The Ballard's blog

Finding Joy in the Chaos

2012-01-10T12:23:00.000-08:00

This year I really want to focus on being thankful and joyful. I want my children to see me happy more than stressed, happy more than angry, and if they see tears I want them to be tears of joy. Yes, I know being a christian we face trials but some of them we bring on ourselves. My problem is trying to be perfect. I am really trying this year to just LET Go and Let God take the wheel. These past few weeks I have been trying to get organized, we started a new diet, AND have been doing our taxes so it has been a bit crazy . I have to MAKE myself take time to read to my little ones or hold the 2 yr old. Just because she can walk and is pretty independent does not mean she does not want some mommy time. I want to stop and watch my children smile, I want to not only watch them dance around but to dance with them. These years pass by so fast and in these brief years I want to make them count. Not every day is chaotic but every day there is a part of the day that is and I can either decide to let that dictate how I feel that day or just pray and move through it and remember all the blessings God has given us and just find the joy in everything. IF I didn't have the fights to break up then that would mean I didn't have these precious children. IF I didn't have menus to plan or clothes to wash that would mean I would not have my precious family. So for anyone who reads this I also challenge you to find JOY in EVERYTHING. It makes a difference in the way your whole outlook on things are. I have really been working on this and hope by the end of this year I will be the wife and mother that I really want to be.

How selfishness sneaks in

2012-01-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

The other day was a super busy day for me . I had so much to do and everyone wanting me to do something for them. I got to thinking nobody every thanks me for anything I do, does anyone notice. I got kind of angry when I started thinking of my husband and all the credit he gets for his work he does( I know very bad thing but that is how sin creeps in). The devil was really working on me and for that few minutes I let him. And then I got to thinking about all the rewards that I do get and also what I was put on earth for. I am not put here for my pleasure but to be a soldier for the Lord. I am raising up arrows to be able to hopefully one day shoot out and be a light in this world, to be children who love the Lord so much and want to shout it from the roof tops. I was put here to be a wife, a HELPMEET to my husband. A helper, not someone who stands out and gets praised for what she does. My reward will be in heaven and my reward is that I do have a husband who loves me and takes care of me and our wonderful blessings from above. I quickly changed my attitude from anger to joy. Joy at all the Lord has given me. Who cares if nobody ever thanks me. But then later in a small voice I heard one of my little boys say thank you for reading to him. Wonderful words especially at that moment. YOu can NOT tell me God does not hear us and does not give us what we need at the very moments we need it.
This society is filled with such selfishness that I hear so many women say (including yours truly) that I just need my me time. Just on a christian radio station yesterday I heard the anouncer lady talking about how glad she is her children went back to school just so she could have some me time. That made me sad. We miss so much when we want our "me time". One of my resolutions for this year is to read to my children every day. I started it and you would not believe the difference in their behavior and how happy they are to have their mama for those few minutes. Time goes so fast we need to take time with those precious little ones the Lord has given to us. We are never promised tommorrow and never promised we will have those children another minute. I just really felt the need to address this because I just hear it more and more. Yes, it is harder to stay home with my kids than to send them off and have some time for myself but then I get to thinking about it and I think I disagree. It would be extremely hard for me to send the kids off now, I love them to be at home with me. I know what they are learning, seeing, hearing, and who is teaching it to them. NO life is not always easy but the Lord never promised us it would be easy. It was not easy for Jesus to take up that cross for us and die so that we may live. I also hope in this new year I will remember not to be selfish and not let the devil have anger to use against me, I want to replace it all with JOY!

The Blessing of Nursing

2011-12-09T19:43:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe our ninth child is already 6 weeks old today. We had many first this time around with him. Our first time having a homebirth, our first time not getting shots right away, and I think the biggest of it all our first time nursing!!!! At first I did not think I would be able to continue nursing. I write this post to encourage other moms who are even considering it. It has been a very beautiful yet trying experience but one I am so glad I have had the priviledge of knowing. IT is so nice to not have to worry about finding the right bottle that baby will like or changing formulas when it does not agree with him! While I support any moms decision on how she wants to feed her baby I now see why so many mom's are so supportive of nursing. It is so sweet to see my baby face when he is fully content from being full. While at first it was not easy and still makes me nervous having to think about doing it out in public even though I will definately have my nursing cover on I am so glad we decided to try it this time and fully see that it is what God intended! i am so in love with this newest bundle the Lord has blessed us with! And so very thankful he has blessed us in so many ways.

Vision Forum giveaway!!!!

2011-11-25T07:03:00.000-08:00

This is a awsome giveaway and visionforum.com is a great place to get christian books. I have purchased several encouraging books from there in the past few months. Do not miss this awsome giveaway, go here to check it out. http://www.generationcedar.com/main/2011/11/600-vision-forum-give-away.html

Jericho Isaiah is here!

2011-11-11T11:14:00.000-08:00

I am sure most of you know that our precious baby boy is here. He was born 10-28-11 at 10:57 weighing in at 7 pounds 10 ounces. He was born at home which was so peaceful and sweet! He looks like his daddy and is doing awsome. He is our ninth and the first one that I have breastfed. He took right to it and has done awsome. We have been so blessed with our children and I am realizing more and more how often I have took them for granted. First before I go any further I am going to post some pictures.
I think this has been the biggest adjustment for me in a while. NOt sure why baby number 9 would make any difference but he did and that is okay. God's grace is sufficient for all my needs. I have had to just rely on the Lord more and isn't that what it is all about anyway. Alot probably has to do with having 5 that are 4 and under, even sometimes my 8 yr old adds some hard times to it all, so maybe I should say 6 that are 8 and under. And then there are the pre-teen and teens I have in the house, that adds a WHOLE NEW LEVEL of difficulty as well. i would not trade it for the world though. I see all the negative comments about the Duggars and others with large families and I am saddened. The saddness is for many many reasons. The number one reason is the way our society looks at babies and children. another reason is people just do not realize what they are missing. Yes, it is hard work but having a large family teaches you so many things you might otherwise miss. IT always teaches your children many things. I see all the negative comments of how children in a large family have to raise their siblings. Man, I must of missed that memo and I am sure the Duggars would say the same thing. Yes, our children do have more responsibilities but in that they have also learned patience, unselfishness, love, and kindness. They have learned good work ethics and so much more. So what is so wrong with that. I have saw how their peers act and I am so glad we do not have to deal with that stuff. Don't get me wrong we do have to deal with things that come up like attitudes and things like that. Anyway, I am thankful to God for giving me each child he has. My grandmother came to see the baby today and the kids got excited and were running around the living room and I was just watching them and thought to myself most of them would not be here if I had not given everything over to the Lord. Man, what I would of missed. Each brings something into this family and hopefully one day bring blessings to our society. Even if they reach only one soul for Christ their time here on earth meant life for that one person!!! I hope my little arrows one day reach many souls! i hope to write more later but for now I have to do some laundry! Rejoice with us at the birth of our new blessing ,Jericho Isaiah

Yes, we are still alive

2011-10-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

Only 4 more weeks to my due date!! I cannot believe it. Before we know it we will welcome into this world our 9th child. Trully a blessing from the Lord. I cannot wait for Jericho to be here. IT has been busy around here and I have also had days where I have not felt well so I don't know if there will be much blogging till after he is here. We are doing well, just wanted to let everyone know and we are so thankful for all the Lord has blessed us with. Let me know if you have a prayer request and our family will definately pray for you.

Single digit countdown

2011-09-10T08:03:00.000-07:00

WE have 8 weeks or thereabouts before our new baby boy will arrive. So excited but just have some anxiety about some things. I am just gonna keep quoting to myself Phil.4:13~~~

Out of selfishness the blessings we might miss

2011-08-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about this a few days ago and even talked about it with the kids one night during bible study. We all too often want to take things in our hands and want to have control of everything. IT is just too hard to surrender our whole lives to the Lord right??? But if we did surrender our lives over to the Lord we will gain so much reward and blessings. NO, He did not promise us we would be free of trials and heartache but he did promise he would always be there with us.
"I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
I started thinking about how blessed we have been. My husband felt like he should quit his job about 4 years ago and work for himself so he would have time to be there for our family when he was needed. He really wanted to be at home more. What a blessing that was. He prayed and felt the Lord saying that was what he should do. HE quit and started his business off with his last little paycheck. The Lord has immensly blessed us with the business, we can pay our bills, provide what the kids need,etc... For so long we lived paycheck to paycheck and would bounce checks and never had enough money when he was working for someone else. Then shortly after that we totally gave our lives over to the Lord and that included our fertility. No, I will honestly say it was not a easy decision for either of us and still to this day is something we pray about. But the blessings we have gotten from giving our life over to him have been huge, we have had 3 more blessings with one on the way!! Our first blessing after that decision, Issac, just celebrated his 3rd birthday yesterday. I could not imagine my life without him or his 2 sisters that came after that. And we cannot wait to meet our new son in a couple of months. Last year the Lord blessed us with a house that would accomodate our family. And a couple of years before he blessed us with our 12 passenger van that we got a really good deal on. The van and the house pretty much just worked themselves out. God is good!!! The van we are quickly growing out of lol so we may need to start looking for a 15 passenger. Since also following the Lord my husband's health has gotten better, not to say he does not still have some things he battles but it is so much better. We have hit rough patches but we know the Lord is with us. I am so thankful for what the Lord has done in both our lives so that we may raise up godly men and women for Christ.Our marriage is strong and I am finally secure knowing my husband loves me. I strive to be a godly wife but many days I fail at the things I need to do. I continue to work on being the wife and mother God put me here to be. We also found a great church family that has the same beliefs as we do and am so amazed at the love and support there! I just hope we can reach people for Christ. I do not want to go through my daily life and never let others know what Christ can do for them and what HE DID DO for them. He will save you from the pits of hell, you can only be saved through Christ Jesus. NO other way. NOt by good deeds or "living right". Well guess I sort of got off on a different subject that I hope to write about later but I am so thankful for what Jesus has done in my life. God is soooooooo very good!

Great morning encouragement for women

2011-08-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

You can go back and listen to the ones you missed. Also the last two days will be put up soon. This mornings was exactly what I needed to hear.

http://www.morningmotivationdaily.blogspot.com/

My book

2011-07-30T18:29:00.000-07:00

My book is ready and ready for purchase. You can purchase one here
https://www.createspace.com/3562983

Very short book but it is really a long testimony of what the Lord has done in my life. A great book for a teenage daughter!

