A Daybook to Begin the Week

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Outside My Window ...
It is beautiful-- sunny, a slight breeze, and not too hot, yet.

The rasberries are ripening and we are enjoying picking each evening

Today while babies are napping I hope to get the goat yard cleaned up and the garden (found--it has to be out there somewhere--  even if I had a camera--I don't think I'd show you!!  )

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I am listening to...
The fan in the babies room coming thru the monitor and the boys listening to Bach.  

 
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To Fit and Happy...
The Salad will mostly be on hold this week while Jason is gone-- the boys aren't thrilled with them

Outside work picking berries and gardneingd Friday. 

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I am thankful for...
All my children--each one is so different, yet each one adds something beautiful to our family 

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From the kitchen ...
BERRIES  BERRIES... yikes- we did one more flat of Strawberries and I have done 3 LARGE freezer bags of blueberries (may go pick a few more tomorrow) and now raspberries-- We are going to have plenty of berries this winter!! 

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I am wearing ...
Jean skirt and blue and white striped maternity shirt

 

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I am creating ...
A new and clean home for our house.   Detailed cleaning is really coming along-- 

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  In my CD Player...
Bach  

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Towards a real education ...
Still on a "break" for probably 2-3 more weeks. 

I look forward to doing a good bit of lesson planning next week while the older 2 are at their grandparents for 4-5 days.

 

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I am thinking... 
I need to get outside and get busy before some babies wake up!!   

    
 
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In the Garden...

THIS WEEK-- IT MUST BE A PRIORITY!!

TOP PRIORITY:  GET IN THERE AND FIND THE PLANTS!! 

  

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I am reading  ...
Seasons of a Mothers Heart by Sally Clakrson and The Bible in my early morning quiet time

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I am hoping and praying ...

Jason has a good week of trainning and his back feels better...for a safe return home

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On Keeping Home ...
This week is the kitchen and basement

The Garden

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
My mom comes Wednesday to visit...

Jason returns on Friday

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Be sure to visit Peggy for links to more daybooks.

A local mom in our homeschool co-op sent out this link for Future Christian Homemakers eariler....and can I just say how much it makes me look forward to watching Rebekah grow up?    I don't know how long this has been a free resource-- but I am excited!!   I also am glad that it is for the 'younger girls" vs. the older teen girls.

Having boys is fun (and so far much easier) than my little darling--  but I dare say-- I look forward to the near future when the boys are more under daddy's wing for learning-- and Rebekah gets a bit older and we can learn all kinds of thing together.  

My guess is the chances of us having another girl is slim--(boys really are dominate in this family line)....so I look forward to working, learning and having fun with her!! 

Hump Day-- that is what we called it when I worked outside the home...and Thursday-- we'll we wont go there-- it had a name too.....

Wheww I am sweaty and exhasuted-- I have really made head way on the SECOND cleaning out of the STUFF and the re-making of every inch of our home.   Last week I completed:

• Living room... re-arranged the couches, added a shelf system for games/puzzles (and can you believe Stephen hasn't touched it?!).   Cleaned all the window sills and windows...but these windows are weird-- they are first of all OLD-- and so when I clean the inside and out-- there is still a section INSIDE I cannot reach....grrrrr.  But I am pleased-- and the boys have done very well at keeping it orderly by the end of the day.   The big trick here-- which I've done for some time-- is "tote" the toys-- and only 1 or 2 totes at a time.  Right now cars/trucks/tractors and BIG mega blocks are out.  The farm animals and other toys are toted in the basement.
• Dinning room-  Can I just tell you how much I LOVE MY NEW FILE CABINENTS???  Oh-- my-- I took apart most of my binders and put them in the file cabinents.  Now they aren't the most glamerous things-- but either tonight or tomorrow I will be hanging posters and things on the sides..(they are DEEP) to make them look a little nicer.  The verdict on the "beast"-- it is still here...but I re-arranged enough that it will work...(for now). 

This week I have done:

• The boys room-  I did it here too-- they are REALLY TRUELY down to 2-3 outfits (play clothes).  I was so tired of cleaning up clothes and finding clothes EVERYWHERE on their floors-- so now they will take better care...and I'll have to be extra dilligent on the laundry-- because it isn't rare for the boys to go thru 2 outfits a day (due to water and mud).  So no more dressers hanging open with clothes sticking out-- and no more clothes all over the floor.  Now I did not get rid of the clothes-- I toted them in the basement- because (1) they will probably ware these 2-3 outfits out QUICKLY and (2) Stephen will be coming up thru the ranks-- and the less I have to buy the better.  So that is done.   I also re-did their wall hangings.  We are taking a Civil War break-- I kept all their Civil War posters, pictures-- but they are toted away too-- I have Bible Verses up there now-- and you know what I got this afternoon?  Zachary sat down at his little desk and wrote them ALL out-- for me-- UNASKED!!!  Good things already!!  (the Bible Verses came from when my mom taught Sunday School and she was able to keep the wall hangings).  Oh and one of my MOMY friends helped me to see the light we don't need LOTS of sheets-  2 sets for each bed-- one on the mattress-- one under (for the wash day) so that is what we did-- and that emptied a tote!!
• The baby's room was today--  just really cleaned and change dtheir sheets-- re-hung their wall hangings and did a gneral good cleaning...nothing really "new there"
• Master bedroom-  nothing really there either-- a good cleaning-- oh and i re-arranged my closet-- it has not only my clothes-- but keepsakes now-- baby books, photo alblums etc.. (the older 2 were being a bit rough on them).  Alos important files and things are stored in there...   I NEED to change those sheets-- but someone is ALWAYS sleeping on them-- due to hubbys work schedule.
• Bathroom also done-- Did a GOOD cleaning out of the bathroom/hall closet-- 3 small plastic grocery bags FULL of trash-- just in there!!

So what's left?

• The kitchen
• The outside (the boys brought me a few black berries-- looks like that will be ready tomorrow), also the garden, and vehicle
• The basement-- need to re-organize those totes-- I remember somewhere i read-- to number the totes and then keep a spreadsheet of what is where....  So with a BIG BLACK marker I will number ALL the totes-- and then I will jot down what is in them-- and then when they change contents-- I'll just change the worksheet.

But I think that is all for this week-  The rest of this week looks to be a LOT of fun!!  After tonight Jason will be finsihed with a 12 day work stretch-- and we were just invited over to a friends home for dinner tomorrow.  (from our new church)   So we are all very excited about that.  

Then I also received an e-mail inviatation from the ladies (of our new church) monthly Homestead meeting.  (doesn't the name even sound fun?-- )    This is something I've LONGED to do-- but really have never had the time or energy--I even have some materials from New Harvest Homestead.  Anyway that meeting is Friday evening-- and the topic "Eating Nourishing Foods, with a Limited Budget".  Is that not PERFECT??????

