Simply Me & Mine

Katelyn Rose

2009-08-22T22:46:00.000-07:00

well, the last blog update was posted 4 days before our blessed event. She is now 2 months old! I am really, really amazed at women, especially busy moms with bustling households who can blog! As hard as I try, I never get the thoughts from my hands to the keyboard to the blog. I make up these great blog entries in my head almost everyday, I've even written this little baby girl's birth story out in my head 10 times, but have not written it down, and I'm afraid the details are fading.... I hate to write but I love when I do if that makes sense. I actually want to write a book, well, books really. I just don't know how to get it from my head to paper (o;
So, it's kind of silly almost to post this entry since most everyone who reads this has seen oodles of pictures on facebook, or have been here to hold her in person, oh and one of you are the one who caught her for me at birth! But, just in case there is anyone else~I'll post her stats and send out a picture of our newest little baby doll. She is a real sweetie. we are in total love.

Katelyn Rose
born June 17th, one day before her mommy and daddy's 15th anniversary~
9 lbs even, 22.5 inches
wonderful home waterbirth

a birth story is sure to come, I promise. I have been dealing with some....maybe~ possibly~ baby blues the last month, nothing major, but probably just adjusting, and trying to stay on top of not feeling too terribly overwhelmed. It shouldn't even be called baby blues because it has nothing to do with that little person, she's a total dream baby, it's just the trying to keep everyone else happy while all I wanted to do is spin myself a cocoon and hide away with my new little doll. But~ laundry piles up, kids get hungry, husband gets lonely, dog chews things up, all if mom hides away too much....oh, and postpartum belly doesn't go away on it's own. So, I'm trying to enjoy some of this sunshine while it's still here and get out walking. That seems to rejuvenate me. Exercise is like writing to me~ I procrastinate getting started, and then once I do, I LoVe It!
I am so blessed. everyday there is something to be thankful for, e v e r y single day ~ I love my little Katie Rose and am so so happy to be her mama~

Blogger Bum..........

2009-06-13T22:42:00.000-07:00

Well, if there is anyone still around to read this~ Big Apology is due! I have totally slacked on this blog~ since joining the world of FaceBook, I just got lazy about blogging~ blogging takes so much more effort! Facebook is quite addicting actually, lol~
So, our biggest news here of course is that we are just waiting on a new baby~ He or She was due on June 10th, so we are anxious to get this show on the road....well, kind of anyways......lol~ I mean, everyone else is but me! (o: I am enjoying baby just fine where he or she is at! (o; although, I do like it to be all done with, and I can't wait to see if it's a boy or girl! Everyone says boy~I'm not convinved......
here's a pic to leave you with~ I know this is a pathetic entry for someone who hasn't updated in what, 6 months? but it's late and I'm tired (o: I'll try to do better here!

Things I never tire of

2009-01-29T14:38:00.000-08:00

Here's a small list, not in any particular order, but I was just thinking of it while pulling fresh bread from the oven....so that shall be #1 on this list. I'm sure I'll think of more things later~feel free to comment and we'll add to this list (o:

1. Hot fresh bread from the oven.....mmmmmmmm........
2. I love you's
3. letters~the old fashioned way
4. a nursing baby snuggled up contently next to you
5. baby breath
6. freshly bathed children
7. snuggly jammies, and kids in snuggly jammies all fighting for my lap
8. puppies
9. sunny days and rainbows after wet ones
10. God's everlasting, unconditional love ~ AMAZING!
11. friends!
12. even internet friends!! lol
13. God's love radiating through others
14. hugs
15. selfless acts
16. RAK (random acts of kindness)
17. peanut butter
18. mochas
19. a sprouting garden
20. chickens quietly clucking while they are bedding down for the night. (its the sweetest noise if you've never heard it)
21. the sound of crackling fire around a campfire~and people singing silly songs or praise songs
22. I love you's~ I think I already said that, but it's important (o:
23. your husbands strong arms around you
24. slumber parties
25. seeing your children being best friends
26. seeing your children walk in the truth of the Lord~ there is no Greater Joy!
27. seeing your children finish their peas (I can dream can't I?)
28. A Godly Heritage (thanks ma and pa, gramma and grampa, and those before.....)
29. God's promises
30. a clean house, I WOULD never tire of a clean house, lol
31. honest people
32. organic food (hhmm funny how honest people reminded me of organic food!)
33. short lines
34. optimism
35. love for all humanity
36. green traffic lights
37. fields of daisies
38. above rubies magazines
39. in the womb baby movements, I even love the hiccups
40. my children's artwork
41. good music
42. a good story
43. laughing~ you really can't laugh too much in life
44. feeding people~ there is a joy to nourishing the ones you love, and the ones you force food on who happen to stop by while the above mentioned are being fed. (o:
45. government employees that smile
46. of people telling me how full my hands are so that I can smile and tell them how full my heart is.
47. Good news
48. my husband treating me special~like the candlelight dinner he surprised me with tonight AND cooked while I was out grocery shopping. I could never tire of that, lol
49. peace
50. Being Home

that's all for now, more bread about to come out of the oven and a 3 & 4 year old that have gotten oddly quiet.............. (o:

Emerald Applesauce

2009-01-15T14:32:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Parsley contains three times as much vitamin C as oranges, twice as much iron as spinach, is rich in vitamin A and contains folate, potassium and calcium?!!
What’s more, parsley is also recognized for its cancer-fighting potential.

Source: http://health.learninginfo.org/parsley.htm

Blend well the following ingredients in the blender.

Two large apples

½ bunch (or one cup) parsley

it's that simple! Enjoy

FREE HUGS!!!!!

2009-01-15T14:24:00.000-08:00

This Christmas..........

2008-12-07T22:50:00.001-08:00

This takes only about 2 minutes and is worth the watch.

The Gift of a Smile

2008-12-04T16:20:00.000-08:00

This is for sure to put a smile on your face. (o:
It's so cute you'll watch it twice, and if your kids hear it they'll come gather round too, at least that's what happened at our house.......and I think we watched it about 5 times so far.
Musicians are special.
YouTube - Four Hands Guitar

Sleepy Baby Wrap contest

2008-12-02T14:58:00.000-08:00

I've stumbled upon a darling blog of a lovely lady who is so graciously hosting a free giveaway on an awesome looking baby wrap. Go and check out her blog and enter to win. And, if you aren't a mama yet, well go enter anyways and if you win you can just surprise me at Christmas, hehehehehe (o:

http://quiverfullfamily.com/2008/11/30/contest-sleepy-wrap-giveaway/#comment-4407

Would it bother you more if they used a Gun?

2008-11-16T11:18:00.000-08:00

Sisters, this is why *I* cried the day Obama was elected. He stood in front of Planned Parenthood and America and ensured them that *choice* would be available to all. That he would sign the Freedom of Choice Act and that Planned Parenthood would thrive. What choice do the innocent have? Who will be their voice? Copy and paste this link to watch this youtube. See what kind of man America has chosen for their new leader. I can't believe that America is this bloodthirsty. Obama is supporting it. I am sickened. We can pray, and we can be the voice for the innocent. Somebody has to stand up for what is righteous. This is going to be a long fight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYRpIf2F9NA&feature=related

From the mouth of a babe

2008-11-10T21:42:00.000-08:00

Lily said something to me tonight, just in her own little thoughts, and I thought that it was quite astounding how at just 8 years old she has such insight and knowledge that I don't remember grasping at that age. Maybe I still don't today..... (o:
I let her come along with me for a quick drive down to the nearest store here in our little town. I like letting one or two come alone with me because they think it is such a treat to be the *chosen one* to go on an outing alone with Mom, and Lily knows how to capitalize on that when we get into the store. She will always ever so sweetly pick out something real small that she knows I can't give an automatic no to because of the price.....well, anyways this is not the knowledge I'm boasting about, I am quite sure I knew about that kind of knowledge as a kid, heehee....
So, on our drive home she says "Mom, when you're a baby God is in you. He is really close to you because you came from him and you have not sinned yet. As you're getting older some people will start to push him away but He is always there waiting for you to invite him back in. Isn't that right, Mom?" I dunno, maybe it's just cuz I'm her mom, but I thought that was pretty right on, especially for a newly 8 year old.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-11-05T22:06:00.000-08:00

