"Mommy, i'm gonna be a dinasour"

I'm tucking her into bed tonight and she says, "mommy, i'm gonna be a dinasour and i'm gonna grow a big tail." That girl has some imagination and she loves dinasours just like her bubba. Dress up is a part of their day. We have a church fall festival coming up Saturday and they are dressing up. So, I am scurring around trying to make her a tiger costume without a pattern and he is gonna be a FBI agent. Hmmm.....Good thing we have a big bucket full of dress up stuff. I'll be sure to post pictures.

Grace taking care of baby Ayden (lil cuz). She says he is her baby.

my sleeping precious....

Random photos of Our Life

View of our neighbors driveway....I like the view! My girl baking cookies...she does love to bake.

Our tree covered country road....It's so peaceful living here.
Duck pond at a dear friends house......We had so much fun Julie. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon.

A sign that happy children live here....Big Oak tree with a tire swing.

Life is good.

Keeping It Real!

Keepin it real on the home front. I have a little secret about myself. I like to see how other folks live. I enjoy seeing how other women decorate a room, creative ideas, and of course, do normal people's houses look like the pictures in a Better Home and Garden magazine spread. Here is my reveal of truth. This is my kitchen this morning. Stock pot from last nights boiled chicken for my homemade chicken potpie. Man, that was good! Alas, the mess was not. Rotting carved pumpkin from a week ago, stacks of newspaper coupons from last Sunday still needing to be clipped, and everyone's drop zone the breakfast bar. There is my recipe box and stacks of cookbooks piled high in that tray that doesn't go there. You can't see it but that stove top is spotted and crumby.

The reveal! Ahhhhh, that's nice:) If only, it could last for a little while.

My favorite room ! Well, at least the room I spend the most time in.

The beloved coffee station! Thinks it's that time of day for a fresh pot. I love a cup of afternoon coffee. I love to sit down with my new issue of Southern Living and a cup of java. It's the Thanksgiving issue!

If I get really brave, perhaps next time I will reveal my laundry room. Oh my goodness, that will be a big job to organize. Ta ta for now!

Why Do You Homeschool?

"The pace of life in our culture can be frantic. Homeschooling gives us the precious gift of time with our children."
-Zan Tyler, Anyone Can Homeschool

I get asked this question often. Especially, in the company of other mothers. The most important reason we homeschool our children is because we want them to have a Christ centered education. I want to read and study scripture with them daily.

"And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart: And you shall TEACH them diligently to your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6

It is our responsibility to educate our children. I also home educate my children to protect them from the nightmare that is the government school system. Do not mistake my words, not the teachers, some wonderful Christian teachers teach in government schools. It's the system that is broken. It all began with the taking of God out of the schools. A Christian teacher cannot speak the Word of God over her students, she cannot pray with a child, she cannot have a copy of the Ten Commandments posted and resighted in her room. I can and I do in my classroom.
Is homeschooling easy? No, not always but I have never felt more reward and fulfillment doing anything else. I know the hearts of my children. They are safe in my care daily. They will not grow up and get into no good mischief. They will not experience multiple adult romantic relationships as teens. You know what I mean! I hope that my children will wait for the ONE God has especially for them. I hope they will have a pure courtship until marriage. It was not so long ago that these values where the normal custom. Only in the last fifty years or so has casual dating become acceptable. Yes, I sound old fashioned. I embrace old fashioned.

