Five to Eight

Fall Daze....

2009-10-20T08:33:00.002-05:00

Today is a good day to sort through winter clothes I think. I'm in limbo with fall jackets on the floor and winter coats/gloves out. How to get more organized?! Still haven't figured that out yet.

Josie was excited this morning for her trip to the pumpkin patch with her class. Hope it doesn't rain!

Working on getting schoolwork, music lessons and reading done at night. Still feels like we're transitioning. Maybe it will always seem this busy. Mornings seem to be going better though.

Getting my bottom braces on tomorrow. Not looking forward to that. Braces haven't been terrible...just annoying. Having a harder time sleeping with them for some reason.

Our chickens are gone now. Went to a friend's house. (they winter up North :) Miss seeing them walking around the yard. Nothing is there to eat the "slop" now. Guess we'll call it compost and put it in the garden.

Marie is getting a new hair style Saturday. (cornrows and ponytail extension) We've had this extension bought for MONTHS and she's been dying to get her hair done again. I told her Saturday was the day and what we're having done. She said she doesn't want that now.

GRRRR. She'll like it once it's done though. Will probably be a 2 hr+ morning of sitting in a salon.

Still have three SWEET kittens I'm trying to find a home for.

Oh the stress of country living! :)

Pix at Palisades

2009-09-29T10:42:00.001-05:00

Ron and Cynthia came up on Sunday. We had a beautiful hike at Palisades State Park. It's only a couple miles from our house and yet we only go there a few times a year.

This is picture is for my mom who isn't on FaceBook :)

Pink, Silver and BLACK...

2009-09-25T19:56:00.004-05:00

Ellie has her new pink cast one (as of Thursday) It's much more comfortable with this one on.

I now am sporting bracing (on the top so far) So far it's been a painless although, slightly strange and uncomfortable feeling. Guess I'll be getting the bottom ones on in a few months. That's just the way this guy does it. I feel slightly teenager-ish :0
I figured if I didn't do it by the time I was 40 (which is in January) I'd never do it!

My hair is black. It should have been "cola" (or very dark brown as the box said) Well I had it on my hair...went to check e-mail...then Face Book. You get the picture. I left it on a LITTLE bit longer than I should have (like 10 minutes!)
It was a little shocking at first. Reminded me of Elvira! I'm actually getting use to it and am liking it. It will lighten up and it's kind of fun having a different look all the way around. :)

Mom...don't freak out when you see me. :) You've been warned. Sorry no pictures yet.

She's Thinking Pink...

2009-09-19T08:10:00.003-05:00

I think someone is planning on getting a hot pink cast in a week. Her badge of courage.
Her first big fall off a horse. It will be remembered and a tale to tell. Her siblings were all very concerned for her and made her cards and prayed for her.
She came home, ate a Sub sandwich and watched a movie. I think she's doing fine.
Hang in there Ellie--it's only 4 weeks. (you'll still need to do your chores tho :)

Improvements...

2009-09-17T20:25:00.002-05:00

Wonder why when one starts a project it always turns into a bigger project than one anticipated?

We are putting new windows in the "old part" of our house...which turned into replacing trim, tearing off more wood, insulating, staining, buying more siding, putting on house wrap, ect. It was something that needed to be done though. Now parts will look REALLY nice and newly painted and the rest of the house will look like CRUD. Next year I think we're going to stain the whole house. We'll have new windows for the upstairs and the whole process will start again :)

That's the joy of living in an 1880's home!

Something New....

2009-09-09T12:56:00.001-05:00

Stayed tuned. In exactly 2 weeks I'll be looking about 10 years younger...maybe 5 but I'll take it. No plastic surgery involved :)
It will involved pain which I'm not a big fan of. I did have 5 kids without drugs so I'm guessing I can pull through this too.

Labor Day...

2009-09-07T11:46:00.002-05:00

Today seems like a Saturday as we continuing laboring with all the farm projects we have around the place. Dave's been working hard with grandpa trying to get hay baled and in the barn. Grandma and Olivia have been busy staining woodwork for the outside of the house. Seems like there's a million things that need to get done today. Hopefully we can finish at least one project :)
Doesn't seem like I've gotten much accomplished except feeding people and keeping the house/laundry from going to pot.

Grandpa's off fishing with the boys. Chloe needs tennis shoes for school. Grandma went on a walk with a few of the girls. I took out Josie's hair/beads, washed, greased and hopefully we'll be putting in extensions later this afternoon.

Grandpa and grandma will be leaving later today. We're SO thankful for their help and time playing with the kids! We could have you here year round!
Thank you!!!!! Some things I fear would never get done...like fixing the bathroom door :)

The Morning Routine....

2009-09-01T08:31:00.002-05:00

I absolutely, positively HAVE to get up earlier. Kind of hard when one kid comes in wet...another coughing and needs a cough drop. Interrupted sleep kills me.
We always have at least one kid having a hard morning-today it was Caleb.

The kids all make their sandwiches in the morning for school. I think they would get gross if made the night before but we might try that. I pack the other stuff.
I noticed quite a bit of lunch meat and 2 slices of cheese on a few sandwiches. (I'm a food natzi) Anyway...since I JUST went to the store last night to replenish lunch food I had to give out the warning that when the meat/cheese are gone it's PBJ the rest of the week (today is Tuesday) It won't kill them. I just spent $9 on lunch meat last night. I'm thinking it would be better to buy 1/2 ham, shave and freeze it. (why am I writing all this down on my blog???)

Today is beautiful! The girls are having a friend over and they are going riding. I have no plans except picking up the kids from school and then the girls start their first play practice tonight. I think Bitty and I will go on a long walk today...maybe down to see the cows.

Week #2

2009-08-31T08:04:00.003-05:00

The kids have lunches and backpacks packed and are ready for Dave to bring them to school. So far everyone is still excited to go :)

Everyone has a little bit of the grumpies this morning. Not sure if it's because it's Monday or if they are a little nervous today. This will be their first full week of school. They all have GREAT teachers which I'm so thankful for. Josie's First grade teacher even came up to me Sunday with tears in her eyes because she felt bad about moving Josie to Kindergarten. We're totally fine with it. We need to start her out with a good foundation.

This week should be beautiful! I'm thinking of canning the rest of my tomatoes today and freezing green pepper. First time canning by myself. We'll see if I'm brave enough to attempt it.

The girls are going horseback riding this morning. We brought home another trail horse named Honey from the stables. She's old and safe for the kids. I love seeing them ride together. Vertigo has been doing really well trail riding.

Olivia babysits this afternoon. The girls start play practice Tuesday night for the Wizard of OZ. I think they'll have a great time.

Dave got an old barn board with hooks put up on on the back porch. That really helps with coats and backpacks. Love the look. Still need to keep organizing. I got another laundry basket of Good Will things to drop off. (although kids keep pulling things out of it!)

Dave's been working on the swingset/fort. It will be great when it gets done. Seems like weekend fly by and not much gets accomplished though.

Tomorrow is the BIG Day...

2009-08-24T09:17:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow will be the very first day of school-school for my 5 of our kids. It's exciting and a little bitter sweet. (mostly a relief right now!) Things will change and we'll see where God leads. One day at a time. A lot to do today to get ready...backpacks to check, school supplies to write names on, need to get organized, do Josie's hair, get groceries...

I finally got on Face Book. It's kind of strange for me. I think I'm getting it. It's hard for me to change sometimes.

We had a fun, busy weekend with friends over every night, hay rack rides and campfires. It's almost fall!

The BIG One (for Beth)

2009-08-11T21:11:00.002-05:00

This is Beth. She's a very funny, honest, tell-it-like-it-is person and we love her.
She HAD to catch a fish (even though she won't touch them)
Thanks for the fun time!!!

Pictures from "The Dock"

2009-08-11T21:01:00.002-05:00

We all loved the Ozarks. It's been our annual vacation for several years now. Especially fun this year with some other friends down there.

After Vacation Breakfast...

2009-08-10T08:56:00.002-05:00

We are down to almost nothing in our refrigerator after our trip. I dread the grocery store right now. We have no oatmeal (the kids were happy about that one!) No eggs, bread, bananas, very little milk. It's not pretty. I was pretty certain I was out of coffee. The Lord blessed me and I found a bag that Chad had brought me from Brazil. It will be a GOOD morning :)

Breakfast today:
One bowl of Malt-O-Meal (I squeezed 3 Tbl. out of the box)
1 packet instant oatmeal (not sure how old it is)
A few lucky ones got milk with their cereal

I thought about thawing out some hamburger buns if we're desperate.

Josie and Carsen were out in the garden picking raspberries this morning. Smart kiddos.

I'll be heading to the store soon armed with a long list....or at least heading to the store. My head isn't ready to make lists yet.

Lord, I do just thank you that we have food. Even if we didn't we could jump in the car and go buy some. So many, many others have nothing this morning...or the morning after...or after that. God bless those that have nothing this morning. Fill them up and move us to help them. To know we have much...and others nothing...and not do anything about it is sin. Move us from complacency to helping and loving others with our wealth.

Vacation and Headaches...

2009-08-06T21:17:00.002-05:00

We've been enjoying our week in the Ozarks. It's almost over which is sad. The kids have had a great time tubing, boating, knee-boarding and hanging with some other families we know that are down here vacationing too. Tomorrow is adult out-to-dinner night :) I think there will be about 45 kids and young adults left back at the vacation house. Seriously.