Forgetting to Enjoy Life

2011-07-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

The past few months I have felt like I have been walking in mud, I have been trying to rely on myself instead of relying on God. I have been just going through the days like a zombie just doing the things that needed to be done. But was I really? Was I forgetting to love on my little ones? Stop and take time with the Lord? Answer a older ones question? Love my husband? I am sad to say I was actually feeling self pity and feeling like the whole world was on my shoulders when in reality I have so many blessings!!!! I was letting the devil in!!! My how easy it happens and I did not really realize it till I was reading in the book I am reading on how to parent your teens and how easily the devil can take over their lives and they need to understand there is a predator out there just waiting for them. We have to have our guard up continually!!!! I am so glad that I realized what I was doing. I am trying to make sure I am being the wife,mother, and child of God I am suppose to be(not in that order). I want to do the will of the Lord and please him with the right kind of attitude. Life goes much more smoothly for me when I am not being selfish. I am so thankful for all the blessings in my life! I am so thankful to serve such a loving God and such a forgiving one. I am thankful I have such wonderful kids and such a wonderful husband that a lot of times overlook my imperfections.
I still have a lot of concerns in my life right now. I have twin teenage boys in the house, a almost teenage daughter, a emotional 8 yr old daughter, and 4 little ones 4 and under. I worry about the older ones hearts and where they are at. I worry about the little ones getting enough of me. And in all of this I worry that I am not being the wife to my wonderful husband because frankly some days I feel like there is nothing left of me. But I KNOW God's grace is sufficient for all our needs. We cannot do it alone and sometimes we just have to give it all to Him.

Help me win contest and in return you get to watch a awsome movie!!!!

2011-07-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

This is a movie that our preacher gave all the families in our church for Christmas! It is a awsome movie. Watch it and leave me a comment on what you think about it.
For some reason it is not posting the link for me right now so just copy and paste
http://www.dividedthemovie.com/tiffany-ballard

Canning fun

2011-07-06T16:44:00.001-07:00

Books I am reading right now

2011-06-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

The Christian Woman's Guide to Childbirth ( wonderful read, even after 8 kids this book has been very benficial to me since we are doing our first homebirth)

Age of Opportunity A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens by Paul David Tripp(great book about how we view parenting teens, must read if you have teens or soon to be teens)

Also going through the bible with the family during bible study each night. We are slowly going through Genesis, almost in Exodus.

Ramblings

2011-06-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

First I want to start out by saying I guess most everyone now knows baby #9 is a boy!!! We are overjoyed and so excited. Cannot wait to meet our newest blessing in a little over 4 months. :)
Next thing is this has really been weighing on my mind. Why do people when they see someone with many children assume they getting government help, help from family,etc...? Could the Lord not be supplying what the family needs? I know I have to remind myself that some of these people do not have faith and therefore cannot understand how we can just leave everything to the Lord and trust in Him but some of these are christians. I just cannot understand for the life of my how you can live as a christian and not take the whole bible for what it says. Am I saying that all families should be like ours or look like ours if they are following the Lord. Absolutely not!!!!! I just think we all too often are ready to judge without first knowing even what we are talking about. And why do women feel the need to be so hateful about women who stay at home, obey their husbands, and follow the LOrd? Are they jelous? Perhaps but mostly I think it is that they are lost. We live in such a fallen world and I am so saddened by it. When our society is flavoring our sodas with HEK which stands from Human Embroyic Kindeys(from aborted babies) something is very wrong. Christians have got to start standing up. How have you become so silent. I admit it is easier to just sit back and hang my mouth open in awe but there come a point where we just have to stand up for those around us and for our beliefs. I did not mean to go off so much on this but it is something that is really bothering me. Yes, we have 9 children . Yes, we know other families with that many or more. Do we struggle? Sometimes. Do other families with 1 or 2 struggle? Yes, sometimes but there is where faith comes in. The Lord has given these children to us and His grace is sufficient for all our needs. I love my husband and if you think I am oppressed because I stay at home and obey my husband then so be it but I love my oppressed life then. I know many women are dealing with the hurt from how society treats them. Please drop me a line and let me know how I can pray for you.
On a brighter note I finally got to go with Billy to Alabama to visit with the family he has been helping after the tornadoes. WE knew nothing of this family before the storm but are so thankful and blessed to know them now. God is good and just. I am so thankful for my life and so thankful for all the blessings God has given me. I only hope with these blessings I can give back to others. I watched a sermon somewhere that says if you are doing okay financially or are well off it is not for your benefit but for you to be able to go out and help others. And if we all did that what a change we could make. I truly believe that and I so that in this selfish society my family can start seeing other peoples needs and help them and not just go about our busy lives. I know sometimes it is easy to get caught up in ourselves and our lives but there are so many hurting out there. I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and reach out.

A new blessing

2011-06-01T17:40:00.000-07:00

i guess I really have not updated about this baby much, life is just so busy. WE are super excited to be expecting number 9 and we will be hopefully finding out what this little one is next Wendsday. I did not want to find out this time but Billy did so we are. I am super excited now to find out though. Baby seems to be doing well. I feel him/her every now and then, I love that feeling. Each baby is a total gift from God and I always long to see the face of our new blessing and wonder who they will look like. I love my children so much. NO, I do not always have sweet gushy feeling about my children but I do always remember what a blessing they are. And lately I have been trying my best to not take them for granted. Even when I am awake all night with our 8 month old or so it seems and am scared out of my mind because I am not sure how I am going to juggle another one I KNOW God is there and I KNOW God gave these beautiful children to me for a reason and they are all here for a reason. I find it hard to believe the excuses some women give for not having kids, most are quite selfish. NOw if that is your decision then that is your choice but I am sadden to know the things they will miss. NO, being a mother is not easy but it is the MOST REWARDING thing you will ever do. Far beyond that wonderful job, getting that fancy car or nice pair of earring. I am so glad that God gave me each and every one of my kids. I get so many comments when I am grocery shopping and many sadden me. IT is amazing to me how people view children these days. In this society we protect animals to the death but just throw away our babies, how insane is that!!!! I am not sure how I got off on this but I guess it just has been on my heart so much lately. Just know children are a gift and a heritage from the Lord. My only hope is that I raise up godly men and women for the Lord!!

DATE NIGHT AND BIG SAVINGS

2011-05-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

So my parents came and sat with the kids for a little while last night while Billy and I finally got to have some time together. It was really nice. We had a good supper and saved a ton of money!!! :)
We ate at Applebees and got a appetizer and two entrees with our drinks and paid $1 something because i had a $25 gift card from mypoints.com!!

Then we went shopping and scored some deals with coupons. Total for all that you see below we spend out of pocket was $43. We saved a ton of money. Just in formula here would of cost us like $200!!!! Then we go razors, Wisk, diapers, soap, and some pull ups wipes! So happy.

Then I got home and cashed in some of my reward points from pampers rewards and got two diapers.com gift certificates so I scored two packs of diapers for $2 something, which would of been $0 but shipping was $4.99 so my money didn't cover it all. AND I got a really nice razor coming.

So we were pretty happy when we went to bed last night. I am so thankful God has brought me to this point of learning how to really use coupons so we can turn around and take care of our family and be self sufficent. Thank you Jesus for taking care of our family!!!

YAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great savings day

2011-05-26T14:15:00.001-07:00

This morning I got TWO boxes of huggies wipes from Target.com for $12.72 shipped!!!!! I looked this morning while I was at Walmart and those same wipes at walmart cost $10!!!!! I am so happy because this is one item we go through alot of.

Then between WalMart and Ingles today I save over $100.00 with coupons. I got a lot of stockpile stuff like deoderant and body wash. I am so happy to be saving us so much money. I think we are gonna pay some bills off and just try to work on our stockpile. It is a bit time comsuming but so worth it for my family.

Don't miss the little things

2011-05-24T14:42:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many moms are like me but I get so caught in MY TO DO list that I forget to "stop and smell the roses" so to speak. I get so caught up in keeping a clean house, homeschooling, some days just getting by ;) that I forget to stop for a minute. Well today I decided to stop for a minute and WATCH AND ENJOY my kids. And you know what I really miss so much. NO, I won't stop cleaning(mainly because I am a little OCD about a clean house) but I am promising to stop and answer my kids questions, play with them a bit, stop and hug and kiss them to pieces, stop and just watch them. Amazing the sweet things they do for each other. LIke a certain young little boy giving up his most loved blankie so his younger brother would feel secure going to sleep or when this younger brother made his younger sister fall he turned around and helped her up and gave her a big kiss. Trust me I know how busy the day can get but don't forget to "stop and smell the roses" and witness and take in all of God's goodness he has for us. :)

Being a christian does not always mean happiness

2011-05-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

When many talk about being christians they talk about the joy they get from it. But I think we need to remember that life will NOT always be all happiness and free from sorrow. Don't get me wrong being a christian and being in love with Jesus is very joyful and sometimes so joyous it is overwhelming. But as christians sometime we will have to experience sorrow but in those times we can also find joy, we can also see God in it. I often wonder how non believers make it through life changing things, how in the world do they cope without that hope and knowledge that you are not along. That one day we will be free from sorrow and in a place where there is no pain. After all this with the destruction in Alabama, a dear christian friend dealing with the heartache of being pregnant with a child they know will not survive and is not normal like the rest of her children, after a aquantance suffering a miscarriage, and on and on I am reminded that God did NOT promise us life would be easy. But He DID promise He would be with us, carry us. In Matthew 11:28-30 it says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I have been amazed at the faith of these people I have seen go through heartbreaking tragedy. I know in all of this they will have a testimony that lives will be saved and people will be changed. Their suffering is NOT for nothing. And all they go through they do because we DO live in such a fallen world. My prayer is for everyone who reads this to remember why we are here. WE are all too often selfish(me included) and do not give God the time we should each day. He should aquire glory and honor in every part of our lives.No matter what happens in our lives God is God! He doesn't change. I want to leave you with this also: Remember love like you never loved before because you never know when this day will be your last.

Coupon Walmart trip!!!!

2011-05-07T17:51:00.001-07:00

Guess how much I paid of this stuff!!!! I know the most avid couponer can do a lot better but I am pretty proud and needless to say my kids were too. I paid $.20, nope that is no typo. I paid 20 cents. God is sooooo good!!! :) After ringing up my coupons the girl that was checking out just stared at me. IT was soooo funny. So yep the best thing of all is it had 3 things of formula.

