Whew..all in a day's work...

Ever had one of those days where you look back, with your tongue hanging out, and think, "How on earth did I survive today?" If you're a SAHM, I'm sure you have. Today was such a day for me! Here is a brief recap, not in any particular order:
Awoke around 6:30
Washed, dried, folded, and put away (hung out 1 load) 3 loads of clothes
Fed pets various scraps of food throughout the day, filled their pail up with water
Picked up dirty clothes from the bathroom, briefly straightened it
Washed dishes TWICE which consisted of about 6 'loads' of dishes in all
Wiped counters & stove down twice
Swept kitchen floor twice
Cooked 3 meals (Breakfast, biscuits/jelly; Dinner, Chicken n' Noodles--leftovers/Crackers/Peaches; Supper, Tomato Gravy/Rice, Sausage, Biscuits, Corn, Sweet Potato Casserole)
Wiped off dining room table three times
Swept up under table twice (think Play doh and pieces of biscuit and corn everywhere)
Swept living room twice (think Pea hulls everywhere)
Oversaw kids putting away toys in living room twice
Oversaw the cleaning of kids' room and participated
Changed out at least 5 pairs of underwear on youngest son (I'm going 'cold turkey' with the potty training!! But, I was so happy that tonight he got out of the bathtub to tell me he had to go "tee tee'!)
Said "Good Job" at least 6 or more times
Oversaw at least 7 or 8 trips to the restroom
Broke up at least 4 sibling squabbles
Comforted at least 2 or 3 boo-boos
Heard at least a dozen whinings
Lost patience a couple of times
Got hugs and I'm sorries from kiddos
Fulfilled the scriptures regarding the discipling of your children at least 3 or 4 times
Read at least 5 books, one of them over and over ("My Potty Book" as requested by youngest son)
Shelled at least 6 bowls of peas
Put up at least 10 bags of peas
Picked up numerous peas off of floor
Rescued at least 100 peas from youngest son's grasp
Took at least 5 various objects out of youngest son's mouth (what is the deal???)
Read 4 chapters from the Bible (while shelling peas)
Got out of pajamas after 12 pm
Brushed teeth around 4pm (thankfully we didn't see anyone before then)
Answered about 5 phone calls]
Never put on shoes
Never brushed and styled hair
Took a 20 minute nap with youngest son
Bathed and dressed two kiddos, brushed teeth, said prayers, and turned out lights
Took 5 minute bath
Collapsed in chair at 12:30am
Peas still cooling.............

I LOVE MY LIFE!

Monday's My Day...

Hello, everyone! I hope you had a pleasant Monday. The weather was fairly warm today. Actually it was one of those days in which you go out and feel nothing. Not a chill or heat. The sun wasn't out or the breeze blowing. We spent a good bit of time out of doors and I really enjoyed getting out without freezing! :o)

Well, my day started a little after 6 this morning. It was nice to get up without having to build a fire. I do *so* enjoy sitting by the fire, reading my Bible, but it was nice not freezing until the fire catches up! :o) I really love my old-fashioned home! :o) My devotion this morning was from 2 Timothy and after a quick prayer, I started on my day. My goal is still to get up at 5 consecutively and I know I would really reap rewards. Anyway...

The house was pretty messy a gift from our Sunday's being so busy now (Christmas play practice on Sunday afternoons), so I had my work cut out for me. Making bread, cleaning the kitchen, straightening and sweeping the Living Room/Dining Room...whew! The kiddos got up...Evan officially pitter-pats into the living room now instead of calling me until I come in to get him. It is sooooo stinking cute! Erin is a really late riser, which works out fine because she is no-napping right now (except on days where I know she will get into bed late). We had hashbrowns for breakfast, which were really good, but once again, I didn't cut up enough potatoes. Mental note to self, *use 4 potatoes instead of 3*. Yours truly got the slighted plate. :o)

During Evan's nap, we did our Bible reading and Read Aloud. We have 2 more chapters in Black Beauty. That book is really, really good. I don't know if the children have followed every single happening, but for the most part, they are attentive (not as much as with Pinocchio). The next book we will read is The Call of the Wild by Jack London. I have never read that one before, so I'm excited! :o) Oh, I fogot to mention that while I was doing some of my usual kitchen/Lr/DR straightening, the kids pulled all the cushions off of the couch, sheets off of the beds, comforters, pillows, etc. and made *caves*. Do your kids do this too? It drives me crazy if it is not laundry bedding day! (But of course, I just let them be kids, but inwardly it is driving me bonkers). Today happened to be laundry day for our bedding (oh and that is so *not* today's laundry pic above...it was definitely not a clothesline kind of day) so they had a good time playing on the bedding.

