Happy Birthday to Grandma C. and Hannah H.

DID GRANDMA GIVE LACEY THAT CHOCOLATE?!!

This was taken earlier in the month when Grandma came to stay for the week!

Just a quick moment to say Happy Birthday to Grandma and Hannah! We love you, Grandma! (And Hannah!)

The quilt on the back of the couch was made for me by Mandi, 10. It's so beautiful! 

A funny little story about Lacey. She got into the q-tips yesterday and when I said, "Lacey, get out of those!" she quickly stuffed one in her ear and said, I'm cleaning my feet!" She's so funny. A little cranky with the chicken pox these days..

I love Thursdays..

MANDI AND COURTNEY AT CHRISTMAS DINNER

I guess they're on a diet..no food on their plates!

For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT. Matthew 3:4

All is quiet this morning.  I didn't know if I'd have time to get in here this morning as I left my kitchen a mess and went to bed last night. (Sorry Mom, ya taught me better!) My girls, all except Lacey, went quilting all day yesterday. Caleb was home, but very sick with chicken pox, so I was the only adult! (Daniel went hunting.)

So I didn't get too much done, only mommy-ed! 

I have so enjoyed receiving Christmas pictures, cards, and letters this year. We are so far away from our loved ones that it means even more. (I will be sending a New Year's Letter this year, along with the picture a few posts below. It's been crazy busy. Sorry!) I received an e-mail yesterday from a friend I hadn't heard from in years, who found our site on the web. It was so wonderful to hear that she had thought of us many times through the years. It meant so much.

Well, Jeddy is up and at 'em, so I'd best go. 

Oh, and Caleb is improving. He just had a couple of glasses of apple juice, which is a first in days! Thank you, Lord! I have never seen a worse case of chicken pox than his..pitiful. Thanks for praying! And we found some spots on Mandi lastnight..sigh..

Good morning!

DANIEL AT CHRISTMAS DINNER

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

I asked the Lord to be my Savior many years ago, and He has made such a difference in my life. I so often take Him for granted. He has blessed our family beyond our wildest dreams. Heartaches and sorrows, yes, they have come along the way, too, and life isn't always rosy, but just knowing that God is there and His hand is guiding and protecting us, and that one day we will spend eternity with him and there will be no sorrow anymore. I look forward to that day! Folks, if you have been putting off making a decision to follow Jesus, I would beg of you to make things right. 

I don't know if I mentioned that little Jefferson Davis is getting the chicken pox now. He and Lacey get a bit crabby, but poor Caleb is so sick. It just tears me up to see him in bed and so sick. He's one who usually doesn't get sick. First he got hit with that terrible intestinal flu we all got, and now chicken pox, back to back. Hopefully today will be a better day.

We are taking a break from homeschooling this week. We actually schooled all the way through last week. The kids are doing great. They are all learning independently now for the most part at this time. I have just begun working with Jed a tiny bit. I am so looking forward to teaching my little three. Oh, how rewarding it is to teach a little one to read. I am happy to say we have raised 6 avid readers, and it just tickles me! 

I am thinking more and more these days of my children's futures. I wonder what their spouses will be like. What they will do..what their children will be like. I am praying about all these things. I have been for many years. I often wonder how the prayers of my ancestors have affected my life. I feel so blessed knowing that William Bradford, the second governor of the original colonies, was my great-great-great (many more greats!) grandfather. Daniel has been reading his journal this year, the one he wrote while coming over on the Mayflower. It's incredible to have such journals, and he was such a godly man. He is one person I look forward to meeting in Heaven one day!

Well, my many duties call. One being to bake a chocolate cake for my friend's birthday! So you have a wonderful day, and be sweet!

All I want for Christmas is..chicken pox?!!

OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PICTURE

taken by Grandma at the airport

And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.   Luke 2:7

We had a really nice, quiet Christmas. (Ok, how quiet is it really with 11 of us in a fairly small house?!) Mandi had asked prayer she wouldn't get chicken pox for Christmas. Caleb and Lacey sure have them, though! Poor kids! 

I thought I'd get a handful of pictures in here since Naomi is finally over her chicken pox and flu, and volunteered to help me out here.

GRANDMA WITH COURTNEY

JED MAKING THE BROCCOLI SALAD

Above are a couple of pictures taken while Ted's mom was here with us. We had a good time with Grandma. She spoiled us, of course! She even bought me a new toy, a desperately needed vacuum cleaner. (She had pity on me after watching me sweep the carpet one day!) Lacey points to the vacuum, and asks, "Is that your new toy?" 

OUR HUMBLE CHRISTMAS TREE

You wouldn't believe the trouble we had finding a tree..to make a long story short we ended up buying one at Rite Aid, only to get home and find it was broken.  But we made do, and I thought it was cute!

