• Jan. 18, 2007
Hillybilly Housewife

Last week I had extra milk that I didn't want to waste. I went to Hillbilly Housewife and learned how to make homemade yogurt.  I made custard style yogurt and yogurt cheese from the yogurt I made.  They were both a hit.  I love making new things in the kitchen.

 

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• Jan. 14, 2007
Working Hard at Staying on Top of Things

My dh is just naturally a person of order.  Orderliness makes sense to him and I don't think the man ever makes a mess.  I know he would love for me to be more orderly and I am trying...really I am.

I have been setting an alarm (I hate alarms!) and waking the baby (I don't like to wake sleeping children!) to nurse a bit earlier than usual.  This allows me to be finished nursing by the time my other lovely children put their feet on the floor and demand breakfast.  I have been making an extreme effort to get the kitchen clean before I go to bed each night so I don't have so much to do in the morning.  I have even put breakfast in the slow cooker to cook overnight to cut down on that work as well. (Of course, my kids didn't like it...why would they?  that would be too simple.)  It is not written down exactly, but I do have the skeleton of a MOTH schedule that we are following everyday.  The tops of furniture are cleared more frequently and school is getting done in a much more organized fashion.

Then comes along a weekend like this one.  I was exhausted from all that work this week and it was cold and rainy.  The kids couldn't go outside to burn off energy.  I was grumpy and my head hurt.  The dishes stayed dirty and clutter piled up.  How can order turn to chaos so quickly?  What is God trying to teach me?  Am I too dense or stubborn to get it?

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• Dec. 30, 2006
Character traits revealed during a tornado warning

Down here in Texas there aren't too many tornados, but up in Kansas where we moved from they were pretty frequent.  The apartment complex we lived in back in Missouri was actually leveled by a class 4 tornado 2 months after we moved out.  I was soooooo greatful that we did not still live there.  Seeing the damage to our old home was very eye opening for my oldest son and he has a fear and healthy respect for storms now.

So now on to the point of this post.  Yesterday we had some pretty good thunderstorms and my husband called to let us know about the tornado watch.  Pretty soon that developed into a warning and the sirens started going off.  I quickly gathered my children and told them to get some books and go sit in the bathtub.  I grabbed the baby and we all crowded into the tiny room.  I was surprised at all that was revealed by this simple little drill.  My oldest son who is afraid of tornados was very obedient and very loving toward his 2yo brother who was frightened by the sirens screaming outside.  He quickly got on task of distracting my youngest son and engaging him in silly games while we waited out the storm.  When the power went out he gently consoled and showed great patience despite his own fears.  After the storm was past, he told me that he was afraid.  I complemented him on his actions and told him how proud I was that he overcame his fears and thought of his brother.

My middle son however, was not too happy about being locked in the bathroom with the whole family.  His was grumbling and complaining and fussing the whole time.  It was a glimpse into a few character issues that we need to work on.

 

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• Dec. 28, 2006
what to say?

I can always think of all sorts of things to blog about when I am not available to type.  When I sit down to type...nothing comes to mind.  I will give a general update of what's been going on.

Children...

My oldest son's attitude has slowly been improving (this is a serious answer to prayer) and life has started being a bit more pleasant around here.

My youngest son threw away his pacifier.  We went to buy a new toy to celebrate and he picked out a vaccuum cleaner. LOL!  His brothers tried to convince him to choose ANYTHING else...but all to no avail.  Now he is the proud owner of a talking vaccuum cleaner that tells corny jokes like "It that a rabbit?  No, it's just a dust bunny!"

My middle son and the baby are doing well. 

School...

We did a fabulous study on Brazil and South America the 3 weeks prior to Christmas.  The boys were very interested in the Amazon rain forest.  We did a study on Anacondas and watched a really creepy, but interesting and educational video on these amazing snakes.  My son wrote a pretty nice report on the subject as well.

One day we studied about the birds in the rain forests.  We talked about eggs and God's amazing design.  We demonstrated the strength of the arch shape by cutting egg shells in half and placing 4 halfs under the 4 corners of a book.  We added 1 book at a time until the shells cracked.  My son was impressed that these fragile egg shells could hold 10 of our hefty books before cracking.

We also made 2 Brazilian desserts.  One was delicious, but a flop.  The other was interesting and we enjoyed sharing a taste with our friends that stopped by.

