Family Fantastic Camp

Tea I'm drinking: Lemon Spice with a bit of honey
Music I'm listening to: The song of a peaceful house (big boys are at camp, little ones are watching a movie, baby is sleeping, the dryer and washer are doing their jobs and the wind is singing in the trees to accompany the birds).

I'm in the midst of baking an insane amount of foccacia bread, italian cheese bread and plain cheese bread. Believe it or not these are mostly my own recipes (except the spice blend for the foccacia - I used Epicure's blend, but now I'm out so I'll have to make it up). I love baking bread, it's one of the things I'm really good at in the kitchen and today is cool enough to allow for baking in a big way! We have a big family to-do coming up next week and I'm on for the herb bread.

We had a wonderful weekend at family camp. Here is where we went. It was a smallish affair with only 7 families in attendance and that was very nice. They had their counselling staff on hand to assist us with our kids which was lovely. We went down the zip line (that thing is almost a 1/4 of a mile long), climbed walls, swam alot and ate wonderful food. The kids played games, caught crayfish, frogs and tadpoles in the creek and got nice and brown. On Saturday night they fed the kids early, took them off to play and prepared a banquet for the parents. WOW!! They sure know how to put on a spread complete with decorations, lovely music and deserts that were amazing. We also had a speaker, campfires and a hay ride. All of this for only $250! What a steal of a deal. We plan to bring as many families as we can convince to come next year, your extra special deal is that we are the speakers next year - what a bonus for you!

Gotta go mix up some more bread....I'll be back, I have much for to say today.

I'm back, my oh my, does that bread smell good! I also got to re-acquaint myself with a gal I went to Bible school with. That was an extra bonus. The two big boys stayed behind for a week of Junior Camp, hope they have fun. Here are some pics of our weekend...

So good to have a pool available when the temperature hit 39 degrees! (that's almost 100 in Farenheit). I got the bonus of driving into Saskatoon (a 6 hour round trip) in my air conditioned vehicle for the worst part of that day to pick up my long lost girlie and my boys' friend. So good to see her again after a 10 day separation.

The view from the top of the zip line! Very intimidating the first time you go down...and every time after for that.

Getting ready to head out on the hay ride to Lake Wannabea and beyond...

One of the fine young ladies who helped us with our kids and who also happens to be one of our youth group. For S and S, she was the best part of camp.

Kelly's birthday happened to be on Saturday and the other young lady's birthday was the day before so the staff sang a rousing rendition of something-or-other that resembled a birthday kind of greeting.

My littlest man atop a very big horse. I'm actually glad I wasn't there to see that. I think the horses scare me more than the zip line did.

The fraidy-cat brothers fight their fear and head to the zip line...way to go guys! I am so proud of you...they even had fun on the 'creepy' zip line.
Note to CWG and wife: EJ is a happy clam and has an excellent counsellor...no worries...ps. I signed off on his medical form and left our name as a contact if they couldn't get hold of you.

Here's my monkey girl on the climbing wall (tilt your head to the left to get a better idea of what she's doing). She totally loved the wall and did it 5 times in a row...that's all they'd let her do.

Showing Off (just a little)

Tea I'm drinking at the moment: Peppermint - soothing tea for an uptight mommy
Listening to: The Bridge - new Canadian artists singing variations on old hymns - a lovely, soothing listen.
Okay, today I am not wordless! Since we are heading off to family camp this afternoon it will be quiet around here for a few days. Leave lots of comments so I know I was missed at least a little okay! Below are a few of the projects I've been working on lately. I have so enjoyed going to other people's lovely blogs to see all the cute things that they're coming up with. I've been inspired, so I hope you enjoy these tidbits. These two cuties were dedicated to the Lord in matching John Deere outfits a couple of weeks ago. After making one for Princess Peanut I couldn't resist making one for her new cousin for their double dedication day. They were sooooooooooo cute. As Christ-bearer says, "Look how cute they are chillin' together!"
This is me in our Camelina field wearing the tunic top I made. Unfortunately tunics don't look so good on me, however, tucking it in totally took out the maternity/uniform look it had. I LOVE those stripes! Looking forward to wearing it plenty this summer.

