Hi ladies!

Today I decided I was going to move my blog from Homeschoolblogger to Blogger. It was a difficult decision at first, however as time went on, and I couldn't reach my blog half the time nor was I able to fix my template, the choice became much easier. I haven't been able to leave comments on many blogs without difficulty, and so I apologize.

I, originally, started at Blogger, and so I'm just returning to my old stomping grounds. I am looking forward to seeing you guys there. So make sure to add me to your favorites list over there. If you would like to be added to my blogroll of friends over there, please leave me a comment ,and I will be happy to do so. Give me a few days to get the final touches on my blogroll though.

Just click on the link below, and it will take you to the new and improved blog. Happy blogging and I hope to see you on the other side......lol

 P.S. Have fun reading some of my earlier posts from when I first started blogging.

homeschoolingmomof5boys.blogspot.com/

Okay so here is the pictures of my couch! I know I know....you were all so excited that you could barely sleep last night...hehehe Anyway, I have to finish painting, buying curtains, reconfiguring the pictures on the wall, and cleaning out the back end of the living room. Then I will post pictures of the finished space. Have I said how much I love doing this? Well I doooooooo...lol.

The pictures are a little dark in these photos, but I will post more pictures of the finished project later. Now back to our regular programming.....lol.

Well the couch arrived! I plan to take some pictures of it soon, however I need to figure out where things are going to go, so give me another day to get those pictures up. Nevertheless, I plan to entertain you with pictures that I took while we waited for the couch to arrive.

First of all, Den took all the boys (except Roman) ice fishing in the morning. Down the road from us is a lake that is completely iced over, and they were all very excited to bundle up and hit the ice. Abram went as well, but as I hear the story, he spent the majority of his time in the suburban, it was just toooo cold. I don't blame him, after all, he is a boy after his mother's own heart. Anyway, the boys all put their poles under the ice, and as you can see they retrieved a few fish. We, no let me clarify, THEY came home and cleaned and gutted them. The rule in this house is that if you kill it, you clean it. I REALLY like that rule! hehehe So we had those tasty little fish for lunch. Yum!

After the crew came barreling in with their catch of the day, there was some steam that needed to be burned off. Since the furniture was all gone it must have resembled a wrestling gym, because everyone of them participated in take-down moves. Even Roman wanted to join in the fray, however he wasn't willing to give up his ba-ba to do so. Den was on the computer, and I asked him to toss me the camera, because only people who are raising a handful of boys can appreciate this. Of course, my camera is rather finicky when it comes to action shots, so I had them hold some moves while we waited for the camera to cooperate. River finally exclaimed that he had Isaiah in a rather difficult move and we may need to hurry. I, of course, giggled and took my own sweet time. Why shouldn't I have a little fun, right? lol

So today is the day! The day my red sectional is due to arrive. We called the furniture store this morning, verifying that it was indeed coming. Finding out what time they are planning on delivering it is like getting information from the FBI, or a 2 year old (I don't know which is worse.)Either way, we were left with the impression that we needed to stick around.

We gave our sofa and loveseat away last night. We've had that couch and loveseat for nine years, and so it was like seeing an old friend leave for good. It made me kind of sad, but not so emotional that I wasn't excited to see it in the back of someone's truck and driving off into the sunset....lol.

So of course, anyone who knows me, knows that I couldn't shut my mind down. I kept thinking about decorating my living room. Where the couch would go, whether the tv should go in this corner or that, and what kind of curtains needed to be purchased to enhance the space. You would have thought it was Christmas for me, well maybe it's better in some ways. After all, it's a RED couch!!! hehehe I still can't believe my husband trusted me enough to let me buy a RED couch. He has hinted around a little about his insecurity with the idea. Every once in a while he would question me with, "So you know where it's gonna go, right?" Which of course, I respond, "YES!" Although I have reconfigured this room a million times in my mind, and I still have no idea where it's REALLY going to go. He has asked me if I am sure about the RED, and in turn I enthusiastically reply, "Definitely!" Although, I had a few moments of silent doubt, and worried that the whole family would look at me, after the delivery men left, with the "What were you thinking" gaze. However, those were brief fears that I quickly pushed out of my mind, all the while reassuring myself that it was the best most adventurous idea I have had in years.

