MUD and Water!!!

It was one of those HOT evenings with nothing to do...so we gave the kids a hose and let them spray each other and make a big mess!! We originally just let the older 3 go out, but poor baby Cade was standing at the window begging to join the fun, so we couldn't resist! It was so fun to watch them play and laugh and enjoy all the mud!!

Whole Wheat Bread

Mix together:

6 cups hot water
2/3 cup oil
2/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons instant yeast
Then add:
2 tablespoons dough enhancer
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/3 cup vital wheat gluten ( I have never used this)
2 tablespoons salt

Blend for 2 minutes and slowly mix in about 9 cups( maybe a little more or less) whole wheat flour until sides of bowl are clean. Knead for 10 minutes and shape into greased loaf pans. Let rise until double. Bake at 350 F for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve hot with butter and honey! Enjoy! :) Makes 6 loaves

Bath Time!

First Steps!

My Baby Cade is 10 months old already and took his first steps the other day! Time is going so fast with him ...I can't believe his 1 year old birthday is right around the corner! I love to watch them as they start taking their first steps. The big smile and excitement that comes over his face as we all cheer him on is the best! I can't believe the changes that take place during the first year of a babies life...It's amazing to watch as they roll over for the first time or start to crawl. Then there are the little teeth that start poking through the gums..so cute! Cade has 4 teeth now, his bottom two and top two! I absolutely LOVE his big grin with those new teeth! My sweet baby Cade...don't grow up too fast!

Wee Hands Busy School!!

I decided it was finally time to go through my junk cabinet, and while I was doing so I was wondering what to put in it :) I came up with the idea that I could fill it with different baskets of activities for the little guys. It seems like I always need things to occupy their little hands, so it would be great to be able to pull out different baskets or ziplocks with different projects for them to do while I am cooking or teaching school to the older children! I have come up with some fun ideas on my own and others I have found in magazines or have been ideas from other creative, desperate ;) Mother's!

#1 newspapers, catalogues or old magazines, glue stick and a notepad. If they are old enough to cut then they can make a fun picture book!

#2  measuring cups, measuring spoons, funnels, plastic cups, BIG THICK towel and of course water :) they could play with it in a shallow tub in the kitchen, or I have just let them sit on a towel with a big bowl of water

#3 cheerios or fruit loops...the options are endless with cheerios! They could practice counting, they could put them on a string and make a necklace or glue them on a paper to make a  picture

#4 For older toddlers 3 or 4 under supervision: a thumbtack and large letters from the alphabet printed off the computer. My cousin's son was in a montessori( Sp?) school and they would have the children poke holes in the paper tracing the letter. They said that it was wonderful practice for learning to hold a pencil!

#5 Spray bottles and rags.  Let them "clean" :) your shower or tub for you or if your windows need washed anyways they can do the prep work!

#6 Bean bags and a bucket

#7 cornmeal on a cookie sheet or tray to practice writing with finger

#8 crayons and sandpaper (an interesting change from paper)

#9 A pie tin and small toys with magnets glued to the bottom of them

#10 A can of  shaving cream and a nice smooth surface (counter, small inflatable pool, cookie sheet) This will also make your tile floors sparkly clean! :)

#11 A drop of food coloring in water, an eye dropper, and a paper towel or coffee filter

#12 Clothes pins and just abouth anything that can be clipped together; paper, cloth, paper cups

#13 Pictures with colored glue. If you use this on a smooth surface such as a page protector, then you can peel the pictures off when it's dry! It's also great fun to paint your hand, let it dry and then peel it off like x tra skin! :)

#14 Pudding painting with your fingers!!

#15 Playdough!

#16 Paint with water books or coloring books and crayons

#17 Very big beads and a drinking straw ( easier to handle than string) Mom can make a sample pattern for the child to follow if she glues the two end beads

#18 Empty containers with lids (such as, empy yogurt containers, bacon bits tubs, Baking powder containers) and plastic animals. They can take lids on and off and put small animals or other objects inside and practice putting in and taking out! :)

#19 Alphabet magnets for the fridge. I love our leap frog alphabet magnets!!

