Hi to everyone! Hope you're all having a great summer! As you can tell, I've been taking quite a break from blogging, but it's because we've been doing a lot of traveling over the last couple of months. We've had two family beach trips, and Chad and I FINALLY got to go to Charleston for our belated 20th anniversary trip. I'll post on that when I have time. And I still want to show you all the neat stuff I got from sweet Ruthann when I won a give-away over at Sugar Pie Farmhouse. Love you, Ruthann! I just need to slow down long enough to do the pictures...but WOW!
Anyway, I just wanted to pop in to say hi. I'm still reading blogs...just not commenting or posting myself! LOL But while I'm here, let me tell you about a neat give-away over at Joyous Notions. I've subscribed and back ordered past issues of their publication, Seasons At Home Magazine, and I am SO looking forward to receiving them. I plan to use many of the ideas with my 9 yo daughter this upcoming year. Her older twin sisters will be off at college each day (commuting), and she'll be left with three boys. So, I know she and I will enjoy having some 'girl' time. I can't wait to do the "Anne of Green Gables" tea! She loves Anne, so I know she'll love this! Joyous Notions has a monthly give-away for a magazine subscription...so check it out here:
BTW, I am going to use 'Portraits of American Girlhood' with my daughter. I've already gotten it and it looks fantastic. Have any of you used this curriculum? She loves history and the American girls, etc. So we are making a major adjustment in her studies this year. I'm not usually a 'unit study mom', but I think this is the right move for her.
The 12yo is very self-directed, so he'll be fine and stay occupied. But I know my beginning kindergartener and my 3yo will be taking in a lot of what we're doing too. They'll pretty much be all in our business. LOL I'll do a post about our curriculum choices soon.
Well, there are peas to pick, cucumbers to pickle, squash to freeze, and figs to dehydrate. And I'm working on cleaning out the 'junk room' for the two little boys. So have a blessed day and STAY COOL!
I've been AWOL for a while now, but it's been crazy busy around here, and I just haven't had the time to blog. I'm hoping that now that school is done, graduation is over, and most of Erin and Elisabeth's college paperwork has been completed and taken care of that I will be able to get back to regular posting. Of course, we have a hectic traveling schedule this summer, so we'll see...but I do plan to try anyway!
I thought I'd share some photos from what's been going on. My girls participated in the state homeschool graduation ceremony, and that was a really great experience for them.
Here they are at my sister's house, before we left to go the graduation on Saturday morning.
Here they are, getting ready. Alexander is 'helping' with the
green/white 4H ropes. After lining up with the other graduates, they marched
into the auditorium to 'Pomp and Circumstance'...what else?
Up on stage with Elisabeth. See the rose she's holding? That is
for the graduate to present to her mother....I got two!
That's Erin this time between Chad and me...and that's my
second rose.
A view from further out...see all the other homeschool graduates down
in front? After receiving each of their diplomas from their fathers and presenting their mothers with a rose for appreciation, all the graduates lined up down in front of the stage. After the ceremony, they were all presented as the graduating class of 2009 and they 'turned their tassels' before marching out of the auditorium to the song "To God Be the Glory." A very nice dessert reception followed. Keynote speaker for the occasion was Michael Smith, president of HSLDA.
Two happy graduates! Yay! You did it!
Our family.
Lots of our family and friends attended the graduation ceremony, and
we appreciated everyone coming. That was a long trip for most.
Our two graduates! I CANNOT believe that the last twelve
years went by so quickly!!!
Erin and Elisabeth were also honored at my parent's home with a lovely garden reception a week later. I will have to locate the photos for that and share, but words cannot describe how beautiful it was, the delightful weather, and the huge turn-out of family and friends for the occasion. We were all so humbled! I know there are those who couldn't attend who have been waiting on photos, so I'll get on it!
Thanks for sharing in this milestone with me. I've said it before and I'll say it again...mamas enjoy these days with your little folks. The time may SEEM to drag by while you handle diapers, dinner, washing clothes, wiping noses and bottoms, teaching them how to read and tie their shoes. But one day you'll wake up and they'll be graduating! Trust me on this!
It's been awhile since I've done a 'what we are doing' post, so here goes. Let's see. We're finishing up a busy week full of activities. We've had soccer, 4H poultry judging practice and competition, talent show/skit practice and lots of school. We have also been taking care of last minute details that involve Erin and Elisabeth's high school graduation. But in a little while, I'm going to pick up some strawberries to put in the freezer. My cousins have a strawberry farm, but this is the first time I've gotten any berries this year. Yum!
What else? Oh yes, our homeschool group is hosting another encore talent show on Saturday night to help raise money to replace the roof on our little community center. We have lots of fun and I can't believe the talent in our little group. Then again, when your 'little' group has over ninety kids dispersed among twenty-five families or so...it might not be so little! LOL
And OH YES! I received my prize package from my sweet friend, Ruthann, at Sugar Pie Farmhouse. I CANNOT BELIEVE ALL THE WONDERFUL GOODIES she packed in my box. And the 'cute as pie' packaging and sweet notes were gifts in themselves! I will have to get Erin to take pictures of all my prizes! Thanks again, Ruthann! It was like having Christmas all over again! BTW, if you haven't visited the 'new and improved' Sugar Pie Farmhouse (recently known as Warm Pie, Happy Home), you MUST pop over there and see all the delightful changes!
I also posted a new article entitled 'Family Mealtimes Are Important' at the National Writing For Children Center this week. I will probably just add that post here as well. Now more than ever, family mealtimes and being together to communicate and share with each other is SO vital! We MUST make time to invest in our children and families!
Well, I have lots more I could share, but I must close. I also have a 'What's In the Reading Stack' post to add...but I'll save that for later. After the strawberries are put away, the girls and I have lots and lots of graduation invitations to address and mail out! This 'growing up and graduating' stuff is wearing me out!!! LOL But I wouldn't miss this special time in my girls' lives for anything! We have been so blessed. But mamas, enjoy these days of little people, crumbs in the carpet, spilled milk, and tears over learning multiplication tables. The years pass quickly, and before you know it, you'll have young adults who will be stepping out into their futures! Hold 'em close!
