Running to the Cross

Refocusing

2010-03-24T18:19:00.002-04:00

Here is a little that I have been thinking and praying on:

I have been suffering from an imbalance of my time, my efforts, and my goals. So I made a list of my priorities and here they are:

God: Devotions/Scripture reading, prayer/meditation on the Scriptures, quiet/focus & listening to God
Husband: His needs, his laundry, areas to clean for him: bedroom, office, upstairs bathroom, food/weekly menu
Family: their needs, their laundry, keeping all rooms clean for their safety, devotions: Scripture memory, sewing girl's clothes
School: reading, writing, math, science/history, the arts (music/art), P.E./Health
Cleaning: for husband, for family, for me
Me: time w/God, serve husband/family, conduct school lessons, spend time cleaning, exercise

Each one of these areas is important and I am aiming to spend equal amounts of time on each every day, Lord willing.

I have a garden this year, raised beds... so no tilling, no weeding, just keeping the cats out of the garden and the dogs. Trying to grow tomatoes from seeds again, and realized if they don't get enough light they grow really tall & and become weak. If my seedlings in the house don't make it, I am going to plant April 1 outside underneath plastic milk jugs with the lids off right straight into my raised beds.

So here I go to plan my work and work my plan!

Blessings!
Heather

A Little Motivational Exercise...

2010-02-01T12:18:00.002-05:00

So, there is much to be done and I am really feeling overwhelmed. So I am going to post a list, then go tackle that list...

Probably updating this post...

Here goes:

1. Clear tables
2. Wash pans from weekend (we are so busy getting ready for church on the weekends that I never get everything done, so I will wash things that can't go in the dishwasher. My second oldest son already loaded and ran the dishwasher once...)
3. Lunch at one table, finish portfolios at the other.
4. Nap time for 2 & 4-year-old, crochet time for me.
5. Get dinner going.

Starting now.

Updated:
Tables cleared by my daughter.
Pans washed, dishwasher reloaded.
Of course, lunch over and done with.
Naps done, and crocheted a bit more.
Dinner cooked, delicious & done (baby back ribs, mac & cheese, green beans)
Portfolios, started... not completed yet, but maybe tonight still?

Homeschooling, Busyness & Weight Loss

2010-02-01T11:43:00.004-05:00

Wow, times are SO busy. This week we have to turn in our portfolios for homeschooling, then help our (new) church move to the new building (we changed churches due to our location)... of course before that Wednesday night prayer meeting...

Life is happening at an alarming rate of speed.

My second oldest son turned 11 last month, and my next birthday happens in March. My second oldest daughter turns 8.

And then there is the weight loss dilemma, yes, there is still weight to lose from my last dear daughter. She is officially 7 months and our double joy! Afterall, her name does mean joy, joy!

I have lost about 15 pounds of my weight, only 15 + 5 more to go. If I lose the 15, then my next goal is that last 5... we'll see. I'm not obsessing about it.

And after speaking with a friend (a skinny friend) about weight loss, I have learned that not ALL skinny people eat what they want. Her advise was to eat well, whole grains, low/no sugars, low fat meats... no problem there as we have a freezer FULL of venison, and I grind my grains oftentimes. I have been mixing my flours so that I use a baking mix which is 1/3 freshly milled oat flour and 2/3 freshly milled soft wheat pastry flour... I usually make my muffins/cakes/cookies with 1/2 the baking mix and 1/2 white (bad for you) flour. That is the only way I can get them to turn out right. Although I did make a whole grain chocolate crazy cake that turned our delicious. I used my soft wheat pastry flour in it, and it was good. But my daughter who is 2-years-old doesn't do well on the whole grains, too hard on her system, so mixing is my best option if I am planning on feeding it to the whole family.

The picture above was taken in October. It was the last warm day in October, in the 80s that day, I believe. We had some high winds earlier that week and someone's sailboat washed up on the beach! So we hiked down there to see it... It was a fun day! The children played in the water, and enjoyed the last warm day.

Anyway... with homeschooling and everything that I NEED to do around here, I must be off and I will post whenever I can.

Blessings!
Heather

When Life Happens.... blogging doesn't

2010-01-18T09:36:00.002-05:00

Ever wondered what happens to those who blog a lot, then drop off the face of the earth for several months? They get busy with life just like me.

My daughter, now almost 7 months old, is thriving! Fat, happy and working on her 3rd chin! Nursing wonderfully and healthy. I can't complain about life, except that it is WAY to busy for me.

Here is a pic:
I have also taken up crocheting during nap time for my BUSY 2-year-old daughter and when I am getting her to sleep at night. Here are a couple of pics of the things I did for Christmas presents:

I have also made booties, a few hats for myself, a hat for my daughter that is WAY too big, and a few other things. I have found that I like having my hands busy, so the more crocheting, the merrier!

Anyway, life's beckoning once again!

Blessings!

6 days late, but God's perfect timing...

2009-07-12T11:16:00.003-04:00

Drum roll, please!

Announcing...

JoyHannah Jubilee....

Born: June 29th, 2009 at 11:55 p.m.

Weighing in at 8 lbs. 0 oz.
Length: 21 1/4 inches

As you all may know, I was quite anxious for the birth of our 8th baby. I had experienced complications with a trip to the ER at 14 weeks and another trip at 33 weeks & 5 days with premature labor.

Well, my goal dates came and went. Then my due date came and went. I tried everything to go into labor as my emotions and my physical well being was not the best. I expected an early baby, but that was not God's plan.

So finally, Monday evening, June 29 just after finishing supper I felt my first contraction (probably around 8 or 8:30 p.m.)....a good, STRONG contraction. With that first contraction I felt the baby descend into my pelvis about 1 inch. I alerted my husband, and then with contractions about 10-15 minutes apart, helped my daughter clean up dinner dishes (I did pause with each contraction). My husband wanted to work in the shop until about 10 p.m., but I wasn't so sure about his "plan"...

I could tell that the contractions were getting stronger and stronger, so I told my son that he needed to tell his dad that we needed to get ready and GO, NOW!!! to my midwife's home (where I was planning to deliver). NOTE: My midwife lives 1 1/2 hours away, so it was essential that we worked quickly to get things packed in the van, including the children.

We got things together and were ready to leave at 10 p.m. I called my mom, who had been calling me everyday asking the same question, to let her know that contractions had begun and we were headed out. Then once we hit the road, I called my dear friend, and we talked nearly the entire trip.

You see, her plan was to "distract" me so I didn't notice how strong the contractions were or how well they were working... although, I must say, those contractions were working VERY WELL!!! And I kept telling her, that yes, they hurt and yes, they were working! So, during our conversation we laughed, and enjoyed our time on the phone...

On the home stretch to the midwife's house, I ended the call with my friend and called my midwife to let her know that we would be arriving soon.

At 11:30 p.m., we pulled in and parked our van at my midwife's home, then my water broke... (of course, in the seat of the van!) Thankfully, clear water...

I made it upstairs to the bedroom where I was going to deliver, used the bathroom, was checked by my midwife to find out that I was dilated to 8 c.m. I had planned on using the birthing stool for this delivery, but just after my midwife checked me, I had another contraction, one that dilated me to 10 c.m. and gave me to urge to push (as I could feel the baby's head coming down!).

My husband had stepped out of the room for just a minute to check on the children and was urgently called back up so that he could see the delivery of his 8th child. Once he came back in the room, she was crowning... and with the next few pushes (less than 5 minutes) she was out!
Perfectly formed, breathing and looking around, but not crying.

Our 6th daughter... WOW! Six girls!!! One more daughter to sew for, one more daughter that will get her hair fixed by mom, one more daughter to marry off... WOW!!!

The afterbirth pains were AWFUL!!! My contractions felt better than the afterbirth pains. I went from "superwoman" as my friend was calling me to "SUPER WIMP!!!" I even had to be helped to the bathroom! But thankfully, with the rest of the night ahead of me to sleep, and with the nourishment I received, I began to feel better and better. And today, I feel great... my only problem now is my blood pressure.

I am currently dealing with postpartum high blood pressure. It is not edema, and doesn't seem to get better with low carbs or low sodium... My mother had this same thing after she had me and eventually her's went away. I am hoping that this is all hormonal and will go away soon, too!

Right now, my blood pressure has leveled out to be around the same numbers all the time. It is not super high, but I will continue to monitor it. If it does not resume back to normal soon, it will mean a trip to the doctor's office.

My prayers are that it will get better with moderate exercise and a healthy diet. But, since high blood pressure runs in my family, I may end up needing medication... and hopefully my experience with medication will be better than my mom's as she has struggled with finding the right combination of meds to control her blood pressure.

Thank you again for your prayers! And when things settle down here, I may start posting again... but times are busy!

Blessings!
Heather

P.S.: C, (you know who you are, but I will only use your first initial)... I sent you and email a few days back! Hope to talk soon!

Thank YOU!!!!

2009-05-30T10:17:00.002-04:00

Thank you for your prayers and support through this time of bed rest. I am officially off bed rest and am able to return to my normal duties.

We are still waiting for our wiggly little one to enter this world. I am grateful for the extra time that I have been granted (by my LORD and Saviour), and continue to be thankful that I am still waiting.WOW! Bed rest really changes the heart of the impatient pregnant woman! Of course, I know what it is like to have a baby early and once you experience that, you find that you are more patient to wait for the due date!

I have much to accomplish in the next few weeks and I also feel as I have accomplished much in my time of bed rest...

I was able to complete my nursing nightgown (although I would like to make a few changes yet) and I also made each one of my daughters a new dress.... all of this done in 2 days!!! I will post pictures when time allows, but for now I must get busy so that I can fold all of the laundry and wash up the dishes so that I am ready for this new little baby that may enter this world at any time!

Blessings!
Heather

Bedrest....

2009-05-19T15:05:00.003-04:00

Well, so much for posting my monthly menu plan. I do have mine in tact, but I will probably not be posting the rest of it... at least not for this month.

Last Sunday (a week & 2 days ago) I showed signs of going into labor early. So after checking with my midwife and a trip to the hospital, I have been on bedrest since.

If you remember correctly, my last baby came just a few days after hitting the 36 week point.

It seems to have all started with a hectic week and 3 stings from a hornet or something while directing my boys in the garden on Saturday. They tilled my garden then planted my tomatoes & peppers.

So here I am today, trying to make it until 36 weeks so I can have my midwife deliver me...

Just 1 more week to go, and then I will resume light housework & cooking, but gardening will have to be for my boys as I still have beans to plant & a few other things. Thankfully my husband is putting in raised beds for my beans in my "secret garden"... I am also thrilled that I have volunteer pumpkins already growing in my main garden, but I need to have canteloupe, watermelon, cucumbers and a few other things planted yet...

So, prayers are greatly appreciated as I wait and stay planted on my behind.

However, I have taken delight in crocheting and some sewing that I haven't been able to do until now. My newest project is a nursing nightgown for myself as I have already crocheted baby booties, an infant hat, and 3 pot holder hot pads...

Blessings friends!
Heather

Monthly Menu Plan

2009-05-04T10:47:00.005-04:00

I have my monthly menu plan planned. However, I am not currently able to post the entire thing as it is written out on my menu calendar because I still need to enter the rest into my computer and I don't have the time RIGHT NOW to do it. But I WILL DO IT and then will update this post with the rest of my menu plan.

But since I know that some of you ARE following my monthly menu plan, I will post what I have FOR THIS WEEK (so far) and update at a later time, probably this evening.

Thank you for your patience!

Menu Plan: May, Week 1

SUNDAY (May 3):
B: Crunchy Oat bars, popcorn
L: baked bean, deviled eggs, brownies (church meal)
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

MONDAY (May 4):
B: Old-fashioned Oatmeal
L: LO Enchiladas, sandwiches, chips
D: Baked Chicken, garlic potatoes, green beans or veggie, rolls

TUESDAY (May 5):
B: Scones w/milk & eggs
L: Sandwiches, chips & dip
D: Spaghetti w/smokies & broccoli, breadsticks

WEDNESDAY (May 6):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: LO Spaghetti w/smokies & breadsticks
D: Chicken Fried Rice w/broccoli or Italian veggies

THURSDAY (May 7):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: LO Chicken fried Rice
D: Breakfast

FRIDAY (May 8):
B: LO Breakfast
L: Sandwiches
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (May 9):
B: Coffee Cake, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Buffalo wings, potato salad, veggie, homemade rolls

SUNDAY (May 10):
B: Crunchy Oat bars, popcorn
L: Dinner w/friends (side w/dessert?)
D: LO Buffalo wings & potato salad

Abbreviation... I know there are some of you who may look at my abbreviation with a question mark, so LO stands for leftover... it is just much quicker to type LO than leftover!

Have a blessed week in the LORD! I have much to do, and not much time to post. I plan to post my latest two dresses for my daughters soon, maybe even tonight. We will see as my youngest daughter has been fighting me every night for the last few days to go to sleep (I rock her because otherwise she wakes the other children up in our bedroom upstairs.)

Blessings!
Heather

Things to get done before baby's arrival...

2009-04-21T11:48:00.004-04:00

I am sooo overwhelmed right now with the things that I must do before this baby arrives that I thought that maybe sharing what I am experiencing right now would possibly ease a little of my tension. I would also ask that as you read through my list that you would remember me (and my family) in your prayers as we try to tackle this list (by God's grace) and prepare for a new addition in our home...

1) Spend time each day in the Bible and prayer... I really need to work on this!!!

2) Clean my home from top to bottom (yes, really!). I am expecting company shortly after our baby's arrival and I will not be doing much after the delivery. I really desire to have a clean, comfortable, and inviting home for them to stay in (and this is what my husband wants). Unfortunately, as I have browsed other's cleaning plans, they just don't work for me. I can't clean my home in a day's time, and not even in a week's time (I don't think).

We have a very large home to clean (we don't own it), not including the basement which is a project in itself. If you were to do a walk through my home, you would start at the mudroom, then kitchen (off the kitchen is the office and screened in porch), leaving the kitchen you enter the hallway, living room, and bathroom. Then, to go upstairs you leave the living room and enter the hallway(again) which houses the stairs, and come to another hallway. On the right is the bathroom, linen closet, guest room, turn corner and you have boy's room, then girl's room. You turn around and walk back down the girls hallway to our room (walking toward the stairs) on the right (just opposite of the guest room).

I have posted a few cleaning lists and they work, for a short time, but I am still struggling to get it all done. At this point and time, I am just looking for a way to get my body to obey the command to "get up and work" while chasing a very busy toddler, and guiding my older children as they do a few jobs themselves, all the while reminding them that our new puppy does not need to go out every 5 minutes....

3) Plan a menu for the next 2 months, this is an easy one for me as I have no problem figuring out what to fix. We buy in bulk, cases of food (literally) so my freezer is stocked. We also have deer meat that we can grind for tacos and such.

4) Plant my garden. I have planted my onions, I have tomatoes & peppers growing slowly in my mudroom, and I have planted a few potatoes but I have several more yet to plant. My "main" garden is ready for the tomatoes, peppers, squash and herbs (I also have another herb garden, but will plant herbs in my main garden in hopes to keep the deer out), but I have not yet gotten the other garden plots ready for the tender crops like beans, lettuce, peas, radishes, carrots, and other things... I know that many of these things need to be planted now, but with the rain that we have had it is literally impossible. Thankfully, we got a Mantis rototiller this year that I can use, as well as my boys... we got a really good deal because the place we got it from couldn't get it started!!! All it was was a lose spark plug!!!

5) Finish up homeschooling... We have another portfolio review coming up in May, so I must get the portfolios done and ready for that time.

6) Make my girls some more dresses (play dresses) as they have most certainly worn out about everything they have except church dresses, and a couple others. You see, I refuse to buy something that I already have the fabric for and my dresses take very little "time" considering the time I would take to look for more. I will also try to take pictures as I go, and post them eventually.

So I guess what I am looking for is a way to get up before everyone else does to spend time with God, clean my home totally and completely while chasing a toddler and getting my children to finish the tasks they have been given, homeschool, prepare meals & make all the bread we eat, get my menu planned, till and plant my gardens, and sew all at the same time!!!! Any suggestions? Remember, I also need my sleep or I am not good for the next day. And I can't be stressed too much or I end up with a migraine and another day lost.

Am I crazy for having so much to do? How did I get so behind? Where is Mary Poppins when I need her? (O;

I am going to put these things before God in prayer and aim to redeem the time. You will probably not see too much from me for the next couple of months as I will be busy. Please, when you think of me, say a prayer for strength, productivity and patience for the unexpected.

And all of this has to be done before my 9 weeks or whatever the time the baby comes is up.

Prayerfully,
Heather

FREEBIES From Homeschool Freebie of the DAY!!!

2009-04-16T19:48:00.004-04:00

Here are some great resources that are available through the weekend! Here is the email I received requesting that I not only get the word out, but tell you of the wonderful resources available for the next several days...

Just a quick note to let you know that TOMORROW'S homeschoolfreebieoftheday resource on Paul Revere's Ride (the 234th anniversary of which is this Saturday) turned out to be MUCH bigger than we originally announced in this week's "Heads Up" email.
We sorta got carried away with this, and actually ended up with FOUR wonderful resources all related to Revere and the history surrounding his midnight ride. Here's the complete rundown:

Listen My Children (MP3 audio) -
FIRST UP up this a great half hour audio story about
Revere's long life and influence, including the events of
that fateful night, as originally dramatized on the radio
program "Cavalcade of America", in December, 1952.

"Listen My Children" Listening Guide (PDF ebooklet) -
Next, you'll want to use this PDF discussion guide with
background info and questions to accompany the above audio program.

Paul Revere's Ride (MP3 audio) - Next, we have a SECOND
classic audio for you: A wonderful dramatic performance of
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's classic poem,
"Paul Revere's Ride" as performed by Frederic March.
If your kids have never heard it, they are missing
out on one of the quintessential American poems. Give it a listen!

And FINALLY, we also have a neat PDF art study lesson focusing
on paintings & sculptures depicting Paul Revere (as well as
the Minutemen), courtesy of Yes You Can! Publications.
This is lots of fun and a great way to combine history
with art appreciation & hands-on activities to boot.

Again, ALL of these resources will be featured on our site
tomorrow (Friday) and through the entire weekend.

So, we're sitting here thinking "Wow. This is a really nice
package"... and "This would be a great resource to introduce some
first-time visitors to our site -- IF we can round some up."
So... we thought we'd just ask YOU, our faithful
readers & supporters, for a little favor on Friday morning.

Could you please take a moment tomorrow to get the word out
to other homeschoolers about this package of resources that we
have available through this weekend?
Just an email note to your homeschooling friends or local
support group... a post on your blog... a "tweet"
or a "digg"... or WHATEVER networking thing you you can do
to help spread the word would be greatly appreciated.
Just send 'em to http://www.homeschoolfreebieoftheday.com
-- They will thank you, and we will too.
As always, we truly appreciate your being with us, and hope
you are enjoying and will continue to enjoy the resources we
make available here.
Thanks, and have a super weekend!
Your Friends,
The Erskine Family
HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com

Quick Clean-Up List (for floors)

2009-04-09T17:21:00.005-04:00

Okay, so here is ANOTHER LIST... Did I tell you that I am a list maker? I make list after list, usually to help my children get things done.

This list is supposed to be used throughout the house. It is a FLOORS ONLY list. I created it specifically with my children in mind.

UPDATE: Just wanted to let you know that I gave this list to my almost 12-year-old son and he went to town! What I like about this list is that all he has to do is the next thing on the list, usually when he is finished there are only a few oddball items that he has to deal with. He also doesn't always use it for EVERY room, if he is helping me clean the upstairs, then he just uses it for the upstairs rooms. I was pleasantly surprised last evening when I walked upstairs and saw the difference he had made up there.

1. Go to each room and pick up laundry to take to basement (or laundry room).
2. Take the lego bucket to each room and pick up legos.
3. Take the crayon bucket to each room and pick up crayons.
4. Collect books in each room and put on bookshelf.
5. Gather all shoes and take to mudroom shelf (or shoe closet).
6. Take the pencil bucket to each room and pick up pencils.
7. Gather all dishes in each room and put in kitchen sink (or empty dishwasher).
8. Gather all coloring sheets in each room and put in crayon bucket with crayons.
9. Gather all girls’ toys in each room and take to girls’ bedroom.
10. Gather all boys’ toys in each room and take to boys’ bedroom.
11. Take linking cubes/counting bears bucket to each room and collect linking cubes & counting bears, then take to homeschool area.
12. Gather all coats in each room & hang in coat closet.
13. Gather all blankets, fold and put in living room.
14. Gather all game pieces, puzzle pieces, marbles, and any other small pieces and put in bucket for miscellaneous items (to be put away).
15. Gather all hangers in each room and hang in coat closet.
16. Gather all old newspapers in each room and put in paper basket.
17. Go to each room with trash bag and gather trash in trash bag.
18. Gather school papers in each room and give to Mom to file away.
19. Gather up any other items that you don’t know what to do with and ask Mom about those items.
20. Finally, sweep/vacuum all floors.

