cider, fabric that I could not have ordered if I wanted to!!! I just can't even begin to share all the insights and love from friends and family! It is overwhelming! Because of God's Christmas, we are experiencing what a celebration of the infinite love and mercies of our Heavenly Lord and Savior! Oh Praise Him! Even if there were no gifts, even if there were no luxuries, even if there were no money! HE has still seen fit to bless us and we are joyous!

We are so thankful!

It has been a wonderful month of giving and receiving and it is not over...I just wish I had more to give!

May the Lord bless all who continue to do His will this month and every month of the years!

So we made a sign above our fireplace to also remind us!

Pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing...

We are very blessed.

When The Guys Go Hiking...

2010-11-26T18:44:00.000-08:00

When the guys go hiking...all us ladies get together to sew!

We are having a blast! We watched a few movies...Return To Cranford, Saving Sarah Cain, and Austrailia. Next up for viewing is North and South.

I was able to get a few things sewn. These are some shorts my Daddy has been after me to hem for him. Well, they are done! Yay!

This snowfox pillow for a dear friend of our family who loves snowfoxes and baby blue, and of course snow! I will not be making these for my etsy shop. I got the idea from a blogger named...lucykate. I don't want to steal anything to sell. But I made the little fox slightly different than hers so as not to offend.
I really like her alot.

I tried making a cute little change purse. I am not sure it works that well. My abilities with curved zippers is not all that great!

Praising the Lord Jesus for great friends in the Lord! Praising God for fun with creativity! Praising God the "guys" are doing well on their hike! My husband called today to let me know my three boys and himself are well and are enjoying themselves!

What I am up to Now

2010-11-19T05:24:00.000-08:00

I just had to make something...

I just couldn't stop thinking about it...

I couldn't sleep at night...

So I took yesterday morning and did it!

Aren't they adorable? It is actually one pouch, but two pictures of it.
I think it could be better. But I say that about all my creations. There is something else I am working on too! I just can't share it yet. Maybe I will share one of my gingerbread pattern weights with ya though...

He is sew cute! I taught myself how to chain stitch last week and that is the icing on the cookie! Next item up for sewing is the cookie jar to put them in! Can't wait!
Tah-Tah

Update Cake...

2010-11-09T06:01:00.000-08:00

Well, I thought I should share a few pics of the recent cake I helped to create.

We do not know if it is a boy or a girl. So we went with a pink cake on the bottom and a blue cake on the top.

I wanted to have Jacks Jack's eyes (incredibles) but we went with the face that was on the cake online.
The mother(Becky) of the mother to be and I made the cake. She and I took 6 hours with a few breaks to make it! It was a lot of fun!

Felicity's New Gown...

2010-11-02T07:22:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! My daughter Hannah ordered Felicity with her birthday money, and I know it sounds strange, but I think she did it for me!!!

I wanted to do a little dance...but I contained myself to a demure smile instead*wink.

Anyway, I made Felicity a new ball gown for our Masked Ball...We are having a "Surprise Mask Ball" for Felicity...shhhhh. It's a secret.

I just wanted to share the photo of the gown...

So what do you think?

Maybe I should start making these and selling them on my etsy shop...I dunno. I will think about it some more.

A Crazy End to a Crazy Week

2010-10-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

Well, this week started with my oldest daughter's birthday on a Saturday after the Youth car wash in town.

Followed by Math class with some really great people! And then a Publix trip and finding out our visitors from Virginia were about 4 hours early and would be at the church in about an hour! Yikes. I still had to go to another store and the library to boot.

I didn't get any pics of my dear friends when they were here! Boohoo! I really needed some up to dates!

We got sick, or should I say I got sick...and had to call off some plans with them. Our Virginia Family.

I was able to recover enough to go to the movies for free with our six children. We watched Despicable Me. It was great! then we joined our friends at Our sweet pastor's home for some dessert and fellowship.
The next day we spent setting up for our church fall festival. That evening right at the end...my sweet oldest daughter was hit in the head by a horseshoe! Oh what a scary thing! My husband and I rushed her to the ER and was seen and gone in three hours! Praise the Lord! Her cut was to the skull! I didn't take a picture of that. Just the after...

It was slightly bigger than a quarter when we got to the ER. She got 4 stitches on the inside, and 6 on the outside. We are just praising God that it wasn't deeper and worse or in a different portion of her head.

