Diligent Workers

Love teaching this sweet 4 yr old.
Collin loves reading blends and counting.

My big first grader!  I never thought Caiden was going to read!
He surprised me the end of June and has not slowed down!  He
loves first grade A Beka DVD this school year!  Mom was hesitant,  but
 he has surprised me and is working very diligently!

Ashlyn is loving 4th grade!  I am so thankful she is focused and
LOVES SCHOOL!  Her reading has improved so much!  Ashlyn's favorite subjects are
Bible, History and Science.  She is working at a much larger computer screen now.  The fun of the small
tablet did not last long!  Ha!  A Beka Streaming has been a blessing to our home!

Colten is learning his numbers and letters with Collin and Mommy.  He
is also learning to play quietly and independently.  He did not even notice that Collin
had completed school and was ready to playwith him.  He played with this car garage
and the same car for over 30 min.  My baby is growing up so quickly!

Watching the Boxcar Children.  Can you pick out who was just toooo exhausted to watch?

I scooped him up after this pictture and snuggled  with him.
I will take any moment I can with this busy little guy!

Happy, helpful, HARD workers!  Work gloves make it so
much more fun to do yard work!  

 

Just a quick hello, on a busy homeschool day. . . .

My how time flys when you are having fun!  :)  

It has been 2 yrs since I blogged.  Unbelievable.  I have just started my

6th yr homeschooling and I have 4 students.  Blessed and thankful for all they have learned 

and I am excited about all the things they will learn this 2014-2015 school yr.

My children are growing up so quickly.

The pictures below are from a wedding A girl was in this past July.  

And of course my 3 Stoodges.  My heart.  Love these kiddos.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

We will never forget. . . September 11, 2001

Psalm 11 King James Version (KJV)

11 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

² For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

³ If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

⁴ The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

⁵ The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

⁶ Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

⁷ For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

Cool, Crisp Breezes!

 I attempted to take pictures of the kids Friday.  Good times!  Memories.

The grass was wet and there were acorns that HAD to be gathered.

One day, I will be able to get that perfect picture.  :)  

Now to learn how to edit.  My hubby keeps telling me it is so easy, but I am lost.

Adobe Photoshop is not as easy as he makes it out to be.  My goal is to figure it out before Christmas.

♡Colten Hunter♡

10 1/2 months

I just ♡ those 2 little bottom teeth sneaking in the picture.

I could just gobble him up.

He has become so independent and just last week weaned himself.  

I cried, but remembered that I was blessed to have him begin to nurse again at 5 1/2 months old.

We had to stop at 23 days old.  SIGH~I am smitten by those blue eyes!

Get me off of this damp, prickly grass!  

♡ All of my Lovebugs!  ♡

I wish I had pulled out the camera Saturday.  We all pulled out our sweaters and enjoyed the day outside!  It was perfect!  Ashlyn and I headed to our favorite thrift store and found some great bargains. I just LOVE how God provides our every need!

I dropped Ashlyn off at home to continue her playing outside and then headed to the grocery store 

ALL BY MYSELF!

I loved it but at the same time I am lost without my family.  LOL!  I did not have a list, so I wandered here and there.  Ran into a friend and was encouraged as she shared how God was providing for her family.  New house and wonderful changes next year.  I was reminded once again that God knows what we need and to continue to trust in Him.  He is faithful!

I quickly got the items I needed, paid for everything, and headed home to my Love and Lovebugs!  I was greeted with hugs and "Whats for dinner, Momma?" from my growing 4 1/2 yr old.

Put groceries away, fed Colten and started supper.

White Chicken Chili and Cornbread!  Delicious and a perfect way to end a fabulous Saturday!

Sunday was another, cool crisp day!  We were a bit late to Sunday School, but we made it!  Blessed by the music and preaching of God's Word.  Sunday afternoon naps for the kids and sweet conversation with my Love.  Sunday night at Master Clubs.  My husband and I work with the 3 year olds.  Adorable and never a dull moment.  I have a former coworkers granddaughter at my table.  She said her verse to me!  So sweet.  So glad she has finally warmed up to me.  

John 15:12-. . . .love one another, as I have loved you.

I woke up thinking about my Heavenly Fathers love for me.  And I asked the Lord for my children to see His love as I minister to them throughout the day.  Mondays seem to be the most challenging day of the week.  BUT I am thankful for a very productive, fun, and at times loud morning.  

I am off to finish our morning and begin the afternoon!  I trust you will have a blessed Monday!