There you have it, another cleaning list. I'm sure that in the next several weeks I may come up with more!!!

Blessings!
Heather

Bedroom, Bathroom, Closet & Hallway Organization

2009-04-09T11:07:00.002-04:00

Here are some lists I just created for my own use that I thought you might find helpful. We have been working on our Spring Cleaning this week, so that I have an orderly home in time for the baby's arrival.

I am not sure I will make it to my deadline to get it all done this week as I am not moving as fast these days and the cooler weather doesn't help. But I am aiming for success, and plan to achieve it ASAP!!!

10 Steps to Bedroom Organization
1. Remove Clutter
2. Remove Misplaced Items
3. Remove Trash (including broken items that cannot be fixed)
4. Remove Dirty Laundry
5. Remove Boxes of Stored Items from Closets
6. Straighten Hanging Items in Closet
7. Make Beds
8. Place other Items that belong in the room in such a way that they will not be IN the way.
9. If needed, provide baskets for storage.
10. Sweep & Mop Floors, Wash Windows, Apply Window Treatments.

8 Steps to Bedroom Closet Organization
1. Remove all items from floor and shelves & place on a flat surface like a bed or table (or floor for shoes).
2. Wipe shelves.
3. Sort through items on flat surface only keeping the items that you WILL use.
4. Put seasonal items (for opposite season) on shelves above hanging items.
5. Sort through hanging items, keeping only things that you wear.
6. Hang like items together (dresses, shirts, slacks, coats, etc.).
7. Sweep & Mop Floor of Closet.
8. Replace shoes or other floor items back in their places.

5 Steps to Linen Closet Organization
1. Remove all Items from Closet and place neatly on a flat surface like a bed or table.
2. Sort Items by Category (sheets, towels, blankets, toiletries) & remove all other items that don’t belong.
3. Assign Shelves for each Category
4. Match up like items and replace on shelves
5. Sweep & Mop Closet Floor.

10 Steps to Bathroom Organization
1. Remove all dirty laundry from bathroom, sort in baskets, & take to laundry room.
2. Set all Shelves, Hampers, Trash Cans, Scales and other floor items outside of bathroom.
3. Clear all Flat surfaces of Clutter removing misplaced items.
4. Scrub shower wall, toilet, sink, bathtub, & baseboard.
5. Wipe Walls, Window Sills & Mirror.
6. Straighten Medicine Cabinet.
7. Wash Shower Curtain, bleaching if necessary.
8. Sweep & Mop Floor esp. around toilet.
9. Replace Items that belong in Bathroom (including shower curtain).
10. Wash Windows & Apply window treatments (curtains).

5 Steps to Hallway Organization
1. Remove all items that don’t belong in hallway and return to their homes.
2. Clear and Straighten any tables or shelves of Clutter & dust.
3. Sweep & Mop floor.
4. Wash windows & window sills & apply window treatment.
5. Hallways are a thoroughfare through your home, don’t allow the hallway to become disorganized again by taking 5 minutes a day to pick it up.

I plan to make up list for the living room, kitchen and any other room I can think of soon!

Blessings!
Heather

Gardens, Dresses & Menus....

2009-04-02T22:19:00.008-04:00

It is very uncommon for me to make more than one post in a day... or even in a week or lately, month. However, my youngest daughter is asleep and my husband is working late in his shop, so here I am... posting again. (Besides I just baked a loaf of bread and it does have to cool before I put it into a bag ;O).)

GARDENING UPDATE...

I still have gardening fever, unfortunately I have not much energy to do the physical work that is involved due to my pregnancy (I've made it to my 3rd trimester!!!).

But, I did plant seeds in the little jiffy peat pellet green houses that we purchased from Wal*Mart, and I have seedlings!!! YEAH!!! I have already planted 6 little greenhouses that house 72 peat pellets... now that's a lot of plants, but I have planted flowers for my flower gardens, as well. Next will be marigolds, as I have 2 more jiffy peat pellet greenhouses to plant.

I read just the other day that tomatoes also like growing with marigolds, it said to put about 2-3 marigold plants right next to your tomatoes. Marigolds are supposed to keep away certain bugs, also. So I am growing a wide variety of tomatoes, peppers (from hot to sweet), several kinds of deer resistant flowers, herbs, and some heirloom "fruits" like garden huckleberries, the wonder egg plant, and also ground cherries (or husk tomatoes... tastes like pineapple?). I am still waiting on my lavendar to sprout, but I read on the label that it can take up to a month to sprout so, I still have a few days to wait and see.

DRESSES...

In the first picture (with my four silly daughters), I made the dresses that the girls with the pigtail braids are wearing. The one that is all in one print is simply a T-shirt dress (I made the T-shirt) with a gathered skirt at the bottom. That dress took me 1 1/2 hours to make last Saturday (her birthday), so that dress is the "official" birthday dress this year.

My other daughter (the tallest one) is wearing a re-made skirt, changed into a jumper dress... if you understand that. I had made the 4-tier skirt for her several months back and it wouldn't stay up even with a tie around the waist (which had to be tied so tight that it hurt). So I cut a bodice out of a short ladies denim jumper that I got for free at church (no one wanted the jumper because it was way too short, so one day I looked closely at it and thought that it could be made into something that one of my girls could wear). Then I sewed up the bodice, and used bias tape around the arm holes and neck, and finished off by sewing the bodice to the skirt. It took me 30 minutes!!! So, within one day, I had made (& re-made) two dresses. After going so long without sewing, I was elated because frankly, I LOVE TO SEW!!!

Then, when we arrived home on Sunday after church, my other daughter came to me with big puppy-dog eyes and asked me for something to wear... So, again, I thought... I can make her a dress, too!!! So I searched through my fabric scraps, found several pieces that coordinated well together, and asked my daughter what she liked. She picked out the primary color animal prints and I whipped up another dress for her. I think it took about an hour and a half also.

However, a few things to know about my dresses are:
1) They are usually quick and easy.
2) They are not elaborate.
3) The T-shirt top is made out of knit fabric and is only 2 pieces.
4) I sew the seams 2-3 times to ensure a long-life for the dress.
5) Most of the dresses I make are play dresses (or they usually end up that way).
6) I use oxy-clean in just about every load of laundry!!!

For any who are interested in the T-shirt top, I would be glad to share my secret. I will even try to get some pictures of the top before if it is sewn...it is super easy!!! However, you probably won't find the pattern in a store as i usually make my own. I seek simplicity and ease, though I can make a "real" dress but those are usually for me. CO;

MEAL PLANNING...
I have developed a system or formula that may work for anyone who tries it, just as long as you eat like we do!!! Ha ha!! But it does seem to work for me, so here goes:

Sundays: Meals vary as we have fellowship meals the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month, so I plan what items I am going to take each week (usually the same thing), 1 hot dish, 1 cold dish, & 1 dessert. On off weeks, we eat sandwiches at church before going home (1 1/2 hour trip home), or if we stay home something easy.

Mondays: Roast, ham, or chicken, with potato or mac & cheese, veggie or salad, rolls.

Tuesdays: Italian or Mexican every other week.

Wednesdays: Use up the roast from Monday's meal (usually BBQ sandwich on homemade roll, stir fry, or fried rice w/leftover meat), potato salad or chips (w/BBQ) & veggie

Thurdays: Alternate Breakfast, quick pasta dish w/marinara & salad, & chicken patties or grilled chicken w/salad & potato.

Fridays: Pizza or Stromboli w/salad, soda, & movie night

Saturdays: Crockpot meal or Oven casserole w/veggie
Here is my menu for an entire month... beware this will be a long post!!

Menu Plan: April, Week 1
SUNDAY (March 29):
B: French breakfast puffs, popcorn
L: Deli Meat sandwiches, chips
D: Leftovers from Saturday night

MONDAY (March 30):
B: French breakfast puffs, birthday cake
L: Deli Meat sandwiches, chips & dip, rigatoni (for mom)
D: Chicken patties, chips

TUESDAY (March 31):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips & dip, potato salad
D: BBQ chicken sandwiches, potato salad, lettuce salad, mac & cheese

WEDNESDAY (1):
B: Banana Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Sausage & Noodles w/marinara sauce, salad & breadsticks
D: Tacos & Burritos, salad, chips, salsa

THURSDAY (2):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Sandwiches, chips
D: Pigs-in-a-blanket chili dogs, chips

FRIDAY (3):
B: Crunchy Oat bar (cereal), milk, eggs
L: Leftover pigs-in-a-blanket & chili
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (4):
B: Coffee Cake, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Grilled Deer Steak, baked potato, salad, homemade rolls

Menu Plan: April, Week 2
SUNDAY (5):
B: Crunchy oat bars, popcorn
L: Deviled eggs, baked beans, brownies (church meal)
D: Chicken patties, baked beans, chips (or popcorn)

MONDAY (6):
B: Scones, milk, eggs
L: Rigatoni/noodles w/sauce Or Leftover chicken patties
D: Chicken, garlic potatoes, veggie

TUESDAY (7):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips
D: Meatball sandwiches, chips, salad

WEDNESDAY (8):
B: Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Leftover Meatball sandwiches
D: BBQ chicken sandwiches, macaroni salad, veggie

THURSDAY (9):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Leftover BBQ Sandwiches, macaroni salad
D: Breakfast w/scrapple

FRIDAY (10):
B: Leftovers from Thursday’s nights breakfast
L: Ham salad w/crackers, deviled eggs
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (11):
B: French Breakfast puffs, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Grilled or Broiled Chicken, mac & cheese, salad, homemade rolls

Menu Plan: April, Week 3
SUNDAY (12):
B: Crunchy oat bars, popcorn
L: Dinner at the Church Family's home
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

MONDAY (13):
B: Scones, milk, eggs
L: Chicken Patty Sandwiches & chips
D: Pork Roast, garlic potatoes, veggie

TUESDAY (14):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips
D: Tacos & Burritos, salad, chips, salsa

WEDNESDAY (15):
B: Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Peanut butter & Jelly sandwiches w/mac & cheese
D: Pork Fried Rice, veggie

THURSDAY (16):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Leftovers or sandwiches
D: Noodles, Rigatoni, tortellini & sauce, salad, breadsticks

FRIDAY (17):
B: Old-fashioned oatmeal & eggs (or bread pudding)
L: Ham salad w/crackers, deviled eggs
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (18):
B: Leftover oatmeal cake, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Enchiladas, tamale pie, salad, chips, salsa

Menu Plan: April, Week 4
SUNDAY (19):
B: Crunchy Oat bars, popcorn
L: Deviled eggs, baked beans, brownies
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

MONDAY (20):
B: Scones, milk, eggs
L: Rigatoni/noodles w/sauce Or chicken patties
D: Ham Steak, mac & cheese, veggie

TUESDAY (21):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips
D: Spaghetti & Meatballs, breadsticks, salad

WEDNESDAY (22):
B: Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball or Meatball sandwiches
D: Stuffed ham & cheese triangles, baked home fries, veggie

THURSDAY (23):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Leftover ham & cheese triangles, chips or homefries
D: Chicken patty sandwiches, salad, veggie

FRIDAY (24):
B: Old fashioned Oatmeal & bread pudding
L: Deli Meat sandwiches, or chicken salad on homemade crackers
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (25) (planned to be away for weekend):
B: French Breakfast puffs, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Sausage & noodles w/sauce, veggie

Menu Plan: April, Week 5
SUNDAY (26) (planned to be away for weekend):
B: Crunchy Oat bars, popcorn (church meal)
L: Sandwiches at church
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

MONDAY (27):
B: Scones, milk, eggs
L: Sausage & noodles w/sauce, salad, breadsticks
D: Baked Chicken, sliced garlic potatoes, veggie, homemade rolls

TUESDAY (28):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips
D: Tacos & Burritos, chips, salsa, salad

WEDNESDAY (29):
B: Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches w/chips
D: BBQ chicken on homemade rolls, baked home fries, cole slaw

THURSDAY (30):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Peanut Butter & Jelly w/mac & cheese
D: Breakfast w/sausage scrapple

FRIDAY (May 1):
B: Leftovers from Thursday’s nights breakfast
L: Deli Meat sandwiches, or egg salad on homemade crackers
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (May 2):
B: French Breakfast puffs or coffee cake, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Enchiladas, refried beans w/chips, salad, salsa

SUNDAY (May 3):
B: Crunchy Oat bars, popcorn
L: baked bean, deviled eggs, brownies (church meal)
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

There it is! I basically print out a large 2 page calendar and fill it out with the planned meals. My husband requested that I print up a copy to post on the refrigerator, so now I also type it up to post so that everyone knows what is planned. This has saved me so much time and headaches that I actually look forward to planning our meals now! Amazing!

Blessings!
Heather

Schedules & Routines & such...

2009-04-02T17:32:00.002-04:00

I have been quite busy lately making schedules and routines for my day. Over the course of a week and a half I have not only made my new "Spring, Hectic day Schedule" but I have also made up morning, afternoon and evening routines AND a zone-cleaning list personalized for my home. While I am not going to post my zone cleaning list (since it only applies to my home), I am going to post my new revamped Schedule for Hectic Days (which is EVERY day of spring due to gardening and my sewing projects) and I will also post my routines.

Modified School Schedule for Hectic Days*
(this would be considered my master schedule for spring as it is quite a busy time)

<>Children get up/dressed/beds made (7:15 – 7:45)
<>Morning Chores for children (7:45 – 8:00)
<>Bible/Music/Breakfast (8:00 – 8:45)
<>Breakfast Clean-Up (8:45 – 9:00)
<>Math (9:00 – 9:30)
<>Group Lesson (9:45 – 10:00) Science, History, Art, Music
<>15 minute transition time (10:00 – 10:15)*
<>Spelling, Writing, Or Handwriting (10:15 -10:45)
<>15 minute transition time (10:45 – 11:00)*
<>English Grammar Worksheet (11:00 – 11:30)
---Capitalization, Noun/Verbs, End Marks
<>Reading/Phonics (11:30 – 11:45)
<>P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime)
<>15 minute transition time (12:00 – 12:15)*
<>Lunchtime (12:15 – 12:45)
<>Scripture Reading w/Dad (12:45 – 1:00)
<>Lunch Clean-Up (1:00 - 1:15)
<>15 minute transition time (1:15 – 1:30)*
<>Inside/Outside Work Time (1:30 - 4:00)
<>Dinner Prep (4:00 – 5:00)
<>15 minute transition time (5:15 – 5:30)*
<>Wash up for Dinner (5:30 – 5:45)
<>Set up/Sit down for Dinner (5:45 – 6:30)
<>Dinner Clean-Up Time (6:30 – 6:45)
<>Outside Work/Play Time (6:45 – 7:45)
<>Come in and clean up for bed (7:45 – 8:15)
<>15 minute transition time (8:15 – 8:30)*
<>Lights Out/Bedtime for children (8:30 p.m. – 7:15 a.m.)
<>Quick tidy for Mom (8:30 – 8:45)
<>Get baby down for night (8:45 – 9:30)
<>Computer time, bath time for mom, etc. (9:30)

*If you notice, I have transition times built in to my day so that if we do NOT get started as early as we planned, we can make it up by using the transition times. Transition times can also be used for quick clean-up jobs in between subjects.

Intentional Daily Routine**

Morning Routine
Get up, go to bathroom, scrub toilet & sink
Put on deodorant, get dressed to lace-up shoes.
Grab dirty clothes (to take to basement).
Brush hair.
Get coffee for husband.
Make breakfast, start bread & coffee.
Read scripture & prayer.
Look over school stuff & get things out for homeschooling, check emails.
---Daily lessons: Music, Proverbs, Math, Phonics/Reading, Handwriting, English, Spelling, Group lesson, P.E.
Look at menu plan, lay out meat.
Start laundry.
Get children up, change baby.
Set table for breakfast.
Breakfast.
2nd oldest son unloads dishwasher while others are clearing table & sweeping floor.
Load breakfast dishes in dishwasher.
Begin homeschooling.
Put laundry in dryer.
Start new load of laundry.
Feed baby lunch.

Afternoon Routine
Put homeschooling stuff away. Avoid the computer.
Set table for lunch.
Prepare food for children.
Change baby’s diaper.
Get baby down for nap.
Eat lunch.
Scripture reading with Dad.
Get laundry from basement.
Start new load of laundry/put laundry in dryer.
Clear table & floor with children.
Put dirty dishes in dishwasher and run dishwasher, if necessary.
Finish up school lessons.
5 minute room clean-up or quick cleaning of cluttered spot.
Clear another cluttered spot (set timer for 5 minutes).
Fold and put away laundry.
Get laundry from basement.
Start a load of laundry.
Start supper.
Declutter time, set timer for 15 minutes.
Finish preparations for supper, clean up as you go.
Spend time on zone cleaning.
Get baby from nap.
Change baby’s diaper.

Evening Routine
Set table for supper.
---Food, plates, forks, spoons, knives, napkins, cups, water pitcher, condiments, bread already sliced.
Feed baby & eat supper.
2nd oldest son unloads dishwasher.
Clean up table & floor from supper.
Put dishes in dishwasher.
Put away any items left out from supper prep.
Wipe counter tops, stove, microwave.
5 minute room clean-up w/children.
Declutter for 15 minutes.
Put last loads of laundry in dryer.
Outside/garden time.
Baths for children.
Pick up bathroom laundry and take to basement.
Children ready for bed (remind children to use toilet and brush teeth).
Children to bed.
Get baby to sleep.
Computer time.
---Prepare for next day’s homeschooling, scan & print necessary worksheets for school, look over next day’s events, menu, check/delete emails, sharpen pencils, get out school things and set them in a special spot.
Zone cleaning in bedroom, sewing if able.
Brush hair.
Bath or bed.

**Also note that I have called this an "Intentional Routine," I do what I can to get things done, I intend to follow the routine, but every routine takes time and there are always interruptions.

I also have been planning a monthly menu, if you are interested in seeing this "Menu Plan" just leave me a comment and I will post it. I have almost typed up the entire menu plan for the month of April, so all I have to do is copy and paste!

Blessings!
Heather

Just thought you'd like to know about these freebies!!!

2009-03-30T08:04:00.001-04:00

I get weekly emails for these freebies, this week is especially interesting to me so I thought I would share the link once again:

Here is (most of) the email:

If you've ever been stressed out over your homeschooling and never seem to be able to get everything done that needs doing in a day, you're gonna love this week's resources.

This week on HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay, we're giving you 5 ebooks from our great "Homeschoolers Time Management Toolkit", in which you'll get all the "real life"
advice and encouragement you need to finally get control of your time and make it work for you.

Here's the rundown:

Monday, March 30: Finding Time To Do It All:
Homeschool Moms Share their Time Management
Woes and Solutions

Tuesday, March 31: Calming The Chaotic Life:
How to Get Your Time Under Control

Wednesday, April 1: 97 Motivators to Help You Get Things Done

Thursday, April 2: 77 Time Saving Tips for Busy Parents and Families

Friday, April 3: Great Time Management Tips & Ideas FOR YOUR KIDS!

Each of these resources will be available on their respective days at: http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/

Please take a moment to pass along word of this week's "time management"resources with your homeschooling friends and support groups... they'll thank you for it!

------------------------------------

Also this week:

If you enjoy gardens & growing things, don't miss this.
For just seven more days, we have our hugely popular GREEN THUMB FAMILY TOOLKIT available at 75% OFF the normal price - it is just $5.95 (instead of the normal $24) until next Monday.

This toolkit is perfect for
anyone thinking about a garden this spring...
AND/OR incorporating the kids and
homeschooling into the great outdoors. This package is chock full of wonderful resources for you to keep the learning and growing going... all Spring & Summer long.

http://www.greenthumbfamily.com/members/

If you haven't already taken a look at this, do so now.
It is WELL worth your consideration.

Again, it is only available at this price for the next
7 days.

I hope you enjoy these freebies, remember if you subscribe to their newsletter, you will get an exclusive "subscribers only" freebie as well, but I'm not allowed to share that link.

