Christmas memories!

Christmas! We had such a nice Holiday this year! Both my Marines were able to come home on leave so we were all able to be together! The best gifts money can't buy!

One of my favorite parts was on Christmas Eve after the children had gone to bed, my husband and I stuffed all the stockings. Then I stuffed my love's and he stuffed mine!

The next morning we had each of the children get their stocking and then empty them one at a time. It was so much fun! My daughter G handed out her gifts, then my two oldest sons and then my husband and I gave all the children their gifts. It was such a sweet time of family and making memories to last a lifetime. I also remembered the one missing and stopped to say a prayer that she would feel His love and her day would be enjoyable and a blessing to her wherever she is.

We had our traditional day of junk food. Mini egg rolls, brownies, quesadilla's, and crackers and cheese. I made chocolate covered pretzels and we also had cocktail sausages.

We decided to watch Maze Runner Scorch Trials together.

It was nice just being together! A great day!! But truly the best gifts were my children. Having my boys home from Marine land was what made my holiday! I've missed them so very much! One of them although we skype, call and text I had not seen him face to face for 9 months. These two young men are my heart and having them here made me feel complete once again. Saying goodbye will be so hard. But we'll see them again...I'll cherish these memories and moments!

We've unfortunately had too much sickness hit our home this winter. Stomach bugs and colds, Yuck! But when my kiddos are sick we get in lots of cuddles.

I've been working this fall on getting in cuddle time with my children. Even my older ones who may squirm at their mama hugging them. I've learned children grow up so quickly and I work hard at making sure they know how much I love them every chance I get. I also love to cuddle and hug them for me! I need it too! The time goes by all too fast!

I have been doing a new type of prayer. I came across this book; Praying in Color and I love it. My time with Father is richer and I retain more easily my prayers throughout the day and week.

Just a few pictures to share of my babies;

My sweet A...

She is a joyful, sweet, funny, loving baby girl! 

This little man K, he comes and snuggles with me every morning and sticks his freezing feet on my legs. Brr!! Isn't he adorable?

 K & A..

My beautiful baby girl! I am thankful for her everyday!

Their favorite characters; Olaf and Elsa!

My mini men....

This handsome guy? My heart! Love him so! And so proud of him! He is doing so well and making a good life for himself! I couldn't wait until he came home for the holidays. I anxiously waited and watched for his plane to arrive. It was so wonderful seeing him walking towards us!

This handsome young man? He had been planning a surprise for me since October. We were Christmas shopping at target and I turned around and there he was! I had thought he wasn't coming home! It was the sweetest and most precious surprise I've had!!! My heart! I love him so!   

This girlie is my beauty; G. She is special and sweet! Funny and amazing! How quickly they grow up! Looking forward to seeing what God has for her in the years ahead!

Well, that's it! Memories recorded! I am blessed beyond measure!

Oh yes, I can't end without adding this man...

He is the best part of me and seeing him everyday makes my days better. He is with me through thick and thin and holds me up when I am falling. He never gives up on me and loves me regardless. And we make such beautiful babies together!

Now y'all go and make your own memories. !! Life is made up of hard times and some sad but so many moments of beautiful too! 

  

Happy Birthday to You!!!

Today my oldest daughter is 24. I really can't believe it! How has 24 yrs gone by so quickly?!

I don't know if she'll ever see this and that's ok. I have decided to come here every year on December 16 to wish her a Happy Birthday and to share my memories of her. And I have such wonderful memories!

One memory that is fresh on my mind is due to Facebook and the memory they reminded me of. It was the end of 2011 and she hijacked my fb account because I had left it open and said such sweet words.

I believe it was her 4th birthday. Her daddy and I threw her a birthday party and we spent hours working on her cake. We made it all from scratch and frosted it with pink frosting and decorated it all princess like and flowery. She loved it. We had so much fun! The best part was seeing her face light up when she saw her cake!

Another memory was at almost 5. We were in MT for my friend's college graduation. We had decided to head out to eat with my friend and her mom. While sitting in the booth next to M she stood up and it was then my friend's mom let me know she had no underwear on with her dress, which wasn't very long. LOL! M had decided that she wasn't going to wear any underwear! I was so embarrassed at the time but now I just laugh. She was such a fun little lady! She had her own mind from the very beginning!

