Grocery Shopping. . .

So tonite my husband and I had a date. To Walmart. Grocery shopping. Before you think that is just way too cute and romantic, let me preface by saying we did really have a great time. Well, we started out arguing, but talked through that issue and THEN had a great time. Moments together without the children are rare, but becoming more frequent as they grow.

Anyway, we did our "fun" shopping, like the last of the Christmas gifts, etc, and then we went to the food side and did the "actual" shopping. I always grocery shop for 4-5 weeks at a time, according to a menu I have made up. I can fly through the store fairly quickly, bargain shopping all the while, and generally I don't get too caught up in impulse purchases. So, through the aisles we went, my husband shaking his head at the quantities of items I picked up. 5 bags of chips, 6 cans of olives, 8 bags of chocolate chips, 6 lb. bacon. . . you get the idea (and no, those aren't the ingredients for one of my menu items!).

We got through the store in good time (in my opinion) and headed to the checkout with two FULL grocery carts. Now, I usally do this by myself, so having a person along to push one of the carts was truly a luxury and I actually enjoyed the shopping this time. As we neared the checkout lane my dear, if delusional, husband perused the carts and said "Hmm. $300?" I laughed right out loud. "I'll be happy if I make $450, dear." *audible gulp* "You're kidding!" I just smiled and said "See why I make spaghetti so often? (he doesn't like spaghetti) It's CHEAP."

Well, I was a bit off on my calculations, and it actually came to $471 and some change. I don't use a calculator, and generally I'm closer than that on my guesses, but I had thrown in a couple "luxury" items for myself, like a callous scraper and a poop scoop for the kennel. Boy, I really know how to live it up.

My conclusion? It was really beneficial for my darling husband to see what things really cost, and that I'm not out buying lobster and caviar. All in all, our date was a good one, though he did forget to kiss me at the door.

Shaney with Larry's 10 pt buck

As always, God is good. . .

Well, things are definitely looking up around here. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving day, though we only had 3 guests outside our immediate family. My parents and Larry's dad joined us, and other than forgetting to make the corn, the meal turned out really yummy!! As always, we were blessed with a bountiful feast. No matter how lean things get around here, we never go without plenty. We sorely missed my aunt and uncle and my grandmother, who were unable to attend due to health issues.

Last week we were greatly blessed and humbled by an anonymous gift of $500. . . that was such a godsend. We always have everything we need and then some, but sometimes a little boost like this does so much. I was able to take the 4 oldest girls shopping, and we had a wonderful time buying new clothes off the rack! Now before you feel sorry for us, let me just say that no matter how rich I ever become, I will still shop at thrift stores and off clearance racks. . . just as my husband goes in search of the big buck (he got a 10 pt this year, btw), I go in search of the big bargain. My children enjoy this as well, and not long ago Ericka was quite proud of her "new outfit" that set her back a total of .50! That said, we had a ball bargain hunting and shopping at Old Navy. The girls each got a couple new outfits and new shoes, and had so much fun. I was touched by their grateful hearts. . . several times one or the other would say "Thanks, Mom for spending this money on us. We know there are so many other things you could have done with it." Praise God for my children, who continue to bless me daily. And forgive me, Lord, when I forget that and focus on their shortcomings. (Oh! and I found a new outfit too! Having lost 36 pounds, this is the first time in forever that clothes shopping hasn't been a horribly depressing situation!)


I also have some adorable puppies for sale, just in time for Christmas. I'm praying that they sell and that we can be a light to whoever buys them. There are so many hurting and depressed people in the world, especially at the holidays, and I pray that maybe one of them will find their way to our doorstep and whatever hope we can offer.

Well, it's past my bedtime so I'll sign off. . . blessings to all.

On Surrender. . .

I have been learning alot lately about surrender. A few weeks ago, I prayed that the Lord would change me. Wow. I guess I wasn't asking for major overhaul. . . apparently, that is what the Lord felt I needed. Actually, I don't know if He's even overhauling me as much as he is asking me to put my money where my mouth is. I am constantly praying to commit things in my life to God, and in the last three weeks, He has tested that committment and asked me to give up more than I've had to give up in a really long time.
My 4 year old son had an accident at the babysitter's, in which a pony stood on his foot and Shane, in a panic, twisted around to try to free himself. The short story is that he broke the top of his tibia (just inside the knee joint) and required surgery. The long story would take too long to tell. . . suffice to say that the medical "help" he received throughout the ordeal has been like a three ring circus. Shane and I have had countless hours in medical facilities, and I have had countless frustrations with clinic/hospital staff that I am working to forgive. Thankfully, in the end, God provided an EXCELLENT staff at St. Mary's with a fabulous surgeon.
Along this medical excursion, I have had to surrender the following things (among others):

