Happy Birthday!

Our first-born turned 9 today! Wow, where did that time go? Here she is with the gift her best friend sent her- a snow cone maker. It has been a hit with everyone in the house!



Lighting the candles on her Hannah Montana cake (of course!).


"Happy Birthday to you!"
Under the table...Daddy made her laugh instantly. The birthday cake game tradition continues...

Um yea, this one pretty much speaks for itself!

10 years...

10 years ago I married the love of my life- June 19, 1999. We've been through lots of ups and downs the past 10 years but I wouldn't trade it for anything. We're strong and we're tough-together. We've learned to work as a team and we are honestly each other's best friend. I look forward to another 40 or 50 years with this wonderful man. I can't wait to be that 80 year old woman holding my honey's hand!

I wish I had pictures!

Ok...so I wish I had pictures for you- but I don't. Tonight was so funny, hopefully the story alone will make you laugh.

We were all sitting around the dinner table, just finishing up when I thought, "I should do something completely random." I looked out the window at our pool and ever so calmly stood up and walked outside. Everyone just sat there chewing their food, wondering what it was I was going outside for. As I approached the pool ladder (still wearing clothes- no swim suit on!) I started to hear squeals from inside. I climbed up the ladder and then cannon balled into the pool.

By the time I came up and wiped the water from my eyes, just about every child was out the door and fighting to climb up the pool ladder. *Some kids were still chewing their last bite of food! They were all laughing and screaming- they couldn't believe I just jumped in the pool with my clothes on. So, they all followed suit (including Hubby)and jumped in the pool in their clothes.

I swam awhile and then got out to take care of Angel Baby- we played in the wading pool for awhile. I came in the house, dried off and rocked Angel Baby to sleep. Hubby and the kids are still out there swimming, laughing and screaming like crazy!

All because mom got a crazy idea- yea, I guess sometimes I'm just cool like that! hehe

A Classic

Today is just one of those days that I have a particular song stuck in my head- and it's a classic! I just love this song, I always have. So, I looked up the lyrics...then I went to YouTube...the song is old and so is the video. Somethings are just good- no matter how old they are (that's my opinion, of course). Have a great Sunday!




Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me

Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever

Heavy Heart

I write this post to you today with a very heavy heart. This blog was started to share our journey, joys and even sorrows. So, with the desire to be honest and forthcoming- and in sorrow- I write this post. And mostly, I want you to know that we aren't perfect and we (as a family and as parents) struggle every day just like each and every one of you.

For quite some time we have struggled with our two oldest Liberian children. They are very different children with different personalities and different backgrounds/history. Right now they are 18 years old and 17 1/2 years old. We've gone back and forth as to the reasons why they have struggled so much and have not been able to adjust into our family/family life. They are not bad people and we don't see them as that, we see 2 lost children who can't/won't trust anyone but themselves. We can see how this could have happened during their previous years in Africa (without parents, without a family structure, and having to take care of themselves even though they were in an orphanage- supposedly cared for). Life has not been kind to them, before coming here, and they are guarded. We know and understand this...

For 18 months now, we've been faced how much we allow our family (and other children) to be affected in trying to help 2 older children who don't want (or won't allow themselves) to be 'helped'. Our hope and prayer is that somehow, some day they will each learn to trust and allow someone to help them. We know God asked us to bring them here for a specific reason, what that reason is, we have NO idea. But, we've come to terms with the fact that we don't need to know. We just need to listen to God and obey what He asks of us.

As of now, both children are no longer in our home. Our oldest (the 18 year old) is living with a different family in a different state, by his choice. Our daughter (the 17 1/2 year old) is in a residential-type home. She struggles with so much anger and we're out of ways to help her on our own.

Even though things have turned out quite differently than we originally thought/hoped for, we still thank God for the opportunity to be parents to them (whether they are happy about it or not). We don't know what the future holds for them or for us. We, as parents, are working through the stages of grief. This is what we've worked through so far and where we are at:
1. Shock & Denial
2. Pain & Guilt
3. Anger and/or Bargaining
4. Depression & Reflection
5. Reconstruction & Working through
6. Hope & Acceptance

All of this to say, we are far from perfect and we want to be very honest about that. People have said to me, "You are wonder-mom. I don't know how you do it. It takes special people to do what you're doing. You must have un-ending patience, etc." I see myself as an ordinary person, relying on the strength from God to what He has called me to do. I desire to lead an extraordinary life but I need God's help to do that... and what I do has to be in His plan.

Even though our hearts are heavy regarding our two oldest children, we still have 6 more vibrant and happy children here under our roof! They are all so different and they keep us on our toes! We are blessed by our full quiver!

"In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

"Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, when they speak with their enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:5

An update- with pictures!

