Our 6th Famliversary

Six years ago, this guy meet this girl on a street corner. Then they ran off (kids in tow) and got hitched. The ceremony (if we can even call it that) was so quick that most of the kids missed it even though they were standing right there.
The new family ate supper (the reception?) at Chick-fil-A, cause it seemed classy-er than the Burger King across the street. Then they went home.

It was the best thing these two people ever did.

Today was our Famliversary! The day we celebrate when we all became a family.
To celebrate we went up to Black Rock Mountain State Park.


The Loves of My Life

You could see further than Toccoa and Clemson from the overlook.
Clemson was about 32-35 miles away as the crow flies.

We made new friends

 While the Daddy DIDN'T burn burgers the kids played. The Mama walked back and forth to the bathrooms with different children.

Monkey

I was amazed at how entertaining this thing was to kids of all ages

Autumn had a good time making Elijah holler on this

Posing for a picture so Mama will give us some cookie

Our Cake

Ava was going to take the newly-weds picture in these rockers
We got photo-bombed!

And now we are all EXHAUSTED!

Fun with Charlemagne and Friends

This week our school had extra students.
Zac and Alex are back for parts of the summer. And for two days we had some nieces and nephews.
Wednesday I had 4 pre-schoolers (Jacob, Danielle, Josiah & Nathan), 3 first graders (Zac, Alex & Jorja - I knew that I would have Zac and Alex all week and had planned for them - WOW are they smart!), and the big kids.
On Thursday I had 3 Pre-schoolers (Jacob, Danielle & Josiah), 4 first graders (Zac, Alex, Jorja & Destiny), 1 second grader (Lora), 1 forth grader (Dakota), 2 fifth graders (Elijah & Alex), 1 seventhish grader (Autumn), and that tall 8th grader (Ava).
To say that I was TIRED and mentally drained by supper would be a HUGE understatement!
And to say that I was all sweetness would just be a lie. Period.

We are almost done with our lessons and we LOVE to have a summer break - plus, the teacher needs time to NOT do school, clean out at least one closet, read some (mostly books from Ava's Language Arts list for the next year), do a little planning for the coming school year, AND take a NAP.
And we had "snow days" when it was nice and sunny and we couldn't stand to stay inside, three weeks off for Christmas, and several "spring breaks," so I think we can work a little longer. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

We studied Charlemagne this week and Thursday was craft day. The kids (Ava and Autumn helped direct)  made and decorated crowns. While the crowns were drying the bigger kids performed a stick-puppet performance of Charlemagne's life.
So here are a few fun pictures from this week.



Prince Alex, Prince Elijah, and Prince Dakota (our nephew)
On there steeds!



Prince Josiah and Prince Jacob



This was Friday
Princess Alex, Princess Lora and Princess Jorja

In other news, Gene's mother, Marcia is with us and looking for a job down here! WooHoo!
Papa's shoulder is recovering nicely and he is trying to decide IF he wants to stay here or live elsewhere.
We are all well. Even Lora who has a black eye and less teeth.

Lora woke up with a black eye Thursday morning
and today (Saturday) she finally lost a very loose tooth.
Have you ever seen a better snaggle-puss?

A Few Links for Singles

We promote Courtship. (if you've been reading my blog for a while you may have picked up on that). We are both 3rd generation divorcees. We want that to stop with our generation and not plague the next.
That said, we know that we can do everything right in raising these children (we don't) and marry them off to someone who has also been "raised right" and because we live in a sinful and fallen world, and people sin, it could all fall apart. But our hope is in Jesus.
So when I see or hear anything that might help me influence these little eternal souls I've been entrusted with I snatch it up (especially if its free or really cheap).
So I found these "talks" the other day. I've listened to one and plan on listening to the others. Of course they use the term "dating" which makes me cringe.
What good did dating ever do us? Well, I for one can look back on my long ago "dating" life and see that it did more harm than good.
So, for the benefit of my kids, and the fact that I'm forgetful and may need to find these again, and for my long time, precious friend who needs some relationship advice (which, you know, I freely gave - I'm rarely without and opinion), here are the links.

Finding Your Soul Mate by Gary Thomas - this was very timely. Our eldest boy, 11 1/2 years old recently asked The Daddy, "How do you know when you've found the one God wants to be your wife?" Great question. We are relieved that he currently has no one in mind. But, future daughter-in-love, your husband is praying for you and so are we. I can totally wait a little (lot) longer to meet you.

