Blogging

I started blogging to keep family and friends updated on some of what's going on in our lives. I quickly became addicted to it!

Since I started blogging we have added two kids, moved, bought our house, and started remodeling, just to name a few of the big things. It has been so much fun to share things with all of you. I am always thinking, " I should put this on the blog." Or Aaron will say, " Did you blog about such and such"

This is become an outlet for me to post some of my pictures and review books, above and behold keeping my followers updated :)

This post is to say a big THANK YOU to those who read and comment....hint hint (I LOVE comments!)

Awesome Day

Today was a great day! Truly great.Many things to be thankful for. 

 

First: It looks dark and foreboding this morning when we got up, and "they" said that it was going to be rainy, so we planned on a day in. Right after naps and lunch the sun broke though. So out we went!

 

 

Second, we were blessed with a good amount of lumber (2x4's mentioned in a previous post) and have the steal 2x4's from the house that we can get a good start on the critter shed! God is good! We will only need to buy siding to match the other out building and roofing! I knocked fown the frame for the small green house that we never used, as we planned on using the huge beams for the foundation of the critter building, and then Aaron got busy raising up the area (so it stays dry) and getting the foundation done! 

 Third: I got some flowers planted yesterday in the window boxes and misc pot I have around. I took some pictures today to show you all.

 

Forth: It was warm enough to play in the mud. Not me, although I was known to in my much younger days, but the kids. Grandad, this is a truly dirty Andrew:

 

One very dirty boy. He was doing the same thing the girls were, playing in a mud puddle, yet, he got 5 times dirtier! BOYS!

Slightly Less Dirty Flora

Clara even a little less dirty.

 And last but not least. My sister is singing in New York, in Carnegie Hall tonight! She made it, is having fun and I can't wait to see pictures!

 My flower's in the window. And a muddy coffee cup!

 

I got all my herbs planted into their new home. Chives (x2) Lemon Balm, mint, basil, oregano, comfery, yarrow, and lavender.

Thankful Today

Today I am feeling thankful. Very thankful.

 

After 3 weeks of sick and a cough that wouldn't go away I am feeling back to my self.

I am thankful that my foot is not infected. I do not remember stepping on a nail being this painful when I was a kid!

 

I am thankful for my Clara, she is so bright and amazed us daily with some smart thing she does. She also makes some pretty goofy faces. She is such a joy!

 

I am thankful for Flora and her ramdom-ness she is always keeping us in stitches with her goffy-ness and giggles.

 

Andrew is very "in tune" to everyones feelings. He will ask when someone is feeling down. "you otay?" with a worried look on his sweet little face and a pat on arm of the person who is feeling down. He love for his trucks is also pretty adorable. To quote a dear friend "Every house needs a two your old!"

I am thankful for my husband. Who works hard with compassion and studies hard so he can move up in what he can do.

I am thankful for family. My mom and (see this Mandi, you are coming!) Sister are coming to visit next week! YAHOO!

I am thankful for tea and a good visit yesterday.

I am thankful for a sunny day and motivation to work on projects that have been on hold for the last 3 weeks!

Ok, I have been a bad blogger, not posting anything since Saturday! I do have an excuse. Kinda. I was under the weather and just not my self...so, today is going to be a rather random post.

 

Wednesdays are one of Aaron's day's off. After he takes care of the city garbage, we are heading into town, paying a couple bills, picking up animal feed and hitting up Wal-Mart. Friday we are heading to Costco. We are almost out of coffee. We NEED coffee. 

Thanksgiving is just a little over a week away and we are excited. We head to Aaron's Grandparents house and have a nice visit. While Aaron has to work part of Thursday, we will head down later, and stay until Saturday afternoon. It will be nice. The visits are always wonderful and the kids get spoiled by all the of people to love on them :) 

 

Fall seems to be leaving, all of the leaves are off the trees and the weather is getting chilly. We had *very* strong winds the last couple days and ever lost power for a few hours night before last. I am thankful we have oil lamps to light our  house, and will be ever more thankful as soon as our house is heated by wood, and not relying on electricity. 

