Polishing Stones

16 years ago today

2012-01-15T17:46:00.000-05:00

I was holding my first and only (so far) girl. She was so cute and chubby. She had dark hair and chubby cheeks. She was 3 weeks early and weighed 9lb 3oz. I cried when they said it's a girl. I didn't know what she was going to be. I was thrilled. I love my boys, all 4 of them and would not trade them for anything but I just knew she was a boy too but I was surprised.
I remember her older two brothers coming to visit and S who was only 16 months old crawling up in the bed with me. He was still a baby too. He loved her though. He would always be kissing on her and wanting to hold her, J too. We always said if kisses were nickles she would be rich.
I am so blessed to have her in my life. I can't believe she is 16yo already. Where did the time go?
Here is a picture of us from her party yesterday.

A day in the life...

2012-01-12T17:35:00.000-05:00

...of the polished Stones. Today brought another chapter in our life, our second born, S, passed his drivers test today and it now a driver. He has owned his own truck since about April but has not had his license yet. Chuck would take him driving in it so he could learn how to drive a stick shift. He is out on the roads by himself tonight. Praying he gets home safely as they are calling for snow and black ice. He is a good driver. It is hard some days to let go though. Sometimes I wonder if I have done my job good enough as a mom and trainer. It's hard to know really. Then there is the whole they are their own person thing so they grow up and make their own decisions and they are not always your decisions but they are not always bad either just different. Which is ok just wondering if I gave them enough tools to be able to make these decisions and to get along in life.
I know this one has a good head on his shoulders praying it stays that way. LOL

Christmas

2011-12-25T16:55:00.000-05:00

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year. All my kids were here under one roof that was nice. I think every one loved their gifts.
V, J and myself got Kindles.
S got his usual monopoly game, actually two this year, one was Pirates of the Caribbean.
Little guys got rescue heroes and an art easel. They are thrilled with their rescue heroes.
Here is the annual Christmas Eve pic.
First the nice one

Then the silly one.

Then the boys in their cute tool gear with daddy.

Merry Christmas everyone. I pray you have a blessed day and don't forget the reason we celebrate. Jesus the Christ.

Good Morning

2011-12-12T08:03:00.000-05:00

This past week was such a busy week for us. Two of my children C and V were in the Nutcracker performance so it was a busy week at the theater. You know I love all the backstage chaos that goes on to pull of a performance then it's your turn to go out and watch and it's like you forget all that's going on backstage.
I am hoping now we can slow down and focus more on Advent and the story we reading. It's called Jotham's Journey and you can find it here. There are three in the series and we just rotate every year. I think this is our third or forth time through them.

Things are different this year. J moved out on his own and S is working a lot so it's usually just the little guys and V listening when I read them and of course Daddy unless he falls asleep. With Nutcracker all week I had to read three sections last night so it was a bit longer and he did snore a bit. Not because my reading is boring of course just because he works so hard and was tired. :D

Today I have to reclaim the house that got ignored last week and school which was limited to the basic necessities.

I wish I would blog more

2011-08-31T17:47:00.000-04:00

I just can't seem to find the time. Or don't try to.
We started school two weeks ago. It has gone really nice. We are using Heart of Dakota again for C and still loving it.
C is taking violin lesson and starts dance class next Thursday. Oh and don't forget he is playing soccer too which Chuck will coach again.
V is in Chicago for this year working at IBLP. She is loving it. We miss her a lot. She is going to be home for over a month around Thanksgiving. That will be wonderful and I know the little guys will enjoy it.
S is working at a grocery store. He seems to like it.
J moved out two months ago. It is weird here with two of my older children gone. He is also engaged in case I left that out of my former posts. She lives in MI and he is visiting her now.
Chuck is just busy with our sign business. Which is good since it pays the bills.
Well hopefully I will find more time to blog this year but I am not counting on it.

Birthday Cakes

2011-04-30T12:37:00.000-04:00

Today is the twins 1st birthday. I did their individual cakes. Here are pictures. I just can't believe they are 1 already. They have grown so quickly. It just seems like yesterday that they were born so tiny and perfect.
Happy Birthday P and L, aunt Kim loves you.

A Saturday of planning

2011-04-02T18:45:00.000-04:00

If you follow my homeschool blog you know that I spent today planning and researching curriculum for next year.
You know I only have three more years until my older kids are both graduated. That just seems surreal to me. They have only been homeschooled and to see my time with all three of them so close to over. J graduated two years ago and S will graduate in two years and V in three.

But the Lord has blessed me with my two little ones and I will be homeschooling for a bit longer. I am so thankful. I can't imagine not homeschooling anymore.

I am going to plug Heart of Dakota here on this blog too. If you have never checked them out you should. I LOVE it. I have only done one year but I love how it is laid out and how easy it is to implement.

Now to prepare my order and then get my books and do more planning.

Hello blog world

2011-03-23T08:26:00.000-04:00

It has been a long time. Things are busy as usual around here. School is going well if you want to read more details you can visit my homeschool blog.
I love the warmer weather. It makes you feel better and makes me feel more productive.
We have been going outside more and we even did story time at the library yesterday. We then went to fly kites since story time was about kites.
Today will be filled with normal school, laundry, chores and some outside time for my little guys.
God is amazing to provide us with 4 seasons.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2010-12-25T16:27:00.000-05:00

We got this amazing picture from my sister and bil.

This is our annual Christmas Eve pic.

First tooth lost

2010-12-01T11:19:00.000-05:00

C lost his first tooth on Thanksgiving day. He lost his second tooth yesterday (Nov. 30) I can't believe how fast he is growing up.
He is learning to read and doing very well at it. He is playing basketball and had his first practice Monday night. He is such a loving and caring child. He is bright and funny. He brings so much to our lives I can't imagine what it would be like without him. Thank you God for this wonderful blessing. Below is a pic of the missing tooth. Now both bottom teeth are missing.

Love this song

2010-10-31T15:57:00.003-04:00

3 year old

2010-08-11T20:35:00.000-04:00

So my sweet Ju is 3. (pix to follow)
It is so hard to believe. He is pretty much potty trained now.

C started K last week. He is doing great. We did three days then he got sick. We are over the sickness now.
I also signed C up for soccer. It will be so cute to watch him. We bought his first cleats today. Thankfully I had a small pair for Ju here at the house. I am not sure how we are going to keep Ju off the field. He loves sports and balls and is quite the athlete.

I will post pix of the birthday party probably after the party for S. He will be 16.

I am such a blessed woman to have my sweet children.

Potty training

2010-06-26T08:19:00.002-04:00

Today is day 5 of potty training Ju. He is doing great. He woke up totally dry this morning. No wet accidents yesterday at all and he told me twice when he had to go.

I was pondering though how my sweet youngest will be 3 in less than a month. It makes me sad in many ways. He is probably my last baby. It is wonderful to watch them grow and develop and learn new things but sad that it happens so fast and life is so busy that I feel like I miss so much of it.

I do feel very blessed to have all of my children.

Thinking and updates

2010-05-25T15:55:00.002-04:00

I am thinking and planning our next school year. Also thinking of starting a school blog, maybe separate or maybe on here. I think it would be nice to document our school. Then I wonder if I will keep up with it.
Wonder if I can have Savannah keep up with it and use it as a class in school?

Updates from here. J is still working around 40 hours a week. S and V are finishing up their school this year. J is loving having a car. LOL
C is going to be starting school in the fall. I already have his books. We are doing Heart of Dakota.
He is getting to be a big boy and such a good child. Easy I should say.
Ju on the other hand is full force at all times. He is either happy and or not there is no in between for him. He is quite the dare devil and not afraid of anything. He is very rough, you could say all boy.

Chuck is busy in our business. Which is a wonderful thing but it makes for long days for him and we don't see him as much.

I am spending my days planning next years school, keeping chores going, cooking, laundry, well you get the point.

It was a day of firsts at my house yesterday.

2010-05-05T18:35:00.003-04:00

My oldest J got his first vehicle and he voted.

Shower cake I made for my niece

2010-04-17T12:37:00.005-04:00

C's Birthday Cake

2010-04-09T19:04:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow we have his party. He will be 5 can you believe it? Here is the cake I made today.