This day was so cute! Angel Baby became fond of this 'old' Barbie that sings "I love you the way you are and that will never change." The older girls played it over and over and on this day, she fell asleep to the Barbie singing!

All 4 tested for their new belts! I'm so proud of them- 3 have camo belts now and our 6 year old has a yellow belt with black stripe (that allows him to help out in his class).

After the home school conference, I gave the boys these 'Armor of God' play sets. They love them! It's great how they're learning about the sword of truth, breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, etc!


This was at Dear Daughter #2's Victory Ceremony at the completion of her school year. She received many awards for the year. Pictured with her is her teacher (and also the headmaster of the school as well as my good friend!).

Dear Daughter #2 with some of her girl friends from the school.


"Hey dad, what cha doin?"

"Mom, take my picture. I know it's not my birthday party but I can smile pretty. See???"


"Move over boys, dad is gonna show you how this racecar game is really played!"


Air hockey at the bowling alley (where Dear Daughter #2 wanted her 16th birthday party).


With some friends and little sister...


Awe- mommy and daddy love each other! But what's so funny?

The whole gang at the birthday party- it was hilarious watching them all bowl!

Blowin out her 16 candles...


Sisters love each other!

Too early

This morning has started all too quickly! It's just a few minutes before 8am and the kids are in full swing for the day. Hubby just called to check in on us to see how everyone is doing, I told him, "You're gonna have to pray for me. I think I may have to start getting up at 5am just to drink a cup of coffee and wake up!"

Princess woke up at 6:30 this morning and was disoriented when she walked into our bathroom. We need to replace the wax seal on our toilet in there so Hubby moved the toilet last night off of the old seal. It stared to leak and our wood floor is a little wet there so we need to wait until that dries to replace the toilet. She stood there for the longest time in absolute confusion, looking at the toilet. I tried to get her to be quiet because Angel Baby was sleeping in our bed....I ushered Princess out of the room and got her to the living room and turned some cartoons on.

"Mama, get my juice cup. Mama, I want Max and Ruby on. Mama, get my juice." I said, 'How about Mom, PLEASE may I have a juice cup? Mom can you please find me Max and Ruby?' She said, 'Yea Mom.'

So, I found an alternate show because Max and Ruby wasn't on (how dare them?)- it was the Little Mermaid...Praise the Lord! It would have been a show down if we would have had to watch something like Sesame Street or Franklin...why did she have to wake up so early anyway? She'll probably be a whining-machine until nap this afternoon. No coffee in my system yet, I could barely form thoughts at that point.

Angel Baby woke up. I nursed her and brought her upstairs to her crib and laid her down. I heard the bathroom door slam upstairs. I thought to myself, "By the end of the summer, I wonder how many doors I will have pulled down off the hinges?" I wonder who got woke up from that door slam? Angel baby stayed sleeping.... why can't certain children get the point not to slam doors?? I won't name names but it's the two who weren't taught consideration for others (and who are still learning). Still can't form many thoughts (other than the thought of no doors in the upstairs- only shower curtains hanging from every door frame).

I came downstairs and saw the 3 'middles' awake. I then knew who was the door-slamming culprit that woke up the other two... I'm trying to formulate a plan for the rest of the summer to get 'the culprit' out of the bedroom and downstairs to allow the other children to get their needed rest. In the past I've woken him up 10 minutes before he usually wakes up and ushered him down the stairs. I can then close the bedroom doors (quietly!) behind me and the 'noise-maker' is contained and can use the bathroom and wake up down here - where nobody will hear the slamming of doors...

Moving on-

I've tried to have the kids wait until 8am to eat breakfast. This usually gives me some time to formulate a plan or to cook something (if I planned previously). This morning I was bombarded at about 7:30. Still no coffee....thoughts....am I having thoughts at this point?? Some...I was thinking that I can't believe I'm going to have to 'plan' out mornings. Does this happen to other people? Maybe it's not so bad with just a few kiddos...maybe they're working in numbers....

Because of my lack of planning and my lack of awak-ed-ness (is that a word?) and my lack of coffee- I grabbed the couple of cereal boxes I keep on hand for 'breakfast emergencies.' I try not to serve cereal- it's not healthy- it's too expensive- and we can't afford the milk in all the bowls (even if all the kids drink it afterwards). I let them pick what cereal they wanted (Wheaties or Cheerios) and then poured them all a cup of juice (4 oz. to be exact- in matching cups so nobody could fight!). Coffee was brewing....

Princess came back into the kitchen with her bowl. "Mom, I don't like this one." I said, "Fine, I'll eat it. Come get a new bowl." I poured my coffee....