I've read 2 books and had a relaxing time. I had to read House at Sugar Beach again--it was still as good as the first time I read it. Really makes me look at our Liberian kids and am so thankful they didn't go through most of that. It's a book I'd like to pass on to them when they're older. It has alot of good history about Liberia.

My mom is out of the hospital which is great news! There were alot of people praying for her. Still don't have any reason why it happened but ruled out alot of other things which is good. Hopefully it was just a passing migraine thing and won't happen again. Our thoughts and prayers were certainly with them this week too.

School Supply Insanity!

2009-07-29T08:35:00.002-05:00

I made my first of many trips to find the right items on the kids' school supply list.
I think there are about 492 items I need to buy :0
We also need to bring 8 boxes Kleenex and enough hand sanitizers to keep the whole school germ free.

This is the first year we'll have five kids in school...a 1st grader, 2nd grader, 3rd..4th..and 5th grader. It will be a major adjustment all the way around but I'm hoping it will be better than last year's alternative. (me)

My Second Job...

2009-07-25T20:44:00.002-05:00

I'm on the night shift now. I walk around the farm yard briefly looking for things askew...or strange sounds. Tonight on patrol near the barn I heard a frantic meow from one of our little kitties. I was thinking maybe it was trapped underneath the barn so I brought some food over hoping to lure it out somehow. Then I heard scratching and more meowing. I finally figured out it was coming from underneath the lid of a charcoal grill we have sitting in our barn. Poor little thing came scrambling out pretty hungry. I do think he must have been in just today. I'll never know because "no one" did it. Didn't think anyone would fess up when I asked....although I do have my suspicions. And he's 5. We do love animals. Yes we do. Some of them just don't show it in the nicest ways.

With the Girls Gone...

2009-07-24T17:41:00.002-05:00

There isn't anything left out on the counter or the bathroom windowsill...

There isn't a fog of hairspray in the bathroom (but I am cleaning off the sticky goo!)...

There isn't a mess on the girls' bedroom floor...

There is a little less laundry to do...

There isn't quite as much food to make for meals...

There's a little less food consumed in the nighttime hours...

There aren't as many movies watched...

There's a little black/white dog and 8 other people who miss them terribly! :)

So Proud!

2009-07-21T08:28:00.002-05:00

I am so proud of my two oldest girls (14 and 12) They traveled solo from here to NC to visit good friends for 10 days. They navigated O'Hare like pros. (never having been on a commercial flight before) Now they are making memories, playing on the beach and just having girlfriend fun. The most amazing part is that they packed all their clothes and hair stuff in two carry-ons :)
Have fun girls! Love you! I hope to see some amazing pictures.

We survived!

2009-07-06T10:21:00.003-05:00

We made it home from camp and had a great time! I think camp is actually more of a vacation than our "vacations" because I don't have to think about meals for 2 WHOLE days!! The speaker was an 84 yr. old gentleman with a very funny sense of humor. I left with a stomachache after each meeting and convicting thoughts on seeking God.
He reminded me of one of the actors in the movie Grumpy Old Men. What a heart for serving the Lord!

We have piles of laundry taller than me. I think I'll be running the machine the next 2-3 days! Every set of sheets, blankets, swim and bath towel was brought along. I don't think we came home with anything clean. But that's camp.

We really enjoyed having a few CR families join us this year. Felt almost like our adoptive mom's retreat :)

Love talking to old friends and seeing the babies/children of the babies I use to hold. Nothing makes me feel older than that!

I had to laugh when I heard a friend told one of my daughter's how "cool" I was in school growing up and she thought she was a nerd. I had just been talking to someone else about Michael Jackson and admitting that I actually wore a glove on one hand...for a few short weeks. Really cool, huh? :0

Today is beautiful and I know my garden must be full of weeds. Off to work outside. My daughter might be posting some pictures on her blog of the weekend. Check on www.jumpinferjoy.blogspot.com
I didn't take any pictures!

This is SUMMER in IOWA???

2009-07-02T07:59:00.003-05:00

Today is July 2nd. We were having a heat wave last week but this morning's temp is a cool 57. Haven't been to the pool all week. The kids are going through withdrawal...so am I!!! We even had chili last night for dinner and it actually hit the spot.
I'm looking forward to a warm up soon. Love that hot, humid Iowa weather.
We're off to family camp today. The kids think it's as good as Disney Land (well...they've never actually been there but I tell them it is) But it IS pretty exciting and we have a bunch of good friends going. I think the Liberians are going to overtake the camp someday :) There will be 18 Liberian kids there this year. Exciting.
Packing is a chore. So much bedding, towels and clothes!!! I'm not a big camping fan, but this is not REALLY camping. The food is excellent, teaching is always good, friendships are wonderful and activities galore. It's a little slice of heaven (wrapped up in Iowa weather!)

Best Thing Since Sliced Bread!!!

2009-06-17T08:22:00.002-05:00

I just found out about some cool little things called D-skins. They are plastic little disks that snap onto all cds...games...movies...ect. They protect them from scratches. It ends "disk death". This is revolutionary. Life changing. Amazing! (why didn't I think of that?!)
I ordered 50 for about $25 off of ebay or amazon. Totally, totally worth it. Easy to use. Saves us alot of $$ and irriatation! :)

What Have We Been Doing???

2009-06-09T20:13:00.002-05:00

It seems like summer isn't here yet. School is done but the days haven't been that warm lately..so no pool yet.

We've been working in the flower beds, garden and finished (finally!) weeding the raspberry patch. I can't wait for those...they're doing great. I love seeing the kids run out in the morning in their pjs eating them right off the bushes.
I've been selling alot of plants (mostly hostas) on craigslist which I think is just crazy. Can't believe people want to drive out here and buy it. It's been good though...goes in our vacation jar :)

We've registered some kids for school. We have 5 kids that will be starting this fall at a small Christian school where we also go to church (# 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ) Bitty and the two older girls will be home. They will be taking an intense grammar/writing class at the school 4 days a week as well as classes at the home school assistance program. They are both signed up for the high school play which starts in Aug. (Wizard of OZ) so it will be a busy fall full of adjustments!

I'm excited about doing something with the bigger girls' room. They moved downstairs into a spare room and it hasn't looked like "theirs" yet. We won't have the basement or attic finished for a long time...so it's time. We found a great wardrobe on craigslist for the girls. Now their room looks more organized and there aren't any excuses :0
We're looking forward to ideas from Aunt Chelle when they come in July!

We just bunked a bed in the boys' room so that make it look huge. They love the change.

The middle girls got rid of a daybed and we put in one of the extra bunks in their room. So everyone looks like they have a little change going on.

The big girls will have some exciting news coming up but I'll have to let them share that.

We're anxiously awaiting pool days...popcorn and the warm sun. Until then I"ll be wearing a sweatshirt!

Our First "Gig"....

2009-05-30T18:24:00.003-05:00

I think we've been officially adopted by an adult care center in CR. We were there watching Olivia's Irish Step Dance troupe perform and really, really enjoyed visiting with the people there. Some places you walk in and think "ick"...this place was homey, friendly and we saw at least 4 African Americans there. I was thinking "I can't wait to meet them!". They LOVED Carsen and wanted everyone up front to get introduced. The kids all enjoyed talking and giving hugs. We met Grandma Florence from TN...Jackie from Chicago...Jake, an older gentleman that came up and introduced himself and started telling us about his former bull riding days. (he stayed on 9 seconds...the next day the bull was sent to the slaughter house)

This is something I've wanted to do for years but it seemed overwhelming with so many kids. This felt like God was saying "OK...here's the place and now's the time".

We're excited to visit again and hear many more stories. Who knows...we may be calling out Bingo numbers :)

Finding Your Life...

2009-05-29T08:08:00.001-05:00

(I read this on someone else's blog and it moved me)

“May you find your life in losing it. May you live your life

by dying daily. May you give it all and keep nothing for

yourself. May your treasure chest be filled to overflowing
with the priceless crowns of sacrificial devotion.
May you give yourself away in a joyful and risky abandon.

May you follow the Lamb even if He takes you up a hill and

onto a brutal cross. Especially if He takes you there.

May you turn your back on safety and comfort and predictable

and soft - and pour yourself out like a drink offering of love on

the least of these, on the most of these, for the death and the life

of these. May you spend what you cannot keep to gain what

you can never lose. May you awake to live His dream, not

yours, or your country’s , nor your family’s. And may you rejoice

to hear the applause which is a weight of eternal glory too heavy

to bear.” (~Timothy Stoner

Farmer's Wife...

2009-05-26T22:51:00.002-05:00

I feel most like a farmer's wife when I go out in the garden to pick our salad for dinner. The lettuce is up...the spinach is up...the radishes are up...and green onions are up (the green beans are doing poorly) This is no small miracle folks. And I can't take any credit for our garden. Dave and the kids did most of the planting (I'm a weeder and waterer) I did toss a few potatoes in some holes...we'll see if we remember where they are.
So...like I said...I feel most like a farmer's wife picking our dinner salad out of the garden before a rain. And we didn't even eat it for dinner tonight. At least it's all washed, tossed and ready for tomorrow!
And I don't even have to water the garden tonight :)

It's a Crock

2009-05-20T10:12:00.003-05:00

Dinner's cooking in the crock...marinated garlic porkloin. If it's good I'll post the recipe. Super easy and I have another 1/2 loin in the freezer for another night. #8 of pork is a huge piece! The recipe calls to split it into thirds...but with our crew I chose to 1/2 the recipe. Probably serve with rice and salad. (I'm still researching rice cookers!)

