Lotsa Stuff....

Bargains: Yesterday I went shopping with a limited amt of money to spend, and I really hit up on some deals. I got me a $9.99 blouse at New York & Co that I can wear with a dressy skirt. I got me a beautiful outfit (that just 'screams' me) at Belks for $28 (reg $88) , I got Em some new tennis shoes (Wide Width) for $6 and lastly, I got Evan 2 outfits from Dillards for $6.25 each!! Dressy outfits too--plus some socks. I luv shopping days like that! :)

Wedding: A good family friend got married this weekend to a girl who sometimes comes to our church. They are both 18, but seem to be in love and I pray for the best for them. I had to sing a song at the wedding, so I weddalized this weekend. ;)

Remodeling: Dh and I spontaneously decided to remodel our bathroom. Today he literally tore everything out in there. I mean there is nothing left but the sink, tub (which will eventually come out) and the toilet. I'm excited! It will be a very slow project because we have youth camp and vacation coming up. Also, funds are limited again. We will probably just shut the door to that bathroom for a few weeks. Ya gotta start somewhere! ;o/

Bread "Winner": Well, I've decided to give up my bread-making career. My bread doesn't turn out too good and I just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. It is very tough and hard, not at all like store-bought bread. It takes so long to fool with it and we always run out within a day. So, sadly, I am giving up that part of domestic housekeeping. I know my Dh will be so thrilled about this news. We haven't had bread regularly for some time! :) I made 2 loaves today and I don't know if it will even get eaten! The sad part is I've tried 3 or 4 different recipes. Oh well. :0/

Church news: We have a family who will be with us tomorrow to preach and perhaps, "try out" for our church's position of pastor. I'm very excited, quite hopeful, but want God's will to be done. Looking forward to a great weekend at church!

Baby news: No, this is not an announcement...LOL. Just a report on Evan. He is truly my most difficult baby by far. Today I was just in tears because he would not nap. I'm thinking of getting some advice from someone who may have had lots of children so they can give me some advice on what to do. Here's what today was like. Notice he is getting sleepy. We go out to the hardware store, I figure he will sleep either on the way there or the way back. Nope. Get home. Change him, give him some water, and we settle down to rock. I rock him for about 20 minutes during this time I do NOT lovingly gaze into his eyes, but rather think of all the things I could be doing in the 20 minutes of rocking (isn't that terrible? I can't help it tho, I just hate to be sitting down when so much is needing done!). So, I get him down good, go begin washing dishes, tidying up, feeding the pets, etc., and here him crying within 20 minutes of laying him down! UGH. I try to ignore the cries, but they don't stop. LOL So, I go pick him up and begin rocking him again (I know he hasn't slept long enough). He goes to sleep again after about 30 minutes at least, but he is really squirmy. I'm really impatient and ready to lay him down, so I do and he wakes up. So, I just let him stay in his pack and play and leave the room so frustrated. Finally, I go in the kitchen, pray a little to calm down (I'm not mad or anything, but I just need a breather to regroup, ya know, get a second wind) then I go back in and get him. I just let him stay up until this afternoon at around 5:30 or 6, he finally goes to sleep on the way to my MIL's house. He sleeps a little over an hour. I mean, that is about 1 hr 25 or so minutes of sleep for a 10 month old. Is that crazy? Now this is not everyday, but at least one nap per day, he sleeps for 20 minutes and that's it. At my mom's, he would sleep for 3 hours at the time. NEVER, here. UGH.

He is in a pack in play, nice and comfy blankets, I always change him and make sure he isn't hungry or thirsty, make sure he is good and sleepy, but not over tired. I have noise in the room (air conditioner)..he is a hot sleeper, so I put a light cover on him or none at all if it isn't chilly. I close the door and also turn on the bathroom fan that is nearby. I close the door to the dining room so for extra soundproofness.

