ugh ugh ugh

So I have decided that I might try to keep up this blog again. I miss being able to search for the great sites that I find to recall them back again. I just hated how much time blogging took away from my family. But I am realizing how blogging helped my family. It helped me organize my ideas and thoughts. It encouraged me to follow through with things I shared on here about what I wanted to do. And it was a great collection to look back on of how my family was growing and changing.

So we will try it. I felt pressured before to post every day, and I am not going to do that this time. This time, I am going to post as I feel the need. That could be several times a day, or it could be once a month.

And again, as always, prayerfully what I share will be of use to someone.

Blessings, Paula

Where Have I Been?

Well, BUSY! LOL!!! (edited to add: sorry for the LONG ranting post! I had a lot to share.)

First we have been VERY busy cleaning the house hoping to refinance. It is amazing all the hoops you have to jump through now a days with the economy the way it is. But the girls were a GREAT help and we had three AWESOME friends come and help us out to get the house in the best shape so it could appraise for as much as possible. Now, I have been busy ENCOURAGING and re-training the girls in how to keep house. It is so nice to have a clean house!!! A little bit of work every day keeps it looking NICE! It is the re-training that is taking the most work. :)

Secondly, I have felt very convicted about getting more of God and His word into the lives of my children. So I have been busy with the kids working on that as well as character traits. We are going through The Original 21 Rules Of This House. It is wonderful! We are also going through George Washington's Rules Of Civility. GREAT stuff there too!

I have also been doing a LOT of research on food and the role it plays in our life. I started on the journey of learning about food when my beloved's dad (my FIL) got cancer and was given 6 months to live. I owe a LOT to my in-laws because their research and FIGHT led us to start learning about food and the effects on our body. We went vegetarian, and they became macrobiotic. His body, to the glory of God, was healed. Then we went to vegan, to 100% raw, to 85% raw, to where we are today: a lot of raw, including green smoothies, with a Nourishing Traditions eating style.

We also learned a LOT from Dianne Craft about the role that nutrition plays in brain function and learning abilities. If you are a member of HSLDA, and dealing with a child with learning difficulties, you can call and talk to her for free! :D I was blessed to hear her speak at a local homeschool conference. So we have been working on dietary changes and supplementation in order to cleanse their bodies.

I am also dealing with my son JJ and his health which has now gone into environmental allergies and reactive airway disease. You may have noticed a REAL FOOD WIDGET on the left hand sidebar. I hope that you will take a look. It has some GREAT articles updated as articles are updated.

I also added a GREEN HOUR widget that has great articles (also updated when new articles are added). GREAT ways to enjoy the outdoors with your kids. Thanks to "the best gift ever" from a certain Aunt and Uncle (thank you!!!) we will be spending the whole summer outdoors! YEA!!! :D

I have also been trying to catch up on my fav blogs, get the finances back under control and get more JOY in our lives. :D Thanks for listening!

In Our House... Learning and Growing

I have been working with AA to teach her that she needs to READ THE DIRECTIONS first. I need to find a copy of that sheet we ALL did in high school. You know the one where you are told to read the entire thing first, then answer the questions. The last thing on the sheet is to not do ANYTHING at all. Anyone know what I am talking about and WHERE I can find one?

I am also working on her reading the directions rather than trying to do it by herself and figure it out. I LOVE that she can do that, but sometimes, when she cannot, she ends up getting incredibly frustrated.

We are now with EE where we were with AA just a few months ago in handwriting. Perfection and the quest for it. I LOVE that my daughters want to do their best, but why they seek out perfection when they KNOW that only Jesus is perfect... it is just a MAJOR source of frustration for them. They truly believe their letter HAS TO HAS TO H_A_S T_O look JUST LIKE the one they are copying. I try to encourage them that they have their own individual handwriting. It will not look like the paper OR mine or Daddy's. They need to write their OWN "a". It doesn't have to have the little hook thing on top.

I have been reading a lot, as well as watching on you tube, about healthy eating. This is SO important. I am learning SO MUCH! I am really enjoying Underground Wellness (I am subscribed on iTunes to his podcasts as well), and Nourishing food blogs like Cheeseslave and Kelly The Kitchen Kop. I have also been enjoying books by Joel Salatin (he has a Facebook page! - he homeschools AND I am pretty sure he is a Christian).