Control of my household
Control of my schedule
Consistency in homeschooling
My son (in the sense of trusting God to bring him through surgery and general anesthesia)
My chickens (a story in itself--I had to sell them)
My horse (another story--he's going blind and I can't safely keep him)
A litter of 5 newborn puppies--no obvious reason for their deaths
Fellowship in person with believers--missing church, no time for visits/prayer
Discipline/Training of my children, who tend to go downhill in the absence of their mother
A special, long-planned visit for my eldest daughter with a missionary

I am writing this after a total meltdown. I have so looked forward to going to church tomorrow and it looks like the children now have pinkeye, so I may have to surrender even my fellowship with the Body. I am not looking for pity, I am not being a martyr. I'm just sharing my raw feelings in a tough situation that seems endless.
There have been several things that God has done to make Himself so clearly known. . . at one point, Shane had to lay still for 45 minutes (I mean perfectly still) for an MRI. Conscious sedation in a 4 year old can be quite risky, and we were praying we wouldn't have to go that route. After the first couple tries, it was obvious he just couldn't lay still enough. I started praying. I felt the Spirit of God decend on us in that room, and Shane FELL ASLEEP. For those who haven't had an MRI, you are put into a tube, and all around you hammers bang and knock. It is so loud they make you wear headphones with additional "pleasant" noise piped in. My boy slept through the entire thing, not moving a muscle. It was totally God.
After the last of my puppies died, and a subsequent meltdown, I asked God if He had a scripture to encourage me. Instantly "Jeremiah 17:10" came to mind. I looked it up and found this. . . "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." I realized right then that I am indeed being tested, and that my reward (there will be one sooner or later) will be in direct proportion to how well I handle the trials I am facing. So far, the reward won't be great. I'm not handling things as well as I should be. However, more than ever before in my life, I'm learning the meaning of the word "surrender" and what it means to truly trust in the One Who Gives Me Life. I know beyond a doubt that God has a purpose in all of this, and that it is for the good of His Kingdom and for His glory.
Just keep reminding me of that, would you?

Is the Election Over Yet???

Have I mentioned that my dear daughter Ericka is a political nut? She is eleven years old and we can't go anywhere without counting McCain signs, cheering when we see them, and booing Obama signs. (Apologies to those who would do the reverse). We went to Superior and she wrote out a McCain/Palin sign and held it in the window, pointing and smiling as big as you please. If Dad is watching news or debates, the girl is glued. Man. She is her father's daughter. We are building a kennel building, and I sent her around the side to paint one of the walls. This is what I got. . . As for me, November 4 cannot come too soon. *sigh*

(Incidentally, the child in the photo is Shannah, not Ericka.)

My children and their cousins. . .

Can you tell which ones are mine? Here's a hint. . . the two in the cab are mine.

Hello again. . .

Well, if anyone out there is still sticking with my few and far between posts, I am finally taking a minute to update you on our lives. . .

School is in full swing here, and the children are all doing quite well. They aren't always enthused to "do school," but it gets done nonetheless and they are actually learning something! Wendy is learning to read, and giggles with delight when she masters another story in her Dick and Jane book. Ericka is doing 6th/7th grade work and has just finished a unit on the Revolution. Shane has been learning shapes and numbers, and trying his best to get the hang of counting. He's great up to 4, then thinks 1 comes next again. He'll catch on eventually! Shannah is conquering her arch-nemesis, math, and is quite good at map skills. Creativity is Eliza's strong point, and she takes any opportunity to decorate her schoolwork.

We are in the midst of our fall birthday flurry, with 5 of the children celebrating in 8 weeks and all turning even numbers. After Wendy and Linnea's birthdays in early November, the children will be 11, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2. I can't believe my "baby" is already going to be two!!! What's next, college????? She is learning to sleep in a big bed, and the queen bed she sleeps in practically swallows her whole. It's so sweet to see her tiny body curled up in the middle of that big bed.

The biggest development here is the building of our kennel. We are putting up a 16x16 kennel building with 12 ft chain link runs outside. I think our Papillons will be quite comfortable in there new home! The mastiffs will have their own "room" too, complete with an enormous dog door so they can come and go as they please. They have run of the yard, and are proving to be quite the protectors. Larry is doing a marvelous job on the construction, and soon I will get some pics up here so you can see his progress.

I am blessed (maybe) to have a husband who is totally into politics and a daughter (the eldest) who is equally enthralled. Therefore, we can't drive anywhere without counting and comparing the number of Obama signs vs. the McCain. We also have to watch every news snippet ever made that pertains to the election, and I am amazed at just how much there is to see on our 4 network channels!! Suffice to say, I will be relieved when the election is over and we can go back to business as usual. *grin*

Blessings to you all. . .