Like I said, rather ramdom. 

 

Have a wonderful day!

 

Something wonderful happens every Sabbath morning around 9:00. I get a nice long visit with my mommy.

We don't get a chance to visit more then just a little bit during the week, but Sabbath's we visit all we want, and sometimes even twice that day. 

 

Today I am so thankful for the ability to talk to her and my sister, since we live far away from each other.  While we are blessed to be able to make trips to see each other, being able to connect over the phone is so nice. The kids each take a turn, or a couple turns, talking and we spend some wonderful time chatting and catching up.

I love and respect my mommy so much. She is a wonderful person and has showed me everything I know. I am so thankful for her help and encouragement in my journey as a Mama. She is a HUGE, can not be replaced, help as we figure out the best ways to teach our kidos. She is a artist when it comes to anything she tries. Her quilting, knitting, spinning, etc are amazing. She is a wealth of knowledge and I am so thankful she is my mommy, and now as I am an adult, also my dear friend.

So, remember yesterday's plans? Yeah, they didn't happen! Every time I would get busy with the painting, something else would come up. I have this bad habit of not doing anything else cleaning wise when I am working on a project. I need to get better about making time for everything.  I just stopped trying to paint and thought I would start up again after we tucked the kidos into bed. That didn't happen either. I wrote up a book review, loaded the dishwasher and jumped in the tub with my book....and could'nt put it down.  In fact, I was up until 1 am reading it! Its called The Black Madonna and you can see a sneak peak of it on the FIRST review page. VERY good!

So, the plan for today is to finish the laundry area, and start taking down the wall and old chimney where we need to put in brick, so we can hook up our new wood stove. Aaron's dad found a great deal on a wood heater for us. It doesn't look like you reg. wood stove, although it does have a place you can cook on. It will more then heat our house, and has a casing around it, so if the kids or our selves accident touch it, it wont burn. Since out living room area is small, this is prefect! It's got a nice long burn time and will be supper effecent. It is also brand new, never used!   They picked it up last night and delivered it. While its not the traditional wood stove, this should work very well! I am excited to be heating with wood soon! Lots of work ahead, but it is in sight! Yahoo!

 Today I am thankful for a wonderful start to the day, Aaron's hard work to provide for our family, the people he works with and my in-laws!

The first snow is on it's way. Some time this week the white stuff should start flying. A lot of people are not happy about this, but we are. After last winter of about 14inches of snow, we are looking forward to a "normal" winter of about 60inches or more! 

My mind is on gardening. I tucked in my flower beds and blueberries this last week with the leaves off our trees. I looked up and read about sugar maple and we are going to slowly replace the unproductive trees we have in the front yard with these wonders. Just think, in a few years, we could have home grown/made maple syrup! :) Yum!

I ran across some of the garden pictures of the summer before. I missed having a garden last year, but I am looking forward to a wonderful one this next year.

Clara asked if we can plant her a cherry tree and Flora wants a peach tree. Daddy wants to plant a couple hazelnuts (you need two for pollinating needs) Clara informed us that Andrew needs and apple tree so I think I will chose a plum...since all the other are gone. :-)

Today I am thankful for my mom and sister. They are a couple of my dearest friends. Love you guys!

Aaron is thankful for coffee.

Clara and Flora are both thankful for pickles. They love them!

Andrew is thankful for his sisters who love to play with him. (the kids have been playing very well together this morning!)

Aaron has class all day today. I am so glad he is in class now and doing well! 

 

The nice weather we had these past few days are gone. It's rainy and wet and the weather people are saying we could be getting snow soon. I am so ready..... which leads me to my thankful today.