I have also REALLY enjoyed reading through The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby with my beloved in bed in the evenings. MOST of it, he already knows. He has done a LOT of reading. :) But I have been learning a lot. And every once in a while, we will read something that he goes "Hmmm..." to, which translates as "that's pretty cool!" :D The book is written in VERY easy to understand terms (like a best friend talking to you on a photography walk). And don't think it is just for those who have digital SLR cameras! Those who have some control over their point and shoots will learn a lot too! And what is great is if I do not understand something, my beloved can explain it to me in "Paula" terms. :) I am learning so much and SO EXCITED about taking pictures! This is a wonderful hobby that my beloved took up and I have taken it up and now enjoy it as much as him.

A few things I am thankful for:
-A new desire to teach the children the word of God and get more "meat" in them.
-Lapbooking!
-the poochy belly I have is disappearing!
(I am trying really hard to not list my kids or my beloved or things related to them!) :D

What We Are Doing: Cleaning and Schooling (with a little bit o prayer needed please)

Well, I finally broke down and got into Facebook. I am on there if you want to friend me, let me know in the comments (I won't publish the comment). :)

I also finally got a set (two actually) of cuisenaire rods! I am pretty excited about using them with the girls. ANY tips or words of wisdom on HOW to do this??

I am still reading Dr. Mercola's Total Health Cookbook and Program and taking notes. I have decided that for me, it is easier to do this in MAJOR baby steps. So for the month of March, I will be working on eliminating white sugar from my diet. I still get honey and evaporated cane juice. :) Then, as each month comes, I will add something new to work on. :) I am really excited and positive about the health changes I am already seeing by implementing what I have been reading.

MM will have some medical tests done March 19-20. Your prayers are truly appreciated. I am so thankful that a friend is loaning me her daughter to help out. They will be going down her esophagus and up her colon to look for any signs of anything. We are truly baffled by what she is going through. The blood, stool and urine samples show confusing results, thus the need for further testing. Thank you for your prayers.

I am also starting to read and fill out the What Your Child Needs To Know When. I have recently become overwhelmed at the thought that the girls are missing out on something. Especially when my beloved will ask something and I have to say "not yet, dear." I know he is frustrated. It is frustrating to ME because he sees how much BETTER and FASTER they are grasping things when allowed to go in their own time. Discovering multiplication all on their own (Momma! Did you know three twos are SIX!) gives them a love for math, learning and discovery!

I am also continuing to learn about herbs. I realize that I am doing WAY too much of that on my own and really need to incorporate my children, especially the older two right now, into this so THEY can have a deep appreciation for the wonder of God's creation and how it can be used to help our health.

I also need to work on cleaning the house. I am going through and focusing on ONE area of the house a month. Last month was the girl's bedroom (although we did not get to the closet). This month is the Master Bedroom. WIth hurting my back, I had to put the Master on the back burner. I put all cleaning on the back burner. So we focused on the girls' room and they got rid of a LOT of stuff. Their room is now for clothes and sleeping. Nothing else is to be in their room. It really is helping them to keep it clean.

I have realized, however, that it is unrealistic to expect the girls to keep EVERYTHING down in the basement ONLY. I mean, after all, the reason my room is such a mess is because I don't like having to go ALL the way to the basement for things. SOOOOooo, each girl will have a small drawer on the main level where they can keep things. The drawer MUST be able to close. That way, they can still have some of the more important things they play with more often in a more accessible area. I think EVERYONE will be MUCH happier. And things will STAY CLEAN (or at least, be easier to clean those few times they do get a little messy).

Craft Day

And why not?!?! When the girls suggested doing crafts in Mommy's room all day (and I am talking about heavy duty crafts like sewing aprons and making baby DOLLS, not just pony beads on wire type thing), how could I resist!

I just wish my camera was not broken so I could share so many BEAUTIFUL pictures with you!

AA decided that she was going to make me an apron. WOW. She looked at pictures of aprons, picked one that she thought I would like and then set out to make it happen. She measured me over and over again with the measuring tape her grandmother gave her (along with a whole sewing kit which was promptly brought out by all THREE girls as soon as Mommy said yes to a craft day). I must admit that she did a REALLY GOOD JOB (for a nine year old). The thought process and math that went into her making the apron...I am really proud of her!

