As For Me and My House

A Day in the Life of a Hildebrant 2009

2012-02-08T14:37:00.008-06:00

One day Dana and I were talking about how I don't get bored. I said, "I don't have time to get bored!" We had this conversation several times and were puzzled about what I do with my time. So, we talked about how I should write down what I do all day. I ended up taking pictures all day long of what I did one day. Back when I took these pictures I knew what I wanted to say but I never took the time to put them on here so I have forgotten a lot. I am going to just mostly post the pictures of that day. I will try to do another updated one and record a current day in the "Life of a Hildebrant." I saw this done on another blog (mandymom.com) and I thought it was really neat to get a peek into her life.

Wake up Time! Who knows what time it was then. Maybe 8:30? We set our School Time for 8:30 and so we start by 9:00 now. But, that is on purpose so I will hit 9:00. I have a hard time managing time. :/

Breakfast. Parfait.

Getting Dressed and ready for the day!

Pledge of Allegiance. Samantha was the flagholder. We have the Christian flag and the American flag.

Feeding the animals.

Bella doing blanket time.

Bailey reading.

Bailey made a decoration for his light switch. I think we were learning about the sun so it says, "Jesus is the light of the world."

Samantha making Sun Tea. They dropped and busted the container!

Remaking Sun Tea! We stopped to look at the flowers. Bella still entertaining herself. She has always been really laid back.

Bella doing some "school work" too!

Samantha learned her last letter, Z so we celebrated with ABC Spaghettio's. Checking Sun Tea.

Bella cleaning up. Bailey praying at lunch. Bella thoroughly enjoying her Spaghettio's!

I couldn't do Spaghettio's!

Learning some Indian sign language.

Sam-drawing phases of the moon. Bay- Art. Bel- Still finding ways to entertain herself!

School work complete for Sam. Stickers, handstamps, & treats.

Gravity! Schoolwork complete for Bailey!

Playtime. Then naptime. Kid's helped with dinner. Derrick came home and they helped him with the mail.

Dinnertime.

Kids helped clean up dinner mess. Below there is a little pumpkin in the background. I was newly pregnant with Livi. I had used the pumpkin to tell Derrick. The day I found out I had tied a balloon that said, "Congratulations" on it to the little pumpkin and written, "on your newest lil' pumpkin!" I left it on the counter after Derrick had gone to bed for him to see in the morning.

I don't know why we read first but, apparently, we did! We always read last now.

That Bible we read we call our "treasure". That is what the friend who gave it to us as one of the party favors for her kid's birthday party called it and told us to "treasure" God's Word in our heart. She put glitter glue all over them to make them look pretty. I was letting the kids take turns highlighting what we read after we read it.
Bath time.

Outside looking at the stars. I think we were supposed to for school for some reason. Telling Daddy "Night night."

Me preparing for co-op the next day. Time with Derrick. Then I probably read my Bible and maybe a little of another book after Derrick went to bed, laid the kid's clothes out for school pictures, took a shower, and then went to bed.

Living in the Moment

2012-02-08T14:17:00.003-06:00

Us enjoying a good book on one of the days already long past. Sometimes I don't realize the making of memories is right now, in this moment. Sometimes I'm tempted to think we're making them another day. It is always in the here and now.

"The fast have spiritually slow hearts." Ann Voskamp (One Thousand Gifts)
This struck me. Time goes too fast for me. Always in a rush it seems. I like to take my time and I do. But, then it causes me to have to rush somewhere else. I completely relate to her wanting to "live fully" in the moment. To slow down and fully taste, feel, see...She said, "I want to slow down and taste life, give thanks, and see God." She compared life to dessert, "Life is dessert-too brief to hurry. You don't wolf it down. The Little-One's tongue searches about for smudge of chocolate she can feel on her cheek. 'More milk?' She nods, eyes large, laughing yes. I pour more. And I haven an appetite to celebrate-yes, let us eat cake!- and nibble on bare toes, to pick armfuls of poppies, to hold a heart up against me, stronger, surer, to sit long with my mama in the last of afternoon light. 'Wherever you are, be all there' is only possible in the posture of eucharisteo."
Yes, this is what I want to do. Slow down, give Thanks to God, be all in the moment. To pay attention, to savor these precious and very fleeting moments. To see the twinkle in my child's eyes when they are delighted. To hold time for a moment, to stop and smile in delight at them. To look at my son and remember my husband as a little boy...with dreams and to take delight in building a home he takes pleasure in. To not dread the chore of cleaning but to bask in the joy of fresh cleanliness. To not get overwhelmed when a child rushes through and the semblance of cleanliness disappears instantaneously but to take joy that I have these little blessings making monumental messes. For one day I will miss having those messes terribly. To hear those birds singing outside. The joy of sharing life with a child with the reading of a good book. Our minds get to go there together and we share in the same experience. Reading God's Word and learning something new or something "clicking" that has gone unnoticed before...There are so many, many things daily waiting to be savored. There are so many to reasons to stop, slow down, take notice of, and thank God for.

Gift #10 A Springlike Day Mid-winter

2012-02-01T07:16:00.001-06:00

It was such a nice day yesterday! We went for a walk in the morning. Well, I'm the only one that "walked." The Littles rode in the wagon and the Bigs rode their bikes. Later the kids ate lunch outside on the picnic table. And after schoolwork they enjoyed playing outside again. From the picture it looks cold (Bailey with his sleeping bag) but it really felt like spring!

Reasons We Face Adversity

2012-01-31T17:16:00.006-06:00

Derrick shared his book called, A Guide to Biblical Manhood by Randy Stinson & Dan Dumas with me. Funny isn't it? ;) He said it has some good childtraining principles in it. I am actually reading the whole thing because it's really good and is applicable to me also, though I am not a man. It is written by men that take very seriously being "Doers of the Word for the sake of the Gospel." They are very inspirational. They said some very profound things about why we face adversity.
They stated that even as people redeemed by Christ we can't help encountering the thorns and the thistles of a fallen world. They listed four reasons:
1. Our individual sins, coming from our own hands (breaking the law, overspending...)
2. Paul said God can bring adversity to shape us for ministering to others who face trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-9). This is my favorite reason! ;)
3. To keep us from boasting in our own strength (2 Corinthians 12:6-10).
4. To suffer for Heavenly purposes with God choosing not to show us why. Then they went into Job suffering even though he was a "blameless and upright man." They said, "We also see that God permits Satan to destroy the blessings Job has gained as a way to see if he has the character to still trust his maker." Job proved "rugged enough in his character and trust in God to stand firm and to choose worship over complaint."

2012-01-30T21:57:00.002-06:00

Liv's Sticker from the Doctor

2012-01-30T08:37:00.001-06:00

The kid's and I just think this is really funny! Before Samantha could read she had picked a sticker out for Liv at the doctor that said, "I'm a Big Boy!" We thought it was really funny that day because she didn't realize it. Fast forward to last week and we saw a sticker just like it and the kids wanted to pick it for her again for a good laugh.

Gift #10 The Scenic Route

2012-01-30T08:31:00.000-06:00

The Scenic Route
We took the scenic route to the doctor last week. I love going down those roads instead of taking the highway.

Gift #9 God's Handiwork

2012-01-30T07:41:00.003-06:00

God's Handiwork Reading my Bible this morning I watched the sky change several shades. I thought about the miracle of God's creation. How He turns on the light slowly when it is time for us to start a new day. I saw the naked trees dead, awaiting new life when the season changes. Now I see the birds flying to them. I looked at my skin and thought of the way He has knit us together. The way He has made us to look. Last night the children and I looked at Jupiter that was visible and shining SO brightly by the moon. For two days we will be able to see it. Even the Heavens praise Him! Psalm 89:5 I thought of how everything in the Bible is true. We can't even see the world rightly without it~ His very Word. Why do we rush about our days without stopping to see or think about His miraculous makings? We don't even see it. Days spent in a fog. Why do we get angry and in bad moods? Why do we sometimes bite and devour each other? "This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 Oh, God, please give us eyes to see. Please help us to take joy in our days. To glorify You in doing so.

Flourless Caramel Almond Brownies Recipe - Good Housekeeping

2012-01-28T17:31:00.000-06:00

Flourless Caramel Almond Brownies Recipe - Good Housekeeping

Gift #8 Meeting Precious Spirits

2012-01-27T21:52:00.003-06:00

Meeting Precious Spirits
I love it when I first meet someone and they are so warm and friendly that I feel like instant friends. I met two of these precious spirits last Sunday. After Sunday school we have fellowship and food in the gym before the service starts. The kids come except for Livi who normally stays in the nursery. For some reason a worker brought Livi to Derrick. I don't know why because this never happens but I'm glad that it did. Derrick gave Livi to me so I started walking her around the gym while the other kids ate. I normally would have just sat down with them. Livi sparked a woman's attention and she came and started talking to us. I was planning on walking Livi so I didn't really plan on engaging in conversation and I guess I was just going to just say a friendly "hello" and be on my way. But, she pursued me with conversation. So, I introduced myself and asked how long she had been at our church and she explained she was staying with the pastor for the weekend and just came to visit. I talked to her a little bit more later in the hallway walking to the service. Livi had cut our conversation short when she started throwing a fit because I stopped walking. I also briefly messaged with her on facebook. But, what stood out about her was her joy. And her words are so encouraging and uplifting. She was refreshing, like water in a dry and parched land. She shared this verse with me: John 14:5 "...he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." She said she was learning it didn't matter if she had all her kids (she has 6) in order and her house clean but that apart from Christ nothing is being accomplished for eternity. She said, "May you find fulfillment in your home as you abide in Christ and watch Him work mightily in the hearts of your children.
.." I know she has got to be a blessing to all that she meets. What a beautiful fragrance of Christ she is. She WEARS the gospel. I wish I knew her. I wish I was like her.