1. He could be teething (no sign of redness, he has 7 already, no swollen gums, he DOES bite me a lot)

2. He could be still having ear problems (ear inf first part of last week) but doesn't mess with his ear much at all.

3. He could be and SO IS very spoiled.

I guess I just have to be very patient with him and know that this too will pass and is just a phase. I feeling like I am just living for his nap because he wants to be held most of the time. Sometimes he will really play good and crawling helps, but he still doesnt like me to leave his sight. Ever. I am so soft toward him as if this was my last baby and it isn't (I don't think, but today I was wondering was I insane for wanting more?) and can't stand to hear him cry-it-out for sleep. My nerves just can't take it! (Not get mad, but get so sad and emotional for him crying) I love him so much and he is the most beautiful child ever. He loves his mama more than anyone! Still, I just want him to nap like normal (one or two hours twice a day), and play some on his own.
Please pray for me because I so desperately need wisdom! I need the Lord to help me:

A. Not be so set on 'doing the next thing', getting something done, etc. Chilling out--I mean I can't tell much of a difference in my house on a schedule than not...It stays cluttered (to me) and I can't ever get clothes put up and other things. The Lord will have to help me to chill. I can't do it on my own. I'm like my mom in that way.
OR
B. Help me to know what to do with Evan and stick with it. I've tried the crying it out but I won't stick with it because I can't stand for him to cry. It affects me deeply. I just need wisdom! I don't mind rocking him if God helps me with A. (above) but I need him to sleep longer than 20 minutes!
C. Time Management. I have a schedule and that helps a lot. I'm getting schooling done and that is most important as is the Bible reading I'm doing with the kids. I still need to work on what is important in my schedule and what I could do without. Things like ironing my dh's clothes are important, but they might not get done because I will do something that I might could leave out of my schedule. I need to use my crockpot and do some advance meals. I need to use my dryer more instead of hanging out clothes. I need to ENFORCE the putting things away when you are through with them (esp for the kids). I need to be quick on the discipline if kids whine or disobey. I need to get up an hour earlier (at least).

Here's what I would like to see:
*More playing time with my children (even though I love hanging out my clothes, I could dry them so I could have the outside time with them).
*More time to read (I could get the kids in bed earlier, spend 10 minutes tidying the house, not over 10 or 15 minutes blogging, and then read)
*More time communicating and hugging/kissing my Dh (sometimes I'm just so busy I don't take time to give him a hug or a kiss--isn't that awful--someone so wonderful as him! I could make a concious effort to give him a kiss before work and when he comes home--stopping what I'm doing and greet him, etc. Snuggle on the couch before bedtime or in the mornings)
*The last thing I have got to do is to declutter my house. My house doesn't have junk piled in the corners and clutter to the point of nastiness, but my kids have way too many clothes and lots they can't wear which need to be put up...we have too many junk drawers, my book shelves are taken over by junk...just things aren't in the right places! Drives me insane. I know clutter causes soo much stress. My solution to this is I will ask my mom to keep my kids one day a week until I can get my house clutter free)

I hope this implementations will help me. I'm going to try to redo my schedule tomorrow for next week and make it work more for my advantage. I just want to have more fun with my kids AND my house run smoothly.

Isn't this a tough time with young children? I know when they are all older, they can pitch in and help and things will be better. I don't want to rush it, though, and I don't want to have any regrets about not spending enough time with them!

Thanks for listening to my book...er...blog. I'm open to any suggestions, sympathies, etc.

Firstfruits

Our first squash from our garden! We are prepared for an overabundance! Maybe I can take you for a virtual tour of my garden next week.

Send me your favorite squash recipes! LOL

Today and a few highlights...

Well, I didn't get to everything on my list today, like sweeping the porch and watering all my plants (they are looking pretty thirsty too), but I did do some out-of-the-ordinary things like rearrange the furniture in my living room (totally spontaneous) and hang a picture on the wall. Evan's evening nap was 30 minutes, so that shortened my 'free' time.

Emory wasn't as cooperative with school today. He got up around 6ish this morning and he was way tired when it came time for his individual lessons with me. I finally knew it was impossible to capture his attention, so I sent him to be. I guess there will be days like this.

We have settled into a routine and they have been doing great. My house still is not spotless, but I'm doing my Binder and keeping up to date with the cleaning. I have some major decluttering to do and I can't seem to ever get to my Focus Cleaning for the day, any, so I think I will see if my mom wants to babysit for a couple days before long so I can declutter. My goodness, the clothes that these children have. I have got to do tons of decluttering! I'm not stressing over what isn't done. I'm doing my best, we are having fun, and at least things aren't chaotic. They are rather pleasant, in fact.

Well, our children (sans Evan) sang with us tonight at church. We sang, "How Could I Ever Not Love the Lord". It was so special to sing with my children. I would love to see them develp a talent to sing songs for our Saviour!

Well, I can't quit yawning, so I will end for now. I have been keeping some really late nights this week. I might actually be able to get into bed before my husband falls asleep! :)

When Memorial Day is too much...

