Like his dad he has many talents...

Today Ryan had his first piano recital and it was GREAT! We are so proud of him.

He decided on his own that he wanted to wear a "suit". I was shocked and very pleased at the same time. He looked really handsome, like his father.

No longer missing in action....

It has been a while since I've posted on here..sorry!



Having a toddler in the home again is a joy that keeps me very busy.

Things that I've been thinking about lately....

** If you are thinking of way's to cut cost with groceries I want to invite you to visit this web-site

http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/

** Thinking of what "cost free" things to do with the children this summer?

-Going to the library is a good time. If you have younger children, story time is fun. Participating in the summer reading program is also nice to gain free prizes. Check your local library.

-Another freebie...see if your city and state are listed.
http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/


-Having a weekly picnic with another family at a local park or alternating each other's home.

Little helper

Chris loves to help with outside chores... and if he sees water of ANY sort he will make it his mission to just....touch it.

Strawberry pickin..

This was our first time taking Chris strawberry picking with us. He had fun and he was in strawberry heaven. Chris loves fruit. Actually, I don't think there is a fruit that he won't eat.

UPDATE ON THE BABY BIRDS....

Within 2 weeks after the boot incident, they flew the coop. I peeked in on them several times and meanwhile I planned on getting another snap shot of the birds. I was to late. All but one egg didn't hatch.
While this was going on we had another bird family nesting on the front porch. Exciting isn't it? I love new life. God is gracious to us all.

Momma taking care of her young....

My dear husband pulled his boot off of the shelf to put on and low and behold there were baby birds....some hatched....some trying to hatch and others not yet hatched.

I was very emotional, because if the momma bird smelt any human touch to these babies she wouldn't take care of them so with extreme care the babies were put back in to the boot and soon after we saw momma back in the shoe taking care of the young...

Honestly, I cried and was so upset over the possibility of them dieing. I turned to my hubby and laid my head on his shoulder's. One might think that I am just a lover of all living thing's. I wouldn't go that far, definitely not a "hater", but I can't stand to see anything living-hurting. Those bird's were just hatched and still hatching and they were moving all around so they weren't hurt by the boot falling to the ground. As a matter of fact, as DH took the book off of the shelf the momma flew out, so I imagine that is why the boot hit the ground. :) As it stands now all is well and we are hoping to get some really good picture's of the bird's again really soon. After all the anxiety it felt like had just worked out on the treadmill. I'm grateful they are alright. Every spring since moving here, three years ago we have been priviledged to see new baby bird's.

Cake box cookies

I learned this easy recipe from a dear friend. My boy's love to make them and it's so easy!

1 box of any cake mix of your choice (I get on sale or cheap ones)

2 eggs

1/2 cup of oil (we use coconut or grapeseed oil for most cooking)

Bake on 350 for 10-15 minute's (depending on your stove)


EASY, EASY and they stay moist in a plastic bowl with lid.


Enjoy!

Rising chef

This cookbook is really good it covers safety, how and where to hold the food when using a sharp knife. It talks about organic foods and what it means. Making various stocks from scratch. We are going to work on that this weekend. I can't wait to see what he decides to cook next. I am so proud of my son. Who knows we may have a chef on our hands or he may just be an excellent help to his wife and cook for her often.

Since Ryan loves to cook I decided I would nurture this ambition in him. With that do some teaching about making healthy food choices...etc. We borrowed a "International children's cook book" from the library. He was so excited and eagerly searched for something to make for the family. He decided on "Hot and sour soup", chinese recipe. He knows that is my all time favorite so we purchased ingredient's and came home and cooked. I know it won't be long before he will be able to be turned completely loose in the kitchen. Enjoy the picture's..

This soup wasn't as dark as the picture, but boy was it good. We enjoyed it so much.

Ingredient's were: tofu (first time we used this), pork loin, mushrooms, chicken stock, peas, corn starch, green onion, soy sauce, vinegar,cornstarch, egg. We substituted several ingredients with heathier choices.

Cherry blossom festival...fun

Chris enjoying ice cream at the festival.

The driver was really nice and this horse belonged to him. He offered these rides for "free". It was a pleasant and fun ride.

Horse drawn carriage ride was the best. We all enjoyed it so much. Made me want to learn more about horses.

The pink poodle.. was really friendly, not sure she enjoyed the pink dye though. :)

This is Buddy who is up for adoption, look at his face. How cute is he. He was so sweet and all of us wanted to bring him home that day. Notice his "pink" bandana around his neck.

Even the dog's get dressed up in cherry blossom "pink".

We really enjoyed seeing the dog show, the sea lion's and listening to christian music in the park on one day.

The next we had the opportunity to listen to high school boy's play instrumental music, they were really good, take a carriage ride and enjoy ice cream. It was worth our time.

Up early today...

I woke up at 4:30 this morning and I sure does feel GREAT to be up before my DH who is the early bird in the family. He has good reason to sleep in this morning, though because he worked late into the night as a matter of fact I don't know when came to bed.