Uh-oh, I see a trend here. It's wordless wednesday again.......sure wish I was posting more in between the wordless wednesdays! sorry 'bout that (o: for your viewing enjoyment, here's some pics of Sarah on her 3rd birthday. She was our other October birthday girl! Maybe I'll find Sarah's homebirth story and share it here....... For whatever reason all the pictures that I loaded came in the wrong order, so anyways, the above picture is of Ben giving his birthday sister a big 'ol birthday hug. I think he's just so happy that she chose to go to the Kid Zone for her special day. They get to go there, oh....maybe once every couple years. Seriously this place is a germ fest Holiday. It is all the right ingredients for incubating every nasty cold and flu virus lurking out there. Warm, humid, dark, plastic tunnels full of profusely sweating kids (and the brave (foolish??) parents who dare to squeeze in behind them...aka~ me!) How often do we really think one of those underage workers climbs through their with disinfectant in hand? I still shutter at the memory...... and yep, guess who was barfing by Monday morning? Ben! He's usually one of the first to go down~ Sarah joined him by Tuesday night........ was it worth the 3 hours of bizarre, heart pounding fun???? well, the kids think so..... LOL
My sweet 3 year old
She loves this little pull stuffed toy. Cool thing about this little thing is that we were on our way home from a mini trip we took as a family this summer (I still need to post about that) and she saw this thing at Goodwill (cuz I can't stand to pass up an out of town Goodwill, heehee) and she wanted it so badly, but I convinced her somehow that if we bid it farewell that he may just find his way to her doorstep on her birthday to pay her a visit, and if she was real welcoming then maybe he'd stay forever. LOL, so when she went out to the van with Dad I purchased it, for $1.99 and on the morning of her birthday we set it out on the doorstep and one of the kids rang the door bell. The look on her face was priceless and I only regret that we didn't video tape it. Yes, he's decided to stay....... (o:
Being 3 makes me super silly
Here she is literally a few minutes after waking up. She was bombarded by crown and jewell adorning by her big sisters the second her feet hit the floor. She of course got a surprise visit by stuffed animal on wheels (I forget what she named him, but she did name it something clever) and then that little bassinette she is holding has the sweetest little china doll baby with a cotton white nightgown that I bought at a garage sale for only a buck!
Our sweet Sarah Ruby, what a priceless jewell she is in our family. We love her so much.

Election Predictions

2008-10-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

10 PREDICTIONS NO MATTER WHO WINS THE ELECTION

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed teaching and healing.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost.

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-29T13:51:00.001-07:00

ok, I know if I title the post as wordless wednesday that it's suppose to be wordless, right? well, when am I ever wordless? haha~ maybe I should work on that! (o:
I've just been away from the blog and my computer for some time now and I have so many posts to catch you up on. I have a post written up in my head everyday of things I'd love to share but they never make it from my mind to the keyboard. And, actually, my computer prohibited me for a bit too. kept freezing up on me every time I turned it on. Turns out that it was just the mouse! bought a new one and presto! we're back in business. So, here's a lovely almost wordless picture to share with you. It is of my favortie brother, Wylie, with his new lovely wife, and my birthday girl who turned 8 this month. that's all for now folks (o:

Super Sales Saturday

2008-10-11T15:57:00.001-07:00

(darling little dresses for Sarah~ they look like summer dresses, but put a long sleeve shirt and some cute little boots and tights and they're perfect year 'round!)

If you know me at all, you know how much I LOOOOVE garage sales, and tag sales, and primitive shabby chic sales. There are tons around me, I adore all these gals that turn their homes into little chic shops for the weekend, and then those that have a weekend business out of a little cottage on their property, or even a barn, even the occasional treasures you might find at a junk sale are sometimes worth the stop, although I'm known to do drive by's (o: These sales are how I keep myself out of the rat race of consumerism. What I mean by that is that I am not directly supporting junk importation from various enemy countries~ I don't feel quite as responsible for slave labor and abuse of children because I'm not going into a store/mall/or high end department store and overpaying so that a child can be underpayed and abused. I wish that everything in my home were made by my own loving hands, or the hands of those in my community, but that is simply not the way life is anymore, so I am doing my part by buying it all used (o: and for some crazy reason I'm addicted to it anyways. I literally can not stand to pay full price for anything. Why pay the middle man to get rich just so that they can cheat someone? I don't want any part of it. I shall NOT shop in those stores this Christmas. That is the one time of year I get tempted, cheap lights, candles, stocking stuffers, etc.... but that is so not what Christmas is about and I believe we are going to be held accountable someday for where our money was spent, which is silly to even say since it's not our money. Everything we have, everything that goes through our hands is the Lord's.
Thanks mom and dad for all those Saturdays you took us garage saleing and even when we sat alongside Dad in flea markets while he peddled some stuff. can't remember what it was, but for some weird reason I remember that he bought us teddy graham crackers one Saturday and we were so excited because we rarely got those kinds of snacks. I have a horrible memory, but I do remember random odd things, lol
By the way, just an FYI~ Did you know Burgerville sells fair trade coffee? pretty cool~~~
So Lily's birthday is Monday. 2 of her gifts are going to be the blow pop lunch tin above and that pet vet computer game, for a total of $1.25 yep, that's right a dollar and twenty five cents! Who says raising a large family has to put you in debt??????? (o:
The other thing I love about garage sales is that when I need something, really NEED it, it'll just show up! I always say a little thanks to God because I know he provides our every little need. This canner above was purchased at a garage sale on my way home from getting bunches of apples. I saw this little sale, and it was little, just a sale tucked in a shed garage thing and I just peeked my head in, purposely looking for canning supplies. Gramps comes out in his overalls with the buttons about to burst out the sides from his cute little belly and says, "Whatcha looking for?" I tell him, and he says just a second I think I got one of those~ He comes back out a few minutes later with this gorgeous canner (ok, had a little rust inside, but it was Gorgeous to me!!!) and says here ya go, how's 2 bucks? yippee skippee~ I was driving all the way home with a smile on my face. God is so good to supply all our needs.
nothing too fancy, just some cool primitive wooden boxes. one had free magazines in it.
I got this little cupboard at a backyard cottage shop called Beyond the Garden Gate. Such a cute little shop. I put some of my canned foods in it (canning-that's been keeping me busy this week) I'm going to paint it a country red. The kids have already completed the look with their fingerprints. Looks like it fits right in, 'eh?
Lately I've been lovin' white dishes. just simple plain ceramic white. I couldn't pass these up complete with lids for only a buck. The little plate hot pot holder thingy with the house on it is sorta the theme in my living room.
I love the country stars. I'm doing the boys' room in stars, but also vintage planes, cars, etc....
the blanket was too beautiful to pass up for 3 bucks, it's a queen but we'll find a use for it. the pillows were sweet, and one of the walls in my room are painted the same color.
More darling dresses for Sarah Ruby! so sweet for a buck!! I love the prints on these~
My absolute gem of a find!!!! Bought this from an 80 yr old woman who use to watch her mom mill flour from this!!!!!!!!! only........SEVEN DOLLARS!! My wheat berries are waiting!!!!
just some more cute treasures (o:

2008-10-04T07:16:00.000-07:00

So, I decorated a new shirt for Josiah today. nothing fancy~ tell me what you think (o; Look again if you didn't pay attention to the words (o: heehee
yep, that's right for those of you with your mouths hanging open saying how can it be???? (o: One month to the day of losing our last little one to miscarriage I got a call from the clinic saying Congratulations! How cool is that?! I started suspecting a few days ago that something was going on, just feeling a little different and extremely tired at night. I had some pregnancy tests still around and on Oct. 1st took one. It right away came back positive. I was baffled! So, I took another one, the last one I had. and same results instantly!! I NEVER expected to be blessed again so quickly! God is so good, ALL the time! wow!!!! My first thought was that I would keep this quiet for a little while just to *make sure* baby was going to be sticking around, but my husband's response to that (oh, and I love it too) was It's a pregnancy, it's a baby, it's a Life~ this is cause for celebration, we're not hiding nothing!!!!!! So, yeah, Celebrate with us!!!!!!
(o: (o: (o: can't stop smilin'

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

sorry that I haven't had any words since the last wordless wednesday, but when life keeps you really busy, the wordless posts are the easiest ones. Here's a sweet pic of gramma Lillian with her namesake Lily Ann. we love our Grandma L.!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-09-24T21:47:00.001-07:00

Special moments with our children..........

