Lazy Sunday

I had a really nice Sunday!! We went to Sunday School and church services and then came home and cooked to go to my aunt's house down the road for a BIG meal.  All of our company (which are also family) and all my family that lives on the loop (we live on a road around a pond we call the loop) which is my grandmother, brother and his family, my cousin and her family, and my aunt- joined us for potluck. We had a great meal packed with many many calories! I also got a chance to join my aunt and quilt and then we had an enjoyable time just sitting and visiting with them all. Sundays always seem to be relaxed and everyone can enjoy doing the simple things in life. For us the best part is hanging out with the family doing unstructured things... we hardly ever get time to do this otherwise. I am really blessed to have such a great family and to be able to see them as often as I do!!

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."  Joshua 24:15

Companies Here!

Company made it in. We have four adults and two kids to add to the household. This should be fun! They are staying for a week and hopefully I will have time to enjoy it. Between all the ballgames and practices and the extra babysitting I have taken on lately I am not sure what my name is most days. We have practices at least four times a week, swim lessons once a week, games at least twice a week, and church three times a week, sewing time for my etsy shop, plus I just agreed to sit the twins three times a week! Why do I do this to myself? I love to be busy but this is getting a little ridiculous. This will be my life my the next 18 summers lol. I am trying to remember that it is really such a blessing that we are able to do all these things and that I have work so whenever it gets really hectic I chant in my head "I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed!" to remind myself to take a breather and remember getting to the game a little late isn't the end of the world! I am gearing up for summer fun!!

He has showed you... what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Plague of Locusts

Not only has our neck of the woods been in a stream of bad weather... including many flooded areas and several tornadoes... now we have locusts EVERYWHERE! It reminds me of what Bible times plagues must of been like (okay maybe not that bad but grotesquely bad) The trees are all covered with them and our playhouse has them everywhere. When you walk through the yard they fly up on you!! 

Their hard shells are all over under the swing and porch and the boys have been picking them off and putting them on their shirts. They cling there while they run around having a great time scaring me with them. They are about 2 inches long with red eyes. I am not a bug person and this really freaks me out. They say that these come out every thirteen years, but all my family who has lived here forever says they have never seen any like these. No matter where they come from or how often I am sooo ready to be rid of them. EWWW!

pile of dead ones at the bottom of the tree

shells all over the tree in our front yard

playhouse with locusts everywhere and branches from yet another storm

close up of the nasty little things

ONE DAY AT A TIME, SWEET JESUS

I'm only human, I'm just a woman. 

Help me believe in what I could be 

And all that I am. 

Show me the stairway, I have to climb. 

Lord for my sake, teach me to take 

One day at a time. 

Chorus: One day at a time sweet Jesus 

That's all I'm asking from you. 

Just give me the strength 

To do everyday what I have to do. 

Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus 

And tomorrow may never be mine. 

Lord help me today,  show me the way 

One day at a time. 

Do you remember, 

when you walked among men? 

Well Jesus you know if you're looking below 

It's worse now, than then. 

Cheating and stealing, violence and crime 

So for my sake, teach me to take 

One day at a time.

Home Sweet Home

We made it to my sisters and back with no problems. It was a three hour trip so not a big deal. I am glad to be home although that means a lot of work to be done. We have company coming to stay with us for the week starting on Friday. The wedding went well (except for the millions of mosquitoes!) They decided to have an outdoor wedding beside the river and it just so happened that the mosquitoes decided to come out in droves that day. We all have whelps all over us!! Poor Sweet Cheeks has a big one right on his left cheek. Soon after the ceremony we ducked out and made a mad dash for the motor home. I think they really wanted us to stay but even free food couldn't keep us there this time which normally would be more than enough reason to stay. Feeding our family is no easy task! Hope the weekend was just as enjoyable to all of you ;) Now all I need to do is cook, clean, and take kids to baseball practice. Wouldn't be so far behind if I hadn't snuck a nap in after dentists appointments :o

Wedding Trip

We are off to my nephews wedding 5 hours north. We are all packing into my parent's motor home(all 9 of us). This should be fun! lol I will fill you in from my phone if I can as we progress. Hopefully we will not kill each other on the way :) Talk to ya in a few.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:18-31

Brokenhearted

We are greatly saddened today as we have just heard about a close church friend's son has passed away in a motorcycle accident. He leaves behind a wife and a three and a half year old daughter. Please remember this family in your prayers and pray for acceptance of this tragic event. May the Prince of Peace guide them through this difficult time.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34: 18

Memory Lane

We have FINALLY decided to pull up the nasty carpeting in our kitchen and bathroom and put in carpet tiles that can be replaced as they get stained and that way we can still keep carpet (I for one think carpeting in a kitchen or a bathroom is CRAZY especially with five kids in the house, but it is my mom's house so...). The bathroom will at least have real tile next to the tub and toilet. The floor underneath brought back lots of memories. This is the floor that was put in when the house was built about 35 years ago by my grandpa and parents. I remember playing on it (and mopping it on my hands and knees) as a child. The paneling speaks for itself!! I cannot believe this was the style back then and that my parents have kept it this long!! I have to admit I will miss it though. I have become accustomed to the ugly green and yellow coloring and the house will not be the same without it. Just another step to my old house being modernized. It is exciting and sad all at the same time. Hopefully more changes to come soon to this old house.

