Our Maiden turns NINE...

She loves to decorate cakes and thus wanted to decorate her own cake....she baked it, dad frosted it, and she put her creation to work...making a mountain with a running horse going up it...wonderful!

The day started off with the traditional "Breakfast with Dad." She choose pizza and hot chocolate...for breakfast? Okay, her day...her choice!

After they got home, we packed up a fun picnic lunch and headed out for a 3/4 mile hike at Fort Spokane...

This is the view from almost the top. What you are looking at is soldier quarters.

Look at this interesting tree...look closely and you can see it shooting up in the back.

After our wonderful hike we drove a bit to the park to have our picnic lunch and play.

This is what she saw when she walked in the door from our hike...she was elated!

"Oh, Dad and Mom...my first tea set...thank you so much!" She has wanted a tea set for a very long time. We found this little set at an antique store.

Happy Birthday to a most delightful daughter! We are enjoying the Lord working in her all that He wants her to be...she is becoming a "Pillar in her Father's house"...and we are blessed by it!

We Are Back

Our ladies waiting for the lunch...from left to right...Duchess, Ruthie(our favorite) and Duchess's mom Rosie...we really love our ladies - they are so sweet and gentle - if you have land and ever thought about getting milk cows - Jersey's are the way to go!


A fun time with big tumbleweeds on our afternoon walk...see I started taking a very long break for lunch...like a two 1/2 hour break...so we can get out of the tiny "box" we are now living in and for fresh air...and to get a clean head for going back to school after our break. It is working out wonderfully for us!


My wonderful 13 young man...there are so many reasons I'm thankful for him...he is a blessing to his father and I!


My Family - I am so thankful for them...and the time we get to spend with the head of the house...

Just look at that grin..."I did it...I can do it" he said

Our littlest man loves to help...feel needed...here is his newest skill....sawing the twine for the alfalfa...look at that proud grin!

This is the view I have just outside our door...gorgeous isn't it! I may have a very tiny place to call home at the moment but the Lord sure did make up for it with the view and acreage we roam around on...

Cramped quarters...but still learning! Here is a game my daughter made up for him...he has to find the write numer to match the fish...he loves it! He can also find colors - she is such a talented young lady - I was so proud of her...I told her what I needed and she did it - joyfully!

The only amount of snow we've gotten....so much for the sleds we purchased...maybe next year!

Oh, how I love sharing our pictures with you...enjoy! I've pondering being thankful and praising at all times, in all situations...no matter what! So today I'm thankful for the mud, the children that the Lord has blessed me with that came back from our walk...COVERED...in the mud! Thankful that I don't have to do laundry by hand...really thankful for that

One thing I thought I might do is start a "Know Your Rights" section...what you think about this? I want to talk about our rights and learn more about them...because if you don't know your rights you don't have any! Most of you who know us are smiling...yes, we are very patriotic...and are discusted to see where our country is going...

First Right of an American...
1. To worship the Lord God in ones one way...without interference from the government.

Abortion

I have added a new icon to the right...as if you couldn't see it! To some of you it will be offensive...a subject we shouldn't talk about...really?

God's word says that we "Shall Not Murder"...these individuals are striped of their rights...they don't get a fair trial nor do they get an attorney to plead their case...their voice is never heard...

I want to strongly encourage you to rent the video "Silent Cry". It is done by a very prominent abortion doctor. He wanted the world to see that there is no harm done to the "fetus" (which in Latin means unborn child)...his eyes were opened...his heart was broken!

This new health care that is being pushed for will help fund abortions...and the money they collect from "We The People"...by choice or force will be paying for it..."We The People" should be weeping in the streets and crying out...it will be on our hands...on our hands...oh, what have we done...Nancy Pelosi was quoted saying..."We will get health care passed. If there is a wall...we will scale it, if there is a fence...we will go over it" - they are determined to get the health care passed. One has to ask why? Why are they not listening to "We The People"...do you realize that over 75% of the American population do not want government health care? What are you to do...pray and seek the Lord...repent for the sins of our country...ask Him to show you what to do...He will be faithful to you!

Hugs to all and thank you for reading...

40ish...40 something...

Well I have moved out of the thirty something group and on to the 40 something group...

It was a strange day as I was very emotional...my poor husband didn't seem to know what to do with me...eventually I got my emotions under control and we headed out.

We had a nice brunch at my new favorite restaurant in Hunters, the only restaurant in Hunters...but still my favorite! Then a nice quiet walk in the woods. We ended the day with a quaint birthday dinner and special cake that my daughter helped decorate...very relaxing day.

My dear husband had been saving up to purchase me a nicer range...but after seeing my frustration with my computer he decided to take the savings and buy me a new computer. I'm so excited about it and will have it next week....so this means back to blogging with pictures - I can't wait!

