Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Calling all creative ones.......
Hello All,
I'm trying to gather a few pix of "creative solutions to organization or room enlarging" in here. I have many friends that are great at this and would love to have you submit pix and a blurb about how, why you did it and how it works! Thanks so much. I'll wait and see the awesome creativity!
~karla
I'm trying to gather a few pix of "creative solutions to organization or room enlarging" in here. I have many friends that are great at this and would love to have you submit pix and a blurb about how, why you did it and how it works! Thanks so much. I'll wait and see the awesome creativity!
~karla
Christmas Reality Poem ~ thanks Deanna
*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is ?The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
A Christmas Bouquet
The Christmas Bouquet...
Sandra felt as low as the heels of her Birkenstocks as she pushed
against a December gust and the florist shop door. Her life had been easy, like
spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor
automobile accident stole her ease.
During this Christmas week she would have delivered a son. She grieved
over her loss. As if that weren't enough, her husband's company
threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose holiday visit she coveted,
called saying she could not come. What's worse, Sandra's friend
infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to maturity
that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer.
"She has no idea what I'm feeling," thought Sandra with a shudder.
Christmas? Bah Humbug? She spouted. For a careless driver whose truck
was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved
her life but took that of her child?
"Good afternoon, can I help you?" The shop clerk's approach startled
her.
"I....I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra.
"For Christmas? Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to
challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Christmas
"Special?" asked the shop clerk. "I'm convinced that flowers tell
stories," she continued. "Are you looking for something that conveys
'gratitude' this Christmas?"
"Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months, everything
that could go wrong has gone wrong."
Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the shop clerk
said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you."
Then the door's small bell rang, and the shop clerk said, "Hi,
Barbara...let me get your order." She politely excused herself and
walked toward a small work-room, then quickly reappeared, carrying an
arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Except the
ends of the rose stems were neatly
snipped: there were no flowers.
"Want this in a box?" asked the clerk.
Sandra watched for the customer's response. Was this a joke? Who would
want ro se stems with no flowers! he waited for laughter, but neither
woman laughed. "Yes, please," Barbara replied with an appreciative
smile. "You'd think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn't
be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over
again." She said as she gently tapped her chest.
"Uh," stammered Sandra, "that lady just left with, uh....she just left
with
no flowers!"
"Right, said the clerk, "I cut off the flowers. That's the Special. I
call it the Christmas Thorns Bouquet."
"Oh, come on, you can't tell me someone is willing to pay for that!"
exclaimed Sandra.
"Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling much like you feel
today," explained the clerk. "She thought she had very little to be
thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was
failing, her son was into drugs, and she was facing major surgery."
"That same year I had lost my husband," continued the clerk, "and for
the first time in my life, had just spent the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family
nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel."
"So what did you do?" asked Sandra.
"I learned to be thankful for thorns," answered the clerk quietly.
"I've always thanked God for good things in life and never to ask Him
why those good things happened to me, but when bad stuff hit, did I ever
ask! It took time for me to learn that dark times are important. I
have always enjoyed the 'flowers' of life, but it took thorns to show me
the beauty of God's comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts
us when we're afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort
others."
Sandra sucked in her breath as she thought about the very thing her
friend had tried to tell her. "I guess the truth is I don't want
comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God."
Just then someone else walked in the shop. "Hey, Phil!" shouted the
clerk to the balding, rotund man.
"My wife sent me in to get our usual Christmas arrangement...twelve
thorny, long-stemmed stems!" laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a
tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.
"Those are for your wife?" asked Sandra incredulously. "Do you mind me
asking why she wants something that looks like that?"
"No...I'm glad you asked," Phil replied. "Four years ago my wife and I
nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the
Lord's grace and guidance, we slogged through problem after problem. He
rescued our marriage. Jenny here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of
rose stems to remind her of what she learned from "thorny" times, and
that was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife
and I decided to label each one for a specific "problem" and give thanks
for what that problem taught us."
As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the
Special!"
