I am going to answer some questions quickly…so I figured I’d post them. This will save everyone time!

Q: How do you discipline your kids?

A: Biblically. That is about all that you are going to get for an answer. 

Q: How long have you nursed your children? Isn’t nursing while pregnant unsafe?

A:  I’m a big advocate for breastfeeding. I won’t push others to do it, but scientific evidence is conclusive-it is the best for babies by far.  I eat enough to support my body during pregnancy and breastfeeding & make sure that what I’m eating is healthy. I’ve nursed all of them past 12 months, with the exception of my first-I nursed him until about 11 months. If you do the math you would find that pregnancy and breastfeeding have overlapped everytime. Is it safe? We haven’t had any problems.

Q: Do you homeschool during the summer?

A: A little, but in a very relaxed way; not daily. If  my children find something that interests them, we will study it. That is one of the cool things about homeschooling.

As of late, everytime I change my sons poopy diapers he says, “Taaaaaank too.”

That’s how he says thank you.

It is about time that I got a thank you for hundreds and hundreds of diaper changes over the span of several years. It feels good to hear thank you…even if the gratitude is in one year old language.

I got a wonderful recipe from a good friend, Donna.

As I have said in the past, I have a major slight obsession with crockpots/slowcookers and their respective recipes.

I’m sosorry Donna! I crockpotified your recipe. (And added potatoes). I know it’s a weakness. No one has to tell me that. Adding potatoes was the part that I’m not particularly proud of…but boy did it taste good!

Here’s what I did:

1 lb potatoes, cubed (I usually leave the skins on-do what you like)

1/2 cup bell pepper, diced (I used red)

3/4 cup diced onion

6 cube steaks (or whatever amount fits your family)

1 1/2 jars spaghetti sauce (two if using more cube steaks)

1/4 cup worschestire sauce (spelling?)

Mix spagetti sauce and worschestire (sp?) sauce together in large bowl. Pour enough spaghetti sauce on bottom of slowcooker to cover it. (I have a 5 qt and a 7 qt. The size of this recipe fits my 5 qt slowcooker.) Start placing a layer of cube steaks, then a thin layer of sauce, then cube steaks, then sauce. Keep going until the steaks are covered. Place onion and pepper on top of the ‘pile’ and then add the potatoes as the very top layer. Cook on low for 7 or 8 hrs. When everything is done cooking, take the cube steaks out. Mix together all ingredients left in the slowcooker, then serve. 6 Servings. 

*Crockpots/slowcookers can have variations in temperatures. Make sure the meat is cooked through before serving.*

I have a major rash. It hasn’t spread to my hubby or the boys, so it is not contageous…just itchy and annoying. I seem to remember getting one after or during my last pregnancy. Weird.

I tried the ‘SOUGHT AfTER’ lolipops. I found them at Babies * us:

I almost lost my lunch in the van. I wouldn’t recommend them unless you are struggling with minor morning sickness. The only flavors I could stomach were the spearmint and peppermint pops…and yes, I did try all of them.

The package says that these lolipops can be used during labor to prevent dry mouth. I didn’t try them with my recent labors, so I couldn’t give you the low down on that claim.

If you’ve tried them and they have worked for you, leave a comment and let me know.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend!

I am no stranger to morning sickness.

I’ve had it with each pregnancy.

This one is no different.

Everyday, the schedule is basically the same for us (with the exception of chores changing with the days of the week and whether it’s an errand running day or not.) The particular exception now, is a break every 15 minutes or so for me to lay down flat on my back so I don’t toss my cookies right then and there.

Let me translate: I wash one or two pans, wipe down the kitchen table and attempt to sweep the floor. The broom and dust pan are brought out but never touch the mess…I head to the couch immediately or just lay straight on the peas and carrots on the kitchen floor. I hate throwing up. 

I take it easy. If a sink full of dishes get washed, a few loads of laundry is finished and a bag of garbage gets taken out, I consider it to be a great day. 

*If I have a lot to get done, sometimes I wil eat a banana or two. Bananas are high in B6 and are part of the BRAT diet. (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast). If you can stomach them, they may help to ease the nausea.*

When my childbearing days are done, morning sickness will be a thing of the past. I probably won’t remember the feelings I felt. All in all, it is a small price to pay for such a gift. I remember the feelings that I felt when I first longed for a child. I would of crossed the desert for such a child, just as I would now. I don’t take fertlity for granted. I know so many women who have been unable to get pregnant or carry a baby to term. I have experienced loss, too.

I often think of Hannah in the bible. She wanted a baby so bad, that as she was praying and crying out to God, it was mistaken that she was drunk. I’ve been there. Just like Hannah, God set me up in a house full of children and I am very grateful.

He hears your cry too-just like he heard Hannah. Just like he heard mine. He remembers you. He knows every piece of hair on your head and loves you more than the love of this world can comprehend.

