Happy 8th Birthday Skye! 6-9-14

Happy 8th Birthday Skye!

Happy 17th Birthday Thomas! 6-6-2014

Happy 17th Birthday Thomas!

A Family Is Born

Hand written vows, a simple bouquet of hand picked roses.....

A ring for him.....

and a ring for her.

A promise before God, and a kiss to seal it.

And a family is born!

April Fool's Day FAIL

I am done with April Fool's Day joke attempts. No matter what I try it always goes wrong!

A few years ago I googled "April fools day pranks" and found one to change your birthday on facebook to April 1st and then see how any people wish you a happy birthday. Well, that was a fail. First of all, if you change your birthday that day, no one gets a notification. Guess you had to do it days before? Then when I went to change it back again, it wouldn't let me. FAIL. So if you ever wonder why my birthday isn't on my profile on facebook, there's your answer.

Are you laughing yet? Im not done.....

Today I was determined to get my husband. I am the butt of all his jokes and he is constantly laughing at me. Today I wanted to laugh at him. I realllllly wanted to!

I couldn't think of a single thing to try, so I casually walked into his room, looked him in the eye, and told him I was pregnant. (Don't get excited, I'm not.) He didn't even blink, just said YEAH RIGHT and went back to playing his computer game.

I pressed on.

"Well, I just said that to see what you would say. I did kinda spend some money yesterday."

His eyebrows raise, "What did you buy? How much?"

"I found an old volkswagon bus on craigslist in running condition, It was only $3,900! I couldnt resist!!"

No reaction. "Well I guess Ill work some overtime."

Grrrr. So I gave up. He went to work, another year of possible fun for me down the drain.

But then I remembered a cute little prank a friend pulled on her grandkids last year involving brownies. They looked sort of like these....



Get it?? Brown E's!

So I arrange them on a plate, put plastic wrap over them, text my husband and tell him Im bringing him brownies for his break at work. Yes! Im finally going to get to laugh! Oh its so simple, I was thinking too hard!

Now just because I love him, we did make real brownies, and I brought those too but I slipped them under his seat so he wouldn't see them before he saw the prank. I went out to where he works a few minutes before his break time (9:10 PM) but he was parked where he would see my van. I parked in the next parking lot over, and walked back to his jeep.

I started to hide behind a bush nearby, but since it was dark I didnt want to freak anyone out if they saw me, so I just stood behind his jeep and was going to duck down when he came out.

But he didnt come out. WHAT??? Oh come on, why isnt he coming out??? It is then that I realize I forgot my cell phone at home, it was charging. DANGIT! I was about to just go back home when a security guard walks up to me and starts questioning me about why Im hiding behind a vehicle in the parking lot.

Oh boy....

I explain the situation, he tells me the company had a bunch of brownie trays out for everyone today. So I tell him mine are special brownies. Bad choice of words! I end up showing the letters to him and he gets it, laughs, and says he will send my husband out.

Well this spoils it for me really because I didnt want him knowing I was there. But whatever, at least I didnt get arrested!

And so, I get laughed at again.

I guess that is to be my lot in life, so I thought I would share with you and give you a laugh as well.

Happy April Fool's Day!

Did you get to pull a prank that worked? Please comment and share it with me!

Happy 5th Birthday Star!

Star is the baby of the family, the youngest of 8. Her favorite color is orange and her favorite animals are caterpillars and pigs. She loves Jesus and watching movies on netflix, playing Always Ice Cream on the computer and cutting things up with scissors. She loves food and will eat almost anything, this earned her the nickname of "piglet" when she was a baby. Now only her biggest sister calls her that and she loves it when she does.

First thing this morning I gave her the birthday card that arrived from her Ma Maw and Pa Paw. She opened it slowly and carefully, then pulled out the card and just hugged it for a long time. My kids always feel extra special to get mail! She kept looking at the animals on the cover and saying AWWWW. After a few minutes I suggested she open the card.....







....and inside was $5.00. She said it was "real money" and ran off to show her daddy. Later in the evening she said she had a dollar for every year of her life. She said if that happened every year and she saved it someday she would be rich. Haha I love how kids think! She hasn't decided if she will save it or spend it yet.







Next on her agenda for the day was to have her ears pierced. She already had her hair cut last week, she was ready for more big girl changes.

She didn't even cry. In fact she asked me if I had done it yet. What pain tolerance she must have! When I did the other side she flinched just a bit then asked for the mirror.




 
River found a tutorial on Always Ice Cream to make a caterpillar cake using a bundt pan so we gave it a try.



It turned out really cute!



My dear friend Deb embroidered the Hungry Caterpillar to sew on a shirt for her, and along with a green tutu she had an adorable caterpillar outfit to wear for today!



Time to blow out the candle!



She wanted the entire caterpillar head on her plate. She couldn't eat it all though!





More pictures....














She spent the rest of her day playing games and watching movies with her sisters. The guys were all gone today. The snow and cold kept us from going out shopping together but one day soon we will be hitting the thrift stores for our annual birthday shopping spree! She also has a party scheduled for this coming weekend. It will be her first birthday party ever! Pictures from that will come later, if the weather lets us have it.


