I do feel so much joy and am treasuring every moment of these days that are quickly passing!  I love being settled in here at home with a new little life and my other precious children.  My heart is full of praises to my Heavenly Father!  He has truly sustained me through the physical trials I have had since the birth of our son and has given me much peaceful rest in Him and His promises!

I haven't been around to blog, but I cannot apologize for that.  I rarely ever sit at the computer, but my heart feels best with what I am doing, caring for the needs of 8 other lives .  Right now our tiny one and two little toddlers are fast asleep.  The older children are enjoying some outdoor time in this spring like weather!  They have been SO longing to run around outside!  The animals are loving it too, as they are getting LOTS of attention!

My 7 year old and I took Math into the kitchen this morning.  We discussed fractions while baking a delicious bread recipe!  It is the 7 Grain Wheat Bread that is found in Marmee Dear's Bread Basket Cookbook.  It turned out absolutely DELICIOUS and one of these lovely loaves has already been devoured!  The children are now taking turns each day helping me make the bread.  When it is their turn, they get to help grind the grain, add all of the ingredients and THEN they get a portion of the dough to cut out their own shapes and loaves.  They all get so excited about having their own bread day now!

I must go, but before I do I wanted to include something I wrote after the birth of our little son.  It is copyrighted and has already been used for a magazine, so if you wish to use it please contact me.  I hope it blesses someone out there and makes everyone want to scoop up their precious blessings for one more extra hug and "I LOVE YOU"!

THE AROMA OF HEAVEN

There are many wonderful aromas in this life, but none so delightful as this one!  No, it’s not the smell of freshly baked bread or of supper just coming out of the oven.  It isn’t the delectable smell of vanilla or even of Christmas coating each corner of the home. 

This aroma is straight from the Lord….something that gives us a small taste of the atmosphere of Heaven!  When it enters our lives, time seems to stand still, if but for a moment.  The home is suddenly filled with awe and wonder.  It is so rich, those experiencing it, just drink it in!  It brings each family member closer together and closer to the heart of God.  It makes this heavy life seem so much brighter and lighter.

OH!  The precious aroma of NEW LIFE!  That tiny little life that smells so much of the gentle tough of God!  Yes, as I snuggle this new life close to me, I can close my eyes and almost FEEL…SMELL the Almighty Father’s hands on my face.  I close my eyes and in these tender, fleeting moments, Heaven no longer seems so far away.