I attended a really interesting class this past week. It was about sustainable living on a budget. Very, very fascinating. Here is her website, http://www.sustainablebudget.com/. Some of what was taught I already apply in our life here on the 'farm'. Alot of the rest I am beginning to or striving to apply. It is all about shrinking our consumerism not only for the environments' sake or to decrease our spiral into debt for things that mean nothing but for the sake of our spiritual sanity. What are we focused on in our lives? What is the quality of life within our family and how can we make it better?
She had us watch a video also, which I had already watched on Dr. Mercola's site but was still excellent to watch again and probably one or two more times wouldn't hurt!!! It is called the Story of Stuff and everyone should watch this eye opening tidbit.
You can find it here....www.thestoryofstuff.com.....awesome, watch it!!!!
I am also working most plastics out of our home and moving back into my old habits of applying the principles in Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. A book all should read and learn. Very informative. I will continue to add my tidbits of learning on here as I return to what I know and add new knowledge gleaned from this wonderful resource. I will begin to soak my grains starting tomorrow. Then they are always on hand to make a wonderful, filling and tasty meal. I just wish there was a place to get raw cow milk around here. My family won't do goat milk after a few days. It tastes too goaty and we are spoiled with the sweetness of cow milk. I miss that fresh cream!!! So rich and wonderful!!! There are several places up in the Puget Sound area but, alas, none available close to us.... I will continue to seek out a supply around here. I must, I must!!!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
A bit about us...
I strive to follow the Way set out for me through the Word of God and teach it to our children.
I adore my husband....my Sweetman.... He is my best friend and I can't imagine life without him. He is a wonderful father to our kids and I am so thankful for him. He takes such good care of us. He is an adventurous fella and full of passion and drive. I run to keep up with him.
Our children have been such an adventure. I have loved the task of raising them. Our oldest, Joshua, turned 18 this year and will be graduating this summer from our humble homeschool. It really is so hard to believe that my sweet, little boy is almost done. I miss him being little though I have really enjoyed him so much. I was always a bit intimidated by the "teen years" because of what others have said but, I have found these years with him alot of fun. He is on the path to be a fine man, much like his father.
Now, we are surrounded by teen girls!!! Our daughters are Danielle, who is 16. Kaitlin, who is 15, and Emily is 13. We will soon be adding Olivia to that roster also. She is 12 and can hardly wait for the seemingly magical number of 13.
Then we get back to the boys...one anyway. Jacob is 9 and a very good big brother. He is a real help with the younger ones. He loves to catch snakes and lizards around our place. Last summer he and Olivia caught 23(!!!) in one afternoon. Janae is next at 6 and she adores her big brothers and sisters, most of the time. She is a very amusing child with an amazing imagination. She is such a funny bird. She loves to follow Jacob around on adventures in the 'jungle' (the forest behind our home).
Our last two are more boys...yeah!!!! Nothing against girls, we adore our girls. We are just enjoying having boys again after a gaggle of girls. This is the first time we have had two boys together. Caleb is 3 and as busy as that age suggests. He keeps us all very amused so, either he is a very bright boy or we are easily amused....I am going with the former. My unbiased opinion, of course!! ;) Next is Gideon...he is a very quizzical 13 month old. Always watching and looking so serious at everything. He is a buster at 27 lbs.!!!!! He didn't stay in the cute, little baby clothes for long. So sad...he is already in 12-18 month sizes. It won't be long and he will be as big as Caleb.
We have homeschooled our brood from the get go minus a 6 month stint in first grade for Joshua. Not a good experience for him or us. We are a bit eclectic in our homeschool though I do lean heavily towards Charlotte Mason and a mix of Classical and Principle approaches. It took me awhile to get it figured out. It dawned on me that I kept choosing books or curriculum with those ideas. So, I became more focused (finally!!!) but still flexible.
The flexibility really came into play when my mom was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). My siblings and I helped my dad care for her for almost 4 years. So, obviously, we had to be flexible with our schedule. Sadly, my mom passed away two years ago. We all miss her horribly. It was difficult having Gideon after her passing. She always came over and took care of us after a birth. It was very strange without her.
Well, I just wanted to post a bit about us. Kids are sounding busy so, I had better go make sure nothing is on fire!!!
I adore my husband....my Sweetman.... He is my best friend and I can't imagine life without him. He is a wonderful father to our kids and I am so thankful for him. He takes such good care of us. He is an adventurous fella and full of passion and drive. I run to keep up with him.
