Christmas Tea Party

 

 

This and the following 2 posts are some of our Christmas festivities that we have had going on. I cannot do them all at one time due to my beloved dial up issue.

I was pondering what to do for all these precious little girls that we have in our lives and I could think of nothing better than a Christmas tea party. It was so fun. We had sugar cookies, chocolate goodies and hot cocoa. We talked about what it means to be little ladies and how to use our manners. The highlight of the party was all of us sitting around the TV watching Barbie in A Christmas Carol. It is such a good little girl movie and it is so festive. At the end of the DVD there is a carol-oke special feature. We sang and laughed. I hope all those little girls had as good of a time as I did. There were 6 little girls who were out of town and couldn't come. God has blessed us with so many wonderful friends to share our lives with.

Gingerbread Houses

 

 

 

 

All I Want For Christmas...

IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH!!!

 

Choir Concerts and A Humbling Dedication

 

K-6th grade choir

 

pre-school choir

Today was our Home school Choir Christmas Concert. They all did such a great job. It is amazing how much talent is that little choir. Most of those children have a special talent in music so, this choir may give us some exciting shows in the near future. This time they sang a few hymns and some carols. Bailey sang a solo in The First Noel... she sounded so sweet. My favorite part was all those toothless grins. Most of them were missing at least 1 or 2.

The preschoolers also sang a few of their songs they do in Sing, Spell, Read, and Write (our Co-Op preschool program). They were so cute. Each of them got to hold the mic and sing thru the numbers song. Jadon remembered all the words to the shapes song which was a worry since he is the loudest one. Today he blended in better than I expected. He wore his new suit and tie. He says that it is his "Christian" suit. Who knows where he got that one.

Today we also dedicated Judson to the Lord. We have several of these dedications a year at our church but Carlton always makes each one of them so special. Of course my family can't do anything without having a story to go along with it. I spent forever picking out clothes so that we would all match since the whole family would be on stage. We were all in our Christmas black and red, suit and tie best. Half way through the dedication, as I am holding the squirming Judson, I discover that 3 out of 4 of my dress buttons are unbuttoned. OMG! And if that wasn't bad enough, Jadon tee-teed on himself while standing on stage. Thankfully he never acted as if he had to go, he just went and as soon as we left the stage he told me, and no one noticed my 3 unbuttoned buttons. Isn't it funny how I took all that time to make my family presentable because I knew we were going to be called up on stage only for it to backfire on me and leave me laughing at myself in embarrassment. God does humble the proud, doesn't he?

Scheduling

This has usually been something that I have been pretty good at. But, here lately, well its been a slow decline for a while, I've been struggling. I need your help. I am desperate for ideas on how to better schedule my time and ways to be more efficient. Also, pray for me. Whatever I decide to change, I will have to be disciplined to stick with it. Here are a few things that I could use some advise or scheduling tips with. 1.) Spending quality teaching time with each on the ones that are in school (pre-school, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th) and creative things to do with the others that are not 2.) Spending time playing with them all. 3.)Time with Eric. 4.)Time alone. For those of you with large families, I have a hard time keeping the house straightened. Do you have toy rules, clothes rules, kitchen duty, laundry duty ect...My children clean very well but they don't keep it clean. We all make huge messes then clean it up at a certain time in the day. That works sometimes but how could I stay on top of it more. My children are not lazy slobs, they work very hard, we are just so busy, even when we are just staying at home. It seems that all of our time would need to be structured and scheduled since there is so much for us to do in a day but everyone needs some freedom, right? I used to be on top of all these things but not anymore, 4 children is a world away from 7. I am tired of chaos and I need order. Please comment or E-mail me some ideas, large family moms or not.

Will they ever survive?

Monday was another one of those days that had me functioning on autopilot with little emotion. You know those days that are just so jammed packed with school, meals, dishes, laundry, more school, more meals, and more dishes. By 6pm I made the announcement that the next time I heard "Mama, I need you" I would spank. Eric had a hurt back and came home from work and went right to bed so he was little relief to the all day chaos. By 9pm all I wanted was to nurse my little man and go to sleep. My flesh was screaming of my woes of having no time for my self and if sleep was all I was allowed, I wanted all I could get. Get this, Judson would not nurse. He would latch on and bite, latch on and bite, ect. I was so mad. I would pull him away and say sternly, "NO!". How dare he bite me when I was so tired and just trying to feed him. Finally I gave up and just put him in his own bed to cry it out. He finally fell asleep. 30 min. later John Mark was awake and needing loving, so in my bed he came. This woke Judson up who wanted to nurse. This time he would not even latch on. He would root around but only to refuse. This went on for 5 hours. Miserable doesn't even come close, you know. Judson was screaming and would not accept any comfort. Around 3am he threw his head back in a fit and I saw something in his mouth. He had a furniture tack stuck in the roof of his mouth. The nail end, thankfully was already gone and not stuck into his flesh but the rough round end had created a STRONG suction to the roof of his mouth. It took great force to remove it. He ended up with blisters and scrapes on the roof of his mouth. He was so traumatised that he refused to nurse the rest of the night and on thru the next day. He still is very hesitant to nurse but is getting better each time.

How long had that thing been in his mouth? Where did he get such a thing? Was he biting me or was I being irritated by the tack? Was I being stern and jerking him away for something he wasn't even in control over? My poor baby. Will I ever lie down at the end of a long day and know that I did a good job that day? Will John Mark ever stay or be where I think he should be? Will any of them ever survive my feeble attempt at parenting? Thanks be to God, when I am weak, He is strong.

Good News / Bad News

 

Okay, bad news first. Today was Judson's ocularist appointment to get another conformer. BTW, They are getting so big and hard to get in but Judson handles them so well. Today I found out that BC/BS will not pay for the conformers nor the scleral shell. That's a whole lot of change $$$. Because of Judson's problem he is also on Medicaid but...Medicaid will not pay either. So pray for me as I start battling the insurance company through appeals to try and get them to pay something. It really doesn't make since to me. Why would they not cover the cost to give my baby a chance to have a normal looking appearance? I mean this isn't like I am having his teeth whitened or something. If they will pay for a prosthetic leg or breast than why not an eye? Anyhow, that's the bad news.

Now, the good. Judson has been tolerating the larger conformers so well that he will be able to get his painted scleral shell January 26th! YIPPEE. I was told that he would be in conformers until he was a 1 or 2. He will be 9 months old and already have his. I don't know really what to expect. The next appointment will take half the day while they get a mold made from the conformers and hand paint it, clear coat it, shine it up and put it in. I know that they will not get to do a mold of his good eye until he is 4 so this first shell may not be the "perfect" fit that later ones will be. I also found out that the normal length to keep one shell before needing a new one is 7 years. We will need to have it cleaned and adjusted twice a year. Of course, all this would not be covered under insurance and totally out of pocket unless God intervenes. But today I am just thanking the Lord and kissing all over my baby boy for being able to handle these irritating conformers so well. Tomorrow I will ruffle my feathers and get down to business with the big wigs.

Help Wanted!!