So that will be a nice end to our week-- even if the beginning is going to be rough.  Jason leaves Sunday for a business trip--- AGAIN.   The good part of this one-- is my mom is coming to visit Wednesday - Friday-- so that will break it up.

At some point (SOON) we need to get down the road to pick some blueberries too-- they are ready!!

The last bit of new news for our family-- is we have started a new dinner or breakfast tradition-- we are going to start some Catechism.  I've heard of this a few places lately-- and after looking it over-- I think it will be nice and simple for us to do after a meal.  We started tonight-- Jason led the boys thru it after Dinner...we only got 1-3 questions done-- but that is okay-- we'll take our time.

That was the book refered to in the previous post.

I see on Sally Clarkson's blog-- she has a new "Seasons of a Mother's Heart" even a workshop type thing to go with it-- I may have to look into that a bit more.    I do LOVE this book.

However, I think it may be put on hold for a day or so-- as dh has requested that I purchase "The Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Her Husband's Vision". and listen to it.   It was not a hurtful thing (too badly) for him to say-- I know what he meant-- and when I told him I already had it-- but a friend was borrowing it-- he said "get it back as soon as you can and listen to it".  (So I did--)

Those of you who KNOW Jason, know that he is not a rude or mean husband-- but after a few converstaions we have had in the last 2-3 days--- it was a timely request-- and after listening to it briefly again tonight while doing the dishes--I can see I may need so SIT and really listen to it a bit more.

He has also agreed that I can order for him  Father to Son: Manly Conversations that Can Change Culture and The Master's Plan for Fathers .

And again-- this is not to tear each other down-- or to say one of us is "not on board" it is just to have ourselves better prepared--  to be geared up for the coming years.   These messages are not coming at us from the world-- nor were they modeled to us-- so we need to be 'geared up" and prepared.

So-- anyone read my blog long enough to know what book I TRY to read EVERY SUMMER?????

I should leave this open ended-- to see who knows---  hmmmm would anyone know?????

I'll leave you a bit of what I read this morning---see if anyone can guess....

"My joy isn't depended upon getting my house as orderly as I would like, or upon getting the things we don't yet have in it, or upon getting all the schooling done, or anything else on my TO DO List.  My joy is dependent upon my relationship with the Lord, and our celebration together of this life He has given to me.

So make the choice to celebrate life with your family.  It is so easy to think that life consists of the assorted responsibilities, tasks and crises that fill up the hours of each homeschooling day.  But it doesn't.  The part of life that matters most is the moments and memories that happen each day...the ones that wont be forgotten.

So choose to be thankful and learn to be content. You'll find the journey of joy that God wants you to know."

2 Scriptures that were given:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

What does the worker gain from his toil?  I have seen the burden God has laid on men.  He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.  I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-14

What will endure forever from the life God wants us to enjoy?

Wall will endure forever from YOUR family?

A Daybook to Begin the Week

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Outside My Window ...
the birds are singing-- and the rains looks to have left.  

Oh and I can hear the weeds growing in the garden-- not really-- but WOW-- someone needs to get out there!! 

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I am listening to...
Rebekah play beside me in her chair-- she is my early riser lately (5:30)

 
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To Fit and Happy...
Continue with the SALADS--

Pick blueberries-- dh said he saw the sign up along the road Friday. 

Keep and eye out-- July 1st we were picking our own blackberries!! 

Our local produce stand-- has really been such a blessing to us... Dh as scored so many great deals and finds.   Lots of strawberries are in the freezer (for $1 quart), lots of salad greens in the fridge....lots of great deals-- and all less than 2 miles from us!!!

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I am thankful for...
This season in life-- I love spring-- I love how green everything is-- and fresh and new 

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From the kitchen ...
Strawberries are done for us this year-  time to move on to blueberries and rasperries. 

Today or tomorrow I need to get a batch of bread baked....YUMMY- I so thankful to have found this new recipe!!

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I am wearing ...
Still in my summer PJ's.    However I am continuing to enjoy dressing nicely each day. 

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I am creating ...
A new and clean home for our house.   Detailed cleaning is really coming along-- 

   ***
  In my CD Player...
Hmmm I think the boys have one of their CD's in-  either Bach, or Magic School Bus.  

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Towards a real education ...
I am totally excited-  I have a week in July (after the 4th) that I may only have 2 of the littles here.  The older 2 may be going to spend 2 days each with their grandparents-  So-- I may just take that time to do some LESSON PLANS!!!   I really do want WEAVER to work for our family-- but I need to get some LESSON PLANS done and some plans made.  Jason also agreed maybe buying some books (read alouds) to go along with each subject so when new baby comes nad a trip to the library looks like a TASK we'll have some books RIGHT here ready to go.

 

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I am thinking... 
of how to "attack" the bedrooms this week-- thinking outside the box to maximize space-- 

    
 
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In the Garden...

Since we thought we were moving we let the garden go!! It is bad-- but I hope to get out there this week and check on our own lettuce and onions and potatoes we have planted.

We didn't get our regluar toamto or zucchini plants in this year- and really that is okay with me.

TOP PRIORITY though:  GET IN THERE AND FIND THE PLANTS!! 

  

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I am reading  ...
nothing. The Bible in my early morning quiet time...but that is all for right now.

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I am hoping and praying ...

I really hope Rebekah has a good Well Baby Appointment

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On Keeping Home ...
This week is the bedrooms!!

The Suburban needs washed outside.

The Garden

Healthy meals on the table

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Rebekah's Dr. appt Tuesday.

Enjoy time with Jason as Sunday he leaves again for a week!! 

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Be sure to visit Peggy for links to more daybooks.

Please do not come to visit me this week--  EEEEEkkk  I would be so embarassed!!!   

Well, on second thought-- I love visitors-- so you may come-- but if I find a camera on you-- you will be removed from the premis IMMEDIATELY!!!!  So don't try any funny stuff!!!  lol

Remember my big packing list-- well now I have a BIG UNPACKING list-- and basically it is just going ROOM to ROOM and REALLY THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.....  How can I use this space best... not how was it before...but how can I maximize EVERY SQUARE INCH???? 

So the last 2 days I did the living room---  made a few changes (the pack-n-play was taken down and folded up-- when needed it is easily enough unfolded--  Of course bookshelves were gone thru before the packing of the boxes-- so that made unpacking them MUCH nicer.  The arrangement of the couches is different too-- I like it-- they are actually closer together... making it feel cozy.   I also moved the radio over there-- because the boys are REALLY into listening to stories on tape right now.   Between the music ones, and yesterday Stuart Little-- I set up a little area for them to listen....   (takes a bit of pressure off me right now on sitting and reading aloud).

Today-- I tackled the hallway and bathroom...should've been 2 easy jobs, right?  Well kinda--  I did the hall closet (came out with 2 small plastic bags full of garbage).   I also moved up our old bookshelf/cupboard thingy upstairs to the hall way (it is a wide hallway) so I can put sheets, and curtains and things like that in it (vs. digging thru a tote).  It is beside my cedar chest which holds blankets and comforters.  (It used to all fit in the cedar chest, but now we have more and more beds ) .