The two boys said, "Mom, can I have another bowl of cereal?" They asked again after the second bowl. I was thinking, "This is why I don't serve cereal. They have to eat a lot and don't get filled up anyway. They'll be starving in an hour...." $$$$$$$$ down the drain.....I will plan better tomorrow!

Drinking coffee....quickly....

"Mom, the baby stinks. You need to change her diaper again!" Oh yes....new diaper needed, badly.

"Everyone, when you are finished eating- please go and get your clothes, do your morning chores and head outside to do the animal chores."

They all go upstairs to get started...I should have known better- the fighting began... "Quit telling me what to do- I know how to make my bed (out of the boys room). "Hey, turn the light on, I can't see (screeched by Princess).

Cat on the table drinking milk out of the cereal bowl left there by Princess..... $$$$$$ down the drain and also into kitty's belly...

Big sissy wakes up and is reading her bible in bed.

"Mom, can we go swimming?" No, the pool isn't even done filling, I found 2 MORE holes and it's freezing!!!!!

"Oh, man! We want to go swimming- can we put the ladder in? Why didn't dad get the ladder out yesterday? Can we go swimming? Where are the other goggles?"

3/4 cup of coffee gone...

I went out and got the ladder out of the garage so the kids could clean it up. I was hoping it would take a little bit to keep their minds off the pool. The fighting started up again over the buckets of soap water, the scrub brushes, who was trying to climb the ladder to clean up on top, who was trying to spray off the ladder to rinse it, who was putting the scrub brushes in the toddler pool (bubbles were going everywhere), etc.

They all finished the ladder and moved on to the animal chores. The 3 middles switched into 'team work' mode and got everything done (as well as cleaning the dirty hay from the goat pen and cleaning out the rabbit cage). YEA!

Princess came in because she was hungry -she never ate her cereal (remember the cat?).

I fed Angel Baby and went upstairs to rock her to sleep. She fell asleep immediately and I tried 5 times to lay her in the crib (she kept waking herself up and would immediately start crying). She's trying to cut 4 top teeth at once and she also has a cold. Her schedule and her sleeping is ALL screwed up- I'll be glad when the teeth pop through and her cold is gone! I brought her back downstairs and put her in the stroller for the kids to take her outside.

"Mom, can we go swimming? We got our swimming suits on under our clothes so when you said yes we could just take our clothes off and go in!" "No! The pool still isn't filled up, there's a hole in the top ring that I'm going to have to find and fix and it's FREEZING!" Maybe I should just let them go in- then they'll leave me alone....when their lips are all blue!

The kids head down to the mailbox (even though I know it's too early for the mail to get here but I figured it would give me a couple of minutes). I think I need that second cup of coffee...

Princess comes in wearing her swimming suit armed with goggles and her pink floatie. "Mom, I want to go in the pool....."

I think 'Big Sissy' is the smart one. She ate breakfast when the kids were outside doing the animal chores, now she's back upstairs in the shower and then she's going to clean her room (in silence). She's got this thing figured out....

Kids are back from the mailbox. "Mom, the mail isn't here yet." "Oh, ok. Why don't you take Angel Baby around the loop (our circle driveway) two times and then come back.

"Oh, man! Yes, mom...."

Second cup of coffee poured.

~It's 9:45 now and I'm making a plan for my shower. Well, I was. Princess is now storming towards the house crying and screaming something at the other kids. I'll get there eventually...

So, you know you want to come here for a visit- to see all this in person. I have a friend who's blog is called "Life from the zoo." Maybe I should re-name this blog.... you could just come here and sit in the corner, drinking your coffee, and watch all this unfold right in front of your very eyes (and be thoroughly entertained!). Maybe someone could recommend us for one of those tv shows where a camera follows us around all day (atleast we'd get paid for this insanity!). hehe
Is this entertaining to you? It is to me.....

Thank you, God, that my life is so full and that our house is full! Thank you for the life you've given me, even when it's crazy. Thank you for the memories we're making every day. Thank you for making the coffee bean. Thank you for putting us in a state that allows the to play outside year-round. Thank you for allowing us to buy this house in the country where I don't have to worry about them playing in the yard by themselves. Thank you for my sense of humor. Thank you for the patience you've taught me, and I've learned, over the last 10 years (can you stop teaching me that now?). Thank you for the simple fact that an art project will turn the kids' focus from the swimming pool (even for 15 minutes). Thank you for my baby (even when she won't sleep and she's very cranky). Thank you for putting us in a country where we can home school our children (and I can focus on more character training this summer!) without being persecuted. Thank you for teaching me how to train my children to love and honor you more and more very day. Thank you for my hard working husband. Thank you for my blessed life!

