Life is Full of Chhh-changes!

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."  

Psalm 126:3

When I was a kid, my parents decided to become "fly by the seat of their pants" kind of parents.  I don't know if they had always wanted to be like this and Dad's work and school schedule never allowed it, but once we moved to Georgia, they were always just "up and going".  Shortly after we moved, I remember one day my parents coming home and announcing to the family that we were going on a day trip.  The trip ended up being horrendous {by my tween standards}.  No "room in the inn" and traffic and even a spooky stop at a road side stand selling- uck!- boiled peanuts!  I thought I had died and gone to "Hickville".  And what had happened to my parents?!  Eating peanuts....boiled in a nasty pot..... on the side of the road?!  This place was NOT Texas!  The part I hated most was that my parents never had a plan.  No idea where we were staying.  No idea where we were stopping for meals.  No plans on when we were finally getting out of our very cramped Ford Taurus.  Yes, you read right.  I come from a family of five.  And we drove around in a Ford Taurus.  This was after our beloved and old station wagon bit the dust.   You know the station wagon that had extra seats on the back?!  Anywho.... My parents used this same "fly by the seat of their pants" attitude for everything we did growing up.  Drove me bonkers.  They even did it on our very long and memorable trip up the east coast to West Point.  Do you know where West Point is?  How many hours from Georgia to New York?!  And yes, all in that Ford Taurus.  Five of us.  What a pleasant trip that had to have been for my parents!?!  {Sorry I complained so much back then Mom and Dad!} We made quite a few stops along the way.  Of course, made lots of wonderful memories along the way as well.  Memories I wouldn't trade for anything, BUT it was not pleasant as a tween.  Wouldn't want to relive that trip either.  Being stuck beside your brothers.  Long days of driving.  Little room.  Many adventures!  I think we did that long trip up the East Coast two or three times.  Always lots of excitement!


I realized that by the time I had baby number 3 that I really wasn't in control. I know, I probably should have learned this before then.  Maybe I knew that I had no control on parts of my life, but when it came to kiddos, maybe I thought I had it all under control?  Maybe it took having more kids than I could handle with hands for me to truly understand.  I began to thank God for the good moments and memories that we could make and pray that the bad moments and times would quickly fly by and that we'd learn what we needed to.


As I start to reflect on 2011 and dream for 2012, I realize that my family {not just the six of us, but a lot of the family} had a lot of changes.  Life changes.  A year ago, if you had asked that we'd all in the places that we are, I don't think I could have answered that.  We've grown, changed things and become more dependent on Him.


For my own itty bitty immediate family, we've had big changes- new house and new baby.  The boys and I have said good-bye to good home-schooling friends and made lots of new ones.  New activities.  New adventures.  New things to adjust to.  Hubbie had some really low points in his career this year, but we rejoice and praise God, the year ended on some really high notes.  We feel so blessed for him to be employed, near family, have friends that he enjoys working with and be rewarded for all of his hard work.


At the end of last year, having just become debt free, we didn't know what the year would hold!  While we were hoping for a trip to celebrate becoming debt free, shortly after finding out that we were pregnant {we announced it on the blog in December} we realized that saving every penny for our baby's c-section and car repairs would be much wiser.  Of course, not leaving any money in our emergency fund for a fun-week long trip.  Little did we know what else God had in store.  We purchased our first home at the end of May after 2 months of pure-heck-like-days.  Not knowing where we were going to do.  Where we needed to be.  Saddened by the fact that we didn't feel like we could stay in our rental home.  So emotional.  So stressful having such a tight budget and few options.


When I look back at my list of "needs" at the beginning of the year.  I was overwhelmed by the list.  I was so worried.  I had no idea how things would be handled.  Today, as I review my prayer lists for the year and sit down to write this post, I realize, every single need was provided by Him.  Only He could have worked miracles for us to have afforded and be gifted a home.  Only He could have supplied the funds to replace tires, fix the van, afford another c-section, deductible costs, baby needs, home repairs.....and so on and so forth.  How we were able to do it all?   I really thought we'd be in debt up to our eye balls by this time.  Regretting all of our decisions.  But I sit here in amazement at His faithfulness and His abundant provisions for our family during the year of 2011.  He has answered our prayers....abundant provisions is what we prayed for, day after day.  Begging.  Completely dependent on Him.  How silly was I to worry and fret!  Why did I allow satan to overwhelm me with fear and worry?  In January, well, I take that back, most of the year has had me overwhelmed with the changes.   I was filled with so much worry, stress and saddened by life.  