removing carpet from kitchen

my dad in on the action

Wild Thing loved working with tools

this is our old floor and paneling... cute right! lol

Tenderheart removing staples for us

the bathroom getting the same treatment

And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.  Deuteronomy 26:11

God's Plan

Another day so busy that nothing was accomplished! How can a person be busy all day and get nothing done?? I had one extra one (a 3 yr old cutie) to babysit and my five kiddos plus two more neighbors (they are also cousins) that were in and out. I did get out to walk with them twice for short strolls, but other than that I can't tell you what I did that took up sooo much time!! I love my big family but just wish I didn't need to sleep so that I could get everything accomplished. This life although extremely hectic is absolutely wonderful! I can't imagine a better one (unless I had a cook and a maid). What would I ever do without kids... I think as my aunt told me about herself yesterday (she had six kids) that God knew I needed a bunch of children so that I wouldn't be so selfish. Maybe if I had no children I would spend my days at the spa, shopping, and traveling-not thinking at all of others. Thank you Lord for knowing me well enough to give me the life that keeps me humble and compassionate!! Your plans for me are for good and I trust in You to take care of me in the best way and lead me to the paths that are best for me.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."Jeremiah 29:11

Hot Hot Hot!!!

    Well it is another day filled with kids! I am exhausted already and I still have 5 hours with the twins. It is extremely hot and muggy out or we would go outside longer and wear them out for their naps. We went out a couple hours ago and stayed out for about 45 min. and that was enough! We all came in drenched in sweat! I haven't done anything productive, the house is a total weck, and the older kids are struggling to focus to finish up this years homeschooling. I believe Tenderheart only has ten days left and Darling about twenty. YAY!!!! Thank you God for gettin' us this far... I never thought we would make it. What a tough year for us homeschooling, pregnancy, surgery, and everyday turmoil. Can't wait to see what the future holds... whatever it is I know we can make it with God's help. Off to wrestle swords away from some way too busy and energetic boys!!

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Rag Dolls and Fuzz

   Our dear little rabbit named Fuzzy was lost overnight in the woods!! :( The neighbors dog (I really dislike this dog) snuck into the garage and knocked the cage over and scared the rabbit around the garage, through the yard, and into the woods nearby. We went out and looked for her throughout the day but the brush was so high it was impossible to see her. Plus I was afraid of snakes and ticks!! We were very pleased to see this morning she had survived the night and was safe in her little cage. I think I care about the animals more than the kids - I couldn't sleep worrying about the poor thing and the kids all slept like babies. 

Now I am goin' to attempt my very first rag doll. I got the pattern here:

http://missgioia.com/2007/06/rag-doll-tutorial.html

I will post pics of mine. I am making it not for my daughter but for my three year old son!! hehe. He has been talking about Jesus all the time and how he can walk on the water and playing with Darling's dolls (mostly girls) pretending they are Jesus. This comes from one of the Bible movies I bought them for Easter (LOVE them!!). So I thought I would attempt to make him a Jesus since there doesn't seem to be much of a market out there to buy a good one. Wish me luck! The one good thing about it is that he has a great imagination so he will like it no matter what it looks like!! :)

Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders? Exodus 15:11

Applique Pillowcase Tutorial

I have made many of these for my kiddos and for others who have ordered from me and all the kids (and some adults) love them!! It is really easy if you have a machine and can do satin stitching- if not you could still get all the pieces cut out and the pillowcase, thread, and ribbon and get someone to do it for you... or you could order one from me on my etsy site :)

first you need your materials: heat and bond, fabrics, matching thread and ribbon. and a pillowcase (I like the canopy brand 300 Egyptian cotton ones)

cut your letters or images out of the heat and bond (you must do this with the letters you are tracing upside down or the glue will not be on the right side for your fabric) You can print out letters to trace on a computer or just make your own templates.

this one I accidentally made upside down and now the glue side is on the bottom and I can't iron it to the fabric

after you iron the glue to the fabric peel off the paper backing and iron it to the pillowcase wherever you want it and get ready to sew

satin stitch all around every letter leaving long tails at the beginnings and ends to tie off into knots to prevent fraying.. also backstitch

this is what a finished letter looks like... you can make your stitches wider, but the material will fray a bit if you do but will still last quite a while

after you are done tie off the ends on the front and the back or you can use fray check but it leaves a rubbery area and must be dried for about a day afterwards before you can use it

this is a close up of a finished heart.

feel free to add any designs be creative that is what makes it fun!

this is my finished pillowcase without the ribbon added along the side (may need a bit of ironing lol)

Local Sightseeing

  We went out today looking for outdoors activities. These are places within a few miles of us. We live in a beautiful neck of the woods.

This is an old observation tower. When I was small it was at least double in height. It is very wobbly and for those chickens like me very scary to climb up!!

going up

the tower

going up

made it to the top

view from the top

on our way back down

This is a place called Jackson Falls a little further in the woods than we are. The kids had a blast playing in the water and beside a small fall as we were too afraid to take them to the big falls for more than a second. It was very slick on the moss. We ate our lunch here. This place is going to be one of our go to spots for the summer to have free fun!!

Darling relaxin

posed on the fall

swimmin hole

Tenderheart and Darling enjoying the pool

Wild Thing

Hoss stayin close to mom

the tiny waterfall