"I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra
said to the clerk. "It's all too...fresh."
"Well," the clerk replied carefully, "my experience has shown me that
thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care
more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of
thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don't resent the
thorns."
Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the
accident, she loosened her grip on resentment. "I'll take those twelve
long-stemmed thorns, please," she managed to choke out.
"I hoped you would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them ready in a
minute."
"Thank you. What do I owe you?"
"Nothing. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The
first year's arrangement is always on me." The clerk smiled and handed
a card to Sandra. "I'll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would
like to read it first."
It read: My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked
You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach
me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show
me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me
that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more
brilliant."
Praise Him for your roses, thank Him for your thorns.
~ Author Unknown ~
Sandra felt as low as the heels of her Birkenstocks as she pushed
against a December gust and the florist shop door. Her life had been easy, like
spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor
automobile accident stole her ease.
During this Christmas week she would have delivered a son. She grieved
over her loss. As if that weren't enough, her husband's company
threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose holiday visit she coveted,
called saying she could not come. What's worse, Sandra's friend
infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to maturity
that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer.
"She has no idea what I'm feeling," thought Sandra with a shudder.
Christmas? Bah Humbug? She spouted. For a careless driver whose truck
was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved
her life but took that of her child?
"Good afternoon, can I help you?" The shop clerk's approach startled
her.
"I....I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra.
"For Christmas? Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to
challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Christmas
"Special?" asked the shop clerk. "I'm convinced that flowers tell
stories," she continued. "Are you looking for something that conveys
'gratitude' this Christmas?"
"Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months, everything
that could go wrong has gone wrong."
Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the shop clerk
said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you."
Then the door's small bell rang, and the shop clerk said, "Hi,
Barbara...let me get your order." She politely excused herself and
walked toward a small work-room, then quickly reappeared, carrying an
arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Except the
ends of the rose stems were neatly
snipped: there were no flowers.
"Want this in a box?" asked the clerk.
Sandra watched for the customer's response. Was this a joke? Who would
want ro se stems with no flowers! he waited for laughter, but neither
woman laughed. "Yes, please," Barbara replied with an appreciative
smile. "You'd think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn't
be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over
again." She said as she gently tapped her chest.
"Uh," stammered Sandra, "that lady just left with, uh....she just left
with
no flowers!"
"Right, said the clerk, "I cut off the flowers. That's the Special. I
call it the Christmas Thorns Bouquet."
"Oh, come on, you can't tell me someone is willing to pay for that!"
exclaimed Sandra.
"Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling much like you feel
today," explained the clerk. "She thought she had very little to be
thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was
failing, her son was into drugs, and she was facing major surgery."
"That same year I had lost my husband," continued the clerk, "and for
the first time in my life, had just spent the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family
nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel."
"So what did you do?" asked Sandra.
"I learned to be thankful for thorns," answered the clerk quietly.
"I've always thanked God for good things in life and never to ask Him
why those good things happened to me, but when bad stuff hit, did I ever
ask! It took time for me to learn that dark times are important. I
have always enjoyed the 'flowers' of life, but it took thorns to show me
the beauty of God's comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts
us when we're afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort
others."
Sandra sucked in her breath as she thought about the very thing her
friend had tried to tell her. "I guess the truth is I don't want
comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God."
Just then someone else walked in the shop. "Hey, Phil!" shouted the
clerk to the balding, rotund man.
"My wife sent me in to get our usual Christmas arrangement...twelve
thorny, long-stemmed stems!" laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a
tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.
"Those are for your wife?" asked Sandra incredulously. "Do you mind me
asking why she wants something that looks like that?"
"No...I'm glad you asked," Phil replied. "Four years ago my wife and I
nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the
Lord's grace and guidance, we slogged through problem after problem. He
rescued our marriage. Jenny here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of
rose stems to remind her of what she learned from "thorny" times, and
that was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife
and I decided to label each one for a specific "problem" and give thanks
for what that problem taught us."
