Ramp season in full swing

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 1 Thessalonians 1:2

Oh boy, are we ever in ramp season! (A ramp is a wild onion that grows around these parts.) Yesterday was spent cleaning them, making ramp pickles, ramp compound butter, slicing and freezing ramps to have when the season is gone, dehydrating ramps..those of you who have had them can pretty well guess what our home smells like at the moment! Oh my..and my hands.

I had a cute story to tell about Lacey,2. She was being a little mean to me, and I said, "Lacey, don't be hateful to Mommy!" She said to Nikki, "I'm being hateful to Mommy!" in a sweet little voice. Nikki told her not to be hateful to Mommy, to which she replied, "Pleeeease can I be hateful to Mommy?" Oh, did we laugh.

The Lord has been faithful to us through the years, for which I am so thankful. I have been thinking more and more these days about following Him, wish I would have done so much more, prayed more. Sometimes we get so caught up in the here and now, we lose sight of the fact that there truly is so much more to life than the one we live in now. If you've never asked the Lord Jesus into your life, I beg you not to put if off another day. It is the most important decision you'll ever make in your life.

Jed's little dumplins..

NIKKI, COURTNEY, AND NAOMI

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 12:40

Jed was so adorable the other day at the park. (The little guys call it the "fark".) We stopped to play after a long church service and drive. My friend Jo was there, and he came up to us with the biggest grin. He was telling her how sick he'd been the nigh before, to which she replied he looked happy now. He points to his cheeks and said, "Look at my cute little dumplins!" (His word for dimples.) And he just stood there with the cutest ear-to-ear grin you've ever seen. Oh, did we laugh!

We have had some hot and humid weather. I look so forward to the garden this year, but oh, not the heat and humidity.

Please remember the family of Ted's cousin Amy Arrington -Spotswood in your prayers. It will be a year of the 25th of April since her going on to Heaven. She left behind 3 precious girls and parents who miss her so much. They are on my heart these days.

It's been a good week!

JED AND CALEB

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 1 John 2:12

It's been a pretty uneventful week, for which I am so thankful!! The Lord is so faithful. I had three specific answers to prayer, and that meant so much. A couple of my friends with heavy burdens had them lifted, and I am so glad about that.

I went up to Amish country to get milk and eggs yesterday with Naomi and Lacey, and that was really fun. The Amish have a little store there, and they are always so friendly and helpful. It's neat to see the horses and buggies, even the state has horse and buggy warning signs for caution! I wish I could take some pictures, but they are against pictures of themselves.

JEFFY'S BATH

Well, my Jed is up so I'd best go for now. Have a great weekend!

Sorry it's been awhile!

Our internet connection went down in February for about two weeks, and I got out of the blogging habit! Other things easily fill my day!

We are doing really well around here, for which I am thankful. It seems to be getting more rare to find us all at home at the same time, which is an adjustment, for sure! Even now Nikki is in another state with some of the girls she will be fellow counselors with for an upcoming camp. Lacey misses her so much, and so does Mom!

Please remember our friend Bill in your prayers. He got some news at the doctor the other day that wasn't good to hear, and there is a possibility of cancer.

The Lord has blessed us in so many ways. I am thankful for a good family. I think of a song the kids used to sing. The chorus went like this:

There's a roof up above me,
I've a good place to sleep.
There's food on my table,
And shoes on my feet.
You gave me your love, Lord,
And a fine family.
Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me.

Caleb is doing some yard work for a sweet neighbor who has been battling cancer. She has such a thankful attitude in life that I've rarely seen. In four months time she buried two of her three children (they were each grown with 2 little ones at home) during the time she was caring for both of her aging bedridden parents. She took care of her parents for 14 years, until they both passed on. She moved in with her son-in-law during that time to help him with the grandchildren for quite some time. Her husband died also during this time. There were other relatives close to her she also lost during this time. During her cancer treatments, she lost her hair and her teeth..her hair is growing back beautifully, but now she doesn't have teeth. And she says, "I still have so much to be thankful for." She's so precious. Even now in her feeble health she makes the most beautiful quilts!

On another note, Ted recently mentioned killing a groundhog. Jed said, "Don't kill my grandma. She's my bestest friend!" Ted said back to him, "I didn't, I said a groundhog, and I thought I was your best friend." Jed said, "No, Grandma is my bestest friend!" He calls a groundhog a groundbob. 


These little ones are growing so fast. I no longer have any tiny ones. We were out playing in the garden spot which is just mud, and I mentioned to the little ones I will get them some rubber boots so they won't get their John Deere boots so filthy. Jed said, "You're gonna buy me rubber boots?" and Lacey said, "You're gonna buy me some wubbew boots?" and Jefferson, 17 months, not to be left out said, "I boots?" We all have so much fun with them! We love our babies so much.

Mandi and Lacey with Mr. Golden Arches!

Well, Miss Naomi is up and going off to spend the day with a friend, so off to life I must go. I've got some cute pictures..oh no, I just realized Nikki has my camera at camp. But I hope to get ya some in here soon! Have a blessed days!

Busy day..

Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.  Proverbs 29:18


 We seem to keep plenty busy, and most everyone else I know does, too. It seems none of us ever have much extra time on our hands, doesn't it? The precious older folks in our lives are the ones that seem to have more time, and us younger ones don't visit as much as we used to. A good friend of mine is now, along with her oldest daughters, sitting with her mother around the clock. She loves her so much, and is enjoying the opportunity. What a testimony to us all.

We ministered in song at two churches on Sunday. Both services went very well, and I believe the Lord blessed. Good meetings! I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to serve with my family in this way for almost 7 years now. So many memories, and it has kept us all together. We have met folks we never would have met, including many long lost relatives. As the older kids journey down their own paths, I don't know how much longer we will be able to play together, but I am cherishing the moments these days! I am praying about one more recording. It's been over 3 years since we last recorded, and I sure would love it! Also, we have had many requests for a new one.

Have a great day! I need to get a few things done before my day gets ahead of me, and the little ones arise!

Almost February already?!

 DANIEL AT THE SMYTH COUNTY JAM

photo taken by Sandy Hogston

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down,and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:7

Above is a picture of Daniel doing what he loves best, playing music! I had the opportunity to go with the oldest three kids the other night to the jam. It was great. Having the three little ones at 1,2,and 3, we don't go out as much as we used to as a family.

Sunday morning we'll be at Goodman's Chapel here in the valley, and Sunday night at the Union church there in Midway..the name escapes me at the moment, but I'll get it in here. I'm looking forward to it! Sunday morning at the chapel they are serving breakfast at 9, then we'll do the service at 10. So if you're not committed elsewhere, come on!

I am looking for a Suzuki music instructor in the area. If anyone knows of one, please let me know!

Reflections

CALEB ON CHRISTMAS

just coming down with chickenpox

        I do have pictures of him on his birthday, feeling much better! I'll try to ask Naomi to help me get them loaded on to the computer. He's grown up so fast. He had a nice birthday, and I think between us and the grandparents, he was happy with his birthday gifts! Caleb just might love listening to music more than anyone in the family, which is a lot! He is expressing an interest in learning the bass. He is quick to pitch in with the little guys when the girls are gone, for which I am so thankful!

I've been thinking of the children growing up, and the new season in my life I am just entering. As I have offspring ranging from ages 1-21, my life is full of diversity! (And a bit of adversity, too, though I wouldn't change it if I could! :) ) I am a blessed woman. I have much to be thankful for.

Well, again, happy birthday to Caleb. We love you so much!