I love homeschooling. I mean I really adore it.  I'm sitting on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of coffee, and a toddler attempting to figure out how my eyes work as I type.  She's incredibly beautiful which adds to her charm just a bit. ;) 

It's a blustery day and when I thought of braving the cold, I thought, "Oh BOTHER!" Because running around today is NOT what I want to do.

So, we'll get the awful errands done this morning and then I do believe we're calling it a Winnie the Pooh day.  Now, perhaps my big kids are unique, or maybe it's that you never can outgrown A.A. Milne, but they'll be thrilled.  I think we'll make a "little something" with some honey (of course) and sit down and read one of his books clear through 'til the very end. 

Followed by a hunt for some Woozles, it should be a rather thrilling day.  I'm not sure there could be anything quite so pleasant as a Pooh Day.

Ana in her new flannel jumper.  Amazingly fast and easy pattern.  Pictured with the cloth headband from Heather Bailey's online free pattern.  Thank you for sharing Heather!

Elizabeth and her doll, Liberty from the Beautiful Girlhood Collection from The Vision Forum.  We made these jumpers and matching dolly dresses for both Rebecca and Elizabeth this Christmas!  You can't see the ribbon that goes around the waist, but we fell in love with the cherry fabric.  Can you see the pantaloons beneath?

Now I'm working on another jumper for Ana.  They were so amazingly simple I decided to make three, lol.  One still needs to be cut, but the other one is only minutes away from being finished!

Tonight I read a post about having five little ones close in age - 0-8.  The mama wondered if anyone had had it all "together" when they were in this situation. Our youngest five have come in six years!

February 2001
December 2001
January 2004
December 2004
September 2006

The newest little one will be here in June.  So, I felt "qualified", lol, to answer this one.  I am blessed to have friends from very different lives.  I have one dear friend who is expecting her seventh... her oldest will be 10.  And I have another friend who has older girls and one little boy.  They have both blessed me so much in their differences.  Looking at their lives and what God is showing them, teaching them, loving them through, shows me so much.  They are both wonderful, godly women and I am blessed to know them.  But their lives have impacted me deeply.

Following is the reply I posted:

I think it depends on what "together" means to you. I had what I categorized " it all together" through Baby Number 4, lol.

Then Baby 5 came along eleven months later.

Now I have it together... but it's a different kind of together. We are having dear friends over tomorrow. My house will not be clean to her standards. Whenever I go to their house (even on surprise) it's spotless. We do not do school as she does - organized and for several hours each day with a log of daily activity, etc. *But* I can tell you that I think she'd trade places with me in a heartbeat. They had their miracle reversal baby almost three years ago. They may or may not get another one. Their three girls range in age from 11-14. I think she'd give up her "together" for five closely spaced babies in a millisecond. Her girls are WONDERFUL, her little boy is a doll, and I can't imagine a couple more deserving for a new baby. I pray they get one. But, I'll tell you, living close to her helps me keep my chaos in perspective. My house is chaotic, it's rarely spotless, I'd love to do more with our school, the laundry is never done, and I'm exhausted at night. And I have a baby to hold, a toddler to chase, and a new baby to feel kick. And my heart breaks for her. No, I don't want it all together... it would mean I would have lots of time to clean my house, to sit still and do school, etc. People with five really little children don't have that kind of time. I'll take my life, thank you very much.

Do I have an immaculate house? No. But there will be time for that.

Do I have hours and hours to spend coloring pictures of each President while graphing the amount of precipitation we received today and reading the children Socrates while standing on one leg? No. But someday I will actually have time to do it - if I wanted to.

These babies don't come along forever. And then we're going to long for the chaotic, crazy days where children were underfoot and we couldn't get anything done. Because SOMEday, we'll be able to get it all done... and have time leftover to twiddle our thumbs, and we might not enjoy it.

Is my house clean? Well, no mold. No dirty diapers lying all over. The supper dishes are almost done. There is laundry to do tomorrow, but we did some today, and it's never REALLY done anyway. I can see the floors. Today is a good day.

Did we do school today? Well, no, but technically we're still on vacation. CJ wrote an "essay" (I didn't know he knew what that was) on why the Earth and people were created for each other. Ana read us the letter Abraham Lincoln wrote to his step-brother after listening to Dave Ramsey today and decided on what hobby she's going to take up in place of soccer next year. Today was a good day.

