Posted in Home and Hearth

We painted one wall of the girls' room yesterday.  Of course, I enlisted as much help as possible. . . My Beloved did the top of the wall that joins the ceiling; Buc-Fan did the next 1/4 of the wall that I would have normally done; Princess did the middle 1/4; and Big Girl did the bottom 1/4 at the baseboard using the edger!  Mom sat on the bed and supervised! (LOL)  I hope to get the other three walls completed within the next two days or so.  We're operating under short bursts of time to accomplish this (during Sugar-Sugar's and My Buddy's naptime) so it's taking a bit longer than usual.

As I've been cleaning (read "delegating"), organizing (read "delegating"), decluttering (read "delegating"), and planning (read "prayerfully pondering"), I have tried to fight the tendency to get anxious and overburdened about all that needs to be done (read "I think should be done")!  It has not been easy!  I am a worrier and procrastinator by nature, which is sinful and in total opposition to God's command to "be anxious for nothing."  In the Mary vs. Martha saga, I am a Martha, 100%!  Oh, I'll do the work, but I'm fussin'  'n fumin' and spittin' 'n sputterin' the whole time! 

Preparing for the arrival of a new baby shouldn't be so stressful!  Every task, every moment of preparation is a reminder that a new sweet liitle soul will be arriving soon.  Yes, there will be diapers to change and nights with a minimum of sleep.  But there will also be soft coos to ooh and ahh over, excuses to just sit and cuddle, and the sweetness of life that can only come from a newborn!

Yesterday I happened to come across this poem/prayer that a dear friend gave to me a couple of years ago.  To me it illustrates perfectly the necessity of seeing the blessing in every service to our families and the proof of provision behind every duty we perform in our homes.  Be Blessed!

In His Love,

Tammy

Thank You Lord . . .

...for this sink of dirty dishes,

we do have good food to eat.

...for this pile of dirty laundry,

we do have nice clothes to wear.

...for the beds that need to be made,

they sure are comfortable at night.

...for this bathroom with the soggy towels and splattered mirrors,

it is very convenient to have.

...for this finger smudged fridge that needs defrosting so badly,

and the cold drinks inside that quench my thirst on a hot day.

...for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today,

it has baked us so many good meals.

...for the tall grass that needs mowing,

our whole family enjoys our private yard.

...for the slamming screen door and the children who slam it,

they are healthy and able to play.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says that you have really blessed this family.  I do them gratefully.  Amen

Posted in Home and Hearth

I love to take out my mixing bowls and measuring cups because inevitably one or more of the children will run to me and with eyes wide with anticipation ask, "What are you going to bake, Mom?"

I love to see my little guys bent over a book together all huddled on the couch or sprawled all over the floor!

I love to have thirteen-year old Buc-Fan peek around the corner and inform his tired Mother, "I put a load of laundry in the washing machine, Mom!"

I love to catch My Beloved with his hand literally in the cookie jar as he gives me that sheepish grin that declares, "Uh-oh!  You caught me!"

I love to have two-year old My Buddy climb into my lap, grab both of my cheeks in his pudgy little hands and say, "Kiss, Mommy!" as he plants a sweet, sloppy one on my face!

I love to have eight-year old Tigger bounce up to me, and, in his fast-talking, animated way, tell me about some new thing that he learning or read about that just blew his mind!

I love to see ten-year old Princess lovingly and patiently playing with or helping her younger siblings because I know that she's already on the road to being a more patient and loving mother than I am!

Posted in Home and Hearth

Previous Post from Past Blog!

Blessings!

Every week I try to come up with a list of at least five ideas/activities to do with my little ones that's just for fun!  I want them to remember Mommy as a joyful woman who knew how to have fun and enjoy life with her kiddos!  I'll be sharing those ideas with you all each week, hopefully!  Most of the activities can be done spontaneously, using whatever you have on hand.  Enjoy!

1.  Wash Everything in Sight:  Take the kiddos outside.  Fill a clean bucket with water and dish detergent.  Give them each a clean sponge or rag.  Let them wash whatever (i.e., the house, patio doors, toys, the van, etc.)!  They don't think it's work!  And they have lots of fun playing in the bubbles!  I usually dress them in rain ponchos that I found at T*rg*t for $1 each.  Don't be surprised if this turns into a water fight!  Loads of fun and Buckets of Giggles!

