She's Off

Last night we had dinner with Mikaela for the last time before she moves. She is off to an exciting adventure in California with her cousin, best friend and boyfriend.
They are all moving, getting jobs and going to different schools. It is a difficult transition for me. I will miss being able to see her whenever I want to. Independence is good, right?! Please add her to your prayers for wisdom, discernment, growth, and for good Christian Friends.
One of the strangest parts for me is not being here to see her off, she is leaving Friday and I am leaving today. I get to go to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for recertification for my Doula and Childbirth Educator Training.
I get to spend a few extra days with a good friend that moved away 4 years ago!

We would appreciate prayers for safe travel, health and peace at home, and a time of renewal and refreshment. ~ See You Next Week~

Fossil Dig

We had the amazing opportunity to go on a Fossil Dig right here in our own county. The guy who ran the dig, Russ McGlenn is a creation scientist with Twin Cities Creation Science Association.

We went to Church Mountain, which is located right at the base of Mt. Baker. We were about 4,000 feet above sea level and found literally hundreds of fossils. The coolest ones we found were a completely fossilized cephalopod (remember marine biology), and hundreds of bivalves (clam shells on top of a mountain).

We found out about the event through a homeschool email loop, which was so much fun to spend the day with other homeschoolers. There were 3 other 12-15 passenger vans.

The boys loved climbing up the creek and did not even have to try to find the fossils, they practically jumped into our hands.

Aaron especially liked using the hammer to break apart the rocks. That was not at all necessary but really fun.

Good thing I brought extra clothes for Ruby. She had a blast climbing, running through the water, and throwing rocks and sticks.We would have had a terrible ride home if she did not have something clean, warm and dry to wear.

Liberty did great in the Ergo and even goes with the flow when I have to roll up my jeans. I have to admit that a few times I slipped when climbing the loose rocks and was more protective of my camera than the jewel on my back.

Libby's first pig tails! Aren't they the cutest things ever?

When The Boys are Away

When the Boys are Away the Girls will play. The boys went to an overnight at Silver Lake with Scouts and that left me and the girls home alone! We celebrated by staying up late and watching The Quiet Man. Ruby was anything but quiet. We painted our toenails and small fingernails. Ruby and Taylor had a sleep over on the hide a bed (I much prefer my bed). Then we had our favorite roll-up pancakes for breakfast. Usually I have to make a septuple recipe and stand at the stove for an hour to make enough to accommodate the boys' bellies. We were satisfied with a double batch for us.
Roll -Up Pancakes
3 eggs lightly whipped
1 cup flour
1 1/4 cup milk
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
whip together and let rest for 15 minutes. Use 1/4 cup batter for each crepe and cook ~ 3 minutes on the first side and ~1 minute after you have flipped the crepe over. We put butter and powdered sugar in ours, roll them up, then top with fresh berries and whipped cream.

I was still fighting a Migraine so we made a personal visit to my chiropractor's house. Then headed out in our dresses to go shopping and out to lunch.
I am thankful that my girls want to shop at thrift stores and find the thrill as exciting as I do. We hit a couple of thrift/consignment stores then ate lunch at Dutch Mother's in Lynden. I know the girls loved it and the patron's all loved their dresses and several times they were asked if they were in a wedding. I brought my camera but the only thing I really wanted was a Vicoden.
I know it's bad when I turned down chocolate at the Bakery later.
We did some window shopping and went visit our good friends. She gave me some headache medicine, closed the curtains and made everyone whisper. When I knew I could make it home we hit the Mc Donald's drive thru and made it home in time to put the little girls to bed.
I was disappointed that I couldn't enjoy our time together uninhibited. Never the less, we made memories and for that I am grateful.

In Jesus' Arms

I have the most amazing job in the whole world. I get the honor and privilege to witness one of God's greatest miracles every time I attend a birth. I have been to countless births with both strangers and best friends. I have attended multiple births for people and become involved in their lives far surpassing the birth of their baby. I can tell you every detail of every birth. None has affected me as profoundly as the one I attended Friday.

I feel I must share their story because God is so faithful in every detail that He puts into place. Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans for welfare and not for evil,

to give you a future and a hope.

I got a call Friday morning to come to the hospital to be with a client who had just given birth to their 3rd child, a baby girl. They discovered when they went in to have the baby that there was no heartbeat. They had been counseled during the pregnancy to have an abortion because of some minor physical deformities and a possible genetic abnormality. They stood strong, declaring to all the 'professionals' that God is the Author of Life. They continued to make plans to welcome a baby girl into their home with 2 little boys. Even through it all they still know that God is in control and He knows what is best. They said that they could use this experience and become bitter or they could use it to Glorify God and they were going to choose daily to use it for His Glory.
When I arrived at the hospital I hugged and cried with the grandparents in the waiting room, then went back to be with the couple. I was scared. I did not want to say or do the wrong thing. I know that God gave me wisdom.

Psalm 18:35

You have given me the shield of your salvation,

and your right hand supported me,

and your gentleness made me great.

You gave a wide place for my steps under me

and my feet did not slip.

Sharing this experience was the hardest thing I have ever done, it was also the greatest gift to witness their faith and their ability to acknowledge God's sovereignty.

I prayed words that were not mine but a gift from God. I cried from the depths of my soul for the change of hopes and dreams for this family, for their witness to the hospital staff, for their love for each other. There are many things I experienced that are too personal to share, too close to my heart.

I held the father as he shared with me and I with him about God's faithfulness. I marveled that the world could go on, that people don't stop, they don't know what just happened. I was reminded that I need to slow down and offer people grace because I have no idea what trials they are facing.

