Portraits and chickens

I took the kiddos to the portrait studio today to get their summer group photo. Lets just say that it takes an act of huge proportions to get a GOOD picture. We pulled it off last year, this year though it looks as though we will be making another trip back in on Sunday to try again. There just weren't any good pictures to choose from today.

Ava was in for her solo shot, to add to the baby wall. Miss smiles all the time just was not having a photogenic kind of day. She kept making weird faces or had her hands up in the air. Alas not all was lost. When we got home I sat them all down on the front porch steps and took some photos. One turned out OK.

Funny thing is when I look at pictures of all my children together, it just doesn't seem like there are alot in the picture. But I catch myself looking at other family photos and saying "wow, they have a house full." Then I will count and go "oh, they have 1 less than me" Am I the only one who does that?

Stucker Brood

Miss Sunshine

We were elated to have our first egg yesterday! After 4 long months they have finally started laying. Maverick, the chickens keeper and eternal pesterer, brought it to us in his mouth. He didn't eat it or squish it. How he picked it up and carried into the house without breaking it, I don't know. It was really small, which after reading up on it the first few eggs from a chicken are small. Now things get interesting as I figure out if we should build a coop and house them at night, so that finding the eggs will be easier, or if we just continue to allow them to completely free range and then who knows where they will lay those eggs. The kids ran out first thing this morning to hunt for eggs. They had such fun. Seth made a "dew angel" and had to come in and take a shower. I sware sometimes that testosterone cracks me up. So far nothing on the egg front today though, we keep checking every few hours.
The chickens roost in a low lying branch of a tree. Is that not just the weirdest thing. Apparently this is what they do in the wild, sleep in trees. I'm not sure how conducive this is to laying eggs.

Ava Rose

Just a little proof of her deliciousness. She has ringlets so they wisp off to the side. Just precious!

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes,

but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

(Proverbs 16:2)

Its been a busy few days

Whew, I'm tired. In fact I should be heading to bed now instead of being up writing this post, but here I am;-) I forget just how exhausting running the construction business is. I have alot to do. Type up bids, proposals materials lists. Make phone calls, take phone calls, send emails, send faxes. Create brochures and info packets for advertising. Frankly I am beat! Its been a long 2 weeks.

How fast we can get all caught up in our wordly duties, its truly easy to be pulled away from a close walk with The Lord. Even doing things that we must. So I am hoping that things may slow down a bit. Although I received an email from someone today regarding sewing the winter wordrobes for her children. So I have a feeling that it will not slow down much. Needless to say the Little Blessing Dolls and Silly Creatures are still on the back burner, but I hope to get to them soon. Not to mention I still have things to add to the clothing store website. All in due time, I suppose.

On to something more sweet and frankly quite delicious. Miss Ava Rose turned 7 months today. She is the joy of joys! She has a smile for everyone. I figure she will be walking by the time shes eight months. We caught her standing up in the middle of the floor the other day, without having to hold on to anything.

Such a wonderful gift she is.

Welp, its 11:30 so I must make myself GO.TO.BED.

I'll leave you with one of my most loved songs, Enjoy!

Biblical Holy-Days

Many Christians know nothing about Biblical Holydays. Paul wrote to the Gentile believers in Colossians 2:16-17 that the holidays "are a shadow of things to come." Each of the spring holidays is a picture of Christs (Yeshua) first coming. Jesus(Yeshua) was sacrificed for our sins on Passover, buried on Unleavened Bread, and arose on Firstfruits. The fall holidays are a picture of His second coming and the beginning of the Messianic reign.

The Festivals of God are a blueprint for the plan of God. When we look at the spring festivals, we can look back at the first century and see how the prophetic elements of those festivals were full filled. We can see how the plan of God was carried out in perfection. The Biblical Holidays were instituted by God (all but Hanukkah and Purim) as an integral part of the divine worship system of the church (Old and New Testament) They are not a matter of salvation or approval before God, They are, as He intended, a remembrance and memorial in honor of what God has done for His people.

But what about this verse? "Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain" (Gal. 4:10-11).

Here is a classic example of faulty interpretation of scripture. This reference has nothing to do with Biblical memorial days. Paul's statements to the Galatians is concerning their returning to former pagan or heathen practices. Clearly he is not speaking of Biblical celebrations, which is borne out in the very structure of the letter itself. Notice that this was something they were re instituting which they had been practicing when they worshipped false gods (see verse nine). The Galatians had never celebrated Biblical holy days, because they were Gentiles.