2.  Dance/Exercise to Music:  Put on your favorite tunes and just dance, exercise, and move in silly ways!  We usually use praise and worship music or traditional children's tunes.  The kids have a blast, and Mommy gets some much needed exercise!

3.  Read a Book Outside on a Blanket or in a Homemade Tent!

4.  Toss the Clothespins:  Use a bucket or a deep bowl, and take turns tossing clothespins into it!  Start at about two to three steps away.  Then stepping back a step after each person has had a turn!  Be sure to award each participant with a cookie and a hug!

5.  Take a Nature Walk in the Backyard or the Park:  Point out bugs, birds, and critters that may go unnoticed!

Posted in Home and Hearth

I love waking early in the morning before everyone else to partake of some sweet fellowship with my Lord, Lover and Savior, Jesus Christ!

I love hearing the pitter-patter or, in our case, the stampeding herd, of little feet coming downstairs when my little ones first wake up in the morning!

I love to see my older ones studiously bent over their schoolwork at the dining room table, sharing with one another the different things that they're learning, laughing, and just enjoying being together!

I love to reach into the pantry and pull out a few basic ingredients.  Then, with the help of a good recipe and the provision of the Lord, whip up a warm, nourishing breakfast for my brood!

I love to glance over at My sleeping Beloved before I rise in the morning, and know that he doesn't have to rush off to work because his office is down the hall and to the left!

More loves to come, Lord willing, tomorrow!  Be Blessed!

In His Love,

Tammy

Posted in Home and Hearth

Now, for those of you who don't know, Sugar-Sugar is our four-year old who almost died from an undiagnosed case of Type I Diabetes two years ago.  As a result, he must be closely monitored through blood sugar checks throughout the day and night.  He also receives insulin shots twice a day!  He is such a trooper though!  I often tell people that I think the whole ordeal is harder on me than it is on him because he bounces back with such resilience and a love for life!

Well, I'm sure that most of you don't know that out of all of my six children, he is the first one that I prayed for!  What I mean by that is that I wanted desperately for God to bless my womb with another little arrow to raise for His glory!  I remember crying out to God to make the fruit of my womb such that would shake the kingdom of darkness and would bring Light, Hope, and Truth to all people!

So, of course, the devil tried to thwart the Lord's plans by threatening to take Sugar-Sugar's life at the tender age of two, just as he attempted to do with Moses and with our Lord Jesus Christ!  But God . . .  Hallelujah!  But God said, "No, I will provide a way of escape!"  Now the escape plan hasn't been easy!  With all of the needles around here, sometimes life isn't very happy.  :) 

However, I know that I know that I know that God has a special plan for this little boy!  I know that I know that I know that My Redeemer lives; that God's grace is more than sufficient; that the love of Christ can reach to the deepest valley of despair; that the power of Satan is no match for the Omnipotent God that we serve; that when my strength is all gone, I can do all things through Christ Who gives me His strength; that when I can't hold on to hope, that God holds on to me; that even life's greatest storms can bring the most beautiful rainbows of promise!  May God and God alone be praised for His mighty exploits among the children of men!  To Him be all glory, majesty, dominion, and power both now and forever!

In His Love and Strength,

          Tammy

Posted in Home and Hearth

Posted in Home and Hearth

Post from my previous blog.  Enjoy!

Greetings, Ladies!  Sorry that I've been kind of "missing in action" the last few days!  We've just concluded a whirlwind of hospitality in our home this past week.  We've had a different family visit us every night except Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday!  Whew, what a week & what a blessing!  My house hasn't been so clean for such a long period of time in ages!  The toilets were scrubbed, and the floors were vacuumed & mopped every day!  Moreover, God multiplied our provisions so that we could feed not only our family, but several others.  But the greatest blessing was the privilege of fellowshipping with other saints of God, sharing in one another's joys and burdens, and reveling in the goodness of our Lord!

We truly love to practice the gift of hospitality!  Not entertaining, mind you, but hospitality.  What's the difference?  Well, I believe that entertaining usually involves lots of planning and/or money.  Now planning takes time, and time is money.  Well, I personally prefer to save as much of both necessary resources as possible.  In addition, the general purpose behind entertaining is to portray a picture of you and/or your family that may not be completely accurate (i.e., our children are always this well-behaved; our relationship is always this perfect; and our house is always this clean, etc.).