Our children have been such an adventure. I have loved the task of raising them. Our oldest, Joshua, turned 18 this year and will be graduating this summer from our humble homeschool. It really is so hard to believe that my sweet, little boy is almost done. I miss him being little though I have really enjoyed him so much. I was always a bit intimidated by the "teen years" because of what others have said but, I have found these years with him alot of fun. He is on the path to be a fine man, much like his father.
Now, we are surrounded by teen girls!!! Our daughters are Danielle, who is 16. Kaitlin, who is 15, and Emily is 13. We will soon be adding Olivia to that roster also. She is 12 and can hardly wait for the seemingly magical number of 13.
Then we get back to the boys...one anyway. Jacob is 9 and a very good big brother. He is a real help with the younger ones. He loves to catch snakes and lizards around our place. Last summer he and Olivia caught 23(!!!) in one afternoon. Janae is next at 6 and she adores her big brothers and sisters, most of the time. She is a very amusing child with an amazing imagination. She is such a funny bird. She loves to follow Jacob around on adventures in the 'jungle' (the forest behind our home).
Our last two are more boys...yeah!!!! Nothing against girls, we adore our girls. We are just enjoying having boys again after a gaggle of girls. This is the first time we have had two boys together. Caleb is 3 and as busy as that age suggests. He keeps us all very amused so, either he is a very bright boy or we are easily amused....I am going with the former. My unbiased opinion, of course!! ;) Next is Gideon...he is a very quizzical 13 month old. Always watching and looking so serious at everything. He is a buster at 27 lbs.!!!!! He didn't stay in the cute, little baby clothes for long. So sad...he is already in 12-18 month sizes. It won't be long and he will be as big as Caleb.
We have homeschooled our brood from the get go minus a 6 month stint in first grade for Joshua. Not a good experience for him or us. We are a bit eclectic in our homeschool though I do lean heavily towards Charlotte Mason and a mix of Classical and Principle approaches. It took me awhile to get it figured out. It dawned on me that I kept choosing books or curriculum with those ideas. So, I became more focused (finally!!!) but still flexible.
The flexibility really came into play when my mom was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). My siblings and I helped my dad care for her for almost 4 years. So, obviously, we had to be flexible with our schedule. Sadly, my mom passed away two years ago. We all miss her horribly. It was difficult having Gideon after her passing. She always came over and took care of us after a birth. It was very strange without her.
Well, I just wanted to post a bit about us. Kids are sounding busy so, I had better go make sure nothing is on fire!!!
A way to give...
A way to give...
I always want to give to those in need. I don't always have the money but the desire is there. So, I am always on the lookout for ways to give that are budget friendly. One that I was told about is iGive at www.igive.com. If your charity of choice is signed up with them, they will receive a percentage of the purchases you make online. They are connected with many major online retailers like Target, etc.. Another one that I just heard about is www.goodsearch.com. It is a search engine powered by Yahoo!. They donate about half of their profits to charity. When you search through their search engine, they will have you enter your chosen charity before you do your search. For every search you do, your charity will receive a donation. Doesn't sound like alot but if you tell alot of people about it plus ALL of the searches you do (and we all do our share!! LOL), it adds up quickly. If 500 people search 4 times a day that gives your charity about $7300 in one year. Not bad and virtually painless to your budget.
We donate our extras to LifeNets at www.lifenets.org. They work internationally as well as state side. If you don't have a specific charity in mind, please consider them. They do wonderful work for MANY people.
I always want to give to those in need. I don't always have the money but the desire is there. So, I am always on the lookout for ways to give that are budget friendly. One that I was told about is iGive at www.igive.com. If your charity of choice is signed up with them, they will receive a percentage of the purchases you make online. They are connected with many major online retailers like Target, etc.. Another one that I just heard about is www.goodsearch.com. It is a search engine powered by Yahoo!. They donate about half of their profits to charity. When you search through their search engine, they will have you enter your chosen charity before you do your search. For every search you do, your charity will receive a donation. Doesn't sound like alot but if you tell alot of people about it plus ALL of the searches you do (and we all do our share!! LOL), it adds up quickly. If 500 people search 4 times a day that gives your charity about $7300 in one year. Not bad and virtually painless to your budget.
We donate our extras to LifeNets at www.lifenets.org. They work internationally as well as state side. If you don't have a specific charity in mind, please consider them. They do wonderful work for MANY people.
Changing me...
Changing me...