She had been near the game where they were playing horseshoes but not in the game herself. Thank the Lord it is healing up wonderfully!

Getting Done...

2010-10-19T05:13:00.000-07:00

Well I have been getting things done...

This is a cake, stump cake in fact, that I made for a cake auction we had at our church for Operation Christmas Child. It looks a little dull in the picture above...but the picture below is so cute!

A sweet lady from church gave me some flowers to put on it for fall. I love how it turned out!

Here is the back side of the stump. I wanted to do something crazy like put gummy worms in it and hide little mice and maybe some rubber roaches. But, I was trying to considerate. A cute little old lady might buy it, so I didn't do it. The cake sold at the auction for $30.00. It was a lot of fun watching all the other cakes sell! There are two wonderful cooks at out church, Miss Nancy, and Ms. Rose! And there were ladies fighting(in a good and fun way) for their cakes! SO funny!

Here is a peasant blouse that I made that same week. It looks so much better on my little girl than it does on the hanger. I made four of these shirts so far and two skirts to match. Oh it was great!

This is the auctioneer and the pastor. We kinda reeled our youth leader into being the auctioneer because he already talks fast. When he preaches you can't even take notes! Just pay attention and listen! His dad is the pastor. We love them both very much! It was Pastor Appreciation Day at our Sweet Church! A very fun day indeed!

New Etsy Item...

2010-10-05T07:13:00.000-07:00

New Item in My Etsy shop!

I am seeing apples in someone's future!

They are so, sew, cute! I think it will be hard to let them go!

these are calle pattern weights. You place them on your pattern that you have cut out and placed on your fabric with out pinning!

No more tears, rips, and buckles in your fabric!

I mostly made them just to see if my idea would work. You know the whole inspiration thing in my brain!? I can't wait to make more!

October!

2010-10-04T04:56:00.000-07:00

This month is a great month! I praise God who made it. I was born in this month and so was my oldest daughter!
I love to sew during this month! I feel very(overly) creative and inspired by so many things around me!

My oldest daughter, was baptized last night by my husband! What a lovely celebration and affirmation it was!

Two others were baptized last night! It wasn't about numbers added to our church, it wasn't about, look at me I'm getting dunked, it wasn't about anything but what the Lord has done! Oh Praise Him!

Sorry they are so blurry! A very kind lady from our church took the photos with my camera so I could be in baptistry waiting with a towel and a hug for my sweet rooster!

God is so good to us! He contiually provides just what we need, He continually directs us to good, He continually leads us gently on.

This is my youngest...she has the sweetest heart! Making a sandwich with love!

And speaking of love...
My sweet husband had to replace my faucet that was springing out waves of water onto my counter. He replaced it with this! Beautiful. I am so glad. He joked with me that I just picked it out to match my cast iron pots and pans! Hmmm. Maybe I did!

Fixen' in the Kitchen Update

2010-10-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

Here is the Gator...Rice Krispy homemade fondant Gator.

This gator will be placed on a swamp cake(chocolate cake with chocolate icing).

I used yellow and black marbles for the eyes. I will tell the moms and kids at the party not to eat them! I promise!

Top view. I decided not to make the legs. He is a half submerged gator! This was great fun!

Working in the Kitchen

2010-09-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

I have been in the kitchen working on a gator made out of rice krispy treats!

Really, I have!
I will be putting homemade marshmallow fondant on it in the morning!

Here is some pics of the process...

Very Messy.

I had to rub it with shortening.

Then placed it in a ziploc lined bowl.

I then pushed out all the air that I could out of the bag and sealed and put it in the refridgerator.

Tomorrow we shall see how it turns out!

It is so exciting to save four dollars! Yep. It was going to cost $6 dollars to buy premade fondant and I just couldn't bring myself to do it!

I was just one youtube away from $2 dollar fondant!

Maybe Monday I can post my newest creation...
Themed Pattern Weights!

Sewing Season!

2010-09-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving Covered Dish Carrier...

I am so glad to finally have it finished!

Now on to my next few projects. Last night I started making homemade pattern weights! Oh they are so (sew) cute! Look good enough to eat!

