Twine Galore

I have mentioned earlier our house was in rough shape, both inside and out! As we started cleaning up the yard we were finding huge amounts of twine all over. We didn't think much of it as it seemed a small problem after everything else we had encountered. As the twine started creating problems, ie. getting caught in the John Deere again and again, my husband offered a job to the children. He told them he would pay them a penny for each piece of twine they picked up. My kids have an accumulated total...so far...of $4.20!

One person's trash, is another person's treasure.

Where are the scissors!?

During our school hours we usually need a pair of scissor at least once. I used to teach a little pre-school class and had about 10 pairs. More times than not we can't find a single pair and have to resort to the kitchen shears!

So I was taking a walk in the yard with the baby and what should I come across...




...I questioned the quilty party. "Oh look mom, you found the scissors!" I guess I didn't realize we were playing hide and seek!

The joys of many

So ocassionally I will get asked: "Are you having more kids?" Which I usually respond saying: "Well, I hope so." or "We are leaving it in God's hands." I homeschool as well...and I usually get asked: "Don't you worry about socialization?!" (among other things) At first I was a little worried about that one, since I had no experience homeschooling and was just trying to figure it all out. My experience has proven otherwise.


I have been pleasantly surprised as a mother of a few and many times hear them ask for more siblings. I am so touched to see my children enjoying each others company. There is nothing sweeter than the joy that a new baby or toddler brings to the older children!

I have found that friends, indeed, come and go but family is always there. I am so thankful for the opportunity to form my children and allow them to spend more time together fostering such beautiful friendships with one another.
draft

Are you telling me a story?

Daughter: Those flies have a beautiful pattern on them.

Son: Those are mustang flies.

Mom: What!? Where did you hear that?

Son: At the zoo, yeah, uh...wait, I mean horse flies. Yeah, that's right horse flies!

Perception

Son: MOM!...I have a wood tick.

Mom: Where is it!?

Son: In my Knee pit.

Valentine's Day '09

I am all for date nights...and what a more perfect night...Valentine's Day! Well, my hubby and I would rather go out any other night...only because everyone else goes out that night. This Valentine's Day the thought crossed our minds, but we came up with a better idea...

We went to Cub and bought ingredients for a yummy dessert, including Pop Rocks, which was a huge hit with the kids! It had rained and then froze, so we had a beautiful little skating pond in our woods that the kids were waiting to try out and skated until dark...we topped off the night with hot chocolate and a fire. After we had tucked the kids into bed that night, we both agreed that this Valentine's Day was a real treat.

The Joy of Two

We had a late start to our school year because of the move. It takes a while to get back into the groove of our typical school day, especially in a new house! As we were trying to establish order and rountine, there were many days of turbulence. One morning as I was tending to the older two, I looked up to see this...


I couldn't help but smile! Once she noticed that we were all looking at her, she grinned from ear to ear and we all started laughing. I have to thank God for these moments in my life which remind me to embrace all the turbulence of our day, with a joyful spirit...they are only little once.

Thank you God for the gifts you have placed in my care!

Taking a Few Steps Back...

Since I just started this blog, I thought I would post a couple of things from last year. As I said earlier we bought a fixer upper in the fall of 2008. After the initial renovating and once we moved in, the kids started cleaning out this shed. We thought we would use it for the chickens, but decided against it, since they should have a fairly clean structure and we had no idea what it was used for previously. The kids had a blast and I was impressed by their hard work and perserverance! Our shed has now become home to the John Deere, which has been a favorite "toy" of the kids(and dad)! We hope to paint it eventually, when the budget allows, making another fun family project. Until then...happy riding, my hard little workers!

A new found treasure

I will start with a thankful comment...I am thankful where I live there are no poisonous snakes!

Yesterday I heard much commotion in the yard and went to investigate. My third born had come across this treasure in the yard, much to the older childrens delight(they have been waiting since the snow melted)! I really don't like snakes and I am very happy I know who to call if I ever come across one in the yard. Happy hunting kids!

We reap what we sow

In the fall of 2008 my husband and I bought a diamond in the rough! We have been fixing it up non stop since then! I proudly announce that yesterday we completed the last big (except cleaning the barn) outside project...burying the pool!! We planted grass seed and we now are moving on. In honor of our accomplishment we ordered pizza last night and my husband took the older three fishing this morning for the first time this year. Now if I can get them up that early and excited for school we REALLY will have accomplished something! I hope they are having a nice morning.

The first of many?

So here I go...maybe. Looking forward to recording our family experiences, since my brain is on the fritz and I can't remember where I put all those little pieces of paper! I find life with 5 kids happens way faster than I would like. I am hoping after they go to bed at night I can capture the firsts, lasts and everything in between so as to never forget this awesome vocation our Lord has entrusted to me.