We can not serve two masters....

I have been thinking about what to write as 2008 comes to a close. I have nothing deep or profound or life changing for you today. All I have really is for me.

I am getting the message that 2009 needs to be about simplification for me and my family. We have things we need to weed thru and see if this really fits into what we want for our family. What we feel like God is calling us to be. 

I am calling on Monday and getting the TV canceled. I would never invite a living breathing person into my house that acted, talked or chose to encourage those negative things that I/we let come from the TV. And since we are in the "stone ages" we have a tv that will not work once the digital thing goes into effect, and I refuse to purchase anything that will make it work..we will just be without it. I will reconsider our Netflix subscription.

I think about how we spend our time. We say we wish we had more time to do this or time to get that done. But in reality..We just need to use our time better. If the boys do not get things done around here, we tend to ask them what they did instead of picking up their room or instead of finishing their school work. 

TIME....

Time for games. Time for playing together. Time for family activities. Time for snuggling together on the couch. Time for each other..not the things and/or activities we have gotten lost in.

I have things here that distract me from the important stuff. I have things that get in the way. Facebook is the first thing that comes to mind. As fun as it is to "visit" with friends...there is so much stuff on there that I get caught up in and then wonder where that hour went?!? So I am debating on chuncking that thing.

I am also re-evaluating this whole blog thing. Again..I get lost in the clicking and following and then look up and notice I have been sitting here for a good while and wonder why I am so caught up in reading about people I do not know (but oh, how I do love to read your blogs!!)

I think  our 2009 is about simplification. I think it about evaluating who we are as a family and whose we are. It is about weeding out the bad to make room for the good. It is about God and his place in our life..it is about who we serve...we can not serve two masters....

So blog friends, I hope that you had a great 2008 and I hope that God will shine in your life so clearly in 2009. 

Paci! Paci! Wherefore art thou Paci?!?

We are making it.

 Some of us better than others!

Skeeter is still a whiny mess! He told me again today and I think 3 times yesterday, that I could go to the store and buy him a new paci. 

AHHH! 

The pressure. I have never been good under pressure! I buckle like an old coal mine!!

We have kept his old paci around for those moments when he seems to think that he needs it again. It is a good reminder of why he can not have it. However, he did try it out again on Sunday. Much to his chagrin...it does not work. We have yet to find the part the dog chewed off!

Exhibit A:

He did get to go and pick out a new soft lovie thing. He chose a horse, named Tornado. I hope that the horse's name is not any kind of indication as to what we are in for!

Exhibit B:

I think we are going to make it. It really is harder on  me-I think. I would gladly go and get him another paci...but he is getting to be a big boy-against by better wishes, and it is time to get rid of it. Who knew growing up was so hard on mommies??

Skeeter also "did his hair" yesterday...This has nothing to do with anything. I just thought is was funny!!

Exhibit C:

Up to speed..

Wow. What a busy past few days it has been around here! We had a blessed Christmas and I hope that you did too! Christmas Eve we made a gingerbread house, played games, ate pizza and watched movies. We do that every year! Everyone get new jammies too. See the peeps in their new jammies...flashing we are so cool signs!! They are weird-comes from their dad's side I am sure.

Christmas morning Skipper got up at 5:15 AM. We made him wait till everyone else was up...which was about 5:30-5:45! Have you figured out yet that I am not really a morning person?? In case you haven't..I'm not...at all. Which is why there are no pictures of me here!!

We opened gifts and then Mr. Dad (who is the BEST cook in the whole world) made a big breakfast for us! Uncle J, Auntie S, little C, momma and daddy then came over and the boys opened more gifts! We played around most of the day and then headed over to Aunt R's house for dinner and more presents. 

We had a lot of fun there! We always do. We tried to take a picture of all of us girls..but someone crashed the picture....we are all about maturity in my family!! 

I got a new dryer! I guess I have completely embraced the domestic side!! I was thrilled..seeing where the old dryer didn't seem to understand that its job was to actually dry the clothes..hence the name dryer!! I also got a scanner/copier/clothes folder for Christmas. Ok, just kidding about the clothes folder part..but wouldn't that be nice?? Thank you Mom and Dad and Denvard and Ellen!!

