So, this is Heaven on Earth!!

Treasures

2009-10-09T09:41:00.001-06:00

Can you believe....

2009-10-02T11:01:00.002-06:00

.....I'm still here? This is the longest I have ever gone without posting I do apologize! I wanted to tell all those that write to me from time to time that I miss y'all and thanks for checking on me. The kids are growing so big even though Ive threatened them with banishment to the island of perpetual tickling! They must not think I'm serious. Here we were yesterday at the park enjoying the last days of summer.

Silas is 9 months old now. This picture was taken about 6 weeks ago when he had his first experience with feeding himself. He had a great time and hasn't stopped sense, that boy loves to eat. He weighs 20 pounds now and is 30 inches long. Hes a big boy! Such a precious little man!
I'll talk more later. I do want to catch everyone up on life around here. Soon, I promise!

Nothing more......

2009-06-23T21:07:00.001-06:00

....fun than gummy mustaches!

Six Flags 2009

2009-06-20T10:31:00.002-06:00

Jordan turned 12 yesterday and we spent it at Six Flags riding roller coasters and trying to stay cool. Heres the Stucker Brood!

Howdy!

2009-05-16T12:38:00.004-06:00

Hi All. I thought I should stop in and update those few folks who might still stop in from time to time. I went from blogging almost everyday to only posting once a month. I'm not sure why, really I guess it was a bunch of stuff. The biggest reason is that this has been the hardest 6 months of my life. To be quite honest everything has been at stake at one point or another, from the possibility of loosing our home to my marriage hanging by a thread. So I thought it was best that I just stayed quite. My Lord has brought me through quite alot and I am forever grateful that I know Him, or this would have been unbearable. Things are looking up in both areas, financial and marriage wise. We'll just have to see where HE leads us, after all He's already wrote the story!!

On the home front, we have been very busy. First of all my hats off to every single mother out there, what a job you have, bless you all. Taking on my responsibilities as well as handling Robs usual responsibilities for 3 months has been exhausting. Thank God he gave me two wonderful older sons to carry alot of the load. We have planted a mammoth garden this year. To give you an idea we have over 100 tomato plants as well as all the other garden goodies we could plant. We fenced off half of our backyard about 1/2 acre and planted it. Our goal is to start a neighborhood farm stand and sell much of our harvest.

We have 19 new chicks, well they are 9 weeks old now, not so new anymore. They keep us laughing!

We have had 2 birthdays so far Ava turned 2 and Elijah turned 6. We have three more birthdays coming right around the corner. Its birthday season around here. Eve, Jordan and Ethan will soon be a year older, Sigh!

My precious baby boy is so awesome! He has kept me smiling these past few months. A true gift from above. The Lord new I would need him just at the time he was sent.

Robs gym is starting to do really well, I am happy for him. I am still training to be a midwife and hopefully will be done in 16 months. Things are starting to look up. School keeps us busy, the boys are chugging along. Just wanted to say hello and let yall know we are doing alright. I leave you with some pics!

Jordan and Silas, inseparable!
Only half of it!

Elton John, when I need to laugh outloud I just go find this chicken and watch her for a few minutes, hilarious!

Some of the other girls.

Chicken Chase!

The lot of a boy born after two girls!

Blue Bonnets 2009

2009-04-14T22:08:00.003-06:00

I will be glad

2009-03-20T09:06:00.005-06:00

Joy and Sorrow

I will be still, my bruised heart faintly murmured,
As o'er me rolled a crushing load of woe;
The cry, the call, e'en the low moan was stifled;
I pressed my lips; I barred the tear drop's flow.
I will be still, although I cannot see it,
The love that bares a soul and fans pain's fire;
That takes away the last sweet drop of solace,
Breaks the lone harp string, hides Thy precious lyre.
But YHWH is love, so I will bide me, bide me--
We'll doubt not, Soul, we will be very still;
We'll wait till after while, when He shall lift us
Yes, after while, when it shall be His will.
And I did listen to my heart's brave promise;
And I did quiver, struggling to be still;
And I did lift my tearless eyes to Heaven,
Repeating ever, "Yea, Yeshua, have Thy will."
But soon my heart upspake from 'neath our burden,
Reproved my tight-drawn lips,
my visage sad:"We can do more than this, O Soul," it whispered.
"We can be more than still, we can be glad!"
And now my heart and I are sweetly singing--
Singing without the sound of tuneful strings;
Drinking abundant waters in the desert,
Crushed, and yet soaring as on eagle's wings.--
S. P. W.

