Better Full Than Empty

Chicken Whisperer

2009-03-23T13:45:00.001-07:00

Little O has actually lulled this chick to sleep in her chubby hands. This is one of our Plymouth White Rock pullets, only 1.5 weeks old.

School Cabinets

2009-02-21T08:51:00.000-08:00

Back in the beginning of homeschooling I had a proper schoolroom. Complete with desks and flags and maps and a teachers desk. As our family grew and my homeschooling practices became more practical, the schoolroom was done away with. We switched to "doing school" at our long kitchen table. The school books are now stored in two tall cabinets which are conveniently located right next to the dining table. The kids get their "boxes" out in the morning and put them away when they are done. Only the items in their boxes are what they are using for that day, usually for a season of a few months.

The shorter cabinet holds the children's boxes and their Keepers of the Faith books and binders.

This taller cabinet holds my teaching items, upcoming books, paper and Keepers of the Faith badges and sashes. I also have a preschool curriculum, in the white boxes for the twins. It is called Carol's Affordable Curriculum.

You can see the close proximity to the table that the cabinets have, makes them very convenient.

For extra school storage I use a hall closet. The bottom of the closet has 6 boxes labeled with the children's names. All of their completed work gets thrown in their box, not in order or anything. When the box gets full it gets moved to the attic and a new box is purchased. I bought these boxes at Aldi, they were 2 for $5.

The shelves in the closet hold teacher's books, our Readers, paper and books that I consider quality reading.

Large Families and Libraries

2009-01-30T06:13:00.001-08:00

The library in our small town charges 20 cents a day for overdue books. That adds up very quickly! So we choose to travel a half hour to our favorite library where the fines are just a nickel a day. Much better! We try to get to the library every 10 days.

I am implementing these two new library techniques that I learned from asking around. My sister gave me the idea to bring a laundry basket to the library and just fill it. Once she gets home, the books stay in the basket for the little ones and the biggers kids have to always put theirs back when they are finished.

My friend with 4 boys has a huge basket at her house filled with library books next to her couch. Her practice is to check out 30 books at each library visit. Then she always knows to bring 30 books back.

Lastly, my older kids have to pay their own fines and that works wonders for them being more responsible with handling their borrowed books. Once a child feels responsible enough to

have their own library card I inform them that anything they check out on their card that incurs a fine will be their bill, not mine. It's easier to keep track of the books that are on my card instead of having 4 or more library cards to check up on.

Tasha Tudor Books

2009-01-20T06:09:00.000-08:00

My MIL gave me a great Chistmas gift this year, three books about Tasha Tudor. Tasha was a famous children's author and illustrator. What I like best about her is that she is such a neat example of someone clinging to the old ways. Even in her old age she kept her farm animals and did all the chores herself. She had a love of animals and owned many parrots, and bred her favorite dog, the corgi.

Tasha dressed in romantic clothes she sewed herself and wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of men's pants. She felt it necessary to know how to make everything she used.

There are far too many neat things to say about her that you should just think about borrowing the books from the library.

Private World of Tasha Tudor This is my favorite book, it is filled with great photos and neat glimpses into Tasha's world and ways.
The Tasha Tudor Cookbook I love cookbooks that seem old fashioned and this is one of them, with adorable illustrations too.

Tasha Tudor's Garden Tasha is famed for her elaborate, yet simple gardens. If you like to garden you'll love this book.

There is a Tasha Tudor website and a set of three movies about her life. I like to check them out from the library each year during the holiday season.

Hierarchy of Values

2009-01-17T09:34:00.000-08:00

I happened upon a book at my tiny library in town called Better by the Dozen, plus Two. It is about a Catholic family with 14 living children. So far, it's pretty good, with the exception that there is a lot of Catholocism mixed in, and I am not Catholic.

The Chapter called Hierarchy of Values made me stop to think about my priorities. Most everyone knows in what order they should be; God, spouse, children, work, service.

The author states that each time at the end of a day we go to sleep it is like a small death and each awakening in the morning is like a new birth, a fresh start. His wording humbled me and gave me hope to try again to order my day properly instead of letting my work and chores or pleasure come first. He encouraged me that small moments and quick minutes mattered and counted.

This morning I awoke and made my coffee and sat quietly with my Bible and prayer journal. I felt it was okay if I only spent 1 minute with the Lord, as long as I spent something. Often I get overwhelmed wanting everything I do to be perfect or I won't do it. So prayer is a challenge because I feel quilty if I do not spend enough time.