My darling girl gave up her precious nap to spend some quality time swimming with her daddy. She was doing her table activities while I rocked the baby, laid him down and then bathed Emory (5 yr old). After I helped 5 yr. old dress, I went into the dining room and found her like this. Who knows how long she had been sleeping in this position. So cute! I sure love being a mommy!

Come with me to my church....

Candy at http://www.keepingthehome.com/ took us to her church, so to speak, so here's what it was like at my church yesterday morning.

First of all, we arrived on time, which was nice! We fellowshipped with others for a few minutes (everyone has to ooh and aah over Evan..:) ) and then the organ begin to play, "Draw me Nearer". Our Sunday School Superintendent began the service with a little exhorting. We then were led in song, "I'll Fly Away" (we use the old red hymnals--none of this fancy 'praise' music that just makes you feel good) by a great singer and good friend in our church. After the song, our children came up front to sing (led by me). We did a few songs and then had a prayer time with the children. Next, we had prayer request. We stood and prayed over the requests and then we went on to Sunday School.

I teach the Upper Elementary (9-12 yr olds) class and we chatted for a bit before we got started. I taught on Abraham and Sarah (when they were Abram and Sarai) and God's covenant with Abram. We talked about Abraham's faith in God (descendants that are inumerable when he has no children and leaving to go to Canaan) and his lack of faith (going to Hagar to have a descendant). The students then did a Unscrambled Word Puzzle with words from the lesson. I also had a crossword puzzle as well for them. I do not follow a curriculum even tho I could. I just sort of a Bible study with them at this point.

After Sunday school, our children go to Children's Church (it is Bible teaching with skits or activities, no movies or anything--sometimes they have puppets and they sing songs...I have snuck by and listened and they really get taught the Bible) taught by a really good friend of mine who also happens to be our Interim Pastor's wife. She is a wonderful Christian woman. Our children are in church with us on Sunday nights and Wed nights.

In the sanctuary, we played an instrumental for the offering, "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" (I played piano and my husband played the acoustic guitar...we also have a bass player, drum player and organ) and then my husband, our great friend (who led the congregational singing earlier) and I sang a trio, "I Stand Redeemed". I love singing with my husband and others. We have lots of great singing great singers in our church--we are fortunate. We don't sing by tapes or anything--old fashioned in our worship service.

We heard a great message by our interim pastor (that's he and his wife in the photo with us at our baby's dedication). He read from Genesis about Noah and talked about the "Mirth, Madness, and Mercy" of Noah's experience with building the ark (how ppl made fun and were partying, the madness of getting it prepared and the mercy that God showed by giving the ppl seven more days). He related it to us, of course. It was a convicting message and he gave an altar call, but no one came forward. :/ I played the piano for the altar call and sang a song about Mercy.

We prayed in the altars (yes, we still have altar benches) for a few minutes and we went back to our seats to prepare to leave. After a few announcements, we were dismissed in prayer. After fellowshipping for a few minutes, it was time to go home.

I go to an Independent Church of God. Most are conservative in dress and are good, Godly people. We are the only family who is homeschooling and who is leaning toward a large family, but we have great friends and family there.

We had 67 in attendance there. Lots were out due to Memorial Day Weekend. We are currently in the process of 'looking' for a pastor. Our pastor of 30 years resigned/retired this year. We miss them--they were great friends of ours. We are enjoying our associate pastor's preaching--nothing but TRUTH--NEVER watered down!

Hope you enjoyed our church service!!

23 Minutes in Hell

Have you ever read the book 23 minutes in Hell? What a stirring book. I have nothing but belief that this author did indeed experience what he wrote about, but even if it was just made up, I still believe there is a hell. I can't get the images that this book conjured up out of my mind. Everlasting torment--wow. What a drastic contrast to our beautiful, serene Heaven.

Most people who argue the "Is there really a Hell" issue wonder how a loving God could send people to hell. But, he doesn't. He created Hell for the devil and his followers. Not for mankind. Mankind has a choice to chose to follow Satan or Christ. Satan's followers can't go to Heaven with Christ. It's just not possible.

My being a Christian practically all my life, I can't comprehend in the least bit why someone would want to give up or never experience true peace, I mean TRUE peace and joy that serving God does bring to one's life. I LOVE serving my Savior. My home is one of complete peace and love. I don't want to ever take it for granted. I know that it is because my husband and I have Christ in our hearts. We trust Him to direct our paths. We don't want to do anything to grieve the Holy Spirit. We wish to please God. Our lives are in His hands.

