Sorry it has been so long since I updated my life.  I have a new job working as a caregiver at an assisted living facility, working with the elderly.  It is ok, and I mostly work 12 hour night shifts from 6pm until 6am.  My husband and I are still legally separated, and I am still only able to see my youngest three children on Sunday for 2 hours. My first ex-husband is refusing to let me see my oldest 4, minus the oldest son.  He is now living with me, and is a bright spot in my life amidst all this pain.  I miss my children terribly, as well as my husband. We are supposed to go into mediation soon, and I still do not have a lawyer.  He is asking for full custody, and I just don't know what I am going to do.  I need to have at least $2,000.00 to even retain a lawyer here, and my family won't lift a finger to help me.  I tried to get a loan at the bank, but because i was a stay at home mother with nothing in my name, i do not qualify for a personal loan.  I am out of options and really discouraged.  I dread the thought of going into court without someone to represent me.  Please pray for this situation.  I want my children with me so desperately, and I know they want to be with me too. 

1. Bible Study: Currently reading in Ephesians, and really just making time is what i need to do!

2. Zone: De-clutter and clean out broken/un-used toys. Also move all toys to bedroom area.

3. Train Them Up: Working on being a servant to each other without expecting anything in return...ex-"I want to catch them doing something good for someone else."

4. Homeschool: We really need to get caught up this week on Math and Language Arts. I had a migraine four days last week.Technically, though, we're never really behind though are we?

Monday - Sandwiches, pretzels, chocolate milk...thought we would have a REAL gourmet night!

Tuesday - Catalina Chicken/Pineapple, Brown Rice, Steamed Broccoli, Crescent Rolls

Wednesday - Crockpot Chili, Corn Muffins

Thursday - Shrimp, asparagus, and Penne pasta with asiago cheese sauce, crescent rolls, fruit salad

Friday - Eat Out!

Saturday  - Sausage, sausage gravy, biscuits, fried apples(a true southern delicacy!)

Bible Study: I am going to follow Tiany in her reading of the Bible through in one year.  I really do not care for "New Years Resolutions" but I do have several things I want to improve in my life this new year.

Zone: Do a walk-through of each room, and tackle any de-cluttering that needs to be done. 

Schooling: Get back on track with our Little Hearts For his Glory curriculum.  Include the little ones in preschool activities.

Prayer Request: I want more than anything to have more children, but my DH says we are through.  Pray that I will be content with whatever the lord wants for me.  Also, pray for my Dh...he is not a believer.

FIVE THINGS I REALLY WANT TO IMPROVE ON THIS NEW YEAR!

**I want my devotions to be consistent.  Ineed to make time for prayer/study.

**I really want to cook more and eat out less.  I also want to eat healthier..it's so easy to slip back into the pre-packaged mess that is not healthy for me.

**I want to make church on Sunday a priority. (DH does not want us to go to church)

**I want to practice hospitality in our home more often.  I have so many friends who are not saved.  I need to be praying and spending time with them.

**I would really like to lose weight...it seems that everything i have tried has failed.  I really just need to let this go, and ask the lord to help me...I can't do it on my own.  Anyone want an accountability partner???

BIBLE STUDY/DEVOTIONS : Currently reading in the book of John.  Adding to my prayer journal.

MUST DO: Finish sewing some christmas presents, wrapping christmas gifts...no, I haven't even started that yet.  Finish shopping for Christmas.  Also, need to do some Christmas baking for gift baskets.

Zone: Really need to sweep and mop all floors.  Somehow this always gets put off...until now when it is really dirty!  Also, need to clean out toys and games...to make room for all the new stuff they will get for christmas.

TRAIN THEM UP: Really working to get everyone to work together while helping pick up toys.  Working on ME not having to yell to get everyone moving. 

MONDAY: Taco Salad,  refried beans

TUESDAY: Cheesy Chicken, Rice, Sweet carrots

WEDNESDAY: Spaghetti Pie, Spinach Salad, Crescent rolls

THURSDAY: Black beans w/ rice.  Banana bread

FRIDAY: Eating out....going to a christmas party.

                   I did this exact same post a couple of weeks ago, but thought I would show it again for those who missed it...I just love my home!  Hope you enjoy the GRAND tour!          

This is the front door of my home. Our house is about 1600 sq. feet.  We have two bedrooms and one small bathroom.  When I have my whole crew. The littlest 3 sleep in their room.  My older 4 children sleep in the living room in sleeping bags.  When we have 7 children here at one time, it is a little crowdeed, especially when waiting for the bathroom.  Someone is always waiting to go.  I love having everyone here.  It is a warm and cozy house!  While it is not grand by any means, I love this house and I never want to leave.

 If you were stopping by my home, you would smell something delicious cooking. Tonight we are having Haystacks(recipe is a few posts back) and homemade banana bread.  We normally eat around 6pm.  However, I am used to cooking for an army, so should you be here around dinner, you would of course be asked to stay and eat with us.  There's always room for one more.

