Two great reasons to live in the country...

FYI, that is the female turkey lying on the ground with the children petting her, and the male turkey is "showing off".

Recipe for Memories

Warning: This recipe may vary for each family, but I encourage each of you to try it at least once in your life.

Recipe for family memories:

1.Create a once a year tradition of going up into the mountains to see the fall colors.

2.Plan your trip on the rainiest, nastiest day of the week.

3. Pile in the car with your coats in hand and adventure in your pockets.

4. Drive up to the mountains amidst the rain and fog.

5. Enjoy some beauty in spite of the weather on the way.

6. Climb the mountain with the clouds descending upon you (or maybe you are ascending up to them).

7. Continue driving while mother grips the side of the side of the seat and suggests (er rather begs) that this might not be a good idea.

8. Continue up in the clouds as you go right and left on tight switchbacks up the mountain.

9. Console yourself that there are a few people coming back down that have somehow lived to tell the story.

10. Arrive at the top and breathe a big sigh of relief. Call your father-in-law to let him know you are at the hightest point east of the Mississipi. He asks is it cold out? Daddy responds “No”….uhh, no?

11. Step outside the car to be met by Canadian weather with wind and rain to hurry under a shelter to compose your thoughts.

12. Shiver under the shelter and weigh whether you really DO want to dash uphill another 300 yards to say you really reached the peak.

13. Decide to take your six little ones and go for it!

14.Huff and puff, blame it on the high altitute (over 6,000 ft) and barely make it to the top.

15. Each of you put your foot on the little brass marker to attest that you had done it! And you look out 6,000 feet to see the beautiful view of … clouds.

16. Hurry back down, dripping now with rain, wet and cold.

17.Head to the bathrooms and into the museum and gift shop to warm up and buy a magnet and bluegrass cd to commemorate this momentous occasion. Notice that they compare Mt. Mitchell to Canada and that it once got 50ft of snow.

18. Go back to your warm car to strip as much clothing as you dare, to dry out.

19. Have mama tell daddy that he better not get into an accident on the way down, because she is sitting there in her slip.

20. Drive the rest of the afternoon around and truly see spectacular beauty in the leaves.

21. Have momma put her wet skirt back on to run into a thrift store to look for skirts for her and the girls (she only finds a couple things for H)

22. Drive to Montreat to see where daddy worked as a camp councilor as a young man.

23. Stop and eat dinner at Fatz café.

24. Tummys full and warm, arrive home very late at night, to dream of mountain beauty.

We had a great time and made so many memories! We want to go back again when we can see. :)

The Entire Keepers at Home Annual Awards Ceremony

Thanks Dad!

Keepers at Home Awards Presentation from Jim Moline on Vimeo.

Hanging Gardens of Greenville

In history we are up to the history of Nebuchadnezzar and the captivity of the Jews. It has been wonderful to study about Daniel and press home the fact that they will need to learn to stand alone, even if all go after the world. I am teaching them the words of the song "Dare to be a Daniel". The picture above is our version of Nebuchadnezzar's Hanging Gardens, one of the seven wonders of the world. Did you know that King Neb married his wife from Persia for political reasons? He did not want Persia to attack Babylon, so he married the King of Persia's daughter. But, she missed the mountains and greenery of Persia so much that he created the Hanging Gardens, a man-made mountain that was a ziggurat that had trees and bushes planted all over it. So here is a picture of my children's "hanging gardens". We took blocks to make a ziggurat and took fake moss and covered it. One of the seven wonders of the E family! :)

Must run now, I have children to enjoy today, and a birthday girl to give extra kisses to.

Happy Birthday, dear first born daughter

Happy 9th Birthday, our dear precious RSE!