 

Life...

I have been working diligently to bring more order to our home.  This is an area of constant struggle for me.  I have finally sought my husband's input and worked with him on this area rather than  trying to do it all myself and being defensive when I am not successful.

Christmas...

We had a lovely Christmas at home.  I will post more about that later.

 

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• Dec. 15, 2006
Store Wars

My sister sent me this link for Store Wars.  My boys are avid Star Wars fans and we found this very funny.  I thought some of you that are Star Wars fans and are leaning toward organic and whole foods would appreciate it as well.  We found it worth watching.  The boys all cheered and begged "Let's watch it again!"

Happy watching.

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• Dec. 6, 2006
My Dear Son is Aging Me Rapidly

We have had some major discipline issues with my oldest son this past week.  I am emotionally and physically exhausted.  I am left wondering how it got to this point.  I am grieved by my inability to be the parent he needs me to be.  I have spent time feeling sorry for myself about my mistakes as a mother.  I have spent time on my knees crying out to my Lord for help and forgivness.  Have we been so focused on our future ministry that we have lost our son along the way?  My husband and I have had many discussions and prayers about what we need to change to find our sweet little boy again.

 

The last 3 days have been MUCH better.  I have hope.  I know that the Lord is walking with us as we discipline and disciple our son.  He is a child of God and my prayer is that I will be the best mother I can be to help him grow in the Lord.

 

Tonight I saw a glimpse of my sweet son and not the angry boy he has become.  On our way to AWANA my middle son said that when he gets to Truth and Training (3rd-6th grade) he wants to be in my class at my table.  I explained to him that I teach GIRLS Truth and Training and that he would be in the BOYS class.  He said well, Katie will have to be in your class then.  Wyatt spoke up and said, "Sam, by the time Katie makes it to Truth and Training mom will be in her 70's.  I am sure she won't still be teaching." MY 70's!!!!! LOL!  Well, I know that I felt much older after last week, but it must be much worse than I thought.

 

I would like to add that tonight was store night at AWANA.  My dear son spent all but $2 on his family.  He bought Christmas presents for everyone and had them wrapped.  This was very special to me.  I believe it was God's way of showing me that everything will be okay with my son.  His heart is not as hard as I feared.  This whole experience has been a reminder of my need to daily walk with the Lord and depend on Him.

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• Dec. 2, 2006
What's Wrong With This Picture?

I asked the boys to set up the Little People nativity in the living room today.

 

 

In case you didn't notice.  Here's a closer view.

Mary is missing in action.  This small fact didn't slow them down...a flight attendant will do. LOL!

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• Nov. 30, 2006
Our Snow Day

 

Today it snowed in Texas.  I know that you girls up in Kansas got dumped on...but we got a dusting.  It makes me laugh when cold weather hits this place.  Everyone acts like the "blizzard like" weather will keep them snowed in for months. LOL!  The grass wasn't even covered, but my children have been feeling very deprived of cold, white weather.  I put them in their hats and mittens and brought them out to play.  My neighbors were aghast that I would bring a 3 month old out in the frigid air...I promise she was warmer than anyone else.  My sons diligently scraped the snow off of any surface it was gathering on so they could make a couple of snowballs.  Our neighbors got a broom and a bucket and began sweeping snow of of vehicles so they could build a snowman.  It was so funny.  They built a wonderful snowman about 18 inches tall.  He had walnut eyes and a carrot nose.  The children were delighted.  They had a ball sliding down the slides at the playground that were completely iced over.  But my favorite part of the day was my 2yo.  He probably doesn't remember snow that you can really play in...he was too little.  Today he proudly announced, "LOOK AT ALL THE SNOWMAN POOP!" LOL!

 

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• Nov. 29, 2006
Tagged!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  Hot Chocolate (with whipped cream)!

 

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  When I was a child Santa never wrapped presents.  When my kiddos were younger, Santa didn't wrap if the presents were too difficult to wrap or were assembled.  But if you will read my previous post...we are no longer doing Santa.  Wrapped presents will be brought out on Christmas morning. 

 

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?  I like white.  My husband and children like colored.

 

4. Do you hang mistletoe?   I hang Mistletoad!  It is this stuffed green and white toad.  He is wearing a Santa hat with mistletoe on it.  LOL!  It is really funny and very cute.