 

I need your help blog friends. Here at the Davis home we have come upon something that we are stumped in finding an answer to. Many of you know that when I was a little girl I was terrified to be alone. It was quite a debilitating problem. I would loose several hours of sleep a night because I was afraid to close my eyes. I was afraid that someone would come into my house and try to hurt my family. When everyone else had been sleeping for an hour or so I was the only one left awake, so I felt the responsibility to take care of my family in case someone broke in while they were sleeping. It was a miserable time in my life. Being afraid is a horrible feeling but thankfully God took my fears away 6 years ago. Since then, I go to sleep with no fear, Eric at my side or not. I say all that to let you know the pain I feel when my children are afraid. Most of the time when one does complain(which is odd), I will pray with them and we sing awhile and it is all over. But my sweet Mary-Grace is not getting over it. She is truly afraid to go to sleep without me or Eric with her. I have tried everything positive I can think of. Of course she is not in a room alone, Annalee is with her but that just will not do because Annalee falls asleep fast and leaves Mary-Grace to fight the criminals alone should they invade. She is not afraid of monsters or bad guys. She is afraid of some criminal breaking in and hurting us. I don't know specifically where she saw or heard this but she has developed these thoughts somewhere. Of course we try to keep our TV watching safe but even those "home security" commercials give me chills. We do watch some of the "super hero" movies which could have introduced the evil side of people too early for her little mind to understand. A month ago if she was tired she would go to bed all alone with no fear at all but something has happened and she CANNOT sleep alone. Blog Friends, help me! I do not want my baby to suffer as I did all those years. What can we do. We have read verses and prayed God to put a hedge around our home. We have locked and relocked doors and tried staying awake until she fell asleep. Nothing has worked. Should she be discipline for not trusting me? That seems harsh to me. I mean, I hope God doesn't discipline me every time I am afraid and untrusting. We have decided to let consequences happen. She will not be able to spend the night away from home until she can get a handle on this. I tell her that she is going to have to choose to not be afraid and trust in God's protection. Until then, no sleep overs. I want to test her to see just how much of her fear is real and how much is just "a chance to sleep with mama" but I don't want to punish her if she is truly afraid. Give me your ideas, please. And please pray that these evil thoughts would stay out of my baby's mind and that Eric and I will make better choices of what comes into our home through the TV. I look forward to hearing your ideas.

Thanksgiving

I love this season. It is so full of memories and traditions and new ones to make. This year we did a unit study about Thanksgiving that my mama ordered from Family Life. It was a dramatic audio reading of the Pilgrims voyage and the first few years that they were developing the Plymouth colony. William Bradford said of the people that there were far more graves than there were huts that first year. Before Native Americans intervened, the Pilgrims' daily ration of food was a meager 5 kernels of corn but the pilgrims, when given the opportunity set a day aside to give thanks and were so moved by the opportunity they couldn't wait to do it again. And what kind of president, after a feast that gave thanks to the one true God hundreds of years before, decides to make it a National holiday. Wow! Can you imagine.

"Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this country..."
-Proclamation of Thanksgiving Day, President George Washington, October 3, 1789

"No human council hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people."
-Proclamation of Thanksgiving Day, President Abraham Lincoln, 1863

What is neat about Thanksgiving, it that it is a holiday that God himself has preserved so that we take time to give thanks. All other Christian holidays has been so perverted but Thanksgiving is truly American and Christian and is still observed with its original intent...to return thanks to the Most High God by the gathering of friends and family with a time of feasting.

Part of our study was to list thanksgivings. Here are a few...
My mama and daddy. - Mary-Grace
My best friend Mady. - Annalee
That God is changing my life and making this arrow sharper and pointier. - Bailey
For Judson's good eye and bad eye. - Elyona
Carly. - Jadon
Jesus, Family, Grace Fellowship, nursing babies, cold weather & coffee, silly
books like Twilight, fond memories, Honda's current work schedule, conformers
and prosthetics, A husband who loves to get up early get the kiddos ready and go shopping in the mad day after thanksgiving rush and... Alabama Football. - Mama

Acceptance

I read the other day something that I've heard many times but this time I was terribly convicted. Allow me to share. "Whatever controls us is really our God...The one who seeks acceptance is controlled by the people she wants to please".
Wow! It's still hard to think about, but that is me in a nutshell. Many of you know my famous statement, "I have seven children and I home school but I am NORMAL!".
That statement alone has convicted me just because I know that all I really want is to fit in with all kinds of people. I admit, when it comes to just about anything ,I will try to find a way to be accepted. As I was in another one of my mastitis bouts that kept me up half the night I started pondering all the things that I am absolutely convinced of that makes me abnormal from most people. The obvious are that I do home school and more than that is that I have 7 children that are all mine, that I birthed, and that I wanted. But the thing that separates me from most people is what I believe...my doctrine. So, let me try to explain it in common words.


I believe the scripture alone is the source of written divine revelation. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured.
I believe that our salvation was accomplished by Christ alone.
I believe that in salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by his grace alone and that salvation is in no way a human work.
I believe that justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone.
I believe that because salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God, it is for God's glory that we must glorify him always.
I believe that we inherited Adam's sin nature and therefore we all are depraved from birth and in need of a savior.
I believe that before the foundation of the world God choose those who would be His based on no work that they would or could accomplish.
I believe that God had a plan before the world began to redeem those whom He called out to be his. Jesus Christ became the atonement for those people.
I believe that I was dead in my trespasses, incapable of doing anything to save myself, and unknowing that I needed to be saved. In my dead state God breathed life into me and in my decayed sinful state of being He said LIVE. My first breath as I came to life was faith and then God, by his grace alone raised me from spiritual death to spiritual life.
I believe that because salvation is a work of God's grace alone that I cannot do anything to fall from that grace. God will keep me to the end and I will then be eternally saved.

Some of these thoughts may be new and radical to you but I am backed by scripture, church history, Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, the disciples and the apostle Paul to name a few.

I've been tagged!!

OK Here goes, Seven random things about me...

1. When I was a little girl, around 10, on cool fall evenings like these, I would line my "children" (3 baby dolls ; Todd, Mandy, and Casey) up in my make belief stadium so that they could watch "mama" play football for the Miami Dolphins. My dog was always the opposing team.

2. I want to see Niagra Falls.

3. If I could, I would trade in my 15 passenger for a Volvo SUV.

4. Steel Magnolias still makes me cry.

5. I haven't slept through the night, without getting up to check on someone, in 11 years.

6. I still am dealing with DIAL UP!!!

7. I am fed up with modern education and am looking into unschooling!!...???

Unconditional Love

 

Thank you all for your comments and concern for Marky, he is feeling much better. He is still a bit wobbly but no fever this evening. You're right Aimee, I feel like I need to dip my family and house in a Clorox bath or something. What's with all these weird bugs we keep catching?

Last night, after all the John Mark drama, my little man, Judson, was ready for his mama and I was ready to snuggle up with him as well. You bed time, nursing mamas know what our little ones are like at that time. Only one thing will do the trick...MAMA. It's a wonderful feeling. You know that sound that they give out when they are laying in the bed and they see you getting ready to get in beside them.. That half laugh, half cry with a bit of cooing along side all wrapped up with ultimate anticipation of what's to come. Well last night I was taking it all in with delight. To be loved that much by another human is exhilarating, especially when you have had a day full of guilt because you have blew it so many times with all the other humans in your life. So there I was, all snuggled up with my little man who could care less what my sin was, and all this extra weight that makes me miserable, he loves. I thought "what a feeling to be loved so unconditionally". But is his love really unconditional? No, of course not, I have trained him to love me because I have trained him to need me. But that didn't discourage me because God's spirit then spoke to my heart with a loud voice that reminded me that God's love for me is truly unconditional. He knows my sin, my weight, my guilt, my pride, my filthy rags, and all the other stuff that makes up me and He loves me. I hope that before I grow too old that I can walk with the Lord daily and feel that perfect love as strong as I did for a few moments last night.