Slideshow of Olympic Night

~I have had a busy few days here. Yesterday, spur of the moment, I decided to sew, and sewed B a jumper with a ruffle on the bottom (I think she will be thrilled!). Last night I did some shopping for B's cowgirl birthday on Saturday, complete with finding 8 pink cowboy hats at the dollar store, and pink bandanas. Then Stef came over while S worked and we watched "The Village". Today I have to run into town and return library books and order her cake..something with horses. Then prayer meeting tonight. Tomorrow is B's actual birthday, so we will have her family party. The children are busy making their own creations for B (air dry clay figures and sewing bags etc.) I also in the next couple of days have to do some research on horses to be ready to teach our class. And of course Saturday is the big day...the girl's Keepers at Home meeting combined with B's birthday party. Also it is the boys first Contenders for the Faith meeting as well. Never a dull moment around here. :)

Well, let's see we had our ancient Olympic game night in September? I am just now getting around to finishing a slideshow for it. :) But, as the old saying goes better late than never, so enjoy!

Simple Woman's Daybook

So, this picture was supposed to be at the end, but blogger was not cooperating, so I will start this post off with a picture of two my favorite little people. And now on to...

FOR TODAY

October 26, 2009
Outside my window... you would see the fall colors coming more brilliant each day. Did I mention how much I love this season?
I am thinking...about finishing the rest of the video organization (my mom gave me a whole bunch of their videos/dvds, so there is more to organize! :) )
I am thankful ...that my friends are so close to completion of their home and moving here in just a few short weeks..hurray!!
From the learning rooms...a passionate teaching about standing alone as a youth using Daniel in Nebuchadnezzar's captivity as the example. In history we are learning about Nebuchadnezzar's Hanging Gardens--cool stuff! Ordered some more historical fiction books for the children today as well.
From the kitchen...chili for supper!
I am wearing...Cream colored long sleeved t-shirt, full floral skirt that Nona made for me, barefeet (shhh!)
I am creating...a keepers at home class for Saturday, I have to research and teach all about horses.
I am going...to watch Faith Like Potatoes from Netflicks with my husband tonight.
I am reading...my Bible and sermon notes from yesterday
I am hoping...to go to my brother's graduation from boot camp next month.
I am hearing...quiet! The littles are napping, the others are outside. (before I finished my post, one of the children put some new bluegrass music we got Friday on to play in the living room..fiddle and banjo, I can dream of it being S and I one day.)
Around the house...is messy in many places, but all signs of a loving home being lived to the fullest.
One of my favorite things...blogging.
A few plans for the rest of the week: B's birthday is Thurs. So, we will have family bday party on Thursday, then Sat is our "horses" Keepers at Home class, followed by a "cowgirl" birthday party for B.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I took this picture with my cellphone while we were on our mountain trip last week.

To read more Simple Woman's Daybook, visit Peggy's Blog.

Confessions of a mama of 6

It has come to my attention that some of my bloggy friends might have the idea from reading my blog that my life is perfect. Those that see me daily would get a hearty laugh over that one. It's true that most of the things I write are of the fun, happy things we are doing, but I thought that it was time to set the record straight...so here are the confessions of a mother of 6:

~My house gets messy (insert gasp here). No, I don't mean just a little bit messy...we are talking hurricane messy. And it gets this way a.l.o.t, as in daily. I work and work and put my children to work, but it takes microseconds for it to fall apart again. My cabinets and closets have minds of their own, because I organize them and come back and everything is shifted around messy again. I find unmentionable things under my couches, in the closets, corners and under beds. Finger prints and dirt marks appear just moments after I have cleaned them. And this is the neat freak mama talking here. I love it p.e.r.f.e.c.t.i.o.n. But, the Lord is breaking me of my own will and molding me into His image through my precious little ones.

~My children bicker (another gasp here). I am a daily referee of their many fights and squabbles. We train and work on love in our home, but we are definitely a work in progress around here. (I just had to take a break from this blog to deal with an issue) Don't get me wrong, they love each other and are the best of friends, but there are many, many selfish squabbles that we have to deal with.

~I am tired and overwhelmed oftentimes. There are days when I cry at the drop of a hat (or the next spilled water cup). Days when I do not know how I can possibly accomplish this great work. But, I remember the promise that those who wait upon the Lord He shall renew their strength. It is in my weakness that He is made strong.

