Ketchup

There is no ketchup in this post.
But there is food that my darling children created.
And I happily ate. And it was WONDERFUL!

Having big kids is a total plus. I don't get this whole "wow, I can't handle my teens (or pre-teens)."
I'm not bragging (much). Mine are just great.
What were we afraid of? (Lets not talk about what we were like or did as teens. Don't poop at my party!)

Don't think like a Philistine!

And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. 

~ 1 Samuel 17:42 ~

Think like Paul,

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

~ 1 Timothy 4:12 ~

Teach and train so that they may say, 

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.

~ Psalm 71:5 ~

O God, from my youth you have taught me,

    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

~ Psalm 71:17 ~

This is a catch-up post. Cause I only posted once in June and that was a story about our big trip in May!
We haven't had in more real "big" stuff happen. But we are keeping ourselves amused (all.the.time.)

In June:
We went to a local church to hear Ugandan Thunder. They were awesome!!!
Church members volunteer to house them until it's time for them to go to the next town/gig. Our friends (with three girls) took home three girls. The next day we had the privilege of playing at the lake with three of the girls from the Ugandan choir. What wonderful young ladies.
I will say that there was dancing before the Lord like you don't normally see in a Baptist church.
Here's a video with their choir director (who is a famous artist somewhere)(this wasn't taped where we were)

Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you.”

~ Psalm 87:7 ~

We had sweet friends come visit. Lovely!

Top: Local Ashworth girls
Bottom: playing games with the red headed Gilbert children who moved
far away to Oregon - but blessed us with a long awaited visit.

We are still going to the nursing home every Friday night and we began Church at the Park again. 

Every Sunday, June-August, 9:30 am, Victoria Bryant State Park.

The Daddy has Set up a YouTube channel to post his sermons.

I happen to think the last two weeks sermons have been fabulous! (And I'm his biggest critic). Alex is our videographer. I lead the singing (we don't record that - Praise the Lord!)

Reverend The Daddy is preaching through Psalms this summer (he did deviate for Father's day). This is Psalms 3. (Subscribe to his channel). 

School was (is) finishing up.

Lora made 3D shapes
Littlest brother made one also. And here is a recent rendering by that 5 year old of Bob and Larry.

Ava and Elijah are taking a cooking class. It's slow going because it's fancy gourmet stuff (i.e. it's expensive).

Lora made mile-high fudge-brownie pie. Yummy! (these people know the way to my heart).

The Daddy got his REAL diploma in the mail. HE'S DONE! (why doesn't he seem to have extra time?)

Jacob is still plugging away at kindergarten work. Slow and sure wins the race.

And Ava has been accepted to Toccoa Falls College for duel enrollment!!! AND we just found out that the program covers the cost of her books!

We got to spend some time in Helen with our Papa Shriner.

And some time at the park with Grandmother.

The four littles and I joined some friends at the Library for a movie. We saw the Incredibles. The big kids stayed home and entertained themselves (another bonus of having teens!).

On another day, I took the kids to see Cinderella. We waited until it was at the Value Cinema in Athens. $2.50 each = $22.50 for me and ALL the kids. It was Jacob and Josiah's first time at a real movie theater.

Waiting for the movie to start.

Big boys are silly. 

Alex and Elijah
Notice Alex got his bottom braces off!!! He has a clear retainer.

But sweet and creative.

Alex's "old-timey car" with goggled driver.

And sometimes The Mama has to take one to the emergency room to make sure he's not broken himself.

(At some point we've gotten into July).

Not broken! Just weird, gross, goose egg on his leg.

Today, after my nap while watching Sunday afternoon movies. I looked up to see all the sweetness.

Autumn was helping The Daddy fix the toilet and learn how to post his videos to YouTube.

Top: Lora, cousin Nyk, Jorja, Jacob - on the couch
Middle: The Mama and Josiah, Autumn and The Daddy, Elijah loves beach balls
Bottom: Ava and Alex - a little fuzzy.

And here's Jacob's recent drawing of his family. Perspective is complex.

And that's it.

Currently - like right this minute - I'm being edited (while typing) by Ava and Jorja.

The Daddy is helping Lora put together a model car she got for Christmas. This will take a while.

Elijah and Nyk are getting in trouble for running and aggravating each other (and 9 other people).