There is a revival in the land! Many are turning away from man-conceived concepts of worship to Biblical patterns. The motive for celebrating the holidays should be as God originally intended; a memorial, a remembrance and honor for what He has done. we don't need to be concerned with ancient ritualism customs, but we should focus on the basic principle of the holidays' prophetic and spiritual meanings as is revealed under the New Covenant (Rom. 1:6)

So on a personal note, what we do here is read what The Father has written and filter that through the culture of the times that it was written and then to our best ability, celebrate His Mercies, His Promises, His Grace, His Love, His Word; and sit in awe of His Wonders. We do recite the Psalm daily, and we as a family and as individuals (even the small children) reflect and ask The Father to show us our trespasses and ask His forgiveness, and ask Him to help us to overcome them and to make us a light that shines and can not be hidden. It is a very personal time to devote to our Father and a time to pull away from ourselves. The Lord reveals more to us each year as we walk through the holidays.

Fall Holy-days

The Month of Elul
The month of Elul (eh’lool), the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar, started the evening of August 14th this year. It leads up to Rosh HaShanah (the New Year) on the evening of September 12th, (presumably, depending on when the new moon apears) when the sev­enth month of Tishrei begins(Leviticus 23:24). Why is this biblical New Year significant and of inter­est to be­lievers in Yeshua?

In Jewish tradition the purpose of Rosh HaShanah, also called the Day of Remembrance, is to acknowledge that the world is governed only by God’s Will. He is Creator and Sovereign over all of nature and humanity. This may seem elementary at first glance, but in fact the implications are vast and deep.

A whole month is devoted to implanting this powerful principle within our hearts. Every day Psalm 27 is recited and the shofar (ram’s horn) is blown (Numbers 29:1). The alternating plaintive cries and victorious blasts of the shofar are fitting sounds to stir our souls to awareness and repentance. We are reawakened to the glory and majesty of the King of the Universe, and can reaffirm the peace of the King reigning in our hearts.

These solemn assemblies are observed “in camp,” in community. But it is important to note that the days of Elul, as well as Rosh HaShanah, and Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) ten days later, are appointed times of the annual Festival Cycle that also focus in a specific way on the individual.

While we honor the universal sover­eignty of our Creator, we also are reminded that on the day that Yeshua returns in glory to Jerusalem as the King of kings, He will be the Judge of each and of all. Every nation (e.g., Isaiah 2:4) and each in­dividual (e.g., Romans 14:12) will stand before His throne of judgment. We will be held accountable for our deeds.
What did we do with the gift of life and the talents we were given by God?

Inventory Time!
Every responsible citizen submits his or her tax return. And every business knows the positive need for – and also the effort involved in – an annual inventory assessment. Similarly, the month of Elul is a time we are encouraged to do a serious inventory of our lives. It is an opportunity to review the past year and take note of the health and growth of one’s character and relationships, and of one’s dealings with others. Have I grown positively, in loving-kindness and in truth? Have my actions been in line with God’s Word? Is my life reflecting more of the light of our Messiah and Lord, Yeshua?

Wherever we can answer in the affirmative, we can rejoice. And when we notice the “breaches in the fence,” we can repair them in sincere repentance and begin to reinforce the weak areas with the Lord’s help.

The tone and essence of Elul, culminating at Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, is not that of dismal foreboding but that of celebration and gratitude. The delightful scroll Shir ha’Shirim, the Song of Songs, is read in conjunction with the New Year.
Indeed, the name Elul can be read as an acrostic in Hebrew:
Ani le’dodi ve’dodi li – “I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine” (Song of Songs 2:16).

This is our inspiration and motivation. We can rejoice in the gracious favor of our Be­loved, and rest in the knowledge that our lives are in His hand. We can indeed ‘camp’ securely, knowing that by the power of His Holy Spirit we have been given the victory over our enemies, both physically and spiritually. May we live our lives to the honor of His Name and to the glory of our Father in heaven.

Wow, I guess I wasnt kidding....

....when I said I would be posting less often right now. It has been a whole week. We have been busy around here. Rob has been busy drumming up business. The great thing about having two specialties, is you can always fall back on one or the other when needed. So he is busy working on peoples homes, remodels and the like. We have a company that lays dormant during certain times. Yet we can pull it back out when needed. So the Stucker Construction signs come out of the closet and get put back on the cars and we are off and running again.

It is great for the boys because they can go with him to work. Devon and Seth went yesterday and helped him and Jordan has gone with him today. It is such a blessing when your children become old enough to help you in your work. Rob will have a real workforce in a few years with five sons to help in the business.