Later at church that Sunday night an elderly woman approached me to ask what I was crocheting. She told me a story about her sister's quiltmaking and she was so precious.

Gift #7 Crocheting with my mom

2012-01-18T23:58:00.000-06:00

Crocheting with my mom My mom came over and we had a Cracker Barrel dinner and she taught me how to crochet! I am so excited and have plans to make blankets, pot holders, bookmarks...This is my first project- a baby blanket for Samantha to use for her dolls. It was such a sweet time with my mom. Crocheting makes me feel so much like a mama. ;)

Gift #6 Little Acts of Kindness

2012-01-18T16:36:00.001-06:00

Little Acts of Kindness
Bailey had made the little house at quiet time. He wanted to lay it next to Samantha with a little chocolate in it for her to wake to.

Gift #5 Sick Little Ones

2012-01-18T16:04:00.000-06:00

Sick Little Ones Not that I like them being sick but I like how soft they are...and taking care of them.

Gift #4

2012-01-17T15:55:00.003-06:00

Treats from France. Anything from France. They are special because they are sent to us from my brother, sister-in-law, and the cousins-Mia, Caden, Alyssa, Emma, & baby Powell (on the way!). I can't actually eat these chocolates because they are not gluten-free but I love to have them around the house to give the kids a treat. They are so fancy. Some of them have cute, little fringes on the wrapper and the others are a Christmas mix Lili brought back. The Christmas mix had some that looked like ornaments and you could actually hang them on the Christmas tree if you wanted. The kids already ate those up. Anything they send whether it be a shirt, tea, chocolates, cereal...seem so fancy and are so special. I have this honey tea that they sent and it is my favorite tea, next to the Apricot Caramel Torte Teavana discontinued. So, I guess you could say it IS my favorite tea now!

Gift #3

2012-01-16T23:05:00.001-06:00

Curling up with a warm, cozy blanket and reading a good book.

California Trip (continued)

2012-01-16T16:14:00.004-06:00

Our California Trip with Lili while Derrick was deployed to Cuba (continued). On the way home- Rainforest Cafe in Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, and the Big Texan (a steakhouse famous for their 72 oz. steak.)

Gift #2 Trials and Pain

2012-01-16T13:34:00.005-06:00

(me)

Yes, trials and pain. Why? Because they bring us closer to Him and make us more like Him.

I don't think I've ever heard more honest words than these written by Ann Voskamp in her book, 1000 Gifts, "For years, I have pulled the covers up over my head, dreading to begin another day I'd be bound to just wreck. Years, I lie listening to the taunt of names ringing off my interior walls, ones from the past that never drifted far and away: Loser. Mess. Failure. They are signs nailed overhead, nailed through me, naming me. The stars are blinking out. Funny, this. Yesterday morning, the morning before, all these mornings, I wake to discontent of life in my skin. I wake to self-hatred. To the wrestle to get it all done, the relentless anxiety that I am failing. Always, the failing. I yell at children, fester with bitterness, forget doctor appointments, lose library books, live selfishly, skip prayer, complain, go to bed late, neglect cleaning the toilets. I live tired. Afraid. Anxious. Weary. Years, I feel it in the veins, the pulsing of ruptured hopes. Would I ever be enough, find enough, do enough?"

I was stunned that she admitted that. Or that she felt that. More specifically, that she said for years of mornings she has woken wanting to die. I haven't felt that intense but have had moments that I long for Heaven. If you look at her blog and peek into her life she seems to "have it all together." She says she's a mess. I can relate to that. I have said before I am like Sidney in the children's book, Sidney and Norman by Phil Vischer. But to hear someone that looks like they "have it all together" say that?

The truth is I could have written these words myself, only not quite so eloquently. I can also relate with her wanting to live fully. To cherish these fleeting moments we have. Even to embrace the pain caused by living in a fallen world. I have learned so much about things such as love and forgiveness through the trials God has allowed in my life. He has used them for good. Always for our good. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

A Pregnancy Tip for Dana

2012-01-15T21:55:00.001-06:00

Three simple words…. » A Holy Experience

Motherhood Is Application

2012-01-14T23:25:00.000-06:00

Motherhood Is Application

1000 Gifts Gift #1 Family Time

2012-01-05T08:51:00.004-06:00

I am inspired by the book, 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp! I haven't even read it yet but hope to soon. This is a list of my own blessings and they are in no particular order.

Family Time.This was a fun Saturday! I had already been cleaning inside the house and Derrick and the kids asked me to come help them rake the leaves. I really didn't feel like it but they begged me. Once I got out there I really enjoyed the family time. It was good exercise! I loved just being together and doing something outdoors. The kids played in the wheelbarrow after our work was done and they had so much fun. I loved to see the way they smiled when they got pushed in the wheelbarrow.

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts

2012-01-03T22:55:00.000-06:00

Newsmakers Interview: Ann Voskamp - YouTube

2012-01-03T22:51:00.000-06:00

Newsmakers Interview: Ann Voskamp - YouTube

Picking Out a Christmas Tree!

2011-12-05T12:01:00.002-06:00

It's been a fun weekend, minus being sick. Friday we went to a Christmas tree nursery. Samantha picked the tree and Derrick and Bailey cut it down. We drank some apple cider and the kids ate candy canes. I love getting a real tree and the smell of them! We came back home and decorated it. I went to rent a movie and found that Reasor's video was closing down and they were selling everything. So, I bought The Nativity for $1.99. I also bought a bunch of other favorites, like The Ultimate Gift,Saving Sarah Cain, Flywheel, and some others for $1.99. We watched The Nativity that night. Saturday Derrick left and went to Dallas to run in the Dallas Marathon on Sunday! He did very well. He ran a 4:10, though his goal every year is to break 4:00. His best time is 4:01. We stayed home this time. That was a very lazy Saturday and Isabella and I were just beginning to feel the sickness Samantha had passed on to us. We didn't get hardly a thing done except watch a movie, eat, and Christmas shop online. So, that was fun. On Sunday we were unable to go to church but we did later in the day eat lunch at grandmas and let Bella nap while we went and grabbed more lights and ornaments. Derrick had said we should get more decorations and lights so the kids wanted to make everything look different for when Derrick came home. We put some lights on the porch outside and the kids hung a whole bunch of different colored birds they had picked out for the tree. Gigi got them some and I got them some.
My mom usually liked our Christmas tree to be decorated all red or all blue and it was really pretty. For instance, she would have all red lights, all red sparkly boots ornaments, all red beads...I loved it when we would get a real tree and she would spray frost on it. I love the story decorations on a tree can tell. Already I have so many stories. The kids have made some of the decorations, some ornaments have been given as gifts, I have some ornaments with their baby pictures, I show the kids which ornament was the first one I bought for them, one says, "Joy" which is Olivia's middle name...
I thought that I arranged the pictures to go in order from top to bottom but I did it backwards. If you want to see the pictures in order you can scroll to the bottom and go up.

A Sweet Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T21:28:00.000-06:00

Today was a very busy but very blessed day. It was Town Day (I have been learning how to schedule and organize better by reading Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman. Love it!) and very full. Instead of going to co-op we were in the Veteran's Day parade! The kids didn't know what to think about that! When we got home Samantha said, "When I was in the parade I forgot about my whole life! It was like...I was always in a parade." I think I know what feeling she meant but I loved the way she articulated it. ;) Bailey carried a sign with a picture of Derrick that said, "My dad serves in the Air National Guard." We brought candy to throw but learned that we were not allowed to throw it because it would be dangerous if the children ran out in the street to get it. It was really neat. We were in line with the Homeschool Fellowship group from Tulsa Bible Church.

After the parade we ran home for a bit. Then we were off to take Samantha to piano lessons, a quick run by the store, and a trip to the doctor! Livi had her 18-month "Well-child check." She is in the 90th percentile for height! Wow! None of our other children have ever been even close to that. She is 25th percentile for weight. She has gained 2 and a half pounds in the past 3 months. She eats very, very well. ;)

After dinner tonight Derrick and I were invited by the kids to a "meeting." Bailey said he was "the mayor." It was so sweet and really blessed my heart. They basically put on a church service. Isabella sang "Jesus Loves Me." Samantha had some hymn sheets that she saves from church that she used when she performed on "the stage" for us. She sang, "I Will Rise." Bailey gave us all Bibles and had us read aloud scripture. Then Bailey announced that we were going to give testimonies about "How we became Christians." Derrick and I gave our testimonies "on the stage." Such sweet family time. I hope they invite us to another. ;)

Now Bailey and Samantha are going to help me make a cake for Isabella's Birthday Tea Party tomorrow.

Ellerslie Training Home Page - with Eric and Leslie Ludy

2011-10-25T21:29:00.000-05:00

Ellerslie Training Home Page - with Eric and Leslie Ludy

At the Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-23T14:20:00.005-05:00

We went to the pumpkin patch with Papa Mitchell, Grandma Bobber, Cousin Aaron, Uncle Jaared, Aunt Stephanie, & baby Sophie. It was fun and so nice outside. Derrick said if they could pick it up they could have it! ;)I think they surprised us all with how strong they were! It was really funny to see Bay's face turn red and distressed when he picked one up with all his might.Livi got a little teensy one that she bit a couple of times at first. They went on a really nice hay ride that was pulled by two fancy horses. Someone got away with our wagon of pumpkins that Derrick had already bought (except for Liv's) so they had to pick one out twice. It was a fun fall break and we had gone to the zoo the day before. It was also a really nice day outside.

