~ Harvest Time ~

It's that exciting time of year when you finally reap the benefits of the backbreaking labor that is affectionately referred to as gardening.

We were somewhat successful again this year. If it hadn't been for the little bun in my oven that made me feel like I was slow roasting every time I stepped outside from mid July on, we might have had a little less weeds and a little larger harvest.

Those dang, picky vegetables want to be weeded and watered often.

We did however reap a tonne of tomatoes. We have been picking them for weeks and sharing with family and neighbors.

Our friendly little garden spider.

Harvesting is always fun for the kids...besides it means less work for me. Here my 12 year old is trying his hand at the art of vegetable arranging... who knew that could be so entertaining, way to go Martha!

Always good to have a tradesman around sweating, and posing and such...a welcome distraction from picking dirt out from under your fingernails.

"Momma, these ones are sooo cute can I keep them in my room forever?" Sure, but in a couple of weeks you might change your mind, especially when no one wants to come in your room anymore.

Hey, where are you going? There are still potatoes to be dug up and carrots to pull...although, if you are going to Timmys, momma would love an Iced Capp.

~ Baby Myahna ~

It has been busy around here lately as we have had a new little addition to our home.

Our sweet baby girl arrived safe and sound on Aug.27 at 7:20 am.
The last month has just flown by.

I'm still in that "I'm not getting any sleep, coffee isn't helping stage."
My little princess still has her longer sleep stretches in the day time and somehow I can't really justify a nap at that time since I have 5 other children who need unimportant things like clean laundry and food.

I'm loving every minute though, since I'm unduly aware of how fleeting this stage is and I don't plan on wasting a moment of it.

The kids all adore her, we had to implement a timer policy for the first couple of days just so they could each have 5 min. increments alone with her for our sanity sake. It was either that or the poor child was going to be smothered, kissed, hugged and leaned on to death. Gotta love that sibling love!

As much as I hate having to share her so much, I must admit I do find all the extra arms useful. There is always someone willing to hold her so I can do all those things that seem far less exciting and important like cleaning, cooking, showering and going to the bathroom.

People keep asking me how I am managing 6 children, honestly I find it easier than when I just had a couple. Maybe, it's because I'm more relaxed about stuff, maybe it's because they all entertain each other, or maybe it's just because I feel so truly and utterly blessed that I'm reveling in every minute.

I am a Rich woman indeed!!

~ A Bridal Shower ~

I haven't posted much of late, I'm sorry. I have a very active social life... okay, not, but I like to pretend I do.
Actually, I think I'm becoming a bit of an agoraphobic because I find myself stressed and hyperventilating if I have to leave the house more than two days a week. Lame, I know, but these prego hormones have a way of messing with you a bit. Like when I almost ate that whole pan of homemade fudge yesterday.
I can't believe I just admitted to that, I take it back, you can't prove anything!

I did however, go to a lovely bridal shower on the weekend. It was for a dear, sweet girl who is a part of a family I love so very much. I thought I would share some photos because we women love to see pretty, girly things. Well, at least I do anyway.

Here is the pretty bride to be. She is just a baby isn't she. I can't believe I was this young getting married! Her and her hubby to be, so very much love Jesus. They are full of life and excitement for the journey ahead. I couldn't be happier for them both.


Look at all this loot!

Everything was wrapped so beautiful.

This present was cute, it was a basket full of laundry and household needs. The little sign says "When I said I do, I didn't mean laundry"
In the brides little speech she mentioned she could hardly wait to learn how to cook and clean laundry for her new little hubby. Yes, she has been a little spoiled by her mama and hasn't had to do any of that. Her exuberance and vivaciousness for her role ahead leaves me no doubt on how quick she will learn and love this new part of her grown up life.
Though, I have to say as I looked at my tradesmans tile grout caked, carpet adhesive laden mountain of laundry yesterday, I tried to remember what that feeling was like, and since I couldn't conjure it up... I ate another piece of fudge and felt much better.

The food was glorious, food is always glorious when you are pregnant.

This chocolate fountain was divine! I think anything dipped in it would be incredible, including the chair that was stationed near by...we pregnant women can be very resourceful. Luckily for the hostess she had plenty of fruit, so I didn't have to resort to that.


