13 years together

Today is our anniversary. Happy anniversary, dear. Such a weird day we are having, too. Shawn left for work at 7 this morning, the children and I went through our home school routine, and in between I canned 7 pints of tomato sauce and made an anniversary cake for us. Shawn came home a little after 3 p.m., and he is heading back to work a little before 6p.m. If all goes well, he should be home around 10p.m.
So, not too romantic, not even a lot of time together today, but good for me to remember its not the day, or what we do or don't do that matters, its the marriage that counts. Thanks for all you put up with Shawn, and may we have a blessed future together, Lord willing.

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Happy Anniversary to Karen and Chris!(Shawn's parents)

Week 3 of homeschooling!

We are easing into this adventure, and what a wonderful time we are having! We all love it, especially me getting to spend more time with my children. You always hear how fast they grow, and I know for myself growing up, how true this is. I want to spend as much time with my little ones as I can, for I know before I am ready, they will be spreading their wings and starting a new chapter in their lives. This week I think we are finally getting the hang of the schedule, and how to best spend our time.
Imagine fall arriving already! Just 5 days ago, the black birds starting their annual fall meeting around our area, in preperation of the flight south. Not sure exactly what type of birds they are, they are black with orange bellies. We are amazed at the number that appear, and how loud they can get. When they all get here, I hope to video them and put on my blog, so the children can look back and remember the feel and smell of fall. The leaves have been steadily falling off too. Due to the extreme dry summer, most aren't turning beautiful colors, just brown. Maybe we will get a little rain to change that. We did have a strange summer, it really only got hot before convention, and only a few weeks of rain here and there.
Here is a cute little video of Noah spending time with Peanut. Pardon my laugh, if you could have seen it in person!

In other news, we have a new musical instrument being played in our home. Zachariah started taking harmonica lessons 2 weeks ago. He is amazingly good! So much so that his teacher asked him if he would like to be in the recital that is in 3 weeks! He said he normally would not ask but Zach is doing so good he thinks he can do it. He is going to try to play a bluegrass number called Wildwood Flower. Great job, Zach! I enjoy listening to Hannah and Zach playing together,(violin and harmonica). Have a good day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHAWN!!

Happy Birthday, Shawn.
Today was union meeting, so his birthday lunch was at Dad's house for the union meeting potluck. I planned on baking a birthday cake, with homemade icing and Dora's decorations :), you know, the works, but Shawn wanted carrot cake instead. So, Walmart did the honors of the birthday cake this year. The children made several homemade birthday cards, with pictures to go with them. We all enjoyed a Sunday afternoon nap, then Shawn's mom had us over for cake and ice cream tonight. Anyway, on your day we wanted to say; We hope you had a nice one and we are so thankful to be sharing this life with you!

(The surprise shot by Dora that he didn't even know I took!)

Just some pictures

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!

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!

We welcome another little baby goat, Cream

Last Saturday, June 27th, I took our 2 baby goats to our vets farm for medication. Erica told me that the momma to one of our babies died on the previous Sunday. She had twins, so I ended up bringing the lone twin home. Quite the challenge to bottle feed 3 at once, now we have one for each of the older children. Sometimes in the morning they sleep in and I get to feed all at once. So here is a running log of our animals....Horses Beauty and her colt, Peanut. Goats, Tinkerbell and babies, Coco, Cream and Snow. Bunny, Floppy. Dogs, Lucy and Benjy. Cats, Eli, Cassy, Minnie and her 5 kittens, Scooter, Midnight, Daisy, Snowball, and Princess. Oh, and our 2 birds, Tweety and Rileigh. What a zoo!

Happy 10th Birthday, Hannah!

Happy Birthday, Hannah! Wow, today you are 10! In the double digits! We are so proud of you and want you to know how special you are to us, our only girl. Daddy's little girl would be a good way to describe you. You have such a soft heart, and we are so thankful you have the desire to serve God at such a young age. I know it isn't easy for you at school, being different than the other children, but always remember God sees and knows the trials and temptations. If you ask for His help, He will give it.

I remember when I was pregnant for you and anxiously awaited your arrival, our first. Your due date was July 18th, which was your Great-Grandpa's birthday, and our cousin, Becky's too. However, Mommy was under a lot of stress at work, and went into pre-term labor at 30 wks. The doctors were able to hold you off for 6 more weeks by putting Mommy on complete bed rest. Grandma took care of me while Daddy worked. You came into this world 6 lbs, 12oz. and was 19.25" long. Impressive for being 4 wks early.You just qualified being called premature, as 36 wks or earlier is considered premature. You stayed in the special care nursery for 6 days, with breathing problems and jaundice. In fact you ended up on a wallabe light at home for 2 wks. We called you our glow worm. At your first convention, I carried you around in my sweatshirt, and no one even knew you were there. You weighed a mere 11 lbs then, at 8 wks of age. Oh how scrawny you were for quite some time. Still are, except much taller now. Please don't feel bad how tall you are, God made you this way and we love you for you! Even if you grow up taller than me! Thank you for all the help you give me, and for watching after your little brothers when Mommy or Daddy has to do a quick chore with the animals or yard or laundry. You are so special and we love you so much!

Picnic Fun

On Saturday we went to Rick and Tabi's home for a picnic/get together with 4 families, 6 adults and 12 children. The boys far outnumbered the girls, 10 boys ages 8 and under, and 2 girls, ages 9 and 8. We had a wonderful time visiting and the children had lots of fun playing in the yard. Great food, too! I love going to these get togethers for Shawn and I to have fellowship with other professing people, but also for the children to play with other children of the same upbringing. My boys rarely get the chance to play with other boys, and Hannah had fun with Lauren .

We also took the kids to the Lake for the first time this year. Noah had a blast, and is quite the brave little fellow.