Did I sit down and do lots of arts and crafts and have time to make play-doh from scratch? No. But the kids did get to go with me today and hear the new baby's heartbeat and really make a great impression on several women at the doctor. Maybe kids ARE a blessing. Today was a good day.

Do I have it all together? Nope, not really. But they were fed three fairly nutritious meals. The baby isn't sick. We're fairly healthy, the house is fairly clean, and we do a fairly decent job at school. I read to them more than I did five years ago. We read the Bible more than we did five years ago. I scrub the floors FAR less. I do more laundry and it's always sitting on the floor. Sometimes I get frustrated with not having it all done like it was before they came so close together. Sometimes I wonder if we didn't stop having babies, wouldn't I be able to be SuperWoman and do it "all" again? But which one am I willing to trade for spotless floors? I am very, very blessed to have a friend I love to keep it all in perspective for me. There isn't ONE of them I'd be willing to give up today for having it all together tomorrow.

If I do the best I am physically able to do each day, it's a good day. And if I'm willing to praise God while I do it and maybe teach the babies what JOY in the Lord is by example instead of by sour words, then it is an excellent day. And my house might STILL be a mess.

I hope this blesses you as you go about your day with your little one or your tribe.

Blessings,

Kelly

I'm not a fan of supplements.  I adore whole foods and herbal teas.  But, truly, I have a very low opinion of the little plastic bottles marked "Calcium" or "Iron."  It is my personal opinion that they are an utter waste of your money. 

Recently, on one of my favorite online communities, someone was just beginning her journey down the road to better nutrition.  Wondering what supplements she should begin with and planning her trip to the health food store, she was trying to figure out where to begin.

I didn't want to overwhelm her with information, but neither did I want to send someone into the very overwhelming "Health Food Store " unarmed and unaware.  It's a bit like feeding a lamb to a wolf.

 I like health food markets.  For one reason, my soap and products are carried by health food markets!  Much of what I can't get at my local grocer or farmer's market can be found at my health market.  But, for me, there is a huge difference between my local market and the generic "health food store"  full of little plastic containers, and amber bottles full of "sure fire cures for whatever ails you."  I feel that many health food stores get more than their fair share of money off of great marketing rather than truly helping their customer.  This alarms and frustrates me.  More and more studies are showing these great little pills aren't easily absorbed or utilized by your body.  They are a waste.

So, what to do?  Well, there's an alternative.  The alternative is becoming aware, spending FAR less, and reaping MORE health benefits.  It requires a little more effort initially, but in the end, you'll be much better off for it.

So, Herbs 101... let the first lesson begin!

Following is my post, to this newcomer (slightly edited),  feel free to ask questions.

I might skip the trip to the healthfood store... It's kind of like putting a new homeschooler in a curriculum fair. All sorts of great marketing paired with a complete inability to differentiate between products can often mean a lot of money spent in the wrong direction.

Honestly?  As fanatical as I can be, I don't spend much time at our local health food store. Everything is generally priced high compared to "real herbs"  and its almost entirely synthetic and packaged supplements. They aren't easily absorbed.

If I were new and didn't want to be overwhelmed, I'd do two things. I'd read Dr. Sears Nutrition book - it's kind of like a Whole Foods for Dummies manual. It doesn't go over the top but provides a nice introduction to whole foods without overwhelming you.  I can remember back to when I first bought Nourishing Traditions.  It was just too much for me to digest!    The second thing I would do is spend a lot of time poking around The Bulk Herb Store site or Mountain Rose Herbs.

We just placed an order for "supplements" and "medication" at The Bulk Herb Store for dh's high blood pressure. We needed to supplement his potassium, calcium, and magnesium. We also needed more hawthorn berry. In the end I got about six months worth of teas and tinctures (to be made at home) for $50 shipped. That would have cost me EASILY four times that in supplements at the healthfood store.

Because teas are natural vitamins and minerals and they are coming to your body in an easily assimilated form, they are efficient. Most of those supplements in a bottle aren't ever going to make it into your body... their absorption rate is low. What does that mean to you? Well, it means you're spending a lot of money on something that isn't easily used by your body... Much of it is wasted.

