School

Well, we took an unusually long break from school while I revamped. The big switch was going to the computers. The kids are using Switched On Schoolhouse. They absolutely LOVE it! I believe that learning should be fun. It sparks curiosity, interest, and desire to keep on learning. It has been fun, but not without the trouble also. We had one computer that needed cleaning up, and in the midst of it all realized that our Mac would not be compatible without a lot of other software, so we bought a new computer. But now that most of the kinks are out, we are able to enjoy.

We completely changed our schedule and chores to allow more flexibility to our time. M, W, F are our main school times, that is 7 subjects on the computer and 2 workbooks to go through. Along with that, piano and chores. T, Th we made more of our fun/project times. So we do P.E and more character work on those days and sewing, baking, and Hunter has more building time in there. It has been nice. It gets everyone excited for something, which is awesome.

I love being able to homeschool because it allows me to revamp when needed and make sure everyone is getting what they need. But most of all, it helps me keep on track.

I am learning that as time goes, the most important thing in being a parent, is sacrificing your wants. There will be plenty of time for me, but to invest my time in them, while they are still here. Teaching them, loving them, growing them all for Christ. It is an amazing calling and one that I am learning takes a lot of effort on my part, but most of all a lot of my time spent on my knees. I am so thankful.

I pray that all of you are doing well. Sorry for no pictures as I still can't find my cord. I am ripping out carpet tomorrow and putting in wood floors. Perhaps I will find my cord so that I can post some pics. It should be interesting. :)

Pictures from Christ Led Family

As I said before I really admire the Maxwell family and all their sacrifices they have made for their family. It was truly an amazing experience to hear them speak again. After the Saturday sessions we took the Maxwell family out to Sweet Tomato's. Luckily for us, it was one of their favorite places to eat.

Mrs. Maxwell and I with Mady.

Bret and I helping with packing up. He just makes me laugh, I feel so blessed to have such an amazing man in my life.

One of the sessions was for the younger children learning to make balloon animals for evangelism. We bought 2 packs of balloons and 3 pumps. Needless to say, I have balloons everywhere.

I realize how important it is to stay encouraged, but most importantly how much my life depends on my Jesus. My precious quiet time with him in planning, discipline, training, and everyday walk. It isn't the easy road that we took, but one of struggles. This family has been through it all and shares openly of the how and why's of their decision. I really appreciate that. I am not perfect and I don't desire to see perfection, I want to see reality and transparency. You get that with this family.

You can visit their site at http://www.titus2.com/ for more info on their books and CD's. You will not be disappointed.

On a side note, Sunday evening I fainted and hit my head on the door frame of our bathroom. I was taken by ambulance to the ER where I was found to be just fine. I opted for butterfly sutures instead of stitches, because having 5 kids is easier than having a wound cleaned out. Being the big wimp that I am. :)

Life has been good as we rearrange our furniture, again, because life isn't exciting enough. I have taken to making our own bread, rolls and bagels, and they have been a huge hit. I will post the recipes here in the next couple of days.

It is cold and rainy for a first in a long time and I pray it won't be the last till spring. But who knows. I do know that I am enjoying each precious moment of winter because it ends way too fast.

I pray you all have a precious weekend. I will post again real soon.

A Christ Led Family Conference

A family that I truly admire is the Maxwell family. They have a site http://www.titus2.com/. They have a wonderful ministry of encouraging families as they walk their walk with the Lord and home schooling. I LOVE them!

I invited them back along with our home school group to a conference this weekend. Last night was their music and testimony night and today, a day full of encouraging sessions. The best part is that it is all FREE!

If you ever get a chance to hear them speak or are able to host a conference, please do, you will not regret it at all.

The one thing I really admire about the family is that their goal is to show how God has worked through their lives. With anger, depression, etc., they show you what God has done to get them where they are now. They give all the glory to God. They are not perfect, though it may appear so on the outside, but their lives were truly transformed.

Well, it is almost 8:00am and I still have some getting ready to do before we leave for the church. I hope you all have a blessed weekend.

Oh, and don't forget to have the peace of the Lord, resting in Him.

Starting Over

Have you ever messed up, realized it, sulked over it, and then tried to start over. To me right now that is my parenting journey. Life hasn't been easy. Dealing with Hunter going back and forth between two homes has never been my ideal, and it hasn't been easy. Dealing with other adults who communicate differently and even worship differently.

I am learning a lot about the person I have become and the many changes I need to make, to be there for my kids, to have their hearts. It won't be an easy journey, changing 33 years of me, but I believe that my motivation is great and my God is greater.