Have a great week in the Lord (that is, if I'm gone again for a while, busy times, busy times).
Heather

Happenings....

2009-02-28T11:11:00.006-05:00

Well, things have been busy as usual. Life is very full with everything there is to do, as many of you know and have experienced.

First off, my dear 8-year-old daughter, who is an animal lover, injured herself a couple weeks back. She was playing with her brothers upstairs in her bedroom and jumped from one of the top bunk beds like a FROG!!! Yes, no kidding, a frog. One of my boys came to get me and told me that she had hurt herself badly and was crying. So, I waddled upstairs (my hubby likes to raz me about the way I walk when I am pregnant)... and checked to see if the emergency was really worth a trip to the hospital. She was crying, a cry that I rarely hear her cry, and complaining that her heel hurt and she could not wiggle her toes or put any weight on her foot. I could not carry her downstairs... so, I went to the freezer, got out an icepack (one of those that is squishly and flat) and wrapped that around her heel stablizing her ankle & foot so that she could at least scoot across the floor. Then, she was able to get downstairs where I could better tend to her.

I, then, called my husband with the wonderful news. I waited until he got home (also making sure that my diagnosis was correct) to take her to the ER. Thankfully she wasn't in a lot of pain and was able to stand waiting a little while. He got home and shortly after we went to the ER.

Unfortunately there was no parking places in the ER parking lot (ugh) and I had to back our 15 passenger van out of the parking lot (because I couldn't turn it around). I, then, dropped her off to the ladies at the ER desk, and had to go find the parking garage for the hospital (which also included a bit of a walk to get back to where I needed to be).

After the x-ray, we were informed that she did indeed break her heel bone, close to the growth plate, and she needed a splint (half cast) until we could get an appointment for the orthopedic doctor. So, after our visit to the ER, we went to see the orthopedic doctor who put a full cast (to the knee) on her leg & foot.

Now the problem is how to keep an active 8-year-old busy with indoor activities that involve sitting. So far, she has learned how to crochet, she has been making bead necklaces, and she has been doing her latch-hook kit (of a golden lab puppy). Of course, there is also school (which has been extremely challenging these last couple weeks) and she also has been doing a lot of drawing. I am not sure how she is going to stand the next 3 weeks with a cast, but only time will tell.

GARDENING

Now for other things going on...

My boys are helping me to garden this year as I am not up to digging and using my garden claw, etc. Interestingly enough, one day I had asked my oldest son to dig a hole for me in the garden to hold all of our coffee grounds, egg shells and plant matter (for compost)... He was thrilled that I asked him to do this. SO... I made the comment, "You know, you can dig up my whole garden if you would like!" and this thrilled him even MORE!!! So, these last several weeks he and his brother have been digging up my garden plot for this year's garden, YEAH!!!

So yesterday, I gave him instructions to get some leaves and put on the garden as well... Leaves are not a problem with us anymore... as you can see in the picture below, we have an abundance of leaf matter where we live now as this whole plot of land is COVERED with trees. I will continue to have them get leaves until I have enough leaves to cover all of my garden plots. They also get the privilege of digging all of those plots up this year as our tiller is in need of repair. And the best thing is, THEY LOVE DOING THIS JOB!!!

Also, in regards to gardening, I have been learning about what plants to plant together as some plants actually benefit from others! This is called companion gardening (or plant pals) and there are several articles on the internet that talk about this. A few things that I learned is that tomatoes like to be planted with basil and carrots, strawberries do NOT like to be planted with cabbage, beans like to be planted with celery and cucumbers, and garlic keeps the aphids away from roses... It also recommends planting herbs around your garden to keep away common garden pests. But, my advice to anyone who is gardening this year for the first time is to DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! That is the only way you are going to have any success at all.

I am hoping to have a MUCH better garden this year, than last... though I did enjoy our tomatoes and squash, I would really like to have many more veggies than last year. However, one thing I have learned with all gardening is that you start small and work up to the garden of your dreams.... I don't know if I am starting small enough this year or not, but I have the will and determination to have a better garden than last year. My biggest thing this year is to keep up with those weeds, use the leaves, and lay newpaper down around my plants before the weeds take over.

So far, our expected crops are going to be strawberries (planted last year), blueberries (will plant this year in March), blackberries (growing wild), wineberries (like raspberries, growing wild), peaches (from the peach tree at the edge of the woods), herbs (from my herb garden planted last year) and hopefully many more fruits & veggies... like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, peas, carrots, radishes, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, pumpkins, canteloupe, watermelon, onions, beets, several varieties of squash, potatoes, and the list goes on.

I have already ordered the seeds and they should be arriving any day now. I plan to start my tomatoes and peppers immediately upon receipt and any other veggie that can be started indoors. The secret to that is to have the soil stay at around 65 - 70 degrees, I learned that lesson last year when my seedlings didn't do so well. I also plan on starting several flowers indoors as well... now is the time!!! I probably could have started a bit earlier, but our home doesn't stay as warm because we use wood heat only which means that the only room that really stays warm is the kitchen. This is fine for us as we have learned to layer clothing, but seeds DO NOT like it AT ALL!!!

Okay, that's my spill on gardening...

OTHER HOME MATTERS....

As far as everything else, this week our dishwasher died. That sure was disappointing as I had loaded it, as always, and went to start it and nothing happened.

So this week I have washed dishes 3 to 4 times a day by hand... I do this because I know how many dishes we go through with each meal. If I wait till the end of the day to wash them, I will be there for 1 1/2 hours. So, I basically take 15-20 minutes after each meal to wash up the items we used for that meal and "WOW!" everything is done in about 30-35 minutes (that includes putting food away, clearing the table and washing the dishes). If I included the floor sweeping, too, we are now talking about 10-15 minutes longer as my boys are not as efficient at sweeping as I am yet.

So, the good news is that our dishes pretty much stay clean all the time and the kitchen looks nice most of the day... the bad news is that my arms and hands are covered in a rash that itches and burns due to my sensitivity to Ajax handwashing dish soap. Sorry, haven't gone to homemade soaps yet as that requires a trip to the store and time that I just don't have these days. Maybe someone can offer me a quick solution to making my own soap FAST.... and with what I have on hand, I don't know. I just do what I know and have known for years... you can teach this old dog new tricks, but it has to be dropped in my lap so that I can stop long enough to notice it!

Well, that's my update for now! I think that lunchtime is calling, as are my washers begging to be emptied so they can be filled again... haven't had much time lately to do laundry, wonder why that is??? ;OP

Blessings!
Heather

FREE Ebooks and Audios!!!!

2009-02-16T13:30:00.003-05:00

Well, I have known about this site for a while now... just having the time to blog about it sometimes seems overwhelming with everything else I need to do, but they are asking for some advertising on our blogs so that we can get the word out...

Here is what they are offering this week:

Monday, Feb 16th:
Great President's Day Resource Links! (links)
Want to make the most of President's Day? Check out these Lesson Plans, virtual tours, poetry & the actual papers of presidents Washington & Lincoln!

Tuesday, Feb 17th:
A Chinese Wonder Book (PDF ebook)
This fascinating collection of Chinese stories and legends, edited by Maggie Hogan of Bright Ideas Press, is a great literature-based introduction to the rich history and culture of China. Includes a read-aloud guide.

Wednesday, Feb 18th:
"Harriet Tubman & the Railway to Freedom" (MP3 audio)
A classic old time radio dramatization of the story of
Harriet Tubman and the activities of
the "underground railroad" during slave years.

Thursday, Feb 19th:
Blessed Is The Man: High School Unit Study Sampler (PDF ebook)
"Blessed is the Man" is a wonderful High School Unit Study
geared to Christian young men, and based on Psalm 1.
Today's resource is this extensive 74 page preview
of the complete four year curriculum - normally $10 on the
publisher's website - but yours to download today!
If you have growing boys in your household, DON'T MISS THIS!

Friday, Feb 20th:
Creatively Simple: How to Make Butter in the Blender (PDF ebook)
Learning to make butter is something everyone should do at least once.
This simple ebook by Penny Raine can teach you how, using items you
probably already have in your kitchen. Detailed instructions and lots of
pictures.
You can get all of these on their respective days at
www.HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com

And if you are a subscriber you may get an extra bonus ebook or audio!!!

Hope you enjoy!
Blessings!
Heather

Yeah!!! They Passed!!!!

2009-02-09T17:33:00.002-05:00

I am celebrating today (in my heart) because the portfolios that I turned in to the school district last Monday for my 5 school-age children PASSED!!!!

I had never done a portfolio before, so I was a bit anxious about the whole idea of having someone "approve" of the school work that my children are doing... Sometimes I just don't feel "qualified" as a teacher. I wasn't a education major in college nor was I one to read on my own, so I finally feel somewhat accomplished at homeschooling. But this Art Major did something right and I am so thankful to my Lord and King, Jesus Christ.

But from this experience, I did learn a few "tricks of the trade." One being that I have to file all school papers away so that I don't have to go searching anymore for the "right one," I mean I dug through everything that we had trying to find what I felt was most appropriate for the portfolio. My 6-year-old daughter was so enamored with the idea of having a "folder" of her own that all the papers from the first part of the year she got into, emptied, and put new papers in... ugh. Thankfully I was able to gather those important papers together and file them away for the "real" portfolio, but if I hadn't been on my toes I would have struggled to find everything.

I can't remember if I explained the system in my last post or not, but now I have a much better system. Instead of filing things away in a 3-ring-binder, I have this paper bin from Sam's Club that I file all the children's papers in. Now I don't lose that "all-important" test that I want to use for the portfolio because it falls out of the binder before the school semester is up... the holes in the paper don't get worn out either.

I think this unit has 12 slots for paper, so I have 6 slots that I am using for each child... even my 3-year-old because she really likes to do school, too! I am hoping to have her writing her letters by next year (or maybe even this year), but I won't rush things as I want her to remain open to the whole schooling thing.

My other daughters ( 5 & 6-year-old) are really starting to "catch on" to letter recognition and phonics, as well. It is so wonderful to see them writing on their own, writing their names, numbers and letters... and for phonics, writing the symbols (letters) for the phonetic sounds.

Unfortunately, trying to stay completely on the schedule that I have created isn't as easy for me as it may be for others... you see, I am a finisher not a "stay on tasker".... I want to be able to let the schedule guide me, but I think, "What if I don't get it done tomorrow? I must do it today!" or "The lesson has to be finished!!!" You see, I have had the unfortunate experience of not being able to finish the book in a year... last year for example... We moved, and so we are just now finishing our math books from last year, ugh!

But I believe that my children need to learn to finish things that they start, else they may never get it done!

Well, again... time is short these days for blogging, for me, it just isn't the right "season" for blogging to long!

Blessings All!
Heather

Have I told you how busy life is?

2009-02-03T18:46:00.002-05:00

I'm sure that I have! This school year has been extremely challenging and busy!!!

As far as the pregnancy... things are going well!

I did get to see the baby at 14 weeks by ultrasound due to an unfortunate trip to the ER for bleeding in December, but everything looked good and the doctor really had no clue as to what happened. But our holiday season was extremely busy and I DID overdo it. I made dress-up princess outfits for my 5 little princesses (a "gift" from my MIL...she bought the fabric and I sewed up the outfits).

Just yesterday I delivered our homeschool portfolios to the Public School Superintendent... Boy! I never knew that making a portfolio of school work was so time consuming!!! But I did it and now I just have to wait to see if it is acceptable. I'll tell you what I did learn... ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS file things away so that the children cannot get into their schoolwork. I have a daughter who just loved going into her school folder and snatching things.

But I did come up with a system. I have one of those $20 paper organizers from Sam's Club that I stash the children's school work in now. For now, my daughter hasn't figured out that I have done this, but when she does I will have to put this filing system up higher than she can reach.

She was enamored with the fact that I was making a portfolio of her work and I had to be really firm with her that she was NOT going to get into it. She didn't, thankfully.

I am so thankful for all of your sweet comments lately! They just keep coming in from time to time and they make me smile! For those who are new readers... sorry I haven't dropped by yet, I just don't have the time, but eventually (hopefully) I will get the time.

We just cancelled our Satellite service, partly due to the addiction that our children have to the TV and partly due to the financial burden it places upon our family. I'm fine with it, it just means that I will be making more time for Bible reading, sewing, meal planning, and all those other things that I have intended to get to.

My brain is hurting from thoughts of gardening!!! I want to start tilling the ground NOW!!!! I am so itching to get outside and pull weeds and plan my garden for this year. Last year was sort of a flop, but that was due to my hesistancy to plant not knowing what the deer were going to eat. Now I know where to plant things and I CAN'T WAIT TO GET OUT THERE!!!! But much of the work will have to be done by my boys and hubby as I am not allowed to do the heavy work due to my last pregnancy with the early delivery.

Anywho, my time is up!

TTYL!!!
BLESSINGS!!!!
Heather

News....

2008-12-03T17:23:00.002-05:00

Yes, you saw it at the top! We are expecting... my due date is June 23, 2009. And that is partially the reason why I haven't been around much. I have been dealing with morning sickness and fatigue. I have known for a long time, but my fears got the best of me and I kept it to myself.

I am thankful for this blessing and am grateful for the morning sickness because it means that my hormones are doing their job.

Other news...

Our baby girl is walking!!! EVERYWHERE!!! Loves to play in the toilet... ugh. Loves to climb stairs. She is a very busy little girl these days! Hope I can keep up with her!!!

That's all for now!

A big, "DUH!" moment....

2008-11-12T09:27:00.008-05:00

Now as the owner/moderator of Home Management for Large Families, you would think that I have it all together. I do, in my head. Ideas just seem to flow out of my head, and when reading my schedules, to-do lists, and other things, it SEEMS that you WILL end up with the clean and tidy home/organized schedule that you have always dreamed of! But reality strikes when you realize, most things take more time than that!

Anyway, to get to my point...
I enjoy reading other blogs that inspire me to get it all together, make things tidy, and give me hope that, I CAN DO IT!!!

So, I'm reading along... and it says, "Today we are going to wipe and dust everything in sight!"
Okay, that's easy, I can do that! But then as I look around, I find my, "DUH!" moment... No, I can't wipe everything down because I can't see a clean surface in sight! "DUH!"

So, I can print out all the ideas that I want, but in reality, I have to find my way by myself.

For those of you who are in the same boat that I am in, I sympathize. However, I did sit down the other day and write up a cleaning schedule that goes above and beyond normal cleaning so that we can find peace for Thanksgiving. I will share that here for any of you who DON't want to join a group right now, but do want to find organization waiting at your doorstep on Thanksgiving. ****Note: This schedule has already began, but most of the jobs can be added to the next several days so that you CAN potentially catch up... and I am behind as I find most evenings that I crash at 8:30 p.m. on the couch in front of the roaring fire in our fireplace. Something about the sizzling and cracking of burning wood that just sets me up for a peaceful slumber that I can't avoid without leaving the room.

****UPDATED: I did just realize something else that takes a lot of time... two things actually:
1) I have a very needy baby that requires a lot of attention. She is content quite a bit of the time, but she is only 15 months and learning to walk and getting in to things, she has discovered my cabinets and the things they contain.

2) I also have a wood stove to BABYSIT... meaning that I am constantly adding to the fire, trying to keep it going, if it has gone to long without wood, I have to get it going again which can take up to 30 minutes of my time.

Thanksgiving Planner
Sunday........Monday ........Tuesday ........Wednesday .......Thursday .........Friday......Saturday

9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27 Thanks- giving DAY!	28	29

Monday 11/10/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…17 days!

¨ Try to do at least 4-6 loads of laundry. Follow all steps: Sort, Wash, Dry, Fold, Put away.

¨ Room Focus: Kitchen, make it sparkle!

¨ Straighten your computer desk. Clean pantry floor.

¨ Plan your menu for the week. Lay out any frozen items that you need for you meal today.

¨ Add any grocery items to your grocery list as you think of them, esp. any items needed for Thanksgiving.

¨ Have children keep floors clean, including their bedroom.

Tuesday 11/11/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…16 days!

¨ Continue doing laundry, my goal is still 4-6 loads. Set your goal and press toward it! Follow steps!

¨ Room Focus: Living Room/ Hallways, clean up and clear the clutter!

¨ Clear counter tops & cabinets in your kitchen or living room that has attracted clutter.

¨ Look at menu, and soak beans, lay out meat, brown meat, make bread…something to assist you for meals.

¨ Continue working on grocery list.

¨ Encourage children to keep up on the floors, and straighten their bedroom…make sure you do yours, too.

Wednesday 11/12/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…15 days!

¨ Laundry (an everyday task for us), my goal remains the same, 4-6 loads. Follow steps as above!

¨ Room Focus: Bedrooms/Stairway or Porch, clean up and clear the clutter!

¨ Clear a table or dresser somewhere in your house! Then clean out your refrigerator!

¨ Make sure you are ready for today’s meal, get things started or put them in the crock pot!

¨ Yes, grocery list time… keep it going so you won’t forget ANYTHING!

¨ Children, as always, need to help clean the floors… Want it done really good? Help them out!

Thursday 11/13/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…14 days!

¨ Take a break from laundry (if you can)…clean off your dryer, and wipe down washer/dryer, also take a vacuum and sweep out the lint from the inside of your dryer!

¨ Room Focus: Clean Office and wash windows, clean up and clear the clutter!

¨ Since today we are doing the windows, go to every window sill and remove all clutter!

¨ Do you have a meal in the crock pot yet? Maybe you can brown your meat and prepare it, and put it in the crock pot on low.

¨ Do you remember something that you needed? Write it down on your grocery list! Maybe today is errand day…things are starting to take shape, so go run your errands!

¨ Children should have this down by now, but make sure that do their part in cleaning the floors!

Friday 11/14/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…13 days!

¨ Laundry: Wash Sheets! Make Beds! My goal is again, 4-6 loads…large families make large laundry messes!

¨ Room Focus: Bathroom(s)…make them sparkle AND dust, dust, dust!!!

¨ Rubba Scrubba Scrubbing day! Once children have cleaned the floors, time to scrub them (and/or vacuum to edges), wipe baseboards, vacuum cobwebs from corners and walls!

¨ Do you have leftovers to serve from your refrigerator? Make something new, serve up those leftovers, or freeze them and order pizzas for Movie night!

¨ We should have everything under control as far as groceries are concerned, but nobody’s perfect… Write down a new list or add to the old!

¨ Children need to quickly clean the floors…this should be easy since it was already done today! The floors need to be ready for this evening so you can enjoy a movie as a family! I suggest watching the Waltons!

Saturday 11/15/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…12 days!

¨ Laundry…make sure things are ready for church tomorrow. Everything laid out and ready to wear down to the shoes! Washing shouldn’t be necessary if you have kept up the rest of the week, but if not…catch up today!

¨ Room Focus: NONE!!! Today we focus on Preparing for the Lord’s Day!

¨ Family Fun Day OR Baking day! Make you breads, desserts, and snacks for tomorrow and the following week! Or have a fun day with family!

¨ Get you meal in the crock pot for Sunday and plan a picnic for Family Fun Day!

¨ Don’t bother yourself with your grocery list today!

¨ Tidy up before your day of baking or fun! Then clean up when done!

Sunday 11/16/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…11 days!

¨ Lord’s Day! You should be prepared for church so that your getting ready goes smoothly and peacefully!

¨ No activities planned for this day except to plug in your crock pot before church (or the night before).

¨ Spend time fellowshipping with friends and family.

¨ Meal clean-up should be a family thing today, to ease one another’s burdens!

Monday 11/17/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…10 days!

¨ Wash weekend laundry so stains don’t set in (from Sunday’s meal). My goal 4-6 loads.

¨ Room Focus: Is your kitchen still sparkling? If not, make it sparkle! How is your entry way? Shine it up too!

¨ Make things easier Day!!! Today we are going to hunt down and gather those items that keep us from keeping things tidy! You know what they are! Mine are toys! Today, I will gather up extra toys and put them away until our family has enjoyed Thanksgiving with friends!

¨ Plan menu for the week and get things laid out for today!

¨ Keep that grocery list going!

¨ Children, get after those floors! Many hands make light work.

Tuesday 11/18/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…9 days!

¨ Continue doing laundry, my goal is still 4-6 loads. Sort, Wash, Dry, Fold, Put Away!

¨ Room Focus: Living Room/ Hall ways…dust, wash baseboards, straighten shelves, vacuum furniture!