Happy April, everyone! First, I thought I'd share the new page on my Gooseberry Patch calendar. It's so pretty!
Now take special notice of the rain boots at the bottom of the picture!
I think that is QUITE appropriate...because here is what I see when I step out onto my front porch. And this has even receded a lot compared to what it has been. In fact, on Saturday, the whole yard and road were under water and it looked like a river flowing down towards our neighbor's house. And my cousin's field looked like a huge lake! But if the forecast is correct, we'll see even MORE of this!
We have had SOOO much rain over the last few days. I think we got 6-8 inches last weekend, and the weather forecasters say that with the new storm system that we have experiencing right now, we could get up to 10-13 inches! I think we need to grow some webbed feet or fins...or get a boat to get to the Tahoe in the driveway! And when Alexander, our 2yo saw the big pond puddle in our front yard, he wanted to get out his fishing pole! LOL
So what is the weather like in YOUR neck of the woods?
I've put this off since Tuesday afternoon...I guess I had to process it myself. But we did lose both babies. So I ask for your continued prayers. I've been through two other miscarriages in the last nineteen years, but I had to have a D&C with those. This time I didn't, and the experience has been totally different...a much more REAL 'different'. I was prepared in my mind for the worst, but hoping in my heart for happier news. But still...I know Who is in control. I trust Him, and I believe He knows best. But after the big excitement, it's still so, so sad. So I covet your prayers.
Also, thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, comments, cards and emails. Your love and support has really touched my heart and the hearts of my husband and children. Words cannot express...but thank you so much!
Sad news is always hard to share. But we do so covet your prayers at this time. When I went for my appointment last Friday, the doctor could only see one baby's heartbeat. So he sent me to the hospital for some blood work to check my Hcg levels. I went again on Monday for more blood work. Conclusion: There was a drop in the levels. My doctor said that could mean one of two things...we'd lost just one baby...or I was in the process of a total miscarriage. I really didn't want to say anything on here until I had more information about what was happening.
I went back for another ultrasound yesterday to find out what was going on. My doctor said that Baby B was no longer alive. I had already come to terms with that. But when he tried to see if he could still find Baby A's heartbeat, there was some confusion. I really think I saw the flickering heartbeat, and he did too...at first. But the baby was situated in an odd position right up against the 'wall', and it was hard to tell if what we were seeing was truly a heartbeat, or if it was just some flickering from the u/s waves. So the conclusion? We still don't know!! The doctor said he just could not tell for sure. So we wait for another week and another ultrasound!
Please, please pray that everything will be okay for Baby A. It's the 'not knowing' that is so terrible. I know that God is in control, and I have to rest in that...but it's hard. I think when you're in a position of absolutely having no feeling of control over what's happening to you, that's when you really understand that you have to lay it all down at His feet and let go. Folks, life is fragile and new babies are a miracle. But the Lord is the giver of life...this I know. His will be done.
I just wanted to tell you all how much I appreciate your enthusiastic responses, well-wishes and prayers in response to our BIG news! You all made my day, and I can't stress to you enough how much it means to me to read your supportive and happy comments!
I will try to answer your questions, but I will wait until after my appointment tomorrow. I will be quizzing the doctor as well! LOL But I will tell you this...all my children have been beside themselves with excitement, plans, and wanting to pick out names. Even my BIG girls are very, very happy. I'm so thankful for that, because I'm sure that would not be the case for all 17 (almost 18) year old siblings! We are blessed beyond measure.
And I am blessed to have all of you! Thank you again...from the bottom of my heart! And please continue to pray that all will go well!
My husband and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary next week. He'll be 45 in April and I'll be 42 in August. Our oldest children are identical TWIN daughters. They will be 18 in June and they will be graduating from our homeschool high school in May. Then we have a 12yo boy, 8yo girl (she'll be 9 in March), 5yo boy (well... he will be 5 next week), and 2yo boy (he'll be 3 in April). Got all that?
Scene 1:
Well, after six children, I'm sure it will sound crazy when I say that the following caught me a bit off guard. Yeah, right, you may say. But it honestly wasn't quite what I was expecting (pardon the pun):
Scene 2:
But, but, but....this:
If you look closely you can see a little 'A' and a little 'B'
Can you say SHOCK!!!??? IT'S TWINS AGAIN! WOWWWWWW! Excitement...but definitely SHOCK! You'll have to wait until the end of August or the beginning of September for the grand finale! My husband said that we started with a bang so I guess we can finish with a bang! Wow again! Ironically we'll be sending the first set of twins off to take classes at our local junior college about the same time we'll be bringing two more home from the hospital! Is that hilarious, or what? Please keep us in your prayers and I'll keep you posted!
We recently had a new photo of the children made. This is the 'real' one...Wesley does NOT like his smile in this one! LOL
And check out Alexander's nose and sticky-outy tongue! Of course he had to fall at church on Wednesday night before we had the picture made on Friday and take the hide off his nose!
Please excuse the dust on my scan tray! Gulp...maybe I need to do a little cleaning on my HP! Erin would NOT like that dust speck in her hair! Plus, the photo is crooked! Erin isn't here right now, or she'd be fixing it for sure! She's our techie gal!
And here are a couple I took before we left home.
And I just have to share this one too. As most of you have probably experienced as well, Christmas mail order catalogs have steadily been filling our mailbox for weeks. This is the scene that we've been seeing around here!
Brings back LOTS of memories!
And last of all, Wesley recently entered a sweet potato decorating contest through 4H. He did a guard at 'Bucking-Yam' Palace. I thought it turned out cute, and he won first in the 'People' division. Our friend, John Benjamin, made a UGA bulldog out of his sweet potato, and he won third place in 'Animals'. It was adorable and I wish I had a photo of it as well! Great job, boys!
Yes, imagine little Horton-ish type voices...we are here, we are here, we are here! We're just busy, busy, busy! LOL But I did want to pop in for just a minute and say hello to anyone who is still taking the time to come by only to find out that I haven't been here much recently!