You say, okay, well, that's not great, but I'm just getting started!  And it's MUCH easier to consider buying the little bottles marked "Calcium" or "Magnesium" than it is to even know where to begin by making an herbal concoction at home! But, it's not hard, I promise!

Let's say you're low in iron and you want to boost your Vitamin C. So, you do a little research on The Bulk Herb Store site or in various herb books. You'll find out quickly that Nettles or Alfalfa is an amazing source of plant iron and that Rose Hips have more Vitamin C than pretty much anything else. Well, there's your tea! No kidding. That simple. You'll take a 1/2 tablespoon of the nettles and 1/2 tablespoon of rose hips and soak them in boiling water (with a lid) for about 10 minutes and that's tea. You can add a little honey, or if you're like me add elderberry concentrate or some apple juice (because I'm not a tea lover) and you've just drank your vitamins for the day.

A word of warning about goldenseal. I know everyone loves it because it's a really effective herb. But, see, that's why we SHOULDN'T use it a lot. Goldeseal is a powerful antibiotic. And just as we wouldn't take antibiotics for a little cold, neither should we pull out the BIG GUN (goldenseal) unnecessarily. Goldenseal should be reserved for those times when your immune system has been boosted and has been given a little time to work, and is STILL struggling. As a matter of fact I have not yet EVER had a reason to use goldenseal. I do have it here, just in case, but I would not use it unless absolutely necessary. It's extraordinarily powerful and not a daily herb, or even one for just a cold/flu type scenario.

So, what would be good on a daily basis? Well, really it depends on you and your body. I make a tea just for me for being pregnant - nettles, red clover, red raspberry leaf, hibiscus, rosehips, lemon balm. But the new tea we're making for dh will have dandelion, alfalfa, rosehips, hawthorn, green jasmine tea, and red clover. He'll also be taking encapsulated Cayenne Pepper. We cook a LOT with garlic.... lots of it.

What is worth buying at your health food store?  Cod Liver Oil, IMO. For Omegas, it is more readily assimilated (from what I've read recently) than the plant forms of flax or evening primrose.

What would be a nice, basic tea? Nettles (iron - I'm actual partial to nettles over alfalfa), Rosehips (Vitamin C), Lemon Balm (taste mostly, but other reasons too), Dandelion (builder), Red Clover (calcium and trace minerals and taste)

This would be a nice "multi-vitamin" tea. It would give you your basics (Vitamin C, calcium, iron, potassium) and trace minerals. Mixing this 1/2 and 1/2 with a base of Jasmine Green Tea would be a fabulous combination.

I'd order 1 lb. of the Jasmine Green tea and everything else in 1/2 lb. packages and see how you like it. Remember you can FLAVOR your tea with berry or 100% fruit concentrate for tea haters.

It is now FOUR days 'til Christmas.  All I can think of is making soap.  But I CAN'T!  I have to SEW!  I make pajama bottoms for the kids every year.  And, right now, I have six flannel cuts waiting to be made bottoms.  That's not so bad.  I should be able to do that today.

But..........

Alas, I also decided to take on a project for the little girls.  Yes, that's right.  Over-ambitious me, with eyes too big for my fabric, decided to make the little girls GIRL dresses.... Light pink fabric, with cherries all over it, satin ribbon, complete with eyelet edged white slips, old-fashioned bloomers, and matching doll dresses.

WHAT WAS I THINKING???????

And do I want to sew? Nope.  That's why I'm here, posting to my blog, when I should be a cutting fiend.  I WANT to make soap.  My new fragrance oil is coming today via my lovely UPS man.  And can I make soap?  Nope.  I have to sew.

Motivate me!

Okay, as a challenge, I am going to show you pictures tomorrow of SIX, yes, count them, SIX pairs of pajama pants.  And then by Saturday, I will show you cut out pieces of TWO little dresses and my completed bloomers and slips.

By Monday I want to show you two lovely little girl dresses and two lovely little doll dresses. 

We'll see....

(Sigh.)  This does not come easy to me.  I know, I know.  The average homeschooling mother with six children, speaks softly and sweetly.  She wears a lovely and modest jumper and doesn't raise her voice or her bblood pressure, ever.

