On the road again!!

Just a minute to say howdy! Am packing the van up again in a few minutes to go and visit Daddy in SC. He has to work Saturday. The littles love the new play structure we bought for them, and can't wait to go back and play!

A few more gifts..

71) God's love and his forgiveness
72) Tea parties
73) Pick-a-size paper towels!
74) Friends who stand beside you all the way
75) Dependable vehicles
76) Books
77) Children who drive!
78) Healthy food
79) Dollies for little girls
80) Time

Kids say the funniest things!

Jed, 4, was eating a donut a few minutes ago and our lil dog got to begging. Jed said, "He looks like a preacher with two hands!"

Just now he is drawing a male mouse with babies in his tummy and in his ears, also with a "disherpan" in his tummy.  He's so precious!

The older girls at the pool

Encouragement along the way

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you: though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.2 Corinthians 12:15

The kids in 2005

I was so blessed to get the mail yesterday for a couple of reasons. I got 2 handwritten letters! And no bills! How often in this day and age do you get handwritten letters?! One in particular was from a relative just sharing how proud she was of us and encouraging us. It truly made my day. So often we don't take the time to really encourage one another. Oh, when something is wrong we are often quick to point fingers, but when we have something nice to say, we shouldn't wait until a person is gone to share it! 

I ended up in South Carolina with Ted last weekend as a hailstorm did a lot of damage to his trailer. We got it fixed up (close to $250 later)! I believe he'll have to replace the flooring in time, but at least he's alright for now!

Ted and I were able to attend Easter services at the Rutherford Rd. church in SC, and I was truly blessed. They had a man speak in Finnish and a translator. I thought it was beautiful. I got home Sunday evening to the children. I hated not to be with them for services, but it was a blessing to get some time with Ted and to see some friends I hadn't seen in years!

Our oldest three children competed in three different bands against each other in Union Grove, NC this past Saturday. I hear they did a great job! They seemed to have a great time. (Nikki's band took first place, Courtney's 3rd, and Daniel's didn't place this time.) They grew up too fast..the kids are now 22,21, and 19. Those of you with young children, cherish the moments. :)

Time for some more gifts!

61) Peace, sweet peace!

62) God's providing a "new" stove from a friend

63) Encouraging words from a special relative

64) Handwritten letters

65) Pure water

67) Easter..HE AROSE!!!

68) Children, both the ones God has entrusted to us and the ones He has entrusted to others

69) Friends who stand by us

70) Mothers

Good morning! And a few more gifts..

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. Joel 2:26

Nikki, Daniel and Courtney at about 5, 2 and 4

Life is full of memories..I don't have current pictures on my computer so I thought I'd pull up an oldie! (Only about 17 years ago!) Amazingly, once again I have children about these ages. 

Ramp season is upon us again. I have some to do right now in the kitchen! We all went out and gathered some this past weekend. (For those of you who've never heard of ramps, they are a wild leek.) I guess Ted is the only one who's crazy about them, though I like them in moderation!! I canned them, pickled them, fried them, froze them, make compound butter with them. Ramps are the first things to come ripe in these parts, so for those who love them it's a pretty great time of the year! Daddy actually took the littles with us for the first time, and went out and bought them all shovels which they LOVE!

Let's not forget to remember our military at war. We are specifically praying for Ted's cousin, Austin, and a friend of his. God, please bring them home safely. When we are inconvenienced because of small things, like someone cutting in line at the store, or having to get gas because a teenager runs you nearly out, or..think of those dear folks serving in the military in very dangerous places, and their loneliness for their families.

Some more gifts:

46) The gift of a friend of a ticket to a homeschool conference

47) Electricity

48) Parents who love us

49) Brothers and sisters

50) Cars that run!

51) Homemade bread

52) Hot tea, especially herbal. (My aunt and uncle sent me GOOD EARTH tea from out west. Oh, is it good!)

53) Uplifting music

54) Unconditional love

55) The promises of God

56) Adult children

57) The gift of another 3 children to teach to read! 

58) The Bible, which gives me so much comfort

59) Peace amidst the storms of life

60) JESUS!!!

Well, I am off to other duties but wanted to check in! Remember that God is faithful, all the time.

Just a minute!

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also also in much: and he that  is unjust in the least is is unjust also in much.  Luke 16:10


Just a little bit of time as a couple of the children are up early this morning!

I went down to SC and spent a childless weekend with Ted! We rented a little car and had a great time. I actually went to a homeschool convention with my friend, Julia, and had a great time. Ted and I went to Waynesville to church and to visit family on Sunday. It was a special time. His cousin, Peggy, took a picture of us in front of a beautiful flowering tree, which I hope to add later. (She said she used to run around this bush as a child!)

Daniel has about a month left of school. He's done really well in college. He just left a bit ago.

Life is full of many blessings! Hard work, trials, seems like "never enough", but God is always so faithful. Thank you, Lord!

Good morning!

Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us.
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78 &79

Daniel playing bass

My goodness..I didn't realize it had been so long since I'd posted! So sorry. I guess I get so busy living life that I don't remember to record it. 

We are doing pretty good..kids keeping busy. Ted still works out of state, but he is coming home tonight for the weekend! He and I are getting all ready for ramp season! (A ramp is a wild leek, and boy do we love them!) I fried ramps last spring, froze them, pickled them, canned them, made ramp compound butter..hey, I am thinking of making ramp candy this year. I guess the kids are NOT looking forward to this, but my mouth is watering! We used our last jar of ramp pickles the last time Ted came home.

The kids are doing great. They are so good to have around! They range in age from 22 down to 2, and it's rare to have everyone home at the same time anymore! I sure do love them all. They are so precious.

Do you seriously think God can't use you?

Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a dreamer
Joseph was abused
Gideon was afraid
David had an affair and was a murderer
Jonah ran from God
Job lost everything
Peter denied Christ
The disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan was divorced
Zaccheus was too small
Lazarus was dead

Nikki gave me this..don't know where she got it, but it has a good message, doesn't it? I'm so thankful he takes us right where we're at, warts and all. I love the Lord! He is always faithful!

Now for some more blessings:

41) Friendship
42) The gift of a Honeybaked Ham from a neighbor
43) Running cars
44) Sleep!
45) Little ones, and big ones, too!