LiFe...

Often times when my blog is quiet it means my life is busy.  That has been the case these past two weeks!  That and the fact that I still don't have my desktop back.  I didn't realize how much I depended on my computer.  Using laptops and the iPad are just not the same to me! I am supposed to get my computer back in a few days.  We'll see.....  This is what happens when you have a friend working on it for you! :)

I got my new refrigerator last week.  The girls and I all realize now that our stuff is ice cold just how bad that other fridge had gotten. I sure am glad it bit the dust during our goats' "dry" time!  I can't imagine not having two refrigerators when all of that milk starts coming in!

Speaking of goats....  This will be our first kidding season without Mckenzie here.  We have four or five pregnant does out there.  We plan on selling one of the lower producers after she kids.  Unless the girls get attached to one of the doelings, the plan is to sell ALL the babies this year.  They always sell really fast and it makes things much simpler.  Bottle feeding a pen full of baby goats is time consuming! We sold our buck this winter, so that was a big relief to get him out of here.  He was really aggressive and I worried one of the little guys was going to get hurt. Downside is we will have to get a buck before next fall for breeding.  Hopefully we can find one that isn't quite so mean!

This past week we all (except Matthew) loaded up and went on a business trip with Marc.  We are studying Georgia history this year so took advantage of the opportunity to explore Savannah.  The cemeteries were by far my favorite part.  I took lots of pictures, but haven't put any on my computer yet.  I will post more about that trip later.  It was fun and I am glad we went, but it was exhausting with the two,youngest.  We stayed in a suite, but even without our two oldest it felt so crowded.  This was our first trip without Mckenize and Matt.  Matthew had classes so he couldn't go.  It was hard pulling out with him standing there. We are so used to doing everything as a family.

Madeline and I went shopping tonight and she made a comment that she wished Matthew was home more.  She said it felt like she lost both of the older kids at the same time.  In some ways she did.  Matthew started college classes back up in the fall and has two part time jobs.  It has been sweet seeing her and Matthew grow closer now that they are the two oldest.  Mariah is going through a tough spot right now being at that in between age.  That and her "middle child syndrome" are making for some interesting times! :). They all go through some tough spots and we will get through this too.  When people ask me if I think raising boys or girls is the hardest, my answer is boys are harder when they are little, but girls are harder as teenagers.  Children are all so different too though.  I am amazed at how different each of my children are.  I love their unique personalities and what they bring to the family.  Each one is special!

Back to our shopping....... :). We found some great deals tonight! Unless we are shopping for something specific (like someone needs a new pair of shoes, or jeans etc.) we put our blinders on and hit the clearance racks.  Sale racks aren't enough, it has to be clearance.  I bought Madeline several new sweaters and tops for $6 each at Belks.  I have nothing against thrift stores (my girls have found some cute things thrifting), but I would much rather hit a clearance rack and find new things for those prices!  We often buy things out of season which isn't fun at the moment, but when that next season rolls around it sure is nice pulling out those new things that cost a fraction of what they would cost in season.  

Well, once again I am sitting here blogging really late.  Everyone but my night owl son are in the bed.  He is watching Milltown Pride for the who knows how many times!  He would be in here talking to me but Marc is NOT a night owl and runs him off.

Good night!

Valentine's 2015

I just uploaded my iphone pictures to my computer.  The downside to taking pictures with a phone is that for me, I'm not as organized with them as I was when I just used my camera.  I hated to not have these on my blog, but the ocd in me hates that they are "out of order"!

 

I went to see my dad the weekend before Valentine's day and took Mariah and Macheus.  My sister thought it would be fun to take my dad to the father/daughter night at Chick fil A.  They did a really good job with it and I think the girls had fun.  Macheus was a pistol because it was past his bedtime!  We weren't sure if our dad had fun or not! :o)  He was quiet while we were there, but it could've been because of the crowd and he can't hear well.

 

Afterwards, Mariah went home with her cousin Carrington to spend the night and Macheus and I stayed with my dad.  We had ice cream and stayed up half the night talking.  He outlasted me and I finally told him I had to go to bed!

I know pictures like this will be a treasure one day.  Very thankful for this time we have with him.

Ramblings...