I also was lucky enough to get together with some "old" friends. We met for dinner at 7 and ended up getting home about 12:30. Lots of laughter and catching up and also news of friends that have passed away in the past 18 years. We had a great time and it was great to see that really no one has changed that much!! 

Skeeter is now +48 hours with out his paci. He needs a paci fix-bad. He is doing alright..a little more whiny than usual..but I guess that is to be expected!! The dog plucked that baby's paci right out of his mouth and RAN! By the time they were found he had chewed it down to a nub. So instead of waiting till his birthday next month...it appears now is the time. 

By the way...did you catch that part about his birthday? He will be 3 next month. I am in denial!! I can not believe that he will be 3. My baby. My 'B'. Impossible! That day is also my birthday...but I am in even more denial about that!! I think it is time to renounce birthdays!! Who's with me?? I mean when you share a birthday with one of your children..you kind of get over looked anyway..so this would just make it official!!

I am working on some New Year's Resolutions! Isn't that a mandatory thing you have to do so you can feel bad about not doing what it was you said that you were going to do thing??

Happy Monday to you...hope it is a great one!

Merry Christmas

I hope that today was all that you had hoped it would be!

We have been up since 5:15 AM and I am truly exhausted!

We had a wonderful day today. Lots of fun and laughter, family and good food.

I have pictures to post..but I am on my way to bed. I will post more soon.

But I did want to say this...

Thank you God for caring so much about your children to send a precious baby to rock the world! Thank you for seeing the eternal beauty and worth in all of us. Thank you for those tiny little  hands that years later open so big to bring us home to you!!

Merry Christmas....

Someone is a genius-but it ain't me!

Ok..the other day I was looking for ways to be more organized. I found what may be the most important discovery in my life!! 

It is called the Socks Box. At our house it is a small dishpan-decorated (because that's how I roll) with socks and fun letters.  After socks are taken off, they-both socks are safety pinned together and dropped in the socks box where they wait until their appointed wash time. The safety pins are on a magnetic strip attached to the front of the dryer.

Do you see the significance here. 

They are pinned together. 

2 socks. 

No searching for the buddy. 

No trying to match. 

No more praying over the LARGE pile of socks and asking  the Lord to show mercy upon the socks and grant that their buddies be found.

Pinned together. 

LOVE IT!

The boys also love it! They absolutely hate trying to match up a gynormus laundry basket full of white socks. They are more than happy to run  to the sock box and either pin the socks themselves or ask for help with it!

Great idea..and saves a ton of time in the long run!!

You know you are a homeschool family when.....

you go to a  book-fair....and your 6 year old chooses and Encyclopedia......and then sleeps with it!!!

It's Everywhere!!

Do you ever feel like you are being followed......

by a verse??

I want you to know that for like 3 months now...I have constantly run into 2 different verses!! They are literally everywhere!

The first is from Matthew, from the Sermon on the Mount....Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

And the other is from Hebrews...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

I think God is speaking. 

Stinky Dogs and Little Brothers

First things first...

Snoopy has gas!!! He is laying on the floor by my feet and oh sweet Jesus...come quickly!! This cute, fuzzy mop of a dog stinks to high heavens!! I think I might pass out due to the high concentration of toxic fumes!!

Ok, no that I have gotten that off my chest...on to more "important" things.

I spent the better part of an hour on Facebook tonight...instant messaging with my "little" brother. Do you want know what we discussed? 

80's sit-coms. Yea. That's it...about 45 minutes of seeing how many we could list. We do this every night-just about. We get on Facebook and spend 1-2 hours typing back and forth. We have discussed which fruit we think we are. He thinks I am a kiwi and I think that he is a coconut. Sarah, my sister-in-law is a persimmon and Dwight is a pineapple. And we have good reason for each persons designated fruit label!

Yeah...deep stuff like that! Tomorrow, he has already informed me, is 80's hair bands. So if  you have nothing to do...pop in before tomorrow night and give me some 80's bands to throw at him...he was born in '78, so I have a hard time thinking that he is going to know very many...but that is the assigned topic and I want to be prepared. I can be a little bit competitive with him.