Then the bathroom-- well I just hate doing the bathroom, especially the tub.... for as many DIRTY boys as I have-- I should do better.  I do a wipe down of sink, toilet every day so that is never too bad.

Now my BIG PROBLEM-- I cannot see my dinning room table-- and that is the room that is going to have the BIGGEST changes......   I took out that white cupboard thingy (moved it upstairs) and dh went and bought me 2 filing cabinents for storing our home school supplies in--  thinking this MAY be nicers and more organized-- I knew how tall they would be -- by WOW_- they are WIDE (front to back)....so I need to think about this a bit more.

Then my biggest BIGGEST delima is--  MY CHEST freezer-  right now it is in the dinning room  .  I've hated it being there since the week we put it there.  But I am the woman of the house and function and looks are my top priority-- not LIFTING that BEAST!!!   So I never pushed the issue of PLEASE move it to the basement-- and so it never made it there-- and to be honest I do not ever see it going there....  I've hinted about getting rid of it and buying an upright freezer-- (that we could do in the basement)..but I don't really see that happening either.  HOWEVER-- dh has agreed if I REALLY REALLY want-- we could move it to the kitchen-- (remove my broken dishwasher) but that would mean NO NEW DISHWASHER!!!!  .  Hmmmmm  Space-- and looks or TIME and ENERGY????   That is really a tough decision!!!!!!!  I REALLY want it out of here--  I'd love to put both leaf's in the dinning room table but with that BEAST in here-- it just wont work.... So that is my delima now--  I would like to do a BIT of work in here tonight-- but first I need to get a better POA.

So that is my week--  lots of cleaning-- and re-organizing.

 PS:  Edited to add a past entry with BEFORE pics of my house.  If I ever get my camera back (hopefully July 1) I will post new pics..

But you can see the kitchen-- where I will move the dishwasher/table to fit in the freezer.  In the living room the piano is gone, as the pack-n-play and the LARGE bookshelf thing-y.....

Have any other ideas??  I'm open...

Well-- this morning after checking my blog roll I found this neat blog entry on LITTLES!!   Some of you with LITTLES may enjoy.   Tips for surviving (and thriving!) in the baby/toddler phase .

Also a few days ago I sent out via e-mail to a few friends some recipes I came across on my blog roll-- and yesterday I tried 2:

First was this delicous soup-  now yesterday was rainy-- so it was perfect.  I didn't add the sausage till last evening as I am planning on re-heating today with our BLT's!!  YUMMY.  The blog entry is great on keeping kids hearts too-- especially as they grow older.

Then-- I just happen to find some unsweetened chocolate to make THESE!!!!!!!!!!!     Since they were not made with SUGARY MILK CHOCOLATE-- it is nice-- the boys had 1 or 2 and were on their way-- they are good-- and a good way to make the swtich to DARK chocolate.....  YUMMO   There are still a few in the fridge!!  (If they were made with the sugary milk chocolate I assure you they'd be GONE...so this is actually a PLUS).

I know in my previous post on our FIC, I posted the nuts and bolts-- but I really feel I left out how sweet of a time it is--  I so love sitting together as a family (not counting when I need to stand in the back bouncing a baby girl-)- but I'm never alone-- and we never have to leave the sermon area-- we just stand in the back and bounce and still listen.  And somehow-- it has worked out for 2 of those weeks that Stephen was just EXHAUSTED and he laid down on the floor and went RIGHT to sleep.  Which is okay with me.  But I do plan on really practicing some blanket time with him during our family devotions and 1-2x on top of that a day (we need to get to 15 minutes-- and then we'll go from there).   The other nice part-- is in between each of the men who stand to read the Word... there is a song.  I'm not sure what the are using for their songs-- it is interesting-- it looks like a hymnal-- but it does not have the tradditional hymns-- they are all songs of STRAIGHT scripture put to music-- very nice!  But that gives us all a bit of up and down stretch inbetween the Reading.

Since we are not moving-- and to be honest-- really not even looking to move-- we really feel content here right now-- the thought of looking makes us both EXHASUTED...so we are looking to make this place HOME-- looking for ways to MAXIMIZE space-- and having everything packed up REALLY helps.  I started in our living room (because that was my ZONE for week 3) and have re-arranged and finally found a new layout-- so today I hope to dust and wash things down and re-load our bookcases.   The dinning room / school room will be the biggest room with a change--  I am hoping to get rid of the BIG CHEST freezer in here-- to give us more SPACE.  The question is-- I'd like it in the basement on cement blocks-- but I don't have to lift the BEAST-- and I think it would be a LONG time before it got down there-- so my other choie is to get rid of my BROKEN DISHWASHER and put it in the kitchen-- but that would mean NO DISHWASHER in the near future either--  SPACE or CONVIENECE?    Such decisions should never be placed on a pregnant woman!!  LOL     I think I am going to hopefully get 1-2 filing cabinents too for the dinning room /school room to keep our school papers organized-- vs. having them in a bookshelf in folders-- and me forgetting totally what is there.  The other bit of proof I'm out of my mind-- is while I was packing school stuff/ books-- I logged them ALL into a spreadsheet and also the subject-- so now hopefully I'll remember those worksheets I have on the Presidents, each state and insects-- when it comes time!   So that is the long and short of our days.   Our non timed schedule is working great too!!

Well better run-- little feet have come down the stairs-- actually they aren't that little-- where has my BABY gone!!??

I know some have been waiting for me to post on this topic-- and I have been wanting to, but so many other things (house purchases falling thru, goat deaths, etc) have been screaming for my attention.  And NOW my dear friend has beat me to the punch... (not really) but it is so interesting how much her posts and mine line up.... ) 

What is FIC?  Family Intergrated Church

Well... I have been curious about the Family Intergrated Church "movement" for quite sometime.  and after listenting to many of these:

The Centrality of the Home in Evangelism and Discipleship

Why the Church Needs the Family and the Family Needs the Church

What is a Family-Integrated Church? (7 CDs)

my desire to really visit one was very high.   For many reasons it just never happend that we could visit one.  However, when we saw there was one  local--and Jason had a weekend off-- we decided to go for it...and I did post about it that first week on my MOMY's board-- these were our first thoughts:  (from back in April)

We thought according to the website it started at 10:30--but that was changed -- it starts at 11am- There is a class being taught at 10:30 on Greek.