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would send His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

Toxic Synovitis

The last time I heard this term had to be about 12 years ago when I was studying for my nursing boards. It meant nothing back then but today it has become a household term.
John Mark has had a slight limp for a few days that I associated with everything from a wrinkle in his sock to a toe nail cut too short. Sunday night at home group it progressively got worse to the point that he could bear no weight on his right leg at all. This morning he woke up the same so, off to the Dr. we went. I just knew that my baby had broke his femur and I didn't even realize when it happened. It is so terrifying to watch your baby not be able to walk and to be in severe pain trying. At the Dr.'s office we discovered that he had a low grade fever. My medical back ground kicked in and I got nervous. My mama was with me to help with Judson so I had to keep my cool as to not overly upset her but inside I am slowly loosing it. Joint pain associated with fever...not good!! After x-rays and CBC's we left with our diagnosis...Toxic Synovitis which is a VIRAL infection of the synovial fluid in the hip joint. We left with these instructions...Motrin every 6 hrs. and he will be fine, all should clear up soon just as with any virus BUT if fever persists throughout the night see the DR. or if his temp spikes over 103 go to ER immediately. All these things would point to a bacterial infection of the joint instead of viral. Guess what happened tonight? Yep, a temp of 102.8. I call the Dr and start waiting for the calls back from the after hours run around. By this time mama gets the news from Melanie that John Mark is worse so she is here loving on him. I decide to take his temp again to see if it is coming down after the Motrin and the thermometer starts to read 102.3 and it keeps going up, 102.9, 103.2, 103.7...mama says "what does it say?" I hesitantly say and she freaks out. We both know that this means a BACTERIAL infection. I keep watching the temp slowly raise higher and higher and after it gets up to 104.7 I start questioning the thermometer and then when it goes over 106.8 I have to use my better judgement and realize that it must be broken. Well my mama is not listening to my reasoning too well and is already at Melanie's house demanding back up medical opinions and a different thermometer. A few moments later we are having a family reunion. We discover that my thermometer is broken but John Mark's temp is too high for comfort but not high enough for a direct admit to the hospital so we will keep watch through the night and see Dr. C in the morning. My gut feeling says that his infection is only viral and not bacterial and he will be better in the morning. Right now he is trying to play hide-and-go-seek with the others unsuccessfully, crawling and limping his way around without complaint.
We never know what all is out there but if you ever hear of Toxic or Transient Synovitis you will know what it is and not to be too alarmed. It should run it's course like a cold. It affects mostly boys ages 2-5. These things sure do mess up a homeschooling mama's day though.

Happy Birthday Bailey

 

 

We are wrapping up the fall birthdays with a bang. Oct. 21st Ms. B. turned 10. WOW!! My girls are growing up. What can I say about Bailey that she doesn't say by just living her little life. All you who know Bailey well could send a slew of comments telling your own Bailey story. I always say that I need a shirt that says "the thoughts and opinions of my children doesn't necessarily reflect the thoughts and opinions of their parent" Bailey defiantly has her own thoughts and opinions on many things and is always ready to share them. How do you raise a child that is gifted like Bailey? She is a true blue leader with strong administrative skills. We are trying to develop in her now those gifts so that when she is older she will know how to use them wisely but right now they sure do get her into a whole lot of trouble.

That's a little bit about Ms. B. that you all are familiar with, what you may know know is that she is extremely sensitive to her own sin and deals with it the way most adults do. Several times she has battled over her sin and ends up asking questions about the sin nature and the process of justification that many mature Christians find themselves dealing with as well. Bailey also lives in a house with people pleasers, which she is not. That makes life miserable for her at times but we try to encourage her by letting her be aware of her giftedness as well as her, and everybody else in this family's, depravity and that obviously God has chosen to sharpen her early in her life for possibly something great soon to come. Bailey's giftedness comes in real handy in a household with so many small children. She bathes these boys up and has them dressed and all ready for bed without ever being asked. She is in her element with them...total control!!

We celebrated Bailey's birthday with all of her favorites...Hannah and Abby spending the night, a house full of company, a veggie dinner, a strawberry birthday cake, a few gifts, and no school.

Birthdays are over for a while and now we get to gear up for Christmas. We are so excited, we have a few ideas spinning around that may make this a very special Christmas during this financially troubling time. Stay tuned...

Drowning!!!

I described the way I felt as drowning to a friend the other day. Every time I get my head slightly above water I get pushed back down with just a small breath. Right now I am trying to be so thankful for those small breaths but then again I know I cannot survive this way. Let me explain with bullet points as Katy W. does so well.

. I cannot educate 4 children as well as they should be educated.
. My time with my boys is sparse.
. Healthy meals????
. I cannot keep my house clean.
. Honda is cutting back on production $$$
. Eric who?
. With my milk production being better than it has ever been, mastitis is still plaguing me with fever, chills, and pain. Judson is refusing that side so he is super fussy.
. Quiet Time. Neither of those words have meaning to me especially when you put them together.
. Changing out summer clothes for winter clothes takes a LONG time and can get out of hand quickly
. I do not like Eric on 2nd shift.

Of course I have a plan. I always come up with a plan to fix things, right? So follow my list of ways to fix ALL my issues. HAHA

Sunday morning the plan was to send Ellie to JCA. By Monday evening my mind had changed and I wanted to send them all to JCA. After you are paying for 4 the rest go free! I had wonderful reasons why that was the best thing for all of us. Eric scoffed and said NONE were ready, I cried:(

Tuesday morning I am convinced I must visit Dr. Young and get happy pills. By Tuesday night the happy pill idea faded and I have a new idea. I need a maid!!
I mean really, if I were willing to pay for all my kiddos to go to school then I could just use that money to hire a maid. Eric shot that idea down too, I really cried:(

This morning (Wednesday) my mastitis has subsided and my fever finally has gone away. The core of my house is some what clean, I finally got all those summer/winter clothes situated, Eric has done my laundry, school went so so and I now realize what I knew deep down all along... Eric is a rock solid and will not be swayed by my waves of emotion, don't pay me any attention when I have mastitis and Eric is on 2nd shift and what I really need is NOT a list to fix things but Jesus. I would still like a maid though.

Is there light at the end of the tunnel, it may be far away but, I hope so. My children's education may not be able to measure up and at times that is very unsettling, especially in today's society. I would like to be able to say that at least they are getting to see mama's walk with the Lord and the joy that it brings but unfortunately not much joy has been oozing here lately.

Lisa S. is a treasure. She spent some time with me, bought me a candle, magazine, and ice cream, and brainstormed with me on how to fix things until Eric shot us both down. Thank You Lisa. OR were you just trying to blow my diet with that ice cream so that you would win the cash??? HMMMM

Trials will lead a believer to Christ and I now that I am at the end of all my ideas I really just want to hear from my Maker.


ANYWAY

Fall is coming up and Eric and I want to dress up with the kids for some of the festivities. We have some ideas we are toying around with. I thought about being the old lady who lived in a shoe ???? Eric's said we could be the Brady Bunch but the boys are too little and Ellie would have to be Alice. Eric still wants Judson to be a pirate. When he was diagnosed Eric said he would always be dressed as a pirate for all the festivals.

Thanks for letting me vent to all my blog friends.

Happy Birthday John Mark

 

Birthday season at the Davis home is officially in. John Mark turned 2 October 2nd. I was trying to decide how to make his day special. Seeing how money is pretty tight here lately, we decided to just do something small with just us. It is so neat how God works things out to make little things special. We spent the night with my good friend Jyoti on John Mark's birthday and that next morning we woke up and had a huge breakfast. Jyoti and Chad surprised us with John Mark a birthday cake. We were able to have a small little party with their family and ours. We were so happy and thankful. I am so glad I didn't plan something big. We would have missed out on the special small things.