Just so you don't  think all of our conversations are rather stupid...we have also discussed cartoons and he throws quotes from various movies at me and I have to try to name them...ok wait..maybe all our conversations are weird! But ya know what? He is one of the few people that I can spend an obscene amount of time talking about nothing with and laughing hysterically while doing it!!

Love ya little brother....

I don't usually get political..but I am today. Below is a copy of a letter for the Parental Rights group we support. Please take a moment and visit the link provided. This goes WAY beyond whether or not you chose to homeschool. This Amendment to the Constitution being proposed seeks to ratify the Convention on the Rights of a Child as enforced by the United Nations..it seeks to give your child rights that you may not be aware of. You will no longer have the right to chose when or how YOU decide to inform your child about birth control, you can not "force" your child to go to church with you...the list does go on. Please take a few moments to check it out and make  your voice heard. MANY American families do not even know that this amendment is being proposed. 

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Dear Friend of Parental Rights,

I was in the United States Senate this past week meeting with lawyers for a Senate office.  They told me directly what I have been hearing indirectly on a regular basis ever since the election.

Those who want to change family policy in America to comply with international law are preparing a full-scale effort to seek ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child during this next Congress.  Barbara Boxer recently told a planning group that they intend to use children’s health care as leverage to seek ratification of this UN children’s rights treaty.

Please link to our website to see a succinct summary of the problems with this UN treaty. 

The strength of their forces has been greatly increased with the addition of Hillary Clinton as the nominee for Secretary of State.  She will have direct control over the submission of this treaty to the Senate and will acquire the authority under international law to sign any other treaty on any subject. 

Hillary Clinton was the person who made the announcement for the Convention on the Rights of the Child when her husband’s administration signed the treaty.  Seeking its ratification is a lifelong dream for her.

Our situation is grim if we were to look only at the position of the elected officials.

However, recent post-election polling demonstrates that almost 70% of Americans do not believe that the use of international law in American courts on such matters is appropriate.  Less than 20% favor the use of international law. (The rest are undecided).   Virtually every sub-group in America opposes this kind of use of international law. 

America is on our side. However, we have to be able to get the word out to help people hear the truth about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Our proposed Parental Rights Amendment will permanently stop this treaty.  So we have a one-two punch planned for the internationalists.

First, we must build a huge grassroots movement of patriotic Americans who believe that good families should be able to raise their children without worrying about compliance with international law.  

Second, these same grassroots forces need to convince our elected officials that we are not content with defeating this treaty for today alone.  We insist on a permanent solution.  We need the Parental Rights Amendment.  

I need you to do two things to help this become a reality.  First, please send a copy of this letter to everyone you know who believes in parental rights and American patriotism.  

Second, we need to raise a war chest to get prepared to launch a massive grassroots campaign.  The other side has millions of dollars left in their campaign coffers, and they have the President of the United States, the Secretary of State and all the media waiting to carry their message.  

We can win the debate because we have the truth on our side.  And we have public opinion.  But we won’t win if we can’t reach people. 

Will you please make as big a gift as you can to support Parentalrights.org? 

Here is what they are saying about us.  At the hearing which featured Barbara Boxer, one of the speakers said that the people who will oppose this treaty are the “narcissistic sovereignty crowd.”  In other words, those who love America first are so guilty of excessive self-love that he describes us as having the mental illness of narcissism. 

This is their real heart.  Not only do they want international law to control our families.  They think that we are mentally ill for loving America. 

It is time for those of us who believe in loving our families and loving America to rise up!  We will not surrender this country or our children to such people.

Get involved today!  The battle is about to begin.

Funny funny stuff

Check out this great video of a fun take on a homeschool family!

What a great way to start my day!!

Maybe more later....

Funny Kids and Grumpy Old Men

I love listening to kids....they are just plain funny!!

Skeeter's newest addition is..."famorrow". I will  use it in a sentence for you.   

        Can we go to McDonald's famorrow?

Scrappy's likes to tell us when something is "filarious".

Scar informed us tonight that we needed boobie pins.