Wonder Balm

Ok- so I've been making this recipe for a long time. Since before the African kids came home. I got it as a recipe for home made "hair grease." It has worked miracles on their ethnic hair- bringing it from brittle, falling out, thin, missing patches on their scalp hair to thick, luscious, shiny hair. Our family and some of our extended family have been using the balm for rough elbows, 'winter' dry hands and also for cracked/dry heels. Same results- miraculous!

When I went to the home school convention, I used throw away diapers for Angel Baby. She's got extremely sensitive skin and I tried to change them very often- but to no avail she got a raw bottom and a big red patch of raw skin from the disposable diapers. I tried Desitin for a day and it wasn't helping much- it started to make the one patch look like a scab. She was still in a lot of pain and I could barely wipe her skin. My immediate thought- THE BALM! I made a new recipe and modified it a little bit to help heal her back-side. The first day after using it, I could see the red turning to pink. No scabs, no pain when wiping, nothing... today is the 3rd day and I can barely see the spot. All redness is gone!

So, I had to share. Make some for yourself, share it, pass it on! Modify it how you want and see what it will do!

WONDER BALM
1 cup coconut oil (I use the cheap stuff at Walmart)- it's near all the oils
1 cup olive oil (I used flax seed oil when making the diaper balm)
1/3 cup beeswax (this is where I bought mine- it lasts a LONG time)
http://hiveharvest.com/index.html
*Essential oil for fragrance- but not necessary (we've used lavender or jasmine for girls and sandalwood and/or patchouli for boys). I used Melaleuca oil for the diaper balm (you can find Tea Tree oil at Walmart, I would use at least 1/2 tsp. to be therapeutic).

~You take your chunk of beeswax and shave off pieces to fill a 1/3 cup measuring cup (I use a cutting board and a big, sharp knife). Use a double boiler (I use an empty Pyrex bowl over a small pot of boiling water) to melt the beeswax. Then add in 1 cup of either oil. Let the beeswax get hot again and allow everything to melt completely. Then add in the remaining 1 cup of oil and stir/melt until everything is a liquid. Add your fragrance- it's trial and error how much you need. If you take a spoon out and allow it to cool, you can rub it into your skin and smell. If it's not enough fragrance, add more to your bowl.

I've stored the balm in pint sized canning jars or Tupperware type containers with lids. It really doesn't matter, use what you have. Just pour the VERY HOT liquid into your storage containers and seal (please keep little ones away from the stove when making this recipe). When I made this last batch it was for 3 different people. I doubled the recipe and added the fragrance to the storage containers instead of directly into the balm. That way each container had a separate fragrance and I only made it once.

*For the reusable diapers I just used a disposable liner (that's meant to go inside those kinds of diapers) to protect the diapers from the oils. Then when I washed them, I just rinsed one extra time (than usual) with hot water. Everything has worked out great!

I also use home made baby wipes. Here's that recipe if you're interested:
Bounty Napkins (half of the package- 100 napkins for each recipe)
2 cups water
1 Tbsp. baby oil (I use Burt's Bees)
1 Tbsp. baby soap, liquid hand soap or body wash
*I use lavender essential oil (I use about 10 drops in the water solution)
~Mix together the water solution in a container and add in the 100 napkins (half the package). Put the lid on the container and turn it upside down to allow all the liquid to soak through. When it's soaked through, turn it back over and VOILA...baby wipes!

I hope you can use these recipes, share them with others and LOVE them! Have a great day!

Helping Hands

This past weekend I attended the homeschool convention in Searcy, AR. I went two years ago and I was so excited to finally go back again. I had to come home early last time (remember my post about my Hubby and poison ivy??) I took along Angel Baby and Dear Daughter #3 (our 8 year old). She attended the children's program during the days and I had Angel baby with me. I experienced the convention to its fullest and saw all I wanted/needed to see. I made sure I covered every square inch of that convention- many times so I wouldn't miss anything.

The very last workshop I attended was about organization. I love to organize, always have. It interests me and I'm OCD at heart- I would label shelves if I could. Maybe some day when all the kids are grown and gone and I have nothing else better to do. Seriously, I dream about how I could organize shelves and label them...

Anyway, the woman who put on this workshop gave me a few new tips that I'll be putting into practice very soon. She also renewed my desire to organize the 'hot spots' in our home (and maintain them better) as well as tackle the rest of our attic -maybe.

Today I am revamping our chore lists for each child and placing them on a 'helping hands' board. Each child will have a small, magnetic white board with all their daily chores listed (weekly will be on a larger board where weekly/extra chores are listed for everyone). I'm going to have each child trace their hand on construction paper and cut it out. After laminating it, I will place a magnetic strip on the back and when they're working on a specific chore (each chore is in the form of a picture), they can place their 'helping hand' over that picture. They will move it from chore to chore until everything is completed.

