Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Sunday

Sunday morning dawned crisp and cold! 30 below windshield, so I heard. We started the car early, and made it to church. During the offeratory, Dot played with her girlfriend "Silent Night." They did a beautiful job. :-) (If my girlfriend from Texas reads this, no, even this Sunday, I did not wear a hat or gloves to church. :-) But they were in my coatpockets.)

After church, Dot and Darling got ahold of the Pastor's baby at church. I think this was one of Darling's highlights of the year! A baby!! In her arms!! Oh, the joy! and Oh, the misery! when we left. She cried alot of the way home about leaving the baby. Only the promises, that we might see the baby later at the Christmas play, stemmed the tide of mournful entreaties to go back to "Baby!"







Of course, we had to take a few other pictures with the girls. :-)
Deer was Elizabeth in the Christmas Play this year.
Deer is under the left wreath, slightly behind the shepherd in green.
She was playing charades with Zachariah to find out what happened in the temple. They did a great job. Don't you love Zachariah's full beard! :-)
Duke and Dessert weren't in the play this year. They just don't like doing it, and I guess my dh and I are getting old enough that we don't want to fight with them to participate. They really enjoyed watching it!
I can hardly believe it is Christmas week already. I'm feeling alot more ready for Christmas. I just have alot of baking to do. Dh and I did our annual mini shopping trip. I usually do most of the shopping, but we do one supper out and shopping trip to do some together. I love it!!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Too busy?

I've been having "too busy moments" lately. You know, those stress things that come out - like an eye twitch, headache, milk fever, or can't find the right word because the mind's too full, etc.

Well, the other day I was talking to Dot's orthodontist receptionist. We were changing a date and time, so she restated the info at the end of the conversation.
I replied, "Yep, sounds awful!" in a cheerful voice. Then, "ah.., I mean.., Great!"
We both hung up laughing.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Thank You for Mercy!!

The Lord is so faithful! The last couple of mornings, the Lord has awaken me just in the right time. This morning, Dot had a big test in town. I'm not sure if she forgot to set her alarm, or what, but I woke up in time to start the car, make her breakfast, get her directions, and get her out the door in 8 minutes! She had awaken just minutes before I did. PTL - despite our human failings, He shows mercy. It helps remind me to show mercy to my kids when they forget something or act as "kids."

Please pray she does ok on the test. She was NOT happy about going today. Her weeks lately have been very busy. She's had a number of big projects due, and been occasionally a pill to live with because of her stress level. :-) She finished another of her big projects last night, so there is hope for both of us. lol. Now to get through the her next couple of busy days.

I find it so funny that on Thursday I'm busy and she's not. She is not happy about Thursdays schedule?!! Why?!! Because she doesn't like it when everyone's gone. Even though she's just in her room working on stuff, she likes it and thinks best when everyone's home and around downstairs. lol!! I couldn't believe what she is saying! :-) That's what home schooling does for you, makes you bonded! :-)

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Goofing Around with the Camera

Tonight I've been bugging my family with my new camera. It is so fun! :-)
Dessert's recent addiction. He usually only gets to play when I'm gone. So all day today (when we've been home) he's been begging for me to go somewhere. He complained that everytime I was gone, he was gone too. We went today to a church family reunion, from the church I grew up with. We were all gone all afternoon. So I finally gave him 20 minutes. I caved, but he loves me. :-)


The promised picture of my birthday drum set. (from September)

Here are the kids goofing around and trying new flavors of Jelly Belly's.


Our Christmas stockings hung from the archway with care.
My dh wasn't immune from my camera attack.
Even Kip couldn't escape the camera.

Or Darling. lol. :-)
Why does Dime want to save all these bottles? I just don't get it. I keep trying to make him throw them away. They are up to 3 months old.

Darling told me she is petting the candy.


From Uncle P. - A HUGE spud, and a Jelly Belly


That's all, folks!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Belated Birthday Present!!!