I wish all mothers would embrace staying home with their children and homeschooling. I had a comment here before from a working mom, "I would love to stay at home but I like to have electricity and food" as do I friend. I don't fault mom's that think like this because not so long ago, I did. I have a degree, I had a high paying career, and I like nice things. I never felt right about working after becoming a mother. As I prayed over what to do, and read God's word, I knew being home and educating my children is my place. It is the place of mothers. I realize, their are circumstances loss of a spouse, etc. where a mother may not have the blessing of a choice but in general, we have a choice. Sometimes, that means giving up certain things. I am proud to say that I love shopping thrift shops for nice cloths for myself and my children. I shop with coupons and have cut my grocery budget from about $1000 per month to about $400 per month. We live with a debt free vision for our family, hopefully in the near future. We live modestly but never have we, as a family, been happier.
I am blessed with a wonderful husband that encouraged me to be a stay at home mother, and it was also his idea to homeschool. The seed was planted in my heart but his encouragement sealed the decision to homeschool. He works hard for us everyday. He doesn't particularly like his work but he has peace because he provides for his family. He is always in search of new opportunities for himself and I full hearted support him. The Lord provides and we are grateful.
http://http//www.voddiebaucham.org/vbm/Blog/Entries/2009/6/25_Top_Five_REasons_Not_to_Send_Your_Kids_Back_to_Govt._School.html


It is not my intention to judge. These are just our families beliefs and values. It is my hope to encourage mother's to make the choice to be full time caregivers of their children.

Good Things:)

The makings of banana bread..... I have tried many BB recipes but this is my favorite and most simple. 1 1/2 cups sugar
1 stick butter/marg.
2 eggs
1tsp vanilla
3 ripe bananas (the riper the better)
2 cups flour
1tsp. baking soda
4TBL spoons buttermilk or (sour milk) add a few drops of vinegar to regular milk to make it sour.
Cream together sugar+margerine with a fork. Add beaten eggs, then vanilla (set aside). Smash bananas add to mixture. Sift flour and baking soda together in a seperate bowl from wet ingredients. Then add flour mixture alternating with milk into wet ingredients. Mix well! You can add half cup of chopped walnuts or pecans if you like (I like). Bake at 325 for 35-45 minutes or until butter knife comes out clean.

Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy.

My country kids making caramel apples. These are easy and GOOOOODDD!!

Happy Fall Ya'll!!!! What good things are you making??

Just an ordinary day is an Extraordinary gift

Almost got the front flip!

I love to just watch her play. She thinks very carefully about what she's doing or making. Planning a meal of leaves for her babies, with a cup of hot leaves to drink. That's her BFF in the background. See his leash, yep, she likes to make sure he's not going anywhere.

See how high this boy can bounce! I missed the front flip, camera is just not fast enough. Look at that hair standing on ends.

Bad hair day!! Todays lesson was on static electricity...... They stuck their finger in a socket and then they both shocked mommy. Stinkers!!

Super cheap entertainment......a cardboard box= hours of fun

Wow! This has been a wonderful day!
Thank you Father for these days, and for blessing me to be a mother. I pray You guide me everyday to be a good steward of these precious children. I pray for gentle and kind words. A slow to anger temper and a heart of your wisdom. Praise You precious Savior!

Gator Homecoming Parade

Yesterday was a super fun day. We took the kiddos to the Gator parade. See Albert and Alberta!! Ain't they cute??

Country mouse eatin her boiled peanuts. That's grammie sittin beside her, you know where ever grammie goes, food is coming with her. She and Gracie, two skinny minnies always eaten. Grammie will chase down those food vendor's. Especially, the boiled peanut man!!! Like a kid chasing the ice cream truck.

Hey, I know those handsome dudes! "How YYoouu doin?"

GO GATORS!!!

my sleeping babies

Am I the only one that gazes at her babies as they sleep. Some nights, I hold out my own sleep just so I can slip in and watch them. Even though they have their own spaces, she is always wrapped around her bubba. He wouldn't have it any other way.

I have to admit, it moves me to tears. The love I have for them....It aches it is so BIG.

I think about how much God loves His Son. He watched as Jesus was whipped and beaten and hung up on that cross. What His heartache must have felt like. I can only imagine!! Second thought, no, I guess I can't. The Bible says the earth shook at the moment of His death. That must have been His hurt. He knew though. Before Jesus was even born, He knew.

That's how much He loves us. Wrap your mind around that for a minute.......For God so loved the world that he gave HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. (John 3:16)

Good family, good food, makes a good Friday night!!