When we got home from the pumpkin patch we enjoyed watching quite a storm with the most hail I have ever seen accumulated on our back porch. It almost looked like a sheet of snow. I will try to remember to put pictures of it on here.

Karina's Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas

2011-10-15T11:16:00.000-05:00

Karina's Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas

Original Nilla Banana Pudding

2011-09-27T13:54:00.000-05:00

I have not had this since I was a child and at Omie and Papa's house. Omie made it a lot! Grandpa called it "Chitlins." The kids and I call it "Opossum Stew" ( From the Berenstein Bear's Love Their Neighbors). I put this on here for Dana because I was telling her how yummy it was. Licking the bowl from the custard alone was such a treat! They don't have Nilla wafers in France but I am sure Dana will find a yummy substitute. The trouble for me is I am having a hard time making the meringue and I know it would taste all the better if I could get it to whip up. Let me know if you know any tricks to making good meringue!

3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/3 cup flour
dash salt
3 eggs, separated
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
45 Nilla wafers (Being Gluten-free I had to substitute with Gluten-free graham crackers and it was really yummy!)
5 medium ripe bananas, sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix 1/2 cup of the sugar,flour, and salt in top of double broiler. Blend in 3 egg yolks and milk. Cook, uncovered, over boiling water 10-12 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.

Reserve 12 wafers for garnish. Spread small amount of custard on bottom of 1-1/2 qt. baking dish; cover with layer of 1/3 each of the remaining wafers and sliced bananas. Pour about 1/3 of the remaining custard over bananas. Continue to layer wafers, bananas and custard to make a total of 3 layers of each, ending with custard.

Beat egg whites on high with electric mixer until soft peaks from. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, beating until stiff peaks from. Spoon over custard; spread evenly to cover entire surface of custard and sealing well to edge.

Bake 15-20 min. or until lightly browned. Cool slightly. Top with reserved 12 wafers just before serving.

A loooong 6 months!

2011-09-24T12:33:00.004-05:00

So here we were; it was just us for the loooongest time! Derrick was on a 6 month deployment to Cuba. There were so many happenings! The first 3 months were really hard. An ice storm caused a lot of damage and we had to have our wall and kitchen floor ripped out and redone. I've written a little about that already. Oh, how much more I appreciate Derrick and all the things he does. I had no idea how hard he worked outside of work taking care of things for us. He didn't say anything about certain things he does and I had to take care of a lot of things so I got to see it.
We skyped with Derrick a lot. He came home at the end of July, the day after Bailey's birthday. We were so thankful to have him back and had such a great time with him as he had over a month off from work. That was SO much fun! Now Derrick is back at work and the kids and I back to our lessons. We are planning and preparing to go visit "The Cousins" in France in December and are really excited about that! The plan is to go on a double date with Ryan and Dana to the Eiffel Tower!!

Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Recipe #1927 @CDKitchen

2011-09-20T17:23:00.000-05:00

Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Recipe #1927 @CDKitchen

Teaching Roman Numerals

2011-09-14T16:21:00.000-05:00

I'm just cutting and pasting this here so I don't forget...

Okay - here is a great little way to teach Roman Numerals, my kids got it in one lesson with just minor review.

(this idea comes from Waldorf stories - and from Serendipity site)
Tell whatever story you want - Waldorf uses gnomes, but you could use animals, children whatever.

The gnomes wanted to count their gems - (squirrels/acorns, birds/seeds, etc). To keep track, they lined sticks up. One gem - one stick, two gems, two sticks, 3 gems, 3 sticks - but then they realized they were going to need a lot of sticks. So one of the gnomes took two sticks and formed a V - this will stand for 5 - see when I hold out my hand and 5 fingers, I make a V (thumb and pointer finger make a V). And one before 5 is four (one stick before a V). Then they continue counting - adding sticks to the five until they get to 8. Again they decide this is too many sticks, so one of the gnomes says - hey, let's cross two sticks to make an X - when I cross my hands across my chest, I have 10 fingers. and of course, one before 10 is nine.

This is a very brief way to introduce the basic concept of Roman Numerals, and to get you started. If you introduce the numbers this way, they love it, and it really is easy to learn quickly. I think it is a necessary skill, but not one you need to spend lots of lessons on. Teach it and move on - it will come up again in other situations (outlining, studying the Romans etc.)

Serendipity Gnomes and Gnumbers lessons (http://ebeth.typepad.com/serendipity/2007/10/gnomes-and-gnum.html)

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31 Rubies: Cleaning for the Busy Mama

2011-08-14T18:02:00.000-05:00

31 Rubies: Cleaning for the Busy Mama

"I Pray This For My Children" by Greg Harris

2011-07-14T23:22:00.001-05:00

Love this! Wonderful things to pray for our children. You have to scroll down a bit to read it.

Glory Books Ministry - "I Pray This For My Children"

California Day 3

2011-07-02T11:38:00.000-05:00

It has taken me so long to post all of California that I have kind of forgotten the order of events! I'm going to try to go in order as best as I can and post more pictures! ;) I think it was the 3rd day that we drove to John MacArthur's church! I was really excited about that. We had stopped by the beach to play first and got lost on this looooong, twisty, crazy, and very hilly road and were almost dead empty on gas! Thankfully we made it to a gas station but we were having flashes of us being stranded running through our minds. We went back and forth between being scared and being delirious and making jokes about it until we found our way to the city. We prayed that the car would make it! I think? this was the day we made it to our hotel, The Annabella, right across the street from Disneyland. The hotel was really nice. Then the next morning we went to Disneyland in the morning. Then we we went to the beach and ate grilled chicken, tortillas, homemade pico, beans, cheese...So yummy! Then we went back to Disneyland for the night. We wished we had spent 2 days there now.

"Toad's Wild Ride" was our favorite ride and we road it atleast 3 times I think. I couldn't believe for so many of the rides they would just let you take your baby right along with you so I got to ride a lot too! The next morning I went and had coffee with my friends, Tom and Kisha, who live in California! Then we had breakfast at the Annabella and got back on the road.

Grape Salad

2011-07-02T09:35:00.001-05:00

This is YUMMY!

2lbs. green grapes
2lbs. red
8 oz. sour cream
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup brown sugar
1 chopped pecans

Mix sour cream, cream cheese (softened), sugar, & vanilla.

Wash grapes. Stir in grapes.

Topping- brown sugar & pecans. Evenly cover the top.

Yummy recipes

2011-06-21T23:12:00.000-05:00

I can't wait to make the Baked French Toast! I think the kids will love it! I have never heard of it being baked.

Large Family Logistics: recipes

Quote by J.C. Ryle

2011-06-21T20:58:00.003-05:00

Parents, determine to make your children obey you, though it many cost you much trouble, and cost them may tears. Let there be no questioning, and reasoning, and disputing, and delaying, and answering again… Obedience is the only reality. It is faith visible, faith... acting, and faith incarnate. It is the test of real discipleship among the Lord’s people. “Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). It ought to be the mark of well-trained children, that they do whatsoever their parents command them… It is said of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, that when “He was young He was subject to Mary and Joseph” (Luke 2:51)… Children cannot learn too soon that this is a world in which we are not all intended to rule, and that we are never in our right place until we know how to obey our betters… You must not wonder that men refuse to obey their Father which is in heaven, if you allow them, when children, to disobey their father who is upon earth.” J.C. Ryle

This dictionary is awesome!!

2011-06-14T13:26:00.000-05:00

The 1828 Dictionary - FACE

Derrick got this for us for school.

Here is the difference between the definition of marriage in the modern dictionary and the Webster Dictionary (1828):

Modern Dictionary (2000)-The legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife. The state of being married, wedlock. A common-law marriage. A union between two persons having the customary but usually not the legal force of marriage.

Webster Dictionary (1828)- The act of uniting a man and a woman for life; wedlock;the legal union of a man and a woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage promoting domestic felicity, and for securing the maintenance and education of children. "Marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled." Hebrews 13

I am really going to enjoy the children having biblical definitions rather than worldly ones. I am looking forward to this! Thank you, Derrick!!

2011-06-08T22:35:00.002-05:00

Beware of harkening back to what you were once when God wants you to be something you've never been. - Oswald Chambers

2011-06-07T11:29:00.000-05:00

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” - C.S. Lewis

Bugs!

2011-06-07T11:23:00.000-05:00

My friend Jenni's husband has joked when he gets to heaven he's going to say, "June Bugs, God? Really?!" I don't mind June Bugs so much but it's cockroaches and spiders that I question the most. I could definitely live my whole life and never seen one of those again and be just fine. Our house backs up to the woods so we see all kinds of little critters and bugs around here. At our old house we only had little baby trees that Derrick had just planted so we had to walk down the street to find twigs, leaves, rocks, and things for our science ! projects. We have plenty of science projects around the new house! We had the "bug man" out the other day so the kids have been collecting all the dying bugs. It makes me a little sad to see the cute, little lightning bugs dying and flashing their tiny lights. Bailey actually got "stung" by a dying wasp that he accidentally touched!

One picture is of the lightning bugs that the kids collected with a little bowl that was in my birthday present from Aunt Kay Kay. ;) The other one is just yuck!

*Also, I wanted to record something that was hilarious that Isabella did at the doctor yesterday. It is probably not near as funny not being able to hear her adorable voice saying it. I wish I could capture her voice in a box and keep it forever because it is the cutest.