Here are some bolts of fabric that I worked on getting organized yesterday. I found somewhere there are these neat plastic holders to hold up to 6 yards or more of fabric.
Well, that got me thinking, I can't actually buy some right now, but there was a perfectly good, large piece of cardboard that I cut up into 6 large cards. About 10" by 15". Worked pretty good. But not as pretty as the actual ones...http://www.thefabricorganizer.com/ Check them out if you have lots of fabric and are looking for a good alternative to stashing them beautifully!

Now on to more of my Sewing Season!

new ideas brimming over

2010-09-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

I am just so excited about the new ideas that I am being inspired by...

I am going to try to make a doll dress form! Yay..

And I already made a messenger bag for my oldest girl...I will post it in a minute...

I am also excited about my etsy shop again! So I will be updating it soon too.

I have been in the process of making a covered dish carrier for Thanksgiving...It says: "Thank you God for everything." On it. And it also says thankyou for birds that sing, for the food we eat, etc.

I will be trying to make my twin daughters each a Lil' Bo Peep skirt. Can't wait...I will be posting pictures shortly...

What I'm Up To...

2010-09-17T07:22:00.001-07:00

I am going to try to make this American Girl Tree house for Kit out of...

This... a very sweet lady from our church brought this dollhouse to us this past week. I am so excited. It is the very size I needed to do this! Yay!

I also found a post or blog or something or other that shows you how to make a tree trunk for the underside! This is going to be so much fun when I am done! I think I want an AG doll for my birthday...oh well.

Mustard Seed Creations: "Miss Mustard Seed in a Box" - 2000 Follower Givea...

2010-08-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

I just love that ladies are willing to share their treasures with some of us crazy fun loving blog ladies! My friend Tania Scott let us know through her blog. Now I am blogging about this lady too! So fun to try out for these giveaways!Mustard Seed Creations: "Miss Mustard Seed in a Box" - 2000 Follower Givea...: "In previous giveaways, I've hand painted a custom piece for one winner. I decided to go a different route for this one and put together a b..."

2010-07-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

I wish my garden looked this good! This is actually a cake!
My goal is to one day make this cake...
I do not own the pan that it takes to make this garden cake... it is no longer available. *sad*
I do however, think that I can shape these confections out of fondant and maybe find some candies for the peas.

Our summer stay at home missions camp starts on July 18th. Our family is a buzz with the anticipation of it! This will be year six for us! Yay!

A Day at the Springs

2010-06-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

We went to Blue Springs on Tuesday. It was a lot of fun! Not a lot of kids at the springs, so there was "elbow" room!

The twin boys decided to get real dirty in the volley ball pit.

Then dive off the dock...

I love this pic of them!

Doing the backstroke...sort of...

The girls were there too! Just not around when I took these photos. But we had fun!

Summer

2010-06-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

I think summer is here! time for fun and fun and oh did I mention, Fun! May the Lord bless our fun. And also, continue to guide us in His truth, and in His Word!

This is Ollie. He is wearing an AG hoodie. So cute. Spoiled Rotten! And only has eyes for my oldest girl.

My Little Cranford Girls!

Been A While

2010-04-30T04:56:00.000-07:00

We are on our way to Virginia! To see our Best Friends!

Morning Bible Devotion before we head out with some Jimmy Dean cheese biscuits!

Silly husband can't wait to get to them thar hills.

Sweet friends at the park.

Sweet Friends at Claytor Lake.

Sweet friends waiting on another Best Friend!

Yay Uncle Jeff!

Sweet friends at the caboose park.

Sweet husband on a porch and a pick'n.

Sweet friends at the sweets shop nearby.

Sweet Mema with sweet grand baby.

Sweet friends golfing!

Sweet friends double dating. Thank you Mema Rose and Uncle Jeff for watching the Kiddos!

I love my sweet Friend!

I praise God for every remembrance of you all!

Netbooks Abound

2010-03-10T10:45:00.001-08:00

They arrived! At about 1:30 pm.
We are so excited! Now the kids are trying to load them!Yikes!

They were so excited they just opened them up and turned them on! I don't know why I didn't think they would do that!

Hannah actually opened the very one she ordered. And so did Ben! Carter and Wes had to trade.

Here they all are with their new netbooks with the designs they picked. The Lord is so good to lead us to homeschool and to love on these kiddos! Praise Jesus!

Guess what?!

2010-03-10T06:27:00.000-08:00

Guess What!!

Our netbooks will be here today! Hello Switched On Schoolhouse!