Helping Families in Alabama

2011-05-02T11:05:00.001-07:00

Recently my husband and other young men and boys from our church went to Alabama to help some families clean up and he said it was very life changing. He said pictures and video just do not do it justice. I am so glad we were spared from all of that and very very thankful. Made me realize just how much I do take for granted. I will post some pictures from their trip but here is a link where you can help these families, please pass this link on. God bless each and every one of you that reads this and if you or your family was affected by the tornado please let us know.
http://www.bradrick.org/helpalfamilies/

Animals taking over

2011-04-19T15:46:00.000-07:00

LOL!!!! Well when we first moved into our new home almost a year ago we brought with us a dog,Jake and our laying hens(we had maybe 15 or so). Now we have those PLUS the older boys and dh brought home a puppy the other day, we just got a beta fish, we have like 15 more chickens, 3 hogs, and 2 ducks. NOW they are talking about getting a cow. WOW I always wanted to be like LIttle House on the Prairie but not sure how much lol. We are expecting our 9th child as well so as you can imagine we have a busy busy house. :) Wouldn't have it any other way. Oh and I also babysit a awsome littleboy a few days a week.

Busy

2011-04-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

We have super busy lately. As I posted before we are expecting number 9. Went to my first midwife appt. Wendsday. My due date is NOv. 8th. Saw baby on ultrasound and everything looked good. Baby had good heartbeat and was moving all around. But we got some news about our hospital. They do not do VBACS anymore. I delivered at this hospital only 6 1/2 months ago and had my 6th VBAC! But they will not do them anymore. So...... my options are find another hospital and another doctor/midwife(and we loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the midwife we use) or homebirth. And really there are not very many hospitals around here anymore that are VBAC friendly which just blows my mind since the new research out now is that it is safer to VBAC than to just do another c section. So... we have this decision to make. I did try to talk my husband into homebirthing last time but he was totally against it but left with the choice like this this is what we are leaning towards. NOw that it is a possiblity I am feeled with so many emotions about it and am very nervous. Hopefully after getting some questions answered I will feel better.
My sister delivered a healthy baby girl MOnday of this week. We were so happy to welcome her into the world. She has 3 boys who are great but it is nice to finally have a niece.
I have so much I want to do in homeschooling the kids but it seems I never get to it. I just get the must do stuff done. Maybe we can do them soon but I dunno. Things just are so busy around here but maybe they will be a bit calmer the next couple of weeks.
Thinking about the busy times of my life though alot of it has to do with my children and I am so thankful I have each and every one and that God gave them to me. We are very excited to welcome this new one into our family. While we are sort of pushing for a boy with God , another girl would be just as good! :) A healthy baby is what we want.
I am so glad to finally say also that I think we have finally found a church home. It really feels like home and we get so much love and encouragement from everyone there. Life is never easy but I do believe God sends people into our lives to help us endure those trying times and I am so thankful for that. Well I think I better go, baby is ready to have some mommy time.

Announcement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-03-03T15:30:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would share we are expecting number 9!!!! :) God is good and He has blessed us so much.

Writing a book!!!

2011-02-17T13:37:00.000-08:00

In the process of writing and publishing a book, cannot wait to have it finished. I thought I was ready for it to be published but have some work to do on it. Cannot wait till it is done. It is a testimony of my life. God is good and I so want to shout it from the roof tops. I was such a wretch and he turned my life into something so beautiful!

Not much to blog about

2011-02-08T11:10:00.001-08:00

Haven't really blogged lately because really haven't had anything that has came to me that I wanted to blog about. We are doing well just busy. But busy is good. God didn't place us here to do nothing all day. My busy is busy being a mama and wife so I am happy with that. I am reading Large Family Logistics: The Art and Science of Managing the Large Family. It has been pretty good so far and has reminded me of things like teaching good work ethic is so vitally important in raising kids. Not to be demanding but to make them mind and do their work to the best of their ability. I am also writing a book and hope to get it published soon. Just about my life and all I have went through to be the person I am today. Who am I today? Well first and foremost I am a woman who loves Jesus!! I am a wife and a mother. What more can I say.
Just wanted to let everyone know I am still alive and well. The Lord has graciously kept us well lately with all the other sickness floating around us. Thanks be to God for that!

Monthly Menu Plan

2011-02-01T11:01:00.000-08:00

Here is our monthly menu plan . I just put our main meal and for supper I just add fruits, vegetables and sometimes some sort of bread like yeast rolls or bisquits. Lunch we will have stuff like fruit , crackers, sometimes chips. those sorts of things. Sundays we eat every sunday after church with our church family so we bring something each sunday. Haven't figured those meals out yet.

1st-lunch-ramen noodles supper-country fried steak with gravy
2nd-lunch-pizza supper-veggietable soup
3rd-lunch-sandwhiches supper-spaghetti
4th-lunch-hot dogs supper-salad with grilled chicken in it with yeast rolls
5th-lunch-tortillas supper-roast
6th-church lunch-? supper-Hamburgers
7th-lunch-tuna sandwhiches supper-tenderloin on rolls with bbq sauce
8th-lunch-chicken nuggets supper-chicken, cheese, and rice
9th-lunch-spaghetti o's supper-deer cubed steak
10th-lunch-sandwhiches supper-deer roast with carrots and potatoes
11th-lunch-eat out supper-potato soup with cheese sandwhiches
12th-lunch-chicken strips supper-taco's
13th-church lunch-? supper-pork chops
14th-lunch-chicken salad sandwhiches supper-fish supper with grilled salmon,hushpuppies and rolls. maybe a salad
15th-lunch-ravioli supper-Ham,green beans,corn,?
16th-lunch-sandwhiches supper-homemade pizzas
17th- lunch-pizza rolls supper-steak with yeast rolls
18th-lunch-chicken nuggets supper-tator tot casserole
19th-lunch-sandwhiches or bbq supper-a big breakfast
20th-church lunch ? supper-veggietable soup
21st-lunch-subs supper-homemade chicken noodle soup
22nd-lunch-pizza supper fried chicken
23rd-lunch-spaghetti o's supper-stir fry with chicken and veggies
24th- lunch-corn dogs supper-BBQ chicken
25th-lunch-eat out supper-roast
26th- lunch-burritoes supper-ribs,salad,rolls
27th-church lunch? supper-subs
28th-lunch-chicken strips supper-tenderloin

I make our own breads for the most part and homemade soups and such. hoping to post recipe's soon!! Hoping to also post our daily schedule we follow.

Not much blogging lately

2011-01-25T13:20:00.001-08:00

I just have not had much time lately but I am hoping to get up our daily schedule soon and Febuary's menu plan.

My Testimony

2011-01-20T11:30:00.001-08:00

I grew up in a christian home all my life. My mother and father were together, I never had to suffer through the divorce of my parents or anything like that. I had a great childhood, one I am so thankful for. I went to church every Sunday with my parents and most Wendsdays. I knew Jesus died on the cross for my sins, I knew the stories you always hear in church like David and Goliath and Jonah and the Whale. I accepted the Lord in my life when I was young , probably 7 or 8. A wonderful preacher and family friend, Vel Hightower baptized me. Was I ready? Now looking back probably not.
When I hit the sixth grade I started hanging around the wrong crowd of people. The spiral started then but it went slowly. By the eighth grade I was so far away from the Lord. I started dating (being boyfriend/girlfriend) with the definate wrong guy. My parents were strict and we were not allowed to be alone but we found ways. I was sneaky and defiant. By the eighth grade I was drinking and having sex. I am so ashamed of my past but I know God has washed all those sins away. By the time I was 16 I became pregnant. Growing up like I did I thought the only thing right to do was to get married. I ended up having twin sons and being married to a very cruel person. He was never faithful and very abusive. I ended up getting pregnant again at the age of 18 while on birth control. At this point I cried out to the Lord and asked why!! Why did you allow me to go through this life. Was I being punished for my sins? After this point in my life and with the birth of my daughter , my third child I decided divorce was my only option since my husband was living with someone else and his abuse was only worse. He didn't want me which was very hard for me because I was at the point I was at because I had been searching for someone to love me. I could not understand why since I grew up in such a wonderful home I needed to feel loved, that I needed to belong. I know NOW that I was trying to fill a void that only the Lord could fill. I continued going back and forth with my ex putting my poor precious children through so much! I KNOW the Lord was with us during all of this time because I was not living a good life at all. One episode of abuse got so bad that I just knew it was the end of my life. After that was a turning point for me, not really in a good way but the point where I said I did not want to be controlled by this guy anymore and that if he killed me it was better than letting him live my life for me. So, I started partying very hard, leaving my precious children for my parents to take care of. Which so breaks my heart. Having said that I met my now husband on Febuary 10th, 2001. My life would never be the same after that.
The Lord has done so much in my life since that day of meeting my husband. For years I did not live exactly right after we got married. After suffering a miscarriage in 2001 I knew I had to change my life , we would go through spells of doing good but then I also hung around the wrong people still and was not strong in my faith. After the birth of our daughter together in 2003 my husband started a small change as well as I did. With the adoption of my 3 older children by my husband caused a bigger change in my life because I prayed so hard for it to happen without any incident and it did. But the biggest change came for me when I joined a online board called Christian Moms of Many Blessings. Amazing what God uses to wake us up. I also know my sister, brother in law, and parents had prayed so hard for me. I started talking to my husband about leaving everything to the Lord in 2007 and he was still unsure and still wrestling with somethings. But I remember not the exact date but in the year 2007 I truly gave my life to the Lord. I said okay Lord whatever you want me to do , I will. Just let me know. I asked him to please forgive me for all the wrong I had done. I started reading books, the bible, and talking with christian ladies. When my husband came back from a mens retreat with my brother in law was the total turning point in our marriage. He had always been a wonderful father and husband but he then tried so hard to be a godly husband and also said we should follow the Lord in all things.
From that year on I have done so much growing. I am still a sinner but God's grace is sufficent. I am trying to do what the Lord wants me to do. I can finally say the void in me is filled, not with people or things but only the Lord could fill that void. I am so blessed by the prayers that many said for me. I am amazed the more I grow in the Lord the more I see He was with me all those years during my suffering and I know it was not in vain but it was for a reason. To draw me to him and for me to be the person I am today. Thank you Jesus for that. The Lord has blessed me with a godly husband and so far 8 beautiful blessings. I only hope I can teach them and train them in the Lord so when they grow older they will not depart from the Truth. I only hope when I make it to heaven I hear my Savior say Well done my child.