Everything was just so pretty and delightful. I felt like I was in the movie "Father of the bride."



I wish you much happiness in the years to come my dear Shelley-Belly!

The Tone of Voice

It's not so much what you say
As the manner in which you say it;
It's not so much the language you use
As the tone in which you convey it;
"Come here?" I sharply said,
And the child cowered and wept.
"Come here," I said---
He looked and smiled
And straight to my lap he crept.
Words may be mild and fair
And the tone may pierce like a dart;
Words may be soft as the summer air
But the tone may break my heart;
For words come from the mind
Grow by study and art ---
But tone leaps from the inner self
Revealing the state of the heart.
Whether you know it or not,
Whether you are mean or care,
Gentleness, kindness, love and hate,
Envy, anger, are there.
Then, would you quarrels avoid
And peace and love rejoice?
Keep anger not only out of your words---
Keep it out of your voice.

(Author Unknown ... Taken from Gate-Keepers of the Home Manual by Nancy Campbell

~Stinky, Smelly Pride~

A discussion started on a mothering email list I am a part of. It got rather passionate and opinionated.
Some of my thoughts on the subject were not appreciated by some, and even offended others.

I realized how very sensitive we are as mothers, how insecure and prideful we can be about our mothering styles.
Even though there were mothers that agreed with what I was saying, it's the mothers that feel judged that speak up and feel the need to defend themselves.

My intent was never to question another's method nor imply that my way is the right way.

I love that God made us all unique as mothers, not unlike our children. We are all on a journey of growth, and not all of us are in the same place.

Below, I have posted where I was at almost a year ago. I'm not proud of it. This is an entry from my prayer journal.
**********************

A journal entry Sept.2007.

Why is it that I care so much what other mothers think?
Why do I stew over and over again in my head the behavior of my child.
Why do I find myself defensive and resentful like I’ve already been judged?
How do I know this to be true? Is it that I am guilty of this?

When I see a certain behavior by another child I automatically assume it is because of this reason or that reason. I, of course, already have all the answers.
So as I sit in my lofty position of wisdom, I detest that I find myself in the vulnerable situation of being judged. Or so I think.

Today I was in a nursery with my 22mnth old son at my homeschool group with another mother that I know. Her and I do things different. That’s okay, I respect her and most importantly I know her heart. Her heart is in the same place as mine.
She wants to raise godly extraordinary children who not only impact the world for good, but seek to increase Gods kingdom.

So really her and I aren’t really that different after all.
Our day to day choices with our babies and toddlers may be different but our ultimate goals and desires are one in the same.
So why do I find myself on edge when I am with her and her young son?

As mothers we can be so passionately attached to our opinions because really they are what reflect us as individual beings. We derive our value from our choices.

I can find myself insecure at times in the presence of other mothers if my child is not behaving perfectly. This is of course, only other mothers that I know don’t do things like I do. These are mothers that I obviously have already judged and whose baby raising techniques I disagree on.
Apparently, I feel the need to perform to show how my way is far superior.

Ewww… I smell pride. So easy to sneak up on us.
God is so gracious. He knows when we need a lesson. If my littlest one performed just perfectly all the time in front of these mothers that I wanted to impress, than I would really have no need of enlightenment, would I. Thankfully he doesn’t.

Oh, how I love how my Heavenly Father wants to refine me, stretch me, grow me. He’s not just satisfied with a sacrificial heart for my children, He wants a sacrificial heart for Him. He wants me to do away with my pride, my ridiculous judgments, and my insecurities.
Thank you God for never leaving me to myself. For making me uncomfortable in the place I’m in, so that I may seek to restore my heart in line with yours.
**************
I'm glad and thankful for the journey He has brought me on this past year.
I've grown, I look at things a little differently and most importantly, I can rest in the knowledge that God isn't done with me yet.

~ Sunset at the beach ~

We love going to the beach as a family throughout the summer.

A few random shots that I loved, I thought I would share.






Baby bump alert~ look I can still see my toes...okay I'm lying, tradesman took this picture .

Sunset is like candlelight, you can't see cellulite...don't ya just love that?!


Is he yummy or what?