A place to share random thoughts and musings about homeschooling, homemaking, life with a large family...... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Wed, 5 Jul 2006 21:13:00 -0500 Wed, 5 Jul 2006 21:13:00 -0500 In case anyone may be wondering..........I'm blogging at homesteadblogger.com/BackyardTreasures now.Won't you stop by and visit? I've got lots of photos up over there. ~~Anne http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/162300/ Wed, 5 Jul 2006 21:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/162300/ Our youngest, Mark Daniel, is one year old today. I can't believe the time has flown by so very quickly. He is walking already, climbing stairs, claps when we sing Psalm 47, waves and says "bye-bye", and also says, "up", "Mama", and "ball". He is a real joy to have around!! Big sister, Eliana, will be 5 tomorrow so we will have a double party with our family then. Abby and I also have a special birthday tea planned for her tomorrow too. My digital camera is not working, so I'll have to wait to have film developed before I can share some pictures. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/80577/ Wed, 8 Feb 2006 06:26:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/80577/ Back in April of 2003, one month after the beginning of the War in Iraq, I became involved as a volunteer with a group called Books For Soldiers. It will soon be three years that my family and I have been sending letters and packages to our military men and women deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. During this time, we have come in touch with many wonderful soldiers. We have exchanged letters and photos and some have even sent my children gifts and souveniers from Iraq. One in particular, SFC Darrin Domko, has become a special family friend. He became a penpal with my daughter Raquel who was 11 at that time. Sgt. Darrin "adopted" an Iraqi family when he was there and Raquel even sent things for two little girls in the family. They really liked the picture of Raquel in the snow since they had never seen snow before. Anyway, Sgt Darrin's tour of duty ended in June 2004 and he returned to Germany. In July, he and his wife Keri came to the US and began a trip across the country to visit with many of the volunteers from Books for Soldiers that supported him. Our family was one that they came to visit in August 2004. We still keep in touch and he still e-mails Raquel. He is currently stationed in Colorado, but will be returning to Germany and in the Spring will most likely be sent to Iraq again. We will then continue to send our support in letters and packages. All this background is to say that there is a talk show scheduled for tonight and Darrin will be one of the featured speakers. If you would like to listen, belowis the information. Getting involved in this has been a wonderful learining experience for our family.~~Annehttp://talkingwithheroes.comTalking With Heroes Talk Show Schedule   January 8, 2006   Sunday 5pm (PST) 6pm (MST) 7pm (CST) 8pm (EST)     Host Bob Calvert, Founder of YoungHeroes.US Editor of Walking with Heroes Book One   We were told that there would be men and women from our military on the Jan. 8, 2006 Talking with Heroes Talk Show LIVE from Iraq.  We just received an email "the phone interview can not happen at this time". In the future we will save something like this as a surprise. In the meantime we have great people on tonights show!   Guests SFC Darrin M Domko, Currently Stationed Ft Carson His website www.darrindomko.com Sergeant First Class Darrin M. Domko, Brigade Fire Support Sergeant for 1st Brigade 1st Armored Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom, May 03- July 04.  SFC Domko came into the Army in Feb of 1990 and served in the first Gulf War from Oct 90- Apr 91.  His duties have included Platoon Forward Observer, Company Fire Support Sergeant, Battalion Fire Support Sergeant, Division Targeting NCO and Brigade Fire Support Sergeant.  SFC Domko is currently stationed at Ft Carson CO in the 91st Training Division preparing troops for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.  He is accompanied by his wife Keri and his 14 year old son William.  SFC Domkos oldest son is currently stationed at Ft Gordon Georgia where he is receiving his MOS (job) training from the Army.  SFC Domkos son Matthew enlisted for six years and is married to his wife Michelle.  PFC Domko is 18.  SFC Domkos awards include the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal x7, the Army Achievement Medal x7 and many other medals for serving his country.  In all he has 18 medals he wears proudly on his uniform. Sergeant First Class Domko was part of the Information Operations for 1st Brigade during his deployment where he spent countless hours on the streets of Baghdad passing out newspapers and fliers to the Iraqis to keep them informed on the current issues the US was trying to help with.  He also spent many hours talking with Iraqis about their questions and concerns.  