My blog

You know it has been too long since you blogged when....you see YOUR OWN blog on someone else's page and you go to visit that "new" blog because it sounds like something you would be interested in!!!! HA!
We are off to ballet dress rehearsal. I am looking forward to spending time with my friend. She and I haven't spent much time together lately and so this should be fun. Tomorrow is the recital and I can't wait to see my 4 children dancing. It is something that they are really good at doing. DH's parents were supposed to be coming, but DH's mother is very sick. We will get to see them at a different time.
Short, but sweet.

A New Blog Entry for Dawn

Dawn, my dear friend, is working on being green. I am at a place in life where green is good, but not necessary. I will say that I am willing to grow an avocado plant in my kitchen so that we can share oxygen and carbon dioxide. I am also willing to NEVER put my fallen leaves in bags on the curb. WHO came up with that idea? Leaves turn into mulch. They fertilize the earth and the earth grows. Using up black plastic garbage bags and sending them to a landfill doesn't exactly shout "GREEN" to me. Anyway, those are my contributions.
Dawn is my inspiration. SHE is awesome at going green.

SNOW!

Snow is fun. Snow is more fun if there is more than an 1/8th of an inch! This, however, has not hindered the children one bit. They have made snowcones. They have had snowball fights. There are at least two snowballs in the freezer "for later, Mama!" There is at least an inch of water on the kitchen floor. Most of the kitchen utensils (ladles, butter knives, spatulas) are buried somewhere in the front yard.....just enough snow for them to "disappear"! Don't get me wrong...I really do love snow. I LIVE for the winter. DH tells me that snow is bad when it is there all winter - rusted out cars, dirty snow, etc. But, if I lived in Lillehammer, I wouldn't have to worry about cars and dirty snow....I would just put cross-country skis on all the children and send them to the store for me! :)

Now, the only thing that would make this snow better REALLY would be a nice blazing fire, a cup of coffee, a Diana Gabaldon novel and QUIET. I haven't found the quiet yet, so ...off to piano with 4 Baker children and two Stout children. Life around here is never dull.

Daniel and Ren

Our ladies Bible study group is studying Daniel this year. We completed the first half of the book last fall. Last night, we started the second half. I am so excited about Daniel. I love having a study to do each day in my book. I only wish there was more information so that I really could have 1o or so days worth of work. We have spread out the lessons and videos so that instead of being a 12 week course, it is taking us 9 months. I really feel like I get to know the information so much better that way. We have a great group of ladies who come and worship together. We pray for one another and enjoy visiting with one another before and after our study. I am so thankful that God has given us His Bible. What a treat! I love how I have read something many times, and yet something new always pops out when I read.
We are deciding to send Ren to Veritas starting next week. This is a HUGE step for me. I have always had him at home and it is a little daunting to think that I am sending him out to be under someone else. Not that I think that someone else can't teach him, just he can be such a difficult student. I haven't ever wanted to subject anyone else to that. I will be praying that he will listen and learn and really love being with other kids and really love the learning. He is SO smart and has SO much ability. I want to see it put to good use.

Catching Up!

It is so fun to be finding friends in lots of places on Facebook. I am finding people that I haven't talked to in YEARS! There are also those that I would love to find, but can't. It is amazing to me how important it becomes (as I get older) to find those who are able to "remember" with me. I know it seems silly, but getting older brings with it a wanting to be around those who spent time with you when you were younger. It seems when you are young, you spend your time wanting to "get away"- to prove that you don't necessarily need anyone. You want to establish yourself and become independent. Then, you grow up, get married, have kids and watch the kids grow. Then, you discover that you crave finding your old friends. You want to connect with those who shared your "back then" life. I am so thankful that God has placed so many wonderful friends in my life. I am so glad that He is bringing so many of those friends back into my path. Thank you, Lord.

2009!

I am starting the new year with a praise to my heavenly Father. Without Him, I am nothing. Without Him, all would be naught. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him all above ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen!

Thankful for.....

The children have been making a "Thankful Tree" this year. We made a huge tree on the wall and each day, they are adding leaves with "I'm thankful for...." written on them. They are enjoying it and I am reminded of the things that I am thankful for. There are many who have done the "1000 things to be thankful for", and while I haven't done that, I am so thankful everyday for what has been given to me, to my family and to those that I love. We are so blessed to live somewhere where our faith is free, our bellies are not empty, and we can choose an education if we want. Those are only the top of the barrel of thankfulness. I am thankful for a sweet husband who has a wonderful job. I am thankful that his work ethic is such that I am able to be home with our sweet Littles. I am thankful for parents who are still living. I am thankful for those who have "gone before me". I am thankful that those who come behind me will find that they were loved and wanted. I am thankful that I have Someone who cares about my every breath. I am thankful for each day that is given. And I am especially thankful right this moment for the two little boys sitting in my floor playing UNO - they are such a blessing to me.