One thing that God has impressed upon my heart in recent months is the necessity of transparency in my Christian walk.  In other words, when people interact with me, they should see less of me and more of Christ.  As John the Baptist declared, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)  Therefore, when people come to visit us, our goal is not to impress them with gourmet meals, exquisite furnishings, or sinless children.  Our desire is to impart to them a portion of the physical bounty and spiritual blessing that the Lord has given to us.  We want our guests to leave our home feeling spiritually refreshed and comfortably content in spirit, soul, and body. Our family motto is, "You come as a guest, but you leave as family."

Now, how does the principle of transparency apply to the practice of hospitality?  Well, let's refer to Scripture for the answer.  In Genesis 18, Abraham has the privilege of extending hospitality to the Lord.

  1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw Three Men standing nearby. When he saw Them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet Them and bowed low to the ground.

3 He said, "If I have found favor in Your eyes, my Lord, do not pass Your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then You may all wash Your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get You something to eat, so You can be refreshed and then go on Your way—now that You have come to Your servant."
      "Very well," They answered, "do as you say."

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick," he said, "get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread."

7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before Them. While They ate, he stood near Them under a tree.  (Genesis 18:1-8)

The first circumstance that we should note is that this was not a convenient time for Father Abraham to have guests.  He was relaxing in his home, and it was the hottest time of the day.  Perhaps he had planned to spend a quiet evening with his wife trying to desperately beat the heat.  Nevertheless, when the opportunity arose for him to share his bounty and to extend kindness to some weary travelers, he did so graciously, expeditiously, and with humility.  One of my literary mentors, Elisabeth Elliot, has coined the phrase, "Love is the willingness to be inconvenienced."  Therefore, practicing hospitality, especially when it is inconvenient, is a definite expression of our love for Christ and our fellow man.

The second principle that I would like to draw our attention to is the fact that Abraham considered it a privilege to offer his guests both physical rest, nourishing food, and spiritual refreshment.  He implored them, "If I have found favor in Your eyes, my Lord, do not pass Your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then You may all wash Your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get You something to eat, so You can be refreshed and then go on Your way—now that You have come to Your servant."   Abraham knew that he had been blessed to be a blessing to others. 

We, too, dear Sisters, have been blessed so that we can share the joy of that blessing to whosoever comes into our sphere of influence.  The Proverbs 31 Woman was known for her willingness to bless others.  20She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit]. (The Amplified Bible)  When the LORD brings individuals and/or families across the threshold of our doors, we need to be prepared to offer a cup of cold water in Jesus name, a word of encouragement or exhortation, and a listening ear! 

As you consider the art and practice of hospitality, take the time to ponder on the following Scriptures.  They all speak to the joy, blessing, and privilege of opening our hearts and our homes.

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:13)

No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. (1 Timothy 5:9, 10)

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:8-10)

It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.  We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.  (3 John 1:7, 8)

Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.  (Hebrews 13:1, 2)

In His Love,

Tammy

Posted in Home and Hearth

You know you're behind in the housework when. . .

1.  The smoke alarm goes off six different times while you're cooking, not because the food is burning, but because the burner pans are covered in crumbs, gook, and the remains of a month's worth of dinners.

2.  The six-year old says that she doesn't want to use the bathrooms because they're all too yucky.

3.  Your husband looks at the growing piles of laundry, and in a loving, yet suspicious voice asks, "Honey, are you in denial about the laundry?"

4.  Your children start to leave you messages written in the dust on the living room table.

5.  Your thirteen-year old son asks if the washer is empty because he wants to wash his dress shirts himself so that he can have clean clothes to wear to church tomorrow.

Posted in Home and Hearth

Greetings, Ladies!  I found this recipe on an old cookbook CD-ROM.  No name was given as to the author.  But I found the idea to be very thought-provoking.  What do you think?