Jacob & Josiah are playing cars. Autumn is unaccounted for (and Ava has disappeared). 

So all is well.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland and other tales

I'll get to the Ice in a minute. First a word from . . . well, some other stuff.

While I was at a meeting last Friday, the Daddy took all the children to our homeschool group's Valentine party. He was the only Daddy there and stayed with the little boys to help them. 

Last Thursday, the children and I took paper products and whatnot to the A New Walk, a homeless center in Gainesville. Homeless in Gainsville
They had posted a need on Facebook and we felt lead to go meet a little of it. They were open all weekend and will probably be opened all week as a warming shelter for homeless. They aren't a shelter but the city allows them to shelter people when it gets really cold. They feed them and love them and share God's Word with them. 
This little church is makeing a BIG, eternal difference in their community. Many of their friends now attend church regularly and are beginning a New Walk in their lives.

I didn't get any pictures. 
I'm not bragging. 
Just hope to show how easy it was to give. 
It was a blessing!

We had just learned that week that when David heard Goliath speak he got a little passionate that someone would defy the God of Israel. How dare they!!!
When it got time to fight the giant, David went out, as a shepherd, with his staff and sling - the equipment he was familiar with. That big fella got up, amused at this twerp with a stick coming to fight him and lumbered toward the battle line. 

David RAN.

He ran toward the battle line. He ran toward the giant. He ran at the enemy. He ran with the intent to kill the one who defied the Lord of Host. 
He RAN.
He didn't stop to pray about what God would have him do. It was apparent to him that itt is not God's will that evil prevail. 
He boldly volunteered to get the job done. 
He knew that if the Lord could save him from pesky lions and bears (oh my!) He could certainly save him from this beastly man.

"David ran quickly toward the battle line"

1 Samuel 17:48b

So, we took what God had blessed us with and ran to throw our little rock at the giant of homelessness.

Sometimes war is fought on our knees, and sometimes its fought in motion.

Now for the icy part.

Weatherman should feel blessed that they aren't stoned for falsely predicting the weather - or continuously changing their mind. 

We knew a storm was a'comin!

It it rained ice Monday afternoon and most of the night. And when we got up it was lovely except for the tree that split in twain and fell down in two directions (East and West).

Most winters when it snows (or we get the crunchy white stuff) I make the children line up near "the tree" to take a picture before they go play in the wetness (aka "frozen mud")

Top: The Downed Tree - fluffy
Bottom: the part the fell West fell on the phone line - we still have phone service.
It knocked a board off the house where the phone line connected.
The downed boards.

 The Daddy and some kids cleaned up the tree and fixed the boards.

I tried unsuccessfully to keep a fire going and write on this blog (well, that last part's success is objective).

After assessing the damage (minimal) we walked in our winter wonderland

Nature in Ice

We took a walk through the woods - the still stinking dogs went too.
(the dogs got Skunked on Sunday afternoon - it's too cold to bathe them outside and Gene doesn't want them in the house - so when he goes back to work, they will get a warm bath. Shhhhh..... I really am a good wife - mildly opinionated - this isn't the best example of submission. Let's move on.)

cold can be pretty - but warm is prettier

And now, just for fun. Tales from Jacob and Josiah.

Josiah's Train - turn your head to the Left

Jacob's Racetrack -
I don't think it matters which way you turn your head.

And last but not least - those baby weirdos! (aka "Gene's kids")

Yes, Josiah is wearing a grocery bag.
No, there is no good reason. Just part of being a boy.

January 2015

January was a busy month.
But not very busy for my camera.

We celebrated the anniversary of my mother's 27th birthday.
We invited all who could come to show up and surprise her. I was sure me or Rick would let the cat out of the bag - and we both got real close - but she was surprised.
Some friends from work, her brother, two sisters, two brother-in-loves, two daughters, a son-in-love, a nephew, and 8 grandyoung'uns all showed up to show her love.

Mama & Melba, the table, Uncle Larry conversing with Jacob (who made time to converse with everyone), Mama and Aunt Melba again, the kid's end of the table.

After lunch Mama, Aunt Melba and I went shopping. What fun we had!
There's no question who I'm related to.
Then we took Aunt Melba back to Uncle Larry's where her and Uncle Mike stayed that weekend, and ate ice cream and visited. I also know where I get my story telling ability from.
Then I got to bring my Mama home with me.
Blessed. Blessed.

