I'm not sure how I feel about trips down memory lane. I used to keep every card I or the family was given. I just stumbled over the boxes while decluttering and figured Id go through them one last time before I threw them away. There was the first card Id ever gotten from my mother, I was 21. Those awkward words written by someone whom I should have known so intimately. The many cards that followed over the years......I try to learn who she is. Its been almost 5 years sense we've spoken to each other.....to much damage-to much time gone-honestly too much distance to fill, I had to say goodbye. I heard myself laugh the other day and it reminded me of her....how can we have the same laugh, that's not genetic... is it?

I found letters from old church friends, such a tight bunch we all were. Encouragement, thank you letters. I came across one signed Lila...she went home many years ago, way to early, but in His time.

Hilarious, Silly cards from my dad and step mom on my birthday or anniversary. That was back when we did that sort of thing.........

Congratulations on your new little bundle, too many to count!

I read a card from my husband written 14 years ago, signed Mine. Memories flooded my mind, remembering that he used to call me "mine", how did I forget that? Time I guess.

So, I tuck the letters back in the box....not able to throw them away.

The Lord Provides

Her birth was short and sweet and to the point. Had my first contraction at 1:10am, had 3 more easy contractions after that and I knew it was time. With my history of fast deliveries, I knew she'd be in my arms very soon. Called the midwives and they raced to my house, also knowing how quickly my babies come. Water broke at 1:50 and her head delivered into my hand. Midwives ran in at 1:54 and she was born at 1:55. Thats it! See I told ya, short and sweet and to the point.

She was and is perfect, weighing 9 pounds and 21 inches long.

Her birthday was one of healing, completion perhaps, but not replacement. You see, she shares a birthday with her sister born 1 year earlier. Lost to miscarriage. The days were almost identical. May 7 2010, I woke up, went to the Homeschool bookfair, came home and lost Heaven Grace.

May 7 2011, I woke up, went to the Homeschool bookfair, came home and had Elianna Rayne.

I didnt want her born on that day, but The Lord had her birthday already decided sense before there was time.

Her name Elianna means "the Lord will provide" and Rayne means "Royalty" because she is the daughter of The King!

Alot Can Happen

In 14 months! Its been a full couple of years, some of the hardest Ive lived through so far, but here I am on the other side. A little worse for the ware, but here none the less. The Valley is a place were you are brought to your knees, stripped bare and if you are strong enough to survive you come out the other end into an wide open green pasture. You can see a little clearer and a bit farther.

In all honesty, I miss my old life. The days at the park with my family, watching The guys fish together and Rob pushing the girls on the swingset. I miss it terribly. The hardest part of this whole experience was watching as the Devil stole our families closeness, convictions and peace. But alas he did not get our family. We still have that. Your view will be different if you look through our window today, but we're all still here and I am believeing with all my being and seeing some progress that we will one day have more time to spend together and that hearts will be turned toward one another once again.

So, a years worth of birthdays have passed, all the children are a year older. Devon will get his license in a few months. We are still homeschooling and now have 6 participating. All the children are healthy and wonderful. Rob is still running his mma gym and doing well. It takes up most of his time and energy, but it cant last forever...he is getting older ;-)

I left the best for last! We welcomed another precious little girl into our family on May 7th. Shes perfectly delicious! Elianna Rayne. Her story is sweet and I'll tell it soon.

The header picture is only a month old (July 2011). All of my treasured family. I was SO sick when we took this pic, but I wasnt going to miss the shoot, we hadnt had a family pic done in 5 years and I was determined. So I let everyone dress themselves (including my hubby, lol) pulled my hair back and tried not to get sick in the horrible heat, but I think it turned out just fine.

So, there ya have it. ;-) Talk to ya soon!

Happy Birthday Jordan!

I officially have a second teenager. Happy 13th birthday Jordan. You are precious to me and I am blessed to have the opportunity to watch you grow into a sweet young man!

Sad News

I was excited about the idea of you!
I loved you although I had never met you!
I will miss you always, my sweet little one!

I am sad to share that little Stucker #9 will not be joining our family here on Earth.
I lost her the day before Mothers Day. But she is not lost and I will see her again!

Thanks to all who congratulated us and shared in our joy and also those who have shared in our sadness.

Warning

To anyone who may have received an email from me saying that I was in the UK and needed help, it is untrue! My email and facebook sites were hacked. I am working with the providers to resolve this problem, and contacted the authorities.

Sorry friends for any worries you may have had, I am fine!

Announcement

We are happy to announce that we are expecting our 9th child in November!

Poncho Precious-ness

I made these ponchos for the girls and they are deliciously cute!! If you are interested in getting your own let me know and I would be happy to sew one for your little "red riding hood".

Treasures

Can you believe....

.....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......

....fun than gummy mustaches!

Six Flags 2009

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

Howdy!

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

I will be glad

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

Feeding a Large Family

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

How can anyone resist that smile?

Eight weeks old already!

Homemaker's Creed

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

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!"