Praise Be to God for His unspeakable gift! There is a remedy (to Hell) and His name is Jesus Christ!

Craft Day

On Fridays, I'm going to try to do some sort of craft with the kids. Since we had been reading in 2 Chronicles this week, I decided to help Emory make a crown. Here's what we did:

Make a crown template (I used thin cardboard--card stock would work well)

Cut it out

Wrap it in aluminum foil

Write the names of the kings on it (we wrote Solomon, Reheboham, Abijah, Asa, and Jehoshaphat) with a marker

Hot glue some clear and colored stones (we used the kind that go into a fish tank)

Voila--you have a crown for your 'king'!

We have enjoyed our Bible reading this week!

My Day

Yesterday, I photographed my day. I am still on Dial-up, so I had Dh upload pix at work for me. Well, he did just that and they are not in order. I haven't a clue how to get things in order. So, I did not clean my bathroom or serve lunch before breakfast! :) I wish I could get it straightened out without having to delete everything and start over. It would take years to upload this many pictures with dialup. Maybe you can figure things out. Enjoy!

A Day in the Life of me

Time for little one's nap--boy isn't he happy. He is a horrible napper. It is not going so well. Surely 9 month olds are supposed to get more than an hour or less of sleep every day?!
It's time for lunch--Mac n cheese (organic & healthy :0) and carrots--OJ on the side. After lunch we read another chapter in the Bible and our Read Aloud--Aldo Applesauce. While the kids watched a short movie on Telling Time, I decided to clean the bathrooms.

A Day In the Life of Me, Part 6

Sister working on lines (getting ready to write) and eldest doing a worksheet with 'Ds'. Next, he does his own laundry and it's out to 'recess' for an hour. While we are outside, I hang out some of the kids' laundry and hubby drops by for an unexpected visit. We love these times! He serenades us on the piano. :)

A Day In the Life of Me, Part 5

After I tidied my bedroom (which I have to find the picture of), I cooked Bf which was leftover biscuits from last night's supper filled with ham and cheese (they are tiny even tho they look big). The children then do some table activities (puzzles, but it looks like they are coloring here) while I cook BF. Next, our little girl does her table chores and then we go into the bedroom to clean up the room. After we get dressed, we start on homeschool.

A Day In the Life of Me, Part 4

Time to get up! I tidy the room, change baby, and the kids get on the computer (Starfall) while I get breakfast ready. Notice my Home Management Binder falling off the couch. Evan eats breakfast and Emory takes a picture of me and Evan. Evan gives us his clown face. That's how we started our day!

A Day in the Life of Me, Part 2

Here is what I'm reading at bedtime. The laundry is unfinished business for today. It is so hard to put it away with the children sleeping without waking them! (The other pictures--I accidentally put on here and can't delete for some reason-- are of my classroom--my job that I completed on Monday. I'm now a SAHM totally)

A Day in the Life of Me

The first picture should be my clothesline that my wonderful husband made for me a few months back. I hurried and hung another load of clothes on the line while the kids were asleep. Today was the childrens' laundry day.
Next we went to church, of which I didn't take any pictures. After church, we ate pizza (late supper--quick meal on Wed nights due to church). Here we are eating. My husband had already changed clothes and would prefer me not put his picture up here.

The future musician...

Evan seems to be leaning toward and interest in music-already! Every time I walk by the piano, he leans over it and wants me to stop so he can played. He's already played this piano more than the others have.

My Darling Girl

You can't see enough pictures of my cute Farmer Girl! :o) Here is one of her looking especially cute in her upswept hairdo! The second one is of mother/daughter--and she SO looks like her daddy. It's so true that girls look like their daddy and boys like their mama--at least it is in my case!

Last day of school...

Well, actually I have to come back tomorrow, but the students aren't. It's really nice. I have loved and enjoyed being a teacher immensly, but I look forward to being with my children and really being a 'keeper' of my home. I also look forward to blogging more! I have it in my schedule! :)

Here's a picture of why I enjoyed being a teacher: Last day of school with my HS class and they brought me a cake that says, "Pregnant"? LOL

(They think that's why I'm leaving...ha)

My Farmers!

Take a look...

Look What I can do!

Can you believe it?!? He's NINE months old! What a cutie!