 It is late Sunday night and I am sitting here in the bed enjoying the peace in quiet.   My husband is laying next to me sound asleep and all but Matthew are upstairs sleeping.  I hear the sound of water running which means Matthew is finally calling it a night too.  He is my night owl.  I used to be that way when I was younger (and several children ago!) 

It has been a long week.  My main computer is in the shop for repairs and our refrigerator officially bit the dust.  We bought a very nice stainless steel refrigerator four years ago thinking we would have it for years.  After battling with Sears all week long I told Marc I didn't have it in me.  We could have pursued it and they probably would have had to replace it, but it was not worth my time.  We went last night to Lowes and spent half of what we spent last time on a Whirlpool.  It is stainless but a little more basic this time.  We went back to the side by side model.  I was not impressed with the bottom freezer drawer and we had a repairman tell us that those have to work harder to keep the refrigerator part cool.  He was also the one that told us to not spend so much because none of them last!  They won't be delivering it until Thursday afternoon!  Thank goodness we have an extra fridge!   It has been a pain though!

Marc and I went to a coffee shop Friday night to celebrate Valentine's day.  It is in the downtown area of our little town and is so adorable. When McKenzie was at home she was a regular. :)  I had never eaten there and was very impressed.  Some friends of ours were playing music there that night.  It was a nice evening.  We left there and went to do a little shopping.  We went to Belks and Marc scored big on some $65 dress shirts for $10!

The week before last McKenzie came down and stayed with the kids for me to go on a business trip with Marc.  It was nice to get away and the kids loved being together.  They all said it was weird and "so normal" at the same time for McKenzie to be here like that.  When she went home she took Matt with her to visit there a few days.  I went last weekend up that direction to stay with my dad and we met on Sunday afternoon for him to come back home with me.  I love that my kids enjoy being together.  It is sweet as they get older watching them do things with each other.

 

Speaking of sweet.... Marc  brought home some things for me for Valentine's day and he also brought flowers for the girls and chocolate for the boys.  Matthew came home from work Valentine's night with treats for all the kids.  He is a thoughtful fellow.

On Friday I told Myles to lay on my bed and play quietly while I went running.  Macheus was asleep and the others were still working on school work.  When I got back my room was a mess.  One of the things he had done was gotten into the diaper bag and eaten several boxes of raisins and some little natural gummies that I buy for the baby for church.  He wasn't smart enough to hide the wrappers; they were laying everywhere.  When Marc walked in from work that evening and went to pass chocolate out Myles looked kind of funny with his candy in his hand.  I said, "Uh uh,  he is not eating that today."  He knew exactly why and handed his candy back.  He did get to eat it the next day AND had the nerve to get into my chocolate! :)  Marc introduced the baby to chocolate for the first time and he was trying to get his hands on everyone's chocolate all day.  I think we have some chocoholics on our hand. :o)  (They come by it honestly!)

I am really ready for spring!  We have had a pretty cold winter this year.  I know you "up north" people are laughing. :o)  I grew up in the north and I just don't think I could do it anymore!  I guess it is all in what you are used to.  I just like to be warm. In fact, I would rather run in the sweltering hot summer over a cold day!  My skin stays so dry and itchy when it is cold.  We have made it through January and half of February!

Madeline and I were out walking tonight and talking about our excitement over spring coming soon.  We both are looking forward to summer this year.  We haven't had a summer with nothing to do in years.  My mom's health problems dominated our lives her last few years of life and then when she died we were busy with my dad.  He was settled last year in his new retirement home but we were in full "wedding mode' last summer.  While I have wonderful memories of that time that I wouldn't trade for anything, I am looking forward to a relaxing summer.

I used to love to listen to Matthew and McKenzie talk late at night.  They always got along so well and when she got married I think Matthew mourned the loss of his "best friend".  It has been sweet to see him and Madeline grow closer.  They often sit around at night together and talk now.  This evening they both had their guitars out and were practicing together.  I finally had to run them off because I had reached "that point"!  I love my "big kids".  I fully understand now, that it doesn't matter how old your kids get you never stop worrying about them. They are all such sweet kids (not a bit biased!) and so thankful that they all are growing in their Christian walks.  I think the hardest part for me with having grown kids is that you can't "fix" everything for them.  When they hurt, you hurt.  People can be so cruel... some of them may not be intentionally, but sadly, some are.