This is the front door of my house.  The door to the right is a coat closet and one that we use for storage.  The bookshelf to the left is mine. 

If you were to come in the front door here is what you would see.  The bookshelf holds my dh books.  We really love books!

This is my very UNTIDY sewing area.  It sits beside my bookshelf. I love sewing there because I can look out on our pretty front yard.

On down past my sewing area is our beautiful shelf that Dh brother made for us!  In the middle, you will see my dh inkwell collection.  Most of them are antiques.

Another look at our living room.  The big chest you see was made by my great-great grandfather by hand.  It is a beautiful cedar chest.  It holds all of my sheets, towels, & linens.

Here is my rocking chair where I rock my littlest one before bed.

I just love our fireplace.  We have a woodstove in it instead of a regular fireplace.  We use it alot during cold winter weather. 

Here is our hand-me-down couch.  I don't believe we have ever had a new one.  I do like it...at least the colors match.  You'll notice two baskets of clothes I folded today. You can also see the sliding glass doors that go out onto our covered back porch.

Bible Study: Reading in Romans this week.  Working on personal prayer journal for different days of the week.

Train Them Up: Working on "first time" obedience.  Also still working on NOT watching TV. 

Must Do: I absolutely MUST mop my floors.  They are really dirty.  (mopping is my least favorite chore!)

Monday: Homemade Beef Stew, Corn Muffins

Tuesday: Chicken Quesdillas, Spanish Rice

Wednesday: Grilled Cheese, Homemade Tomato Soup

Thursday: Homemade Spaghetti, Spinach Salad, Homemade Sourdough Garlic Bread

Friday: Dinner Out!

I don't plan meals on the weekends.  We usually just keep it simple with Sandwiches, French toast, or sometimes eating out again. 

Sorry I haven't posted in so long.  I have again been dealing with migraines.   They have put me on new meds and have increased the dosage of the others that I take.   I also have a list of foods that I cannot eat.  I find it all very frustrating.  The only really nice thing that I can say about it all, is that my doctor is so kind and understanding...because he used to have migraines too.  It helps to have someone else who can empathise with you. 

I have been trying to get caught up on all of my household duties.  I was up until 1am last night folding laundry.  Today I have cleaned the bedrooms, changed sheets, and still need to mop the floors in the kitchen/bathroom.  We also got caught up on school today.  I usually participate in "Thankful Thursday," but I think I'll just say...I am VERY thankful that I don't have a headache today," and I am even more thankful for ice cold gel packs in the freezer, a must when your head hurts. 

Bible Study: Continue with Beth Moore study, also reading through Romans

Must Do: Last week was a bad week for migraines...had 5 out of 7 days with a headache.  So, I am basically behind on all my housework. Really need to clean the floors and bathroom.

Train Them Up: We are working on NOT watching the TV.  I am so guilty of putting them in front of the TV...and now it has produced some behaviour that is notdesirable, like being bored...I really believe that TV does away with a child's creativity...so for this week we are only going to watch 1 hour of TV, Reading Rainbow, and Between The Lions, both of these shows are educational.

Menu For The Week:

Monday: Baked Spaghetti, Homemade Garlic Sourdough Bread,

Tuesday: Pepper Steak, Brown Rice, Salad, Rolls

Wednesday: Chicken and Dumplings, Green Beans, Sourdough Bread

Thursday: Homemade Pizza

Friday : Taco Salad, Spanish Rice, Fruit Smoothies

Candy is having a "pictures of my palace" gallery this week.  It sounded fun, so I snapped several pictures for everyone to see.  Welcome to My Home. 

This is the front door of my home. Our house is about 1600 sq. feet.  We have two bedrooms and one small bathroom.  When I have my whole crew. The littlest 3 sleep in their room.  My older 4 children sleep in the living room in sleeping bags.  When we have 7 children here at one time, it is a little crowdeed, especially when waiting for the bathroom.  Someone is always waiting to go.  I love having everyone here.  It is a warm and cozy house!  While it is not grand by any means, I love this house and I never want to leave.

 If you were stopping by my home, you would smell something delicious cooking. Tonight we are having Haystacks(recipe is a few posts back) and homemade banana bread.  We normally eat around 6pm.  However, I am used to cooking for an army, so should you be here around dinner, you would of course be asked to stay and eat with us.  There's always room for one more.

This is the front door of my house.  The door to the right is a coat closet and one that we use for storage.  The bookshelf to the left is mine. 

If you were to come in the front door here is what you would see.  The bookshelf holds my dh books.  We really love books!

This is my very UNTIDY sewing area.  It sits beside my bookshelf. I love sewing there because I can look out on our pretty front yard.

On down past my sewing area is our beautiful shelf that Dh brother made for us!  In the middle, you will see my dh inkwell collection.  Most of them are antiques.