¨ Clear a cabinet, fireplace mantel, or piano in your living room that has attracted clutter.

¨ Look at menu, and soak beans, lay out meat, brown meat, make bread…something to assist you for meals. If you have fresh pumpkin, cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, bake it in the oven at 350º in a large dish cut sides down with a little water in the bottom for about an hour. Then when it is done, scoop it out of the shell, puree it, and freeze it for Thanksgiving!

¨ Continue working on grocery list.

¨ Encourage children to keep up on the floors, and ask them straighten their bedrooms…make sure you do yours, too.

Wednesday 11/19/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…8 days!

¨ Laundry, my goal remains the same, 4-6 loads. Follow steps as above!

¨ Room Focus: Bedrooms/Stairway or Porch!

¨ Run through the house and clean the cluttered spots, that is dressers, tables, exercise equipment, hanging mail baskets, and sewing areas! Then clean out your refrigerator!

¨ Make sure you are ready for today’s meal, get things started or put them in the crock pot!

¨ Yes, grocery list time… keep it going so you won’t forget ANYTHING!

¨ Children, as always, need to help clean the floors… Want it done really good? Help them out!

¨ EXTRA JOB: Straighten pantry so it is ready for cooking for Thanksgiving!

Thursday 11/20/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…7 days!

¨ Take a break from laundry (if you can)…clean off your dryer, and wipe down washer/dryer, also take a vacuum and sweep out the lint from the inside of your dryer!

¨ Room Focus: Office… straighten desk & shelves, then dust!

¨ Clean off top of refrigerator & microwave. Didn’t finish the panty? Finish it next!

¨ Do you have a meal in the crock pot yet? Maybe you can brown your meat and prepare it, and put it in the crock pot on low.

¨ Grab grocery list and make a run for the door! Make sure you have the fixings for THANKSGIVING!!! OR stay home and tidy up!

¨ Children should clean the floors!

Friday 11/21/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…6 days!

¨ Laundry: Wash Sheets! Make Beds! My goal is again, 4-6 loads.

¨ Room Focus: Bathroom(s)…make sure they sparkle!!!

¨ Rubba Scrubba Scrubbing day! Once children have cleaned the floors, time to scrub them (and/or vacuum to edges), wipe baseboards, vacuum cobwebs from corners and walls!

¨ Use those leftovers & LAY OUT TURKEY!!! (in refrigerator)

¨ Groceries: Write down a new list or add to the old!

Saturday 11/22/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…5 days!

¨ Room Focus: Guest room…usually I focus solely on getting ready for the Lord’s Day, but due to Thanksgiving, I make sure things are ready in the guest room. Dust, sweep, mop, freshly made beds.

¨ Prepare for the Lord’s day!

¨ Make cranberry sauce, & cheese ball for Thanksgiving. Make a few loaves of bread for M/T/W.

¨ Get you meal in the crock pot for Sunday and make your easy meal for today!

¨ Write down any last minute items you need for Thanksgiving!

¨ Children, tidy floors! Mom, clean up kitchen mess when finished… must keep kitchen CLEAN!

Sunday 11/23/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…4 days!

¨ Lord’s Day! You should be prepared for church so that your getting ready goes smoothly and peacefully!

¨ No activities planned for this day except to plug in your crock pot before church (or the night before).

¨ Spend time fellowshipping with friends and family. OR rest up for the busyness of this week!

¨ Meal clean-up should be a family thing today, to ease one another’s burdens!

Monday 11/24/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…3 days!

¨ Wash weekend laundry so stains don’t set in (from Sunday’s meal). My goal 4-6 loads.

¨ Room Focus: Keep that kitchen sparkling, entryway sparkling, and living room sparkling.

¨ Today we make sure things are tidy and stay that way! Find something you missed and attack!!!

¨ Plan EASY MEALS for the week and get things laid out for today!

¨ Forget the groceries! Make pie crusts, lay out cool whip, chop veggies for stuffing.

¨ Children, get after those floors, tidy rooms and clean up the yard!

Tuesday 11/25/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…2 days!

¨ Do minimal laundry, we should be caught up by now!

¨ Room Focus: Make sure bathrooms are sparkling… including a clean shower curtain for guests!

¨ Dust all surfaces!

¨ Get that meal ready early, THEN make up veggie tray, make corn bread for stuffing, and make pumpkin pies.

¨ Clean up kitchen as you go! Wipe cabinet fronts while waiting for pies.

¨ Encourage children to keep up on the floors, and straighten bedrooms. MOM, make sure you do yours, too! We are preparing for company!!! Yeah!

Wednesday 11/26/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…1 day!

¨ Do minimal laundry, if any!

¨ Room Focus: Quick tidy of entire house!

¨ Thanksgiving prep: Make crescent rolls, remaining pies, mix mushroom soup into green beans for green bean casserole and put back into refrigerator, cook sweet potatoes.

¨ Eat up those leftovers or make something super easy! Make & bake a breakfast casserole.

¨ Keep cleaning up your cooking messes!

¨ Help children do a super job cleaning the floors.

¨ Set time for your Thanksgiving meal tomorrow, then plan to have turkey done one hour before so you can cook your green bean casserole & pan of stuffing at the very last.

Thursday 11/27/08: Thanksgiving Day!

¨ Get up early and put turkey in oven! Once finished, make gravy from broth.

¨ Cook potatoes for mashed potatoes, mash and put in crock pot.

¨ Room Focus: Be prepared! Rooms should be tidy, but make a quick check! Make sure bathrooms have plenty of soap, towels, and toilet paper!

¨ Make sure dishes stay washed!

¨ Clean up breakfast mess quickly, THEN set the table for Thanksgiving dinner.

¨ Warm up sweet potatoes and prepare them as desired, remember you can put them in a crock pot if you have an extra one. If they have a topping, it can be added at the end and placed in the oven for 15 minutes to crisp up!

¨ Light candles, put on some light music & set out veggie tray & cheese ball or other appetizer just before guests arrive.

¨ Children should help where needed.

¨ Finally, enjoy your day of thanksgiving!

Last year’s Menu

Appetizers

~Cheese Ball with Crackers

~Veggie Tray with dip (celery, pickles, olives, carrots, pretzels, ranch & French onion dip)

Main Meal

~Turkey

~Dressing

~Candied Sweet Potatoes/or Sweet Potato Casserole

~Rice/or Mashed Potatoes

~Gravy

~Crescent Rolls

~Green Bean Casserole & Regular Green beans

~Cranberry Sauce

Dessert

~Pumpkin Pie w/whipped topping

~Pecan Pie

~Pumpkin Streusel Cake

Making a Thanksgiving Menu is helpful to keep you focused and on task. It also helps when you begin to set things out so that you don’t forget anything! One year I forgot to set out my cranberry sauce!!! Boy, was I embarrassed! Ever since then I have made a list of my menu!

***If you need recipes or instructions on how to prepare any of the items I have listed, just leave me a comment!

Blessing!

Heather

A Quick post...

2008-09-29T09:21:00.002-04:00

There is just simply no time for me to blog these days...

First it was getting ready for company...then entertaining company... we actually went to the east coast to see the beach...AWESOME it was!!!

Then the recovery time for me from having company...

Trying to get school going again...

The possibly getting ready for company again...but they couldn't come...and during this time sickness (last week)...finally better now, at least for now. I didn't get it yet.

Now trying to get school going again (today & this week)...then in a couple weeks get ready for company again... my inlaws! That is always a great task as they are not used to having little ones around to cause the house to be in disorder... so I am going to try to work on the house a little at a time...

All the while I am making everything homemade, including crackers, bread, not cheese...not yogurt, but I should...all breakfasts come from my pantry of baking ingredients...egg casserole, baked oatmeal, scones, cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast on my homemade bread, cake made from leftover oatmeal (coffee cake), french toast (with my homemade bread and eggs from our chickens), pancakes with freshly milled oat flour (and regular white flour) and homemade syrup...sorry can't afford maple syrup yet.

Oh, and I am compiling together a cook book... I plan to post it if possible on my Yahoo groups group... I created that for my own specialized reminders, but you are welcome to join...it is called Home Management for Large Families...I will eventually get the little icon you click on put on my blog sidebar. It is still under construction, but in the files I have job charts, mom job charts, grocery list, blank grocery list, and will eventually have menu plans, recipes, grocery lists for those recipes...etc. etc. etc....

Oh, and before I forget...we also have been butchering deer... so far, we have been given two deer for our family. The other evening we had grilled teriyaki deer steaks....YUM!!! with Oriental slaw, and baked spaghetti squash...

We haven't much except tomatoes from our garden, but I have squash planted in my garden that should be getting around to producing very soon...

I have been making a dessert squash casserole lately that we just love....I even eat it for breakfast! I will be sharing a recipe for that too...for my cookbook, when I have time...

So what have I been doing? ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING... keeping very busy... and yes, part of my time has been getting my cookbook together... I will be transferring those recipes to a word document for my group, Home Management for Large Families...but your family doesn't have to be large to join... that is just the name I gave it because my family is large, and so I am giving you a schedule for what a large family does.

Out of time!
Blessings!
Heather

BTW...I just put the link for my group in this post...just click and you will find it!

Home Schooling & Such...

2008-08-28T14:09:00.002-04:00

Home schooling is going as well as can be expected...

I am trying my best to stick to my schedule and if I get behind, I just do the next thing that my schedule tells me to do. Although if it doesn't all get done, I stop at 3:00 p.m. regardless...

My schedule has stayed the same as it is below with the exception of having a singing time with our Bible time every morning and a "homework" time from 1 - 3 p.m.

I am also using Fridays to "catch up" on any incomplete lessons and such...that is if we have a lesson from English that we didn't finish on Thursday, we just finish it Friday and we are done with that subject for the day.

And if you are wondering, "WHY DO I HAVE SOOO MANY SUBJECTS ON MY SCHEDULE???"....it is the state law here...

We are REQUIRED to do Reading (Comprehension?/Phonics?), Literature (Reading the Classics?), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Language Arts (which lists a whole realm of things that we must try to teach), Music, Health & P.E. and twice a year submit a portfolio to the public school system for documentation of home schooling...ugh.

I am just wondering here...I am up at 5:30 a.m. every morning and I don't often go to bed super early AND MY HOUSE...oh, my house....IT IS AWFUL!!!

Does anyone have any tips here? I mean, I CAN'T skip home schooling for any length of time!!!

I really try to get things done, but they just get messy again. And money is pretty tight right now, so buying paper plates, paper napkins... and other helps, like a pizza delivery is out of the question...

I keep thinking, if I could just stay up super late and clean, but by the end of the day I am beat!!! And I am an energetic person. I know that my house is going to HAVE to be cleaned super well soon as my sister's family is coming to stay for visit...

An emergency cleaning would be somewhat helpful, but it takes a long time as we live in a large house... I remember the days of cleaning a much smaller place...I only had four children then...and my house stayed clean! What is the matter with me now?? (with the exception of living in a home 3 to 4 times that size?)

Oh well...I do it someday...it will be here for me tomorrow if I don't get it done today, right?

I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel SOMEWHERE!!! I just need to find it and run toward the light! (with prayer, of course)

Blessings!
Heather

BTW... Mrs. C, I am SOOO glad that my schedule was helpful to you!!! That made my day!!!

Gardening & Homeschooling

2008-08-22T10:19:00.004-04:00

Sorry, Amity....the only thing I have to show for my garden this year is tomatoes...tried to post a picture, but blogger wasn't cooperating.

My tomato varieties are:
green zebra stripe tomatoes (heirloom), hillbilly tomatoes (heirloom red & orange tomato), celebrity, early girl, grape & Roma tomatoes....

Although I was digging up a section (a very large section) last week by hand and planting some other things that may not come up...we'll see. I also dug up another section of my "secret garden" by hand that I plan to plant peas, broccoli, cauliflower & cabbage in.

Then once Saturday gets here, or later today, I will be planting my mesclun (lettuces), spinach, carrots, beets & possibly peas in my herb garden (in the "secret garden").

And here it is....an official, trying to make it work, Daily School Schedule for 5 homeschooling children.

NOTE: In order for me to get ready for the day, I am rising at 5:30 a.m. every morning (except Saturday).

Daily School Schedule (times may vary)

Monday

¨ Bible (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:00 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ History / Social Studies (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Spelling (Write spelling words; 9:45-10:15)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:45)

¨ P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime; bicycles)

Tuesday

¨ Bible (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:00 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ Science (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Spelling (Write spelling words; 9:45-10:15 boys)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:45)

¨ P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime; free play)

Wednesday

¨ Bible (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:00 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ History / Social Studies (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Spelling (Write spelling words; 9:45-10:15 boys)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:45)

¨ P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime; rules/team sports)

Thursday

¨ Bible (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:00 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ Science (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Spelling (Write spelling words; 9:45-10:15 boys)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:45)

¨ P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime; free play)

Friday

¨ Bible/Music starting 2^nd wk (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Spelling Test (9:00-9:15 boys)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:15 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ Art (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:30)

¨ Health (starting 2^nd wk)/P.E. (11:30 – lunchtime; health lesson then endurance training)

What I've been up to....

2008-08-18T22:07:00.003-04:00

Gardening...
Gardening...
Gardening...
Entertaining...
Gardening...
Church...
Gardening & Home Schooling...

Need I say more?

I'm really too tired to write...been up since 5:30 a.m. est. I'm tired...

Have a blessed day in the LORD!!!
Heather

Another addition to my "Thought of the Day"

2008-08-11T13:57:00.002-04:00

Where there's water, there's children, and where there's water and children, there is mischief and MUD!!!

Yes, Mrs. C, we have discovered MUD...not to mention holes in the ground, dug by my dear sweet children...

Directions: Dig BIG hole...fill with water...mix well...and play...get really dirty with the mud that you have made...add Mom to the mix...she's frantic by the way...get hose & turn on water...spray dirty children well...run really warm bath (because by now we have goosebumps, shivers, and blue lips)...put children in bath...2 at a time...wash WELL...provide children with clean, dry clothes, turn movie on, lock in house....take wet muddy clothes (that have been rinsed out well...outside)...put in washer...wash on extra dirty cycle with detergent & oxyclean...dry in dryer (to get sand completely out of clothes)...now, MOM...sit down and enjoy movie with children...by now they are snuggling in blankets and don't EVER want to touch mud again!!! until they dig the next hole!!!

When children have all gone to bed, write your story in your journal and remember it forever...don't forget to share it with your children when they are grown!

Blessings!
Heather

Thought for the Day

2008-07-31T17:21:00.001-04:00

Where there's water, there's children. And where there's water and children, there's mischief.

More on Homeschooling...

2008-07-30T22:35:00.002-04:00

I am still trying to gain my focus on what I am going to teach and how I did it in the past, so I am still thinking and writing through my ideas and plans... However, I am going to share it here... (so I don't lose my notes (o;)

To keep the small ones busy, I will provide them with lots of copy work... the way I usually do copy work is more time consuming but saves money...

Handwriting/Copy work (every day--independent)

First I get some very cheap lined paper (for beginning handwriting) and I make a "book" by stapling several sheets of this cheap paper between construction paper (or whatever I have).
Then I use a ball point pen and write letters for them to copy.
They use a magic marker or highlighter pen to copy the letters...the marker makes it "fun," and is usually a "treat" for them.
I also make sure to help them decorate there new book. Stickers can be used as well as crayons and markers to make a picture. I also make sure I write there name on the book.
Once the child has mastered their letters and numbers, I go on to words, then sentences...I prefer Scripture verses, not only does that teach writing, but once they begin to read that reinforces there memory verse for the week.
Sometimes I use Donna Young's handwriting worksheets to teach the correct way to write in cursive...I often let the child decide when they would like to write in cursive as I have often began them in 1st grade (which was their choice).

Math (every day--independent after lesson is taught)
Saxon Math teaches almost all the skills a child needs, but if you are not using a curriculum for your small children (K-1st grade) you can do many different things...

Use counters to teach counting... anything here can be used from army men or teddy bear counter to beans or noodles.
Use toys to teach positions (front, middle, back...first, second, third....and so on)
Use your same counters to teach addition and subtraction... This method makes math real to your child. Make rows, trains (with blocks), towers, airplane seats... adding and taking away so the child begins to understand math.
Use apples to teach division. When you cut an apple in half how many pieces do you have now? So 1/2 apple plus 1/2 apple equals one whole apple.

Spelling (every day--independent after lesson taught)
This is one of those subject that many throw there hand up in the air about... How do you teach spelling?

Well if you teach phonics to your child, then your child will learn to spell phonetically. However, sometimes words are not spelled phonetically so as you are going over your child's copy work, you find the spelling mistakes that they made. Those "mistakes" are now your "spelling words" for the week. Have the child/ren write those words 3-5 times each day for 3 days. Give a pre-test on Thursday, if the child scores a perfect score on Thursday then count that for the test, if not, have the child retake the test on Friday.

Any words that were not spelled correctly on the Friday test can be added to the following weeks spelling lesson, because we all know, "Practice makes perfect."

In addition to writing our spelling words, I also have my children write the pronunciation, definition, and different forms of the word (with prefixes, suffixes, plural form, past, present, future tense if verb).

Language Arts (every day--group lesson, worksheets independent)
Language arts is spelling (covered), grammar, reading (which I include in Literature), word study, and expository and creative writing which includes essays, letters to friends or family, and poetry.

Shurley English covers most of these topics... that is grammar, writing, word study, and abbreviations (including states, their capitols, postal abbreviation, & the outline of the state).
It uses jingles or poems to teach about parts of speech, etc. Each day we outline a sentence and learn or review a concept, then follow up with a worksheet. Each week we learn new words (synonyms & antonyms), take a test, write a paragraph, and learn 2 new states.

When I am teaching English, I usually try to include my younger children in singing the "jingles" so they can memorize these poems (which teach the parts of speech). Young children can be taught some of the parts of speech...mainly nouns and verbs. This can actually be very fun as you can ask them to jump, run, dance, etc. or to get the cat, a toy, or something that is a noun.

History/Social Studies (3 times per week--group lesson, independent reading)
We are basically learning about people and events from the past. Reading the Bible from the beginning to the children is teaching them about the past...how the world began. This is a very good place to start.

I use Tapestry of Grace to teach History, Biblical Worldview, etc. I also use their maps to teach Geography.

For my younger children, I have often read Genesis 1-3 to them and had them illustrate what happened on the Days of Creation...wow, we just covered 2 subjects... history & art! Then I might have them copy a verse or the verse that refers to the day we just discussed and our handwriting is done for the day!

Science (2 times per week--group lesson)
Science is a study of God's Creation...the earth, the animals, the human being, the way things work, electricity, magnets, weather, clouds, etc.

What curriculum do you use? Good question! But we have chosen Apologia Science. You can read the lessons out loud to ALL of your students... making sure your little ones are coloring and occupying themselves, then finish up with discussion and then, if your child is able, have them follow up with the questions at the end. Many parents will have their child dictate to them what they have learned and then the child will copy what their parents have written on their papers, then as the child gets older you can teach them to rephrase the sentence and find the answer themselves.

Bible (every day as a group)
We sing the Old and New Testament songs, recite our catechism questions & answers, teach memory verses, sing Scripture verses, read the Bible, and talk about the character of God. This can be done anytime... say you do a morning devotion and Bible reading during breakfast, and at lunch read your Proverb of the day (corresponds with the date), and then during "school" time sing songs, work on memory verse, work on catechism questions, dinner time can be a question & answer session with dad.

Art (once or twice a week)
There are so many things to do in art, I don't even know where to start. But many things can be considered art. Say you have a Lego genius, like me, have them build a structure and then take a picture of it to put in your portfolio...that is sculpture.

Drawing can be anything from animals, trees, your house, to tea cups, fruit, glass jars, eggs, popcorn, etc. They are basically learning small motor skills. You can buy a book for ideas or find some websites (Like Donna Young's) to help you, but art is basically ANYTHING creative... from knitting & sewing (fibers) to painting & sculpture.

Other ideas that may help are to have you children make cards for family members who are having birthdays. Make sure to take a picture and stick it in you portfolio though!

Health (once per week)
Simple...caring & learning about our bodies. This includes how our body works, dental care, grooming, what to feed & fuel our body, why we get sick, how to keep our bodies healthy, getting proper sleep, what to expect when mommy has another baby, how to care for our siblings, safety rules, gearing up (helmets & elbow & knee pads) for outdoor activites; protecting our skin, sight & hearing; what to do in an emergency, first aid, CPR, when to call 911; what drugs, alcohol, smoking & junk food does to our bodies, how our body changes when we get older, etc.