The dad said to me that he knows his daughter is in Jesus' arms and for that he rejoices, but he longs to hold his baby girl in his arms and teach her about Jesus.

Camp Grandma ~ Part 1

One of our days at Camp Grandma we went to the Central Washington Fair. We were able to get tickets and attend the Ellensburg Rodeo Extreme Bull Riding Event. It was humbling to see a stadium full of people showing honor to Our God. The event began with a prayer! EVERYONE took off their hats, and bowed their heads. Some of the cowboys kneeled for the prayer.

The caliber of the bulls was amazing! They got the best bulls from the US and Canada. This was the final round on the bull riding before the Championship. It took a very long time to get enough athletes from the elimination round to the finals. When a cowboy completed the 8 second ride he was met with much crowd enthusiasm and fireworks.

The Bull Riding went very long and I was convinced that the vendors walking around with cold water, pop and cotton candy would have met with much fortune had they been selling Snuggies and Starbucks.

Frontier Village at the fair was a huge hit with the family. Of course, Ian loved the one room school house. It was complete with the wood stove in the back, a rule book for teachers (containing morals, conduct, and dress) I am grateful that I don't have to live by those rules.

They even had some of the same McGuffy Readers that we use!

Apparently my children cannot get enough of the Gold Panning. They were thrilled with each nugget they discovered. Even Mikaela's boyfriend, Duane got in on the quest to strike it rich and he was instantly addicted.

I loved the General Store! Choosing the penny candy was a highlight for all. The candies are not all created equal. Rootbeer was amazing! Butterscotch was good, strawberry was find-a-garbage-can-and-spit-it-out-as-fast-as-possible-gross.

Mikaela was the big spender and enjoyed her $0.50 pickle.

We were even able to participate in a tractor pull for the children. All three boys and one other girl were the only ones to make it to the finals! Ruby missed it by 1/2". Their athletic ability was quite surprising.

Aaron took fiddle lessons for $0.05, and learned to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in a few short minutes. Later, at Grandma's house she taught him a few things on her violin. Once again, I marvel at their innate talent. I know I need to figure out how to foster their interests and abilities.

No activity is complete for our family without someone throwing up. Ruby filled the bill right after the boys rode the mechanical bull and just before Grandma took her home. We had a fabulous day with many sweet memories.

Twenty

My first born turned 20 this month. My youngest turned 20 months this month.
I have always heard that they grow up way too fast, I am not sure I believed it but now the reality is here that they do grow up way too fast. I noticed it when Mikaela was in high school and we had about 10 minutes a day of influence on her. That was when I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we would be homeschooling all the way through for the rest of them! There was not enough time to teach her all the things God laid on my heart for this beautiful girl.

My heart was filled with Joy that we were all able to celebrate the birth of Mikaela together. Mikaela and her boyfriend drove over to Yakima and we went to the fair then took the family (minus the little girls &Ian) to the Extreme Bull Riding. Then my mom and niece, Kimberly came over for a party. It seems more and more difficult to have everyone together with how busy everyone is. When it does happen it is fabulous.

I know I have not always made the best choices and that I have fallen short many many times but I am so thankful that I chose to give this young woman life. I was 18 when I discovered I was pregnant. I was alone in the emergency room with an ovarian cyst that was about to rupture. I had recently broken up with my high school sweetheart and was on a date when I got really sick and the guy dropped me off in the turn around of my dorm. The ER nurse came in and said, "Taught you a thing or two about birth control."

It was really scary and there was pressure to "take care of the problem". It would have been simple to justify it. I hoped that when the cyst ruptured that the baby would go with it.

But I always knew that life was a gift from God and it is His to give and His to take away. There was no way that I was going to question God.

My journey has not been easy. I Praise God for His faithfulness, His provision, and His providence. I am humbled and know that I am not worthy of all His Blessings, especially the privilege of raising Mikaela, of praying for her to have an undeniable love for her Saviour and waiting for Him to capture her heart.

Disposable Income

I had to break the Sabbath and go shopping today because we were out of all disposables and the coupons ended today. After spending $136 at Costco for potty related and other disposable items I met Tami at Cash & Carry. We split the cost of several items. The funny thing was that we divided up the chicken right there in the parking lot. I happened to have the Ziploc bags and Tami had the measuring cup.
Tami noticed all my non food purchases and commented that I really do have disposable income. I love the perspective.

Open House

My wonderful mom came and picked up my children yesterday so that I could have some time! Time to spend an uninterrupted evening with my husband, time to do some projects, time to myself! We have lived in our house for 8 years and I am trying to remember a time when I have been alone in our house, I honestly cannot think of once! I have been home with a baby or with Sean but not all alone.

I have been cleaning and throwing stuff away, and cleaning more. We are going out of town to Camp Grandma (my favorite, not Grandma but time) and our Realtor is having a open house while we are away.

It will be very difficult to leave this house which we built with blood, sweat and tears while I was pregnant with Erik but we have added 3 more children and a whole slew of homeschool supplies.

We are looking for either property that we can build on or an older home on land. We want to have a hobby farm for the lifestyle that it can provide for our growing family.

I have been able to get completely done with the laundry, clean everything and have it stay that way and even do some projects that I have wanted to do for a very long time.

I hemmed the boys' curtains.

I made the curtains in the master bath! (look what I can do).

and I made a throw pillow for our bed! I feel so accomplished. I plan to go outside and spruce up the yard a bit more, then head off to the library, post office and if I have time get my toe nails painted (I love that). Then I will meet Sean and we will pick up the children and spend some time with Grandma!

Praying for God's will with our home.