 

5. When do you put your decorations up?  Usually the day after Thanksgiving.

 

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?  My grandmother's cornbread dressing.  My mom now has the recipe that is written in my grandmother's handwriting.  The recipe isn't really a recipe at all...just a list of ingredients and estimated amounts with random instructions for preparation.  I made this dressing for Thanksgiving this year since we didn't travel and weren't home for the holiday.  (My mom usually makes it.)

 

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:   Dancing to Thistlehair the Christmas Bear (from Alabama's Christmas album) with my dad as we decorated the tree.

 

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  I don't really remember.  I do remember when I asked my mom if Santa was real she read the Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus article out of a Norman Rockwell Christmas book we had.

 

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?   As a child we were all allowed to open ONE gift on Christmas Eve.  It is the same for my children.  Except when we have Christmas at my in-laws...they open EVERYTHING on Christmas Eve.  When we are there the kids open everything except the presents from us.

 

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  The ornaments that we have we collected over the past 10 years.  They are many and varied.  Many of them were gifts, others were made by the children.

 

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  I truely have a love-hate relationship with snow.  I like to look at it from a window sipping hot cocoa wrapped in a warm blanket.  Once I had children, I could no longer take a fireside seat.  Growing up in Louisiana it only snowed once in 16 years.  Living in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas it became a frequent part of winter.  Now we are in Texas and there is no snow!

 

12. Can you ice skate?   Only time I went I was 7.

 

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  My American Girl.  I have Samantha.  She is the only toy I kept from my childhood.  After my third son was born I considered giving her to 1 of my nieces.  I couldn't part with her, maybe I was hoping to have a little girl with dark hair to pass her on to.  One day Katie will be big enough to play with her.  I only hope that she loves babies and dolls as much as I did.

 

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  Family and sharing/understanding the true meaning of Christmas.

 

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  "Green Stuff".  It is a fluffy lime salad with pineapple, cream cheese, marshmallows, walnuts, and LOTS of REAL whipped cream.

 

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  I love pulling out the Christmas decorations.  It is an official announcement that Christmas is here.  Christmas Eve is a lot of fun as well.  We have always spent Christmas with our extended family on one side or the other and there are no "meaningful" traditions on either side.  This year we are not traveling and I would like to start some of our own holiday traditions that have more meaning for us.

(The $5 present game we play at my in-laws is my favorite tradition there...but I am wanting to start traditions that focus on the reason for Christmas.)

 

17. What tops your tree?  I has always been a crocheted angel, but this year it is a star that light's up.

 

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  Both.  Though as I get older giving becomes more and more enjoyable.  This year I don't even have a wish list.

 

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  Breath of Heaven

 

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum??  Yuck, I am not a fan of peppermint.

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• Nov. 26, 2006
What, No Santa?!

 

I have deeply upset my extended family with our decision not to have Santa as a part of Christmas anymore.  We actually made this decision last year and I guess they didn't know about it because no one was upset.  After a vicious attack from my mother yesterday, I sat down and really pondered the why's of our decision.

 

First, I will start with the fact that we want to teach our children Truth.  I want to teach the kids what is right and what is wrong.  What is true and what is not true.  The Truth that we are concerned about is Biblical Truth.  How then do I teach Biblical truth while at the same time lie to my children...encouraging something that is false?  How does it affect my older children when they see Mom and Dad lying to their younger siblings about something which they know to be false?  (They have reasoned this one out...I did not have to tell them that Santa is not real.)  I would have to encourage them to lie as well if the precious secret of Santa is to be kept.  Will they not then question the trustworthiness of Mom and Dad?  They may wonder what else Mom and Dad are lying about.  It is my belief that I lose some authority on teaching my children Truth when I choose to lie about "the small stuff."

 

In addition to the question of truth, doesn't the whole idea of Santa promote selfishness, materialism, and worldliness?  (all things that I am striving to move away from) I do not think it is necessary for my children to believe that some magical, fat man in a red suit is going to give them their heart's desires.  Where is the celebration of Christ in this?

 

Santa may truely be harmless, but he does not in anyway move toward any of the goals we have set in raising our children.  So the question then becomes "Why should I allow Santa in my Christmas?"

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• Nov. 24, 2006
A New Game

I stumbled across this game from another blog link.  I thought it was too funny not to share.