2008-09-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

I try to get in a LOT of snuggling time with my kids, especially as they are stretching into big kids right off of my lap~ those moments are so precious, let me share the two we had together today.

Me & Grace about 7am~ I'm holding her baby style on my lap even though she is tall for a 6 yr old, she tries to resist at first, but quickly succumbs to the attention (o:

Me "Grace, did you know what a wonderful sweet girl you are and how incredibly proud I am of you?"
Grace "yes, mom you told me that a lot of times"
Me "Well Grace, I sure love you and you'll always be my sweet baby girl, alright?"
Grace "Okay Mom, but your breathe smells really bad, have you been drinking that coffee again?"

Thanks for the heads up Grace (o:

Me & Ben about 8:30 pm tonight post bath~ he LOVES it when he'll surprise me and put on his footie pj's and they are so soft and cuddly and he'll run straight to me with them on and say Mom, you're snuggle bug is here! So, I'll scoop him up and kiss all over his neck and tell him what a sweet snuggle bug he is, and he'll let me rock him, even though he is 4 (oh, and a half) and tough and super strong like Dad, (his exact words) and never stops moving, except to let me rock him. He melts in my arms and is the one of all the kids that asks nightly if I will snuggle with him. So, anyways, I'm rocking him in my arms and telling him how much I love him, and he stops me to say, "Mom, have you ever seen a chicken poop, cuz I have"
Oh, the things that must run through a little boys mind (o: But, if I had to sell all my worldly possesions, besides my Bible and photographs, the very last thing to go would be my rocking chair. Mighty Men of God were raised in rocking chairs I suspect (o:(Here's my boy in motion, who asked me to take a hundred pictures of him jumping off of a rock. I need a picture of him being rocked........... :o)

All the Days of my Life

2008-09-23T11:00:00.001-07:00

Psalm 27:4, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple."

David longed for the "House of the Lord." It was his favorite place to be. But David could not be in the house of the Lord continually, as much as he longed to. He was king of a nation. He had battles to fight; administration to attend to. But dear mother, we have the opportunity to live David's longing. Let me explain.

The house of the Lord is no longer one temple as it was in David's day. It is not even a church building where we attend on Sundays or Saturdays today. The house of the Lord speaks of His presence. God wants your home to be His house where His presence dwells; a place where you abide in Him and He abides in you. The house of the Lord is abiding fellowship with Christ. The house of the Lord is your kitchen where you prepare the meals; the house of the Lord is your dining table where you feed your family and make every meal a love affair; the house of the Lord is any room in the home where you are working or interacting with your children.

In your home you can behold the beauty of the Lord. As you abide in Him and look to Him, He will impart His grace to you in your time of need. He will show you that He is the God who is Enough for every challenge and every situation. He is with you, in your home, and will never leave you or forsake you. No, not even when everything seems overwhelming and you feel like tearing your hair out! You are still in the house of the Lord at this moment. Instead of despairing about the situation, stop for a moment and realize that God is with you. He has promised that He will not fail you. Thank Him that He is with you. Thank Him that He cannot fail you.

In your home you can inquire in His temple. David had to go God's temple to inquire of the Lord. He faced battles, enemies and challenges; He needed God's discernment, wisdom and strength. You also long for God's wisdom. You are desperate to know what to do. You cannot go on without His strength. Praise the Lord, you don't have to get into your car and rush off to a church building. You are in the house of the Lord right now. You can inquire in His temple right now. He will give you His wisdom. He has promised, remember.

All you have to do is abide--that literally means to live in His presence. It means to acknowledge that Christ is living within you and that you are in Him. You are inseparable. You are one. He is your life source. You can't live without Him (well, I can't anyway!). Your own strength wains; you need His. Your wisdom is human; you need His divine wisdom. Your love runs out the door; you need His agape love. You are depressed and down in the dumps; His joy does not depend on how you feel. You feel your life is worthless; you can only bear fruit to bless your family and touch other lives as you abide.

John 15:4-5 says, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me can do nothing." There it is. The secret to living in the house of the Lord all the days of your life.

How I love those words... "all the days of my life." It doesn't matter what my day is like, God is with me. It doesn't matter whether I think God has left me; He is bigger than my thoughts. My thoughts deceive but God doesn't change.

See your home in a new light. It is the house of the Lord. You can live in it all the days of your life.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Thank you, Lord, for showing me that my home is the house of the Lord. Help me to enjoy my home in a new way. Thank you that I don't have to visit the house of the Lord. I live in it! Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am not a visitor but a dweller in the house of the Lord.

SCRIPTURES REFERRED TO IN THIS DEVOTION:

Look up Isaiah 41: 10, 13; Hebrews 13:5-6; James 1:5-8.

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.org

~~~~~I LOVE the Fall~~~~~

2008-09-22T22:30:00.002-07:00

Happy first day of Fall~ my first favorite season (o: I have 3 more favorite seasons too, you just can't love only one, they all are special in their own way, but Fall truly is beautiful.
Here is my list of things I love about.........
~~~~~~~~~~~AUTUMN~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Of course, the Amazing colors~ what a sight to behold! I use a lot of autumn colors in my house, they are by far my favorite colors. I oohh and aaahhh over the magnificent colors while driving through the country side and tell hubby that I see a color I want on my walls, lol, (kinda like when I get a perfect chicken egg from our girls in a neat-o brown or tan, lol) I day dream of the perfect family photo under a glowing Oak tree sorrounded by big piles of leaves (that Ben, Sarah, and Josiah are NOT jumping through while running from the camera) Someday I want to go to Maine or somewhere in that vicinity where I've heard Autumn is breathtaking.

* pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin coffee creamer, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin candles, roasted pumpkin hot out of the oven with butter and salt, pumpkin shaped candy, pumpkins on my porch, pumpkin patches, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, if they made pumpkin gum I'd probably try that........ ;o)

* Sweaters, sweaters on my sister's chihuahua, scarves, tights, long skirts, knee high socks, boots, my denim jacket, big wool socks with my birkenstocks, layers, .......

* APPLES! CORN! SQUASH! did I mention PUMPKINS yet?! SUNFLOWERS still in bloom! Seeing the fruits of our labor coming from the garden~ I love harvesting and watching my family be nourished through it. I love that working in the ground brings us food to our table, so much more satisfying then bringing it home from the grocery store where it's shipped in from who knows where....

* My 3 young turkeys who are, to the children's delight~ not going to be fat enough for Turkey Day and we will, well~ just have to have another vegetarian Thanksgiving! (o:

*Harvest Parties! Aren't they the best? have you ever been to a barn party or a real apple cider pressing party?! There is usually a big bonfire to go along with it, a gathering of old and new friends, hay rides, scare crows, roasted corn on the cob, fiddles and banjos, old fashioned fun and enough flannel to get your fill till the next Fall (o: Yee~Haw (Anyone hosting one this year???)

* Cuddling up next to your sweetie (or a good book, lol) under a blanket with some hot cider in front of a crackling fire.

I KNOW there is much more to love about Fall~ what do you love about this glorious season?????

Party Hardy

2008-09-19T12:54:00.000-07:00

We party hard around here, hahahaha

Wordless Wednesday

2008-09-17T13:35:00.001-07:00

Josiah (jojo) just being cute

Don't judge, you don't know him~ trust me it's for his safety and yours. hehehe

sisterly love, I just love it.

wish I had a picture.....