Sickies

2010-12-31T15:57:00.001-08:00

No blogging lately, all 4 of my littlest ones have been sick. I was so tired when I woke up this morning I probably could not of even told you my name lol. They are so whinny is the thing, but I am so blessed to be their mother. that takes alot of people by surprise, one minute me talking about how hard it has been and the next talking about how blessed I am . Well you read it right. I am blessed to have little noses to wipe, little heads to rub, little ones who need extra love when they have such a high temp they cannot even keep their eyes open. My poor two littlest one have bad double ear infections. But i am blessed that God gave them to ME. I am so inadequate but yet he gave them to me!!! And for that I am trully grateful. After have 8 kids I realize how fast time goes by and how fast they grow. And I know all too soon that I will not have any more little noses to wipe. HOw sad that will be. But we all go through seasons and this is my season right now. And I have been told it will go by all too quickly.

The best gifts this Christmas

2010-12-23T07:39:00.001-08:00

cannot be bought !!! For me the best gifts I have been given is my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for His birth, I am celebrating not only his birth this Christmas but WHY He came!!! He came so that I may be redeemed. I am so thankful HE saved me. I am thankful he blessed me with Billy and 8 beautiful children. What more can I ask for this Christmas? God is soooooooooooooo very good! He is good ALL the time!

Christmas is almost here!!!

2010-12-20T14:46:00.000-08:00

My family and I already had one get together yesterday. For that side of the family the past few years we have just gotten together, ate together and spent time together. No opening presents and it was wonderful! We had a great time together and just enjoyed each other. It is so relaxing and so much less stressful. I think that is alot of what christmas is suppose to be! We are pretty much done with Christmas shopping thank goodness ,just got to get my grandma a gift card. Hubby has almost finished the swing set for the young kids. i want to wish you all if I do not post again a Very Merry Christmas and please do not forget what this holiday is all about and what life would be if we did not have this holiday. Really think about how a baby was born so he could save us all!!! How glorious is that!

God shows us daily how good he is

2010-12-05T10:20:00.000-08:00

I have been super busy so therefore not posting much to my blog. We had thanksgiving and then of course getting started on the shopping for Christmas. I have started to try and be done before Christmas so I can actually enjoy Christmas. This year I am pretty near done already so that is nice. Dh is builing our younger kids this big swingset for their Christmas present and then we just got them like one or two things to open. I will have to post pics when it is done , it is looking so good. Then my sweet sister who is expecting had to go in for surgery to have her thyroid removed because a fairly large growth was found. Praise the Lord it was benign. We are so thankful for that and so many people were praying. Just goes to show the power in prayer. She is recovering and hopefully recovery will not be long. I am really just trying to focus on the Lord and all he trully does for us. We just overlook it so many times but when there is a need or worry where do we run. I really want the kids to learn to think of God always , not just in our times of need. Well guess this post is gonna be cut short, i hear a little one crying. more to come later- hopefully

I am so blessed

2010-11-29T12:43:00.000-08:00

This year I had so much to be thankful for during Thanksgiving it is so overwhelming. How precious is our Lord!!!!! I am really trying to keep the children's focus on where it should be for Christmas. Thank you Lord for sending your one and only son to save a wretch like me!

Being content

2010-11-17T10:10:00.001-08:00

I am so content with what I have. I am so excited to be growing closer and closer to Jesus. Have you ever stopped and noticed when you are closer to the Lord things around you are so much brighter and when you are further from him everything seems cloudy. I am much more relaxed about things. Like yesterday I was trying to get to a doctor appt and was running late but I just turned up my Christian music and sang as loud as I could(since nobody was in the car with me :) ) Also gave me time to notice how beautiful the trees still are.
At night we always try to have a bible study with the kids. Lately after we do our study we sing. I bought some hymn books from christian book distributors and we sing out of those. It is so sweet to hear the kids sing, especially our teenage boys. We always end with Jesus Loves ME cause the little ones just love to dance and sing to that. Isn't that how we are suppose to be as adults as well? Just care free, loving Jesus so much that we want to dance and sing. :) Be the way if anyone has a good family bible study let me know, we are almost done with what we are doing.
Thought I would share some pics of the family since I have not done that in a while.

God is always there even if He is sometimes quite

2010-11-12T09:26:00.001-08:00

I think I have used this line alot of times with others but I think sometimes forget to tell myself that. I am having a sort of down day today for many reasons and just want to sleep but know this is not possible. I mean God put me here for a reason, and gave me the gift of children, a husband, and a house to take care of. I think sometimes I need to tell myself yes He is there and has not left my side. How wonderful that is to know, isn't it. I so love the Lord and day by day I am trying to grow more in His word. I am no where near where I want to be but closer than I was years ago. There are many things in life that are not fair, things we do not understand. Trials we do not understand why we have to go through but faith is what keeps us going. I have no idea how people who do not believe in the Lord and have Him to lean on make it. Without the Lord somedays I think I would go crazy. And I know what going crazy is, I was there years ago. :) So, if you are having a bad day, week, or even a bad month just call out to the Lord. He is there and loves you and wants you to tell him all your problems. We should praise God not only in the good times but in the bad. And I praise Him that he brought me out of so much in my life to the life I have right now. I am so trully blessed!!! Life is not always easy, God never promised us it would be. IT is easy to praise him when things are going exactly the way we want them to but it is when things get a bit hard when praising him is important.

Loving my life

2010-11-03T12:28:00.000-07:00

God has so richly blessed me and I am so undeserving. I am really trying to focus on Him more and give the Lord more time. I know it is still not enough but I try to get in some each day. I really would like to start in the mornings and have a bible study but I am so tired and do not get up before everyone due to the baby not sleeping very well yet. I do want to be a light to others in this very dark world though and there are so many things I need to work on. But I just love the life God gave me, no it is not always easy and somedays it is full of stress but I could not ask for more. Yes, I know I am rambling . All day long thoughts in my head are like this as well, lol.
I am so excited for my oldest daughter as we found someone to teach her to sew. The girl is from our church and super sweet. I only wished I learned to sew when I was younger.
I cannot believe it is already almost time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am trying to remember what they are both all about and trying to teach my kids the same thing. I am hoping to have stress free holidays this year. We are doing a Thanksgiving get together at our house with one side of our family since God has blessed us with a good size house. (Which I also believe was given to us for a reason besides just because we have so many kids, just not exactly 100% sure of that reason yet).
I just really love my life and am so thankful for all the Lord has blessed us with .My husband has already killed 4 deer this year and one of our twins killed his first deer also. All that deer meat will surely help with groceries :) . God is soooooooo good!!!

We as christian parents have to stand up

2010-10-24T06:40:00.000-07:00

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." - Ephesians 5:1, 8-11

I know many christian parents were brought up to trick or treat and therefore take their kids but have you ever really studied the origins of Halloween. IT is really evil and demonic and we as christians have to stand up and take a stand against evil. I know I know I used to think these things were harmless too but I was so wrong. Even some churches see it as harmless but see that is how the devil's lies creep in slowly to our society. Here is a great Christian Perspective of Halloween and how it all got started and what it all means even down to apple bobbing.

http://www.montney.com/inspire/halloween.htm

no time to really blog

2010-10-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

With having 4 kids 3 and under there is not much time for extra things. I am usually busy doing laundry, changing diapers, feeding someone, etc.... But that is okay. That is the season I am in right now and I know it will pass all too fast. ON top of that on the way to church Sunday our 3 yr old started throwing up and now our 7 yr old is sick and throwing up. We are just praying super hard the baby does not get it. She is only 3 weeks, which I really cannot believe that either. Where does the time go.
Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know I am alive, just super busy.

Blessing #8 is here

2010-10-10T18:45:00.001-07:00

My computer crashed so I have not been able to get on. Elizabeth Grace made her arrival September 27th at 7:26 pm weighing in a whole 6 pounds 5 ounces and was 19 inches long. I will share birth story hopefully soon. As you can imagine it is a bit busy around here.

16 days

2010-09-14T06:28:00.000-07:00

till blessing number 8's due date!!!

Almost time for blessing #8 to make her arrival!!!!!!

2010-09-06T11:25:00.001-07:00

Things have been so crazy around here and it is almost d day-delivery day. :) We still have some appts to get through this week and Annie's birthday party Saturday. I finally packed most of my bag and got most everything we will need for baby. This last part is always so rough and I think with the more I have the harder it gets but it could be because I have more to take care of.
I just want to say God has blessed us so much, with a wonderful house that I absoulutely could not of built better and we have found a wonderful church. this is a church I just never thought still existed this day and time. It is so wonderful and such a encouragement. God has trully blessed my husband's business and for that I am so very grateful. We have healthy kids and a good marriage. What in the world more can a woman ask for. NOthing.... I know to many my life does not seem so wonderful. I do not get time for myself, I do not get out much, I do not have many " friends", Most of time is wrapped up in my family but isn't that why we were put here. To raise our families as arrows for the Lord. NOt all this stuff that when we are gone will just fade away. I still have so much to learn and work on in my christian walk but I hope I am getting closer to being the mother, wife, and child of God that I strive to be.
So even though I am tired as all get out and in pain from being almost 37 weeks pregnant God has trully blessed me and I do see it. And I hope when delivery day comes and when labor hits that I can just focus on all this. :)

busy times

2010-08-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

It is so busy around here but I guess you could call it a good busy. We are getting ready for the arrival of our 8th child. Having our sons 2nd birthday party this weekend and then our baby girls birthday party in two weeks. I cannot believe she will be 1!!!!!!!!!!! My where in the world does the time go. IT is flurry of activity around here right now. The older boys are working with a family in our church, hubby has been busy with work and my oldest daughter have been super busy with the little ones and trying to keep house. On top of this I have been trying to fit school in here and there and everywhere I can fit it in. :) God is good though and he will give me the strength to make it through. Really it is a good busy, rather be raising a family for the Lord than anything else. How about you?

Having Your Children's Heart

2010-08-18T05:46:00.000-07:00

We are really struggling with one of our children right now. I wonder sometimes if the things we do or say to our kids really really make a difference. We try to do it right, although we ARE human and mess up time to time but we are really having a hard time with one of our children. THEN yesterday the child that has been such a blessing to me with so many little ones did something that was very upsetting. So then you stop and think are any of your children's heart in the right place. To have them live right you have to have their hearts. So... that is what I am really going to be working on until the baby comes. I KNOW that one day HOPEFULLY the way we are trying to raise them will show through. Oh how I pray it does anyway but until them I will just have to work on getting their hearts and therefore hopefully in turn them having a heart for God. Do you have your children's hearts? Is it something you strive for. I know in this society alot of times parents just want to be friends with their kids. TO not make them mad, to not have conflict but in the end does that benefit your child? It is easier to just let them go about their business than to do on them constantly. It is very time consuming but for ME it will be worth it in the end.