Daddy came home during this time to get our van to take it to get the brakes fixed. They were scrubbing something horribly. This took a nice chunk of Christmas spending money, but oh well, I'm just glad we had it! Poor hubby, he is having to eat liquids and broths for several more days now! Please pray for him that the Lord will give him strength to make it through these next few days.

We spent a lot of time outside, playing with Emory's remote control airplane and swinging and such. At one point we played freeze tag and even Evan would join in (*unfreezing* us). We had a 3 car pile up one time--with all 3 kiddos on top of yours truly! I got to do a little bit of yard work which is something that *desperately* needs doing. My yard is very unkempt right now. I love being outside, but preferably with the conditions are favorable. :o)

We did our schoolwork in spurts, with Reading taking the longest. I really am having a problem with losing my patience with Emory during Reading. I am having trouble deciphering whether or not his trouble with deciphering is legit. Some words like *has* and *had* or something like that, he has been saying for several months now. All of the sudden, he will have trouble with it. He spilled the beans to me one day a few weeks ago that he had *known the word, but just didn't want to say it*. I have been leary of his ability since then. He is definitely the *son of Adam*. :op Anyway, it took us an hour to read our lesson. Really. I was so tired and frustrated, but the Lord helped me with most of it. ;o) Science and History were a breeze. Daddy did his Language with him (English buff that he is). I still love homeschooling! My goal is to get homeschooling to where I just do *that* during the day (like from 9-2pm or something). I'm sure that's what I'll do when I have 2 or 3 in school at one time.

I got my favorite magazine, No Greater Joy, in the mail today, so I read it while the kids and I ate Spaghetti for a late lunch (did you get your magazine?). It proved wonderful yet again. So encouraging--the articles were so timely. Praise God for a ministry like they have--unashamed to bodly proclaim what we *must* hear for the sake of our families!

This evening was spent cleaning off my porch while the kids played in the *ahem* mud outside. They weren't literally *in* the mud, but they had toy horses, cows, etc., who were *drinking* the muddy water. They did get a bit dirty! :o) So....my porch got clean. :o)

We didn't have supper, because I'm having somewhat of a reprieve in my cooking since hubby can't eat just *anything*. I'm enjoying it because I know I will be ready to cook again when it is time. The kids and I had applesauce or yogurt.

They got baths and after a few stories *told* by daddy and read by me, they are tuckered out. Another day, more memories. Speaking of one, I was on the phone talking to a dear, dear friend (our pastor's wife who has become a wonderful friend to me) when I suddenly didn't hear my littliest one and I suddenly remembered that we had been painting in the living room which prompted my thoughts to the paints lying *open* on the chair. Evan had *painted* the chair and had spilled the water that we were dipping our brushes in. He had streaks of paint on his face and of course, was looking so innocent! It was a video moment. :o)

Well, as for me, I'm feeling a bit under the weather today. I've pressed on, ignoring the bulging sinuses and scratching throat, but I'm scared at what I might be feeling like tomorrow (some faith, huh?). My mom has the, get this...FLU, so I'm really, really unsure of what tomorrow might bring. I have my cup of Elderberry/Peppermint tea and have gulped it down as if I've *found the cure*. :o)

Well, I hope you've had a lovely day. Thanks for reading about mine. You would've had lots of smiles and laughs had you been here today. I would've had you folding laundry or something! :o) Which, wait....you probably had lots o' laughs at your place and probably a *spot* of laundry folding as well????

Good night and God bless!

What Went on Wednesday..

Got up: 6:40am...I slept a little later today because my husband had to go out of town, so he left about 4:30am...needless to say, I *didn't* get up that early..I had ironed for him the night before.

Had my quiet time...read from Acts 19-20...loving Acts...so appreciate the disciples' (esp Paul's) dedication to telling others about Christ, amidst persecution.

Had just enough time to get some wood from the woodpile and go to the mailbox to mail some letters (it was COLD doing all of this) before child #1 woke up (Erin) immediately followed by child #2 (Evan). The rest of the morning prior to Child #3 waking up (Emory) was spent folding and putting away laundry, rebooting laundry, hanging up laundry, etc. I'm still not caught up, but things are better.

