I'm Cathy, a child of the king of creation, wife to the king of our castle, and momma to three fair maidens and one little prince! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:06:00 -0500 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:06:00 -0500 When I started this blog I wasn't looking for fancy, and I'm still not.  What I was, and still am seeking is simplicity and ease.  I wanted a place where I could pop on and share thoughts, ideas, happenings from the farm, and photos.  A place that the children and I could spend rainy days looking back, reading, and sharing laughs all over again.  While I *can* do those things here, it has unfortunately become anything but simple and easy.  I'm sure you've noticed that my postings have become fewer and farther between.  There are a few reasons for that, though a big one is the difficulty that I've recently been having in posting pictures.  I love pictures, and I love to share pictures.  What I don't love is having to post, then edit 4 times, sometimes erase and repost, and then STILL have them look wrong.  Does it make me too much of a perfectionist to want my pictures in the middle, with an even border all the way around?  Maybe.  I know I should be happy that the picture is there at all, but I just can't get over the distraction of having them lopsided, or worse, hanging off my page.  The other thing I can't continue to do is to fuss over them for an hour to try to get them "right".  I said all of that so you would hopefully understand my reason for a move.  I asked a few people where I should go, spent time looking at friends' blogs, and finally decided on blogspot.  I'm not going to get all fancy and elite, though since I'm there I may as well take advantage of some of the fun benefits available, right? So, without further ado, hop on over and visit me and the new and improved Truehart Treasures blog!!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/707108/ Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:06:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/707108/ Do you think he likes them? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/705467/ Mon, 6 Jul 2009 08:45:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/705467/ That's my motto today....and most days it seems!  Yes, it's nearly a month late, but I still wanted to make sure that I was able to share about Brianna's special day!  What special day is that?!  Why, her birthday of course!!  And not just ANY birthday.  April 21st was the day that Brianna hit her DOUBLE DIGITS!     The morning started with me reminiscing of the day she was born.  What a day that was!!   Before I can get into the day, you need to know that I prayed for this girl!  I prayed that I would carry another baby.  I prayed for a sibling for Paige.  I can remember kneeling at the altar many times, with a dear friend, pouring out my heart to the Lord, and asking for another child.  I can remember being so afraid that the sins of our past had made it impossible.  Nearly a year later, I was *elated* when I found out that I was in fact, pregnant!!  Fast forward......due to numerous complications, I had been on strict bedrest for a couple of months.  I had already quit my job, as we knew that after the birth I would join the ranks of stay-at-home mom's everywhere!  Because I had strict orders from the doctor, Duane was still bringing Paige to her daycare provider which left me on the couch, alone, every day.  They were both well over an hour away, and at that time, we lived quite a ways from our church family and friends as well.  I'll never forget the love that was shown to me at that time though!  From our church family, who made meals and brought them to Duane so that he could bring them home each evening, and from a sweet, sweet lady from our church that called me EVERY afternoon to read the scriptures with me over the phone and pray!  Beth, if you ever read this, I want you to know how much you BLESSED me during that time! Ok, back to the day.  My due date was still 2 weeks away.  I explicitly recall telling Duane not to go to work that morning because I just knew that baby would be coming.  He snorted, gave me "the look," and headed off.  Sure enough, late that morning, things started progressing!   I was nervous, emotional, and afraid to be alone.  I called the hospital (which was about 20 minutes from us), and they said to come in.  Well, I wasn't about to drive myself, and we didn't really know anyone around us, so my options were limited.   Picture this.  We had only met two of our neighbors, and both of them worked.  I looked out my window and saw a truck parked in the driveway next door.  Mr. John was a  mid 30-something bachelor.  