MANDI HARD AT SCHOOL

Mandi is now on Christmas break, but I thought I'd get a picture in of her doing her school earlier this month. She is now officially halfway through the 5th grade, and we are going to work on a LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE unit study for the month of January. Mandi and I love Laura Ingalls Wilder. She is begging me to take her to one of her homesteads..maybe we'll get to go one day in the spring?

MANDI AND LACEY PULLING JED IN THE SNOW

CHRISTMAS DAY

Lacey was scared to death to ride in the sled, so she "helped" pull Jed around. Poor little thing wasn't feeling good and still isn't. Daddy took Jeffy and her out for a little time in the snow. (It's still snowing, by the way.)

Jeffy keeps climbing on the table, so I guess I'll sign off for now! God bless ya, and have a great day!

December 23, 2010

For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:20


So much on my heart and mind this morning. Can't remember if I mentioned that the entire family came down with the intestinal flu. No fun! It was unbelievable how we all went down so quickly! We are all on the mend. Naomi is over her chicken pox now. We are just waiting on the five under her to break out now. Mandi is praying that she won't get it until after Christmas.

Tomorrow Ted and I celebrate our 23rd anniversary. Twenty-three years and nine children later, we're still very much in love! I am so thankful for our many years and many blessings! I am amazed at God's power to take two 18 year old kids and use our lives for His glory. May He ever bless us and the children He has entrusted to us.

Along with most Americans, I am beginning to think of what I'd like to accomplish in 2011. I think it's a good thing to approach the New Year with some goals in mind. I do so hope to become closer to the Lord, and I hope you will make it one of your priorities, too!

December 20, 2010

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:21

Thought I'd sneak in for a moment before the family wakes up. I just heard Ted's alarm go off. I doubt he'll be going in today as a nasty flu bug seems to have taken over, and to my knowledge Daniel, Naomi, and Caleb have been the only ones to escape it. It's a rough one. :(

We had a wonderful visit with Ted's mom. She got to come to Virginia for an eight day visit, and we got her all to ourselves the entire time! She blessed us in so many ways, and it was heartbreaking to see her go. Good-byes are not easy. She is back home safe and sound now, and probably enjoying a vacation from her "vacation"! (It's Christmas break in the public schools where she works.)

Naomi seems to be over the worst of her chicken pox. Boy, has that girl suffered. I hope she doesn't get the flu along with the rest of the family. There is such a thing as sharing that is not good.


For those of you who look forward to my annual Christmas letter, it will be a little late arriving. I actually wrote the rough draft a few weeks ago, but haven't gotten it typed up. It's a bit of work to get it done as our main computer ceased up and we can't get a printer hooked up to the laptop for some reason, but be patient! It's a long letter, as I like to write a bit about every one in the family, which keeps growing!


I am so glad for God's protection over us. Saturday night we came home from a Christmas dinner, which Naomi on down had stayed home from for fear of spreading chicken pox. (So far, Naomi is the only one to get it.) Courtney, Daniel and I were in different places around the van, which was turned off and parked. The van started sliding down our driveway due to ice. It happened so fast. Daniel said he was in back but at the edge, and able to get out of the way. Courtney was in back getting ready to open the doors and get instruments out, when the bumper hit her knee and the ice knocked her out of the way. I was getting out, one foot on the running boards, and fell backwards on the ice, and was just able to roll out of the way. Courtney and I are a bit sore and I think it shook us all up a bit, but it could have been so bad. Thank you, Lord! We often pray for His hedge of protection, and we all know that's exactly what saved us from injury Saturday night.

Well, I am going to attempt a few more minutes of sleep. May God bless you each and every one, and keep you in His care.

December 15, 2010

Just a minute to write. Our Naomi, 16, came down with chicken pox. Poor thing is just miserable. Please keep her in your prayers.

We have been having a nice visit with Grandma. Between snow and sickness, I don't know if it's very fun for her, but we sure have enjoyed her!

Have a great day!

December 11, 2010

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:24

Just wanting to get in here for a few moments before a busy day really begins! (I guess they are all pretty busy!)

The babies are having a great time with Grandma! Poor Jeffy, he thought Grandma lived in a telephone, as he loves talking to his Grandmas on the phone.

My birthday celebration keeps on. Yesterday I got four cards and several gifts. I am such a little kid at heart. It's been so fun to be remembered.

December 8, 2010

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3


There is the answer to why we don't have peace in our hearts more often, and why we (I!) worry so much. It's because we get our minds off the Lord, and on to the cares of this world. Dear Lord, help me to keep my mind on you!