My next goal was to spend a few moments with each of my children, so I sat with the first to wake up, little Elijah. I made him some peach tea and looked at his picture Bible with him.

Later I slipped into a chair next to my daughter who was embroidering, and taked with her about an embroidery project she is working on.

I still have 4 children to spend a moment with today and also a handsome spouse to honor, but I feel good about the start. I want to work on doing this each day and relaxing about the housework that is forever present.

Wonder Woman Hand Me Downs

2009-01-09T11:50:00.000-08:00

You remember how your first child got much more of your time and attention? Well, one year when my first daughter was around 5 I decided to sew her a wonder woman costume. I had a lot of fun planning and sewing it. I made a gold belt with glue on rhinestones and a loop for her golden lasso, which was a length of gold cording. I felt I had to add a modest little skirt for my wonder girl. The golden wristlets that blocked bullets and the golden headband were not forgotten either. My dd loved the gift and had fun wearing it for several years. It has held up well and was passed to her little sister and is now in the hands of our youngest twin. Here she is with bright eyes, believing she is a superhero, or at least a flashy sight. I think some pieces are missing now, but that's alright. I'm glad it has gotten so much use!

Iced Tea Smoothie

2008-08-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

My aunt gave me this great idea, for a stevia smoothie.

In a blender mix:
iced tea
froxen strawberries
flavored stevia
ice
Half and Half creamer (opt.)

It is a sweet, very low calorie treat for those days that you need to eat light. I made one for my lunch today and had a small chunk of Tillamook sharp cheddar cheese to go with it.

Here is a cute little jar that my mother gave me to hold my powdered stevia.

The pretty pink smoothie...

In case you don't know stevia is an all natural herbal sweetener. It comes in powdered form or liquid flavors. I just love it as you can see by my collection. There is a whole shelf in my fridge devoted to the flavorful variety. My favorite flavor is grape. Each jar costs around 10 bucks, but they last forever. You can use them in place of sugar, but I most frequently use them to flavor my water, tea, or iced coffee. I also put it in my plain yogurt with some nuts and fruit.

Pillow Making

2008-08-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

I picked up this down comforter at a tag sale for five bucks. It lasted a year or so with the boys until it kept getting hole after hole. Tired of the stray feathers floating around their bedroom I decided to reuse the feathers and make them into a pillow.

Here we are digging for down and grabbing handfuls to shove inside the muslin pillowcase. It took less than 5 minutes to sew a quick rectangle of cotton for the casing.

All hands on deck! ...and feet too...

Zigzagged the last seam after tucking the stray feathers.
And last, a little feather fight!

Our Kennel

2008-08-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

One of the things we do as a homeschooling family is raise great danes. I realized that this was something I really wanted to do about 2 years ago. Since then I have set about buying dogs, which has been fun. It has also been a lot of hard work for me and my two oldest children. We have raised (and are raising) from pups 5 great danes since then! We teach them to walk on a leash, to behave in a house, to sit calmly while being fed and much more. It is a time consuming, but rewarding endeavor.

We had to make one heartbreaking decision to sell our first dane because his pedigree was undesirable for breeding. We found him a wonderful pet home.

I have spent hours online researching this breed, watching other breeders, studying color combinations and reading pedigrees. I actually enjoy this!

We have not made one penny back towards our huge investment just yet, but we are finally on the verge. One of my female danes is now expecting her first litter, due in October.

Baking Conversations

2008-07-29T15:11:00.001-07:00

My newly turned 8yog, Jane, was talking at me while I was baking Zucchini Brownies this afternoon. She was going on about how she realized she shouldn't be afraid of cemetaries because there aren't dead bodies under the soil, probably just dirt. She says her big sister told her that everything turns back to dirt, "everything but souls and styrofoam," she said.