We were sitting in the waiting room and Isabella said, "Mama! His pants are broken!" I tried to quiet her. Then I waited until it wasn't so obvious that I was turning and looking. There was a teenage boy sitting behind us with a huge, gaping hole in the knee of his jeans. It was hilarious to me that she thought they were "broken"! Sometimes I cannot contain myself and this is one of those moments that I had to laugh out loud but discreetly so no one noticed.

I don't know if I believe this!

2011-06-04T10:28:00.000-05:00

Healthy Indulgences: Healthy Chocolate Cake with a Secret

Oxley Nature Center and Sam's Birthday Day

2011-05-17T21:12:00.003-05:00

If you look at the picture of the water closely, you will see a snake slithering away in it. Three of us ended up with ticks that day. I did not enjoy that part.

The other pictures are of the day of Samantha's birthday. Derrick helped the kids with getting something for my birthday and they came in the mail! Bailey picked out a welcome mat for me and Samantha picked out a frog candle. That was fun! We went out for ice cream that night with Aaron, Kay Kay, & Grandma Bobber.

Quest Recitation & Awards Night

2011-05-15T23:37:00.000-05:00

This was a fun-filled night! After the awards we had ice cream at the church! Then some fun with our friends, Zaccaheus & Skyler. Zacchaeus and Isabella are only 3 months apart (Isabella has 3 months on him) and look at how he towers over her! This boy is going to be tall! He's a sweetie.

A Zoo Day

2011-05-10T23:23:00.002-05:00

Our day at the zoo was a lot of fun! The weather was just right. I threw in some other random pictures too. One is Bailey with his favorite Bible, The Action Bible. He LOVES it! There is one of Samantha in her tent from daddy. She really slept in it all night long! And, some pictures of the kids with their friends, Skyler and Zaccheus. We had them over and after dinner they took a bath and had Strawberry Shortcake!

Gluten-Free Eating Out: A List of Opportunities and Menus « Gluten-Free Simplicity

2011-05-10T08:40:00.000-05:00

Gluten-Free Eating Out: A List of Opportunities and Menus « Gluten-Free Simplicity

Master Sgt. Derrick Hildebrant- Mother's Day Shout-out!

2011-05-08T19:19:00.000-05:00

DVIDS - Holiday Greetings - Master Sgt. Derrick Hildebrant

A Full, Fun Day

2011-05-07T22:15:00.001-05:00

Today we went to a birthday party and then to a Mom's Day cookout at Uncle Jaared and Aunt Stephanie's. Oh, we all look SO forward to our new cousin, Sophie, who should be here by the end of this month! Yay! The pictures of Bueno were from another day with grandpa, grandma, & cousin Aaron.

Gluten Free and Vegan Cherry Vanilla Power Bar Recipe | Elana's Pantry

2011-05-06T22:15:00.000-05:00

Gluten Free and Vegan Cherry Vanilla Power Bar Recipe | Elana's Pantry

Practical Theology for Women

2011-05-06T21:59:00.000-05:00

Practical Theology for Women

Riding to the top of the Eiffel Tower on an alligator

2011-05-04T08:55:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, in school, we were studying France. I asked Isabella, "Isabella, would you rather climb the stairs up to the top of the Eiffel Tower or take the elevator?" In her sweetest little voice she said, "Umm...take the alligator." I think she was attempting to say elevator but it came out sounding more like alligator. So we laughed and joked about how Isabella wants to ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower on an alligator! ;)

Easter pictures

2011-04-24T20:50:00.002-05:00

After church this morning we went to Omie's (Aunt Ree's next door) and then we went to Gigi's! The girls wore their matching dresses. Lili had put their hair up in sponge rollers the night before and their hair was curly when they first got up. It was a rainy day so their hair fell quite a bit but Isabella still had some curls.

Kids with their Noah's Ark eggs

2011-04-23T00:54:00.002-05:00

They loved them!

Field Trip to Shepherd's Cross

2011-04-22T23:54:00.005-05:00

This was so much fun! Usually we go with a group but this day we went with just a sweet friend and her children. The peacock was amazing and they said it was rare for us to catch him like that. He was so much more beautiful in person. We even watched him shake his feathers at the cat! He was very brave and came VERY close to us when we were eating at the picnic tables to eat our crumbs. We got to see a 4 day old baby lamb. We went on a Bible Garden Tour. There were so many neat things to smell (mint, lavendar) and see. They talked about how only God could make these things. They talked about the Japanese Maple symbolizing Jesus' blood and pointed out that was why we were about to celebrate Good Friday.

We went on a garden tour.

They make all kinds of cute things there that they sale in their gift shop. One time I bought a purse made of sheeps wool. They have these little knitted bassinettes with little babies in them that flip into a purse to carry your baby in. We got Samantha one last year for her birthday and she loves it. Even the little clothes were knit for the baby. We found some birthday presents for the cousins there this time. I have knitted dish rags & some other cute little kitchen things from there.

A goodbye hug!

2011-04-16T15:38:00.000-05:00

"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't."
- John Piper
"I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God; first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done."
- J. Hudson Taylor
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” - C.S. Lewis

This is Your Life

2011-04-13T14:02:00.000-05:00

Are you who you want to be?

Switchfoot

Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers: The Public School Parents' Guide to Homeschool Par...

2011-04-12T12:58:00.000-05:00

Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers: The Public School Parents' Guide to Homeschool Par...: "We all know that there are a lot of misconceptions about homeschoolers, and, while most of those tend to be centered around the kids, there ..."

Excellent, Excellent Sermon! A light bulb went off for me!

2011-03-31T23:02:00.000-05:00

True Woman | Chattanooga: Pastor James MacDonald

How to Make Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies | eHow.com

2011-03-30T18:31:00.000-05:00

How to Make Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies | eHow.com

Dark Chocolate Brownies- The Best Gluten-Free Recipe

2011-03-30T15:35:00.000-05:00

Dark Chocolate Brownies- The Best Gluten-Free Recipe

LEAD ME LYRICS - SANCTUS REAL

2011-03-25T00:10:00.001-05:00

LEAD ME LYRICS - SANCTUS REAL

I have heard this song many times but I guess I have never really listened to the words. I was driving in the car today with only Livi since my mom had the other kids. It is a very sobering song. I was chewing on the words.

Craziness

2011-03-24T23:45:00.000-05:00

There are so, so many happenings right now. When I can I think I'll write about them all. Right now many lights are out in my house. Another shower in the light of a flashlight. ;) My life is pure craziness at every turn. I am beyond the point of crying. I think I'll just start laughing. I have my suspicions of what the Lord may be teaching me through all this...

Gluten-free Cornbread and Chili

2011-03-12T16:58:00.000-06:00

This is so comforting to me! I would actually buy Gluten-free Cornbread and Gluten-free brownies over the regular ones. They are so yummy! I got the Betty Crocker brownies from Target and Gluten Free Pantry yankee cornbread & muffin mix from Akins. The chili is really yummy too. Here is the recipe:

1 lb. ground beef
Onions (I used chopped frozen onions)
1 8oz can tomato sauce
14 oz. can diced tomatoes (undrained)
14 oz. can Rotel (undrained)
14 oz. can pinto beans
2 Alarm Chili kit (Gluten-free *other chili seasoning packages may have gluten!)
I used half the ingredients of all the packages in box (I left out the red pepper):
salt
Masa flour
paprika
cumin/oregano
chili pepper
onion/garlic

Brown meat and onions drain. Add all ingredients (except Masa flour) and boil, then simmer for about 30 min. Add masa flour and simmer for a little longer.

At Grandma and Grandpa's and a Celiac update

2011-03-11T22:54:00.002-06:00

Kiddoes having a good time at Grandma & Grandpas while the Home and Garden Show was going. We are getting a new kitchen floor and are thinking about getting stained concrete. I think it is so pretty.

And...I want to give an update on Celiac Disease. I will probably put some stuff on here every now and then in case it would help anyone else. I know I have been searching for a lot of information. So, I think I have mentioned before that I have been having "attacks" ever since I was pregnant with Liv. Once Derrick and I thought I was miscarrying her and I had a very terrible pain that I can hardly describe. He took me to the emergency room and I was in such pain, crying, and scared. I could hardly sit in the car. It went away not long after we got to the hospital. I ended up getting my gallbladder checked out for possible gall stones. It was fine. After Liv was born I had an attack that was so terrible I ended up at Urgent Care hooked up to an I.V. for dehydration. Then, after the Gall Bladder looked good I was sent to a Gastro doctor and he did an endoscopy looking for ulcers and didn't find any. He said he thought I had Gastritis or possible Reflux. I knew something was terribly wrong with my body and would just have random attacks. They would come like a "thief in the night." Such pain (among other things) that I lose atleast two hours of sleep when I have one. Then I am extremely weak the next morning and have a hard time taking care of the kids. It is always nice if it hits on a weekend! Pepto Bismal has been a close friend of mine for the past 10 months. I have sent Derrick out for it at an hour such as 3 a.m. for it a couple of times. He has always been so sweet about it and known how desperate I am for it. I started researching Celiac's Disease and found that I had symptoms like the ones that were described. I even found out it's connected to autoimmune disorders people in my family have/had. And, this crazy heart pain that I have had since I was a child that feels like there is a knife in my chest and causes difficulty in breathing.