John Mark loves four wheelers so we got him a small little riding one (plastic, that you have to push along with your feet). He is so prideful though, even at 2 he won't ride the thing in front of us. He waits until we are all inside and then hops on and takes off. I guess he is afraid he may not do it right or something. Also, he HATES the Happy Birthday song. Every time we sing it to him he says "STOC".

I can't believe my baby is already 2. It seems like just yesterday that I found out that I was pregnant with him and begging God for another boy. I had no idea that God had 2 more in mind. Happy Birthday Marky.

By the way, for my non Calhoun County blog friends (aka Stacey), we are all doing fine. By last Saturday morning we were all better. After the Alabama/Georgia game we were even better. Hopefully, that will be the end of the sickness for us for a while.

WHAT A DAY!!!!

Many of you know that my family has been battling strep/scarlet fever on and off for a month. Scarlet fever is basically a rash that is associated with strep. When toxins are released from the strep bacteria it causes a sandpaper type rash on the trunk. Dr. C. had to do some heavy explaining considering my kid's only attachment to scarlet fever was that it was why Mary Ingals was blind. Our battle with this nasty bug began with Bailey at the beach, a week later Annalee, another week then Mary-Grace and now this week. Of course I was wondering all the while "who's next?". Well, Thursday after co-op Judson and Jadon stared running low grade fevers. (sorry co-op friends) I knew that it was strep so we were up bright and early Friday taking them to Dr.C.. This was how my Friday progressed. After being up all night on and off with 2 sick little boys, I was loading them into the van by 8am. I decided to take all 3 boys with me even though John Mark wasn't sick. I was taking the last load of things to the van when I noticed our new baby kitten was still asleep on the porch only to discover that it was dead. I was leaving the girls home alone and didn't want them to come out and see their dead kitty so I had to bury it while in my dress clothes and the boys waiting in the van. So now, cats buried and we're off. We arrive a bit early so that I can nurse and make it to the office right on time. We were the first patients so that was great. Jadon had not been to the Dr.'s office but a few times in his life so he started freaking out, Judson's fever still hadn't broken after the Tylenol so he is weepy and John Mark had to explore. I had my hands full. Finally, after throats were swabbed (real fun) shots were given (even more fun) and prescriptions written out, we were out of there. Jadon had strep, John Mark had nothing but treated just in case and Judson had a fever virus that must run its course. It was such an ordeal that I told the boys that we could meet maw maw for lunch. They were so excited. We met at Jack's and was eating a nice lunch with Maw maw. Jadon started feeling a bit sickly so came and cuddled up under my arm until time to go. John Mark must have felt left out and decided to lay his head over on my shoulder. You are getting this mental picture right? Well out of NOWHERE John Mark PROJECTILE vomits all over me, my hair, my arms, my food, Jadon's head, clothes, food, and all the way over to Judson who is on the other side of me in his car seat. My mama is at the register getting something and has no idea what is happening behind her. I sit for about 10 seconds making my mental list of how I am going to handle this one, Jadon starts screaming hysterically, and John Mark just smiles and says "gwoss!" After my mama and a whole team of Jack's employees (who had nothing else to do because no one in the store wanted to eat anymore) got things cleaned up, we headed for home quite smelly. We get home to a very clean house ,thanks to my girls, and put Jadon (still screaming and 102 temp) and John-Mark in the bath. Judson is screaming as well but I had to shower so I left them all wailing and got cleaned up. Now I get all my boys cleaned up, medicated and in the bed and the girls remind me that American Girl club is in 10 minutes. After all that they had done for me I knew I couldn't let them down so I call Melanie and she carries them for me. I now have the house to myself for 2 hours so, I sleep. When I wake up I feel a bit funny but I have no time to think about it because I am soon keeping Melanie's 3 little ones while they go to the boys' far away football game. They soon arrive and stay while I go get the girls. I finally am home and start to make out my list so that when Eric gets home I can go to get the boys' prescription and some groceries. About 15 minutes before Eric comes home I have to stop and pay attention to the fact that I feel awful and it is not just stress. I take my temp and it is 100 and my throat is sore. OH Yeah I now have strep, but antibiotics have already started their miracle effect and I should be back to action soon. What a day!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELYONA

 

 

This blog is about a week late but I could not let my Ellie's day go by without a special blog.

September 11, 1997. This day my world started spinning in another direction. I had the most precious thing placed in my arms and was told that she was mine. I put my all into that little bundle. She was bathed 2 or 3 times a day, dressed like a doll even if we were staying at home, she was meticulously trained to our commands to which she obeyed very well, every detail of her life was thought about and prayed over.

On her 4th birthday, 9/11/01, we woke up to a new bike, birthday pancakes, birthday phone calls from all the cousins and the unforgettable birthday terrorist attack. Being a new 4 year old, she was so mature. She seemed to have so much understanding that day at what was happening. I told her that day that her birthday would be remembered by the whole world for the rest of her life. She thought that it was cool. She was super responsible at 4. I didn't realize it much then but now that I have had many four year old I understand what a gift God gave me in her. She was a whiz kid then too. She could memorize any verse I could throw out to her. She began reading soon after her forth birthday as well and progressed in her education rapidly with joy.

Well now my baby girl is growing up and is changing everyday. I look back at how much time I put into her and wish I could do that much for all the others but I think God had a plan for Ellie even when she was being trained at 12 months old. You see Ellie is more responsible than most anyone I know. I can trust her with any task. Now she is still a little girl who likes to sing, dance, play dress up and make belief but she has always been able to go from being a little girl to my biggest helper in a snap. She is my best friend. I can talk to her about everything and I trust that she will keep my secrets much better than I probably keep hers. I am having to change the way I think about Ellie now. She is growing up and becoming a person of her own. She has opinions about things and her own likes and tastes. We have been discussing if and when we sould send her to school. She would like to but then again she likes it at home with us too. We have started to talk about SAT scores and college, drivers license and buying a car, her first job, her wedding and her own children. She has her own thoughts on all these things. How exciting to watch her become a young woman.

She is also changing spiritually. Her faith has to start becoming her own. Soon she will have to deal with sin as not offending mama and daddy but her spirit will really start feeling the pain of offending a Holy God. I want to see her grow in the Lord. I long to see my prayers fulfilled in her walk with Him.

Ellie is a special person. For her birthday she wanted Seven Brides for Seven Brothers on DVD and BrainAge for her DS. She is such a nerd. Her mamaw called and wanted to know what she wanted and after thinking about it for a while she called back with her request...to spend the day alone with her mawmaw.

Ellie I hope you have had an enjoyable birthday and I love you!!!

Vacation 2008

 

 

Vacation

 

John Mark gives a big hello from Ft. Walton.

 

We had a great time. It had been 4 years since we have been able to take the children to the beach. They loved it to say the least. The best part though, was the place that we stayed at, Waterscape Resort. It was fabulous with pools and
children activities. I could describe this place forever it was so nice. Our condo was just as nice with all the extras. If you have children you need to check this place out.

The weather was an added extra. We were able to have all kinds of weather lessons with the hurricane weather coming in. The ocean went from no waves at all to crashing waves so high it was scary to look at.

Of course our favorite part of all was being able to watch the Alabama game on a 60" flat screen TV. ROLL TIDE!!!!

Mike Rogers For Congress

We made it to TV !!! OK, so it's not Jon and Kate Plus 8. It's not even like those notorious ALFA quads but it is TV. I was sorta hoping my first TV experience would be Extreme Home makeover but I was thrilled when we were asked to be in a Mike Rogers for Congress commercial. It was about high gas prices effect on large families.