He owned a sport shop in town, was a part of the volunteer fire department, and was NEVER home!  I debated for what seemed like forever, then mustered up the nerve to make the short trek across the backyard and knock on his door.  I get outside and realize that his truck is still running!  He must have JUST got home when I looked out, and he wasn't planning on being there for long.  Talk about timing!  As he opened the door, I'm sure my face was filled with a look of fear, mixed with pain, and some embarrassment thrown in there too.  He responded by peeking out towards my house with raised eyebrows and a huge look of question!  I don't know, maybe he was expecting to see my house on fire or something.  Come to think of it, I bet he would have VERY much preferred that! LOL!!   Me: "Ummmm, hi Mr. John.  I'm sure you are busy.  I mean, it looks like you are in a rush.  Ummmmm, is there any way that you might have the time to do me a favor?" Mr. John: "What do you need?" Me: "Well, Duane is up North of Northfield working.  I can't wait that long for him to get here.   I'm so sorry to bother you, but......."  His look of question is growing bigger at this time.  Seeing that he's not understanding, I finally blurt it out.  Me: "I'm in labor and I need a ride to the hospital." Oh gosh!  I'm rolling with laughter here as I can SO vividly recall his look of panic at that moment!!  He rushed into his house, grabbed some things, and was out the door in a flash.  I waddled home, grabbed my bag, met him outside, and climbed up into his truck.  Not even 5 minutes later, the labor pains were replaced with absolute fear that I was going to die! ROFLOL!!  Yes, this man was most definitely a bachelor, and had no doubt watched too many movies about women in labor!  He was in a HURRY to get me to that hospital!  All the while, apologizing that he had his "old, bouncy" truck with him that day.  I can remember him saying something about his sister and babies, but really, my mind was more focused on the prayers that I was pleading to God, to get us there safely!  Really, he is a very sweet man, and I'm sure HIS mind was reeling with thoughts of having to assist in a roadside birth or something, which made him pedal that gas with even more fervency, all while saying many prayers of his own!  Obviously, we made it there intact!  He offered to carry my bags into the hospital for me, wished us well, and was on his way, with quite his own story to tell! I called Duane, who headed right over, and then made the calls to let family and friends know we were at the hospital.  My mom grabbed a bag, and headed out for the two hour trip from Wisconsin, hoping that she would be able to make it in time for the birth.  Kim, a dear friend from church, came in as well.  They were all there, offering their support, laughs, encouragement, and many prayers throughout my laboring process, and at 4:17pm, they shared in our joy and our second daughter was born!  Our joy soon turned to uncertainty, as we were informed that there was a problem with her lungs sticking, which was not allowing her to get enough oxygen.  She was placed on oxygen, X-rays were taken, and we were told that they were talking about making arrangements to have her transferred to a children's hospital in the cities.  Prayer requests were immediately sent out to our church family, who happened to be having a bible study at the time.  They all stopped what they were doing, and lifted our sweet Brianna before the throne of grace.  One of the elders of our church came and laid hands on her, praying for healing.  We all believed for a miracle, and God answered!!  The doctor came in and told us that while they couldn't explain how it happened, they had taken another scan that showed her lungs completely clear.  WE were able to share that the HOW was only through the healing power of our great physician!!  What an awesome God we serve!! Today, Brianna is ten years old!    While she currently waffles between wanting to stay ten forever, and one day becoming a wife, and a mother, her hearts desire is to please the Lord, and be a godly example to others.  She has a servants heart, a tender spirit, and a contagious joy!  She is kind, creative, and has been gifted with an artistic, and writing ability that amaze me!  In addition to all of that, she has taught me so much by example.  I was recently brought me to my knees when Brianna allowed the Lord to work through her to show me the depth of the love of Christ for me.  What a gift the Lord gave me in her!!  I am so blessed. Happy Birthday Sweetie!!  MOMMA LOVES YOU!