Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We sure did! We were so blessed to be invited to our very best friends house. We hadn't seen them in 10 months! That's a long time. We hadn't even seen their tenth baby yet, and she's 8 mos old. Time passes so quickly and things keep getting in the way of visiting them. All of us had a great time visiting. The kids had a blast reconnecting with their friends and we had a wonderful time visiting with our friends : )

Zachary is still doing better. He is eating foods again. He's still being picky and doesn't like some things he liked before, but at least he's eating and not being so cranky anymore. I'm certainly thankful. It's so hard to have sick little ones.

We had a great school week too. We didn't accomplish much "school" but we did learn about discovering America and the first thanksgiving. We also did a couple crafts. Major accomplishment for me as I am not a craft loving person : )  We made woven placemats one day and hand turkey's the next. I'll try to get some pictures on here soon. The kids loved it. I really didn't mind it as much as I usually do. O.K...I had fun too, I admit it!

Still don't know what we're doing about the house. Depends on several things happening. And some of those things are other people, so it's out of our control. We are getting some things done. Although it's not as much as James would like, I feel like I'm accomplishing something, so I'm happy. Working on getting the house cleaned mainly. Still haven't unpacked my suitcase : )  And with switching out clothes and rooms things are a bit messy.

This week we are just going to focus on doing school everyday and cleaning the house. Maybe getting some of the extra stuff out of it too. We are also going to really focus on attitudes. Bad, mad, angry, mean, hateful, cranky, selfish, whiny, etc. attitudes. A saying I picked up yesterday "Happiness is a Choice"! That is going to be a motto around here I think : )

Have a great week!



Happiness is a Choice, and Love is a Decision

Chiropractic Care

Still waiting for the rest of the lab work on Zachary. But today I took him to the chiropractor, He had a low fever and was very cranky still when we got there. Literally as soon as the adjustment was done, he looked at me and smiled! :) He immediately seemed happier! He has been pretty happy since then! Hopefully he'll be well again now! I don't know if something was out and was causing this or not, but it definitely helped! He has nursed like normal and was actually crawling around happy and laughing! He hasn't done anything since Wednesday except mostly lay (or throw himself around) in my arms and nurse. She said he was a mess and had to work on him a bit. But it was so worth it! We are so blessed to have a great chiropractor! She's saved and works with us financially! We love her to death!

Tired

That about sums it up...Tired! I am so tired after spending several hours Wednesday night at the ER with Zachary. Then a Dr's appt the next day. Holding him and feeding him all day and all night for 3 days now. He is seeming a little happier and crankier at the same time! He doesn't seem so sick he can't move, but now he's feeling lousy and acting on it, as a 10 month old does. I feel so bad not knowing what's wrong. He has "nothing" wrong according to the urinalysis, chest x-ray, most of the blood work and an exam. Yet he has been having high fevers and is so lethargic he wasn't moving off me. The UA showed some dehydration and blood and bilirubin, which are signs of a UTI. Why it's not showing up is beyond me! I just hate that they poked his arm/hand 4 times and did a catheter. Poor baby got tortured!!! There's still a blood culture and another virus check that had to be sent out, so we'll be seeing what the results of those are, hopefully, on Monday.

We also have some stomach flu's going around. Making lots of upset tummies! It doesn't seem to be lasting long thankfully.

We haven't been getting much encouraging news from the realtors and auctioneer. So it doesn't look like we'll be selling our house 'til spring. Not too big of a surprise, but a disappointment nonetheless! We have no idea what our future holds, be we know Who holds the future!

We have been doing pretty good with figuring out what we're doing with school. Getting it done! We got the boys Math  DVD's so I think that will really help out. Not having to explain so much, and being able to use that time with the younger ones, I think will be a real blessing. The kids seem to be liking what we're using too. I found a Bible program FREE online that I want to use. I just need to get hooked up to a printer. I am doing History and Science combined and the kids are loving it. It'll be good to relearn some of it myself! I love History! I like science when it's simple too, but when it get's into the harder, middle school/high school grades I stop liking it so much : )

My house is really a complete wreck. I am really going to have to get in gear to get it clean. It would be really helpful to know what we were doing as far as moving, but I'll just have to organize away until I know for sure. I still can't do much, holding Zachary constantly. So it may be a day or two before I get really started on anything.

I went on the Vision Forum website and made myself a wishlist... It's very LONG! VERY LONG! There are so many good books out there! I am going to have to just get some at the library and used book stores I think. If I sell my diapers I think I might get a couple off there though. We'll see.