He is still waiting to hear from another steel company to see if they are willing to pay him what he is asking. We will see what the Father has in mind for us, because well, that s all that really matters anyway...right?

On to me, we are busy here doing school lessons and and keeping everything in the house running smoothly. I have been SUPER busy (and I'm glad the hard part is over!!) with the sewing business. I moved everything over to a new site. Finished up a new product and am getting to orders as they come in. I still have the toys that I need to get busy on, that will be next weeks task for the sewing room.

Please go visit the new store and let me know what you think. Also for those of you who have store buttons your coupon code is blogbutton this will give you free shipping. If you are a returning customer with a 10% off coupon use code rcustomer

I hope to get back to blogging a bit more often in the next few weeks.

My friend Ann (hi Ann) sent me this in an email today. I want to share it with all of you. I would view it first before allowing my children to see it, just so you can determine which of your children are old enough to undertsand. It is a very powerful video! It's geared towards teenagers and their struggles, but oh how I can relate it to many other things in my life that can pull me away from my Sweet Savior. Enjoy!

It couldn't last forever I suppose. But that extra long, wet and unseasonably cool May, June and July that we had this year is gone. It has been in the 100's for the last three days and is supposed to hang around for a while. It is HOT!

So we, meaning ME have been taking it easy. My husband on the other hand...the hotter the better. He was out in the heat of the day mowing the yards yesterday. I would have melted in to a mass on the ground, but not him. He loves it.

We have been enjoying having dad around. He hasn't had a vacation in 3 years so, I guess this is it. He may very likely end up going to work at his old employers in Mansfield, which is...I'll give you one guess............. you give up? an hour and forty five minutes away. We are a geographical oddity, an hour and a half from everywhere. LOL But the bills are paid up through August, so we can relax for a week or two before we need to make any decisions.

I have been busy here. I am soooo excited with the new toy line AND, I have something really special coming by the end of the week. I don't want to give it away just yet. And might I just add that it has a "patent pending". YAY! It is that neat. I had an idea, came up with a design, sewed it up and the rest remains to be seen. I hope that it is something that others will find as useful as I do. Come back on Friday and Lord willing I will have them ready for purchase.

I wanted to also share something that happened to me on Tuesday of last week. Its so small but so sweet. I took the kids to go get donuts for breakfast. Its a treat for them because we don't do it very often. I was feeling a bit guilty for doing it knowing we should be saving our money at this time. I go in and get my usual. One dozen glaze and one dozen chocolate glaze for the kids, and yes 6 small children will eat all 24 in 10 short minutes. I always get two blueberry cake donuts and a sour cream for myself. I ordered my two blueberry and tossed back in forth in my mind if I should splurge and get that sour cream donut.

I talked myself out of it trying to be frugal (I know what your thinking, it only cost what......55 cents) but I just felt better not buying it. I paid the lady grabbed my donuts and drove home. After 10 minutes, and getting the kids their portion and each a glass of milk, I took my little bag of donuts and went and plopped down to eat. I opened the bag and there starring "sweetly" back at me was that sour cream donut I had decided I didn't need.

You cant tell me that The Lord does not care about the little things! I had not said anything out loud in the store, I had only contemplated to myself whether I should get that savory donut. The lady behind the glass had no idea, but HE did!

It wasn't about that donut, in fact I probably didn't really need to eat a third one. It was a message straight from HIM to my heart, that HE loves me. That HE cares about the littlest things in my life, and most of all that I can trust HIM to always provide. Such an intimate thing that donut represented....pure, sweet, merciful, unconditional LOVE!

I love you too!

Ah, how life changes so

It has been an interesting week. Rob was laid off on Friday. Now this although unexpected, is probably an answer to Robs prayers. He has been staying at a company that was just so hard for him to deal with, simply because the money was very good. Now The Lord has removed that obstacle and he can move on into something that is better for him. God has a much better plan for Rob and us and I cant wait to see what it is. Rob is in such a better mood now as well, as if a weight has been lifted. We are putting our trust in The Creator of all things, He knows the plans He has for us, and our ways are not His ways!

I have begun sewing again, so please send in your orders if you have been waiting until the beginning of August. I will also have that toy line up and going in a few weeks. I am excited, it has been so much fun creating these playthings!

Forgive me for not blogging as much lately as I usually did in the past. I am going to probably keep it down to twice a week or so, just for time sake.

Here are some pictures of our weekend, have a blessed week!