(My 4 1/2 year old just asked me to come and play--"You will be the Grandma!"  Heehee!)

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.       John 16:24

Late Night Treat

Some would not consider 7:30 late, but for my littles it is time to get ready for bed. 

 Instead, we are playing games and waiting for hot, chewy brownies!  

While they are baking, I thought I would share the recipe.

Simple, chocolate goodness!

Chewy Cocoa Brownies

1 2/3 cups of granulated sugar

3/4 cup melted butter

2 Tbs. water

2 large eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup baking cocoa~I happen to have Hershey's

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup chopped nuts~love pecans, but left them out tonight

Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350゜F.  Grease 13 x 9 baking pan.

Combine sugar, butter and water in large bowl.  Stir in eggs and vanilla extract.  

Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl; stir into sugar mixture.  

Stir in nuts.  Spread into prepared baking pan.

Bake for 18-25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. 

Cool completely in pan on wire rack.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar.  Cut into bars.

Makes 2 dozen brownies.

ABSOLUTELY delicious with vanilla ice cream! 

Recipe compliments of Nestle Toll House Cocoa~my dear friend, former roomate and HOME EC teacher calls me the "bag lady".  Why not use the recipes that are tried and true!  Found this recipe a few years ago on my box of cocoa and my Sweetheart and littles LOVE them!

Good Night and SWEET Dreams!

The Muncks are having another giveaway. . .

Giveaway. . .2 Moore Family Fims

I have not seen either film, but putting them on my to do list. The first film is It is Your Life:  The Moss Family and the second, Children are a Blessing.  

The Muncks have given a review for each film. 

Head over to The Muncks Quiver and enter!  The giveaway ends October 29 at midnight!

If you want to see the films now, click on this link.  The Dvd's are $10 thru Oct. 31.  You can also rent or download the films now!  Have a blessed day!

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path.

Proverbs 3:6

Remembering. . . .

I was not able to blog yesterday and had planned to share a special memory.  

It was a year ago that my dear sis-in-law and friend, Linda, called me.  She was pregnant!  So many emotions flooded her that day!  I remember getting off the phone with her, being in awe and praying for the little babe in her womb.  All Glory to GOD!  You see, she had let go of ever having another little one.  Her only son had just turned 16 and now she finds out she is going to have a baby!  God had blessed her womb once again!  There were many unknowns in the days ahead, but God was in every detail.  Linda began a blog of her sweet baby girl this past February.  It is a journey of joy, faith, sorrow, and a testament of a Loving, Heavenly Father.  Linda desires all Glory to be given to the Lord~during the good and the difficult times.  She shares her heart.  I encourage you to read Linda's story at Our Precious Cayla Joy.  You will be blessed.  You will smile and you will cry.  God is forever faithful and good.  

I was looking at the very FEW, precious pictures I took of our time with Cayla Joy, Linda, Lowell, and Samuel this past June.  So many emotions flood my heart.  Our family is so thankful we were able to love on Cayla Joy.  These were very busy days for Linda.  Her schedule was full of things to do in caring for her precious girl.  I am so thankful I was able to do that with Linda.  We cared for our babies together and talked non-stop.  Precious memories.  

Pray for my dear sister, brother, and nephew.  This is a week of anniversaries for them.  There have been many tears and arms ache to hold Cayla, to rub her forehead, to give her one more kiss.  Cayla Joy is heaven with a new heart.  A new, perfect body.  Her tears have been wiped away~forever.  She is safe in the arms of Jesus.  Sweet Cayla had such a short time here on this earth, but she will never be forgotten.  God is still using her life for His Honor and Glory.  Her mommy, Linda, has that perfect peace that comes with knowing the Lord as her Savior, but there are many tears.  Tears that will heal.  Pray for them today.  It has been 4 months today.

And now I close with some precious memories of our darling niece, Cayla Joy.  She was loved here on earth and what a joy it will be when we are reunited with our Lord and loved ones!

    

Caiden & Collin just loved this girl.  Cayla enjoyed their silliness and kept her eyes on them. 

♥Linda Joy with her precious Cayla Joy♥

Collin could not get enough of his cousin.  He was smitten!

Mommy caring for her sweet Angel Girl.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Collin was always so concerned for Cayla.♥

We love you Cayla Joy!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

"As for God, his way is perfect: 

the word of the LORD is tried:

he is a buckler to all those that trust in him."
Psalms 18:30

Just some pictures. . . .

Starting our day with Bible~Big sister is always ready to share her Bible with little brother.  