Skipper thinks forever is more than like a bazillion years.

Scrappy has been praying for a therapy buddy of his and the other night he decided that we should pray and then ask Santa to help him get better too. Gotta love a kids who tries to cover all the bases!!

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We went to Silver Dollar City this past weekend. We also took my sweet nephew with us. It was 'filarious' to watch people try not to react to a family with 5 boys ages 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8. We even had one old toot take time out of his fun filled day and come up and tell us that even though God told us to populate the earth, he didn't leave it up to one couple. Then I tripped him and spit on him!

NO, no, no!!! I did think about it though...but I graciously smiled and then gathered my little men up and went on our merry way. 

Really though...one more boy  is not a big deal...we are already outnumbered! I joked that Little C needs  a shirt that says "I'm just a cousin." But seriously...if you look at that cute little guy...there is no possible way on this Earth that he could be mine..he weighs as much as Scrappy!!  Besides the fact that he is the spitting image of my brother!

Happy Holidays to you!!

I picked this just for you!!(not a booger story)

Because I love you my blog family...here is my christmas present to you!!

I searched high and low for the "perfect" gift for you! 

I promise it won't shrink or sag and it will not class with your kitchen!! 

Okay, maybe it isn't anywhere near  perfect, but I PROMISE you will get a very good belly laugh out of it...either that or I am way warped!!

Happy Early Christmas to you....go ahead...click here!!

Secret Santa

Santa made a little visit to our mailbox today.

I  am not sure if he is a blog reader-but just in case.....

Thank you for your generosity.  It is deeply appreciated. 

God bless you!

And that is all I can say right now without crying a river of joy!! *sniff, sniff*

I am going to brag....

I am going to brag on my boys for a minute!!

They are such a great little group of mighty warriors for God and I am proud to be their momma!!

We have been talking the past few weeks about Christmas and what it means and what it doesn't mean. We have talked about things that are important in life and things that are nice to have.

Yesterday they made a "group" decision..

 A few moths ago we got a catalog from World Vision. If you are not familiar with them, they are a great group dedicated to giving aid to the deeply impoverished people throughout the world.

We talked about the different choices offered in the catalog. But we never did anything with it...until yesterday. 

The boys decided that they would each give up one Christmas present to do something really meaningful for someone else. They talked and talked and debated on what to do. They finally narrowed it down between donating for soccer balls or donating for blankets.

They  finally decided on the blankets. A blanket...can you really imagine NOT having a blanket? Warm wool blankets-given to a child who doesn't have the luxury of a blanket. Blankets given to someone who may have had only a few minutes to gather up what they could carry as they were forced to flee from their homes. A warm blanket...maybe for a grandpa who has never known that kind of warmth. 

They also decided that for 2009 they want to save up enough money to give a family 1 goat and 2 chickens. And the year after they want to raise enough to help give a village clean water!! 

I love my boys. They aren't perfect. They are messy. They are loud. They can be weirder than weird...but make no doubt about it...my boys are great!! 

Our Friend Logen

A wonderful family that we have had the privilege to get to know through therapy is in some serious need for some serious prayer!

Their little boy Logen who is 5, is having some major problems.

He was originally diagnosed with CP. But over the recent year, things have taken a turn and he began having lots of seizures. He was admitted to the hospital and they have run lots of tests. Now they are pretty sure it is not CP that has caused his problems, but a genetic disease.

The family is not giving the name of the disease, yet. But doctors have told them that the outcomes are - nonverbal(forever), shortened life span, seizures, the list just goes on. They are running more tests, but it looks like it will be 3-4 weeks before they have any firm answers.

Please pray for this family and their precious little boy!! They have already been through so such and dedicated their very lives to seeing that Logen get all that he needs to be a successful little boy. I can not begin to imagine how scared they must be right now!

PLEASE PLEASE pray for our friend Logen. I can not tell you how great this little guy is! He makes my heart sing...EVERYTIME I see him.  And if I thought his mom wouldn't know where to look...I would snag that kiddo and have him here at my house, his little brother  just might end up missing too!!

You can check out their blog here...splendidmayhem

Scrappy, A Magic Apple, Paci's and Babies!!