As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the
Special!"
"I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra
said to the clerk. "It's all too...fresh."
"Well," the clerk replied carefully, "my experience has shown me that
thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care
more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of
thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don't resent the
thorns."
Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the
accident, she loosened her grip on resentment. "I'll take those twelve
long-stemmed thorns, please," she managed to choke out.
"I hoped you would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them ready in a
minute."
"Thank you. What do I owe you?"
"Nothing. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The
first year's arrangement is always on me." The clerk smiled and handed
a card to Sandra. "I'll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would
like to read it first."
It read: My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked
You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach
me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show
me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me
that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more
brilliant."
Praise Him for your roses, thank Him for your thorns.
~ Author Unknown ~
Friday, November 20, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Fall Surprise
The fall surprise was the wedding of our oldest son, RW to NL. They had an October wedding that was beautiful. All their hard work and months of planning paid off. The bride was sick as well as the best man, one of the groomsmen (both our sons) and the next day our son, the groom came down with it. Only to find out that it was indeed H1N1. Yikes!
The Lord was honored and the ceremony was lovely, followed by a dinner and dance with an incredible blues band. Hopefully wedding pix will follow soon!
The Lord was honored and the ceremony was lovely, followed by a dinner and dance with an incredible blues band. Hopefully wedding pix will follow soon!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
D and R bedroom "wall" closet/dressers
This is the left side of the girls "organizer wall". This is the right side.
This is the curtain (twin sheets) closed and a peak of the shelf on the left side.
This is the window seat with thick foam cushion and covered in a very textured fabric. The seat is a hinged lid that opens to put their games and crafts inside. The window is a south window and they enjoy sitting in the window reading in the sunshine.
This is the curtain (twin sheets) closed and a peak of the shelf on the left side. 
This is the window seat with thick foam cushion and covered in a very textured fabric. The seat is a hinged lid that opens to put their games and crafts inside. The window is a south window and they enjoy sitting in the window reading in the sunshine.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Does this look like fall colors? I am trying to utilize the colors of the leaves as they turn their luscious colors. Spring is awesome and yet fall shares it glory as well. I'm just going to give what writer's call a "teaser" here. Something awesome is happening in the fall and if you stay tuned, you'll hear all about it! And no silly, it's not a baby coming!
Enjoy your day!!!!
Enjoy your day!!!!
It's PB's 6th birthday today! Aww did I mention that I LOVE my kids? PB is a thankful child that is as honest as can be. He loves people and talking is a favorite pastime, but with being surrounded by 3 sisters, he doesn't get to finish many of his sentences!! He loves to seek out strangers and tell them about the Lord or challenge their faith! I have felt from his baby days that he would be an evangelist one day......it is coming true! One community meeting that we had a few months ago demonstrated just this fact. We were milling around as a family in one large warehouse room, looking over maps and excel energy power line stuff, and PB was assumed to be "with one of the kids"; however, we found that after a period of time, he wasn't. He wasn't in any danger, just seeking out strangers to chat with about the Lord. He went and sat down next to one stranger, looked up at her with his blonde hair and bright brown eyes and said, "Maam, do you celebrate Halloween?" She looked at this irresistable young boy, all alone, and perhaps thought that he was lonely and wanted to talk about the upcoming calendar event. She happily replied, "Yes! I do!" PB sighed and then said, "You know, you really shouldn't do that....it's worshiping the devil." She sat speechless and stunned.... I'm sure she did not know what hit her. Now I do need to mention that little PB is a bit prophetic as well as evangelistic! So this a little glimmer into the life of our fabulous little guy that makes my heart sing..... HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PB! We sure do love you!
~mom
~mom
Thursday, March 26, 2009
I love to read along with Lorrie Flem, author of TEACH. I borrowed portions of this from her blog. If you are a fellow Home Schooler, you know it's true!
~You get to kiss the principal when he walks into the room.
~You would rather shop at the local used book store than a clothing store.