Bathing a Handful

2008-07-28T05:26:00.000-07:00

Each night before the kids hit the sheets I try to remember to have them do a sponge bath. They all crowd around the tub taking turns dipping their feet and washing them with a washcloth and soap, while they wash their feet, their hands are getting clean, or so goes the plan anyway. After the feet, they go over to the sink and wash their faces with a different cloth and the biggs help the littles.
When I think a child looks dirty or my girls hair looks stringy I will send them to the shower during the week. Otherwise, Saturday is shower night in order to look their cleanest for church. Once the kids are old enough to take a shower, say 5 years old, and I think they can get themselves clean enough, then that is the age at which they stop bathing together. The exception is when one of the middles gives the twins a bath, sometimes they want to join them to make it more fun. I agree to this because of my swimsuit rule, anyone of showering age must wear a swimsuit if they are hopping in the tub with another.
Bathing the twins (3yo) is a paying chore here. Whoever takes on the job gets $3.00, that is because they must also clean up the bathroom afterwards (which is a wet mess!) and get the twins ready for bed with p,j.'s and combed hair. Getting the twins dressed after a bath can be a struggle. I love it when someone takes this job, because the twins get bathed more than the other kids and it's a lot of work. Plus, who doesn't love a clean and shiny toddler first thing in the morning. They get more kisses when they are clean!
Visit Octamom, an amazing mother of 8, and read her post on bathing.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - 2

2008-07-28T04:54:00.001-07:00

For Today, July 28, 2008

Outside My Window... My cat, Fern, is looking full and plump while she suffers during the process of weaning of her kittens

I am thinking... of reading Created to be his helpmeet again, I need it

I am thankful for... my daughter Jane, who tries so hard to stay out of trouble and make me smile

From the kitchen... right now, my everyday bread dough is rising in a bowl near the stove

I am wearing... slippers, my comfy gap t-shirt, and froggie pajama pants

I am creating... summer dresses for Clare

I am going... to the farmer's market on the square tomorrow morning

I am reading... The Amish Cook

I am hoping... my female Dane, feather will come into heat soon! I can't wait for puppies

I am hearing... little Elijah breathing heavy in his morning sleep

Around the house... I like seeing my new painted furniture when I walk into the dining room

One of my favorite things... my husband's forgiveness

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: farmer's market, a free movie, "horton hears a who" with all the kids and the W family, combine demolition derby on Friday at the fair

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Painting Like Mad

2008-07-26T04:48:00.000-07:00

Last week I found two great cabinets at a tag sale. They were made of pine and had that old country cute look. I took them home for 50.00 each, the woman would not go down much on the price because her husband had made them. I also have been storing for many years now, an antique spindle bed with a ship carved out of wood on the headboard. This was a g sale find as well and I remember I paid 5 duckets for it, I was elated.. Well, I have never had the need to use it as a bed, and suddenly it occured to me to use it as decoration. It needed a little help with color, and sanding off chipping paint.

I asked my mom to bring her painting clothes over and we got to work...

Simple Woman's Daybook -1

2008-07-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

FOR TODAY July 21, 2008

Outside My Window... All 6 kids are splashing in a kiddie pool, it's a bit crowded!

I am thinking... How I would like to fit into that little plastic pool

I am thankful for... my puppy Sol's ear is healing

From the kitchen...a dorito taco salad with betty dressing

I am wearing...comfy lavender cotton capris, a heather gray tshirt and my soft lavender slippers

I am creating... a quilting plan in my mind for my mini Jo Morton quilt

I am going... to get that nice big check my man brought home deposited

I am reading... The Loop by Nicholas Evans

I am hoping... I'll get around to putting my mascara on

I am hearing... The soft whir of the ceiling fan above me

Around the house... my lemon poundcake candle is burning

One of my favorite things... multi colored cotton thread

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: visit my sister while eating peanut butter pizza

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Join the Daybookers here!

April Snow

2008-07-17T16:58:00.001-07:00

I couldn't resist this little treasure at a g sale today.

The story opens with a woman having a baby in a snow tunnel that she was digging in order to get to her livestock in the barn to feed during a harsh winter storm. After the babe is born her husband is disappointed that his wife is resting...

"Can't you get up now? I'm hungry. A man doesn't know how to do these cooking things and besides, when I married you I did not know I would have to do woman's work."
Big, clumsy Peter. Here in the curve of her other arm, he belonged so she could mother him too. Helpless, cross, like a pouting child, he stood with the little empty copper cooking pot hanging from his limp hand... She eased her arm from under the baby's head, pulled a coverlet from the foot end of the bed and wrapped it around her. Slowly, and carefully she stretched her feet to the floor, drew a chair - or three legged stool it was - in front of her to steady herself and, pushing it forward, she walked uncertain steps toward Peter. With a smile, she gently took the copper pot from his hand and stood it on the trivet. The water in the kettle was hot. She poured some into the pot, enough to cover guinea-hen eggs; she reached for the teapot, carefully measured six pinches of tea, poured hot water over that and set the pot aside to steep. She cut pieces of dark bread from the loaf and laid them neatly on a fringed blue linen cloth covering her silver bread dish."