After 19 years of having beautiful blessings and giving up too many times on getting myself healthy, I have decided to persevere and actually do it. My Sweetman loves to be outside, i.e. hiking, fishing, camping, rock climbing..., and he wants me to go with him. I am not horribly out of shape but enough that it is more taxing on myself than I would like. So....healthy here I come. I also want to be a good example to my daughters of getting myself in better shape to be active and not just skinny. I keep telling myself that it took me 19 years to get here so to be patient with myself which, is very difficult to do.
I have been walking 2 miles every other day except for Monday when I walked about 8 behind our lawn mower mowing our 'field'...not the most fun but at least the yard looks like a yard again. :D I actually enjoy mowing the lawn. It is meditative for me. The blaring mower drowns out all other noise and I can actually think!!!! It is wonderful when that happens.
We have been having the 'debate' again. Are we allowed to control how many children we have or just have however many we are blessed with? Is being a good steward limiting our family to what we can afford or trust(which we do) that God will provide? We trust He will provide for us but, again, how does it fall under being a good steward? I have read all of the applicable books, Nancy Campbell, the Hess'..., but it is still a quandary. We love having our brood and would be happy with more but we also have things we want to do with the children we have and with each other. We started out very young...18...and would like to enjoy our retirement and grandchildren with each other. Sounds so selfish, I know...but I am human!!! Opinions? Advice? Anyone???
Pray for me.....
After 19 years of having beautiful blessings and giving up too many times on getting myself healthy, I have decided to persevere and actually do it. My Sweetman loves to be outside, i.e. hiking, fishing, camping, rock climbing..., and he wants me to go with him. I am not horribly out of shape but enough that it is more taxing on myself than I would like. So....healthy here I come. I also want to be a good example to my daughters of getting myself in better shape to be active and not just skinny. I keep telling myself that it took me 19 years to get here so to be patient with myself which, is very difficult to do.
I have been walking 2 miles every other day except for Monday when I walked about 8 behind our lawn mower mowing our 'field'...not the most fun but at least the yard looks like a yard again. :D I actually enjoy mowing the lawn. It is meditative for me. The blaring mower drowns out all other noise and I can actually think!!!! It is wonderful when that happens.
We have been having the 'debate' again. Are we allowed to control how many children we have or just have however many we are blessed with? Is being a good steward limiting our family to what we can afford or trust(which we do) that God will provide? We trust He will provide for us but, again, how does it fall under being a good steward? I have read all of the applicable books, Nancy Campbell, the Hess'..., but it is still a quandary. We love having our brood and would be happy with more but we also have things we want to do with the children we have and with each other. We started out very young...18...and would like to enjoy our retirement and grandchildren with each other. Sounds so selfish, I know...but I am human!!! Opinions? Advice? Anyone???
Pray for me.....
Kids say the funniest things!!!
Kids say the funniest things!!!
I thought I was done blogging but our youngest girl, Janae, just cracks me up!!! We live on almost 8 acres. The kids all love it here. I would have to say it has been our favorite home. Anyway, we have been trying to get the purchase on this place closed so we can build our new (and bigger) home so, we haven't done a whole bunch as far as outside stuff goes for the kids yet...i.e. swingset, tree fort etc... Janae was swinging on a rope swing we had on a big old tree in the front yard. She was being so thoughtful, really trying to put her words together. So, she says to me, "Mom, it would be really nice if I could actually have a real swing set while I am still five." STILL FIVE!!! Because when she turns six, she just won't be able to use a swing set...So I am looking at her with, I am sure, an absolutely incredulous look on my face, when she continues. " And when I grow up and I get to be a mom, my kids will have a swing set before they turn five years old. It will have a nice fort too." I was having such a hard time containing my laughter. She was so cute and very sure of what should be going on....even after nine children, their creative little minds never cease to amaze me. Still five....too funny!!
I thought I was done blogging but our youngest girl, Janae, just cracks me up!!! We live on almost 8 acres. The kids all love it here. I would have to say it has been our favorite home. Anyway, we have been trying to get the purchase on this place closed so we can build our new (and bigger) home so, we haven't done a whole bunch as far as outside stuff goes for the kids yet...i.e. swingset, tree fort etc... Janae was swinging on a rope swing we had on a big old tree in the front yard. She was being so thoughtful, really trying to put her words together. So, she says to me, "Mom, it would be really nice if I could actually have a real swing set while I am still five." STILL FIVE!!! Because when she turns six, she just won't be able to use a swing set...So I am looking at her with, I am sure, an absolutely incredulous look on my face, when she continues. " And when I grow up and I get to be a mom, my kids will have a swing set before they turn five years old. It will have a nice fort too." I was having such a hard time containing my laughter. She was so cute and very sure of what should be going on....even after nine children, their creative little minds never cease to amaze me. Still five....too funny!!