 

Well, Marc is stirring and I guess I probably need to go to sleep too!  This was truly a ramble and I am too tired to proofread!

Until next time.....

A quotable quote

"The fear of punishment, the desire for reward, the sense of duty, are all useful arguments in their own way, to persuade people to holiness.  but they are all weak and powerless until a person loves Christ."  J.C. Ryle

Happy 2nd Birthday, Macheus Trust!

Two years ago, the Lord blessed our family with Macheus Trust.  We lost two babies before him and my mother died May of 2012.  Macheus was a bright spot in our lives for sure!

I remember the evening of February 1st watching Mary Poppins with my children.  I contracted that whole evening and was pretty miserable.  The next day I stayed in the bed until lunchtime.  I was contracting and very uncomfortable but they weren't regular.  Marc and I decided to take a power walk (and I ended up running some of it!)  I got back home and thought I was going to die when I took a shower.  We quickly loaded up and headed to the hospital.  McKenzie and Madeline both attended his birth.  It was not as easy a delivery as Myles had been, but it wasn't as bad as Malachi's!  Macheus had some transitioning issues and ended up spending a few days in the NICU.  That was a bit stressful, but we were very blessed to take home a perfectly healthy baby boy.

These two years have been filled with much joy because of Macheus (A.K.A. Baby K or Baby Mac-  His sisters really need to stop!) :o)  He always has a playmate, and he is a bit spoiled.

The morning of his birthday the girls had to go to piano lessons.  I took the boys to the park.  It was a gorgeous day but extremely windy!

When they saw the geese they took off!

The geese weren't scared of us and Macheus wasn't scared of them.  He loves water and tried to jump in several times!  He had no fear of the water last summer.  I can see swimming lessons in our future!

My sweet little guy.

 I can't imagine life without them.  It would certainly be quiet! :o)

What is a birthday (when you are two!) without Chick fil A!?  We stopped by for a quick lunch.  He spent his time dipping the same waffle fry in the ketchup and sucking it off.  I know, gross.

                                                     Mac and his fry. :o)

We headed home for nap time.  When he woke up from his nap he had birthday presents in the mail from grandparents!

It is a big deal around here if you get to lick the beater!

He sat there until it was clean!

Spaghetti for supper!

The organic chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting.  Guilt free eating..... haha!

We sang "Happy Birthday" to him ALL day long.  I think he was a little confused.

             Rare treat for him!  He took it very seriously!

After bath play with big "Bubbie".  He loves his big brother! (Matthew is pretty crazy about him too!)

Happy birthday sweet boy!  We love you to pieces!

Memories...

Well, I figured if I went to chrome I could get my pictures to upload!  I wanted to post some sweet memories from over the holidays.

McKenzie was sad that she was missing out on family birthdays.  She asked me about doing something special for Mariah while she was here for Christmas.  A couple days before Christmas I took Matthew and Mariah out to finish their shopping.  It was a great excuse to get her out of the house so McKenzie and Madeline could set things up.  Mariah loves ALL things sweet (She comes by that naturally!), and McKenzie had the idea to do a snowflake themed hot chocolate bar.  She had every topping imaginable!

 Mariah was very surprised when we walked in.  Everything looked so pretty!

 My heart is happy when I see my children having fun with each other and loving each other!

                                       I sure do love these girls!

After Christmas Madeline went home with McKenzie for a few days.  They had a great time visiting and running around together!  I am so grateful that she is close enough to still get to spend time with her!

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                                                   ~Deer Season~
So, I used to think the whole hunting thing was strange and eating deer was gross!  Then I got tired of the price of grass fed beef! :o)  We were blessed last year with an entire grass fed cow put in our freezer!  It has been wonderful to have, because I sure couldn't afford organic meat at the grocery store!

Several years ago Marc and Matt started deer hunting.  We had some friends that showed them the ropes with processing it themselves.  It is kind of cool that they can now go out and kill a deer and several days later my freezer has meat in it!  (I have NOTHING to do with any part of it except cooking!)