I guess we can start right away.

If anyone is interested in SOS for homeschool please check it out! A sweet lady who works for them wrote and told me how to put a link on here Yay! And Thank you so much!

Here's the link: www.aophomeschooling.com/switched-on

I am so excited for the older four to have this oppurtunity. I am sure they will feel very important with their little netbooks. We purchased them through Dell. I guess I should leave a link for Dell, but for now, I am just going to say Google it!

Yesterday the book I ordered came! It is called Story Starters by Karen Andreola.

It is really neat! The pictures are so great too! I also recently purchased the book For Instructions In Righteousness by Doorposts.

More to come soon! I am gearing up for a wonderful next part of our school year!

Braces

2010-03-09T06:52:00.001-08:00

So here are the recipients of braces! They can not be serious to save their lives!
The youngest twin boy and I had a bit of a surprise when the ortho secretary said: "Let's go ahead and do Carter's braces today instead of waiting til June." Yikes! We might as well get it out of the way. Right? So we did. Yay.

I think our orthodontist really likes us now. And I think he is keeping his eye on the youngest set of twins in hopes of more braces for my smiling faces.

Of course I know why he likes us! It is not just our "social manners" nor our congeniality.

But I am glad my children will be able to eat correctly after having their teeth fixed. I found out the poor Carter was not chewing properly, which explains his choking quite often! Here is to 2 years and straight teeth!

Phone Booth

2010-02-16T15:29:00.000-08:00

I am renting an antique phone booth in an antique shop!
This is totally my husband's idea! He is so sweet! I can't believe it! It was fun trying to figure out how to place things just so.

We are not allowed to put screws or nails in the walls. So I had to think of a way to hide the ugly wall behind the things I wanted to put in there. Tension rods to the rescue! I had some sweet fabric in my stash and made some quick curtains. How fun!

Homeschooling Updates

2010-02-10T08:57:00.000-08:00

The honey bees.
My twin girls are lapbooking along with the Rod and Staff schooling. We are enjoying cutting and gluing. Well, I am enjoying cutting and gluing! These lapbooks are from Danielle's Place. Along with the lapbooking ideas at Lapbooking Lessons. Here is our school bulletin board. All set for 2010. This helps the younger ones to write 2010 instead of 2009.

My husband and I are considering switching the older four children to SOS Switched On Schoolhouse curriculum.

www.aophomeschooling.com/switched-on

We were recently blessed with 4th and 5th grade and hope to obtain 6th grade here shortly. My oldest child is currently using 7th grade SOS and is doing quite well.

This will allow me more one on one time with the twin girls for reading lessons and so on. They do recognize some words. But sounding out words are another story. So goodbye Konos Curriculum(sad). But I know this is going to benefit our homeschool more than struggling along. We will continue with Rod and Staff math and phonics. I think my husband wants to continue the R & S math for all the children. But we shall see.

My Favorite Room in the House!

2010-02-08T16:17:00.000-08:00

Well, this is indeed my favorite room in the house! I actually come in and sit on the bed and just breath in the loveliness!

We recently put in the wood lamanent floors to help our children with their asthma. It is only in the boys and girls rooms, also the hall way. This little desk was such a great find! It is small enough not to overpower our very tiny girl's room, and functional enough for our little journalist. Our oldest daughter loves to write. The small dresser you see under the desk is the stool.

We turned her bunkbed into a two story dollhouse for American girl dolls and other cherished play things.

Look at the sweet setup my oldest arranged. Do you see the stuffed cat on the left? That cat is quite a character!

Of course we have grass next to our dollhouse. And the quaint houses for the calico critters.

I enjoy having these baskets to catch all kinds of beanie babies and doll furniture, hats for the makeshift hat store. Everything has a place. I think it is so much easier to clean than it was before the switched rooms!

This is where the twin girls are supposed to sleep. But what really happens is, the very littlest comes to sleep with me every night and the oldest and the other twin share the bed.

Can you see the jam box under the bed? I would love to have a perfect ruffle to cover that up, but for right now it works. The girls play Mozart, and Bach and many other composers on that jambox. Of course it's really a cd player. I guess I'm still using '80's terminology.