I'm so excited!!!!!!!
Can you guess!!!!!
I got a camera for my birthday!!!!
From my brother!!!!!
Yesterday, my sweet brother took me out for lunch and shopping. We visited over an authentic Mexican meal, and then had fun touring several shops. The camera is cobalt blue!!!! My favorite color!!!! and is a great, simple point-and-shoot, just like I wanted. He also sent a bunch of treats and goodies home for the kids. They were spazzed, like it was already Christmas Eve. :-)

I've been really busy helping Dot with her project for Christmas. I am so, so excited about it. I can't say anything, because family occasionally read my blog. (Hi Dad, I have a secret! You don't know! I won't tell you!) It is going to be my favorite Christmas present.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Christmas Party at Speech

Last night was a blast!!
We usually have a casual Christmas party for speech, but this year, the speech teachers decided to have a formal event with the older kids giving dinner speeches. I really questioned the whole "formal" thing, but it was awesome!!

When we arrived, they had decorated the tables with simple decorations and candles. The dinner speakers had a head table with a podium. We all brought fancy snacks, which went on a candle-lit, decorated food table. We all made it dressed up, despite last minute panics when Dime & Duke's dress pants didn't fit - oops.

I had arranged for Drum's - I knew he grew! Dime wore Drum's old ones- which fit perfect. For Duke, I finally found a pair someone had given me. They were perfect, and I had a top to match! PTL - He was aware of those details, which could have been a disaster. Jeans were definitely not an option for tonight.

Dot and her friend were up first. Each of the 5 speakers, had a junior speaker introduce them. Each speaker was a different person from "history" in character. Dot's friend was Little Red Riding Hood, so Dot was Grandma. She did fantastic!!! She borrowed my sweater (boy, did that make me feel weird - my sweater as a granny sweater!) and a cane, and pulled it off so well. They ended with a short rap, from the Hood, complete with sunglasses. It was a hoot!

We were visited by Red Riding Hood, Queen Esther, Paul Bunyan, Ann Coulter, and Professor Harold Hill from the Music Man. Each student had written his own speech, and they were just AWESOME!! I wish I could share them all. I was also impressed that each one spoke and/or closed with point to take home. It totally fit with their character and was so good!

Paul Bunyan did an anti-environmentalist speech about trees. Just so funny! He closed with washing his hands on the group, and drying them with a paper towel. "If God made planks in trees, than it is right that we should take them out and build houses with them." (maybe not exact quote) He had so many good lines; I wished I had a copy of his speech.

We left Dessert and Darling with Dunk's folks. I felt bad they couldn't come, but it meant I got to hear my daughter's intro without worrying I'd be in the hallway with Darling. Both kids had a great evening with Papa and Grandma, and we really enjoyed our event. I'm hoping to get a copy of the video to share with them. My Mom was able to come, and she enjoyed it as well. It was fun to visit. :-)

They had the other speech club students provide the special music for the event. Very nice! Dime and his best friend (he has the same name - two peas in a pod) did a song. His friend played the electric guitar, while Dime sang - Our God is an Awesome God. He did very well! They had a little blond headed boy come up and watch them - about 7 inches from their knees! :-) So cute! Their first groupie. lol. I was so proud of my kids, and thankful for such an awesome speech club!

Drum was supposed to play a piece on the piano for the event, but had to bow out with his broken humerus. Yesterday, we went to the orthopedic Dr. We found out Drum's humerus is already starting to heal and the Dr. says he can take off his sling for Christmas or anytime after that he is comfortable with it. Wow!! Drum was very happy about that!

I was NOT happy with finding out that I have shin splints on both shins. My right is the worst. The Dr. said no jogging for 4-6 weeks. Bummer!!!! How am I supposed to get in shape if my body won't keep up with me!!!! I asked if I could just wrap them and keep jogging. Nope, won't help and eventually they will fully fracture and I will be off of them for 6-8 months not 4-6 weeks. ..Oh, ..ok. I guess that is why, when debating whether to jog the other morning (because they had hurt so bad on Monday that I quit before finishing), I flipped a coin and it came out tails - no jog. God knew I needed to keep off. I sure wish He could just heal the shins, but I guess He's got different plans.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Christmas Party at CAP

Last night we had our annual Christmas party at CAP. The boys were picked up early to go do bell ringing at Cub. Then we joined them later for a potluck. I made a hotdish, but on my way out the door, the handle on my crock pot broke off. The whole, huge pot went down in slow motion and spilled all over the front porch. We were able to save a 1/4 of it in the pot, plus about 1/4 off the top that was ok.