So there were acutually quite a few families in the other building (they meet at a Farmers market) that we were able to meet and REALLY talk with- and Oh-- can I just say-- the Likemindedness was OUT OF THIS WORLD!! (literally) it was so not ackward-- we talked and talked and we all had very much of the same ideas on many things-- but most importantly many sentences began with "The Lord has--" and that was awesome-- Jason was able to REALLY REALLY talk with 3-4 men and again-- it was so refreshing for him to talk to men about more than just the daily "druge" but about what the Lord is doing---

Then they lined up and had a word of prayer (w/ requests) and walked over to the other building where they lined up and read a Psalm and I beleive sang a song.-- this was all while they were lined up before entering where the pews were... (that was a bit different for us)

Then we sat and -- the service began-- one gentleman is working his way thru the Books of the Law with the congergation and this was on Ex. 23.... that was very interesting.. They call it "Case Law Studies"

Then right now each month they are taking a book of the Bible (in order) and going thru it-- the way it worked today and most days (I believe) is 3-4 men in the congergation stood up (one at a time of course) read a chapter of the book (yesterday was Joshua) and shared what they learned from that book-- then they sang a quick song and the next man and so forth for 3-4 men-- then the Pastor stood up and wrapped it all up (very nicely)....

They then had prayer-- and the pastor led, and other men of the congergation were able to add in as led.

They then had communion (the fathers went up and got the elements for their family).

Then it was over- guess the time------ 2:40pm!!

The only down side to the whole day-- it was like 100' in that building!! REALLY it was hot-- they had some fans-- but many babies were hot and miserable-- sweaty and tired (mine especially)... They did tell us afterwards it is usually not that bad they try to get some a/c from the other building over there... wehewwwww- But you know... Missionaries all over the world deal with MUCH harsher conditions than that-- i am just a spoiled American!!

They then stay for a meal (but we left-- too many hot and tired babies) and they said some do not leave for the day till around 5pm! This is their Lord's Day and day of Fellowship with fellow beleivers.

So I really really enjoyed it-- And of course all the families were together-- and there were many babies and toddlers-- that mamma's had to deal with-- but it was still a very sweet time--

Last evening dh laid down (he had to work last night) and a gentleman from the church called and ds told him daddy was sleeping-- so the gentleman said he would call back later-- This morning we had an e-mail from one family that said they had called to invite us over for some HM Icecream at their home that evening-- but since it didn't work out--they would love to try to get together another time---

Oh it was such a sweet time--

It was LONG and HOT-- but other than that-- I don't know when I've been around so many like-minded people--EVER!!!!

Does anyone elses worship last that long? 11-2:30(ish)??? Just curious--this was a stretch for the boys-- (since they are used to SS during church).    When I asked them what they thought--

Zach- I don't wanna go back-- I asked why-- he said he didn't like being that hot-- I asked what if it was cooler-- he said "oh yea- then I'd like to go back"

Josh- Was disappointed he didn't get any bread/juice (not understanding really that was not a "snack")--but other than that-- yeah- he'd like to go back too-

Jason- dh- Yes he REALLY REALLY liked the men and the family atmosphere-- but it was HOT-- and usually dh works nights (including Saturday into Sunday) and that would make a LONG morning for him right now-- but other than that-- he really enjoyed it too...

So those were our first thoughts-- since then we have been back about 4-5 times and I can attest-- it has been MUCH COOLER!!    And we have really been able to connect and get to know many of the families (it is a smaller church probably only 10 or so families).   We have since stayed for all the meals/picnics which has afforded us even more opportunity to share and fellowship.   We have even been able to visit outside of Sundays 1 family in particular. 

Zachary and Joshua have made many "boy" friends-- and let me tell ya- they are BOYS!!  LOL  

I don't know I've ever experienced such like minded ness-- it is so nice-- we almost can finish oneanothers sentences.....

The other great thing is due to the heat they have moved the service up 1 hour-- which makes it much more "do-able" for Jason even on the days he works.  So that was an answer to prayer-- as we loved the church-- but it made such a LONG day for Jason when he was dead tired.  (Please pray- as we are hoping by September he will be done training the 2 new guys and he can again have his old schedule of Sunday/Monday off.)

Well after much thought and prayer-- Jason and I have decided to begin offically attending this Family Intergrated Church.  It was a tough decision, because we were not "upset" or "mad" or anything at our current church.  We always felt this need for the family to be more centralized though-- and when we pulled our family to be centralzied (kept the boys with us in church, etc) it was always seen as a 'punishment' to the boys-- they really didn't understand.  However now that we have been attending here-- the boys do see a difference.  I can HONESTLY say-- they have NEVER complained about the length of the service-- they enjoy it-- and they also Know afterwards-- there will be time to PLAY and FELLOWSHIP (some stay till 5pm or so) with other children-- so they can focus on the topic and KNOW fun times are still ahead.

So Jason did talk with our 'current' pastor-- as we really do like him-- (he is almost a neighbor) and we do hope to stay in contact with him (and many from the church) however at this time- for OUR FAMILY this is the decision we have made.   Our pastor was very understanding-- and we have many times talked with him in the past about our concerns over children in the meeting of 'his' church....and why they handle certain things certain ways....this was nothing new for our 'pastor" to know our desires in these areas.

So that is the basics-- of where we are and WHY- I know some have been waiting to see this post-- as I haven't been too vocal until the decision was made and Jason had a chance to talk with our "pastor".  

As for some of the nuts and bolts of a FIC:

The Mission of the National Center for Family Integrated Churches

Taken from:  National Center for Family Intergrated Churches- Mission Statement

Uniting Church and Family

Taken from:  Vision Forum Minsitries- Uniting Church and Family  This link by the way has TONS of VERY good artciles on FIC!!  Including THIS ONE!!  

Why did we create the NCFIC Church Directory?

As fathers turn their hearts toward home and return to the biblical culture of family life, it is only to be expected that such faithful men will desire a local church that supports rather than supplants the family. The NCFIC Church Directory has been established for the specific purpose of assisting the thousands of families and local church leaders who have contacted us expressing a desire to network with like-minded individuals and assemblies, to work for godly change within pre-existing local churches or to plant family-integrated local churches in their area.

Taken from:  The National Center for Family Intergrated Churchs - blog

*** I just want to note, as I know I have one friend who is a bit confused by this whole idea-- this is not a church set up or ran of having any connection with Vision Forum.  A Family Intergrated Church can be ANY church that is INTERGRATED--- if you look at the website and see the churches that have 'registered" you will see there are many different denomonations etc... it is not a specific denomination-- there are Baptists, Pentacostals, Presbyterian, etc.. that is not the issue, and Vision Forum is not the issue....the issue is on REUNITING CHURCH AND FAMILY.  

If your church is already Family Intergrated-- why not register -- so others can see and find-- such a church.

I'm telling ya-  I am so thankful for the early morning.  (even if yesterday I totally overslept).... it is SUCH a productive and profitable time.  

I love having my quiet time (even if that means beating my little Rebekah up at 6:30!!) with the Lord, and making a nice breakfast (right now there is cinnamon bread being prepared) for everyone when they awake.