We were to meet at a gas station in Saks at 2:40pm. Great, I had all day to get everyone dressed and ready for TV. I had my list finely tuned so that everything would be perfect by 2:40, everything from drying hair to washing the van and even working Judson's schedule so that he would nurse at the perfect time. At 10:05am as my family is slowly starting into our list and beginning baths in a relaxed, non rushed way THEY CALL. They are wonderfully ahead of schedule and need us there at 11:30. AHHHH!!!I ask for 30 extra minutes and start into my drill sergeant mode. We did make it but it was nothing like the way I had planned. Actually I had made a much bigger deal out of it then what I needed to. The kids basically just had to run around and I had to look sad and frustrated. I still think they fooled me and it was really a pro-choice commercial.

We did meet Mike and he bought the kids candy. We had our picture made but I don't have it yet. I have no idea when it will be on TV so if y'all see it let me know.
It was tons of fun and I think I can even count it as a school day. YEA!!! 10 down 150 to go, but who's counting.

Starting School and Conformers

 

Our summer is over and school is up and running. We have ended up our second week and have settled into a good routine. Here is the run down of my little world this school year.

Mon-Wed 7am wake Annalee, Mary-Grace and Jadon up for breakfast, getting dressed, chores and to begin school. We usually are finishing up around 11am. While we are in school Elyona and Bailey do chores, laundry, homework and play with the little ones. After lunch I have school with Elyona and Bailey which has been taking about 3 hours. While we are doing school the little girls are doing chores, playing with the boys and homework. I meet Melanie so we can walk after I finish up with the big ones. When I get home from walking, the children watch PBS while I prepare supper. On Tuesday and Thursdays supper is on the road. Tuesday afternoon we have piano and art in White Plains and Thursdays is soccer in Alexandria. Both of which has us getting home around 8pm.
Thurs. We will soon be starting our co-op so we will not do school at home but be with all of our friends learning with them. When we get home we do a little science and history before we have to leave for soccer.
Fri. we will save this day for Science and History projects and crafts. We are learning all about Astronomy and Ancient Civilizations this year.
Sat. this fall from 9am till 12n we will have soccer games.
Sun. is truly our day of rest!

Separating the big ones from the littles to teach has worked wonders this year. Also, giving out "homework" for them to work on in their own time has helped tons as well. So far so good.

My house, on the other hand, is slowly becoming hazardous. I have been able to maintain, with the help of the children, laundry, dishes and general picking up but my floors and toilets and such...well, if you are coming to my house and would be offended, bring a scrub brush and a mop.

 

Judson has started his conformer series. A conformer is a clear shell that fits over the entire eyeball and is used to stimulate the tissue surrounding that small eye to grow and "conform" to the shell. We go to B'ham every 4-6 weeks to get a larger conformer until the tissue is ready for a painted shell that is the size of his other eye. I will post so that you can keep up with his progress.

Mastitis Woes

I've noticed that I have not put up many pics in a while but I am sorry, you aren't getting one of this either.

I have developed mastitis. It is so painful. I have never had it before and I am so thankful that this is the first and hopefully only time that I will. Judson decided Saturday that he would only nurse a few minutes before humming, singing and biting. He did this all day. I did develop a lot of excess milk but GOOD NIGHT, not enough to develop this pain in the ying yang. Today is the first day in three that I have felt like living. We did survive with the help of Melanie, who got my antibiotics and Jennifer who came one day to feed the children lunch, make supper, do some house work and give my children something to do other than babysit. The children were so thoughtful though. We had a few fun things planned that we had to skip out on but they were very understanding. I have to brag on them a little. I woke up one time and found Mary-Grace changing Judson's dirty diaper and doing a very good job. She even remembered his diaper rash cream and to wash her hands. Today they cleaned the entire house VERY GOOD, they even mopped and changed the sheets. They bathed up the boys and right now I have a wonderful hot supper waiting on me that they alone prepared... chicken, green beans, potatoes, and rolls. I am so proud of them. Last night when they thought that my fever would never break, they, with their daddy, prayed for me. I looked up and saw Jadon holding my hand, with his little eyes closed, begging Jesus to heal his mama. I love my family. They mean so much to me.

Self -Righteousness

A few Sundays ago my pastor delivered a sermon that knocked me off of my self righteous high horse. Most of my blog readers go to Grace Fellowship and know what I am talking about. For the readers I have that do not, let me catch you up. John 8, the part when the adulterous women is thrown at Jesus' feet and condemned by the Pharisees. Jesus ask the one who is with out sin to cast the first stone and of course they all tuck tail and run. Jesus then forgives the woman and tells her to sin no more. In the sermon, it was brought out that the most despicable sin was not that of the adulterous woman but the self righteousness of the Pharisees. I AM A PHARISEE. But my self righteousness is gained through grey matters not a black and white issues like adultery. At least the pharisees knew that was absolutely against God. You see mine is in all these gray areas that I have laid down as my own way to please God. Here are a few things in my life that I think make me more righteous than...lets say you! I am a stay at home mom, I home school, I have 7 children, my husband is faithful, my house is nicer than yours, or maybe some days it is that your house is nicer than mine so you must be of the more worldly than I am to think so much of your house, I attend church every Sunday, I do not drink, my doctrine, or my church. You see, I have made these "things" replace Christ's sacrifice. More than that, you know what scares me, I am training my children to be self righteous little pharisees as well. How often do I here "that shirt shows her belly, she wears a bikini, they watch Hannah Montana, she has a boy friend, they talk back to their parents, they don't go to church". Shame on me. No wonder my children can't get over that being a Christian is not about what you "do". That is all I ever teach them. RULES!!! Even I know the old saying, "Rules without Relationship lead to Rebellion". Please pray that I will begin by having a right relationship with Jesus and second that I might retrain my children that it is better to be the adulterer laying forgiven at the feet of Jesus than the self righteous Pharisee whose knowledge of God's LAWS keep them from ever really know Christ, the friend of sinners.

Microphthalmia

I have been rethinking Judson's treatment and studying things out for myself. His eye Dr. is a wonderful man but is mostly concerned with Judson's vision and the protection of the good eye (which is a good thing) but is not intense on the cosmetic side of things. You all know that at first I was told that I could get his prosthetic at 4 or 5 years. That bothered me so bad. I did not want my son being stared at for that long. So asked if we could get it sooner and The Dr. was just sorta vague and said we could discuss it at his 6 mo. check up. At the time, that was good enough for me but now it is not. I researched deeply and found several children who already had there prosthetic at 3 months old. So I started E-mailing and Judson now has an appointment with the Ocularist Aug.6th. YEAH!!! The Opthamologist deals with the vision while the Ocularist deals with the cosmetic side and all my microphthalmia yahoo friends say that the Ocularist will be my best friend because he will make Judson look normal. I am so thankful for the Internet and all the information I have found out. At the appointment we will find out if he will need conformers, which are plastic shells that are changed out progressively to stetch the tissue to prepare it for the prosthetic. If he doesn't need conformers then he will immediately get his prosthetic and be good to go until he out grows it and need another. I can't wait to see my baby with 2 big eyes. Sorry for the spelling errors and such I am in a hurry and just wanted to get this posted.

Squealing Happy

You've been there right. When you are so happy you just want to squeal like a little girl and believe me, they do squeal. My heart is overflowing with thanksgiving once again. Yesterday a dear friend, who having read my blog, knew the week I'd had, decided to lavish me with a gift that I do not deserve. She gave me a "Spa Package" to Monet...manicure, pedicure, and a 1 hour massage. I have no way to let her know how thankful I truly am. You know those times when words just aren't enough, even an invite to dinner in return is such a small gesture to show another a thankful heart. It is not just the spa package that I am thankful for. I am thankful that she ,first of all, has a giving heart and had already set money aside to be used to give as the Lord would lead. Second, that she did something for me. She knew if I would have received money it would have been put on something important but never in a million years would I have thought of a spa package. So, a big fat THANK YOU is in order but is still so small.