Of course MM was the next to bring over her measuring tape and begin measuring me. She was the best! Because she is so ticklish, and giggles at EVERY THING, I kept kissing her or trying to eat her while she was measuring me. Then she made a cape for herself. I was SO IMPRESSED! She had a rectangle piece of fabric and sewed one corner of the short side to the other corder of the short side. Hey, it works. And I am impressed! :) Then she took some blue fabric and cut it up to start making something, but then dinner was ready... :)

EE of course was not to be out done. She measured me and measured me. But lost her temper when her sewing came undone. I am not sure how it came undone, but it was frustrating enough for her to stop it all together. :( But I was able to teach her how to cast on for her knitting. SO she spent the rest of the time casting on, pulling it off, and casting on again. :)

JJ was not to be out done either. He grabbed one of his sister's measuring tapes and came up to me, with it stretched tight between his two hands in open arms "sheasure you!" (translate "measure you") he said over and over again as he placed the tape against my body. It really was TOO CUTE! And he just learned that phrase today from hearing his sisters say it SO MUCH (if that gives you any idea of how many times I thought about losing weight today as here came the tape again). :D He also loved grabbing the yarn as I was corcheting and wrapping it around his finger (like the yarn was wrapped around Mommy's fingers). And of course when EE came over for me to teach her to cast on, JJ came over wanting yarn too

I spent my time making and finishing a cradle purse (ravelry link) for EE (a belated bday present). She loved it and made a baby doll for it. I am really proud of her for that!

All in all it was a GREAT day!

Catching Up

It seems that lately I am running around and around, not having any time for much of anything.

Cleaning CLEANING C_L_E_A_N_I_N_G!

Then there is MM. She is having some health issues that we will be seeing the doctor for today. It might be related to JJ's issues. PLEASe pray. I have not dealt with this doctor before and am truly concerned for MM.

I have been keeping up on the girls and their cleaning. I read/heard somewhere that you cannot expect what you do not INspect. So I have been keeping up on their cleaning.

JJ has been INCREDIBLE with helping to clean and keep things clean! Moreso than I remember his sisters being at this age. I think having the example of three sisters and all their doing (plus they like to "teach" JJ to clean) has really been helpful. :)

Schooling has slowed down this week. I plan on taking the weekend to crack down and get some sort of plan! AA has REALLY been enjoying an atlas that we got for Christmas last year. I need to bring down the globe that goes with it so she can SEE where all these places she is reading about are. I also want to start doing Ambleside Oline in order to help me stay focused. And I really want to start using all the freebies I have!! Our homeschool group is doing a lapbooking seminar (where you actually MAKE one, not just hear about it), so I am EXCITED! I have so many FREE lapbook studies that I have not done yet. If there is interest, I will share what I learn. :)

I really need to get back into making menus. I had stopped when I started stockpiling, but now I have SO MUCH STUFF! that I need to go through, see what we have, and make a menu based on that. :)

I have also been learning about reflexology in order tohelp heal my beloved's hernia.

And I need to do gratitude journals for the girls! I have been wanting to do that for some time. I am also thinking of reading The Pineapple Story again.

The Past Few Day's Doings

I don't know if it's hormones ... or the fact that I really fear losing my husband (I know he's in God's hands, but I am not ready to lose him yet), but the past few days have been very difficult emotionally. I have had sad moments in the past, but having Brian here and kids to care for, I was never really got terribly low. I got up and did what I had to to care for them.

But the day after Brian left (remember he is on a business trip), I was sad. The next day, I was even sadder. And I could feel myself slipping. I spent all day in bed and the kids watched hours of The Magic School Bus.

While I know there are people who have serious medical depression, I know that I am not one of those people. If you are, please seek medical help and know that it is OK to seek medical help when you need it.

So I prayed. I prayed telling God I did not want to be like this this next day. I prayed that God would help give me the motivation to get out of bed and home school the kids. That He would help me to clean the house. No prayer is too small to be lifted up to Him, and thus I fell asleep asking that the next day would be better with His strength.

God is faithful.

First, I received a phone call from a new friend! She was visiting her parents in the Springs, and called in response to an email about possibly getting together. In just a few hours. :) So I got up, showered and got dressed. The kids got ready and off we went. It was a WONDERFUL time and I have such good memories of those few hours together! :) It felt good to see the girls having so much fun! (And her little 1 year old boy happily kicking just like little boys do was a big help too.)

After getting home, my mom called and I had a great talk with her. She seems to always know when I am in need of a call and some laughs and encouragement.

AA finished her reading and copywork.

And I got the counter cleaned off in the kitchen. It was a little thing, but it was a step forward. Some thing was done. Some thing got cleaned. :)

Today, I got several loads of laundry done, the dining room, living room and den areas clean. And dishes are in the washer washing (my nightly servant)! :) The kids were GREAT helpers, each doing their part. And I have created a few new rules that I need to be consistent with and I know that if I do, the kids will finally get to a point where they are cleaning up not only after themselves, but after each other! Watching out for each other AND cleaning up...it's a good thing.

And having a cleaner house ... for me it's a good thing.