One day the littles and I went to play at the park in Commerce with our Chance. (I don't recall what Ann and I were supposed to be doing or exchanging but we had fun with our little friend).

Babies at the Civil War memorial

You may think that this is a picture of children sitting awkwardly on a bench, but you'd be wrong.
This is a picture of children sailors in a small boat.
That is not my shadow. That is the shadow of an invisible woman.
You stand corrected.

We've done school - unwillingly.

Boys doing their science lesson. We LOVE Apologia - in Lesson 7: Life in the Blood of Anatomy and Physiology they heard/read the gospel, the need for salvation, and a call to believe in Jesus.
Lora used the computer "for real" working on a project.
The littles making bird nest. They are inventive!

I taught at CBS twice. Ladies Toccoa/Lavonia Community Bible Study

My "spare child" is staying home.
This year I began to "tutor" Brent. He was a quiet addition to our little homeschool.
I've been praying for him and his mother all year. That they would draw closer to the Lord. That Brent would be saved. That Melanie would take more interest in his education.
Over Christmas break she got a new job working weekend shift. She was free-er to do stuff with us.
She came over last Thursday evening apologizing for bringing "bad news". But I was delighted.
She has decided to teach him at home! Praise be!
AND she plans to join CBS with him!
I'm still a phone call away and intend to "help" and encourage and drag them along to events with us. But what an answer to prayer! And quick!
Sometimes we want quick answers and have to wait. Sometimes we think the answers will take years and happen in just a few short months.
His timing is amazing!

And our "school" as returned almost to normal - for us. Brent is missed. The quiet is a little quieter.
For the right family/child I'd "tutor" again. If only to see prayers answered.

Happy Groundhog Day! 

General Beauregard Lee, 

confidently standing in the early morning sun, 

declared we only have 6 weeks till Spring! 

GA March for Life 2015

January 22, 2015 marked 42 years since Roe v. Wade which made abortion legal in the United States. In Georgia this year we met together, amid rumors of "pro-life" legislation on a federal level, to mourn the lose of millions of innocent lives. We rallied to encourage one another to keep fighting for those who can not speak for them selves, from conception to natural death, NO EXCEPTIONS!

This was the first year to meet in front of the capital in the new Liberty Plaza - the first event to be held in this lovely park.

some views of the crowd
(notice the red hat in the top right corner picture - that's Gene.
There is a white hat(?) to his right [your left] and then Adam's head.
They were waiting to be security guards - more on that later).

Some lovelies - clockwise: Ryan & Alex; Grandmother Joyce & Miss Judy; Brent & his Mama Melanie; Me and my Mama next to Alex and Elijah.
This was my mother's first trip to the March for Life - she is a HUGE supporter of my little "stand for life"

We got a little media coverage.

Top: Victory 91.5 was back - Joshua Edmonds from GRTL (red sweater)
Bottom: A nice looking newsman and his busy cameraman from CBS 46
(can't find a link to the TV news story)

Lots of good speakers.

Clockwise from top: GA Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols (and founder of Teen Pact) was the emcee;
Elizabeth Reed gave testimony about her little girl who was conceived in rape and is NOT an exception;
Molotov Mitchell was the Guest Speaker - dynamic fella - GREAT speaker and all around good guy (didn't agree with him on every single point - more on that later); the new band; Some of our state legislators - more showed up later.

Here's Elizabeth's testimony. I had the privledge of praying with her when she was done. 

BRAVE lady!