Now that you all know why I am squealing happy I need your help. I have never in my life done anything like this before. You know me, having my hair done by a professional was a major event in my life. Monet...just the name is intimidating. The pedicure is the least stressful in my mind. I like to paint my toe nails and I am going to the beach soon so I would love to have beautiful toes at the beach. Then there is the manicure. Can I play football after having one of those? I am going to be walking around with my fingers straight as a board for a month trying to hang on to the manicure as long as I can. Now, the big stress, the massage. Ya'll, I'm nervous. I have a few questions that you may can answer for me. First, do I have to be nude. (OMG I am red just typing it) Second, I feel like I am going to walk in this place and alarms are going to go off with the announcement "Country bumpkin trying to live outside her class". Everyone is going to take one look at me and know that I drove all the way from PIEDMONT to get there. And if I have any conversation with anyone I will tell them that I have 7 children. Now I already don't fit in but now they are going to be thinking "there she is living on welfare, having one child after the next with no telling how many different men and spending her money on a massage, how dare she" Third worry, will a man be massaging me, cause you know, Eric wouldn't go for that?

Despite all my worries, I am so excited. It sounds so selfish, but only having to think of me for a couple of hours sounds so nice.

God's people are priceless. My thanksgiving list is just getting longer and longer.
11. The spa package
12. Money from a wonderful couple to take the family out. We went out to eat and to the movies. We did not have to share a community drink and no dollar menus. I could say "tell the waitress what you want". My children were so excited sitting there with their own drink and a huge plate of food. And we did not go to the drive in movie, but the real thing. Thank you friends for a great night out with the family.
13. An invite to dinner this Sunday after church. I know what a service this is. Not only are these people being hospitable, opening up their home, but they are opening it up to my family. I know we are overwhelming.
14. Feeling like family when I'm invited to go to Lisa S.'s parents house.
15. Uncle Bar and Aunt Suzie spoiling my children as only they can do.
16. Lisa giving my blogspot a makeover.

I am so thankful

 

Today at church we had an opportunity to share things that we are thankful for. My list, in a matter of seconds, was enormous. I decided then and there that I may not be able to speak them all at that moment but I could blog about them.

I am thankful for...
1.Our Great God. To steal the thoughts of John Piper, God has made himself the blazing center of the universe. The God that I have the privilege to serve and worship and intimately know is also supreme over galaxies floating in endless space. From the top of Mt. Everest to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. From the peaceful blue whale to the microscopic killer viruses. He is supreme! Over the first cell division of a tiny embryo to the next breath of the 102 year old lady in the nursing home. He is supreme over all weather, from hurricanes, monsoons, tornadoes, earth quakes, floods, snow, sleet, and rain. He is supreme over cancer, malaria, the flu, AIDS, and the wonderful antibiotics and drugs. He is supreme over all countries, armies, suicide bombings, nuclear threats, politics, elections, media, news, sports, entertainment, leisure, education, science, research, business, manufacturing, transportation, all information, and the Internet. As Abraham Kieper(sp?) famously said "There is not one square inch on planet earth that the risen Christ does not say... MINE!!!". I am so thankful that this same SUPREME GOD wants to be my friend and abide with me and calls me his son and that he alone made a way for this relationship to happen.
2. Grace Fellowship. My church is priceless to me. The leadership, teaching, older men and women, younger men and women, and children are irreplaceable. I am thankful for Carlton who preaches the truth with boldness and conviction and with wisdom far beyond his years. For Aaron who is the most humble man I have ever known. For Carlton Brown who's administrative skills and responsibility never keep him from playing with our children. For Ms. Pinkston who is an irreplaceable jewel. For Dave and his immeasurable sacrifice that he and his family have made to serve our church. For the missionaries spread abroad that our church sends out and those that have returned with hearts overflowing at what God is doing around the world. For the gospel of Jesus Christ and the call for sinners to repent being proclaimed at our church(despite popular belief) so clearly yet so intense that even the mature believer must examine himself.
3. God's healing hand. Hearing Aaron give his testimony of praise and thanksgiving was an emotional ride. Hearing his raspy, weak voice is a bitter reminder of what pain and suffering he has been through but on the flip side it is a sweet reminder that God is merciful. Aaron can speak!!!
4. My children. They all woke up healthy this morning.
5. Eric. He is the love of my life.
6. My mama who entertains me when Eric is on 2nd, buys me dinner and serves us all ice cream.
7. My dear friends who listens to my roller coaster rides of ideas, dreams and plans. Who pulls me through when I am down and hangs on tight when I am not.
8. Melanie, who for ANY reason is a phone call away.
9. Honda. I never want to forget where our paycheck comes from.
10. Blogging

Happy "Plastic" People

OK First of all, why is all of my stuff that is supposed to be on the left hand side stuck way down on the bottom? I can't figure it out.

I have been thinking this week "why do I like to blog?". I have many answers. I want people to know my family, I like to journal my life for myself, I think my children and my husband are the best ever and I want everyone to know that, and it's like therapy to just get to THINK about what to say and when people comment they have THOUGHT of their comments. You know what I am saying..we all listen before we speak in blog world. We can also be, and our family can be who we want them to be in blog world...right? Well this week blogging took a cold and hard turn to real life for me. I read a blog of a precious family who lost their 4 year old daughter. The post leading up to that horrible morning was much like the rest of ours...LIFE, wonderful LIFE. But then there was death that would change these people forever. One blog they are enjoying the summer with all it holds, the next ultimate sorrow.

Death has hit so many children that are special to me. Of course we all think "will I be next?" Well imagine if you have 7 and the odds and all that stuff. Well even our children think about it. My niece must ask every night before she goes to bed if she will wake up in the morning. Even she knows tomorrow has not been promised. Mary-Grace asked how they fit adults into such small caskets because she has never seen an adult casket before.

Those of you who have lost a child speak of Christ in a way that I am envious of. It is almost as if you are talking of someone that I have tons of knowledge and a friendship with but I have never felt Him like what you describe. Does that mean that I don't know Him or that I have just not expierenced the grace that you have? I have been thinking of all the "ifs" and "what would I do" and "how would I act". Would I be as vocal about the goodness of our great God or would I want to curse God and die. Maybe I would want to do both. Eric told me that I need to search myself and cling to God's Word because you never know when a trial will come. I have been afraid of God this week. Remember in Chronicles of Narnia when asked of Aslan if he was safe. The answer was "He is good but he is not safe". That is what has came to my mind over and over ...HE IS GOOD but is he safe? Well, eternally for believers, he is safe but I guess he is not that safe. Something that powerful cannot be safe unless it is for our good, which is all about His glory and that, I know, is SAFE.