My Birthday party that everyone at church gave.

2009-11-30T13:55:00.003-05:00

yes we had three cakes!

Our family picture

2009-11-20T17:10:00.001-05:00

One less girl

2009-11-10T14:13:00.003-05:00

My great niece went home today. We will all miss her but I am sure her parents (grandparents) are glad to have her home.

Pix

2009-11-03T13:19:00.001-05:00

Here are some pix of Khloe I posted more on FB

My great niece is here..

2009-10-30T13:14:00.002-04:00

She has been here since Tuesday and will be here few more days. I now have a 2, 3 and 4yo in the house. What fun although an adjustment. She is so much calmer than my boys. It is fun having a little girl in the house. It reminds me of when my older three were little.
I think V took some pix I will post them.

It is a sad day

2009-10-12T17:13:00.000-04:00

HSLDA Senior Counsel Klicka Finishes His Race, Receives the Crown of Life

Surrounded by his family and close friends who gathered by his bed in Colorado, HSLDA Senior Counsel Christopher J. Klicka died peacefully on October 12^th after a 15-year battle against multiple sclerosis. His condition had unexpectedly deteriorated on September 25 during a homeschool conference. (HSLDA)

You can read a wonderful tribute to his life here.

The neglected blog

2009-10-07T08:25:00.002-04:00

Yes I have been neglecting my blog. No one reads it anyway except my daughter so this post is for her. LOL

She is getting her spacers today and braces next week. I am happy for her and anxious for her.
I have not heard from her yet so I guess they are still there.

Molly got spade yesterday. We picked her up this morning. She was SO excited to see us. She is being a good girl right now.

School is going pretty good. I am thankful. I still need to work on some planning stuff but all in all it is going well.

J is working a lot. He has a birthday in 17 days. He will officially be an adult. He is tuning into a wonderful young man. He is also taking 2 classes outside the home which are good for him. It helps him to learn how to mange his time.

C and Ju are growing up. Too fast in my opinion. Ju is talking so much. I can hardly believe how much he says and how many words he puts together. I am so blessed.

We went to the Vance football game Monday night to watch my nephew play. He is really good. He is in 7th grade and I can see him going far. He is a great athlete. I noticed the other night how much he looks like my sister.

I love my sister. We are great friends. I am thankful that God made us sisters.

My baby sister is pregnant. She is 22 and pregnant with her first. She finds out soon what she is having. My thoughts say boy but we shall see. I will keep you informed.

We started school today

2009-08-31T13:49:00.002-04:00

My is it different this year. Jamie is not here. My little ones are much bigger. I feel incompetent at ever. (well that is not different)
Let's focus on the good for today though. I gave C and Ju worksheets this morning. They were so cute doing them. I think Ju is left handed. Then right before nap time I took them out on a nature hunt. I gave them each a small cup and they filled it with nature (leaves, rocks, flowers, sticks and such). It was so cute watching Ju follow C and watching C be so excited about getting stuff. Then we came in and they dumped it on the table and looked at it. They are ready to show daddy when he comes home.
It is cool here today so we have the windows open. That is nice.
I think with S and V I will move slowly into their schooling. Like starting just math and english today then next week adding the history, science and other stuff.
I am so tired. I fell asleep when I was lying Ju down for a nap. (In his toddler bed with him)
Hopefully I won't be as tired tomorrow. I think I will add a walk into our morning.
I am going to have to tweak our morning because we are just too rushed to get started.

Funny cartoon but sadly the way we are headed.

2009-08-29T13:22:00.000-04:00

Ready for school

2009-08-25T17:22:00.002-04:00

Well hopefully.
I have planned. I have made copies. I have gather (and found) the stuff I need. So Monday we will start.
I was panicked because I could not find something I needed. I looked and looked and looked, over and over and over again. Then today, after much prayer, I found it right under my nose. Who would have thought.
I will only have two students this year. Collin won't officially start until next year but we are going to do BFIAR with the younger two. I did print off some papers for them today so hopefully they will feel a part of school. There are a few things I want to accomplish with Collin this year and if I get those done I will be happy.
I would like to get the little ones those big pencils to use. I liked those when I was little. I will have to search around.
So Monday is the day. If you think of us could you please pray for us.

The funniest thing I have ever heard

2009-08-07T13:00:00.001-04:00

In Christ Alone

2009-08-05T20:42:00.002-04:00

We went to a Bright Lights conference last night and today. It was so wonderful. I think I learned as much ore more than my daughter. God really spoke to me while I was there.
This is one of the songs we sang. It is now my favorite song.

From the Past

2009-08-03T16:02:00.002-04:00

A friend posted these on FB so I swiped them. I can't believe my hair was ever that light. I just don't remember that. LOL

Ju's 2nd birthday.

2009-08-01T14:20:00.001-04:00

And the 8 hour cake. LOL

So pondering life here

2009-07-29T14:02:00.002-04:00

We got a phone call last night around 9:30, Chuck's sister had died. Even though she was not in good health because of her diabetes we didn't expect her to die. She had a massive heart attack.

This kind of thing makes me ponder. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow much less our next breath. This was the last of Chuck's family. He has no one left really (well a cousin). So knowing that we are not guaranteed our next breath it makes me wonder how people can go through life all willy nilly not even thinking about eternity. There is an eternity and we all will live forever. It is your choice as to where you live it. Either in heaven with a God who loves you and gave his only son for you or in hell with Satan and his demons in torment/torture forever. Makes me sad. You know Chuck has no assurance that any of his family is in heaven and I have my doubts about some of mine. I also have family still alive that if they didn't get that last breath would not be in heaven. This breaks my heart. They have been told the truth and choose to reject. So now I just pray.

Sorry for my morbid post. Moving on to more morbid but humorous stuff. (well in a way)

Mr Obama is in town today speaking at Kroger. Why Kroger? They are closing down roads and the store for 6 hours to sweep for bombs. I mean really if it takes them 6 hours to look for bombs in that small store I think they need to find a more efficient way of looking for them.

Also I am thinking at his next stop he should speak at an abortion clinic. That way they could shut it down for 6 hours and save some lives.

Oh and one of the secret service guys was in Walgreens. Said he had an upset stomach and was getting some meds. I think if I had to travel with who he did all the time I would have an upset stomach all the time. :-/

Chuck is out there now with signs he made. He has already been interviewed by someone. I hope they politicians listen.

LEAVE MY HEALTH CARE ALONE!!!!!

Working on School

2009-07-27T13:34:00.002-04:00

I am working on getting school stuff together and ordered and ready. I am filling out all the info for our umbrella school and trying to get that turned it. It is odd this year having one less student. I know I have two littles that I will be teaching some things to but not regular students.
So I am cleaning and purging and arranging our school stuff.

I just love Home Schooling. I am so thankful God has led me to this. I could not imagine doing this any other way. Having my kids with me and not with some stranger all day long is such a blessing. And you know what... my kids like it too. They have no desire to go to public school or any school. I am so thankful for that. I am blessed to have these children. Thank you God for my many wonderful blessings.

Well I am rearranging again

2009-07-15T17:24:00.003-04:00

I am driving my kids crazy. Well not V I think she likes it too. But S does not. She said to him this morning life is full of changes get used to it. He said life should not change this much. Then he said I am glad you don't live with a blind person. ROFL

Seriously though this house is so small and we have 7 people in it so I am trying to find the best arrangement to fit our needs and make it not so cluttered. I know there will be clutter with 7 people in this small house but it can at least look a bit less cluttered. Right?

So we will see how I like this arrangement and if not I will change again. Look out S your life may be changing again.

My baby sister is pregnant

2009-07-14T13:31:00.003-04:00

We are all thrilled. She will make a great mother. She has wanted a baby since she got married. She is starting to get morning sickness so pray for her. My other sister gets really sick when pregnant and their mother was really sick with Amber.
I am going to be an aunt again. It needs to be a girl to begin to even out the family. LOL

The war in Iraq is about to end

2009-07-05T17:57:00.003-04:00

The Pentagon announced TODAY the formation of a new 500-man elite fighting unit called the United States Redneck Special Forces (USRSF). These mostly Southern boys will be dropped off into Iraq and will be given only the following facts about terrorists :

1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don't like beer, pickups, country music, or Jesus.
5. They are directly responsible for the death of Dale Earnhardt.