So, I took a blood test and came out with a weak positive (IGG). That seemed like a big deal to me but it is possible to have that with other gastro disorders so it is not exactly specific to the disease. So, I heard to be diagnosed you have to have an Endoscopy (it's the Gold Standard). Well, I had already had one but the dr. didn't suspect Celiac's so he didn't biopsy my villi to check for damage. I went back to him fully prepared to beg him to do another one and check that. You see, I know me. There are two reasons why I wanted that done instead of just going on a gluten-free diet to see if that helped. You have to stay on gluten for the test results to be accurate because your body will heal itself if you stay away from gluten and you will test negative. The first reason I want the diagnosis is because if I don't have it I will think,"Well, I can have a cookie...maybe I don't really have it (Celiac's)..." The second reason is because I want to know without a shadow of doubt what is wrong with me. I want to be well. I will stay away from whatever it is that causes it. I love food. But, when I am in the middle of an attack and have extreme nausea or when I am feeling extreme fatigue I KNOW it is not worth it. And, wait, here is a third reason. If you have Celiac's and continue putting gluten in your body the damage will worsen. It could lead to many other issues, including Cancer. An article from the Mayo clinic said the following about a study, "The study also found that subjects who unknowingly had celiac disease were nearly four times as likely as celiac-free subjects to have died during the 45 years of follow-up."

So, I went back into the Gastro dr. He said it was just a weak positive and wanted to know if, again, I wanted a prescription. I didn't take the last prescription he gave because I am nursing and would rather not take medicine but see what I can do with my diet. I said no I did not. He was not taking me seriously and said maybe I have IBS. I then told him that I didn't think I had stressed to him how sick I am and I think a "weak" positive is something to look into. He said he was sure I would come out negative and he didn't like the blood test I had. But, apparently, somehow he knew I was pleading and looked me in the eye and said, "But, okay, I'll do it." I was also about to ask that he give me the blood test he did like and he had already written that out for me to do.

That brings me up to this week. I was laying in the hospital bed for my procedure and after he greeted me and before he did the procedure he said, "Well, I just got a text from my nurse and it looks like you're pretty positive for Celiac's." I would say he had a bit of a "change of heart". ;) The endoscopy results won't be in until next week but the paper and pictures he gave me after the procedure have words on them that they look for with Celiac's disease. It said I had atrophy and "slightly flattened duodenal folds." The nurse told me the next morning that my test was a low positive but this time for IGA, which is a specific marker for Celiac's disease. A very high percentage (I want to say 90% but need to check my numbers) of people that have a positive for this have Celiac's.

They have not told me to begin the gluten-free diet yet but I have already begun because I am ready to be well and not put poison in my body. It is so complicated though!!! Wheat is in lipstick, soy sauce, RICE krispies (malt)...Lots of things you wouldn't suspect. Like, just today, I went to Akin's and got Gluten-free cornbread and then got stuff at Target to make chili. I could not believe it when I read the label on the chili seasoning. It had wheat in it. Luckily, I discovered 2-Alarm Chili Seasoning is Gluten-free. Yay! Then, there is the matter of cross-contamination. You could kiss someone that had eaten gluten, make your children pb&j...and it could set you into an attack. I think some people are more sensitive than others and attacks vary. You could order a chocolate shake and hope that a Cookies n Cream one wasn't made just before and left any gluten on the machine. Or find out the chocolate ice cream has wheat in it too (I heard Blue Bell's chocolate ice cream has it)! Or you could order fries and hope that chicken nuggets weren't made in the same fryer. Order an omelet and discover they make toast on the same grill...It's going to be a journey. But, one good thing is that I already knew I needed to make changes and was putting unhealthy things in my body. Although, you could still have opportunity to indulge in certain foods that are gluten-free too. And I do know God will use it for my good.

California Day 2

2011-03-05T22:57:00.002-06:00

This day we went to San Francisco! We had a really yummy breakfast. Then we went to the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. It was so neat!

A Firefighter's Wife: The Spiritual Man/Woman

2011-03-01T22:31:00.000-06:00

Once again God has used Stacie to speak to my heart at the moment of need. Especially the part that said, "Can I confront in love? If I can't, I should not make a stand. I should choose to keep silent (my emphasis). Until the Lord, works on my heart enough to be loving, my rebuke is futile. This is true with my husband and my children."

A Firefighter's Wife: The Spiritual Man/Woman: "I wanted share with you a section in my 'Living Beyond Yourself' Bible study by Beth Moore. It touched my heart in more ways then one and I ..."

Valentine Treats from Derrick!

2011-02-27T22:49:00.002-06:00

Sweet Liv

2011-02-27T22:47:00.000-06:00

Liv is so sweet! She is a big "mama's girl" and lets you know it if you try to take her from me. She takes her long, skinny arms, reaches for me and wimpers. Unless you have food and she may be persuaded to go to you but just for a bit. She imitates a lot of things right now and it is so much fun. She recently learned how to click her tongue. She loves to eat and has a hearty appetite. She is too cute when she sucks her thumb. ;)

How God Overcomes Failure in Your Family: Pastor Voddie Baucham

2011-02-26T00:17:00.001-06:00

This is great!
True Woman | Chattanooga: Pastor Voddie Baucham

Great Message for Women

2011-02-22T00:13:00.000-06:00

We watched this tonight at our homeschool meeting. It is very good! I would love to get Mary Kassian's book called, Girls Gone Wise.

True Woman | Fort Worth: Mary Kassian

California Trip Day 1

2011-02-18T21:00:00.008-06:00

These were taken on the plane. It took 6 hours and they did really good. I thought, "Oh, no!" when Bailey asked if we were about to be there 1 hour into the flight! Isabella was apparently excited about getting to use the bathroom on the plane! She told my grandma about it when we got home. I was surprised that they did not sleep that whole time. The baby only slept for about 40 minutes. We had a lot of snacks, some See's lollipops (one of which made a chocolate mustache on Bella and eventually got stuck in her hair), some little Wonder Color activity books, and stuffed animals. The Grand Canyon was so neat to see from the sky. I had hoped to read quite a bit on the plane but did not get to do much of that.

When we got to the airport an employee came up to me and asked if I left my camera on the plane. When I asked him how he knew it was me he said they had told him it was a lady with 4 children. Yet another perk to having a lot of little ones... People know who you are! ;)

To protect the offender I won't say the person's name (although I am sure you can guess who it was! Ha! Ha! ;) )but it was pretty funny when we were finally walking to get our luggage from getting the camera back. We heard " _______ _ _ _ _'_, Please remove your vehicle..." She had left her vehicle and looked for us since we hadn't made it to the luggage area yet. That was an $80 lesson!

We went to a Chinese place for dinner that night and then got the yummiest ice cream sundae from an ice cream shop.

You know the saying, "You snooze, you lose!" It really is true sometimes. Poor Bella. She fell asleep and missed out on ice cream and balloons. My mom had walked Bailey and Samantha to the street corner where a clown was making balloons. Bailey's was the neatest I have ever seen. It was a monkey climbing a tree. Then we went back to the extended stay hotel my mom had been staying in and slept there. My mom found Isabella's finger-sucking a bit difficult to sleep through. ;)

Disneyland

2011-02-11T06:59:00.012-06:00

After a long and difficult week we are headed to warm, sunny California! We will board our plane this afternoon. Derrick is not in town and able to be with us :( but the kids and I are meeting my mom there and then driving back. We plan to go to Disneyland and go by the Grand Canyon on our way back. We are excited! We need a vacation, especially after the week we've had!

Well, I had heard husbands talk about how thankful they are for their wives when they have had to take on their wife's role due to a loss of their job, a wife's sickness, or some other reason. They talk about how much they appreciate all their wife does. I have been learning how priceless a husband is! It is a looong story to go through it all but maybe I can paint a small picture of it. Being without a husband has been no.fun.at.all!

The blizzard that came through has been crazy to start with! I have never seen anything like this and have NEVER seen school called off for as long as it has been. With homeschooling we normally follow the public school's schedule. We have been able to continue schoolwork but have taken breaks too. We stayed at my in-laws for several days which was a lot of fun. I never dreamed we'd be "stuck" there for 5 days! The kids and I were sleeping in the living room together. It was time to get back to our house. I decided to drive home when the roads were better and before another snow storm came in. I chose to be "stuck" there for the next one. The reason I went in the first place was in case our power went out and we didn't have Derrick but the power never did go out. When I got home I saw that our house had been damaged. We had an ice dam and the water had melted and gone down our wall in the kitchen and water had seeped all into our kitchen floor too. If we had had wallpaper it would have come off but our paint almost looked like wall paper as it looked like it was wilting. The details of all that are quite a story in itself. So, we already had our floor ripped up in an area, big, loud fans constantly blowing downstairs to dry the water, and couldn't use our kitchen table to eat or do school on. One event seemed to happen after another. I'm not including all the little things! One of the kids had turned our refrigerator off. By the time I noticed I didn't know if it had been off for one or two days. I noticed my milk was not very cold in my cereal. Then I noticed some other things and finally opened the freezer to see everything melted in there. I had planned on making homemade spaghetti for my neighbor and was really disappointed that I couldn't use my meat. The streets were icy and I didn't want to get out to get more. I thought about what I should do and how I already told her I was bringing the spaghetti. I decided to start making it without meat. It would be better than nothing! So, the spaghetti was simmering. I started cleaning out the refrigerator and throwing everything out. I asked Bay to help and push the refrigerator toward me so I could sweep behind it. Apparently he pushed with a little too much force. I heard a loud noise that sounded like loud, forceful air. I didn't know what happened and was afraid something could catch fire. I think I was a little confused because the fire was on the stove boiling noodles and simmering spaghetti. I said, "Get out the house! Go get a neighbor!" I went and grabbed the baby out of her crib and threw a coat on because my shirt was not appropriate (I was not totally dressed for the day). We ran outside barefoot on the freezing snow. Man, does that burn your feet! Thankfully, I got ahold of Derrick and he told me to turn the breaker off, turn the water off, and turn a valve off. Water was shooting all over my kitchen and spaghetti. The dry floor that had been drying for days was again wet. Bailey had caused a tube to break that goes to our water and ice dispenser. There was a lot of pressure. Our mail (tax information) was soaked! Thankfully, the kids never got ahold of a neighbor. It would have been kind of embarrassing! Here I was in a torn up, soaked house with no spaghetti and, I forgot to mention, two minutes before this happened I got off the phone with the dr's office finding out I have a weak positive for Celiac's disease! This is where I just broke down. I was weeping. Derrick told me to send the kids to their rooms and sit down. I know he felt so helpless. He said, "I love you. You know I love you, right?"

