In for the long haul

We are stocked up and ready...

Food... check

Water...check

Candles...check

Batteries....check

Why?

Lots and lots of snow coming round these parts. Close to a foot so they say. That's a lot for us. But what makes it even more note worthy is the fact that we are expected to get almost an inch of ice with it!! They are expecting major power outages and horrible road conditions. So, I went yesterday and braved the crowds and stock up on plenty of food and lots of things that can be eaten without cooking or heating.

So, I think we are ready. We are staying in doing lots and lots of school (making up for a week and a half lost due to the flu) and reading books, and at least until the power goes out I am baking this morning.

What have you done to prepare for winter weather? Have I forgotten anything?

Are you getting bad weather where you are? This has been a really rough winter compared to our year's past. We've had much more snow and ice this year so far.

Winter Blahs...

Or should I say Beating the winter blahhhhs!

These photos were taken a couple of weeks ago. You know, before the dreaded stomach bug brought our family to a halt for over a week. No activities, no church, no visitors, no food (well everyone took turns with this one, I promise that I offered. It's just that we haven't all eaten a meal at the same time of the same food in over a week. Makes for one tired momma!!) no school even. But anyway, things seem to be looking up now, and unless someone gets it a second time or I come down with it this late in the game, there is no one else to get it. So, by tomorrow I am hoping to have all my family off the couch and at the table for dinner.

But enough rambling, on the BEATING THE WINTER BLAHS!! and don't we all have them right now?

Parachute Fun!!

I bought this parachute from Oriental Express. I have looked at them for years and always question the quality but I read the reviews and they were great so I got one for the children for Christmas and it has provided hours of fun already!!

It's almost as much fun as dirt!!

See the "I love you"? It was spelling and writing practice.

See the "14"? We were doing math.

Plus tons of fun through squishing and sculpting.

Motherhood

I have learned that successful motherhood isn't measured by...

a spotless sink,

freshly mopped floors,

sparkling windows,

or a spotless house.

Successful motherhood is more about....

open arms for countless hugs,

unlimited kisses to make boo boos better,

a lap that is open to hold and to snuggle,

arms outstretched to pick you up when you fall,

and a tender voice to make you feel loved.

But successful motherhood is also about....

tough love to train you,

hands to guide you,

and a persistence that pushes you to become the best that you can be.

Babies. Tights and Two year olds,

Baby Kate isn't much of a baby anymore. In fact, most days she can by found "mothering" a baby of her own. It is her favorite playtime activity right now.

Look at how long her hair is getting!!

My sweet baby wearing her baby just like Mommy! I can't believe she is almost 2 1/2!

And she is so creative and inventive! The other day at homeschool group a friend gave Maggie a new scarf. Katherine wanted it so badly and wanted to wear it just like Maggie. But when Maggie wasn't ready to share her new scarf Katherine took matters into her own hands. She disappeared into the back of the house and just a few minutes later walked into the kitchen like this!!! She had found the only long skinny thing she could that would wrap around her neck. A pair of tights!!!! She was so pleased with herself and so proud to be "just like Maggie"!!!

I love this stage!

Praying

Today I am praying for returned health for my family.

Today I am praying for all those women whose arms are empty as I cuddle my sick brood.

Today I am praying for my husband, who even though he is under the weather, headed out to work to provide for his family.

Today I am praying that even though I am starting to feel my upset tummy, I will be patient and loving with my sick children.

Today I am praying for peace from my Heavenly Father. My hormones are crazy and I can feel myself "sliding" if you know what I mean. The baby blues are on their way and top that off with all this snow and I have a HUGE emotional battle within my head now.

Today I am praying giving thanks for my home, family, and friends. And for the blessing of each child God his given.

Today I am praying for all those mothers who are sitting beside their child's hospital bed. Life doesn't seem fair to us. That is a hard journey and one I pray I never have to walk again. May God grant them strength and peace and cover them with His love.

Today, I am striving to live in prayer and through my Heavenly Father. Because its the only way I'm gonna make it through this day!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10   But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Do you have a prayer request? I would love to pray with you over whatever is on your heart today. Big or little, if it matters to you it matters to God and I will lift it up. 