Building a Marriage that Last by Gary Thomas - this was directed at singles but also useful for a married couple - it's never to late to do the right thing! Ask forgiveness and begin again.

Fatherly Advice to Singles by Al Molher

Manhood by Voddie Baucham

Womanhood by Voddie Baucham - Voddie is one of our favorites. When your done with these go ahead and listen to anything else you can find from him!

Topics for Discussion During Courtship

Some Thoughts on Courtship

So, that should keep you busy for a little while.

Seek God first.
Glorify and praise Him in all you say and do.
Then look for someone doing the same thing.

I love you!

Happy Mother's Day 2013

Sunday, I wasn't cranky. I often am on Mother's day. I did get irritable while traveling with small children. But not permanently. Which just proves that my friend Ann has been praying (right after she "corrected" me - Thanks Ann).

My sweet Knee-baby woke up Sunday morning and remembering what day is was "surprised" me with the card he made for me during Mission Friends Wednesday night (I'm his teacher for Mission Friends - I helped 8 children make the same thing - he was one of those children).

GrandMaMa & Granddad

My darling Gene took the kids to Wally-world Saturday (they could have stayed gone longer - I REALLY enjoyed the quiet - except that I went walking around the yard and saw a coyote behind the pig pen - we now chaperon animal feeding time with a 22).
They bought me new cushions for my swing - I need a comfy perch - and some sweet cards.

Then we went to church and were ministered to by Laura Torres of His Earthen Vessels. And all the ladies got a light caster as a gift for Mother's day.

Then GrandMaMa and Granddad came over
and we all rode towards the hills. First, we went to Stumphouse Tunnel. It was carved in a mountain a LONG time ago in the hopes that a train would run through it. The state of SC quit funding the project and then the Civil War started so now its an impressive cave.

My gaggle with Granddad

History Lesson - The principal of Brown Home Academy
said that this was totally a field trip and counted as a school day
- if only they would listen. Thankfully they did.





This lonely train car was sitting at the top of the hill near tunnel.
The only train track on the whole mountain was under this lonely train car. 

Daddy and the Little Boys in the tunnel with flashlights

Mountain Goats - some of the bigger male goats went all the way up

Little waterfall

Same mountain goats - different location

 As we were headed back down the hill towards the van Elijah sat on a rock which reminded Granddad of a song, which he started singing. Oh, man that was precious!

Most of the kids - 7 - and I walked from the tunnel to another part of the park.

Purdy place.
The 7 big kids and I walked from the tunnel to a big water fall
and had to stop to see this. And play on it for just minute.

Isaqueena Falls (?) - really big, this is just the top

Did you know that this Stumphouse place is kept up by the city of Walhalla, SC?

It was pretty special for a city park/historic site.

 

We left the tunnel and  falls and found a Dollar General because GrandMaMa's brand new flip-flops broke. So she exchanged them, 3 people went potty, and I bought cookies and Hi-C's.

We had a our delicious and nutritious snack and then went to Oconee Station State Historic Site. (We like hysterical stuff).

These buildings date from 1795 (on the left) and 1792 (on the right).
The persons up there are somewhat more modern. (Well, maybe not Granddad).

This is a really old tree. I did know what it was but I can't remember now.

After more people went potty before we left, we found this nest full of babies.
We also found an empty nest.

I'm planning a field trip back to Oconee Station on July 4th for their Living History Day. We may also walk to another waterfall near there (maybe. I'll be out-numbered 10-1).

After all that fun we came home to eat supper.
I ran to the grocery store in Gene's thing (that's his car) and when I went to pull out of the parking space it died. Dead. Kaput. So I pulled out my handy, little, cell phone . . . and it was dead. I turned it on and had just enough juice to tell Papa, "I'm at Dill's, the Thing is dead and so is my phone." I heard him say, "I'll tell little Gene." And then I waited.
Thankfully, Gene was quick to my rescue and it was just a little problem that were were able to fix pretty cheap. So the Thing is fine.

Gene's last day of his Spring term was Friday and he got a whole two days off before beginning the short Summer term on Monday. So I'm glad we "lived it up" over the weekend.

Daddies (the good ones anyway) should really get some pats on the back on Mother's day.
If it weren't for the leadership and support and caring and help and effort and prayer that THE Daddy provides for this family, I couldn't do what I do.
And I do love my job.
And I love that Man!
"Thank you, Father, for sending him to me.
How blessed we are indeed!"