I completed, finally, my day 3 of "Setting captives free". It is best to do this in the AM as it does put the mind in the proper place seeking the Father's guidance.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in him! PSALM 34:8

...a scripture to ponder today as I eat when I have been signaled by the Lord to do so.

Thankful for this ministry. It is so much more than for those of us who need guidance with our eating. Check it out there are many other topic's to choose from.

Sharing....

This is from www.settingcaptivesfree.com. To my friend's who may be blessed by this prayer AMEN!

NO FOOD WILL SATISFY MY HEART OR FILL THE EMPINESS IN MY SOUL. JESUS CHRIST IS "REAL MEAT" AND THE BREAD OF LIFE, AND I AM TO FEED ON HIM.

Random Updates

The old computer that I shared with the children had issues and we lost many old picture's. I'm so heart broken by this.



Good news is my sweet hubby brought me a lap top.



God is working on my heart as it relates to "eating" righteously. I am trying to focus on eating only when his signal alarms me that I am hungry. Desperately, trying to follow "settingcaptivesfree.com" I want to honor God in every way of my life and this is one that I've held on for to long.



We are transforming our once carport into a game room. We enclosed it over a year ago. It was a storage room and now that DH has built the shed we are free to fix it up. So far we've painted the walls all white. I need color though. We are working on the floor and once that is accomplished we will set it up with a pool table and T.V. I'm looking forward to learning how to play pool with my hubby.



Once I have learned how to download picture's onto this new lap top I will share the snow picture's that we took a few weeks a go. Boy did we have a blast!

The snow bringing back memories....of home.

It started coming down so quickly.....

Everywhere I looked it was just worthy of a picture...

My boy loving the snow...

It just looked so beautiful..

I hope these bushes will be alright..

The back yard/deck was just getting covered and it looked so beautiful...

INTRODUCING THE "THING"....

The "THING".

Mr. and Mrs. Snowman together.

Mrs. Snowman , Ryan is so proud that he built them all by himself!

Convicted....

Romans 5:3-4

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces persverance; perseverance, character; and charcter, hope.

I have recently participated in a local "The Biggest Looser" contest and we just finished our second week.

The first week, I lost a little and this week I gained. I have exercised more than ever, but wasn't really watching my diet as closely as I should have. I'm seriously convicted like never before. I joined as a way to "motivate" myself. God is showing me that a contest is fine but not HIM, or his way. I must lean on his strength, and word to defeat this horrible "sin" in my life. Ouch, that hurts even as I type it.

I read in the word today, "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, Heb 10:26 NIV

I believe that I have the knowledge to do this but I am lacking the faith, confidence in the Lord that he will do this through me. I am STILL leaning on myself...sadly I admit.

It is EXTREMELY difficult for me to admit publically but necessary.

My plan is to first "pray". I hope to post other revelation's as he gives them to me.

Thanks for reading.... :)

Learning to play the piano....

I have recently began taking group, piano lesson's. Its for adult's and the price is unbelievably right.
I am so excited that now, I can understand how to help my son better with his piano lesson's or he can help me..ha,ha.
I've always wanted to learn to play an instrument.

If I had my choice I would learn to play the drums.

So far I am enjoying my learning its fast paste, but I like it.

For our family to learn to play instrument's was truly a wish of mine and for it to be happening now is a real blessing for me. Praise God!

Roman shade complete

Thanks to a dear friend who lent me a sewing book called "Sewing for the Home" by Singer, that is actually a really good book! It has full color picture's of actual project's with very good explanation's.

So much so, that I am planning to try to find this book for future project's.

Thanks to my dear hubby who helped me with the installation and other aspect's of making sure this project was successful.

Although it isn't perfect I am proud of it and don't feel like it was difficult at all, so I am planning on making more of them.

*** I LOVE A BARGAIN***

I found the fabric at Good Will, one of my favorite places to shop. It only cost me $2.90. I made the shade, 2 pillows for the couch and I have enough fabric to cover 4 of the cushioned chair's around my dining room table. I still haven't decided if I am going to cover them though.

Thank you LORD!

We really don't have a clue......

The worldly power's that be are always up to something. This actually has been organized while the Bush administration was in office.

Even if we don't know, God certainly does. What does it mean? Why am I posting it? It means that there are so many things going on even as I type this little message that we aren't aware of as the American people. Just passing information on to anyone interested.

Please listen to the clip below by clicking on the link. If for no other reason than to be informed.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAs7XZVgKhI&feature=related

Helping friends...does the heart good!

This weekend we helped dear friend's of ours move. There was a double bonus in it for me. A few months ago they had twin boy's and this brought them to 8 children with 7 of them being all boy's. It was such a wonderful, short time we spent but never-the-less we enjoyed one another. I certainly loved loving on those babies!!!! Double the hug's - double the kisses!!!mmmm so sweet!

Ryan can cook!!!!

Ryan had to take a picture with Chris, he was so excited about his making pizza experience!

That yummy home made pizza. CHEF RYAN

Today Ryan learned to make home made pizza and he did a GREAT job. It was delicious!

Friday night...is present your report!

All week long the children are learning about a different state of their choice. They prepare a report to read out to Dad after dinner and after Chris has gone to bed (grin).