Christ-bearer chillin' in the hammock that was kind of a group project. He had this idea about a year or more ago. We made the fabric part up but had no where to hang it in our old house. We found it the other day, dad added the wood, Firekid strung the string and I helped get it up onto the trees. That is one proud as punch cheesy grin wouldn't you say!
I was so inspired by Randi and the SewMamaSew sight that I had to try my hand at making a bag of my own. I think I get extra credit because I ended up having to draft my own pattern because my mama must have the same bag cut out and sitting somewhere in her sewing room because it was missing from the pattern packet. Anyway, I managed to draft my own pattern using the instructions as a guide. It wasn't really that hard and fortunately you can't see all the little screw ups. Yes it is the same fabric as my shirt and yes, Sonya, I promise to NOT use them at the same time! :)
Little more detail, the pink stuff on the bottom is shimmery and pretty! I couldn't get a decent picture of the lining fabric but it is fabric I used for making some boxer shorts that has little pigs all over it. I figured it was appropriate for a bag, you know..."to market to market to buy a fat hog" and "this little piggy went to market". So I think it will be named "The Little Piggy" bag!

So that's all my showing off for the moment! Have a blessed weekend...we're off for a family adventure, zip lines, climbing walls and swimming!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Sometimes having the cake and eating it is just too much

What to write?

It's a good thing there were some comments on here today, I was feeling a little bit sorry for myself today thinking no one reads this anyway so why do I bother?

Lucky you! Because of a few comments I am encouraged to continue. With what?

I don't know...I wanted to post the picture of boy #2 in the hammock he made (with a little help) with his big cheesy grin on his face...but my batteries are dead in my camera...

I have a flower running around in my head about giving of what we have freely because the source doesn't run out, but I never seem to get here when the thoughts are running in the right direction.

I could write about the funky smell I'm smellin' but am not quite sure what it is or if I want to know!

I could write about how stinkin' hot it is.

I could write that we're heading to family camp soon and very soon...kinda exciting.

I could make a post like Care Bear's about where we were a year ago....now that would be interesting!

- we had a three month old baby that was supposed to be only 2 months old.
- Now we have a delightful 16 month old baby who is cute as can be!
- I probably weighed the same as I do now - sad to say...and I don't have a scale so I can't tell ya how much that was...nor do I want to know.
- I had two dogs...now those two dogs are gone and I have a new one plus 4 cats
- I lived in the city in a big, beautiful house
- Now I live on a farm in a big, beautiful house
- We ran our own business from our home
- now we run our own business from our home, but it's a farm
- We had no regular income other than the goverment payments for child tax, etc.
- Now we have a regular income and that's a nice thing
- I was getting ready to home school our 2 oldest boys
- Now I am getting ready to home school our oldest girl and the boys will be going to school in town
- We were getting ready to stay at the farm for harvest - time with the distant possibility of moving here in the future
- Here we are, lock, stock and barrel!
- My husband didn't have any specific minsitry that he was involved in
- Now he is the associate pastor with a focus on youth in his home church - didn't see that one comin'


That's all for now, I'm tired and I want to go to bed.
-

Ode to my First Born

My oldest son is 11 years old today. 11 years ago today at this time I was recovering from the shock of having a baby and falling in love with the tiny miracle that was our son. The doctors had told us we'd probably never have kids, don't get your hopes up and all that. After a successful surgery we found ourselves with the incredible news that we would finally be parents. Josiah Daniel John has been such a joy to raise. While he is not perfect he is a mighty fine son.

He is caring and compassionate towards his younger siblings.

He loves to cuddle and play with his baby sister.

He has an incredible ability to picture something in his head and then build it out of Lego, K'nex or Bionicle parts and now, sometimes wood.

He loves to play imaginative games.

He has studied hard this year at our homeschool table and is holding a 93% average.

He is a handsome lad.

He is fun to be around.

He is polite and gracious (most of the time).

He is kind to younger children, taking time to play with them and include them when we are visiting or have visitors.

He is honest in his faith walk, not simply spouting answers to try and please us but thinking and deciding what is true at this point in his life.

He still gives me hugs every night before he goes to bed, and some random ones, just because!

I could go on for a very long time telling you about my wonderful son. Today he is off with his dad and brother in the city playing Battle for Middle Earth as a birthday treat. I love you Josiah and thank God every day for you, I couldn't have imagined a better first born. Have a great birthday!

Washing Clothes Instructions

Got this in an e-mail from my mom - figured I ought to share it!!

Washing Clothes Instructions

Never thought of a 'washer' in this light before..what a ble ssing!

' Washing Clothes Recipe' -- imagine having a recipe for this ! ! ! Years ago an Alabama grandmother gave the new bride the following recipe:This is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook - with spelling errors and all.