Because of the bad roads last night, we ended leaving Duke, Dessert, and Darling home with Dot. This meant only Deer, and the two older boys were there. My dh and I had a great night!! :-) No little ones to run after and keep track of. No small boys to ask a million questions, like when are we going, and can I have another pop. We actually had conversations with other adults - more than one in fact!! I could get into Christmas parties like this. :-) (Don't get me wrong - I love my kiddos, but wow it is nice to talk with adults without moving like on a tilt-o-wheel.)
One more Christmas party this week on Thursday. I'm really considering leaving more kids behind. :-) Problem is, this time Dot is one of the speakers at the party, so no great babysitter at home. Last night she played with them, wrestled, and made cookies with them. Picture making cookies with Darling on the counter, and two boys wanting to get this or that and put it in the mixer. It's a busy job! She then read to the boys, after we got home and took Darling up to bed. She is such a great babysitter!
Here she is the other night, putting together taco dip with "help" from Darling. It was so sweet, so I made them stay there while I got Dot's camera to take a picture even though they were all done.
I found this picture on Dot's camera. She must have been reading to Darling on her bed. Don't you wish you had a great big sister like this?!
Sometimes, when I'm sure that tomorrow I'm going to send my kids to public school, (well, some of them anyway. :-), I think about these moments and more, that probably wouldn't happen, or would be much fewer and farther between. I should have some pictures with the other kids with Darling. Dime loves to take her outside, and Drum reads to her. Just so precious. I think of the relationships they are building with each other, and the good prep for fatherhood and motherhood, when they spend time with Darling.

Monday, December 08, 2008

When the Soul Mends - Book Review


This is book three in the "Sisters of the Quilt" series, but stands alone as a good book! The details of the other books, that are needed in this book, are introduced so well, that you don't feel like you are reading the synopsis of other books.


Hannah Lapp left her Amish roots on tenuous grounds two and a half years earlier. Going to live with her Aunt Zabeth in Ohio, who helps her through the complexities of joining an English world, gives her needed understanding and love. Only 17 at the time, she starts a new life for herself. She got some counseling, is going to school for nursing, met a wonderful man, Martin Palmer, and is helping him with his niece and nephew (whom he acquired from his sister).

One day she is contacted by her sister back in Owl's Perch, Pennsylvania. Her brother has had a serious accident in a fire - will she come home? She leaves her base in Ohio, and heads out to return to her childhood home. Her brother's friend has died in the fire, and he is heartbroken, struggling to decide how to move on. She realizes her sister, Sarah, is in desperate need of counseling and help for her mental condition. And how did Sarah know how to contact her? What will her former fiance, Paul, say when she sees him? How will she cope with the complexities and hidden truths that now face her back in Owl's Perch?


Will she choose the Englischer world and the man who restored her hope, or will she heed the call to return to the Plain Life—and perhaps to her first love?



Author Bio: Cindy Woodsmall is a best-selling author, who has garnered strong praise for the first two novels in the Sisters of the Quilt series. When the Heart Cries was a finalist for the ECPA Novel of the Year in 2007 and received the Reviewer’s Choice Award from the Road to Romance website. When the Morning Comes was named among the Best Books of 2007 for Crossings Book Club. Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty years.


Having spent some time among the Amish while studying midwifery, I thoroughly enjoy reading books about the plain life. It brings back memories. They have hopes and dreams, ups and downs, and they enjoy life and each other. I watched a friend as she and her husband became Christians and were ostracized from their community. It brought new meaning to leaving family for the Lord.


If you would like to enjoy reading this great book, leave a comment by December 17th, and I'll get it to the winner in time for Christmas break. :-)

Friday, December 05, 2008

Never Boring Over Here

Well, it's never really quiet over here. The week has been flying by. Usually most days during the week, all I have time for is to get each child through their school assignments for the day, do laundry, work on meals, and sometimes I take time to breathe slowly in and out - in a bathroom, with the door locked, sometimes even in the dark - maybe I should try earplugs in there, hmm....