Hugs to all of you...hoping your day is filled with delight and peace and praise for our Lord.

A Must...

I want to encourage all of you to go to the Above Rubies web site and request their free magazine...it's so helpful! I signed a couple of you up for it already...eeek! I know it will bless you...

I also want to encourage all of you to sign up for NOgreaterJoy free magazine...they are amazing! If you go to the bottom of my blog you can just click onto the advertisement for No Greater Joy...and then just sign up.

I have had these magazines sent to me for several years and have gained much wisdom from them.

Hugs to all...

Refuge...Rest...Reassurance....

A dear friend of mine reminded me of something so valuable...something I have let slip by and have replaced with complaining and ungratefulness...

She reminded me that a home is God's blessing to us...especially women (Titus 2:8-12 - being a keeper of the home is something He requires of us ladies). It is our place of refuge, rest and reassurance. It is our duty to provide that refuge, rest and reassurance to all that enter into our home...

As I was pondering this and asking for forgiveness of my complaining and grumbling...I was reminded that a home is what you make it...it could be a tent, an RV, trailer, mud-hut, or big and elaborate...but in order for it to be a home the "keeper" of the home must give all her heart, her thanks and praise to the Lord...if not all those who enter will feel unwelcome and leave as fast as they can...

I have been filling my "home" with uncontentment and with that comes strife and frustration...anger...deep depression...fighting...bickering...I have seen these character traits in all of my family members lately...and no wonder when I get real personal with myself I realize it's my fault as the "keeper of the home". I have allowed myself to be pulled away from praising into complaining...from thankfulness into unthankfulness for all that the Lord has provided for us...yes, even this place we need to call home...so home it is!

I guess I haven't wanted to call it home because it seems so permanent...so long lasting...but as in Luke 12...the Lord's prayer instructs us to say "let the Lord's will be done"...so be it long or short...it's our home and the one the Lord has blessed us with at the moment...

Have you allowed things into your "home" that the Lord would wish you to get rid of so He can be praised and glorified by all who enter your home? Be real with yourself and let the goodness of the Lord Almighty cleanse you and perfect you as you make your home a refuge, rest and reassurance for those who enter...

Blessings to all of you Keepers of the Home!

Here we go again...

My computer came back to life for a moment in time...and now it's complaining again! So here I am posting from a computer that does not have my pictures on it...so again you'll have to wait for a photo update...hopefully not to long of a wait though.

But while you wait I want to share with you what the Lord did over this Christmas season...He gave us gifts...three of them...

The first gift he gave came in the form of space to move around...our dear friends we are staying with asked us to take care of their wonderful horses, cats, and German shepherd...we gladly accepted and they also asked us to please use their home for our Christmas celebrations...complete with a huge tree and all the trimmings...we were overwhelmed by the offer and felt so thankful....thankful for the use of a nice, open kitchen, a large table, a open living room and large TV...it was wonderful to be able to roam without knocking something down or bumping into each other...

The next two gifts were found at our post office. A couple we know prayed and felt most assuredly that the Lord impressed upon them to send us a monetary gift. It was such a huge blessing to our family. We were so surprised by their generosity towards us. BUT the Lord was not done...as I was waiting in line out came the post office lady with an enormous box and handed it to me...it had our address on it but was from a name we did not recognize at all. I thought for sure the post office had made a huge mistake. When we opened the box we realized that it was for us as there were presents, wrapped and marked with individual names....we were so moved. We all thought who, who, who could this be? It finally dawned on us who this family was...a family that knows a mutual friend of ours...they e-mailed back and forth and got ideas from the friends of ours and sent our box. It was filled with gifts just perfect for our needs and wants...just perfect!

Those gifts were just a reminder to our family that the Lord has not forgotten us, our situation, our struggles....He knows and sees and understands...As I type this I know He is leading our family to stand steady...wait for the Lord's timing...He is the orchestrator of all things...

So we wait for His hand to move upon our situation...wait for His hand to reveal His mighty plan in our lives...wait for Him...wait....wait...wait!

I hope you enjoyed this post - even though there were no pictures available to look at...but can you imagine the smiles and joy we felt realizing we were not forgotten...not in the least!

P.S. - We've been having the head of our household read and explain the Declaration of Independence...it's powerful and moving and I want to challenge each and every one of you to read it, memorize it, to ask your self what You, the people, are to do in the midst of tyranny...it will encourage you....next we will be studying the Bill of Rights then on to the Constitution...Can't wait.

Hugs to all...

Picture Journal...

Well, my husband fiddled with my computer and fixed it! I'm so delighted with him and so thankful that he took the time to work on my computer - it really blessed me!

This brings us to a much promised photo journal...it's a long one and I hope you enjoy the update!

This is what most of our potatoes look like...huge!