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.  I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

When I think about goals and dreams for 2012 with anticipation, I realize, I have no plans.  Most of the time I do, and in reality, I probably still do, but the only thing in 2012 I want to do is live.  I want to be willing to act where God leads.  I want to be used by Him.  I want to rely on Him.  I want our family to find peace and answers to questions.  I want for us to rest in Him and relax.  I just want to rest, learn and grow, build friendships and serve Him.  

In addition to wanting to be used by Him and having Him be more at the center of our home and lives, we are also about to enter in a full on- food change in our home.  I have been suffering with acne/cysts for 15+ years.  I had horrible acne as a teenager.  I can remember crying because of the overwhelming amount of skin issues I had.  Thankfully, my parents were supportive and encouraging.  And I had a really good dermatologist office...... we were there quite often!  The office staff knew our whole family!  Thankfully, as I've had kiddos, the acne has come and gone..... getting worse during pregnancies and during times of fluctuating hormones....but pretty much leveling out.  Sadly, the cysts have not stopped.  Since Millie was born, the frequency and places that the cysts are popping up are becoming worse!  When the last big "attack" of cysts happened, Millie was a few weeks old and it was so painful.  Something else I struggle with is yeast infections, so since Millie was born, my body has been inflicted with yeast infections and cysts.  When Hubbie did some research this past summer with some of my skin history, he came up with a diagnosis.  When I went to see the doctor last week, he confirmed our suspicious......  Hubbie was right in his diagnosis.  We have two options, really, for healing.  First, I can wait until I'm finished with nursing and undergo an extensive antibiotic regiment.... three months of very intense and strong antibiotics..... that can cause really bad side effects and damage to my intestines....  Or, I can do what the doctor suggestions and hopefully, we can cure this with a change in diet, taking some zinc supplements and using tea tree oil!  :o)  Wish us luck!

Happy New Year!

Christmas 2011

"Suddenly a great company of heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests."  

Luke 2:13-14

I heard this one last year on the radio.  Amazing words.  I just about lose it each time I hear it.  Chokes me up every.single.time.  We {Hubbie and myself} get so frustrated at times when we take the time to do Advent activities, the Jesse tree, reading and doing devotionals every night, surrounding ourselves with like-minded Christians and other home-schooling families and friends and sometimes, it just feels like we're failures as parents.  The kids act silly..  We don't feel like they are listening or taking anything serious.  This song makes me want to shout out what Jesus has done for the whole world to hear.  It gives me a desire to keep telling my children about Jesus, what He's done for me.  More than anything else, in this world, I want my children to love Jesus, serve Him and grow up loving Him.  I pray they don't have to walk through difficult times to really experience Jesus' love and presence in their lives.  I want them to be excited to learn more about Him.



We sang this one at church last year on Christmas Eve.  Again, I choke up, every time I hear it.  Unspeakable Joy!  Amazing what a gift we've been given!  And we don't have to work for it.  Or earn it.  Its there, freely given to us to take.  What an amazing Savior!


As a child, I took piano lessons for years.  Once we moved to Georgia, I took from the same lady for 8 years.  I also baby-sat her children for a few years.  I took for a total of 10 years and around Christmas time, we always worked through Christmas songs.  My teacher always had me play "Little Drummer Boy".  I really didn't like it.  Something about the older versions of the song got on my nerves...kinda like twangy country music.....  We recently purchased a children's book about the Little Drummer Boy and for some reason, in the last few years, the words speak to me.  Maybe I'm actually listening.  The little boy had nothing.  He brought Jesus what he had.  He could play his little drum for Jesus.  The King of all Kings!  I love it.  Come to Jesus, just as you are.....  what a message!   Jars of Clay has always been a favorite band of mine.  I saw them in concert when they were first starting out and then Hubbie and I saw  Jars of Clay in concert a few times on the cruise {May 2009}.  I really like this version of the song.  Definitely a favorite.  

As a Christ follower, how can you NOT be excited about Christmas?!  The joy!  The message!  The truth!  The Scripture foretelling and the prophecy coming true!  The sacrifice!  What a beautiful thing we have to celebrate!

  Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!

Carter's Christmas Tree Farm Field Trip

One of the families in our home-school care group owns a Christmas tree farm in town.  They were so gracious to invite our group out last Friday for a field trip.  They did a wonderful job.  It was so organized and well thought out.  The kids enjoyed the activities and I was so thankful for Hubbie taking a day off to come with us.  Buggy was quite a handful!  

We were able to learn about Christmas trees- how they are grown, what trees grow best in Georgia, how they take care of the trees and prune them.