But some days, I guess that's not enough work for me. Yesterday I thought I was going to have a few extra minutes in my day. School had started early because we leave for special classes at 7:30, which gets everyone up and going strong. In the afternoon, I got a phone call that reminded me that they wanted my dh to speak on etiquette for men (boys) at speech club.

So, since I had a few extra minutes, I helped him out by researching and writing a speech for him. As I was putting the finishing details on it, Duke came and told me Drum was really hurt.

Yep, he was. I got him off the ice and in the house. My Dad was due over in 30 minutes, PTL for timing. He ended up getting called for a case at the hospital, so Drum and I went with him, while Dunk, Dot, and Dime headed to speech. My dear in-laws came to watch the others.

End result was: Drum broke his proximal humerus. (humerus=upper arm bone, -proximal meaning closest to the body. The antonym of that being distal - farthest away from the body. Medical speak) We spent almost 3 hours at the ER to get a bunch of x-rays, an arm support thingy (not medical speak), and the news to see the orthopedic Dr. in the morning.

So, I was exhausted last night, looking so forward to a good night's sleep, before a busy day tomorrow. Dear, sweet Darling woke up at 4:30!!!!!!! She flipped and flopped! Wanted water, a book, milk, nursing, etc. She watched Daddy get up for work. I finally got up and made her oatmeal. I think with all that went on last night, she didn't get enough supper to take her the whole night. She ate the whole bowl clean. Then we read books til she was sleepy enough to go back to sleep. (about 7:15) Then I can't get back to sleep, so I'm letting y'all know my happenings. I really better get out the door for exercise, then cleaned up to take Drum in. I think I'm going to buy a coke today - because, like my son Dime said, that's what they invented pop for!

Monday, December 01, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday! It was restful and interesting and fun. :-) I certainly have a ton to be thankful for, which I passed on to God while I was jogging one morning. Maybe I'll do a post on that another time.

Wednesday we went grocery shopping, then Dot and her friend made pie crusts, while we all helped fill them. We made pumpkin, 3 pecan, blueberry, lemon meringue, and custard. We ate some that night with Dunk's folks. We brought the rest to my folks on Thanksgiving Day to join the pies my Mom had made.

Thursday it sure was fun to have time with family and eat my Mom's delicious food! :-) We were all appropriately stuffed. In the afternoon we took a hike on the property. The weather was gorgeous. Sunny and not too cold. The kids rode the tractor around, played soccer, hiked all over, and had a blast. After supper, my Mom gave the youngest two a bath, and then we loaded up for the ride home. BUT, my 4 boys stayed with their grandparents! :-) They were so excited to not have to go home and get to drag out the fun. We took the girls home and watched a movie in peace and quiet. Darling quickly fell asleep, so I got to really enjoy the movie and my dh's popcorn.

Friday Darling had a Dr. checkup. Her lungs are tons better. We'll have to keep working on her iron levels. Last night I put some molasses in milk with chocolate flavoring to hide it. She drank it right up. I will try that again! The boys came home in the afternoon, and we put up the Christmas tree!! We had a nice supper together. (Well, if one forgets that everyone was starting to get a 'little' crabby from all the fun. :-) We are a 'real' family after all.)

Saturday we had a quiet day at home. Dunk had a service call, so we hung out and putzed on 'stuff'. I had an incredible amount of laundry. Still do!! In the afternoon, Dh and I spent an hour and a half looking for our missing items. We found Duke's unicycle, the missing craft tub, but NO SKATES. We are so bummed, but trying not to mourn about just skates, and start the process of getting some new ones. Hopefully someone will have brought some to Goodwill.
In the evening we decided to run to Wal-mart. Poor Drum reminded me he does not plan to wear his black shoes, no matter what, on Monday, because they are so small. They've been too small for so long, but we keep forgetting. He remembered!! on Saturday not Monday!! lol :-) So we went shoe shopping. We found some he was thrilled with, and some other clothes for the growing kid.
On the way home, our dd Dot called. She and Dime had hit a deer!!! They were on the way home from a birthday party and friend's house and were surprised by a deer. After meeting with the policeman, we decided to take the deer (no one got one hunting this year). So, the boys had the job of getting it home, gutting it, and hanging it up. Poor Darling, she was so excited to see the deer, and then could hardly grasp what they were doing to it!! The next day she kept pointing at the deer out the window sadly saying, "Deer hanging." I had to distract her. :-)