Prayer is so powerful. I am not a prayer warrior. I am honestly surprised that God answers any of my prayers. But I am so thankful that when I do cry out...He **IS** there. Some people might say Christianity is a crutch. I know that I heard that when I first became a Christian, do people even think that anymore? But honestly, HONESTLY, I don't know how I get by a day without Him. Yes, I can (and sadly often DO) go through the day by myself. But those days where I remember to invite Him in are some of my best days.

It is kinda like Disneyland. I go through the day perfectly content making mud pies in the backyard when there is a ticket for me and my family to go and enjoy Disneyland. All I have to do is remember to pick it up. Every day. Sometimes every moment! :D It's a joyful thing, and not a crutch at all.

Today's Doings

Our local health food store had their stainless steel water bottles on sale. WOOHOO!! So I bought some. I have been wanting to lose weight (read NEEDING to) and I know a part of that is drinking enough water. Beloved and I have a bet going (reminesent of our dating years where we would make bets of who would do something to the other person like massage the winners feet and then play air hockey). As long as BOTH of us drink the required amount of water (2 liters at this point), then everyone is a winner. Whoever doesn't drink the required amount is the loser. Today is day one. I am the winner. :)

And now to the sad (and a bit scary news). Beloved has an inguinal hernia. My beloved was born with one and had emergency surgery where they promptly removed 6 inches of his colon. Normally, if he had a hernia, it really would not be a big deal (unless it became strangulated). HOWEVER, because this is in the same area he had his previous one, it is likely that the wall is very damaged. :( The surgery becomes more complicated because of this. :( We are going to TRY to do this naturally. Does anyone have any ideas? Prayers are appreciated.

I was VERY blessed to FINALLY have some blessings at the Goodwill the other day. I LOVE to cook in my cast iron. I have always wanted a lid for my oven set, but did not have one. God blessed me not only with a lid, BUT with a matching pan BOTH Griswold!! Yes it is only an 8, but I am STILL over the top about it!! Both are in GREAT condition (was the lid EVER used??) and the pan is WELL seasoned. Thank you Lord for a WONDERFUL blessing!!! And only for $13!!! And no, a Griswold lid does not fight as tightly on a Wagner! LOL!!! :)

Tonight's dinner was AMAZING! Fish (pan fried in olive oil with salt and pepper until flaky - not hardly brown at all). Kale and onions (lightly brown onions in coconut oil in cast iron, fill with kale, cover with your new blessing of a lid and cook until wilted, salt). Radishes and yellow carrots (cooked in ghee until still firm but somewhat brown).

Tomorrow our church is having a prophesy sermon in the evening and following is a party lasting until midnight. I am sure we will be heading home WAY before then, but it should be fun. Beloved is especially interested in the sermon (prophesy is a passion of his). And we will be with friends most all of the day. It is going to be WONDERFUL!

We aren't doing resolutions this year (and while we have TRIED to do them in the past, we never really follow through with them) and we feel GREAT about it. We know their are changes we need to make in our personal lives as well as our family and marriage. But we will make those changes as God leads and allows with prayer and in His timing. :) That said, there are a few things I plan on doing this coming year: learning to be a better keeper at home, go through the catechism, becoming healthier, being a better wife and mom. Pretty vague, I know. LOL!! The first two have more definite plans (post coming on Monday with a freebie for you).

Recent Doings

I have been doing a lot of research on herbs and now, aromatherapy and essential oils. It is funny (sad really) how I will hear of a remedy and think to myself "HOW SILLY! There is no way that would work!" So I wait months even years before trying it (and usually only trying it in desperation) only to find that it works and I wish I would have tried it when I first heard about it.

I have also been busy trying to keep warm! Usually, when it is extremely cold, we stay indoors. But the other night my beloved wanted to go shopping. It was 12 below zero with the windchill. And that was when we went into the store, while it was still daylight outside! I have no idea what it was when we left, way after dark! LOL!! I must admit, that with the thermostat at 60, it was really chili in our room (which still has wooden windows). I tripled the comforters! I made sure to check on the children before turning it (the temperature on the thermometer read -3 and there was frost on the windows on the inside panes in the rooms least used. LOL! BRRRRrrrrr!

We will finally get back into the homeschool routine tomorrow. WHEW! This sickness, I think, is finally kicked out. Although I do ask prayers for JJ. He was very lethargic today, and totally uncharacteristic of himself. I am a bit worried, especially since we no longer have a pediatrician (LONG story). And if you feel led, please pray that God would lead us to a good pediatrician, who is willing to take over a case in the middle of it as well as be supportive of our desire to do more natural ways of healing rather than always just start drugs.

