Those Eyes

I know the baby gate is made to keep him downstairs and the dogs off the stairs but when I look at those eyes I must pick him up. 

Those please pick me up and give me anything I want eyes. Those I know you can't tell me no eyes. 

Pamela 

My Baby Girl

When did my two pound baby girl become so big? I just cannot believe tonight I shopped for her in the teen department.

I think I will put a brick on her head and keep her at this size. 

Pamela

High Five

I will keep this Christmas ornament forever. When he grows up I will remind him of how he wrote "to Chloe, I love you."

Love this boy. He did inform me that Chloe was his friend and they give each other high fives. 

Pamela

My Life is a Joke

One day the prankers will come out with the cameras and tell me that my life is a joke. Because surely some of the things that happen to us can only be made up for TV. Last night we came home from church. My husband and I like to sneak over to the chicken coop when we come home late at night. Don't get any ideas, it is two minutes alone. As we walk over I hear the scream. The dog had gotten out. No big deal because it was Howie, Howie is slow and listens part of the time. He must have been chasing something because he was gone. So my husband took off running in his church clothes and shoes. My teen daughter and son came out and took off running. Again in church clothes and shoes. I got very nervous because Faith did not have a flash light and it was dark. I pulled the suburban into the field hoping to see them but no luck. Then I drove down a side road and could not find them. I pull back into my drive way when my phone rings. It is my husband and he was having a asthma attack. I tried not to panic, honestly I was panicing. I found his inhaler. Hope came running from the barn and took off running into the field. This means I now have three children out in a dark corn field, a husband having a asthma attack, a missing dog, or and a goat on the milking stand. I have my bright lights focused on the field. Finally I see lights, it takes about five minutes but they make it back in. My husband is okay and everyone is covered in mud. The goat gets put back in her pin. All muddy shoes get put in the washer and things are calm. NOT!!! First our washer has a leak in the door (one day I will tell you how we have the worse washer in the world and it is less than 2 years old), so as my husband is washing muddy shoes muddy water is running out the front of the washer and onto the bathroom floor. I walk upstairs to find Hope in her bed crying. She was scared and said mom I thought dad was going to die. Finally, the dog got bathed, the bathroom straightened up. The kids calmed down. All that is left is for me to scrub the mud and blood out of everyones clothes and shoes. All I will say is this dog better know how much we love him.

Cell Phones and Children

We recently bought our daughter a phone. She takes great delight in texting me. 

The other night she sent me this picture. But she does not know why. Any guesses? 

Pamela

Waffles and Waffles and More Waffles

My hero is off for two weeks. It means lots of family breakfast meals. This morning we made regular waffles and then we made Cherro waffles. The best part is the left overs. 

There is nothing like a midnight waffle with Nutella. 

Pamela

Things Are Moving

We are doing some re arranging this week. I love to move furniture I love to walk into a room and something be different. 

I love that Jacob wants to help vacuum. This year for Christmas he is getting his own broom. He loves to sweep with the big kids. 

Pamela

Baking with Baby

I am done with my holiday baking unless we do someyhinh for fun. 

I think this makes Jacob very sad. He enjoys working in the kitchen with me. 

On a side note, do you see that glass cabinet in the back grown? This week we are painting the glass in chalk board paint. I use the cabinet for bulk storage and it drives me insane. I am hoping this will help it blend in. 

Pamela

Cheeseburger Soup

This is a very typical lunch at our houseI love house. I made cheeseburger soup. Not everyone wanted soup so here is the menu:

James had soup and chips

Jason had soup and a lemon (he did not realize how sour it was)

Grace had carrots, orange, and a lemon

Hope had a lemon and soup

Doesn't cheeseburger soup and lemon sounds good to you?

Pamela

Feeling Beachie

Oh how I have missed Feeling Beachie Life has been so busy but now it is winter and my Friday mornings are now spent snuggling under a blanket and preparing for wonderful weekends. The statements: 1. I would never_eat broccoli, really it is green and looks like a mini tree.____ 2. Do you always__smile at strangers. I do and then do not understand why strange men smile at me. ____ 3. _Thanksgiving ___ is my favorite holiday, plenty of food. The day is spent together relaxing and enjoying one another with nothing to do but cook. 4. Realizing_I am a mom of 7_____ makes me_happy, over whelmed, _and makes me feel blessed.____

Crazy Smells

Do crazy things ever happen to you? The other day I was shopping and all the sudden we started smelling a Christmas  tree. The two employees and I decided someone must have broke one of those little oil bottles. 

Fast forward and I smell this sell again. I was beginning to think that it was a culture thing and maybe it is what everyone does around here.