For a smile and chuckle that was worth the dime!
Author: Lillian Budd 1951

Hope Chest Ideas - Girls

2008-07-11T04:55:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Blessed Motherhood's sidebar of hope chest ideas for her children, I decided to start an idea list for my great handful. I thought it would be neat to buy the boys one of those pickup truck bed carrier boxes to have filled by their dad. My husband uses these truck boxes to store his tools in and he has several of them filled.
I like her idea too; to start with huge tupperwares, I haven't started my oldest daughters collection yet because I don't have a hope chest, but better to start collecting anyhow!

One year I found an antique purse at a tag sale that had roses all over it, it was very fancy, I bought it as my oldest d's first hope chest item. Her middle name is Rose, so maybe she will use it for her wedding day?!

Here are some general ideas for girls (more will be added) and there will be a seperate posting for the boys truck box.

Library:
Nice Leather Bible
Intended for Pleasure
a blank journal
pretty stationary

Kitchen:
Cast iron gridle
Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook (that old red checked version)
a handwritten recipe book of my favorite recipes
apron
tea kettle
Big stainless steel pot with lid
some favorite teas

Bedroom:
embroidered pillowcase set
quilt
goose down pillows
pretty feminine nightgown (the good old fashined kind)

Everday Essentials:
Thermometer
Hot water bottle with a flannel cozy cover (we love these in winter)
a nice hair brush ; maybe hubby will like to help her brush her hair
special vase for fresh flowers

Sewing:
thimble
ghingers scissors
good thread start, 100% cotton
quilting mat, ruler and rotary cutter
betweens sz 10
ghingers curved embroidery scissors

Home Glimpse

2008-07-08T13:56:00.000-07:00

Making a place home is as simple as bringing the people there that are your family. I know of someone whose home is a beatup pickup truck. I know of someone who was forced to camp with their family for a few months while struggling to get back on their feet financially. I know some folks who own a million dollar home around the corner from me with a spiral slide for a children's stairway, imported italian wood flooring and and inoor pool. Anyone of these places can be called home if those folks who make it so are with you.

Recently I leaned a sign over my fireplace that simply reads "HOME". As I sit in the evenings rocking in a chair next to my husband with our little children scampering about making lots of noise I feel this new place becoming home very quickly.

A Full Table

2008-06-20T03:21:00.001-07:00

Mealtimes with my kids are way more hectic than I'd like them to be. I took this picture right as they were getting ready to start eating a new recipe for chicken divan using Bisquick. It was a hit with everyone.
Recently I delivered a meal to a church family and caught them at the table sharing a meal with their 6 kids. It was neat and orderly and quiet. I am kind of a manner freak, I'm always trying to instill manners in my children, but somehow our table is just too busy. I have resolved to try getting some peace and order back after seeing such a nice family picture at my friends house. Probably I could blame the chaos on the twins, but that wouldn't be entirely fair.
Still, loudness and all, what a great sight it is to see them all, happy, healthy, and being fed.

Layered Biscuit Chicken Divan - Large Family Size

2 # precooked chicken breasts (I boil mine) cut into chunks

2 jars Garlic Alfredo Sauce

1 bag (1#) frozen brocoli cuts, thawed, drained and patted dry

2 C original Bisquick mix

1 C milk

1/2 C sour cream 1/4 C grated parmesan cheese

1. Heat oven to 375. Heat chicken, pasta sauce and broccoli to boiling in a saucepan stirring frequently. Spread 1/2 of the mixture in a 9X13 baking dish.

2. Stir Bisquick mix, milk and sour cream until blended. Pour half of the batter over chicken mixture in baking dish. Spread with remaining chicken mixture; top with remaining batter. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

3. Bake uncovered about 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Ready to Baste

2008-06-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

Here is my little babe quilt. I appliqued a puppy in the corner with a gluestick method. You apply glue to the 1/4" seam and turn under to hold the applique in place before you sew. It's great because you can then machine applique, yet have no raw edges! The fabrics from this quilt came from leftovers of a skirt I made for myself. I loved the fabrics too much to put them in my scrap heap, so I decided to make something small with them. My mom came up with the idea to add the puppy in the corner, which makes the whole quilt worthwhile. Today, I'm off to the garage for my basting boards and this will be finished and ready to quilt by the end of the day.