After church Sunday, my folks brought the turkey leftovers!! We had lunch, then my Mom and I decided to do some shopping, while Dunk and the boys skinned and cut up the deer. Dime ended up doing 90% of the project, because he was loving it! (Boys) I found new black slacks for Christmas, a pair of jeans (so I now have 2 pair!!), and a couple tops. My most exciting find was a one-piece snowsuit for Darling!!! We decided to check "Once Upon a Child", and there was just one there, and it was her size - 3T! PTL. It fits her to a T.

Monday - we are all sad for the end to a great long weekend. The laundry is piled so high!! and no one wants to start school, but here we go.... :-)

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Missing!!

Last year we could not find our family's skates. As a family of 9, with some extra for changing sizes, or figure vs. hockey, that is alot of skates! It wasn't a great year for skating last year, so we managed to avoid ice-skating, thinking they just had to turn up in the summer. Well, we have looked and looked. We've offered rewards. We don't know where to look anymore, and NO SKATES!!

We also realized the craft tub is missing. It held odds and ends of craft projects. Great for a rainy day fun creating. We kept it out in the studio (when we weren't using it). We cleaned up the studio this summer, and now it's GONE!

The kids wanted to go to unicycle club the other week, so they went to dig out their unicycles. We can't find Duke's!! The kids have turned the place upside down looking for it. LOST!!

The skates and unicycle are not items easily replaced. PLEASE, pray we find them.
Thanks!!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

A Poem by Dot about Darling

Toddler Territory
I've got baby books scattered across my floor,
And somehow she always wants more.
My brother carries her to her room,
And suddenly I hear a boom!
Something crashes, but what can I say?
It's toddler territory - she's on her way!
If you're busy - better run!
But if you're not, then have some fun!
Here on the floor - come play with her!
Oft reading books she would prefer.
But sometimes you can dance and sing!
And when you're done she'll yell 'gain!
''Keep Going" she once told me.
I love her kisses - oh so sweet!
She's cubby, soft, and full of spice,
To season all our grown-up lives.
Hug a toddler, make them laugh!
-You'll find your 'stressures' cut in half!

Big Sisters are so special!!
PS. I took some meds starting yesterday, so now am much better. Hoping to keep improving over the next few days. :-)

Saturday, November 22, 2008

What a weekend

What a weekend. I am so tired and tired of feeling achey! Darling is getting so much better, just a cough left. Now I'm the one with the Milk Fever. I'd think Darling would be too old for me to get this kinda thing, but... Everytime I get serious with my jogging, this is what happens. I get a chest cold, or the Milk Fever (aka breast infection). Not much else new here. I hope to be back up and running for the week. I'm looking so forward to a two day school week!
We plan (Lord willing) to put our tree on Friday, and I hope to maybe start some cookie baking. One year I had the baking done before the 10th of December. As a family, we so enjoyed having a tray of cookies every evening with candles. Really stretched out the holidays. Would love to do that again, but doubt I can do it. We did it a year when we started homeschooling in August and took the whole month of December off. Very nice.
Darling was so sad and funny. She had a couple medicines to take for a few days. Eventually when I set the medicines out again - she said, "Hide! Wun Away!!" She's been talking so much more. She also jumped with two feet. I was amazed. Probably from jumping on the trampoline during the summer. Her hair is starting to grow in. Yeah!!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

My Mother's Wish - Book Review


"It's the 1960's Midwest, and Ellee Crumb McKutcheon wants to change the world, starting with her mother, but she's having trouble even getting her teachers to know her real name. So Elle sits at the Comeback Cafe, her broken heart lying there on the table, when a three-armed waitress and a quirky stranger show up and hand her back the pieces."

My Mother's Wish is about a teenager and her girlhood wish to be called Ellee not Eleanor. It is about her desire to be recognized for the person she is, not who her mother wishes she was. On Christmas Eve, the miracle happens and begins a new life for Ellee.