Monsters

Sometimes at night I remind certain smallish persons, "The only monster you need to worry about is named Mama. And if you don't stay in this bed and be quiet . . ."

So, as a mother, I've embraced my inner monster. And, as a mother, I totally get that my sweet, darling, certain smallish persons can totally be MONSTERS.

Thank the Lord I love them so incredibly - other wise one of us wouldn't make it.

But now I'm being called a monster in a whole new way. I'm a "monster," according to certain biggish persons I've never met, because I am a Christian. And when I tell others about the love of my Savior, Jesus Christ, or when I make a stand for my moral, biblically based beliefs and God given passions, I'm "terrorizing" somebody. Somebody?

Well, if "they" are going to "get me" for something . . . I'd pray that boldly standing for TRUTH is what they get me for. And IF "they" are going to "get me" anyway - well, lets make it BIG!

So, Saturday I had a great time with “gangs of fundamentalist Christian monsters” as we promoted the sanctity of human life (from earliest biological beginnings until natural death) in the Franklin County Right to Life booth at the Lavonia Spring Festival. (pictures coming soon - I hope. Thanks AnnaMarie for remembering your camera!)

Unfortunately, it was cold and rainy (and it still is - pretty weird for the beginning of May). So the great crowds we were hoping for turned into just a trickle and because of the bad weather we (and ALL the other vendors) packed it up and went to our warm homes by one in the afternoon. But perhaps out of that slow trickle of rain-dodgers we reached someones heart - even just one - and it's all worth it!

And I had a ball while it lasted. I'm where God wants me for now (at last).

So I came home to my “reign of theocratic terror” and rested for just a few minutes while my little “stenchful substances” took baths (which they should have taken while I was gone). Then we “fundamentalist Christian creatures and their spiritual heirs” (our spiritual heirs) went to the beautiful, long awaited, traditional Judeo-Christian wedding of my little cousin. The ceremony was so sweet, the parents looked great and relaxed, the reception was tasty, the guest enjoyable, and then we danced around like the “stuck pigs” we are. I feel blessed by the “horrific hatred” shown by my family (okay - that ones a bigger stretch. I'm interpreting "horrific hatred" as "abounding love" - work with me).
(We took a few snap-shots with Gene's phone and I haven't taken them from him yet - coming soon!)

Am I having fun with the "monster" business? Yes!
Why not? (I got my list of monster-y titles here check it out).
I've been called other things (worse things).
The fact that someone might recognise us a truly Christian is a complement (or should be).

I believe this is just the tip of the ice-berg of the persecution to come. Our America has been on a slippery slope. Now its rolling downward at remarkable pace.
Are you ready? Are you firmly planted? Matthew 13:18-23
None of us knows how we will stand when our life is on the line. When we face REAL persecution - like our brothers and sisters around the world are already suffering right NOW.
But we can be assured that the Holy Spirit will guide us and empower us.

 ^"Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial,

do not worry beforehand about what to say.

Just say whatever is given you at the time,

for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit."

~Mark 13:11~

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

~Romans 8:31-39~

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

~Ephesians 6:10-13~

How's your Standing?

5 days later . . .

Wednesday, Alex turned 11.

He looks older here, holding flarp.

 Alex requested Cheesecake for his birthday.

It was a very busy day. It was our last day of CBS for this school year, we had to do Language Arts and Math, Alex also wanted grilled burgers and tator tots for supper - the Daddy usually does the grilling but yesterday, in order to eat before church in the evening, it was all on the Mama. After church the big girls and I put labels on water bottles for our Pro-Life event Saturday. We didn't get to eat the cheesecake till about 9 pm. I'm still tired. Alex, however, was up early this morning putting together his new model car and NOT watching the little cousins that spent the night.

Last Friday . . .

Last Friday, my little Lora Joy turned 8 big years old.

When the girls turn 8 they get to decide if they want their ears pierced. Funny, I've not gotten a "no" yet. (When the boys turn 8 . . . they just turn 8).

Getting ready

Ear lobe wash

This was the second ear. She made some great faces.



Looking in the mirror at her new bling.

Lora requested McDonald's for her birthday supper. This was a great idea on the way to the nursing home that evening.



The birthday girl and her little sister.

Of course no birthday is complete without cake (or cupcakes).

 

 

One of the managers was sitting at a nearby table eating her supper when we sang Happy Birthday to Lora. She went and made Lora a dipped cone and told her Happy Birthday. So Lora ate ice cream instead of cake. (She ate her cupcake the next morning).