You see, I have never been a play, fun mom. I have a lot of work to do. Character training, discipline, cleaning, cooking, changing diapers, schooling, etc. So fun isn't always my priority. Do we laugh and such, but mom isn't always involved. The kids always have fun things to do. But now I am learning that I need to change myself to gain their hearts and keep their hearts. For my happiness and for their souls. Being a mom is hard work, home schooling is hard work. So I am going to change.

So today to start, we went for a walk, we made peanut butter playdough and laughed. I didn't make a big fuss over the little things, I let them go and smiled when discipline needed to happen. It will always be baby steps right now as I retrain myself. I will keep you updated as I go. May you be encouraged to make changes where you need. :)

Some of my favorite blogs...

I always love to see where people travel on cyberspace. Especially blogs. I know for myself I am extremely picky of where I go and what I choose to read. So I thought I would post a few of my favorite places to visit when I have time.

My favorite blogs:

http://www.asailingjourney.blogspot.com/
http://www.idreamtidweltinmarblehalls.blogspot.com/
http://www.growingupgracefully.blogspot.com/
www.titus2.com/blog
http://www.pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com/
http://www.strivingtoserveathome.blogspot.com/ (if you visit her site before Tuesday Jan. 12, you can register to win a monogrammed bag).
http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/
http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com/
http://www.hillbilliehousewife.com/

I think that is the majority of them. I hope you enjoy sailing around the web. If you don't mind leaving me some of your favorites in the comment section. Thanks so much. God bless.

Too Long

It has been way too long since I have posted. Sorry about that. Unfortunately as I was cleaning up one day I misplaced my USB cord for my camera to download pics and now I cannot find it anywhere. So hopefully I will recover it shortly.

Our holidays were awesome! We told the kids this year that there wasn't a santa because we wanted our Christmas to really be Christ centered. They took it like troopers. It was actually kind of funny, and next year it will be really nice to be able to take them out shopping and spending time with them.

My husband took off 12 days! That was unbelieveably awesome! It was so great to have him at home for so long and I know that the kids really loved it as well. We just really hung out and he went to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

This year, well, I am not big for resolutions, but I do have a few goals in mind. Organizing our school, making more things from scratch, sticking to a budget, and just enjoying my kids more.

We have been going to a new church, that is smaller and it is awesome! I love it. Our church family is so wonderful, I feel beyond blessed and after much searching have found our home. The kids love it as well, and having like minded people around really keeps you focused.

Mady is going to be 7 months in a few days and it is amazing how sweet she it. She has 2 little teeth on the bottom and hates baby food. It is funny, I think she was doing it for me, but she could care less, though she does love those biter biscuits. It gets all over her and she get cute and crunchy. I love it.

Other than that, it has been pretty boring here at home, which I don't mind. In March we will be leaving on a cruise to Mexico and that hopefully will be a lot of fun!

Well, I will be on the lookout for our camera USB cord and when I find it, you will have tons of pics to look at.

God bless you all. Thank you for being so patient during the holidays.

Mady's First Taste of Cereal

She is so cute! I cannot resist her at all. I truly absolutely love and adore her. I do my other children as well, don't misunderstand me, but there is something about her that makes my heart melt. I am not a proponet of pushing solids on baby's. I love to nurse and do that for a long while. But when they start grabbing at your hand while you are eating, or watching your every bite, then I know they are interested. Otherwise, it is just wasted food, time and mainly for mom. :) That is my humble opinion.

Mady has been trying to grab my hand and tablecloth for awhile now and I finally broke down. One thing I have learned in my years of feeding little ones is a bottle works great with the nipple cut open a little bigger. It is less mess and they can work to hold the bottle which is awesome! This is just something little I have learned and works for us. So we tried with the spoon first, but she seemed to enjoy the bottle more.

One thing I did that I completely spaced on was nurse her before eating. I know, duh, but it is something we have just done, so she didn't gag, didn't spit it out, and seemed to enjoy it. So tomorrow, food first, nurse later. It is amazing even after 5 the things that you space. :)

She kept grabbing my hand to shove it to her mouth. We were all laughing. She really enjoyed it.

"Where's the food?"


Trying with the spoon. It went well, but the bottle was much more exciting.

She really could care less. So tomorrow is a new day and we will see what she decides to do.

Having a baby in the house is always fun. I love their smiles, smells, giggles, and especially when they hear their voices. It just warms my heart and humbles me greatly. I don't deserve any of them, yet the Lord loves me to bless me with all of them. I am truly blessed by each one of them. I couldn't imagine a day without them, without caring for them, even through the arguing and bickering and everyday life.

I cannot wait for more and pray each night for another little one to rest in my womb. Sounds crazy to some, but when the Lord changes your heart from not having any more and having a vasectomy, to wanting and desiring more and having reversal and it worked! Well, God is the one who changes hearts. I am thankful for His work in me.

God bless.