The Pentagon expects the problem in Iraq to be over by Friday ..

Applications are available at your local Wal-Mart sporting goods counter.

4th of July

2009-07-04T18:18:00.002-04:00

We went to the parade this morning. It was nice. Not as big as the Christmas one but still nice. It wasn't very warm outside so that made it nice.
The really nice thing is that most of the floats, including the City Council one, were playing Christian music.
The other nice thing was that we made one of the banners in the parade and several of the car magnets and some of the signs. We should have driven in the parade and advertised our business.

Now to relax. We are getting ready to watch Battlestar Galactica on netflix. FUN!!!

So I'm blogging and no one is reading

2009-07-03T14:21:00.002-04:00

I have been blogging so faithfully this week and hardly any comments. Maybe I should stop blogging. LOL Just kidding I don't blog for the comments.

Last night was so much fun but we were freezing. It was so cold out there. We left at 10:30 the movie probably had an hour to go. Ju was miserable he was so tired and I was worn out. So we left. It is so late. I know they can't show the movie until dark but it makes it hard when you have little ones. I really want to go the next two weeks because we have not seen those movies but I am not sure I will do it again. (in case you missed yesterday's post we went to music and a movie in the park) It was so neat they had this blow up screen for the movie. Neat. Who ever thought of that? LOL

I am so tired today. I have had both little boys sleeping with me for the past three nights so that Chuck could get some rest. He usually takes care of C at night if he gets up since I take care of Ju. So it has been fun and they have not kept me up at all but I am still tired. I think I am just still worn out from vacation.

Oh and here is a wonderful quote that I have as my status on FB:

To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. — Thomas Jefferson

Movie and music in the park

2009-07-02T12:44:00.002-04:00

Tonight at Cumberland Park they are having Christian music starting at 6:30 then the movie Hotle for Dogs after. That sounds like so much fun. I want to go but...it is raining. So it could possibly be canceled. They have this every week but it is not always Christian music. Plus I wonder how you find out what movie is playing.

V is babysitting again today. The lady that lives across the street called and said she is having contrax (she is 34 weeks) so they want her to come in so they can check it out and monitor her. So I am with only 3 children today.

Oh and J was offered a full time position yesterday. They are restructuring some things and it won't be until October but still he was offered. That is wonderful. I told him that people notice a hard worker. I am so proud of my oldest son. He is really turning in to a wonderful godly man.

Qucik update

2009-07-01T09:18:00.004-04:00

Things are ok around here. We are still tired and worn out from vacation.

Yesterday we went to Weaverville, NC. J is taking guitar lessons from Al Petteway. He is so thrilled. J has used some of his instructional videos to learn guitar by. He is J's favorite artist. J had been emailing Al Petteway about something and then sent Al a video of himself playing one of his songs. Al gave back some good constructive criticism and then offered lessons to J. J was thrilled. It is about and hour and a half drive but I told J if he would pay the gas and for the lessons I would drive him.

After the lesson we drove on over to Hendersonville to see some friends. It was so nice to see them it had been too long. We stayed for dinner then started home way too late. LOL

On the way home Ju was pitching a fit. He was screaming for me and wanting out of the car seat. It was sad but he was just being stubborn. After a few stops to deal with his screaming we finally got home bit before 10. I am really working on the two little ones behavior this week. Pray I am consistent. Oh and I am working on training Ju to put himself to sleep for a nap in his baby bed. That's a hard one.

V is baby sitting her cousin today. She had to get up early and be over there before 6:30. I hope all goes well.

I am off to the Vet for Molly's shots.

The life of a mother

2009-06-10T12:39:00.001-04:00

I had read this previously but lost it and today a friend sent it to me again. Enjoy

A 3-year-old tells all from his mother's restroom stall.
By Shannon Popkin

My little guy, Cade, is quite a talker. He loves to communicate and
does it quite well. He talks to people constantly, whether we are in the
library, the grocery store or at a drive-thru window. People often
comment on how clearly he speaks for a just-turned-3-year-old. And you
never have to ask him to turn up the volume. It's always fully cranked.
There have been several embarrassing times that I've wished the meaning
of his words would have been masked by a not-so-audible voice, but never
have I wished this more than last week at Costco.
Halfway, through our shopping trip, nature called, so I took Cade
with me into the restroom. If you'd been one of the ladies in the
restroom that evening, this is what you would have heard coming from the
second to the last stall:
''Mommy, are you gonna go potty? Oh! Why are you putting toiwet
paper on the potty, Mommy? Oh! You gonna sit down on da toiwet paper
now? Mommy, what are you doing? Mommy, are you gonna go stinkies on
the potty?''
At this point I started mentally counting how many women had been in
the bathroom when I walked in.. Several stalls were full ... 4? 5?
Maybe we could wait until they all left before I had to make my debut
out of this stall and reveal my identity. Cade continued:
''Mommy, you ARE going stinkies aren't you? Oh, dats a good girl,
Mommy! Are you gonna get some c andy for going stinkies on the potty?
Let me see doze stinkies, Mommy! Oh ... Mommy! I'm trying to see In
dere. Oh! I see dem. Dat is a very good girl, Mommy. You are gonna get
some candy!''

I heard a few faint chuckles coming from the stalls on either side of
me. Where is a screaming new born when you need her? Good grief. This
was really getting embarrassing. I was definitely waiting a long time
before exiting. Trying to divert him, I said, ''Why don't you look in
Mommy's purse and see if you can find some candy. We'll both have
some!''
''No, I'm trying to see doze more stinkies...Oh! Mommy!''
He started to gag at this point.
''Uh - oh, Mommy. I fink I'm gonna frow up. Mommy, doze stinkies
are making me frow up!! Dat is so gross!!''
As the gags became louder, so did the chuckles outside my stall.. I
quickly flushed the toilet in hopes of changing the subject. I began to
reason with myself: OK. There are four other toilets. If I count four
flushes, I can be reasonably assured that those who overheard this
embarrassing monologue will be long gone.
''Mommy! Would you get off the potty, now? I want you to be done
going stinkies! Get up! Get up!''
He grunted as he tried to pull me off Now I could hear full-blown
laughter. I bent down to count the feet outside my door.
''Oh, are you wooking under dere, Mommy? You wooking under da door?
What were you wooking at? Mommy? You woo king at the wady's feet?''
More laughter. I stood inside the locked door and tried to assess the
situation.
''Mommy, it's time to wash our hands, now. We have to go out now,
Mommy.'' He started pounding on the door. ''Mommy, don't you want to
wash your hands? I want to go out!!''
I saw that my wait 'em out' plan was unraveling. I sheepishly opened
the door, and found standing outside my stall, twenty to thirty ladies
crowded around the stall, all smiling and starting to applaud.
My first thought was complete embarrassment, then I thought, where's
the fine print on the 'motherhood contract' where I signed away every
bit of my dignity and privacy? But as my little boy gave me a big,
cheeky grin while he rubbed bubbly soap between his chubby little hands,
I thought, I'd sign it all away again, just to be known as Mommy to
this little fellow.

(Shannon Popkin is a freelance writer and mother of three She lives
with her family in Grand Rapids , Michigan , where she no longer uses
public restrooms)

Isn't it great to be a parent!!!

Missing my girl

2009-06-08T17:28:00.003-04:00

I am missing my daughter while she is gone. She is such a blessing to me and such a help around here. I don't really realize how much.
I pray she is having a wonderful time and that she is experiencing God in a mighty way.
She is here. I know she will be forever changed by this experience.

We are leaving to go camping on Sunday. I have nothing done. I did start my list today of food stuff. I need to plan meals and then make packing lists. Then actually pack it all after I wash it all up. LOL We are going here. We have been before it is amazing. It is so amazing how God created everything.