When M was 6 she dropped her hot dog in the snow and mud outside. So to be able to eat it as instructed by her daddy she washed it off in the bathroom, bun and all! :)

As a little girl she couldn't get her coat on by herself so she figured out a way she could do it without any help. She would lay her coat out on the floor and then lay down on it putting her arms in and then standing up. All done!

M was such a good helper. She was always willing to lend me a hand with her siblings. One of her favorite things to do was cook. Her first meal was macaroni and cheese. She did great too!

As a young adult she was such an encourager. When I had been hurt or wounded she was the first to encourage me and give me a big hug! She would remind me how much she loved me and of who I really was.  I valued her so very much!

I remember also as she was a young woman here in our home I would just look at her often, without her knowing I was doing so and think to myself how blessed I was to have her as my daughter. I was always hoping that I could love Jesus as much as she did, to encourage like she did, to be like her in so many ways. She had a light that just shined so brightly!

I will cherish the last note she wrote to me the day before she left. It said how much she loved me and how I would always be her hero. What she doesn't know is that she was my Hero! She was my best friend, confidant and my daughter! She was a blessing and gift. She was gracious and beautiful! She was giving and kind. I admired her so much!

As a baby M was always so happy. Everyone would comment on her cheery personality! At night to get her to sleep I would lay her down in her crib and play music for her. She loved it and would fall asleep within minutes.

She went everywhere with me. I remember sitting at the mall with her. Giggling over her laughter and cooing. She was a joy!

Her Daddy and I enjoyed listening to her and reading her stories as a little girl. She had a great imagination. I still have her school work and poem and stories she wrote! We will cherish them always!

Daddy was so proud of her. He would tell me often how smart she was and how amazing she would be as a grown woman. He believed in her ability to be a famous author someday and still talks about it today. Maybe one day we will see her name on a book she has written!

So many beautiful memories! I could go on and on but I will write again of them next December 16th.
If you ever read this M, you are loved and valued. You are not forgotten. You are our daughter and nothing will ever change that. We are always praying for you and always leaving the light on for you. Here in our hearts and at home.
Love you M.

Happy Birthday!! May your new path be blessed and may you find love, peace and hope.

       

 

I Am a Fighter and I Have a Mighty Father!!

 Warning: this post isn't pretty. But it's honest.

Over this last year I have been battered and bruised. I have been hit over the head with a baseball bat with a lot of ugliness.

piece of shit- Slam
asshole- Slam
failure as a mom- Slam
failure as a wife- Slam
die- Slam
failure as a Christian- Slam
liar- Slam
worthless- Slam
abuser- Slam
hater- Slam
I hate you- Slam
you deserve it- Slam
crazy- Slam

and on and on....

It's a fight everyday to grab hold of the truth and let it sink deep into my heart and head.
It's a fight to not cry, every second of everyday.
It's a fight to find the truth stuck buried inside the lies.
It's a fight to think clearly and not fall underneath the stress and pain.
It's a fight to find myself in the heap of lies and distortions swirling about me.
It's a fight everyday to listen to His voice.
It's a fight to forgive those who inflict pain with their words and lies.
It's a fight to forgive those who have betrayed me.
It's a fight!!
But I AM A FIGHTER! and I HAVE A MIGHTY FATHER!

I am worthy in Jesus.
I am His beloved.
I am beautiful.
I am imperfect but He loves me anyway.
I am redeemed by the Creator of the Universe.
I am His daughter.
I am royalty.
I am strong in Christ when I am weak.
I fail but He helps me try again.
I am a sinner but saved by His amazing and free gift of love.
I am just a woman made of flesh and bone but He is a Warrior and fights for me.
I don't have to be a perfect mama, wife or friend. I am human. Jesus made me that way. And loves me anyway.
I have His peace which surpasses all understanding.
I am an Overcomer by the Blood of the Lamb!
I am accepted in all my failings.
I have been chosen by the Almighty God and adopted as His child.
I know He is working beauty for ashes in my life.
I am complete in Christ.
I am accepted.
I am a new creation.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

I AM A FIGHTER and I HAVE A MIGHTY FATHER!