It is called Missionaries and Cannibals.  Click here to play.

Test your logic.  Have a good laugh when you fail.  And have fun.

 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

 

 

 

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• Nov. 15, 2006
Having it all together

Tonight was pumpkin pie night for AWANA at our church.  It was a family night with pumpkin pie for everyone and a wonderful opportunity to share what AWANA is all about with those who are not familiar with the program.

 

I bring all 4 kids to church on Wednesday night for AWANA by myself.  (DH is sleeping so he can get to work at 11:00pm.)  I am usually dashing around like a crazy person...sending the older boys to check in, getting the toddler to childcare, rushing upstairs to my class of T&T girls.  I can't really get there any earlier because I need to nurse the baby JUST before I leave so she doesn't need to eat during handbook time.  I always feel as though we are running late on Wednesday night.  Many of the leaders can attest to this because I am frazzled by the time I actually get everyone where they need to be.

 

Tonight we were on time and there would be no rushing because we were all going to the same room.  All we had to do was get our pie and ice cream and sit down.  No problem!  I set the baby in the infant carrier, the diaper bags, and the coats down at a table and escorted my 3 boys to the dessert table.  I instructed the older boys to get a piece of pie and a fork and go sit down.  I grabbed 2 forks, 1 piece of pie for myself and 1 for the toddler along with 4 cups of ice cream and 4 spoons.  I carried it all back to the table and served everyone.  The lady across from me said "You really have your act together."  I chuckled and said "At least for the moment."

I must admit to feeling a little proud for just a few seconds as I looked at my 3 sons sitting quietly at the table eating their pie and the baby sleeping peacefully in her seat.  I started to eat my pie...and the program started.

 

Within moments the order ended.

The 2 oldest boys had moved to the next table to sit with friends.  The 6yo would not sit and be quiet.  While I was whispering in his ear, the 2yo threw up the pumpkin pie on the carpet.  Thankfully, it was not a full fledged emptying of the stomach...only the 2 bites of pie that he had just eaten.  I cleaned up my son and the pie vomit and sat my son back in the chair...only so he could spill an entire cup of pink lemonade across the table.  Sometime during all of this the baby decided that she needed to eat and she started to wail. (She forgot that is was not time for her to eat again. LOL!)  As I am getting ready to nurse her, the 2 yo decides that it would be an excellent time to make his way to the stage (where the pastor is now talking).  I put myself back together and go after the 2yo while bouncing a hungry baby trying to convince her not to resume her screaming.  I intercept the 2yo before he reaches the stage and coax him back to the rear of the room.  We stand there patiently waiting for the pastor to finish.  Finally, he begins a closing prayer and the 2yo starts to blow bubbles in his drink so loudly that the music minister sitting at a nearby table begins to snicker during the prayer.  I am trying to remove the straw from my son while at the same time doing my best to avoid a full tantrum (I am still bouncing the hungry baby). 

 

For the most part, I don't think too many people noticed my chaos.  The lights were dimmed and everyone's attention was focused on a video of the kids sharing what they were thankful for.

 

I was laughing inside the whole time...who me? Have it together?  She must be crazy!

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• Nov. 9, 2006
My New Solution

I have an earlier entry about my dilema of rising early or sleeping in.  I am working on becoming more disciplined in this area, but for now I have something that is working. 

 

I long for a schedule and find it difficult to get on task when I don't get up in the morning.  The kids get up and start doing their own thing (playing, watching a movie, making messes, fighting, etc.). Then they don't want to stop what they are doing and start school (or chores or anything else I have in my plan).  Before I get everyone on task and doing what they are supposed to be doing it is usually 10am or later.

 

Managers of Their Chores has been my solution.  I read the book and started by creating 1 chorepack for a daily morning routine.  The beauty of the chorepack is that I give them to the boys when they sit down to eat breakfast.  (Their 1st "chore" is eat breakfast.)  It is a signal that Mom is ready for everyone to start their day.  They are allowed free time until the baby has nursed and I am up preparing breakfast.  At breakfast, they get the chorepack and go through their take along to-do list.  They can carry it with them...so no running back to look at a list posted somewhere...or forgetting to check the list.  They have an order in which to accomplish things so there is no overlap in the bathroom, etc.  (Son #1 has time in the bathroom while Son #2 is clearing dishes and washing table.  Son #2 has bathroom time while Son#1 is washing dishes.)