Hmmm....let me think....what HAVE I been doing? Well, you know how it is...just living and taking care of a family keeps a body and soul hopping. And school time, laundry, and cooking all have to be done!
Three of the children participated in the GA National Fair with both 4H entries and youth art entries, and the traveling time up there and back took a big chunk out of two different days. But they all did GREAT and won lots of prizes. And since Erin and Elisabeth are seniors this year, we're glad they are going out with a bang!
I've also been working on and completing some writing projects that I needed to get done. I'm right smack dab in the middle of some more research for another, plus I have some educational product reviews to complete for TOS.
We've moved beds and reorganized some of the children's sleeping arrangements here, so with my husband's busy schedule that little project was spread out over a week I'm so glad that's done, because for several days we didn't know who would wake up where! LOL And now, with the approach of the cooler weather (finally), I need to sort through, organize, get rid of, or store some of the little's clothing. Not my favorite task....it overwhelms me sometimes!
We took an awesome field trip to a wildlife management area last week that was not too far away from us and it was fantastic! I've lived in south Georgia almost all my life, and I never knew this little gem of a place existed until a year or two ago. But we got to see all kinds of wild animals, reptiles, and amphibians, and there was a great learning center there. There was also a 1/2 mile boardwalk through a cypress swamp that led to a tall observation tower that overlooked 18,000 acres of more cypress swamp. I carried Alexander all the way up and all the way down. I think I got my exercise in for the day! LOL At the nature center, the children got to hold a snake and a baby alligator. Yes, I know you're all jealous that YOU weren't there to participate! LOL They even had an excavated Indian canoe from south Georgia that was old, old, old. It was in one of the glass cases. Amazing!
We have lots more...but I'll stop!
And let's see....I'm still walking my three miles a day. I listen to all kinds of great podcasts on my MP3 that really inspire and fire me up. I've been listening to the audios from Cindy Rushton's past seminar on debt free living AND author interviews from Suzanne Lieurance's Book Bites for Kids. I've also listened to some of Dave Ramsey's shows on audio. Plus, I've been coming up with all kinds of great blog posts (in my head). Yes, that's right. Those great posts are still in my head! LOL Maybe they'll make it out through the ends of my fingertips and onto the keyboard before long!
My friend Beth and her sweet family gave us LOTS of apples from their recent trip up to north Georgia. So I've made apple pie, crockpot cinnamon apples, apple oatmeal, etc. And the little boys have eaten their weight in apples. Today or tomorrow, I'm going to make apple pie filling to either can or freeze for later use. My friend Laura and her sweet family sent us a gallon of apple cider from the same trip. It was delicious and GONE in three days! Yum! Thank you both for thinking of us!
Last night, I made a double batch of Kelli's Fruit Filled Oatmeal Bars, and they turned out wonderful! If you haven't tried these yet, you should! They are delicious! I also burned out my tortilla maker/baker recently, so I'm looking for another one. I just used it so much that it finally died. I guess it was just plumb tuckered out. I'm so sad, because we make homemade bean burritos a lot for lunch here.
I have a large stack of new books that I'm working through as I have time...I'll have to share those soon. I always have two or three going at the same time. Right now, I'm in the middle of Rene Gutteridge's Scoop. I just finished Sigmund Brouwer's Broken Angel...it was, um, different. Not my usual preference in reading material, but interesting. However, I really like his Nick Barrett series set in Charleston a lot.
Today's agenda includes:
School (of course)
Post some things on Ebay
Go the library to pick up more books that have come in for me!
Walk
Make Apple Pie Filling (if time)
Bake Cinnamon Rolls and Bread (for some of my husband's co-workers)
Prepare supper: Chicken/Rice, Rolls, Squash, Peas, Fruit Filled Oatmeal Bars
Laundry! (As ALWAYS)
I just wanted to pop in for just a minute to say hello to anyone who is still sticking with me here. Since Chad's surgery, our daily 'schedule' has been totally 'off schedule'! LOL Having Daddy at home recuperating has changed the way we do things around here...from homemaking to homeschooling to blogging! We've enjoyed having him home however, and I'm going to miss him when he goes back to work next Monday! But then again, it's such a blessing that he's just about back up to par and ready to head 'back into normal life'! LOL It was slow-going for awhile, but I think he's just about back up to full speed! I'm just happy he's starting to feel like himself again!
I've just updated my sidebar to reflect the number of miles I've walked so far. It's been sporadic lately due to our crazy 'off-schedule', but I do try to fit in my daily walk if possible. I soooo look forward to my three mile trek, and I feel so much better when I exercise. The weight is slowly coming off, and I need to update that too. I think I'm up to about 8 pounds lost. Yay! Now, if I can just keep it up!
We went on a train ride with our homeschool group last Saturday, and I hope I can post some photos soon. Chad had planned to go, but on Friday afternoon he decided it might be too much. Good decision! I was worn out when we got home Saturday evening, and I haven't had surgery. Plus...it was some kind of cold! But we had a great time! More details soon.
Last thing...I have to got to tell you about the funniest book that Ellie and I are using for read-aloud. It's called The Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin. We're only on chapter 4, but it's about a 100 year old doll family who live in an antique doll house in the home of a 'third generation' little girl. Everything is the same, year after year, day after day...until a new family called the Funcrafts (plastic modern dolls) move in. Plus, there's a mystery line as well. Auntie Sarah Doll has been missing since 1955. Will she be found? I don't know yet...but I can't wait to find out!
We are also reading The Secret Garden because I think it's a great springtime read-aloud! Then we'll watch the video again...a definite favorite!
Well, I need to scoot and cook supper. Wesley is preparing for Cloverleaf DPA, Elisabeth is on her way home from art lessons, Alexander is asleep, and the rest are all outside. It's a beautiful day here in south Georgia! I pray you'll all have a delightful evening. I hope to be back soon to post again. I've been reading some great books and listening to some awesome MP3s while I walk. Plus I've been working on some projects, and I've found some great thrift store treasures! I'll have to share!