My first encouragment to make the most of my early mornings, actually came from my mom.  I don't ever remember waking up with out finding her in the kitchen reading her Bible.   (no matter what time I awoke)  She was always there reading---and studing and praying.  (Well occasionally I would find her on her knees in the livingroom-- then I knew I must have done something...and if you knew me THEN, you would agree).  

My second encouragement to make the most of my early mornings came from Laine-- what a way she has with words-- to DRAW you-- to help you SEE the benefits....

Early Morning

Let the Summer Teach You

My Morning Joys

Questions on the Early Morning

And alas-- I am now reaping the fruit of those early mornings.  I must admit I wish I were more like my mother, and my boys found me in His Word every morning (and not on HERE) but I am thankful for those times as well.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A second thought I wanted to share came from my MOMY's board-- it is a terriffic, heartfelt, frugal Fathers Day gift (especially if your husbands Love Language is Words of Affirmation).

Several years ago, we started a new tradition. My dh's love language is words of affirmation, and while he enjoys seeing pics of the dc, he rarely looks through our photo albums. So now he has a "Daddy Album."

I just took an ordinary photo album with cardboard pages and give each child a full-page spread every year. On one side, I place two characteristic pics of that child taken sometime since last year's Father's Day. On the facing page is something they wrote alone or with my help.

The first year, I gave each dc a paper with these words across the top, "What I like best about Daddy!" The second year the oldest four dc had a paper that said, "If I could give Daddy anything in the world, I would give him...." and the younger ones had this at the top of their paper--"My Daddy smiles when...." Now this year their papers will all say this, "My Dad (or Daddy) is good at....."

If the little ones are old enough to talk, I pretty much write down whatever they say when I ask them the question. For a baby, I write what is the most appropriate for that dc. For instance, the year the twins were 6mo, I wrote from XXXXX, "Thank you for being glad I came tagging along behind XXXX!" and from XXXXX, "Thank you for helping Mommy so she has time to feed me good milk!" (If he hadn't picked up a lot of slack that year, there's no way I'd have been able to nurse them so long and so thoroughly. He did not let me quit.)

It is just amazing what the older children will write to their father. These honoring words mean a LOT to my dh.

I always have trouble finding cards that are just right for our dc to give him, so I usually skip it, but I found one this year I liked. The front says, "Do you know what it takes to be a great father?" And inside, "Of course you do! You prove it all the time!" The five oldest dc each contributed some cash to put inside the card, and I glued the envelope front-side down right onto an album page. The facing page has the dates 2008-2009 and a pic of all the dc sitting on the couch last Thanksgiving Day (remember it?).

I keep the album on the stand next to his side of the bed.

That has been my thoughts for the day.... 

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Philippians 4:11-12

Although, my Bible Reading (dug out My Utmost for His Highest) was:

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

John 15:3-7

The main topic was "Abide in Him" and what that means-- something I haven't considered in some time-- but it was timely for what my day held.

You see my day started with a phone call from our mortgage guy-- he said he had some urgent news.  (never good).   It turns out the mortgage underwriters--did not realize this house was in a flood plain, until we called to see if we could pay this yearly vs. escrow it in.... and now the house is a "NO GO" due to being in the 100year flood plain!!  .   Can I be honest though-- I was disappointed but at the same time I took a HUGE breath of almost relief.   I woke this morning to have my quiet time with the Lord and in that time-- I really cried out to him "Lord, I don't know if this house is the 'right house'...but you do-- Lord,  if it is your will, allow things to continue, if not Lord, may the crumble to pieces."   Yes, that is what I prayed-- and I confessed it to dh after telling him about our bad news phone call. 

So things were still actually a bit up in the air, as the mortgage guy was going to see if he could find something else for us-- and he did around 3:30- but it took $7000 more down at settlement and our payements were $150 more than we wanted-- so it was a NO GO.

So now what?   So now it is time to unpack-- and turn this home into our HAVEN.  How timely I had an e-mail from Laine - a re-run of Sharpening my Ax

I really enjoyed our church's sermon yesterday (a post on this subject soon, not tonight) as the beginning they start with "Case Law" and yesterday was in Exodus 22 and about the 'welfare system' very interesting-- and what we are to do when a need occurs, and how we are to handle it biblically.   There was then some connections with how much we 'need' our governement.. and how invovled they should / should not be according to scripture...very interesting stuff..... But when they talked about how we need to be able to help each other when a need arises...it made me think-- when we buy this house and have payments and repairs and all those things that come with OWNING a home-- will we be able to REALLY stick to our financial plans?  Will we get our debt (2) paid off quickly, will we be able to help other beleivers if the need arrises???  

After church during the meal (this church has a meal almost every Sunday after church, a really nice time of fellowship) I was talking with another woman...and we got to talking about how spoiled we are as "Americans"-- we really feel "entilted" to have a house (a big enough house, with air conditioning, a garage, etc) , a nice car, and on and on-- no where does the Bible promise us those things.....  In no study I've done on Financial Stewardship has it been said, that is the "goal"-- no the goal is to owe no-one...and to help advance the kingdom.

So that is where I am-- time to unpack the near 40+/- boxes I have packed-- time to make a few little improvements to make this house a bit more 'compact' and workable for a family of 7..... it can be done--  and with the right attitude-- it can be a HAVEN for my family.

Just see where we were at ALMOST this time last year.....  July 2, 2008     Happiness was BLISS!!! 

A few thoughts:

Working with What You Got

The Home: Our Haven

A Daybook to Begin the Week

***

Outside My Window ...
freshly mowed grass-- our yard looks so nice when it is mowed (even if it takes 3 days to do it all)

***

I am listening to...
Rebekah on the baby monitor playing with her crib toys

 
***

To Fit and Happy...
Continue with the SALADS-- they were actually a big hit here.   So we bought some more 'fancy' fixins and everyone picked their own 'fancy' dressing-- makes it a bit more appealing.

***

I am thankful for...
New friends we have made since visiting a Family Intergrated Church in Shippensburg.  It is amazing how much we have in common with them.  It really is like we have known them for YEARS.

  ***

From the kitchen ...
FRESH STRAWBERRY Jam.   I don't know how much I have canned-- but Jason was able to score 3 flats (12 quarts) for $24.00 -- yes that was $1.00 a QUART!!  WOW!!  He always gets such GREAT deals at our local produce market!!   So I made it ALL into jam!!  YUMMMY

***

I am wearing ...
Still in my summer PJ's.    However I am enjoying dressing nicely each day-  since Jason bought me 2 nice maternity skirts I have really tried to dress nicely each day.   At first he asked "Are you going somewhere today?"  LOL-- it was a sad comment-- but I really never took the time on days I stayed home-- It do feel MUCH nicer this way!  I also feel very comfortable in these NICE sawying skirts...much  mroe comfortable than pants!

***

I am creating ...
Hmmm nothing really-- that's okay-- though

   ***
  In my CD Player...
Vision Forum CD "The Promise"  Ohhh its a good one-- I've had it for awhile, but first listened to it yesterday while Jason and I were cutting up strawberries.