Can You Feel the Love Tonight....or morning, or afternoon

.....or whatever time of day I happen to hit publish on this post. Unfortunatley despite all my best efforts to keep us well this winter, for my sanity and for Jeremiah's sake illness has found us anyway. It seems to be a short lived 12 hour stomach bug this time and has only effected two of us yesterday and everyone still seems well or mending today. If that is all it is I feel very very blessed! Anyway, just wanted to share this super cute picture I captured the other day.

She loves her baby brother more than anything!! She loves snuggling with him

and he always settles down for her and is asleep in no time. It is the sweetest thing!

I am always amazed at how much my children all favor each other.

Depending on who they are around my opinion of who they resemble changes.

Snow Day.

Here is the view out my window....

We have almost 5 inches and it is still snowing!!

So, I have officially declared it a pajama day for the kids and the girls and I are doing school on the couch under blankets. With hot (or for them warm) chocolate to warm our fingers. And many snuggle breaks to warm our hearts. I have bread baking to tickle our noses and soon to warm our bellies. I think I will make a pot of soup for dinner. Hope you have an amazing day wether you have snow or not.

Coupons

So I am new to this but I wanted to share my finds. I walked out of Walgreens Monday with a total savings of $36.03 and I paid $34.95. Now $35 sounds like a lot but I got a lot of items too! Here's what I got -

3 bags Kraft Homestyle mac and cheese

2 large jars Planters peanuts

6 individual size candy bars

4 large size bags of M and M's (I never buy these due to price, My kids were SOO excited!)

1 ladies deodorant

4 packs of gum

3 handsoap pumps

3 bottles of Dawn

1 can lysol

1 box of cereal

I felt that for my first time I did really well! I am excited to see where this journey takes me and if it really does save me money in my budget while also allowing me to "splurge" on items (like the M and M's) that I was never able to do before.

If you are interested in couponing check out Common Sense with Money. She tells you how to pair up coupons with sales to get the best deal and she lives in my area so she gets the same paper as I! It is wonderful to have someone else do all the leg work.

My Girls

Sorry about that. Blogger doesn't seem to like the video. Maybe it's too long. I will try to reecord them saying them tomorrow and upload that video. So check back soon!)

Maggie and Samantha had a challenge from their dad to learn the books of the Bible (all 66 of them). He gave them until Christmas to do it and they actually finished a week early! They were rewarded with $10 a piece for all their hard work. I am so impressed by their dedication and determination with this. I would find them sitting in the corner of their room studying together or quizzing each other in the car. They worked hard at it and I wanted to show them off.

(The video also includes a few carols they sang on Christmas morning for their grandparents and aunt so it is a little long but the books of the Bible are first.)

Don't you just love how excited Josiah was to sing that morning? He cracks me up that boy!! Don't let him fool you. He loves to sing and to be the center of attention.

Frugal Homeschooling

Here is another discovery that I have made that really made both my girls and I happy. I was talking with a friend the other day and they told me that McDonald's and Taco Bell here in our town will reward children for A's on their report cards. I thought that was a neat idea and then it got me thinking. Hey, my kids work on school and apply themselves too so why couldn't they get a fun reward for their hard work?

So, I called up both Taco Bell and McDonald's and asked about the incentive program. And I was told that no one had ever asked to bring in a homeschool report card but that they would honor it!!! They confirmed that they didn't see how they couldn't as those kids do the work too. This fact made me smile that most people have such a favorable view of homeschooling. I was thrilled and so were my girls!!

Now, I will have to update you once we actually get our food. I have printed out a report card form I found online and filled it in for both girls. I have them on the fridge for the next time we head up town for lunch. I am really anxious to see how it all goes!

Do you have any other frugal homeschooling tips? Know of any other places that offer rewards for good grades? I would love to include them in my next frugal homeschooling post!

Today

I am thinking.....how beautiful the snow looks in the sunshine, but I sure wish it would warm up so I could take Jeremiah out and get out of this house!!!

I am reading.....John 4-5 falling in love with my Saviour all over again as I read about his life.

I am teaching.....many things through book work, through reading, through words and through actions and attitudes. I must be careful what I say and do. They are watching me.