Here is my admission:  I am not that woman.

I would like very much to be that woman, but I'm not.

What am I?  I'm just as comfortable in jeans and t-shirt as I am a dress, perhaps more so.  I am more comfortable playing soccer with the kids than sewing a fine seam.  I am more likely to run around the house yelling, "I'm going to getcha ya little monster" as any of the other children.  I can't sing a note, but like to... At the top of my voice and try to make everything rhyme.  And as my friends can attest sometimes we sing rather inappropriate lyrics like the Bathroom Song for the little ones.  Don't ask for the lyrics... It has many variations on any given day.

So why does this come so easy to some and is so hard fought in others?

I blame my mother as all awful children do, lol.  She is a very strong woman.  She has run her house as long as I was a part of it and does to this day.  I have never known her to not get her way.  I had t-shirts as a little girl that said, "Anything a boy can do, a girl can do better."  And she meant it.  She was thrilled when my sister considered wrestling and playing football.  I was horrified.  She is an inborn feminist, though I don't think she would call herself that.

And so what legacy did I get out of all of this?  Ah, I'm past the point where I buy into everything I've been told.  And I'm past the age when I can just lay blame and let it lie.  I am now responsible for myself.

Many would excuse the behaviour and say, "Ah, it's just your personality.  That's the way God made you."

I am not so sure.  When God speaks of the lovely traits of the woman, loud isn't one of them. 

So, go ahead, ask me, after thirty years, why is this now an issue?  Well, I'll tell you.  I was on one of my favorite boards the other day  - Raising Godly Tomatoes.   And Elizabeth has created a new board dealing specifically with older children.  I'll admit, I like it very much.  But a recent post hasn't left my mind.  The question is specifically this: "What do you do to instill Godly Femininity in your daughters?"

Ouch!

Does playing soccer count?  And I suppose telling them that God gave her hips for a purpose (soccer) does NOT count as embracing your God given feminine traits.  What was He thinking?  I should have had eight strapping young men, those I could have dealt with, lol.

In all honesty, I'm very thankful for my girls.  One of them is very naturally feminine.  She enjoys being lovely, speaks quietly and sweetly, and is generally very gentle.  She is a tiny miniature lady.  It comes very easy and naturally to her.  My oldest, however, is Mini-Me.   She is fun and vibrant and energetic.  And with that comes stubborn, strong willed, and obstinant.  Yes, she's mine.  :)  I can see that at eleven she is struggling very much with who she wants to be.  On the one hand we have a little girl who wants to grow up to be a mama and have children and take care of her husband.  On the other hand, we have an intelligent young girl that prizes intellect and wants to travel the world, unhindered, as a scientist.  It is THAT young girl that scares the jeepers right out of me.  I do NOT want to raise a feminist.  I truly believe it goes against every bit of biblical principle I can find in scripture.   And though it goes against social norms, I prefer not to interpret scripture loosely to make it mean whatever I'd like it to mean. :)

So, do nothing?  No, I don't think that is an option.   A child left to themselves is a very sad child indeed.  Children will not go the way they should go without training, teaching, overseeing.  So, then what?

I am a very firm believer that you act differently as you are dressed.  If you are wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes and are very unisex, you will not be inspired to act like a lady.  If you are wearing a modest skirt and a lovely feminine top, you are reminded that you are a lady.  And if you, like me, are very self conscious of long dresses, then you are even more so reminded.  The problem I have now is that I am expecting.  And I refuse to look like I'm wearing a potato sack.  So until I get my hands on some maternity dresses, slacks are just going to have to do.

I introduced this thought to my darling daughter with sincere fear and intrepidation.  This foreign idea of dressing as a young lady instead of a unisex soccer player.  To my joy she did embrace the idea, though I will say I'm pretty sure she was a bit nervous about not wearing ANY jeans Monday through Friday.   So, to help us along, we looked for skirts.  Or jumpers.  Or SOMETHING!  What did we find?  Well, wow.  Look at any popular store for skirts and what you find is rather unpleasant.  Young lady?  No indeed.   So, we began our online search with "modest dress girl" in Google.  This yielded several results, but I admit that my 11yo is past the age where either of us embrace the little girl jumper with yards upon yards of fabric.  Nor were we inspired to rush right out and buy those jumpers as the prints truly left something to be desired.  And so we did the only thing we could... we headed to the fabric store.

