Reality Check

You've just met the perfect homeschool family-again! Their 17 children are well groomed, orderly and well mannered. The six year old plays Rachmanioff with ease, the oldest speaks 12 languages fluently and got a perfect 1600 on the SAT - on the first try! All the children in between dazzle you with knowledge of science and the arts. The mother bakes whole wheat bread for every meal, and serves wholesome, delicious, organic food for just $50 a month. You shrivel up inside, sure that you are an utter failure and your children are damaged for life. It's time for a reality check. (by Debbi Smith)

I laughed outloud at this excerpt from HomeSchool Enrichment. How many times I have thought the same thing, maybe not outloud or for to long, but in the back of my mind. There is NO perfect homeschool family! Sshheeww....Thats a relief!!!

We call this Tandum Mowing

I was rolling when I saw this. I had sent the oldest out to mow the field, and he reqruited his brother to help. So I walk outside and this is what I saw. Talk about team work.

Tandum Mowing 

Is there a pause button?

As I was sitting at the park watching my 5 boys all spinning around on the "spinny thingy" ;-) They were all laying on there sides trying to touch the ground as they spun in a circle. It seemed like everything was in slow motion. I was soo happy for a moment that I had 6 healthy, lovely children. And then then it hit me. I dont want them to grow up. I dont want my 9 year old to turn 10 or my 2 year old to turn 3. I want them to stay this way for at least the next 10 years, then we can move up to the next year. I started thinking about them growing into teenagers and what that will bring. I dont expect trouble to come from that, just a different atmosphere in the house. I love this toddler, baby thing!! Am I weird because of that. most cant wait until they are out of diapers or weaned and I wish it would last, not forever, but alot longer than it does. I am not ready yet! Slow down! Better Yet Stop!! Wheres the pause button????

Lessons learned from the gas heater

In our home our heat comes from gas heaters. In the living room we have a large claw foot Wrangler heater with a lovely glowing fire. Because our home is on the larger size and has the original 100+ year old windows its a bit drafty. The warmest place in our home is the 3 feet in front of the heaters. So I'm sure you can imagine it is a popular place when winter roles around.

First thing in the morning you can find up to 8 people working there way into that 3 foot of warmth, slowly nudging others over so they can slide in. As we stand inthe warmth and comfort of the fire all is well. Then we must at some point step away to carry on with our day. But as we start to feel that unwelcome chill, we return to the fire for a moment to warm our bones and buns;-0 The children will bring down a few toys so that they can play infront of the warm fire. Yes, there have been a few singed hairs as someone pushes in to close, but other than that it is well respected.

So as I was contemplating this morning about the Lords presence and how we as a family could press in a bit more. The Lord brought to my attention, that well loved fire in our living room. If we could seek his face as much as we seek the warmth of that fire first thing in the morning and then through out the day. How much of a blessing that would be. My goal as a mother is to show my children the warmth and comfort of Jesus, so that they may croud around Him as they do the beloved fire in the living room.

Oh How true!!

I read this today on a blog belonging to Lori, I thought it was lovely and I sooo needed to here it. So I am sharing it with you.


Lord thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night. I know that many have no bed.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory; they are so convenient.

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly; it has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.

Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today. It has baked so many things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing, the lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard.

Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door. My kids are healthy and able to run and play.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully. Amen.
posted by Lori, A loyal wife and momma to many

Liver......

.....is it a subconscious thing or is it really just nasty? I have to say for me its totally a subconscious sabotage. Tonight for the first time I made liver. I figured hey, its a right of passage, right? All mothers from times gone by, "the good ole days", made liver. So I gave it a shot. The boys had never tasted this and I was curious what they would think. I watched from the kitchen to see if they would fall to the floor gasping there last breaths. Isn't that what kids are supposed to do when forced to eat liver. Although I avoided the truth and said it was just beef, hey that's partly true!. WELL, to my surprise two of them asked for seconds. One of them wont eat meat and Seth was the only one who said hey this stuff is yukky! Devon ate it without complaint. Although I suspect it wasn't his favorite. So heres where the shameful part comes in. And I have to say on my behalf, the cook has a disadvantage when it comes to liver, you have seen the before picture and no matter what, it sticks in your mind. I plated the liver all fried and hidden under its crispy disguise. Added the side of broccoli and sat at the table with the boys. I was going to do this...how hard can it be? I cut off a small piece and took a bite. Now not wanting to alarm the children I put on the best face I could. I felt like I was in an episode of Fear Factor, without the incentive of 50,000 at the end of that liver. I acted as though I needed something from the kitchen and ran straight to the trash can, where I spit out the nasty, yukky, liver. I learned that trick from my children. So there...I have confessed.

Howdy Folks, Welcome To the State Fair of Texas!...Where you will walk for seven hours, 3 of them with so many people around that you cant see 2 inches in front of your face. You will eat way to much food, spend way to much money and have a ton of fun watching your children enjoy themselves!! Come back and see us next year! 

Sate Fair 2005! 

Happy Birthday!!