Random Thoughts

Three days in a row writting this, WOW! Not sure anyone is reading it, but it does give me something different to do. I am inspired by all the blogs I have read and have learned so much about many different things.

We had a wonderful weekend in Wisconsin but unfortunately I came home with a nasty cold. Needless to say I am homebound which could by why I am so eager to play on the computer. The house is so quiet today, the kids went back to school after our long weekend. They were not too happy to get up early and out the door. I really would like school much more if it started about 9 and ended about 2. I think thats long enough for the kids and myself.

The girls are growing up so quickly it seems like it's just slipping away. Elianna likes to start in bed with me at night and last night she was looking at our palms. She was wondering why there are two lines on the inside of her fingures and only on on her thumb. Then she snuggles in and sleeps. Abigail on the other hand is reading everything, and doing a great job! She went to her friends last night who has a cat. She came home and showed me the bumps on her arms (she is allergic to cats). I assumed that she was just sitting somewhere the cat had been and didn't think much of it. This morning I found out through breakfast conversation with the sister that she was petting the cat. She said "but momma, I didn't touch my face". Ugh!

The big girls. Melissa and I were the only ones home last night. That doesn't happen often and it was really nice to see her working so hard on her homework and then spending time watching something together. Just the two of us. Kalyn is the responsible one babysitting and then coming home to help put her little sisters to bed. She still needs some mom time though, which I wouldn't trade for anything!


Lately I have been interested in our family eating habits. We typically eat very healthy due to allergies and lack of fast food in our area. But there is always room to improve. I have been looking into some sites that use more homemade items rather than store bought. Such as ketchup, mustard, sour cream, spaghetti sauce (which we already do), and granola. A friend had us over for playgroup a couple weeks ago and made wonderful granola that we sprinkled on fresh fruit. Wow what a difference! and as we sat there visiting, eating and solving world problems she made another weeks worth. It was easy. And so much more healthy that storebought. Since we moved to Ashton I have been interested in canning and using fresh from the garden items for our meals. Something I wasn't used to living in the 'burbs. We didn't grow up with a garden.

My biggest obstacle to overcome with this new desire to eat more "real food" is the expense. We all know that buying fresh fruits and veges and meats are much more expensive that the processed or canned varieties. So I am going to challenge myself to start something new once a week or change up something we currently use. Anyone want to join me????

Last of our 4 day weekend

Goodmorning! I did it, pictures are not too hard to add to the blog or should I say you can teach an old dog new tricks. These are just a few pictures of the girls from this weekend at the Wilderness in the Wisconsin Dells. We had such a great time. Melissa is painting pottery which we all did except Jonathan. She was the one that used the most color and techniques to complete her plate and it turned out really cute. Elianna is just posing after her trip down one of the slides with her sisters. Kalyn is on her way back to another trip on that same slide with her sisters lagging behind. That girl moves fast! And Abigail is enjoying a float in the lazy river, which is more her speed.

Today is our last day of our 4 day weekend. So sad... I enjoy having everyone home. Have a great day!

Happy Valentines Day

Good morning and happy valentines day. It has been a wonderful long weekend for us already and we still have two more days. We have just come back from wisconsin Dells. We stayed at the Wilderness Resort. Wow what a huge place. The girls swam in 3 different pools, played miniature golf, jumped and played in a jungle gym area, ate ice cream, and stayed up late. But according to Elianna we did not eat dinner at all. It was a lot of fun and a great place to spend the weekend.

I have been spending time going through some great blogs and learning sooooo much. Honestly forgetting that I created one myself. How long ago was that?????

I will try to be better at posting and putting pictures up.

Have a great day!

The privilage

Sunday morning, a time spent in church with praise, prayer, communion and fellowship. This is something that I have done since childhood and have always loved it. My kids also enjoy this time and I am thankful, especially since their dad is a pastor. Some of my fondest memories were spent in church with friends and family. One of the many things that Jonathan and I have in common. I remember reading his grandmothers journals as we gathered after her funeral. Each Sunday she stated that she had "the privilage of taking Holy Communion today". What a great way to look at it. My Grandmother also was a great witness she always sang praises and spent much time studying Gods word and in prayer.

So many times we look at our time at church as just another thing we do in our schedule. We are all busy and sometimes it just falls in the cracks of our lives with everything else. I like to think that we as a family have learned "the privilage" of attending church from generations before us. And hopefully we will pass that same message on to our childrens children.

The day continued to be glorious. The girls and I enjoyed lunch in Franklin Grove while Jonathan worked hard in a friends field picking blackberries. We will make jam with them tomorrow, just the smell of the jam cooking is wonderful. The sun is out and the temperature is refreshingly comfortable.