I was reading today from the Psalms. I was in a section where David was singing about how God had delivered them from their captivity. He said that the nations around them were looking at Isreal and saying how great God has been to them.

I have been praying about something for a while.

While reading, the Lord spoke to my spirit about this scripture and how it relates to my situation. 

I thought about the Lord releasing the Isrealites from the hands of Pharoh. I thought of how much the Isrealites had to endure after their release. It occured to me that over time, I had developed the notion that the thing I had been praying for would just ‘come’; much like the Isrealites thought. The major obstacle was over, right? The path should have been easy and clear! Why the trials and difficulties?

We don’t understand why God does what he does, but we know that he has picked the very best route-if we would only follow him. It doesn’t mean that it is the easiest or most well-traveled route. He is interested in the process and how it will develop character in us. I am thankful that God is like this.

I know that it may be a lifetime before I get what what I’m asking for or I may not receive it at all. I know that if I seek to live my life for the Lord (surrendering every area to him) that he will supply all that I need. He promises this. Not everything that we want is a need. This sounds obvious, but it is not.

God asks us to have simple faith (like a child). Little children trust their parents. A little child believes what their parent (s) says. A little child is content if he/she is loved. A little one is surprised and excited by anything good that they receive outside of what they usually have provided for them (unless they have been spoiled by excess). Little ones often offer their thoughts and praises freely.

I pray that I can be like that little child when praying to God; not just with this prayer, but all others as well.

I live near one of the cities where the severe heat wave struck. We don’t have air conditioning, so for several days the children and I passed the time away dumping water on our heads. Then…two nights ago we had a severe thunderstorm which knocked out our power and turned our water supply off. My landlord came over and said “Welcome back to the 1920’s.” That comment proved to be quite hilarious. (Our house was built in the 1700’s.) He gave us a small generator to run our refridgerator. That was a blessing.

When the power came on (later last night) I chuckled. All the sudden three fans turned on at once and we heard the tv from the living room. I immediately ran to the bathroom to brush my teeth. (Don’t laugh. Good dental hygene is important!) The water spurted out of the faucet in a loud gush that made me jump.

While sitting there nursing my one year old, I thought about the modern lifestyle several of us in the US live.  I thought about the tiny fire I made to roast hotdogs last night for dinner and the s’mores we made after (mmmmm….chocolate). I won’t disclose the number of hotdogs I accidently dropped. Lets just say that the barn cats were happy.  :) 

I thought about the lack of power & how much more time we spent together as a family-no tv, no computer, no aversions. My husband and I talked a while as the children ‘rediscovered’ their toys from this past Christmas. It was good. Very good. My mind felt clearer. My body felt well rested. It was like a mini vacation in the woods…well, sort of.

You’ve got to love this post! Which are you?

I’m guilty of throwing myself little pity parties just like everyone else. If you say that you have never had that experience, then I’ll just assume to put you on the same shelf as those who claim that they don’t judge people. There is a big difference between the words ‘won’t’ and ‘don’t’. We all are tempted. Sometimes we cave in, sometimes we don’t.

Contentment is something to be learned; it doesn’t happen overnight.  

Scripture says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”   Philippians 4:11 (Emphasis mine)

I think the problem that we run into is that we try to be content in our own steam. We think, “What is wrong with me?”

Lets look at the whole verse now:

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  Phillippians 4:11-13

See the difference? I know that I need to be reminded that I don’t lean on myself or depend on me for joy in the storm.

I can’t believe that it is June already. 

I got up like usual this morning. We have a playroom next to our bedroom (the third bedroom in our home-all the boys share a room). If they wake up before me (they usually do) they are to QUIETLY play in their playroom. The ‘quietly’ part never happens. This morning I woke up to my six year old and four year old arguing the following:

“Optimus Prime is the mom this time.”

“Nooooo! He was the mom last time. My guy wants to be the mom. Optimus can be the dad.”

I’m trying to picture any of the transformers wearing high heels or an apron.

They got me ARCEE-the female transformer last year and proceeded to argue about who would be able to marry her and start an autobot family. I found all of this hilarious.

There have been a lot of things that the children have done that show me how much they are growing up this past week. We only have a limited amount of time to teach them. I cherish these days, as I have heard so many older women say that they miss the years of little children underfoot.

My one year old usually just climbs out of bed in the morning. This morning I hear, “Mommmm. Mommmmm?” I was trying to figure out which of the older ones were calling me. It was the youngest. I know he can say words…but it was the way he said them this morning. He ‘grew up’ a little and I didn’t see it coming.

I praise God that when he saw me, He did not see me as a barren woman; he heard my cry and blessed us with these sons.

“No one is holy like the LORD,
      For there is none besides You,
      Nor is there any rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2