Light of the Stable

Hail, hail to the newborn King

Let our voices sing Him our praises

Hail, hail to the guiding light

That brought us tonight to our Savior!

Eden danced this morning with her worship dance group. She is right in the middle of this precious picture of little girls. They danced to Selah's song "Light of the Stable." Take a moment to listen to the song. This Christmas may you "cast aside your fear and be thankful!"

My Seven from Heaven...

Dudley Farm Visit

Eden grinds some corn for the chickens.

Dan and Tommy have a "hay" photo op!

We all got a chance to pump water.

Here's Joshua at the general store... He's so cute!

Mom using the wringer--glad we don't have to do laundry this way anymore!

Dan 11, Tommy 6, Eden 4, and Joshua 2.5

Today was one of those days I decided to mix things up and go out for some fun. After homeschooling this morning, we packed ourselves up and headed out for a picnic at Dudley Farm. Unfortunately, Max was with his Dad at work, so it was just Dan, Tommy, Eden, Joshua, and me. (Jamie and Celeste were both in class.) We had a great time! The kids were able to grind corn, feed it to the chickens, operate the pump to get water, and run an old-time wringer. I'm glad I don't have to do laundry that way!! We even saw a big turkey! I think this is something we need to do more often. The farm has docents who dress in period garb and there is a cane festival the 1st Saturday in December. We usually go to that! Since Max missed going with us, we may go visit next week, too. We hope to get a family picture at the farm soon, so be looking for that.

On the Home Front

Just a little catch-up on the home front here...

We just started our 11th year of homeschooling. My students this year are Dan (6th grade), Max (4th grade), Tommy (1st grade), and Eden (K4). Joshua is 2 and just doot-doots around. We joined a Co-op that meets once a week. I am teaching history to the 3rd-4th graders. The kids are getting a lot of out it so far.

Celeste (19) is taking classes at Sante Fe College. Her proposed major is secondary education. She is very interested in teaching high school history. Currently, she is volunteering in a 2nd grade classroom. Next month she will have been working for Publix for 2 years. She is a cashier and a bagger for them. Celeste is involved with RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) and loves it! This college youth is sponsored by the Presbyterian Church and they have chapters on many campuses. Celeste is living at home right now, so we have 7 children at home.

Jamie (16) is a junior at the local, rural high school. He finished last year with a 4.2 GPA and has just been inducted into the National Honor Society. He is taking very challenging classes this year which include: AP U.S. History, AP Language, Chemistry Honors, Pre-calculus, Spanish 2, and Culinary 3. He's very active in church youth and is going to be playing guitar for them during youth group. Also, he works as a ref at the local paint ball park.

My husband, Stuart, has his federal firearms license and owns a gun shop. Also, he makes custom holsters. It has gotten a bit busier, of late, which is good! We are attending a new church and loving it. The ladies are meeting tonight for a coffee house and I am really looking forward to it. It's nice to recharge my batteries. Being a mother and wife is so demanding--even more so when you homeschool and have a large family.

A couple of extra thoughts--Eden is taking ballet and loving it! She is a girlie girl for sure. Joshua is just a riot. He finally says "yes" when he means "yes" now. It comes out, "Zess." He LOVES the garbage man! Mondays and Thursdays he is quite excited when they come in the morning and back down our street. His delight in this simple thing is precious!

We are still mourning our precious daughter, Kara Faith. Today I am thinking on her quite a bit. I want to order her heart-shaped headstone, but we haven't don that yet. I remember being pregnant this time last year and how that felt. She was safely tucked inside. Things have settled down now. Less people respond. It's that time where her death is still SO REAL to us, but life goes on and others forget. It is okay with me for my friends and family to mention her, to say her name, to ask about how we are. I love to share about my daughter. It's all I have. I covet your prayers...

Recents

Eden recently started taking ballet lessons from a local studio. It has been SO FUN to watch her enjoy this activity! Celeste is taking ballet at the college, too. It's so sweet to see my two girls dressed up for dance. (I don't have a pic of Celeste, though.)