Just Dad and the birthday boy out for the birthday breakfast...look at that huge grin!

Birthday Hike.

Ahhhhh....love my hat!

Our silly cat Margaret Thatcher went on this loooonnnngggg hike with us...silly cat!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our huge 50lbs turkey...see the pans holding up the racks and catching all the drippings...what a mess...what a delicious turkey!

Giving a horse report...all on her own she researched and wrote down facts and wanted to present it...funny girl!

Just look at this beautiful stove! We would love to build a farmhouse with this stove as the center...I just love it!

Our Christmas Tree...a much loved tree!

Last week I wrote about my traditions and disappointments....this week I feel that the Lord reminded me that He only inhabits the praises of His people...and that complaining is as witchcraft...convicted and my shame brought to light I asked for forgiveness and thanked him for the hot water I was enjoying...and our little place...and our little tree!

I hope you all enjoyed the update...may you find praise for our Lord everyday...all day!

Merry Christmas

Hello All,

This holiday season brings us to a new level of trust...and frustration...and fighting "tradition" depression...I'll explain.

For as long as I can remember, the day after Thanksgiving we have always gone out for our tree. This is something my mom and I did and I carried this into my married life...it has been something we look forward to all year as I make a huge deal about it. My husband has always picked the most unusual tree and the children would each get a turn sawing it down.

We'd bring it home, hose it down and set it up to dry while we ran through the house putting up all the other decorations and getting hot cocoa and treats ready for the decorating event....

I was certain that we'd be in our own farm by now and truly expected getting our tree and doing the tree tradition...I was wrong and have been fighting depression and hopelessness...

Through this I feel as the Lord is saying to me "trust me"...and this is hard! I feel as though He is showing me that I have put a tremendous amount of faith, trust, and hope in my "traditions" to make our family have a wonderful Christmas instead of the real reason for Christmas!

To our delight, the friends we are staying with had a surprise for us! The day after Thanksgiving they had us come over to pick up our tree! They had pulled out of storage a mini table top tree! I was overwhelmed and was filled with joy as I saw my children light up with enthusiasm and planing which one of their ornaments they would pick to go on the tree.

We cared our humble little tree back to our "home" and set it up...it took all of five minutes! I thought now what? We found our Christmas movies and popped one in and started off our holiday - maybe not what I expected or wanted but I'm willing to see what the Lord wants for us during this time. He is gracious and will comfort us through this time and show us what He wants to cleanse us from and show us what the truth about this holiday is.

I fully expect to be filled with His joy and strength. I truly am looking forward to our family being a blessing to those who need hope and joy and strength!

We decided to choose three families whom we've gotten to know a bit and, with our friends we are staying with, will be blessing them with caroling and gifts of food. We are all looking forward to this - probably me the most as a new tradition might just be being started. (I have to give credit for this inspiration to some dear friends of ours. They never failed to show up at our house to bless us with caroling and gifts of food - it really blessed our hearts and made us feel so loved and cared for...so we are caring on, here in Eastern Washington, with their gift of giving of yourself)

May you find ways to bless others this Christmas season...maybe a smile and a heartfelt "Merry Christmas" to the store clerk who is really tired of saying "happy holidays"....maybe a hug to someone...maybe a gift of food...the Lord will show you ways to bless others in His name!

May all the joy and peace of this season fill your hearts...

P.S. - unfortunately my computer is now needing to go to the computer hospital and I can not upload any pictures....so as I promised before, weeks and weeks ago, when I get this new problem fixed you'll have a lot of fun pictures to look at...the latest our mini-tree!

We Are Here...

Hello Everyone! We are anxious to fill you in on our last few weeks...so hold on to your hats - here we go! Our last few weeks have been interesting to say the least. Unfortunately, I can't find the camera so I'm unable to "show" you our adventures, so you'll just have to imagine....


We started off with our very first bareback horse riding lessons. What a thrill that was. Where we purchase our hay from we were able to each ride a horse and go off on our first trail ride. We are all anxiously awaiting the time when we will own some of our very own...we have all the names picked out and now are just waiting...


A few days latter our littlest guy was put into the NICU at Sacred Heart for what they thought was swine flu. We were there for three days and at the end of the three days we were told that they didn't know what was wrong with our boy. The tests all came back negative for swine flu - which we were so very thankful for that!


The next day my husband did not put our truck into gear and off it went, down the hill, into a tree...thus why we have not been able to call, e-mail, or blog...oh, it's been a very looooooonnnnngggggg last few weeks without being able to contact anyone. We are safe and doing well.


The best part of our last few weeks...and with much joy we celebrated our little guys third birthday. His ever growing, ever loving sister baked and decorated his cake. I wish I could show you a picture as she did a marvelous job complete with a tractor, road and a field! It was so much fun for her and she was beaming with joy!