Breakfast was: Waffles...they were soo good, but I made half the recipe and *I* ended up with only a tiny waffle. I had forgotten that I'm fixing Evan his own food now on his own plate so that made up an extra waffle. :o) Oh, and a small tip inserted here: If you're like me and don't like *artificial* foods, then you probably stay away from pancake syrups (read: high fructose corn syrup). I've always bought Maple Syrup, but it is soooo expensive. Last time I grocery shopped, I got Pure Cane Syrup instead because it was $2 and some change cheaper. It is really good and not much difference in taste than the maple syrup--maybe just a bit bolder in flavor, not as sweet. Anyway, just thought I'd share that.

After breakfast, the kids made their beds and got dressed. I made a big batch of chili and got a shower while the kids watched a bit of educational cartoons. I made a feeble effort to wash some dishes, but that didn't get far. :o)

Now, here's the good part: I met 2 other friends for a breadmaking bash. We met at our church's fellowship hall, ate chili, and baked 4 loaves of bread. My kids played with their kids (well, one friend has a 7 month old, so he slept mostly) the whole time--in the church gym--so it was so nice to talk and bake our bread. This was sort of a tutorial for them and their bread turned out better than mine! :o) Beginner's luck! :o) J/K. Wish I had pics to share, my batteries had died in my camera. Anyway, it was fun and we had a good time. I talked to one of the gals (my pastor's wife who is becoming a great friend!) and she said that a whole loaf was already eaten by tonight! :o)

The kids had so much fun playing with her kids so they were really tired tonight at church. Emory wrote a love note to the little girl he played with, Maddie. :o) I think he may have a crush! :o) Anyway, my mom took them home with her tonight, so I'm looking forward to another cleaning/organizational project tomorrow! Be sure to come by to see what I'm up to! Have a great night!

Monday's My Day

Wondering about my day?

We didn't get up until 8ish and it was very cold inside, which made us want to stay in bed. I got up, donned my slippers and built a fire. We have some very good lighter so it didn't take long to get the fire blazing. I wandered around getting nothing done until 9 or so and was feeling so frustrated about not getting anything done. So, I put my clothes on, shoes, fixed my hair and made a list. Those things always help me get going! I made a list of all the things I wanted to get done and separated them into hour blocks. Dishes, washing/hanging out clothes, making tea was in the first hour while the kids played. Second hour was chores for the kids, getting dressed for the kids, and our devotion/story time. Third hour was going to the store, lunch, and making a cake for my Father-in-law. Fourth hour was schoolwork, blogging, and cleaning off the front porch. The only one I got to was schoolwork. :o)

After the kids were up I made the cake (see the picture), which is a carrot cake and turned out scrumptious!! I also made supper (pork chops, corn, string beans, and biscuits) which didn't turn out too good because I was busy with the cake and also rushing because I had a piano lesson at 6:15. After my piano lesson, we went up to my in laws and celebrated my FIL's 58th birthday. We had a good time and didn't leave until almost 10.

Erin found a really cold lizard today that let her keep it. We even found it this morning too and warmed it by the fire. Erin, the nature, animal lover! :o)

That was my day.....Busy as EVER, but rewarding.

