So with all the new blogs starting up, I thought I should go ahead & use my own blog for sharing. We have started school and this week will finish up our 3rd week already! So far we're mostly enjoying it, but I've had a few stressful days that have made me fear having a new baby in the house and school too. In the end my thoughts always take me to "one day at a time" or even one moment at a time and to "trust in the Lord with ALL my heart and lean NOT on my own understanding".
On a high note, we have started notebooking this year & I am loving it! (When we do it that is :0) It's SO easy to get caught up in the workbook mentality & "school at home" mentality, but it is NOT what works best in this household! Especially not with my adding a new "little" every other year or so. AND my babies tend be colic AND I tend to get postpartum depression...SO....I need something flexible that the kids can do mostly on their own AND do NOT complain about!
Our notebooks may not look like others, but we are just starting out and I want it to be pleasurable and easy. So these are my requirements: put out a good effort and use ones OWN creativity. THAT'S it! And it has brought about written and artistic endeavors that any mom would be proud of. SO easy, fun, and doable!
Another change I'm intending on doing, but have yet to test out is, nature study. Where one sits and studies nature AND records it in some way. Either by writing, drawing, or both. (And is actually science, language or art! Yay!) I went & splurged on palm size sketch pads, drawing pencils, and nice colored pencils. My hope is that the kids would use the skills they have to do something worth keeping. Hence, both the notebook and nature study ideas. Less me and more them!
I also added art dvd's. So far we did one video session and drew along with the dvd. We all enjoyed it, but thought it got a bit long. Yeah, even for me! Anyway, I'm excited to have an excuse for some less "serious" school when we want and can legitimately still call it school! Lol!
One more thing I added is copywork. This isn't entirely new for us, but I haven't done it so purposefully before. I splurged (again!) and bought the oldest 5 composition books. Colten and Emily got leather covers because they're in high school, but the other kids' actually only cost me $.50 each and are regular composition books, but the binding is still sewn nicely. Anyway, I want them to want to do their best work in them so I bought them something nicer than your ordinary notebooks. I have read that copywork is good for spelling, writing, and grammar (Besides handwriting, of course!) AND if you have them copy the Bible or other worthwhile writings they also may get history, science, poetry, Bible etc.
Last, but not least, I am requiring Colten & Emily to do an in-depth Bible study on a verse of their choice every day for 20 min. They will copy the verse, look up and write down any words they don't know or are interested in knowing more about, and look up any reference verses. I want them to journal their thoughts about what they are learning as they go. I told them it's for their own benefit and use and that I won't be looking at it.
So that is all the "new" things I have added for this year. We may (will) change things as we go along, but for now that is what we're looking at. Of course, we still have math, science, language, assigned reading etc. depending on who you may be, or what "grade" you may be in. Oh, and I bought a big bouncy ball for the kids to do four square with in the basement when the weather is bad. I know I'm probably in over-drive. I tend to do that when I get so close to having a new baby!! Only 8 weeks left! But I'll leave THAT for another day ;0)
Showing posts with label Journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Journal. Show all posts
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
We just finished up another true story last night. It was a very good read, though perhaps somewhat detailed in the beginning. It's about 28 men who try to cross the Continent of Antarctica in August 1914. The story is actually unbelievable at times. The men face intense danger, fatigue, and extreme weather. I don't want to give away the ending, but this story is truly inspirational. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under 10 simply for the amount of detail it gives that may be boring for the younger kids. (We own this book ourselves, if any of you close by want to borrow it.)
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Update...inspired by you, Elisa!
Ok, let's see if I know how to blog anymore...lol.
Our days seem to be full to over flowing all the time. Carson has been busy working and keeping the business going. It takes up all of his time and then some. We did take a much needed family vacation at the end of September. We went to Long Beach and stayed in a rental house for 4 nights. We brought bikes for everyone and a bike trailer for Jamen and Evelyn. Riding bikes on Discovery Trail was definitely the highlight of our trip.
Discovery Trail is a several mile long trail that runs along the ocean a little ways up in the dunes. You can see the ocean from the hills at times and hear the ocean too! It's paved and the hills are gently rolling so it isn't too much work for even the littlest ( or the oldest...lol) We even rode at sunset one night and stopped to watch the sunset before heading back. A very nice memory! (Since this post is not supposed to be about our vacation I'll have to move on, but hopefully I can get a post on here about that soon.)
