Mother of Seven + 2

A little comment from my husband, "I think we are falling behind on the budget."  A trip to the grocery store.  The price of milk up to $4.50 a gallon.  I can't afford the hamburger at over $4.00 a pound.  I opt for chicken. It is time to fill up the tank on the van.  Well over $100 is guzzled by that hungry beast.  My husband makes the hard choice to skip one of Troy's football games to save a little gas money. I see the college bills.  Yikes!  Thankful for responsible children who are working hard to pay their own way, but I sure would like to be able to help out more. Then it happens.  I start to worry.  I know I shouldn't.  God has always taken care of us.  I persist in my worry.  Fretting and even complaining.  I didn't deserve grace.  God gave it anyway, just like he did for those Israelites wandering in the desert so many years ago.  A friend stopped by out of the blue.  She said, "I ...

When I have hardly blogged over the last year, it is hard to know where to start.  I want to start by giving thanks though.  I am thankful to my heavenly Father who has provided some answers for me with my health. Over the past several years, I have struggled with fatigue.  When I mentioned it to our doctor on a couple different occasions he just laughed and said, "You have how many children???"  As if that explained it all. Recently I visited a nurse practitioner who specializes in natural hormone replacement therapy.  She did blood work and found my hormone levels to be extremely low.  She started me on some natural hormones, and that seemed to help some.  However, when I went back a month later, I told her I still felt like I was more tired then what was natural. I had energy first thing in the morning.  By lunch time, I needed a nap.  Even after a nap, I would struggle to find energy to get supper and wrap up the day's activities....

I have found myself prone to tears at any given moment for the past few days.  Life is changing once again.  We helped Kayt move into her college dorm room this past Thursday.  It seems ironic that I can be happy for and proud of my daughter and sad all at the same time. Perhaps this time has been a little more challenging then when Ryan left two years ago.  Kayt is having a harder time.  She is homesick and trying hard to be brave and strong.  That makes it harder for me.  The momma in me wants to fix it all right now.  However, being homesick is something each person has to work through at some point.  I remember the feeling.  It takes time. I am thankful I have been given the privilege of having a daughter whom I miss desperately.  God gave me a wonderful gift.  She has been a rock in our lives.  She is steady and loves God deeply.  I'm wondering what God has planned for her.  I'm excited about what she wi...

On a walk this evening I watched my youngest daughter  dance as she chased the cottonwood seeds blowing through the air. I heard our little boy's quick intake of breath as he looked in awe at a bunny crouched in the grass. My oldest daughter was beside me Neither one of us feeling the need to talk Just were content to be together Enjoying the beautiful evening. Dancing with abandon Awed at his creation Walking together in sweet fellowship  And I wonder if this is a glimpse of heaven...

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." Psalm 84:1-2 A day spent in prayer My oldest son so far away in Baltimore Remembering a friend who is in labor Another friend has lost his dad Someone just found out they have cancer And my children...how much I desire for them to be faithful "Lord, be with them" So much to talk to God about As I folded laundry petitions were sent up With each dish that was washed a prayer was said Wiping the dust from the dresser top the conversation continued Remembering the Word says to ....pray continually. Communion with the Almighty what a privilege Yet so many days go by And I forget Am caught up in me, myself, and I. And it is I who misses out I walk alone rather then with my Shield and Protector. The sweetness of the day The peace in my soul Reminds ...

Saturday was a big day for Kaytlin.  After attending IQ Academy throughout her high school years, it was graduation day.  In a crowd, Kaytlin is shy and reserved and hates to be in the spotlight.  However, due to her academic achievement, she was valedictorian of her class of 39 students from across the state of Kansas.  This meant she had the honor and privilege of addressing her classmates and several hundred people in attendance.  To say the least, we were proud of her achievements, but mostly we were proud of her courage to stand up and speak out about her faith in God.  I thought a few of you might enjoy reading her speech, as many were not able to travel and be at her graduation. Being introduced before her speech Kaytlin's Valedictory Address   Do you remember what it was like to be 5, 10, or 15? Our journey through childhood is like a mountain. As children, adulthood seemed so far away, like a snowy summit covered in cloud. Then w...

There is never a dull moment in our home with children who often learn by doing.  Many times I am thankful that they have lived to tell about it.  Here are just a few of the lessons that have been learned at our house by our children and, well, I guess, I'll admit a couple of the lessons were learned by my husband and I.  Don't leave the sprinkler running and forget about it!  Your children might change colors. 1.  When mom says, "Don't put your finger in the steam coming out of the vent hole in the canner," it might be a good idea to listen. 2.  The trash can setting outside filled with bleach water does not make good drinking water. 3.  When you get gasoline on your hand while filling the mower, take time to get a rag rather then licking it off. 4.  The different colors of flakes in the fish food have different flavors. 5.  When you are ten feet up in a tree and can't get down, dropping out is not a good option. 6.  U...