Another look at our living room.  The big chest you see was made by my great-great grandfather by hand.  It is a beautiful cedar chest.  It holds all of my sheets, towels, & linens.

Here is my rocking chair where I rock my littlest one before bed.

I just love our fireplace.  We have a woodstove in it instead of a regular fireplace.  We use it alot during cold winter weather. 

Here is our hand-me-down couch.  I don't believe we have ever had a new one.  I do like it...at least the colors match.  You'll notice two baskets of clothes I folded today. You can also see the sliding glass doors that go out onto our covered back porch.

Next is our very small but pretty bathroom.

Next is our kitchen.  At any given time of the day, one or more youngsters ends up in here eating, schooling, or drawing. If you were to just walk in my kitchen, this is what you would see. All of the sticker things on my kitchen cabinet doors are bible verses I printed out.  I like to have scripture hung everywhere so I can be refreshed all day. And of course there is my favorite thing in the whole world...my crockpot.

  This is our kitchen table.  We have our schooling in here.  The hutch behind has my good dishes in it.  I also use the top as storage for our homeschool supplies.

Here is my laundry room.  It is right off of the kitchen.  A back door to the kitchen comes in to here.  I have shelving around the whole room..most of our foodstuff and canning things are stored there.

This is our children's room.  My 5 and 3 yr.olds sleep in the bed.  Our 2 yr. old still sleeps in her crib. This is what you would see if you walked into the kids room.  We use bins to store toys under the crib.

Sorry about the fuzzy picture.  Here you can see the boys dresser.  It hold all their clothes.  The top I have converted into a diaper changing station.  I found an antique fishing basket at an antique shop.  It holds all of the disposable diapers and wipes.  The dresser with the lamp holds all the children's bed linens, blankets, crib sheets, and cloth diapers/covers.  There is also a drawer for all of their shoes.

Next is our bedroom.  I just love it.  It is cosy, romantic and smells so good.  (my daughters say they love to go into my room and just smell...guess that means I smell good) If you walked into our room you would immediately see the bed. It is a queen size.  It is normally much straighter, but the little ones love to wrap up in my quilt.

This is the door to our bedroom.  The door to the left is Dh closet.  To the right is a roll top desk that was in my room when I was a little girl.

If you are wondering about all of the lovely pictures in my home, they came out of my great grandmother's house.  Most of them are over a hundred years old.

This is my dresser.  Me and the 2 yr. old share this dresser. It was also in my room growing up. 

I sincerely hope you enjoyed the tour of my home.  God Bless and please come visit if you are ever in East Tennessee!

   Bible Study - Reading/Studying Breaking Free by Beth Moore/using scripture from book as devotional study

Must Do - After doing NOTHING in terms of housework this weekend, I absolutely MUST:

**Do Laundry

**Sweep and Mop all floors

**organize and de-clutter toys

Zone - focus clean kids room

Train Them Up - Learning how to properly make a bed and fold towels.

Also, incorperating "I saw you do something good." chart!

Monday: Baked Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, crescent rolls

Tuesday: Japanese stir-fry, steamed brown rice

Wednesday: Haystacks

Thursday: Grilled Cheese/soup

Friday: Out For Dinner!

    I just love old pictures.  This is a picture of my maternal Great Grandmother Sarah Edith Pritchard Heaton.  (which is my mother's father's mother, or easier my grandfather's mother) It looks like it was taken around 1910.. I just love how the women dressed back then.  So feminine and pretty.  I love her hair...it's just beautiful.  I think it would be wonderful if all women dressed like that today.  Just wanted to share!

 Today I am trying to do a thorough cleaning of my bedroom.  I need to put away summer clothes and bring in the winter stuff.  I need to organize the drawers BADLY!  It's not one of my favorite things to do.  Also need to wash curtains, dust and vacuum.  All this while keeping four little bodies(we have a sweet little visitor staying with us today) occupied.  AND I still need to start on dinner prep.  It's already 3pm...where did my day go?

My work and household plans for the week:

Devotions/Bible study- Continuing reading and study the book "Landmines In The Path Of The Believer," by Charles Stanley.  Also am studying Revelation.

Must Do - Thankfully all of my must-dos I did yesterday(I know I shouldn't work on the Lord's day, but with my migraines coming all the time, I need to take a good day when I can to get things done, so that is what I did)

Zone - My "zone" for this week is to organize our back porch and get ready for cold weather...putting away lawn chairs, spraying down carport, winterizing all outdoor toys, etc.

Train Them Up - Still working on getting morning room/table chores established. 

Monday - Homemade Beef stew, corn muffins

Tuesday - Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Wednesday - Beef/rice enchiladas

Thursday - Homemade Pizza, fruit salad

Friday - Sloppy joes, fried potatoes

Homemade Brownies! YUM!

Hope everyone has a GREAT week!