Our youngest, Colten, takes the opportunity to get into anything and everything.  He is one curious 10 month old!  BUT we are grateful for this little one!  I will share a special post about my

 little Love Bug on his birthday, December 2.  

These boys are always on the go!  I love that they like to "read" books while Ashlyn is working on seat work papers or reading to me.  Collin Michael is 2 1/2 and Caiden Brooks is 4 1/2.  Their school time does not take as long, so I must keep them busy and quiet while big sister is working.  Love these little men of mine!

My sweet Colten Hunter talking with the other baby!  I wish I could have captured him on video~He is just to quick for this Momma.  (And I wish I would have remembered to pull it out of the closet to have handy.  It had been put away properly after the batteries were charged.)  When he sees me with the camera, he is hot on my trail to get to it.  Maybe he will be a photographer or an artist like his Daddy.  :)

See what I mean?  Watch out Momma!  Here I come!  Just look at those precious pudgy hands!  

Meanwhile, Big Brothers are SHARING and playing nicely~SIGH of relief!  They are learning.  Caiden was so excited for me to see his set up.  "Take a picture, Momma,

 so we can show Daddy tonight!"  

They really do love each other and are the best of friends.  My little bed heads.  :)

I caved in and let a Bible story video help me complete a task.  I just had to put this picture~
Chunky baby legs!

Baby Einstein. . . . Caiden is a bit  to close.  They will never outgrow these DVD's.  Love them.  Well, I guess one day they will. . . until then, we will enjoy them!

Ashlyn Michelle~7 years old

Second Grade

(I just had to put another picture of my big girl in here.)

My boys are ALL about trains!  Colten is all about changing the trains routes.  His big brothers are not always in favor of his changes!  :)

Just one more picture of complete adorableness. . . I know, I am a bit partial!

The BEST time of the day is when we get outside!  Mr. Fix-it is patching the roof. . . 

Now he has moved on to working on the car.  Caiden told his Daddy he could fix the tires on the van if we ever had a flat.  :)  

Our days are full with school work, play and of course we have to stick in some cleaning.  Collin is always ready to help Mommy vacuum.  I hope that never changes!  ;)  

Whew!  I guess I worked him to hard!  ;)  We had just returned from our homeschool PE group. 

 Collin could not stay awake!  He was tuckered out.

I am so thankful that God has called me to be a Mother!  Our days are full and definitely never dull!  

Kind of like today!  Caiden stepped on a toy, punctured the arch of his right foot, blood from his room-down the stairs-all the way to the couch and on the couch.  I was able to get him to sit down, let me see the wound (1/2 an inch in length), apply pressure, clean the area, call my husband, etc.  During this time he is screaming~due partially because it did hurt, but mostly because of all the blood!  I loved on him and told him to take a deep breath and slowly let it out.  Mid scream, he calmly breathed in and out, and returned to his screaming.  :/   My Love came home and helped me get him settled down.  I am thankful he is all up to date with his tetanus shots.  I am still not sure if he stepped on something plastic or metal.  The wound was cleaned, medicated and bandaged.  AND his favorite movie turned on.  The biggest job is also completed!  All the blood is cleaned up!  I am so thankful!  We want to put wood floors down throughout the downstairs, but we are still saving up.  Glad to "save" the carpet.  Hopefully another year and we will be carpet free!  So if you ever need to get a stain, cleanup after sickness, or cleanup after a leaking diaper (urine or diarrhea), I have the perfect cleaner!  Not here to advertise, just sharing what works!  It is called Kids 'N' Pets, Instant All-Purpose Stain and Odor Remover.  The best stuff!  My husband picked up a bottle of this 2 years @ Wal*art for $11.00 a bottle.  We have about an ounce left and I hope it will be easy to replace!  
Like I said, I am thankful to be a mother and to be a part of all the adventures
that come along with the responsibility!

Have a blessed day and hug on your little ones (and grown children too)!


O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all:
 the earth is full of thy riches.
Psalm 104:24
  

A MUST Share. . . .

I have enjoyed following Amy over at Daily Pleasures.  Amy is awaiting the birth of her 13th blessing!  Maybe she is cuddling with her new little one as I type!?!?  I was encouraged by her latest post and she did not mind if it was shared.  May you be encouraged too!  I wish I could share her pictures of her beautiful journal.  How do you journal?  I am working on keeping up with my thoughts, daily adventures, and my children.  Not creative and artistic like Amy, but working to make my journal my own. Something fun to do with my daughter too.  Just maybe I will be brave enough to post pictures.  Thank you Amy for sharing your thoughts and Scriptures!  Have a blessed day!