Memories in a treasure box

I haven't written at all in my blog for quite awhile. To be honest I have had so little joy these past many months. Ive been walking a hard rode but thankfully the light has shined in my darkness and I'm feeling more like myself again.
 I want to blog for the memories. I'm learning how valuable they are. That's one thing that can never be taken from me. Not with lies, hurt, anger or distortions. They are mine. Memories remind us of sweetness and joy and most importantly of God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Someday I can share them with my children. I can hand them over in a treasure box sealed with the many tears I have cried, the many prayers I have prayed along with the laughter and joy felt in each one.

I am so proud of my children. Ive been blessed with some amazing people! My two oldest sons are Marines and they are both doing great. I just want them to be happy and have successful lives even if that looks different than the picture I have in my mind. I don't expect perfection. I just want them to be happy and enjoy life living it to the fullest, loving others and trying their best at succeeding at all they do.

My daughter G is a sweet blessing also. She spent the entire summer 10 hours away working on staff at a Christian camp. She did great especially since it was her first time away from home for any amount of time. She's hoping to return this next summer.

When we went to pick her up I was so happy to see how she had blossomed and grown. Her faith had grown and changed. She saw adults living out there faith before her and realized that faith is a living breathing thing. She, for the first time saw for herself who she is in Christ. She had her own personal experience with him. I looked at her with such joy as she shared with me how she finds her worth in Him and not others or things of this world. She shines!! She is so much like her Daddy. She has his loving giving heart. I love seeing that in her.

My other children are growing! Yes, they do grow so quickly. I am trying to remember to cherish each day. It's hard sometimes. I get tired and worn down and when you are walking through a storm that life has brought your way it's so easy to get caught up in it and forget to look around at all the blessings right in front of you. I've been guilty of that. So I'm trying harder to store each sweet memory away in that box of treasure.

Can you believe that Q is 15! Time slips by so quickly! His older brother gave him his first cell phone for his birthday. He is loving it. Most of the time you can find him on it playing a game or texting his brothers or grandparents. Ive enjoyed being able to text him now too! We've had to set some limits so schoolwork gets done but he's doing well with them.

M is 13. He brings so much laughter into my life. He is a bubble of joy! He always has a smile or a laugh even when things are hard. I've been thinking on his twin sister a lot this month. She passed away when she was about a month old. I wish she was here to share in her brother's life. I know they would have such fun together and she would see what I see when  look at him.

My 2 year old A started saying, "I love you Mama!" about a month ago. It is just the sweetest thing I could ever hear! She and her baby sister E are so much fun! I enjoy them so much. And they enjoy each other too. Their Daddy jokes they are going to be like our oldest two boys were when they were little once E is walking. And my oldest two boys were a handful. Into everything and causing lots of trouble. They egged each other on and were always finding new ways to cause mischief! :)

I turns 12 next month! He is such a caring boy, always wanting to help. He does have a temper though but he's getting better. We all have ways we can improve. I'm proud of him for how well he is doing with it.

K is 5 and still my shadow. He calls me his cutie. :) He still says the funniest things and makes us all laugh. He is a handful too! He is so smart and I think trouble just finds him. :)

Z just turned 10. We had a tea party for her bday. I had such a great time decorating the table and house for her. I made it very girlie and beautiful for her. I wanted to make her feel special and very lady like. 9 girls came over to celebrate with her and it was a lot of fun! We did the cha cha slide with all the girls and it was so cute watching them all!

JN turns 8 this weekend. He is doing so much better with his letters and numbers. And as he learns them his vocabulary is improving too. He is awesome actually at numbers and Math. He is smart! He loves our hens and new chicks which have started to lay. Everyday he goes out looking for their brown eggs and hopes that the green/blue ones will be there too. Animals make him happy. His focus. I want to encourage him in what he enjoys and likes.

My husband and I are doing well. Marriage isn't easy and it takes work. Everyday you have to be willing to work and understand and put someone else before yourself. Not always easy things to do but I've been blessed with a good man who sees all my ugly and loves me anyway. He cherishes me. I am so thankful for him!