Ok so all this real life stuff has made me want to be very real, even on my blog. So here goes...My children are wonderful and cute but today I have had about as much as I can stand. Three nights up on and off with MG and Ely who have ear aches, 2 more nights up with JM because he has a stopped up nose and can't suck his thumb, and of course Jadon, the early bird, insisting on breakfast at 6:30am. Now this week Eric is working his 2nd shift rotation. I really can't describe how difficult it is with him working 2nd. We get to see him just as much but its different. It's like I have a visitor coming for a nice lunch that I must prepare for, they stay a while to visit and then they leave. All the resposibility of these kiddos is on me. And night times are the worst. After supper, baths, and bedtime I want to scream and then go be by myself. But OH NO!!! not this week, chaos decides to keep happening right at bedtime and someone needs just a little more attention, attention that I do not want to give, even to a 6 year old crying with a earache. So today I really needed a nap. You would think that since I have done this before and since I have read all the books I would know how to prepare my family that mama is taking a nap. Well I didn't! I just wanted to lay down for a nap with out all the work. The only thing that was going my way was that Judson was asleep. You know you can't choose when you are going to feel exhausted and around 4pm it hit. That is also the time that Elyona decided to make a quilt, Bailey and Annalee decided to make a purse without any knowledge of what they were doing, Mary- Grace wanted to make a key chain charm thingy, Jadon wanted to be a horse and all that comes with that, and John-Mark, fresh up from a nap, just wanted to do it all. I wanted to SLEEP. I never did get to sleep but I did get to spank 3 of them for what I am sure was a good reason and I was able to cry and tell all of them how they must not love me because they will not let me sleep. After that they let me have some quiet but all I could do was lay in bed an feel sorry for myself because I have no grandmother who comes and takes them all for a week while I get to pamper myself. Then duty calls and I must get up and fix supper, guilt kicks in and I make my rounds begging for forgiveness and then I find myself in a familiar place, begging God to forgive me for being such a wretch and pleading for discipline.

I want to be real even when I blog so that if my world comes crashing down with all my walls around me, you will have seen a bit of me being raw and ugly.

I have been listening to some hymns today and here is some words that have ministered to me.

In the cross alone I glory, Recognition laying down, Greatest treasures count as worthless, Standing next to heavens crowns.

Have a good weekend!!!

Co-Sleeping

 

 

Co-sleeping is for me. I know that many of you put your little ones in the crib right away and I will not fault you for that. But since this is my blog and I can have my own opinions I will say that you all are missing out. Every morning I get a great big high that carries me thru the day. This is how my night and morning usually go...I lay down with my fat bundle and we nurse to sleep. He stays tucked right up under me all night. When he wants to nurse there is no crying or getting up. He starts wiggling around a bit and I wake up just enough to get him latched on and back to sleep we fall. People ask if he sleeps through the night (nursing mothers know that this isn't a good thing for milk supply) and I say "yes, kind of" because we never really wake up. He never wakes up daddy and we have a peaceful night sleep. When we are sleeping it is like he is still inside of me. He is so close I can feel him breath. I know when he is too cold or too hot and can quickly make adjustments to make him comfortable. I am TOTALLY aware he is there and could never roll on him just like you would not roll over on your pregnant tummy while you sleep. I believe it is instinct. I know this may sound sick to some of your but others will understand exactly the way I feel. Sometimes I look at Judson and my others and I want to just eat them or squeeze them into me so hard that they become part of me, well sleeping with my babies is the closest thing I can get to fulfilling that kind of desire. It is the sweetest experience of my life. The best part of sleeping with Judson is the early morning when we wake up. He is tucked right up under me and has usually just got his tummy full. I start humming his hymn (I'd Rather have Jesus)in his ear and before he can open his eyes he has a smile stretched across his face. He starts stretching and smiling all at once getting ready for a new day and I am right there within a few inches to enjoy the show. Daddy loves it as well and would not have it any other way. I usually go to sleep with him watching over us like he is looking at the sweetest picture ever. He loves how much our babies love their mama. He and I both know that this is a season in our lives that will pass too quickly and we need to breath in every moment like it is our last. So every morning around 6:30 think of me while I am inhaling deep the sweetness of baby Judson.

By the way, many of you ask about Judson and his eye issue. Still nothing new. We will have a check up at 6 months and another at a year. That is when we will start to be fitted for safety glasses (to protect the good eye) and the painted prosthetic "shell" for the bad eye. Thank you for asking and being concerned. I have concluded that I like questions a lot more than stares. I hate when people see him for the first time and don't say anything. They just oooh and ahh and walk away. I know they are wondering what is wrong with his eye. ASK ME!!! It is so awkward. Do I wait until they ask or should I automatically throw out the info. Anyway, hope you enjoy the post and go love on your babies.

Missing My Daddy

 My daddy's name was Jack Pettus. If he were still alive we would be celebrating his 76th birthday soon. Daddy was a hard working man who knew no different. He was raisied as he youngest of 10 children in a share cropping family This is a picture of them. He is the one with the blue sweater vest. He didn't have much education because he had to quit school in the 9th grade to work on the farm. Looking back at the things he accomplished in his life I realize how smart he was. He seemed to be able to figure anything out. I was 19 when daddy died and ,as you can imagine, I had nothing in common with a 61 year old man. We were not very close and I resented him being so old and sick all the time. I thought at that time life with him was boring. What a fool I was! My daddy read and studied the Bible with commentaries and study helps. He tried diligently to teach us the word with tears dripping off his face. Spiritual things moved my daddy to tears daily. Where are those men today? I had no idea what a treasure I had in my daddy. He sang base in a quartet and sang on stage once with the Oak Ridge Boys. He would take Adam (the only grandchild he really knew) outside for long walks in the woods and explore everything they could in one day. He did most of the cooking for our family. He would come home from working at the pipe shop, wash up, clean up the house, then cook supper for his family. I was so unthankful for all he did for us, it was just expected. My daddy loved my mama. She was his jewel. He was never afraid to grab her up and give her a big ole kiss in front of us. Before I cared what discipleship was, he was practicing it. This is just a bunch of thoughts put together quickly, I hope you can follow me. We wonder what daddy would have thought of his 2 girls having him 12 grandchildren. I miss him much more now than I ever have. I met Lisa S. daddy the other day and I couldn't help but think of mine and miss him. Her daddy still makes sure her tires are working right, e-mails her safty hints, and has turned his yard into a childrens wonderland that sends a big message...I LOVE MY FAMILY. I miss my daddy. He would be just like that. Only 2 of daddy's sisters are still living. The others have gone on to be with the Lord. Aunt Demeris and Aunt Elvie with my cousin June came to visit me the other day and it was so nice to sit and talk with them. I took pictures but failed to have my memory card in my camera. I was so disappointed. These are just a few thoughts about him that I've been having lately. If your daddy is still alive, please treasure the time you have with him and ignore the things that you see as old fashioned or boring. From what I have learned old fashioned in mostly wisdom speaking. But Daddy is at home singing and praising Jesus, knowing Him as He wants to be known!! HALLELUAH

Spoiling our Daddy

 

 

We decided that Daddy does enough for us so we spoiled him this Fathers day. We stayed up and surprised him with this home theatre system. (40" LCD, PS3 Blu-Ray, and surround sound). We put it all together(confusing work) and stayed up until 2am waiting for him to get home from work. He was so surprised. It was worth it to see his face. This thing is so nice. So Happy Fathers Day, and Anniversary (June 29th) and Birthday, and Valentines, Christmas, Easter, Forth of July, ect...........