I know it may sound funny, but I really prayed and asked God if this was the best thing to do. To switch the rooms between the siblings. I know how it feels to be arranged in a house in such a way that you just don't feel comfortable. But this was a great switch! The room is very small, and I never thought that we could fit everything these young ladies own in there! I just am so pleased. And the girls play all the time! I have to go get them for school. Where before, they would sit at the homeschool table with their books and beg to do school.

The boys room may be next. I am not sure. They really do have things that are so, so, boyish. I tried to decorate their room with a camping theme. We shall see if it stays nice or not.

I hope my sweet friend so far away enjoyed seeing my favorite room! I love you and miss you!

Loving My Homemade Laundry Soap

2010-02-04T14:51:00.000-08:00

I Love My new crock! It dispenses my homemade laundry soap!

My sweet husband bought it for me a couple of weeks ago!

This is what it looks like in the crock. I stir it before dispensing it into a cup for the wash.

I have it sitting on a pedestal cake stand. I am currently using a matching cup that goes to my punch bowl. What ever works! I will post more pictures soon! We have been remodeling. Well sorta. The girls switched rooms with the boys! And I don't know why we never thought of it sooner! It is perfect! And easy to clean. The girl's room is what I am referring to. The boys room is very messy at present.

My husband laid down wood lamanent. It looks great! the children's asthma is much better too.

Until next time....

Christmas...Memories

2009-12-29T13:17:00.000-08:00

Right side up or right side down... We are thankful for all the memories that the Lord gave us this year! Thank you Jesus for being born and loving us and taking our punishment on the cross!

As if to say Tah-Dah! This boy has been waiting for this gift for 2 years! He loves it. A big train!

Unexpectedly, he only wanted a comforter for his bed. Honest. That is what he asked for! So, we splurged a bit and got him this race track. He was so surprised!

Oh, this is the gift I wanted for me! Will no one get me a doll for Christmas!? Elizabeth Cole.

We were so excited to get these dolls for our little dolls. That is why it was basically their only gift under the tree! Grandpa helped us purchase them. Thankyou Grandpa! We got all three girls a quilt to share and a lamp with a matching night light.

This young lady was so excited to receive Ruthie for Christmas.

Just so happy to get a wash board and a jar for her 18 inch dolls. They need to wash some clothes and make some cookies!

Do ya think the oldest child is happy with mom smootching on his cheek like that? Poor lil' guy. He does actually love his gift even if the embarrassment of his mother lingers here on this blog.

Soon to be our new favorite game! We like to purchase a family game every Christmas. This is going to be fun! Homeschoolopoly.

Watching Charlie Brown Christmas videos. Good Times. Good coffee. Good memories in the making.

Just hanging around after the holidays. Enjoying all that the Lord has given us this year!

Funny and yet strange

2009-12-26T17:46:00.000-08:00

These little cupcakes were so much fun! I got this free printable mustache from some sweet little blog,...oh, I wish I could remember the name! Anyway, we taped them onto tooth picks and stuck them into the cupcakes! Fun! This here is a sailor friend of ours. She is a one of a kind christian young lady!

This here is the Birthday Boy!

We have been enjoying crazy get togethers. We had a little imprompto birthday party for one of our friends. He is a boat schooled child. Their sweet family lives on a sailboat!

This Christmas break has been a real challenge to our little BIG family. It seems that there is one thing after another and that there is no time to relax and breathe in and out. And all we seem to be doing is cooking, preparing food to be eaten, washing dishes then bringing them out again to be eaten on, oh and did I mention, we've been eating! I do praise the Lord for the food! Please do not read me wrong! I just can't get over that as soon as we clean up from eating...it is time to cook and eat again! Crazyness! I am going to have to resort to smoothies here before too long! Ha.ha.ha.;)

Love

2009-12-17T04:58:00.000-08:00

He's a real character, this one! What am I to do with such silliness?! I guess I just have to love 'em.

It so like this particular lil' guy to act silly like this. He has nicknamed himself as ALBANY. And of course he talks in a lil' strange annoying voice when he acts like this character.

Isn't he cute! Oh the fun we had that evening with my three boys! They stuffed his shirt with none other than...webkinz!

It is so nice to be able to actually download my photos on blogger! I never realized how easy it is! Homeschool Blogger will not let me download any more photos. Even though I deleted about 5 posts thinking that would give me some room. Oh well.