Fun Dessert

Just uploading a few pictures from my camera today. Here's a Fruit Pizza I made for our Ladies Meeting Monday night. It was good, but soooooo much better the day after!

Classroom Fun

I have 2 girls in my high school class who decided that I needed a new 'do'. So, today after a test, they got out the hair straightner and straightened my hair. Here's the results. Too bad it doesn't improve the face..lol. My hair hasn't ever been straightened till today. I'm so behind.

Budgeting Anyone?

After seeing a paycheck go to the wind, I, or rather, we, decided to get up a budget. Budgets have always scared me before or seemed so complicated, so I decided to make my own up. It has turned out great and we have followed it! I have SUCH a peace of mind knowing where our money is going and knowing how much we have to spend in each 'dept'.

I write in the check amt, then fill in the previous bal in the check acct. Then I subtract tithes (10%) and savings (5%). This is what I have to budget. Then I fill out all my bills that are due or will be due before the next check. I write these down and deduct from my balance.. Whatever is left, I categorize like this: Gasoline, Food (Eating out), Food (Groceries), Home Repairs, Car Maintenance, and Misc. Most of the leftover money (around 30%) goes to Gasoline. Isn't that sad?! I only get groceries twice a month, so some paychecks I don't have to allow for it. Anyway another paycheck is here tomorrow and I still have some money leftover in all the categories but one (GAS). I can't wait to do tomorrow's budget!! :o) Am I a dork or what?

Oh and I made my templates on WORD. I even have a 'table' that has the extra expenditures so we can record on it as we spend. Every night (or every other night) I take all receipts and deduct them from the category in which they apply. I update the 'table' so both Dh and I will know how much is left in each category.

I'm psyched. :o)

My Day Home

My parents are visiting my brother and his family, so that leaves me without a babysitter. I have taken 2 days off to be with my children. Today was great. I LOVE being home.

First off, we slept a little late--it was actually almost 9am before we got out of bed! It was awesome to sleep late. I usually don't get a chance to do this even when I am at home all day!

Spent a few minutes with the kiddos in bed, got up and made my bed, got dressed, got Evan dressed and changed. Hung out towels and washcloths on the line, and got the kiddos laundry in the washer. It was a GREAT day outside for hanging out clothes. I LUV my clothesline. The sun and breeze were just right for hanging out clothes. I remember thinking as I was hanging out clothes, "I wouldn't trade my clothesline for FIFTY dryers". LOL Anyway, got all today's laundry done (NOT put up..can never get that done with the napping, etc).

Got the kids room cleaned (with their help) and then I made breakfast (egg burritos). We had our Bible story right after breakfast--out on the porch in the swing. Evan napped and I started on the dishes. I had a HUGE mountain of dishes from the past 2 nights of not washing after supper. (It is so easy to put off for time spent with my family) Emory hit Erin with a chain or something and put a knot on her head, so I brought them inside to keep them close by me. Erin 'helped' with the dishes, Emory played with his dominoes on the front porch. I think I got one 'load' of dishes done before Evan woke up. I let him cry a few minutes because he hadn't been asleep but for no longer than 30 minutes. Mommy instinct told me he probably had a poopy diaper and I was right. I changed him and then we went back out on the porch where I rocked him for a few minutes while watching the others play. I laid him back down to sleep and then started back on my dishes. After awhile, the kids wanted me to come swing them, so I decided to forget the dishes and spend some time with them. So, I swung (is that right?) them for about 25 minutes or so and hung out with them for a bit (until Evan woke BACK up--hey, it's just too much fun having mom home). Then, it was the kids' naptimes, so we prepped up for naps. They had to straighten up any messes they had made. Erin went to sleep, but Emory just had quiet time. Some days he goes to sleep and other days he just has quiet time. Anyway, I got her up after 4 and they went to stay at their Gran-gran's until church time. I finally got my dishes done when Evan went back to sleep and my floors swept. That was about it for the cleaning chores: laundry, dishes, sweeping. But we got in LOTS of laughs and fun today. I love my kids!! They were so good today. My husband came in and we got to have a good time talking over a good supper (Kielbasa sausage & rice, mac & cheese, and speckled beans) without interruptions (well other than Evan). :o) We went to church, which was SO good. God is so good to me and my family. We feel such an urgency to get closer to him and make SURE our children are saturated in the Word and the things of God.

Well, it is almost 1am and I'm so glad I'm off again tomorrow. :o) Maybe I'll get to sleep late again?