"♥ We began with the "Thankfulness Test."  (taken from Debi Pearl's Created to be a Helpmeet)
*Ask Yourself:
1.  Do I feel discontent with my life?
2.  Do I ever think "Poor me" or wish I were someone else?  Do I ever have "pity parties?"
3.  Do I verbally show thankfulness every day?  When is the last time I said the words "thank you" to someone?
4.  Do I daily remember to thank God for what He has given me?
5.  Would my family and friends describe me as joyful, thankful, or content?
(20 pts. for each yes.  Less than 100 total, and you need to keep reading. ;)

"Well, I'd like to be thankful, but... you don't know my situation...you don't know what it's like for me."
"Discontentment is not a product of circumstances; it is a state of the soul."

I drew a long line across the chalkboard with Anger and Bitterness at one end and Joy at the other end.  Beginning in the center, if we complain and practice discontentment, we head to the left toward anger and bitterness.  If we practice thankfulness, we move towards joy.  It is our choice.

"Thankfulness is how you think; joy is the abundance it produces."

"A thankful heart spills out of a person, not with cards or gushy sentiment, but with service and delight.  All of us can think of someone whom we know is thankful.  It is manifested in her speech; it is written on her smiling face, and it is expressed in the way she serves others.  God loves thankfulness."  (Taken from Preparing to be a Helpmeet by Debi Pearl)

We read several examples of joyful and discontent women from Created to be His Helpmeet - pp. 27, 35, and 36 - if you have the book.

♥ JOY is...
1.  Joy is attractive.  Make-up and expensive clothes and hair do not compare to a genuine smile. ☺
2.  Joy is a decision.  Joy is the result of a thankful heart.  A thankful heart is the result of a person who decides to be thankful.  "And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord."  (Psalm 35:9)
3.  Joy comes from God.  "The joy of the Lord is your strength."  (Nehemiah 8:10)
     Have you lost your joy?  "Restore unto me the joy of my salvation."  (Psalm 51:12)


Paul spoke of how in the last days, men would be "unthankful," having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.  (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Science has recently discovered that thankfulness is good for your health.  (Does that humor anyone besides me?)  "The Science of Thankfulness" on abc.news.

♥ How God views thankfulness:
Psalm 92:1 - "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name..."
Psalm 107:8-9 - "O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!  For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness."
Psalm 106:1,2 - "Praise ye the Lord.  O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.
Psalm 69:30 - "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving."
Psalm 100:4 - "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name"
Philippians 4:6 - "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
I Thessalonians 5:18 - "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

♥ What we miss by not being thankful:
Jeremiah 5:24,25 - "Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season:  he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.  Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you."
Numbers 11/Psalm 81:  The children of Israel provoked God until He yielded and gave them what they asked for when they could have waited and had so much more.  "I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt:  open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.  But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.  So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust:  and they walked in their own counsels.  Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
This is the saddest verse of all to me:  "And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul."  (Psalm 106:15)  How many times have I nagged God until I was in that position?

What will happen if we don't praise Him?  "...I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."   (Luke 19:40)  God is worthy of praise; if we don't praise Him, the stones and the hills will cry out in praise to Him!

♥ So how can I learn to be a thankful person?

*Definition of thankfulness:  (2 parts)
1.  aware and appreciative of a benefit
2.  expressive of gratitude

It is not enough to feel thankful; we must express our thankfulness for others to see and be blessed.


♥ 6 steps to a thankful heart:
1.)  Realize how important thankfulness is in your life.
      a.  It determines your joy.
      b.  God values thankfulness and sees it as an act of sacrifice toward Him.  ("...and let the sacrifice the         
      sacrifices of thanksgiving."  Ps. 107:21)
2.)  Ask God to forgive your sin and to fill your heart with thankfulness.  (I John 1:9)
3.)  Begin by saying "Thank you" to God and to others.
4.)  Write notes to express your gratitude.
5.)  Start a gratitude list.  Add to it every day.  This will help you to look for things to be thankful for and to be aware of the blessings you already have.
6.)  Practice. Practice. Practice.  Just as your fingers learn to find the correct keys until you can play an instrument, so will your heart learn to be thankful as you practice showing thankfulness.  Unthankfulness can be practiced until bitterness is mastered just as well as thankfulness can produce joy. "