A Biblical Recipe for Effective Child Training

1 gallon faith in God

7 cupfuls love for your child

1 cup patience

1 cup clarified instruction

1 cup consistent discipline (whipped lightly)

3 teaspoons of pure mercy

1 generous dash of humor

2 cupfuls praise

2 cupfuls liberty

     Pour faith in God into any size family.  Mix one teaspoon of clarified instruction and one teaspoon of consistent discipline.  Add only a half cup of liberty initially.  Stir well.  Sprinkle in pure mercy and simmer over a steady flame of prayer.  Proceed to fold in additional teaspoons of instruction and discipline, in equal amounts, adding liberty slowly.  Stir well and whip as needed to smooth out any lumps of disobedience.  Never over-beat!  Sweeten to taste with humor and praise.  Melt any specks of misunderstanding or sour attitude by turning up the level of prayer and adding extra instruction.  Continue this process until all remaining ingredients have been added and all bitterness has been removed.  When adding the last cup of liberty, be careful not to cause any sudden separation or foaming.  If either of these occur, or if the moral character begins to lose its intended shape, skim off the excess liberty until the desired consistency results.  Try adding this liberty again later when character is firmer.  Keep warm over a steady flame of prayer.  Serve with a tender heart and the sincere milk of God's Word.  Never serve with a cold shoulder or a hot tongue.

Blessings to you!

In His Love,

Tammy

(graphic provided by Gone Country Graphics)

Posted in Home and Hearth

Another previous post for you!  God Bless!

Have you ever been into one of those houses that looks like a model home.  I mean, it's obvious that a Martha Stewart wanna-be lives there!  Everything is in perfect order; the decorations are exquisite and artistically placed; the interior painting and wall texturing is immaculate!  As a matter of fact, it looks as if the house has never been lived in! 

    Well, with six kids at home, our house looks very lived-in!  There's usually toys spread all over the floor; sticky fingerprints on walls & windows; rooms that need to be badly repainted; and the faint, yet pungent odor of freshly-filled diapers:)  Often, after visiting one of those homes, I would come back to our humble abode and wonder what in the world am I doing wrong! 

    Sure, some women just have a talent and a knack for interior decorating.  But I am convinced that to have a home that looks so professionally done takes a lot of time and/or money.  Now, in our family, when we have the time, we don't have the money!  And when we have the money, we don't have the time! 

    Well, finally, I had to accept the fact that our home is just that . . . our home!  I can't continually compare myself to other women who seem to have the perfect house because the perfect house is not my goal.  My vision is for a happy, joyful, loving home where those who live there are assured of their love, acceptance and value; and those who visit leave refreshed and encouraged!  When I focus on the toys, the fingerprints, the lack of style, etc., I fail to notice the smiles, the joyful chatter and the spills of laughter that echo throughout the rooms that badly need paint jobs! 

    So, dear Sisters, the next time that you're tempted to compare your home to the cover of a magazine, don't!  Instead, look for the evidence of a happy, contented family.  Then, you'll know that you are home!

Excuse This House

Some houses try to hide the fact,

That children shelter there.

Ours boasts of it quite openly.

The signs are everywhere;

For smears are on the windows,

Little smudges on the doors.

I should apologize, I guess,

For toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with the children,

And we played and laughed and read!

And if the doorbell doesn't shine,

Their eyes will shine instead!

For when at times I'm forced to choose,

The one job or the other;

I'd like to cook and clean and scrub,

But first I'll be a mother!

In His Love,

Tammy

(graphic courtesy of Magnolia Station)

Posted in Home and Hearth

The following post is from my previous blog and was posted about five months ago.  I thought that this may give more insight into our family and our journey.  Be Blessed!

On the very first episode of "The Cosby Show," Claire Huxtable, exasperated from a frustrating day of caring for her family, asks her husband, Cliff, "Why do we have four children?"  His classic Bill Cosby-esque response is, "Because we didn't want five!"  Now, with six children in our home all under the age of 14, my husband and I have often had that conversation either in the middle or at the end of one of those days! 

    When our entire family goes out together, we are used to the stares and the raised eyebrows.  We even try to politely not notice the people whose heads bob up and down as they try to silently count our children when they keep popping out of our van.  I have often threatened to wear a t-shirt in public that says on the front:  "Yes, they are all mine!  Yes, I do know how that happens!  Yes, I hope to have more!"  Then, on the back, it would say:  "No, I am not Catholic!  No, I am not crazy!  No, I am not done!" 