***
Towards a real education ...
We have confirmed:  Formal work is SCRAPPED till August 1!!  YEAAAA-  

This week our local library is having 2 neat programs for their Summer Reading Program.  One is the local zoo is coming, and hte seond is the Maryland Science Center is coming for a little program.  SO that will be fun. 

  I am stil in shock at how often the boys listen to these neat little CD's I got somewehre (I don't remember) but they are called "Classical Kids" and the one is Tchaikovsky Discovers America and the other is Mr. Bach Comes to Call.   They are asking all kinds of questions now about these 2-- so I am doing a library search to see what I can find.  I was hoping not to get any more library loans till after the move-- but they are curious NOW-- so I better move now!  LOL    

I also need to see if I can get the boys signed up for 2 neat programs at our local state park.  They really look promising!  

***

I am thinking... 
About Jasons busy week-- He works A LOT this week since some guys are out in MI for trainning.     
 
***

In the Garden...
I haven't been in there.   I am just not much of the "gardner" this year-- but from what I saw a week or so ago--  the lettuce can soon be cut.  The onions are still too small-- and the potatoes we planted were duds!!  LOL    The boys did say the Mullberries are ready-- now 2 years ago the boys and I spent a lot of time harvesting them-- and then makign them into jelly and so forth-- only to find they really aren't  very tasteful-- so I don't think I'll be doing to much with them.  

***

I am reading  ...
nothing. The Bible in my early morning quiet time...but that is all for right now.

***

I am hoping and praying ...
for Jason to have wisdom this morning during a meeting he is having.   That the Lord will give him the words he needs.   For there to be unity and peace among the 2 parties involved.   

***
 

On Keeping Home ...
Continue with the basic packing / cleaning out plan.  I know we are in 'basic packing mode' but the house needs some "cleaning" today and tomorrow too-- it's not good!! 

Outside with my boys each day

Healthy meals on the table

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
2 Library programs

Jason's long week of work

***

Be sure to visit Peggy for links to more daybooks.

No really, please do not laugh!!  

 I am here and our schedule is working very nicely.  Maybe too nicely-- yesterday I was in the basement and I asked someone to PLEASE bring me the new laundry soap-- so I could continue and the reply I heard was " whose list is that on mom?"  It wasn't a smart-alec comment-- it was true-- my oldest and dearest-- he loves his schedule and if I have something on his schedule it is done with out ANY reminding-- but if I need something done NOT on the list-- well that is where the CONFUSION begins!!     

 After reading this post (which I love,) it has made me stop and think-- there are some real lessons we need to be instilling in Zachary and Joshua...and one place I am going to start is by listening to some VF CD's with them.  Starting today we listened to "Rebuilding a Culture of Virtuous Boyhood" and we will continue on thru  "Why Christian Manhood must Prevail" and then "What to Expect from a 12 year old".  (which Mrs. E also has a great post on).

So the schedule is going well-- I am S-L-O-W-L-Y packing... I think we have 99% of the mortgage paperwork done-- but we have hit a slight bump in the road-- FLOOD INSURANCE.   Yes we knew it was in a flood plain, but we didn't know what level-- it is a "level".... and after calling our Ins. company they want a Surveor to go out and get an Elevation Certificate.... but we are hoping that maybe we can find out what ins. company has the house covered NOW (since they already have the info) and just maybe switch the coverage.  The house is an estate-- so we are waiting to hear back.   A flood plain does sound- not so good-- but the Home Inspection and the Apprasial both came back showing NO signs of water in basement area.  (the creek is 1.25 acres back from the house).  So I am still a bit confused-- does the flood plain mean for the "land"?  (because I'm sure the water will and does come over the banks down there) or does the flood plain mean the HOUSE is in the flood plain?  I think it is the first option-- the LAND could flood-- because after doing a few searches on the flood plain we have-- it talks about what is needed to build on a piece of land that sits on 'that flood plain".  Anyway-- PRAYING it doesn't cost TOO much... we can only afford so much-- it COULD be a deal breaker-- but I really hope not.  And now I am sorry I read my dear friends blog!!!     We might just swing by the 'new house' and see if any neighbors are out we could talk with-- see what REALLY happens, maybe??

In other news-- since giving up FB I have saved myself a lot of computer time-- and last night I found a way to save myself MORE time.   I cannot figure out any of those "blog readers" but then I remembered when I started a BLOGGER blog-- that I could track updates from friends blogs there-- so that is what I did--  I really don't know if I can leave HSB...i have so much here in the archives-- I would HATE to lose it-- but my side bar on my BlogSpot blog has all my udpates right there-- no looking at each blog!!!  yeaaaa    Don't read to much there-- the pictures of our goats brought tears to my eyes-- we miss them very much!!  I know when I pull in the driveway and there is no one at the top-- it is very sad-- i can only imagine the sadness the boys feel when they go out to play...... 

Since catching up on some blogs-- I found 2 neat links too--

Soap Nuts!!   What??  I need to do some reading about this- but I am intrigued!!

Plain Jane had the NEATEST link for some REALLY nice looking skirts!!

Sometimes I do better off the excel 1/2 hour chart-- this is a bit more 'freeing" to allow life to happen as well.

Early Morning Routine

 (before 9am)

MOM

-                     Quiet Time  5:00 AM

-                     Computer (till 7am)

-                     Dress fully- straighten bedroom

-                     Bathroom wipe down

-                     Baby’s-  diapers changes

-                     Feed Rebekah                            Stephen- entertain by Joshua/Zachary

-                     Start Laundry

-                     Breakfast Preparation w/ Zachary

-                     Lunch & Dinner prep/ plan

-                     Straighten entry way

Zachary

-                     Wake and pray

-                     Make bed

-                     Get Dressed

-                     Clean bedroom (M, W, F)

-                     Bring down all dirty laundry

-                     Porch/ entry way tidy

-                     Take out trash

-                     Chickens

-                     Help prepare breakfast

Joshua

-                     Wake and pray

-                     Make Bed

-                     Get Dressed

-                     Clean Bedroom (T,Th, Sat)

-                     Put dishes away

-                     Set table for breakfast

Morning Routine

(before 1pm)

MOM

-                     Breakfast as a family

-                     Jason lead Devotions

-                     Time with Jason

-                     School Time        10:30

-                     Switch Laundry

-                     Prepare Lunch w/ Joshua

-                     Lunch        1pm

Zachary & Joshua

-                     Animals

-                     School      10:30

-                     Joshua help with Lunch

-                     Lunch        1pm

                                    Joshua- clear lunch

Afternoon Routine

Before 5pm

MOM

-                     1 hour chore time / Zone cleaning

-                     1 hour outside

-                     1 hour Quiet time

-                     Dinner prep

-                     Finish laundry

ZACHARY

-                     Chore time

§         Straighten all bookshelves

§         Clean out van

§         Trash out-  clean cans on Friday

-                     1 hour Outside play

-                     1 hour Quiet Time

                              Read to self during  Quiet Time

-                     Play with Stephen while mom gets dinner

JOSHUA

-           Chore time

§         Living room clean

§         Big Trash out

-                     1 hour Outside play

-                     1 hour Quiet Time

                              Read to self during  Quiet Time

EVENING ROUTINE

MOM

-                     Dinner

-                     Bible Reading

-                     Dishes / Kitchen clean up (floor)