Monday's My Day

Hello, dear friends, how are things in your world? The weather has turned off crisp and very cool this evening. At this moment, I have my socked feet buried in between the couch cushions where they are searching for warmth. Don't you love the changing of the weather, though? It reminds me just how so not boring God is.
I suspect that we will fire up the logs tomorrow in our fireplace for our first fire of the cold snap. I love to have the wood-burning fire place going with the logs snapping in the heat. Oh my, it is going to be nice being home this winter, keeping the 'home fires' burning, coming in and drinking hot cocoa after playing outside with the kids, getting on a pot of soup and warm bread ready for supper, wiping cold, runny noses, getting to enjoy the Christmas tree all throughout the day, baking more Christmas goodies, getting ready for family and church get-togethers without having to rush, rush, rush, and fix something at the last minute. Yes, God has granted me the desire of my heart. Has He granted your's? Are you allowing Him--perhaps having a little faith in the matter? I pray you will. He would love to give you the desire of your heart, especially if it is the pleasure of your staying home with your precious jewels. In fact, if you're not staying home with your precious jewels, won't you pray and see if you are truly pleasing God in putting your children second best to your job? I did it--put them second-best--and it hurt so desperately for me to admit that--I tried every way to keep from admitting that they were second best. I loved them more than I did my job, but I was still not putting them first. I was with my job more than with my children. I was not even putting my husband first. I could not wash his clothes, cook his meals, be prepared as a wife as I needed to be for him and still be married to my job. I appreciate the Lord allowing me to have a wonderful job that I loved and so enjoyed, but I'm so glad that he gently tugged on me and invited me to come home. :o) He is so good. It is so good to be home.
Well, what went on at my home today? First of all, we got up around 8ish to a chilly morning. My wonderful husband took off today so he and his dad could speed up the bathroom renovations a little. It was so nice to have him home, even if he did spend more time with the bathtub than with me. :oP Just to have him around is so, so nice. They got to work pretty fast and I cooked them up some Oatmeal Muffins, which were so good. Mom volunteered to keep the children so I could help with the renovations, if needed, and also so Evan could nap (his sleeping area is right next to the bathroom). I got them seen off with mom and got started on my day. My house was near disaster, being Monday and all (Sunday is REST day..) so it took awhile just to straighten it up. I started with the Living room, taking stuff back to their proper rooms, fluffing the pillows, sweeping, and even mopping. Then I moved on to the Dining Room, doing the same. Next came the kitchen, where I washed dishes, wiped off the counters, and swept. By this time, it dinner-prep time, so I began getting ready. I made Meat Loaf and while that was cooking, I cut up potatoes for mashed potatoes. To finish it off, I warmed up some String Beans from yesterday's dinner, and cooked a pan of cornbread. We had Cherry Torte for dessert (also leftover). It was a satisfying meal and there wasn't much left! :oP We were glad to have my FIL eat with us. After dinner, I washed up the dishes, straightened up the kitchen, etc. You know today is Bed linens wash day, so all this time, I am washing bedclothes, hanging them out to dry (it was a wonderful day to hang out clothes), and putting them on the beds. Emory stayed today to 'help', so I did some schoolwork with him (having to 'motivate' him on several occasions). My mother-in-law came by to see the progress (which, indeed, involved putting the bathtub in the bathroom and doing some plumbing) and she helped me get the beds made and took Emory with her to her house. I put up my laundry from last Thursday (my clothes) and then worked on the kids' room for a while (it is always TERRIBLE on Monday). I finally called mom around 6 to see why she hadn't called, turns out she had been trying for a WHILE and the phone was dead, so it wasn't ringing. Anyway, I think she was initially upset, but she is over it now (can't help what can't be helped) and I got the kiddos back. Picked up Emory from his Cartoon daze (I was pretty upset at him because he was watching some teenage cartoons that we definitely don't let him watch) and brought him back home. I fixed Chocolate chip whole wheat pancakes for supper (pretty good--way too rich, IMO) and Erin and I had goat milk with ours (my mom is back getting goat milk for us..yay) which was pretty good after I strained the curdles out of it. :o)
Now, everyone is in bed (as they should seeing it is 12:00am) and the house is getting really cool. My house looks soo cozy this evening. It is really clean, the lamps are on, my children are sleeping peacefully, my husband loves me and is going to be so warm in the bed (he is my heater..I'm like an ice cube) and why in the world am I still on here? :o)

See you tomorrow, Lord willing. I can't decide if I'm going to blog on Procrastination or Modesty. Hmmm....be sure to come back for a visit.

Love to all!

Wednesday's What's Going On?

Hello, dear friends. Autumn is definitely here and after yesterday's few inches of rain, today has been cool and breezy. Crisp. Don't you love it when the weather gets crisp? Today Evan and I mowed a little grass and the crisp wind hit our face and it was enough to make me say, Ah, Thank you Lord for the different seasons! One thing God isn't and that's Boring! :o)

So, what's going on with us? Well, life is busy and going at the speed of light. Every day we make memories, laugh, cry, stress, are at peace, and in the midst of it all are busy. I enjoy the routine things we do: the making of the beds, the hanging out of the clothes (I so love this, it's therapy), the reading of the Word with my children, the reading of Black Beauty, the fixing the lunches and breakfasts, hearing my children say the blessing, the scooter riding of my son (in the house, every day), my daughter playing with the kitten most of the day, imaginative play coming from my kids' room, changing the baby's diaper, consistent nursings, watching my baby shake his head after he eats something he doesn't like, learning to read with my oldest, saying prayers at night, bathing, tucking in, hearing my little girl say, "Is it time for you to lay with me?" :o) All of that makes a day just so wonderful.

What's new going on with me? Well, this week I am starting to take a Probiotic called, ThreeLac. It is supposed to help or get rid of the overgrowth of Candida Albicans in the body. Candida overgrows and takes over the good bacteria when one takes antibiotics and/or has stress, eats too much sugar, etc. Some signs of it include Irritable Bowels, Fogginess (Brain fog, anyone?), Stomach cramps, Allergies (ME!!!!!!!!!!!) and Asthma (ME!!), skin rashes (ME, too), and other symptoms. Mostly everyone has it. Anyway, I'm giving some of the probiotic to Emory too. He has some of the same symptoms as I. I have also started taking Flax Oil capsules for the Omega 3s and giving the kids Cod Liver Oil for Omega 3s and other benefits.