Music (once or twice per week)
Straightforward...
Composers & their music (reading out of a book).
Learning to read & play music.
Listening to music & learning to appreciate it.
Teaching musical instruments (or music lessons outside of the home).

Physical Education (every day...as my children are quite active)
Learning what to do to keep our bodies fit which includes learning how to play different team sports (& rules), learning how to play individual sports (& rules), learning what activities we should do everyday and learning about warming up, stretching & cooling down.

I thing that should be a good enough start for me... it gives me a few great ideas on subjects that I have not taught before (as the laws out here are different). Hope you find this helpful too!

Blessings!
Heather

Thoughts on Homeschooling

2008-07-30T09:09:00.006-04:00

Homeschool Lesson Goals

Reading/Phonics – How to Tutor Lessons

Writing & Singing ABC’s
Writing & Spelling name

Math – Next lesson for boys (in Saxon Math), Saxon Math 1 & 2 (2nd grader...she didn't finish Math 1, and I will not go to Math 2 until she has finished)

Shapes & Counting (1 – 20)
Writing numbers
Basic Addition, Subtraction, & Division

Bible – Memory verse each week & TOG curriculum (focuses on what the Bible says and why certain people did what they did)

Bible Stories
OT & NT Songs
Catechism Questions
Singing Scripture

Music – Identifying notes, Listening to music, Composers & their music, Singing (refer to Bible)

Instruments? – piano, cello, keyboard, trumpet, guitar?

Art – Colors & Mixing Colors, Still Life drawings, Animal Drawings, TOG curriculum

Using different mediums – crayons, markers, play dough, paint?

English – Spelling (Natural Speller?), Language Arts (Shurley English?), Writing (Write Like Crazy?)

Identifying punctuation
Identifying nouns & verbs

Science – Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day?, Butterflies & Bees mini books?

Social Studies – TOG curriculum

Health – Learning about our bodies and how to take care of them.

Physical Education – Team Sports

Literature (Reading) – TOG Curriculum

Reciting Nursery Rhymes
Fairy Tales & Fables

The indented items are mainly thoughts on teaching my little ones... They will be 1st grade & younger. TOG stands for Tapestry of Grace Curriculum.

The main goal with my little ones is to keep them busy while I teach the older children. The less idle time they have, the less they get into trouble.

Other ideas when trying to keep your littlest content is to have your older children take turns occupying baby while you teach the others. And as baby begins to sit up and play, get a basket of toys (safe for baby) and set in front of him/her. That usually keeps them busy for a good long time. If all else fails, invest in a carrier of some kind...I suggest the Ergo baby carrier, and put baby in there until he/she falls asleep.

If the font on this post is a little crazy, it is because I copied and pasted this Homeschool goals from Microsoft Office...it always makes things look crazy!

Blessings!
Heather

A VERY BUSY Week INDEED!!!

2008-07-29T10:00:00.002-04:00

Wow, has it been busy...

My folks flew in for a visit last Thursday and left today. We had a great time, but were we ever busy!!!

My sister, who is traveling for her job right now, also joined us on Sunday and Monday...

But that is not all!!!

You see, I have family that lives in Scotland. And my cousin had planned to visit the states in July & August. Well, his plan flew in to the same airport my folks flew in at SO we picked him up and he stayed with us overnight...we had a very wonderful, but quick visit...

So to make a long story short...
My husband went & picked up my parents at the airport on Thursday, then went back to the airport to pick up my cousin on Saturday, took my cousin back to the airport on Sunday (as he was going to see our grandpa & family in the midwest), on the way back we picked up my sister at the train station, then took my sister back to the train station on Monday and today my husband we to the airport AGAIN to take my folks back to the airport...

Stats goes as follows:
4 round trips to airport in 6 days
2 trips to the train station in 6 days!!!

That's a lot of traveling for someone who is used to staying home!!!

BUT, that's not everything that went on!!!

My oldest son had his birthday on Sunday and mine was yesterday!!! He turned 11, I turned 24 PLUS 11... (O;

All I have to say is...I need to catch my breath!!! And to do that I am going to dig in my garden, wash tons of laundry, tweak my already clean house, and plan my homeschooling year!!!

My wonderful mother helped me get things all nice and tidy!!! What a GREAT birthday present!!!

And to top it all off, we are going to start homeschooling in 2 WEEKS!!!!! I wanted to start earlier but the homeschool law here says we need to give 15 days notification with a consent to homeschool letter. That gives me time to plan and get materials ready...printing up worksheets for my younger children and studying the curriculum for my older children.

So, if you come around and wonder if I dropped off the face of the earth...NO, I'M HERE!!! Just a little preoccupied!

But the Lord is good and gave us plenty of strength!!!

Have a great week in the LORD!!! (As I won't be around much!)
Heather

Our Precious Children....in honor of Leanne's announcement

2008-07-21T12:11:00.004-04:00

In Honor of Leanne at My Supplications, I am reprinting this poem for her! Enjoy, Leanne! Blessings!
This is a poem that I originally wrote for my cousin's first babies (twin girls) that tells a tale of how it really is with new babies..

Nothing is more precious...
than your babies first smile,
their first laugh,
their first coo,
And don't forget...
their first kisses,
(They try to eat your face!)
And when they get teeth,...
their first bite!
(OUCH! right on your arm,
in the middle of church!)
When they say Mama and Dadda,...
your heart sings with joy!

Cherish these moments,...
because they grow up too fast!
Ask anyone who's been there,
they'll tell you the same.

Oh, and something else...
When they realize that
the diapers have velcro,
and the jammies have zippers,
and they are stinky...
What happens, you say?
Well, they unzip their jammies,
& unvelcro their diapers...
And WHOA!!!
What a stinky, rotten MESS!
(All over their brand new crib!)
Straight to the bathtub with you!!!

Enjoy these precious moments,
take loads of pictures,
and enjoy the rollar coaster
of PARENTHOOD!!!

Children are a blessing from the LORD.
They are our gifts from God.
Kiss your babies,
Hug your babies,
Cherish every moment,
for in the blink of an eye,
they will be too big for your lap!

Easy Button

2008-07-18T17:22:00.003-04:00

Is there an easy button that I can push to make my day go smoother...

An easy button that makes...

sweeping floors easier
washing clothes in the washer easier (as mine kept going out of balance today...had to babysit it)
hanging laundry out on the line easier...without the threat of being infested with ticks & chiggers
getting little silly girls down for their naps easier
having children help with the tasks around the house easier (without the distraction of a snake eating a frog)
getting to eat lunch ON TIME easier
getting baby girl to sleep easier
getting the house in order for daddy easier
keeping the room that was just cleaned clean easier

It sure would be nice if our homes had a reset button like our computers...that restarts everything fresh & new... of course it would have to reset the house as it was the last time you completely cleaned the entire house... ;O)

I just want to push the easy button or the reset button... then I can keep up with all the work, HA! HA!!!

Lord, give me patience,
Lord, give me speed,
Lord, help me with this day,
to give hubby what he needs!

Blessings!
Heather

A Birthday Wish

2008-07-11T12:27:00.002-04:00

Today is my daughter's 5th birthday.
What a blessing it was when she was born.
I had a bad case of bronchitis and I coughed her out!
LITERALLY!!!
The nurses told me not to say how easy her delivery was because they didn't want the other mothers, in the hospital at that time, to be jealous!
She is a very sweet, soft-spoken (most of the time), and quiet little girl.
And what a blessing she is to me!

Blessings!
Heather

Finding Comfort in the Scriptures

2008-07-11T11:38:00.003-04:00

Psalm 139

1O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

9If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

11If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

12Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

19Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

22I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Time to Restore Order Around Here...

2008-07-10T09:55:00.004-04:00

As many of you know, last week was quite a challenge for me. However, you only knew part of it...

You see, my daughter got sick on Tuesday, I started to miscarry on Wednesday AND my friend (nearly sister) went into the hospital to have her baby on Thursday(she was induced). I had spoke of her earlier this year as she had several episodes of premature labor...well, she made it to 39 weeks for the first time in all her pregnancies. AND since she lives quite a ways away, when my hubby was up in their area for work he picked up their children and brought them home with us...so I had 9 children under the age of 11 (or almost 11) in my home for several days last week.

I had a 1-year-old (almost), a 2-year-old, a 3-year-old, a 4-year-old, a 5-year-old (almost), a 6-year-old, a 7-year-old, a 9-year-old, and a 11-year-old (almost) in my home all at once...

Now, maybe your thinking, "NO wonder she miscarried!" No, that's not the case as the extra children arrived Tuesday evening (when I still wondered what was wrong with my daughter) and all we had to do was put them to bed.

Since I started miscarrying on Wednesday morning (around 5 a.m.), my older children took care of the younger children outside...Yes, we sent them all OUTSIDE to play...so the house was nice and quiet (for the most part).

It was quite busy those few days as we had their children from Tuesday evening to Saturday afternoon...

Thankfully a family from church drove up (2 hours away) on Friday to provide a meal and help with the cleaning... Shortly after they arrived, I arrived home with my daughter from the doctor.

However, with all the down time that I had to spend while trying to keep from miscarrying, I made up a chore chart for my children so things could start getting done daily around here...We are still trying to make it work, but I thought I would share our chore list with you.

NOTE: Usually we are unable to complete our tasks, but sometimes they get them done early in the day...

First thing I did was buddy up my children... The buddies (groups) are:

11-year-old (almost) with 6-year-old
9-year-old with 3-year-old
7-year-old with 5-year-old (almost)

Here are the jobs:

Group 1 does these jobs on Monday & Thursday, Group 2: Wednesday & Saturday, Group 3: Tuesday & Friday

Unload Dishwasher
Feed & Water Chickens (3 times daily), Gather eggs
Pick Up & Sweep Living Room Floor
Pick Up & Sweep Mudroom Floor
Set Table for Breakfast & Clear food and dishes when done
Pick Up & Vacuum Stairs
Take ALL trash out & Replace trash bags
Make Ice for drinks (which included emptying trays)

Group 1: Tuesday & Friday, Group 2: Monday & Thursday, Group 3: Wednesday & Saturday

Load Dishwasher
Help Potty Train 3-year-old
Clean & Sweep Kitchen Floor
Set Table for Lunch & clear food and dishes
Fold Laundry
Clean & Sweep Bathroom Floors
Scrub Shower & Tub
Pick Up Laundry in ALL Rooms

Group 1: Wednesday & Saturday, Group 2: Tuesday & Friday, Group 3: Monday & Thursday

Changes baby's wet diapers
Clean & Sweep Hallway Floors (upstairs & downstairs)
Set Table for Dinner & clear food and dishes
Make ALL beds (if not done yet)
Changes Sheets (of assigned rooms once a week)
Put away folded laundry
Clean & Sweep Porch (our outdoor dining room)
Scrub Toilets & Bathroom Sinks

I have made my own job chart, but will have to share that later...but one of my jobs is to help one group a day with the middle jobs (that starts with Load Dishwasher).

So far that is the plan and if my children do their work, they get paid a little something and earn special privileges. But if I end up doing the job, they pay ME for it... $.25, unless I have been assigned to help them.

This new system is still a work in progress, and NO we NEVER get it all done, but hopefully we will eventually get the hang of it and finish our daily task lists.

I am one of those people that is organized in the brain, but not too organized on the outside...so I am working on this.

And if you were to put me in a class, the groups being "Cleanies or Born-Organized people" and "Messies ," I'm afraid that I would fall into the "Messies" category... Just being honest here, as I can't boast about my ability to tackle the entire house in one day, one week, or even one month. I am a work in progress, and I will be until my children are grown and able to help me more efficiently.

But those are the goals, I hope it helps you somewhat.

Blessings!
Heather

Okay, Clarification time...

2008-07-08T21:16:00.002-04:00

I know that there are some that are outraged that I waited until Friday (July 4th) to take my daughter to the doctor...

Well, I will clarify some of the details...

My daughter came down sick on Tuesday. I thought to myself, "Who has been to my house that had the flu?" I made a few calls to see if those that had visited had come down with the flu... No one had...and since we missed church on Sunday, I knew that it wasn't from church. But I still thought in the back of my mind that maybe it was a virus (not even recalling the fact that she had had painful urination a few days before...I have 7 children, it is really busy around here and I am a SCATTERBRAIN!!!).

I go by the rule, "If they have a fever for more than three days, take them to the doctor..."

As you know, the doctor isn't too concerned unless they have been sick with a fever over 103 degrees for more than 3 days*.

NOTE: She didn't have a fever for three days straight...it went away for a day.

Wednesday my daughter seemed to get better, HOWEVER I started having a MISCARRIAGE (as most of you know who had been keeping up with my posts, I had been threatening to miscarry for a couple weeks)... I have had a miscarriage before, so I know the way things go...YOU STAY HOME...and hubby stays with you just in case you hemorrhage. *

NOTE: I live nowhere near family or friends as we moved states in February.

Things didn't really start picking up with my miscarriage until Wednesday evening, I was having painful cramping and couldn't be on my feet for long. WE literally couldn't leave the house for anything!!! My daughter was doing okay, though I'd rather have taken her in to the doctor Thursday, BUT Thursday my miscarriage continued and I wanted to stay close to the toilet, as the bleeding was much heavier on Thursday. NO, the bleeding wasn't heavy enough for the ER, but heavy enough for me to stay close to home (and recalling my last miscarriage, I was expecting more labor-like pain).

Though, Thursday night was an allnighter with my daughter, we made it through. I kept a close eye on her temperature and planned to find a doctor first thing in the morning. My children haven't been sick much this year, so I hadn't taken the time to find a doctor in this area (since our move).

The first thing I did Friday morning was to dive into my phone book. I called some doctors offices at 8 a.m. only to find that they were either not in the office (on a holiday) or they didn't open until 9 a.m. AND I didn't have an on-call number for ANY doctors in the area. The closest doctor I knew of was 2 HOURS AWAY.

So I patiently waited and got myself ready so I leave for the appointment ASAP.

Upon returning from the doctor, I gave my daughter her antibiotic and started a sick journal to keep track of her temperature, her symptoms, and the medicine she took (including making sure that I gave her antibiotic twice daily because I will forget if I don't). That journal is GREAT, as I haven't forgotten to give her antibiotic to her once!!!

So far, so good! She is feeling a lot better and the antibiotic worked! NO FEVER, NO SYMPTOMS of infection!!!

So, to answer the question as to WHY I didn't rush her to the hospital the minute she came down with a fever...

First, I wanted to make sure that it wasn't a virus and I KNEW that it wasn't a virus when the fever returned.

Secondly....I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A MISCARRIAGE!!! What am I expected to do?

I apologize if I have offended anyone.

And to all of my supportive bloggy buddies, THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! For all of your prayers and concerns with my daughter and my miscarriage. God heard your prayers and answered them, HIS way!!!

Blessings!
Heather

After the Storm...

2008-07-07T21:07:00.002-04:00

My miscarriage is over... and yes, I did miscarry. Today the pregnancy test that I took was negative. After such a long struggle with this miscarriage (not knowing if I was going to miscarry), I am relieved that it is OVER.

But I went through the storm after I started miscarrying...

You see, my almost 5-year-old daughter came down sick last week...very sick. She began running a very high fever on Tuesday (about 103.5 degrees). Earlier the week before she had complained of painful urination...then, with this fever she complained about her back hurting, and she wanted me to come with her to the bathroom. I started giving her cranberry juice immediately and I tried giving her a pain reliever to get the fever down, but she couldn't keep the fever reducer down. The cranberry juice also upset her tummy...so she was also throwing up. I tried giving her garlic in applesauce (because it is good for infection, garlic that is)... but that also upset her tummy.

I finally was able to get her fever down and once I did she began eating Multigrain Cheerios like she had never eaten in her life! But to no avail, the fever came back. However, it left on Wednesday again. She slept peacefully that night and I found some relief hoping that the storm was over...

but it wasn't.

Thursday it began again...with a vengeance. She woke up from her nap with another high fever. I again started giving her a fever reducer, but it spiked Thursday night and would not budge. So, after trying to go to bed that night, I found myself going downstairs with my daughter and being stirred every 30 minutes to take her to the bathroom...

(I had been searching online for answers earlier that week and found that she probably had a kidney infection...)

Friday morning came too soon as I did NOT sleep at all that night...nor did she. So, I began my search in the yellow pages for a doctor (we didn't have one here yet). It seemed forever to wait until 9 a.m. (on a holiday) to get to talk to a receptionist about an appointment, but I finally did and I made an appointment.

The doctor checked her all over...the also had me collect a urine sample from my daughter (she didn't even pee on me! ...I know, more info than you needed to know). Anyway, (O; there was a LOT of blood in her urine, she had an ear infection (that had not been detected by me) and her fever was 100.6 degrees. So with the ear infection and urinary tract (possibly kidney) infection, she was quite a sick one. The scary part was when the doctor told me that if she didn't get better from the antibiotic in 2 days, that she would have to be admitted to the hospital...because kidney infections don't usually respond well to Augmentim.

Well, so far she is better and it has been 4 days! Praise the LORD!!!

My daughter has NEVER taken any antibiotics, so that is probably why she responded so well to it, but the credit should be given exclusively to the LORD!!! I am amazed that every day she awakes, she is fever free and happy. She is still exhausted from the ordeal, as her naptime has been longer than usual and she has NO problem falling asleep, but I am extremely grateful that she is better.

I am resting in the LORD's strength...
He is my comfort,
He is my hope,
He gives and He takes away,
Thank you for giving me my daughter's health, LORD!
Thank you!

With tear in my eyes,
I bid my farewell!

Blessings friend!
Put you trust in the LORD!

Heather

The Wait is Over...

2008-07-03T18:24:00.004-04:00

Yes...it is a definite miscarriage.

It all started yesterday morning. I am doing okay with it...though, I'd rather not have to go through miscarriage AGAIN...

As these are the dates that I have miscarried (including this present one):

December 22, 1999
June 3, 2001
August 4, 2006 (ectopic pregnancy surgery)
July 2, 2008

I remember each and every miscarriage as it was yesterday...the pain I felt with each one, the struggles I had as to why God has to take these precious lives away from me...

But our days are numbered, and some of our children only have a few weeks in the womb...others maybe more...but it is all in God's perfect will.

Nothing happens outside of God's will. He has shown me that time and time again. I am at peace with this miscarriage as I am with all of my miscarriages. I know God has His plan and His purpose for each and every challenge that comes our way. This is one of the ways He draws us nigh unto Him and gets our attention.

I guess I will just snuggle with my youngest for now as she is a very sweet and petite baby...
Thank you for all your prayers and comments, they blessed my heart and spirit!

Blessings!
Heather

Still Waiting...

2008-06-26T09:55:00.002-04:00

So far, no definite miscarriage...

I've been taking lots of tinctures...staying off my feet as much as possible...actually trying to stay horizontal....

I also have implemented a new system for my children & their "jobs"...

Will tell you more later, but this system seems to be working.

Time is up...off I go, to REST...ugh...

The Curve Ball

2008-06-23T16:13:00.002-04:00

Sometimes God throws you a curve ball. You plan and you plan, but He has other plans...

Here is my curve ball...
Last Tuesday, after having what I thought was my cycle, I found out that I was pregnant. Great news, I know, but that's not the curve ball...

I started spotting Monday night (before Tuesday), decided to take a pregnancy test...positive, spotted on and off all last week. Began taking ginseng (to raise my progesterone level) & vitamin E (supposed to be helpful with a threatening miscarriage)....and it helped, by Saturday the spotting had stopped. I went to church Sunday...everything still clear...but at church I began having pinkish discharge again. When I woke this morning, I had bled a little in the night...dark red...ugh, enough to make me worry again.

So I guess I am threatening to miscarry, or already have...just waiting for it to complete...you see, I had a "cycle" two weeks ago today (when pregnant)...so I'm thinking miscarriage. Yes, I have had one before and today I was hurting so bad I couldn't stand up straight...

I said to myself earlier on, I'm okay with it, I can handle more than I used to...but when I woke this morning and found the blood in my underwear, I realized that it is going to be hard...miscarriage is NEVER easy...why should I think that it is?

I know that nothing happens outside of the will of God...He will comfort me, and He has...but the tears are still coming. I will get through this, but not without God's help. I still don't know yet if this is a miscarriage...only time will tell...prayers are appreciated.

Don't know when I will update again...maybe when things have settled again and I have worked through whatever is the outcome of this...