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/688580/ Wed, 13 May 2009 11:35:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/688580/ Papa Ed has been talking to Paige for years about the time when she'd be able to go on her first turkey hunt with him.  She was thrilled beyond belief when he called us a few days ago to ask if he could pick her up the next morning!  4 o'clock Friday morning came quickly.  She was up, dressed, grabbed a bottle of water and a banana, and headed out the door with a smile on her face!  Look, she returned at 8:30am with the same smile, even though they hadn't seen, or heard a thing! She may not have had a turkey, but what she did have was stories to share from the morning out, as well as her first scratch box turkey call.  What happened next was a series of unfortunate miss-es.  First, I thought Ed had said that he would be back the next morning for sure.  Duane thought that it wasn't a "for sure", but more of a "we'll touch base later".  A mis-communication.  Later in the day Friday, Duane called Ed's cell phone and left a message to give us a call back, and when we didn't hear from him, we assumed that they would not be going out Saturday morning after all.  We got up about 6:30 Saturday morning, turned on Duane's phone, and there were two messages.  One at 5am, from Ed, saying that my mom had turned off the alarm when it went off, he had fallen back asleep, and was now running a bit behind.  The second call came about a half hour later, saying he was standing outside our house, in the dark, wondering what to do.  Turns out that Ed left his phone in the truck and didn't get our message the night before.  Missed calls =(   He didn't want to call the house phone, or knock on the door and risk waking up the rest of the kids.  I sure wish he would have, because when he stopped over later he said that the turkeys were EVERYWHERE!!  And of course, he shot a jake.  I felt SO awful that I cried!!  Paige would have loved it!  The good thing is that she's not upset with us, and she and Papa are already talking about the hunt coming up in May ;-) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/680653/ Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:39:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/680653/ Ohhhhh, so much to talk about, and so little time!  Let's see......I haven't mentioned anything about my great "Momma Time Out" day with Sarah a few weeks ago; when we went out for lunch, haircuts, dumpster diving, and sucanat dust baths.  I haven't talked about the maple syrup season that's in full swing here, or the new farm plans that we are looking at for the year.  I haven't shared about our latest scare with Nathan, the night we spent in a children's hospital, and the skull fracture that my baby is now walking around with!  Sigh.  As I stated.....so little time!  I'll have to get to all that soon, but today is cleaning catch-up and baking day!  Hot from the oven we have two loaves of fresh ground whole wheat bread, a loaf of parmesan herb bread (that's going to be served with our meatloaf, fried potatoes, and beets for dinner), and a pan of cinnamon raisin rolls for breakfast tomorrow! Mmmmmmm!  Is it morning yet?! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/676556/ Mon, 6 Apr 2009 16:16:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/676556/ 14 years ago today.  Picture me young, tired, and very fat!  While I was no longer in classes (I had completed the credits necessary to graduate with my class that coming May), I was still technically a senior in high school.  Hubby (then just my boyfriend) was home from his nightshift job, sleeping.  I decided to join him and take an afternoon nap.  When I woke up I was in horror thinking that I had peed in the bed :blush:   As I got up and made my way to the bathroom I realized that there was more than just piddle there!  My water had broke, and the contractions were coming.  I phoned the OB department, who told us to make our way into the hospital.  My next moments were spent by waking up Duane, waiting on him while he got dressed, and watching him meticulously opening up and placing garbage bags over the seats of his camaro so that I wouldn't get them wet :snicker:   We were finally on our way, though I did have to sit in the car while he stopped at the credit union to deposit a check, and at the local A &W to grab a couple burgers!!  I sure was thankful that no-one stopped to knock on my window and say hello! LOL!  Awwww, men!  The good news is that I was, and still am, able to chuckle about it later ;-) We did finally make it to the hospital, and, as hubby will tell you, we had *plenty* of time to spare!  That evening, at 9:44pm our first child, a sweet baby girl, entered our lives!  