That was until yesterday. I asked my son to bring me my wallet. I instantly smelled that smell. You know the one that has followed me all around town. 

So why did my wallet smell like pine? Because we were given one of those oil things you plug into the wall and since I don't have the actually the plastic thing. So I took the lid off and left it in my cil holder in my car. Because honestly my vehicle is stinky and dirty. What I forgot I always throw my wallet in my cup holder.

So I guess our town is not known for loving the tree scent. It was me all along.

  Please tell me this is normal? That these crazy things happen to other people.

Pamela

Time Out

I have posted this before with him standing next to another brother. 

I do not think he understands this is not fun time. Poor baby. 

Pamela

Butter

Jacob, what would you like for breakfast? Butter, okay anything you would like.

This boy cracks me up. 

Pamela

Babies With Phones

I remember thinking my kids would never need phones. 

Then I had this little boy. He looks too cute with a phone in his hand. 

Pamela

Scarring Momma

This child scares me daily and his siblings do not help.

I bought this massage chair almost as a joke. I am ready to sell the chair now but can't because he loves it. It calms him down. I love the noises he makes when he is in this chair. 

Pamela 

40 Things About Myself

Today I turned 40, I cannot believe I am 40 years old. I thought this would be a great way to tell you about myself. How about I tell you 40 things about myself. Do you think I can come up with 40 things. 1. My first name is Pam but my dad wanted my name to be Gypsy Dawn. So glad my mom did not allow that. Although before I got married and worked in a drug store my initials were PMS. 2. I have red hair. Well I use to have red hair it is red and white now. Not really gray but white. My husband actually said it looks like a fire because of the different shades. I guess I should have this fixed soon. 3. I have freckles. Not as bad as my brother had but I have freckles. This was the first summer that I did not get freckles on my face. 4. I have been married for 19 years my amazing high school sweet heart. We dated in high school for three years then broke up for three years while we grew up and then got back together. 5. My husband and I almost got suspended in high school for smooching in the hallway. I was worried about it, although my mom would not have cared. He was completely okay with it even though his parents would have killed him. 6. I lived in about 14 houses growing up. Maybe that is why I have no problems moving now and love to unpack. 7. I love to write, really love to write but have horrible spelling. I need to pay closer attention as I teach my children. 8. I love having friends. Nothing makes me happier than a girls night out full of laughter. I love the energy it gives me. 9. I love to cook, I love to bake. I do not come up with very many ideas on my own but I love to cook. 10. I learn by watching other people. I need someone to set next to me and let me do whatever task I am learning several times. 11. I wish I would have tried harder in school instead of memorizing to get through the next test. I still find myself trying to do things quickly instead of taking the time to enjoy the learning process. 12. I have 7 children. I have four boys ages 18, 6, 4 and 14 months and one angel baby that would be 16. I have three girls that are 14, 12 and 9. I love having a large family and most days I hope we have many more children. 13. I was raised by a single mother. I often look back and wonder how she handled it alone for so long. A funny fact, by the time my mom turned 40 she was an empty nester. I cannot imagine not having kids at home any more. 14. I love to read, I love to cuddle up under a blanket and read a book with a cold drink. My favorite author is Karen Kingsbury. My friend Lori helped me with my reading addiction. I need her to move closer again. 15. If I had the money I would hire someone to come in and decorate my house. I have no clue how to decorate or what colors go together. For that matter they could dress my children too because once they are out of toddler clothes I am clueless. 16. I have big feet. Not like size 8 big feet. I have really big size 11 feet. I have always disliked that. Sadly, now two of my daughters also wear a size eleven shoe. I no longer complain because now we can share shoes. I really want cowboy boots and am tempted to buy them for one of my daughters just so I can borrow them. 17. I have really low self esteem. I have always had low self esteem. Even if I am teaching you how to do something I am second guessing myself constantly. I did a wonderful Bible Study called So Long Insecurities” and it really helped with this. 18. I love to talk. That may be a understatement. Is there a word that is stronger than love? Because if there is that would be the word we should use for how much I enjoy talking. 19. I am a morning person. I am such a morning person that my husband asked me early in our marriage to NOT get up with him in the mornings because I talk too much and I think we can conquer the world before he leaves for PT. We have gone to many Bible Studies that have said to wake up with your spouse. My husband looks at me and says NO. 20. I love to learn new things. I really want to learn to make decorative cookies. The kind with the icing on top. 21. I had a big sister through Big Brothers/Big Sisters growing up. I think if it was not for that family I would not have known what a real family should be like. 22. I was a bus kid growing up. I was on the church bus every time the doors were open. My favorite memory was of a lady named Mary who would give me a bag of candy and it was my job to give a piece to each person on the bus. 23. I had one brother who passed away 17 years ago. My brother was hit by a car while riding his bicycle. If my children are on tricycles in the drive way they have on helmets. Please make your children protect their heads at all times. 24. I have a step sister that I have not seen in 18 years. I have not talked to her in 12 years. I would love to get to know her. 25. I live in a 100 year old farm house. I love it 80% of the time and the other 20% of the time I wish we would have bought the new fancier house in town. 26. This is getting hard. My favorite colors are sage green and eggplant purple Both are stamping up colors. 27. I sleep better when my house is straight. My house will never have clean floors or empty laundry baskets but I love having everything being straightened up and in its place. 28. I am the opposite of a hoarder. I love to get rid of things. I love to give things away. We have bought so many things several things because when we stop using them I get rid of it. 29. I have curly hair. I did not have curly hair as a child. In middle school I permed my hair and since then it has been curly on its own. When I say cut I mean I looked like a boy it was so short. Why oh why did my mom not stop me. 30. I love to organize, give me a room to organize or a event to organize and I am thrilled. As long as I am not fundraising. I cannot stand asking people for money even if it is for other people. My son just informed me that I am a great multi-tasking. I actually do not understand why other people are not able to do ten things at once. 31. I am always on time. Okay, really I am always early. Not just 10 minutes early. If you invite me to dinner at 6 I will probably be parked down the street waiting until it is time to be there. 32. I dislike driving. If I never had to drive again I would be happy. I seriously do not like driving down the street. When we travel my husband does all the driving and I never sleep for longer than a couple of minutes at a time because I am freaking out. 33. I say freaking and crap way more than I need to. I actually say a lot of things that I wish I did not. I don’t know when I started talking this way but my goal is to change it. 34. I love being pregnant. I love feeling a baby move inside of me. I am always grateful that I am able to carry a baby. I am amazed at how the human body is made. 35. I have two dogs, a cat, a rabbit, 4 goats and 21 chickens. Now that we have a house we own it is hard not to become an animal hoarder. 36. I believe in adoption, I believe in taking care of your widows. I believe it is Biblical and we often forget about our widows or assume they have family. 37. I am crazy patriotic. I cry any time the flag is raised or lowered. I cry at every speech about our country. I get crazy emotional when I hear someone talk about our country in a positive or negative way. 38. I had the word obey taken out of my wedding vows. It is one of my biggest regrets. I wish we could renew our vows. This man deserves so much more than I give him. 39. Growing up I wanted to be a mom and a teacher. I am a mom and a teacher and even if every day is not easy I love it. 40. I am 40 years old; I guess that means I am officially an adult. I remember a friend getting a cake on her 40th birthday and thinking she already seemed so mature. Wondering if I will ever be that mature. Hmm, I think I am going to spend some time thinking what it means to be 40.