*Rubbing hands together* I can see it all in my mind's eye! Now, I just hope that my mind's eye isn't wearing rose colored glasses, or we're all in trouble! LOL

When you first start out blogging you think that NO one will ever be interested in reading your blog. You question why you are blogging, and do the "what ifs". What if  no one even finds your blog and all your posts are just lingering in techno world, never to be discovered. However, in time you find that, Yes, people do read it, and they may even enjoy some of your posts.

Well I have a very dear friend who has started her own blog on Blogger, and I think it would be nice if some of you would pop over there to see what she is all about. She is quite clever and quite funny, and I am hoping that she will enjoy this blogging experience as much as I do.

Let me introduce to you, "Mary"!

Well I was due for a change. When we bought this old burnt down house, the first thing that had to be replaced was the kitchen cabinets and flooring. We wanted to gut it, but as we began to tally the remodel cost of the entire house, we knew we couldn't afford to do it all at once. So we thought we should try painting the cabinets instead. We received some grief over the idea, but we knew we had nothing to lose. I wanted something  bright and cottage countryish, hence the sage green cabinets. I loved them for the last four years, but recently had began to tire of them. Well to be more honest, I thought they were an eyesore and if I didn't rid myself of them soon I may very well go blind.

So I decided to change everything. We are buying new living room furniture, which is due to arrive on Wednesday. Its a huge red sectional. I am thrilled to be getting it, and I love the idea of getting such a fun color to lounge around on in this space. So the white wainscott and the sage green cabinets had to quickly make an exit. I chose a rusty brown for the kitchen and wainscott. We also enveloped the walls in brown paper bag paint. I love how  warm it all is now. Its has the feel of a little coffee shop, which is right up my alley.

 We also tore the wall down between our living room and family room to really open up the space. We are still in the middle of this remodel. I will take pics of that finished project in the next few days. I hope you guys love it as much as I do!  Have I ever said how much I love change? Well I do!

I dont think we will be hanging our clothes out on the line for a few more months.

The snow is piled up to my thigh outside. We have made a very narrow, but sufficient walk way to the door.

The icicles are 3-4 feet in length. Very pretty, but not so YUMMY!

Everyone was hesitant to roll out of bed this morning. The temperature outside is in the negatives, and the snow is stacked high. Although we havent had any new snow for a couple of weeks now, the temperatures aren't allowing the remaining white puff to dissolve.

Thankfully the sun is out each day, which gives us hope that warmer days are to come, if we can just be patient. However, the ground is so slick that carrying the baby out to the carseat is like a trapeze act of me balancing him the entire way. I can't even tell you how many times I have clung to the door of my suburban as my feet had slipped out from under me. You use muscles that God knew we would need in just such occasions. I have fell on my bum more times than I care to admit to, and not all of them have been in proper attire. Yes, I should wear hefty spiked boots for every endeavor outdoors, but once I climb down off my mountain, and join in with the rest of the population I would look ridiculous. So I suffer my body for fashion sake. After all I am STILL a city girl at heart......lol.

Roman couldn't get enough, while Hailey was looking at Mama for some sign of reassurance that her turn was coming.

Roman saw the camera and knew that it was time to smile. Hailey checks out his shy moment with a grin.

Quickly, Roman regains his composure, and Hailey is shining her award winning smile!

There is just something about babies that are so delicious to me!!! They have these fat little bodies that waddle about, and need to be squeezed and held. Bringing them joy is one of the most rewarding feelings as a mama. 

Mary had stopped by with her kids to help me pick out paint colors for my remodel. While she was over, we decided to make some smoothies for the gang. As we were preparing the fruit and yogurt, the babies began to sense food, and clamored around our feet hoping for some scraps that may land in their little mouths. When I would glance down at the two of them they would make me giggle. You would have thought they were starving.

After the loud whir of the Vita-Mix had come to a halt, the intensity of waiting had hit an all time for high for them. We quickly poured some in a glass. Mary tried to appease the two, while I found sippy cups with lids to give them instead. However, as she was trying to share between the two, Roman would not relinquish the glass. Mary was laughing as she wanted to pull it away to give Hailey a turn, but Roman wanted no part of giving up the delicious creamy dessert in a glass.  