And the winner is...............

2010-08-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

Drumroll please..............................

Caroline!!!!!!!! Congrats to her and thanks to all who entered. Add me to your blogroll as I do giveaways here and there.

Giveaway has ended

2010-08-14T08:57:00.001-07:00

Will be listing winner soon!!!!!!!!

Don't forget giveaway ends............

2010-08-13T18:14:00.001-07:00

Tommorrow!!!!!!!!!

Any tips on keeping hardwood floors clean

2010-08-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

Seems I clean my floors constantly and they always look dirty. May be because of so many little fit, I have tried to ask everyone around here to wear socks because I think that will help but nobody really has and it has been so hot who would blame them. Any tips??? Also any tips on putting the shine back on. In my kitchen in some spots the shine is gone. Any help would be appreciated.

So much going on

2010-08-09T14:46:00.001-07:00

This season of my life is so crazy busy but I do not want it to fly by because I know I will miss it at some part in my life. I know life is all about seasons and this one I am in is a bit chaotic. There is something always on the calendar to do and add homeschooling, 7 kids, everyday household chores, and being pregnant it can feel so out of control. But I have to remember that God has everything in control so therefore if I lean on Him I will also. Baby will be here next month, I just cannot believe that!!! I have a good bit to do before she gets here so I better get started and we have 2 birthdays to celebrate before she makes her arrival. Alot of appts. and I would like to get in a good deal of schooling. I just have to remind myself with God all things are possible.
So for those that are starting back homeschooling how are things going. We school mostly year around for many reasons so it is not a big thing to us with school starting back but I know sometimes it is hard to get back into the swing of things. So how is everyone doing??? Would so love to hear.

Giveaway time!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seventh Generation :)

2010-08-06T05:47:00.000-07:00

Well most of you know I love Seventh Generation cleaners, and to get to use them without buying them is super exciting for me. Amazing what us mommies get excited over , isn't it lol. I was sent a Back to School Seventh Generation pack by MyBlogSpark. It included brown paper towels, 2 things of disinfectant wipes, cleaners, pull sack that is super nice, and a box of tissues. I am giving one of these exact kits away courtesy of MyBlogSpark. What you need to do to win you ask....here's how. You have multiply ways to enter each counts as 1 entry. Giveaway ends August 14th.

1.Tell me if you homeschool or if you send your public school and what the reason is why you chose that path.
2. Blog about this giveaway , don't forget to leave me your blog address so it can be counted.
3. Lastly by referrals. IF you refer someone here and they leave me a message telling me they were referred by you then that will count once for each referral. :)

Simple enough right!!! And plenty of chances to get many entrys.
**All the products, information and giveaway prize pack were all provided by Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.

Video on the History of Germs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8EkNJgc0nY

**All the products, information and giveaway prize pack were all provided by Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.

Giveaway coming very soon!!!!!!!!!!!! seventh generation

2010-08-03T19:17:00.001-07:00

Just a heads up I will be doing another giveaway very soon so stay tuned! :)

this and that

2010-07-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

I hardly ever have just a topic to talk about because I always have a thousand things going on in my mind. LOL
first I want to say in a month or less I may have a new giveaway so be watching out for that. :)
Next I wanted to ask anyone who reads this to leave me a comment of your fave receipe to cook for your family. It can be anything and even be a dessert. I am trying to gather some new things to cook instead of the same old boring stuff. So far this week we will have a little different things to eat so I am happy about that. So if everyone could just leave your receipe!!:) Thanks. Plus I am hoping to do some casserole cooking and that kind of stuff before baby gets here so I will have some food in the freezer that will be fast but good and not processed.
I am starting to take inventory of what I need for baby . I guess I had better seeing I am over 30 weeks now. Not much longer now. This pregnancy has flown by!!!!!!!!!!! I have felt pretty good so far but am getting to the not so comfortable stage.
Things have been a bit crazy around here but I have just been trying to take things a day at a time. That is what God wants us to do so that is what I am trying to do. Our new church has been such a blessing to me in so many ways. I look forward to really getting to know everyone there better. God is good and He has shown my husband and I so many things lately. He really does provide far beyound our needs and so much more. Thank you God for this. Also if anyone has a prayer request I would sure love to pray for you. I pray everyone that comes across my blog will see how much God has done for my family and I. I have been through so much but God has always been with me. He has blessed me immensly. So whatever trials I face daily sometimes I just have to step back and look at the big picture and see if it really is as big as it seems. And I have tell myself frequently nothing is bigger than God.
John 8:28 I do nothing on my own!

update

2010-07-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

I have been so super busy that is why no blog post. the kids have been sick for over 2 weeks now and things have been crazy around here. I think it may be getting better so hopefully that part will slow down. We have a appt today for one of the kids, lovely braces appt. I will be glad when she gets them off.
I had my midwife appt yesterday. I am almost 30 weeks , my where did the time go!!!! Number 8 will be here soon. I am so excited to have another blessing and another little girl. Our 3 year old is super excited, he ask daily have I got the baby out of my belly yet lol!! So cute!! He loves his little sister so much now that I have no doubt he will be a big help with this baby.
Still been trying to do some school here and there although with so much going on it has been hard. Well the kids are waiting on me, I have a couple of errands to run. talk to you all later and hopefully can make a meaningful blog post sometime.

question-

2010-07-13T06:13:00.001-07:00

Does anyone know how to block someone from your blog?

i am back!

2010-07-02T11:16:00.000-07:00

Someone tried to hack my blogger account so they shut it down or that is what they said I guess. But I am super glad to be back and I hope nothing was compromised. Pray nobody got any of my information or anything. I couldn't use my gmail account or my blog. I just wanted everyone to know I am back though.

Busy times and turning 30

2010-06-28T06:14:00.000-07:00

EEK!!! As I wrote that it left a bad taste in my mouth . But it shouldn't. I just wonder where the time went. Seems like I am only suppose to be like 21. But the Lord has blessed me so much in my 30 years, beyond what I deserve. I have been through so many trials in my 30 years but things could of been alot worse!!! I have 7 beautiful kids(and one on the way) and a wonderful husband who is such a great provider, husband, friend, father,etc.... But 30, there is no way I am turning 30 today. Oh well I will take it in stride and just look at the blessings I have.
We have been so super busy lately it is crazy. This week Friday we had friends over which was nice. Friday night one of my nephew's had a birthday party. Saturday my 3 yr old son had a birthday party to go to , I had to make a grocery shopping trip, and we watched fireworks that night. Sunday we do church most of the day with church, then eating and fellowshiping afterwards. Then bible study together at night. We had several appts last week as well. Busy, busy times. Before we know it baby number 8 will be here. This pregnancy is zooming by!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well just wanted to let everyone know where I have been. I am gonna run and do school with the kiddos, just gonna touch on some math today and work with the little ones on some things. HAVE a blessed day.

Wonderful vacation

2010-06-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

In some ways I still feel like I am on vacation being in our new house. I am still in shock of having such a nice place that God has provided us. Everything from buying a house, to the blessing of our children, to being able to go on vacation is all by the grace of God. God is so good to us. OUr vacation was wonderful and we had a great time with my parents. Being 6 months pregnant didn't really bother me either! I am so thankful my kids get those time with my parents like that because those are things they will remember when they get older. I still remember camping and mountain trips with my grandparents!! I sat back watching the kids while they were playing on the sand at the beach and was awe struck with how much God has blessed me with. Our vacation was much needed. Then yesterday we had a awsome time at our new church. We had a women's meeting afterwards and it was really nice for me and my husband loves how they have men's bible study each week. It is exactly what we have been looking for!! Vacation has come and gone though and the daily grind is back. We did not do school today(we school year around for MANY reasons) because the boys are working. They are actually working, not with their daddy today but he dropped them off for them to work for one of hubby's customers. They are growing so fast!!! I am so thankful they can experience what true hard work means so they can provide for their family when they get older. And boy is it hot so I know it is extra hard work! Then my beautiful oldest daugther is really learning how to take care of a household. she is growing so fast as well.
i did want to talk a bit about how thankful I am that some of things I have been teaching the kids have sunk in and how sad I am that some parents just do not understand the teen years are soooooooooo important and teens need to be guarded just like younger children. When we were on vacation I could not believe the very young girls and how they were dressed. Then the last night after the little ones went to sleep my parents stayed with them so we could take the older ones swimming by themselves. Billy and I just sat in chairs and watched them which was really nice as well but the boys came to us and said two girls were flirting with them which is not a huge shock but then they told us they asked the boys to kiss them. the girls were also dressed in hardly anything, so skimpy of a bikini. what in the world are parents thinking. Society today just saddens me and then we wonder why we lose our children to the flesh. We allow it to happen because too many parents are trying to be their children's best friend. And then for those girls to be around by themselves is also so awful. They moved on after following the boys around awhile after deciding the boys were not going to have anything to do with them plus they figured out where ever the boys went we went . They moved on to a young teen who was smoking. It was very sad to see. Parents have GOT to start stepping up. I am so proud of our boys for coming to us about it.
So anyway, we did have a awsome vacation. We took all the kids to REd Lobster which they had never been to. The girls performed with Ta Dah at Broadway at the Beach. We just had a good time!!! Did I mention I love the beach :)

Just got back

2010-06-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

from a wonderful vacation with my family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! More to come later but I just have to say I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the beach. Not so much the immorality but more on that later.

God is sooooo good!

2010-06-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

I have just had that going through my head all day long. Even though I am having a terrible time with my back and vericose veins. I just look around at this beautiful house that the Lord has provided us with and it is just amazing. It is amazing how he has blessed my husband's business and then blessed us with 7 going on 8 beautiful kids!! I have had some rough times in my life before I met my husband but alot of that was from decisions I had made but I have NO DOUBT God was with me through all of that and has brought me here to where I am now. I give God all the glory for that. I know many may not understand my husband and my lifestyle but we are just trying to follow God pretty simple when you think about it. It may not always be easy but so worth it. LIke today I have had trouble with one of my oldest children with school and so I have to be tough on him. I know he is dying to go outside because we just moved in here but I have to ground him . As much as it hurts him I think it may hurt me more. But...... I know I have to teach him he has to take his work seriously or everything will be a joke to him. It is so hard to discipline kids sometimes . Especially when you remember when your parents disciplined you and how you felt and what was going through your mind. You know your kids are thinking the same thing. Sometimes I just have to pray to God for strength. I thank God because there is no way I deserve all he has blessed me with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i know we will still have troubled times but I know with God nothing is impossible.