Baked potatoes and chili for lunch. That should be quick, easy and filling. Not what I'd choose to eat on a nice warm day...but it works.

Boiled 18 eggs for snack or breakfast tomorrow.

Olivia and Carsen let our new chicks outside and are supervising them. So cute to see Carsen sitting by the fence throwing food to them.

Chloe and Josie are playing "old-fashion" dress-up.

Ellie is reading Little Women.

Not sure where Marie, Caleb and Isaac are...I think down playing by the pond.

Lest you think I have it all together here's how our morning really went:

1. cold cereal for breakfast
2. laundry folded but stacked on the back of the sofa and on the sofa (from yesterday)
3. inside chores are not all done
4. I'm still in my pjs
5. the two boys assigned to washing/drying/putting away dishes got into a water fight (in the kitchen) Pushing and hitting each other...ending up in tears.
Correction administered. And there's still dishes in the sink.

When part of the morning goes well...the other part falls to pieces. Not sure there will ever be balance! At least we'll have dinner tonight.
Off to a chiropractor appointment soon.

Best Buy Ever!

2009-05-20T08:16:00.003-05:00

In an attempt to try to get more chores done around here (mostly to make things easier for me!)

I bought a very small, rechargeable vacuum cleaner called "the Shark" (<$30) It's cheesy, doesn't hold a charge long, but does do an ok job of picking up things on the carpet and hardwood floors. If you pull wrong or push too fast the handle comes apart which is highly annoying for me! But I can deal with it.

The kids LOVE it! They fight over vacuuming. They can carry it upstairs and vacuum their own rooms. (even under beds!) Carsen uses it until it needs charged again. The floor has never been cleaner :)

It's not going to replace my regular vacuum...but it's great for the everyday small stuff that gets tracked all over. I'd say it's PRICELESS!

A Strange Thing Is Happening Around Here....

2009-05-15T20:02:00.002-05:00

Today I was sewing and making homemade laundry detergent. Scary. Don't get too excited...I wasn't using a sewing machine. Just going through the pile of things that needed buttons, a hole fixed or a do-dad sewn on. I've conquered the pile...until the next button falls off.

See recipe below for the detergent recipe. Don't expect this very often. It think it's the weather.

Trying Something New...

2009-05-15T17:58:00.003-05:00

I know this is just totally not like me...but I made homemade laundry detergent!
A friend tried it and told me how cheap it is...and that it really works and I guess my cheapness won me over. Supposedly I will spend about $15-20 a year on detergent instead of ??? (I really have no clue) But I know I spend about $15 on the big box of Tide I was buying.

So here's the recipe if you want to try it: Below is the version for a front load washer..I'll include the orginal recipe too)

1 bar Naptha soap (found this in the cleaning aisle of Hy-vee)

3/4 c. Arm and Hammer washing soda (NOTE-not the same as baking soda) Also in the cleaning aisle

2 1/4 c. Borax (same place)

First you get a 5 gallon bucket with lid (pretty cheap at Menard's)
Next grate the Naptha bar soap with a veggie grater (it should be fine to use for food again...just wash in the dishwasher) I'll probably just get a new one because I need one anyway!
Put the grated soap in a saucepan and add 12 cups water. Heat until soap melts. Add the washing soda and Borax. Stir until dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 8 cups of hot water in the bucket. Add the soap mixture and stir. Now add 2 gallons plus 12 cups of water and stir. Let set for 24 hrs stirring when you think of it. You can also add essential oils to this (which I didn't)

Use 1 c. for large loads... 1/2 c. for smaller loads.

For regular washers use:
1 bar Naptha soap
1 1/2 c. Borax
1 1/2 c. washing soda

I might be trying handsoap for the foam dispensers and dishwasher detergent eventually. Or I might never get to that. Just a thought.

Couple pictures....

2009-05-01T17:35:00.002-05:00

Here is a photo of all our chore lists....

And I had to include a picture of this card my brother-in-law sent me. If you can't see it well this lady is vacuuming and her little dog is jumping up in the air so she can get under him :) I had to really study the card to make sure he didn't photoshop my picture on the lady vacuuming. Scary how much it looks like me!!

Now We're Getting Somewhere....

2009-05-01T17:12:00.002-05:00

Not sure how well this will work...or how efficient we'll become...but I've struggled with having schedules and chore charts forever. It undid me. Frustrated me. Overwhelmed me. I made an attempt to write out a 3x5 recipe card for each child with all the chores I could think of they can do. After sitting on that awhile...I transferred them to a sheet of paper in a plastic sleeve protector so I won't have to rewrite lists everyday--or every week. (not rocket science is it?) I'm just not a naturally organized person and things like this perplex me to the point of not even attempting to do them. So how do you eat an "elephant"? One bite at a time. It's not a big deal if I mess up cards...if I have to rewrite chores...add chores...take away chores. I am CAPABLE. (yes I have to tell myself that often!!!) Remember I'm still very much getting use to being a mother to a "large family". That still is shocking sometimes.
I'm trying to bite off little pieces at a time. Checking things off of a list. Not getting overwhelmed. Just do the one next thing as Elizabeth Elliott said (I think she said that)

Today we also made a visit to the new school 5 kids will be attending this fall. It's run through our church. I didn't even feel nauseated walking in the door. We'll have kids in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. What a load off of me that will be!! It's not even feeling real yet. Another step of faith and seeing what God will do.

Happy Birthday Bitty!

2009-04-16T13:45:00.001-05:00

I can't believe you are FIVE years old today. My baby. Sorry I had to make you take a nap today...but trust your mama...you needed one!

Stay tuned for the attempt of a pirate b-day cake!

Love you Carsen!
mom

I could listen to this ALL night long! :)

2009-04-14T20:04:00.001-05:00

A Few Things On My List....

2009-04-14T15:08:00.003-05:00

1. Take Olivia to dance class today-check
2. Must, must pick up milk, bread and bananas (staples here)-check
3. Look for a horse for Ellie (she's been saving)
4. Buy Olivia's camera (she's been saving for 1/2 too!)-check
5. Make Dr. appt (me) kids shots started again (3) ortho appts (2?) Dentist appts (7-Yikes!)-check (made most of the appointments)
6. Shop for b-day cards and a few more small gifts-check
7. Get groceries (including stuff for a pirate cake and rainbow cake)-check
8. Celebrate two b-days soon (16th and 20th)-check 1 almost
9. Coffee out Friday night-check
10. Play rehearsals starting soon...ugh. Lots of running!
11. Praise concert Saturday night (fun, fun :)
12. Normal laundry, cleaning--must take stuff to Goodwill
13. Caleb's little buddy hopefully coming to stay a few days while visiting from SC-check
14. Two girls wants a hair-cut
15. Horses need shots/worming
16. Dog needs antiobiotics and other meds twice a day--had to write it on the calendar or I'd forget it!-check
17. Need to get Marie and Caleb's prizes for finishing their Readers
18. Start garden
19. Start cleaning up flower beds
20. Getting rid of (live) chickens tonight! I'll miss those biddies :( They lay lovely eggs.-check

I realize this is an ongoing list :0 But what needs done...will sometime...eventually....possibly get done. I just LOVE checking things off!

Happy Birthday Ellie!!!

2009-04-08T20:21:00.002-05:00

The First of the April Birthdays....

2009-04-08T08:07:00.002-05:00

My "baby" is 14 years old today!

The day you were born your dad and I had gone out for breakfast at Perkins in Ames...and he was buying a video camera at Sears while I was in labor (rapid breathing) at the counter scaring the salesman to death!

I remember 14 years ago today we lived in a very small, old house we were fixing up. My aunt and uncle were there helping wallpaper our kitchen. (My aunt's name is Elna Mae--or Ellie as she was called) She passed away this weekend...10 years ago. She was a very special lady and we named our Ellie after her.

You are having coffee cake for breakfast.
Dinner: grilled cheeseburgers (PICKLES) tabbouleh salad (your fave) and red velvet cake (which I'm not sure you will like...but you'll love the cream cheese frosting!)

Enjoy your day today Ellie! We love you!!!!

Mom, dad and all your siblings

The Strangest Things...

2009-04-03T14:51:00.002-05:00

What's the strangest thing you've found in your refrigerator or washer/dryer? In the dryer it's usually Lego pieces, nails, hair things...today it was a harmonica in the washer. (I don't check pockets)

Rumor has it someone in our family (not immediate) kept a frozen cat in her freezer for awhile....I think she also had a dead rabbit in her trunk (not at the same time...as if that makes it sound better!) That's a whole other blog! :)

Every once in awhile I'll open my refrigerator and find something very odd...like a Lego person.

In fact, right now in our freezer I could pull out some nice, frozen snowballs (saved from the last snow) or how about tiny mud balls ala Carsen? (he's been known to keep those in his bedroom too!) I always find out when we have company for dinner. He can't wait to show them.

I've even found a frozen insect in container of water. I'll just call it Science Lab 101 for the kids.

Don't worry. I've you come over for dinner I will be sure to check what I'm defrosting before I cook it! :)

The House Has Food (for a day or two)

2009-04-02T13:58:00.003-05:00

I realized that when I'm stressed or angry I like to cook....alot....all at once.