I am cooking.....dinner for my parents tonight.

I am making.....newborn baby hats and scarves. Have my first costumer committed to buy them!! The photographer up town wants a boy and a girl set!!! I am very excited!

I am thinking.....I love my husband and how he works so hard to provide for us. I am so blessed to stay in this warm house on days like today when he gets out in it to make that possible. I am blessed.

Photo of the day......

Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Baby Wearing

Baby wearing. It's how I get things done.

If you ever see me at the store in the next oh, year and a half or so you will see me sporting this teal piece of fabric tied in various ways with a baby somewhere in between.

You see, I wear my babies all the time. I wear them at church to allow my hands to be free to juggle my Bible, encourage young children to sit still, and keeps my lap free to pull Katherine onto if she needs a little help being still.

I wear them at home so that I can teach, wash dishes, fold laundry, sweep the floor or anything else I need to do while still snuggling with my baby. It helps to form a deep attachment between baby and I but still allows me to keep up with the other children.

I start wearing my babies no later than two weeks old to keep them used to the confining ways of baby wearing. Katherine would sleep like this in the Moby (my favorite infant carrier) until she was over 14 months!! It was great because be at church, homeschool group, shopping or at the park when it was nap time I would pull the fabric up over Katherine's head and out she would go! We didn't miss a nap and we didn't miss out on fun.

So that is "What Works for Me"!!!

To read more great tips and tricks head over to We are THAT Family and start hopping!!

More or Less

I am only one person with only so much energy and only so much of "me" to go around. But, my God is big. He is bigger than I am and He can fill as much space as He wants. Or, actually, as I will let Him.
As the children and I were reading our Bible this morning (we are going through John right now) I came across this verse that just jumped right off the page and wouldn't let me go!

John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.

In this passage John the Baptist was talking to a group of men about Jesus having more followers and baptizing more people. John proceeds to tell them that he can only give what he is given from God but that it doesn't matter. His joy was complete when he finally heard Christ' voice and as he watched Him minister. John knew a very important truth.

As we grow in our walk with Christ, it is natural for Christ to become more and more of what people see when they see us. We HAVE to become less. If we don't "die" to ourselves there will be no room for Christ to become more of our lives. This is how I picture it, a cup. A cup can only hold so much water. Before we are saved our "cup" is full of, well, us! And unless through prayer, study and sacrifice we pour all of the ungodly things out, there is no room in our "cup" for Christ to become more. As we pour out anger He pours in love. As we dump our addictions, He fills us up with a hunger for truth and righteousness. As we rid our "cup" of wordly talk He adds in a heaping helping of praise to Him.

So, my dear friends, I urge you to examine your heart today. What things is God prompting you to pour out? He isn't doing it so you feel empty and void. He is calling you to empty your cup so that He can refill it with more of Him. And that, my friend, is the sweetest "drink" of all!!!!

Honey Nut Chex recipe

• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1 cup peanuts
• 2 cups cookies (I used some small butter type teddy bear cookies I found for 88cents a box @Walmart)
• 7 cups of chex cereal
• 1/2 cup sunflower kernels

Seasoning -

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey

Melt syrup in microwave for about 1 - 1 1/2 minutes or until boiling. Pour over snack mix and stir to coat. Microwave for 6 minutes stirring after every minute, or bake in the oven at 300 until golden brown. Spread onto wax paper and allow to cool. Store in air tight container.

On a side note I think that something salty like pretzels or something would be really yummy in here to off set all the sweetness. I did find that I had to be very careful when stirring the mix during cooking as the cookies got soft and wanted to crumble on me. Once they were cool they crisped back up and were still very yummy!

Apple Bread

This past fall I put up a whole mess of shredded apples in my freezer. I have been trying new ways to use up these sweet things. And not too long ago I found one of our favorite ways yet! I came across this recipe and let me tell you, it is amazing!!! I froze one loaf and we have eaten the other. It is so good the next day, chilled in the fridge overnight and spread with butter. You really should give this a try!!

You won't be sorry if you try it! Do you have a favorite apple recipe that you would like to share? I still have plenty left in my freezer that are waiting for any yummy recipe I can find.