And here's one of that Molotov guy click here to see him.
He made a suggestion he dubed "Wave to Wave". Doctors often define the end of life when one shows no brain waves; a fetus has been found to have brain waves at 8 weeks old (gestational age or fetal age?). It's a good idea - but I'm still on the conception bandwagon.
His father raised him protesting abortion facilities. He didn't fall far from the tree. He was also shown, by his father, a video of an abortion at an early age - and he encouraged parents to show their children abortion footage as well. Of course I was questioned about this a few hours later by one of my sweet, well meaning chapter advisers. Should we be giving out an abortion video to parents?
My answer: "No."
There is a time and a place for everything. There are some people I'd like to pull aside and show this horribleness to right this minute - but my children . . .
Would I willing submit them to videos of a murder? A beheading? A rape?
In an attempt to get them to understand the evil of porn would I show it to them?
No, no, no, no.
They have vivid imaginations, when the time is right with each one we will fill in the details. When they feel called to speak out for the unborn, when they are old enough, mature enough, perhaps.
I had to watch a LOT of really ugly, heart wrenching videos when I volunteered to counsel at a pregnancy resource center - it strengthened my passion and resolve to protect the innocent.
I was an adult.
Will I ever show my children evil on video? Perhaps.
Most know it exist. Some know details.
Some are old enough to read the news. All its shocking gory details.
I will not shield them from truth. I can't. I don't.
But I treasure their innocence more than one mans opinion. And I will cleave to it as I train by example.

Delicate balance.

We were blessed to be volunteers!
Gene and Adam were security guards.
And the rest of us (along with 3 others) helped with a visual. Josh Edmonds (who may have to much time on his hands) figured out that the population of all the states who are part of the SEC (or some other sports related something) would be GONE if the abortions happened by state.
They explained it better - the population of those states = total number of abortions since 1973.
You get the idea.
We held wooden states with their populations painted on them.

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Somewhere in New England, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, ???, ???, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia (I think there were 16 states altogether - gone).
Photos courtesy of GRTL

Tim finished talking, introducing and giving directions.
Taps played. America's Song of Remembrance
We began our silent dirge.

Welcome to Atlanta; Peachtree St; Paulding County Chapter of GRTL (we need to bring our FCRTL sign next year - unless we outlaw abortion before then); A sweet mother with her three babies; marching on Atlanta (last two)

GSU is taking over Atlanta - most students were very curious, some were mildly ugly; police on horses; signs; my girls; other marchers; police on bikes

the top right is my baby boys holding hands; the other two are of our loud pro-abortion protesters. Thankfully, this year they were just loud and obnoxious and poorly informed. They wanted to stop our march and at one point we did stand still briefly as the police moved them back to the sidewalk.
They have the same freedom to voice their beliefs as we do. And they are the ones for whom we pray.
They are NOT the enemy. And when their life is on the line - we will still be praying for them as we stand by their side.
Protecting the innocent. Until natural death. No exceptions.
Pray for these.

The front of the walk (Gene and Adam on duty - orange vest to the right - they helped keep people behind the sign - they walked with the speakers - they know one lady who is very proud of them).
Photos courtesy of  GRTL.

Here's a couple more. A snapshot of part of our group during the event (courtesy of GRTL)

And part of our cute group walking back to the van.

And then we went to Chick-fil-a. 

Adam, Brent, Melanie, Judy, Elijah, Phil, Jacob, Alex. Joyce, Josiah, Ava, Lora, Autumn, Jorja, Erin, Gene, Ryan

God gave beautiful weather and wonderful friends to share the day with.
Keep fighting the good fight.

So I sought for a man among them 

who would make a wall, 

and stand in the gap before Me 

on behalf of the land, 

that I should not destroy it; 

but I found no one.

Ezekiel 22:30

I'm a bad blogger & December 2014 in a . . . large crockpot

My Ava, as Miss Modesty, is becoming a better blogger than me. If you haven't been impressed with her 15 year old wisdom you can check it out here or here or here or here .
That might not be saying much since neither of us have blogged this month at all. And just noticed my dear sister-in-love out in Nevada has updated twice in the last week. No pressure. Just checking "blog" off my list of things I need to have done already. Not currently getting checked off: clean the stinky bathroom (which is mine this time and not the boys or the girls), mop, do something fun &/or educational with the children, clean my room, tell children to clean their rooms, cooking that free turkey Gene got from work before it goes bad, write or find THE next Easter play, work on more Bible Study stuff (a whole'nother list - but it is started), grade school papers, finish planning the next two weeks of lessons . . .
The day isn't over yet.

It's New Years Eve and I'm gonna get one more bloggy thing in for 2014.
Not that that matters.
Tomorrow will be much like today - only I'll have to remember to write a new year on checks and other "official" documents and I still can't remember that it isn't 2010 (yes, I wrote that on a check) (I also wrote my maiden name on something one day) (recently) (after 17 years of NOT having that name) (Don't judge) (blame the kids).