At the beginning of last week, I sat for a quiet moment on the couch just enjoying reading my Bible and and having a time of prayer. Coming off of a couple of crazy-busy weeks and a whirlwind weekend to Rock Eagle for Erin and Elisabeth's Sr. DPA and knowing we had a full week of church meetings ahead, I thought to myself...next week, we'll finally slow back down and things will be normal again! HA! Double HA! (Don't check my grammatics on the above sentence..I'm making a point here! LOL)
We carefully and joyfully make our plans, but they get changed. That very afternoon, Chad called me and said he was experiencing a lot of pain on his lower left side, just as he did when he had to have hernia repair surgery a year ago. He also had a hernia repair surgery when he was six months old, so this is a recurring theme! Anyway, he got in to see a doctor the next day, and presto-chango! We are facing another hernia repair surgery tomorrow. Needless to say, Chad DOES NOT do well with anesthesia! So please keep him in your prayers.
Also, I usually tell everyone that we might as well wipe February off the calendar at our house. We've all been sick every single February (except for 2004 when John was a newborn) since around 2002. I honestly thought we were going to make it through the month this year. I mean, after all, we got through DPA AND our annual church meeting. Things were looking promising. Presto-Chango! Yesterday morning, Wesley woke up with a sore throat and 102 degree temperature. During the night, Alexander started the symptoms (read 'very little sleep'), and I think a couple more are heading down the path to 'sickie land' as well! Not good with a surgery scheduled tomorrow. And my throat and sinus passages are on fire, or at least they were earlier this morning...I do feel better. I don't have TIME to be sick right now! So I'm hoping I can muddle on through and just keep going. At least that's the plan! LOL
My friend, Marybeth, wrote a touching post today about weakness and admitting that sometimes we need prayer. Often, it seems that we are vulnerable and feel ashamed when we make others aware of our needs. But it's true...sometimes (most of the time), we need the prayers of friends and loved ones. Aren't we commanded to encourage and lift each other up in time of need? And in our weakness, He makes us strong....but it's all of Him! And through our trials, we are painfully made aware of our dependability on the Lord for EVERYTHING! He is in control!
I've felt burdened for some time to share the lyrics of two of the songs we
sing at church. The message in these songs has spoken to my heart on many occasions, and maybe it will touch yours as well. I don't know the struggles and trials that many of you are facing, but God does...and He cares!
Our Father Cares
by J.F. Parker
Old School Hymnal
Page 157
Verse 1: Here our heav'nly Father knows all we need before we ask, Here our heav'nly Father knows and He cares; Here our heav'nly Father sees every sparrow when it falls, Here our heav'nly Father sees, and He cares.
Verse 2: See the lilies how they grow, and the beauty they display, He is watching over them, for He cares; When He waters with the dew, lilies raise their heads a new, He will do the same for you, for He cares.
Verse 3: When we find ourselves in need, then we to the Father plead, For He is our friend indeed, and He cares; He'll be watching over us when we're sleeping in the dust, And He'll come again for us, for He cares.
And the song below also has a wonderful message. How many times do we think of all the miracles that God preformed in the 'old days', and we say to ourselves...naw, things like that don't happen these days. But yes, the Lord still works miracles. I think that we are all just too busy and preoccupied to see many of those miracles all around us...every single day! He's just the same today!
He's Just the Same Today
by Elder J. Harvey Daily
Old School Hymnal
page 434
Verse 1: When Moses and the Israelites from Egypt's land did flee; Behind them were proud Pharaoh's host, in front of them the sea; God raised the water like a wall and opened up the way. And the God that lived in the olden times is just the same today.
Chorus: He's just the same today, He's just the same today. And the God that lived in the olden times, is just the same today.
Verse 2: When David and Goliath met, the wrong against the right; The giant armed with human strength and David with God's might. God sent a stone by David's sling, the giant low did lay. And the God that lived in the olden times is just the same today.
Repeat chorus.
Verse 3: When Daniel faithful to his God would not bow down to men; And by his enemies was hurled into the lion's den. God shut the lion's mouths we read, and robbed them of their prey. And the God that lived in the olden times is just the same today.
Repeat chorus.
Verse 4: When Pentecost had fully come, and fire from heav'n did fall. The Saviour with the Holy Ghost baptized them one and all. Three thousand were converted and were added right away. And the God that lived in the olden times is just the same today.
Repeat chorus.
Amen! Please do keep us in your prayers, and may the Lord bless you all with a wonderful week!
Hi everybody! I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed weekend! We had a whirlwind weekend ourselves. Erin and Elisabeth competed at Senior 4-H DPA at Rock Eagle on Saturday. Erin got 2nd and Elisabeth placed 4th. Their presentations counted 50% and the portfolios that they turned in earlier in January also counted for 50%. So even though the presentation is important, the portfolio score counts just as much...which is sort of hard when you come from a small county that doesn't have as many 4-H opportunities as larger ones. Oh well, we were very proud of the girls. They worked hard, and as always DPA is a great learning experience, and it's great for fostering public speaking skills! Erin's project was photography, and Elisabeth did cake decorating!
We have a big church meeting this week, so I'll probably be missing in action until Sunday or Monday. Plus in the 'DPA Aftermath', we need to dig out several rooms in our house...it's pretty bad right now! If I don't have the opportunity to pop in here or do any visiting, I pray you'll all have a delightful week!
We have been super busy-busy-busy around our home lately, but I did want to pop in and acknowledge the first day of autumn...definitely my favorite season! So...Happy Fall Y'all!
I am loathe to even say this since it seems to be my never-ending song, but I had to stay home from church with two sick little boys today. Alexander especially has had a rough go of it for several days now. We took him to the doctor Friday. He has an ear infection plus a cold with lots of congestion/cough/fever. Poor baby! But I do think he's feeling some better now. Needless to say, our rocking chair has rocked many miles lately!
Erin, Elisabeth and Wesley have been getting their 4-H and other entries ready for the Georgia National Fair. That's a nice way of saying that our house is torn out from one end to the other! LOL Oh, the joys of creative children! I have a long post all written out in my mind, and hopefully I can get it 'transfered' to my blog soon. I have a lot of catching up to do!