Long, leaner jumpers awaited us along with circle skirts past the calf, A-line skirts to the ankle.  None unfashionable, they just needed the right fabric.  Did we find what we were looking for?  Oh YES!   We found oodles.  Now I admit I'm a little excited about this.  Honestly it is inspiring to see my little girl get up in the morning and do more with her hair than just pull it into another pony tail.  And to see her fresh-faced, and dressed nicely is absolutely lovely.   Not to be left out we also picked up new fabrics for the little girls and white batiste and eyelet for lovely little bloomers and long slips. 

I do not want to give the impression that we in any way think that by changing the outside, that THAT is what makes us feminine.  Skirts and dresses, while I am not convicted that they are a necessity by scripture, do remind us that we are feminine, ladies, to act as such and to be treated as such.  They are just a  tool to remind us to emrace that God created us male and female and that we are different... not just unisex. 

So much in this society attempts to kill femininity.  To destroy or scoff at things that are ladylike.  To consume us all down to more base instincts.  To embrace wearing skirts is a difficult road for me.  However, for me, for our family, it is only symbolic of a heart change... The attempt to instill and create a love in our daughters and sons for things feminine. 

God Bless,
Kelly

Biblical Womanhood has posted a challenge! :)

Make Your Home a Haven!

Now, I ask you, who wouldn't want that?  So, I'm game.  I'll put forth the effort.  It is reminiscent of a Christian, biblically based FlyLady. :)  But since I had a hard time maintaining my inspiration, I'm thinking a God inspired version is just the thing.

Assignment:  Choose FIVE things you'd like to do every morning.

For me, I have good intentions of what I "should" be doing every morning.  So, let me put them in order.  I get up when my dh does, just shortly after 5 AM.  It is totally worth it, let me assure you.  I get at least one full hour of peace... Sometimes 2!  I adore my mornings... Especially now that I'm into the second trimester and have energy again!

1. Make my tea.  This is my own special little herbal concoction that I should be drinking every day.  So I'm making the commitment to make my tea every morning.  Yipes.

2. My devotions before my computer time.  Putting first things FIRST.

3.  Shower and get dressed, including face and hair.  I got dressed, really dressed, this AM.  I love feeling nice.  It makes me BE nice, lol.  When I feel "scrubby" I am not nearly so motivated with my day.

4. Lay out tomorrow's necessities.  In other words, check the menu for tomorrow's supper and lay out any ingredients that need to thaw.  My eternal weakness!!

5.  Computer time DONE before the children rise and shine.  That will limit me to 30 minutes or less in the AM.  I'm not sure I can pull this off, but it is certainly worth a heroic effort. 

I'm adding a 6th though... And then close the computer 'til naptime!  :)

Blessings on your efforts!

Kelly

It's that season.  The season where we have a tendency to lose sight of what is important.  Money is tight, family functions leave us a bit frayed, and stress is running at a high while time is running at a low.  The children get caught up in the fun and the excitement and the STRESS of the holiday season.

Take a break.

Yes, I know!  You have too much to do.  But what good is a frazzled mama?  Take a break.  Sit down in your chair with a cup of cocoa and your Bible and help yourself remember the true meaning of Christmas. 

This weekend was a flurry of activity.  We had shopping to do.  We made cookies and sweets.  We ran to Thanksgiving meals at parents' and grandparents'.  And we got caught up in the hustle and bustle.

How I wish we had chosen differently this weekend.  How nice it would have been if I had just stopped.   I didn't have a plan for our activities so our activities planned our time...And took over.   Had I just stopped and put the focus and the aim where it belonged it would have been a more peaceful weekend.... And probably less expensive.  But my focus got all off.  Because I wasn't centered where I was supposed to be.

Today I am making a poster for my refrigerator.

WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS? 

 GOD, SELF, or OTHERS?

It's not that others or self is necessarily a bad focus!  We need to take care of others.  We need to take care of ourself.  But what context are we doing it in?  Are we doing it all with HIM in mind?  Is he our FOCUS, rather than our peripheral? 