Siblings

These two have really started bonding and I love it. 

I don't even remember why James got put in the corner. But baby brother was right beside him to make it better. 

Pamela

Skulls and Birthdays

My husband took the girls to spend Birthday money. Hope came home with these skulls that have goo. I honestly could not stop touching and squeezing them.

That ended with me having red goo all over my head and hair. This happened right in the middle of language arts. I guess we just needed a little more excitement. At least the maggots did not come out.

Pamela

Doggie Breathe

Sometimes we have to have a talk with our children. You know those talks that require you to get right in the child's face.

Tonight my hero had one of those talks with Howie. We discussed how he needs more milk bones to control that doggy breathe. I think Howie agrees.

Pamela

Wordless Wednesday

Have you ever been so happy that you cannot control your tongue?  This dog cracks me up. 

Pamela 

Feeding Boys

Can I ask, what kind of food budget do you have? We have a budget but honestly with growing boys I do not stick to it. 

This little boy did not want to eat much dinner last night but ate his hot dog and then ate daddies hot dog even thought it was covered in toppings.

By the way I have said it before and will say it again, I love feeding my family at SAMs club. 

Pamela

2 Ingredient Fudge

I have to admit that I kind of have a addiction. Every time I walk into a store and they have flavored frosting I have to buy one or maybe 10.

I did not realize how much I had until I organized our pantry..

So what do you do with all this yummy frosting. You make FUDGE. And yes I meant to scream that. 

To make fudge:

1 melt one bag of white chocolate chips 

2 mix in one can of frosting 

3 spread into a pan and you are done

It will set up in about a hour

I also like to mix one can of frosting with a small jar of peanut butter. YUMM 

This is a great gift idea without the fear of it not setting up.

Pamela

Happy Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was different. It was not full of family or friends. 

We did not cook anything the day before or make home made pies. I woke up really sad and feeling lonely. Then I decided that I am choosing to be grateful. 