Today on tap is:

black bean and chicken soup

red lentil soup

split pea/ham soup

I must like that busy feeling of having control over something..and being productive. (except when my soup boils over...which is regularly)

The fire alarms go off several times a week here. I think if there ever was an actual fire our kids would all run to the kitchen first to see if something was boiling over!

At least we'll have something to eat for the next day. I'm still boiling though.

Kisses and Stats....

2009-04-01T17:54:00.003-05:00

Last week Marie asked me several nights in a row why I kissed her good-night. I didn't think much about it but just said "because I love you".
In bed the other night it finally dawned on me...I wonder if she EVER had a good-night kiss before in her 10+ yrs? Then suddenly I was overcome with ALL the orphans in the world...
All those kids who never get good-night kisses, warm meals, families...love.

Think about this number for a minute:

143 MILLION kids

143 million.

What does 143 MILLION kids look like? I can't even imagine. Many, many nights I wonder why? What can we do? This is just wrong.

Smile

2009-03-30T16:13:00.002-05:00

When it's been a rough day on the farm (the ponies got out and ran and ran) I like to listen to something like this (and yes, I have all my teeth)
I'd like to yodel when I grow up.

Verse for Today....

2009-03-30T08:37:00.001-05:00

Exodus 14:13-14, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." (NLT)

No Wonder I'm Crazy....

2009-03-27T20:33:00.002-05:00

I just sat down and figured out that I have 5 kids doing 100 Easy Lessons (a reading program) That's 500 lessons. By me. Even if I work 5-10 minutes with each child that is about an hour sitting on the sofa pointing at 3 lettered words. Actually 2 of the girls are getting close to finishing the book. They are reading "real" stories.

I read on another homeschooling mom's blog that she throws a "Reading Party" for each child that learns to read. I figure since this is the first time any of my kids have ever finished this book I will THROW A PARTY!!! Complete with a new book and cake for the special child. Mom gets a consolation prize (to be determined at a later date)

I have 3 kids that have learned to read without this 100 Easy Lessons book. So yes, it can be done. Since I've invested so much blood, sweat and tears (mine and theirs) to get this far...WE ARE FINISHING this book.

Caleb--who didn't ever get past lesson..oh maybe 10...reads pretty well for a 10 year old. His first "solo-pick-up-on-your-own-and-read-in-bed-book" was Captain Underpants. So his prize is a new pair of boxers. He's thrilled.

Something to think about...

2009-03-23T15:52:00.001-05:00

Birthday Boys

2009-03-20T09:19:00.000-05:00

Birthdays Out the Kazoo!

2009-03-20T09:12:00.002-05:00

We celebrate five birthdays in a little over 4 weeks. Two down and three to go!

Isaac turned 9 . He chose monkey cupcakes which were too cute! He invited over family friends to help celebrate. They also adopted two kids from AOH. Enoch was a good friend of his in Liberia. So amazing how God planned that!

Caleb turned 10. He requested icecream cake with hot fudge/caramel all over it. (one of my favorites!) He wanted a special dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and jello. It felt like Thanksgiving in March!

March b-days mean Spring is here!

Lentil Soup Revisted

2009-03-18T08:28:00.001-05:00

The lentil soup was fed to the chickens yesterday (they love variety in their diet)
I thought that would be the last of the lentil soup. I was so wrong.
Walking out the back door last night to go on a walk I saw it. Deposited on our back porch by our dog Casey :0
Happy Spring.

Random Happenings at Our House

2009-03-16T21:06:00.004-05:00

Well Spring is almost here and it's finally starting to feel like it outside. Of course that means we'll get another snow or ice storm. But today we pulled out shorts for the kids. They tried talking me into the hose squirting on the trampoline but I nixed that idea.

The other night Carsen was talking in his sleep. Normally he goes back to sleep or comes to our room to tell us about his dream. This time he walked to our door and stopped. I kept still hoping he would go back to bed. All of a sudden I hear the sound of running water (rather pee) He had pulled down his pants in his sleep and was peeing on our bedroom carpet! I sat up and said rather loudly "what in the world are you doing?" I followed him back to bed and again asked him what he thought he was doing. He was sound asleep! I was laughing (somewhat) to myself thinking this is a story we'll tell for a long time. He thought it was hysterically funny when I told him what happend the next morning.

Lentil soup: We have a huge pot of soup that never diminishes. It's like the story in the Bible of oil and flour...it never ends! It's not that we hate it. (I'm starting too)
We've had it for lunches and dinners. I've sent it to work with Dave. I've reheated it for dinner when we had friends over (ha! Sherrie) It never got eaten. Tonight we ate it over pasta. I was certain there would be no leftovers. Wrong! I think the chickens will be enjoying nice lentil soup tomorrow for breakfast.

A friend and I were e-mailing tonight about Spring and some fun ideas we could do with the kids. She mentioned doing big Easter egg hunts after Easter because all the candy is 1/2 off. I tried to top her cheapness.
We took the day off today with the nice weather and just played/read outside.
I started wondering what I did that was "fun" today. I really struggle with that. The only thing I came up with was going on a walk/bike ride with the kids and picking up beer cans along our gravel road. Does that count for a fun, spring homeschool activity? Saving the environment? Going green? Anyone? At least I didn't call it our Easter egg hunt.

2009-03-12T20:41:00.000-05:00

Too Funny....

2009-03-12T20:32:00.002-05:00

Oh my! Have I really not posted since January? Actually I know I did in February

...my post just got "deleted" by my "editing team". TMI (too much information I guess!)

I read this on another gal's blog today and laughed outloud!

Lesson: Jesus knows that we are a family. A REAL family, and He doesn't see our color. Beside, in Heaven I am going to be black, I have already asked God for it.

I LOVE it!
This gal has a GREAT blog at:
http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com

Cowboy Carsen and my favorite gift

2009-01-29T21:13:00.003-06:00

Okay..it's happened. I am 39. Wow. That really sounds old. I don't (thankfully!) feel that old (most days) And to my friends that are over 40...YOU all don't look old!
(sorry, it just SOUNDS old :)

My favorite gifts: a new "cow" coffee mug

And a "band-aid" gun. Why? Because I'm sure I'm the only one in the world with one hand-made by my favorite cowboy. Love that little dude. Love all eight dudes...oh and the big dude too :)

Up, Up and A-"weigh"

2009-01-16T11:29:00.003-06:00

Marie asked this morning if she could weigh herself. I've been holding off on bringing them into the Dr. until:

a) our new insurance started Jan 4

b) it's closer to the very first Dr. visit they had so I can see how much they've all grown

I had jotted down on a piece of paper their weights the first week they were home.
Marie was 61# (kind of light for a 10 yr old don't you think?)

Well...this morning the scale said almost 81#. Can it be she gained 20# in just under a year??? I'm sure she's grown at least 3 inches. We've noticed the most dramtic change in her size....the other two are really growing as well. Josie still looks like a little thing to me though. She's 6 and her 4 yr old brother is heavier than she is. She will have as many 2nds or 3rds (turds as they call them :) as everyone else...although she is finally realizing her tummy hurts when she eats that much!

I'll post official weights after their yearly check-ups. Can't wait to get the shots all done!

Got Coffee?

2009-01-14T20:36:00.003-06:00

I LOVE this picture. Carsen could be Starbuck's poster child. He does usually climb up there each morning and watch it drip out. He knows I don't start breakfast until after I've had my coffee!
Today he burnt his hand (I'm always telling him) and he was really mad at the "dumb" coffee maker!

By George...I Think She's GOT It!!!

2009-01-14T20:27:00.003-06:00

Marie can read the page below!
(I really don't like this book. Never have finished it with
anyone! But if it's working for her...we'll keep doing it)

Marie, Isaac and Josie have been in our home almost a year now. Marie has prayed nightly to be able to read...and she IS finally reading! (double pump arms up in the air!!!)
I almost pulled my hair out with a huge Dick and Jane book last month. I was sure she was just memorizing words because she could say them in one sentence...and on the next page she would say something totally off (it still happens sometimes) But she is really, really reading and we're SO proud of her!

Pictures of the "rescue"

2009-01-14T19:56:00.004-06:00

Angel #2 perking up...eating and drinking. She's a rather ugly looking bird--looks
more like a black crow!
Everyone's pretty concerned.
Transported to the house in an oatmeal container!

Operation Save-A-Chicken

2009-01-14T13:24:00.003-06:00

Today the girls went out to chore and found one of our little "babies" (that isn't really a baby anymore) all fluffed up and shivering. (do chickens shiver??) I believed them. It is SO cold out. So I suggested they bring it down to the basement to warm up by the wood stove. We are hillbillies ya'all.
I have a feeling he'll be living down there until this cold snap passes. How could I let a chicken the kids just named "Angel" freeze to death? :)

Schools and classes have been cancelled today. We're taking a day off too.
Temps will drop to -20 tonight. I am so thankful our furnace got fixed (for the second time yesterday)

Lunch wasn't exciting. It's usually a combination of left-overs (black bean taco soup) from the night before and something else...which in this case was more left-overs from a few nights ago (rice/red palm oil and fish and cornbread)
I think the big girls are making their own meal!