~I am not supermom (you knew that already so you don't need to gasp) I can't "do it all", so there are things that just don't get done. I am not one of those moms who can be involved in every homeschool event there is, my children are not all virtuoso violinists, I do not have a beautiful flower garden, I do not bake all my own bread...you get the idea.

~We use paper plates almost every night (Loud gasp now!) Yes, we started this when all the children were little and have continued it. Even though I have a dishwasher and bigger children to help now, it makes our lives much simpler to keep "Dixie" products in business.

~Many times I look at other mothers and think they are doing a far superior job than I am. But, then I am reminded that God chose me specifically to be the mother of my children. He knew that I was the perfect fit for these precious little souls. My weaknesses as well as my strengths are specially suited for them.

~I have to apologize to my children on a regular basis. They see plenty of evidence that Mama is a sinner, and I have to go back to them and ask their forgiveness.

So there you see some mom of 6 reality. This path we are called to live is not an easy one, to say the least. But, I was reminded again at our prayer meeting last night that we have an eternal inheritance. There will come a day of perfection, when we may rest. When we will experience the fulness of joy in the presence of the Lord. There will be no more sin, no more weariness, no more tears. But until then we must labor and the way is full of toil and sweat, falling down and getting back up again, by His grace renewing us.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled happy posts... :D

Simple Woman's Daybook

I am doing this in the evening, so some of these answers will be past tense from earlier today:

FOR TODAY

October 19th, 2009
Outside my window... (earlier today) the most beautiful crisp, sunny fall day you can imagine.
I am thinking...of taking a warm shower

I am thankful for...my sweet family and the little lisp of my children singing "All things work together for good to them that love the Lord"

From the learning rooms...(earlier) Teaching Textbooks on the computer, Girls reading aloud to each other, printer printing out copywork, History reading over lunch, Latin chants over dinner, playing with our new Leapfrog talking globe after supper.

From the kitchen...Pork chops with homemade applesauce, parmesan, garlic pasta, and a salad

I am wearing...Peach t-shirt, white knit long skirt

I am remembering...the sweetness of the Sabbath day yesterday

Pondering these words...

"We need to fetch joy with the bucket of prayer." "We can suck much joy out of the various promises, from promise to promise as a bee goes from flower to flower."

I am creating...history pages for my children to color during their lesson tomorrow

I am going...to finish up sorting through winter coats tonight.

I am reading..."Belles on their Toes", "Biblical teaching on the doctines oHeaven and Hell"

I am hoping...to get to practice using my new fiddling DVD sometime soon.

I am hearing...Daddy and Joseph in working on algebra right now

Around the house...the younger four children are settling down to sleep.

One of my favorite things...is spending time with my husband at night after a full day

A few plans for the rest of the week: having a friend over to school and play together tomorrow, prayer meeting Wed. night, fall trip to the mountains on Friday, church picnic on Saturday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

click HERE to see Peggy's Daybook.

The blessing of the Son/sun

After some rainy, cold fall days…we have sun today! This is such a picture to me of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son. When He hides His face, we feel our coolness, our deadness, and our hearts grow weary. But, when He turns the light of His countenance upon us, we are made glad in Him, our hearts are quickened and we are truly blessed. This weekend has been like that for me. Yesterday was our communion season, and I came weary, broken and empty to His table. My heart yearned for sights of Himself. He did not disappoint me. We were so abundantly fed at His table. Our pastor showed Christ forth in a faithful way. The Lord’s supper are Christ’s kisses to us. Two quotes that I loved from the afternoon sermon were these: "We need to fetch joy with the bucket of prayer." "We can suck much joy out of the various promises, from promise to promise as a bee goes from flower to flower."

The sun shining this Monday has refreshed me as well. The weather is crisp and cool and the sun is brightly streaming down over everything. For some reason the sun helps me feel motivated to those things I need to do. So, today along with overseeing school, I cleaned out the toy closet, went through winter coats and went through and put away a bunch of books that I was given. It’s been a productive day. Now, I am going to get dinner in the oven, and when S gets home we are going to have a brisk family exercise walk. Tomorrow a friend is coming over and we are going to school together and then play together.