Updates

2009-06-01T16:59:00.002-04:00

Judah is doing wonderful not nursing. He is happy and just sits on my lap at night and falls asleep and at nap time just lies on me in the bed to fall asleep. I usually get to nap too that way. LOL
He is growing up way too fast. I am quite sad as I know at my age that another baby might not happen. God is so good to allow me to nurse this long. I prayed so hard to even be able to nurse him and the first year was soooo hard. I prayed God would allow me to get through that year and he did and even beyong. Thank you Lord.

Chloe is doing great. I don't know if I posted on here or not but she is my friends baby. She is in JC children's hospital with a UTI, e-coli and bacterial meningitis. She is so much better and looks wonderful. She is so chunky. She has gained more than a pound since she has been in there. Please keep praying they have 10 more days in the hospital. They live more than 1 1/2 hours from the hospital so Bob (dad) is staying near with the other 4 kids in a motel so please pray for God to continue to provide for their finances. It is amazing how God has been providing even meals.

A new pic of Molly and some of my boys...

2009-05-28T16:10:00.003-04:00

Sad a chapter comes to an end...

2009-05-26T12:38:00.003-04:00

You know your life is like chapters or seasons. When some come to an end you are happy and thrilled but others you are sad. This is a sad chapter that has come to an end.

I have weaned Judah. I know there are some who don't believe or are just misinformed that extended breastfeeding is wrong. (although I don't consider almost 2 extended breastfeeding) I guess they just have not done any research and checked into all the benefits of it. But all that aside I weaned Judah on Sunday because of some health reasons that I need to take care of.

When he woke from his nap on Sunday I got him up instead of lying with him to nurse. He was ok but a bit grumpy about that. He asked to nurse several times and I said no. I told him I thought the milk was yucky anyway, I had been telling him for days that when you get to be a big boy the milk gets yucky. So he asked again and I said do you want to try it? He said yes so I swiped it with vinegar and let him try. He didn't like it and said no, no. He was ok just sad about it. Then a bit later he asked for the other side. I said I think it is yucky too but you can try. So I swiped that side and he tried and cried. It was sad but he was ok. At bed time he didn't ask but kept pulling on my shirt saying no, no, no.

Then in the middle of the night he asked again and I reminded him it was yucky. He kept asking nicely and I said you can try so I swiped again and he just smelled and turned over going no no no. Then he went back to sleep.

Last night at bedtime he asked for the boppy and I had V get it then when I put it on my lap he backed up saying no, no, no. I said you don't have to nurse you can just lie on it so he did and fell asleep.

Today at nap time is a whole nother story. He is NOT going to sleep although if he shut his eyes for a second he would fall over. I even took the TV in my room and put Little Bear on so he could watch and go to sleep. He is still up and J is with him now. Hopefully he will fall asleep soon.

So all in all it went well. I am sad. He could possibly be my last baby and nursing him was so special for both of us.

Our new family member

2009-05-08T12:47:00.002-04:00

Isn't she cute? Her name is Molly (as of right now LOL) I told the kids I wanted to name her marbles because of her coloring then when I lost her I could say I lost my marbles. LOL
She is half Australian Shepherd and half Border Collie. So she should be a smart dog if trained.

Ok kind of dark but still cute

2009-05-06T20:10:00.003-04:00

Every night when Judah wants to nurse to sleep this is what he does. He points to what he wants then says and signs please then give me a kiss. It is so cute and sweet.

Cute picture

2009-05-06T15:34:00.001-04:00

He looks like a little boy and not a baby. :(

Hair cut

2009-04-30T17:45:00.002-04:00

before
the hair
after

He has so much hair and he was so hot outside. I decided to cut it and not make him suffer because I thought his haircut was cute.

Beautiful

2009-04-17T13:16:00.001-04:00

This is from a friend's blog. I am posting here with her permission. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever read and expresses my heart. Enjoy.

Something I wrote 9-16-06

Wouldn’t it be nice…

If things could only be exactly the way we want them?

I don’t really thing I want that much in life. I just want a peaceful life with little bits of excitement here and there. Something like a plain doughnut with just a thin layer of chocolate frosting and a sprinkle of nuts on top. I want to eat off of real glass plates and have the time and energy to wash them. I want the wind to only blow hard on days that I don’t have to go outside. I want my family to have time to pop in occasionally for a cup of coffee or hot tea. Of course I want the house spick and span and some lovely smelling treat baking in the oven when they come. I want the older children to always remember their chores with prompt cheerfulness and to chip in a little extra every day. I want the little ones to always play quietly and peacefully in the house and use all their extra energy outside in constructive play, rather than running 110mph inside scattering toys like a hurricane and them finding paint outside to decorate the house or baptizing the kittens in the stock tank…

I want to always be a few minutes early for everything, looking my best with the children all in coordinating outfits and smiles.

I want to never have to remind my husband of anything and I want to always feel like I’m his most cherished love.

I want a self cleaning toilet that never gets plugged up (that’s self-cleaning, inside and out!). As a matter-of-a-fact, I’d like the tub and sink that way too!

I want to be able to have a dozen or so babies 2 or 3 years apart and never have a contraction until about 39 weeks and just pop a healthy baby out after less than 6 hours of handle-able labor, and to have had enough energy through the pregnancy to have 6 weeks worth of yummy food in the freezer so I can rest and enjoy the new little one with my family.

Well… I guess we can’t always have everything we want, realistic or not, so I’ll just be thankful for; the peaceful moments, the gentle breezes, the few visits we receive, the spurts of energy that help me keep the house tolerably clean, the energetic young’ns and the fact that the whole house will get new siding one of these days, kittens are resilient creatures, better late than never and most of our friends don’t care if we have the stains on our clothes and leftovers on little cheeks… Thankful for a hubby who provides well and makes a real effort to be with us as much as he can, the toilet plunger, brush and bleach, for shower curtains to cover the tub…, and for the opportunity to have had 6 beautiful babies that eventually grow into children that sometimes remember to clean up after an experiment in the kitchen.

(4-15-09 BTW the house still doesn’t have new siding, but we now laugh about the special little “paint job”…)

Birthday boy through the years

2009-04-10T21:22:00.002-04:00

Can you believe he will be 4 on Sunday?

Life

2009-04-09T13:36:00.002-04:00

You know blogging seemed so much easier in theory than in practice. Life just kind of gets in the way. So here is a brief update of what's going on.
Sunday is C's birthday. He will be 4. I can't believe it. He is so smart and so rotten.
His first name means victorious and his middle name means wished for. My how this baby was wished for for so many years. And God gave a victory when he was conceived and born. I am amazed at the miracles of God every time I look at him. He is such a blessing to us.
I don't know how anyone could reject these blessings. God calls children a blessing and money a curse. I think in this country we have it backward. We pray for curses and reject blessings. Sad but true.

So today we went to get him a b-day present. I didn't get one because I need to get it at the mall. I also got stuff to put in the Easter eggs since Sunday is also Easter. He will have such a good time hunting eggs.

I am also going to let the littles color eggs for the first time. What fun. Oh I meant to get disposable cups for that. I guess it is back to the store. LOL

I am cooking on Sunday too. We are not having dinner at church as most people are going to eat with family so I am cooking. One of my sisters is coming over. She is supposed to go to church with us too.

Oh I am making C a Scoop cake. Ok it is not really scoop but it is a back hoe. If you don't know who scoop is you need to watch Bob the Builder. You can see the cake and recipe here. Here is a pic of the finished cake.
I think he will LOVE it. I have done several different cakes for him. Last year was cars and the year before was a train. The train is my favorite. Looks yummy. We will see how it looks after I do it. LOL

Today is a pretty day so we are going to hunt eggs with our neighbor. They have two kids about the age of my two youngers. It should be fun. They love to go over there and play. They have the coolest toys.

School it going pretty good. Even as hard as it is some days and even on days I don't think I am doing my kids justice I love homeschooling. I love having them with me and not off for someone else to raise. I am so blessed to be able to have them home all day every day. God is so good.

I am selling books online which is fun and exciting and now I have money to buy more. LOL

Hmm I guess that is all that is new from the Stone home. Just keep tuned in for pics of the b-day boy through the years.
Blessings to all my friends.