Today for breakfast I tried something different. It sure smelled good. I'm trying to decide if I'll make it again...probably. I really should have let it cool more before cutting it (I have a problem with that!)
Here it is:

Gingerbread Oatmeal
6 c. oatmeal
4 eggs
2 c. milk
1 c. melted coconut oil (I know you're cringing at that mom!) It's GOOD for you-really!
1/2 c. molasses
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. each cinnamon and ginger
1/2 tsp allspice (wouldn't really need this)

Combine dry ingredients then mix in the wet. Stir unil moistened. It will be pretty thick. Spread in a buttered/greased 9x13 pan (not sure if you need to do this with all the oil but I didn't want to scrape it out burnt)
Bake 30 minutes until brown around the edges.
COOL before cutting. (it smells wonderful!)

During lunch I threw about 8-10# of potatoes in the oven to bake. I have the BEST baked potato soup recipe I"ll post soon.

I'm still trying to figure out menu planning/grocery shopping with a large family. I read other people's blogs and they make it sound so easy and effortless.
The whole "planning" thing (ie charts/schedules) just isn't in me!
Maybe that's when you stick a kid on that project.
I'm convinced they will be cooking more meals...although I DO really enjoy doing that (when I know ahead of time what I'm doing)

If you don't believe me...trust the weatherman!

2009-01-12T15:17:00.000-06:00

First the snow, now the wind. Northwest winds are pushing in behind a storm system that brought several inches of snow to the state. These winds are causing blizzard and near blizzard conditions as the visibilities are being reduced to ¼ or less. Travel is not advised tonight as blowing and drifting of snow will continue. Temperatures will also plummet and wind chills will fall into the -20° to -30° degree range overnight. For the latest warnings, advisories and watches head to our winter weather page. Stay with KCRG TV-9 and KCRG.com for updates on our latest round of wintry weather.

Blizzard Warning
Blizzard Watch
Winter Storm Warning
Winter Weather Advisory
Wind Chill Advisory

Waiting for the storm....

2009-01-12T14:34:00.003-06:00

Right now we have almost every possible winter storm warning known to man (except ice)
The snow is falling and by tonight we'll have 40+mph winds and windchills down to -30.
I really don't like winter. The snow is beautiful but I don't like staying in (even a walk to the mailbox sounds harsh!)

At least I've been to the store so we're not hurting for groceries (except poor Charlie is out of food) He'd rather eat eggs and meat anyway! Spoiled dog.

I have black bean soup and a chicken simmering on the stove. I'm still trying to achieve the perfect loaf of bread. Right now I'm sure it's the flour's fault. I figured out I shouldn't be using soft winter wheat because that's more for cakes/baking. I can fiddle with the recipe and get decent, edible loaves for now. Who knew there are so many choices for wheatberries???!!! (and dough enhancers..and gluten...blah blah)

I'm really loving a cookbook called Whole Foods for the Whole Family (by La Leche League) It's a little hard to find but worth it.

A website I love when I have something in my cupboard but don't know what to cook is www.allrecipes.com (this is for you, Denise :)
It even re-figures the recipe when you change the serving size. Pretty nifty.

We're working through loads of laundry today. Not getting much school done but the kids have been having a great time playing outside. I think we'll do a little more reading and call it a day.

Yummy (and healthy) Peanut Butter Bars

2009-01-08T16:06:00.002-06:00

I've finally found a bar/snack that is healthy and everyone likes! I wouldn't even feel bad eating a few pieces for breakfast :)

1 c. oats
1 c. very hot water
(soak oats in the water)

1/2 c. butter (one stick) softened
1/2 c. honey
1 egg
1 c. whole wheat flour (yes...embarassingly enough I did just grind it :0) But I still have my pj's on and it's 4:12 pm...does that make you feel better?
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 c. peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter, honey and egg. Add oat mixture and rest of ingredients. Mix well. Spread in a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes. I think mine were a little underbaked but they were browning around the edges. Cool on wire rack...then cut into bars.
This recipe says 36 servings. Right. Maybe 12 in our house.

New recipe--Love it!

2009-01-06T13:11:00.003-06:00

I have a new soup recipe (we eat ALOT of soup around here now) that everyone likes--except Carsen. Isn't there always someone???

I make a huge double batch (double below) You can freeze it...eat it over rice...lunch....dinner....whatever.

Introducing: Bree's Lentil-Tomato Soup (I have no idea who Bree is!)

1 T. olive oil or butter
2 c. chopped onions (I don't use this much--sometimes not any--someone is picky)
1 tsp tumeric (wouldn't really need this..but if you have it go for it)
1 tsp cumin (I add extra)
1 tsp chili powder (add extra)
1 tsp cayenne (don't add this much unless you like it pretty spicy!)
1/4 tsp each salt & pepper
2 garlic cloves (I bought it in a jar...and add alot more :) Couple Tbl. spoons
3 1/3 c. water
2 1/3 c. lentils (a package)
1/3 c chopped cilantro (a must)
3 (14 1/2 oz) cans chicken broth (I use the large can)
1 (28 0z) can diced tomaotes, undrained

Heat oil and saute onion. Then add rest of spices. Saute for 1 minute (to release the flavors don't ya know!)
Add the rest of ingredients. Boil then reduce heat. Simmer 1 hour.

Reserve a couple of cups mixture and blend/puree the rest until smooth. Combine it all again and serve!

Quote for the New Year....

2009-01-02T10:54:00.002-06:00

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us”.

I would much rather think about the next thing or worry that someone else should change than take a close look at my heart.

This New Year there are many things I want to change and improve on....but the biggest, most important thing is my relationship and time spent with Jesus. All the other things are really trivial and distractions compared to spending time with Him. He will change me from the inside out. Something I can never do on my own.

Because in the end...nothing else will matter except who I am in Him and what I do because of Him.

Sushi Night and more pictures....

2008-12-29T14:53:00.003-06:00

Too cute not to post :)
Legwarmers are back???
yummy sushi rolls
Grampa and Dave boxing
Too excited to contain himself!

Christmas Doings....

2008-12-29T14:38:00.005-06:00

Isaac posing in Batman t-shirt
Carsen in camo chef hat
Marie and Chloe

Josie and Chloe

Christmas Day was spent leisurely opening gifts, drinking coffee and eating the Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls. Yum!! My little brother and I laugh that first-born parents are probably the only ones that make each of their kids wait and take turns opening gifts :)

We let the kids play with small gifts all afternoon and then brought out the big gift...the Wii. Wish I could have gotten a video of Caleb....unfortunately he was jumping so high his head was cut off in each picture I took of him!!!

Other happenings were: Sushi making with Aunt Cynthia and a "late" visit from Granny and Grampa. They are super cautious drivers and reluctant to come even in good weather. So they started out in rain which turned to ice. They arrived over 3 hours late (should have taken 1.5 hrs driving their speed) We almost called the State Patrol!

Now for the tree to come down...ornaments to put away....needles to sweep up. Oh..and more groceries to be bought. Ba-hum-bug!

Yummy Sugar Cookie Recipe

2008-12-22T17:33:00.002-06:00

These are called "To roll or not roll" sugar cookies.

1 c. sugar (if rolling out dough use 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar instead of granulated)
1 c. butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp (or tad more) almond extract (lOVE this stuff!)
1 egg
2 1/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp baking soda

Cream butter and sugar. Add flavors and eggs-then dry ingredients.

Preheat 375 oven. Shape dough into balls. Press with fork or bottom of glass dipped in sugar. Decorate with sprinkles if you like color! Bake 9-11 minutes. Makes about 4 doz. (3 doz. if you're eating the dough!)

If you're rolling them-cover and refrigerate dough for at least 2 hrs before rolling out. Bake 7-8 min. Remove immediately to rack to cool.

It's COLD!!!

2008-12-22T17:20:00.002-06:00

It's a wonderful ONE degree outside right now. We have no wood in the house...and one of our furnaces has been broken for the last few weeks. Dave finally caved in and called the repairman...because it's FREEZING in here! Right now it's not bad at 60...but when it gets in the 40's-50's INSIDE...it's not fun. Evreyone is walking around with extra sweaters, coats, double socks. I'm tempted to wear mittens but then I couldn't type! Tomorrow it should be fixed.
It must be the month of broken things. We've recently had to replace a dishwasher and water softener. We have the bum furnace, the car has a flat...the tractor has a flat and the Suburban was overheating this morning on the way to an eye appointment. (tell me how something can overheat in this weather??!!) The anti-freeze was actually BOILING. Olivia and I almost baled out of the vehicle thinking it might blow. Quite a strange sound. Thankfully the thermostat must have unstuck itself and it's doing ok. (except the passenger door is broke...someone has to walk around and open for them. It's fun when I'm the passenger :)

These things are all minor though when I think of a friend's family who are at the U of I Hospitals. Her husband was just in a car/snowmobile accident (with his son on the back who is ok) He has a fractured pelvis and rib. Can't work for at least 3 months. She had a stroke this summer (and has mostly recovered) I can't imagine their medical bills!

My cousin was involved in an accident just today when a car flew over the median and landed on top of her car. She's ok. But the other car literally broke in two around her..and there was a family traveling in it.

So I am thankful for this house..that our problems are so minor. That God is in all those stories.

FINALLY-Josie's 6th birthday!

2008-12-17T21:32:00.002-06:00

Josie has waited since last March for her birthday to come...praying almost every night for a "good birthday". Isaac and Marie came to America and had b-days right away (March and April) along with many of our other kids.

It was finally HER day! She had a special friend, Grace, come over after church to play.
For her b-day lunch she requested: yellow macaroni (that's Kraft in a box) jello and a pink Princess birthday cake---with a CROWN.