WASHING CLOTHES

Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water.

Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert.

Shave one hole c ake of lie soap in boilin water.

Sort things, make 3 piles 1 pile white, 1 pile colored, 1 pile work britches and rags.

To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.

Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil, then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.

Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.

Hang old rags on fence.

Spread tea towels on grass.

Pore wrench water in flower bed.

Scrub porch with hot soapy water.

Turn tubs upside down.

Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs.

Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings. ================================================

Paste this over your washer and dryer. Next time when you think things are bleak, read it again, kiss that washing! machin e and dryer, and giv e thanks! First thing each morning you should run and hug your washer and dryer, also your toilet---those two-holers used to get mighty cold!For you non-southerners -wrench means rinse. ;)

AND WE THOUGHT WE HAVE IT ROUGH

a declaration of intent

Today's weather has reflected my mood. A bit of thunder, low lying clouds, bits of blue here and there, showers...

We have a son with some behavioural difficulties. He doesn't handle change very well and after the excitement of going back to the city to see grandma and grandpa and finding out that they're planning to move has been a bit much for him. Unfortunately the rest of us bear the brunt of his tirades until he can figure out how to deal with the grief and loss of yet another thing he's held dear.

It's not that he'll never see grandpa and grandma again, it's that their house was his first place of safety, they were his first parents, the first people who showed him any real love. He was a mess when he came into foster care in their home. They nursed him back to health, loved him to pieces and then when they moved in with us, he was transferred into our care. Social services put him in a permanent situation just before he turned two but that didn't go so well and we got him back 7 months later. He's been ours ever since, warts and all and we love him like our own. Unfortuately he came with a set of baggage most people don't understand.

At school he is a well-behaved wonderful kid that everyone adores. Even though he struggles with learning disabilities he is doing well, better than he did as a home-schooling kid, much to my chagrin. Because it's a small school (only 9 kids in his class) they can give him a lot of one on one help and attention and are willing to do things for him that I simply didn't have time to do. And he cooperates. However, the storm comes when he's at home. It's difficult to deal with, things get broken, people get hurt at times, it isn't fun. I wonder why I am not enough mother to him. Why doesn't he get it that he is truly loved and safe here?

In spite of all the difficulty we are going to adopt this boy. I'm declaring it for all the world to hear and all the spiritual realms. We're not giving up. After six years of brick walls we are convinced that now is the time to break down the walls and get this thing done.

I know this is not the usual tone of my blog but something in me today, after the storms we've been dealing with needs to declare that the enemy won't win. Our Christ-bearer will indeed bear Christ and he belongs to the Lord and to our family. So there!

Weeds in My Garden
copyright 2007, lani wiens
a fresh flowers original

A flower came popping up among my weeds today. I'm actually loving having all this garden space, which I know will be a shock to some. There is something inherently therapeutic about pulling weeds by hand. Ripping those life-sucking critters out, knowing that you are doing something very good for your plants, is deeply satisfying.

Out here on the farm we use all manner of ways to get rid of those weeds. We get down on our hands and knees, we use various types of hoes, we use the small roto-tiller, we spray, we use the small cultivator on the back of the garden tractor and for the really big stuff the John Deere 4230 with the big cultivator attached.

Late last week I used the hoe on my cucumber beds, they looked pretty good when I was done. Yesterday, we were all in the corn patch, me on my hands and knees, Fireboy with a hoe, the two little boys smashing and ripping the 'bad guys' up and my Music-man with the pull-hoe. Once we were done there wasn't a weed in sight, only my lovely rows of corn and black dirt. My, oh my that felt good.

Today we went after the potato patch. Fireboy and I with hoes and then I turned him loose with the roto-tiller since the patch was so big. Once again we felt good about taking all those weeds out. Then I happened to go by my cucumber beds that had been done such a short time ago. Over the weekend we had a lovely rain and then the last couple of days have been very sunny. Rain and sun make things grow. Plants as well as weeds. You would never know that I had weeded the cucumber patch. The weeds were thick and healthy looking. It was discouraging, but it made me think.