The first picture is of Jamie hugging Eden before her first ballet class. Jamie turned 16 last month and he is such a sweet big brother. Jamie is gone for the summer and I am really missing him. There's six more weeks to go until he comes home... Also, Jamie got straight A's again and due to his honors classes his GPA is 4.2! He has quite a heavy schedule next year with 2 AP classes, an honors course in Chemistry, Pre-calc, Spanish 2, and Culinary 3. I am proud of his hard work!

Yay For Eden!!

Super News! Eden is now officially potty trained! Woo hoo! Currently, we have one child in diapers. I was trying to remember the last time that was the case. It must have been over 3 years ago when just Tommy was in diapers. At one point, when Joshua was born, I had 2 in diapers and 1 in pull-ups for quite some time. For the past week, Eden has been wearing underwear and had NO accidents. I declare her trained. I told her I would buy her a pack of Cinderella underwear and she says, "No, Mommy, I want Tinkerbell!" I'm hoping they make 'em.

So we have a reprieve until Kara arrives. IF we get to bring her home, then we'll have 2 in diapers again, but I won't care. Kara is doing quite well. There are periodical updates on her blog page. We go for a 3D/4D ultrasound this Monday, November 16th. I can't wait!

Cuteness

Eden put these sunglasses on Joshua last night. It was so cute! He was watching Daddy mow the lawn. Chipper was there, too!
Eden was dancing and singing in the kitchen. She is doing that a lot nowadays! Tommy is in the background.

A picture thought

It's so hot that Eden even wear sunglasses at breakfast!

Wednesday--A Picture Thought

Eden says, "Look, I wearing socks!" (They're Daddy's.)

In which Eden gets her ears pierced...

She cried for only a minute and now Eden has cute little ears just like her friend, Jill. Celeste was a sport while holding Eden on her lap. The lollipop was quite a treat as E had never had one before. After 4 boys in a row, we're being girlie around here.

I'm doing Weight Watchers right now. I would start a weight loss blog, but I wouldn't want to bore anyone ;)! My good friend, Tara, and I are spurring each other on. I feel like I spend every day hungry, but maybe that will pass. I'll try to keep you up-to-date on how it's going. This week has a been a little rough with Sara's Memorial Service and our crazy schedule.

Joshua has his 9 month well check today. I will add info to his blog later today.

Piggies and M-ade

Eden is now just over 2 years old--27 months to be exact. If you remember, this feisty little girl had no hair for the longest time. Finally, she has her hair in pigtails! She calls them "piggies" and asks for them almost daily. Another cute thing she is saying now is "M-ade." She has eschewed regular juice in favor of "M-ade." (I only use it as a treat, though.) In addition, she is now sitting at the big table with us in the Stokke Kinderzeat which she calls her "kindermaseat." I love how cute they are at age 2. It's not even close to be terrible...

Picture thoughts

Max is without front teeth as of yesterday!

Eden discovered swinging this week...

Eden Is Two

My little girl turned 2 yesterday. I can't believe it has gone so fast! Right now she absolutely loves to color. She is talking more and more, but we can't always understand her. She seems to have her own cute little language. Eden is the sunshine in our lives right now--so cute!

New tutu

Been busy over here! (Of course, what else with 7 kids---well, 5 right now.) Celeste and Jamie are due back on Saturday night, yippeee! I can't wait! I haven't seen Jamie in about 8 weeks and Celeste in 5 weeks. I am hoping to go to the airport, but we'll have to see if we can work something out. We are in need of a van for our family--12 passenger or 15. I'd like a Ford b/c I like the lines. I've been praying that God would make it possible somehow. We have a 1999 suburban that seats 8 and is in great shape. I lurve it! But there isn't enough room for everyone... I've been wanting to visit Val in Orlando and Saturday would be perfect. Let's see, I'm hoping to have some ads going on my site soon. I've joined some groups on yahoo in order to get affordable clothing. I love Gymboree and Hanna Anderrson! Eden got a new tutu. Picture above. Too cute. Thanks ebay and Christy!

**Update: We discovered Eden has Roseola, so at least we know what virus she has!**

I have been dealing with some illness (and other weirdness) around here the past few days. Eden ran a fever from Sunday afternoon until early this morning. No other symptoms, but it did get over 103. Just a virus. On Monday, I took Tommy in to our pediatrician because his left ear was swollen 3 times normal size and purple. (The picture above is after a dose of benadryl and it looked a lot better!) We are guessing he got a bug bite of some sort and just used allergy medicine and cream on it. I have had a headache for the past 3 days. I suppose it's pregnancy hormones, but it's not fun. Both the littles are better today and my headache is slightly better right now.