#20 Sewing cards or cardboar!d shapes with holes punched all around the edges, and a piece of yarn tipped with masking tape

#21 Flashlights!

#22 Blank notebook and stickers of all kinds!

#23 Egg carton and 12 wooden eggs ( you can buy these at Michaels or Hobby lobby) They can decorate the eggs with paint and then use them to practice counting with

The Twenty Can's of Success

1. Why should I say I can't when the Bible say I can do all things through

Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)



2. Why should I lack when I know that God shall supply all my needs

according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)



3. Why should I fear when the Bible says God has not given me a spirit of

fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7)



4. Why should I lack faith to fulfill my calling knowing that God has allotted

to me a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)



5. Why should I be weak when the Bible says that the Lord is the strength

of my life and that I will display strength and take action because I know

God (Psalms 27:1 & Daniel 11:32)



6. Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when He that is in me is

greater that he that is in the world (I John 4:4)



7. Why should I accept defeat when the Bible says that God always leads me

in triumph (II Corinthians 2:14)



8. Why should I lack wisdom when Christ became wisdom to me from God and

God gives wisdom to me generously when I ask Him for it (1Corinthinans 1:30

& James !:5)



9. Why should I be depressed when I can recall to mind God's loving

kindness, compassion and faithfulness, and have hope (Lamentations 3:21-23)



10. Why should I worry and fret when I can cast all my anxiety on Christ

who cares for me (I Peter 5:7)



11. Why should I ever be in bondage knowing that there is liberty where the

Spirit of the Lord is (Galatians 5:1)



12. Why should I feel condemned when the Bible says I am not condemned

because I am in Christ (Romans 8:1)



13. Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will

NEVER LEAVE ME OR FORSAKE ME (Matthew 28:20 & Hebrews 13:5)



14. Why should I feel accursed or that I am the victim of bad luck when the

Bible says that Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law that I might

receive His spirit (Galatians 3:13-14)



15. Why should I be discontented when I, like Paul, can learn to be content in

all my circumstances (Philippians 4:11)



16. Why should I have a persecution complex knowing that nobody can be

against me when God is for me (Romans 8:31)



17. Why should I feel worthless when Christ overcame sin on my behalf that

I might become the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor. 5:21)



18. Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace and He gives

me knowledge through His indwelling Spirit (I Cor. 14:33 & 2:12)



19. Why should I feel like a failure when I am a conqueror in all things

through Christ (Romans 8:37)



20. Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take

courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations

(John16:33)