 

Since we have started this system, I have been able to get my day started and then find that the boys are ready as well.  Before chorepacks, I would fix breakfast and give instructions to get dressed, etc. after they were finished eating.  Then I would get in the shower, get dressed, or start a load of laundry, etc.  I would return to find the boys back at whatever they were doing before breakfast.  Then I would have to remind them to get dressed and do their chores.

 

The chorepacks have been a signal for the boys.  They know when I hand them their chorepack, free time is over.  The beauty of this is it doesn't matter what time we have breakfast.  We are not behind if I don't have breakfast on the table by 7:00 or 7:30am.  Breakfast is our starting point no matter when it occurs.

 

It is working for now and I hope it will be a nice transition for the boys as I am working on getting a more complete schedule and additional chorepacks in place throughout our day.

 

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• Oct. 25, 2006
Soup's On

 

While waiting for news of my granddad, I was cookin' like a fool last week.  I was in the mood to try some whole food cooking, so I made a trip to the store.  I came home with bunches of fresh veggies:  tomatoes, leeks, onions (red and white), carrots, celery, mushrooms...  I also purchased a bag of unbleached white flour and whole wheat graham flour.  I grabbed a box of turbinado and went home with absolutely no idea what I was going to do with my "whole foods."  Raisingarrows helped me out with my grains and sweetener.  I was clueless until she clued me in.  A fountian of wisdom she is!

 

First stop, foodnetwork.com.  I searched and found some ideas.  In the end, I made homemade cream of mushroom soup, a vegetable stock, and a veggie puree' to use as a soup base.  I also made some whole wheat biscuits that I am proud to say my kiddos loved (they generally won't eat things that are whole wheat).

 

I used SarahLynne's recipe for Vegetarian Chili as a start and tweaked it so I could use my veggie puree'.  It was great, but the kids would not eat it.

 

This morning I was back at it and made some whole wheat carrot muffins.  I served them with a touch of honey and all 3 boys gobbled them up, I would say they were a winner.

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• Oct. 25, 2006
It's time to clean!

 

As my 2 year old stood on his chair and SCREAMED that there was a snake under his chair, I realized it was time to sweep.  It was a dried green bean...they can be really fierce ya' know.  LOL!

 

Today we moved the couch to retrieve some long lost items.  My 7yo said, "We really need to dust back here, I mean you can SEE the dust!"  I handed him the vaccuum cleaner. 

 

By the way, what do you think of my new blog?

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• Oct. 24, 2006
Goodbye Granddad, we will see you again.

 

Yesterday we buried my grandfather at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.  My sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother were all together for the first time in 12 years.  The weekend was full of bittersweet memories.  My youngest cousin, Jesse, stated "Just look at all this...it all came from 2 people who loved each other for more than 63 years."

 

My grandparents have 3 children, 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.  The chaplain yesterday said, "He was fruitful and he multiplied!"

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• Oct. 17, 2006
Waiting to say goodbye...

My grandfather had a stroke a couple of weeks ago.  At first, the outlook was very good.  It was a minor stroke and the doctor's were confident of recovery after some time in rehab.  The boys and I made a trip to Kansas and visited him in the hospital. 

There have been many up's and down's in the past few weeks as well as additional stroke episodes.  The last stroke left my grandfather in a coma.  The doctors feel confident there is no hope of recovery.  After viewing the scans, more than 1 doctor has stated that this is the worst he has ever seen.  Knowing my granddad's wishes, my grandmother decided to have all life support removed.  My dad and his siblings are with her now standing by her side as she waits for her husband of 60+ years to die.

My oldest son is sad. My middle son is angry.  My dad is hurting more deeply than I have ever witnessed.  I spoke with my grandmother only an hour ago.  She is so much stronger than I.  I felt almost ashamed as I listened to her try to comfort me.  We are waiting to hear the news so we can go and say goodbye.

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• Oct. 17, 2006
Get down before you fall, monkey

Before today, I never realized how much I use the phrase "get down before you fall, monkey".  It seems a bit unusal as a stand alone phrase, but maybe many of you mother's of sons (or climbing girls) can relate.  I call all of my children monkeys and are convinced that their climbing abilities could earn them a place behind bars at the zoo.  Today, my middle son said the phrase to my youngest son.  It sounded so funny coming from him.  But when I stopped and thought about it, I realized how common the phrase is in our home.