~You give the kid's fun ideas and encourage them to play dress-up and call it "history."
~You ask for more bookshelves for your birthday (and you get them!)
~Your kids hear you talking to yourself and you call it a "Parent-Teacher Conference."
~You and some of the kids go to town at 1 p.m. and as the cashier gives you a funny look and asks, "Why are you kids......." and your kids all respond in unison, "We're home-schooled."~You ask for more bookshelves for your birthday (and you get them!)
~Your kids hear you talking to yourself and you call it a "Parent-Teacher Conference."
~You get to kiss the principal when he walks into the room.
~Your school isn't too politically correct to teach "Home Economics" (Suzie, go change the baby's diaper and Sam, go whip up some lunch!)
~And at our house, you see your daughter hanging upside down, drooped over the couch, reading a book and you sigh and thank the Lord for this awesome opportunity!
~And at our house, you see your daughter hanging upside down, drooped over the couch, reading a book and you sigh and thank the Lord for this awesome opportunity!
The Cook’s Thesaurus
This is a great site to use if you need to substitute an ingredient. It is not all exhaustive, but it does give great ideas and fun alternatives to something you suddenly discover you don't have, but need!
~karla
This is a great site to use if you need to substitute an ingredient. It is not all exhaustive, but it does give great ideas and fun alternatives to something you suddenly discover you don't have, but need!
~karla
Saturday, March 21, 2009
It is such a beautiful day in Minnesota! I so love home schooling our children....random thoughts, any connections? Absolutely! I think getting out into the fresh air and working together is schooling.... talking, learning, laughing and growing together.
Fresh air and sunshine are an awesome combination after winter. Pulling out the deck furniture, working in the flower beds, planning for things to come....yep, spring is a happy time of year. I love to hear the kids jumping on the tramp, the roosters crowing, the birds singing happily as they build their nests and the horse galloping with heavy footsteps in the soft pliable dirt in the pasture. Living in the country is so refreshing. Sitting outside among trees and cornfields, watching the bunnies happily nibble on the hopeful shoots of soon coming grass. The sun setting across the field with it's awesome majestic beauty...colors of orange, vibrant pinks and golds. MMmmm yep, my heart is blessed.
Fresh air and sunshine are an awesome combination after winter. Pulling out the deck furniture, working in the flower beds, planning for things to come....yep, spring is a happy time of year. I love to hear the kids jumping on the tramp, the roosters crowing, the birds singing happily as they build their nests and the horse galloping with heavy footsteps in the soft pliable dirt in the pasture. Living in the country is so refreshing. Sitting outside among trees and cornfields, watching the bunnies happily nibble on the hopeful shoots of soon coming grass. The sun setting across the field with it's awesome majestic beauty...colors of orange, vibrant pinks and golds. MMmmm yep, my heart is blessed.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Spring has Sprung!
It's so awesome to have Spring around again. Here in the frozen tundra, sometimes it feels as though it plays hide and seek with us - on and off again - for several weeks, sometimes months! I don't see the flowers pushing their heads up out of the fresh soil yet, but the ice has gone and the snow is on it's way out. Mud has arrived and with that the joy of children and mud puddles. I looked out the window yesterday as I sat in the office and saw our precious 5 year old son out standing in his mud boots, on a board that had been layed across the pond last summer. Now the pond was full of ice cold water, but to a boy with a stick, it is pure pleasure! Oh the days of youthful childhood. No bills to pay, no "to do list" hanging over you, no meals to prepare or worries to deal with.......just the sunshine, a stick and a huge pond of water..... hhhmm that could preach. How many times do we long to be outdoors in the sunny days, enjoying some solitude with our Maker and His creation.......the water, the stick, the gentle breeze. We tend to complicate things.
I love Spring and the newness of life it represents. The new blossoms on the trees excite me, the flowers in my flower bed making their way up to the surface to pop out and quickly bloom thrill me, the sounds of birds chirping and filling the air with their song. Aren't these things so much more valuable than things that can be bought? These are incredible creations that can be merely passed by without thought, or they can be appreciated and enjoyed as a child at heart. Simply, completely.