We are full swing into our school year, but it's been different for us because so much has changed. Life circumstances have made me relax a lot about having a set curriculum or scheduled days and focus WAY more on the most important; Bible, character training,and relationship. With Colten working 2 days a week, he's not home nearly so often. I have two high schoolers, but I have found that my requirements for high school have been mostly met already so now it's time to explore other interests (and vocational training for Colten).
Colten is still hoping to learn to be an auto mechanic, but we'll see if his interest holds. He bought his first truck and has to pay for half his insurance and clothes so working might get to be more attractive. I don't plan on pushing him into being a mechanic or anything else, but I do want to provide him with the opportunity he needs to do what he's called to do.
Emily is totally into writing poems and continues to write, read about writing, and be published once a month in a local newsletter. She writes beautiful poems from her heart. She also finds time to do housework, play with the "littles", sew, crochet, read, or bake. She just recently made her first two yeast breads and they turned out very nice.
Dustin was very excited to work through Hunter's Education online. He got 100% on nearly every test. He did the required field day last Saturday and now has his certificate and hunting license. He is anxiously waiting for opening day of hunting season, which happens to be this Saturday. He just bought his first gun from Uncle Marlon so he's even more excited! And he still likes to be a clown every now and again.
Kenyon is busy being a boy still. He spends hours playing with Damara and Jamen. They play in the sandbox, swing for hours, and build houses for rubber girls and little army guys. He does spend time with Dustin and Colten, but with Colten gone so much a lot of things aren't quite like they used to be. (They used to spend lots of time playing baseball and basketball) He is also getting more into reading for fun and taking care of Evelyn.
Damara's reading has improved a lot in the last little while. She can now read enough to do her school books without too much of a struggle. We had quit her books for most(all?) of last year due to the fact that she just couldn't keep up. She is about half way through her first grade books still, but she is improving! It's such a great relief to me! She also spends a lot of time caring for Evelyn and playing with Jamen.
Jamen LOVES to spend time playing in the sandbox with the water running from the hose! He spent most of this lovely fall weather doing just that. He also enjoys learning about animals still and has become very good friends with Damara. He enjoys Evelyn too, but tends to tease her too much. He is definitely our "baby" boy still and gets away with laying in bed with me until Carson has finished brushing his teeth.
Evelyn is a crazy monkey. She is constantly on the move and tends to break more things than not. She is SO much happier than she was, and much more predictable. That is SO nice for me! She still sleeps so-so, but does usually take a 20-30 min. nap or two (and up to 60 min. when she's held) during the day. Believe it or not that is an improvement. She tries to talk and do whatever the rest of us are doing. She sings songs, dances, walks, wears shoes (she just recently decided shoes were okay and now she's excited about them. She even clomped around with one of my sandals on earlier), she is stubborn and determined, and very vocal about her wishes. Maybe she is a little spoiled. It's pretty hard not to be with so many to cater to her. She says; up, go, bye, hi, da, mama, tries to say belly button, and many other things. Yesterday, she would say "Cheese!" with a goofy grin when I told her, "Say, cheese." for a picture.
I usually spend my time running in circles and spinning my wheels without getting anywhere. I think that is the main reason I have to focus on Bible and the other important stuff, I would feel useless if I didn't know I was at least doing the one most important thing each day. And that pretty much sums it up. Good night & God's peace!
Our days seem to be full to over flowing all the time. Carson has been busy working and keeping the business going. It takes up all of his time and then some. We did take a much needed family vacation at the end of September. We went to Long Beach and stayed in a rental house for 4 nights. We brought bikes for everyone and a bike trailer for Jamen and Evelyn. Riding bikes on Discovery Trail was definitely the highlight of our trip.
Discovery Trail is a several mile long trail that runs along the ocean a little ways up in the dunes. You can see the ocean from the hills at times and hear the ocean too! It's paved and the hills are gently rolling so it isn't too much work for even the littlest ( or the oldest...lol) We even rode at sunset one night and stopped to watch the sunset before heading back. A very nice memory! (Since this post is not supposed to be about our vacation I'll have to move on, but hopefully I can get a post on here about that soon.)
We are full swing into our school year, but it's been different for us because so much has changed. Life circumstances have made me relax a lot about having a set curriculum or scheduled days and focus WAY more on the most important; Bible, character training,and relationship. With Colten working 2 days a week, he's not home nearly so often. I have two high schoolers, but I have found that my requirements for high school have been mostly met already so now it's time to explore other interests (and vocational training for Colten).