I just love the cool air outside this morning! I am thanking the Lord for it! It was up to 80 degrees just day before yesterday! Wow! Florida is very unique like that. One day it is 34 degrees the next it's 81. Maybe one day the Lord will allow our family to move north where there are true signs of seasonal changes. But for now I must be content!

Christmas...Thankyou God for Jesus!

2009-12-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas From Our Family To You!

This was a tradition my family had when I was a teenager. We would go to the tree farm on Thanksgiving day, take a tree home and decorate it. Well after 6 years, we have finally bought one from that same farm. Not on Thanksgiving day. But fun, and a memory our family will cherish. We will cherish this memory not because it is a "Christmas Tree", but we will cherish it because there was no arguing, no fussing, we had our favorite adopted mom with us, we had prayer with the tree farm owner for him and his wife who broke her hip, we will cherish the newness of a new start for Ms. Rose, and the wonderful dinner she cooked for us and our other favorite adopted family members!

My twin boys actually cut the tree down by themselves.

Brings new light to the song: Oh Christmas Tree!

My oldest daughter is absolutely hilarious! We praise the Lord for our "little BIG family".

We praise the Lord God for Jesus and what He gave for us in His time and in His Will.

Crampedford...otherwise known as "dollworld"

2009-12-10T05:21:00.000-08:00

Here is what My three daughters and I have been up to lately. My oldest wants to call it Cranford. Love that show! But I refer to it as Crampedford! This is the bottom of her bunkbed turned into a two story doll house. Now you know what I want for Christmas? I wanna American Girl Doll! Ha, Ha. This has been such fun! The little sisters are getting to play too!

The dining room.

Here is the Kitchen. Homemade by the oldest girl. Gotta love that mini cast iron pan! It is real.

Here is one of our boarders now.

Kirsten is chatting with Millie and I have no idea what the baby's name is! I think it is Polly. but I could be so wrong!

Kit is decorating the home. Hopefully, it will continue to be fun for all three girls. But of course now the the oldest has this new home for her dolls, I told her she has to share with her little sisters. She said: " okay, I'll take on some boarders".

Well, this is what we have been up to lately!

Here I am...

2009-12-07T07:49:00.000-08:00

Here I am...

Beautiful skies are a blessing to me.

Motivate Me Monday

2009-04-20T04:36:00.000-07:00

Sarah Mae at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee is having her Motivate Me Monday. So, I thought I might have something to share.( Sorry, I forgot to link up to her blog earlier.)

Romans 13:14

"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

My flesh wants to be fulfilled. It wants me to eat things I should not. It wants me to think thoughts I should not. It wants me to go places I should not. It wants to sleep when I should be vigilant.

Sounds like self entitlement. Romans 13:14 is my new favorite verse. Because it is one of the hardest things to do as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, teacher, keeper of the home. Think about it. How easy is it to put on a movie to keep the children quiet for just 30 minutes? I don't know about your home, but it is so easy at mine.
How about, giving in to your flesh and yelling at the children or husband because you just needed to let off some steam?
For me it could be getting a snack that is not good for me and hiding in the bathroom so the children won't see me and ask for some too! Boy, is that a temptation of my flesh sometimes. But these are just some "fleshly" things. What about the spiritual?
I have always struggled spiritually being a mom. Getting just 15 minutes for a shower can be difficult for a new mom. Getting 15 minutes alone with our Savior is impossible! Or so we think...

I used to have a check list to check things like: fed the baby, fed the husband, fed myself, read the Bible, prayed, prayed for others. But in my own strength I failed. So I asked the Lord to help me. I still ask the Lord to help me! I am not super mom. I AM NOT SUPER MOM. Does my flesh want to be a super mom? Yes.
But what I am striving for is a follower of Jesus who happens to be a wife and mother.

I get easily sidetracked by the "duties" of a christiam homeschool mom. Then I get sidetracked by the "duties" of a pastor's wife. Then I get sidetracked by the world. Sounds funny altogether. By the world, I mean, fashion, hair styles, losing weight. These things feed my flesh. And this only happens to be bad for my flesh when I get my eyes off of the Lord! What about my spiritual fashion? What about my spiritual hair? What about my spiritual body?

So, my motivation for today is to put on Jesus! Not a fake appearance! The Real Jesus, the one who died for me. The one who conquered death. The one who Rose Again! The one who gave me newness of life!