Walks with my honey, bike rides with my family, tending to the fresh herbs in my kitchen window sill.... yes spring is in the air.
Take time today to thank the One who made it all. I can promise, it'll put a spring in your step and a smile in your heart!
~Happy Spring!
I love Spring and the newness of life it represents. The new blossoms on the trees excite me, the flowers in my flower bed making their way up to the surface to pop out and quickly bloom thrill me, the sounds of birds chirping and filling the air with their song. Aren't these things so much more valuable than things that can be bought? These are incredible creations that can be merely passed by without thought, or they can be appreciated and enjoyed as a child at heart. Simply, completely.
Walks with my honey, bike rides with my family, tending to the fresh herbs in my kitchen window sill.... yes spring is in the air.
Take time today to thank the One who made it all. I can promise, it'll put a spring in your step and a smile in your heart!
~Happy Spring!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Today is a wonderful day in which we are celebrating our daughter Rebekah's birthday. We will have family over and have an awesome dinner, complete with cheesecake. I love filling--and I mean filling the dinning room with family. Isn't it amazing how quickly these kids grow? Hhmm can't believe it's been 12 years now. I'm still thankful to the midwife that delivered our little bundle. The doc's so wanted to do a c-section. That would of limited, if not dis-allowed for the rest of the crew.........God so knew what he was doing...He equipped the midwife and she was amazing. It was a birth that shouldn't of happened naturally, but with the Lord and the expertise of this fine woman, we worked and made it happen. I will never forget that day. Today she stands my heighth and has beautiful honey colored hair down to her waist, with sparkling brown eyes and a warm smile that melts your heart. We love our kids and it's so important to take time to recognize each one on their special day.
---------------------------------
Today is also a very horrible day...one in which our friends are saying goodbye to their twin boys...at just 21 weeks, these beautiful, perfectly formed boys came too early. This brings back memories of our twin girls long long ago being born too early. It's so sad. The worst part is that they will be placed right beside their sister who went to be with the Lord 10 months ago. She was born with a congenital heart condition and only lived less than 2 weeks. Be in prayer for this couple with their only three babies now in heaven. I cannot imagine their day. They are celebrating the life and babies that they got to enjoy for 19 short minutes each. The Lord has given them strength, but I want to declare that enough is enough...in the heavenlies and pray for many many children to have and hold until they are old and grey. God bless you Ali and Jon
---------------------------------
Today is also a very horrible day...one in which our friends are saying goodbye to their twin boys...at just 21 weeks, these beautiful, perfectly formed boys came too early. This brings back memories of our twin girls long long ago being born too early. It's so sad. The worst part is that they will be placed right beside their sister who went to be with the Lord 10 months ago. She was born with a congenital heart condition and only lived less than 2 weeks. Be in prayer for this couple with their only three babies now in heaven. I cannot imagine their day. They are celebrating the life and babies that they got to enjoy for 19 short minutes each. The Lord has given them strength, but I want to declare that enough is enough...in the heavenlies and pray for many many children to have and hold until they are old and grey. God bless you Ali and Jon
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
School Time
Hi there,
Here at our home, we LOVE the education process. Lifestyle of learning is what we have always called our desire to live out with our children.......yes, from way back in 1983, when our first was born. We started with our first and decided that no matter what route we took to educate our children, we wanted our home to be the primary source of creativity and education. We read lots of books, talk a lot and do so many hands on things....especially in the area of science. We love the outdoors and even when we lived in town, created many learning opportunities for the kids. From apple picking at the local orchard...then following the "hands on process" of taking apples from whole to juice, to apple crisp, to apple butter, etc. The kids have always been a part. From owning small animals like hamsters, rabbits, rats, frogs, fish, snakes, etc. they have learned and grown because of it. We purchased ducks and let them waddle through our city backyard. It was awesome! We've always had cats and dogs and raised litters of puppies for the kids benefit and our pleasure. Then when we moved to a small hobby farm in 1993, we were at a new level of our lifestyle of learning. Five acres isn't a lot, but when we purchased it, we felt like we were purchasing a ton of property!! lol
We added chickens, cows, horses, goats, sheep and pot-bellied pigs to our menagerie. Raising, caring for and learning about is such an education in itself. As the kids came and grew, we added onto our 1900 built home and expanded outward and upward. This too, was a family event. The kids learned how to construct, reconstruct, add walls and the whole nine yards. The little's even got into the act, whether carring wood, handing mommy and daddy nails, screws, or even started their painting careers by helping paint trim...at age 3. Daddy does the large vegetable garden and mommy does the many many flowers and plants. They help and add their own creative touches in both of these areas. We are thankful that besides our own 7 out of 9, still at home, we also have 3 little grandchildren that also often visit and get to enjoy this little spot on earth that we call home. We do love the experience of being in the country and learning and growing together.