Friday was my dear brother in law (Nate) 's 40th birthday. We celebrated at my mother in law's home. We grilled out and had cake and ice cream. It was a really nice evening. My husband has told me stories about times when he was growing up. His grandparents used to minister to indians on reservations and his aunts all played instruments. So anytime there was a gathering amongst the family, music was always involved. So at our family gathering, music was brought out alright. Mr Robert (MIL's Dear Husband) brought out his old school Micheal Jackson records. I'm talkin boy MJ. A-B-C-........easy as 1-2-3.......you know those OOLLLDDD school tunes. Our kids loved it!! They were dancing all over the place. It was such a fun party. This is Steve my other BIL, and Lil'cousin Anthony.

Garrett, Grace, and Anthony clobbering Mr. Robert. They love him so much and he loves them right back. He is such a good sport too. This is what it's like when he's around. Poor man every family dinner, Thanksgiving, Christmas you name it these kids are all over him. He loves it!! The more I tell them to "calm down" he responds "oh there fine."LoL.
That's the birthday boy Nathan and my sweet mother in love Nita. Ladies, Nathan is single and a sweatheart.

Nita, Robert, Anthony diving into cake and ice cream.

Garrett and Dad. My handsome men!!

Steve and Aunt Annette. Ladies he's single and a sweatheart aswell. I want sister in laws is what i'm tellin ya. If I have to arrange courtships, OH I will. LoL!!

A New Season

Tonights post is full of joy and celebration for a very dear family. Over the last year I have followed the blog of an amazing family. The blog author's name is Robin and her blog is "just a family." Her blog is by far my favorite. Reading her words and witnessing her love of mothering, has made me desire each day to be the best mom I can be. To take each day as a gift and cherish each moment. Because our children are only ours for a little while.

In the spring, this family lost their baby son William. I cannot imagine. Do not even want to imagine.

I sat at my computer and cried for her many a night. I would fall asleep praying to Jesus to bring them comfort and peace, where there is no understanding.

Our God is an Awesome God!! No doubt about it!! But sometimes, He just shows up with an out pouring of blessings pressed down, shakin up, and running over. Tommorrow this precious family, will be picking up their two precious adopted twin baby girls. Two babies!! How wonderful!! She posted that William knew the brokeness of her heart was so deep that she needed two babies to heal the wound. I was cryin like a baby when I read tonight's post.

To the White family, Congratulations on this new season of life and these two precious angels. These babies are blessed to have you all for a family.


If you would like to read more about this family, it is listed in my side bar "just a family."



In a side bar: Please continue to pray for Andrew. Let today be Andrew's miracle day!!

Sundays

Sunday is the only day our family wakes up early. How great is that? Yes, I am soooo thankful to not wake up to an alarm clock everyday. I do try to be up by 8-8:30ish most days though. I believe that it is God's plan for us all to put in a full days work. If a person is not putting in a full day of work, then they are lazy and will not recieve the blessing that the Lord wants to pour out upon you. So, even though I am not punching a clock every morning, I am working.

The best part about my job, I am my boss. I decide what I am going to do in a day, for how long, and am free to change my mind at will. Most days, i'm going well into the night. But today, Sunday, I took a NAP. This is rare for me, but I love naps.

We stayed up late last night watching the Gators whip LSU and the early service came early this morning. At first I thought about staying in bed. The Lord had other plans! He woke me up at 7 sharp. I know it was God because I never just wake at 7. I was not going to be able to just lay there and ignore His tug at my heart. Oh yes, I rolled over and pulled the blanket over my head. Closed my eyes, thinking i'll get up in a few minutes. There was not going to be anymore sleep.

I am trying to observe the Sabbath as the day of rest. Meaning outside of cooking and cleanup, on Sundays, no work (if possible). So today, I layed down at 4:oo and took myself a nap. Dad and the monkeys played hide and seek while I snoozed. I slept until 6:30 and it was soooo great. Only thing is i'm still up now! Good blogging time! I did start a couple loads of laundry due to all my extra energy. I know, broke my own rule but hey i'm a busy lady. Less to do tommorrow.