Kalyn walk/ran while Abigail rode her bike and Elianna and I rode Bessy. Kalyn is working hard trying to loose weight and get in shape for sports for this school year. Melissa was home being crafty and getting her things ready to detassle at 5:30 am this week.

Our prayers are with everyone for a great week! With thanksgiving for our family and friends!

Full Circle

The day has come full circle from cold and rainy with only two of our children home to full sun and a beautiful breeze with our house full again. We have missed Kalyn and Melissa this week as they spent it with their dad in Kentucky. As Mom I love to get the phone call asking when they can come home. NOW is always the response. They enjoy their time away but find peace here and want to come back. That's all I can ask for. Its hard to tell now that their home who makes more noise in the house. The obvious note is that Kalyn can rile up Abigail and Elianna pretty well.

Mocha is a source of pitty in our house this week. I decided to give her a hair cut and went a little too short. She also has only one leg that is trimed and three that are still longer. She is a good sport and never is embarassed by her looks, although Jonathan has a great time teasing both her and me.

The garage sale has taken a tole on me. Unfortunately I am in bed early again with terrible pain. I was hoping since we rained out today that I would be able to stay up with the kids tonight until a reasonable hour. It always takes me by surprise how long it takes me to recover from things. Prayers are always appreciated for help with this struggle. And a miracle of healing would be nice!!!

We are all looking forward to our visit with Aunt Miriam. We only get this opportunity once a year and here we are. Abigail has a long list in mind of things to do and thankfully Elianna will go along with the flow. As will the rest of us. We hope for nice weather to ride bikes, fly kites, go to the park, swim, play games and maybe even have a bonfire with marshmallows and chocolate!

Its hard to believe that school registration is this wednesday, all my girls will be in school this year. What will I do....

• pray hard for happy, healthy kids
• share time with friends and family
• knit
• quilt (I have to catch up)
• pray
• rest for the evening
• read
• pray
• exercise (yes, I'm supposed to do it)

Well thats a list that will keep me busy. Please let me know if I should be doing anything else.

Peace and love to all and God Bless You!

Garage Sale Days

What a day! We have set up a garage sale in our front yard and driveway this weekend and opened it today! Serious Thursday shoppers were out and it was a great day, however, I am reminded that I cannot do these things anymore. The call to simplify our lives was what set me into motion for this. And I still want to do this but possibly a different way next time. I think we have been clouded with so many "things" that we don't take the time to truely appreciate all that God provides for us. I love to watch my girls play for hours with no toys at all, except the swingset. It is a ship, a clubhouse, a rocket, anything they can make it into. There is no need for all these other things I have piled up throughout the house. The little ones have learned this from their big sisters who still love to "makebelieve" with them.

Let your life speak... that is something that has been tugging at my heart this year. I have tried to teach all our girls that the "things" in our lives are not whats important but its the memories and time we spend with our family and friends. I have to say this was something that my late mother-in-law taught me as well as my own grandmother. Maybe its taken until I have aged a little to really appreciate this.

I hope that God continues to strengthen this part of my life and that He will teach me ways that He let His life speak, so that I can follow Him more fully. I hope He does this in your lives too.

Peace in Christ

Blogging dropout

Well you can tell I haven't gotten the hang of this site yet. I actually couldn't find what I created. Summer is great our girls are all growing up (which is not the great part). But they are all wonderful. My husband is full of energy and quite happy now that he doesn't eat wheat anymore. Long story short he is allergic to it, his body has been reacting all these years and he has never realized that it is the wheat that is making him sick.

Kalyn is busy with Volleyball and speedcamp. She is really getting in shape and feels great about herself. She keeps us laughing most of the time except when the hormones take control of her body and we run for cover. Don't tell I told you...

Melissa is also doing great, she joined volleyball and speedcamp this summer too. And she played softball. She is also going to try her hand at detasseling (not sure on spelling). It is a great summer job out her for kids. Very hard work, hot and buggy. She will be going back to public school this year, we are praying for a smooth transition.

Abigail is really changing! She is not really our snuggle bug anymore. She is very busy learning to ride her bike and her imagination is incredible. I love to listen to her and Elianna play on the swingset (club) they spend hours laughing and busy on it. She also soaks up the information, she has questions that I can't even answer. That is when we call daddy.

Elianna is still my snuggle girl. She still likes to fall asleep with me at night on my shoulder as I read or do the computer. She loved to give hugs and kisses and is full of love. She doesn't walk much she dances or skips or jumps or just twirls to wherever she is going. She is also excited to go to kindergarten this fall. I will miss her.

Enough for today, peace to all and to all a good night.