 

I am so thankful for a father-in-law who is taking the time to help us find a good wood stove! I am lost when it comes to wood stoves (the buying part, I can make and keep a fire going no problem!) I am looking forward to the warm, deep heat you get from wood. Right now we just have plug in space heaters and an electric stand alone fire place. It makes the power bills in the winter outrageous! 

The rainy weather today is making me want to clean. I have left over chicken to make a pot pie for Aaron has a surprise when he gets home tonight. The kids are all resting, so I had better get at it!

Clara is thankful for baths

 

Flora is thankful for sleeping in Andrew's bed for her nap

 

Andrew is thankful for food...he ate 2 breakfasts today! Growing boy! hehe

Today is a busy day in our house. Sabbath Prep Day. Most of the time I do not get all I want to done (might have something to do with big lists and not enough time....its a problem of mine! Haha), but today is looking swell! :) We have a nice head start of cleaning the house and Andrew's new bed is almost done. Just need to cover the boards and paint the frame. I am making a big pot of chili for dinner tonight and tomorrow as well, although tomorrows dinner might be chili cheese tacos. We shall see what we are in the mood for.

I spend some time, just a little bit ago, and washed the windows outside, as well as the doors. I love clean windows, and the outside was getting a bit muddy. Lyla likes to jump up and remind us that we left her outside. She is tall enough that she can look right in. It's rather funny! She is such a good dog. 

Today's Thankful list: 

Daddy: My wife. (aw....how sweet is he!)

Mama: Sunshine. I love winter and the beauty of the snow and ice but miss the longer days of sunshine. Today is so pretty I just want to be out. Spray foam insulation, we are sealing up around the new back door and it sure makes a difference! Its pretty cheap for a can, and sure helps the drafts! I know that was two things.

Clara: Playing outside.

Flora: Baths

Andrew: shortbread. Again, I am just guessing since he is a man of little words, but he is addicted to the stuff. :) It's good if you are trying to lose weight to share with him....you won't get much! :)

Short Bread: 

2 cups butter (soft)

1 1/4 cups sugar

1t vanilla

4 cups flour

Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add in vanilla and flour and mix well. Dough it thick. Divide and press into 2 square pans (9x9) or one 9x13 pan. Don't oil the pans. Bake at 350* until just golden at the edges. Cut and let cool. Perfect with tea for an afternoon treat! :)

Today is a beautiful sunny day here at our house. A bit chilly, but stunning! Flora and Andrew are napping and Clara is outside "helping" Daddy build a bed for Andrew. There are many things to be thankful for. Doing this set of posts in November has me thinking about what I am thankful more then usual. Sadly, its so easy to focus on whats going wrong in our lives, instead of those little blessings that make our life, my life, so sweet.

Today I am thankful for my cuddly boy who fell asleep on me at nap time and just enough lumber to build Andrew a bed (he has been sleeping in a portable crib, but its just getting to small for our long boy!)

Daddy is thankful for power tools. Makes projects SO much easier!

Clara is thankful for pickels. The girl loves them. Takes after her Aunty Roo and me as kids. Its cute! Although the pickle breath after wards.... ha ha

Flora is thankful for doing school. She loves to learn just like Sister!

Andrew is thankful for Nutella. The boy is addicted :-)

Thankful For....

Since it is November already (where HAS this year gone!), and Thanksgiving is at the end of the month. I though it would be a nice idea to post something our family is thankful for each day. 

Daddy: I am thankful for my family.

Mama: That we live in a country where we are still free to worship God. It scares me to think of the time when it won't be. I am thankful that I can own and read my Bible! So many people can't!

Clara: Thankful for playing outside.

Flora: I am Thankful for Daddy!

Andrew: Trucks! (Mama is guessing, but I bet its pretty close! :)

What are you thankful for?