The pink smoothie mustaches were enough for me to run and grab my camera. They quickly recognized the camera and what was required of them. They clumsily  plopped to the floor watching each other's expression as the camera clicked and clicked. These moments are so precious and they just go by to quickly. Thank goodness for photographs!

I am not a routine oriented person. I have lots of friends who are. They love their lists and their routines each day, however I am the black sheep amongst this crowd.

This morning as I was laying in bed, it was warm and soft. I could hear the quietness that was deeply settled in the house. What sounded the most appealing to me was to stay snuggled in bed next to Den, and try to push out the obligations that were already flooding my mind. As I debated with these thoughts, I finally hopped out of bed, and decided to steal a few minutes at the computer to seal my thoughts in a post.

The thought that kept coming to me was, "Why do we do the things we do?" I dont have a parent that MAKES me get up at a certain time anymore. Its totally up to me whether I do all the things I do, or dont do in my life. So as I lazily laid in bed, I began to contemplate the routines that I do hold fast to.

We have taught the boys to go to bed early, and rise early all the days of their life. It's not that I love to get up early myself, but I was taught that when you are a homemaker, or your husband is the household provider it makes it easier if they have been trained in this manner. Then when the time comes that they are required to rise early for work, it won't seem like an extra burden in life. So this is our pattern, (not to say we don't make exceptions for it on weekends, holidays, or when one is sick.)

Sunday morning we are required to go to church. Unless someone is sick , this is an important part of our lives. I layed in bed this morning, thinking about how the first Sunday of each month is potluck Sunday. All the women are required to rise early and put on dinner enough for their family and maybe guests that could arrive. Then we take it to the churchhouse, that morning, to finish preparing it for the rest of the congregation. At times I find this a burden. Just getting out of bed on a Sunday morning can put me to task, but then to prepare an entire meal so early in the morning can cause me to put the covers over my head. So why do I partake in this custom? No one is MAKING me, persay, but it's a time to reflect on doing for others. My boys love potlucks, and its a good experience to sit down together with the brethren and find out what each family has been up to, and maybe what needs to be done in the coming weeks. I want my boys to be aware of those that they assemble with, and what better way than eating and visiting with them.

Wednesday nights we go to meeting as well. This is our hardest routine. Den works late alot, the kids are tired, the baby is most definitely cranky, we have to get dinner ate,dressed in our church clothes (I in my dress), and head out the door by 7pm. Why do we require this of ourselves and our sons? It's a reminder in the middle of the week of what our life is really all about. It's a chance for us to STOP everything, and reflect where we are with the Lord and where we are with the brethren. It's a true disappointment for the congregation when anyone misses. The church is highly aware of each other, and if a family is sick and missing, the prayers begin for them immediately. Its a beautiful thing to know that you will be missed and prayed for. So we hold tight to this tradtion in our home.

I thought of all the things we do in this home. Why do I let the boys cook so much when the mess can far outweigh the goods that were prepared? For one day they will be men, out on their own, and I want them to have the joy of knowing that they can eat well when they are all alone.

Many things my mind began to dwell on. I am sure that the Lord is continuously reminding me of the importance of such routines. So this morning, I am going to get off this computer and head for the kitchen. I have chicken that is waiting to be bbqed, pie needing to be made, and a bread machine that is longing for some bread batter. So what about you? What do you do and why?

Bear with me while my blog is under construction. For some reason, since the new changes, a few close friends have let me know that my blog is not showing up properly. In the meantime, I have a very basic template from HSB's forum. I will keep the posts coming though.

Keeping your life in check is a big challenge most of the time for me. I am constantly having to stop and ask myself if this is really important, or if this is the direction I want my family to go. One of them is sports for us. We love sports, after all we have a house full of testosterone. Den loved playing sports in his youth, and all of our boys  thoroughly relish it too. We have always believed that sports, in moderation, bring about a greater good for our boys. For instance, it teaches them consistency, practice makes perfect, self discipline, obedience to others (outside of a parent), commradery between other children. Honestly, the benefits are huge, in our book.