I called a sweet, sweet family from church because my stomach literally felt sick and I was so weak. The wife took the kids, except Livi and her husband came to help me. My sweet in-laws wanted to be on the way but I told them not to worry because my close neighbors were coming.

I ended up ordering spaghetti for my neighbor, pizza for the kiddoes, and my grandparents brought me chili and a baked potato from Wendy's. The crying wore me out so I had to go to bed early and finish packing and cleaning early this morning.

I go to the dr this morning to find out what a "weak positive" means. I was insistent to talk to him before we catch the plane today so I can know...something. He is putting me on a gluten free diet. Having a diagnosis is scary, yet almost a blessing because I have been sick off and on ever since I had Livi almost 9 months ago. I have these "attacks" randomly. They hit like a thief in the night, are very painful, and I have a hard time functioning the whole day after they hit. I have known something is seriously wrong with my body so I will be glad to know what to do and to prevent further damage. Gluten is like putting poison in your body to a Celiac.

Women's Ministry: Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss-- Seeking Biblical Womanhood

2011-02-07T23:53:00.001-06:00

Women's Ministry: Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss-- Seeking Biblical Womanhood

A Quote From Patrick Henry

2011-02-06T15:39:00.002-06:00

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ." -Patrick Henry

2011-02-03T21:36:00.001-06:00

This was taken before the cousins left for France. Lili (my mom), Gigi (my grandma), Papa Jerry, the cousins, and our family. Ryan took the picture.

Our Blizzard

2011-02-01T15:32:00.005-06:00

Warm and cozy at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Aunt Stephanie's car buried under the snow. Uncle Jaared and Stephanie were brave to get out and go to Steph's dr. appointment today. Of course, they had to find out if we were getting a new girl cousin or boy cousin. It's a girl! Uncle Jaared and Papa Mitchell picked up some pizzas for us too as the groceries are getting less...

Sam in the snow at Grandpa and Grandma's. It's wild here right now!

Samantha with a bowl getting ready to collect snow for snow ice cream! We had to improvise with what we had on hand. We had cinnamon, powdered sugar, and milk. I don't suggest it! It was a hit for Bella, Grandma, and Samantha! The rest of us needed the usual vanilla and sugar.

Sermon Archive | Bible Church of Owasso

2011-01-30T16:47:00.002-06:00

If you get a chance, you should click on this link and listen to 1/23 or 1/30. These are great sermons. When I get time I want to share some things from them.1/30 is about the dark night of the soul and feeling down.

Sermon Archive | Bible Church of Owasso

Derrick had a Yard Built for Me

2011-01-27T23:17:00.002-06:00

When Derrick and I were looking for a new house we really liked the one we bought. But, we had to weight out some things because there were a couple of things that we would like to be different. Derrick saw beyond the problems. He saw the potential. I didn't imagine it possible to do what he had done. The major problem I had was that the backyard did not have a fence and... it backed up to the woods. It was rocky, hilly, and pretty grassless. I knew we could have a fence built but didn't know it had the potential to be what it is now. The house had the feel of "the one" but I was nervous with small children and a dog. I am so thankful for what sweet Derrick has done! I wish I had been intentional about taking before and after pictures but, like I said, I didn't realize what a dramatic makeover it would be. He first had a bunch of dirt hauled in and a wall of railroad ties was built. Then the dirt was leveled. They put sod down and Derrick very faithfully watered it. Then the fence was put up. We love being back there. Before I could hardly walk back there without tripping on rocks. Derrick's problem was that the living room is smaller than he would like. He's already kicked around some ideas in his head. Hmm...let's see what he may do there one day. That guy is always coming up with solutions when someone else thinks it is hopeless. And, just look at the transformation the Lord has used Derrick to accomplish in me! ;) I used to be the biggest mess. Not that I don't still struggle but I have come a long way with Derrick's help.

P.S. From the before pictures, you can see the kids didn't mind it a bit. They sure found a lot of bugs!

These pictures were taken before it was finished.

Jesus' Birthday

2011-01-27T22:48:00.000-06:00

At Grandma & Grandpa's

Derrick reminded me of Papa Bear from the Berenstain Bear's because he actually chopped down our tree with his own hands. Only...he didn't go out in the wilderness to get one but a tree nursery.

I LOVE the smell and look of a real Christmas tree...until it gets dried out and the needles fall all over the place.

I had the nurse scrub made for my mom. The pictures are of our last days spent with the cousins at the Bass Pro Shop and looking at Christmas lights.

I could've written this today. Or...maybe I should just say I really needed to hear this today.

2011-01-27T21:39:00.000-06:00

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home: When We Fail: "Oh dear mothers-----we certainly have our days, don't we? We wake up, we have our grand plans and as soon as we step out of our beds the da..."

This Works Like Magic

2011-01-27T21:14:00.001-06:00

Things got a little too messy around my house tonight. Only because Derrick was not here. ;) Oh, how Derrick's ways are higher than mine. ;) Life really does run more smoothly when we follow his advice. When dinner was winding up I thought, well, actually said aloud to the kids almost under my breath, "I wish I could just close my eyes and open them again and everything would be clean." I didn't have the energy to play the roll of a drill sergeant. My heart even physically feels weak today. Then I remembered my niece, Mia's, little game. I can't remember the name of it but something similar to "Hide and Go Seek." I think it may be called, "Hide and Go Clean." She taught it to my kids one time when they were helping to pick up before we left their house. I remembered it was so much fun for the kids and I was the "counter." Mia told me to count to 60 and close my eyes. The kids whirled around me breathless and cleaning. I threw in a Mississippi between the numbers. When I opened my eyes the room was clean. I thought, "Wow! Note to myself..." I didn't remember it much again until tonight. I'm so thankful it came to my mind. I said, "Hey! Remember that game we played with the cousins?!" The next thing you know I was relaxing comfortably in a chair with my eyes closed while the kids went about the living room and kitchen cleaning. I did end up having to count to about 160 (with Mississippis)for this mess though. ;)It was so nice to open my eyes and see order again. There were still some crumbs here and there and things for me to do but it wasn't so hard to imagine tackling anymore. Thank you, Mia! I'm going to try to use this when I walk into a messy bedroom too. It kind of reminds me of Flylady's concept of setting a timer and cleaning a troubled area for 5 minutes.

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home: Finding Forgiveness For My Abortion

2011-01-26T23:36:00.000-06:00

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home: Finding Forgiveness For My Abortion: "Have you ever had an abortion and needed forgiveness for it? Our friends, Terry and Lynn Fortune, were featured at Focus on the Family toda..."

A Quote from Discipline by Elisabeth Elliot

2011-01-25T16:31:00.001-06:00

Strive to choose, not that which is easiest, but that which is most difficult. Do not deprive your soul of the agility which it needs to mount up to Him. Saint John of the Cross

Caldrea Countertop Cleaner

2011-01-23T16:38:00.001-06:00

I had to stop cleaning for a moment to tell you about this yummy smelling cleaner. I heard it was good stuff but never bought it because of the price! But...Target had it on clearance. It's always nice to have a good smelling cleaner or new cleaning product to motivate housecleaning, don't ya think? The one I have is made with natural essential oils of cardamom and nutmeg. The scent is Plum Nutmeg. It makes cleaning a bit funner. ;)

Staying Married Is Not About Staying in Love, Part 2

2011-01-19T16:08:00.000-06:00

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this sermon on marriage. I love how incredibly passionate Pastor John Piper is. You can hear it in his voice.

Staying Married Is Not About Staying in Love, Part 2

A Woman Who Knew of Hardship

2011-01-18T22:57:00.003-06:00

I have a feeling God wants me to hear this as it has been put across my path twice now in the past week or so. I can't say exactly why it is so great for this to come across my path today (publicly) but those of you who know the happenings of today can probably imagine...

A Hymn by Annie Johnson Flint

•He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
•When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half-done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
•His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men,
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

Westminster Bookstore - Reformed Books - Low Prices - Flat Fee UPS Shipping - Getting to the Heart of Parenting (DVD) Tripp, Paul David TRIPPGTHPDVD

2011-01-18T12:35:00.001-06:00

You should scroll down and click on this and listen to what Paul David has to say. It is awesome!
Westminster Bookstore - Reformed Books - Low Prices - Flat Fee UPS Shipping - Getting to the Heart of Parenting (DVD) Tripp, Paul David TRIPPGTHPDVD

Mandy Mom . com: What are you willing to sacrifice?

2011-01-10T16:53:00.000-06:00

Mandy Mom . com: What are you willing to sacrifice?: "While browsing the library last week I came across a book titled The Guidance Manual for the Christian Home School. The book's focus is pre..."