Double Duty!

Avas first car ride
At least someones getting some use out of that hammock.

Chickens arent....

....many things. For instance they are not intuitive to danger. They are not picky eaters and will eat anything put in front of them. They are not smart on many different levels, at least to the human eye. They apparently have the memory of goldfish, and forget that the big black 160 lb harry thing in the yard is NOT a soft rug wherein they can rest their little heads.

Our chickens have been completely free range on our acre lot for about a month now. Sharing this land with two large dogs. I was sceptical at first that this was a good idea. I realized that Maverick is a herd/bird dog. He is quite conflicted as to his role with the chickens he herds them until he is exhausted. Sometimes getting a little to bird dogish and nipping at their tail feathers, but never actually crossing the line.

Franklin our 160lb Mastiff I figured was only a threat if he could actually catch one. He is mostly blind, a little deaf and so big that he's rather slow. So what are the odds. I mean really, its been a month and no fatalities as of yet.

The chickens though have decided that they love to eat the dog food and they have become rather used to mavericks antics. They would walk in the house behind you if you let them. Goofy chickens. So today their comfort and trust (haha) caust one of them the ultimate price.

Franky must have gotten a lucky sniff as a chicken probably walked up to him to say hello, and well the rest is not so pretty. I would have put her on the table for dinner but, well lets just say she had already been brunch. Sigh

So our first adult chicken fatality.

Sneak Peak

I am still tweaking and changing the design around a bit, but here's a glimps into the new toy line. These arent just regular dolls either, they are girls of The Word, and will come with a special Blessing/Prayer for your child, unique to each doll.

Oh, and dont you worry, all of those who have boys. I have something special in mind for them as well! Lets just say it will be monsterific!

I should have all the kinks worked out by mid August, and these toys will be ready to go!

If you have any ideas or requirments that you would love to see on these dolls let me know.

Our Homechool

Home for His Glory Homeschool

We educate year round, with an 8 weeks on 2 weeks off schedule. This allows for those days when you just cant get around to teaching, due to sick children or a sick mom. I am excited to get started again and will begin this next Monday-Thursday (we take Fridays off). I have alot more on my plate this year, with Ethan my 6 year old beginning reading. I must admit it was much easier when there were only two to teach. Then it got a little more busy with three. Now I am adding a 4th and in a few years it will be a fifth, then a sixth, then a seventh. YIKES! I have to admit I will have to put away my carefree ways and really become the time conscious person I need to be. But we will walk down those roads when we come to them. I must focus right now on structuring my days with four. That in it self seems overwhelming! BUT, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Devon this year will be refining his reading, writing and spelling skills. As well as mastering math facts. He will also begin learning Hebrew. The resources he will be using are:Math: Saxon 3&4 (we usually get through 1 1/2 years within a twelve month span)Reading: A plethora of resources. Mostly reading whole books and writing reports and the like, along with Pathway readers, he will be in Grade 3-4 in these this year. Jordan and Seth are at the same grade level (Jordan has learning difficulties) so in truth Seth who is two years younger is ahead of Jordan. I am trying to keep them together in math which will be Saxon 1&2 this year, but I am prepared for Jordan to not be able to keep up.They both are also using Pathway Readers K-1, as well as Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons , I am also starting to teach them phonograms and spelling rules. I really use a large range of tools, lots of games, boys seem to need that. Ethan this year as he is only 5 will begin 100 easy lessons and begin forming letters and numbers, as well as starting Saxon K. We will keep it basic, light and fun!Science & History: for these areas we use HOW , Heart of Wisdom. It is a four year unit study program, teaching with the Bible as the main focus. I love this! Below is the Four Year Plan, we of course will be doing year one, with all children at applicable levels. I switch back and forth through the units. We will do a history unit, then switch to a science unit then back again to history and so on. We will be adding to our timeline this year as we move through the history of the world. It is neat for us visual learners to see things in chronological order.

When you have gone through the first four years then you start over again, of course using different resources and the children who were younger are now four years older and will be doing much deeper research on each unit. I have been so blessed by Heart of Wisdom. If you are interested in learning more about it I would suggest buying the Heart of Wisdom teaching approach. So there you have it. Our school year at a glance. We split it up with doing reading, writing, spelling and math before lunch and HOW after lunch as a group. That seems to have worked best in the past so we will stick with it this year. I wish all of you other homeschooling mom's a blessed and happy school year. With much growth educationally but most of all spiritually!

Happy Homeschooling Everyone!