I know how hard it can be to try so hard at something like being a great mom! All I can say is keep asking Him for peace, wisdom, and grace! He will give it to you. Praying in a closet is fine. But if you are like me, and you have all the children up already, remember you can go to Him in prayer standing at the sink, brushing your teeth, or changing a diaper. He wants you to ask for help. He wants to hear you need Him. He wants to give you that peace and wisdom and grace.

"Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

I know there is an abundance of spiritual things that I could list here other than reading His Word and Prayer. But as moms these are at the top of our "Spiritual List!"

2009-04-13T06:10:00.000-07:00

You know, I think I might have something to share...

Christ in us the Hope of Glory.

If Christ is in us, then we have hope.

Hope of Glory. What is that?

Something to look forward to, something to sing about, something to talk about, something to think about.

The Bible that God wrote to us...gives us many Glorious insights to live out. I get down, I get sad, I get mad, but I have noticed that if I were to concentrate on what the Lord has done in my life, where I came from to where I am now, I can say: Thank you Lord! I can sing Thank You Lord! I can share with my family and friends and even strangers How I am so thankful to Jesus for what He has given and done for me. Do I do it enough? No. Do I want to do it more? Yes.

You may think it comes easy to me, being a pastor's wife. But that is not what defines me. Christ in me the Hope of Glory is what defines me. What defines you?

Grace...God's Grace

2009-04-13T04:59:00.000-07:00

Like A Warm Cup Of Coffee is having a contest...

Oh, I love her Blog! I Love coffee! I love the Lord Jesus! Anyway, she wants a new tag for her blog.

Sarah Mae, thank you for asking all of us ladies to join to and help you find a tag for your blog.

I think this sounds good: "Like A Warm Cup Of Coffee
Full and brimming over by God's Grace."

2009-03-26T08:17:00.001-07:00

Oh How I love to tell the story...

I am so very sorry for the long, long time between writing. I just can't seem to get my act together sometimes.

But that is another story.

For today, I wish I had a wonderful crazy story for you all to read. I know that all the "great blogs" have them.

Hmmm.

Oh so many wonderful writers. Writers with guts, with glory, with triumphs, and sad stories.
That is why we all flock to them. We all want to be(or I want to be) friends with them. Share praying for them with others. What about the greatest story ever told?

Have you heard about Jesus? His story? What He did for me and for you?

If He were on a blog...and say He wrote all those things about Himself, would you listen?
Would you be willing to love Him and care for His triumphs and sad stories?

Jesus said: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand."

Oh how I want to see and hear and understand better! I pray for you all the same.

As I was driving to our little mission church yesterday evening, I looked and wondered at the people in the opposite lane. They all were headed somewhere, they all had a purpose for being in their vehicle, but do they know Jesus? Do they long to be in freedom of a clear conscience before God? Do I even want that? I do. In as much as I am able to. May God grant us mercy and clear consciences before Him.

New Day From The Lord

2008-12-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

Today is a new day from the Lord! It is chilly out and the children are eating lunch. And I am hoping to get some sewing done today. Oh how I love to create things! I love the way it looks when you are finished and pleased with the turnout.

I love the hum of the machine as you chug along. I love having an accomplished feeling. I love the smile of the one you gift your creations to.

One day I hope to be more creative. To give more to those I love and to those I am yet to meet and love. It is something to look forward to.

I am so blessed to know the Lord Jesus! He is not a figment of my imagination. He is not related to Santa. I know Him. He has shown Himself to me and my family in so many ways. Food when there was none! Clothes when there were none. Truth when no one could give some. Love when no one had any to give! Money when there was a job, but no money being earned. He has given through true believers. He has shown through His Word(The Bible). I am so thankful this season.

One particular thing that happened 5 years ago in December, was we had no money for gifts for our 6 children. And all 8 of us had the flu. (yucky) I believe it was a few days before Christmas day. People began to bring gifts for the kids, food(chicken soup) and bread, and sang carols to us. What a sight we must have been laying around with (puke pots) for each of us, too weak to get up. That was the quietest Christmas we've ever had! The children didn't have the energy to talk or walk for that matter! Oh but what a Glorious Holiday! My husband said the Lord showed up and blessed His people! I think five different families showed up in one day to pray with us and give gifts to the children. Wow! That is something that wouldn't have happened in all our other years before we were saved. Now I look back and smile. Now I praise the Lord for all that He has done in our lives and through others. "Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord!"