WE

2010-05-29T20:13:00.001-07:00

are in our new house!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally! more to come later.

AT peace

2010-05-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

I am so at peace tonight, not sure why because even though we are SUPPOSE to close on the house tommorrow we still have not heard what our downpayment is gonna be or anything. My hubby told them if he run their business the way all of this house stuff had gone he would have no customers. But God has filled me with such a peace and shown me in so many ways that he is taking care of us. It feels like he is tapping me on the shoulder saying I have this, do not worry!! HOw peaceful is that feeling. I am at peace at the house, the moving, and everything else we have going on in the next many weeks. I am at peace about baby number 8 coming where i have been very apprehensive. God is good, He is good all the time. I am so proud of my husband. He has gotten everyone in the house in the routine of praying every night, we even pray together as husband and wife right before we go to sleep. I feel so much closer to him since we have started this!!!!!!!!!!! We do our bible study with the kids each night and pray then but this feels different. I never would of dreamed I of all people would had 7 kids going on 8 but this I am leaving in God's hands just like everything else. He has shown me so many things about children and how they are to be cherished and how sometimes I really do take mine for granted. I am also doing my own little study , I am reading a book called Being a Vessel for God. It is great!!! Well I better go we still have alot to do tonight and we are running out of night. :) God bless!

Soooooooooooooooo busy around here!

2010-05-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

So much has happened lately for us. We are the process STILL of buying a house. we were SUPPOSE to close in the morning on it but it seems some people didn't do their job and so we are going to have to wait now. They said we could get to close Monday at 4 so we shall see. This has been soooooooooo nerve wracking!!! I hope we never have to buy a house again but I keep telling myself that it is all worth it, we will have plenty of room and we are getting the house at a super price. Just please pray that closing gets done soon, we have boxes everywere because we had intended to start moving stuff tommorrow after closing.
On top of that we have been trying to get the lady's insurance that hit dh to pay his medical bills and supposedly they are but geez we have had to get phone numbers for them and then they have called several times, this has been a mess also but dh has already gotten his service van fixed from the wreck.
And then hubby is super busy!!!!!!!!!!1 Thanks God, trust me I am in no way complaining but I know he is super stressed with everything going on and trying to work also.
Baby seems to be doing well, feeling her more and more lately. I am almost 21 weeks or maybe I am already. I just really cannot keep up. Been trying to do as much homeschooling as I can lately.
THEN in the neighborhood we live in now there has been alot of issues going on as well. Why in the world can people not act like adults. Well, I know the true answer. Without Christ in your life you do not do the right, you do act childish, you do not worry about others feelings ,etc... But this is getting ridiculous. So if you need something to pray about please please do so about this neighborhood. It is trully sad since kids are involved in the middle.
Dh and the older two boys are at bible study tonight with the men in our church we just started going to. I am super excited for them because I know living like we do is so very hard for my wonderful husband. I know he feels like a outcast with other men and to find likeminded Christian men is a blessing and finding children that have been raised like we are trying to raise our kids is also a HUGE blessing.
Well I better go, wanna spend some more time with the kiddos that are here. It was special to do bible study tonight with my older daugther and all the little ones. :)

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!

2010-05-08T11:59:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to wish all the mommies out there a Happy Mother's Day, it is really the best gift God ever gave us .

Just a update

2010-05-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

As most of you know dh and one of our children were in a wreck last week but they are both okay. But when it happened I was on the phone with dh and then in a split second he was gone. Thankfully he was just gone off the phone but it left me thinking how fast things happen and that we do not need to waste time on worrying about the same stuff and spend it loving our family and living for the Lord. At least I know my husband is saved and where he would go. As well as our son. Just remember we are never promised tommorrow, we are never even promised one more second actually.
I was going to do a post on the church and how it is failing these days but this is not the time for me to do so. I will pray about it and hopefully the Lord will let me know when or if I should post it.
We found out yesterday number 8 is going to be a GIRL. :) So our pattern of boy boy girl girl continues. We will be tied this time. I am just amazed at how God provides what we need right at the moment we need it . He has so me so much lately, it is just amazing and sometimes I am in awe. God is good and it saddens me to no end that some people never get to see first hand God working in their lives because they never allow him to.Hopefully if everything works out we will be moving into our new home the middle of this month. Please pray God allows everything to run smoothly and nothing falls through. What a blessing this house would be to us.
Well I have a little one sleeping in my arms and it is hard to type so this is it for now but hope to type more later. God bless you all.

Amazing how God works

2010-04-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

I am amazed at how God works in our lives, how He shows us what he wants for us if we just listen. I think that is where many of us , including me, make our mistakes is not listening. Just be still and listen to Him. What He wants for you may not be what you think. And things may change from one season to another. While I trully believe we should leave everything to Him and He will take care of us , I also believe he quietly whispers to us the next step we should take in our life. Many people have asked my husband and I when they find out how many kids we have if we have a brain, or they tell us we should use the brain God gave us. But just think of the bible. I bet everyone sure told Noah he should use his brain and not be building that boat, can you imagine how silly he looked. But he knew what purpose God had for his life. And since he LISTENED he was rewarded with his life and that of his family's. Could you imagine being his kids while he was building the boat, then imagine being his kids after the flood. What about Jesus what if he did not listen to God? What I am saying is that sometimes God's will for someone's family may not be what he wants for yours but you should NOT look down on them. Also recently in my quiet time I have discovered God is ready to give me a rest after this baby, not sure how long it will be or if this baby will be our last. I feel such a peace. I have definately heard loud and clear that my husband and I will be taking a break. Do I know what God has in store for us? No way! Do I know if He will give me a year break, 10 year break, or if baby 8 will be our last? No way! Only God knows that. But I take peace in realizing if we just listen God will tell us what we need to know. He will reassure us time and time again in several ways.
What a amazing God we serve!! WE are also going through a bit of a trial with trying to decide what to do about church. I will not get into this right now but I know God will lead us in the direction we need to go and where we need to be!! I know he will lead my husband in that direction. Thanks for all who read my blog and thanks to all who encourage my family. After all that is what Christian's are suppose to do! What christian's are suppose to do may just be my next topic. :) Because we have come far from what we ought to be doing.

So Richly Blessed

2010-04-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

Really thinking lately

2010-04-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

I have been really been thinking lately about how we go through life and we totally forget how good God is. We forget daily what he does for us. Lately things have been a bit stressful here but as I step back and see others who are facing trials and situations I find myself praising the LOrd for the busy time because it is a good kind of busy. Busy with kids(thank God he has given each one), busy with trying to purchase a home(thank God we even have that oppurtunity), busy trying to keep house and keep dh happy and fed( and a big thank God for the wonderful husband I have). God is good!!! I have been talking with friends lately that are going through various trials and sometimes you wonder why you were placed in that persons life at the time you were , especially when one is so busy. But that may be where God is placing you at that time, you may not know how important you being there for that person at that time is. My point is don't forget to thank God for what he has blessed you with, don't forget to show christian friendship to those in need ( alot of people are hurting out there), don't forget what God has done for you!!!!!!!!
We are expecting our 8th child probably the end of September( due dates have been questionable) and I could not be happier. I am not sure if this will be our last or not, only God knows that. That is something I will be doing alot of praying about. But I am so thankful God placed in our hearts the desire to trust him these past years!!! If it would of been up to our own human logic my 2 smallest children would not be here. Wow, I could not imagine my life without my babies. I am excited to find out what we will be having on May 3rd. Each time seeing each baby on that ultrasound moniter is a miracle to me. IT is amazing each and every time and it never gets old.
And I just wanted to state I have the best husband in the entire world. He is such a good man. He is at our potential house cleaning up the yard because if everything goes through we could be closing the first of next month and he wants it all nice. He is such a hard working man. He has worked from morning to night for the past few days and he should be resting today. He is a wonderful daddy!!!! He loves his kids so much. He is my everything, my husband, my best friend, my rock, my inspiration to be better, etc... on and on. I love him so dearly. I am sadden hearing women talk these days even in the church about their husbands. This should not be taking place. MOst of the time husbands would do better if their wives would encourage them more. My prayer is women in this nation will wake up and remember what God put them here for. To be a helpmeet to their husband and to be a MOTHER to their children.
Okay I am gonna get off my soap box now. Please feel free to share with me how the Lord has blessed you lately or if you need to leave a prayer request please do so and I will pray for you.

WE are "hopefully" getting a house

2010-04-11T13:28:00.000-07:00

Our offer has been accepted , the contract has been signed. Just waiting on the mortgage papers and those kinds of things. If nothing falls through we could be signing the end of this month. Please pray for us that things do not fall through, that this house is right for us, that dh can get some sleep(since we started this journey he hasn't slept much), that this is right. Thanks to you all. The house potentially could be made into a 8 bedroom house and it has 4.5 bathrooms in it!!!!!!!! It would be such a blessing for us.

Winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-10T17:02:00.000-07:00

The winner of the Seventh Generation Giveaway is Nataly!!!!!!!! That is why you were so excited lol you knew you were gonna win. MY 7 yr old drew the winner so you can thank her. Congrats.... and for all those who didn't win I will be having more giveaways hopefully soon.
Nataly I need your address so your prize pack can be sent. I will be contacting you.

Tommorrow

2010-04-09T13:32:00.000-07:00

I will announce winner tommorrow but not sure when because are having a yard sale so bear with me ! :)

Giveaway ends tommorrow!!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-08T07:19:00.001-07:00

Just a reminder!! ;)

A pretty good weekend

2010-04-05T06:40:00.000-07:00

We had a pretty good weekend. My 3 year old got to go play golf with his daddy Saturday. And he was on cloud nine , he was actually even happier than that! I have such a wonderful husband, most men would not want to bother with their kids going,especially little kids. I am so proud!! :)
Then we had a good Easter and I am so proud of my kids because talking with them yesterday most of them understand just want Easter is all about. WE do and don't do Easter baskets. My 7 year old picked hers out(we just buy really cheap ones) and then I got one for the 3 yr old. Then just a couple of things like bubbles and such for the 1 yr old. We really haven't talked about the Easter bunny to our 3 yr old so not sure what he thinks. Our 7 year old knows there is no such thing. Of course our older 3 do not even want to hunt eggs anymore, they wanted to hide them for the smaller ones LOL.
Well I better go , I have so much to do today. We are having a yard sale next weekend and I am getting ready for that. Hope you all had a wonderful Easter and got to spend it with family and friends.
DO NOT FORGET ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY!!! ENDS THIS WEEK. :) DON'T MISS OUT, THIS CLEANER IS AWSOME.