2008-09-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

for what I saw on the interstate today~
Picture gramps on one of those cruiser bikes, the kind of motorcycle that you take trips on, with all the bells and whistles. Looks as comfortable as one could be on 2 wheels at the speed of 70 mph, he was practically lounging. He looked to be the age of all the men you see driving motorhomes, except he looked more comfortable than the men driving the giant wobbly home on wheels between the semi's around here. Here's the best part though~ he was not alone. Oh no, his lady was right there beside him. that's right~beside him, not behind him. She was in a recliner position in a little side car attached to his bike. She had her drink holder, her little headset where she can converse with gramps, and here's the best part~ she had her walker strapped to the back of her sidecar. No kidding~ a walker! Obviously age is catching up to these folks still out enjoying themselves, which I highly admire~and it appears that it'll take a lot to slow these two down! I wanted to give them a big thumbs up and yell AWESOME out my van window as I drove by, but I didn't want to embarras them, or more likely just embarras myself. (o:

1st day of school

2008-09-14T15:14:00.000-07:00

I have 4 kids in school this year. It's odd to have them gone all day after enjoying so many years with them here by my side, but they are truly enjoying it and we are truly blessed with a wonderful little bitty school, and the fact that they have a better teacher student ratio then they did at home is quite humorous! At least Melody will be back to homeschooling next year(if not all of them) as they don't offer high school, and this mama just couldn't stand to have her girl apart from her that long anyways. the years are flying by too fast and I need to keep her close before she has to spread her wings and fly (o:
Here's some pics of the munchkins I have at home still occupying my days.........

They are a handful, that's for sure.....never a dull moment (o:
and here's the dad~ he still requires the most attention, lol...this is my lovely dog Molly. Isn't she adorable? Can you guess what kind of dog she is????
I'd love to know if you figure it out (o:

Out of place

2008-09-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong era?
I know it's silly. God places us where we are for a reason. No changing that! But last night we went down to Fort Vancouver and watched with wide eyed wonder as they reenacted 1846 at the Fort, and I couldn't help but somehow wish we didn't have to leave.
We got to silently walk through the old, old houses by candlelight as we listened to the conversations that may have been happening over 150 years ago. We watched the blacksmiths working in their shops, we saw the Dr. and his hundreds of bottles of potions, we watched the ladies working by their candlelight and visiting while one of the big sisters braided her younger sister's hair. We went through the bakery with their huge brick ovens. We saw the pots all hanging in a row over a fire while they prepared corn bread, rabbit stew, and beans. We went through the fur trading post area where Sarah started saying "oh no, they got killed" about all the animals! (o:
I lingered the longest in the homes where they raised families. I tried to take in all that I could, as it really is my favorite way to decorate. If I could afford it I'd have my home all done in antiques. The older, the better! I wish we could step back and live more simply. I'd leave behind all the modern day gadgets in a heartbeat. We don't need television, that's for sure!! I still don't have a cell phone contract, I wouldn't know what to do with an mp3, microwaves are unhealthy........ but I do admit that I love a good hot shower everyday!! (o:
But what I long for is the community. The closeness of women working together, Fathers working close to or at home(not a 40 minute commute one way everyday), caring for our neighbors, the simplicity, just the basics and our focus on what was truly important, not a house full of plastic junk or acquiring more *stuff* as we watch the world around us suffer. Seems like with all the technology abounding that we could've come a lot further with humanity rather than all the hoarding that we as Americans partake in. okay, I'm getting off subject here and the kids have been in and out about 800 times, making it hard to have clear thoughts (o:
Yours truly, a wannabe pioneer gal

Our little Gift

2008-09-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away~ and through it all blessed be the name of the Lord.
We were given a little gift from the Lord for only a very short time, but in it we rejoice knowing that we have a little soul in heaven, already basking in His Light and Glory! For this we are overjoyed and it brings us such comfort. We miss who that little person would've been in our family and how much joy he/she would've brought to us all, but we know God's plans are always best, for this we are grateful. I yearn for the day we shall be together and I can wrap my arms around that little one, but for now we will hold our dear ones a little tighter and thank our Heavenly Father for all the blessings he has bestowed upon us.

Birthday Blast

2008-08-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

I had such a neat birthday that I didn't even mind turning a year older~ imagine that. As I creep closer and closer to 40, I start to realize that my parent's weren't as old as I thought they were, and much wiser then I gave them credit for (o:
so, my birthday started at midnight, cuz I'm rarely asleep before greeting the AM hours~ so
at midnight Marty gave me a gift cuz he just can never wait.
and tada.....it was a digital camera~ so no more excuses why I can't
get you all some new pictures huh? (o: I had no idea he was going to
get me a camera so I was so pumped! I really needed a new one. Sarah
Ruby threw mine on the floor of home depot and it has never really
worked well since.
the best part was the card he wrote me though. sweetest thing I've
ever read. I do declare, these hubbies get better with age!
Summer gave me a birthday book full of quotes from the kids to me from
them. Then it was full of bible verses on God's love for us. I was
soooo touched. this is my thoughtful 10 yr old that loves to write.
I feel soooo blessed!
in the morning I took the 2 oldest kids to church camp at 7am and when
I got in the van my 13yr old had a card and a piece of chocolate on my
seat for me. she knows her mama~ lol
came home from that, kids and I and hubby met up with my dad, and
brother for a chinese food lunch~ yum! marty had to go to swingshift
so my brother and I took the kids up the gorge to see Multnomah Falls
and did a small hike. It was gorgeous! we played in the water a bit
then we went and got slurpees~
met back at my sisters house and she made us all homemade pizzas and
my mom and aunt came over too and brought cheesecake and icecream....
ahhhhhhh~ what a day, lol. enough sugar to last me until my next
birthday though~ got home at about 11pm and Marty rolled in a few
minutes later. we got the littles to bed except for my 7 yr old Lily
and her and Marty and I went out on the trampoline with blankets and
watched falling stars. Every year on my birthday there is always
meteor showers or some kind of spectacular light show happening up
above, we counted 12 falling stars within a half hour! Lily kept
telling me thank you for letting her stay up with us, lol.... SUCH a
wonderful day AND night~ couldn't of asked for a better birthday. I
feel soooooooo blessed (o:
~Bonnie
here's Wylie and the youngest 5 , Ben really was having a good time, Wylie must be pinching him to keep him in place, haha
Aunt Melanie just being awesome Aunt Melanie!
My mama and my Aunt Lila (her sister) here visiting from Idaho
Lily and her yummy creation!
Here's me and the 4 that I could grab~ the rest are off jumping into the waterfall or something~ haha~ hey I'm THIRTYFOUR!!!!!! wow

What was my Mom thinking naming me Bonnie?

2008-05-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

Your 1920's Name is:

Dovie Zola

What's Your 1920's Name?

Busy Bees

2008-05-17T20:18:00.000-07:00

We've been so busy here my head's spinning. I have most my garden planted, we are finishing up the new stairs to our daylight basement, contractor is coming Monday for the carpet estimate, and hubby and I are going to paint the wainscotting and new walls. Maybe I spelled wainscoating wrong, either way spell check doesn't like it (o: anyone have any suggestions besides white? I'm really into country decor. I thought a wheat yellow for the walls and a cornflower blue on the wainscotting would be real country, but I don't know if I'm that brave. I like the look of white wainscotting though, but it goes up and down our stairs which means little dirty finger prints all the time to drive me crazy!
My brother was here from Hawaii and left this morning. It's always fun when he's around, he'll be back soon as he gets married 4th of July weekend! F I N A L L Y Crystal will officially be part of our family! I'm suppose to be helping my sister make the invitations to Crystal's bridal shower, I mean lingerie shower...ohhlala, lol
Our oldest (turns 18 tomorrow!) and our 4th daughter (turns 6 on Monday) are celebrating birthdays tomorrow and we're having a house full. It's been so hot lately too and we found out our central air is not working! fun, fun for a houseful of party guests! We're leaving in the evening with everyone to see the new Chronicles of Narnia movie. I'm leaving Josiah with a babysitter for the first time ever with some people from church, our old neighbors. I'll probably be thinking of him through the whole movie! (o: We have graduation party for the 18yr old (Martin would be his name, lol) on the 8th and his graduation is on the 10th, my 2nd cake decorating course is suppose to start in June, but seriously my calendar is SOOOO full like every other day that I'm going to have to cancel )o: and my sister flies in from Hawaii with her kids on the 7th. My Dad flies out to Sudan this Friday morning, and my other sister flies in from Hungary. My family is big missions oriented, can you tell, lol? And here I am raising my army from solid ground still having never stepped foot on an airplane~ Although I do fly in my dreams (o:
I'm so excited to have my siblings all together on this side of the globe again! yayayayayay!! I'm just a LITTLE excited. I love my family (o:
Sorry that I haven't been posting much, life's happenin' (o:

Cakes, Cakes, and more Cakes......