May God bless...
Heather

Ever wonder what all those laundry symbols mean?

2008-06-16T21:30:00.003-04:00

Here is the link for all those laundry symbols:

Guide to Common Home Laundering & Dry cleaning Symbols

Other News (in no special order):

Well, things haven't stopped around here, meaning they are quite busy these days. Non-stop dishes, laundry, and dirty diapers...and non-stop dirt, sand, gardening, and cleaning.
Yesterday (June 15) was our 12th wedding anniversary, but we were unable to celebrate...
Two weeks from yesterday, my son jumped off the dock (barefooted) and landed on something VERY sharp...needless to say, he had to have 13 stitches to repair his foot. He has now been hobbling around for two weeks. (That was when we had company over...my husband and son's visit were cut short.)
My second youngest daughter turned 3 on June 3rd.
Our biting black (sheep?) flies finally arrived a few days back...thankfully they only bite you if you are on the lawn mower.
The heat has finally subsided a bit, the cool weather blew in just today! You know, there is nothing like sweating while you hang laundry out on the clothes line.
My "secret garden" is taking shape, but it is no where near what I want it to be this year. I have a feeling it will take a few years to get it in shape. However, I did find a clematis growing amongst the weeds...got a trellis up and weaved it through the trellis. I can't wait to see it a few years from now!!! Right now we have begonias, peppermint, spearmint, oregano, thyme, lavender, sage, four o'clocks, and a sunflower growing in it. Eventually the entire back yard (which is surrounded by a wall) will be my secret garden. Oh, and I have lettuce and radishes growing off to the side in my back yard (future secret garden).
Last week I sat down and made my 3 middle girls each a dress. They turned out adorable...now I just need to get them off of them long enough to take a picture of them!
Baby girl is crawling, pulling up and sitting all by herself. She has become quite the little mover and shaker...she just won't slow down, not even for a minute!

Anyway...that is all I have time for today! Don't know when I will be back, as keeping a blog can be quite time consuming and right now, I just don't have that kind of time.

Hope to get things normal around here soon. Get a schedule or something! If you have any great ideas or suggestions for me that you would like to send me, email me at runningtothecross@yahoo.com

Have a great summer, if I am gone that long! (I probably won't be...(O;)
Blessings!
Heather

Willling Workers Job Chart

2008-06-12T11:55:00.002-04:00

I apologize for not being around much! I have had little time lately...but I just created a Willing Workers Job Chart to go along with the First Time Obedience Chart.

Here are the links: Willing Worker's Chart
First Time Obedience Chart

On the First Time Obedience Chart, you'll have to print page 1 only...the computer program read it as two pages even though it was just one.

And to get your copy, once your are at the link, click on Download, select PDF, and it will be downloaded to your computer!

Have a great week! I'm of to get things done...be back when there is time!
Blessings!
Heather

A Walk to the Beach

2008-05-30T17:07:00.013-04:00

And off we go...I am walking (pushing the stroller) while everyone else is riding down on four-wheelers (and in the cub cadet wagon).

The road is edged with moss...
Me!!! I dropped my camera and took a picture of the inside of my nose, but decided that wouldn't be appropriate...

The marsh...you will find loads of frogs, birds, and minnows here...
The pier & floating dock...my bunch is already fishing...
Lots of folks were out on the water this day (Memorial Day).
This was a very fun day indeed. The older children fished, while the younger children got wet...they all ended up getting wet though...that just means more laundry! Oh, and baby girl snoozed the entire time!

Blessings this weekend!
Heather

First Time Obedience Chart

2008-05-30T09:31:00.002-04:00

To get your First Time Obedience Chart go HERE.

Then, once you are there, click on Download in the upper right hand corner. You will then get a list of different options...I recommend downloading it as a PDF...otherwise, the program manipulates and distorts the document. Unfortunately, it will tell you that there are 2 pages. There is only one page, so just tell it to print page 1.

Have a great weekend!
Heather

Architectural Beauty at our Home

2008-05-29T13:53:00.006-04:00

Upon entering our driveway, you are welcomed by stone pillars with stone baskets of fruit.

The Bell Tower...yes, the bell works!
The stone barn with beautiful archways...
Next photo blog entry...A Walk to the Beach.

Updated: First Time Obedience Chart...Made Public!

2008-05-29T09:47:00.007-04:00

Updated: Get your First Time Obedience Chart HERE.
Thanks Mama!

Original Post: Jessica,

I would love to share the template for my First Time Obedience Chart, however, I am not quite sure how to put that form online.

Can anyone help me with this?

Thanks...
Heather

Thanks for all the Advice!

2008-05-28T09:04:00.004-04:00

I appreciate everyone's comments (although I don't always get them published right away!)...I did read them and ponder over them for quite some time.

Normally laundry, dishes, and floors are all that I get to...that is the floors downstairs.

We have been blessed with a large house...at least large for me.

On the first floor there is a large mudroom, a large eat-in kitchen, a somewhat large living area (broken up into a living area & piano area that houses the home school books), a screened-in porch which serves as our second eating/home school area, a hallway/stairway/closet area, an office, and a bathroom.

On the second floor is the bedrooms: girl's room, boy's room, master bedroom, and guest room; then the linen closet, bathroom, and hallway.

The basement isn't much to talk about as water streams through it when it rains, but it has the "extra" junk, the freezers, a refrigerator, 2 washers & 2 dryers (one of which I am waiting for my husband to hook up), and our stove that has the broken door (broken during our move). NOTE: I am thrilled to have both washers hooked up as my dear hubby hung some clothesline up just the other day...I am able to attack the laundry with a vengeance daily...

I am getting a game plan together so that I can attack this home with a vengeance...so far, I have attacked the hallway/stairway/closet area but it needs to be tidied again, the kitchen which is always in need of tidying, and the living area which always needs tidying, and the laundry (never ending task as my children love to play in the water all summer long!)...

We have company coming over on Sunday, so I must keep attacking the house...I DO plan to get as much done as possible.

Again, thanks for all the advice!

So far, here is what I have done with it:

Yesterday I employed all of my older children in the kitchen, I washed the dishes, my younger son rinsed, my older daughter dried, and my oldest son put the dishes away...then we, as a team, attacked the floors, counter tops and table.
I DO own a copy of Teri Maxwell's Manager's of Their Homes, (which is what the Duggars use) however I have not yet read it all the way through...BUT, my children usually buddy up like this: two middle daughters, oldest son with second youngest daughter, youngest son with youngest daughter, oldest daughter is my cleaning angel...she goes behind me after I have swept up a pile and cleans it up.
Laundry, dishes, and floors are just about all that I get done daily...at least the floors downstairs...we have a BIG problem with sand here, it's not good for the floors but it gets on the children's clothes everyday. I am unable to keep up with all the sand, but I am trying to get a routine that works.
Standards, standards, standards...we all have them. We have our "standard" about what we think is clean...mine are somewhat high, but I have achieved them in the past. I'm not getting any younger, nor am I getting any less busy...so my standards need to be lower, but as I teach and train my children to clean, I can raise my standards as, "Many hands make light work".
My own advice...I have a First Time Obedience chart for each child. I am using this as a tool to encourage my children to do the job the first time and diligently. It seems to be working as my children are always anxious to see how many stars they have earned so far.

And, if any of you have been wondering where I disappeared...I have been on Planet Laundry...I did 4 loads on Monday, 5 loads on Tuesday, and 6 loads today....ugh...The laundry still isn't done,
but that is no thanks to the beautiful weather that called my children outdoors to play in the water on Monday and Tuesday... ;OD I love the warm weather, but I don't love the laundry it creates, LOL!

Well, I'm off again to find SOMETHING to clean...it's getting there. Once most of my laundry is folded and put away (& winter things in temporary storage...my closet), I will be 75% there. (O;

Have a great day! & Blessings!
Heather

How DO you do it?

2008-05-23T12:11:00.004-04:00

Thank you ladies (Leanne & Hadias), for your concern in regards to keeping on top of things in my home...yes, it is difficult and yes, I have learned that it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep things spotless all the time. In fact, if my house is even remotely tidy, I am thrilled.

I know that I need to lower my standards...but in a sense, I just can't. I DEEPLY desire to be a good steward of my home. I DEEPLY desire to please my husband with a tidy home...he really needs it to be that way. Although, I have never been able to keep it clean for long (at least not since I had my 5th child), I have tried. So if you are wondering, YES, I did keep it clean when I had 4 children (all under the age of 5)...now it just seems like a dream.

I guess part of the reason why I want to get it clean is because I once asked a born-organized individual for some tips on keeping my house clean and they looked at me, shook their head and told me, "I don't know how you can be disorganized." Ever since I have backed away from asking others (especially the organized) how they do it.

However, I am going to be brave today and ask again...HOW DO YOU DO IT?

What kind of cleaning schedule do you keep? Do you get everything done on your schedule? If not, HOW do you fit the undone tasks into the rest of your schedule?

Now, I know you folks are out there...I have visited your blogs and seen your clean and tidy homes. I have also read your comments (at other people's blogs). Although, I dare not ask you on your blog how you do it...I will here (that is, ask you that very question).

Keep in mind, I DO have seven children...ages: almost 11, 9, 7 1/2, 6, almost 5, almost 3, and almost 10 months. Also, I NEVER get a full night's sleep...I wake up exhausted, but I try to get up around 7 or earlier. My children DO help...as they have assigned tasks. They also help with the baby, holding her and such...

If you were to give me some advice, what would it be? I tend to stress with schedules because I NEVER get it all done, but I am a list maker. I know how well menu plans work. AND as a homeschooler, I know that usually when you have 5 children under the age of 10 to school that you find yourself overwhelmed (esp. with NEW curriculum)....

Anyway, enough time spent...if you have some kindhearted advice (not criticism) and would like to share, I am all ears. If your are one of those who can keep on top of everything (in the home)...what a gift you have! If not, I'm with you on that!

Have a blessed and wonderful day and weekend!
Blessings!
Heather

First Time Obedience Chart

2008-05-22T11:13:00.003-04:00

Spending time every morning with God has definitely been a challenge. You can find a dozen other things to do.....change babies diaper, make breakfast, get clothes for children, clean up spilled cereal and milk, start a load of laundry to keep the laundry monster at bay, check email, fix girls hair, make coffee, sweep up crumbs from last night's dinner (if you were busy the night before in the garden), feed baby, break up a squabble, turn off the TV, begin homeschooling, etc. etc. etc.....

However, you can find a way... Just the other day I approached my husband about this dilemma...I told him that Family Worship in the evening was fine but oftentimes we have things to finish outside late in the evening in the spring and summer. So, instead we need to start our day out with God by having a morning devotion. Since he works from home, he doesn't need to rush off to work, so this is the perfect way to start our day.

Today we read from Mark 1:1-20. Our lesson was on obedience...first time obedience. Jesus called to Simon and Andrew and they immediately stopped what they were doing and followed Him. Then he came upon James and John, again calling unto them to follow Him, and once again we find them immediately following. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

We need to enforce this in our children. They need to learn first time obedience without commenting on the required task. Simon, Andrew, James and John didn't ask, "WHY?" so why should we...

After finishing our devotions, I sat down and made up the chart above. Each child will receive one and each time they do a task the first time, they will get a sticker...if they don't do it the first time, they get a sad face. If I have to ask them to do a job more than twice they will get a number next to the sad face...

So a star = first time obedience.
A sad face = not obedient first time.
A sad face with a number = not obedient # times.

May God grant you grace with your children and husband today!
Blessings!
Heather

My Kitchen

2008-05-16T17:07:00.005-04:00

*NOTE: The previous resident took the piece of corian off of the island before he moved, thus my husband hasn't had a chance to replace it.

I wanted to post pictures of my kitchen online so that I could look at it CLEAN... I struggle daily with keeping up with everyday tasks as it always seems that someone needs me, or my help, or my arms to hold them, or my kisses for their boo-boos...etc., etc., etc.

My goal is to look at this post every time I get discouraged or need motivation to keep things maintained. I know there will come a time when I get behind AGAIN for the thousandth time, but I am striving to get things in order around here so that my home is "guest ready"...

As I go through each room and clean it over the next several weeks, I plan to post a picture of each room so that I can go back and look later on when I feel a bit overwhelmed. Again, a "guest ready" house is the goal...it will take weeks, as I still have much organizing to do and many children to undo my cleaning, but I am aiming for an organized home that I can MAINTAIN.

Thanks for sharing my clean kitchen with me! I am so thrilled that it is clean!

Have a blessed day in the LORD!
Heather

No Time for ANYTHING...

2008-05-12T11:31:00.003-04:00

Lately I have been so busy with everything, that I don't have any time for anything...I know it doesn't make any sense, so let me explain.

This whole year has literally FLASHED before my eyes....Just last week I found myself claiming that it was Wednesday, when in truth it was really THURSDAY!!! I lost a whole day! I mean I was really convinced that everyone else was wrong (that it was Thursday) and that I was right (that it was Wednesday)! I kept thinking, where did Wednesday go? I am sure that I didn't miss the whole day...but I found myself realizing that, in truth, I really DID miss the whole day. It literally "flashed" before my eyes and I missed it altogether, or so it seems.

So to get to the point, as I don't have all day, I have really lost my focus. My focus on what is really important in my life. I have been so busy with MY LIFE that I have not had anytime for the most important person in my life....my LORD and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

I realized my fault after reading an article on this very thing...refocusing your life on Christ so that you have more time for the everyday tasks. All in all, taking the time in the morning to pray and meditate on Scripture...and listen to what God has to say...

Have I been living for Christ this year? Truthfully, NO....

Can I change the way I have been living? Not without the LORD's help...

So, through Christ, I am going to make a change....

No more am I going to lean upon my own strength to do things...the LORD knows that I can't do it and He has taken the entire year to show me this.

So any who are dealing with the same thing...I urge you to:

Change your focus....don't focus on YOUR life, YOUR duties, YOUR struggles for in those darkest times, YOUR LORD will carry you...if you put your trust in HIM and not yourself (note: this is mainly for me...)
Begin your day in the Scriptures and in prayer.....that's where you will find your energy and the time you have "lost".
Remember, you are but a mere human, but "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me..." (a verse from Philippians)
Get your children involved, our job as parents is to train our children in the way of the LORD. We can't save souls, but we can show them the path to Christ.
Be ever fervent in prayer...praying without ceasing...
Finally, don't forget to pray for your husband...his job, as head of the household, can be quite stressful at times and one way you can ease his load is by turning to Christ and seeking strength and renewal for him (your husband)...

In Christ Alone,

Heather

My Nursing Cape

2008-05-05T21:31:00.005-04:00

Here is a picture of my nursing cape...you'll have to excuse the color as it was a test pattern for a nicer nursing cape. Unfortunately I have not yet done the nicer cape, but I plan to and when I do, I will provide pictures and instructions to all my readers.

Here I am nursing below...really nursing my baby! What I like about this cape is that you can't see anything! I have NEVER liked nursing in public, but after having seven children, I decided that I must find a better way, especially since I had babies that liked to nurse every 1 1/2 hours. I don't usually supplement formula to my babies mostly because it is to expensive to buy formula.

If you are afraid that you might show something under the cape OR that your baby may lift up the cape, you can tuck the cape under the baby's head assuring that NO part of your body will be exposed.

There you have it! I will try to follow up with instructions on how to make one of these capes. I just LOVE mine and I use it for church, in restaurants, at the park, and in the presence of company!

SO GLAD to be HOME!!!

2008-05-05T10:58:00.002-04:00

This is our first full week back from our fast-paced trip to the midwest...St. Louis, MO area. We drove over 2000 miles!

My sister got married and boy were we BUSY!!! BUSY helping her set up, and make sure the wedding went smoothly. Everyone stayed pretty healthy, as our last trip was plagued with throwing up and sickness. I did have to deal with the sniffles, watery eyes, sinus conjestion and cough...but all in all everyone stayed quite healthy...

UNTIL Monday night, we were on our way home...we had stopped in Cambridge, Ohio, a midway point and that night, I found myself plagued with the stomach virus. I tossed and turned all night, had hot and cold sweats, and tossed my cookies in the process. Needless to say, the last half of our trip home was no piece of cake for me...I just wanted to lay down on a soft bed and sleep...and that I did the following day.

Then, Thursday everyone else started getting the same thing. I think it is past now. All but one of our children got it, my husband even had it.

This has become a pattern for us. Everytime we travel, we get sick. I think it may be something about the stress of trying to get ready and then going all over the country and being exposed to EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE.

Now I have a huge task ahead of us...GARDENING, SCHOOLING, and SEWING, not to mention getting my home into good order so that we can host several families for their "mini-vacations" and such.

I am stubborn though, I WILL DO IT, with God's help, of course.

A plan of action is forming in my busy brain. I don't yet know all that it will entail, but I must find a way to get it all done....NOTE: I am not a superwoman...nor do I claim to be...

It is interesting though, when you go to restaurants with my troop, people automatically think that you must be super-organized and have it all together (which I don't). My children are simply well behaved because we fight our battles at home. I am not outwardly organized, but organized in my brain...I have to know where things are and not forget this and that, you know. Maybe you have been somewhere before and your child had an accident, or an allergic reaction, or you needed to nurse in public...things like that I AM on top of...I have to be.

Oh, and by the way...someday I will show you a picture of my nursing cape...I find it quite handy when I am nursing in public...

Anyway, I am rambling on...

I must go and do now! Have a blessed day, week or month...however long it takes me to get back to this thing...

Blessings!
Heather

Wordless Wednesday (or not so wordless)

2008-04-16T08:09:00.005-04:00

WOW! HASN'T SHE GROWN!!!

I'M READY TO GO! GO! GO!

SUCH BIG BLUE EYES! THE BIGGEST THING SHE HAS AT 12 1/2 pounds...BTW, she is now 8-months-old...her twin cousins have already passed her up with weight weighing in at 16 pounds each!!! SHE IS A DINKY ONE!

I WANNA BE A ROCKSTAR!!!!

ENJOY!

Blessings!

Heather

Gardening on the Brain...

2008-04-15T10:17:00.002-04:00

Well, I know that I haven't been around much lately...it will probably continue as I have gardening on the brain.

Let me explain...
As you saw in the last post, I have daffodils EVERYWHERE! I love having all of these flowers, but I am still working on my gardens. I am planning on planting tomatoes, green beans, peas, onions, potatoes, lavender, etc. etc. etc...

I have a much larger area to plant this year, BUT I also have deer EVERYWHERE!!! Although, I love the animal, I am not to fond of its appetite for my garden.

Just two weeks ago I planted my strawberry garden. The first few days went pretty well, and then it happened. I noticed that a few of strawberry plants had been eaten by our lovely deer...and then a few more, and a few more. SO just last night I took up my strawberry garden, every single plant...I guess I am going to have to plant it elsewhere.

Now I am worried about all of my garden as I have read that they will even eat tomatoes if they are hungry enough. And we have a pretty large herd of deer that live here. I remember just after moving my husband telling me that he counted 29 pairs of eyes late one evening...UGH!

So I am researching, and going to attempt to still have a garden.

Interestingly enough, this morning I found that baby powder sprinkled on tomato plants will keep them from eating them...I LIKE that solution!!! I ALWAYS have baby powder! So I will continue to research and if I find something interesting, I will let you know about it!

In the meantime, if you are wondering why I haven't posted, I am experiencing severe boughts of gardener's brain!

***NOTE: I DO have a walled in courtyard, but I was planning on making that my secret flower garden...however, due to the circumstances, it may end up being my secret vegetable garden...my herbs will probably be safe from the deer, but NOT my veggies!

TTYL!!!
Have a great week in the LORD!!!
Heather

Daffodils Anyone?

2008-04-11T20:32:00.013-04:00

Daffodils are EVERYWHERE!!! No one told me that I was going to experience this kind of beauty at our new location!!! I am just amazed!!! Here are some pictures...by the way, I could pick a vase full of daffodils EVERYDAY and still not make a dent in them!!!

And I also have TONS of raspberry vines growing...here is a picture...the raspberry has a bristly, red stem with thorns, and jagged fuzzy green leaves that are white on the bottom. The bristles on the stem feel like a hairy chin!

That's all the time I have, it's movie night and we are getting ready to watch one of the episodes of the Waltons.

Have a great evening & weekend!

Blessings!

Heather

Life is a BLUR!!!!

2008-03-21T21:21:00.002-04:00

Wow...what a week! I have been writing this entry in my head for several days now, but I have not found the time to write it until now.