We made mailboxes out of used cereal boxes so the girls are encouraged to WRITE! LOL!! EE LOVES to write, but AA hates it. But she LOVES to give and get mail. SO I am hopeful that writing and receiving mail will encourage her. She is too much of a perfectionist and hates her handwriting. I am hoping that she will see she CAN improve in time with PRACTICE! LOL!! I can say it all I want, but she needs to SEE it for herself. :)

Well, that's about it for now. Off to prepare for Christmas and birthday parties!

Today's Doings

I have been sick in bed today. This meant that the children watched educational and "Jesus" videos. AA also read the Bible to us. And they all had time to play on the computer, "something educational and not just fun please" I asked them. I am so glad my girls understand sign language, because my voice was nil for most of the day.

This allowed me to spend several hours on the computer doing research and learning from a sweet friend of mine who is an encyclopedia of knowledge (and is so kind to answer all my questions, even when it is the bazillionth time I have asked it)!

The tea I mentioned yesterday worked SO WELL on JJ. There is also a runny nose cure that really worked too. It has been WONDERFUL! The runny nose cure was more palatable than the decoction. I will now be keeping sage on in stock in my pantry!

We are watching a fun Christmas movie, The Bishop's Wife (old time black and white original, not the remake) tonight for our pizza (well, tonight it was soup because of all the illness here) movie night.

I have forgotten to have the girls start grateful/thanksgiving journals. I really want them to start that, and I want to start that myself too.
So because I am truly thankful, three things I am thankful for:
My children's health. Even though they get sick every now and then, they have always gotten better. Some children have deadly diseases that have no cure.
My friend, Brenda who is an inspiration and encouragement to me.
My mom. I miss her so much. I love her so much. And I am so very thankful for all she has done for and continues to do for me and my family.

Proverbs With The Children - Today's Doings

I think it was Large Family Logistics where I first learned of reading the Proverbs of the Day to the children during their naptime. They have a yahoo list which sends out reminders like Flylady, but these are godly oriented for keeping the children and home. I have TRULY been enjoying the reminders!!! :)

I had heard of doing a proverb a day where there are 31 proverbs and 30/31 days in the month so read the corresponding chapter to the corresponding date. But I had never thought of doing this with the children. I cannot tell you the difference it is making in my children! It is so wonderful, right before naps/quiet time, to see each of the children get their Bible to follow along. They ask questions (today was what does THAT mean, talking about Proverbs 22). And God always speaks to my heart during this time. And I share with the children what God is teaching me PERSONALLY and how the word is for THEM personally.

Today I had music playing in the background. It was instrumental. When Jingle Bells came on, JJ (only 2 1/2yr now mind you) started singing! "Unggle Ells, Uggle Ells, Unggle Ells..." over and over again. It was the CUTEST thing! And I was TOTALLY impressed by his ability to recognize the song (as it was instrumental). Honestly, I would never have known what he was singing if the song wasn't playing in the background.

As far as schooling, we got nothing done today. :( Well, I guess that is not totally true as we did watch some Signing Time videos we checked out from the library. They learned some new signs. But with JJ and EE both being sick and AA just having gotten over being sick, I was busy today. And the kids were busy coughing and sleeping. :)

I have learned that you can put tea tree oil in a diffuser to help purify the air (good to do when there is sickness in the house). And gargling with apple cider vinegar will help kill strep in the throat. I have learned that sage is good for cold/flu and respiratory illnesses. And here is hoping that the decoction I am making will help JJ.

Laughter Does A Heart Good - Today's Doings

My mom is here. She got here yesterday. Day four of my daughter's illness. AA has "the worst illness EVER!" I must admit that normally when my kids get sick (which honestly is pretty rare), they usually get over it within three days (with the prayer and herbs and all). This time, I could not get rid of it. And my poor baby was MISERABLE.

But today, today she was finally better. Once I found out she had strep, something I had as a kid but never had to deal with as a mom, I found out what to do for her (gargling with apple cider vinegar, high doses of Vitamin C, grapefruit seed extract, immune support herbs and essential oils, and an herbalbiotic) and she started getting better immediately (thanks Brenda!). And today she was almost back to her old self (but very very tired).

So with being sick, I am putting on a movie (sometimes two a day) to keep her from being bored while I have been keeping the other kids in a separate room - which has payed off because THANKFULLY God has spared them and none of the other children have gotten sick. JJ gave me a bit of a scare when he got a little bit of a fever and his cry sounded like he might have have a sore throat. But his strep culture came back negative. Not to mention the fact that he is acting normal - eating and drinking well not to mention PLAYING joyfully and LAUGHING!!!

