Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Has it really???
Has it really been that long since I last blogged?
OOPS!!
Life has a way of keeping you busy, eh?!
We lost our computer for almost 3 weeks. It's nice to have it back. I missed being able to be online. I found that I missed it most for school items. I also found that I didn't miss the distraction that the computer is. It was kinda nice not having it as an option. Kinda like when we first moved to Tennessee. No computer and no tv. There was so much work to be done then, that we really didn't have time for it anyway. But, slowly, those things crept into our lives again. They've taken up residence in our world. Not either of them are bad things...they just are things that ask for our attention...and we seem to all too willingly give it to them.
Honey's birthday was Monday. It was the 20th time I've been able to spend his special day with him. 20 years. And my love for him grows stronger and deeper with each passing day. 
Rebecca has been working for a friend of ours. What an answer to prayer this job is! She's close to home, in a safe environment and making good money. All while still being able to do her schoolwork. What a blessing!!!
Thomas is gearing up for hunting season. My boy is sooooo all boy. Yet, he still will sit with me and let me rub his head. He's such a blessing to his family. He's also taken out several ground hogs lately. Quite the "shot" he is!
Natalie is helping me get ready for the craft sale that is coming up this weekend at our local rec center. She and I did the craft sale two years ago and she's been telling me for the past 5 months she'd like to do it again. So, we made soap and are now making other items to sell. I look forward to the day with her!
Mary is blazing through her school work. For her age, she's supposed to be in 1st grade. However, 1st grade work doesn't really challenge her. So, she's in 2nd grade...and sometimes, I don't see the challenge there either. What a little genius! :) Nah, she's just gifted and the 4th child in our family. She's been "in school" for a long time now!
The logging is going nicely...now that the rain has finally taken a break. What a difference it's making up top. We didn't want the front to change in appearance, but the back sure is changing! We walked through the woods for awhile this past weekend. What a beautiful farm the Lord has blessed us with!
I love the time change! It's now so much easier to get to bed on time!!! I wish the time would now stay the same. No more changing.... ;)
I'm off now to get some cookies started. I'm making them up now and will bake them on Friday. It will be so easy to pull them out Friday to bake once they are already formed into cookies and frozen. Lots to do before the sale on Saturday...best get to it! :)
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Monday, November 2, 2009
49 Things About Honey
In honor of my beloved's birthday, here are my
49 Things About Honey
1. He's mine :)
2. He loves his family more than life itself
3. He belongs to Christ
4. He works hard
5. His smile
6. His hugs
7. His kisses... ;)
8. His ability to see things I cannot
9. His protection of his family
10. He makes me laugh
11. He holds me close when I need it
12. He likes to snuggle
13. He loves babies
14. He helps me be the best person I can be
15. He grounds me
16. He teaches our children all sorts of life skills
17. His beard
18. He's my "mountain man" :)
19. He's always made sure we had enough..most times, more than enough
20. His harmonica playing
21. He is all man
22. He likes my cooking
23. He tells me he loves me...frequently
24. He loves to talk....and does so most frequently..no clammed up man here!
25. He prays with me each morning
26. He has a true heart for God
27. He gives me 5 blinks each morning
28. He calls me at lunch every day
29. He calls me to say he's on his way home every day
30. He's home 30 minutes after he gets off work..no stopping off for him
31. He knows what truly matters
32. He wants the best for us
33. And tries his best to give it to us
34. He talks to the cows..and they listen!
35. He is truly gifted in many areas
36. He's the handyman, fix it man, vehicle repair guy, woodworker..just all around talent!
37. He's my perfect counterpart
38. He completes me
39. He loves me
40. He fulfills my every wish
41. He is so handsome
42. He spends his time taking care of us
43. He gladly gives of himself to us
44. He sings to us
45. He loves my Penny Pie :)
46. He makes sure we are safe
47. He would lay down his life for us..both literally and figuratively
48. He speaks highly of us
49. He's ALL MINE!!!!
Happy Birthday, Honey!!! You are the best husband, father and friend the world has ever been blessed to know!
I LOVE YOU!!!!
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Friday, September 25, 2009
Busy days....
Busy days....but then, aren't they all busy? You know time is flying when your six old daughter tells you that time is passing quickly. 
Exciting things are happening around here. Selling some of our cows has been a blessing. It seemed to jumpstart changes around here. I love watching the Lord bring things together for us.
A friend is a logger and he'll be moving equipment here soon to begin logging the top pastures. Honey is so happy to know he'll soon have more acres for pasture. Trees, we have plenty of....pasture land, not so much. Out of our 83 acres, I believe about 35 of it is open and pasture. Honey feels we'll gain about 12 acres of pasture.
We also had someone here who told us about no till seed drilling and how that could be used for planting winter feed for our cows. It would be wonderful to not spend big bucks every year for hay. We do have a haybine, but no baler...and really, not enough land to keep out of the rotation of grazing to cut for hay.
We have lived here for five years. Alot of work and effort..not to mention money...has gone into our farm. It's neat to start seeing real improvements...and perhaps the animals paying for themselves...and more?! :)
Fall is on its way. Next week is supposed to bring cooler temperatures....like 70's for the high and 50's for the low. I'm so ready for this!! I've been waiting for it since summer began....I'm so not a fan of summer.... !!!