Updates, updates, updates

2008-10-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

I am so ready for fall to finally really be here. In Florida, we do not get a real change of seasons. One day it is hot and then all of a sudden, it is cold and the trees didn't seem to change. They do change, it is just not real noticable.

I am continuing to homeschool my six children and am very happy with the new math curriculum that we ordered from Rod & Staff. The house is in some disarray, but that is normal with a houseful of children. Especially when it is a three bedroom home!

But the children do help me with the housework. They have what I call "care rooms" that is, I assign a room for them to care for that week. Next week they switch and so on and so on. We are all under the weather a bit this week.

2008-08-15T05:02:00.000-07:00

Well, Here I am trying to keep up with all my blogs. Now I think I understand why so many people just give up. Oh well, I just wanted to learn how to do this stuff. I mostly just enjoy reading everyone else's very talented, creative, beautiful blogs! I don't know how to do all that stuff. So I just look and listen and learn from all ya'll. I have come accross some great blogs and just feel like I know these people. They are a blessing when I am low and seemingly friendless. I know I really am not friendless. You know it just feels that way sometimes. Jesus is a true friend indeed! And it a wonderful thing to see believers with blogs that are real people! May you be blessed.

Titus2:3-5

2008-04-30T04:33:00.000-07:00

Well, tomorrow I am off to Lake Yale to speak at a Ladies Conference. Pray for me! I am probably the youngest woman teaching. That can be unsettling, considering that Titus 2 actually says for the "older women" to teach the younger women! Where are all the "older" wiser women? How Many of you out there have an "older teaching the younger" mentor in the biblical way? If you do not, THEN PRAY for one! They can be so encouraging and edifying in difficult times and in the wonderful times!

verse 3: "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
verse4: That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
verse5: To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

Wow! I don't want the word of God to be blasphemed. I just want to follow Christ as I am supposed to! It is a daunting task at times. My mind plays tricks on me! It seems that just as I am thinking that I am doing okay...I find some other thing that needs to be booted out!

You see, we don't always "teach good things" with a set time to teach others. No. We teach others by our example. Someone is always watching us. Especially if you are in a leadership position.
Just going to Wal-mart for groceries is going to leave an impression on people you know that you run into and also on the check out lady or man. Believe me, when you have 6 children to take to the grocery store, people rubber neck like crazy! The check out person usually comments on how many kids I have and how do you do it? I mostly say: "Jesus. because without Him I wouldn't be able to do it."

That right there is an example. If my attitude is ugly. What do you think the check out person thinks about Jesus? Or christians in general? When we got saved we gave up the right to be mean and ugly. Not just in public, but at home too! I struggle with this. When momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Isn't that how that saying goes?

So, in verse 4 it talks about loving our husbands and our children. If you are not married yet, or if you have been divorced, don't lose heart. Jesus is the bridegroom. Do all that you do with love towards Him. Do all that you do "As unto the Lord".

Well, I will have to write more later. I have many things that need done. Have a blessed day!

Into the Hands Of the Potter

2008-04-11T04:45:00.001-07:00

There is a song on my mind as I go about my daily routine today! It is called Into The Hands Of The Potter by Caedman's Call. I love listening to this christian group all the time. It is encouraging to me as a believer in Christ Jesus! I am a pastor's wife with six children. Two sets of twins. Most people think we have three sets. Having clay pots formed in you from the potter is an interesting thing. I know I am being molded and then to have a molding take place within a molding is just an outright miracle from God.

There is no place I would rather be than in the Hands of the Potter.

On a funny note...not so far from where I live there is a house with a cute park bench in the front. On that park bench is a pot person. The head is a large pot, the body is several pots, the arms and legs are several pots. Every time we drive by there, it is decorated for whatever season it is. I want so badly to put a sign on it that says: "will the clay say to the Potter, why have you made me this way?" Just for fun mind you! But I wouldn't really trespass to do it. I think it is a fun thought though.

Aren't you glad we aren't the shapes of clay pots? That would be a wearisome task to find clothes to fit our bodies!

Have a blessed day today. And don't forget to Praise the Potter for all that He has made!

On the right track

2008-04-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

Am I on the right track?
Some might say no.
Some might say yes.
Some just don't know what to say.
I know what to say...
Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life.
That is being on the right track!
I am so happy that I have been made alive in Christ Jesus!