                                               Malachi going on a hunt with daddy!

And.......... they came home with a deer!

This was a funny story.  The back of our property is wooded behind the barn.  Madeline told Matt she would go hunting back there with him.  She walked back there one evening and waited on Matt to come.  He literally walked back there, she whispered,  "Look over there."  He watched it until he had a good shot and he got his first deer of the season!   Easiest hunt ever! :o)

                                                  She is a pretty cute hunter!

Another night Matthew went hunting down the road from us.  He was determined to get another deer so he could give some meat to McKenzie and Daniel.  He came home with another one!  We were definitely blessed this year!

I can't believe that January is gone!  It has been a cold one and I am glad to see it go!  We have had sunny days in the 50's this week.  I am looking forward to spring!

late night ramblings...

I have had several  posts that I wanted to write, but my computer that has all of my pictures on it won't let me upload for some reason.  

So, tonight I am sitting in my bed with my laptop.  Marc bought me this Dell laptop last fall and it drives me crazy!  The touchscreen is very "touchy"! I am not very techy.  I love when things work and get very frustrated when they don't.

 

I was scrolling through some old e-mails and found this poster that Madeline sent to me shortly after McKenzie got married.  She wrote, "I hope one day we have what you and McKenzie had."  She is such a sweet girl.  As McKenzie got older she did become one of my best friends.  I probably talked to her more than anyone other than Marc.  I am very grateful for that time with her and I think because I know how quickly it goes, I am soaking up the time with my next oldest children.  Madeline has really stepped up to the plate.  There is a lot of responsibility in a large, busy homeschooling family.

 

 

 

McKenzie has been busy doing lots of different things since she got married. She is teaching piano lessons, sewing lessons, helping a busy mama with her little ones, and she has also been helping an older lady with some cleaning/organizing.  The lady commented on how she is the first girl that has really known how to clean.  She said she had hired many girls even older than her from the college and they didn't know how to clean.  That is so foreign to us, but it made me realize how important it is to train our children in practical things.  I thought about that today when I told one of my younger ones to do a task and when I went back it was done halfway.  I sent the child back and told them to finish it completely.  I always expected excellence out of McKenzie and it has paid off.  She is a very capable young woman now and I want that for all of my children!
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I know it is the end of January and most people aren't thinking of their New Year's goals anymore.  Every year Marc challenges us to write down some goals we have for the new year.  I am a perfectionist by nature, and I tend to shy away from making too many goals because I don't want to fail.  I am trying to learn that I can work on things and any improvement is a good thing.
One of my goals for the year is to do more field trips with my children.  I've already signed up for two really cool ones!  I did so much of that kind of stuff with my older kids, I feel like my younger ones don't get to go and see things as much.  I am going to try to change that!  I want to spend more one on one time with my little guys reading to them.  My fondest memories of home schooling over the years is the time spent reading out loud to my children.  Myles loves to be read to. He will sit and listen to book after book.  I want to spend more time reading my Bible.  This is a hard one for me at the stage that my family is at.   Most people read their Bible in the morning or evening.  Both of those times of day are extremely busy.  I end up reading short bits during the day. I don't always feel like I have long meaningful stretches of time to really focus on my reading.  I have to have quiet to focus and my household is anything but quiet!  Another goal that I set was to start doing some different exercises.  I have been a distance runner for years.  It is nothing for me to run 55-60 miles a week.   I love running!  It is as much for my mental health as it is for my physical.  I bought a kettle bell set and I have added a workout that I do three days a week.  Matthew told me this week that he can tell my arms look stronger. Ha-ha..  He may just be trying to make me feel good. :o)  The last goal I made was to try to cut our budget.  Marc and I did the Dave Ramsey course this past fall.  We are hoping to get our house paid off early and to do that we are going to the cash envelope system.  I have never been a big spender and we don't have debt except the house, but I have never given it much thought as to what I spend each month.  Groceries are probably going to be the hardest thing for me!
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Well, I probably should go to bed.  It has been a long day today and we have an early morning tomorrow. Hopefully I will figure out what is wrong with my desktop and I can upload some of my pictures.  Life has been busy!

Goodnight!