I think she had a great time...I was a little worried she'd be disappointed after looking forward to it for so long. Uncle Ron and Aunt Cynthia were able to come and help celebrate too. That always makes for more fun!

We love you Josie! You have a beautiful heart and smile :)

Gingerbread People-check!

2008-12-17T21:12:00.002-06:00

I finally got up enough nerve to attempt decorating cookies with 8 kids. (after alot of coffee!)
I read from another mom's blog with 13 kids that she has learned to pre-cut and pre-bake...I took it she tried the other way. So learning from one's mistake...the girls and I stayed up one night and cut and baked. Although I felt a twinge of guilt thinking how much fun the kids would have had---I got over it. They each had their own styles for sure! Ellie and Olivia are very "Martha Stewarty"
with their decorating. Chloe wasn't over the top...but Marie was VERY over the top with sprinkles :)
Caleb likes loud coloring...and faces on his cookies. Isaac was painstakingly carefully. Josie and Carsen were cautiously having fun. Of course Carsen ate every single cookie he decorated...then asked his dad if he could just eat the head off of the one he saved all day for him!

Sisters....

2008-12-15T15:06:00.003-06:00

It's been neat seeing Marie and Chloe's relationship grow. They truly act like sisters...playing together for hours and then fighting over something. It's really an answer to pray that they get along so well. They share the same room--the same full size bed--bathroom--clothes--toys. They've both grown alot (not just physically) Marie is 10 and Chloe will be 8 in Janurary.
Here's some pictures Olivia took one afternoon of them...just having fun!

New Pantry!

2008-12-10T12:12:00.002-06:00

Hey...sorry for all the posts today but these are pictures I really wanted to get on my blog and the kids are outside sledding :)

We've been in our house for almost 8 years now and I've never had a good place to store groceries. A pantry has been my dream and it's been on the "project list" for years! I even bought a sign that says "Pantry" and hung it over the door where the pantry should be.

Well...on Thanksgiving weekend my parents came and my dad (Dave too...a little) spent hours putting barn board shelves in my new pantry! Olivia spend an afternoon organizing it like a little store. So now I'm good to go....if I could only get to the store and stock up!

Thanks dad...Dave and Olivia! I love it!

Oh and thanks to all my mom's biblestudy ladies for praying this would happen soon!

African Christmas Stockings

2008-12-10T12:08:00.003-06:00

I was trying to find special Christmas stockings for our Liberians...and look what I found on ebay. I love them! Of course the kids would rather have Barbie or Spiderman...but I'm hoping
someday they will think these are pretty special.

Decorating and Ice-skating

2008-12-10T12:00:00.004-06:00

Isaac with a new shave
Marie and Chloe ice-skating

Good News....and Winter Fun

2008-12-10T11:45:00.002-06:00

I just received an e-mail this morning from my Mercy Ship contact. They are pulling out of Monrovia soon so I didn't really expect them to find out any info on the kids' birth father. BUT...below is what we just found out. I know the prison isn't safe, there's shortage of food...but I'm glad he wasn't one of the ones killed or out on the lose running for his life either. God has him in a place I'm praying he'll hear more and more of the gospel from those who minister in "prison fellowship".

Hi Teresa,

Kevin from our Prison Fellowship Team met Tokpa on Saturday. He's still in the prison, and seems to be doing OK - good health, not too skinny, and not too depressed.

Olly

The kids have been having fun ice-skating on our frozen driveway. The gravel roads are just as bad so I'm glad to stay home this week (although I am going a little stir crazy!) I'm considering taking everyone rollerskating Friday afternoon. I've had enough practicing tying all the ice-skates!

They have been spending hours outside sledding even thought it's 13 degrees out today! I guess they don't mind the cold.

We started out with 2 decent sleds. Now each is broken in half (through various sledding spills!) so there are four pieces that they take turns using. It was fun watching Olivia, Marie and Caleb yesterday. They push and push until they start sliding and tried to form a pyramid while doing it. I hope the chickens and the dogs stay out of their way!

It's the Little Things....

2008-12-05T20:18:00.002-06:00

This morning when Dave was on his way out the door for work he found a HUGE office pack of bagels and cream cheese on our front porch. Mystery! (we found out later it was a guy from his Father's Group at church) He drove all the way out in the country--on gravel, snow and ice covered roads to deliver them fresh!

Later in the afternoon our neighbor came over carring a dozen and a half chicken eggs (in his stocking cap!) for us. We love fresh eggs since our crazy chickens aren't laying now.

It's grace when the lady Ellie babysits for says she can leave work early so Ellie can get home to grab her backpack she forgot for her sleepover tonight.

It's the little everyday things I need to keep my eyes wide open for so I can have a thankful attitude all year (or just day!) long.

Newflash from Monrovia-Dec. 1, 2008

2008-12-03T11:35:00.002-06:00

I recently read this in a Mercy Shipper's blog. Hard to believe we were standing in that same prison almost 11 months ago....

I've been in contact with this person on the Mercy Ship trying to find out if our kids' birth father is still in prison or on the loose. What a crazy place...I can't even imagine the conditions they live in. Below is what a Mercy Ship worker wrote:

Jail-break

On Monday afternoon 202 prisoners broke out of Monrovia's Central Prison, leaving another 600 behind. A jail-break of such proportions is of no surprise to me - I only visited the prison once over a year ago, but thought that security was poor and a coordinated rush by a large number of prisoners would be successful. The guys that are left behind will be grateful for the space provided by those escaping, before it is filled up following the orgy of looting that happens every year around Christmas as desperate men steel things to buy food for their families. Currently, 32 of the 202 escapees have been re-captured. The city is in a high state of alert, with road blocks at frequent intervals and all available Police and UN personnel involved in searching for the escapees. Meanwhile, the Africa Mercy's Prison Ministry team was called upon to deliver emergency food supplies to the prison, as the escapees raided the food stores on their way to freedom, leaving the remaining 600 inmates hungry. Our Prison Ministry delivered 6 sacks of rice to the prison yesterday via the Prison Fellowship.

HOORAY!!!

2008-12-02T20:48:00.001-06:00

Here's how the girls reacted when I told them we were all done with leftovers!

Turkey Anyone??

2008-12-02T20:22:00.002-06:00

We just got over the holiday feast and have been having leftovers here...many, many leftovers :0

For kicks here is what we've eaten since last Thursday:

Thursday- a 30# turkey plus a 17# ham and all the trimmins'

Friday-left over turkey/ham and trimins'

Sat-turkey noodle soup

Sunday-turkey enchiladas

Monday-turkey alfredo pizza (not as bad as it sounds! Really. Trust me.)

Tuesday-split pea and ham soup (yea! the ham is all gone!!!!)
turkey and wild rice soup
left over turkey noodle soup

Wed-the rest of the left over soups for lunch

Alas...last Saturday I again baked another (yes, really) 30# turkey. See there was this "good deal" last year. A man from Kalona had all these fresh turkeys for sale cheap...and we bought 3 not realizing their extreme size. Unfortunately two froze together creating this 60# block of frozen turkey that I could not lift from our freezer. So there they sat all year. We started thawing them out about 5 days before Thanksgiving. We thought about even using a chisel!
No, they don't fit in our oven. Thankfully I had a roaster and we put a tent of foil around it to bake. It actually works quite well once the guys rinse it and lift that giant thing in there. It bakes about 14 hrs on low...or 5 hours on high. Trust me.

SO....I froze quite a bit of turkey meat. Right now I think we're all ready for a change...and I've run out of turkey recipes. There is this turkey cranberry salad that looks interesting--but I think it might be bycotted.

See Spot Run....

2008-11-25T12:42:00.003-06:00

I was reading another mom's blog the other day and she had a picture of Dick and Jane...with her children all probably cozied around her reading it. Her quote was "I was made for this".
Frankly....when I'm reading Dick and Jane with Marie I want to tear my hair out. I don't think I was made for this. (I AM doing this because I think it's the right thing to do now...but it isn't easy!) How can the word Spot...in the very next sentence....be Fluff? or jump? I know she knows the sounds of the letters. I know it isn't on purpose---the connections just aren't all there yet. And she really, really wants to read which is why we still plug through it.
I'm sure it's as frustrating for her as for me. And I REALLY try to hide my frustration....but I think I'm more like my dad than I thought! :) Just kidding dad....I haven't thumped her on the head yet with a pencil! And you were a REAL teacher!

Anyway...just had to get that off my chest today.

Visit with Auntie Melodie....

2008-11-19T20:12:00.003-06:00

Lovely Marie....

Auntie Melodie with Josie "Gbanko"

Marie, Isaac (Red) Auntie Melodie and Josie

We are so glad we had the chance to visit with Melodie while she's in the States. In just 2 weeks
she'll be back in Liberia working again. She has known our kids longer than we have which seems really strange. They all love her and you can tell the feeling is mutual.
We had a great dinner at Jenny's house (mother of 13) She fixed us all dinner...we counted 23 kids and 6 adults. Wow! She's amazing.
Afterwards the kids all watched Kung Foo Panda while the adults talked about...guess what! Liberia and kids :)

2 Tired....

2008-11-17T17:16:00.002-06:00

How do you know you're too tired to go grocery shopping? When you put on your coat and shoes three times....go to the door....stop and just can't make yourself go out. Poor Caleb was going to come with me and had to walk to the door three times too. I'm sure he wonders about his strange mother who went up and took a nap instead. We're having pancakes for dinner tonight. It just wasn't worth it. Maybe tomorrow.