2008-05-03T00:15:00.000-07:00

I started a cake decorating class at the beginning of April. I finished the first 4 week course and will start up again in June. It's fantastic~ It's something creative I can do that includes decorating, and using my handwriting, which I am actually fond of, not to toot my own horn (o:
I hope to be talented enough to make wedding cakes someday.
Only problem, I can't have my cake and eat it too.... (or make my cake and eat it too)
In our class we make buttercream frosting, and you do know what the two main ingredients of that is, right? SHORTENING AND SUGAR! ughhh....I HAVE to find a way to make healthier cakes with frosting that is actually healthy and the right consistency to be able to decorate. That would be so cool, I'm sure it must be possible??????
So, here's some fun pictures of my first few cakes (and some cupcakes, clowns especially for you Mary~I'll make them for your homecoming party. heeheeheeheehee in my most devious laugh......

My baby boy turned one! And~he's not too fond of cake

these were cute and seriously so easy to make. See, they're not scary clowns, right Mary? I still can't figure out how to make my pictures not sideways!! sorry guys
My sister in law's birthday cake, see it's a good thing I'm taking this class because the birthday season in our family is now upon us! Learning how to make the roses was way cool~
And, while everyone ate cake this is what I ate! But, I'm quite sure mine was better (o: This is my version of the raw spaghetti I ate over at the most fantastic restaurant in Portland Oregon. If you're ever this way, you've got to check it out~ The Blooming Lotus.
My next kitchen tool purchase is going to be the saladacco. It's this cool gadget that turns your zuchinni into little angel hair pasta! yyyyyuuuummmmmmmm

May Day

2008-05-01T23:01:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's May! can you believe it's May? Last year went on record as the fastest year ever, and it looks as though this year is trying to disappear as well! Remember when you were growing up how older people would tell you time really flies, and you're like nu-uh, I've been in the 3rd grade fooooorever. Well, then when I had my first darling baby, older moms would tell me, be careful they grow up soooo fast! Guess what? It was all true! every year that I age, the year gets shorter! by the time I'm 80 I'll just take a nap and I'll be 90. (o:
Well, to celebrate another beautiful day, and it being May Day, Lily made me a cute little paper flower bouquet and Josiah decided to WALK! yep, full on walking. He just got up and walked across the room, and he tried to sneak it in on us too..... He was so nonchalant about it too, like he had been doing it for years. I've learned not to spaz about things the kids do until after or else I'll shock them and they'll fall over. When I was potty training my first I remember the first time she started peeing in her little potty seat I squealed so loudly (being so proud of her ability to pee???) that she literally jumped off her chair mid-pee in a frantic desperation trying to get away from whatever mom was screaming about...... so.......
now I just act like oh cool, so you're walking....and then the second his bootie hit the floor again I jumped up and hugged him and clapped and carried on. He was so proud of himself (o: wish I woulda had the video camera right there waiting.
I got a new sewing machine for Christmas, it's a lot of fun. I'm teaching myself to sew again. I've played around with it in years past, but I actually bought some patterns and attempted them. I made the cutest bloomers for the girls, I don't actually have a pic of that yet, but I did whip up some quick valances for my windows in the dining room and those were easy peasy. Here's what they look like. I'm mad for plaid. (o:

I did take the snowflakes down finally a few days ago, but really it wasn't that inappropriate seeing as how we had a couple inches of snow in April~ crazy, eh?

Pictures

2008-04-26T22:29:00.000-07:00

Just because I don't have time to write out a whole blog on what I really want to write about right now..... raw foods. So, here's some more pics to share with you. (o:
As soon as I figure out how to get my daughter's camera to download pics on my computer I will post some raw foods recipes complete with pictures!

Green Smoothies

2008-04-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

I was at an Above Rubies retreat this last March (www.aboverubies.org) when I was encouraged again to start a raw foods journey. Originally it sparked my interest for the weight loss benefits~ But the more I studied it the more in love I fell with the idea of eating living foods. I've been a whole foods type of gal for quite a while now, thinking that we were feeding ourselves quite healthily, not buying processed, packaged foods. Using whole grains, oats, etc... Grinding our own wheat berries and baking our own bread. Raising our own farm fresh eggs......
I haven't forsaken this way of life for the family, they're not exactly jumping on the raw wagon the way I am, but I'm still sneaking it in as much as I can (o: more on the raw foods subject to come......
We've been making green smoothies for a couple years now. I can't recommend this enough, especially when you have small children that won't sit and eat a hearty salad. I bought a Vitamix from Costco, it is a super blender on steroids that will blend everything up to an oblivion! Therefore you can chuck in big handfuls of raw spinach and drink it down!!
Here's what a smoothie at our house looks like~

Handful or two of fresh spinach
frozen banana or two (you don't have to use frozen)
some frozen berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, etc..
flax seed, I use the flax seeds but you could use the flax oil~ just spendier that way though.
some ice cubes, and either water or fresh juice if I have it.

That's the base to my smoothie, but you could add so many more combinations, fruits, nuts, seeds, yogurt if you're not vegan, sometimes I'll add a carrot, or a slice of cabbage and it doesn't affect the taste and the kids don't know, and don't ask.... lol.....
Most days I'll make these in place of a salad for the kids, they are much more agreeable to chug it down than to eat a salad. Although, I don't believe in hiding everything in their food. I want them to grow up knowing how good spinach, carrots, cabbage, etc.. is for them and how delicious it can truly be! So, I'll offer it to them in other forms.
I love the vitamix. It is my best friend in the kitchen, besides my new Excalibur 9 tray food dehydrator that is purring in my kitchen 24 hours a day now. (Drying at 105 degrees still keeps the enzymes in your food living!!) I'll write more on this topic when the kids aren't interrupting every 10 seconds, thus the midnight posts to come....... (o:

2008-04-15T22:01:00.000-07:00

Someone loves homemade bread -n- jam!
She loves to share too!
Our dog, Molly, knows to stay close to the
babies......they always feed her
just a random shot of Ben about a year ago

here's 6 of them. Melody looks really thrilled to be in this pose doesn't she??
This is my favorite beach to visit on the Oregon Coast. (Cannon Beach) there's not always a whole lot of sunshine, but some days you get lucky (o: and it's really a cool little beach town. I can't wait to go back.

Josiah's Homebirth Story

2008-04-10T23:18:00.000-07:00

In honor of Josiah's first birthday in just one short week I thought I would share his journey into our family. People always tell me they enjoy reading this so I hope you do too!
I absolutely love home birthing
~ Home Is Where Your Story Begins~

Josiah, you light up my life. I’m giddy with delight and bursting with love when I look into your sweet face. I still am in awe of the miracle of the Lord’s hand in forming you so intimately and wonderfully, yes you are wonderfully made. We praise God for you little one, you are truly a blessing to this family.

Well, originally we thought that you would arrive right around Easter. But Easter came and went with no sign of you wanting to make your big entrance. I was surprisingly at peace with this, and had no desire to rush you. I kept feeling that it was not time. I should back up and mention that on Good Friday my midwife came by to check on me. She determined that you were transverse, meaning your head was below my right rib cage and you were spread out across my belly instead of head down! You little stinker!! The midwife was quite concerned and sent us to a naturopathic Dr. that did aversions, meaning he would manually maneuver you inside my belly to position you correctly! I was not too thrilled about this idea, but he said he would do an ultrasound first to determine the true position. Thankfully your daddy insisted on coming with me even though he had just finished working all night and hadn’t slept yet. While we were on our way to Portland your daddy layed his hand on my belly and told you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you were to get into the correct position!