More, cutie pies

2009-03-10T20:30:00.001-06:00

Feeding a Large Family

2009-03-09T17:22:00.002-06:00

I was blessed by a sweet MOMYS with funds for a weeks worth of groceries (actually it will cover more than a week) and I wanted to share my shopping trip as well as the menu for the week including the cost of each meal/day. Take a look at what I am feeding my family. I hope I can encourage some in their quest to feed their families. Also if you see where I might need to change things or could improve I would love your ideas.

Store receipt:
Vit D Milk $2.00
Vit D Milk $2.00
Buttermilk ½ Gal. $2.28
5 Dozen Eggs $6.54
Butter 1lb $2.14
Butter 1lb $2.14
Grated Cheese 2lbs $6.98
Noodle Shells $1.58
Noodle Elbows $1.72
Ramen large box $1.88
Ramen large box $1.88
Quick Oats $2.36
Brown Sugar $1.00
Flour 25lb $8.58
Rice 25lb $13.68
Baking Soda $1.12
Lentils 1 lb $.94
Lentils 1 lb $.94
Red Beans 1 lb $1.22
Navy Beans 1 lb $1.24
Black Beans 1 lb $1.18
Mayocoba beans 1lb $1.74
Spag Sauce (Veg) $1.08
Spag Sauce (Veg) $1.08
Diced Tomatoes $.63
Diced Tomatoes $.63
Grape Jelly 2 for $3.00
Crunchy PB 2lb $4.32
Ground Beef 5 lb $8.00
Turkey Franks 3lb (24) $3.78
Chic leg Quarters 10lbs $5.96
Broccoli Frozen 5 lbs $6.12
Gala Apples 2.56 lb $2.56
Bananas 6.25 lb $3.57

Total $105.83

I will be using what I have in my cupboards as well as the above to create my weeks menu. The cost after each meal is the total cost, not per person. Everything is made from scratch unless noted. I add a lot of garlic and onions to the dishes and as many herbs as I can to get some added vitamins and nutrients. I also add butter to many dishes to increase fat.

Monday
B- Oatmeal with cinnamon and organic flame raisins $0.77
L- Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches $3.12
D-Spaghetti with veg-meat sauce $5.26
Total $9.15
Tuesday
B- Pancakes and homemade syrup $2.16
L- Pinto Beans and Mexican Rice w/corn $2.29
D- Chicken Gravy and Biscuits w/Kale from garden $4.29
Total $8.74
Wednesday
B-Oatmeal with fresh apple slices and cinnamon $1.17
L-Shells and Cheese with Broccoli $2.32
D- Chicken Fried Steak w/mashed pot & green beans $6.05
Total $9.54
Thursday
B-Eggs with Biscuits & Gravy $3.09
L-Ramon Noodles with Turkey Franks & Peas $2.89
D-Red Beans and rice with Spinach $2.76
Total $8.74
Friday
B-Oatmeal with cinnamon and raisins $0.77
L-Homemade Pizza x3 $4.85
D-Chicken and Egg noodle casserole w/broccoli $4.78
Total $10.40
Saturday (Our Sabbath)
B- Muffins Apple/raisins (made the day before) $1.12
L-Crock Pot Stew & Cornbread (cooked the day before) $6.97
D- Leftovers from Lunch $0.00
Total $8.09
Sunday
B- Eggs with Biscuits and Gravy $3.09
L-Elbows and Cheese with Broccoli $2.46
D-Black Beans with Rice and corn $3.37
Total $8.92

That makes a total of $63.58 for the week for 10 people, a dollar a person per day!! We have cut out most snacks, though they might have a banana/apple/carrot from time to time. I also might make whole wheat bread to snack on a few days a week. We drink 80% water the other 20% is milk or grape juice (special treat for Sat.) As you can see, much from my shopping trip will be left to use for the following week and our menu will be about 60% the same as this weeks.

Cutie Pie

2009-02-16T10:21:00.004-06:00

How can anyone resist that smile?

Eight weeks old already!

Homemaker's Creed

2009-02-11T18:57:00.004-06:00

I believe that the home is woman's natural environment.

I believe that there is as much art in making a barren house into a glistening, comfortable home as there is in painting a picture or in writing a poem.

I believe that there is dignity and beauty in service, that as a career for woman, homemaking offers greater opportunity for leisure, for growth of mind and spirit, for exercise of the body, than any other occupation.

I believe that one who has the intelligence to keep her own house in order is wise enough to be a force in any community.

It is my desire to be one of the countless woman of the world to make life sweeter and better because I live and do my work well.

**Woman's Home Demonstration Club of Dallas County Year 1948

Little Darlings

2009-01-08T20:42:00.003-06:00

Silas, three Days old

Silas, 7 days old

Silas, 14 days old, getting acquainted with Elijah

Cuddling on Mommy's lap!