Colten is still hoping to learn to be an auto mechanic, but we'll see if his interest holds. He bought his first truck and has to pay for half his insurance and clothes so working might get to be more attractive. I don't plan on pushing him into being a mechanic or anything else, but I do want to provide him with the opportunity he needs to do what he's called to do.
Emily is totally into writing poems and continues to write, read about writing, and be published once a month in a local newsletter. She writes beautiful poems from her heart. She also finds time to do housework, play with the "littles", sew, crochet, read, or bake. She just recently made her first two yeast breads and they turned out very nice.
Dustin was very excited to work through Hunter's Education online. He got 100% on nearly every test. He did the required field day last Saturday and now has his certificate and hunting license. He is anxiously waiting for opening day of hunting season, which happens to be this Saturday. He just bought his first gun from Uncle Marlon so he's even more excited! And he still likes to be a clown every now and again.
Kenyon is busy being a boy still. He spends hours playing with Damara and Jamen. They play in the sandbox, swing for hours, and build houses for rubber girls and little army guys. He does spend time with Dustin and Colten, but with Colten gone so much a lot of things aren't quite like they used to be. (They used to spend lots of time playing baseball and basketball) He is also getting more into reading for fun and taking care of Evelyn.
Damara's reading has improved a lot in the last little while. She can now read enough to do her school books without too much of a struggle. We had quit her books for most(all?) of last year due to the fact that she just couldn't keep up. She is about half way through her first grade books still, but she is improving! It's such a great relief to me! She also spends a lot of time caring for Evelyn and playing with Jamen.
Jamen LOVES to spend time playing in the sandbox with the water running from the hose! He spent most of this lovely fall weather doing just that. He also enjoys learning about animals still and has become very good friends with Damara. He enjoys Evelyn too, but tends to tease her too much. He is definitely our "baby" boy still and gets away with laying in bed with me until Carson has finished brushing his teeth.
Evelyn is a crazy monkey. She is constantly on the move and tends to break more things than not. She is SO much happier than she was, and much more predictable. That is SO nice for me! She still sleeps so-so, but does usually take a 20-30 min. nap or two (and up to 60 min. when she's held) during the day. Believe it or not that is an improvement. She tries to talk and do whatever the rest of us are doing. She sings songs, dances, walks, wears shoes (she just recently decided shoes were okay and now she's excited about them. She even clomped around with one of my sandals on earlier), she is stubborn and determined, and very vocal about her wishes. Maybe she is a little spoiled. It's pretty hard not to be with so many to cater to her. She says; up, go, bye, hi, da, mama, tries to say belly button, and many other things. Yesterday, she would say "Cheese!" with a goofy grin when I told her, "Say, cheese." for a picture.
I usually spend my time running in circles and spinning my wheels without getting anywhere. I think that is the main reason I have to focus on Bible and the other important stuff, I would feel useless if I didn't know I was at least doing the one most important thing each day. And that pretty much sums it up. Good night & God's peace!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Mom, life & Heaven...
It has been a long time since I wrote from my heart...there is a lot of sadness, pain, and things that I just don't understand in this life. I still miss my mom, sometimes as much as when she first went home to heaven and sometimes I go days or weeks between really thinking about her at all. Have you ever lost someone so close to you? Do you understand that it's not just the person, but the life you had before they died that you also miss?
We had many months and, even years, to prepare for Mom dying. She was sick for 4 1/2 years with her brain cancer (once it began showing new growth) and then her breast cancer. We spent hours, and perhaps days, wondering if today, this moment, was her last moments. She went from unable to talk and semi-conscious, at times, to being alert and even able to talk some.
Our kids were used to sitting at Grandma's side and knowing she may be leaving to heaven soon. We were used to spending many evenings singing as a family. We were used to praying fervently for Grandpa, Grandma, Marissa, and Marita. We were used to the uncertainty of the next phone call. Would this be the call that would change our world forever?
But when the time came, it was more subtle than we expected. It came so quietly that we were left wondering if this was just another bad spell or the real thing? Personally, I had prayed for years that Mom wouldn't have to suffer too much. She did though. She suffered so much. And she "chose" to suffer even more by doing radiation and chemo both with uncertain results (and at least one had very uncomfortable side effects). All for us. Especially for Dad, Marissa, and Marita. She lived the meaning of love.