Well, of course when we arrived and he performed the first and only ultrasound we were to receive this pregnancy, there you were- Head down and in the correct position!! The midwife said it was unbelievable! She had done an internal check as well and said there was no chance that this baby was head down! When I told her how your daddy prayed over you, she said “Well- we should’ve done this at home before sending you over! Praise God!”

Ok, so back to your due date. First week past the due date came and went. The only disappointing thing about it was that your daddy took the time off of work assuming you would be here and he had used up all his vacation time. I can’t say he wasn’t happy to get more time off though!! He kept himself very busy with projects around the farm. He started a 70 foot long porch for the front of our home! He purchased some new goats and got new fences up. I even helped him with that!

Day 8 overdue I woke up very early with mild contractions. I got up and around and started timing them. They slowed down though and I didn’t think it was going to happen, but then they reappeared and as my experience in the past has been with the other 6 labors is once it starts it doesn’t end! So….. I called my midwife and said that I just wanted to give her a heads up on her day since I usually have quick labors and wanted to make sure she would be in calling range! Well, wouldn’t you know it but by the time she arrived an hour or so later the contractions just completely stopped! I felt silly since I had her here and I had sent out emails to all my friends saying it was Baby Time! I stayed close to home thinking it would start up anytime. I even went outside and did more work. Funny story- the night before I decided to cut grass. I got on the riding lawn mower and went over every bumpy uneven bit of acreage I could find, and at high speeds too! I was flying all over the place, almost scared myself a couple of times!! I hoped later that I didn’t scare you with that bumpy ride and the loud noise of the lawn mower!!

Well, Tuesday morning I awoke with contractions again, about 4 am. I thought well, here we go again! I got up and timed them for about a half hour. They were about 7 minutes apart. I started picking up around the house, folded some laundry, and cleaned up a bit. The more I moved the more the contractions were slowing down. I layed down on the couch and they picked up again. I timed them for another hour but they were sporadic. Well, altogether a few hours had passed and they weren’t anything regular and they weren’t getting any more intense. I prepared breakfast for the kids who were starting to wake up and my back started throbbing. I was having contractions through my back and around to my middle. I was starting to breather through them, trying to make myself more comfortable. It still wasn’t anything I couldn’t tolerate though. Then like a light that has been switched off, they just stopped! There were no more that day. I couldn’t understand what was going on. I was beginning to feel frustrated. It didn’t help that everyone was calling, with good intention of course, to find out why I hadn’t had a baby yet! Your dad kept asking me to take castor oil to persuade you out!! No thank you!!

I was beginning to wonder if I was keeping you hostage, a prisoner of my womb!! Every time I started to go into what I thought was labor, I would start to panic! I would think in my mind, “Oh no, it’s here! It’s time and it’s going to hurt!!” I felt like I was scaring myself out of labor. I don’t know why I was being such a baby this time! I was having butterflies in my stomach and near anxiety attacks every time I thought of labor! I confided in your father several times about this. That night we sat in bed together and he prayed with me for strength and courage. When he was done praying I joked with him that I was really hoping he might have prayed that rather than strength and courage that he might just grant me a painless birth!!

So, Wednesday morning rolls in. Same story- I am awoken around 4 am with contractions. I fall back asleep for another hour or so. I layed in bed and timed the contractions. Only about every 10-12 minutes. I got up just as the sun was making it’s appearance. The house was quiet and the light that was filtering in made a nice glow. I emailed some friends again asking for prayer. Surely this was it, we had prayed, I felt strong, I felt ready…. I made up a plate of healthy snacks for the midwife and I for after the birth, made myself some Red Raspberry Leaf tea. Cleaned up again around the house. I was jittery with the excitement of knowing it was time.

Well, I should’ve known better by now. I could almost cry at this point. The contractions were gone again. I layed down on the couch, exhausted mentally and physically of this being the third day of going through contractions and thinking I was going to have a baby!

Well, we get a phone call. A friend who was due 9 days after me is in the hospital having her baby! Although I was excited for her, I told your daddy- “That’s it, I’m having this baby today, she IS NOT having her baby before me” I went and jumped on, well ok, more like I waddled over to the treadmill and started walking. Pretty soon I’m upping the speed and the incline. I’m breaking a sweat and for what? For nothing!! Your dad thought it was my fault that the labor was stopping. I said no- I’m ready I want to have this baby! Pllleeease baby, time to come meet your family I kept whispering to the little one within. I experienced some contractions throughout the day, nothing regular though. I kept having a desire to go to Costco, but I was too chicken. I thought that if I went into labor there and had all your sisters and brother with me, and then had to make the long trip home that I might get myself in trouble. So, I waited it out being very lazy this day and lying around a lot. Your Dad kept telling me I should get up and move around but I just didn’t see the point in it. You would come when you were good and ready and nothing I did was going to change that! The Lord knew what your birth date was so I decided just to lay and wait. I felt like I may never leave that bed again until you were in my arms. I kept getting phone calls, I told your aunt Jenny that I was hoping after all these contractions for 3 days that all the sudden it would just be time to push without going through any more labor. Well, fat chance of that!!

The morning of April 19^th, I awaken early with contractions again. I layed in bed for only a few minutes before another one hits. Well, I wonder, is this going to be the real thing today or is it another tease? Then like a slow wave coming over me the intensity builds in around my abdomen again. With a renewed sense of hope I hop up. I made my way out to the kitchen, drank some Red Raspberry Leaf tea, and had a half of banana, and a piece of toast. A few contractions later I decided to go and relax in my big tub. I believe it was around 8 am. I was excited but still not convinced since I had done this same thing the past few mornings. I picked out the cd’s I wanted to listen to while I was in the tub and started the water. With such big tub it takes quite a while and in that time I had some more contractions. I knew deep down that this was it. I stopped and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked deep into my own eyes and said You CAN do this, You CAN do this, You WILL do this!! Nothing like a little self-affirmation to boost your confidence! Well, a couple of minutes of that was long enough so I decided to get in the tub and get into a real relax mode. I had heard enough people talk about the calming effects of water in labor so I wanted to get my body real relaxed and calm before real labor hit. I was still having steady contractions, I knew there was no turning these ones off! This was it! Today I would meet my baby!! I was ready!

I lay back and let my body float as still as possible, with my belly bobbing up I needed to change positions to keep myself submerged. I practiced different positions for what I thought would work best when the contractions started to be more intense. At this point I was still enjoying being in the tub and loving the fact that everything was still so manageable. I was listening to a Maranatha Praise CD but it was getting on my nerves and just then your Daddy finally wakes up and comes in. He tells me he heard the praise music and the water running so he knew I must be in labor! I had him put on a Casting Crowns CD and I asked him to get me a bowl of ice and water, a washcloth, and some juice to drink. I put the bowl of ice next to the tub so that I could keep my washcloth cold to put on my forehead. The water was warm and it felt good to cover my face with a cool washcloth during contractions.

The kids were up now and curious as to what was happening. I heard them bustling around the house, eating breakfast, the occasional screams of a toddler not wanting to share, and the pleadings to come and see mama. These are the joyous, welcoming background noises heard at a homebirth. So much more inviting than beeping monitors, gabby nurses in the hallway and loud pages over an intercom system every few minutes.