She was beautiful then, and she is beautiful now!  I thank the Lord for her, for that baby was the beginning of a string of events that eventually led both Duane and I to the saving grace of Jesus Christ! Here's my princess and I then: and now: Happy 14th Birthday Paige!  You are a blessing to me each and every day! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/667209/ Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:28:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/667209/ I saw this going around on facebook before I deactivated my account there.  I thought it would be fun to see what the girls said so I copied it!  I saw that a lot of people had split their children up so they wouldn't hear each others answers.  I thought that was a good idea, so that is what I did as well! Here we go! Paige –14 Brianna –9 Leia –3 1. What is something mom always says to you? P- That she’s happy to have my help around the house. B- Reminding me that you love me. L- To make daddy presents.   2. What makes mom happy? P- Obedience B- When I listen. L- When daddy comes home.   3. What makes mom sad? P- Disobedience and sin B- When I don’t listen, or argue. L- When daddy goes bye bye.   4. How does your mom make you laugh? P- You’re just super funny! B- Telling jokes and tickling me. L- When we go upstairs.   5. What was your mom like as a child? P- I have no idea!!! She looked like me? B- I don’t know! She liked to play and be outside. L- Like Nathan.   6. How old is your mom? P- 32 B- 31 L- I don’t know.  One?   7. How tall is your mom? P- 5’3” B- Am I allowed to measure? (no) Ummmm…60”? L- Like this (with her hands held over her head).   8. What is her favorite thing to do? P- Knit. B- Knit and spend time with us. L- Work in daddy’s shop.   9. What does your mom do when you're not around? P- How am I supposed to answer that?  Stand on her head?! B- Knit and listen to the radio, having peaceful time. L- Do lots of things and bake and do a lot.   10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? P- For making longies?  Or doing a documentary of our life? B- Being the best cook! L- To be in a play, and go to jail. (JAIL?! LOL!)   11. What is your mom really good at? P- Helping us when we’re sick, cooking, knitting, giving hugs and kisses…… B- Knitting, playing games with us, making us laugh. L- Work in grandpa’s shop and make grandpa’s thing, and make him so happy.   12. What is your mom not very good at? P- Chopping and splitting wood, fixing a car, machinery…. (good thing I have daddy right?!) B- Working in the woods and fixing cars. L- Grandma likes to go to jail and we don’t know how to everybody.   13. What does your mom do for a job? P- Homeschooling, stay at home mom B- Sell longies. L- Today your job is working in your little shop where you can sit in and nothing will bump you, and nothing will crawl on you. 14.What is your mom's favorite food? P- Mom and Sarah’s coffee drinks? B- Peppermint and chocolate. L- Hamburgers. 15.What makes you proud of your mom? P- That she’s always there for me when I need her. B- She’s the best mom in the world, helps us, knows what we’re feeling, helps us. L- Go and play and go walking. 16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? P- Kermit the Frog! LOL! B- Cinderella. L- Daddy, or everybody (the girl doesn’t know what a cartoon is)!   17. What do you and your mom do together? P- Read, cook, knit, go for walks. B- Play cribbage! L- Draw and paint together. 18. How are you and your mom the same? P- We have the same color eyes, the same color hair, sound the same….. B- We both like mint, playing cribbage, and have the same eye color. L- Cuz I will be big like you and you can have a big sweater and I will be big and have a big sweater.   19. How are you and your mom different? P- We like different colors, and have different ways of doing things. B- I have different color hair. You like knitting, I like crocheting. L- We don’t know how much we are different…….babble…..   20. How do you know your mom loves you? P- She tells me and shows me! B- She’s always there for me to make me feel better, and she always tells me. L- Cuz we are together! 21. What does your mom like most about your dad? P- That he’s loving, caring, a Christian….. B- He’s a hard worker, really funny, and nice. L- He gives you food and we don’t have food and we’re hungry.   22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? P- Sarah’s and church B- Sarah’s, and getting coffees. L- To Sarah’s to see Rena and Maria, and Sarah. And when I asked WHY Kermit?  Because Kermit is funny =)  But she said if I wanted to, I could be Miss Piggy! ROFL!  I think I'll stick with Kermit ;-)   They didn't have ones for dad, but I thought it would be fun to make one for him as well, so here are the girls answers for daddy!!  