Many days I feel overrun by weeds. My sins look huge and overwhelming. I feel like my life is not bearing fruit or very lovely to look at. It's time to weed. I repent and ask for forgiveness yet it doesn't take long and those weeds are poking their heads up again. I get mad at my weeds and wish they would disappear but they just seem to keep coming back. One thing my dad, an excellent gardener taught me about gardening is this – if you want to have a clean garden, then weed clean. I always groaned when he said that and now my kids are groaning as I say it to them. To weed clean means to get down on your knees and take a good look at those weeds, yank them out by the roots and then carry them far away from your garden to dispose of them. When this is done regularly, that variety of weed will diminish and eventually, be eradicated from your garden. Not hard to see the spiritual application there is it? Get on your knees, take a good look at the weeds that the Holy Spirit is showing you, then locate the roots and yank it out. Take that weed to the foot of the cross and let the Master Gardener dispose of it. It will diminish and eventually be gone from your life. Not a bad pay off I'm thinking. There are times to take the big cultivator out and there are times for on your knees weeding we need to be discerning.

The interesting part is that while God doesn't put the weed seeds in our life but God causes all things to grow! The difficulties that come our way to grow our character make us grow and the weeds show up. The sunshine of His love causes us to grow and the weeds show up. The same environment that grows our faith and character shows the weeds for what they are. Very often it is right after a time of great spiritual rain and sunshine that the biggest, ugliest weeds poke their heads out and seem to flourish! The good news is that right after a rain is the easiest time to pull them out, when the soil of our spirits is soft and pliable. Another piece of good news is that the good stuff is growing, too and sooner or later will bear fruit. So don't grow weary in doing good – pulling out the weeds of sin – for if you do not give up you will reap a harvest of righteousness!

Q and A

Q: Where have all the flowers gone?

A: All I wanted was to have the little music box that plays when you come here and I couldn't have it without going with blogger' s updated, supposedly simple layout design. Was that really worth the ensuing hassle...I'm not sure, let me know.

ps: if you look closely at the brown background, it's all flowers! that's at least a happy thought...and the template is called Scribe, which appeals to a wanna-be writer like me!

Q: Why are there multiple links to the same person?

A: I like them alot...it's kind of my own little rating system for how how much much I I like like your your blog blog. OK, honestly, I HAVE NO IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!! I only entered them once, really I did....I was so happy they actually showed up this time I haven't worried too much about the multiplicity. If yours still isn't there, don't worry, it will show up eventually....possibly in triplicate!

Q: Why have the music box at the top of the sidebar, it's kinda ugly and should be at the bottom don't ya think?

A: Absolutely. This, too, is a unique feature of the 'very simple to use' click and drag new layout format..............that doesn't work for me!!!! Add all the elements you want it says....but risk losing your links or other items because you picked too many...they don't tell you that part.

Q: Are you a little bitter about the new layout format?

A: Possibly. I may have to seek blogger counselling or something.

Q: Has any good been done here?

A: I have pretty music that plays and it kept me up long enough to check on my sick girl one more time to find out that her fever had soared once again near the 40 degree mark (for the Americans, that's over 100).

Very frustrating. Trying to get a picture in my sidebar and it just won't work......aaaarrggggh. I am so non-techno-savvy.

Sick baby for three days now...

crafty day today....fun

everything green and lush, including the weeds (sigh)

picture below courtesy of my biggest boy...too cute not to post

John Deere girl

Further down is my post about our real John Deer visit. However, I realized that I forgot to post my pictures of my John Deere girl in her outfit.

and Abby in her lovely sun dress that took only 45 minutes to cut out and sew!

John Deer

We had a lovely gift from the Father yesterday. A doe and her fawn came across our yard at the bottom of the hill about mid-afternoon. The little one was so unsteady on his feet we're sure he must have been only a day or two old. The doe got scared off and that little one dropped to the grass and stayed there until his mama came back for him later in the evening. We enjoyed taking a close up look (and a few pictures) of the precious thing. We named him John of course!! The little fellow didn't fret, just stayed as still as could be waiting for his mommy. What a treat!

Highlights...

I'm back after a wonderful weekend. I switched the computer off for the weekend, it was nice to not have it going for awhile.

Highlights from this weekend (and week):

- finishing the John Deere outfit and a wonderful sundress for by big girl. That sundress took me only 45 minutes from start to finish, I couldn't believe it! Unfortunately I forgot the rules at our school and she ended up having to wear her sweater all day. Pictures coming up later.