Happy Fathers Day

Daddy,
Thank you for swimming with us even when it is cold. Thank you for teaching us the Bible and praying for us when we are sick. Thank you for liking the music we like and wanting it loud like we do. Thank you for loving Mama. Thank you for cleaning the kitchen for me when it is my turn. Thank you for fixing the pool and the bikes and for trying to fix the 4 wheeler. Happy Fathers Day. I love you
Elyona

Daddy,
Thank you for building us a new bedroom. Thank you for working hard and so we can go out to eat. Thank you for having pillow fights with us. Thank you for my piano so that I can play for you and Jesus. Thank you for letting us ride the lawn mower. Thank you for waking up the same everyday. Happy Fathers Day. I love you.
Bailey

Daddy,
Thank you for kissing us goodnight. Thank you for making money so we can go to the doctor. Thank you for having lots of brothers and sisters for me to play with. Thank you for making sure the doors are locked every night. Thank you for wrestling with us rough and when you tickle me and I can't breath and say "UNCLE" you stop. I love you,
Annalee

Daddy,
Thank you for fixing the drinks for us at supper time. Thank you for feeding Jack so he doesn't jump on me and scratch me all over and get me dirty. Thank you for letting me sit in your lap and drive the van. Thank you for taking us to see Prince Caspian. Happy Fathers Day
Mary-Grace

Daddy,
Thank you for letting me practice shaving with you. Thank you for carrying me to the van instead of making me walk so Jack don't jump on me. Thank you for teaching me how to play the 4 wheeler game. Thank you for doing the "bumpy thing" every time I ask. I love you.
Jadon

Daddy,
Thank you for checking on me in the middle of the night to make sure I am all covered up. Thank you for bathing me up and getting me dressed every Sunday morning. Thank you for being so strong that you can throw me super high and catch me when I come down. I love you
John Mark

Daddy,
Thank you for letting me sleep in the middle every night since I was born so that I can snuggle with mama. Thank you for spending special time with me, holding me and talking in your funny baby voice that makes me laugh. Happy Fathers Day.
Judson

Buddy,
Thank you for being a faithful daddy. Thank you for sacrificing your dreams and replacing them with us. Thank you for the tears that fell from your face and landed on mine when Elyona was placed in your arms for the first time. Thank you for looking out always for me and deciding Judson should be the last. You make our family strong. Happy Fathers Day. I love you.
Alicia

My Friend Jyoti

 

My precious friend from church, Jyoti Krammer, was able to go back home to India this past month. She had not seen her family in 5 years. We were all so happy for her. There were many things in her trip that God worked out as only he could that made the trip so special for her. One of those things was that she was able to share the gospel with about 150 Hindu school children. She was invited to come back to her former grade school and speak about America and Christianity. She was thrilled, for this is what she knew God had her there for. The gospel made such an impression at the first speaking, she was invited to come back. 5 of the girls wanted to hear more about Jesus and decided to go to Jyoti's house for more. Jyoti was also able to feed all these 150 people when she went to speak. She is such a servant. She is an example to me in so many ways but her willingness and love for serving is the greatest example to me and my children. She has fed me so many unexpected meals. Back to the story...While in India she had a much needed surgery. While recovering she wasn't able to go shop for the things that she wanted to buy for the people back home in the USA so her brother was able to bring the store to her. He brought a whole bunch of things for her to choose from. She bought these dresses for all the little girls in the church. My girls were so excited. They counted down the days until they could were them to church. We are so thankful to have a friend like Jyoti, who can not only share in the fellowship of Christ with us but can bring to us a part of her side of the world and make India and her people something familiar to us. Thank you Jyoti!! I am so blessed to have a friend like you.

Girls at Camp

 

This is a new experience for me. Today was the girls first day of "day camp". They had so much fun and were exhausted when they came home. Swimming, singing, boating, and friends were just a few of their favorites. I, on the other hand, was feeling a little left out being the only girl home with all these boys. I got to experience what school days would be like. I had to make a lunch and have them out the door before 8 and I get them at 2:30. I don't think I could do it everyday, I would miss them too much, but this week is going to be fun for them so it is worth it.

I was RUNNIN'

I am Running!! Can you believe it? Well it is quite a sight to see. I really want to lose weight and get into shape. I have such a long way to go but I really want to . Melanie and I have been walking about 3 miles, 5 days a week for about 2 years. It is very enjoyable and we get our talking time in for the day while we are walking instead of on the phone. We walk at the church across the street from my house. It is in the middle of the most beautiful field and is surrounded by the most perfect landscaping. They also have a playground and trails running all through the woods which makes it a fun time for all the children as well. Although we love our walking, we realize that it is just not enough, espicially when we slow down because we get involved in a good conversation. So, we have decided to start running. We are starting very slow but we are determined. We are running 1 lap and walking 2. We will keep increasing the running little by little until we can run for 30 min. straight. Sounds like a good plan right? Well I an huffing and puffing after 1 min. Right now I think the most we are accomplishing is a good laugh for all my neighbors. It all ends with a bang when we start stretching. Can you imagine looking out your kitchen window bright and early in the morning, hoping to see the sun rising over a beautiful pasture only to see mine and Melanie's bottoms stuck up in the air as we stretch our legs. Well I am going to keep it up. I have lost 2 lbs and I feel great. We hope to run in a 5K at some point. I don't know if we will be able run it all but we will try.

I've Been Tagged & Open House

OK here goes
10 years ago...Eric and I were 1 month away from celebrating our 2nd anniversary, Elyona was 8 months old and I was 4 months pregnant with Bailey. Life was easy.

5 Things I need to do...
1. Spend some quality time with my husband other than watching American Idol.
2. HANG MY VANITY (Lisa S., Why didn't you do that for me today?)
3. Multiplication drills with Bailey, reading with Mary-Grace and Annalee, and some preschool with Jadon
4. Read my book that I've have had checked out for 3 weeks and am only on chapter 6. It's a good book too!!!
5. Spend time with the Lord of any kind...prayer, bible, singing...you name it, I need to do it.
6. Yes I am adding one... HOUSEWORK...but that's continuous isn't it.

5 Favorite snacks
1. Prestige Chocolate Almond ice cream YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY!!!
2. Monterrey Jack Cheez-Its
3. Chips with sausage cheese dip
4. Chocolate covered nuts
5. Homemade Strawberry bread

If I were a billionaire...I would pay off my debt, buy a 8 bedroom house with an indoor, in ground pool, with lots of land. I would also have one of those one room school houses with a computer built into every desk and tons of books surrounding the room. I would hire a maid sorta like Alice but I would take care of my own children. I would adopt from orphans from a few countries. I would want Eric to quit Honda and either go into ministry full time or to seminary. I would then put some in the bank to live off of and in trust the rest to my elders to use how they see fit.

5 Bad Habits
1. Overeating (can you tell?)
2. Obsessing over my messy house
3. Complaining
4. Talking too much
5. "working" on my children and not "loving" on them

5 Jobs I've had
Well that's a short list. I was a church secretary for Gladeview Baptist for a while. That was after I graduated nursing school and before I had Ellie. Then she came along and I became a mama.

5 places I've lived

1. Anniston Beach Rd
2. House in East Anniston
3. Parsonage in J'ville
4. House in Weaver
5. Presently my old home place that I bought from my mama. Home sweet home!!

OK...Jennifer, Stacey, and Olya you've been tagged.


Below is a picture of Grace Fellowship Christian School. It is the best school ever I think. We are so excited about what will become of this small group as the years go by. Will we have a small half day school one day? Will we have missionaries, teachers, doctors, pastors, and faithful mamas come out of this group? These children are not only going to be a product of a generation of mamas and daddies who felt a calling to break away from the norm and teach their own children at home but also by a church who accepted the call to build a community with our children and the call to help train them in righteousness as well. Thank you to our faithful church who have helped us all to raise our children up in godliness. My prayer is that all these children will one day rise up and call their mothers blessed (and their daddies, elders, and church body as well).

All the children did a great job at the open house with all their presentations and their projects. I am already looking forward to the next one. This open house thing gives me so much accountability to do more than just basic school with my children. Ya'll pray for next year. We are going to be discussing a co-op program where some subjects or electives are taught corporately rather than at home. This is a big step for some of us so pray that we make good decisions.