Well, I do hope you all have a blessed day. I think we'll take notes from Kelli and her crew today and watch Anne of Green Gables to celebrate the first day of autumn. I don't have any maple cookies baked, but I did bake two pecan custard pies with meringue yesterday...maybe those will work just as well!
LOL However, those cookies look delicious, and I will be trying them soon!
PS...I have to tell you all about the book I've been drooling over! It's called Mary Engelbreit's Home Sweet Home...and it contains oodles of photographs of her home! It's an absolute feast for the eyes! I highly recommend this book to any who love English Country Cottage style decorating! Yes, there are some areas in her home that are signature 'Mary' with checks and cherries, but I think you might be surprised with some of her ideas...gorgeous! The cover looks like this:
I got the book through inter-library loan, but it is definitely one for my 'wish list!'
Blessings to all, and Lord willing, I'll be back soon to fill you in with posts and photographs about all that's been going on! I've done a little fall decorating and tried a new centerpiece for my table...I really like it! And we are (hopefully) going to get new bookcases for our living room to go on either side of the mantel. We NEED more book storage options! My brother-in-law looked at these photos of what style I liked, and is planning to build something similiar ASAP. I'm excited! Hats off to my very kind and talented brother-in-law Chip!
Love that beadboard! Okay, I really do have to go! Take care!
Happy Monday, everyone! I did a post yesterday afternoon, but when I clicked on the 'save changes' button, for some reason I lost my internet connection. Therefore, everything I wrote disappeared! How irritating! I didn't have time to rewrite it...so I just decided to wait until today.
It's funny. I keep telling all my blogging friends how I am going to slow down and get back to normal with my posting and visiting. I'm beginning to wonder when that 'slowing down' time is going to happen. This past weekend we had a church meeting, and the visiting minister and his son stayed with us as well. So from about last Thursday until yesterday afternoon, I was barely near my computer. Getting ready for guests and doing the extra cooking for our church fellowship meals for each service kept me busy, busy, busy...but it was nice to wake up this morning to a nice clean house and get started on a new week of school. However, I still need to go through all of our school bookshelves to purge and reorganize...I need more room for books. I don't know about all of you, but we spend A LOT of time looking for the books we need. So frustrating! Yes, all the books are on shelves, but WHERE on the shelves???!!! We have so many books that I have actually forgotten we had a particular title and then ordered the very same one! Anyone else guilty of that??
Tomorrow, I will take Ellie to a pediatric dental appointment about an hour away. And Wednesday is my 40th birthday. It's amazing. I've dreaded this particular birthday for a whole year, and now that it's almost upon me, I'm okay with it! Crazy, huh? I've decided that I'm too busy with my family and home to worry about a number. And I have too many little people around to fret about 'getting old'! LOL I don't have time for that! Besides, the Lord has blessed me with almost four decades of happy times and people who love me. I have a loving husband and six precious children, a happy home, a loving family, lots of friends, good health, and so much more! I've been so very blessed...much more than I deserve! So...what does that really mean?? Well, it means that I'll just keep on going like I've always done. I'll pray for wisdom, guidance, and lots of patience. I'll keep seeking God's will for my life, and hopefully I'll remember some of the lessons I've learned for the last forty (almost!) years. Most importantly, I'll try not to worry about the things I cannot change (birthdays that end with '0', for example), try to improve on the things I CAN change, and pray I'll know the difference!
Chad's 25th class reunion is Saturday night, so we are planning to attend. I found a very nice 'little black dress' on sale at J.C. Penney's last week...simple but classic. It has a two-tiered ruffle at the bottom and a little bit of a ruffle on the sleeves. A simple strand of pearls and a pair of black heels, and I'm ready to go. We attended his 10th class reunion back in 1992, but their 20th reunion fell through in 2002...so he hasn't seen many of these folks in a LONG time. I doubt anyone would've ever believed he'd end up a minister with six children! LOL But then again, *I* would've never believed *I* would have six children either! LOL
Well, we still have a few loose ends to tie up on school, and then I need to finish up on the one bookshelf I tackled today. Then I will begin preparing supper. I also need to do a couple of loads of laundry this afternoon, so I better close. Yesterday evening, Chad and I took a long walk, and the exercise felt great after a few days of not getting to my T-Tapp. Maybe today we'll all go...once the heat has let up some. Folks, south Georgia is H-O-T in August!
Take care and I hope you all have a delightful week!
Blessings!
PS...Happy, happy birthday to my sister, Mindy! Boy, you sure are getting old! LOL Just teasing! I love you!
Happy Monday, everyone! It looks as if we will have to go to Plan B in our home today. I had planned on getting a brand new start on school today, since we were able to get in ONE whole day last week....but alas, that isn't gonna happen. Several of the children are still sick. I took Ellie to the doctor on Friday. She had high temperature and a really gross throat. The doctor found a double ear infection and tonsillitis...but thankfully, no strep. Then, I was back at the walk-in clinic at our pediatrician's office on Saturday with Erin. She was having high temperature, headache, and she had a lot of pain in her chest when she took a deep breath. I was thinking "bronchitis", but no, the doctor said it was all viral. This stuff seems to be 'everlasting', but I know this too shall pass!
And here's the kicker. Chad woke up this morning about 5:30 am with severe lower left back pain. And folks, my husband DOES NOT like to go to the doctor...much less the ER. But he was in SEVERE pain with resulting nausea. I was thinking maybe he was experiencing a kidney stone episode. But in any case, he was in the Tahoe ready to go before I could even get dressed. I just grabbed my make-up bag and ran. And Chad was in his PJ's and barefooted! If any of you know Chad, you absolutely know he was in dire straits to leave the house that way. But we zipped to the hospital, and all the while I thought he was going to pass out in the backseat while I was driving.
We got to the ER, and they took him back immediately. By the time I moved the Tahoe to the parking lot and got back, the nurse already had him in a gown and had started an IV for pain. The pain eased off and they did a limited CT. The CT showed no kidney stone, but there were particles in the bladder and definitely gall stones plus an infection. It's possible that if he did have a kidney stone, it was dislodged, disintegrated, or passed...or it could have been the gallstones. The nurse told us that kidney stone pain is one of the few things she's seen that will bring grown men to their knees in pain. But we aren't exactly sure what was the cause...we may never know...but I do know that Chad hopes it doesn't happen again. When we got home, he felt so much better that he went on in to work. That amazed me, but then again, he knows what he can do! He has an antibiotic to get filled, and maybe that will help the underlying cause as well.