The challenge lies in how much and for how long though. In the beginning, with our first two, it seemed that a sport or two a year was no big deal. Although, now having 5 sons, this has become a burden to us many times. I feel like I am booked all year trying to make sure that each child gets the same amount of play time. The other dilemma is that they are not all in the same age bracket, so we have different teams, different sports, and different practice and game times for each. It is so exhausting!

So as I started this post I will end it on the same note, Den and I are constantly reevaluating our lives and our time as a family. There are many things that we want to teach our boys, one of them is priortizing their time and their lives.  If something like a church trip comes up, and its at the same time as a tournament or a game, they need to decide which is more important. So far we are making a very good balance, but it is rather strenuous keeping things in order, and all of our spiritual balances in check.

The week after Christmas River, Isaiah, and Levi were invited to go to Alturas, California for an annual snow party that our church puts on. The boys were very excited about the big trip, and were anxious to go. It brought back many sweet memories, as it was the same snow party that Den and I attended when we were teenagers and dating. How swiftly the time goes by!

While they were there and attending the church meetings River felt to give his hand in baptism. We received the call from River asking us if we were okay with him going down into the water, even though we weren't there to watch this important step of his life. Obviously, it was a no brainer. We wanted him to do God's will and to step out on God's promises.

Everyone was so generous  to take pictures and send us videos. Here are some of the photographs that were given to us. When Den and I sat at the computer to anxiously look at the pictures, we wept with joy. I am amazed at how my heart has been able to rejoice.

The pond was frozen over solid. The men had to step out onto the icy pond and begin to pick away at the thick ice.

After a sturdier tool the ice was finally penetrated. As you can see the ice was about 5-6 inches thick. The men stood above the baptism, on the ice, making sure all went well and safe.

River kicked off his shoes and stepped out to the minister of his choice, ready to take the plunge.

River quickly hopped in, while Bro. Marty had to be a little more careful. This picture melted my heart. The minister of God has a wililng heart to jump in right alongside of River. I guess that is what we are all supposed to do, just jump in and do whatever it takes in this life to help one another make Heaven our home.

River is laying his fleshly man into the watery grave, and rising up as a new spiritual man. Even Jesus Christ, who was perfect, partook in this beautiful ceremony.

The brothers were standing on the outskirts of the ice helping them out of the water. The love that we experience is so breathtaking.

The ministers are laying hands on River. Each one praying over him and asking God to give him His spirit and to give him the gifts that only God can grant him.

When he came home we had an ordinance supper, so that we were able to participate in the second half of the traditions of a baptism.

You know that you are on the right track when raising your children when they decide to give their whole heart, soul, mind and strength to God and willing to walk into that watery grave. I have been sooo moved, that no words can express my feelings.

How many times can a load of towels be washed before it finally gets put into the dryer? Well I'm about to find out! I think I have washed this same load of towels four times now. *sigh* Its awful! This time I put clorox bleach for colors in it to try to make sure that they smell good. I just hope that I can stay focused long enough to remember to get this load plopped into my dryer.

 Update:

The load actually made it into the dryer! I am just pleased as punch with myself. Okay okay...it's the little things in life that you have to count your blessings in....

I have noticed a weird little phenomena in our house, its somewhat of a chain effect. Actually we've affectionately called it the food chain. It seems that whenever Den rounds up a little snack for himself and comfortably plants himself on the couch in front of the television, he will call me in to sit next to him. So of course I oblige him, but very quickly follows Roman. Roman knows that when Dad calls out,
"Trina!", and I go running, that if he is close in tow, that he will get whatever I get.

Tonight Den brought over a plate of sauteed sausage and cabbage. Not exactly Nestle Tollhouse Cookies, but needless to say, I sit down next to him, and in comes reliable little Roman. He pulls his chubby short body up on the couch, and starts to yank my arm and opens his mouth ever so wide. Den and I both look at each other, and start to chuckle. He hands me a piece of sausage to pop into the moist mouth that is sitting there waiting to be filled. Once the bite is plopped on his tongue he jumps up and down with contentment, sometimes he spits it out into his hands to check out what the morsel is, and then happily places back in to his black hole.