Banks of the Kish

2008-06-12T04:28:00.000-07:00

Our new house has brought such a different view, coming from a neighborhood with sidewalks, neighbors, and so many cars; we are enjoying the change. I am thrilled that our property touches the banks of the Kishwaukee River. It winds around bends and comes right past the front of our house and then moves on. Across the street there is a farm that raises grass fed beef cattle. They are so pretty and healthy looking and I like to see them grazing on the grass under the shade of the trees or their calves frolicking along the fenceline. Here is a view from my side of the street and my side of the river.

I have been learning what a city girl I am in my lack of knowledge on how to care for acreage. For now, the pond is a big question mark, I have been reading books on how to care for it, yet am still overwhelmed! I know we have a muskrat, I have seen him swimming and he has a big hole on the river bank for lodging. We have many turtles in the pond too. I need to find a way to lessen the algae and pond weeds, so that the fish can thrive. I am perplexed at how to discover if we have any snapping turtles in there.

The kids are having a blast with the river, swimming in it and catching fish. The two oldest set up bank poles on the river's edge. Three days and many worms later C caught the first fish.

Soon to be Kitchen Curtains

2008-05-04T05:22:00.000-07:00

I found some red fabrics at Warmbiscuit.com to turn into kitchen curtains. I can't wait for them to arrive. My kitchen is painted a jade color and the red next to it will be so fun! I'm looking for a whole new feel of decorating for my new house that is a farmette. Coming from a victorian queen I don't have much that goes with this new style. I want this next home to be fun and cheerful. A place where I can drape my quilts around and they belong there! My antique stove will be coming with us to the new house where it will leave it's kitchen post and be put near our fireplace to pile folded quilts on. I picked up a weathered painted cabinet for my china instead of my fancier set that graced my victorian. I want to make enough quilts to line the walls with them, so I best get started.

Chicks coming...

2008-05-02T04:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, maybe I bit off a little more than I can chew, but I guess I'll find out. The day old chicks are due to arrive either June 17 (my birthday) or June 18; all 25 of them.

I had to order a minimum of 25 so that they will keep each other warm in the box for shipping. Where can you get your birds?

Welp Hatchery

Where can you see tons of pictures of the different breeds and place an order?

McMurray Hatchery

Chickens Anyone?

2008-04-30T18:56:00.001-07:00

I am on the verge of placing my first mail order for chickens. Boy, have I learned a lot about chickens and never knew there was so much to learn. It shouldn't surprise me that being one of God's creations there is so much of a variety of breeds to choose from. Who ever thought it would be fun to look at pictures of different chicken breeds online? I'm starting to admire to vast differences and colors to choose from. In fact so much so, that I can't seem to decide what to buy...

Here's what I have so far in my online poultry cart...

Buff Orpingtons

Ameracauna

Dominiques

Sicilian Buttercups

Black Star

Even the names are pretty!

The Feather Site has pictures of many different varieties from chicks to maturity. I plan to buy about 25 chicks, hopefully all female as I have been told that the roosters are pests.

Anyone have any chicken advice? Or a favorite breed?

Freecycle It!

2008-04-07T05:34:00.000-07:00

I have been having the most fun this past week. Our house is for sale and in light of a pending move, I was considering renting a storage unit to start emptying the house. This thought overwhelmed me as I tallied up the work involved in moving items twice, once to storage and once to the new house. I shivered when I thought of loading 6 kids in the 15 pass. to take loads to storage. I about fainted when I realized the cost of fuel to make each trip in addition to the actual rental fee. I considered donating the items to a second hand shop, but even those are over 15 miles away and would require some labor, money and time.
Then I pondered how valuable the things were that were demanding this much time and investment. The answer was that they were not valuable enough. Couldn't I just replace whatever it was later that I was going to store, if I even noticed it's absence and still required it?
A word popped into my head, "Freecycle". Ah, what a novel idea! I could give these items away to some one who wants them and they will come here to pick them up!
By making simple posts online I could have these items taken off my hands for the least amount of time and no money involved. I will not have to move things twice!
I started at once. I am working room by room and everything that I would put into storage is going on freecycle. I know this is extreme, but I want to live simpler anyhow. Now, I'm on my way. Here's a list of what people picked up from me last week...
one sewing machine trolley
5 misc. boxes of kitchen goodies
whirlpool bubble bath blower
50 disc changer stereo
2 fisher price dollhouses
lot of bathroom goodies
toybox filled with toys plus some bigger toys on the side

Today I will be listing
6 patio chairs
lot of imaginext toys

Join the movement!