Here is what I did today

2009-04-04T11:22:00.002-04:00

And I am exhausted now.

I feel like I must explain the napkins..

2009-04-01T12:25:00.002-04:00

In the last post the first pic of us at dinner shows us with the napkins around our neck. We ate at Christianna Campbells. A period correct restaurant. It is great and the workers play the roles well. This was George Washington's favorite restaurant and he loved seafood so they serve mostly seafood.
Now on to the napkins. Way back when they did not wash their clothes very often so when they ate they would put their napkin around their necks so that when /if they dropped food their clothes would stay clean.
Now you know the rest of the story. LOL

Williamsburg

2009-03-31T19:56:00.004-04:00

We had a great time in Williamsburg. We were there a whole week with the MOMYS group. MOMYS stands for mothers of many young siblings so there were mostly big vans. You can look them up at www.momys.com. (I have no idea why that is showing up as a link???)We were there a week.(Friday to Friday) There was cable in the place we stayed and we were mesmerized and shocked to say the least. LOL There were a lot of fun activities planned like the girls tea party and colonial dancing. We had tours given every day by Pete Olsen of Vision Heirs minsitries. His site is www.visionheirs.com. We did some things in costume but it rained the first 5 days we were there and it was cold so we didn't wear costumes to the tours.
It was a great time and great fellowship.
Here are some pictures.Some of the parents at dinner.
Savannah and I at the ATGT.
Before we left for the Parents night out dinner.
Collin helping load the cannon/mortar at Yorktown.

Pete speaking to our group at Yorktown. It is so nice to get the Christian perspective of history.

Red Envelope Day...Please participate

2009-03-29T16:46:00.003-04:00

I know this is late notice but you can do it online at this address http://www.redenvelopeday.com/send.html

http://www.RedEnvelopeDay.com; Get red envelopes or postcards (http://www.zazzle.com/RedEnvelopeDay) and mail them on March 31st to the White House

When:
March 31st, 2009

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion.
It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world.

We will mail the envelopes out March 31st, 2009.

Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this event to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died [in the U.S.] before having a chance to live.

It may seem that those who believe abortion is wrong are in a minority. It may seem like we have no voice and it's shameful to even bring it up. Let us show our President and the world that the voices of those of us who do not believe abortion is acceptable are not silent and must be heard.

Together we can change the heart of The President and save the lives of millions of children.

The event wall is not for discussion regarding the abortion issue. If you don't agree with this event or what it stands for please do not attend.

Wall posts may be deleted for any reason.

Thank you.

Barack Obama spoke at a Planned Parenthood Action Fund event, uttering the now infamous line, "Well, the first thing I'd do as president is, is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. [Applause.] That's the first thing that I'd do."

An empty red envelope will send a message to President Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue [The Freedom of Choice Act, which will essentially “undo” every law currently in place to limit abortion in the U.S. (i.e., parental consent laws, parental notification, waiting periods, prohibition of transporting a minor girl across state lines to obtain an abortion, etc.)]. It will be quiet, but clear.

Please read more about The Freedom of Choice Act here:

http://www.lifenews.com/nat4359.html

http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/22/obama_statement_on_35th_annive.php

http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/2008/07/one_year_annive.html

http://www.RedEnvelopeDay.com (read less)
What:
Get red envelopes or postcards (http://www.zazzle.com/RedEnvelopeDay) and mail them on March 31st to the White House

When:
March 31st, 2009

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion.
It is empty because the life that was taken is... (read more)
Mission:: To send as many Red Envelopes / Postcards to the White House on March 31st as possible.
Products:: http://www.zazzle.com/RedEnvelopeDay*
http://www.RedEnvelopeDay.com/send.html

We are home

2009-03-20T19:00:00.001-04:00

We are home from Williamsburg. We had a great time. I will post pix and hopefully some video later.
I am so glad to be home. It was a nice week with great fellowship but there is nothing like being in your own home.
Thank you God for this home you have graciously given us.

My Eagle Scout

2009-02-23T15:55:00.001-05:00

Here are some pictures of my Eagle Scout. We had his Banquet on Saturday night. It went really well.
This is the man that J gave his mentor pin to.
Us right before he was given his award.
Getting his award.
A pic of the yummy cake
Both of the eagles. This is J's friend who also received Eagle at this banquet.

So I know that...

2009-02-16T19:25:00.001-05:00

Yesterday's post was whiny. I didn't really mean to sound whiny. I didn't feel whiny. I am really OK with the spot the Lord has me in right now. I am so busy with little ones and school I don't really have much time for anything else.
Thanks for all the wonderful words of encouragement and advice I got from my wonderful friends and my beautiful daughter.
I am a very blessed woman. I feel so blessed every day that sometimes it overwhelms me. Thank you God for my many blessings.

Fitting in

2009-02-15T19:26:00.000-05:00

I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I don't really fit in anywhere. I don't have a close friend near by. I have a few close long distance friends, maybe that is why because we are not near. I have prayed for years for a close friend but God has not sent one. I don't know why but that is ok. I have a lot on my plate with little ones and schooling. But back to fitting in I just don't fit in anywhere. I think I would like to but most days it really doesn't bother me. I have never really fit in for long anywhere. Plus when I was younger I made a lot of mistakes trying to fit in. So I am not sure fitting in is all it's cracked up to be.
Of course I have to wonder if it is me. Especially when I have a hormonal emotional week like last week. I mean why does no one want more than friendly surface conversation. I want deep meaty conversation. I want someone I can tell my deepest fears and desires. I want someone I can call at the drop of a hat, or they can call me, and we would be there for each other.
I guess people are just busy.
I am really ok with not having a close friend but sometimes I wonder...

Life

2009-02-11T10:51:00.000-05:00

Life just goes on day after day. It seems to pass by so quickly. Kids grow so fast. The time I think I have to do things just disappears before I get a chance to do anything. I wonder when I am older what my regrets will be. I wonder if I will regret that day(s) that I didn't get the house as clean as I would have liked. I think in the end the house will be the last of my regrets. I think that I will regret the time that I didn't take to dance with my little ones or laugh with my older ones. I think the things of this world that are temporal will mean nothing. The lives of my children, which are eternal, will mean EVERYTHING.
I hate the days when my focus is off and I am too serious. I don't want to be serious all the time. I don't want it all to be about the supposed "urgent" things. Because you know in the end those things are not really all that urgent anyway.
So if you are reading this take the time today to laugh and dance with your children. They don't stay children for very long.

Today has been hard

2009-02-05T14:20:00.001-05:00

You know today has been a hard day. For many reasons I will not go into all of them but one is that Judah is VERY fussy. But there are other things that have compounded that. In all of that I just keep thinking how happy I am to be a mother. I love being a mother. All I have ever wanted to do was be a mother. It is the most wonderful, rewarding and hardest job I have ever had. I have some wonderful children who care about me and want to help me. I love them so much. They bless me daily in some way or another.
I LOVE BEING A MOTHER! There is no other place in this world I would rather be right now than right here with my 5 children.
Thank you God for your many blessings.

Sad news

2009-02-03T13:06:00.001-05:00

Sad News

With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world
at the moment, it is
worth reflecting on the death of a very important person,
which almost went unnoticed recently.

Larry LaPrise, the man that wrote "The Hokey Pokey" died
peacefully at the age of 93. The most traumatic part for
his family was getting him into the
coffin. They put his left leg in. And then the trouble
started.

Hush up. You know it's funny.

Ponderings

2009-02-02T12:12:00.000-05:00

So much has transpired in the past less than 24 hours that it has made me think.
As the years go by I think of certain parenting times that might be harder than the others. Like a collicky baby is hard to deal with, the terrible twos and threes are hard. Then there is the teen years. They are trying to grow up and assert themselves and you are trying to guide and let go at the same time.
But although I don't have a grown child yet I can see, because of others experiences that that may be the hardest time. I am sure as they mature into older adults it probably gets easier but the 20's are probably going to be different. Maybe not awful, maybe they will still respect their God given authority but maybe they will look more to the world than God and their authority.