- weeding the garden with all my kids working together - it's handing having a lot of kids

- buying flowers and putting them in

- the lovely rain

- watching Pirates of the Caribbean #1 again - love that movie, why I don't know, just do

- our Sunday School picnic yesterday. How much fun was that! My pastor husband and his youth team led the service and did an amazing job (their first go at this kind of thing). Then a lovely picnic lunch. Then, the Zip-Line! Yup I went down that thing (it is the longest one in Canada!) The little push off the platform was a bit nerver-wracking but it was fun to fly for just a little while. Then the climbing wall, my fingers are still a little stiff. Much laughter and fun with the brethren - what a wonderful family we've been given out here in the country. The youth adopting our kids and loving on them so we were free to enjoy our day. A bit of a sunburn but not too bad. Slushies on the way home at the Hilltop Cafe.

- my husband home after being gone for three days.

- being invited out for supper with all my kids in tow.

- having a crafty night with a friend

-planning for more crafty nights

- working with my 7 year old girl - I think I shall call her Crafty Girl from now on - on a quilt she designed for her new cousin

It was a wonderful weekend. It truly was.

Wordless Wednesday

Lots of blogs have begun a 'picture post' and adopted a Wordless Wednesday. I think I may follow suit. This will be my first installment...

5 senses for Get Real Monday

Randi at I Have To Say always has "Get Real Monday" I'm usually not together enough to participate, but this time I think I can do it! The theme for today is the 5 senses...
I got to FEEL and SEE plenty of lovely fabrics this weekend since we were in the city. These are the ones that came home with me...some for quilting, some for garments...I'm looking forward to playing with all of them! The big pieces are (L to R) sundress for my big girl, shirts for me (the middle two) and backing for a quilt for my newest niece that my big girl and I are making together. Pictures of that when it's closer to finished.



We were in the city for our big girl's ballet recital...here she is in her owl costume, looking so very pretty. This would come under the SEE and HEAR category...as well as the FEEL for the proud mommy and daddy watching their little girl.
This is mommy FEELing the pain in her head that stayed there all weekend long - and princess peanut TASTEing a block! and possibly SMELLING a not-so-pretty diaper!
I got to SEE and HEAR princess peanut crash over in that little stroller just after I took that picture, big brother leaned on the handle a little too far and she wiggle a little too much...they were having so much fun just before that...this was at Grandma F's house.
TASTE ing burgers over at our friends before we head home. Also got to taste some absolutely delicious pork chops at my momma's house and some lovely munchies at a baby shower. A VERY full weekend.

Things you should know

If the last 11 years of parenting have taught me anything...it's that I know nothing. However, there are a few gems that I have picked up along the way...

1. If a three year old makes his bed...someone should get a marshmallow.

2. If a four year old tells you you aren't old...believe him.

3. If an eight year old tells you you're beautiful...believe him.

4. If, after you have gone to the hairdresser and said hairdresser gives you a fab do with highlights and everything and your kid who doesn't do well with change wrinkles his nose and tells you that you don't look like his mom anymore...take it as a compliment.

5. When you suggest to your child that perhaps they should get out their art supplies and make something, they will whine and complain about how boring art is, how they can't do anything, etc., etc. If, however, you get out YOUR art supplies they will immediately be inspired to do something that takes a lot of YOUR effort, YOUR art supplies and is worthy of being displayed in the Louvre, you on the other hand will get nothing done and be left to clean up the mess.

6. Chores are fun when there are large pieces of machinery involved.

7. Vaseline is a dangerous household substance.

8. Flour, even just a little, can make your whole floor into a skating rink.

9. One chocolate chip is capable of covering a toddler in chocolate from head to toe including the surrounding vicinty up to 20 ft in any direction.

10. If they loved it today they will hate it tomorrow.

11. If it was fun today it will be boring tomorrow.

12. If they could do it today they will miraculously lose that ability overnight.

13. They cannot hear you when you call them for supper, but they can hear the opening of the chip bag from across the yard...when you're in the far basement corner...under a blanket.

14. If you have recently filled up the soap dispenser, small hands will see to it that it goes immediately to half full. It will, however, remain that way indefinately.

15. Toothbrushing is only fun when there is a full tube of toothpaste.

16. Toothpaste is an excellent, long lasting adhesive.

17. Your bathroom mirror can remain at the same rate of dirtiness for many days. The day it gets cleaned, however, will be the day that someone with small hands will decide that the now full soap dispenser is a good substance for making handprints.

18. If you finally splurge and buy a brand new lip gloss/stick your pre-schoolers will find it and it will be gone...save yourself the dough and use the vaseline...you can probably wipe it off the wall for a long time, it doesn't dry out quickly.