I decided to enjoy the day and spend time with the kids and my amazing husband who is home. We folded laundry while we watched the parade. We ate dinner and napped while some worked outside. 

Poor Jacob was so tired he fell asleep before we even ate dinner. I don't mind because after lunch I took time to snuggle him and love on him. 

So the day may not have started the way I wanted but it is ending the way it should be. With all of my children together and everyone healthy. For that I am grateful. 

Pamela

Graduating

This little stinker has graduated. He has graduated to a Sunday school class. I do not remember giving him permission to grow up so fast. 

I guess I could just put a brick on his head. I won't lie it has been nice watching him play with toys and be more independent.

Pamela

Potato Candy

Potato candy, it was my best seller at the last vendors fair. I will admit I did not call it potato candy until they tasted it. 

What is potato candy? Potato candy taste like a white Reese cup. 

Mix 1/4  homemade mash potato with 6-8 cups powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Use enough powdered sugar to make a soft dough. 

Next roll out the dough ( like a cinnamon roll). Cover in peanut butter and roll up into a log. 

Put log or in my case logs in the fridge until ready to use. Slice and serve. Yummy, it literally melts in your mouth. 

Pamela

Olive Oil

I love this child, I really love her. Every morning she milks the goats. She has warm clothes. But insist on dressing herself in this. This morning my husband insisted she looked like olive oil especially with his work boots on.

Yes that is a super wins night gown with cape and a army hat. 

Pamela

The olive oil is a picture from Google 

Pampered Chef

Do you remember me saying I had a pampered chef party recently? I just took a minute to add up my free stuff. This picture does not cover all that we got because some of it is Christmas gifts. 

After all is said and done I ended up with over $300 in free things. 

Did you know pampered chef has lots of options. You can have a in home party or a on line party. Actually most of my party was from outside on line orders. 

I am so excited about this show that I have decided to re activate my consultant status. If you are interested in hosting a show or ordering you can click here. This is a great way to order your Christmas gifts and have them shipped right to the person. Can you imagine not having to leave your house to shop or going to the post office. 

Plus you are helping me reach my goal.

Pamela

Quiet Time and Blessings

This morning I woke to a house with no heat and wanted to stay under a blanket. I came downstairs and my devotional was gone. I choose to not waste time looking for it. I knew that I would get distracted so I just picked up a book. 

 Then I opened the book to a page without thinking about it. 

This morning I read about adoption. Something that has been on my mind a lot recently. It was the perfect devotional. Then as I was praying I noticed a paper sticking out of the bottom. I opened the paper and it was from my prayer partner-mentor-friend 16 years ago. 

I am always glad I make time but today I was totally blessed. 

What has blessed you this week? What are you reading during your quiet time? 

Pamela

Poor Mama

Please don't laugh but I get sad when my chickens lay a double yoker. To me it is like delivering a huge baby. When I walk in the coop and see a girl in the nesting box I want to go over and rub her back and tell her it is okay. 

Don't even ask about the tears I shed while my girl was off getting bred. I know I need help. 

Pamela

Feeling Beachie

The statements: 1. I just _want a mountain dew, a cold mountain dew from Taco Bell. I don’t even know if we have a Taco Bell here.___ 2. Winter___ is _here, we have snow today. I am not ready.____ 3. If I could, I would __stop eating sugar. ______ 4. cheesecake_____makes me__remember my friends from North Carolina.____

How to Peel a Potato

This trick really works. Boil your potatoes with the skin on, instantly put potatoes in ice water for 5 seconds or longer if you have sensitive hands. Then pick up and the skin will pull right off.

No more worrying about cutting your hand with a potato peeler.  We only needed a couple of potatoes so this worked great. 

Pamela 

Wordless Wednesday

Quick Breakfast

It is getting cold outside and that means no one wants to get up in the morning. 

We learned a neat trick a couple of years ago. Scramble eggs and add in any meat  you like. Wrap in a tortilla shell and brown in a skillet. Wrap in Saran Wrap and freeze. 

My husband can grab one on his way out the door and plop it in the microwave at work. This gives him a hot breakfast. 

And if you do not want to share with your kids then just wrap them in a spinach tortilla shell and add peppers. If you get tired of this breakfast you can always add salsa to the top. 

Pamela

Soup

I love daylight savings time. We woke up as normal. Actually I did get a little more sleep than normal. So I woke up and put soup in the crock pot. I made veggie soup and taco soup. That evening we canned the soup. I know store bought soup is cheaper but I am pretty sure this is lower in sodium and I feel better knowing I made him lunch. 

We found the recipes on Pinterest. I am kind of addicted to Pinterest. 

Pamela