It's cold and windy out...
Dave's gone on a business trip...
I'm having to keep the fire going (which is like having another baby except I don't get up at night with it!)
Our week seems a little crazy-looking at the calendar anyway-I'm sure it will work out.
We didn't get much done today-just laundry-always laundry on Mondays.

Our highlight is going to dinner at Jenny's tomorrow night. Melodie Sheppard will be there visiting. She was at the kids' orphanage working while they were there. Everyone is excited to see her! She is going back to Liberia soon.

Some fun girl pictures (taken by Olivia)

2008-11-15T21:12:00.002-06:00

I love the looks of all three girls. Marie and Josie are having a ball....Chloe can't wait until the ride is over!

Funny video.....

2008-11-15T15:07:00.001-06:00

I just ran across this on someone else's blog....if you know me I am kind of a 70's music geek.
So this one really made me laugh!

New Change....

2008-11-05T07:25:00.002-06:00

I woke up to find out who our new President is. We are now part of history.
I read Lysa Terkeurst's blog this morning and really appreciated her thoughts on what we as Christians are now challenged to do....even more so than before.

Please read: www.lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com

God bless America! Guide the President in all his decisions and most importantly in how we live.

And Our Next President Is......

2008-11-04T16:24:00.002-06:00

Yes, I voted today. I'm very thankful to have that opportunity to be a voice in our government. It's pretty sad to see which way all the media (TV..magazines...newspapers) are slanted. So very obvious.
But God is in control of this election. Who He allows to be President we will honor because that's what He tells us to do.

I'm not going to sit in front of the TV tonight getting updates on all the poles...getting nervous or even a little fearful of the outcome. I'm going to bed (early!) and in the morning I'll know who The Chief will be.

Ellie is out riding the pony cart with Lucy. I love seeing her to that. That's her little escape.

The kids had friends over today and played outside dressing up. The older girls were filming scenes for a movie. Carsen was in a (very small!) Spiderman outfit with pink winter boots. He's so funny!

Olivia is at Irish Step dance right now. The girls rode 4.5 miles on their bikes today meeting thier friends at "the bridge". Olivia's legs felt like jello!

I'm reading the book Three Cups of Tea. It's not a quick read for me. I don't know if I'm not really into it or what. Usually I can finish a book in a day or two.

I think we're having pizza tonight. And I have some really, really good icecream in the freezer I just bought from the co-op. Maybe I"ll save that for a celebration tomorrow!?

Fall Pictures

2008-11-02T19:43:00.001-06:00

NE Iowa pictures

2008-11-02T19:33:00.004-06:00

Indian Summer Updates

2008-11-02T18:59:00.002-06:00

Our family did make our annual trip up to NE Iowa to look at the leaves with Uncle Ron and Aunt Cynthia. We hiked at Pikes Peak State Park (I don't think the Liberians were very impressed!) Had a picnic lunch and rode the ferry across the Mighty Mississippi. We took pictures but have the same background as the last 15 years...only more kids this year! :)
The girls had Charlie along too of course.

The kids are all growing like crazy. I've been sorting and sorting through clothes...boxing up summer clothes and hoping to find matching snow boots the right size for everyone!

Marie just got her hair done at a salon for the second time since she's been home (9 months ago) We won't do it often but it sure is cute! I'm banking that this style will last 4 months. I was going to go in and get a simple style done with cornrows and then buy a cute kinky drawstring ponytail to put in. Somehow all that changed while I was there discussing the new look. I ended up making THREE trips to Sally's Beauty Supply to buy the right "hair". We now have two kinky weaves sewn into the beehive around her head. The front is separate cornrows so they can be redone in about 20 min. to keep the style going longer. I'm sure that's more than you wanted to know about black hair! But it's a big deal here :)

Next weekend Maria (from WACSN-another orphange in Monrovia) will be here visiting and having a reunion with several WACSN families. The Liberian kids in the area have been practicing for our local Liberian Children's Choir. It is just beautiful seeing the 20 kiddos up on stage singing their hearts out.

The leaves are all falling...the fields are getting harvested. We've enjoyed some awesome warm weather lately. Hard to believe snow will be here soon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA!!!

2008-10-01T16:47:00.003-05:00

Today we're celebrating 12 years of Olivia's life. She has always been a sun shiny,
happy go lucky, funny kind of girl. She was born 2 1/2 wks early and was my quickest, easiest labor. She came out with a squished over nose and bruises on her face...thankfully it's all straightened out now :) She and Ellie are 18 months apart. I remember Ellie coming to the hospital to see her new sister. She stared at Olivia's feet, held her for a few seconds and then pushed her back saying "all done"!

Every year I write a little summary of that child's year in their birthday card. (since I realized early on I would never keep a journal or updated baby book for each child!)

Here's a brief description of Olivia...She loves Irish Step dancing and has been in a troupe for about 5 yrs now. She loves taking pictures as you can tell if you visit her blog (jumpinferjoy.blogpost.com) She has an eye for the unusual!
She loves reading mystery books. She's usually reading in her bed in the morning when I go wake them up. She loves taking looooong baths, drinking tea or coffee drinks from Starbuck's. She's an animal lover...especially our dog, Charlie.
She hates to see anything suffering so will let all the fish go when we were fishing on vacation :0
She's loves to bake and recently perfected her double crust apple pie (it looks like it's from a magazine!) Her mother prefers to buy Pillsbury crusts...so not sure where she got that skill.
She requested a Reece's Peanut Butter Cup cheesecake for her b-day which she helped make. We also have beef stew cooking per her request.

Olivia is a joy! She's funny and almost always a happy camper. She's great at entertaining her brothers/sisters...and helps so much at home with cooking, cleaning or watching the kids. At one time she said she was going to open an orphanage in Africa. We are excited to see the plans the Lord has for her life.

We love you Olivia!!!
mom

I'm SO Proud!!!

2008-08-30T17:48:00.002-05:00

The swimming pool will be closing soon which motivated my Liberians to get into the "deep end" and jump off the diving boards. Yesterday Marie was able to swim across the deep end, dove off the side (well!) and jumped off both the low and HIGH dive! Chloe of course had to do it as well. Which led to Isaac being outdone by two GIRLS. Today he decided he too would jump off the diving board. It took some courage but he loved it! I bet he jumped off 30 or more times.
I wish I had a video tape of how the new kids "swam" at the beginning of the summer. Let's call it thrashing wildly in the water! Now they truly can swim and Isaac has the crawl stroke down like Michael Phelps.
What a beautiful day! Glad we could spend it at the pool lounging, visiting and showing off :)
Dave decided that mom needed to get wet so he pushed me into the pool (where are the life guards when you need them?!) We did end up having a fun time swimming. I have to get in at least once a year after all!
The rest of the weekend we'll be running errands and getting ready for the trip to the Ozarks. The kids are so excited! Olivia will be organizing the "snack bags" for everyone. We have Jonathan Parks cds...buying some new coloring books...hopefully this will occupy everyone for the 5 hour drive. Let's hope so!

Pictures of Liberian Picnic

2008-08-29T12:52:00.002-05:00

Every fall all the families in the Cedar Rapids area get together for a Liberian picnic so the kids can play and families connect. This year we also had the priviledge of Don and Cheryl Williams who are missionaries in Liberia join us. The group keeps growing and growing!

I think this year there were 7 more Liberian kiddos there :)

A Way to Start the Day With Purpose....

2008-08-25T19:49:00.003-05:00

What if I started each day with these thoughts? How would my day be different? More intentional? (fill in the blanks and try a day yourself :) The fun part is no day has to be the same! Here are a few of my thoughts...

inspire my spirit with...fresh air and sunshine

energize my body by...(haven't started this one yet...hope to start jogging again!)

challenge my mind through...books! (for me!)

feed my craving for beauty with...nature (we saw a "hummingbird moth" this weekend)

bring peace and comfort to my home by...lighting candles....fresh flowers

take simple pleasure in...feeding the chickens and eating fresh eggs

remember my cheerful heart by...taking a moment for really look at my children playing together and giving thanks for that miracle.

and at the end of the day, I'll give thanks to God and
soothe any weariness with...hot shower and pj's (with socks of course!)

FINALLY Done, Urban Chicken and Vacation...

2008-08-25T16:36:00.007-05:00

Well, it's that time of year again and I've just ordered my home school books. Nothing new.
This is how I do it every year so I didn't expect to get anything ordered earlier even though every year I try. :) I never start before Labor Day anyway! I'm really wanting to stop stressing on how I think it "should" be done...and do things that I like and enjoy (and hopefully the kids will too) I've never really taught that way before. I'm usually frustrated a few months in because things aren't going as planned....books aren't getting done...and then we just coast the rest of the year without plans or goals. This year my goals are simple but there...and I'm going to watch God fill in my gaps...which I KNOW I'll have. He's the ultimate teacher.

This year we're trying something new....Sonlight Curriculum. I've known about it but never tried it so we'll see if it works for us. I definitely need something for multi-age teaching so I'm really hoping this is "it". The rest of our stuff is hodge podge...Abeka science, Explode the Code,we're trying Sequential Spelling this year...finishing up some left over grammar books, God's World News (current events) Really wanting to teach more geography this year with (I ordered THE best map! :) That means I'm SURE we'll use it-ha. We'll be doing Latin root words for fun (I love them personally and think they are SO helpful to learn...my only Classical Education plug)

Olivia is doing a writing class. She's actually in the middle of a story she started on her own about the underground railroad. She's been working on a few movies with friends too (for fun) That's what I call real learning!