My brother is moving to Dallas tomorrow. My 13 yo nephew broke his arm yesterday and my 10 yo nephew gets his cast off today from a broken arm. Whew! Please pray for safe travel for them.

I'm Still Here

Yes, I'm still around...literally, ha! We actually had a pretty packed weekend. It started with Max's 7th birthday (on Friday, February 1st!), then we had dinner at my brother's yesterday, and we went to church today for service and a Superbowl/fellowship night. Tonight I dropped off my truck for new brakes--gotta have those! I'm hoping it will be done quickly and I can get it back by early tomorrow afternoon.

We're doing school tomorrow, of course. I'm adding a writing program for Jamie. We decided on Jensen's Format Writing. Check out the link for more info and a review. Also, Celeste is doing American Government from A Beka. We'll see how we like that. It's a senior course, but we'll start it now and maybe finish it early next year. It's only a semester, but we're getting a late start. In addition, we'll do an Economics course next year.

Dan and Max start baseball very soon. This was a very busy time for us last year. I'm hoping the season is over before baby comes. Max didn't play last year, but his Daddy wanted him to this year. They wil be on the same team together with a wonderful coach we know. I think it will be lots of fun! I enjoy watching the games and all the practices are close to home.

We're still really working with Tommy on potty training. He is wearing pull-ups. He is now 3 1/2 and I am quite frustrated with his lack of interest. All of my other boys were trained by now and wearing big boy underwear. I'll keep on it, though. I don't relish the thought of 3 in diapers! Eden is growing by leaps and bounds. She is such a cutie. Her newest word is "Guys!" She yells it at the boys sometimes from her crib. I must say it a lot. She got a new stroller and rolls it around the house constantly with her dolly in it.

New Year's A-Comin'

Happy New Year's Eve! I trust 2008 will be an exciting year. I don't do resolutions, but I do like to look ahead and think about my goals for the year. This year, well, it's anyone's guess. It will be interesting with a new baby in the house and all the goings on!

Today Eden went for a 15 month check-up. She's having trouble switching to milk--runny stools and bad diaper rash. We've got her up to 1/2 milk and 1/2 formula. That's really the only reason I went in. I think well check-ups are just a money grab and are for administering vaccines (which we don't get). We weigh her at home. I'll probably skip the 18 month check unless I can't figure something out... Anyway, our pediatrician (who I love) suggested lactaid milk. We'll try it. I am thinking it's probably less costly than formula. Eden weighed 21 pounds (30%) and was 31 inches tall (75%!). She's tall and skinny. She still looks like a peanut! Tommy and Eden got a play kitchen for Christmas. The picture above is them having fun with it!

Saturday musings

It's going to get a bit colder here for a few days. I anxiously await this development as it was in the mid-80's yesterday. This is December?!? Send some frost our way...bring it on!

I just posted an article about childhood arthritis and vaccines at His Healthy Child. This subject hits home as my oldest daughter suffers from JRA. Currently, she is not taking any prescription meds for her condition. We are praising the Lord for her good health over the past couple of years. She still has to watch her diet, but hopefully she can continue without the use of pharmaceutical intervention.

By the way, Eden is now spending the majority of her time walking! It's so strange and funny to see this little tiny person round the corner standing up. She is so cute and looks like a cross between Frankenstein and someone who's tipsy. At 14 months, she only weighs 20 pounds. She's our petite little wonder.

Who needs toys?

How much fun can a diaper box be? I don't know, go ask 5 of my children. They all took turns pushing Eden around in the box. Who needs toys anyway?!? Actually, Jamie (13) got in one of the boxes today and broke it, but they sure had a good time! Here's Eden in a pirate hat (with our Jack Russell, Chipper) and with kleenex, too!

Bully Bully

Here are a couple pics Jamie took of Eden yesterday. He just loves her to bits! She turned 8 months old on Monday. I can't believe it. It's going too fast! She makes a cute little "bully" face frequently. He caught her doing it. Blessings!