The kids were tickled to have the opportunity to roast marshmallows and drink hot chocolate!  Yum!

Stephanie taught the kids how to play a new game and were given an ornament to take home!

 Best part about the day, besides seeing friends and being outside, the hayride!

Suffering....

I have fallen off the blogging wagon for a week or so....  I came down with a nasty nasty cold last Monday....followed by a nasty cyst {or two, or three, or five....or maybe I've lost count} and then we discovered a stye in my eye towards the middle of the week.  This is, of course, after a horrible week with the kids last week..... horrible attitudes, disobedience and just a rotten week of school.

I think we're done with school for the rest of the year and we'll try to start again, fresh, in January!  This Mama is tuckered!

I am very thankful that I have a loving husband to pick up my slack, that the kids haven't gotten the nasty cold as badly as I have {or have gotten the cold that Hubbie had the week before} and that I got all this nasty stuff two weeks before Christmas and not the week of!

Not I just gotta get better so that we can celebrate Christmas...... in 5 days!  :o)

Mommy Parties- Sponsored by Pregnancy 2.0

A few months ago, I received the most wonderful opportunity from Mommy Parties to host a Pregnancy 2.0 Party and review the Britax B-Agile Stroller, the Britax B-Safe Infant Seat, the Baby Carrier, 2 Snuggle Buddies, a box full of goodies from Xlear and Baby Plus Education System.....to read more of this fun and fantastic review, go here.

Happy 4th Birthday to our little Peanut!

Our second son is turning four today.  What a crazy four years we've had!  I became a stay at home mother.  We've moved into two new homes and added three children!  All along, Peanut has given us so much comic relief and such a sweet, cuddly bug!  

 He started his life with a bang!  Middle of the night, I began to bleed.  He was a placenta previa baby and I hadn't bled the whole pregnancy, so when I was nearing the end of the pregnancy and began to bleed, they wanted me in the hospital.  We quickly called Nana and Pops to get Bubbie and off we went, assuming we'd meet Peanut.  The hospital was moving SLOW that day and the doctor didn't feel like there was any rush, so we were waiting for the OR to open up.  Then, I felt a gush.... lots of blood!  The hospital staff didn't wait to find out if it was my water breaking or if we were in danger!  We were rushed into the emergency OR, in the labor and delivery, and I was put to sleep.  Baby Peanut was born, itty bitty, 3 weeks early and healthy!  

We had a difficult time at first nursing, but we stuck through it and he was my first nursing babe.  He was a difficult newborn.  Colicky.  Always fussy.  Didn't want to sleep in the beginning.  Nursed every hour on the hour most nights.  It was rough.  

By 6 mos, we began to get him on a schedule, his spitting up and tummy issues subsided and what a joy it was to spend the days with my two boys!  Fun days!

We call him our cartoon character because he makes the best faces and has the sweetest voice.  Buggy has nicknamed his "D D" because he can't say his brother's name.  Peanut gets so frustrated when others call him "D D" because he screams "thats not my NAME!"  Poor little one!  Stuck in the middle between all the "babies" and his biggest brother who gets to do all the cool, big boy things!  

He is his oldest brother's shadow.  

Loves Cars characters, Toy Story, just about any show on Nick Jr.  He loves Fresh Beat band and has the cutest little leg "twitch" dance kinda like Elvis when he starts watching the show.  I like to call it his Holy Spirit dancin'!  He loves to sing and listen to his praise and worship music in the car.  He absolutely LOVES his church and their dance and worship part of the morning.  He does all the movements and if he notices that you are watching him, he gets really shy and stops grooving!  

He loves trying new foods.... fruits, vegetables... he's always Daddy's buddy at trying new things!  

He is a wonderful big brother to his new little sister and is always able to calm her down and tells her she's the prettiest girl in the world.  

He still isn't Buggy's biggest fan, but slowly we're seeing a better relationship form.  When they are happily playing with each other, it makes me smile and know that there is hope for these two little ones to become friends!  Just may take a while!  They butt heads like crazy and fight like cats and dogs at times! 

But, our little D-D has the best heart.  He is always ready to say "I'm sorry" and "I love you"  Always willing to give kisses and hugs.  Just thinking about him and his crazy dance moves or funny expressions or his reenactments of movies, makes me want to bust out laughing!    

He loves to learn.  He recently wrote his name for the first time.  I owe it all to his co-op teacher.  I had not sat down with him and let him write his letters.  I felt like it was too early.  I had purchased books for him, but was waiting until January to even think about beginning them.  One day, he asked how to spell his name and before I knew it, he had written his name and then another kid's name, from his co-op class.  He is so anxious to learn all the "big boy" stuff.  