This past weekend, he competed in the Locate Rodeo up in Duluth. We were supposed to go with him, but with the children so sick, we stayed home. That was a LONG three days! The Locate Rodeo is a national competition where underground utility locators compete with each other for money and prizes. There are four divisions: gas, water, electric, and telecommunications. The locators have to do three "locates" and write down their measurements where they find the lines. Whoever has the most accurate measurements is the winner.
On Saturday night, there was a banquet to announce the winners. There is a winner for each locate in each of the four divisions, plus an overall winner. Chad won Event #3 in the Water division! Julieann's husband, Kevin, came from California to compete. He won in some of the individual locates in the Gas division, plus he was the OVERALL winner in his division...and that's REALLY big! Yay! Our husbands sat together at the banquet, and I thought that was pretty neat. Julieann and I didn't get to meet, but our husbands did! So I guess that's the next best thing!
I was sure glad to see my dear husband when he got home. He decided to come on home after the banquet, and he didn't get here until around 2 am Sunday morning! I really have been teasing him. About three years ago, right after the Locate Rodeo, he had to have an emergency appendectomy. This time it was either gall bladder or kidney stones. What is it with that Locate Rodeo??!! LOL I think they work 'em hard up there! But all teasing aside, we were really proud of Chad and how well he did. And we are happy for Kevin (and Julieann)!
So what does today hold, now that everything else is off track? Well, definitely lots and lots of laundry. I also need to get prepared for our first planning meeting for our homeschool group tomorrow night. I need to make copies of the information sheets and prepare the agenda of things we need to talk about and dates we need pin down for activities and family night suppers. We have a wonderful group, and we are very close-knit. This will be the seventh year since my friend Lori and I started the group back in 2001. The first year we had just a few families, and our enrollment has grown A LOT since then. I think we had about 21 families last year. And that may seem small compared to some groups, but it's good sized for our little rural community. We are so blessed to have such great members in our group...I definitely count them as some of my closest friends!
Mrs. Meyer's is also on the agenda for today. I plan on deep-cleaning both bathrooms with my lavender toilet bowl cleaner and all-purpose cleaner. I LOVE Mrs. Meyer's products, and the wonderful smell is a bonus. If I have to clean potties and sinks, then I might as well enjoy it! I do have to say, however, that the honeysuckle scent was definitely my favorite. But alas, that was a limited offer. Right now, there is a new baby fresh scent available...sounds heavenly. Oh yes, I also plan on cleaning out the fridge today.
And last of all, I want to get in my T-Tapp this afternoon. I have been doing a 14 day boot camp with the Total Workout, and this is day 14. I've come too close to not get in this last day. After today I will begin working out every other day for a few weeks, and then hopefully I can switch to just 2-3 times per week. I can definitely tell there's some inch loss already, especially in the thighs, tummy, and back end...plus my back has NOT been hurting at all since I started. It's hard to get in a 40-50 minute workout each day, but the health benefits have been very evident. I can tell a difference in my clothes as well. I plan on doing a full review of T-Tapp later on, but at this point I think it's GREAT!
Well, I hope you all have a blessed week!
*Image at the top by June Dudley~ entitled "Sunkissed"
*Image right above by June Dudley~ entitled "Grandmother's Garden"
Aren't these paintings gorgeous? She has some other paintings that are just as lovely on her website!
Yes, I am still here! I have not fallen off the face of the earth! LOL But I don't think I've ever been so busy or stretched out as much as I have been over the last month. We've had a lot going on, not to mention van trouble and sick children. But we are about to slow down...very quickly! Lord willing, we will start back to school this week. So...we will definitely be staying home more. And after an upcoming trip this next weekend, our family will be back on the slow track...hopefully!
After four years of good service, our Chevy Venture started failing. As in, we've had THREE fuel pumps replaced in less than three months. Last week, I picked up the van from the mechanic, got it home, later drove it to town, then parked it. When we tried to start it up again, it wouldn't crank. Would you believe the starter went out the very same day ??!! DH replaced that, but it still didn't act just right. Every time we ran the AC, the transmission sounded funny. The front passenger door was stuck, the window wouldn't go down, and the automatic side door stopped working. That was it! Yesterday, my husband drove it across the state to a church meeting. Based on the sounds of the transmission, he knew it was just a matter of time before it messed up again. So he decided to check out the car dealerships in Statesboro.
When he got home last night, he wasn't driving the Venture! He came home in a Chevy Tahoe! I love it. It's not new (2004), but it's new to us! And it is soooo nice. It's metallic blue with light blue interior. It's really roomy, and it has a bench seat in front, so actually it's a 9 passenger SUV. And it drives like a dream. He did GOOD! LOL I had to tease him when we first started toying around with the idea of a newer vehicle...I told him to PLEASE not come home with something that looked as if it transported prisoners around. He didn't! LOL
I am staying home from church this morning with three sickies. Several of our church members/friends have had this 'virus/cold' stuff a lot worse than we have, so I dare not complain too much. In fact, our friend Jarrett was in the hospital for a couple of days. But our weekend plans did change drastically. We were so looking forward to having the visiting minister and his dear family stay with us...the same ones we had the pleasure of staying with a couple of weeks ago. Then this sickness hit our household (high temp/runny nose/etc.)--so the visit didn't happen. But....we hope they'll come back and stay with us real soon, whether we have a church meeting or not! We were really disappointed! There are some people who are just easy to love and connect with, and the Meek family fits that description perfectly! I just wish they lived closer!