Sarah, Ben, Grace, and Lily all came in to say their hello’s and curiously watched me being surprisingly calm still in the tub. It was probably after 10am at this time, and the contractions were about 4 minutes apart. One of them told me I was pretty, one of them asked how long until they could see the baby, and Sarah was begging to get in the tub with me. She kept saying, wanna bath mama? Your daddy had them go out so I could focus on relaxing again. My focal point picture was an 8x10 of Grace looking like an angel. I realized though that having a focal point to stare at wasn’t really what worked for me. I had never used one before, and I guess now I know why. I liked to look at it in between contractions but as soon as a contraction would come over me I would turn sideways and hold onto the tub and lay my head against the cool washcloth. I was breathing harder through the contractions now and it dawned on me that I still hadn’t called the midwife. Your daddy, almost simultaneous with that thought, asked if he should call the midwife, Mary. I hesitantly said yes, maybe you should. As he headed out of the bathroom to call her I almost yelled out, well tell her not to hurry though. Thankfully I never voiced that thought because had he waited any longer to call her she may not have made it in time. Daddy comes back to check on me (us) and I’m to the point where it’s hurting enough to not want to be alone anymore. It’s hurting in my lower back though. It’s a sharp intense, gnawing pain that wraps around the abdomen to a sharp point right square in my lower back. I tell him to push harder and then beg him to stop, he’s not pushing on the right spot. Then the contraction passes. Another one comes and it’s not as bad this time. It’s as if the contractions are taking turns like the waves of the sea. A light one rolls in, then a little bigger one, then whoosh, a tidal wave hits. Oh Lord, help me through this one! Then the calm of the storm comes softly and gently and I am renewed with hope that we will get through this. The gentle giant leaves and a tidal wave washes over me, I ask (ok-demand nicely) for more pressure on my back and this one he pushes on just the right spot on my back and it’s a little better. We go through these a few rounds and I notice your Dad is getting antsy. He likes to disappear and come back when he hears me start hollering for him. He is excited and wants to make phone calls. The funniest thing that he did was bring me walkie talkies. I had to include this in the birth story because it is comical now to look back on. He tells me to call him on the walkie talkie if it gets too bad! Ugh!!!! Well, I decide to try to work through this by myself. I know that I can do it. Sometimes being alone can help you deal with it the only way that you know how, and it makes you cry out to God more too I learned! (o: I have lost track of time now, not sure of how long I am doing this. Daddy comes back to check on me and I am just clutching the side of the tub and refusing to move. He keeps telling me I should get out now, that the water is not helping. I argue with him and tell him absolutely it’s helping. Why does he want me out? He doesn’t know why, he just thinks I should. So, I am scared to get out but I am vulnerable in my mind and think maybe there is a reason he sees that I can’t right now that I should get out. I tell him after the next contraction I’ll get out, but I threaten to just go get in the shower. I jump out after the next contraction and realize my bladder is super full. I sat on the toilet through the next contraction and realize I am at the point of no return. This is the part where I start to panic. I am acutely aware of the fact that my brother is on the roof outside pounding away. I am also aware that someone just came down our gravel road and it’s not the midwife, it’s the mail man delivering a package! I have a towel wrapped around me and I pace into the nursery connected to our room. I remind myself of an animal in labor that walks circles madly searching for any form of relief. (Is there such an animal that does this???) The contractions are soooo close, I barely feel a break. I start pleading with your Dad, oh please please, that’s all I can say. I grab onto him and squeeze his shirt in my fists. Then I pace, pace, pace, but for only about 30 seconds and the next one hits. He says he needs to go take a shower before the midwife gets here. I BEG him to hurry, I tried to make him stay with me but he really wanted that shower! I grab onto the bars of the treadmill with the next contractions and I’m just saying Oh God, Oh God, and I’m praying out to God to be with me, to relieve me. I am panicking, I don’t know what to do. All I can think is why didn’t I stay in the water?!!!!! I feel like squatting but I’m afraid to do it. Now I know why, you my son were ready to be born and I was holding you back! I hear the midwife Mary and her daughter Pita come in the house. They follow the noises to the back room. Hurray! I needed some womanly support desperately. As soon as my midwife sees me she tells me to breathe and let my bottom loose. I don’t know how she could tell that I was so stiff and literally all clenched up but she knew the second she walked in. She’s awesome, I guess it comes with all her experience. As soon as she gave me a job, something to concentrate on, I focused on loosing up and letting myself open up. She and Pita were rushing about like busy bees setting up their birthing kit and supplies. Your Dad walks in and says her contractions are pretty close and I yell No! They aren’t stopping!!!! Pita tells me to come over to the bed and I am walking through a never ending contraction. I can barely get on the bed when my back Screams out and I flip to my left side. Right then the bag of waters breaks, the midwife takes a peek and says, oh you can push Bonnie! Mary and Pita have only been here for about 10 minutes. Your Dad comes over and gets on the bed next to me and holds my right leg up and I start pushing. I am so thrilled that it is to the pushing part because I know that the end is in sight. I know that this means within minutes my sweet little babe will be in my arms. I start to push but it feels like it’s literally a bowling ball! You feel too big to come through like there is a block up not letting you through. I just push through the crazy burn and through that wall. I know the harder I push and not give up the sooner the pain will be gone and I will be looking into your dear eyes. I don’t know how long I pushed, probably 10 minutes at the most, maybe less, but I felt that joyous sweet relief as your precious little body enters the world. I look down to catch the first glimpse of my little angel. Oh joy, oh joy, you’re a little Boy! Just what we prayed and both secretly hoped for! I can’t believe I have a new Son!! I reach for your not so little body, but really still so tiny to us. I pull you up to me and take in the moment, etching it into my mind as to never forget our first meeting in the outside world. Here you are, this little one I have known for so long, this little one that I have longed for, this little one that I can’t imagine life without now.

You were surprisingly different than the siblings before you. You have a look all your own. You have this prominent little widow’s peak and these beautiful alert big eyes. You have the cutest little up turned button nose, your face is all squashed up, probably from being so squished coming through. Your hair is dark and your eyes are a dark blue. You are sporting big strong hands. Everyone says he’s going to have to grow into those hands. You look all boy. There is no mistaking that! Even your shoulders are broad, and you had (and still do!) the tiniest bit of dark hair around your ankles. Such a beautiful sight to your mother, you are a baby that I can only dream of. I treasure the days ahead that I can hold you warm in my arms and lay my cheek against the top of your soft head. I love your smell. I wish I could capture it in a bottle before it’s gone.

Well, Dad is oohing and ahhing over you too. Then I realized he’s disappeared again and can hear him out on the phone calling people. He’s such a proud papa that he wants to share it with the world that the Lord has given him a son! As soon as Dad gets back I tell him to let the kids in to meet their new brother. They all come bouncing in, their eyes big and glowing with excitement. All 6 of them climb up onto the bed to get a better look and they are saying how cute you are. Benjamin says “Mama, I want yous to put him down so I can teach him to walk!” Benjamin is so happy to have a brother!! Your sisters are just as equally pleased. Ben tells me that you are his best friend! Lily asks me if she can help me teach you about Jesus? I said of course honey, that would be wonderful.

Josiah William

Born April 19^th, 2007 at 12:09 pm

Weighing 9lbs, 8 oz. And measuring 22 ¼ inches long.

You are a blessed joy to your family. We thank God for this awesome privilege of raising you. We praise God for giving you to us. You are so loved.

just some random pics of the Fam

2008-04-10T22:33:00.001-07:00

Josiah~ 8 months old

Me & Sarah Ruby

My sister Jenny and her husband Josh
with my daughter~ Lily

Sarah Ruby on her 1st birthday. Wonder if
she'll love to do dishes 1o yrs from now.
I doubt it (o:

Benjamin and the cone head, I mean Sarah Ruby

I absolutely love photographs, especially portraits. They are invaluable to me!!

Don't Buy Boxed Baby Rice Cereal..... Here's a healthier version

2008-04-10T14:38:00.000-07:00

Very simple, and so much better for baby than buying the boxed cereals that who knows what is put into it, or who made it. Wouldn't you much rather feed your little precious with something you oversaw, and can pronounce all the ingredients for? AND.... no preservatives...... that's a biggie for me right there!
I made this for the family the other day in attempts to do something different besides the old traditional oats. Not that there is anything wrong with oats (o:

~Ingredients~

1 Cup of Brown Rice
3.5 Cups of Water
1/2 tsp of salt
a little vanilla flavoring
8 dried apricots- chopped in your food processor or VitaMix (my favorite appliance in the world!)
2 tbsp of sunflower seeds (depending on the ages of who you are feeding this to, you can leave this out if you're worried about someone choking.)