Is this a reflection on our parenting skills? As parents (Or at least I do) we tend to think that all our children's behavior is our fault. But is it? I mean they are born with a sin nature. We can help them control that. We can help them recognize that. We can guide them to a closer walk with God and while some of their bad choice will reflect our parenting I just can't think all of it will.

Sometimes we let go too soon and put them in the world when they are not ready and peers tend to guide their decisions. Sometimes we hold on too tight and don't let them experience the world as we choose and under our guidance so when they do get out they are floored and just blow with the wind.

There is a fine line for us parents and you know what we will not get it right all the time. We will fail and we will sin and we will make wrong parenting decisions.
So will our children as they reach adulthood. My prayer is that my children, even though not perfect and they will make mistakes and they might even choose something different than we would, my prayer is that they walk with God on a daily basis and that as we transistion to this role of adulthood we also transistion to the relationship of friends as well as parent and child.

I am home alone

2009-01-25T09:51:00.000-05:00

Chuck took all the kids to church and I stayed home because I am still not feeling well. It is so quiet here. I am never away from Ju and I am praying he does well at church today. He still nurses quite a bit but if he is out and busy he can hopefully stay distracted.
I think I am going to go read my bible and then take a nice long bath. (wish I had some Epsom salts) Then maybe watch a movie.
I can talk a bit better than yesterday but still not much of a voice. I am hoping that with no one here I can rest it and it will not hurt as bad as it did by yesterday evening.
I hope you have a blessed Sunday.

Feeling sick

2009-01-24T16:02:00.001-05:00

I have no voice today. It sounds really funny when I do try to talk. I didn't really feel that bad earlier but I am tired and not feeling that great now. I may stay home tomorrow. I have not been to church the past two weeks and it looks like I may miss tomorrow too. This morning I thought I would be ok to go but as time went on I felt worse so I think staying home may be the best thing. We stay most of the afternoon at our church so I know I would not be feeling well.
I also didn't get a nap today. Not something I get much with two little ones anyway.
So now I am cooking supper and wasting time. We are having a big pot of brown beans (and leftovers will go to church tomorrow) and cornbread. It was easy and sounded yummy. I started them when I felt better earlier.
So now I just keep taking my colloidal silver and maybe some elderberry. Although tonight I will take some tussin dm to keep the coughing down. Although I am not coughing much during the day yet.

My day has been unproductive other wise. I sat and watched the Duggar family first season. What a fun show. I love their family.

My beautiful great niece

2009-01-23T11:55:00.000-05:00

I had my great niece for a while last night. Girls sure are much calmer then boys. LOL
She is such a cutie and so loving.

Cute pictures

2009-01-22T12:48:00.001-05:00

I came home from a baby shower last Wednesday and this is what Ju had on. Chuck had taken them shopping for sleepers for Ju and this is what he got. Isn't this the cutest thing?

S's schooling must have been boring. LOL

He LOVES to wear a coat as you can see from the pix above too.

Fun in the snow..

2009-01-19T11:09:00.000-05:00

We have snow today. The kids are so excited. Ju and C are having a blast. Here are a couple pics that were just so cute.

Today's party

2009-01-17T17:44:00.000-05:00

Today we had V a birthday party with friends. It was so nice. Girl parties are sooo much different than boy parties. Boys are loud and active. Girls are talkative but quiet and calm. They just go in the room and talk mostly.
It was a nice day. V has some really nice friends. She is blessed.
Here is V with her friend K. They have known each other for about 11 years. I will post more pictures when I get them uploaded.

Birthday pix

2009-01-16T13:09:00.000-05:00

V got a camera and that chair and that hat. This is my baby sister with V. She has already taken 250 pics. lol

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

2009-01-15T10:48:00.000-05:00

Today is my beautiful daughter's birthday. She is 13. I can hardly believe that my only (so far) daughter is 13. I remember when she was born. I didn't know if I was having a boy or girl and when they said girl I just cried. She was so chubby and so cute. She has grown into a beautiful young lady but not only on the outside on the inside too. She has a big loving heart. She is very outgoing and makes friends easily. She is also a very devoted friend to the friends she has.
She is becoming my right hand around the home. She takes great care of her little brothers and loves them very much.
I am very blessed to have her in my life. Thank you God.

How night weaning is going

2009-01-12T18:49:00.000-05:00

Great. Saturday night he only cried a couple of times. Sunday night he did not cry at all. He did wake up several times then he asked to nurse around 6:00 I held him off until 7. I really wanted to wait until daylight but I decided not too. But he is doing great. I can't believe it. So my next challenge is to move him out of my bed and in with someone else. (wonder who that will be? LOL)
I am so pleased he is doing so well and not upset. I prayed a lot about it and God really answered.

I am trying to night wean

2009-01-10T14:35:00.000-05:00

So I started last night. It was not as bad as I worked myself up to think it could be but it was pretty bad. I did not give in. But Ju was up from 12 to 1:30 and then again at 2:45 and then again at 4:45 then again at 6:30. Then when he woke at daylight I said good morning would you like to nurse and he did and we slept until 10.
I am so tired today. What really raked on my nerves last night was his crawling on my head. I thought I was going to lose my mind. He also would not sleep unless he was lying across my neck. Which made breathing and swallowing quite hard. I can hardly function today but I know that I need to be consistent, three days, or nights in this case, is all it takes. I was consistent last night but I need a nap today. I can't even think straight and am not too nice to be around.
Next will be training him to put himself to sleep for naps and then sleeping in his own bed, or in this case with someone else.
So if you are reading this and think of us please pray. We need it. Ju is very very strong willed. But mom is stronger even if she is exhausted.

And I almost forgot, only 7 days

2009-01-08T15:01:00.000-05:00

And my beautiful daughter will be 13. I love her so much. She is not only lovely on the outside she is lovely on the inside too. God has great plans for her.

All my children...

2009-01-08T14:54:00.000-05:00

Watching Signing Time. They love it and are pretty good at sign language.
These next two are taken at our friends house. They live in NC and have some beautiful scenery even in the rain.

He misses his wagon. We have not been able to use it because the weather has been cold.

Only 12 days

2009-01-03T09:57:00.000-05:00

In 12 days my only daughter (so far) will be 13. She is quite a lovely young lady. I am so blessed to have her. She is my right hand most days. I don't know what I would do without her. It is so fun to have a girl in the house. I LOVE my boys and they are a riot but girls are different. It is nice to have a soul mate in the house. Someone who thinks like me and feels like me. Here is a few pictures of her. I am hoping to do a whole set of pictures of her over the years on her birthday if I can get them scanned. But for now here are just a few.

Another Year

2009-01-01T07:51:00.000-05:00

It is 2009. Another year has come and gone. I have nothing wise or deep to say.
My children are growing up. My oldest will be 18 this year, my only girl will be 13 in just a few days, my second son will be 15 and my babies will be 4 and 2. How does time fly so fast? I get the same 24 hour days as anyone else but they just seem to fly by.

I remember when I was a child sitting around talking to my friend about how FAR away the year 2000 was. Talking about how old we would be when that year came. Well now it is 2009 and the time from then to now was not as long as my young mind thought.

As I get older and realize that life changes it makes me ponder more. I do LOVE watching my children grow up. Watching them learn and mature. Watching them grow closer to God in ways I never dreamed of when I was that age. Watching my younger two learn and discover. I am so thankful to God for my toddlers it makes the olders growing up easier for me. Also watching my older 3 with my younger 2 is such a blessing.

I feel very blessed. Last year was full of challenges and blessings. I am sure this year will be the same. The challenges grow us and draw us closer to God. The blessings help us to feel God's love when it can feel so distant at times.

May you all have a wonderful and blessed New Year. May God shower you with blessings of peace and comfort.

Backache

2008-12-31T12:52:00.000-05:00

I woke up yesterday with my back hurting and it only got worse. At one point I could not get up. I was hoping for a good nights sleep last night so I would hopefully feel better today. Well no such "luck". Judah didn't sleep well and so I didn't sleep well. So today I am still hurting as bad as yesterday. I really don't have time for this. I have so much to do today. I am having my sister for lunch tomorrow. I really would like to be able to spend more time with my family. Both my younger sisters work so it is really hard to get that chance. I did get the tree down with J's help. He is such a great help to me I miss him when he is working.