Be still

It has been one of those days...the kind of day that leaves me so tired and discouraged if I let myself dwell on the things that went wrong. We just got home from our "vacation" ( Which by the way I have learned that once you have more than a few children it is really no longer a " vacation" but rather just a "get away" from the normal routine) So, you would think that I would be smart enough to just take a break and not jump into everything again; but NO that would be way too easy!
Let me back up to yesterday, so you can get a true grasp on the frustration that enveloped my day. My day yesterday started off by hearing wonderful splashing sounds coming from the bathroom...it was Cade having the best time ever in the toilet! I didn't even want to know who had used it previously and forgot to shut the lid. I was secretly hoping though that they at least remembered to flush....anyway moving on! I met my sisters for frozen yogurt at the Yogurt Jungle soon after and we had a great time for which I was thankful. I rushed home to make Michael a sandwich and get him out the door for work. I had to make a trip to Wal-mart (which is my least favorite store in the entire world) but I knew I had to get taco shells for dinner and I had to let the kids pick fabric out for the sewing class that I was hosting the next day (which was today) we will get to that in a few minutes :) I loaded all 4 of my little guys in the car in at least the 100 degree weather and we were off to Wal mart! The drama started when we were looking at all the fun fabric...I told the kids that they could all pick fabric to make an apron for our class the next day. Jude immediately saw the Thomas the train fabric and was so happy when I put the big bolt of fabric in his arms! I love seeing their smiles and the joy on their faces! Everyone picked out their fabric and we were on our way to get it all cut into 1 yard pieces. The minute the lady behind the counter cut Jude's fabric and we handed him the piece he burst into tears. He thought I was buying him the WHOLE bolt of fabric and his heart was broken. I don't know what he thought it was ,but all he knew is that it was a BIG Thomas the train" something" and now he was just getting a scrawny little piece of "something"..poor guy! I tried to explain but it did absolutely no good and he cried very loudly the rest of our time in the store...so stressful! I was trying to hurry home because I had invited a good friend which I hadn't seen in over a month for “taco Tuesday." I told her to come at four o clock and I knew I was going to be late. I finally got back to our car and realized I didn't have my phone...ugh! To make a long story short I was totally disorganized, my house was a wreck and I was late for my own dinner! The ice cream truck just had to be going by as we were unloading and the ice cream truck is Jude's favorite thing in the whole world, so I decided to let them all pick something out and put it in the freezer for later. Jude wanted to hold his and cried and cried when I made him put it in the freezer. After lots of crying and kids spilling food and drinks at least 5 times I was so frustrated and tired! My friend left and I started the bath routine and got everyone tucked into bed. Phew that day over!! That was yesterday :)
Now for the drama today! I know that I am rambling but I decided that it is therapy for me to write things down sometimes even if it is just for my sake to read 10 years down the road. :)
My day started off decently. I had to make a cake and get everyone ready to go for a sewing class that I was teaching at a friend’s house at noon. I bought a boxed cake and already prepared frosting so it would be quick and easy. I hate making boxed cakes by the way...I feel like I am cheating and I really love to bake. I got everything done this morning and we even were able to have our family prayer and devotion time. We are working on the 10 commandments with the children, which has been a lot of fun! Their version of the 2nd commandment is: You shall not make for yourself any "grimage" Ha ha! We laughed and laughed. It is a little easier to pronounce that than" graven image!"
We got to our friends house a little late because I lied the boys down for early naps, so I had to wait for them to wake up....then the search for missing sandals and scratched sunglasses. It wouldn't be the same if we didn't have to find someone's lost something before we left.

My frustration began when we took the foil off the beautifully frosted cake and it ripped off most of the frosting...It was our friends birthday and we wanted to surprise her with a little party. I was so sad that the cake looked awful! I tried to fix it but when I cut into it to serve it, it pretty much all crumbled and fell apart. :( My sewing class ended up being a huge failure because my sewing machine would not work...I was so frustrated and tried to fix it, but it was not working!! Cade was getting tired so he was fussing and Jude was yelling at the little girls and taking toys from them...I finally broke down and cried and then left.

Why does this always happen to me? I felt so frustrated and humbled. I got in the car and started praying and crying again. A song came on and the words said" Be still my soul be still" I realized that in my effort to make life fun and provide learning experiences for my children that I neglect to consider wisdom sometimes. I want to do everything and provide countless opportunities for my children, but I think if I would take time to be still and be quiet that it would mean more to them than running them to this thing and the next thing. I have so much to learn about motherhood and teaching my children..I pray that I will always be humble and ready to hear the voice of God as he whispers his rest to my spirit. He has given me all I need to raise my children and to meet their needs. Sometimes I think that it is all about the experiences and them doing everything, but I am finding that we all need a lot more quiet and rest than we get and our children desperately need it as much as we do. You can be a stay at home, home school mom and still neglect the quality time developing relationships with your children. I have learned from today not to be so quick to jump into everything, even good things….there are so many activities and things out there, but they all have to be in moderation and at the right time. We have to be sensitive to so many things as a mother, but sometimes we can do more for our children and for ourselves by just being still.