I'm also changing up our weekly/ extra chore board a little by making rotating lists. There are a few extra things I've added that are divided up by everyone equally. I thought I would rotate those extra things so each child only does that particular task once or twice in a month. We rotate dishes so why not rotate things like vacuuming corners, cleaning certain windows of finger prints, dusting and wiping window sills/trim?

Now, if I can get a handle on all my lists...and organize those....

Song of the day

One of the things I've learned in the past few years is to remember to praise God, even in our lack. We've been through many hills and valleys, especially the last couple of years. God has used these recent years to teach us a lot about our faith and our priorities. I don't know why, but it still blows my mind when God comes through for us in big ways as well as small ways. I know He loves us and I know we have so many blessings, I know He would never leave us, I know, I know, I know... But the more I know and the closer I get to Him, it still blows my mind!

Today, God came through for us again- in a big way. Something that we've been trying not to stress about, something that is hard for us to not be in total control of. It seems that for us, God is an '11 1/2 hour' God in our times of need. He comes through on time, all the time- but not till the bitter end. This is no doubt to stretch our faith and to continue to teach us to rely on Him.

We have two more 'big things' that are right around the corner. Things that we MUST rely on Him for because we CANNOT do them on our own power. It's just not possible...

So, today, after God faithfully showed up yet again, I was just so overwhelmed and overcome with praise and thanksgiving. So, this is my song for the day. I've played it over and over, the chorus rings so true in my heart. I can't stop the tears from flowing, I can't thank Him enough for His continuing love and mercy... Thank you, Father...again.




I will love You, Lord always
Not just for the things You've done for me
And I will praise You all my days
Not just for the change You've made in me
But I'll praise You for You are holy, Lord
And I'll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more

CHORUS
For You are awesome, God of the Nations,
Lion of Judah, Rock of the Ages, Alpha, Omega
You're worthy of all praise
More than these hands I'll raise
I'll live a life of praise
I'll live a life of praise

I will serve You, Lord always, for You are my strength
When I am weak
I will never be afraid for You are my rock and You protect me
But I'll praise You for You are holy, Lord
And I'll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more

'Mom, I like being a girl'

Dear Daughter #3 was in the car with me yesterday as we drove to check out a newly opened 'second hand' store. I had Princess and Angel Baby with me too, so it was just us girls. We looked around for a few things and then browsed through the 'flea market' items that were up front. Princess picked a pink, sparkly purse, some lip gloss and some plastic bracelets. DD#3 got a 'rhinestone' anklet, lip gloss and a floral print skirt. Pretty much all the kids got one or two things (I really went in there for shorts for the boys!).

On our drive home, DD#3 said to me, "Mom, I like being a girl. We get to wear makeup, dresses and we can have babies. Boys can't do that."

Well said, my dear, well said.

I love technology!

Well, this is partly true and partly sarcastic. You see, this is the first time in about 3 or 4 days (I can't even remember!) that I've been able to use our satellite internet on our home computer. Praise the Lord we were able to spring for a cheap laptop a few months ago and categorize it as a 'business expense.' I've been able to transfer some things over to the laptop and bring it with me to church/ school and download things. When the weather gets anything but perfect, our satellite internet is VERY slow or doesn't even work at all!


I got an iPhone about two years ago and after a few months of using it, I put it in the drawer. Now, mind you this is the 'old' iPhone- not the cool and super powerful 3G iPhone... We didn't have wireless internet at home then and had zero reception out here so the phone was basically useless for a lot of the fun stuff. I got so frustrated with it, I put it in the drawer until about a week ago.

I've been hearing about, looking at and dreaming about all the different 'apps' I could be using. I have a Facebook account and knew I could be linking my messages/status with my phone and it just bothered me that I couldn't do any of that (and I WANTED to!). Hubby told me that he thought a new tower went up near us for AT&T. That was all I needed to hear to drag that old iPhone out of the drawer and do some number crunching to see if we could afford to activate it. I talked to the AT&T people and found the cheapest plan (and data plan) possible so our cellphone payments wouldn't go up hardly at all.

I switched my service over to AT&T and did all the messy business of moving my number over, etc. I had an account there before so old stuff needed to merge with the new stuff, etc. I got it all done, found some cool 'apps,' downloaded them to my iTunes (which took forever on our slow satellite)...and....no change in my phone....WHAT??? Then the bad weather hit so I had zero way to download anything or try to fix my phone (which I had wiped out in hopes to restore with new information).

It ate away at me...I tried to ignore it...I tried to 'make' the home computer work....it ate away at me some more. UGH!!!!!!!!!!! Technology is supposed to help people, not make them want to tear their hair out!