-                     Bath babies

-                     Put laundry away

-                     8:00          Mom read to boys

-                     Shower

-                     Computer

-                     9:00          BED

ZACHARY

-                     Dinner

-                     Bible Reading

-                     Dinning room

-                     Put laundry Away

-                     Daddy’s coffee

-                     7:30          Bath/ Teeth

-                     8:00          Mom read to boys

-                     9:00          BED

JOSHUA

-                     Dinner

-                     Clear table

-                     Bible Reading

-                     Daddy’s lunch

-                     7:30          Bath/ Teeth

-                     8:00          Mom read to boys

-                      

A Daybook to Begin the Week

***

Outside My Window ...
the older 2 are playing in the water, its not very HOT but they are having fun 
 

***

I am listening to...
the older 2 are yelling and laughing and trying to wait patiently for lunch.  It has been a LAZY day!!

 
***

To Fit and Happy...
Freezing fresh produce--  hoping to get some more soon.   Also-- going to get some salad fixin's ready to roll...  a quick easy meal. 

***

I am thankful for...
Gods provisions--  even when things get tough-- I can still see Him working

  ***

From the kitchen ...
Strawberries frozen.   Maybe some experiementing with some more new bread recipes.   But first the dishes--- yes there are still dishes from yesterday out--  ughhh-- I miss my dishwasher more than you could know!! 

***

I am wearing ...
One of the new maternity skirts Jason bought me last Saturday-- it is so pretty-- with a tank top.  (I do wear them at home, but not away).   Pretty oranges and browns.  I guess the skirt would be called a "broom skirt" I am terrible at fashion.   

***

I am creating ...
Nothing--  what else is new.... oh wait-- I did re-do our schedule--   took it off the 1/2 hour increments and put in Morning/Afternoon/Evening checklist-- to make it a bit more 'freeing"

   ***
  In my CD Player...
Voddie Bauchman-  The Centrality of the Home in Discipleship.  (a goodie)

***
Towards a real education ...
Considering scraping the formal work-- till the move is over..maybe even August 1st.  This is our frist "reporting" year so why not take a break?   Hmmmm    I also printed out our library's summer reading program and also a local state park's summer programs-- so I do hope to get out to a few of those.

***

I am thinking... 
How patient my boys have been with me this week and this morning..  I was exhausted and so I took a morning nap today while babies were napping.  They were so patient and kind.    
 
***

In the Garden...
The lettuce can soon be cut.  The onions are still too small-- and the potatoes we planted were duds!!  LOL   But I am happy for a VERY small garden this year.  I hope to get to a few farmers markets to make up the difference.

***

I am reading  ...
nothing. The Bible in my early morning quiet time...but that is all for right now.

***

I am hoping and praying ...
for things to go smoothly during this move and transistion. 

***
 

On Keeping Home ...
Continue with the basic packing / cleaning out plan.

Outside with my boys each day

Healthy meals on the table

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Thursday- OB appointment

Friday-  Playground day at the park with our co-op-  Also a planning meeting to put together some mroe plans for this coming year at co-op.

***

Picture thoughts 

The new chicken coop Jason bought for our chickens to make the "Move" with us.  It is the "Hilton" of all chicken coops in my humble opinion. 
 

   

Be sure to visit Peggy for links to more daybooks.

Rememberthis post, back in February 08?   Well I am ashamed to say I have not used those Sue Gregg cookbooks near as much I as I would've like too...so I decided the best way to do it is -- JUMP IN-- and go thru a few recipes and either mark em' as "keepers" or mark it up as a good try!!  So that is what we are doing this week....

I picked out the Meals In Minutes cookbook and we are just digging right in.  Yesterday was Sausage Strata-- which is funny because it has NO sausage in it...and if you know my husband you KNOW he LOVES pork (  )....and sausage is one of his favorites-- I made the mistake of telling him it was Turkey in there-- so he said it did not taste like sausage-- I think it did-- either way we all agreed it was good....just not sausage.  So this will be a keeper....  Tonight-- Favorite Tamale Pie.  I'll let you know how that goes!!

On another side note I think I have FINALLY found my favorite WW bread recipe!!!!!!!!  I have been making bread for 4-5 years now-- and have yet to find a recipe that meets my expectations...until now.   I ordered a CD called "Make it Special- Homemade iwth Love- Watch Marmee in her kitchen as she makes it 'homemade and special' in her BOSCH Kitchen Mixer."   It was a great DVD... it was nice to see someone else make bread (different kinds too) as I've never watched anyone else do it-- I've always just done the best I could.   With the DVD came a recipe book called"Bread Basket Cookbook for Large Kitchen Mixers" by Martha Greene.   In it she has a Basic Whole Wheat Bread recipe and it is PERFECT-- not hard as a rock and not so light it tears too easily.... (as some recipes do when they add white flour). 

Simply, the recipe is:

Basic Whole Wheat Bread

2 C  VERY WARM Water (110-120 degrees)  * i don't think I ever got my water that hot previously

1/2 C Honey

1/4 C Olive Oil

1 TBS dough enhancer  * I never used this before either...

1 TBS wheat gluten

2 tsp salt

2 C Fresh milled Wheat flour-  *  mine is not fresh milled-- I buy it already milled and then freeze and refrigerate it- to keep it

1 TBS  SAF Yeast

Mix the above unitl well mixed-- then let sit 10-30 minutes.   Then begin adding more freshly milled flour 1 C at a time until the dough is beginning to clean away from the sides for the bowl.    Turn mixer on high as dough becomes stiffer.  Knead (in mixer) for 5-7 minutes.  Place on cleaned OILED surface-- form into loave -- place in greased loaf pans-- cut to X's on top-- let rise-- then bake @350 for 25-35 minutes.

* All the items in orange are things I just started to do, which I think make a BIG difference.   Including putting the yeast in last, not measuring the flour at the end-- just watching the sides of the bowl putting it on an oil surface vs. floured surface.

If you are a friend that lives locally and would like to borrow the DVD-- i'd be happy to loan it out-- just let me know.

My brain is a bit still on the 'brain freeze" after this week--

However I was given a LOT of radishes today -- I personally do not like radishes-- so any ideas what I can do with them???  How to fix them??