I just love Sundays!
I love praising Jesus in my Fathers House. I love the Holy Spirit's presence. The peace I feel in my heart after we have taken our family to church. It's really undescribable to a non-believer.

I feel so sad for those folks that don't know the peace of Jesus in their lives. Some, you can read like a book. All angry and stressed out all the time. Some, just seem so sad and whipped. Others, are of the over achiever variety. They achieve so much status and materialism in life they think they have it all figured out. Meanwhile, this life is passing so fast. At the end, status and stuff don't matter at all. Then what?? So sad! I have these type of folks in my family. I pray for them but it has gotten so hard to be around them in recent years. The over achiever has great status work wise, but family wise, it is so cold and sad. No signs of love and affection with the children, just ruled with an iron fist. No interest in knowing the hearts of her children. One is quickly pulling away and she can't even see what is happening. On the other spectrum, I have an angry stressed out athiest. This person doesn't know if he's coming or going half the time but always think he knows everything. And will spit in your face at the mention of Jesus (not literaly spit but will get real ugly real fast). This is why I find it so hard to fellowship with non-believers. Because I can't shine my joy of loving Jesus, and be around them at the same time. Like the scripture says, If your not for Me, then your are against Me. There is no middle ground. No straddling the fence.

Anyway, don't know why all this is coming out tonight. Just thinking on the love of the Father and hoping all could experience it. Goodnight now!!

my dirty, no, my stinky little secret

I have decided to come clean about something that I am becoming increasingly more embarrassed by. I have kept it a secret from most folks that know us. Only close family really know the situation. Okay here it comes............I don't know if I can admit this..........Doesn't the bible say the truth shall set you free.............um,um, um.........okay...

MY THREE YEAR OLD, PRECIOUS DAUGHTER, A CHILD I LOVE WITH ALL MY HEART,
is not potty trained.

I assure you it is not for my lack of trying. I have been working at this since she was a little over a year. At two we switched to pull ups. I have the potty books, dvds, treats, surprises, rewards, and the list goes on and on and on. I have asked advice of every mom I know that has been a successful potty trainer. I have diligently done what they advised. I have spent whole days dragging her to the potty. Sitting, waiting, praying, begging, more begging, pleading and even more begging.

We have experienced small glimmers of hope. A couple of pee pee sucesses on the potty. Boy did I celebrate these monumental acheivements. I clapped, danced, cheered, praised. I did it all, so she would know how proud I am. But, it's never consistent. I take her to the potty, but either I just missed the pp time or she waits until she gets off the pot. What's up with that?

She is a smart little girl. We do school work and she masters skills of kindergartners. But mention the potty and the whinning and resistance starts. Friends I am tired. So very very tired of potty training. I consulted a pediatrician of my concerns. She advised giving it a break for a while. Perhaps potty time has become too stressful. Too much pressure. Who'd a thunk potty training is stressful. It is let me tell ya. I'm afraid to back off though. Afraid of losing the little momentum we have gained.

I am always amazed when I see little ones that are trained at like 18mths or even 2yo, it is so great. My son also took a while to catch on but I had ALWAYS heard "little girls are so much easier to potty train" (i say in my crunched up nasely nose voice). I CAN'T TELL!!! Not my girl!

Well, there you have it. My struggles with the potty. If anyone has any new strategies, i'm open to suggestions. I have even googled resistant potty trainer, to my pleasant surprise, I am not alone in the world. There are others out there with the same struggles. I need a support group. LoL.

Uh- oh gotta run her to the potty, it's been fifteen minutes already. Don't want to miss her window. (laugh)

This is my life, and I love it......



Ammended as of Monday October 5, 2009

I don't know what has happened to right my world, but something major has happened in the past two days. I decided to go cold turkey into big girl underwear (for my baby girl, not me). She has had no accidents and it's been two days. Halla luya, thank ya Jesus! Busten out in full blown happy dance over here ya'll. I think she finally made it. WAAAAHOOOOOO!!!!