I will have to post some pictures soon. The girls re-did their bedroom (new paint, new bedspreads, etc). I didn't think I would like what they picked out at all, but now I really, really like it! It's a happy room! I'm not going to tell you about it, however, before I show photos...because it wouldn't do it justice. You will have to see it all pulled together to get the full effect. Because if I said green walls with a pink stripe and black polka dots and pink/black polka dot bedspreads, you might not catch the vision...I didn't! As many of you know, I'm an 'English Country/Cottage' decorating gal, and the proposed color scheme didn't sound too promising to this mama's ears. LOL But just wait and see! My artistic daughters did all the painting, paid for their own bedspreads....and generally just did a great job! We have a double-over-double bunk bed in their room, and Erin and Elisabeth (16) share this room with Ellie (7). For all three of them to come to a consensus on what they liked and wanted was wonderful! And it's perfect for both ages!
I also repainted our hall bathroom...something I've wanted to do for over a year. I knew I needed to get finished before we started back to school. I'll be sharing photos soon. In fact, my Friday Show and Tell post was supposed to be all about our old fashioned re-finished tub that we put back in the house when we remodeled. But alas, I didn't get it posted...next week, for sure!
Well, I have a fussy baby that needs my attention, so I better go. Thanks to all of you who still come by for a visit, even though I haven't done much posting or visiting myself. Hopefully, after next weekend I will be 'back' all the way! I have so many thoughts and ideas for posts, and I can't wait to share. And I just realized that my previous post was #200! Wow! And you know what? I think my 1 year 'blog-o-versary' is this week. I'll have to check! Plus, I am beginning the last month countdown to the big 4-0 birthday scheduled to happen on August 22nd! LOL I'm not sure how I feel about that, but as my husband says....it's better than the alternative! LOL
I pray that you'll all have a blessed week! Take care!
Is it just us, or is everyone else as busy as we are in July??? I jokingly make the comment that we'll have to start school to slow down, but there's A LOT of truth in those words.
During the last part of June, we went to Charlotte, North Carolina for a few days so Erin and I could attend the Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference. It was awesome! Then last Sunday, we headed down to the beach and stayed until July 4th. I will have to blog about that because we went on a boat cruise around Cumberland Island and saw the wild ponies and heard all about the church where JFK Jr. was married, etc. I will definitely have to post about that little trip and show pictures! BTW, it rained on our little 'cruise' and the tour guide had to get out blankets...on July 4th...in Florida...if you can believe that. It actually got chilly! We took the boat ride from the marina at Fernandina over the state line, back into Georgia, over to Cumberland Island. They are very close. So while we were on vacation in Florida, we actually went back over into Georgia...then back to Florida! Then we came back home to Georgia that afternoon! Hmmm... I guess we were in two different states...two different times...all in one morning! LOL
We got home Wednesday night, and Thursday morning two of the children and I were in the pea patch bright and early. During our 'in-between traveling' days, we've been knee-deep in the garden! As we say down here in the South, we've been 'in' peas and butterbeans and squash and corn and tomatoes. We'll also be getting a 'mess' of okra this week and putting up some more sweet corn as well. LOL I've made seasoned tomato sauce, and I still have I don't know how many tomatoes left in the fridge to make more. Tomorrow I plan on making some chili sauce and taco sauce.
I had to stop and store the rest of my tomatoes in the fridge because we left on Friday afternoon to head over to my husband's hometown for a family wedding. Chad officiated the ceremony, and it was really lovely...short...but lovely! We didn't get home until after 10:30 last night (Sat.) and I was scrambling this morning trying to get everything and everybody's clothes ready for church this morning. My niece, Carlie, also came home with us and spent the night. When she's with us, everyone thinks she is a triplet to Erin and Elisabeth. They really favor a great deal, even though she's 18 months younger than they are. My SIL and MIL are on their way over here now to pick her up. She has been chosen to play on her county's All-Stars softball team (again), and her practices start tomorrow.
This is a short, choppy post, but Alexander is asleep and I needed to make haste! LOL I need to order some more things for school and get some curriculum reviews completed, so I better use the rest of my computer time for those things. And my SIL and MIL will be here soon as well to get Carlie, so I better close.
If you are still coming by to visit me here, I appreciate your patience. Hopefully, when things slow down after this month, I will be more consistent with my blogging and visiting! And honestly y'all, I'm just plumb tuckered out right now. Packing, traveling, unpacking, washing/drying and repacking over and over for a family of eight is not for the faint of heart! And the old gray mare just 'ain't' what she used to be! LOL But don't give up on me yet! LOL I pray you all have a blessed week! Take care!
Note: I don't know why the format of this post is so wacky looking. I have tried and tried to fix it...but it won't be fixed. So please pardon the weird looking paragraphs!
For my small handful of faithful readers, I'm sure you've been wondering where I've been for almost a whole week...so here's what's been going on.
Last Tuesday evening, Wesley spiked a temperature of close to 103 degrees, and that reading was taken under his arm. I'd already taken him to the doctor the week before, and he'd been diagnosed with a sinus infection and given an antibiotic. Well, he'd already been on that antibiotic for over five days when he had that high temperature. So Chad told me to take him back on Wednesday.
Concerned, the doctor ordered bloodwork and a CT scan on the sinuses. By Wednesday evening, Wesley was in the hospital hooked up to an IV. He was being treated intravenously with two different kinds of antibiotics for a severe and chronic sinus infection that showed up on the CT. He stayed in the hospital until Thursday afternoon around 5 pm. Apparently, the oral antibiotics weren't making a dent in the problem. We left the hospital with prescriptions for two antibiotics to be taken by mouth for 21 days, Allegra, and nasal spray. Plus he is supposed to irrigate the sinus cavities twice daily, and use a humidifier.
We were already planning to leave at 6 am on Friday morning to head up to Charlotte, NC for the Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference...about a seven hour trip. The pediatrician said Wesley would be fine to go on, so we did. About the time we got to Columbia, SC, however, Ellie was crying and complaining that her head hurt and she felt terrible. I felt of her head, and she was HOT...as in 103 degrees HOT! I couldn't believe it. I gave her a dose of Motrin, and she slept the rest of the way. By the time we got to our hotel, she felt much better. Chad said that since we were already there that Erin and I should go on to the opening session of the conference...he had everything under control...and he did! I am so thankful for my husband. He's one in a million!