Long story short, after our power was out for 8 hours and all the schools were closed because a tornado went through our town- I packed up the kids (and my laptop) and went to our church. The kids played upstairs in their rec room and I used the wi-fi. PRAISE THE LORD- I was able to accomplish everything I wanted to do (in a short amount of time)! Although, now I want to move because the internet is SO fast with high speed service. Too bad I can't live in the country, in the middle of the city.

I suppose there's just some things I'll have to learn to deal with, maybe. **And if you see me carrying my laptop around- everywhere I go, you know why...

Set your mind and DO IT!

I'm watching Joyce Meyer this morning and she's talking about something that has just become a huge confirmation for me! God's been speaking to my heart constantly the last few days and I'm finally understanding now that these reoccurring themes aren't coincidences. First of all, I never watch tv past 6:30am (and it's the news that early in the morning). It's never on during this time of day but as I was enjoying my biscuits and chocolate gravy, I clicked the tv on to see what the dvr was recording. And there she was, Joyce. She was talking and I listened...

Anyway, God gave me this scripture yesterday:
John 10:10- The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life- life in all its fullness.

So, when Joyce said this very thing- a little bell went off in my brain- IMPORTANT!!! God has been speaking to my heart that in whatever I set my mind to do, the 'thief' will come and try to destroy my plans. That's been happening a lot lately with many things in my life. I've been battling it over and over again. What occured to me is that I haven't 100% set my mind to these things or I wouldn't be in these battles.

So, today, I profess that all the things I have been 'trying' to set my mind to do- I will do it with the joy of the Lord! I am setting my mind (100%) and I will not let the thief come in to try and steal, kill or destroy. For the joy of the Lord is my strength and I will be victorious over these circumstances!

Lesson Learned!

This last week I learned a very valuable lesson- PATIENCE! While I've been working on acquiring this skill for many years, it became very real for me this week. We've been cleaning up the yard and getting ready for summer- cleaning sticks, removing leaves, planting, etc. Hubby cut some of the trees on our land in the fall and there were some LARGE limbs hanging out by the side of our shop- the precise area I want to put the new goat pen. Well, I'd been looking out the window for a long time....watching that area and I got sick of waiting. The yard has been exceptionally wet from lots and lots of rain. It's like walking on a sponge out there...lots of standing water in low lying areas. My thought process was that it would be a good time to start pounding the stakes in for the new fence. Easier to pound stakes while it's wet than when the ground is rock hard...right?

So, the kids and I ventured outside to start cleaning up that area. I put Angel Baby in the stroller and put on my garden (work) gloves. I was full of energy and was going to do the job myself- NO MORE WAITING ON MY HUSBAND TO DO IT!

I started to gather the large limbs, pulling them out of the mud and piling them up. I got the 4 wheeler and used the cable/winch to cinch them up and then dragged them away. I did that with 3 large loads and I was feeling good about myself. The kids helped pick up the little sticks and gathered them all in the wheel barrow. I looked over at the edge of the shop at an old machine tire (it's big like a tractor tire) that daily makes itself known and sticks out like a sore thumb.

I walked over there and saw some old wire that was laying around by the tire. I bent down and picked it up with the intention of dragging it behind the shop until hubby could tell me what he wanted with it. No harm in cleaning up a little, right? We don't need clutter out for everyone to see...atleast it could be hidden until disposed of, right? Atleast I wouldn't see it anymore....

I began to pull it and then met resistance. I thought it was just caught around that old tire so I yanked it with all I was worth- sure that it would pull free of whatever was holding it. Just about the time I yanked, I got a sharp pain in my back that about sent me to my knees. The wire was stuck underneath the tire and wasn't moving....neither was I at that point.

I gathered the kids and pushed Angel Baby back to the house. I laid the two littles down for their naps and then laid myself on the couch. I reflected on the moment and how 'not' smart that was- all the while being in extreme pain. I realized it wasn't so bad to wait on my husband because he's a lot stronger than I am and won't injure himself trying to pick up heavy things..... a lesson in pride and patience, all at once!

Hubby came home and I told him what I did. He smirked at me and then headed out to that spot, cut up part of the old tree lying there and hauled everything away. That spot is now 'fence' ready... that first day I couldn't even stand up straight or hold Angel Baby. It took 4 days for the spasms to stop and for me to stop yelling out in pain everytime I moved. Hmmmm- did I get the point? Oh yes...I got it...

Grandma's Scissors

Well, if you've read my blog for awhile- you know I always have a story behind the story. I'm sitting here tonight picking the fuzzies out of the velcro tabs in Angel Baby's cloth diapers. For any of you who have (or have had) babies, you know what I'm talking about. Somehow, in the wash, fuzzies collect in anything velcro. It drives me crazy! While my fingertips were becoming numb I thought to myself, there has got to be a better way! I went to my sewing table and pulled out a tiny pair of scissors.