I remember a phone call I had with Dad about 3 weeks before Mom died. I think it was a Saturday or Sunday morning. I may have called him to see how things were going, I don't remember. I do know that our conversation turned to Mom and he voiced how bad she was doing. She wouldn't/couldn't swallow her pills, eat, or drink hardly at all. He was worried, but he had just taken her in because of a second stroke about 1 month earlier and there was no new growth in her brain. So he was thinking that this is it. This is life. I need to "buck up" and deal with it. I told him that it was time to sit by her side and love her. I think I knew instinctively that she was nearing the end. But he was unable to believe this. I think it was a combination of not wanting to, and the fact that she had held on so long.
I believe it was this same weekend (August 20th) that we visited there and Mom was so tired. She was in her wheelchair, but she was bent almost in half, her chin practically resting on her lap. Dad was a little upset because he couldn't get her to take her pills. I bent down to look into Mom's eyes and I asked, "Are you tired?" She answered, "Yes," she was. Dad decided to put her in bed, but ran to the bathroom first. While she was sitting there waiting, a kitten came scampering through the kitchen, sliding on the linolium floor, and Mom chuckled. She was still in there, but just barely.
It was this evening that Mom told my family "bye". We decided to head out the door as Dad was changing Mom behind the curtain. So I called through the curtain that we were leaving. Our youngest, Damara, was already sleeping in the rig. And just because it was easier, we had the rest of the kids in the rig too. Dad said to wait, that Mom wanted to say bye.
So, reluctantly, we waited. I know it may sound bad, but the truth was that it was getting so hard to see Mom suffering that sometimes it was just easier to rush off and pretend all was well. So, that was my intent. To leave while they were busy and just shout bye on the way out, but God had other plans.
Carson & I went in to say bye and Mom got upset. She started trying to say something, it came out kinda jumbled up and I wasn't sure what she wanted, but suddenly she motioned toward the door and I heard "Missy, Mindy!" Somehow I understood she wanted to say bye to my kids. So in they all came, Carson held Damara who still slept, and Mom hugged and kissed them all goodbye. I know I hugged her before we went and laid my head on her chest. I think I had tears in my eyes too, but it was so common to cry in my heart, even if it didn't show on my face, that I don't remember for sure.
About a week later, we learned that Mom was indeed dying. The growth in her brain was to the point that all we could do was wait. She would likely be leaving us as soon as 2 weeks. It was Friday, August 24th, Mom & Dad's 34th wedding anniversary when Dad brought Mom into the ER. And Sunday the 26th when we later learned that she was really dying. It was surreal. I didn't cry, moan, or wail. I think I just said, "Oh," when I heard. I was so weary of seeing Mom suffer that it was kind of bittersweet news. I had peace.
Then began the best two weeks of my life. Yes, you read that right. The very best. We were at the gates of heaven with her waiting for Jesus to come take her away from her pain and her suffering. We sang, we cried, we sat by her side. Finally we began to sleep the night there. All 50, or so, of us at times. We started taking turns sitting up at night so she would not be alone when she passed. And also so Dad could sleep in peace knowing we'd alert him right away if she was passing.
God had it planned that she would breathe her last breaths on a hot Friday afternoon in September. I don't know for sure how Dad knew, but he called the boys (my brothers) in to gather around Mom. He said the time was close. Mom was quiet and peaceful. She was on hospice so she had morphine and other drugs to keep her comfortable. We sat by her side and soon it was apparent that this was really it. Mom was meeting Jesus at that very moment as we watched!
I cried outloud for several (maybe many?) minutes before, during, and after her death. I thought, "Oh, Mom!" It was hard to finally say goodbye. My kids all heard the commotion. They said later that they thought we were laughing, but they soon realized it was crying they were hearing instead. They came in to say goodbye too. I don't really remember it all, but I do know that I was holding Damara's socks and crying into them. And amidst the sadness I remember my elation at Mom having won the victory. She now was safely on the other shore. For her, the fight was over. She had truly arrived. Words cannot tell you the absolute beauty in this thought for me. Mom was HOME!
(Mom's Heavenly birthday is coming around again....September 7th, it will be five years!)
So much has changed since then. We attend a new church, (for reasons not our own), Dad found a new love of his life, I've given birth to two babies that Mom will never meet and lost 3 to miscarriage, Clarissa has lost a baby and been diagnosed with an incurable disease, Missy & Mikey have moved away, and my brothers seem to have dropped off the face of the earth.
We do not sit at the feet of Jesus so often now. Death is a little further away from our day to day life... and we have lost something. We have lost our "vision". Our eyes begin to stray to things of this earth so much more. No one is sitting at death's door. ( I want to note here that Abigail Rose could very likely be, but she is not the Mom of this family, and does not affect all our lives like Mom did. I hope you understand, Clarissa). So we have an anchor in heaven, but we sometimes get weighed down with the burden's of this life and forget to look to our heavenly home and the time we will be going there too.