Giveaway!!!!!!!!!!! Seventh Generation

2010-03-31T10:26:00.000-07:00

I know many of you moms are interested in non toxic cleaning supplies and I received this wonderful set of cleaning supplies from MyBlogSpark to try and I am also doing a give away for them. I received bathroom cleaner, all purpose cleaner, 2 rolls of brown paper towels, disinfecting wipes,a book, and a caddy and you will also receive this. I attaches a picture of what you would receive. This is my first blog giveaway so bear with me. I have been using the cleaners for a couple of days now and I really like them. I even like the way they smell. I didn't think I would like the brown paper towels but they are actually really good. Anyway here are ways you can win this contest. It will end on April 9th!!

-First leave me a comment telling me what you dislike most about cleaning the house.
-Second blog about my giveaway and post link to it on your blog. Please leave me blog link on your post or it will be skipped.

That's it pretty simple huh? Do not forget to post your email address so I can email the winner. Winner will be picked by one of my adorable kids by places names in a hat. :) Have a blessed day and good luck.

**All the products, information and giveaway prize pack were all provided by Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.

Update!! And upcoming give away

2010-03-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

We are FINALLY all better, thank you Jesus. There was alot of praying for those couple of weeks we were sick. Poor Paige was the sickest of us all since she got the flu AND strep throat.
This weekend hubby and I went away ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL by ourselves to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. My parents kept the kiddos. It was a much needed time together. WE actually got to see a good bit of snow on top of the mountain as we went over. We had a really nice time and it helped me come back and be the kind of momma I need to be. :)
Easter sure snuck on me, I had to run out yesterday to find my oldest daughter her Easter dress which was NOT easy considering what fits her is super super short. We were out trying to find panty hose because her baton pics also snuck up on me. She was the ONLY girl there without make up on for those pictures, her father straight up told me she would not be wearing make up.
I also had a midwife appt. yesterday. NOthing much to report. She couldn't find the heartbeat so we did ANOTHER ultrasound, I am 12 - 13 weeks and this was my third ultrasound lol. Baby is fine and was bouncing all around, hence why we could not find heartbeat. My next appt will be in 5 weeks and that is my anatomy ultrasound appt. Cannot believe it is already time for that!
********** I know this is what you have all been waiting on, please keep checking back with me because I will be doing a give away pretty soon. IT will not be anything huge but will be really nice to recieve for anyone. ***********

Teenagers, flu, and a little of everything else

2010-03-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

My twin sons turned 13 Friday. I wanted to write up a long thing about them because they are true miracles but we have had the flu here and I am so tired. But they went from 3 and 4 pound babies to taller than me in a blink of a eye, it all goes so fast. They have no idea that they made me the person I am today. They are true blessings. Today one of our other daugthers turns 7, I just cannot believe it. We were suppose to have them all a birthday party yesterday but we had to cancel that. I had to take the birthday girl to her heart doctor this past week and she got a very good report this time so I am proud of that. Please pray that we get well very soon, 7 kids and a dh with the flu and a pregnancy is a bit trying. I can barely keep the laundry going not to mention worrying about feeding everyone. Hubby is finally feeling better thank goodness but now he is so behind on all his jobs, he has alot of catching up to do this week. Well I had alot more to say but I am feeling a bit rough so I am gonna run. Hope everyone else is doing well. God bless.

Good weekend

2010-03-01T05:43:00.000-08:00

Saturday we loaded up all the kids and just took a ride. We went a few places in commerce and then just drove. Took them to a couple of parks and just spent time as a family. It was really nice. Then when we got home I had to run to the grocery store, of course. Sunday was church and then we came home and just stayed around the house. I actually took me a little nap , about 30 minutes, and it felt so goodddddddd!!!!!!!! Hubby cooked ribs on the grill for supper so that just was the icing on the cake. :)
Today Issac has his 18 month check up and then I have a midwife appt today also. Not sure why they scheduled me back so soon but oh well. so that is pretty much what is going on with us.

Homeschooling

2010-02-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

I love homeschooling now, at first when I started homeschooling i felt it was just something that just had to be done, NOW it is something that we do all the time. You learn in everything you do. While math,reading,spelling,science,history,etc.. are all important I think every day life is so much more better a learning experience than anything. My kids can clean a whole house, fix a huge breakfast, start a fire in the fireplace, change diapers, calm a fussy baby, etc.. I never could of imagined doing that and I am sure they would not know how if they were still in public school. I am amazed and what they learn. Today we are doing math and then the older ones are mixing up finger paints for the younger ones to paint with. Then the older ones will go back to spelling after a brief period of finger painting with the younger ones. I dunno I am just coming to the realization that homeschool is not what I first thought of it, ever thing in life is a opportunity to learn. I am not so uptight about it now since I understand this!

NEW ITEMS IN MY EBAY STORE

2010-02-17T08:17:00.000-08:00

Check them out!!! :) Just copy and paste link

http://stores.ebay.com/tiffanystotsandmore

Will be listing more in a couple of days. so keep checking back :)

First Midwife appt.

2010-02-14T12:06:00.000-08:00

Everything went well. Got to see the little peanut. :) From my ultrasound she gave me a due date of October 6th. Baby's heart rate was 128 . So here we go, the start of another journey. I have not been feeling well at all. The midwife seemed to think it was something with my eyes but I just think this pregnancy is kicking my backside. I have dizzy spells, blurry vision, then comes the awful migraine. Please pray for me, it is hard for me to keep things going around here when I feel so horrible.
On a bright note my wonderful dh gave me 12 dozen roses and a huge balloon that says I love you for Valentine's Day. Best gift he could of given me. We were suppose to get to go off this weekend while my parents tended to the kids but the weather put a damper on that so we are shooting for the middle of March now. I cannot wait to get off with just dh and me for just a bit. don't get me wrong I love my kids but dh and I need that time together as well. Good thing the weather did keep us from going because the 3 littlest ones are not feeling well. Just the cold type of stuff.
Here is my menu plan
Monday 15th- Chicken Nuggets and some sort of potatoes and a veggie
Tuesday 16th-Lasagna , bisquits
Wendsday 17th-kids church
Thursday 18th-Roast with potatoes and carrots
Friday 19th- Hamburgers and Augratin Potatoes

I will not be eating alot of the potatoes and such , and sometimes I will be substituting for a salad with spinach in it. I am trying to maintain my weight this pregnancy since I am the biggest I have been starting off.

Menu plan for the month

2010-02-01T13:27:00.000-08:00

Wendsdays the kids go to Awana so they eat at church . Dh ,me,and our 1 yr old(baby girl doesn't eat yet lol thank goodness) pick up something cheap out or get something at home.

1st-Fried Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Beans, and Garlic Bread
2nd-spaghetti,Black eye Peas , and cheese sticks
3rd-church
4th-Potato Soup with Cheese Sandwhiches
5th-Ham , mac and cheese, green beans, bread
6th - Lunch- Hot dogs and buns Supper- Valentine's Day banquet at church
7th- Lunch-Sandwhiches Supper- birthday party for oldest dd and for one on the little boys

A little birdie has something to say

2010-01-28T14:57:00.000-08:00

Number 8 is on the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Too much to post about

2010-01-17T18:24:00.000-08:00

The devil is really working on me right now so please say a little pray for me and my family. Since I last posted that little one is a bit better, over a week later and he still has a cough and runny nose but is better. Most everyone got it this past week besides two of the older ones but then one of them is now not feeling well.I had to take my 2 yr old to the er tonight due to his ear bleeding so much and him just crying frantically and coughing. Drops were given for the ears and antiobiotics. Said it did look like his ear drum was fixing to rupture and that he had bronchitis. On top of sickies all week we also went through something financially . It was my fault and I am so sick. My husband took it really well though.God has done a huge work in him!! Other things happened this week but I am extremely too tired to blog about them.
Please remember the people, especially the babies and young innocent children in Haiti!!!!

The CROUP and what a few snowflakes do to our little town- ugh!!

2010-01-09T14:00:00.001-08:00

Well our 1 yr old has the croup. It has so not been fun at all. He started Thursday night with the seal bark and the wheezy sounds. I usually try to take care of everything at home but I knew this could go bad and just recently my nephew got out of the hospital with something similar. I called my doctor's office to make a appt. and they were CLOSED!! They were closed because we had a few flakes the night before and they were closed due to weather. UGH!!! How crazy is that. So I called my old peditricians office and they made him a appt. So needless to say we are switching back over that, not only because of this but because of some other things as well. LIke another reason is they are not big family friendly or haven't been to me. But back to what I was talking about there was NO snow on the ground and you would of thought we had many inches, the schools were closed, and the our doctor's office. I hope you northerner's get a good laugh out of this one. :) But anyway he just said he had the Croup. He still is feeling horrible and now developing a wierd looking rash on his face. IT has been a longgggggggggg two days.

Amazing how

2009-12-31T14:17:00.001-08:00

meals are so much better when thrown together. I didn't know what I was gonna make tonight and we really didn't have much in the house, but I remembered I had some potatoes and I have never made potato soup before but thought I would give it a try. I made some cheese sandwhiches along with it and the kids just loved it!!!!!!!!!!! I thought it was pretty good too myself. Amazing when meals are so good and especially when they are just thrown together.

New Years!!!

2009-12-31T13:37:00.000-08:00

Well it is soon to be another new year. where does the time go anymore. What are you New Year's Resolutions for this year??? Are they going to be the same thing as usual or are you going to really think hard about them. Of course we all want to get rich , lose weight, etc.. etc... Losing baby weight is upmost on my list but is not on the very top . Here is my New Year's Resolution list.
-Witness more!!!!!!!(this one will be hard for me as I am not really outgoing like my husband is)
-Be more patient, especially with my children!
-Read the Bible more. MAKE TIME for bible study.
-Trust in the Lord Fully this year!!!! ~~~ Wow this list is getting harder.
- Take more time for the fun stuff, not all the strict chores and homeschooling all the time.
-GIve my husband more, I think lately I have neglicted him a bit. I hope not but feel I might have.

Right now those are the top of my list.... so what are yours this year????