We were created to bring Him glory.  It's our purpose.

On a sidenote, we were talking the other day on the importance of a mother who stays at home with her children.  Some days it can be, being honest, a frustrating job.  It is sometimes thankless and sometimes exhausting.   There have been days, not many, but they have existed, that I have thought to myself how much EASIER life would be if I just had the 9-5 job and the babies were in daycare and the kids in school.  But easier is not my goal. 

Mamas, we have the ONE job where we are completely not replaceable.  Oh sure, someone else can do the laundry.  Someone else can scrub the floor.  Or teach the 5 year old to read.  Or rock the baby.  But, do realize that when you look into those shining little faces and touch those chubby cheeks, you cannot be replaced to those babies.  You are their entire world. 

There are times throughout the day or throughout the week that I will be doing something and a little one, and sometimes a big one, will seek me out.  They will hold my hand, or climb into my lap.  Sometimes they just wrap their arms around your waist.  They SEEK you and your warmth.  They bring you pictures or stories for your approval.  They seek to please you.  These are the most precious gifts of the Lord.  Remember that they need and want you.  When the dishes pile up, and the laundry makes a mountain, and it just seems so thankless, that you MAMA, cannot be replaced in the hearts of your husband and children.

You have been called to an amazing ministry.  You have the opportunity of an entire lifetime sitting before you.  You can take up your cross and serve in love and gratefulness.  Or you can choose another path.

I am consciously choosing to shut off the computer today.  To make baked oatmeal and tea for my babies. To sing with them and read to them and minister to them. 

Lord, help me in all I do today.  Let me be YOUR hands.  Help me to minister to those in my care.  Help my focus to not be self, but to be YOU.  Help all that I do be an extension of that focus.  Help to love and warm those around me.

Blessings to all of you today!

Barbara from Aunt Boo's Babies emailed me today!  Abby's baby is done today!  Look at this beautiful doll.  I have never seen one prettier.  Our Abby will love it!

And then we were blessed to find this gorgeous carrier for Abigail on The Baby Wearer Forum used.  They have a FSOT board if anyone is interested.  It is one of her Christmas gifts.... It will enable me to put her on my back while I have the new baby in a wrap this year.  I was seeking a Mai Tei, but with so many little ones, I thought perhaps the less fabric, the better.  So this is a soft sided carrier by Angel Pack LX and has some truly wonderful reviews.  The nice thing about the "APLX" and the Beco (my second choice) is that they are very supportive of the WAHMama businesses, unlike Ergo.  (Boo, Ergo! )  And, the other nice thing about Beco and APLX is that there is a WAHMama that makes covers and skins to protect your carrier in beautiful colors.

Chocolate Brown Velvet Straps and Trim!  Oooh La La!

It's Christmas.  What do you get?  You have enough plastic.  You have enough stuff made in China to practically pay the living wage of eighteen families.  Who really needs more?  So you want something great?  Really great?  Something that points to God or just something that will last and be loved?  Here are some of the past gifts we have treasured.

This is the Dangerous Journey.  If you do not own it, YOU MUST!  Buy this book.  Accept no cheap imitations.  Buy the book!!  This is the ultimate gift.  Especially for boys.  The pictures are amazing.  The fact that they were able to keep so much of the language and the feel.  It is the ultimate children's book.  BUY IT!

Next, we have up playsilks.  For those of you who do not know what playsilks are, they are ANYTHING.  You use them as a blanket, as a cape, as fairy wings.  This is the part where you don't buy the children plastic, useless toys and instead to choose to spend money on things that last... things that inspire imagination.  Buy the plastic box.... the one that can be played with ONE way and your child will grow tired of it.  Buy the silkie and you have a lovie, a tablecloth, a way to carry wounded dolls, a saddle, the list goes on.  Yes, they do actually play with them.  The one I most love was a hand-dyed silk in watery shades of pink dyed just for Elizabeth waaaay back in about 2001 by EllieBelly.  The pictures below are her silks and they are lovely.  She makes more than just silks as well and does sell them in sets and as canopies.  www.elliebelly.com

Next, blankie dolls.  My dolly was actually bought from Danielle of Natural Play Things around 2002, I think when she was just starting.  I went to her site and found she doesn't make them anymore!  So, because you're ordering playsilks from EllieBelly anyway, you might as well save on shipping and order the blankie doll. ;)  You're welcome.