Natural Mothering

2008-03-31T03:59:00.000-07:00

There are some young ones in my house that I do not have to mother and train. They are my great dane puppies. This morning I was watching my harlequin female Tess with my new puppy Sol. He loves to come into my sewing room in the morning where Tess sleeps and get her riled up by play. He teases and wrestles with her. When momma dogs have had enough puppy antics they will growl at their pup and sometime pin them down and hold them there. Essentially telling them, "Enough's enough!" Interestingly, this does not happen as quickly as one would expect. I can see when Tess is getting annoyed with Sol, she will turn away from him, or give a small low growl. These are sometimes heeded and often ignored. If the pup ignores her warnings long enough and irritates the dam further eventually she will admonish him with a loud firm growl and whatever other physical punishment she chooses. I am surprised at the grace she extends and the patience until she reaches that point. I see that occasionally her discipline is too light and occasionally it seems too fierce.

It caused me to consider my own mothering. I have read many books on child rearing that advise discipline at the first offense, a consistency that I honestly find difficult. When my children disobey and I am tired I might let it slide or ignore it. I choose the discipline for the moment. I will never be a perfect mother, but somehow I feel comforted watching my dams with puppies. I see they are the same, they decide with their instincts how to handle each situation, whether it be with grace or punishment, but always there is love.

Cross it Off

2008-03-20T15:01:00.000-07:00

I found a great little notebook at Target by Buttoned UP. It's a nice spiral bound called Do & Delegate . I haven't told you the best part yet; in the back there is a delegation list section, which is great for mothers of many. It has sticky note task sheets that you write a name and task on and then hand out. Left behind in the book is a yellow copy for you. I filled one out for my son informing him to find an overdue library book by a certain date. Just now, I wrote one to my oldest daughter which gave her the task of making jellybean cookies by Sunday. Super Fun! It makes me feel like a real organized homemaker!

Hardly Rhett

2008-03-19T04:55:00.000-07:00

My husband is simply good! I read that description in the novel I am reading right now called Rhett Butler's People. It is an authorized telling of the other side of the Gone with the Wind classic. I find the book a good reminder to be thankful for the man I have been blessed with. The book tells two parallel love stories, that of Scarlett and Rhett and also Rhett's sister, Rosemary's love story. Rosemary feels she is in love with a man that is not her husband, as does Scarlett. Rosemary learns too late that the man she thought she loved is not a man of character. She had a devoted husband who provided for her and loved her passionately, he was quiet and good and undemanding. Rosemary squandered the time she had with this man and wasted it away yearning for a false happiness.

Last night, when I set the book down, I was thinking about my man...

He is simple and good, yet that is what makes him great!

No, David!

2008-03-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

This morning while folding the laundry I read the Bigs and Middles, "No, David!" We have read it before and I felt somewhat silly sharing it with my older children while the twins were off playing. However, we, all five of us, laughed repeatedly as we related to the mischief that David was caught at.

We laughed heartedly at the picture of David running down the street naked. I've actually had a couple of my kiddos do that!

3 classifications

2008-03-05T04:27:00.000-08:00

With 6 kids and an even three girls, three boys we have resorted to a classification system. It is rather complex, so I hope I will not lose you here.

Biggs:
a term used to describe the two oldest children of the family, in our case an 11yog(Rose) and a 9yob (Anthony).
Middles:
a term used to describe the two children in a given family that are in the middle, not the oldest and not the youngest ; in this family our middles consist of a 7yog (Jane) and 5yob (Zach).
Littles:
a term used to describe the youngest members in a family unit ; in this house the littles are 2yotwins, Elijah and Clare.

* Please understand that middle names are being used to protect true identity and also the unusual popularity status that my children's first names hold.

A handful

2008-02-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

I have heard the remark countless times, "My, have you got your hands full!" I try to be cheerful as I reply, "Yes, I sure do, isn't it great!"
Inwardly I think that my hands do not seem so full as they appear. I see the children's faces and think of my hobbies, my gorgeous husband and I remember how content my choices have made me.
The Lord has taught me the value of life and how precious it is to Him has become monumental to me.
When people imply that my hands are busy after seeing the size of my family, I have to chuckle inside as I think of all the other things that I do with my time that they do not know of.