J does seem to like his job. Not what he wants to do with his life but ok for a first job. He has been working 35 hours a week but that is getting ready to get cut drastically now that Christmas is over. Which means his money will be much less. He will like being home more though. He misses us. Isn't it wonderful that my 17yo son misses his family and wants to be with us?

Here is a poem my son wrote

2008-12-30T09:26:00.000-05:00

My son wrote this for me several years ago. I am so blessed.

Mother

Mother, you always get up out of bed
To fix us breakfast or fix us bread
Just want you to know how much we appreciate
Everything you do and say

You always provide us luscious suppers
Chicken Tettrazini, and many more
Beef stew with cornbread, each better than the other
Your meals make our taste buds soar

You do laundry when you're having a bad day
You do lost of chores but you don't complain
You do more than you should ever have to
You're the best mom in the world and we love you

Isn't he handsome

2008-12-28T16:04:00.000-05:00

Don't tell him I posted this.

Can you see a difference?

2008-12-28T15:51:00.000-05:00

After.
Before

Ok I have lost some weight. I don't know how much as I haven't kept track. But I am several sizes smaller. Here are some pictures for you to compare. Ok so not the best pictures for comparing but for some reason my daughter only takes pix of me when I am sitting. LOL
Can you see a difference? The last pic is when Collin was about the same age Judah is now.
It is amazing how much weight you can lose when you can't eat sugar, bread or carbs.
Now I just need to get back to T-Tapping and get in shape.

WONDERFUL!!!

2008-12-25T14:59:00.000-05:00

Christmas was wonderful. I surprised all my older kids which is quite hard to do. I got some wonderful presents. I got clothes and kitchen stuff and 3 willow tree figurines. I just love the Willow Tree stuff. If you go to this link you can see them. I got Child of My Heart, Mother and Daughter and Cherish. I am sooooo thrilled. I have wanted these for a long time. My dh is so good to me.
My little two are having a blast. The biggest hit was the bubble mower. I got each of them one so now they can crash each other with them. LOL
Christmas is so fun when you have little ones.
C the 3yo woke at 3 am. I am guessing dh took him to the sofa where I found him at 6:30 happily playing with the toys from one of the stockings (Ju's). Between 9:30 and 10 he was very whiny so I sent him to bed and he slept until 2. He is now halfway watching Kung Fu Panda and playing with toys.

I made dinner and my mother and her friend came and ate with us. It was so nice. Dinner was good too. I cheated and ate whatever I wanted. It tasted sooo good.

I hope you all have a Blessed Christmas and New Year.

Applesauce fun

2008-12-23T08:50:00.000-05:00

Judah likes to feed himself. LOL

More More Fun

2008-12-22T08:18:00.000-05:00

Click to enlarge

More Fun

2008-12-22T08:17:00.000-05:00

Fun

2008-12-22T08:15:00.001-05:00

A Christmas Carol

2008-12-13T13:51:00.001-05:00

Missing people

2008-12-09T20:10:00.001-05:00

Ok so I heard the Christmas Shoes song tonight. It is V's favorite song but it makes me cry. Probably because I have lost a mother and fathers.
So it got me to thinking how much I miss my step mom. She has been dead over 21 years. She died in child birth. Since I am missing her so much here are some memories I have of her.

She loved Christmas. She did everything she could to make it special for us. She would buy us gifts and try very hard to surprise us. She would wrap the presents so beautiful. They looked like you had paid a pro to wrap them. I used to ask her why she did that since we were going to rip them open on Christmas morning, but she didn't care she wanted them to look beautiful.

We also always got a live tree. I hated going to pick out the tree. It was always cold but she loved it and loved getting just the right one and then decorating it.

I loved my step mother very much but you know I don't think she knew that. I mean I know she knew I loved her but I was sometimes a bratty rebellious teen. Of course when she was pregnant with my little sister I was older and married so we had a good relationship then. I wish I had been more grateful and nicer when I was younger.

She was a lot of fun. Very easy to play a prank on and such a good sport. She loved the beach and we went every year. We would have so much fun on vacation.

She always made sure we had the nicest clothes and the newest fashion. She worked very hard, swing shift too which was hard on her body.

When she was pregnant with my little sister she was very sick with morning sickness. I was planning my wedding during this time. She was so excited to help. She was like a little kid planning it. She even found the dress for me before I ever went looking. You know she was right it was the perfect dress when I saw it I knew.
The day of my wedding she was well enough to attend and even have a good time. I am so thankful for that. We did some of the planning from her bed because the morning sickness was so bad.

I miss her some times so much. She loved children and would have loved all the grandchildren. I can imagine how much she would spoil them.
This time of year makes me miss her even more because Christmas was so special to her.

Take the time to spend extra time with loved ones this Christmas and let them know how you feel before it is too late.

Christmas

2008-12-09T15:44:00.000-05:00

I love Christmas. I love buying gifts for people. I love to get that special gift that they didn't expect or sometimes even know they wanted. LOL

We are reading an advent story for Christmas, Jotham's Journey. (You can buy it at CBD or Library and Educational Services) He has written three of them. He also has (though they are out of print right now) Bartholemew's Passage and Tabitha's Travels. These are great stories that tell the Christmas story with a bit of fiction about a child's adventure. Then there is a small devotional after to point you to Jesus and the meaning of the season. We love it here. The only sad thing this year is J is working through most of them and missing the story. Although he has heard it several times. We read one of them every year and just rotate. I forget how the stories go but the kids remember them quite well every year.

We are going to see the Christmas lights at the race track on Thursday. There are millions of lights and this is one of our Christmas traditions. We love to look at lights.

I am praying J does not have to work Christmas Eve as our tradition is to go to my mom's on that evening. Maybe we could change it to lunch instead of dinner if he has to work. He would be sad if he had to work.
His job is going well. He likes it pretty good. I would have LOVED to make that much money at his age. I guess cost of living is more now but really I mean what does he have to pay, well except what he is going to pay us.

If I don't get back here before Christmas I want to wish everyone that reads my blog a Merry Christmas. May the Lord bless you this coming year.

A Christmas Story by my favorite Author

2008-12-04T14:09:00.000-05:00

Ok sorry about the formatting. For some reason it won't copy over correctly and I don't have the time to fix it.

Christmastime
By: J
Snowflakes floated to the ground in gentle spiraling circles as I gazed out the living room window on Christmas Eve. Tomorrow was the big day; I had all my presents wrapped and neatly stacked under the tree. Everything was as it should be.
My sister came in and sat down beside me.
“It’s magical isn’t it?”
“It sure is,” I replied. “Do you have all your gifts wrapped?”
“Sure do, I can’t wait for tomorrow. I’ll be delighted to see everyone’s face as they open my gifts.”
“Same here—you know—when I was young, Christmas was all about me. Sure, I realized that it was a time to celebrate Jesus’ birth, but everything else revolved around me and my presents.”
The snow now blanketed the ground in a soft white veil of snow.
“I know what you mean,” my sister said. “Truthfully I still like to get presents, but I find more joy in seeing others cherish what I have given them.”
“I understand, I love to receive presents as well, but giving them away and seeing others enjoy them brings me the greater pleasure.”
“It is like a never ending circle,” she observed. “I enjoy what you give me and you enjoy my happiness you in turn enjoy my present and I cherish seeing you happy.”
“Exactly,” I said, “it is a simple, but profound thought. But, there is another side to the coin. What if you give a gift to someone who cannot give one back?”
She replied without hesitation, “that person will cherish that present even more, knowing that someone gave without expecting anything in return.”
“Also,” I added, “you are happier because that person truly appreciates the gift.”
The ground was now covered in three inches of sparkling white snow.
“You want some hot chocolate?” I asked.
“Sure,” she replied.
I prepared the hot chocolate then sat down.
“So what did you get mom for Christmas?” I asked as I took a sip of the steaming liquid.
It slithered down my throat coating the back of it with chocolate; suffusing my throat with warmth. I smiled as I returned the cup to the table and waited for my sister’s answer.
“A pair of leather gloves…and what did you get mom?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye.
“A hat and scarf,” I laughed because she knew exactly what I had gotten our mother, she knitted the hat and scarf herself.
We returned to the living room and after a few minutes of silence I asked my sister,
“Would you like to dance?”
“As a matter of fact I would.”
I put in a Christmas CD and we danced three times to “O Come All Ye Faithful”.
After dancing, I saw that the snow covered the ground at least five inches, so my sister suggested we go sledding. After dressing for the “occasion”, as she called it, we retrieved the sled and spent hours playing in the snow. We went sledding, we had a snowball fight that lasted an hour and even made a giant snowman. Once back inside the house I said,
“You know something, I believe we have just given each other an early Christmas present.
“Really?” my sister looked at me quizzically, “what present would that be?”
“It would be…a deeper friendship. Merry Christmas sis.”