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe it is almost Christmas, where does the time go. When I was little seemed like it took years to come back around but now as I get older and older it seems it is mere months. I am trying to just take some time and breathe and take everything in these days cause it seems it is slipping away so fast. The kids grow so fast. This year has been a good year for us though! We have trully been blessed. We were blessed with another baby this year, my dh's business was blessed, everyone was pretty healthy this year while many around us were really sick, we are blessed with so much. This Christmas I just want to sit back and take it all in. What more could a mommy want? A wondeful husband and 7 healthy , beautiful blessings. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and that everyone remembers what this season is about. WE get so caught up in the presents, cooking, get togethers,etc... that sometimes we forget what the true meaning is. I hope the New Year treats you all well but try just just live in the here and now. Live each day to the fullest! Love like you have never loved, give like you have never gave, and most important reach out to others like you never have before. Tell the world about the wonderful baby born to come and save us all!! We will never ever receive a better present! I was saved by that baby and through HIM I will not go to Hell! Yes, I know totally different than what we usually talk about during Christmas but my heart aches for the lost, especially those lost people that are in our families and right across the road from us, our neighbors. God bless you all and have a joy filled Christmas and let your light shine!

Wonderful things happening here

2009-12-16T11:14:00.000-08:00

First I want to say it is super busy around here but it is a good kind of busy. I just wanted to let you all know that our 6 year old daughter went in front of the church Sunday morning and with the preacher's help said the prayer and has accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She will be getting baptised soon. She has been asking for months for us to let her get baptised but her father and I just wanted to be sure. She has been so excited since. They gave her this really neat workbook to go through which we are doing during homeschool and also this little book you can write down the date of when you were born, very neat! I am so proud and hope that she grows to be a strong godly lady.
In other news our 1 yr old is FINALLY walking more than crawling, he can actually almost run if he wants too lol. I love to see a 1 yr old toddling around, nothing cuter. Baby girl is doing really good. She has been mostly in the bed with us but last night she slept from 11:30 to 6 this morning in her bassinet!!!!!!!!! I got some good sleep. :)
My ebay store is doing okay, hopefully when I get more established and have return customers it will pick up.
I went and watched our 10 yr old daughter Monday night during parent's week with her baton class, I was so proud. She is doing wonderful. This is her first year and she was the only one that did not drop her baton and looked like she really knew what she was doing. I really like where she takes because they are Christian oriented. She also does Christian drama there with her 6 yr old sister. I get to watch them do some of the Christian drama Thursday and watch our other daughter that night as well. Oh wow that is tommorrow. Where is the week going?
Our 12 yr old sons are doing well, just normal 12 yr old things we are trying to work on and our 2 yr old son is so full of energy sometimes just watching him makes me tired. He is so super sweet though and tells the other kids all the time, you are my friend. LOL
God bless you all and I hope you are all ready for Christmas.

Ebay store

2009-12-12T11:20:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted on my blog in a while cause I have been busy trying to get my ebay store going. I have been wanting to do something to make some extra money so when dh's business is slow he won't have to worry so much. Here is the link http://stores.ebay.com/Tiffanys-tots-and-more . Let me know what ya think and while your there see if there is something you can use lol. It is in the very early stages. I will mostly be selling Gymboree but will have other things. Thanks for all of you have already been supporting me on this, it means alot. This will also help clothe our 7 kids as well :)

Amazing

2009-12-04T07:38:00.000-08:00

I think with each new child the Lord blesses us with comes a new learning experience for me. With many small little ones sometimes seem things seem overwhelming but this causes me to lean on my faith so much more and pray more often. I think with each child has come stronger faith and understanding in what God put me here for. I am so in awe that God would call me to be the mother of such little blessings. To trust ME, me of all people, to raise them is unbelievable to me. This thanksgiving meant so much to me, I have so much to be thankful for. With so much divorce going on around me I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband. Yes, I went through a awful relationship in my younger days but it only made me the person I am today and only makes me cherish my relationship with my husband more now. NO things are not always easy for us, right now my husband doesn't have much work but this morning I woke up with a peace that God is gonna take care of us. How awsome is that. I love my husband, I love my kids and first and foremost I love the Lord that gave them to me.

Christmas card pic

2009-11-30T13:14:00.001-08:00

Here is our Christmas card pic. Hey at least everyone is in it and nobody is screaming. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2009-11-26T06:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!! Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. GOd has blessed us so much, I have so much to be thankful for. I want to be sure though that I thank God daily for all he has blessed us with. Sometimes I get so busy I forget to be thankful . I hope I can stop and remember to thank God for all he has blessed us with.

Can you believe!

2009-11-23T09:34:00.001-08:00

That our newest blessing is 2 months old! Wow, time flies when your having fun. LOL! Having 7 kids is such a blessing. Most people stand in shock when I say that. HOw in the world could I actually like having the responsibility of 7 kids is how they act. Well... I feel they are missing out. Like they are missing out on the tons of blessings you experience when you leave everything to the Lord. NO, it is not easy and many times you are looked at like you have 3 heads but it is so worth it. Every moment is worth it, the sleepless night, the days of sickness, the raging headaches from lack of sleep, the worry, everything, it is all worth it. Because with the bad comes the good. The tons of kisses, hugs, the I love you's, the joy of each child learning while their sibling's cheer them on and teach them also, the laughs and giggles, all of it. I do not know what the Lord has planned for my family and I know it will not always be easy but I do know that the Lord will be with us every single step. God bless you all and I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Do not forget to thank the Lord DAILY for each blessing he has given you.

Super busy

2009-11-19T08:26:00.001-08:00

Just wanted you all to know I am still alive. Just supper busy around here. It is a good kind of busy though. I try to get in a much school I can each day. Having a 2 month old, 1 yr old, and 2 yr old in the house is very interesting some days. Sometimes though it is the older ones who add the challenge. I am trying to work on attitudes and how they treat each other lately.
Dh and I are making some decisions that are not easy to make so please be in prayer for us on that. Sometimes it is just so hard to know what to do and it is hard when you do not have many that believe the same way you do. Anyway, just wanted to post a short message to let everyone know I am still here just busy. I got to go get lunch cause we are meeting with a friend at 1:30 today. God bless you all.

Self Promotion

2009-11-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Shamless huh??? We are doing Dave Ramsey's Total Money makeover so we are trying to get our debts paid off plus we are finishing up Christmas. Anyway, I have some stuff listed on ebay(if you do that kind of thing) and will be listing more today and during the week. My ebay name is billyswife0. Here is a link to one of my listings and then you can look at the others
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160378265704&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

If your husband is looking for a box van then check the one out we have listed. Thanks and God bless.

Calling all mommies of little princesses

2009-11-13T17:07:00.000-08:00

A super giveaway you do not want to miss.
http://savvyhousewife.com/all-princess-all-the-time-everything-princesses-50-gift-card-giveaway/comment-page-1/#comment-16499

Slacking

2009-11-12T12:48:00.000-08:00

I know I didn't put up my menu this year but I am really going day by day for many reasons. I will hopefully be back to a menu plan next week.

Out of Shape!!!

2009-11-12T12:40:00.001-08:00

Yeah! Yeah!! I know I just had a baby less than two months ago but I started my Taebo workout today and boy am I out of shape.. EEK!! I didn't get all the way through it and I am sore! I didn't get all the way through it cause I had a 1 yr old and 2 yr old hanging on to my legs crying. NOt sure why doing Taebo started that chain reaction , dh said it was because they thought I had gone crazy. LOL, is a possiblity. Anyway, I go 20 minutes in. IT may be a good thing they stopped me cause I am so sore now . I am gonna do this though.!!! I am ! Even if it well..... we won't go there. I am gonna get healthier though and I am gonna lose this weight. Just in case God has another blessing in store for us down the road, I have had a baby every year for the past 3 years so you can imagine what it has done to my body. My husband says I think you look fine but I know I could look alot better and I need to be happy with myself. I also want to be as healthy as I can be for my kids. The kids are actually doing Taebo with me so it is a bit funner and you do not feel as goofy. Anyway, anyone wanna start the weightloss journey with me???

My wonderful giving kids,What Christmas is all about

2009-11-08T09:52:00.000-08:00

We recieved our Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog in the mail https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Giving/gift_catalog/ and I just glanced at it and thought this would be nice but as many busy moms do I just tossed it aside. This has also been talked about on other blogs like this one http://everypreciousjoy.blogspot.com/ also. anyway back to what I was saying. My kids found it. They have all decided that is what they want to do for Christmas this year with their money they have in giving. They get a allowance each week and they put some in savings, spending and giving. They each have a good bit saved in spending. So together they have decided along with their daddy and I that they would choose to help on some of these needs. It is fun to see what each choose. We are also helping a local family here . Anway , I just love seeing my kids being so selfless, they are usually always like that. Always wanting to help others. I am so proud of them , I know they each will grow up and be used for God's glory. Suddenly Christmas looks alot different this year, we are turning it into what it should be able . I hope each and every one of you have a awsome Christmas this year. Let us know if you have a need we might could help with also. God bless.

What a awsome God we serve

2009-11-06T09:03:00.001-08:00

My dh's business is going so good. While many around us are struggling with no jobs, are hours that are less dh's business seems to be flourishing and we do not praise anyone but God for that. He is blessing us in so many ways. Just a couple of years ago we were leaving paycheck to paycheck and sometimes it was not even enough, it was a scary time . I will admit during that time neither of us were close to the Lord like we should of been. But He helped us through it, I totally believe that. And He is blessing dh for listening to him about starting his own business and for trusting in Him. We are starting the Dave Ramsey baby steps and hope to be debt free in a couple of years. What a wonderful thing that will be. We are saddened that so many people are struggling right now and that times are so tough for our nation right now but I think things will continue to be tough as long as our nation tries to rely on itself or the government. When we turn back to Christ, what the country was founded on then we will truly see things change. Until then it will be the same ole , same ole or worse. I do believe it may not be long until our Lord comes back for his bride, are you ready???? Even if it is not in our lifetime shouldn't we live like it ? Because it could happen today, tommorrow, any time. I want to be ready! When I stand there on judgement day I would like to think I did what the Lord called me to do. I have sinned terribly in my life and will continue to sin but I am striving to be a better Christian, a better everything. A better mommy , a better wife, a better sister, daughter, friend, etc.... After all when we pass will we really give a account of how clean our house was or if our children knew all 50 states? Don't get me wrong I am a neat freak and I want to teach my children as much as possible but I am understanding and learning daily what is most important. I am learning I need to stop and smell the roses . To watch my children playing. Stop and look at the beauty God has created. Stop and hear the children's laughter. Stop and kiss my husband. After all in the end what is important.

********Wow when I sat down to write this post I did not intend to go so deep. NOt sure why I did. Just started typing. Maybe it was meant for someone today. Have a blessed day. And don't forget to stop. Enjoy what God has blessed you with. Even if you are going through a rotten time we always have something to be thankful for.