Here at our home, we LOVE the education process. Lifestyle of learning is what we have always called our desire to live out with our children.......yes, from way back in 1983, when our first was born. We started with our first and decided that no matter what route we took to educate our children, we wanted our home to be the primary source of creativity and education. We read lots of books, talk a lot and do so many hands on things....especially in the area of science. We love the outdoors and even when we lived in town, created many learning opportunities for the kids. From apple picking at the local orchard...then following the "hands on process" of taking apples from whole to juice, to apple crisp, to apple butter, etc. The kids have always been a part. From owning small animals like hamsters, rabbits, rats, frogs, fish, snakes, etc. they have learned and grown because of it. We purchased ducks and let them waddle through our city backyard. It was awesome! We've always had cats and dogs and raised litters of puppies for the kids benefit and our pleasure. Then when we moved to a small hobby farm in 1993, we were at a new level of our lifestyle of learning. Five acres isn't a lot, but when we purchased it, we felt like we were purchasing a ton of property!! lol
We added chickens, cows, horses, goats, sheep and pot-bellied pigs to our menagerie. Raising, caring for and learning about is such an education in itself. As the kids came and grew, we added onto our 1900 built home and expanded outward and upward. This too, was a family event. The kids learned how to construct, reconstruct, add walls and the whole nine yards. The little's even got into the act, whether carring wood, handing mommy and daddy nails, screws, or even started their painting careers by helping paint trim...at age 3. Daddy does the large vegetable garden and mommy does the many many flowers and plants. They help and add their own creative touches in both of these areas. We are thankful that besides our own 7 out of 9, still at home, we also have 3 little grandchildren that also often visit and get to enjoy this little spot on earth that we call home. We do love the experience of being in the country and learning and growing together.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Hello All
Hello All...Today is a chilly day..windy and no sun, so it makes our backyard look ever so "tundra like". I love the look, but realize the chill keeps me inside more than I would like and it also seems to make for a sluggish day.
Today is the day Greg is back at work after a 10 month layoff. It seems kind of lonely, even in a house of 9. But that is the beauty and reality of having 9 children. When someone is not home, we feel the difference! Each person is such a special part and even if not participating in the conversation, activity or meal, you notice a vacancy.
Mondays are busy around here with teens and young adults working on homework for college and then working at jobs, our 14 year old going to teen worship band practice and getting back into school after the weekend. I guess I would prefer a play day.... but the chores need completed, children need taught and animals need looked after. I somehow want to trade in the icy roads for the bright sunshine and heat of the spring. Didn't we hear a lot about global warming...lol
Today is Greg's first day at work again! PTL!
Today is the first day of Greg away from us after 10 months. God is good and we are praying that even in this economy, this job will last.
This week should be interesting for Abby.......she is worried that "everybody" is going to work now. Kind of unsettles her little system to of had Daddy "disappear to work".
This week should be interesting for Abby.......she is worried that "everybody" is going to work now. Kind of unsettles her little system to of had Daddy "disappear to work".
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