So we have decided to accept the food chain in our house. Den eats, and offers me bites, and then Roman waits for his hand out. Luckily, the rest of the boys are more self sufficient. Can you imagine how that would look? All seven of us lined up on the couch, in order, mouths open, waiting for the morsels to be handed down the line.....hehehe

How do you know Christmas is over? By looking around at all the fray laying around the floor. We had so much fun, although the unwrapping of the gifts was a little lost on Roman. He did enjoy all the goodies that just kept suddenly appearing....lol.

Abram kept asking if we were all watching him, and if we were going to snap anymore pictures of him, while he eagerly posed with each toy. It was hard to keep everyone focused, because although we open our gifts one at a time, once a gift was opened they were all consumed with getting it out of the package and talking about it.

We tried to keep the bag that was meant for wrapping paper accessible, and Isaiah was in charge of grabbing the tossed paper and tucking it in the bag so nothing important got lost in the pile of left over shredded paper. The boxes were just tossed over River's shoulder. I am always surprised at the small gifts that the boys still seem to appreciate. We made sure that each boy got a nerf gun full of extra ammunition, because what is Christmas without a nerf gun war, right? At least at our house....hehehe We make sure we disguise the Risk game somewhere under the tree, because even though we buy one each year, it gets used so much that it needs to be replaced by the next Christmas. So this is another tradition in our family. Everyone received miniature remote control cars, for there is enough competitiveness in this house to have them be raced up and down the kitchen and dining room floor for hours. Although the older boys' gifts are getting more expensive, its so nice to see them enjoying the small traditional toys that we drudge up for them each year.

I think  the most touching moment this year was to see what the boys bought Den and I, with their own money. It wasn't money that we gave them to spend on us this year, it was actually their own hard earned money. The boys surprised me with pj pants, socks with individual toes, frog slippers, a pink ball cap, and two beautiful 8x10 frames that I had been eyeing for a while now. Den received an XMradio for his work truck, a Washington Cougar hat, and Abram gave us Chico sticks....hehehe. You would have thought that was the best part of Christmas for them this year. Maybe it was.....after all, it is so much more fun to give than it is to recieve. You just hope that your children learn that at some point.

I have to admit , receiving ain't half bad either......

Okay I was over at my friend Michelle's blog and I had a good chuckle. She is having a contest about some more of those "Are you kidding me" moments, so since I always have those, I thought I would join in. hehehe

This is a recent one, ummm it was just yesterday actually...lol

Well we have lots and lots of snow up here on our mountain, and we also have plenty to go around in town. So I had picked up my friend Mary, so her and I could go have lunch and run a couple of silly errands together. I was driving my four wheel drive, large, suburban, and at the last second I decided I needed to swing by the bank's atm machine. So I quickly pulled into the parking lot beside the bank, thinking I could drive around back, and pull into the neighboring lot. However, when I did, I saw that there was a curb in the way. So I just sat there in my four wheel drive, and Mary asked me what I was doing, and I said I was contemplating just going over the curb. She just laughed as if I wasn't serious.

However, after a few minutes of deliberation and glancing around the parking lot I saw that I could go around the curb to the left. The only thing, was there was a lot of snow burmed up, and there were a few cars parked over there, and oh yeah..... there was a building close by. Nothing I couldnt handle, I thought. So, I began to drive over there, and Mary quickly asked what my plan was. I giggled, and said we are going to go around and get to the bank parking lot this way. She replied that I had to be kidding, but I reassured her that I wasn't. hehehe

So over the mound of snow I went, but there wasn't enough room to go around the back of the vehicles without hitting the building. So I had to go the opposite direction, but then I realized that I was on their lawn. No, you couldn't see the lawn for all the snow, but we started to get the giggles. I was actually trapped. I said, "Oh No....what have I done?" She said, " I have no idea!" So I gingerly had to back up, pull forward, back up, pull forward and then I had to plow through another huge snow mound to get back where we first began. We were both laughing so hard, it just seemed so ridiculous that I didn't go to the correct parking lot in the first place.

 As I began to pull back on to the main road to go to the bank, we could see a bunch of people had gathered to the window of that building to see what in the world we were doing. I dont think I have laughed that hard in so long, and oh yeah, I dont think Mary will be letting me drive HER suburban anytime soon!