Oh how I LOVE to hear my children laugh. And today, my mom was able to watch the movie with AA (It's A Wonderful Life). And I got to hear MY MOM LAUGH. Yes, that is a big deal. My mom, while not a overly serious person, she does not have a lot of joy. Smiles, but no laughter. To to hear her laugh, a laugh that comes from deep down inside, was wonderful! It was amazing how even her laughter made me feel so good and warm inside.

I wonder if my laughter, my JOY, is as important to my children? Sometimes I can be WAY too serious. I have a lot of my mother in me. And a lot of that seriousness, worry wartness that my mom has in her mad me so sad as a child. I never really thought about that until now. And now that I am a Christian (my mom is not), I should not worry. I mean the Bible tells us over and over and OVER again not to worry. And to have joy. My lack of joy and laughter...my worrying and being too serious is a HORRIBLE example to my children of how God wants us to live. I mean, my goodness, if I thought that was what being a Christian was like, I would want no part of it!

I need to laugh more. It will do my children's hearts good. And it will do my heart good as well. I think I might live longer too or something to that effect. :D But most importantly, it will be a godly example to my children of how God wants us to live.

Three's Company ... Today's Doings

Since we did not have school yesterday (field trip), and my beloved has all next week off, AND we are having a family over for Thanksgiving AND my mom will be here just days afterwards .... there was no school today either in order to prepare and clean the house.

I have noticed that my children LOVE to be around others. They will talk your ear off if given the chance (thankfully the ladies at the nursing home LOVED having their ears talked off yesterday). They quite regularly talk Daddy's ear off! LOL!!

Someone mentioned a fear that they are not getting enough attention at home for them to be so needy of it from others. That was REALLY hard on me and has affected me for quite some time. I even asked a friend about it.

My children have individual date nights with Daddy and Mommy Daughter time. I spend alone time with each of the children, and they spend a LOT of time playing and enjoying each other. I do think though, that being in a larger family, they LOVE the company. They LOVE talking and interacting with others.

In fact, I noticed that they work BETTER in cleaning up when someone else is there with them. Not just Mommy supervising, but even each other, working together. They love to be social and interact with SOMEONE. :)

I know for myself, that I am a HUGE people person. I LOVE to be with and talk with others. And I especially LOVE being with my kids. I miss the NOISE when they are silent for too long. I love to hear them laughing. I love to hear them all talking at once in excitement as they each talk about what cereal they want, and would you please pass the milk. I love the clamor of everyone talking and getting dishes set on the table to start dinner. I love the business and gathering of our family. But yes, I also love seeing them SLEEP, or all sitting down reading quietly. Just don't stay quiet too long my little ones! Momma LOVES interacting with you!!!

Today's Doings

Today was a no school day. We met at a friend's house with several other girls the same age (5-8yr) and made cArds to bring to a local nursing home.

We went during the lunch time to hand out the cards. So we went from table to table talking, saying "Happy Thanksgiving" and shaking hands. Sadly, we had not made enough cards and a few went back to their room cardless. I will make sure next time to have extra cards that my girls made at home so we do NOT run out.

JJ was of course a HUGE hit with EVERYONE, even the older men! Most surprising was EE. She was SO talkative to EVERYONE! She was curtsying to all and listening and responding to everyone. She liked it so much, she wants to go back!!! I LOVE it! I think we are going to try to find a regular time to go. It was really nice for the girls to be with older women. I want them to have respect for their elders. EE was having so much fun that we were actually the last to leave! All the other moms and girls had left. LOL!!

Then it was shopping day. We got some good deals which was GREAT! But it took a long time, so by the time we got home, it was time to make dinner and head to bed. The children were all so well behaved. It was a good day today.

Idle Hands Be Gone (Today's Doings)

Today was a field trip. First, we bought food to bring to the local Rescue Mission (and got a free meal for every 2 cans of non-perishables we brought in). Then we went to a local Christian organization that helps end poverty in the name of Christ. It was awesome and really made an impact on the kids.

My broken toe has been hurting more than normal. I did press myself this weekend in cleaning, so that might have something to do with it. I really want to clean the house before my mom arrives in three weeks.

It has been SOOOO nice not having idle hands!!! I never realized just how much time I had been wasting on the computer until I put the computer in a room of the house that was not so easily accessible. I have been able to make more potholders (Ravelry Link). I just LOVE these potholders!!!! And my new FAVORITE thing (that I have been waiting for my camera card so I can take pictures for you, but feel I just HAVE to share with you NOW) are TAWASHIES!

