Sunday, August 30, 2009

Conventions, garden harvest, school starting, summer ending!

What a busy last couple of weeks we have had. Our favorite of course, and much needed, was the privelage of 2 full time conventions. We have wonderful family, and neighbors, that helped with the animal care to enable us to be free to go. The conventions seemed extra special this year, like we were able to take in all that we heard, and renewed the desire to give our all. Some of the thoughts we heard; [If we love Jesus, it will help us say yes, it doesn't matter what the question is.][ Here we are sitting in the light, in the future we want to walk by the light,][ Don't underestimate the power of the world, don't overestimate that we will always love God,] [Bitter tears hurt painfully, be careful of little steps that lead to bigger steps that cause bitter tears.][We are known by the company we keep, seek the right company-those that can strengthen and encourage when needed. Keep close to those putting their best in this-keep close to those gaining the victory.]
The Monday we returned from our 2nd convention was quite busy. I took Josh(and my other 3 and my niece) to the dentist for 4 cavities due mostly because of our hard water. When we got home we had a quick lunch, then I mowed grass for 1 1/2 hours while the children played. I saw the garden needed harvested while mowing, so I picked close to 100 ears of corn, both sweet and silver queen, pulled some carrots, and some nice tomatoes after mowing. The children helped me husk the corn, then I boiled and cut off what we didn't eat for the freezer. I ended up with 12 quarts of cut corn in the freezer. I also did several loads of laundry, you can image how quickly it piles up for 6 people! Time for supper, then off to work to finish scrubbing the tile I didn't get to, along with the regular cleaning. I think I dozed off about as fast as I hit the pillow! I thought I would record that day for future references, when I am feeling lazy, I can look back and remember. So many people tell me they don't know how I do it,(I think they mean care of the children, the husband, the house, the laundry, the garden, the animals, my cleaning job, etc.!) but I don't feel that way at all. I feel it is part of my life, I dearly love my husband and children, and the work that goes with it is my reward here on earth. So thankful for good health that I can even do the little I do.
I have started the course of homeschooling my oldest 2 children, with some learning for Josh too. I am so thankful Shawn encouraged me to try it when the thought first came to mind at the end of the school year 2009.
I'm not even sure why I thought to in the first place, but the desire to do so was strong, so I talked it over with Shawn. He wasn't entirely into it before, but one Sunday morning a few weeks ago, on the way home from meeting, he felt too this is the direction we should take. Our first week was wonderful! I only wish 6 years ago I would have started with tiny 5 year old Hannah. I imagine there will be days it gets crazy and I wonder if I am crazy, but my children are here, and we live in a country that I can teach them about God, here at home anyway, so I will do the best I can do for them.
Well, the rest of my family is enjoying a little nap before our late afternoon adventure, {The home school group we have joined, is meeting at a lake for a picnic/pow-wow camping adventure. Our neighbors are going and we are looking forward to visiting and catching up!} so I think I will go join them. Will post some pictures soon!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

New housepet, new friends

We have a new house pet. About two and a half weeks ago, we brought one of Minnie's kittens in the house. We were considering a puppy, but the cost of the one we want, plus potty training, and barking during meeting, we decided since we already had 5 kittens, and they were litter trained to just select one of them. So, we introduce Penny.

All the animal babies are growing as fast as summer is speeding past. This is a summer I think we will always remember, because it has brought us some new friends! We have had the privelage of spending time with a family close to us, that also has 4 children very close in age to our 4. Little friendships are blooming, and adult ones too! We are planning a trip to the Lake today, and have enjoyed a few suppers together.

Last week, Shawn and I took the children on a small getaway. We went camping and to an amusement park for a few days. It rained the first day camping, then the next day at the park, but the third day the weather was great. On our way home we stopped to offer help with work day at Yellow Springs and drop off our camper(even though it was after lunch and we didn't help very much, so peaceful to be on the convention grounds).

Came home to a great surprise. Well,... great for me. Shawn didn't seem too thrilled about it. At my Mom's funeral, someone sent an orchid. I have had this flower for 4 1/2 years now. It always gets 4 to 6 blooms, but before they open, the buds drop off. While we were away, one of the buds finally opened. I didn't even know what color it was going to be, but it is so beautiful. This picture doesn't do it justice, but here it is.

Our vacation did have a bad note to it. Little Noah was climbing on the bench next to the table, and lost his balance. He received his first black eye due to falling into the corner of the table. I felt so sick for him, I know it was very painful due to the location, very corner of his eye, and the lump that popped out. Thankful it didn't damage his eye. We have decided this is our accident prone child. Sunday evening while our new friends were visiting, he fell in the barn and landed on the concrete, on his sore eye of course, and on his forhead. He is quite the site right now.
Well, convention in a few weeks, major decision in our lives Shawn and I are praying about for our children and have been contemplating all summer long, and me way behind on posting, turns this into too long of a post, sorry. Happy day!