Eve and Ava looking "oh so cute!"

Our Son

2008-12-26T18:19:00.000-06:00

Welcoming.......

2008-12-20T19:51:00.003-06:00

Silas Josiah!! He was born Friday Dec 19th. After having 5 boys in a row, we have had 5 years time of welcoming precious little pink bundles, so to have a boy again after so long is quite a joy!

If you dont want to here the "details" of the birth than stop reading now, although I will try to not be too graphic.

I knew Friday morning that it was the long awaited day. I had a few errands I had to run and about half way through them I was ready to go home, when labor starts for me it gets going quick and hard so home sounded really good! Around 3:00pm it kicked in with contractions about 1 minute apart, there was no turning back now LOL.

I found that the best position was on my knees with Rob pushing in hard on my lower back this is basically how I stayed for 45 minutes of contractions coming one after the other. Finally I felt the head descend and then go back up, I dont think Rob believed me because he looked and said "theres no head" I told him "the next push will be the head" and sure enough out it came. I heard Rob say" Oh, my gosh Audrey this kids head is huge" Thats good to say AFTER the birth....not during LOL.

Heres where things get a bit hairy. I got his head out, but his shoulders were stuck. It sounds worse than it was, it took me about 2 minutes to get him out with me pushing and Rob pulling (gently) but out he did come. He is perfect and handsome just like his daddy and brothers before him. He was born around 4:00pm weighing in at a whopping 9 pounds and 21.5 inches long. Elohim was so good to us and was with us through the whole delivery. With great Joy we add another eternal soul to our family for the Glory of Our Father.

Photos to follow soon!

Need A Hug??

2008-11-24T13:49:00.001-06:00

Taking Time

2008-10-07T08:36:00.004-06:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I might return to blogging after the first of the year. Its time for me to take a break from this Internet thing for a while. Life is busy, and though I so love to stop by yalls blogs and check in I just need to take a while to "get away"

I am praying for all those who I hold dear to my heart, those expecting babies soon....I am soooo excited for yall. May the Lord bless you and your families with healthy happy deliveries. Please play for me if you think about it, during the first few weeks of December as we should have a new little bundle.

Blessings to all of you!! With Love!
Audrey

Prenatal Stats....

2008-09-24T07:00:00.000-06:00

....already? Gosh time is zooming by! You can read the previous states here, here and here.

We are nearing week 29 only 11 more to go. My due date is Dec 14 but that could be off as much as 14 days, although I think I am pretty close this time. So we can safely say that baby should be here anytime between Dec 1 and Dec 14th. I am in the "wonderful" stage! Past all the morning/noon/night sickness, yet not quite to the miserably big stage. Life is good!

So what are the numbers?

Date: September 24th
28.4 weeks gestation
weight: still not any real weight gain 181 pounds, my goal is to not exceed 190 during this pregnancy.
Pulse: 93
Blood Pressure: 118/63
Fundal Height: 30
FHR (fetal heart rate) 144

So there they are. Nothing out of the ordinary. I have been so blessed with healthy, uneventful pregnancies and deliveries. My Father has been so good to me and I am eternally thankful!!

Day of Joy!

2008-09-23T09:08:00.003-06:00

Thirteen years ago today, my true love became my husband. I was nineteen and he was twenty four. Our life has been blessed!

Then on the same day four years later, we welcomed our third precious son Seth.
Happy 9th birthday my sweet young man.

The garden.....

2008-09-15T18:11:00.004-06:00

.....and some new additions.

This is my new favorite way to garden, It is a mix between a raised bed and a row bed. The rows are 2.5 feet wide and about 20 feet long. They are a bit higher than an average row. The benefits of gardening this way are that you can get so much more harvest. I have 32 plants on these rows, when a standard row may only hold about half that. Weeding is less and I have made the walk spaces virtually weed free by placing newspaper down them. I am very pleased with the garden.
I have planted two varieties of Kale, I LOVE kale!
Brussels Sprouts and not pictured are broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.
The new planting of lettuce is doing well, just a few weeks away from salads. I have also planted cilantro, mint and spearmint in some containers. The weather has been fantastic and everything is growing well.
I also hand hatched my first eggs today. For whatever reason they were not hatching well under Broodie (momma hen). We lost one that had made it halfway out but the membrane dried up before it could get all the way out. There were two more eggs under Broodie that were chirping (there is nothing more amusing than an seemingly normal egg that chirps) so we brought them in and I helped them hatch. The above picture is of them after I had removed half of the shell.
Here they are just minutes after hatching
Here they are a few hours later. I suspect we will have hatching chicks for the next few days. I hope the rest of them have a better time....it took me an hour to get these guys hatched and doing well.