More books.

Particularly for your little knights.

Particularly for your Daughters of the King.

Now *my* set came from Vision Forum about four years ago, but a mama advertised *these* the other day and honestly, I thought about buying them just because they're GORGEOUS.  That is so wrong.  I have TWO sets.  She only wants $35 and they are OAK.  Drooollll...

*Email her if you want a set.  Link to blog: http://www.wtsnworld.blogspot.com/

A doll cradle.  Really a must have for every little mama... especially one that rocks.  We found Ana's in some little store and paid a LOT more than this for it.  I found this man's shop the other day by accident and his stuff is so pretty and solid wood, plus REASONABLY priced! 
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=29921

And there are those of us who get the bright idea to make our own gifts!  Ah yes.  My darling baby Elizabeth.  She had the tiniest tint of red in her hair and was the sweetest baby.  I knew the year she turned one she just MUST have a Waldorf baby all her own.  So, I bought the kit at Joy's Waldorf dolls.  I'll admit, it was VERY easy to put together.  It's incredibly heartbreaking that I am awful at handsewing.  What you see before you is NOT the doll I made.  Oh no.  The doll *I* made has one eye, no nose, and just one arm.  However, she has lovely red boucle hair and a very nice one eye, and is very, very well loved.  And soft.  Waldorf dolls are special.  They are made of knit cotton and stuffed with wool.  They are soft and absorb warmth from your body.  They are not cold and plastic like a normal doll.  They inspire imagination.  They are a doll to be cuddled and loved.... like a REAL baby.  They are not cold, not hard, not stiff.  They are a little girl's lovey... Not to be put upon a shelf.  

 Want a doll NOT made in China?   The kits can be bought from Joy's Waldorf Dolls.  This is NOT who is making Abigail's doll this year.  Because, unfortunately, Joy is done with custom work until February.    And I, having some little bit of sense, knew better than to make one myself again this year,  as I would really like it to have TWO arms and TWO eyes this time next year.   But I can't tell you how excited I was to find this mama from Aunt Boo's Babies.  See one of her dolls below.

She is custom making Abigail a 12" heavy baby. Heavies are a little special.  They are stuffed with flax or millet and sometimes lavender to give them some weight.  They have a pleasant heaviness to them that makes a 12" heavy just right for a toddler.  We are so excited.  If you want to order a baby from Aunt Boo's Babies, email her or buy one instock from her store!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5296034

And my hands down favorite gift is my Waldorf Playstands and my sheepskin rug which we got for the girls last year for Christmas.  Okay, granted they are my favorite because my hubby made them with his own hands and honestly they mean a lot to me.  I look at them and think their daddy made those for them!!  Awwww... Yes, why I *am* married to the best man in the world.  How did you know?  ;)  Pictures coming soon!

And sometime later this week I'll show you pictures of the things we've come up with for this year!  Lots of ideas!

It's not a cure for hunger nor world peace, but I've made MY world a little easier.

Look very carefully at the picture and you will see the solution to the bane of your very existence o' Mamas of Many!  Behold, many little girl socks. 

Now, we have four girls.  Three of them wear socks so close in size that it is almost impossible to tell which socks belong to whom.

And, so, in traditional MOMY fashion, I've attempted to color code my little girls' socks.  I've tried to buy all white socks with various shades of stitching, colored toes, heels, ribbons, or whatnot.  And, yet, no happy solution.  What sweet little Princess wants to have all white socks?  And, do you remember whose color is what when it comes time to pass them down?  The result?  Utter mass confusion and general unhappiness.

And so one day, as I perused the shelves of Old Navy, the light bulb flashed on in my wee little head.  A Ha!  Here was the solution to the problem which plagued me so....

See how all the socks are different?  But, wait!  Look at the Old Navy socks?  What?  What is that I see?  YES!!!!

It is the SIZE clearly marked on the bottom of each sock. 

Finally!   Oh the pure bliss of it all.  My little girls finally have socks that match their outfits and I can match them all correctly! 

From my house to yours... Enjoy!