The scissors have worked awesome to scrape out the fuzzies, making the job a lot faster and less time consuming. I began to think about the scissors and how it reminded me of my grandmother, a special summer and her sewing scissors.

One summer when I was around 14 or 15 years old, my grandmother was confined to bed. I can't remember if it was when she was recovering from lung cancer surgery or if it was from the osteoporosis in her back that caused her extreme pain. All I remember was that she spent many months in bed.

I walked to grandma and grandpa's house nearly every day and spent lots of time there. I would go with grandpa to run errands, visit my great aunt, cook meals in their kitchen & watch him as he tinkered in the shop. Other times I would simply go and lay down with grandma in the bed for hours at at time. We would talk, look out the window and she would tell me stories of days-gone-by. Towards the end of the summer, grandma ventured out of bed a little more for short periods of time. That summer she taught me how to sew and how to use a sewing machine. She helped me make a beautiful skirt- long and flowing. She probably did most of the work but she made me feel like I 'made' my own skirt.

Her easy chair was in the living room, next to it was an end table and next to that was a card table on top of which sat her sewing machine. The end table held a cookbook or two, usually some newspaper clippings and a cup. The cup held some pens, pencils, a seam ripper and a little scissors. She always grabbed for that little scissors when she was tearing out a seam or fixing my many sewing 'boo-boos.'

As I sat here tonight using my little scissors, I thought of grandma because my scissors look just like hers did. Once upon a time, I came across this website that sold old fashioned sewing and homemaking items. It was there that I saw the stork scissors. I immediately recognized them as the same kind my grandma had and I wanted some for my sewing collection. These little scissors reminded me of such a sweet summer and some very special moments with my grandma.

All because of a pair of scissors.

God- You reign

Reign:

Noun

1. the period during which a person is the official ruler

2. a period during which a person or thing is dominant

Verb

1. to rule

2. to be supreme

Random pics- lots of fun!

Dance practice for the recital- she's tapping!

Tap shoes too- only this one is the hokey pokey!

So happy...

One of our new baby chicks. We cleaned them out of the 15 layers that were left- this week I'll be back to get 10 more.

One of our two new baby bunnies. Too cute- Princess loves this one.

The 'not-so-new-kids-on-the-block.' There's a white goat missing somewhere in the pic.


Have you ever seen a potato like this? I reached in the bag for what I thought was a good sized baker and came out with this. Hmmmmm...couldn't resist the photo-op!

Don't be ordinary- be extraordinary!

Sister Love

I grew up with one sister (I'm the big sister), so I've learned how important it is to have that bond with a sibling. While I wasn't the nicest sister when we were growing up, there were still moments we 'loved' each other. I hope that our parents noticed some of those times when we got along especially well and loved on each other more than usual. Those times are extra special- I've also come to find out- to take note of as a parent. I remember, as we got older, we used to have sister days. I had my driver's license then and we would take off with no idea where we were going or what the day had in store for us. We had fun and we always made memories. Those memories stay in my mind and my heart and I'm so happy I had the privilege of growing up with such a cool sister. Now that we're grown-ups, I'm pretty sure she got the 'cool' gene- I just try to keep up with her... **Love you, Sissy!

Today, Dear Daughter #2 has surgery for a small umbilical hernia. I knew it was there since she came home from Africa, but I waited awhile and got the more serious health issues taken care of with all the children. She started complaining it hurt a month ago and I knew it was time to have it fixed. She told me that she doesn't remember NOT having a puffy belly button so her new navel should be extra special to her...

Hubby brought her early this morning and I got there with the other children as she was waiting in the recovery room. I was able to go back there for a few minutes and when she peeked her eyes open she said, "Oh, hi mom." Then she fell back to sleep. The nurses kept looking at me as I was rubbing her hair and talking to her (even though she was asleep). You see, she is my baby and I love her just as if she came from inside of me. There's no difference in my heart. I think people seem confused some times when they see our family- that's ok, I think it's fun to keep them guessing! We've had a few people ask if I'm her foster mom and I proudly answer, "Nope, she's ours forever and ever!"

When she was brought to her regular room, all the kids said a quick hello before we left to come home. Princess wouldn't leave her side and she kept doing things to try and make her sissy laugh. I think Princess was nervous that she was sleeping and wasn't sitting up and talking (as usual). Princess gave DD#2 a little stuffed animal she brought from home and then felt secure enough to leave her Big Sissy there with Hubby. Hubby stayed with her for the next couple of hours as she fully came out of the anesthesia.