19. If you are missing some kind of liquid that comes in a tube, first check your windows and walls.

20. The toilet paper only runs out when mom is on the throne.

There it is folks, my little bits of wisdom...got anymore!

Pink Things

This is the "before" shot.
and here is the after. Pink and green and pretty!! Actually the lighter green paint is the same as it was before, it didn't match for the first two coats of light pink, but after the third coat...it was a perfect match! The rest of the walls are the light pink on top...these are the closet doors.
Princess Peanut in her sister's pink chair, holding her sister's pink purse, wearing her pink shirt! Waiting for mommy to make her this!!
I found pink John Deere fabric yesterday! How good is that! I'm making that little shirt and capri pants with brown and pink stuff! Should be cute for my cute peanut!!

Too bad she doesn't have that much hair! Though bald is much easier to care for, I must say!

The goings on around here...

Yesterday was our 15th anniversary! We are so young still.......NOT! But we're still cute so there you go, and our grey hair just adds to our distinguished features.

I think I may have to change my name to vegetable lady. I've been planting vegetables for the last three days. Finally I have garden space that my actually accomodate our large family. I'm even enjoying being outside everyday working in all my dirt. Shocking isn't it! I'm even kinda having fun doing it. I got a little discouraged yesterday when my four boys, in two different instances, decided they needed to become 'mudmen' and managed to do some damage to two of my gardens. I wasn't a very happy momma. My husband said, "Welcome to the world of farming, you have no control over the kind or size of pests that enter your field!" How true.

So here are my gardens:

The House Garden - strawberries, peas, beans, carrots, lettuce, rhubarb and some cucumbers for eating fresh.

The Flower Garden (in two parts) - you guessed it...flowers! Peonies, lillies, irises and mums.

The Tree Garden - it houses my new weeping carigana that I got for mother's day, delphiniums, irises, various other little things that I don't know what they are, cucumbers for pickling, parsley, dwarf marigolds and ornamental cabbage

The Cucumber Garden - cucumbers, who knew

The Salsa Garden - tomatoes, peppers, oregan, thyme, basil and some perrenials

The Corn Patch - corn

The Potato Patch - potatoes, rasperries, cherry and apple trees

I also have a few containers for annuals and pretty things.

My gardening days have officially begun! I was pondering why it's so different here than before - gardening and outdoorsy feeling. Maybe it's because there's room to breathe here, room to hear the birds, room to see, room for my kids to roam, I'm not sure exactly but I'm pretty certain it's good.

My big boy is learning how to cultivate, rototill and mow with larger than 'city' machines. He's also managed to get a contract to mow the school yard and make some cash.

What's next...chickens, pigs, cows, who knows....but no more babies, as far as I know! Unlike CWG and who knows who else! We do however have 5 cats, one of which is pregnant, so I guess we are going to have babies. More on the cats later. Lunch time!

fresh flower delivery

I Got It
copyright 2007, lani wiens
a fresh flowers original

Learning something new is terrifically frustrating. I mean that. It is terrific to learn a new skill, to conquer a new challenge to take a risk and it is frustrating trying to do it. I had a close up personal glimpse as my three year old tried to master buckling himself into his carseat. He's really good at the top one but the bottom part was proving to be difficult for his little fingers. As too often happens, I tried to interfere without asking permission to do so. He got mad at me, how surprising, shocking really. He really wanted to do it himself and I stuck my big hands in there pushing his little ones aside, all in the name of efficiency.

It was the second round of this scenario that God stuck a little flower up my nose. I have to admit, I've been a little blind to them lately (obviously) but this one was hard to miss. My interference in my son's quest to master this little task will cost me time and energy. It is in my best interest (and his) to let him learn this new skill. How many times have I wished that he could do this himself as I am twisted around the driver's seat, smacking my head on the overhead lights, putting cramps in my fingers trying to do that thing up!

A little patience was required. A little instruction was required. A minute or so delay to our next destination was all that it cost me. By the end of our day in the city, constantly getting in and out of the vehicle, he had mastered that skill. He was so proud of himself as he announced, “I got it!” I was proud of him, too, and thankful that God helped me find a flower again.