Last week became quite interesting when my dear friend found herself in premature labor...she was only 24 weeks along and thankfully they stopped her labor. However, my husband and I took care of her two very young children... an 18-month-old boy and a 3 1/2-year-old girl. Now I know what it is to have 7 children under the age of 7-years-old!!! And 9 children 10 1/2 and younger...BUSY!!!

It was a very busy blessed two days! WE were blessed more than the family that we helped. Those two days were full of smiles, laughter and fun!!! Our house lighted up with a joy that I have never known! The children were very well behaved, needless to say and we said goodbye to our friend's children almost tearfully. When they left the house seemed SOOO quiet...

The LORD had His hand in when they were supposed to go home, though, because just as soon as they left, my husband and I got sick...then each of our 5 youngest (our girls)....our boys still haven't had it. It is the cough with a runny nose and fever.

I haven't had a fever like that since I was in college!!! I got the fever part on Sunday and had the fever Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday...finally it left Wednesday afternoon and we were expecting my brother-in-law and his wife on Thursday (yesterday). I am still battling with laryngitis and a horribly painful cough, but I think I am on the mend. My husband didn't stay sick for long, but some of my other children are still dealing with a little sickness.

So, as far as my attempts to rise earlier...HA!!! didn't happen, but I am still hopeful! I did get more of my house spiffied up on Wednesday & Thursday so I am making headway on my plan to have my house in order by the end of April...

Hopefully, as I get stronger from being sick (boy did that virus hit me hard!) I will be rising earlier to exercise, plan and blog! But, not sure how soon...my internet connection is now much slower than what I was used to so I don't seem to have as much time as I used to.

I apologize to all of my readers who have missed reading my blog on a regular basis. I mainly had to stop because I wasn't tending to things in the home like I should...I was too distracted by the computer. Now I am on it so little that I am rarely seen on it! LOL!

But I miss writing simply because sometimes it is my way to "vent". And I love having all of my bloggy friends leave comments... I sometimes get lonely for some adult conversation...as my husband is quite a busy man and once he stops I am usually zoned out on the couch. This year has just been a blur for me...

Just think...in August baby girl was born early...then busy trying to get school going...making cookies for Christmas...then moving...now unpacking and organizing mixed in with caring for extra children and sickness...I am missing a huge chunk of time simply because I can't remember all that has gone on but I have been one busy lady!!! And to top it all off...my sister is getting married at the end of APRIL!!! That means we have another trip to take to the midwest!!! That is a 2-3 day drive!!!

I'm dizzy!!! My world is spinning!!! Lord grant me grace!

Heather

PICTURES!!!

2008-03-10T21:09:00.009-04:00

So I found my camera...

It was almost hard to miss...but you know when you are busy and not really trying to look very hard for something...you just miss things....

Here is our wood stove...we got it new at Home Depot for half price!!!!!
Here is our sideboard...as my hubby calls it...not a cupboard but a sideboard. I have it decorated just like I like it, but I have to keep reminding everyone to NOT leave their stuff on it...;O)

I took a few pictures one day as I was walking down to the beach...I have to walk about a half mile through the woods to get there...

Almost there...if you look off into the distance you can see the water.

Here's the beach!!! (my favorite part)

Here is the pier for those who like to fish.

And here is the other side of the beach...we actually have a very long shoreline...but I can't fit that all into the picture...

I wanted to take more pictures, but it was really windy that day...

Also the beach is much deeper when it is low tide...these waters DO have salt in them...yes, we are close to the ocean. But I don't need the ocean to enjoy the beach...this is more than I could EVER ask for!

Blessings, Friends!

Heather

BTW...I am going to try to blog more often, but that is going to require me to be up MUCH earlier. I am going to try to start getting up between 5 & 6 a.m. Right now, as it stands, I just don't have the time to blog if I am NOT up early...anyway, who wants to sleep in when you live in such a beautiful place? Pray for me that I will be able to do this...I NEED to be up early and it is going to take a LOT of discipline...as baby girl STILL likes to be next to me at night... I HAVE been trying to get her used to her crib, but she still doesn't sleep all night...therefore, I don't sleep WELL all night long, but as I said before...getting up EARLY is my next priority...

camera!...CAMERA!!! Oh, where is that thing?!

2008-02-20T16:15:00.003-05:00

Oh! What beauty! Our first snow here and it is covering the ground...Where is that thing?!? My camera, I mean....I KNOW I saw the box....where is it?!!!

Grrrr!

I want to share pictures...but, OH....I am still in the midst of moving in.

Yesterday, I went walking down our private path to the beach. It was cold and windy, but absolutely beautiful! At one part of the path I could turn around and see our house behind me and the water in front of me!

On the way back I saw three deer! One crossed in front of me!

Today, we watched the birds, Junkos, as they nibbled at the bird seed we set out for them.

On a different note...
I am going to work up a schedule to help me create order around here. I printed up a weekly calendar for the next three weeks today. I plan to write down what I want to accomplish each day (after homeschooling, of course) and I may try to share it...maybe it will help someone else!

And, Sue...thanks for your moving tips....I tried to comment on your blog and it was eaten by the internet monster!!! I didn't have time to retype the comment as times were very busy...they still are!!! Peace will come in due time! I am going to try to take a quick walk before dark so I must tend to the pressing things at hand before I do!

In His Presense...
Heather

Internet Finally!!!!

2008-02-12T16:52:00.000-05:00

For those of you who are wondering...yes we are officially MOVED!!! Boy was it a fiasco though!!! I wasn't ready...last week we were tying up loose ends...my hubby still has to go back to clean out his shop. But we are now UNPACKING boxes...ugh...this is the hard part...finding a place for everything.

I gave away about 15 boxes of boys clothes...on top of the bags that I gave away...not sure of the total there. I am still in the process of weeding out extra stuff.

But the best part of all this chaos is that I live in a beautiful area...we have to cross a moss-covered bridge everytime we go somewhere and come back...the deer like to graze nearby...and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the fireplace in the living room and the wood stove (that has glass in the door so you can see the fire) in the kitchen!!!

Today I went out twice gathering kindling...what beauty!!! Even in the freezing cold!!!

The first weekend we stayed here we walked down to the beach (remember it is a river beach, not far from the ocean, though)...it was just beautiful!!! However, you could smell the ocean!!! REALLY!!! It made me long for spring, although at that time winter seemed very far off...now it is here!!! And freezing cold...snowing & sleeting...but I still love the outdoors here!!! Much better than before when all you could hear was the cars going by.

Here I can feel God's presense...in the rustle of the leaves of the Holly trees...the whistle of the wind...the songs of the birds...and the beauty all around! This is where God wants us...I am amazed at His blessings!

At the foot of the Cross,
in His humble presense...
Heather

Life since baby girl...

2008-01-07T12:08:00.001-05:00

Wow, has life been busy!!! It seems that I never have time anymore to stop and breathe... Today, at least right now, I am stopping for a moment to write...I have neglected this journal of sorts for a great long while and I just need to vent a little...

Since baby girl was born, I have been VERY busy. My five-year-old loves her so much that I have to watch her VERY carefully...she likes to pick up baby girl and carry her around... Yes, it is dangerous, nerve-wracking, and sometimes overly helpful. She just loves her sister SO much!!

I also have to try to balance the times when my 4-year-old and five-year-old hold baby girl...they tend to fight over who gets to hold her...AND if the other gets to hold her, then the other one cries... To them, she is a living baby doll! Baby girl does really well with it, but it does stress me out some.

My almost 9-year-old son is excellent with baby girl, he just loves her to pieces...even though he really wanted a baby brother.

MOVING
I'm changing the subject for those of you that have a hard time following me! I like to give a warning sign...it was one of the hardest things for my husband to get used to...me changing subjects that is!!!

On to our moving process...well, I have been packing boxes, and trying to get all of my laundry washed and sorted out. I am not keeping everything, and I have decided to get rid of all my boy's clothes for the time...with the exception of newborn clothing. I just don't want to move that stuff again, you know?

I have probably gotten rid of 7-8 trash bags of clothing already, and there is more to get rid of yet. I am also going to get rid of some toys...we have too many!!! The thing is, that my attic is full of stuff that I haven't used since we moved in here...if I haven't used it in 5 years, why keep it? It obviously isn't doing me any good except causing me a bit of stress...everytime I think of the attic, I get a little frustrated.

Anyway...this moving thing is probably the hardest thing I have had to do in a long time!!! Any tips you have for me, I am sure will be helpful!

EVERYTHING ELSE...
Well everything else is going well. We haven't dealt with too much sickness this season, and we are still yet waiting to see snow. I am hoping the snow comes after we move, since we are moving to a place two hours away from here (and changing states).

I have been steadily losing this extra baby weight, so far I have lost all the weight I gained from my pregnancy except 5 pounds and I plan to lose an extra 15 to get back down to my goal weight.

We have been enjoying weekly fellowship with a dear Christian family that lives near us...it has been a true blessing! We won't have that when we move, but we will still drive up here to go to church each week...we can visit them some then.

Besides that, I don't have much to say, except I can't wait till things settle down again...if that ever happens...

I haven't been able to visit any blogs lately...I have had to limit my computer time.

I hope things are going well for you!
Blessings!
Heather

Picture of Baby Girl

2007-12-18T13:54:00.001-05:00

Leanne, this is all I have so far...BUT I will try to take more soon! She is growing like a weed!

Blessings!
Heather

Purge by 2008?...How I'm doing...

2007-12-12T11:49:00.000-05:00

Well, so far I have bagged up about 5 large trash bags full of shoes, coats, and clothing. When I get things bagged up, I immediately take it out to the van so it is ready to take to church. We have created a room for giveaway stuff temporarily. This saves me time by allowing me to just bring it to church each week! I REALLY don't have time to go to Good Will to drop it off, so this has worked really well!

I don't know if I am going as quickly as I would like, but I am putting outgrown clothes and such into bags every day! I am slowly working through my laundry piles and with each basket I fold I put a little more in the giveaway bag.

Yesterday I went upstairs with my boys to go through their drawers for things that they aren't wearing anymore. They gave me thumbs up for things to keep and thumbs down for things to give away. They were really helpful because I have a horrible time deciding what to keep and what to give away.

I will eventually make it up to my attic which has toys scattered all over it. My children have been up there snooping and such. I can't wait till it is clean again. I am planning to go through the clothes up there as well. I have decided not to keep very many of the boys things because I have so many girls. I really don't want to move more than is necessary.

I am also going to get rid of some cheap furniture...we just don't need this much stuff in the new house! I am aiming to try to really "keep up" on the new house. I don't want it to become a wreck as this one has...even though it usually "looks" tidy, I know it is not. I know that there are things hidden all over the house. My children sometimes clean by stuffing things under couches, and dressers. UGH!!!

The holidays are going to be very busy this year...I really can't believe that Christmas is SOO close. A week from Saturday we plan to do our Christmas giving....that is, I make up TONS and TONS of homemade cookies and we pass them out to all of our friends and my hubby's customers. Last year we handed out 10 platters of cookies. I have readied my pantry by stocking up on raw sugar, chocolate chips, and margarine...I don't cook much with butter due to the fact that my daughter is allergic to dairy.

And just so you know, I LOVE to bake cookies!!! I really do! Even if I get stressed it is one of my favorite things to do. I look forward to it every year...and it kind of dulls the ache that I feel for my family that I don't get to see over the holidays. I deal with a little depression over the holiday season if I don't keep myself busy...I think it is just due to being homesick for my family.

So, how are you doing?

Blessings!
Heather

A Change...

2007-12-10T16:32:00.000-05:00

Over the next month and a half, we are going to be preparing to MOVE!!! Yes, you heard it right! We are actually moving states again! This time we are only moving about 2 hours east of where we are now, but it will be a BIG improvement from where we are now.

I am really excited and now I have a good reason to purge! So far, I have rid our family of about 4 garbage sized bags of clothing, shoes, and coats. There is still much more to go through and get rid of, but that's a start!

I am trying to construct a plan so that our move can be as smooth as possible. I really don't want to have to go through boxes once we are planted in our new home, so I am trying to figure something out.

God has really been present these days in finding us a new place to live with better circumstances. It is amazing to see how we have been blessed!

February 1st is supposed to be the big day. I will keep you posted!

Blessings!
Heather

Menu Plan Monday!!!

2007-12-10T16:06:00.000-05:00

WOW!!! It's been a long time since I did this!!!

Monday: Crunchy Chicken & (dairy free) pork patties (baked chicken for me), mac & cheese, corn, spring greens salad mix.
Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans or corn, heat & serve rolls.
Wednesday: Oriental Chicken Casserole, raw veggies.
Thursday: Spaghetti & Meatballs or Meatball sandwiches,veggie.
Friday: Pizza/or Stromboli & salad.
Saturday: Steak, baked potatoes & salad.
Sunday: Crock pot Baked beans, salad or dessert.

Join us at Organized Junkie!!!

Remember Earlier this year..

2007-12-07T10:05:00.000-05:00

...the friend that I spoke of that lost her baby girl to kidney disease? You can read the story HERE.

Well, just yesterday she gave birth to a healthy baby boy!!! He weighed 11 pounds 7 ounces!!! PTL!!! I am just thrilled for her! I can't imagine what she went through earlier this year with the loss of her first daughter and how amazingly God had already blessed her without her even knowing it! What an awesome God we serve!!!

Funny thing is...her 11 pound 7 ounce son weighs MORE than my 4-month-old daughter!!! Who, by the way, is four-months-old EXACTLY today!!! She weighed in yesterday at 10 pounds 7 ounces!!!

Not much time, as always...
TTYL!!!

Blessings!
Heather

Purge by 2008?

2007-11-29T14:26:00.000-05:00

First things first...Thanksgiving went well. I cooked everything on my list (except for the turkey bacon...it wasn't necessary) and had my house cleaned and my meal nearly done by the time my guests arrived. The meal was absolutely delicious, and my guests, who were Hispanic, loved the meal also...it was their first American Thanksgiving!

But you know how it goes, there always seems to be a gliche and here's mine...First of all, I forgot to put the baking powder in my pumpkin streusel cake and secondly...when I was getting my pecan pie out of the refrigerator, I dropped it!!! Yes, a glass pie pan....Yes, it broke, upside down on the floor SO...to make a long story short, we DIDN'T have pecan pie because there was glass broken all over it!!! But the pumpkin pie and pumpkin streusel cake were STILL delicious. However, I owe my hubby a pecan pie sometime...maybe on his birthday in December, that's his favorite kind of pie.

And one to the next topic... PURGING
Well, there is a smell of change in the air for us. And that change may be moving...just to a different part of the county, but it is a change. We haven't moved in 5 years and 3 children, so PURGING is a MUST. So I am setting up a few goals on this blog that I am going to work on for the next few days...weeks...month(?)...or however long we stay in this home that we are currently renting.

GOAL #1: I have a LOT of clothes for my family...too many clothes...so here is the first challenge. I am going to start purging 5 items/child of clothing/shoes each day (or as often as possible) until things are back under control.

GOAL #2: Toys...same as above...purge 5 items/child (as often as possible).

Have you all heard of Flylady's 27 Fling Boogie? Well, that is going to start happening on a regular basis around here...SERIOUSLY!!! Honestly, I am sick of living like this...that is, having to step on things to walk through a room...not being able to open the laundry room door because there are baskets of laundry EVERYWHERE!!! Things have actually been cleaner around here for the last week or so, but if I don't do something now, things are going to get out of hand again! So there you have it.

Do you have any end of the year goals that you would like to tackle? Leave me a comment and let me know...we can lift each other up during this trying time of purging.

Blessings!
Heather

What's Going ON?

2007-11-18T19:53:00.000-05:00

Well, THANKSGIVING!!!

You know that friend that I mentioned in my last post? Well, her family is coming over Thanksgiving Day for dinner.

Here is my menu:

Appetizers
~Cheese Ball with Crackers
~Turkey Bacon (for my pregnant guest)
~Sliced Mozzarella
~Veggie Tray with dip (celery, pickles, olives, carrots, pretzels, ranch & French onion dip)

Main Meal
~Turkey
~Dressing
~Candied Sweet Potatoes
~Rice
~Gravy
~Crescent Rolls
~Green Bean Casserole & Regular Green beans
~Cranberry Sauce

Dessert
~Pumpkin Pie w/whipped topping
~Pecan Pie
~Pumpkin Streusel Cake (by request)

Here is the plan for the week:

Monday ~

Make cheese ball.
Make pie crusts.
Slice cheese.
Put cool whip in refrigerator.
Clean girls & boys room.
Make sure kitchen is clean.

Tuesday ~

Cut veggies for veggie tray.
Cut veggies for stuffing.
Make cranberry sauce.
Clean guest room & vacuum.
Clean game room & living room including shelves, desk, piano, & table.
Make sure kitchen stays clean.

Wednesday ~

Bake pies & cake.
Make rolls.
Fry turkey bacon.
Mix up beans with mushroom soup.
Make sauce for sweet potatoes.
Clean Bedroom & both bathrooms.
Make sure kitchen is clean.

Thursday ~

Bake turkey & put into roaster to keep warm.
Bake stuffing.
Cook sweet potatoes.
Cook rice.
Make gravy.
Bake Green bean casserole.

I didn't think that we were going to have anyone over this year for Thanksgiving, but I am thankful that we get to spend it with another family!

Blessings!
Heather

Still on my "Sabbatical" from blogging, but

2007-11-10T15:49:00.000-05:00

here is a quick update...

Well, the whirlwind is still going around here. Homeschooling has picked up to full speed again and you can tell it! My house has been neglected, so today is catch-up day. I have been running circles today. I am in the mood to purge, but don't know how much I will get done yet.

About two weeks ago, we went through a spell of sickness, but everyone is well again.

Lately I have been getting my scripture reading in with my younger daughters at naptime. We are reading in the Old Testament. They usually fall asleep during the reading, but it is mainly for me anyway. I have also been reading to my school-age children in the New Testament. So I may get through the Bible in a year afterall! YEAH!

Baby girl has not been sleeping well at night, so I have found myself staying up very late with a screaming baby and sleeping a lot on the couch downstairs. This reminds me of when I had my first daughter...she liked to stay up late at night screaming too.

I have been trying to lose these extra baby pounds and so far I have lost 9 pounds. I am still trying to incorporate exercise into my day, but I usually don't do it until 10 p.m.!!! Yes, I can still sleep!!! I am thrilled about my weight loss and plan to continue trying to get this extra baby weight off my body so I can look good for my husband (who works very hard to provide for our ever-growing family).

I have realized that part of the reason why I picked up blogging was because of the friendships that I had gained! However, I have recently been blessed with some new friendships from my church family (with a family who just started attending our church). To make a long story short, this dear friend of mine has been visiting me quite often (at my home) and blessing my home with laughter and 4 more small feet!!! When she comes my home is often turned wonderfully upside down!!!

Dear friends, I want to encourage you to do the same...Make some good friends with young mothers at your church...invite them into your home (even if it isn't perfect) and expect to be greatly blessed with the kinship you will find!!! I have certainly been blessed!!!

Here are some recent pictures of baby girl:

Anyway, the house is crying out my name again!

Busily blessed with busyness!!!

Blessings!

Heather

Life is a Whirlwind right now...

2007-10-22T15:04:00.000-04:00

As the months pass it seems that things are not slowing down, just speeding up. I have a lot of things to work on right now, and blogging doesn't seem to be one of them. Now, this isn't a goodbye by any means...I enjoy visiting other's blogs and writing on this one. But for right now, I need to focus on the important stuff...

My Relationship with God
My Husband & Children
Homeschooling
House cleaning
Laundry
Dishes
Meals
Getting Back in Shape, which means exercising & eating right

So if you are wondering why you haven't seen me around much, that's why. I am quite overwhelmed with life right now. I have sooo much to do, and so little time to do it. The 24 hours I have each day just aren't enough right now.

I may still try to post Menu Plan Monday...but that may be all for now.

Blessings!

Heather

Is it Wednesday already?

2007-10-17T16:01:00.000-04:00

I YI YI!!! WEDNESDAY!

Okay, so not everything got done, we still enjoyed ourselves and our time together ended all too quickly! I didn't get around to doing a lot of the things that I normally do. But there's always tomorrow!

The good news is that my kitchen stayed clean, and still is! You know what they say, the house goes as the kitchen does...I wish that was true! I am only able to keep up with one thing at a time. The rest of my house is NOT as clean as I would like it. I am behind in laundry, my floors need a little cleaning and I AM TOTALLY & COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED! There's always tomorrow! (O; You need to know I am human like the rest of us...guess what?! Large families are hard to keep up with!