The  other day I had told Scrappy that we were going to do some school, would he get the other boys. He is so kind to help out. He walks to the end or beginning of the hall depending on your perspective :O) and yells..."It's arts and craps time!!"  I just shook my head and decided that we would chalk that up to a speech issue!!

Wednesday night we went to a corny little "holiday magic" show. Being a grown up, I thought the show was  a bit silly...but being a mom of many children, acted all excited and thrilled at each trick. I am no respecter of magic tricks...whether by clown or dog or guy in a really bad tux with a sparklie dickie!!

I will let you think on that for a minute....(cue the thinking music)

Done yet? 

Was it as scary a sight in your mind as it was in person?? 

Anyway..While the show is going on the guy in the bad tux asks for a helper from the audience. And my boys being the shy introverts that they are...almost fell over each other to get the guys attention. Also sitting smack in the middle of the walk way didn't hurt their chances of being picked either!

Scar was chosen and went to assume the magic assistant position- along with a cute little girl. The guy cores and apple...makes the girl draw a picture...wraps up the cored apple gives it to Scar to hold...says a few magic words and then the picture the little girl drew jumped from her hands to the wrapped apple that Cooper was holding. Freaked Scar out to open that apple and pull out that little girls drawing!! It was priceless. He talked all the way home. He and Riley spent quite a while trying to figure that one out. Scar kept saying.."I held that apple real tight, mom!!"

Skeeter, who will be 3 in January still uses a paci. Yes, I know he is too big but he is my last one...cut me so me slack!! He decided on Tuesday to see what happens when you use scissors on a paci. Now, all you 'been there done that with the paci' parents might say, well great...let him use the "broken" paci and he will not want it anymore...end of the paci story.

Not so fast there buckeroo! He seems just fine with the broken paci. See, he knows that it is the last one. He knows that I am not buying any others...so broken or not..he's using it...even as we speak, that sweet baby with incredible tiny dimples on his cheeks...is sound asleep with  a broken paci in his mouth!!( okay, I will probably go get him another one cause I can't stand the thought of him using a broken paci!!) I like to talk big..I am really a big baby!! Don't judge me!!

Skipper was having a deep discussion with me today. He wanted to know how people get babies.

Did you hear what I just said...he wanted to know about babies!! 

Ok...I really needed a lead up question to that. No one is allowed to just walk in and ask that!! I need warining!!

So after a brief panic attack and the kids getting the smelling salts down and me regaining consciousness( not really..but I should have done it just to buy me some thinking time) I told him the truth. We order them off the internet. They are delivered a few days leter in a box from the baby store.

HA HA HA...no I didn't tell him that!! 

However had I been thinking clearly...maybe I would have. Here is my real problem with that question. I have other kids. Younger kids and Riley CAN NOT keep things to himself. I do not want to give more information than is completely necessary...cause the 4 year old will, at a large family gathering, announce to the whole family that he is fact the foremost living expert on where babies come from!! And then great grandma kills over I am am charged with intent to commit murder and conspiracy!

So I told him that mommies and daddies sleep together and they they pray for God to give them a baby. ( Thank you Christie for allowing me to steal your answer...but it was all I could think of...next time, I will have him call you directly!!)

Then I ran out of the room and got a glass of tea and avoided him.

Happy Weekend!!

Beyond measure

The current economic situations is weighing heavy this year. 

We have a very limited budget. The boys are so close in age that it makes it hard to do gifts...anytime of the year..because really we probably already have at least one of what is still out on the market. 

Then there is the fact that if we are going to buy...what do we get them? They  do not need anything. Isn't it silly to buy stuff just because that is what we have been told we are suppose to do during this time??

So I look at this and think...what does this mean?? 

I have spend days  trying to figure this out and I think I have finally found an answer.

It means that we are really really truly blessed. 

We are blessed to have a roof over our heads...even if it is old and drafty and has no insulation...others have no homes.

We are blessed that we have food. Even though we complain and fuss and want to eat out...at least we have food to whine about.

We are blessed that we have clothes to wear. Yes, they are hand-me-downs and yes, they may be out of 'style' but we are warm...some have only what they wear.