Tonight was really sweet because Ryan did his report on New York and he discovered that Ben and Jerry from that really great tasting ice cream (one of his favorite thing's to eat) were from New York. He has NEVER had their ice cream before (I know shame on me) so one of his motivation's was that if he did really well on his report, that his treat would be ice cream, of course! The cinnamon bun flavor was very tasty he said. He did very well and I am so proud of him.

Really, I am proud of all of the children as they did well. Ryan is also quite the cook he loves to try new thing's so he also made the "OFFICIAL NEW YORK APPLE MUFFINS"
Since the apple is the state fruit. They were really good as well, but required more ingredient's than any muffin should.

RJ's report was on Georgia and I can tell you that this week I really do have a few State Park's that I would love to see after tonight. His confidence is boosting with reading out loud (as loud as he physically can). He has really come a long way.

Ross is always a ham and ready to perform! His report was sweet and short...I think its a teenage (boy) thing. He reported on Vermont (we have friend's that live there). Get right to the point and be done with it. Full of fact's (like his DAD). He is very independent and for that I am grateful although at times it seems bitter/sweet. Surely, you moms understand and can relate to me???

This has really been fun and we are off to the next state and eventually countries!

Hey wouldn't it be neat to be one of those traveling/teaching families...just sale everything and live out of an RV and just do hands on school. Is that unschooling? Boy is that appealing .... after all this time of homeschooling I could go for that.

Feeling big....

The winning smile!

Chris is determined to be a "BI BO" as he calls it.. He loves to feed him self with or without the spoon..eating sweet potatoes tonight.

Sweet fellowship among friend's

We had sweet fellowship with longtime friend's tonight. It wasn't planned and they just happened to be coming in just when we were about to sit down to eat dinner. Which consisted of left over's. Since we eat at Church for fellowship meals every Sunday (pot luck style) I try to take it easy on Sunday evening dinner's. Anyway, I "insisted" they stay and eat with us. I added a few more dishes and we had the best time of laughing, talking and eating. They enjoyed the food and isn't that the way, I couldn't have planned it to be better. It really does warm my heart to have people sit and eat around the table with us.

I am thankful for friend's and especially for God that he has changed my heart and is molding me into the woman that he has planned for me to be. I also thank him for teaching me to listen to him. I am blessed beyond measure.

It is my prayer that I will alway's have an open heart to welcome other's into my home to break bread together, especially when it is unplanned.

"They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2: 42

VS 44 says... All the believers were together and had everything in common.

Save a life march/walk

This was our first year participating in this wonderful event. We to love what the Lord loves and hate what he hates, and I believe he loves "life" for all and so to be a part of this event was a true blessing.

My son found a clip of this event and I hope you can see it to. If the Lord is willing we will be there participating again and again as he see fit.

CLICK ON THE TITLE...AND IT SHOULD COME RIGHT UP.

Another home remodeling

This is our shed that we (Randy) are building. The boy's have helped him a lot and are in the building/learning process. I am so proud of my hubby!!!

Soon we can check off another project from the list.

I did the holy dance today

While looking for my shoe....I found my camera! The new one that I had just got for Christmas (before) anyway it was behind the sofa.

Guess who could have thrown it back there? If you guessed Chris, I'll say you are right. He is quick and really did miss seeing him with it.

Oh, well I am so happy and praised the LORD. If you only knew how many time's I've lost a previous camera.

So sincerely grateful!


PRAISE THE LORD.
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and fitting to praise him?

PSALMS 147:1


I believe in EVERYTHING even the "small" stuff. The hard stuff and the tough stuff.

Psalms Sunday.....

Psalms 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his
pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.


* His faithfulness doesn't end*

How awesome is that!

Reflecting....

-Reflecting on life itself. How short it is and how we don't know from one moment to the next what is going to happen.
*I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

-Reflecting on how I don't think to say "If the Lord is willing" enough.
*Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:15

-Reflecting on how the children are growing up so quickly.
*Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

-Reflecting on "love" -ing, everyone. What that truly means...
*The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
Psalms 33:5

-Reflecting on being joyful always.
*Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18

...PRAYING FOR MY DEAR 82 YEAR OLD FRIEND WHO, IS CURRENTLY IN THE HOSPITAL...PRAYING FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY.

*"Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:32

Happy Birthday to my 10 year old!

I can't believe it has been 10 years. It is truely bitter sweet. Watching children grow up is such a blessing. While I call him my "baby" opps did I say that?? I mean "big boy", I look into his eye's and I see that once adorable little one cooing at me....and then he speaks and I realize I was day dreaming. He had a good day today and for that I am happy. One of my favorite picture's.
With our dog "Missy".
He loves kitten's.
"BUZZ RYAN LIGHT YEAR" to the rescue. He use to LOVE dressing up in his favorite character's.


He wouldn't allow me to cheer him on while he was swimming it distracted him, he said. :) I was allowed to take a picture though.

If you look closely (second one in from the front) you will see him about to dive in and compete in the free style. He was just 5 year's old here and I couldn't believe how great he could swim.