Today I am 41. Unbelievable. My poor mother, if I feel old, how must she feel to be the mother of a 41 year old, bless her heart! (Sorry, Mom!) It meant so much to get cards from my Uncle Bill and my brother, Mike. One very serious and sweet, one very funny and sweet, but at my age you just don't expect birthday cards, especially from male relatives, and I tell ya, it just made my day!


Please remember my friend, Emily, when you pray. As of yesterday, she was in the hospital with colitis which is very painful, and she is a busy mother of nine. 


My mother-in-law is coming for 8 days tomorrow. I am excited, especially for her to meet Jefferson Davis and see the other kids, of course. It's been 2 years since we've seen her! Too long!

Have a great day!!

December 6, 2010

NAOMI, CALEB, AND COURTNEY ALL DRESSED FOR SUMMER, FREEZING!!

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not, and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.   Luke 12:27

It is a good reminder for us not to worry! I often sing the song CONSIDER THE LILIES, and it means so much to me. I am thankful for the Lord's provision and protection, and more than anything that He is faithful. 

Jed just got up. He's eating a gingersnap (I didn't give it to him!) and he just gave me the tiniest piece, wanting to share it. He said, "Don't give it back, ok?" I asked him for a hug, and he gave me a kiss,too. And I know that I am the luckiest gal in the world. :)

Ted and I often just talk of how thankful we are that the Lord sent our children. They are all such blessings to us. I am enjoying the last three in a different way than I did the first six. They all add so much to our lives. As I was typing Mandi came in and gave me a kiss and a sweet, "Good morning, Mommy!" 

I guess it's time to work on breakfast for the kids. Have a blessed day!

P.S. We are getting more snow and it's so beautiful!

December 5, 2010

OUR SNOW STORM!

Wow, it is snowing like crazy! I don't think we'll be going out much today. They finally plowed lastnight. I'm surprised they didn't plow yesterday at all. Going across the mountain wasn't too fun, but Ted was driving and we were in  4 wheel drive, thank God! The most important thing was getting home safe and sound.

Jeffy loves being outside and never wants to go back in! Daddy took him out and played for a few minutes, but it got too cold. I remember wondering as a child why my folks never wanted to play in the snow with me. It's sad to grow up in some ways, but then of course it's sadder when folks don't!

December 4, 2010

NAOMI AT THE OLDEST HOUSE BUILT IN THE HOLSTON RIVER AREA

Built in 1769

Relocated to Abingdon, VA

Last night we went to a surprise party for our friend Raymond's 50th birthday.
So much work went into it! It was neat to see different pictures from all stages of his life! And so much food, and lots of pickin', to be sure!  Our little 3 loved it. If there's music, Jed and Lacey usually dance, and lastnight lil Jeffy joined them with all he had. It was adorable!Our older kids stayed later and had such a good time.

We are supposed to be getting a snowstorm today. Winter is here. I dread it in so many ways! after being snowed in in Washington for a couple of months 3 years ago, I decided if I never saw snow again, that'd be fine with me. Of course, it is pretty!

December 3, 2010

Wow, am I really in here three days in a row? This blogspot thing just might be my answer!

Yesterday my little Jed, who is 3, said, "I am going to go to the moon and be a star!" Kids say the cutest things sometimes! He is surely growing up and no longer much of a baby anymore.

JEFFERSON, LACEY AND JED (AGES 1,2, AND 3)

We are all a little baby crazy at our house. And it's a good thing, since we had 3 in 2 years, 13 days! They bring us so much joy, and liven things up for us! 

I have so much to do that I'd best run. Have a great day!

December 2, 2010

BANANA BREAD FRESH OUT OF THE OVEN

The picture doesn't do the bread justice..the bread is very big! It smells really good, too. I sweetened it with honey as I ran out of sugar, and used half whole wheat flour. 

Christmas is coming so soon. Unbelievable. I wonder where the year has gone. I am looking for one of those advent calenders that have a piece of chocolate under each day. Mandi always looks forward to them, and so far I haven't found one. Please let me know if you know where I can buy one!

Mandi and I are in the middle of reading FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS AND HOW THEY GREW. I asked my mom if she read it growing up and she said it didn't sound familiar. It was actually published in the late 1800's, so it was way before her time!

School is going well this year. Both Daniel and Naomi are planning to graduate in June. We are checking in to different places to rent. It will be an open invitation to the community. 

Well, duty calls. Have a great and safe day!

Here is Jeffy last month. Isn't he sweet?

December 1, 2010

Hello from a snowy south! (Who told me it didn't snow in Virginia?!!) I am setting up this blogspot all by myself, in hopes to get in here a little more often. My kids assure me I will be able to do it without help, so I will try. This is especially for my mother-in-law, who lives on the other side of the US along with the rest of the family! Ted's mom will be here a week from tomorrow, and I am anxious!!