We have each other....the boys fuss, the house is a mess, they do not always obey the first time..or the second time we have asked them to...but there are others who are alone or are grieving the loss of those they love.

We really are blessed.

So as I go about trying to decide how to spend our "Christmas money"...I am going to try to keep that it mind. 

I am blessed...

beyond measure

beyond reason. 

A Little of This and a Little of That

I have found a wonderful little E-book. 

It is called Homestead Simplicity: Natural Clean 

It is a great little E-book for $9.95. It is full of homemade cleaners for the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, as well as beauty recipes, foot soaks, outdoor helps..lots of great ideas!. It gives easy recipes using easy to find ingredients.

This is a favorite of mine...

All Around Spray Cleaner

Grab a spray bottle; fill 3/4 full with water. Add one dropper full of grapefruit seed extract. Add a dropper(or 10 drops) of lavender essential oil and shake well. 

You can clean appliances, countertops, floors. It really is an all purpose cleaner. And free of harsh chemicals.

This is probably my new favorite book.  I printed it out, bound it and it is in the kitchen and has been used a ton already. Well worth the $9.95!!

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Another book I have found and love is Passionate Housewives Desperate for God.

Have you struggled to reconcile God’s vision of virtuous womanhood with worldly myths that marginalize and mock the role of the homemaker? 

Do you wrestle with cultural messages that demean the homemaker’s calling and exalt instead the emotionally androgynous power-woman — the wife whose worth is measured only by the degree of her ambition, the shape of her body, or her money-making skills? Such is the image of the “desperate housewife” that the modern media, culture, and feminism are promoting with great energy.

In a delightfully fresh and honest way, this book addresses these issues head-on and provides fresh vision for the hopeful homemaker. Hear a former “Christian” feminist share how she went from a die-hard homemaker-in-training to a dedicated career woman and then back again — after God gripped her heart. See the hollow counterfeit of whitewashed feminism and “me-ology” destroyed. And consider the beautiful picture painted in Scripture of the truly fulfilled homemaker who glories in the hopeful calling God created for her.

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 Do you lapbook? We just recently found out about lapbooks. Here are a few links to check out. This one is my favorite-it is totally free. They have a ton of great stuff there! This one is also a good place to start. And then this one is also a good place to get info. 

We may be the only family in the homeschool world that wasn't doing them. :O) They are a great way to use thematic units for all levels with your kids. They are a manilla folder comprised of mini-books about what the kids are learning on a certain topic. Check it out...see what you think. 

By the way, I think that these are great even if you don't homeshool, but have little ones around! A fun together activity. I will try to post a few pictures of some of our lapbooks a little later. 

Hope today is a great one!!

4 Generations

My brother has been holding out on me!! Tonight I found out that he has some old family photos..So I did the only thing I could do in this situation..I took them!! 

So..grab a coat! It is chilly outside..we are going down memory lane...

This is my Papa. Isn't he terribly handsome?? I love him so very much! He and my daddy walked me down the aisle when I got married! Oh how he makes my heart melt.

This is my Great Grandfather...Jess Anderson Burch. This is one of the rare pictures that we have of him NOT wearing a white stetson hat. He was from Texas. I did not get to know him. He passed before I was born..but oh my Great Granny Vesta..she was a true doll. Together they had 17 children! That's a lot!!

This is my great great grandfather...Allen Demetris Burch. He looks like one mighty rough fella! Looks like a true cowboy. Sorry Allen..no disrespect meant sir.

Then there is my great great great grandfather....Needham Anderson Burch. He looks tough too. We are blessed that all three generations are burried in one cemetary in the Denton, Texas area. Papa wants to be burried there too.  So does daddy.

These men walked that bridge in my title photo that my boys are on. They walked those same steps. They played and farmed and loved their families the same place Uncle Curtis and Aunt Pauline live. They hunted Easter eggs every year just as we do now. They gathered to give thanks for family, friends and faith.

I am sure that none of those men gave much thought to the legacy that they left behind. But I am sure they would be proud to know that we are still a family and that we still gather together where they did and have a great time together!!