Chinatown

Shedd's

Brookfield

There are more, but that's all for now.  Just a glimpse!

I LOVE Fall.  It's my favorite season.  Nothing else comes close.  I love, love, love it.  But it's HOT here.  Grrrrr.  It rained yesterday and we called "Cookie Day."  Rainy days here are cookie days.  You can't do it for a solid week in a row, but if it hasn't rained in a bit, *and* it's raining when the kids wake up, then it is begging to be a cookie day.  Four of my kids came to me yesterday morning to let me know it was a cookie day, lol.

I can't decide what I'm in the mood for this morning.  We're reading the Wind in the Willows.  I feel like going out to the timber and doing a picnic lunch, but can't because it rained last night and everything will be absolutely wet and absolute mud.  Perhaps just a walk this morning for leaves.

Need to order my herb supplies for this coming cold and flu season.  I'm completely out of Wild Cherry Bark, gasp!  www.bulkherbstore.com

I am feeling rather uninspired with homeschooling lately.  Christian's reading has taken off to such a degree I'm not entirely sure I need to continue with the lessons.  I'm constantly amazed at what self-learners children can be.  It's amazing. 

Our grandpa caught us a snake two weeks ago!  The kids had a BLAST researching habitat and making a home for the snake.  It was an absolute JOY to see them working together, planning together, and coming up with a great habitat.  They went out and dug worms and fed him!  Who knew garter snakes ate worms???  Not me!  Absolutely awesome!

I would be tickled if anyone could post some fun things to do in the fall with many.  The snake was great.  In the Spring and Summer, we have a ton of ideas... our garden, tadpoles, our dill & swallowtail project.  We've germinated seeds, etc.  But, in the fall, we've run of out of unique, seasonal ideas.  Anyone?

Got Joy? 

Acts 2:46 & 47

"They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

And who wouldn't have wanted to be in that number?  People joyfully praising their God and being grateful and sincere as they worshipped and gave thanks together? 

Do your children see the joy, the gratefulness you have within you for your Saviour?

I know that it is important to teach our children about the Bible, Jesus, His commands, and teachings.  Of this I have no doubt.  But I do wonder how one can be saved from hell and not be gloriously GLAD that it has been done.

Matthew 13:3-10

"... Then he told them many things in parables saying: A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places where it did not have much soil.  It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop, a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  He who ears, let him hear."

Matthew 3:18-23

"Listen to what the parable of the sower means:  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  This is the seed sown along the path.  The one who recieved the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.  The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, bu tthe worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.  But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man ho hears the word and understands it.  He produces a good crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Your children are watching, learning, absorbing.  What are they learning about Christianity without words?  What are words?  I can say ANYTHING.  It doesn't make it true.  How am I LIVING?  If the Lord has planted a seed in me, surely it has sprouted and become a little plant.  But, am I nurturing that seed?  Giving it nourishment so that it can grow?  I have been allowing my plant to be choked out by weeds lately.  I have responsibilities to my family, my community, et cetera.  Those are GOOD things -  done in the right context.  But when I allow those things to grow on top of my plant, they will choke it out.  I have been allowing the computer to take my Bible time.... my time to read God's word and learn from HIM. 

Mothers, I would encourage you to spend just a little time in the Word every day.  Get a $0.30 notebook from the Stuff Mart and keep notes.  Write down what you are thankful for.  Women suffer from a serious disease called Discontentment.  There is a known cure for this disease!  It's called Gratefulness.  Taken liberally, several times per day, it can greatly retard the growth of the tumor Discontentment and there are those who have forced it out completely. 

If you are walking around your house with a sour face, STOP.  You say, "Oh, but you don't know!  My husband..."  or "My children...." or "My house...."  I'm telling you read the biography of Corrie ten Boom and her sister and see what role GRATEFULNESS played. 

 How great GOD is in all situations. 

So we're in the van and we're all a singin'.

And Briana says to Elizabeth, "Dizzy, you sound *just* like Mama."

And poor Elizabeth....

She practically started to cry.  Her whole face fell.

Ok... YES, it's a family truth that I can't sing.  But I LIKE to sing, and God gave me this voice afterall!

View this.  It's so very interesting.

[url]http://www.miniature-earth.com/[/url]

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