It's a small world.....
This is one of the posts I am moving from my old blog because I don't want to lose them and I only have time to manage one blog so.....some new old additions....
It's a small world...
I was browsing through blogs early this morning...that amazing vortex that just sucks you in for hours if you aren't careful!!! You read one that is so interesting then, you look at their favorite blogs and a title catches your eye and... whoosh....you have been sucked in!!! Such a lovely time though. It's like visiting a neighbor and having a nice visit over tea....refreshing and, usually, a good excuse for not doing what you're SUPPOSED to be doing. Usually.
Anyway, as I was browsing I came across a blog that was raving about my area!!! I know the Portland area is on all of the maps but there is just something neat about reading about it from someone else perspective. I have found out about some of the best shops and restaurants that way. You know when you live in an area it seems you just don't get out to 'experience' it much. That is what my Sweetman and I did for our 18th anniversary this year. We spent the day in Portland walking and shopping. Then we went out to a very nice restaurant, El Gaucho...exquisite. If you're ever in town, it is a bit spendy but a lovely experience. I really enjoyed just spending time together and not having to be anywhere. Through all of our years in marriage and raising our children, that would have to be one of the most important things we have remembered to do...put our marriage first. Not above our relationship with God, of course, and not to the neglect of our children's needs but our children also know that Daddy and I put our marriage first. Next to our spiritual relationship, a strong marriage is an absolute for a firm foundation for a strong family. Putting your marriage first also means putting your husband first. I love doing things for him and seeing the love reflected back to me. It just fills me up with joy. It is also reaffirmed when I see any of our children doing that for him or each other. I know the teaching and example is taking hold in some way. Am I doing something right after all?!?!? It is so nice to see good fruits come from my labor...
Anyway, back on topic...I have found a few new places to visit in and around my hometown...Thank you bloggers!!!!
It's a small world...
I was browsing through blogs early this morning...that amazing vortex that just sucks you in for hours if you aren't careful!!! You read one that is so interesting then, you look at their favorite blogs and a title catches your eye and... whoosh....you have been sucked in!!! Such a lovely time though. It's like visiting a neighbor and having a nice visit over tea....refreshing and, usually, a good excuse for not doing what you're SUPPOSED to be doing. Usually.
Anyway, as I was browsing I came across a blog that was raving about my area!!! I know the Portland area is on all of the maps but there is just something neat about reading about it from someone else perspective. I have found out about some of the best shops and restaurants that way. You know when you live in an area it seems you just don't get out to 'experience' it much. That is what my Sweetman and I did for our 18th anniversary this year. We spent the day in Portland walking and shopping. Then we went out to a very nice restaurant, El Gaucho...exquisite. If you're ever in town, it is a bit spendy but a lovely experience. I really enjoyed just spending time together and not having to be anywhere. Through all of our years in marriage and raising our children, that would have to be one of the most important things we have remembered to do...put our marriage first. Not above our relationship with God, of course, and not to the neglect of our children's needs but our children also know that Daddy and I put our marriage first. Next to our spiritual relationship, a strong marriage is an absolute for a firm foundation for a strong family. Putting your marriage first also means putting your husband first. I love doing things for him and seeing the love reflected back to me. It just fills me up with joy. It is also reaffirmed when I see any of our children doing that for him or each other. I know the teaching and example is taking hold in some way. Am I doing something right after all?!?!? It is so nice to see good fruits come from my labor...
Anyway, back on topic...I have found a few new places to visit in and around my hometown...Thank you bloggers!!!!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
My Sweetman...
I have the most awesome husband!!! I just have to say it out loud sometimes, for all the world to hear!!!
No, I didn't get any fantastic presents. No ginormous ring on my hand or bauble hanging from my neck. While all of those things are nice and I certainly wouldn't argue if he wanted to give me a beautiful surprise...
My husband is awesome because he goes to work everyday without complaint. He loves me unconditionally. He smothers his kids with affection and teaches them how to be adventurous. He challenges me to be a better person and reach beyond my comfort zone. He has never made me worry about his commitment to our marriage. He has been my best friend for longer than we have been married, which is a long time!! He is handsome to boot...;D
He is also kind and compassionate. He has a deep sense of right and wrong and how things should be done. He is brilliant!! His intelligence doth exceed my own!!! I adore him and cherish every day with him. We are each other's one true love. He makes me feel beautiful every day. I just love and appreciate him so very, very much!!!!
He's my Sweetman!!!