I used to think about being on the other side of Mom passing, wondering if life would ever be "normal" again. It is normal, but it is not too. It will never be "normal" again. Mom will stay in heaven, my life will continue on, my kids will grow-up and move away, the world will keep moving toward that great day when Jesus comes to take us home, and in the midst of all this the world will continue to grow worse and worse as the Bible says. But we rush on, running the rat race, and hardly giving time to God. Do we learn of Him, as he has said? Do we hear his still small voice in the everyday hubbub?
My heart cries to be freed from this crazy, busy life. Is it just me or is there others out there who wonder what is the value of this race? And is it meant to be a race? Are we meant to rush on, days at a time, giving no thought to the day we'll be asked to give account to our Heavenly Maker? Where is the daily bread? Where is the fellowship? Where is the peace and calm? Whatever happened to Sundays spent talking around the Word of God and singing? What will become of us, or our children without this "family of God"? Can we continue on so carelessly and still make it to Heaven someday?
We had many months and, even years, to prepare for Mom dying. She was sick for 4 1/2 years with her brain cancer (once it began showing new growth) and then her breast cancer. We spent hours, and perhaps days, wondering if today, this moment, was her last moments. She went from unable to talk and semi-conscious, at times, to being alert and even able to talk some.
Our kids were used to sitting at Grandma's side and knowing she may be leaving to heaven soon. We were used to spending many evenings singing as a family. We were used to praying fervently for Grandpa, Grandma, Marissa, and Marita. We were used to the uncertainty of the next phone call. Would this be the call that would change our world forever?
But when the time came, it was more subtle than we expected. It came so quietly that we were left wondering if this was just another bad spell or the real thing? Personally, I had prayed for years that Mom wouldn't have to suffer too much. She did though. She suffered so much. And she "chose" to suffer even more by doing radiation and chemo both with uncertain results (and at least one had very uncomfortable side effects). All for us. Especially for Dad, Marissa, and Marita. She lived the meaning of love.
I remember a phone call I had with Dad about 3 weeks before Mom died. I think it was a Saturday or Sunday morning. I may have called him to see how things were going, I don't remember. I do know that our conversation turned to Mom and he voiced how bad she was doing. She wouldn't/couldn't swallow her pills, eat, or drink hardly at all. He was worried, but he had just taken her in because of a second stroke about 1 month earlier and there was no new growth in her brain. So he was thinking that this is it. This is life. I need to "buck up" and deal with it. I told him that it was time to sit by her side and love her. I think I knew instinctively that she was nearing the end. But he was unable to believe this. I think it was a combination of not wanting to, and the fact that she had held on so long.
I believe it was this same weekend (August 20th) that we visited there and Mom was so tired. She was in her wheelchair, but she was bent almost in half, her chin practically resting on her lap. Dad was a little upset because he couldn't get her to take her pills. I bent down to look into Mom's eyes and I asked, "Are you tired?" She answered, "Yes," she was. Dad decided to put her in bed, but ran to the bathroom first. While she was sitting there waiting, a kitten came scampering through the kitchen, sliding on the linolium floor, and Mom chuckled. She was still in there, but just barely.
It was this evening that Mom told my family "bye". We decided to head out the door as Dad was changing Mom behind the curtain. So I called through the curtain that we were leaving. Our youngest, Damara, was already sleeping in the rig. And just because it was easier, we had the rest of the kids in the rig too. Dad said to wait, that Mom wanted to say bye.
So, reluctantly, we waited. I know it may sound bad, but the truth was that it was getting so hard to see Mom suffering that sometimes it was just easier to rush off and pretend all was well. So, that was my intent. To leave while they were busy and just shout bye on the way out, but God had other plans.
Carson & I went in to say bye and Mom got upset. She started trying to say something, it came out kinda jumbled up and I wasn't sure what she wanted, but suddenly she motioned toward the door and I heard "Missy, Mindy!" Somehow I understood she wanted to say bye to my kids. So in they all came, Carson held Damara who still slept, and Mom hugged and kissed them all goodbye. I know I hugged her before we went and laid my head on her chest. I think I had tears in my eyes too, but it was so common to cry in my heart, even if it didn't show on my face, that I don't remember for sure.