Big Sissy was home and in bed by the time Princess woke up from her nap. Princess went straight in her room and hasn't left her side but twice since 3pm. DD#3 was pretty nervous that Big Sissy would be in pain and she couldn't even eat lunch. She had some emotional moments because Big Sissy said her belly was sore. Once Big Sissy sat up in her bed and the 3 girls started to watch a movie together, DD#3 calmed down a little because she could see everything was 'ok.' Big Sissy just ventured down stairs to kiss Angel Baby. I said, "Hi, what are you doing down here? Are you feeling ok?" She said, "I'm fine. I just missed Angel Baby today." She leaned down and kissed the two littlest girls and gave them both hugs. Princess followed Big Sissy upstairs and they are sitting together on the bed watching another movie.

These tender moments are really pulling on my heart strings today because I'm realizing how precious this really is. Our bio kids 'naturally' have a bond, but to see this extra special kind of love is really a miracle in my eyes. A year and a half ago, none of these kids knew each other. Today there are 4 girls that are bonded tighter than glue. I can't help but think of their future and their sister days to come. I'm so excited for them as they grow up and then have families of their own. These bonds will carry through many years and many experiences. I'm so glad to have been a part of this day and to have witnessed this miracle!

The things I see

As I sat in my chair this morning and picked up the laptop, these are the things I could see:
~The living room is 'full' in every corner. The clutter could eat away at me but I've begun to get comfortable with it (for a short time) until I can get to it all. I see baby toys all piled up in front of my chair. Angel Baby can sit on her own now and she enjoys emptying the toy bin and banging all the toys around. I see a 'nuki' on the floor (pacifier)- Angel Baby loves her nuki (we have LOTS of them around).
~I see two sippie cups on my end table. One from Princess' morning juice and one from Angel Baby last night while I was at church (she's still learning, she likes to chew on it more than anything).
~I see Hotwheel cars (among other sized toys cars) all piled up in the corner by the fireplace. No doubt the boys were racing them and seeing who could make their car 'fly' the fastest. It looks like all the cars crashed there in the corner- and that's where they stayed.
~I see our electric screwdriver on top of the fireplace insert along with the Dominos game and various toys that need to return to the toy room. Good place to store these things when there's no fire going...right? It's next to the toy room....but not quite there yet.
~I see folded laundry on the coffee table from yesterday (I folded 3 loads while sitting on the couch and multi-tasking various other things. There's also about 3 loads of clothes the girls pulled off the line for me last night when I was at church- they are heaved on the couch in a mountain.
~I see a baby blanket and 3 throws all piled up in one of the chairs from last night's movie night. The kids (and Hubby) all like to cuddle up together under one or more blankies.
~I see two boxes I pulled from the back of the attic. One had all our wedding memorabilia in it (our guest book, feather pen, unity candle, cake topper and some other various candles). I lovingly placed them for display above our entertainment center. It's been about 7 years since those things have been displayed. The kids love seeing it. The other box held my two favorite tea pots and all the glass vases we had on the reception tables at our wedding. I'm donating the vases to our church so they can be used.
~I see two unfinished sewing projects. One is a shopping cart cover for Angel Baby (can we say EWWWWWWW! to shopping cart germs?) and the other is a pair of gaucho pants I cut out of African fabric. I think I'll have to sew my own capris and pants for this summer- why don't stores sell pants that will fit my shape???? Oh well, atleast I can buy some cute tops to go with my homemade 'bottoms.'
~I see a messy high chair from Angel Baby's breakfast consisting of a graham cracker and bananas.
~I see my flip flops, one of Princess' flip flops and my slippers next to the couch. Everyone else listens to my rule about putting shoes away- how come I can't follow my own rule? Uh oh, hypocrite mom.....

This is just my living room. The rest of the house is about the same this morning. I will walk along all day picking these things up and returning them to their rightful place. Tomorrow, I will do it again. This kind of stuff used to drive me crazy but you know what? This is the stuff memories are made of. My kids don't live in a 'museum house.' The kind where nothing is ever out of place. This house is the kind of house where an occasional goat sneaks in the door, the outside cat jumps on the table and tries to drink the Kool-Aid (all the while one of the kids try to peel him off and he's hanging on for dear life to the table cloth), mud comes flying off my boys' boots as they run in to give me flowers, the dogs play and chase each other around the house (trying to make it to the food bowl) and a place where the clothes line is ALWAYS full (day or night).

Really, I wouldn't have it any other way. There will be a day when the house is empty and we're waiting for grandkids to arrive. It will be then all my things will be in place and nothing will be a mess- until my precious grandbabies get ahold of everything, then I'll start all over again- with a smile on my face!