For his birthday we packed our lunch and hiked up the mountains behind our "home". What a glorious day. We found this huge rock and had our lunch. The best part about the hike was that our silly cat "Margaret" followed us all the way...we had our to share our lunch with her for being such a good hiker!


As you can see all is well and I hope to find our camera soon so I can share all the excitement with you! So look for the pictures to follow!

Much love and hugs to all of you!

Gross...Grosser...and Grossest

Gross...
This is a fly strip that was hanging by our front door...gross right? I had to cover everything. I'm so thankful for this cooler weather as the little pests have left!

Grosser...
Look at these two "piles" of scat...we found these two piles just a walk away from our place! Can anyone say grizzly! We haven't heard the grizzly or found any more piles....but are being very cautious and making sure we take the dogs along.

Grossest!!!!!!!

This Jerusalem Cricket was "crawling" along the garden path and so my older son had to have it for his bug collection! Here is why I deem it the grossest: He put it in a jar and put a wooden cover over the jar...we went to bed and I had bad dreams about that nasty thing...I dreamed it was crawling on us...eeeewwwww! It gets better keep reading....anyway since I had such horrid dreams I decided to check the thing and discovered it was GONE...no where to be seen! I searched everywhere...under the chairs, on the table, under the dresser...etc..., I couldn't find it and gave up hoping that it crawled out the cracked door (we keep our door adjar at night as the wood stove just gets sooooo warm)! So I started getting my bed ready(we put our bed up and down each day)...anyway I started getting my bed ready to be put up and moved my pillows and guess what I found...yep this nasty little thing crawling around where my pillows were...I screamed....and screamed some more - I was horrified! My older son just loved this morning story...he was out milking cows as all this drama was going on...he could barley breath he was laughing so hard!

Flexibility...

Flexibility...now who knew that the Lord would have me work on this. If you were to ask me if I was flexible I'd say "somewhat"...ha ha I can hear some of you chuckling as you know very well I'm not flexible at all... I didn't think it was such a huge deal to be flexible...but the Lord has shown me otherwise...

I am finding what a blessing it is to others when I'm joyful and content with change. Change is the story of my life these days...things are always changing or plans being changed. If you know me, you know how much I dislike change and usually have an attitude that isn't so sweet if change happens...but the Lord is showing me that I can be "flexible" and "joyful" at the same time...who knew...

My new motto: (do I dare print it?)..."Change is good"...I think the Lord needs my vessel clean and refined so He can give me more of His Joy...so I can give that joy to others as they come into my life...

Thank you for stopping by...

National Lampoon's Farming Vacation

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Howdy Pardner...

She is in heaven...just look at that smile!

Meet Houndo...named after a John Wayne movie.

The people we are staying with have two of the most beautiful horses I've ever seen. They often ride by our "camp" and pick up a child or two for a quick trip around the driveway. My children are so thankful for this and look forward to the ride...

The boys enjoying morning reading in our Knights bunk bed...which my husband creatively made. The beds fold up during the day to allow for more room for daily things...I am so thankful for that space!

Lessons along the way...

Things we are learning in this journey:
I can cook in a really really really small space
I don't actually need have a shower every single day...but oh, that is a luxury I will hopefully have one day again
I can home school in a really really really small space
I can eat store bought food for connivance and not "die" from it...tee-hee
I can go a week without chatting on the phone to anyone or emailing or blogging...although it is an adjustment
I can choose to wake up happy or grumpy...and most days I'm choosing to wake up happy which makes life for everyone so much better
I can do all of my laundry in two loads and well it's actually just fine...really!
We really aren't farmers...but are working on it!

I hope this post finds you all doing well and learning in your journey as well...
You are cherished and loved and missed...
Hugs from us -

New Address and some fun pictures

Finally a mailing address...1250 N. Hwy - PMB #201 Colville, Washington

This was an incredible storm that we were able to watch i roll across the valley.

Since the winters are so harsh we have to really stock up on feed for the girls...and so we thought the best place to find a good hay farmer was at the fair. We went to the little Colville fair and found a very helpful family that had what we needed. So we set up a time to pick up our first load of hay and here are some fun pictures of the "city slickers" as she teased us and the lady and her little guy...let me tell you she just picks those bales of hay up and throws them into the trailer like they were a piece of tissue...she helps her husband plant and harvest the hay and is the one who manages the customer side...she was so full of energy and told me "sweetie, I'll make a farm girl out of you yet..." - I loved it and my farm girl heart was delighted! She is willing to have our older son over whenever so he can learn the farm trade - meanwhile I'll be flinging hay and other things I'm sure...tee-hee - and we thought we were "real" farmers back in Yelm - what a hoot!

Thank you for stopping by...I'll chat next week!