10 Things.....

.......I am thankful for today:

1) My sweet husband and all his hard work.
2) My children and the laughter and joy they bring to our home.
3) My mother and sister and my wonderful in-laws. Could not ask for better!
4) Our home. A blessings from God, in so many ways. Now, to use it for Him.
5) A little extra money coming in.
6) My husbands job, which he loves. It is wonderful so see my man LOVING what he does. Even after a crazy day like yesterday! :)
7) This area we live in, its so pretty and full of wonderful places to explore.
8) God as my Father and Him calling ME to be part of HIS family! And His fall Holy Days just around the corner.
9) A wonderful sermon on Joy
10) coffee, I love the stuff!


My dear friend Julianne challenged people to say 10 things they are thankful for today, and tell someone. This seemed like a good place for me to say mine.

What are you all thankful for today?

Lessons from: The Little House Books

My favorite set of book growing up was the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I remember playing Mary and Laura with my sister and my mom reading out loud. As a child I just thought they were good stories, and how awful that "children were seen and not heard".

Reading them as an adult, I see the lessons that Ma and Pa were teaching the girls. I see the thankful spirit, even when there isn't much. The men and woman worked hard, but also enjoyed time together in fun. The children were expected to add to the family and obey.
I get a reminder from Ma, everytime she is joyful over simple things. Like a roof, or floor, a door.

How much do we, in this country (and others) expect "the best" even if it means working our selves to the bone, and going into debt to get it. We live in a world that does not know the simple pleasure of being together as a family. We take for granted a warm house, roof over our heads and an abundance of food. Instead of being thankful for what God has blessed us with. We need to find the balance of work, and joy (fun). We need to be content with what we have, not always wanting more and more and more. Also, going hand in hand with this, is taking care of what we have been blessed with (home repairs, car repairs, etc).

Now, as a woman who likes to cook, I think I would find salt pork and corn meal a bit bland. I live in a time where I have more variety, but am I now, being a good steward of what my husband provides (funds for food, unlike Pa who hunted/trapped)? Am I content to have a simple home, one where love, joy and thankfulness abound? Or am I falling into the more more more mind set.

Are we as parents raising our children to work hard, love family and be responsible, even at a young age? Sadly, "never ending childhood" seems to be the norm these days. I am not talking about "all work and no play" but being respectful of adults, obeying when told to do something, helping with house hold chores and taking care of the toy that the kids have.

Just some thoughts.

Done!

Today was "The Day". D-day for the meat birds.

Grandma (Aaron's mom) came down to play with the kids so Aaron and I could just work and get the job done. 10 birds, a bit over 3 hours of work. With a bit of smelly, bloody work, we have a nice amount of chicken in the freeze. Chicken we know was not feed junk, and, was treated well.

I am thankful we live in an area we can raise our own chickens, both for eggs and meat. I am also thankful my husband and I work very well together, and after the first few birds, go into a groove and away we went. I am thankful for my wonderful mother -in -law, who took time out of her day to help us.

I am also thankful for pizza, with no chicken, for dinner. I like to let the meat freeze a good bit of time before enjoying it.

Aaron has a meeting tonight and after I get the kids to bed, I am going to watch North and South and fold my Mt. of laundry.

A Thankful Heart

I had the privilege of being spit up on by Jethro Dole yesterday afternoon. He is such a precious baby and it got me thinking about how much we take good health for granted. I am positive that Tracy (Jethro's Mama) doesn't, and that she understands what a blessing it is. I am sure she also has to rely on God's strength so much more then I would have too with my perfectly healthy children. I so admire her grace, strength and example though this whole thing. I was thinking about and praying for their family last night and looked over at my sleeping baby (almost 2!) and my heart was full of thanks. Thankful that God is in charge of Jethro and his heart, thankful that the Doles know Who to get strength from and for the health of my little family. Thankful even when Andrew gets Nutella all over his face, clothing and anything he touches! Thankful for Clara's bossing and Smarts. Thankful for Flora and her enthusiasm. My heart is full today. God is good and always will be.

Please keep praying for Jethro (and his family). He goes into his next open heart sugary the end of July.