So what are tawashies? TO WASHI the dishes of course!!! But seriously. These things are GREAT!! There is a VERY simple pattern out there for a spiral scrubbie (ravelry link to mine with notes, and a direct link to pdf). These things may look like they don't work, but they DO!! Incredibly well!! I love these things!! And they work up so fast and easy!! They use so little yarn! These things have been GREAT on my cast iron! I use it on my pizza stone and my one piece of coveted Le Creuset (which I got at an estate sale for $15!). ALL with FANTASTIC results! I use it on the counter, tile, and bathroom - these things are THE BEST! When they need cleaning, I throw them all (but the special one for cast iron that sometimes gets really greasy) in the washing machine! The cast iron, greasy one, I throw in the dishwasher, or because these are so fast and easy to make, I just throw it out and make a new one. They also worked GREAT on baked on grease (with little soap or water). In fact, they are so loved in Japan because they do work so well with little soap and need little water!

I am currently taking pre-orders (yes, I will be selling these beauties for those who don't want to make them) in fantastic autumn colors or Christmas green and red and gold. 3 for $8 (that includes shipping). Just let me know your color preference in the comments, how many you are wanting (in sets of three please) as well as your email. It will NOT be published. :)

I have also had time to READ! I LOVE to read!!! I am currently reading Stepping Heavenward (which I got FREE on Paperback Swap) as well as a little booklet a friend loaned me called The Tribulation and The Church. I am am also able to read my Bible more, which is WONDERFUL!!! And most importantly of all, I am enjoying my children more. We are doing even more together. And it is wonderful!

Today's Doings (and a bit on what I want for my children)

I hope that most of you were able to attend the second day of the Mother/Daughter conference. I know that yesterday I was incredibly blessed by the speakers!!

School: Bible, Hymn (Amazing Grace), History, Math, Reading, Writing

What I did: I added more books to my Library Thing (see left hand sidebar near the bottom), organized more books, cleared out several things from the Master Bedroom (per my plan, but I realize now that with my broken toe, I cannot do as much as I would like as quickly as I would like, so hopefully by Thanksgiving our Master Bedroom will be only furniture and clothing.) I also did two loads of laundry (hanging one to dry overnight).

It feels so good cleaning and getting things down to necessities. It also helps me realize just how much wasteful spending I have done on things that were NOT needed. It is so neat to see this rubbing off on the girls. AA told me today that when she gets married and has her own house she is only going to bring into it things that are needed. I told her a few wants were OK, but that it is good to focus mostly on needs. :) I have told all of my girls that I want so much more for them than what I have. Not material wise, but spiritually. I want them to be good keepers at home. I want them to go into marriage knowing how to keep a home and not struggle like I have (and do).

I must admit that I get so angry with moms that say "someday I hope you have a kid just like you!" They say it in frustration because their child has been a frustration to them. I think EVERY GOOD mother would want MORE for their children. That they would want the BEST for their children. I pray for my grandchildren. I pray that they will learn to follow and love the Lord from the EARLIEST age possible (which means that prayerfully, they will never have a child that gives them the grief that I sometimes get and that I KNOW I gave my own mother).

I was reading a really good article that talks about how now America has become a country in which Christians need to be missionaries. We can no longer just live and not let others know about Jesus.

I remember when I first became a Christian. I was a freshman in college. I met a most amazing man (my now husband) who, though life was treating him horribly, spoke about hope and joy. It took almost one full year of fighting (yes FIGHTING - I thought I WAS a Christian, after all, I was born in America) before I came to know the truth. God was VERY gracious to me, and I asked Brian to pray with me to accept the Lord as my God and Savior. I gave my heart and life to Him (although I know that I do not do Him justice with it, sinful creature that I am). My happiest day without the Lord is equivalent to my saddest day WITH Him. I can have joy in the sorrow and peace in storms. Do I still struggle with faith and trust.. oh yeah.

But I want MORE for my children. I want them to struggle now, in a safe environment, so that they can be strong and mighty arrows for Jesus as they grow and meet others. Others who do not know the saving grace (and peace and JOY) of a personal relationship with Jesus. I want to be a light so they can burn even BRIGHTER than I do.

This world is so lost. This past election was a huge wake-up call for both Brian and myself. And I agree with the author in the article linked above. We can no longer live like we are in a Christian country blessed by God (like it was when our founding fathers wrote and signed the constitution of the United States). While our country is not impoverished like some third world countries (at least not yet), we are living in the same spiritually impoverished circumstances.

I remember reading about missionaries who had a zeal for God. Going into third world countries and spreading the gospel and leading others to Christ. They would (and many did) die in order to save just one person. While it is not that bad here (yet), it is amazing the vileness that comes toward me for just mentioning Jesus. And it will only get worse. I want my children to be steadfast, standing on Jesus as the solid rock, so that when the nasty attitude towards Christians becomes even worse, they will be able to stand strong and firm and be a light in such a dark dark world.