While I was cleaning on Saturday, my girls were running behind me uncleaning! I swept the kitchen floor, and then my girls got into the bruschetta chips and dumped them all over the floor along with a basket of crayons. I cleaned the living room floor and then they decided to spread blankets all over it...along with dolls and doll clothes! Then, when I could take no more, my dear friend showed up with her SIL who still to this day can't believe that I have seven children. Just as soon as she thought that she had seen them all, another one appeared! Yip, there are seven of them, and they are all very good at making messes...sometimes, when they want something, they are good at cleaning up those messes.

So for all you folks that thought that I had dropped off the face of the earth, I'M STILL HERE!!! Just a little busy these days! Maybe it will slow down soon, WHEN I'M 80!!!! {O;
Life is just a bus full of children!

Blessings!
Heather

It's Crunch Time!!!

2007-10-13T08:38:00.000-04:00

(This Tazmanian Devil is a picture of me today!)

Okay, so this week didn't go as planned!

Does it ever with seven little hearts beating at different beats and twelve pairs of feet all running in different directions?

It's funny, because while I finished tweaking and vacuuming my children's rooms, the younger 3 (everyone but baby) worked on making my living room a mess! So I had to clean that room all over AGAIN!!! Yes, my 5, 4, & 2-year-old helped to undo all my work yesterday! OH MY!!! What a day, what a day! (And as I am writing...someone just dumped out the container of miscellaneous items all over the living room floor that I was planning to put away today! THERE's not time like the present!)

Today is finishing and tweaking day! I will be vacuuming, scrubbing, and making sure everything is just right for the comfort of my MIL & FIL. No, things WON'T be perfect, but comfortable. I am not trying to make my house look like a museum, just a clean and inviting place for guests!

I am a little stressed, but if I work things right everything will be done rather quickly and if I have trouble with any certain things, I may just have to put them away for now.

Here is what my day looks like:

Get Laundry going (guest room sheets first)
Get Dryer going
Get Dishwasher going
Wash Guest Room Sheets
Clean Guest Room
Clean Master Bedroom (will take no time!)
Vacuum all Cleaned Rooms (kid's rooms already vacuumed)
Clean Bathrooms
Scrub Sinks, tub, & Showers
Sweep & Mop Bathroom
Clear off tables throughout house
Vacuum floors
Clear off ALL surfaces possible
Fold Clothes
Put away clothes
Fold clothes in dryer & put away
Reboot laundry
Wash dishes (if dishwasher done or not ready)
Prepare Supper
Clear kitchen counters (did this yesterday, tweaking)
Sweep & spot mop kitchen (done yesterday, tweaking)

Can't wait to have a clean HOUSE!!! We will see how long it lasts!

Do you notice that there seven little people? They are my cheerleaders!

Blessings!

Heather

Trying Tuesday...

2007-10-09T17:34:00.000-04:00

As I sit here and nurse my baby, I thought I would type up a post real quick.

As I have said before, I am preparing this week for company and in my last post I listed the zones for each day. Well, I am here to tell you that I am behind! I thought it might be possible for me to get the kitchen all clean and tidy yesterday, but that proved impossible. As usual, I have planned too much work for myself! And for those of you who wonder, "How do I do it ALL?" Well, honestly, I don't! Things NEVER go as planned. I don't get up early enough, I don't get started on time, and I don't get it all done.

Last night, after thinking I would get the kitchen all clean and tidy after the children went to bed, I crashed on the couch! Yes, crashed and woke up wondering why I ever try to plan anything after the children's bedtime! So, here I am thinking AGAIN that I will clean up the kitchen, tweak the living room and clean up the kid's living room! Yep, just knock me over the head now! I'll probably not get it done AGAIN tonight!

HEY...I've got an idea! Anyone out there in the mood for a cleaning spree? Let's have a race! (O;

No seriously, if there is anyone out there who would like to join me and keep me accountable for my daily zones let me know! It might just be the boost I need!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!!!
On another note....PLEASE keep Amy at Blessed Motherhood in prayer! Her husband is sick and in the hospital so please pray with me for his speedy recovery! And don't forget to pray for Amy as she takes care of her children and the home!

Blessings!
Heather

Monday Meanderings and Menu Plan Monday!!!

2007-10-08T16:23:00.000-04:00

1. Bible Study/Devotions~ Daily Bible reading.

2. Must Do"~

Clean house from top to bottom...really!!! I have company coming this weekend, and yes it is just family but it is my husband's parents and his mother gives the white glove the white glove test!!! I want everything to be clean and inviting!
Exercise...I am going to start doing Billy Blank's 8 minute Tae-Bo tape to start out.
Homeschooling: I missed today due to birthday party preparations, but tomorrow we are back in full swing.

3. Zone~ Well, since I have to clean the entire house here are my zones for the week:

Monday: Kitchen
Tuesday: Living Room & Kid's Living Room
Wednesday: Bathrooms & Laundry Room
Thurday: Kid's Rooms
Friday: Guest Room & Master Bedroom
Saturday: Clean & Vacuum Every Floor (they will be arriving in the evening)

4. To Train them Up~

Character Training during homeschooling.
Learning to be Helpful.
Learning to work together.

5. Menu Planning~

Monday: My Oldest Daughter's B-day!!! Crunchy Chicken & Little Smokies, Tator Tots, Baked Beans, Sliced tomatoes & Cucumbers. Birthday cake in the shape of a Kitty Cat. (O;

Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans or corn, toasty French bread.

Wednesday: Oriental Chicken Casserole, raw veggies.

Thursday: Breakfast...pancakes, sausage, egg casserole or quiche.

Friday: Spaghetti & meatballs or Meatball sandwiches, veggie.

Saturday: Hamburgers & Hot dogs on grill, potato salad, baked beans, sliced tomatoes.

Sunday: Ham in Crockpot, Cheesy Potatoes, Green beans, homemade rolls.

To join us for Monday Meanderings go HERE! To Join us for Menu Plan Monday, go HERE or HERE!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-10-03T14:44:00.000-04:00

More Clouds~
Baby Bliss~

Shhhhhhh!

Wordless Wednesday with Tiany.

Menu Plan Monday!...on Tuesday!!!

2007-10-02T16:43:00.000-04:00

Monday: Tacos, burritos & nachos, salad, chopped tomatoes & tortillla chips.
Tuesday: Leftovers & grilled cheese sandwiches.
Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans or corn, toasty French bread.
Thursday: BBQ Chicken, baked potatoes with sour cream, salad & fresh tomatoes.
Friday: Pizza, breadsticks, salad.
Saturday: Crunchy chicken, tator tots, raw veggie.
Sunday: Crockpot baked beans, salad or desert.

JOIN us HERE or HERE for Menu Plan Monday...ummm Tuesday!

I got busy yesterday and I didn't have much computer time, so I am doing this today instead. I've got to have a plan, else I will have withdrawal symptons all week long!

Oh and by the way, Kay asked me about the Italian casserole and I must confess, I didn't make it. It was a meal from one of our church family. However, it was a casserole with shell noodles, sour cream, spaghetti sauce, hamburger and onions. She called it an Italian casserole, so I did too!

Anyway, I must move on. Life is extremely busy these days!

Blessings!
Heather

Show and Tell Friday: In the Clouds & In the Garden

2007-09-28T09:04:00.000-04:00

Another first! I thought you might like to see the photos that I have taken of clouds lately and see the most recent photos of my flowers. So here goes:

If you would like to join us, go HERE!Enjoy!

Heather

Just TOO Funny...

2007-09-27T18:06:00.000-04:00

Today I had my postpartum check-up with my midwife, my baby girl is now 8lbs. 7 1/2 oz. and 21 inches long!!! But that's not the funny part...

Here goes:

You know your a Mommy to seven when:

Your 4-year-old daughter gets into the van and goes to the appointment with you looking like this:Yes, your are seeing two different LEFT shoes and pajama pants under her dress.

You know your a Mommy to seven when:

your five-year-old daughter ALSO gets to the same appointment with you looking like this:
Yes, two different water shoes on the correct feet (she is wearing a jumper, but thinks it necessary to sit in a stroller and bare her knees while playing after we arrive home).

And on I go...

You know your a Mommy to seven when:

Everywhere you go you are 15 minutes late.
You think that you left your cell phone at the midwife's house, turn around to go back to get it and realize while you are on your way back to her house that your cell phone is actually in your purse and you AGAIN have to turn around to go back home.
You have to count your children each time you get into the van to make sure you have them all.
It takes 15 minutes or more just to get everyone rounded up to go somewhere and then another 15 minutes to get them in the van and buckled.
You almost drive off to your appointment withOUT your cell phone.
You always feel like you are forgetting something.
You have to drink a cup of coffee in the afternoon just to stay awake.
You can NEVER find two matching shoes when you need to go somewhere fast.
Your children rarely have something brand new to wear because everything is hand-me-downs.
You have to make an appointment with your husband to take a bath or shower.
You have to make an appointment to go to the bathroom.
You don't wash your hair for an entire week because you forgot to!
You forget to change your little one's diaper first thing in the morning.
You shout, "HURRAY!!!!" when the dishwasher is once again unloaded and ready to fill up again.
You are constantly running here and there to get pictures so you won't forget the special moments you had with your dear sweet children that grow up TOO fast!

Blessings!

Heather

Yes, ANOTHER Giveaway...For all you Mommies out there!!!

2007-09-26T20:42:00.000-04:00

Here is another contest I MUST tell you about!!!

Blessed Nest is giving away a "Baby Bundle of Momma Must Haves"!!! I mean, there are things in this package I have never seen and now that I have seen them, it is a MUST HAVE!!! At least a must have for a nursing mother like myself...to find out what I am talking about, hop over to HERE, and find out!

If nothing else, these items make great baby shower gifts!!!

Blessings!
Heather

Do You Want to Win A Dyson?

2007-09-26T20:18:00.001-04:00

5 Minutes for Mom is giving away a Pink Dyson Vacuum Cleaner!!!

Now, who doesn't need a new vacuum cleaner (or a second vacuum cleaner for the upstairs?)...I know I could sure use a new vacuum for the upstairs, I not too crazy about lugging the vacuum upstairs every time I need to use it.

And with seven children and their messes, another vacuum sure could be handy!

If you would like to join the contest, go HERE.

And if you are the lucky one out of 2000 entries, you could have a new vacuum cleaner!!!

Blessings!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-09-26T09:02:00.000-04:00

Go HERE to join us this week.

Tuesdays Trials

2007-09-25T17:10:00.000-04:00

An Ode to Cleanliness

Dirty dishes, dirty floors,
Dirty windows, dirty doors,
Smelly trashcans and dirty clothes,
Stinky washclothes that bother my nose!
Crowded cabinets and overfilled drawers,
Cluttered spaces and broken doors,
Too many shoes and too many toys,
Too many clothes for my girls and boys.

All these things make sad spaces,
And unhappy children with sour faces.

Willing helpers are what I need,
No need for want, no need for greed.
Smiling faces to brighten the place,
And speeding hands to clean the space.
To make it cheery and not dreary,
To make my sad heart glad again.

Oh, the great joy of a tidy place,
That visitors are welcome to grace.
With laughing hearts and joyful faces,
And kindred spirits to fill the spaces.

So tidy up and you will find,
The happiness that you left behind.
For clutter will be a thing of the past,
And you will be finally at last,
A joyful soul, a jolly lad,
A happy spirit that's sure to last,
With clutter gone and order in place,
The family finally has a cheery space!

A poem written by me.

Monday Meanderings

2007-09-24T18:21:00.000-04:00

This is the first time for me to do this, but with everything that is coming up, I must start somewhere.

First of all, my mother and father-in-law are coming for a visit in October, so I greatly desire to have things somewhat in order when they come. This past weekend was quite productive for me as I had to clean out my refrigerator because my dear sweet hubby got me a new one (a new used refrigerator, that is) for $150. I had to not only clean out my refrigerator, but I also got to clean UNDER my refrigerator. That is like something that NEVER happens!!! So I felt quite accomplished with that ONE task behind me.

Secondly, in order to get the refrigerator in the house, I had to move some furniture around in the living room to get it in the front door (one we don't use since it is 10 feet from a busy "country" intersection...trust me, people don't even stop for the stop sign half the time!). So to make a long story short, I had to clean out from under my couch.

Thirdly, my son decided to help me clean up the girl's room so we could move my 2-year-old's toddler bed in there. Instead of asking me first, he decided to start it on his own right before nap time!!! How did he do it you ask? Well, he dumped out ALL of the tubs of toys and these are not small tubs, mind you!!! We are talking about a BIG, HUMONGOUS MESS of all messes!!!

So, to make a long story short, three things happened this weekend alone:

My refrigerator got cleaned out and replaced.
My couch was relieved of all the toys underneath it.
My daughter's bedroom was thoroughly cleaned and organized...although I had to clean it up AGAIN today after they had turned it upside down again!!!

A few things that have happened in the last few weeks since baby was born are:

My room was cleaned with the exception of a few things on the dressers.
My kitchen was thoroughly cleaned.
My laundry room was cleaned up.
My husband made a dent in cleaning the office.

As far as this week is concerned, here are my current goals:

Bible Study/Devotions:

Read Bible each morning.

"Must Do" ~ This week I "Must":

Keep up on the kitchen duties.
Finish mopping the kitchen floor (I mop it in sections).
Catch up on laundry.
Try to start exercising again.
Homeschool my children every day.

Zone:

Tidy up both bathrooms.

To Train Up a Child:

Homeschooling.
Homekeeping ~ Learning to serve others as Christ served us.
We have Family Worship each evening with Dad leading. We have been reading through Judges and discussing the character of Noah.
God told Noah to, "Make thee an ark of gopher wood: rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch." Genesis 6:14 "Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he." Genesis 6:22 Noah displayed an attitude of obedience, not questioning God, but simply obeying His command. We have been encouraging our children to have the obedience of Noah.

Menu Planning ~ I have been planning my meals for several months now and it has made an incredible difference for me. With the exception of a couple of weeks after I had my baby girl, I have been able to "keep up" with planning a menu. My menu post is just below this post.

I believe that is all that I will try to tackle this week. If you would like to join us for Monday Meanderings you can sign up HERE!!!

Have a blessed day!

Heather

Menu Plan Monday!

2007-09-24T17:14:00.000-04:00

Another week, another plan. Have you tried planning a weekly menu?

Monday: Italian casserole, green beans, french bread.
Tuesday: Little smokies, mac & cheese, green beans, sliced tomatoes.
Wednesday: Chicken & noodles, mashed potatoes, corn or green beans, corn muffins.
Thursday: BBQ Chicken, tator tots (or mashed potatoes), salad & fresh tomatoes.
Friday: Lasagna, rolls, salad.
Saturday: Pizza & bread sticks with marinara sauce, raw veggies.
Sunday: Leftovers or Sub sandwiches, chips, veggies.

If you would like to join us this week, go HERE!!! Ever since I have been planning my menu, not only do I feel less stressed, but I have a happy husband...he is thrilled that I have a plan, FINALLY!!!

Blessings!

Heather

Saying a Special Prayer...

2007-09-23T20:56:00.000-04:00

Today I am saying a special prayer today for my dear sister-in-law...her father passed away last night after a long battle with cancer. It is very sad to think that she lost her mother earlier this summer, and now she has lost her father...both to cancer.

I feel extremely blessed today...I still have both of my parents and one grandparent still living. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be without them.

Remembering her sadness & Saying a prayer,

Heather

How is my font size?

2007-09-20T13:25:00.001-04:00

My dear friend Leanne pointed out to me today that my font was too small for her to see. Is this size better? I hope so, but if not...please, please let me know!!! I WILL change it again if needed!

Thanks & Blessings!
Heather

Wordless Wednesday

2007-09-19T17:11:00.000-04:00

I hope you don't find this offensive, but there is nothing sweeter to me than a baby while she's nursing!

To join us for Wordless Wednesday, go HERE!

Thanks Audrey!!!

2007-09-19T16:40:00.000-04:00

I finally won a giveaway!!! And this is what I got!
I was so elated when the package arrived!

Here it is laid out for you to see.

A beautifully handmade bib...isn't the packaging just beautiful!!!!

Here it is opened up...it is called an Extend-a-bib.

My four-year-old willingly modeled the bib for me!!!

You can order one of these beautiful, and may I mentioned embroidered flannel, bibs from Audrey at Sewing the Seams of Love. She also has a blog, go HERE to read her blog!

Blessings!

Heather

Another Awesome Giveaway!!! Scroll down to read my most recent posts!!!

2007-09-17T23:59:00.000-04:00

As I was browsing through my friends blog pages, I ran across this giveaway!!! They are giving away a baby pouch!!! I am a baby wearing momma, and although I do own a Ergo baby carrier, sometimes it doesn't do all that I would like. So I entered this contest to see if I could win a baby pouch.

Here is what you do. Go over to From dates to diapers and beyond and sign up for the contest (she will also give you further instructions). She is giving away a Ziggy Stardust Loves Nicole baby pouch from Rockin' Baby Shop.

What's the catch, you ask?!? There is no catch!!! You just have to enter by midnight (PST) on Monday, September 17th!!! The winner will be selected on Tuesday!!!

Blessings!
Heather

Eating to Lose Weight

2007-09-17T15:06:00.001-04:00

Many call this dieting, but to me, it is eating to lose weight. What you eat is your "diet," so why call it dieting?

Now, as many of you know, I have seven children, so eating to lose weight is not new to me. In fact, I have been doing this since I had my fourth child.

I was getting very close to 30-years-old when I decided that if I didn't lose weight now, it would probably stay on forever. So, first I figured out what I needed each day calorie wise by multiplying my weight by 11, adding 500 calories (for my nursing needs) and then subtracting 300 (for weight loss). For example a 130 pound non-exercising person needs 1430 calories to maintain their weight. In order to lose weight without exercising, you subtract 300 calories from your diet. This could simply mean skipping that 12 ounce soda and eating only half a sandwich (instead of a whole).

I began keeping a food journal, writing down every little bite I put in my mouth. I began measuring foods to make sure that I was eating the correct portion sizes. And beside each food that I recorded in my food journal, I wrote the amount of calories. A basic diet looked like this:

Breakfast

3/4 cup rolled oats with 1 T dates, 1 T raisins, stevia to taste, flax seeds, sesame seeds & lots of cinnamon (to help burn the calories...it really works!) (300 calories)
1 cup coffee with 1 T creamer, 1/4 t sugar (55 calories)
Total calories= 355 calories

Lunch

4 ounces meat the size of a deck of cards (125 calories)
salad (free)
1 whole tomato (35 calories-basically free)
dressing made with 1 t Italian salad dressing & 2 T plain yogurt (15 calories + 24 calories)
1 slice whole grain bread (90- 110 calories)
Total calories= 289 - 309 calories

Snack

1 bag of microwave sweet & salty popcorn (240 calories...yes, I ate the whole bag!!!)
Total calories = 240 calories

Dinner

I have 726 calories left for dinner which means I can basically eat a normal supper.
1 large grilled split chicken breast (250 calories)
steamed broccoli (as much as I like...25 calories/cup)
1/2 baked potato w/ 1 T sour cream (150 calories + 60 calories)
1 slice whole grain bread or roll (about 90 - 150 calories, depending on if it is a roll or not)
1 piece of fruit (about 90 calories)
Total calories= 665 - 725 calories

Grand Total = 1549 - 1629 calories

The maximum calorie amount for a 130 pound nursing/dieting mother is 1630 calories, I figured it out like this:

(130 x 11 = 1430 + 500 = 1930 - 300 = 1630)

Now, if you weigh more than that, like me, you get to eat according to your weight. Or in other words, you can eat more than that. (O; But as you lose weight, you also adjust your caloric intake accordingly.

This diet cuts out sweets completely, but when I "diet," I can't "afford" the sweet stuff...it's too pricey calorie -wise. However, I don't "deprive" myself of everything forever...just until I get most of the weight off. In fact, if you still want that sweet treat, just add a little exercise to the mix. 1 hour of kickboxing burns anywhere from 400-600 calories!!!

This is my plan of action for the next several weeks (not the same foods everyday, but a variety). I do tend to avoid carbs when I am dieting, but not totally. I mostly avoid white flour, white sugar & potatoes.

If my diet plan works, I should be back to my prepregnancy size in no time!!!

Blessings!

Heather