No, I didn't get any fantastic presents. No ginormous ring on my hand or bauble hanging from my neck. While all of those things are nice and I certainly wouldn't argue if he wanted to give me a beautiful surprise...
My husband is awesome because he goes to work everyday without complaint. He loves me unconditionally. He smothers his kids with affection and teaches them how to be adventurous. He challenges me to be a better person and reach beyond my comfort zone. He has never made me worry about his commitment to our marriage. He has been my best friend for longer than we have been married, which is a long time!! He is handsome to boot...;D
He is also kind and compassionate. He has a deep sense of right and wrong and how things should be done. He is brilliant!! His intelligence doth exceed my own!!! I adore him and cherish every day with him. We are each other's one true love. He makes me feel beautiful every day. I just love and appreciate him so very, very much!!!!
He's my Sweetman!!!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
The learning of good habits or what men should remember from when they were three...
We have an adorable three year old. Caleb is such a funny fella and loves to compliment everyone. He wakes up every morning mostly cheerful and tells me, ' Mama, you are so, so pretty!' I just love it when he wakes up in the morning!! Caleb will say the same thing to all of his sisters and their friends. Needless to say, they love to hear it almost as much as I do!!!
He had to go to the dentist this past week and told all of the hygenists' they were all sooo pretty. They said he could come back any day, appointment or not, just to visit with them.
Now, as for the title....I am not advocating that all men should go around complimenting every pretty woman he sees, especially if he is married. But, this is definitely something that they should do on a regular, let's say at least weekly and hopefully daily, basis to their wives. Life gets so busy and we all can get distracted with it. Not to mention that after a few babies, our bodies do a bit of changing, not always to our liking either. You helped us change in that way and our self image can really tank. Knowing that our fella's are still just as in love with and attracted to us or hopefully more so is a huge help to how we value ourselves. It probably shouldn't be that way, but it is nevertheless. Thankfully, my Sweetman' s pretty good at this though, admittedly, it did take awhile to get there. Not that he didn't feel that way. Just getting him to understand that I need to hear/see it from him.
I have worked to ingrain this into our boys. I think it has taken with the oldest. The other's are still too young to tell. I hope so, for the sake of my future daughter's-in-law, I truly hope so.
He had to go to the dentist this past week and told all of the hygenists' they were all sooo pretty. They said he could come back any day, appointment or not, just to visit with them.
Now, as for the title....I am not advocating that all men should go around complimenting every pretty woman he sees, especially if he is married. But, this is definitely something that they should do on a regular, let's say at least weekly and hopefully daily, basis to their wives. Life gets so busy and we all can get distracted with it. Not to mention that after a few babies, our bodies do a bit of changing, not always to our liking either. You helped us change in that way and our self image can really tank. Knowing that our fella's are still just as in love with and attracted to us or hopefully more so is a huge help to how we value ourselves. It probably shouldn't be that way, but it is nevertheless. Thankfully, my Sweetman' s pretty good at this though, admittedly, it did take awhile to get there. Not that he didn't feel that way. Just getting him to understand that I need to hear/see it from him.
I have worked to ingrain this into our boys. I think it has taken with the oldest. The other's are still too young to tell. I hope so, for the sake of my future daughter's-in-law, I truly hope so.
In the beginning....
In the beginning there was a girl. She was a very nice girl. The girl met a really nice fella and they clicked. Soon, they were planning their future together. Then, they had a baby and were married much sooner than they had planned. Thankfully, it all worked and soon they were adding to their family. they added to their family many, MANY times. Not all were 'planned' additions but all were blessings and much loved. The blessings have grown up so quickly and now they span across almost two decades!!!
During this time, the girl who had become a wife and mother, began to feel the need for an outlet. A place to write down the comings and goings, the ins and outs and ups and downs of life with her clan. She began reading these things called blogs. She read them for a very long time. When she was really feeling the need to write down something precious or infuriating even, something totally dumbfounding...it dawned on her....a blog!!! That is what she needed, a blog. So here it is...the blog of a girl who became a wife and a mom and who sometimes really does feel like she lives in a shoe...
During this time, the girl who had become a wife and mother, began to feel the need for an outlet. A place to write down the comings and goings, the ins and outs and ups and downs of life with her clan. She began reading these things called blogs. She read them for a very long time. When she was really feeling the need to write down something precious or infuriating even, something totally dumbfounding...it dawned on her....a blog!!! That is what she needed, a blog. So here it is...the blog of a girl who became a wife and a mom and who sometimes really does feel like she lives in a shoe...
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