I am sorry to go on and on. Although I am pretty sure that very few of you actually read all of this. My blog is for me and my children, and if there is anyone out there who is reading and blessed by anything I have to share, then to God be the glory. I just felt I needed to write this down for my children's sake. Thanks for letting me ramble.

Today's Doings

Well, today (and tomorrow) I am taking part in a teleconference on raising daughters. I will **TRY** to put up the link tomorrow morning (it starts at 9CT) if I get a hold of it (it is not the same as today's was). So today was "movie and exploration day" for school. I got movie days in public school, why can't they kids have movie day at home school? :D

But I did manage to run some errands (which includes FINALLY mailing off my mother/daughter swap package to my partner), get two loads of laundry done and organize some more books (adding them to my Library Thing (see left hand column, somewhere near the bottom). As far as wanting to get things done in the bedroom, I DID NOT FORGET!! :) I removed some of my crochet items and yarn and sewing things. I also moved the computer out of the bedroom. I think that will be a big help in getting things done AND give me less time on the computer (which I really should take). Now to goto bed and put my foot up because my toe is REALLY hurting. :(

Today's Doings

I find it difficult to just sit in front of the computer anymore. I don't like having idle hands! Even though I am reading and learning, I find so much more joy in DOING! And there is just something less idle about reading an actual book than reading blogs/articles on the computer.

School: Bible, Math, Writing, Reading (and reading and reading and ... LOL!!!)

What I did today: I have been working on trying to teach AA to crochet. She just can't do it. Knitting is no problem for her, but crocheting is a bit difficult. I did three loads of laundry. I have been listening to an audio book It's All Too Much that I believe I first heard about on The Homespun Heart. I made a plan for the Master Bedroom which I hope to start implementing tomorrow and be done by the end of the week. Of course, there will still need to be fine tuning (like getting rid of clothes that no longer fit and such), but there will be only clothing and furniture in the master bedroom by the end of the week (hopefully Friday, but maybe not until Saturday). And of course I got more crocheting in. I made and gave gifts to the closest neighbors. More on that to come. :)

Today's Doings

I hate noticed that the more I do, the more I want to do.

School: Bible, Hymn (Amazing Grace), Math, Science, Writing, Reading

What I did: 4 loads of laundry and then I 90% reorganized and 90% decluttered one room in the house - the TV room. I brought up a bookcase from the basement (umm... what to do with the massive books that WERE on there will have to be thought about later, much much later) and put the movies, CDs, DVDs and so forth on it. It was GREAT to be able to see all the DVD's we have (we have a lot of educational DVD's that we have not been able to watch because we did not know we had them). :) AND it was nice being able to see all the CD's we have (I have a lot of CD's)!

What is GREAT about having done this is that now we can see EVERYTHING and go through and declutter even more! Getting rid of DVD's and CD's we don't watch or care for any more. It will also allow us to enjoy what we DO have. ALSO, I brought up books that deal with games and FAMILY time. So that way we can have NON-TV stuff in the same area. :)

Today's Doings

School: Bible, Hymn (I'll Fly Away), History/Christian Biographies (George Muller), Math, Art, Home Economics, Writing, Reading

I feel bad because I did not get much done today. Because of my over-doing it yesterday (thinking because my toe felt better, I could catch up on all that had NOT been done), I have been having to take pain meds (I HATE having to take pain meds) since 2AM. :(

But I did manage to have a LOT of tying strings with the kids today!!! :D LOTS of giggles and tickles and smiles. JJ put on a puppet show (and everytime he made the cow growl, all of us girls screamed and huddled together, which only made him smile bigger and bigger). AA is making a doll house from old cereal boxes. And we are planning an old fashioned knitting bee at our house for next week on Friday.

I made my bed, caught up on some reading, folded the laundry I hung up yesterday and put it away, made dinner (all from things I already had in my pantry), and I tidied JJ's room (this HAS to be kept up because of his reactive airway disease). I also got some crocheting done and am SO EXCITED to share with you (in a future post, this project NEEDS pictures) all about what I am crocheting! These things are FABULOUS! SO quick and easy to make and SO USEFUL!!! I just love 'em!

Things I am thankful for:
How BEAUTIFUL my girls sound when they sing together! I think it is more a heart thing because I know they will never sell get any recording contracts (if you know what I mean). :D
JJ LOVES to sing. It was so cute hearing him try to sing along this morning during hymn time!!!
That I have a foot. Even though I never knew the FIERY pain of a broken toe could be so debilitating, I am thankful I still have a foot!