Once again I marvel at God's ability to let me fumble around trying to figure things out that He could do with exceptional ease. But it's worth it in the end for me to learn these skills, when I finally know what I'm doing it free's Him up to do something else, have things go a little faster. I hope I remember to be patient right away next time I see someone learning a new skill. The Lord knows how much patience I'm requiring just now in all these new things that I am currently learning. I hope I bring a smile to His face when I can finally say, “I got it!”

more pictures

The boys' room. Yup, all four boys in one room, it's working quite well!
Part of the living room.
Standing up girl!!
Cowboy Sam, he found that hat at the rummage sale and absolutely loves it!
a little of our kitchen.

Pictures...as requested

Our room!

the girls' room! The other walls are the purple and blue that you see in the big blobby thing.

A favorite spot of mine. You can see this when you walk in our door.

There's still lots to paint but we're very happy with what we've done so far!

Quick Update

For those of you waiting for word on our life, I apologize profusely. It has been an adventure since the moment we arrived at our new home. There was a fierce storm with extremely high winds, we needed to cover the 45' cattle trailer so our stuff wouldn't get blown full of snow. The only tarp dad had on hand was a huge thing to cover a bin - it's about the size of a large parachute. Between dad, mom, Kelly, the two boys and myself we finally managed it but it was NOT easy.

We've been working hard at getting our house settled, painting, trying to get started farming, running back and forth to the city to finish up the music business stuff, getting the kids settled in school and trying to do all the ordinary stuff. Oh yeah, and start a youth ministry in the meantime.

Kelly had the opportunity to be a chaperone at the 24 hour World Vision famine that the SRC at the school was running - that was cool. Tonite we had our first big youth event - it went very well. We've been to the big town rummage sale, eaten at the town restaurant and have a local Co-op #. KElly even got his first farmer hat today! We've bought chemicals and sprayed a couple of fields. We also have grower contracts for chick-peas and Camelina - an oil seed with Omega 3 and 6 in it.

Boy #2 and Girl #1 are doing really well at school. Boy #3 had a couple of trial days to see if they could push him ahead to grade 1 - the teacher decided he wasn't ready (mommy wasn't either!).
We are still homeschooling Boy #1 for the rest of this year.

OUr first family night was a walk out to the big slough to see the birds. Hundreds of birds stop through our farm on their way north. They are very loud. We get swans, eagles, snow geese, Canada Geese, snowy owls, great horned owls, blue herons, robins, sparrows and crows. The boys enjoy looking for different kinds of feathers.

Kelly preached his first sermon as pastor-on-duty. OUr house-warming party is on Sunday night. and.........WE HAVE A NEW NIECE ON THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Bill and Tamara are expecting to pick up their little girl on Thursday this next week. She is just a couple of months older than Princess Peanut. We're all very excited!

I've only had a few meltdowns, but thanks to Harden & Huyse chocolate I've managed to pull through. It still feels a little like we're on an extended visit to mom and dad's house, the weirdness factor is still pretty high. We've gotten three bedrooms painted so far and some decorating loveliness has taken place which is helping things feel more like home.

That's all for now, need to get to bed!

I HATE MICE

Possibly my last post from this physical location. I am surrounded by boxes and boxes and more boxes.

Last night my husband and I realized that we're beginning to get a little viscious and vindictive toward those rodents that are co-habitating with us. I told my kids a grisly tale of death as a bedtime story - that's what ya get when you ask me to tell you a story about mice. Later we sat quietly sipping tea when we heard Mickey dancing in the oven drawer. We went, weapons in hand but I think we only hurt him a little - RATS! Then that little thing crawled out from underneath the couch, ran across the floor to the safety of the other couch and had the nerve to peek out at us from over there. THEN, my husband gets large heavy objects and is prepared to drop them and make mouse pancakes. This is not conducive to have a quiet evening tea time.

So just in case you missed it...I HATE MICE!!! okay, gotta go and make the next to last meal in this house. Wowzers, did ya know we're moving?

the last few days

The last few days have been a roller coaster ride of emotions. I performed my last services as a leader at Hope - leading communion - what a sweet way to go. The ladies retreat was wonderful and difficult at the same time. I couldn't stop weeping for a variety of reasons. Sometimes I felt like I was carrying other people's burdens, another time I was weeping for the losses coming up, and at other times feeling the pain of people I love at odds with each other. I came home tired and drained in a good way.

This morning was back to packing and cleaning. I've been amazed at how my kids have been rolling with this. I haven't been all that available to them, at least, not as much as usual and they've been doing pretty well. Today the garage started cleaning out - three loads have already gone to the dump. THREE, I can hardly believe there was that much crap in there, okay, acutally I can believe it. It wasn't even all ours. But it won't be coming along!!! Yippee! Only a few more days before we head down there and paint and put in floors as fast as we physically can. Our days in the city can be counted on one hand. wow.