He was adopted by Books for soldiers a soldier support group where he had over 115 supporters.  He received so much from his supporters that after he shared all the packages with his fellow soldiers he then shared it with the less fortunate Iraqis too.  He befriended a special family that he personally took care of during his deployment.  You can see the family and the good that was done with them at his website www.darrindomko.com .  Upon returning from Iraq SFC Domko along with his wife Keri traveled the United States to personally thank as many of his supporters as possible to include meeting President Bush at a campaign rally in Mankato MN.  This was done over a two year span.  In the first year he traveled to 16 states in 23 days.  This past year he traveled to 8 additional states.  In all he has met close to 100 of his supporters.  His goal is to meet and thank everyone. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/65400/ Sun, 8 Jan 2006 18:22:01 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/65400/ I got an early Christmas present from my older boys. On Monday night, they came home with a brand new, shiny, white, electric stove for me. What a wonderful surprise!! And I do mean surprise. I had no idea that they were planning something like this. The oven in the other stove had "died" in August and we couldn't even afford to get a used stove. The oven would work, but the temperature couldn't be adjusted. So for the past four months, Abby and I were trying to learn how to bake without burning everything. Not an easy thing to do. I even stopped baking bread because the tops and bottoms were always burning. So here is a photo of the newest addition to my kitchen. (well, it isn't the exact model, but close enough ) I've never had a brand new stove before and am very thankful for this one. My boys are wonderful!!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/59038/ Thu, 22 Dec 2005 08:27:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/59038/ Hello! It has been awhile since I've been here.Since last Wednesday I have been sick! I was doing very well, but I guess taking care of everyone else that was sick here finally took it's toll on me. I've been achy, had a horrible headache, chills and for three days I was battling a fever. I never experienced a fever like this. I had a low grade fever (99.8) most of the day, then in the late afternoon, it would start to rise until by night it would be over 102 degrees. It did this for 3 nights till on Saturday it reached 102.7 and then, it broke that night. Praise the Lord!! Once the fever broke, however, I started with a cough....which I still have, and yesterday started with a very painful sore throat and laryngitis. I feel so worn out! I even lost 6 pounds that I really didn't need to lose. :-) I'm still nursing Mark, so I'm very careful about taking anything, so I guess that is probably part of the reason it's taking longer to get rid of this. I am doing some natural/herbal things and am feeling a bit better. But first thing in the morning and then at night are the worse for me. We are supposed to be going to my sister's on Christmas Day, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to.   On a brighter note, I wanted to share that Josiah got the casts off of his feet on Friday. Even though I didn't feel that great I didn't want to cancel the appointment (it had been canceled previously for bad weather). The casts were on for 5 weeks and he was just so excited to get them off. And I'm amazed at the difference in his feet and in his ability to stand. He is doing really well. The only bad thing is that he has to wear his AFO's (aka leg braces) continually...even when he sleeps. Well, he gets a total of 2 hours during the day when he can have them off, but that's not much. He has to see the orthopedist again in January. I'm feeling pretty good right now, so there may be another entry or two coming through. :-)~~Anne http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/59034/ Thu, 22 Dec 2005 08:16:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/59034/ It's a winter wonderland outside this morning!! I awoke while still dark, and quietly got out of bed to take a peek out the window. We have a Nor'easter coming through and in anticipation, I had to see if it was snowing yet. Yup, It was!! I quickly gor dressed so I could start my day since I knew my plans for the day would change now that the snow was here. As I look out my kitchen windows, everything is just so pretty. The snow is falling heavily and steadily. A quick glance out the window above the sink showed me that the bird feeders were nearly empty. I went to fill them as I know our feathered friends will soon be here looking for breakfast. The chickadees and titmice started to come before I even got back in the house.   