He has been sleeping with Bubbie for about a month now.  We keep offering him another bed, but nope, he wants to sleep up there.  What a fun relationship they have.  He would be lost without his Bubbie at home to play with.  

Wouldn't want to think about our world without him.....  anxious and excited to see what the next year for him will bring.... new adventures, playing, learning and growing.

For his birthday celebration he requested the family to go to Putt Putt and eat at Wendys, so last Sunday we did just that!  We had a fun time playing minature golf....even though it was windy and cold!  We were the only ones there which made it nice!  He was so upset when the game was over, because he thought we should have been able to play two games, so Daddy took him inside for a video game of his choice!  Peanut was in "hog" heaven on his special day!

We had to end the day of celebrating with a trip to Tutti Frutti....his favorite frozen yogurt treat shop!  

Peanut had requested a Team Umizoomi cake.  The more I looked at it, the more complicated it seemed.  He had also requested m&ms so we're going for a m&m cookie cake with a fun cars candle!  Seems like an easy peasy option to me!  :o)

Peanut asked for a special McDonalds breakfast for his birthday morning!  I was a little surprised since his brothers had asked for donuts, I figured thats what Peanut would ask for as well.  He sure does love McDonalds!  Poor kid, just doesn't get it as often as he wants!

Peanut,  

We love you so very much!  You make all of our lives so much happier!  You are so sweet and loving.  We are so proud of the little one you've become and we feel so blessed to be able to call you our son.  You have an infectious smile and one of the silliest little ones I know!  We can't wait to see what you learn and accomplish in this next year!    

Happy Birthday to our little Peanut!  

Christmas Funnies

Our kiddos believe in Santa Claus.  It was a simple "get in bed early so that Santa will bring presents" with Bubbie and before we knew it, we had four children.  We have talked briefly about whether to continue this tradition.  I had a friend ask if we felt as if we were "lying to our children" and maybe they wouldn't trust us once they found out that we had "lied" to them about Christmas.  I really hadn't ever given it much thought.  My parents were strong Christians.  We grew up "believing" in Santa.  I don't remember when I finally found out, but it didn't "scar" me for life.  There is quite a movement to not do Santa.  I feel like we do the best that we can by stressing Jesus, His birth, the reason for the Season and living for Him all year long.  We try and have our focus more on our Advent activities, remembering and celebrating His birth and spending time together, than the gifts that we get.  Children are children.  They may not be "getting" it right now.  Lord willing, as they grow and learn, we'll begin to "get through" to them.

Having said all that, not really up for the "debate" on Santa.  :o)  We re-evaluate our stand on this topic yearly.

One morning Bubbie told me that he wanted a certain car race track and that Peanut wanted another one in the set.  These tracks costs over $100 and it was definitely NOT in the budget to get them these tracks along with the other things requested.  I told him that we'd see and that that was quite an expensive wish list item.  He said, "Don't worry Mom.  I don't have to ask for it from you and Dad.  I can ask Santa for it."  I chuckled and asked if Santa had unlimited funds?  "Of course, he's Santa."  Hmm... perhaps we need to introduce the idea that Santa does have budgets and follows Dave Ramsey.  Hee hee.

Reading to Know Book Club 2012

I love to read.  I really really do. Growing up we didn't watch TV.  It was turned on for the news at 6 o'clock and left on for Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.  Then it was turned back off.  Usually on Friday night or Saturday nights I was allowed to stay up and watch a video or an old movie coming PBS.  Thats it folks!  So, I spent all my afternoons as a child playing outside or reading.  I would look forward to a trip to the library because it was fun to find all sorts of new books to dive into!  My love for reading has carried over into my adult hood.  Sometimes I find myself having plenty of time to read and getting lost in another world.  Other times, I go for months without touching anything.

When I was pregnant with Millie, I had LOTS of free time to read while waiting in the doctor's office.  I did a lot of waiting too.  As soon as Millie entered the world, we've been turned upside and every which way.  Whoever says adding another one is easy-peasy is totally lying!  ;o)  But I'll gladly take my world being turned upside and having her in our lives!   Anyway, since Millie came into the world I've attempted reserving a few "wanna reads" at the library ONE TIME.  The books never got read.  They were returned a week later and I've haven't tried since.  All you who can read books (real books- not on nooks/kindles/etc) and nurse as the same time, please tell me how?  My free time is spent nursing.  My busy time is spent feeding the other three.  But, I must admit, now that Millie is sleeping through {most} nights, I have given in and stayed up late reading one book!  It was a goody and I finished it in less than 24 hrs!  Thats it though!