    Nevertheless, the question still remains, "Why do we have six children?"  I wish that I could say that we were one of those newlyweds who declared from the beginning:  "Children are a blessing from the Lord!  Blessed is he who has his quiver full of them!"  But, alas, our family story did not have such a fairy tale beginning.  Our first child was born out of wedlock.  I admit that with shame for the act, but with gratefulness for the first fruit of my womb because the trial of being an unwed mother and the realization that I had a new, little life to take care of was the catalyst that led me to the Lord.  When I first held him, I cried out to God, "Please, make me worthy to care for such a precious one!  Help me to be what I need to be so that he can grow into who he needs to be!" 

    Moreover, this first child was the emotional glue that held my now husband and me together.  We had both come from divorced homes, and neither one of us knew our biological fathers.  In addition, as African-Americans, we did not wish to perpetuate the myth that "All Black children are being raised in single-parent households."  Therefore, we vowed together that our child would have a different story.  Praise the Lord, that He is the Author of new beginnings!

    Our second child was born two months before our first wedding anniversary!  Obviously, birth control wasn't something that we had discussed before our honeymoon!  I had just begun a promising career in education.  But in my heart, during those months that led up to her birth, I felt torn between my own personal ambitions and the needs of my children.  As a teacher, I was giving my best to other people's children all day long.  However, by the end of the day, there was nothing left for my own.  Nevertheless, God had a plan!  When we began to search out daycare options, we made a life-altering discovery:  we could not afford daycare for two children!  If I had chosen to put both of my babies in childcare, the cost plus the expense of working (i.e., gas, clothing, teaching materials, etc.) would have left us with approximately a couple hundred dollars a month!  Therefore, we made the decision for me to stay home with our children which was becoming my heart's cry, anyway! 

    After the birth of our second child, we decided to use a form of birth control to limit the size of our family.  I was also breastfeeding at the time.  So you can imagine my surprise, when fifteen months later, I became pregnant again.  Our third pregnancy was, for me, the hardest to accept.  I mean, we had tried everything that we could to "prevent" another one.  But, God had a different plan.  Because I was so depressed by our "fruitfulness" I searched on-line for the answers to our "dilemma."  This is when I first came across the term "quiver full."  It was a whole new philosophy for us!  And I'm afraid to say that I didn't quite buy it, at first.  I mean, I believed that children were a blessing; they had proved to be the stimulant for dramatic change in my life up to that point.  But couldn't it be possible to have too much of a good thing!   In addition, during that time I conducted research on the various forms of birth control; the pros, the cons, the dangers.  For us, the pill was out of the question because of the possibility of causing a miscarriage.  And the other options seemed too invasive and/or questionable as far as the long-term health risks.  At that time, we concluded that we did not want to risk our future health for our present convenience.

    Of course, it didn't take long before I was pregnant again.  Our fourth child was born, and we were well on our way to being an above average-sized family!  Now when you have one child, people congratulate you.  When you have two, they're happy for you.  When you have three, they raise their eyebrows and say, "Haven't you guys figured out how that happens, yet?"  When you have four children, they shake their heads at you and say, "Better you than me!"  My response to that is, "You're probably right!"

     Our fifth child was an answer to prayer.  He was the first child that I prayed for.  I wanted God to bless my womb with another precious one to bear and to raise for His glory.   And He did just that!  Our fifth child was born under a covering of love and acceptance from all of us!  Now, when you have five children, people outright ask you, "When are you going to get fixed?'  Our response has been, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!  Our bodies are obviously functioning as God intended them to.  We came into this world with our reproductive organs in tact, and we plan to leave this world with them in tact!"

    When we were expecting our sixth blessing, we made the necessary purchase of a 15-passenger van!  That solidified our commitment to filling it with as many children as the Lord saw fit to give us!  Our sixth child was born two weeks before our fifth child turned two.  Soon after-wards we began to notice a huge change in our fifth child's behavior.  I mean, it was "the terrible twos" times two!  We figured that there was probably some jealousy there, too.  I remember crying to a friend about how he just needed his Mommy!  In addition, he began to wet through his diapers several times day and night.

    To make a long story short, our fifth child was rushed to the Children's Hospital and diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes six weeks after his second birthday and eight weeks after the birth of our sixth child.  When he arrived in the emergency room, he was near death.  His blood sugar level was over 1000 (a normal blood sugar range is between about 80 to 110), and he was literally starving to death because his body couldn't get the nutrients that it needed from his blood stream!  But, praise be to God, within 36 hours, he was back home with us!!! 