So, off Erin and I went to the Renaissance Hotel to our long awaited and much anticipated writer's conference. I was not disappointed. After the first general session, there was a meal, and then there were break-out sessions. And might I add, the food was wonderful! Yes, leave it to me to comment on the food! Since we were at a different hotel from the one where the conference was held, I had to do some maneuvering back and forth to see about my sickies and tend to Mr. Hungry Baby...but it was worth the trouble.
I was absolutely thrilled to meet Marybeth Whalen! She is a gracious, lovely lady, and it was a blessing to make the transition from 'blogging' friends to 'real life' friends! I felt as though I'd known her forever. I also attended her 'blogging' workshop on Saturday, and she made some excellent points! I was also able to meet her husband and their youngest little girl. Curt, her husband, is also an excellent writer, and I've enjoyed reading his blog, Love For the Prodigal. Just a really nice Christian couple! I think they should join forces and write a book together! (Hint, Hint)
It was also a wonderful treat to meet Karen Ehman and Bonita Lillie. They are both lovely ladies as well--and definitely kindred spirits. In fact, everyone I met was just so friendly and encouraging! Even the publishers I met with were very kind and helpful, and I really think it was a great learning experience! Who knows if anything will come from my proposal, but the time I spent on it really helped me to dig deep and think about what I wanted to share with others about creating an enriched and godly family culture. Family--something that is very important to me and something I strongly feel led to write about. But even if my words are read only by my own family...that's reason enough to write it!
Because the children were temperature-free on Saturday, Chad took them all to a small private zoo. They saw all kinds of neat animals, and they even got to hold and play with a baby tiger. We have pictures to prove it! LOL They rode around Charlotte, and took in the sights. Wesley especially liked seeing Lowe's Motor Speedway. They also enjoyed ordering pizza two nights in a row! I know Chad and Elisabeth had their hands full while Erin and I were off enjoying ourselves, and I do appreciate their willingness to make Mama so happy!
Meanwhile back at the Renaissance...Erin had a wonderful time participating in the Next Generation track. She made some new friends, and she said she learned a lot in her breakout sessions as well. It was a fantastic experience for her--and me!
I took lots and lots of notes, and I have many new ideas. I was also reminded and convicted that my writing should be all about what God would have me do. As I've said before, my family will always come first! And if God would only have me write a menu plan or do a short encouraging post on my blog...so be it! Yes, I will always have more ideas than time to follow through, but even in that I want to be doing what He would have me do. And I always want my words to honor and glorify Him.
Erin and I finished up on Saturday night and said our goodbyes to our new friends. We knew we wouldn't be back on Sunday for the conclusion! But what a wonderful, wonderful time we had! I rank my She Speaks experience up there as one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done. I was so blessed!
By Saturday night, however, it was apparent that John and Alexander were coming down with some ailment as well. They were both congested and John sounded croupy! By Sunday morning, they seemed somewhat better so we traveled to a church about 25 miles south of Charlotte near Monroe. Chad took part in the preaching service, and then we stayed for lunch afterwards. Everyone there was so sweet and hospitable, and we really enjoyed the service and the people immensely. I hope we get to go back up there someday!
After lunch, the whole hee-haw gang loaded up for the long trip home. All teasing aside, I think that return trip was one of the longest of my entire life! Ellie, John, and Alexander started feeling bad and temperatures began rising again. It's the most perplexing thing...we'll think they're better...and then they're not! In fact, today all three of them have been croupy and congested, and they've slept a lot. But Wesley is doing great! I take him to the doctor tomorrow for a follow-up visit...I may have to take three more along!
Well, that catches you up on what's been going on. Today was spent doing laundry, holding sickie chickies, and baking bread. For supper, I made whole wheat rolls and individual meatloaf patties for sandwiches. I served chips with these, and it was all delicious! Other than that, we just rested and tried to recuperate. We really do need to rest up as we are heading to the beach next week if everyone is back up to par. It's a yearly trip with my parents and my sister and her family, and my children can't wait! So if you have a mind to, please pray that everyone will be healthy and ready to go again! Our summers are very busy--we'll have to start back to school in order to slow down! LOL
It's a bird. It's a plane. No! It's Sleeping Super-John!
A full afternoon of fun, sun, and splashing in the kiddie pool makes for one tired out little Superman. He conked out on the living room floor about 5:30 pm...still wearin' the old swimtrunks under his Superman towel! Gotta love these hooded towels...they also make bathtime a 'super' experience as well! Now let's just hope our little Superhero will be ready to go back to bed at the appointed hour!
I'm a very happily married pastor's wife, former schoolteacher-turned-homeschool mom of six wonderful blessings, and freelance writer--and we live in the great state of Georgia! I'm a southern girl through and through...but most importantly, I'm a child of the King! We have just finished up our twelfth year of homeschooling, and our two oldest have now graduated! This is my place to record thoughts about homemaking, Classical-Charlotte Mason based homeschooling, writing around the fringes of family life, and more...so welcome to my little corner of the world!
I just need to slow down long enough to do the pictures...but WOW!
Here they are at my sister's house, before we left to go the graduation on Saturday morning.
Here they are, getting ready. Alexander is 'helping' with the
Up on stage with Elisabeth. See the rose she's holding? That is
That's Erin this time between Chad and me...and that's my
A view from further out...see all the other homeschool graduates down
Two happy graduates! Yay! You did it!
Our family.
Lots of our family and friends attended the graduation ceremony, and
Our two graduates! I CANNOT believe that the last twelve
If you look closely you can see a little 'A' and a little 'B'
Plus, the photo is crooked! Erin isn't here right now, or she'd be fixing it for sure! She's our techie gal!
Brings back LOTS of memories!
We have lots more...but I'll stop!
However, I still need to go through all of our school bookshelves to purge and reorganize...I need more room for books. I don't know about all of you, but we spend A LOT of time looking for the books we need. So frustrating! Yes, all the books are on shelves, but WHERE on the shelves???!!! We have so many books that I have actually forgotten we had a particular title and then ordered the very same one! Anyone else guilty of that??
So I guess that's the next best thing!