School is finished for the week. I like the changes we've made this year. Though we do need to work on getting back on a schedule soon....
Hope you all have a blessed weekend!
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Monday, September 21, 2009
Happy Engagement Day to my Honey!!
Nineteen years ago on this day, my sweet beloved took me to the beach.
After talking for quite awhile, he slipped off the bench we were sitting on, got down on one knee, opened a small jewelry box and asked me to be his wife. To share his life with him. To be his forever more.
I couldn't get the YES! out of my mouth fast enough!!! :)
Thus started the most wonderful part of my life, that of being my Honey's wife. Through it all, we've been a true couple. Always together. Always loving each other. Always lifting each other up. Always looking for ways to help each other. Always in love....ALWAYS!!! :)
So, happy engagement day to my Honey! I'm yours forever and I'm ever so thankful that the Lord brought us together and made us one.
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Sunday, August 30, 2009
10 Things About Natalie!!
Today is my sweet second daughter's birthday. She's the big 10 today...double digits...where does the time go??!
In honor of her special day, here are my 10 things about Natalie...
1. She's loving and kind...completely....
2. She's takes care of her family
3. She does her jobs with a good attitude and promptness
4. She does her schoolwork to the very best of her ability
5. She is funny...and has a knack for one liners at just the right time
6. She's now taking dance lessons and so enjoys it
7. She's a true friend
8. She likes to write letters and have pen pals
9. She has the most beautiful smile
10. She still loves to cuddle and snuggle with her Mama...this makes her Mama smile!! :)
Happy Birthday my dear Natalie!!! I love you!!!
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
14 Things About Thomas
My one and only son is 14 today!!! My, how time has flown by. It seems only yesterday we were giving birth to him...at home..unassisted....and in awe of this little round headed man that God had given us to raise!
1. He's caring and loving
2. He's all boy...and I do mean...ALL boy!
3. He's gifted...mechanically, physically, mentally...just gifted
4. He's a great big brother..and little brother too! :)
5. He's my Super Boy
6. He still likes to cuddle...though it doesn't happen as often as I'd like
7. He has the cutest grin...especially when he's happy about something
8. He'll make an extraordinary husband and Daddy one day
9. He knows how to shoot a gun...and shoot it well
10. He is counting down the days until he turns 15 and can LEGALLY drive me around... ;)
11. He can herd cows like nobody's business
12. He's confident
13. He's intelligent
14. He'll always be my little boy
Happy Birthday, Thomas. I love you!!!!!
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Day 1 down, 179 to go! :)
Okay, so admittedly, I don't think the 180 day rule is a necessary part of our home education. Learning takes place any time, anywhere. Why does it have to be limited to 4 hours per day, 180 days per year? But, then, I realize that due to public school issues, there has to be some "rule" in place... ;)
Anyhow, we had a great first day! Took our traditional photos of each child in front of the chalkboard that read "First day of school 2009". Filled supply boxes with new pencils, glue, etc. And did light schooling. And loved it!
Each year, I'm reminded why I homeschool my children. Because I love them so! I can't imagine giving someone else the thrill and joy of watching them learn. Of seeing their eyes light up when they "get it". I just genuinely enjoy being with them and would not want to give up this time with them.
We read the first chapter in Little House in the Big Woods. It's comforting to be in Laura's little world again. Time was so different then.
I found a great site with free lapbook ideas and supplies to print!!!! Lapbook Lessons will be visited alot by me this year!! They even have a lapbook to print for Little House in the Big Woods!! How cool is that?! If you're into lapbooking, go check it out!! I'm glad I stocked up on printer ink! :)
The adjustment back to early mornings is proving to be harder than the adjustment to nights. The weather is just hot and humid here...makes for nights hard to sleep. I'm so looking forward to fall. Even my beloved...when he called during lunch yesterday...told me he can't wait for fall. Ahhh....he's finally on my side...he doesn't like the heat either! Cool....I say we move further north to get even further away from the heat!!! But, I realize that with that would come more cold..and he's not a big fan of really cold weather either....hmmm......I know...we could win the lottery and own homes in two places..... Sounds like a plan to me...course...the best part would be for Honey to be home with us all the time...
Okay..time to rouse my children and get this day started!!! :)
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Monday, August 10, 2009
New school year begins today!!
The big day has arrived!! It's time to begin our new school year!!
The table is laden with books. We'll look over all that's in store for us for the coming year. Some changes this year include getting back to unit studies (yeah!!) and perhaps an early graduation for Rebecca.
When I realized how many credits Rebecca needs to graduate, we began talking about her graduating next year...perhaps late summer. This would be a year early for her. We are talking about her future...what she wants to do post-graduation. We are looking into the CollegePlus option. It sure sounds like the best option available to her.
Thomas will begin the 9th grade this year...and is using Blessed Is The Man unit study. This looks to be a very well rounded study. I am looking forward to seeing him really take off with this study!