Thank you God for blessing our family with Star! You are such a kind and loving God to bless us so richly as a family. Thank you for your provision and daily care, may we reflect your love on to others as we live our lives daily. Amen.

K is for Keepers of the Faith Club

K is for Keepers Of The Faith Club

We live in a very rural area, in fact our whole county doesn't even have one stoplight. There is one high school for the entire county, and one grade school and middle school combined into one building. Its part of what we love about this place, but I worried a little about the kids being lonely. I grew up in a neighborhood with quite a few other kids around. I have wonderful memories of doing things that my children will never have a chance to do because our world is not as safe anymore.

So as soon as my little ones were old enough we signed up for all those extra curricular activities. We tried Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts only to find that these organizations have changed a lot from when I was little. We were so limited in the things we could do, and insurance and other bothersome things made even simple trips a hardship.Yes I was even the leader and felt uncomfortable and convicted about leading such groups. Please don't think I am condemning anyone who enjoys these clubs, they just weren't a good fit for our family.

If you have been searching for an alternative, I want to introduce you to the Keepers Of The Faith Club. The first thing I got excited about was that there are NO charters to join, NO dues to pay, NO one telling you how to run your club. You can have a club that is just your family,  you can invite friends, or you can go big time and have a club that meets at your church and invites everyone. It is totally up to you!

I started our club by ordering a handbooks so I could read all about it. There is a handbook for younger girls ages 4-6 (Little Keepers at Home) for older Girls ages 7-14 (Keepers at Home) and younger boys ages 4-6 (Little Contenders for the Faith) and older Boys ages 7-14 (Contenders for the Faith). You need just one handbook for each age and gender group in your household. Larger groups would need a handbook for each child.

I loved the wholesome hands on learning in each book. These are real life useful skills that will be used in life no matter what your child aspires to be as an adult. I want to stress also that the handbook does not give complete directions for learning every skill. It requires parents to share skills they already have or seek out ways to learn those they do not have. The book also does not cover every skill out there, they add new pins all the time, and if you choose to have the children earn pins there are endless possibilities!

I invited other homeschool families in our area to join our club because we meet during the day once a month. I have invited other families as well in the summer but so far none have had interest. Thats ok! The small group that we do have has grown very close, the kids and the parents are the best of friends. We are always looking for new things to introduce the kids to, and to be honest we parents have learned right along beside them!

Some of the activities we have done include....
exploring an old grain mill
learning to make bread
Making butter from fresh cow milk, some kids (and parents) even milked the cow!



Touring a historic home built in the 1890's....
Arts and crafts
Drawing lessons
A Tea Party (cleverly disguised lesson in manners)
Sewing lessons
and soon we have a couple of local authors who will be having a workshop with the kids about writing stories and getting them published!

The parents also bring things they no longer need such as outgrown clothing, books, homeschool materials, toys, etc and we exchange with each other. It is always a great time of fellowship, and we have food and enjoy each others company. I am so thankful I discovered the Keepers of The Faith website and club materials. Perhaps it will be a blessing to your family as well. There may already be a club in your area, check the map here to see if one is listed.

J is for Just Do The Next Thing

J is for Just Do The Next Thing

We all have seasons of hard times in our lives. At a bible study I attended last year I remember learning that every single one of us is either in a trial right now, we just came out of one, or one is coming. When I look back on my life I find that statement very true.

One thing I also see when I look back is that God always had a plan, and it wasn't always the plan that I had in mind. I can see now how things worked out for the best, even when it seemed at the time that there was no hope.

Some trials are brought on by ourselves. When we knowingly make bad choices there are always consequences. Other times it is a loved one going through a trial, and we can be so deeply involved that it feels like our own.

I have found that there are two things that really help get me through these times. Prayer of course is #1. When no one else understands or will listen, God will. The other thing is to simply praise God through the storm. There is always a reason to praise Him, even when I don't feel grateful or thankful if I really stop and think about it God is still taking care of me through it all. He has never left me alone, and He never will!

Psalm 116

1I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;

he heard my cry for mercy.

2Because he turned his ear to me,

I will call on him as long as I live.

3The cords of death entangled me,

the anguish of the grave came over me;

I was overcome by distress and sorrow.

4Then I called on the name of the Lord:

“Lord, save me!”

5The Lord is gracious and righteous;

our God is full of compassion.

6The Lord protects the unwary;

when I was brought low, he saved me.

7Return to your rest, my soul,

for the Lord has been good to you.

8For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,

my eyes from tears,

my feet from stumbling,

9that I may walk before the Lord

in the land of the living.

10I trusted in the Lord when I said,

“I am greatly afflicted”;

11in my alarm I said,

“Everyone is a liar.”

12What shall I return to the Lord

for all his goodness to me?

13I will lift up the cup of salvation

and call on the name of the Lord.

14I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

in the presence of all his people.

15Precious in the sight of the Lord

is the death of his faithful servants.