Speaking of diapers, that's part of why I need to get the house cleaned, so I can focus on getting some diapers made. That and quilts for Jason and Makenzie, and Emily soon too! So much to do and so little energy to do it.

My sister asked me to be accountability partners for exercising (and eating healthy I think?) So I think I'm going to do that with her, if she still wants me to. (Do you? :) I wasn't sure if I could cause I couldn't find the stuff I wanted to use to exercise. (ie..videos, straps..) But I found them and want to get started. Now to find a time to do it... Can't do it with kids around very well, so I'll have to figure something out...

Well, Zachary's paging so that's it for now...

Don't know?

Don't have a clue what to title this.

I am home from church again with sickies. James is sick and Zachary seems to have a fever. I had what James has a few days ago. Headache, swollen glands, and sore throat. Not fun, hopefully it will go away quick and no one else will get it. I think Zachary's is from teething. He is getting his 4th tooth on the bottom and his molars are swollen. He got all 4 of his top teeth at the same time. I have never had a baby do that before. And now his molars are getting ready to come through. I don't like babies teething.

We have had another death in the family. My Grandma's (my mom's mom) boyfriend. He recently found out he had cancer in the pancreas, liver?, and prostate. Apparently it was so bad that the Dr. didn't give him very long to live. A few months at most. They told him 6 mos. He was not sure of his salvation and was very scared to die. I don't know any details yet. I so hope he got saved! To die and not know where you're going must be awful! Pray for family members during this time please! Especially my grandma. She will have alot of decisions to make in the next few days/weeks.

I wonder if what "they" say is true? Bad things happen in three's? That's 3 deaths. I am thinking not though. It seems like there is so much bad stuff going on lately. People falling away from the Lord, churches going bad, etc... It can all be so depressing at times. I feel so overwhelmed just by everyday life and the big stuff just makes me feel like I've collapsed! The only cure for that though, is standing on the Rock. Keeping our focus on Him, Staying the course!

I'm Standing on the Solid Rock


Through my disappointments, strife and discontentment
I cast my every care on the Lord.
No matter what obsession, pain or deep depression
I'm standing on the solid rock.

I'm standing on the rock of ages,
Safe from all the storm that rages
Rich, but not from Satan's wages.
I'm standing on the solid rock.

Even though He's gone now, I don't feel alone,
With comfort came the spirit of the Lord.
Now with His hand or guide me from temptation hide me
I'm standing on the solid rock.

I'm standing on the rock of ages,
Safe from all the storm that rages
Rich, but not from Satan's wages.
I'm standing on the solid rock.

Now I'm pressing onward, each step leads me homeward
I'm trusting in my Savior day by day
Close is our relation, firm is it's foundation
I'm standing on the solid rock.

I'm standing on the rock of ages,
Safe from all the storm that rages
Rich, but not from Satan's wages.
I'm standing on the solid rock.

I remember what I forgot : )

I remembered what I forgot yesterday! Not that it's super important, but to add to my rambling... 

Yesterday I organized 2 cabinets! Woohoo! I would have said 5 but it really was just 2 cabinets with 5 doors. Either way, I got it done and I'm happy!

I also "restored" my 2 stainless steel pans. Baking soda and vinegar soak, then scrub with a scouring pad and elbow grease! Back to their former beauty! I hate have pans with brown stains on the bottom. 

Well, today I'm going to try to get "something" done. I haven't decided for sure what though... Hmmm, change out clothes, organize storage room 1, 2, or 3, organize more kitchen cabinets, clean master bedroom, unpack my suitcase, etc... The list is ENDLESS! Where shall I start?!

Don't have a clue, but I hope you all have a blessed day! I'm sure gonna try to!

Chaos :)

The good kind : )  That's what our life has been lately! So much stuff to do I don't even know where to start. We had the realtor out today. He had O.K. news. We really need to get all of our stuff cleaned up. I wish we had a place to move 'cause it'd be easier to just pack the stuff we want and move, and then get rid of (ie...garage sale) all the stuff we don't want. Not sure what I'm going to do about that.

I am so proud of myself ;) I got dinner ready before 5 two nights in a row now. Chicken 'n Rice casserole last night and Potato Soup tonight. Yummy! Now to eat and get ready for church. We're having missions revival this weekend.

I am so blessed to have such wonderful children. I love watching them crawl, play, work, etc. James Michael is such a blessing for an oldest child. Does so much to help! Madison is slowly learning to help in the kitchen now too. James Michael, Jason, and Madison made pizza sticks Tues. for lunch. They were actually pretty good. : )  Zachary is crawling everywhere. He crawls differently than my other children did. He crawls on both his knees, everyone else crawled on one knee and one foot or did the Mowgli crawl (up on both feet). He's standing up on everything and creeping everywhere. He'll be walking soon for sure!