1. What is something dad always says to you? P- Work harder and you’ll stay warm! B- He loves me. L- “Leia, guess what? That’s what”! and daddy’s so funny and I love him!   2. What makes dad happy? P- Knowing that we’re happy…..and 4 wheelers! B- When I don’t argue with Paige, and when I listen to him, and listen to you when he’s gone. L- When he tells Leia, guess what, that’s what, and it’s so funny!   3. What makes dad sad? P- Disobedience, when family members die. B- When I argue and fight with Paige, and don’t listen when he’s gone. L- When daddy goes bye bye and he’s not happy.   4. How does your dad make you laugh? P- He’s NATURALLY funny!! B- Telling silly jokes and tackling me! L- He makes me laugh because he says “Leia, guess what? That’s what!”   5. What was your dad like as a child? P- He worked on a cow farm. B- He liked building things out of legos. L- We don’t know when we tell him.   6. How old is your dad? P- 33 B- 32 L- Big like you.   7. How tall is your dad? P- 5-6 something? B- 60”-70”? L- This big (arms stretched up while jumping).   8. What is his favorite thing to do? P- Work with wood and machinery, and being on the farm. B- Working outside and keeping busy! L- Eat raisins (as she’s eating raisins).   9. What does your dad do when you're not around? P- Works in the workshop, splits wood, working on the tractor…. B- Work. L- He be’s sad.   10. If your dad becomes famous, what will it be for? P- Going on the world’s strongest man show! LOL!  Or, for his faith =) B- Being an expert on cars. L- He don’t know what his name is, and we don’t know how much time.   11. What is your dad really good at? P- Being a dad, playing, working on things, working with wood. B- Logging and working on cars. L- Work in his shop.   12. What is your dad not very good at? P- Carving. B- Knitting, crocheting. L- He don’t know how much time and he does know how much time.   13. What does your dad do for a job? P- Flooring. B- Carpeting. L- I don’t really know what you say.  I’m thinking…… 14.What is your dad's favorite food? P- Swedish meatballs. B- Swedish meatballs. L- Strawberries! 15.What makes you proud of your dad? P- That God gave him a creative mind. B- He’s a really hard worker, and the best dad in the world! L- Sticking out my tongue (she demonstrates) like that. 16. If your dad were a cartoon character, who would he be? P- Who's that guy with the spinach? (Popeye) YAH!! Popeye!! B- Prince Charming. L- We don’t know who.   17. What do you and your dad do together? P- Go logging, he’s going to show me how to drive, work with the animals, haul wood…. B- Make stuff in the workshop and wrestle. L- Color.  18. How are you and your dad the same? P- I look like him, we both love to work with wood, have an interest in farming, cars… B- We have the same eyes, like making stuff from wood, and like wrestling each other. L- Daddy and me and Paige and Brianna have sweaters.   19. How are you and your dad different? P- There’s lots of physical differences. B- He has a different hair color, he’s a boy, he likes more work and I like more fun. L- Cuz we have hair. DONE! (we did this question last) ;-)   20. How do you know your dad loves you? P- He just shows it by asking me to do stuff with him, having fun with us, giving us more privileges B- Because he always says it and he’s always kind and funny. L- Cuz he says Leia guess what, that’s what! 21. What does your dad like most about your mom? P- She’s pretty, kind, and tries her hardest to do what he asks. B- She’s pretty, funny, and good at making things. L- Because you always love him and you just love him.   22. Where is your dad's favorite place to go? P- The Boundary Waters. B- Troy’s. L- To the treehouse! Oh, that was FUN!  Now, how well do your kids know YOU? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/666034/ Fri, 6 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/666034/ What can I say?  We've been snoozin' over here..... I'll try harder!!  Really, I will =) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/637095/ Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:12:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/637095/ .....and look at him now!! Getting Steadier! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/621966/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:17:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/621966/ Maybe the next snowfall will bring his body ;-) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/617868/ Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:36:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/trueharttreasures/617868/