Have you ever thought?

Have you ever thought about who follows you? Or how they watch you when you are not watching? We as mother's are watched all the time. Our children see what we do and they know us better than anyone else most of the time. They see us not only at our best but also at our worst. Do we ever treat anyone as badly as those closest to us? I found this poem awhile ago and thought it so fitting. Not only for mom's of girls but to moms in general. And truth be told to all people. Shouldn't we all remember that people are always watching us. We need to think about how our actions impact others.


A careful woman I ought to be:


A little girl follows me;

I do not dare to go a stray

For fear she’ll go the self-same way.

I cannot once escape her eyes;

What’re she sees me do,

she tries

Like me, she says,

she’s going to be,

The little girl who follows me.

She thinks that I am good and fine,

Believes in every word of mine;

The bad in me she must not see,

The little girl who follows me.

I must remember as I go
Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow,

I am building for the years to be,

For a little girl follows me.

-Author Unknown


Speaks volumes in such simple words!! Let's be careful for there are children watching us as we serve in these mission fields (homes) God has placed us in.

Made You Smile

If that didn't make you smile, I feel sorry for you. I know I might be a little biased but I do think he is just so stinkin' CUTE!!!

Two Months Old

I know it sounds cliche but Where has the time gone? Jeremiah is two months old this week!

And he is growing like a weed!

He is such a momma's boy. And I love it.

Jeremiah reaching new milestones every day! Some of the ones he has reached now are - smiling in response to people, following objects, holding his own head up, and "talking" back to others. He is starting to be awake more and taking "naps" instead of sleeping all day like a newborn. He is so much fun! I am so happy to admit that he still falls asleep while nursing, loves to be rocked and sang to sleep, and LOVES his Moby. I can't believe how far he has come in two months. This week he will get his two month vaccines and also the RSV shot that he has been approved for. After that he will be able to start going out into public, or so the doctor says. But with all the flu and germs going around we will only be going out for grocery shopping still for awhile. That's all I need is to have all of us come down with the flu or a cold. He has been so healthy so far and it will stay that way if I can help it! Happy two month birthday Jeremiah!

Copy Cat

If you read many blogs at all you have probably read the same type of post over and over again this weekend. Thoughts about the new year and reflections over the last with a few Christmas photos sprinkled in. I kept thinking about posting and then decided not to for the sake of my readers and the redundancy of it. But then I remembered why I blog. I blog to journal our life. I blog that one day my children will be able to read about their childhood and my journey through life as their momma. So, here is my "year end, new year just like everyone else" kinda post.

I LOVE a new year. It jump starts my desire to organize and restructure my home and life. It motivates me in my ministry and my walk with the Lord. After the choas of the holidays is over its time to declutter, not only my life but also my home. And it makes me feel so refreshed as I throw out, donate, consignment, and recycle away all things that weigh us down around here. But it also causes me to think about the past year. The year of 2010 has been a roller coaster in my life.

The year started off with health/military issues with my youngest sister that were scary! It gave a whole new meaning to being out of control.
Shortly after that we announced my pregnancy with our fifth child. We were filled with joy and anticipation with this new blessing.
In the spring the children and I took a trip to visit Erin at her base before she left the army.
There was lots of child training and spiritual training that took place in my life as well this year.
We also took all four kids tent camping for a week this summer. It was lots of fun and lots of work. We have already decided to skip this year. Four kids and a baby in a tent for a week seemed a little over the top for us right now!
I blogged about my household notebook, and being a "yes" momma.
We gardened and worked with the crop as a family with even Baby Kate helping out!
My fall was full of bulk cooking and filling the freezer with food for post baby days.
Then on November 2nd we welcomed Jeremiah into our family and walked the NICU road for the second time. And since then I have spent the rest of 2010 soaking up his newborn goodness and nursing my baby around the clock.

So, as you can see, 2010 has been a year full of hilltops and valleys but my God has been faithful all year. We have been healthy for the most part, my husband still has a wonderful job, we have a beautiful home and are surronded by family and friends.
I want to thank you, my readers, for loving my family, walking with us through the hard times, praying for my family, and being my friends throughout this past year.

From my family to yours,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!