I have been enjoying this Christmas season very much! I have all my shopping done, Christmas projects taken care of, and now we are just doing the Christmas countdown in this house. The boys keep complaining that it takes soooo loooong for Christmas to arrive. I, on the otherhand, enjoy the build up and appreciate the precious time that seems to be running through my hands like sand. Oh the differences between parent and child's perceptions. Its one of many isnt it?

Den has been taking a lot of time off from work to stay home and enjoy family time, but as of late he has been home fighting off sickness. We need to keep the house as healthy as we can so everyone is allowed to enjoy Christmas eve and Christmas morning. Lysol is being used generously, especially on this dirty keyboard. It seems that no matter how sick someone is they just cant seem to stay off this computer.

I hope that you are enjoying and mastering all the duties that come during this crazy time of year. It wont be long before I am back at blogging full time. In the meantime, Merry Christmas!!!

Hi there everyone,

I have decided to take a vacation from blogging. This is such a busy time of year, and so I think I will take this month and enjoy all the festivities and obligations. I hate the idea of anyone coming to my blog to see if I have posted, only to find the same post sitting stagnant on my page. So I will not be posting until a little closer to Christmas. This doesn't mean that I wont be popping in on some of your blogs, and I hope you guys are really enjoying this wonderful holiday season.

Tons of love being thrown your way,

    (The gingerbread houses came with bright green and bright pink stickers to put on them. However, they remind me of clearance tags...LOL)

I saw these little brown foam figures that looked like gingerbread houses and gingerbread people. I had to nab them for Levi and Abram to decorate, and that way it was one more holiday decoration that I could have a keepsake that would have a sweet memory of me and my boys making them.

So I layed them all on the floor, and I opened up the tubes of glitter to begin our embelishments. I handed a tube to Levi and Abram, and I explained how they would need to make faces, buttons, windows and doors, and then I would thread them all on to the gold string and hang them along the living room valance. They were excited, and so began the creativity juices flowing.

Den was sitting in the recliner reading the newspaper while were at his feet with all the goodies spread out on the carpet. As I would giggle and compliment the little faces that were being squeezed on to the gingerbread people, Den curiously would look around his newspaper to watch the progress from time to time. I could tell that he wouldn't mind joining in, but unless he was invited or felt a need he would continue being an observer.

After a while Abram began to get frustrated with adding the glitter. He quickly hopped up and stood to the side of his dad's chair and said, "Daddy, I need help. I have a weak squeezer." Den laughed and said, "What do you mean?" Abram, just as intensely, showed him his little hand with the hard plastic glitter tube and said, "My squeezer is weak, will you squeeze the tube?" After a good chuckle, Den took the tube over. Every house and every gingerbread child had a little extra something added by Daddy-O. Abram would go find one that wasn't touched by Daddy, would bring it to him, and then would find a special place for it to dry. They were quite a pair, and I thought it's just one more thing to remember when I see this garland of gingerbread hanging for years to come.

Christmas time in a house full of children is so wonderful. Den and I have tried to stay with our tradition of setting up all of our Christmas decorations Thanksgiving weekend. I dont know who gets more excited about all the festivities the boys or the parents.

River and Dennis handled the outside lights. Actually, River did the majority, and he did a fabulous job. At first we were disappointed to be setting up all the lighted decorations on the plain dirt ground, but the weather came through and began to sprinkle plenty of snow to make it look like a winter wonderland.

I, on the otherhand, decorated the tree and wrapped all the gifts that were purchased on Black Friday. Den and I relish our day of shopping for our boys. Each item we buy is thrilling when we think about the smiles that will come across their groggy faces on Christmas morning.

Every window has Christmas or winter cling-ons smeared on by little hands, and wreaths are hung on doors inside and out. Lights are lit up on every strand that we can possibly find an outlet to plug them into. Snowmen and Santas are dragged out of Christmas labeled totes, and dusted off and tugged back into shape. As we discuss whether this snowman should be placed here or there, Roman is sneaking mini candy canes that have been lowly hung on the tree. We make sure that Christmas music is piped into the house while we bustle about with excitement.

The Christmas countdown begins.