From the writer of the hymn, Amazing Grace

2011-01-09T22:19:00.003-06:00

See if you don't have to take a deep breath after reading this. God really does do this! But always, always for our good.

Prayer Answered by Crosses

By John Newton

I asked the Lord that I might grow  

In faith and love and every grace,  

Might more of his salvation know,  

And seek more earnestly his face.

‘Twas he who taught me thus to pray;  

And he, I trust, has answered prayer;  

But it has been in such a way  

As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that, in some favoured hour,  

At once he’d answer my request,  

And by his love’s constraining power  

Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, he made me feel  

The hidden evils of my heart,  

And let the angry powers of hell  

Assault my soul in every part.

Yea, more, with his own hand he seemed

Intent to aggravate my woe,  

Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,  

Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this? I trembling cried;  

Wilt thou pursue this worm to death?  

This is the way, the Lord replied

I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I now employ  

From self and pride to set thee free,

And break thy schemes of earthly joy,  

That thou may’st seek thy all in me.

All I Have is Christ

2011-01-06T12:27:00.004-06:00

I love this song and the lyrics are ever so true and powerful.

ALL I HAVE IS CHRIST

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI), by Jordan Kauflin

Three Ingredients in the Recipe for Sanctification - Psalm 119:9-16 (Evening Service)

2011-01-02T11:46:00.001-06:00

Three Ingredients in the Recipe for Sanctification - Psalm 119:9-16 (Evening Service)

Getting "The Cousins" off to France

2010-12-14T22:55:00.011-06:00

I have to get up & teach my children in the morning so I'm going to try to keep this short and sweet but I wanted to share my thoughts about today. So, today was the day. We've been helping the cousins pack and move for the last couple of weeks and today was the day they REALLY went to France. It seemed so unreal for a long time. Kind of like when it finally hits a husband that his wife is really pregnant. (In our family it seems I notice it's "really real" a lot sooner since I feel all the changes in my body.) And then all of a sudden the wife has a really big belly and it gets more real to the husband.

We said our "final" goodbyes last night which Dana and I knew could get really intense so we were very careful how we went about it. You know, we'd kind wipe our tears that we cried in the other room and try to pretend we didn't know the other one was crying...but we knew we knew. You have to understand, we were afraid to "lose it". But, then, when I got home late last night I realized I still had Alyssa's coat in my car and I HAD to see them one last time. We weren't going to do the airport goodbye because we knew that would be extra intense. There was so much craziness going on this morning and we were so busy bringing things they needed to the airport and things like that that it didn't end up being the "cryfest" we expected it to be. There was also something REALLY funny that happened but I don't want to embarrass the party involved... but let me tell you a story about me that is very similar to what happened. A couple of weeks back my grandma and I were shopping at Kohl's. I said to my grandma (as I stroked Sam's hair), "Okay, you put her in that shopping cart and push it and I'll put her (Bella) in this other one..." and then suddenly a female complete stranger was looking me in the eye and saying, "Okay!" I was thinking, "Okay...does my grandma know this woman? Why is she talking to me?" I was so horrified when I looked down and saw that the little girl whose hair I was stroking was NOT my little sweet Samantha but a complete stranger as well. I was so shocked at myself (not that it's out of character for me but I had never done THIS before!) I laugh as I write. I don't even know how this girl's head ended up in my hand! My grandma and I cracked up- you know- the kind that brings tears. This woman thought it was quite funny and so did the workers that couldn't help but notice the scene. The woman joked something about that was fine with her as her daughter had been "acting up in the store" anyway. And, grandma joked that I had so many children that I just thought that one was mine too. Yeah, embarrassing! ;) Well, so, okay...I'll tell you what this person did but I will not name names. ;)They were in such a hurry loading things on the thingymajig that rolls the bags into the airport that they actually opened the wrong van's passenger car door (I'll give it to them that it WAS silver too) and then continued to open the sliding passenger door. I'm laughing as I write this too. It was all in slow motion. I watched it all happen and I was confused thinking,"This isn't right...but is this person helping them and I just don't know them? No...I think they're at the wrong van..." So finally I speak,"Umm...(insert their name)..." Then the woman breaks my voice with a loud, "HELLO!" A hello that says, "Excuse me, why are you opening MY van door?" Oh, man! That was funny! The person blushes and reminds me that it reminds them of my "stroking the little girl's hair incident". We laugh and get back to the busyness.

Dana didn't have her Ergo baby carrier and Ryan had laid it aside earlier and it never got packed. And if you know us, well, that is just a necessity! So, I gave her mine and now hers is mine and it's sentimental to me now (Bury me with it. Ha ha!)The reason we weren't crying is because the day was just that way. It was wild. When they left, the day only stayed true to the wildness. I am just positive I will hear "wild" stories from their plane ride. After they got in the airport I waited by my grandpa's truck so he could park my grandma's van (Ryan and Dana had driven there in it). It took him forever to get back. He said he couldn't figure out how to get back there. I watched a car get towed as I stood there wondering if they'd target his next! As I was taking him home to drop his truck off and bring him back to the van they found out they could bring their high chair (which Dana had really wanted to take but didn't think they'd let her check) so I caught grandpa on the road and told him to follow me to my moms so I could pick it up. Grandpa ended up driving home from there and said to come back and get him. I thought it might be good just to have one of the sweet people who came to say goodbye at the airport drive it back. So, we went to check the high chair at the airport and I had some other things they wanted me to bring but they had gotten on an earlier flight and were going through security when I got there and it was too late. So, on we went...One of the men from church said he'd drive the van if I could take him to work and his wife would head on. As we left one of the other people from church had a dead battery and needed a jump. So, we all scrambled trying to find jumper cables which Derrick told me (over the phone from Kentucky) I had some in a hidden compartment by the time they found some. Then were pulling out of the airport parking lot and there was another sweet friend standing outside of her car with a flat tire and I rolled down my window. She borrowed my cell phone but, of course, the servant- hearted men from church were pulling there cars over and hopped out to change the tire. They had the look of stress off of my friend's face in minutes. The Youth Pastor and Pastor were among the men that helped with all the car trouble and they went above and beyond. Anyway, how's that for short and sweet?!

My sweet in-laws watched the kids and I went to the doctor and then did some Christmas shopping. And, of course, stopped and got my Caramel Apple Spice Cider from Starbuck's. Which, by the way, I've added their Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate to my list of favorite drinks (Compliments of a suggestion from Dana earlier after she and Ryan discovered it).

Here are some cute quotes from the kids about the cousins going to France. It kind of reminds me of when Bailey first heard they were going and said, "I wish Oklahoma was France!"

The night before they left we came over and ate very American takeout, Fuddruckers. Alyssa knew I was crying when I told her and Mia goodnight (and goodbye) in their beds. She is really a funny character and said, "Are you crying?" Ha! Ha! She laughed. She totally doesn't get it. But, she's hilarious.

Sam~"I wish we were the "Powell's." She went on to explain she wished our whole family were Powells and were going with them. *Well, I used to be a Powell.*

Bailey~ This isn't funny in the least but sweet. When we discussed how they wouldn't be here for Christmas Bailey said, "It's going to be empty without them." I didn't even know he could articulate something like that. I guess he "gets it".

Sam again~ We talked about how sometimes one family would be awake while the other was asleep. We talked about how they were sleeping on the plane on the way there. Sam said, "Are they asleep right now?" Then, with surprise, she said," Even Aunt Dana and Uncle Ryan?!" as if they were supposed to fly the plane.

Ryan and Dana have already grown so much through this whole process. They (and the kids) have given away many, many precious earthly things to them. I watched Ryan give away his "beloved" espresso/cappucino maker my grandma had gotten for him a couple of Christmas' back. He used to make Derrick plain jane coffee and me cappucinos when we'd get together for New Year's to play Bible Trivia and Monopoly. I have a dream to play Bibliopoly with them one day. I think they have a better understanding of the verse, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 better than I do.

Unbelievable but Dana made Peppermint Bark for gifts on the last night they were here. Amidst all she had going on she wanted to leave those Christmas gifts. Which, I am so thankful she did because it is really, really good.

Dana has taught me SUCH a great deal about MANY things. I will still be able to call her constantly with questions like, "What should I do about...", "What should I make for the birthday party?", "Do you think it's okay to use expired (such and such)", "Did you like that...", and on and on. My afternoon will be her bedtime. My morning will be her afternoon. I will just have to time it right now.

And one last thing.God is going to use them tremendously in France for His glory and it is exciting. But, with it will come trials, testing, hardships...One thing I have found in my own life is that God uses those trials to draw us closer to Him and make us more like Him. I am astonished at the way He has used the most terrible things that have happened in my life to bring about the best things in my life. It has caused me to trust Him more and fear much less (although I am still growing). He works it ALL for the good of those who love Him. He used the absolute worst thing in my life for the absolute best thing in my life: my salvation. If it were not for my brokeness, I wouldn't have come to Him. But now, I have a relationship with the God of the universe. And those other things, that is where I have experienced the most growth. So, would I take the bad away? No. That's where He meets us, shows us our need for Him, and that He is worthy of our praise, that He loves us and knows what is best for us even if we don't think it so. He allows us to go through dark times and He uses it.