Author Bio:
Jerry Camery-Hoggatt
, Ph.D., is professor of New Testament at Vanguard University, in Costa Mesa, California. A professional storyteller, he is the author of the highly-acclaimed Christmas stories When Mother Was Eleven-Foot-Four (in trade adult and children’s picture book editions) and Givers of Gifts; plus Irony in Mark’s Gospel and Grapevine: A Spirituality of Gossip. His passion is theology and storytelling, which he believes are meant to go together. Jerry and his wife, Shaleen, are the parents of three children.

Or feel free to leave a comment before Nov. 24th for your own copy of this book.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Saturday Ramblings

The boys have been hunting all week to no avail. :-( Please pray they are blessed with a deer, so that they would get to have that experience, and we would have meat in the freezer. I'm delaying my walk/jog so that I don't disturb the deer.

Darling sure enjoys our cat, Kip. Kip is generally very patient with her "loving." :-)



I still spend time nursing Darling. She likes to catch a snack and exercise at the same time. :-) Silly Girl!!


Our faucet was having trouble and then gave up on us. My dh rigged it until it could be fixed properly. How gorgeous was this? My dear father-in-law put in the new faucet. Yeah!!
I've been working on a new set of stockings for Darling for Christmas. They are so easy and cute!! :-) I almost have ten done.
I wish it was as cheap and easy to make a gift for the teenagers in our family. Dessert says he wouldn't mind a pair, but I told him only girls wear lace on their socks. He was kinda bummed, but too boy and grown-up at 6 to admit he'd take a pair anyway.
The boys are in, out I go...

Monday, November 10, 2008

What I have to look forward to..

Last week my Dad had a crown break off. He went to the dentist to get it fixed. When they did the x-ray, they discovered he had an abcess in the tooth next to it. They couldn't believe he didn't feel any serious pain yet. Was just a little sore. So he made an appointment for another root canal. Bummer! He was on call the day of the procedure, but everything was quiet. He gets there, they give him the shot (in the roof of the mouth, the worst place, if you don't know), and he waits for it to totally numb up.

The Dr. comes back and Dad's beeper goes off. They all of a sudden need a third guy at the hospital! He has to head out with his mouth numb, and no fixed tooth. Real Bummer!! Now he has to go through it all again....

I have teeth like my Dad's. I've had my second root canal this fall, and need a bridge (but can't afford it right now). I'm not looking forward to my dental days ahead, but compared to getting called after being numb - it could be worse!!!

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Election 2008

After the election, I've been having a hard time thinking what to post.
I would have to say "Congratulations!" to the blacks in our country. As McCain said, "This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and the special pride that must be theirs tonight.”
As G. Bauer said in his End of the Day Report, "For any Americans who may have felt disillusioned or cynical about politics, last night’s election was truly historic, and we should take some pride in that. America has taken a major step in atoning for the national sin of slavery.
So, perhaps now radical leftwing “educators” will stop denigrating our nation and obsessing about its failures. I hope we will finally move beyond the issue of race and focus instead on the issues that matter most. I pray in the years ahead liberal politicians will stop hiding behind race and start answering for their policies. And I hope that America-haters and black supremacists, such as Jeremiah Wright, the former pastor of Barack Obama’s church, will be disavowed by the black community. "

That said, I have some personal thoughts on the election.
I am so sad for our country.
I hurt for what we are going to see happen in the first 100 days of Mr. O's presidency.
I weep for the unborn who will be murdered cruelly because he doesn't care.
I groan over the cluelessness of Christians and people who can vote for O. because of his skin color and charisma, and are so ignorant of the values he stands for.
To me, this is the ultimate of racism, to vote for someone just because of his skin color. I don't care what color he is, I just am sickened over the consequences there will be for our country.
I'm praying the Democrats are so ridiculous in how liberal they try to push our country, that in four years we will have a chance to pull back the tide. But I'm hoping that they don't get so strong, that even the liberals themselves won't be able to help change what is put in place, when they realize the liberties they've lost. I'm grateful that the Lord does still hold the whole world in His hand and that He has a home for us in a "country" where the leaders will not change, and where righteousness will prevail forever. I will enjoy the peace that comes with that knowledge.