I have had to take a hard look at myself over these past months. I had to face my demons so to speak and deal with things I didn't want too. I had to admit my failures and accept my faults. And I have had to let go of what others say and think and recognize truth. I've changed a lot but I'm stronger because of it. I love the song "You knew Me When" by Leona Lewis. It describes very much the changes I've experienced. I've learned to forgive myself, to know and recognize truth, to allow myself to be human and to not let anyone tell me what I'm worth. I think it's a good change. God uses all things for our good. Even though they are painful He takes them and gives us beauty. That reminds me of a very good book I read, "Beauty of Broken" by Elisa Morgan. Read it! You won't regret it!

Hopefully the next time I post here on my blog will not be so long. I am going to try to do better and record memories! 

Spring is here!!

Well, Spring has arrived and with it all sorts of beauty and greenery. Also the spirit of newness that Spring brings has come.

At Little Oasis Farm we have baby goats arriving in the next few weeks. Another Nanny goat is due with her kids in August/September.  We have a new puppy Lucy and 30 chicks arriving the first week of May.

Our new puppy Lucy!

A few pictures of my two baby girls...(well, more than a few ;))

Aibhlinn-Nylia

EverLyse Amberly

My love is busy building another chicken coop to replace our old one we had to patch up years ago when we first became chicken owners.

You will find him outside working on it every evening. He is trying to get finished before our chicks arrive in early May.

I have been working on our sunroom. I still need to paint and add decor, plants etc..There is also still work to be done in the nursery. Trim and Aibhlinn's bed need painted. I also need to add the pictures and decor. 

My older princess heads to a Christian camp to volunteer in late May. She will be helping in the kitchen with meal prep and clean up. I am so excited for her!!

And finally my boys! My Marines! We are so proud of these young men! OORAH!!!

   

Until next time! Blessings!!

I'm Back!!

I am here! I am!!

I took a hiatus from blogging here but I am going to work very hard at keeping this blog up to date!

We have a new baby in our home! Sweet EverLyse Amberly was born Feb. 12th 2015 @ 12;35am weighing in at 9lbs 2oz and 17 1/2 inches long.

She is a sweet precious baby! We are so blessed and enjoying her so very much!

This is me the day of her birth...I was so big with her! My baby belly just kept growing out and out and out. All out front! My poor aching back!

Ready for some pictures? Lots of pictures? Ok, these are all from her birth..

And this is her taken today..6 weeks old!!

Also we have some Marines in our family now! My two oldest sons graduated from the Marine Corp on March 13th, 2015.

Our family!!

I am starting a new weight loss journey and you can keep up with me  HERE

Until next time!!

An Update....

Time has like usual slipped away from me. It's October already! We are well into our homeschool year.

This year we have chosen to do a unit study approach to keep things as simple as possible.

ZL and A are doing Prairie Primer. It is based on the Little House series of books by Laura Ingalls WIlder.
You can read more about it here  

We are meeting with two other homeschool mama's and their children each Monday to do the activities together.  We are enjoying it immensely! It is a great addition to our school year!!

G, Red, & M are using Christian Cottage Unit Studies this year. There is 3 volumes; each one covering a different theme such as American History or different cultures; Geography.
You can read about these unit studies here..  

A review you can read here.. 

JN is focusing this year on learning all his letters and numbers. I am using an Abeka Phonics workbook and other workbooks of various kinds for his numbers. He is good with numbers but has to work harder on his letters. He is improving all the time!
A reward we have promised him is a dessert at a place of his choice once he knows all his letters.

Blessings so far this year:

My two oldest boys; J & Z graduating from our homeschool! We have graduated 3 children so far!

These same two boys leave in late January 2015 for Marine Boot Camp. !!!

A new baby girl on the way! Our first time having two dd's in a row in 20 yrs of marriage!  My dd's have all been 7 years apart.

My love getting a good raise!

Restoration of relationship!

How about some new pictures??

The two littlest enjoying Thomas the Tank Engine...

 
Me! My most recent womb photo!

The girls at their Frontier Girls Induction ceremony. I am co-leading the group this year with a fellow homeschool mama.

First pictures of little missy!

JN spent all summer catching toads and frogs!

This year Father gave me this scripture!  There have been some rough roads we have had to walk down this year also and knowing He is in our midst singing over us fills me with gratitude and peace! 

I will end on this note...

Heading out with a song in my heart!!