I hope each of you have a blessed week!

Remembering all over again

Someone deemed Oct 15^th as Pregnancy and Infant loss remembrance day. I did not know that such a day existed till this year. But, I have felt the pain of loss 3 times as the Lord has taken our little ones home to be with Him. One was between my first and second, another after my 4^th and then our little Sieta went to be with Jesus two years ago. As you remember we named him Sieta which is Spanish for 7. By far, baby Siete was the hardest. As I think back on our precious little child, seeing his little heartbeat on the scan, then another scan where there was silence. Marveling over his tiny perfection in our hands. Burying our child under the earth on our friend's land, with each sibling taking part. The tears and sorrow were strong. I had never known grief like that before. But, the Lord heals our hearts with time. There was a joy in knowing that our baby was with his Savior and supremely happy. I am submitted and content that the Lord doeth all things well. But, there are still times when I feel the hole. Times when I see other children that would have been his age…and I remember. This Oct 11^th marked the two year anniversary of Baby Sieta’s untimely birth…I say untimely, but really it was the Lord’s perfect time. He never knew us, but he knows Jesus. It was with pain that I realized yesterday that I had forgotten. Not forgotten our precious child, but I let the day go by without remembering. My husband said, maybe that was a good thing. Maybe that shows that we have moved on…healed. I suppose so. But, part of me felt guilty too. I guess that is natural to feel that way. I would like to go to every woman considering an abortion and tell them about my baby…about how perfectly formed he was at such a young age. About how precious life truly is. Thank you, dear Lord, for giving us this little child for even the short time we had him. Thank you for letting us be a part in the forming of this little soul that is with you in glory now.

P.S You can read Baby Siete's whole story HERE.

Fall is in the air...

This week is a very "fallish" week. It started with a chill in the air and rain. Tuesday so far has been our only break in this cozy, sleepy Autumn weather. I love the cooler, cozy weather, although I am ready to sing "Here comes the Sun".

Like I mentioned, Tuesday we did have a break in the clouds and rain. Several ladies and children from our church went up to Skytop Orchard to have a fun day of play and apple picking. My friend blogged a bunch of pictures about our fun day. I am going to copy and paste it below. There was a little petting zoo, a playground, hayride and of course apple picking. We brought home a bushel of apples, apple cider, and apple cider donuts. Yum!

So yesterday I peeled and cut a 1/2 bushel of the apples and now have yummy applesauce in my cooker. I hope to make some apple pies in the next few days as well.

For supper tonight, homemade potato/bacon/broccoli soup (complete with sour cream, milk and butter in it!) is brewing.

Tomorrow is our second Latin class, so we will have some homeschool friends over. And this weekend is our communion season, so there will be a service Saturday night. We are looking forward to it!

Now for my friends blog post:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2009

Apples! Apples! Apples!

Away up high in the mountains


among the trees and lanes


there were some little girls


and a few little boys


along with their Mommy's and Big Sisters


roaming in an apple orchard.


They walked and looked and walked a little more.


Until, finally


they found the treasure


and filled their baskets full.


They picked and picked


and picked some more.


First Black Arkansas


and then the Granny Smith.


Don't forget the Pink Lady


or the sweet tasty Fuji!


After resting for a bit


and partaking of the fruit


we snap a picture


or two


of me


and you


and you!


Posing with their nephew


on haybales


or in the apple house


they definitely think he is the cutest thing around.


Playing on the swing sets


and peeking through doors


and windows


helped to pass the time until


the hay ride!


Scarcrows abound


in this orchard of delight.


Among the rows of


daisies shining


in the bright sunlight


sit boxes of apples waiting to be sold.


Bright orange


and yellow pumpkins


make the farmers look on


their harvest with pleasure.


Munching cookies and taking a nap


was a great prize for all the hardworkers!