I am encouraged by the fact that it took so much for O. to win - 700 million dollars, the media totally on his side, a recession, voter fraud, an economic crisis, and help from the radical left. All that, and it was still a relatively close election. As Gary Bauer stated, " America still remains a fundamentally conservative nation. According to the exit polls, 44% of voters identified themselves as “moderates” and 34% identified as “conservatives.” Just 22% called themselves “liberal.” We’ve clearly got a lot of work to do, but that’s a pretty good foundation for us to build upon!"

So, in lieu of wanting to just curl into a hole and worry about what will happen, I choose to join those who are going to continue to work, pray, and support those who really want to serve our country. I will work to encourage those elected officials on the local, state, and federal levels who are standing strong like pillars in a tide of liberalism. May their moorings be grounded in rock. I will work to continue to educate our children in the standings of the constitution and our conservative values, so that they will not be swayed by the jargon of the liberal agenda.

I don't know what our future holds, but I do know the One who is there in the future!

Monday, November 03, 2008

Saturday turned out a little different than planned. When the kids got home from soccer, they found out that raking started at 10 not 12. The rakers had such a great group show up, they were already done! So we had our crew home for the afternoon. Yippee!

We fed them, and then hustled them out the door to help with wood. We usually heat with corn, but with the price of corn, we want to concentrate on wood heat this year.

We did still clean up and head into church for the games and movie. The movie was "Secondhand Lions". One of our family's favorites. I found that it is not any easier at church to play games or watch a movie with Darling. I finally gave up on the movie and hung out with her in the nursery. She is so into babies!! She gathered five dolls in the nursery, and would lay on them, hugging them (when the little boy came close) saying "My babies!!"

I made it out jogging (well - walk/jogging, it'll take while to get back up to speed) and even took the time for a quick post. I had to write an e-mail, and of course since I was already on the computer.... I better get moving or I'm going to get in trouble. :-)

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Saturday Morning Ramblings

The kids are off and running for a busy day. Dunk took them to their last soccer this morning. They'll get home about 11:30, and then the four oldest will be off to "Rake-the-Town" with the youth group. They'll get home from that about 5-5:30. They we are all headed to our church for a fun evening of games, snacks, and a free family movie! It'll be fun to hang out with other families at church.

Last night we took the four youngest to the "God is Greater" party at a local church. Darling had a blast at the petting zoo. I think she could have hung out there for hours. So cute!! I wish I had a camera. The kids had fun with the games, and then we came home to join the rest of the family and some friends who came over. The grownups ate and chatted while the kids ate and played. I did get to go for a walk. It is so fun to walk and talk!

Dunk did get my camera to the camera fix it store. They told him it would cost $100 to fix it. Bummer!! I bought it for only a little over that much. I guess I'll be shopping for a camera after Christmas (if I get any money - Lord willing :-)

Wednesday I finally got to talk with the Dr's nurse and get an antibiotic for Darling and I!!! I was so excited for hope in getting better. She and I are finally showing improvement. PTL. Lord willing - I get to go to church on Sunday!!

I've been on a sabbatical from jogging for at least two weeks now with my cold. I think my chest can get enough air in it again to start on Monday. I hate to have to go through the getting started process again. It is so hard to get started in a good habit.

Tuesday I went to play percussion at a community band with a friend. I had a blast and got to play the crashing cymbols. I was hoping I was playing them at the right time, as they are soooo loud! :-) I hope to join until Christmas. We'll see. It is hard to give up an evening, but it would really help with learning to play the drums and getting comfortable reading the percussion music. My friend just rattles off the rolls on the snare drum. So cool!!

My Dad gave us some buttercup squash Thursday, so yesterday I made our first fall pan of squash bars with cream cheese frosting. Yummy!!! I think I'm going to go get some for breakfast. Catch ya later....

Red Door


Our dear friends are doing well in China. They have a website up and running at http://www.reddoor.us/ Feel free to check it out and find out what God is up to through the Heddens in China.
They have an adorable picture of a Chinese baby girl in their Keyhole Monthly Newsletter. Check it out to find out a special story about her. :-)