Kathleen's been quite the character lately with her talking. Calling for her Uncle Alan (owl-in) and when I said "are you calling Uncle Alan?" she said "yep...he's not here." ??? She's so silly. And at church last night I was asking her if she remembered the kids names. One of the girls is a visitor and I asked "is she Lydia?" Kathleen was kinda indignant "that's not Lydia!" I realized she was thinking of our Lydia! And that definitely wasn't her! LOL : )

James and the boys brought home a load of wood. Gonna have to use the fireplace for heat this winter. Propane is too expensive. Guess I'll have to learn how to take care of the fire : P   I was able to find the Saxon Math videos for pretty cheap so I was able to get them for both of the boys. Hopefully it'll work great!

Well, I'd better get ready for church now. I forgot what else I was gonna post anyways : )

My Life Verse

Is. 42:16  And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.


I need to re-remember this verse. It really is such an awesome verse. To know that He is going to bring us through by ways we don't know or understand. That He will make the darkness light, and fix the messed up things. And most importantly He will NOT forsake us! He is always there! He never leaves us. Even when we are making a complete mess of ourselves. He is always there waiting for us to come back to Him and put out focus on Him. My favorite poem...

FOOTPRINTS


One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.


Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.



When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.


He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.



He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.


This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:


"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."



The LORD replied:


"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

Jumble of Thoughts

How's that for a title?! That's what this post is going to consist of though so, it's appropriate! We are still on the road. Day 3! Almost home, about an hour left to go, YAY! I'll be so glad to be out of the car, and in my own bed at last! Of course that also means unpacking, cleaning out the car, getting the house back in order, grocery shopping and getting back into our routines. : P

As for routines, school is the number 1 thing we need to get going. I am going to continue with what I'm already doing, although I'm going to alter it slightly. We will be changing up devotions. I found a cool website with daily kids devotions I may use for the boys. I will be doing a Proverbs a day, as well as a Bible story. I am going to have the girls keep writing books of the Bible and Madison's going to start copying out Proverbs 31. I am not sure what I want the boys to copy, but they all need to keep working on their penmanship. I am going to start using the Practical Mathematic books I have for them and I think we'll be getting the DIVE into Math dvd's for the boys. I am going to be using the Harvey's Grammar and McGruffey's readers for all the kids. As well as the Progressive Speller for all of them. I am not quite sure what to do for History and Science, but I'm thinking of using some of the free online books/curriculum. I'm not sure if I want to do it more unit study or individual studies. Hmm?

One thing is for sure, I definitely need to make sure to have my relationship with the Lord right! It is utterly impossible for me to be a normal nice person without His help! I am so cranky without my focus on Him. Can't seem to be patient with anyone. More like extremely uptight and flying off the handle over everything.

My kids are in some desperate need of major discipline! Which will definitely include punishment, but mainly going to be focusing on direction. They need to learn immediate obedience, kindness, thankfulness, happiness, to be helpful, to be a blessing to others, and so on and on and on and on... : )

I am going to really try to lose weight as well. Mainly by getting rid of cokes, candy, cookies, cakes and sweets in general. Also going to start some sort of exercise program. Whether by dvd's or by doing stuff with the kids. And by that I mean working out with them and playing games like tag, kickball, and such. I am so tired of being tired. It really stinks not having energy to be happy with your kids.

Going to work on cooking too. Not that I'm a bad cook : )   Just  need to do MORE cooking and more from SCRATCH! I do too much quick and easy box types meals and I'm sure that we'd be healthier if I didn't!  I just hate not knowing what to cook, feeling like we constantly eat the same thing, and feeling like I'm in the kitchen all day long when I cook from scratch!

The kids are all getting so big. We're going to be getting rid of Kathleen's binky's ASAP! She is biting holes in them, NOT GOOD! Zachary has 7 teeth now. Four of them came through at the same time. That wasn't fun. And now his molars appear to be coming through. He is walking along furniture, so it won't be long til he's off and running, literally! The girls (Makenzie and Michelle) are doing really well with their reading. Emily is recognizing the letter's she learned most of the time, and writing them pretty well. Madison and the Boys are getting very tall and are progressing in school.

We think we might possibly have a buyer for our house, which would be great! We desperately want to be able to move to CA so we can be close to our family and friends. Hopefully things will fall into place quickly and easily.