16Truly I am your servant, Lord;

I serve you just as my mother did;

you have freed me from my chains.

17I will sacrifice a thank offering to you

and call on the name of the Lord.

18I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

in the presence of all his people,

19in the courts of the house of the Lord—

in your midst, Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord.^a

So when life seems to be coming at you from every angle and is so overwhelming you feel as if you just cant do anything, just do the next thing. Try not to look at the big picture and just focus on getting through today. If your needs for today are rest and food, than focus on that. Snuggle up with your spouse or kids and just be together. Eat simple meals, and its ok if you eat cereal for dinner! This too shall pass, but for today it is OK, do not feel guilty!

If your needs for today involve really hard things, don't be afraid to ask for help. The worst someone can say is no. But maybe there is someone out there just waiting for you to let them know your need so they can help.

Ask for prayer, you do not have to be specific about what they are praying for, God already knows that. And while we are on this subject, ask if you can pray for them as well. Remember that this person may be in just as hard a trial as you are but isn't asking for the help and prayer that they need.

James 5:16

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Last of all, just love. Stop giving yourself a hard time, the world is doing that already. Jesus came to show us love, it is what He wanted for us all. Start by loving yourself, no matter what you have done. Because Jesus loves you just the way you are already!

Romans 5:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

If I can pray for you, let me know. And yes I am writing this because the trials are here right now. If you feel led to pray for me I wont stop you.

Smile! This trial will end. I don't know when and I don't know how right now, but I do know that God is with me in this and He already has a plan and knows the future.

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

He's got this! Give whatever it is to God and let Him handle it!

I is for Itty Bitty Doll Sized Tote Bag Tutorial

I is for Itty Bitty Doll Sized Tote Bag Tutorial

I am still sewing away making doll clothes and accessories for my girls and their dolls for Christmas. I am so thankful to Rosie's Doll Clothes Patterns for reviving the sewing joy I used to have. I am truly enjoying sewing again, and I just know my girls are going to be thrilled on Christmas morning!

I always have these small scraps of fabric left over when sewing, too small to do much with yet too big to just throw away. (One of these days I will have to start quilting!) I had a eureka moment this evening when one of my daughters mentioned going to the library. My girls love their special library bags, I bet the dolls would love one too!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You will need.....
small fabric scraps (or recycle old clothing)
scissors
sewing machine
thread
hand needle
thin ribbon
ruler
chalk pencil or something to mark fabric
optional tiny buttons

I started by cutting a leftover piece of fabric into a rectangle shape. I used a cotton woven, but you could use felt or a knit fabric if you don't want to worry about fraying edges. If you use a woven fabric you will need to either serge or zigzag stitch over the two smaller ends.

Then fold those ends over with wrong sides facing and sew a straight seam, this will be the top of your tote bag.

Now fold the piece in half longwise with the wrong sides facing, and serge or zigzag stitch up the sides.

Turn right side out, and this is an important step, use a ruler to measure from each side where you want to place your straps. Mark it with a chalk pencil or mark it lightly on the inside if you don't have anything that will wash off.  I used a thin ribbon for the straps, it worked really well. I had some teeny tiny buttons so I added those to make it look decorative, but they aren't necessary. I hand sewed the straps on, it took just a few minutes. Make the straps as long or short as you like.

This is what happens if you don't measure for the strap placement first. The first one is crooked. I will re-sew that one because I'm a sewing perfectionist like that.

The dolls are ready to hit the library now! I'm going to fill them with tiny pretend books too. They also have matching outfits in the works to go with them. We have such well dressed dolls around here.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! If you have any questions just comment below.

I'm feeling generous today and I'd like to give away a doll tote to a little doll lover out there. Just enter through the Rafflecopter form below to win! The drawing will be December 13th so that it will arrive before Christmas.So enter now!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

H is for Home for Thanksgiving

H is for Home for Thanksgiving

This year I had the great blessing of being able to stay home for Thanksgiving and cook for my family and friends. We invited all of our friends and neighbors that may have spent Thanksgiving alone to come to our house. We had a total of 23 people here and it was just so wonderful! We ate,  played instruments,  sang (well I didn't, I had no voice all day because of laryngitis), played games, laughed, and took pictures.

The night before Thanksgiving I got to see my oldest son and youngest granddaughter for a little while, not long enough, but I was thankful just to see them at all. I wish they could have been here Thanksgiving Day. I could have had all 8 of my children home again and taken a picture of the entire family. I got a sweet picture of my granddaughter though...

I had both my Mom and Dad here, and they let me take a picture of them together...

And pictures of each of them with me...

The boys......
 

The girls....

Mom plays dulcimer with my friend on guitar.....

Mom with 4 of the kids.....

Mom with 3 more kids.....

Dad beating us at marbles, just look at that sly grin on his face haha!

Tommy on guitar.....

Fiddle and dulcimer!

My oldest daughter, Tommy, and his sweetheart girlfriend.....

Starbaby.....just being cute as always!

This marble game board was made by my grandpa and we used to play a lot when I was a little girl.

I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!