Natalie and Mary will be using the Prairie Primer. Personally, I am most happy about this! I used this unit study a few years ago with Rebecca and Thomas..and I'm quite happy to return to Laura's little world.
We'll be incorporating lapbooks, notebooking and general unit study things. School should be fun...and I think these changes away from the textbook/workbook approach we've been using will be a very welcome one.
I need to get some information sheets printed...so I bid you a good morning and have a wonderful day!!!
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Thursday, August 6, 2009
Exactly when did summer end? We worked late into the summer months finishing up our school year...and have taken a bit of a break. But, it seems our break is just about over.
We will begin our new school year on Monday. I have been doing some planning and have realized how close Rebecca is to meeting all of the requirements for graduation! She could finish as early as the end of this school year...or maybe at the end of summer. How exciting is that?! I love that about home education. No wasting time filling a seat in a school...she learns the material and moves on. I will never believe that there is a better way to earn an education.
Honey will be working his last night tomorrow night. It will be bittersweet. It's been nice to have lazy mornings with him. I LOVE waking up with him, and being able to stay right there together talking and perhaps falling back to sleep in his arms again. It will be nice in that we will have a more regular schedule. So, there are pros and cons...just seems like it is over quicker than I thought it would be.
Course..what isn't over quicker than I thought it would be?!
Summer heat..that's one thing that isn't... 
We need to make some more trips to the creek before summer is over. We had a good plan going until we got sidelined by other needs. I'd like to see us get back to going, maybe in the evenings after Honey gets home and we eat supper. We shall see...
Some farm needs must be tended to soon. This corral needs to be completed...though the going price for cows at this time is not great. But, it's a fine time to send a cow to the butcher and fill our freezer! We have two remaining hens. Skunks have been a real menace to our hens this year. We've never had such a problem as this. Toby and Thomas took out several skunks, but enough remained to eat most of our flock, including our handsome rooster. The two remaining hens are free-ranging and quite skiddish. I need to find a source for eggs...cause we sure can't eat store bought "eggs" any more!
It's time for eye exams around here too. New glasses for those of us who wear glasses, and checkups for all. It's sad that we have to travel out of our town to do this...as the one Dr in town who takes our insurance is not one we'll go to....been there, done that, not doing it again.
We celebrated a special day yesterday. August 5th marked 20 years since our first date. It was also 18 yrs, 7 months since we became one. That time sure has flown by. Guess it's true...time does truly fly when you're having fun. I can't imagine sharing my life with anyone else. God sure knew what He was doing when He joined us!
We have also returned to our monthly date nights. I have so missed this time alone with my Honey. We went out this past weekend and had such a good time. I am looking forward to next month's date!
Guess I'll post this and get some more school planning completed....
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Saturday, July 18, 2009
Goings on....
This has been a whirlwind of a week....
It started out with a get together with friends...and friends of friends. It was sure a full house...but so much fun!
The next day, we had a really full house...full of children!!! We had a friend's 5 children here for a couple of days. She was in the hospital....33 weeks pregnant with a severe kidney infection. I've never seen a person in so much pain...and she handled it with grace. I pray no one ever suffers like that ever again.... She's not out of the woods yet...but the pain is much reduced...and the worst is over...
It was wonderful having a 2 year old sleeping between us again. I have missed that! During the night, his little hand hit Honey in the face...and I heard..."I didn't miss that". Ahhh, but he did...he misses it all as much as I do....
Anyhow, our week was filled with phone calls, cooking, running here and there...and just generally a busy week.
Today was the reading carnival...the end of the summer reading program through our local library. It's always a good time, and this year was no different. We then ran over to deliver a Burb load of food to our friends. She won't have to cook for some time! It felt sooooo good to bless them!!!
Came home to rest a bit...then had supper...then went to town for a fund raiser for our local crisis pregnancy center. Felt good to donate some funds there too.
We then went to Hardee's to get free milkshakes (earned by my babes with their summer reading...) Natalie can't eat store bought ice cream without getting a tummyache, so she didn't have hers. Rebecca exercises great personal restraint, so she didn't have hers either. So, Daddy and I got to have their milkshakes. We bought some curly fries also. A cheap, fun time! I just love being with my family...
On the way home, we stopped to see how the truck and tractor pull was going across the highway. It's so close, we can hear the motors working over there. Looked like it was still in full swing, so Honey brought us girls home and he and Thomas went back over to soak it up. They love engines..and the sounds they make....and all that goes with this stuff. I'm so thankful they are both so mechanically gifted.
It's time for bed...even though they aren't home yet. My eyes are getting heavy..and the girls are more than ready for slumber too. Maybe they'll read some of their new books, gained from the carnival today. They sure have a bunch of new reading material. It's a good thing...course, there's always those who take advantage of such things...but my children get books they'll actually read and enjoy...and then they'll pass them along to others.
The coming week will be busy too...Honey goes to the dentist on Monday. He's broken the inside of a tooth off (next to the filling)...this visit is to see what they can do for him..no pain yet and we'd like to keep it that way. Rebecca also has a birthday sleepover to attend...and we will be making visits to our friends....
We'll be heading back to school soon....and I soooo need to get to work on planning out our year...much to do...much to do.... :)
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