Take your raw rice and put it into your blender for 10 seconds and give it a whirl. Bring your water and salt to a boil and add the rice. Put a lid on it and lower the temp to LOW for 20 minutes. Stir often with a wire whisk.
The last few minutes I add the apricots and a drop or two of vanilla flavoring. (And sunflower seeds if desired)
AND you're DONE! Easy, huh?

you can add other yummies to it for a variety
Some Ideas
*flax seeds
*blueberries, strawberries, bananas
*raisins, craisins, dried cherries
*honey

Canadian HealthCare~ Why the US doesn't need it

2008-02-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

Kids say the Weirdest Things!

2008-02-14T00:29:00.000-08:00

Lily (who is 7): "Mom, would it be stealing if you snuck into people's house and took their crust?"

Me (Mom) : "What kind of crust?" (This reply doesn't make sense as we all know that normal moms would be appalled that their daughter is contemplating the morality of sneaking into one's home and stealing their crust and all I can think about is, Is she meaning the crust that is splattered on the top of the microwave? The crust that spills out of the toaster when I move it? The crust that you find living along side your floor boards, what crust???!!!

Lily: "The crust that people throw away"

Me: "Ooohh, that crust. Well first of all there is two things wrong here. For one that you would be sneaking into someone's house, and for two, taking something of someone else's, even if it is CRUST, would still be considered stealing. why would you want their crust?"

Lily: "Yeah, that would be stealing, huh? Well, I'm writing a story about a man who plants flowers made out of crust. So, I have to think about where he is going to get all the crust."

Me: "ok, it's all making sense now." HAHA

Lily:"I guess in my story he can just dig through trash"
~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@ ~@

People would often ask me after the birth of my son if there was any difference between him and the 4 daughters I had previous to him. At that point there wasn't a whole lot besides the one incident of him peeing 10 ft up into the air like a hydrant during a diaper change. But, now that he's 3 there are quite a few. The one that stands above the rest though is this~ FOOD! This kid loves food. Everyday, he eats his food down faster than anyone else, he's even been known to *share* off of his little sister's plate, claiming to be helping her along so that she can be free to go play. He is happy as a clam teaching his 9 month brother the ways of being a boy too. I found them on the floor with two HUGE mounds of animal crackers one day. Ben said they were hungry. He is hungry 10 minutes after eating. He loves to see his mom in the kitchen, and will promptly say, "whatcha cooking Mom?" he's even told me "I love you Mom, cuz you make me good food" Truly the way to this little guy's heart is through his stomach. The irony of it though is that his body rejects so many different foods. Dairy, Nuts, Soy, wheat, raspberries, potatoes, apples, sesame seeds, peanuts, oats, to name a few.
Tonight on the way home from the naturopaths with Ben we stopped at Costco to get gas. He said "Mom, can we run into Costco real fast?" "Why Benjamin?" I asked. He replied with, "Because I LOVE food!" that pretty much sums it up for that kid (o:
I asked him once, "where is your favorite place to go?" his answer "Places where there is food."
"What is your favorite thing to do Benjamin?" his answer ~ "Eat"
He was telling me another day about the really cool car that he was going to drive someday. It was a hot rod with flames on it and it would go really fast. So, I asked him where are you going to drive to when you have a car? And he said, "Taco Bell"
funny thing is, I don't think he even remembers ever eating at a Taco Bell, but he knows it has food!
I need to find him some hobbies or maybe get him into sports huh? :o)

Just another Sunday......

2008-02-11T01:29:00.001-08:00

I should've known today was not going to be just another Sunday when I realized that the reading of the Bible in Church was being accompanied by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Seriously. We went to see some friends and attend church with them in little Yacolt in a little tiny country old white church. They WERE the Church. I counted 12 of them and then our family of 10 doubled the attendance and you had Church.... Our friend Jerry starts reading a passage from Revelations and stops and asks his grandson if he would accompany him on the guitar while he read? Sure gramps the long haired compliant teen replies. He grabs his guitar and sits down and starts strumming Sweet Home Alabama. Everything goes on as normal.. huh?? I kinda chuckled, ok, this is a first. I like it,,,,,Alabama is one of God's great creations too.... Then Jerry grabs the grandaddy of all cello's and plays Jesus loves me for the Kids. Then we broke bread. It was different, but good. God is goooood.
We went home and as was adamantly taught growing up in the Nazarene Church that you take your Nazarene Nap Sunday afternoon, I decided to go lay down &
snuggle with hubby who is passed out already alongside Josiah. 15
minutes later the phone rings and wakes me up just as I'm in that
really comfortable I'm drifting off to sleep land..... someone needs
directions to our house and I'm sounding all disfunctional trying to give
them directions cuz I'm still in a daze. This guy was coming to look
at Marty's tractor for sale. I get up and go feed the animals and start
cleaning out my van, (so much for rest) :o) go back upstairs and find
Melody about in tears. Her throat is soooo swollen up she can
hardly talk. Has been that way since yesterday along with a fever.
This girl never gets sick, or at least never gets hit hard. I decided
to take her in to the urgency care clinic since I remember so vividly
being plagued with strep throat as a kid and how cruddy my ENTIRE body
felt, let alone the throat.
Long story short~ the entire town is in line at the clinic cuz
everything else is closed. The kid in front of us popped 20 Ibuprofren
and the nurses eyes are bugging out and they are calling an ambulance
to transfer him over to the ER. Then the lady behind me, while I'm
bending down to pick something up, LITERALLY coughs in my eye. I'm not
kidding~ I feel something HIT my EYE!! EEEeeeeWWWWwwwww~~~~~~ All I
can think now is oh great, what did you just GIVE ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?

They cultured Mel's throat. They had to do it 3 times because she kept
gagging so badly. Being the wonderful, supportive mother that I am, I
rub her back and try not to laugh. I don't know why it is, but me and
Melody always crack each other up. Her eyes were watering and she is
grabbing this 10 foot swab out of her throat and we start laughing.
Mind you, she is really, really sick, lol......
Yes, it's strep. Yes, it's one of those times were I'm actually glad I
took a child into a medical facility, even if I die of the bird flu
that someone just coughed into my eye.
I wish I were a pharmacist. I'd be rich. After driving across town and
stopping at 6 different CLOSED pharmacies AND another hospital I found
the ONE pharmacy that is open in town. Seriously, one pharmacy that is
open 24 hours. That pharmacist is a genius. The kid at the window said
proudly, "Well, good thing you found us because I've been told we're
the only thing open on a Sunday night south of Salem and all the way
north to Seattle." he should've added, "Good thing you obviously have
a ton of time to waste tonight not having anything better to do then
sit in waiting rooms and drive mindlessly around town so that you
could come and wait for an HOUR at my pharmacy for my pharmacist to
count 20 pills and label this bottle for you" sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....
Melody actually asked (innocently) "Why is it taking so long Mom? Does
the pharmacist have to make the pills?"
I could go on now about how I finally made it home 6 hours later at
10pm to find ALL the kids awake, and starving, piles of unrecognizable
food dumped on the floor with the baby in the middle of it, My newly
sewn curtains turned into an army fort, and the tv on so loud no one
could hear us knocking, but that wouldn't be fair to Marty now would
it? (o:
So, how was your Sunday? (o:

~Bonnie

Simply Me & Mine

Katelyn Rose

Blogger Bum..........

Things I never tire of

Emerald Applesauce

FREE HUGS!!!!!

This Christmas..........

The Gift of a Smile

Sleepy Baby Wrap contest

Would it bother you more if they used a Gun?

From the mouth of a babe

Wordless Wednesday

Election Predictions

Wordless Wednesday

Super Sales Saturday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Special moments with our children..........

All the Days of my Life

~*~*~*~*~*I LOVE the Fall~*~*~*~*~*

Party Hardy

Wordless Wednesday

wish I had a picture.....

1st day of school

Out of place

Our little Gift

Birthday Blast

What was my Mom thinking naming me Bonnie?

Busy Bees

Cakes, Cakes, and more Cakes......

May Day

Pictures

Green Smoothies

Josiah's Homebirth Story

just some random pics of the Fam

Don't Buy Boxed Baby Rice Cereal..... Here's a healthier version

Canadian HealthCare~ Why the US doesn't need it

Kids say the Weirdest Things!

Just another Sunday......

~~~~~I LOVE the Fall~~~~~