Ellie started her first "real job" today. She's babysitting a 2 yr old boy for a lady that goes to our church. I really felt she needed something "her own" and a little time away...more responsibilty...etc...and this opportunity just came out of the blue (from God) She'll be watching him two afternoons a week (if school is getting done) She's going to start riding lessons again with a new girl we've met who also loves horses. God is in the small stuff too...I just need to look!

Here's the best chicken recipe I've ever had! I think I had it ready and in the oven in 10 min. flat (or less) That's what I call a winner :)

It's called Urban Garlic Chicken from the book Fix, Freeze, Feast.

2 whole chickens (8-10lbs each) yes....I actually THOUGHT I could get 2 meals out of this...wrong. The leftover would be fabulous I know!

1/4 c. olive oil

2 T. red wine vinegar

1 T. minced garlic (from a jar!)

1 T. dried thyme (didn't have so used sage instead)

2 tsp salt

1 tsp. pepper

2 carrots, peeled and cut in half (didn't have- so didn't use)

2 celery stalks, cut in half

1 onion peeled and cut in half

Rinse chicken under cool water (I just found out I'm suppose to do this!) Pat dry with paper towel (didn't do either....I told you this was quick! :) Just shake that bird hard over the sink-call it good.

Combine oil,vinegar, garlic, and spices in a small bowl. Place chicken breast side up in greased baking dish. Loosen skin on breast and legs and rub marinade over and under skin. Put celery, onion and carrots in the cavity. Roast at 325 for 1 1/2 hrs.

If you don't want to cook both chickens at once you can freeze EVERYTHING for later. Put the cut up onion, carrot and celery in a 1-qt freezer bag. Put the marinated rubbed chicken in a 1-gal. freezer bag...throw the veggie bag inside the chicken before freezing and it's altogether for your next meal. Completely thaw the chicken in refrig. before baking. How easy is that!

We are going on a "vacation" soon. (no...not to African like some of my blogging friends...I only wish!) but to Lake of the Ozarks. We tried this a few years ago and had a really good time. This year will be a little more interesting :) I know some of you other brave souls have gone on long vacations with your newly adopted children....so it can be done and you can come back somewhat sane, right???

My goals before we leave are to:

a) plan well for the trip (which was Dave's request of me!) Interesting if you know us, huh?

b) I really, really need to order and get printed TONS of pictures from our trip to Liberia and of the kids.

c) write and send (along with those lovely pictures that should be printed off) our adoption reports on each of the kids that are due now. I don't know why I think that is so overwhelming but I do...I just keep putting it off....and off....and off.

d) find someone to do our animal chores while we're gone

e) find a good friend to loan us their canoe, ski rope and tube....Donette? Steve? Anyone :)Kidding.

Summer is winding down as I notice the mornings and evening are getting pretty cool here in Iowa. Another season gone....reminds me how quickly the years are going by. I love what someone said about the days being sooooo long....yet the years go by so quickly!

When Adoption Was Just a Thought...

2008-08-08T12:16:00.004-05:00

(this was e-mailed to me from Dave this morning)

I just stumbled across this email. This was almost three years ago.

From: Teresa Cechota [mailto:redbarnusa@juno.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 12:39 PMTo: Dave CechotaSubject: wondering...

I know you don't have time to e-mail me know on this. But what are your thoughts on adoption? I do not know if it's something we should do or not...it's really not anything I've considered before. And I don't want to be doing it because "everyone" is doing it. But I've been thinking alot about doing things by FAITH...stepping out of our COMFORT zones...and I'm all for wanting to provide a child with love and security and tell them about Jesus. I would love to rescue a child out of poverty, disease, despair, hopelessness and death. I can hardly think about how many of them are living lives of prostitution, abuse and starvation. It about kills me. We have some much here to offer in our country that we so take for granted. Medical care..more food than they have seen in their life time...clothes...warmth.
Just think and pray about it.
I told Jenny I would love to have her out and invite some ladies from the baby sitting group and open it up to other who have been reading her e-mails but don't know her so they can see the movie they made. I don't want to make an emotional decision but it is one.
I e-mailed Jenny that all the kids in the MOMS group are going to start asking for a brother/sister from Liberia for Christmas! Maybe we just forgo Christmas and some other things and use that $ to give life to an older (I'm thinking 4 or over child)
I don't know when/why I even starting thinking about this...I guess after hearing Jenny talk about what the kids live like in Liberia and how passionate she is about helping them because she's been there...made me think how easy we have it here and how hard it is there....and isn't saving a life worth it?
me

Guess I needed to read this today as we just hit our 6 month mark of having the kids home!

Bummer.

2008-07-29T11:11:00.001-05:00

Living on a farm...chicken poo tracked in...a fluffy (but cute) little dog...various critters brought in....8 kids....and a broke vacuum.

Need I say more????

16 years and....memories

2008-07-26T21:19:00.004-05:00

My "farmer" and I celebrated 16 years of marriage yesterday. He enjoyed the day off putzing and driving his tractor "working". I had some sort of strange bug....I HAD to clean. (my mom is amazed right now :0)
I think I'm nesting for my friend, Sherrie, whose husband is bringing home their son, Enoch, from Liberia tomorrow. I have been cleaning things I never think about and I only do this when we were adopting...or I'm pregnant...and neither are happening! The light fixtures got cleaned...the cupboard with my baggies, Saran Wrap and general "stuff"...ceiling fans (some) woodwork...window sills and some of the fly speck stuff that has been on our ceiling for ??? how long. There is still tons of cleaning that I could do...but that feeling has now passed!
So....after that fun day--Sherrie and her kids came over so the "farmer" and I could go out for dinner. Had a very nice dinner...black fettucine with seafood...yummy salad and bread. I think the last time we were at that restaurant was exactly one year ago on our last anniversary!
This past year was pretty consuming with 5 kids....the long wait to bring home 3 more from Liberia. Now we're still "settling" into the business. Life goes on...busier but we're growing and changing and that's a good thing.

I posted a clip to Steven Curtis Chapman singing "our song" from our wedding day. My brother, Chad, actually sang it for us. I remember a train going by during our outdoor wedding (wouldn't recommend doing that in Iowa in July!) It had rained buckets the night before...and even though we were married at 11am it was super muggy and hot. It stayed dry during our wedding and reception and almost on the dot when it was over it started pouring rain again.
I had forgotten to pick up Dave's ring from the jewelry store before the wedding so had to send my brother on that quick errand before it started. Dave isn't wearing his ring in our wedding picture :0 What a day!

A few new pictures....

2008-07-08T22:21:00.003-05:00

Dreaming of Baseball

Tea time

Loosen up Dave!!!

Beads for the 4th

Summertime Shots

2008-07-08T21:59:00.004-05:00

Soccer lovin' boys
I hope those weren't Sharpies!!!
Our "fire cracker!"
Playing carpet ball at camp

July Update

2008-07-08T20:04:00.003-05:00

We just got back from spending 3 nights at a church camp with all 10 of us. Two days later and I'm finally "caught up" with laundry! Packing bedding/clothes/towels I really started wondering if it was worth it! The kids and I drove over with my friend and her 3 kids and the guys met us later that night. I wonder how I got roped into packing AND loading again this year??? :0

Marie and I went horseback riding one afternoon with friends. Most of the kids went on the zip line for the first time. Not sure they really knew what they were getting into :) Isaac whooped all the way down. Wish I had a picture of that!

Isaac and Caleb got "blobbed". Which means getting bounced insanely high off of a big huge water tramp thingy in a lake. Then there was swimming, campfires, singing, eating, and meetings we went to. We had a really good speaker this year....Warren Henderson. I'm reading one of his books called The Olive Plants...which is very good.

Last year there were 3 Liberian kiddos there...this year there were our 3 plus another friend's Liberian daughter. Next year I'm guessing there could be over a dozen if another family from CR comes!

This was the first time my grandma and most of my dad's side met our Liberian kids. We TRIED coming after the fried chicken dinner (we all ate beforehand) but how do you tell Liberians....or anyone...."no" to my grandma's fried chicken and mashed potatoes/gravy!!!
I think she was a little overwhelmed at the sight of all the kids playing kickball and chasing kittens in her front yard. In fact when we pulled out of her driveway in our "bus" and I had the kids all yell "good-bye"....my parents had to help her sit down!

We had my brother Chad (from Brazil) stay with us a few days during his yearly "winter" visit. He spent hours playing with the kids at the swimming pool. Another day he made paper airplanes for hours (I was about ready to pull my hair out :0) Good thing he's a teacher!
It was fun having him visit. The girls love the Brazilian flipflops and the boys got soccer outfits. I am enjoying my coffee--thanks Chad!

Streets of Cedar Rapids 6/08

2008-06-18T09:04:00.003-05:00

Pictures of the Flood

2008-06-18T08:57:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to post a few pictures someone sent us from downtown CR. Pray for all of those involved in clean-up and those who have to start over again. The damage is indescribable.

Family pictures

2008-06-16T22:33:00.002-05:00

Now we can ride in a car without fighting
Mom, dad, Luke, me and Chad
Nathan, Chelle with Lily, Luke and Tyler

View from the Sky

2008-06-16T22:25:00.002-05:00

Mt. Rainier in background...on a perfectly clear night.
Overlooking Seattle
Luke