Time with the Cousins

2010-12-08T23:46:00.006-06:00

These last days with the cousins (and my mom being in from California) have been so much fun! Lots of good food, laughs, staying up late, and memories. We've been playing, "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader," looking at Christmas lights, eating out (once we had some Indian food at my mom's, one night Charleston's-very,very yummy Chicken Piccata, tonight we had chili, cornbread, salad, brownies, ice cream, and French Silk pie at our house), hanging out at Bass Pro Shop, hot chocolate & apple cider from Starbuck's, the kids had fun when I put their faces on "Elf Yourself"...Tonight the kids put on a "Christmas show" for us and made a theatre out of Sam and Bel's room. They made us a ticket and even signed autographs after the show was over. I was just in there picking up some of the toys they played with after everyone left. All I could wish for is more time...more time with them. Or, that time could just stop for a bit. I love them so much and am going to miss them more than my heart can stand. France is getting a HUGE gain. God is going to bless so many lives through them. May He work mightily through them.

The Lighting of the Blue Whale

2010-11-26T22:15:00.006-06:00

Derrick, the kids, & I went to the "Lighting of the Blue Whale" tonight! Our Mayor was there too! We are getting really excited about Christmas! Derrick and the kids got the nativity scene (Papa Rick's) and stockings down from the attic today and decorated. Soon we will get a Christmas tree...

Also, I always like to share a good book. I can't remember if I mentioned how much I have enjoyed, The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot. I have had many sweet moments curled up with that book and snacking on dark chocolate dipped in my favorite White Chocolate Wonderful Peanut Butter. But, now I'm on to a new one that I know I'm going to love just as many others have said how much they love it. It is called, What Did You Expect and is written by Paul David Tripp. I love everything I have read by him and also his brother, Tedd Tripp (Shepherding a Child's Heart). I often wonder why God has allowed certain things in my life or my marriage...Paul David says, "We will grieve because we will face difficulty that we neither anticipated nor planned...With this word, tested, God tells you one of the most significant things you will ever understand about your marriage in the here and now. God decided to leave you in this fallen world to live, love, and work, because he intended to use the difficulties you face to do something in you that couldn't be done any other way...Now, it is not wrong to want to be happy, and it is not wrong to work toward marital happiness..." He went on to say that there is nothing wrong with this goal but the only problem is that it is too "small a goal." He said God is working on something much deeper and if He wasn't, He wouldn't be faithful to His promises to you. He went on to say, "The words mean that God is working through your daily circumstances to change you. In his love, he knows that you are not all that you were created to be. Even though it may be hard to admit, there is still sin inside you, and that sin gets in the way of what you are meant to be and designed to do...God is using the difficulties of the here and now to transform you, that is, to rescue you from you. And because he loves you, he will willingly interrupt or compromise your momentary happiness in order to accomplish one more step in the process of rescue and transformation, which he is unshakably committed to."
;)Love it...

Just Random

2010-11-09T08:31:00.003-06:00

I read a quote from C.S. Lewis last night that reminds me of Derrick:

"The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavourable. Favourable conditions never come."

This stood out to me this morning and I wanted to write it here so I don't forget to think on it-

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth...'The Lord knows those who are His,'and,'Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.' But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work...And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."

Isabella is turning 3!

2010-10-24T22:24:00.005-05:00

Precious Bella is going to have a birthday soon! She is such a joy to us all! She (and her brother and sisters) adds SO much sunshine to our lives! She is so funny and has the most adorable voice. Derrick is always making her say, "Girl" because it is too cute when it comes out as "Gorilla." "I'm NOT a silly gorilla (girl)!" Or maybe it sounds more like "Gorla" but we tease her and say gorilla. She says she's going to have a blue birthday with a Stawberry Shortcake cake.

Isabella is super laid-back and never did go through the "terrible twos!" When she grows up some of the things I will miss most about her are her "chocolate blankie" (it's pink and brown, fuzzy on one side and silky on the other and she cannot go on without it), the way she sucks her pointer finger when she's holding it, her big chocolate eyes, her precious voice, her affection that has grown so much lately, the way she drags her blankie to the breakfast table, how she (gently) grabs me by my face to get my attention, the way she talks when she's playing with her dollhouse dolls, the sound of her sucking her finger in the back of the car, her cute baby face that is a mixture of us all (Bay looks like D, Sam looks like me, & Bel is a mixture of the two of them), her praying (she has a VERY hearty, "Amen!"), her big smile with a little crook up top from sucking her calloused finger, her riding her little scooter, her riding on the back of the tricycle backwards while her brother or sister drives, the way she loves to sit and read books, her doing her "schoolwork" (scribbling on a coloring book), her asking for her back to be scratched and to be tucked in "snug as a bug in a rug" in her bed, the way she will sometimes put herself down for a nap if she's tired (that's not normal, right?), the way she licks all the icing off a donut and leaves the rest or butter off a roll..., the certain laugh she gets when she gets excited about something, I could go on and on...Derrick calls her a little jewel. And she is.

Quote from C.H. Spurgeon

2010-10-24T22:07:00.002-05:00

"You cannot expect God to listen to you if you will not listen to Him; and when you ask of God, you must not imagine that He will give to you what you ask of Him if you do not give to Him what He asks of you." C. H. Spurgeon.

A Schedule

2010-10-04T17:22:00.003-05:00

While I was cleaning I actually saw a sticker stuck to the kitchen chair under Bella's highchair that said, "Wow!" I thought to myself, "Yeah, that's what I was just thinking." Actually, I can't say if "Yuck!" or "Wow!" was my first thought. Dried milk and crumbs waiting to be scrubbed... I had taken her chair off to clean it. Right now I am working on coming up with a schedule so that I can just do the next thing when I can't even think straight. Things like cleaning the high chair, the car out, refrigerator, laundry, lesson plans for school, my closet!!!...I could go on and on. I heard that having a schedule helps a lot when you are having a rough day and it helps you not to waste time. A friend said that if she is having a hard day she just does the next thing and even though she doesn't feel so great she can still say something like, "But, wow! Atleast my dishes are done!" I already have a rough schedule but I'm talking about a detailed one. It takes me a long time at the grocery store even when I don't have the kids with me but I made a menu and list of things I needed and got out of Target with 46 items in less than 25 minutes the other night. That is really good for me! I'm the kind of person that has to smell everything (like soap, shampoo...)and think everything through and have gotten in a bad habit of going without much of a list and just get whatever recipes are already in my head. I even saved money the other night when I saw I could use some of the same ingredients in another meal that I ended up putting on my menu. People often ask what its like having 4 children. I often say, "Easier than having 3 and being pregnant." It is nice to have my energy back. Nonetheless, no matter how many children I've had having a schedule and being organized when I have stuck to it has always helped. Also, the more children we've had I think the more we've tried to "step it up" in training them whether it be a discipline issue or training them to help out around the house because you know you just have to! Thankfully, Derrick has been good to train them with cleaning because it seems so much easier and faster to just do it on my own. But, the training may be hard at first but the blessings of it come later. Anyway, I'm really trying to come up with a schedule to help me balance my time and not waste any time. I have a lot of hope. Now, if I could only find the TIME to sit and make a schedule that I can attempt to follow... ;)

2010-10-02T22:14:00.003-05:00

Jim Cymbale writes, “God is attracted to weakness. He can’t resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him.”

I am quoting this from Stacie (afirefighterswife.blogspot.com). I do not get very far in my own strength and I know He wants us in a place where we are dependent fully on Him and not our talents, ability, or anything else. I get frustrated that I still have so much "me" in me if you know what I mean! It is when we come humbly before Him that He liberally pours out His grace. It is nothing but His grace that I am able to homeschool our precious blessings or hold my tongue for very long...All the things I struggle with & all my weaknesses should cause me to look to Him all the more. How often I forget or simply don't seek His guidance throughout the day. And then I wonder in awe at the chaos I have created. We need it every day, every hour, every second...

"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-3

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2Corinthians 12:10

Rolls and Scones

2010-09-18T15:34:00.003-05:00

Good and Quick Rolls

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Stir together:
1 cup white flour
2/3 cup powdered milk
1 tsp salt
2 TBS yeast

Mix together & add all at once to yeast mixtures
1 1/2 cups hot water
2 1/2 TBS melted butter
1/2 cup honey

Add: 1 cup white flour,2 cups whole wheat flour, knead, & then return to the bowl. Let rise 15 min. Cut rolls and place on greased cookie sheet. Let rise 10 min. Bake at 400 for 10 min. Yield: 20 rolls

*You can just warm up 1 1/2 cups of milk and skip the water and powdered milk if you want. A friend of mine made these with over-the-counter whole wheat flour and she said they did not turn out very well. I would suggest using either fresh ground flour from a Nutrimill or buying some fresh ground flour from a place like Great Harvest. I also knead it in a Bosch and have never kneaded by hand so I don't know how much of a difference it makes. These are really yummy and pretty healthy. We eat them for snacks, with meals, or even as a breakfast with apple butter or honey. By the way, Cracker Barrel has some really yummy all-natural apple butter without high fructose corn syrup. One of theirs has it and one doesn't so if you get some look for the one that says, "Natural" and not "Spiced" if you want that one.

Bev's Scones

(I got this off of afirefighterswife.blogspot.com)

4 cups white flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 TBS baking powder
2/3 cup cold butter (cut into pieces)
2 cups heavy cream
2 tsp lemon zest

Sift dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles cornmeal. Add lemon zest & cream. Knead until well mixed. Place dough in fridge for half an hour. Roll dough 3/4" thick. Cut with a round glass. Brush heavy cream on top & sprinkle with sugar. Bake on 375 for 15 min. To make these healthier you can add a cup or two of the wheat flour I talked about above or probably even store bought whole wheat flour. I also like to add cinnamon to the sugar that goes on top.