He is Growing Up

My son is graduating. He will one day leave my house. I know he only eats a handful of foods but he needs to know how to cook. 

So he is practicing. He asked for chicken tenders for dinner. This is the only food he will eat that I cook. So of course j said yes. Then I sat at the island and talked him through how to make them. 

He learned that our family eats a lot and it takes a lot to feed us. He also learned it takes longer to cook than he realized.

He does not eat eggs but makes great eggs.

Hmm, what should we make next. I am thinking we will work on some crock pot meals. And then when it warms up we will work on grilling food. 

Pamela

Sleepy Lotion

Recently my friend visited and brought me this amazing sleep lotion and body wash. I can't decide if it helps or not.  

What do you think? I think today he will have a hot bath using some wonderful body wash then a rub down with the lotion. If I am lucky maybe everyone will have a nap today. 

Pamela

Feeling Beachie

The statements: 1.Once I _stuck my middle finger up my flute and got it stuck.___ 2._Middle school Math__ isn’t _well for this homeschool momma.___ 3.One can _accomplish anything if they are willing to ask for help_________________. 4.I have __no understanding _______________ for the___idea that we have to buy a new washer when our last one is 2.5 years old ___

Hiding

My children are masters at hiding things. I know this because we are always loosing things. This week Hope tried to hide the cat so that she could go to the chiropractor with her. 

James was so excited to be sneaking to her volleyball tournament with her. Sadly she realized her cute boots would not fit. So she made him get out. He was not happy. 

Please someone, anyone tell me that you loose things in your house. 

Pamela

Who Did It??

Someone went in the girls room and found w marker and wrote all over the walls and mirror and bed.

No one is admitting it. I have my suspensions that it was not anyone over the age of two. But the one year old is not admitting it. 

I will say that his big sister was in her room doing school and did not notice any of this was going on. 

Pamela

Goats Milk Soap

It is happening, slowly and with lots of mistakes. But slowly we are learning to make soap. This batch looked the best in the pan but did not come out as smooth.

The package that is wrapped looks better in the package but did not look as good in the pan. Slowly we are learning. I am excited that it is giving us something else to do together. I am also very grateful for our goats that give us fresh milk to put in our soap.

This is a simple recipe to follow that I will share with you just as soon as I get it a little smoother. 

Pamela

Look Who is Big

I did not authorize my baby boy to turn 17 months old. I did not say he was allowed to him to have a mouth of teeth. I would never have said he could look so big in a suit. 

But since these things are out of my hand I will just love and snuggle him ever chance I get. 

Pamela

My Morning View

This is my view on a regular basis. I have never seen a mouse in my house that was alive. This cat earns her keep. So this morning I woke up and saw a dead mouse. Let me tell you that will wake a girl up. 

Then I walked into my room and saw this. 

I wish I could sleep like him. Dad and I are falling off the bed because this little boy just stretches out and enjoys out bed.

Pamela

Feeling Beachie

The statements: 1._Bible journaling__is the _new pass time in my house.___ 2.Do you _relax __ on the weekends? 3._KFC fried chicken__ is my __real __ comfort food 4.KFC fried chicken always makes me happy.

Trying New Things

I love my husband. He will eat just about anything. So when one of his girls asked to try crab he jumped on it. Of course that meant he tried to get everyone to taste it. It went over well and they all liked it. So I guess now we move onto better quality crab. Does anyone want to teach me how to buy and cook crab. 

Pamela

Cold Chickens

We are about to get his with real snow.  It makes me sad because my little chickens are just starting to come back out. We always leave the door open for them but they will not step out on snow. 

I  am looking forward to spring so all the animals have time to move around. 

Pamela

Babies are Coming

The birthing stall is ready minus the flooring. I say come on babies. We think we have a pregnant goat. We hope we have a pregnant goat. I cannot wait to have baby goats. Even more so I can't wait to have more goat milk for my family. 

I love these girls and little boy. 

Pamela

Brothers

No words needed. These boys love playing with their big brother.

Even Jacob begs to get involved. I have to remind myself to step back and just watch and let them play sometimes. 

For soon big brother will be too busy to play. 

Pamela

Wrestling 101

Boys will be boys and as long as they are not intentionally hurting each other I allow them to wrestle. 

I won't lie I do not like Jacob getting involved but he does. If someone is laying on the ground he comes over and sets on their head. I think it is the only way he can make them set still. 

Pamela

Jumbo Pancakes

When you get up early on a Saturday morning and go out in the cold to take care of the animals before the snow hits then I will reward you with a hot jumbo pancake.