When I saw Stephanie posting about this book club, I was eager to join!  I really like the book list and the fact that I have a whole month to devote to each book!

Here is a list of the books are on the reading list:

January - Beyond Opinion, by Ravi Zacharias. Selected by Sky.

February - Running Away to Home, by Jennifer Wilson. Selected by *Carrie* at With All That I've Been Given.

March - The Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan. Selected by Shonya at Learning How Much I Don't Know.

April - Any title by P.G. Wodehouse of your choosing (selected by Tim at Diary of an Autodidact) Just choose one. Especially if you've never read Wodehouse before. (Happy to make suggestions if you need some.)

May - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain. Selected by Amy at Hope is in the Word.

June - A Girl of the Limberlost, by Gene Stratton Porter. Selected by Stephanie at Simple Things.

July - Any book in the Chronicles of Narnia series (as part of the Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge hosted annually here at Reading to Know, hosted by myself) (Again, just choose one. And make the most of it!)





August - The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente. Selected by Bluerose at Bluerose's Heart.

September - Professionalizing Motherhood, by Jill Savage. Selected by Stephanie atStephanie's Mommy Brain.

October - Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Selected by Barbara H. at Stray Thoughts.

November - Jewel of Persia, by Roseanna White. Selected by Annette at Live, Learn, Love.

December - A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. Selected by Carrie (that'd be me!)


Sounds like fun, huh?!  Why don't you join in too?!  Or come back on the last Friday of each month and read my review of the books!  Wish me luck!

Bubbie's 7th Birthday Celebration!

As I said in an earlier post, Bubbie requested to go bowling and eat out at Chili's for his birthday celebration!  

We had a great time celebrating our oldest son!  

Bubbie's 7th birthday was on a Sunday!  Talk about making it difficult to celebrate!  I jumped out of bed, fed Millie quickly and then rushed off to get Bubbie's requested breakfast- donuts!  I grabbed a dozen donuts and coffee for Hubbie.  On the way home, I remembered we hadn't gotten him a balloon {a birthday staple in our home} so I rushed into Kroger.  I found the PERFECT balloon for our race car fanatic, got to the register to pay, went to pull out my car keys for the "Kroger card" and guess what?!  No keys!  I freaked!  I asked the cashier if I could run and look for my keys.  I looked everywhere that I walked.  I went out to my car.  I just KNEW I had left my keys in the ignition or they had fallen in between the seats.... something odd.  It would be JUST my luck!  Ugh!  I was sick to my stomach!  I couldn't find them.  As I walked back into the store, I realized that instead of sticking my keys in my purse, I had put them in my jacket pocket.  Whew!  Anyway, we quickly did breakfast and got ready for church.  Of course, we were late for church.  {We're never EVER on time!}

After church we headed to Chili's to eat lunch!  We don't often go OUT TO EAT at REAL restaurants with our CREW!  I capitalize for emphasis on THOSE words!  Hee hee  But we were ready to tackle this!  Thankfully, while we were waiting for Nana and Pops to show up, Millie was good in her seat so that we had hands on the other boys and when the boys started to get rowdy {i.e. drop a newly refilled drink on the floor} Nana and Pops were there to help!  I ended up feeding Millie and eating one-handed.  Again, so thankful for grandparents!  Bubbie was in hog heaven with his pizza and french fries lunch!  We let the kids order whatever they wanted and it was definitely a fun treat!  

Next stop was bowling!  We haven't bowled as a family since Bubbie was almost three years old.  We went when I was pregnant with Bubbie and it was INSANE!  Bubbie wasn't obeying and was so hyper!  When Bubbie was given the opportunity to pick something to go do with the family, he was quick to answer bowling as his treat!  We were ready for the challenge!  Having Nana and Pops there helped tremendously!  Buggy was all over the place!  But we had fun!  Bubbie and Peanut did a great job bowling!  Even Nana and Pops were real pros, even though they said they hadn't bowled in 10-20 yrs!!  Millie did really good, watching all the action!  We only made it through one game and by the end of that one, Peanut was done and sitting and playing in the chairs and Buggy was laying on the floor......

I had made Bubbie a Cars cake, so we went home for a quick birthday singing and cutting of the cake!  The cake was pretty good and had Bubbie's favorite candy- kit kats!  He was tickled that the cake had all his favorites- Cars characters, kit kats and chocolate cake!

All in all, he had a wonderful day celebrating!  Lots of gifts, love, fun and family!  :o)