 

It is warranted...it was just before Katie was born that we had to have staples put in my 2yo son's head due to an excursion to the top of his brother's bunkbed.  Sigh. 

 

I have found my middle son perched on top of the refrigerator before as well as many other unusal spots above my head.

 

How 'bout you?  What unusal phrases do you hear repeated from your children?

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• Oct. 16, 2006
First day back to school

Today was our first day back to school since Katie's birth.  It was full of disarray, but we did get it done.  We didn't cover everything, but I feel good about what we did do on our first day back.  The boys were not too resistant to returning to their studies after 8 weeks off.  (The 2 science demonstrations we did helped. )

 

We started a study on lakes and rivers.  To demonstarte how they are formed we made a model with dirt.  First we covered a pan with dirt and molded hills and valleys out of the damp earth.  Then we placed the pan on an incline and slowly poured water at the top.  The boys watched the "rivers and lakes" that were formed and we observed how erosion works.  It was very simple, but the boys thought it was fabulous.  Next, we had a little demonstration about surface tension.  We showed how pond skaters are able to stay above the water by carefully placing a paper clip on top of a bowl of water.  If you don't do this just right, the surface tension is broken and the paper clip will sink.  After several tries, we were successful!  To show how surface tension holds the water together, we filled a spoon with water and continued to add water with a dropper.  The boys were able to observe how the water was "growing" over the edge of the spoon, but not spilling.

 

We also covered a little math and a little reading.  Of course we started our day with a reading and discussion time from the Bible.  This morning we read the beatitudes.

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• Oct. 16, 2006
The Last 7 weeks

The last 7 weeks has been utter chaos.  First of all, I can't believe that Katie is actually 7 weeks old.  She is starting to have a regular schedule and is even sleeping a bit more at night.  I stopped to think of all I have done and all that has happened since she was born and thought I would make a list.

 

1.  I took an Old Testament Review class.  Class actually started the day after she was born, so I missed the first class.  I had homework every week for the first time in 8 years.  I had to create a family devotional project, evaluate it, and write a paper about my experience.  I had to study for quizzes each week and study for a comprehensive final as well.  It was fun to use my brain again. :)  I know I made an A in the class, but haven't recieved my final grade.

 

2.  My mother had hip replacement surgery.  She is walking better now than she has in years.

 

3.  My grandfather had a stroke.

 

4.  The kids and I went to Kansas to help my mom and see my granddad.  I don't know how much help I was with 4 kids in tow, but I was glad my older boys and I got to see my granddad.  I had beg the nurses in the ICU to let the boys in, but they did allow it for a few minutes.

 

5.  I stayed up late visiting with my dad.  We never actually get to talk more than small talk of everyday life.  I miss him very much since our move and I know he misses us as well.  This was such a nice, quiet time for us to visit.  I don't remember the last time we talked for so long.

 

6.  My sister came to Kansas with her 4 kids and we visited for a day.  I got to see my nephew that is 6 months old for the first time.  The boys enjoyed playing with their cousins.

 

7.  I went to our home church in Oklahoma while we were travelling.  It was a blessing to see everyone and show off our new addition.

 

8.  We visited our homeschool group while we were in Kansas.  Again, it was a blessing to see everyone and fun to show little Katie off.  (Does that sound bad...show her off?  It is just such a joy to share our little joy with those we love.)

 

9.  I actually got away from the boys for a few hours and had brunch with some ladies from the seminary.  It is a rare occurrance with our family's crazy schedule that I leave the boys to do anything.  It was a nice break for a couple of hours.

 

10.  The boys and I learned Jewish folk dancing.  It was great fun and very tiring.

 

11.  We had Katie dedicated.

 

12.  I had my 29th birthday.  I used some of my birthday money to buy quite a bit from Titus2.com and have read Managers of their Chores.

 

13.  The Lord has used many of these experiences to reveal areas in my life that I need more devotion to Him.

 

In all of this time, we have done no school.  (That was in the plan all along.  I schooled through summer to have our break now.)  The house has ranged from completely clean and orderly to utter disarray.  I have functioned on very little sleep and am loving my time as a mother of 4.

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