The day I could have....

2008-09-06T20:48:00.005-06:00

......done without. It started out on the wrong foot to begin with. The girls were into everything. The moment I would turn around to grab something off a counter, Ava would spill a cup on the floor. I spent alot of time being anxious as well, just all the things that are going on right now with Robs gym has been stressful, it just all seemed to pile up on me yesterday.

Then it happened. The day I had hoped to never see. The moment I prayed would never come........

I sobbed as I saw the soft hair I used to run my fingers through when she was a little baby, the hair that I put up into a pony-tail when she was 2....all laying about me in a pile on the floor. To many it probably sounds silly, but it was truly horrible.

I called Rob up crying and he came right home so that I could take her up to the beauty salon to get her very first haircut. They did a pretty good job, as well as could be expected. She now has a very cute bob with layers in the back that the hair dresser assured me would grow out very well.

Truth be told I think she likes her new shorter hair. Sighh!

Today was better!

Rag Quilt

2008-08-28T22:55:00.003-06:00

I found a wonderful tutorial on the most adorable rag quilt. It will be my next adventure. I love the simpleness of it as well as the fact that you do not have to add large backing, which is the hardest part for me when quilting, as it is hard to baste on a basic sewing machine.

Provision

2008-08-28T08:34:00.004-06:00

The world would have you believe that you are in charge of your life and all that you acquire through it. Its YOUR effort, YOUR hard work, YOUR decisions and the things you choose to do or not do that will make you a success. How will you know your a success? Well of course you will have money and many of the best possessions. You will have prestige and be well known among many.

The Word says...... do not worry about what you will eat or drink or ware.....The Lord will provide! It is also very clear that if you do not work you will not eat. To sum it all up, we as believers should work and do our very best to provide what we can, but when times of hardship come along you need to trust that He will provide your basic needs. When you are in specific need, He knows and will work through others to provide for you.

This summer has been a testament to His provision for us. Through the troubles, we have been truly blessed. We have had groceries delivered to our home when Robs business partners would not pay us...when customers did not pay us. Within two months we were owed 8,000 and not one penny did we receive. The Lord saw Robs honesty and his hard work and He sent many to fill in the gap with groceries, I went an entire month without having to purchase food. That was a lean month, but we didn't starve.

His provision is such a comfort. We will have grown out of our car when this little one arrives, and had planned on buying a fourth seat to put in our suburban, as we do not want a car payment and our vehicle is still in great condition. The seat was $800 and we have been trying to save up for it, but do to the above circumstances had not gotten far on that. So what happens?
The Lord placed before us the same exact seat (make, model, color) as our suburban at 1/3 the price. The family who has it will allow us to pay on it as He provides.

We have stepped out in faith with regard to our children and giving Him sovereignty over our fertility, that if we will obey Him and have faith, even when it doesn't look right to us, He will provide!

And, He does!! I am one of the richest people I know. There may not be much money and no named brand shoes; but I have peace, a house full of little precious people, a loving hard working husband, a Father who loves me and a Savior that stood in my place!

Pregnancy Stats

2008-08-24T17:38:00.003-06:00

Its time for pregnancy stats again. You can see the first two here and here.

Date: August 24 2008
24.1 weeks gestation
weight: 180, still no weight gain this month, but remember I started off a bit higher than I should have been. Life these past three months has just not leant itself to weight gain. Busy! Busy!
Pulse: 97
Blood Pressure: 117/83
Fundal height: 24.......right on time.
FHR: 155

All is well and going along nicely. I havent had much discomfort, ahhh but yes....discomfort belongs to the last three months. Baby is moving and seems very healthy! I still am leaning towards a girl. I guess we'll know for sure in about 111 days!

Theres a......

2008-08-18T18:48:00.003-06:00

......new man around the house!

But I'm afraid that those riveting red eyes and that golden tan arent getting him anywhere with these ladies. After all this has been an all girls club for the past two years.

The head mistress, made it very clear to him that he was not wanted, they fought for a few minutes, she won and he went off into the corner. Poor guy! He went from being man of the house having plenty of lady friends to being all alone in his new home.

I'm sure after a few days they will warm up to him....I hope so....I was hoping for baby chicks!

In the Moonlight

2008-08-18T08:31:00.004-06:00

"Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.
Jeremiah 29:5

Pregnancy/Life induced insomnia sent me out into the moonlight last night. I transplanted all the seedlings from the peat pots in to larger cells so that they can continue on growing and getting ready for the garden.

The sound of crickets and the cool breeze were so relaxing! All the broccoli seedlings and a few cabbage are resting happily in their new homes, though there is still much more to finish today.

I pray you all have a blessed week!