Rambles

2008-11-30T17:28:00.001-05:00

If you don't want to read a bunch of boring rambles you can stop now.
Nothing earth shattering just thoughts.

We have been sick since Nov 6th. It started with Collin and has just cycled. I am so tired of it. I hate that my babies are sick. Since it had not been so long since the whooping cough and they were still coughing from it a little this respiratory junk has triggered the whooping cough cough again. I hate it. It is so scary when the little ones cough like that and can't get their breath. It is not as bad as when they had the whooping cough as far as duration. Actually I feel like we have been sick for a year. I know there has been some well times but they were short lived. :(

Yesterday and today were nice. Chuck hardly went to the shop at all. He stayed inside and helped with stuff inside. It was nice.

Oh we decorated the tree today. Remind me to never buy a pre-lighted tree again. Some of the lights have not worked and more are not working this year. So I just bought lights to put on the tree. This has not been a good tree. Oh and most of the ornaments are on the top of the tree so they are out of little hands reach. LOL

J is working again tonight. He closes again, that means he gets off at 10:30. He seems to like it. We went there shopping last night, so we got to see him working.

I am going to go through the toys before Christmas and see what I can get rid of. I hate to add to what we have.

Chores are confusing around here now that J is working. We are going to have to work out a system when he is not here.

I wonder how school will work with J working. He works next week two day shifts. Of course he does school on his own but I would love to get up and do bible and WB's before he leaves.

If you think of him would you pray for him. He is out in the world and of course exposed to some worldly stuff. He is a great kid so I trust him but it is hard to be bombarded with that stuff.

I am done shopping except for getting a gift certificate at a local restaurant for someone. I have most things here wrapped. I am not sure if I am going to put them under the tree or not. I am afraid the littles may decide to unwrap some. :(

Well if you read this far then thanks for staying with me.

Christmas Fun

2008-11-26T10:03:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Miracles

2008-11-20T13:37:00.000-05:00

Do you believe in miracles? I do. I know that God still performs miracles. I have two children that are miracles from God. I have a friend whose son (Canyon) is here because of a miracle from God. I could go on and on. I think pregnancy and childbirth in themselves are a miracle from God.
But there is another miracle that I want to talk about, my brother. When he was a baby he almost died from meningitis. God spared his life though, why? He has rejected God all of his life. Saying he would never attend church and for the past 51+ years he has held true to that. But God is bigger than my brother's will. My brother has been attending church for the past few months and is now talking about getting saved. This my friends is a miracle. Please keep him and his family in prayer, his name is Mike.
I love my brother very much and want to spend eternity with him in heaven.

The C years!

2008-11-17T15:55:00.000-05:00

My Baby!

2008-11-17T14:15:00.000-05:00

Created by V.

My wonderful/horrible day

2008-11-15T08:08:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my birthday. I got up like any other day and cleaned. (we had just gotten back from out of town the evening before) I had to adjust a few attitudes from my children. I was thinking you should not have to parent on your birthday.
We had friends coming over from NC to celebrate with us, that was nice. Chuck was gone most of the day working. (He was not supposed to work that much on my birthday)
So here comes the horrible part, that stuff above was only annoying and plain not horrible. S&S (our friends) got here (they brought some sign stuff). They all unloaded the truck and gave my my gift. (Colloidal Silver btw which I won't have to spend our fortune on, she makes it)
C would not quit crying. I mean really crying hard. We tried everything even discipline and he would not stop. Chuck took him to the bedroom to talk to him to find out what was wrong. He called me in there because he could not understand him. I could not either he was crying so hard. Well at that point he started coughing then threw up. I am thinking how nice, a mom should not have to clean up throw up on her birthday.
We all continued and got ready and left for my dinner, Olive Garden. About halfway there I heard C in the back throw up again. We brought a trash can but there was no warning so J could not catch it. We traded seats because J did not want to deal with this, I mean who does. Well being the smart experienced mom that I am I forgot a change of clothes. :( We pulled over and I tried to clean him up but it was all over his pants, shirt, car seat, our car, the coat that was in the floorboard.
S&S offered to take C home and care for him while we went and had a nice dinner. Chuck said he would take C home and care for him while we all went on. I am thinking let's just go home and do this another time. I mean he is sick and I am a mom and want to care for him.
At this point Chuck is out of the van on the phone. Well everyone except C and I are out, they had had enough of the smell. lol
Chuck came back to the car and said let's just go on and I will sit in the car with C. I said no let's just go home. He said in a very firm voice, No we have to go now. So we went. I sat in the back with C hoping he did not throw up on me again. I had taken his pants off because they were covered so he was lying down covered with a blanket.
We got to Olive Garden and J stayed in the car for a minute while Chuck took us in and I washed up. When I came out of the bathroom J was inside with C and C had new clothes on. I thought this was odd. Then we walked right by all the waiting people. I didn't think much of it because I was so focused on a sick child. When we got around the corner into the back room my whole family was there to surprise me. I was shocked. It was so nice and so fun. Even my brother was there. (oh and God is working in his life which is a miracle, but that is another blog post)
We had a nice dinner. C did not throw up again but did look quite pale.
I hope what ever he had it was not contagious as if it was my whole family probably will get it.
We had a wonderful time. Everyone was so sweet to put this together for me. My little sister Amber got there and 5:30 to hold the tables. We did not get there until 6:30 so they had quite a wait. She also got me purple balloons, purple is my favorite color.
So what started out as plain and turned to horrible ended up wonderful.

*edited to add*my sister's dh left and bought C some clothes and while I was washing up in the bathroom he must have gotten there and taken them to the car and J changed him. It was a nice outfit too. He did good.

If you are reading please pray

2008-11-10T15:50:00.000-05:00

Please pray for me. As we will be traveling tomorrow and I will be driving. Chuck is already on the way there. I have this horrible sinus infection. So pray I get some sleep and can drive tomorrow. My 17yo has never driven on the Interstate and I would not let him drive the WV turnpike anyway.
Plus I still have grumpy little ones who do not feel well and are not sleeping.

Sickness

2008-11-08T07:31:00.000-05:00

You know I hate sickness. I would guess everyone does. It started two days ago with C and then yesterday with J and then all night Ju was so stuffy he could not nurse because he was stuffy. It is not like we don't take precautions. I am a stickler about hand washing. We also take Vit. C and other stuff. I guess with little ones so close together they are bound to share with each other.
Oh and to add to it all I have it too.
So today I am really tired and grumpy.

My son is published

2008-11-06T08:26:00.000-05:00

Below is the link and the article that Jamie had published in the local paper. I told him it will not be the last thing he has published as he is a very talented writer.

http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/article/enjoy_fall_leaf_color_before_it_fades_away/15994/

By Letters To The Editor

Published: November 6, 2008

Autumn is the season when leaves turn, days shorten and families come together for Thanksgiving. We plan our shopping lists, cook scrumptious dinners and rush from store. We enjoy Thanksgiving dinners with juicy turkeys, succulent hams, delicious stuffing, colorful veggies and delectable desserts. We also enjoy the time we spend with family and friends. But what do most of us miss every day?

We miss the trees. The leaves are turning vivid hues of red, orange, yellow and brown and we pass it all by. Between our daily rushes we fail to stop and see what God has designed for our pleasure. So the next time you’re out and about this autumn take a moment to stop – and see.

James Walker