I guess they know that a storm is coming and are preparing. We enjoy watching the birds everyday, but there's something about seeing them with the snow falling that makes it extra special and enjoyable for me. Maybe that's because it amazes me how God takes care of all His creatures. And I think it amazes me even more how He takes care of me and that I am of value to Him. So, why do I still worry about things? "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"  Matthew 6:26-27 Another look out the window, and I see a beautiful Cardinal at the platform feeder. His red color is so brilliant in the snow. Mourning Doves are gathered on the ground eating what has been dropped for them. And, although I can't see them, I hear the cries of the Blue Jays in the distance. Yes, on the snowy morning in Connecticut.... ....winter is definitely "for the birds". ~~Anne "But ask the animals, and they will teach you,        or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;  or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,        or let the fish of the sea inform you.   Which of all these does not know        that the hand of the LORD has done this?   In his hand is the life of every creature        and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:7-10 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/54007/ Fri, 9 Dec 2005 07:57:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/54007/ I don't know why, but I seem to have a bad case of "Blogger's Block". I haven't written anything since just before Thanksgiving. It doesn't help that several of the children have been sick since then either. But I just can't come up with anythng to write about. It seems our days are so boring and I don't have any ideas.   If you visit here regularly, what makes you keep coming back?  What do you like to read about?  I know that when I go to someone else's blog I like to read about what they have planned for the day, their "to-do" list, etc. , but when I write about us, it seems so blah to me.   Do you like blogs with recipes? photos? How about some ideas?   ~~Anne http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/51467/ Sat, 3 Dec 2005 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/51467/ To all who stop by for a visit.... May you have a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/47732/ Wed, 23 Nov 2005 07:20:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/47732/ I wanted to quickly stop by and say thank you to all that prayed for Josiah yesterday. His surgery went well even though it started 20 minutes later than scheduled. It lasted 90 minutes, then it was off to the recovery room. He had some trouble waking up from the anesthesia, so we ended up staying over 2 hours before they would discharge him. My poor little guy was miserable yesterday. Even with the pain medicine (tylenol w/ codeine), he was in a lot of pain. He was up several times during the night crying out and so far this morning he is miserable and uncomfortable too. I think we're in for another looonng day!! He has 2 bright blue casts on his feet that will stay on for 4 weeks. I told him that each day he will be feeling better and soon he will be able to get up and try walking with the casts on. He wants so much to be able to do this, but I don't think he really understands that it will take time. He still doesn't have much of an appetite and I had to really almost force him to drink some water this morning. Please, if you feel led to, continue to pray for Josiah during this healing process. I hate having to give him the medication, but it has been helping. If any of you have any suggestions for any natural pain relievers, please let me know. I am going to be using homeopathic Arnica with him too. And, I didn't sleep well last night and if anyone wants to pray for peace, patience and a positive attitude for me today I would appreciate it. ~~Anne http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/45068/ Wed, 16 Nov 2005 07:43:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/45068/ We are leaving shortly to go to the hospital where Josiah is having out-patient surgery done today. If you have followed my blog and read all the introductions for my children, you may remember that Josiah is our son that has Cerebral Palsy. We have to be at the hospital by 7:45 am (EST) and surgery is scheduled for 8:45 am. The proceedure being done is call "heel cord lengthening" or "heel cord release". The heel cord, commonly called the Achilles tendon, is a fibrous band that anchors the muscles at the back of the lower leg to the heel bone. Because of the spasticity in his muscles from the CP, both heel cords are tight and taut, and he cannot keep his feett flat, even with his leg braces on. This causes him to walk on his toes. The doctor will simply cut this tendon, thereby releasing it. It will actually reattach itself, but not at the same point where it originally was.  Josiah will have lower leg casts on both legs and feet for 4-6 weeks. If you feel led to, I would appreciate any prayers. ~~Anne http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/44563/ Tue, 15 Nov 2005 05:13:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackyardTreasures/44563/