Pamela

Caffeine or Needing

I may need caffeine. This morning I was doing my Bible reading and it all sounded familiar. I even had notes on some of it and since my Bible is only a month old that seemed weird. 

When I was done reading I realized that I was in the wrong book of the Bible. I am bummed it puts me behind in my goal but reminding myself I needed to read that passage again. 

Pamela

Feeling Beacie

1. Did you notice that _it is cold, it is so cold. I need sunshine.___
2. __laundry_ is on _my disgust list  for___ever, it seems to be multiplying._
3. Since__having Jacob __ I haven’t__had a long bath.____
4. Would you ever__rent a hotel just for jacuzzi tub_____? I am seriously considering a day away in a hotel with a big  <div align="center"><a href="http://feelingbeachie.com" title="Feeling Beachie" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-niEaURg4-vQ/UnarB5FmybI/AAAAAAAAvBo/H4hJ63godF0/s200-no/feelingbeachiebutton+200x200.jpg" alt="Feeling Beachie" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Pamela

Brotherly Love

Jacob has a new habit. Every time his big brother is on the floor he sets on his head. Then he hugs him and loves on him like nothing happened. I love how these two have started playing together. I think these two are going to be great friends. 

Pamela

Looking Up

I love how Jacob is looking at her. He wanted to play so badly. I hope that I am a mother my children can look up to. I hope that my children can look up to one another. 

Pamela

Mash Potato Dough

I have to be honest. I have not taken time to craft with my children recently. So when they had friends come over I knew I needed to do something. 

Pinterest to the rescue. The recipe is so easy: 

Mash Potato Dough

Powdered mash potatoes

Water 

Food coloring 

Mix the potatoes with water until it makes a dough, add food coloring and you are done. 

I mixed it by hand and then let the kids mix it. It is not as moldable as real play dough but the kids enjoyed it. 

Pamela

Puppy Love

She loves this dog. She forgets he is not a big teddy bear. This morning she decided he must be cold so she covered him up. 

I won't lie I was worried how we would handle two dogs. But honestly it was one of the best investments we have made. 

Pamela

Chiropractor Playground

I love our chiropractor. I love that I walk in with several kids in and they are patient. Jacob has really come around and started enjoying the room. 

Pamela

Gratefulness

I would tell you that I am normally a pretty grateful person. But recently God has been working on me. I am grateful for friends and for healthy children. We have had alot going on recently. We have had to have our well worked on and our septic tank has had major work, my husbands truck needed a new transmission and computer. We have also replaced a dishwasher and had our heater fixed and so many more things going on both personally and financially. My gratefulness was not there. I was becoming resentful of my old farm house and the time and money it was taking from us. I have had major pity parties because my children do not have grandparents close. James reminded me the other day that his grandpa is dead and I felt horrible for him. Both of his grandparents have died. I really feel like God is working on me. This week I was setting in the doctors office feeding my baby boy peanut butter crackers that I just stopped and bought. All the sudden I was almost in tears. It hit me that he asked for a snack and I gave him one. I did not think about rather I had a snack, rather I had food for the rest of the day. It hit me how many parents put kids in bed with empty stomachs. So why am I not being more grateful for all that I am giving. My goal is to start writting down what I am grateful for. So here is my starting list: 1. My children have two grandmothers who love them unconditionaly 2. I have a amazing farm house with plenty of landfor the kids to run around and play on. 3. My amazing handy husband has been home to do so many repairs 4. We have a home warranty that has helped alot 5. All of our bills have been paid hen they are due So my question to you is what are you grateful for this week? This week I am going to find ways to show others that I am grateful. I am going to choose to tell my husband I am grateful everyday.

Feeling Beachie

The statements: 1. Is it me or do you also feel like _everyday is a holiday or someone’s birthday and you forgot it.____ 2. _One child __ is great but _7 is awesome and 10 would be perfect___ 3. _KFC fried chicken__ is my least favorite food 4. The _journey of homeschooling my son__ ends _soon and I am kind of sad about it._____

Thankful Thursday

I have company coming. I should be rushing around dusting and cleaning. 

Yet here I set enjoying this snuggly baby. He woke up only long enough to nurse and go back to sleep. Many children ago I would have cared more about a clean house. But now I realize that my company will not care if there is dust. And this little blessing will not want to nurse much longer. He will be up running around 

Let me encourage you to take time to enjoy your blessing. I love to look at each of my blessings. Look at noses and eyes. Yesterday when my 18 year old was on the chiropractor table I noticed how grown up his neck was. When did this happen and where was I? Today I am grateful for all my blessings and I am thankful for friends who are visiting.

Pamela