   Now, the fight is still not over.  We must carefully monitor his blood sugar level which involves pricking him for blood samples at least four times a day.  He also receives insulin injections twice a day.  His food intake and level of activity have to be carefully managed also.  It's not easy, but we are fighting this battle together as a family!  All of the children are involved, in some degree, with his care.  Even the baby who is now almost two years old comforts him by patting his head when he gets his injection of insulin!

   So, again, "Why do we have six children?"  Right now, the answer is because we're afraid to have seven!  This is the longest span of time in ten years that I have not been pregnant or nursing a baby!  We would love to have more children, but we are afraid of how another pregnancy and subsequent responsibility will affect our ability to properly manage our son's diabetes so that he can live as long and as productive of a life as possible.  No, we haven't done anything to permanently alter our reproductive systems.  We are, however, counting days and taking basal body temperatures with the hope of giving our family more time to cope with our son's needs.  Our beliefs are still the same:  Yes, we would love to have more children.  But our plan is to wait until our fifth child can take over more of his own care.  However, who knows?  God has by-passed our plans more than once and always for the better!

    Our children have each, in their own way, proven to be a blessing to us!  From the gift of salvation to the decision to stay home, from increasing our faith and dependence in God to being our comic relief when pressures seem overwhelming, I have my children to thank for their constant love, support and inspiration!  So, now when people find out that we have six children, they say, in an exasperated voice:  "Well, God bless you!"  My automatic response is:  "He already has!"

In His Love,

Tammy

* Update January 2008:  We are pregnant again, actually we're very pregnant!  About six months to be exact!  Once again our gracious LORD has seen fit to by-pass our plans and to continue with His!  Are we worried? Yes.  A bit scared?  Terrified at times!  But we know that we serve a God Who never makes mistakes!  Moreover, there's no safer, better, or more comforting place to be than in the middle of His Will!  May He receive all the glory and the honor for what He chooses to do in our lives!

Posted in Home and Hearth

Allow me to introduce my clan and kinsmen!  First of all, there's my irresistibly gorgeous husband, Ed.  He serves as the resident drill sergeant, professional theologian, and all-around funny man in our home.  Pictured with him is our first-born son, Buc-Fan whose passions include football, Scripture Memory, McDonald's French Fries, The Chronicles of Narnia,  and anything that he can compete against someone else to do.

Next is our first-born daughter, Princess.  Her interests include tea parties, writing, reading, American Girl Dolls & Books, and Chocolate (takes after her mother, I'm afraid!)

Tigger is next in the line-up!  And as his name implies, he's usually bouncing from one disaster to another!   But his smile is so cute, and his laugh is so contagious that none of us can stay mad at him for long!  He enjoys Hot Wheels Cars, horses, cheetahs, and Fried Chicken!

Big Girl is our second-born daughter who is in the unique predicament of being sandwiched between one older brother and two younger brothers!  As a result, the girl is as tough as nails when provoked, yet as gentle as a lamb when she feels needed and appreciated.  Her loves are ballet, playing house, and helping Mommy in the kitchen.

Sugar-Sugar is our third son and miracle child!  He almost died at the age of two from an undiagnosed case of Type 1 Diabetes, but God was merciful!  Although Sugar-Sugar's days and nights are filled with blood sugar checks and insulin shots, he also gets in plenty of time for play, laughter, and trouble-making!  His favorite things are Thomas the Tank Engine, playing outside, and pretending to be whatever strikes his fancy at the moment.

Last, but in no way least, is My Buddy who is the official "No" Man in the house!  His answer to everything these days seems to be "No," whether we're talking about sharing toys, eating cookies, or taking baths.  But he does seem to be easily persuaded to eat the cookies anyway!  He loves Thomas the Tank Engine, football, Blue's Clues, and anything that can be made to bounce without breaking!

And, I guess, I must introduce the author of this blog and the manager of this home.  I'm passionate about my Lord, my family, my Starbucks coffee and my sleep; though I haven't gotten much of the "sleep" part in the last thirteen years!Welcome to our Blog and Family!

In His Love,

Tammy