I also splurged (I do that, when I'm sad or unsettled) and bought 8 qts of FRESH delcious strawberries.  Now my issue is when I spend $$ on things like that I am so scared to ruin them or use them too soon -- sounds silly but I do that.   So what would you do with them?  I may buy more later to make jelly per reqest from dh-- but not this batch.  I thought of flash freezing them on a cookie sheet and freeze in freezer bag for later..not all of them, but quite  a few....  Any other ideas???

I will make this a very short post- as to not go on and on with complaining and sadness....

It has been our roughest week yet here in this ol' Farm House.   We have lost 3 goats.  2 babies and one mamma--  she died last night---      Many tears have been shed, many hearts broken. 

That is what today is-- and I apologize for my tone in my last entry--  I'm feeling a bit more put together today.  Plus-  Jason is off now--  of course all this high stress stuff happens on his work days-- now he has 2 days off and things will be calm, go figure!

Even though as a brief update- I woke up today to a dead baby goat in my kitchen this morning.   It was such a miracle he ever lived at all outside his mother.   He was certainly loved and cared for and I'm sure there will be quite a few tears shed in a half hour when Zachary and Joshua come down.    Checked on Precious (mamma) she was laying down, that is improvement-- she was so sore yesterday as she tried to sit she would cry...but she was sitting and looking well about the same-- but I am hoping now that she can lay down and rest she will feel better soon.

I think we may look even harder for some goat homes this week--  I think I just need to focus on packing, moving, and loving MY KIDS.   Today or tomorrow I may take the older 2 and go pick strawberries and see if daddy minds keeping the littles.   They were excited about that possibility.

I think I will also have to move these blogs to another section of my favorites and not read them as often-- as I will grow green with envy-- 

http://humblemusings.com/

http://teambettendorf.com/

 I need to focus on MY place in life RIGHT NOW:

http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/

http://pamchaddon.blogspot.com/

http://www.momoflittles.com/

And time to re-read a few favorites here too:

My list of loves

My top 5 Priorities

Well I hear feet coming down the stairs-- time to start the day----  with bad news I guess-- but maybe some waffels will help...???

Can I just say-- AMEN!!  I don't have 7 or 8 (yet) but this really needed to be said:

Living a Private life in the public eye- aka We are NOT Jon and Kate

Oh dear--  it has been an absolutely HORRIFIC 2 days!!!!  Oh really terrible--   first of all-- the birth was TERRIBLE!!     This was our 5th goat to kid and the first 4 went with out a hitch at ALL-- they were born QUICKLY (while we were doing school work) mostly.... and it was a treat to go out and find a kid or two nursing off his mother.  ("his"  because out of the 7 kids 6 have been MALE).    Anyway yesterday around 9am we saw Precious was definitly in labor-- and we were EXCITED to actually see her give birth...as she is our baby-- and how neat!  Well time went by and by-- and she contracted and contracted--  up and down-- made me smile sometimes because it was very much like a human-- trying to get comfortable...

Well around 1pm-- I realized something was not right-- she really should've had that baby by now.. so I came in and looked around on my favorite goat sites.  The sites really mentioned that the kid should've been born with in 2 hours of "hard labor".  But in the back of my mind I was wondering what was "hard labor"?   I mean she was contracting (I could tell by her tail and back) but she was not at all making noise or seeming to be in TERRIBLE pain....so dh and I decided to let it ride and ride and ride--  and 9pm that night-- still nothing....  I was now getting a bit worried....... but what to do?  Assist?  Really???  oh no-- I couldn't do that....and dh was really not wanting to do that either... so he went to work and I tossed and turned all night!!   (after being outside LITERALLY from 9am till 9pm with the exception of 3 quick inside breaks).

We had a storm that took out our eletricity at some point so my alarm did not go off-- which was good because I needed  a bit more sleep.  However as soon as 8am rolled around I called our Vet-- and told her the situation....  her advice:  "That goat should've kidded within 2 hours-- you have a dead kid in there-- you MUST get it out or the mom will turn septic!"       Oh no I said-- I can't do that-- she said "you must"   Oh no-- really I can't!!!  She said glove up and go get that kid!!   

So I waited till Jason got home and told him our news-- he was not thrilled---- but what were we to do-- the vet had to do some pressing things at the army depot and couldn't come till evening-- and by that time the mamma would be dead or very close!!!

Oh dear-- I won't go into detail-- but I am ready to move to our new home-- I am ready to be done with this--  I am really done---  it was all TOOOOOOOO much for me--  WAY TO MUCH!!  I was not good--  physically , emotinally or mentally-- it was a terrible terrible terrible experience and I hope to NEVER EVER EVER do that again!!

The outcome:   (it gets worse)   Jason helped me at the end to PULL the kid out-------  and when we had it out and laid on the goat stand----- its heart was beating-- (fast)!!!!!!     Oh my-- and again-- I was in pieces now-- i don't know why-- should've been happy-- but I was really really  out of control.   I felt like I had just given birth-- my knees were weak, my arms felt like 100lbs...it was really too much for me!!

Bottom line-- mamma wants nothing to do with baby-- (she is in bad shape still)    baby is breathing, crying, looking and moving around-- not standing but okay for now, I guess??  I did milk mamma to get him some colostrum.

Mamma-  is very very very very very sore-- (as she should be after all that).... we got her some antibiotics and some pain medicine to help-- 3 days worth-- I gave her first dose at 3pm-- I really hope she feels better soon-- she is in a LOT of pain-- moaning... it is heart breaking....... 

Oh my-- how many days till we move????   I know that sounds heartless-- but after reading the comment Karrie made on my post earlier: 

"What are you going to do without all those sweet goats when you move? Well, I guess it will give you more time with the kiddos (the human variety)! :)  "

It almost brought me to tears-- yes-- that is what I will have MORE TIME with MY kids.  I wont even tell you how much attention or short temper my kids have seen in me the last 48 hours....    When we bought the goats and were planning all these neat things-- I had 2 kids (Zachary was 6, Joshua was 5) and it was all pretty do-able then.   Now I have 4 (soon to be 5) and I find I need to give MUCH more attention to them-- and with all this animal drama (snakes, chicken issues, goat issues, fox issues, squirrel issues, etc) I am really not at my best. 

So-- what else can we study in Science? How about astronomy (no offense but astronomy bores me to tears)... but we'll find something else.  I know our local co-op is going to be doing Contenders / Keepers of the Faith this fall-- so I got out the book and I think we are going to do a few badges on our own-- that will hopefully open some new doors of opportunity for the boys.

Whewwww--  I really must go-- bought some frozen pizzas and soda (and chips, and cookies) while out getting the meds for Precious-- for an easy dinner.   No DVD, or Tape player works-- so that has made it even more interesting-- usually in high stress times I get some educational library DVD's for the boys-- but not this time.

Hope this post wasn't too much for any of you-- I needed to get it out--- Thanks for listening... and dear friend-- when I call you and complain about the neighbors in our new house-- remind me of this post-- okay??????