Good morning!

Good morning, Everyone! Just poppin' in to say howdy, and to add a few more blessings. I have pictures to add, but I can't find them on my computer!

Well, I hope it's ok if I brag a bit on my kiddos this morning! Our four oldest children are now all enrolled in college. We'll see what direction they are led to pursue, but they are all busy studying! I am excited to see the Lord work in their futures!

Caleb and Mandi are my only students left in our "one room school". They both started back to studies on Monday.

I am doing some fun pre-school stuff with Jed, Lacey, and Jeffy. I gave them each a new notebook and new coloring crayons yesterday. Oh, were they excited! Jed asked, "Is this Christmas?"  Wow, for .42 cents a piece, what joy they had! I love little ones!

About a week and a half ago, a life long dream of mine was fulfilled. Ted took the youngest four and I to Charleston, SC, where I stepped my feet for the very first time in the Atlantic Ocean! It was so wonderful. Wow, it was warm and felt so very nice. It was the first time the Lil Trio had ever been to the beach, and they had sooo much fun. I didn't realize that their joy brought perfect strangers some happiness, too! A couple of folks stopped us as we were leaving asking if it was our first time at the beach, as it looked as if we were having so much fun.

Ted is still working in South Carolina. He came home this past weekend. I miss him so much. We went down to see him the last two weekends, (the 12 and under crowd). He looks so good and has a nice tan from all that sunshine! The little boys have a hard time lately with good-byes when we have to leave SC. We are thankful he has a job in this economy, though.

Some more things I am thankful for..

81) Finally having my dream of stepping my feet in the Atlantic come true!
82) Hugs and kisses
83) A long awaited victory in our lives!
84) Old and new friends
85) Mothers
86) Precious life
87) Food put up for winter
88) Unexpected help
89) Healthy children
90) Joy that comes in the morning

Have a great day and I hope to be back before long!!

White Buffalo Woman

Jed just approached me (about 5:30 am) and asked, "What would you do if a had a White Buffalo Woman? And she tried to save me and you?" Oh my, after awhile he said she changed into White Skunk Woman, who wanted to kill White Buffalo Woman. Oh my, is he cute!

On a sadder note, please pray for Ted's grandma and Uncle Charles, who are both in very poor health.

Sorry I don't get in here much! Would love to do better, but I just can't seem to fit it all in!

I love motherhood!!

A picture-less post again..sorry!

So much is going on and I get too busy to come in here. I absolutely love blogs with photos, so I promise to try and get some in here. I actually have lots of updated photos!

The kids are all doing great..Naomi turned 18 on the 16th. WOW!! I now have 4 adult children. I believe they will all be in school come August. I heard a country song once I believe was called DON'T BLINK. It told of how if you blinked, you just might miss your babies growing up, etc. Motherhood has been a journey. I love it..wouldn't trade it for all the gold in California, even with all its trials. I know I am biased, but I have the best kids ever.

Ted is still working down in SC. He was able to come home the past two weekends, but not this one. The littles and I usually go down to visit quite a bit. We were actually planning a move back to NC, where his family lives, but for various reasons we decided to stay put for now. I was pretty sad at first, but for now I believe this is what the Lord has for us. (I love Ted's family so much and was looking forward to being by them all again!)

Well, I just wanted to add a few more gifts.

81) Sleep, when it finally comes.
82) Fried chicken
83) Baby hugs and kisses
84) Carefree days
85) Amazing grace

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.