Tonite, my wonderful husband took me shopping with his first paycheque as a pastor. He let me get whatever I wanted (within reason of course). I felt like a queen! I got three new shirts, a pair of shoes, and bras - wonderful, new, non-nursing pretty bras! I got shirts and shoes for my girls - so fun! And school supplies for the kiddos going into school in two weeks. We even found pants for him on a clearance rack that are new! We have not really shopped for clothing that we didn't absolutely need for a number of years - it was quite an experience. God has so faithfully supplied everything we've needed for these years in the desert. We feel a little like we're moving into the promised land.

I had to get up close and personal with the fact that I am being stripped of all that I've ever known and done and am getting a whole new portfolio. This should be interesting and will most likely supply good fodder for writing material. I'm okay with it but a little fearful, too. I'm looking forward to God painting me a new picture to look at.

Princess Peanut turns ONE

More Princess Pictures

life as I know it

It seems to me that my blogging world is slowing down, getting smaller, fewer of the blogs I frequent are blogging, or taking time off or realizing that life needs to be lived live and in person, not on a screen. Like right this very second, my little girl is laying her head on my feet, giving unvocalized signals of her need to go to bed. It's late, we had our first weekend of being the associate pastor couple, we worked hard at packing boxes for my in-laws so that they can move...so we can move. Exhausting, emotionally and physically.

I need to lay my head on my Saviour's feet. I know I don't need to say anything, which is good, because I don't know what to say exactly. My life is going to change radically in three short weeks. I have no frame of reference to imagine what I'm stepping in to. It is a completely blind leap into the unknown.


That's all I can say at the moment. The roller coaster between excitement and sorrow is leaving me a little dry.

Body Count Rises

In an effort to eradicate the rodents from the premises, the caveman has struck again! Aided by an accomplice who shall remain nameless, a vicious, but effective attack was executed late last night. As the death toll rises to a shocking five bodies, the homeowners wonder..."Are there more?"

Mild Mannered Husband Turns Killer

Apparently I could win a boring blog award. It's sad but true. I haven't much time to write these days and what I write isn't terribly exciting...obviously. So I had to come up with a shocking headline...which is true, by the way, but you'll have to read to the end of the story before I'll tell you what happened.

You see, in order for a blog to be interesting there needs to exist, at least, one or two of the following elements:

1. You must post regularly (haven't done that lately).
2. You need to be:

- controversial (I am not- I tend not to visit controversy either, so no link for ya)
- uproariously funny (sorry, haven't been on my game in that area lately, however, if you need a good laugh go visit "Fish In My Hair" absolutely guaranteed to make you get the Depends out)
- exhibiting excellent spiritual depth (since 'fresh flowers - the inspirational column' is in hibernation at the moment I'm not giving you that either...however, The Sacred Every Day and Holy Experience are sure to inspire you - and they are just really good writers)
- having a crisis occuring in which people are following your progress (don't have one, big change- yes, crisis - no...Carebear has that one happening and is inspiring many with her faith walk)
- sensational (my title is the best I could do on sensational)
- teaching something great on a regular basis (I Have To Say has great tutorials and various other interesting bits and pieces)

So there you have it folks...I'm just plain boring right now. Things should pick up after the move as I will certainly be on a huge learning curve with becoming a pastor/farmer's wife...guaranteed at least a few stories there.

oh yes, the murdering husband...

Last night as we sat having a rare, and blessedly quiet, conversation on our couch, Mickey came to visit. My husband and I have been eradicating Mickey and his family from our home for the last week. He's nice on TV but not pooping in my cupboards and on my towels. He may be cute but I want him dead! We waited quietly with broom and dustpan in hand. Sure enough he made a run for it. My fearless caveman chased him down, took aim and fired the dustpan at him with amazing speed and agility ending the encroaher's life on the spot. I cheered wildly, well, as wildly as I could with a sleeping baby in my arms. Another one bites the dust and that friends is as sensational as it gets!

That's our life right now, we get excited over dead rodents.

And yes, this template isn't inspiring so I need my techno friend CWG to hook me up with something flowery and get my links back and maybe all will be well! (That's a BIG hint! - you can track down his deep thoughts over at In Search of Truth)