About a week later, we learned that Mom was indeed dying. The growth in her brain was to the point that all we could do was wait. She would likely be leaving us as soon as 2 weeks. It was Friday, August 24th, Mom & Dad's 34th wedding anniversary when Dad brought Mom into the ER. And Sunday the 26th when we later learned that she was really dying. It was surreal. I didn't cry, moan, or wail. I think I just said, "Oh," when I heard. I was so weary of seeing Mom suffer that it was kind of bittersweet news. I had peace.
Then began the best two weeks of my life. Yes, you read that right. The very best. We were at the gates of heaven with her waiting for Jesus to come take her away from her pain and her suffering. We sang, we cried, we sat by her side. Finally we began to sleep the night there. All 50, or so, of us at times. We started taking turns sitting up at night so she would not be alone when she passed. And also so Dad could sleep in peace knowing we'd alert him right away if she was passing.
God had it planned that she would breathe her last breaths on a hot Friday afternoon in September. I don't know for sure how Dad knew, but he called the boys (my brothers) in to gather around Mom. He said the time was close. Mom was quiet and peaceful. She was on hospice so she had morphine and other drugs to keep her comfortable. We sat by her side and soon it was apparent that this was really it. Mom was meeting Jesus at that very moment as we watched!
I cried outloud for several (maybe many?) minutes before, during, and after her death. I thought, "Oh, Mom!" It was hard to finally say goodbye. My kids all heard the commotion. They said later that they thought we were laughing, but they soon realized it was crying they were hearing instead. They came in to say goodbye too. I don't really remember it all, but I do know that I was holding Damara's socks and crying into them. And amidst the sadness I remember my elation at Mom having won the victory. She now was safely on the other shore. For her, the fight was over. She had truly arrived. Words cannot tell you the absolute beauty in this thought for me. Mom was HOME!
(Mom's Heavenly birthday is coming around again....September 7th, it will be five years!)
So much has changed since then. We attend a new church, (for reasons not our own), Dad found a new love of his life, I've given birth to two babies that Mom will never meet and lost 3 to miscarriage, Clarissa has lost a baby and been diagnosed with an incurable disease, Missy & Mikey have moved away, and my brothers seem to have dropped off the face of the earth.
We do not sit at the feet of Jesus so often now. Death is a little further away from our day to day life... and we have lost something. We have lost our "vision". Our eyes begin to stray to things of this earth so much more. No one is sitting at death's door. ( I want to note here that Abigail Rose could very likely be, but she is not the Mom of this family, and does not affect all our lives like Mom did. I hope you understand, Clarissa). So we have an anchor in heaven, but we sometimes get weighed down with the burden's of this life and forget to look to our heavenly home and the time we will be going there too.
I used to think about being on the other side of Mom passing, wondering if life would ever be "normal" again. It is normal, but it is not too. It will never be "normal" again. Mom will stay in heaven, my life will continue on, my kids will grow-up and move away, the world will keep moving toward that great day when Jesus comes to take us home, and in the midst of all this the world will continue to grow worse and worse as the Bible says. But we rush on, running the rat race, and hardly giving time to God. Do we learn of Him, as he has said? Do we hear his still small voice in the everyday hubbub?
My heart cries to be freed from this crazy, busy life. Is it just me or is there others out there who wonder what is the value of this race? And is it meant to be a race? Are we meant to rush on, days at a time, giving no thought to the day we'll be asked to give account to our Heavenly Maker? Where is the daily bread? Where is the fellowship? Where is the peace and calm? Whatever happened to Sundays spent talking around the Word of God and singing? What will become of us, or our children without this "family of God"? Can we continue on so carelessly and still make it to Heaven someday?
Monday, July 2, 2012
Father's Day & Dad's birthday...
Happy Father's Day!
We bought Carson a new fishing pole for Father's Day. It was the boys' idea. It worked out great because we were heading to the ranch for the weekend.
I made and brought my dad fresh strawberry pie for Father's Day, and we used it as his birthday pie.
Carson enjoyed some for Father's Day too!
Sue got back from her hair appointment just in time to enjoy pie with us...
And finally Dad's Father's day gift.