Hmmm...what else? Oh, I got me some new glasses last week and I really like them a lot. It has been years and years since I had a new pair and mine were so outdated. I'm enjoying the new 'look'.

Emory is learning, learning in his schooling. He is reading more each day and learning about stuff in HIstory that I never learned about (pyramids, mummies, that sort of stuff). He can do a page of adding in no time. He is really good at math.

My little princess of a darling is soo much fun to be around. She is getting taller as I have noticed she can look at herself in her mirror. Tonight she was taking off her shoes and her dad and I commented on how she had left her shoes off all through church. We were so proud of her. She grinned and gave us a 'thumbs up'--except it was her pointer finger. LOL.

Evan has been 'counting'. I can't believe it. He loves to play outside with the others. He will get right in the dirt with the other two. I can sit back and relax more and watch them play together. He is starting to copy them. Tonight in church, they had FunPads to draw and color in...well he had to find him one as welll. He is growing up and learning some new words!

I have this huge bouquet of flowers growing in a stick pile in our field. They are gorgeous. We went and picked a bouquet and I'll leave you with a picture. We also picked some pears from our trees and I *hope* I get around to peeling and slicing them before they rot!

What else? Oh, we gave our new puppy away to a good home. I really missed him the first couple of days he was gone. He is a *hog* dog so we gave him to a little guy that hunts hogs. He is my former student and I think he will take good care of him. :o/

Tonight was Fried Pork Chops, Garlic cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Peas, and cornbread. Dessert was Pecan Pie Muffins. It was a pretty nice supper! We had to rush at it before time to get ready for church.

Gotta go to bed if I'm to get up again with my sweet husband. God bless you, dear readers! :o)

Monday's My Day

Well, time to get back to blogging....

Come onto my front porch, sit down, and let's chat!

I have not been keeping to my getting up before the sun rises routine. I found that I would have about one 'good' prayer time/Bible reading per week and the rest I was falling asleep, incoherent. I am learning that what works for some may not work for me. So, for now, I'm getting up around 7ish and getting my Bible reading and prayer time done during the day. Sometimes, I will feel the 'urge' to pray at no certain time and I've found that works for me best. That is truly when the Lord meets with me the most--when His Holy Spirit gently nudges me to get down on my knees. Anyway, live and learn....

I do wish I was better at getting up with my husband and ironing and fixing breakfast, etc. I am such a failure in that dept. I guess if he minded too badly then I would get up and do it, huh? ;o) He is just too nice to get me up from my peaceful sleep. :o) I know my mom and MIL both get up with my dad/dad-in-law at 4:00/4:30. Well, I'll just try to do better. That's what we can do, right?

Today's chores have been: doing our bedding laundry, drying outside, putting back on the bed, general picking up, wiping down appliances including washer and dryer (I got a 'new' one over the wk end), cooking, and just general picking up (did I say that already???)

Today's menu included: Oatmeal with maple syrup and raisins, Salmon and bake potatoes for lunch (the BP were already in the frig), and for supper we will have Black Bean and Salsa Soup. I can post recipes if anyone is interested.

Actually, tonight is our monthly ladies' meeting and we are taking finger foods. I am taking Apple dip and Apples: Two pkg Cr Cheese, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 tbs of Vanilla. That's it. Yummy!

The kids have been playing and playing today. In fact, I did a lot of their normal chores because they were so busy playing that I hated to disturb them. I don't feel bad about this. :) I love it when they play. At one point, all of them were playing in the dirt. Even Evan. Their play was very imaginative today. That's what I like.

My MIL got Erin a Tele-Tubbies outfit at a yard sale (which I don't like Teletubbies, but my kids do) and she wore it for 3/4ths of the day. I'll leave you with a picture of her out playing in the dirt in her outfit! LOL It was hilarious.

We are so enjoying our new pastor and family! Wow, we heard some great preaching (some from the nursery...ugh) this weekend!! Anyway, things are going great with them and we are soaking in the unadulterated Word of God being preached (not that it wasn't before, you kwim).

Okay, well we have some more schooling to do...Emory wants a plum peeled (my kids have been eating tons of fruit today)....and I need to finish my soup for supper.

Lots of love to my readers!