I hope they get some American gold finches to their yard now =)
Friday, January 20, 2012
hello.. =)
So I am still here despite my long absence. My Evelyn Carol is now over 3 months, and though she's sick, life has started to feel "normal" again, whatever that is =) I am content with our schooling too for the most part and life is feeling good at this moment as I am cleaning and my kids are cleaning and I'm experimenting with essential oils for cleaning and "feel good" smells. Well, being that I wrote such a l-o-n-g update ;-0 Evelyn now needs my attention, so ttyl =)
Friday, October 21, 2011
Our new baby
Nine months pregnant...Saturday, October 8, 2011
Announcing Evelyn Carol
Born Sunday, October 9, 2011 @ 5:46 AM
7 lbs. 8 oz. and 20 in.
Mom, Dad, Jamen & Evelyn
Our seven kids all together for the first time!
Jamen adores her
Dad enjoys a bonding moment with the newest addition =)
wide-eyed and bushy-tailed
Her first smile caught on camera
Sleeping like a baby
Monday, October 3, 2011
I'm almost there!
So FIVE whole days left till my due date! Wow! Baby should be joining us before we know it. I'm not sure if I think Baby will be on time or not, but I want Baby to be on time. I can't make up my mind if I think I'll have a big baby, an average baby or a small baby, and whether it's a boy or a girl. Lol! I guess it's hard to know when you just don't.
These last few weeks have been filled with getting ready for Baby and starting school. I've been wearing myself out baking and filling the freezer. The kids are even beginning to get tired of my putting it all away before they can have any. I'm trying to take a relaxed approach to school though. A learn as needed or as desired attitude. Mostly with Damara, I guess. Everyone else pretty much does their own thing so I just let them.
We went on a picnic and a walk at Lucia Falls last Wednesday. I kinda wanted to do something to enjoy what I figured to be the last nice day of the year. The bees were a nuisance though. We had to eat quickly and walk away from the other food. I really enjoyed the walk and beautiful weather despite the bees.
The plan is to have Baby at home assuming all continues to go well. I ask for your prayers, though I know most of you already offered that you were praying. Thank you! We are in God's hand. The Bible says something to the extent that man makes his plans, but God is the one who makes them happen that way or not. My goal and desire would be that Baby would be born at home, happy, and healthy with no complications, but I pray we would know if and when we should go to the hospital if it should come to that. I pray my midwife, Mary, would have wisdom and discernment about what to do and when. That she, also, would know if and when we should go to the hospital. I know not everyone agrees with home birth, but I hope you would offer up your prayers on our behalf anyway. It is God's hand of blessing and protection that we all need.
Carson had been busier than ever most of the summer, but I am thankful that things seem to be slowing down. I know so many still don't have a lot of work, but being too busy has its challenges too. Especially with kids and being pregnant. So I pray we will have enough, but that we could also have a season of more rest now that Baby will be here soon.
So Baby coming is definitely what occupies my mind most of the time. I guess it's only natural. Maybe I'll have my new little one next time I update. Otherwise I may be grouchy and overdue. Lol! Until next time....God bless you, Mindy
These last few weeks have been filled with getting ready for Baby and starting school. I've been wearing myself out baking and filling the freezer. The kids are even beginning to get tired of my putting it all away before they can have any. I'm trying to take a relaxed approach to school though. A learn as needed or as desired attitude. Mostly with Damara, I guess. Everyone else pretty much does their own thing so I just let them.
We went on a picnic and a walk at Lucia Falls last Wednesday. I kinda wanted to do something to enjoy what I figured to be the last nice day of the year. The bees were a nuisance though. We had to eat quickly and walk away from the other food. I really enjoyed the walk and beautiful weather despite the bees.
The plan is to have Baby at home assuming all continues to go well. I ask for your prayers, though I know most of you already offered that you were praying. Thank you! We are in God's hand. The Bible says something to the extent that man makes his plans, but God is the one who makes them happen that way or not. My goal and desire would be that Baby would be born at home, happy, and healthy with no complications, but I pray we would know if and when we should go to the hospital if it should come to that. I pray my midwife, Mary, would have wisdom and discernment about what to do and when. That she, also, would know if and when we should go to the hospital. I know not everyone agrees with home birth, but I hope you would offer up your prayers on our behalf anyway. It is God's hand of blessing and protection that we all need.
Carson had been busier than ever most of the summer, but I am thankful that things seem to be slowing down. I know so many still don't have a lot of work, but being too busy has its challenges too. Especially with kids and being pregnant. So I pray we will have enough, but that we could also have a season of more rest now that Baby will be here soon.
So Baby coming is definitely what occupies my mind most of the time. I guess it's only natural. Maybe I'll have my new little one next time I update. Otherwise I may be grouchy and overdue. Lol! Until next time....God bless you, Mindy
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Five weeks left...
So I sit here amazed that I have only five weeks left before the due date of my 7th baby. I have so many mixed emotions and thoughts. Sometimes it seems the end is too close and I'll never be ready, but other times I am excited and glad I'll be holding my baby in such a short time.
It is a lot different to have babies when you have older kids already. This baby is no longer just Carson and mine, but all of ours. I don't have the same panic about coping with the baby, even if it's colicky, as I used to because I know I'll have lots of help...maybe too much sometimes =) It can be annoying when your baby smells more like spit from every ones kisses than like a baby. Lol!
We will be starting book school soon. Colten will start high school this year and actually I'm starting Emily too, since they're at the same level anyway, despite Emily shouldn't be starting high school until next year. I finished that home school qualifying course that I have been doing through Barb Shelton and started before Mom died. I just have 4 questions to answer. Then I need to send it in so I can get my certificate of completion. It's pretty exciting!
I don't seem to be able to get on here much...maybe you'll be lucky and I'll do a picture post again before too long =)
It is a lot different to have babies when you have older kids already. This baby is no longer just Carson and mine, but all of ours. I don't have the same panic about coping with the baby, even if it's colicky, as I used to because I know I'll have lots of help...maybe too much sometimes =) It can be annoying when your baby smells more like spit from every ones kisses than like a baby. Lol!
We will be starting book school soon. Colten will start high school this year and actually I'm starting Emily too, since they're at the same level anyway, despite Emily shouldn't be starting high school until next year. I finished that home school qualifying course that I have been doing through Barb Shelton and started before Mom died. I just have 4 questions to answer. Then I need to send it in so I can get my certificate of completion. It's pretty exciting!
I don't seem to be able to get on here much...maybe you'll be lucky and I'll do a picture post again before too long =)
Monday, August 8, 2011
An old Xanga post
I've been spending some time reading my old Xanga posts and have been encouraged many times by my own posts...thanks be to God =) So I thought I'd share one with you.
Saturday, 16 January 2010
"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." Mark 4:3
When our fears are getting the better of us, we can hope in this verse. God can come into our hearts and minds and say, "Peace, be still." and there will be a "great calm". Thank God for all He has done for us and continues to do for us each hour of every day.
We all can use a reminder like this!
Saturday, 16 January 2010
"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." Mark 4:3
When our fears are getting the better of us, we can hope in this verse. God can come into our hearts and minds and say, "Peace, be still." and there will be a "great calm". Thank God for all He has done for us and continues to do for us each hour of every day.
We all can use a reminder like this!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Pics
Birthday Time
Sue's 50th birthday!
Gifts
Tea Time
Damara, Kylie, Isabelle, Liberty, & MiKayla at the tea party put on by our dear friend, Linda.
Missy, Amanda Bisila, & Elisa dressed up for our tea.
Missy, Amanda & me
Linda served us all very graciously
Damara & Isabelle at their tea table
Elisa & Amanda at our tea table
Ashlyn Benjamson, Linda's neice married to our first cousin, Quentin, played a piece on the piano.
Linda serving the girls
Damara & me with our tea time dresses
Damara was chosen to give Ashlyn her gift from Linda
Damara and I with different dresses on...(hey, don't laugh, we were playing dress-up!)
Damara in all her finery
Linda & me
More birthday...
Carson turned a whopping 34 years old Thursday so we made decorations to have with the Peanut Buster Parfait ice cream cake I made.
Red Sox, of course!
The birthday man
All the kids enjoying their cake (Lando was here so he got to try the cake too)
Then Thursday evening we went to Lacy to check out the Cabela's store. It was really too long of a drive for the evening, but it was fun. They have a huge 2-story display of (real) stuffed animals in the middle of the store, a glass elevator that you can see the display from. They even had a Africa display with an elephant! Anyway, Carson got a new scope for his gun which you can see above. BTW we didn't get back Thursday night till midnight!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
July
Civil War Re-enactment
Emily Sue
Daminika, LaKaysha & Emily
Marissa & Marita
The good ol' American Flag still stands
Confederates
Union
Jam Making
We made most of our jam for the year on July 4th
Make Believe
Prince Jamen & Princess Damara
Summer Beauty
A trail through our woods
Baby is growing... and so am I
6 months
Working & camping
Colten working hard on his lab...he put in a sink
Emily, Jamen, Damara, Kenyon, and Dustin camped out last night...and it rained! Oh, and Jamen came in before he went to sleep =)
Carson put up a clothes line last night too with the kids help
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