(Ava just walked by and declared that we could blame the holidays). (I shrugged).

Advent Posters

So, December. In the mornings we did (attemped) an advent study from here. Still have posters on the wall
but Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus haven't made it up there (Christmas was last week).
We continued our tradition of getting a real tree for Christmas. This year we had to go to a new tree farm, the one we have used got wiped out by a tree disease. The tree is lovely - they all were - not as much fun picking. The branches are not very stiff at all and we have continually been picking up the crafts/ornaments and putting them back on it.

Top 3 at Beck's Tree Farm - bottom right before Christmas

On Dec 6th, the faithful descended on our home to decorate a float for the Lavonia Christmas Parade which took place Sunday, Dec. 7th.

The Get ready crew

FCRTL in the Lavonia Christmas Parade

And that same weekend we were privileged to witness Chris (Gene's friend & my brother from a whole'nother family) get married to a sweet girl named Melody. They are raising her children and part of his. I'm proud of the man he is becoming. I prayed for this fella a long time to come to know the Lord as his Savior. Still praying that their relationship with God grows richer and deeper and stronger and that they have the delight of leading those precious little ones to their Heavenly Father.

While getting the house as ready for Christmas as I cared to get it, I was moving the globe to make room for my "antique" nativity and all the wonderful Christmas cards I adore. I had the thought that it needed a bow. A small piece of ribbon was near by and I bedecked the globe and proclaimed,

"Joy to the World!" 

It was at this point that my spare, Brent, fell apart. He was already wondering about the sanity of his teacher - and then she did that.

The globe is still bedecked on the brown school table, the Nativity. . . well, I hope we find all the pieces.

This year, for the first time ever, we celebrated Chanukkah (or Hanukkah or Hanukah or "That long Jewish Holiday before Christmas?")
No, we are not switching religious teams. We just thought it sounded like a good idea - and it was!
Hanukkah in Hebrew means "dedication" - so really you can "hanuk" (verb) anything.
In the New Testament this particular holiday is called the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22).
A long time ago (before Christ) Israel was under Greek rule and it was terrible. The emperor, Antiochus Epiphanes was evil and had desecrated the temple. The Maccabee family lead a revolt (it was ugly) and eventually drove the Greeks out and called their nation back to God. They re-dedicated the temple - a multi-day process. At this time they realized that the Greeks had used all the olive oil for the temple lamps (the Menorah) on their salads. But God kept those lamps burning for EIGHT days. It was a miracle! And the priest rightly proclaimed a yearly memorial.
Likewise, we are now the temple of the living God. He is the light, and imparts light to us, and expects us to be lights in the world. So with Matthew 5:16 as our memory verse, MUCH help from Mrs. Nancy Campbell of Above Rubies and her years of wisdom, and information from Judaism 101 we dove in.
Our evening family devotions has suffered (we are the most inconsistent people) and it helped to have a different plan. And the children had a great time. Next year we are differently adding Jelly Doughnut to our celebration - and perhaps a REAL Menorah. (Do they put them on after holiday sales?)

On the first night Gene and Autumn made Latkas. I prepared our "menorahs". Before our meal we gathered to read God Word together and light the lights.
At the end of each study and lighting Gene closed us with prayer, thanks, blessing the food and a special blessing for a child. We went oldest to youngest. And that child got to "light" their candle on our "window menorah" (construction paper,gold wrapping paper, duck tape). The little-er ones colored while we read.

Night One (from top left clockwise): the "flame" holster; the window Menorah; the Table Menorah (we used these little jars on the mantle for Christmas last year - and the platter was a birthday gift from my mother); Ava "lighting" her candle

The Daddy frying Latkas, Star, Latkas, Autumn after helping shred potatoes

What a wonderful 8 days!

Day 8: Our completed window Menorah, Dreidles - the kids enjoyed playing this game, another coloring sheet

The weekend before Christmas we celebrated at Grandmother's house. She's a pretty good cook!

Here are a few of the attendees that I love:  Aunt Tara; Cousins - Daniel, Elijah, Alex; GREAT Aunt Audrey;  Mr. Beals & Uncle Doug; Josiah and happy Lora; and Uncle Larry

Tara got something for her Dad and my Mother in a really big box - I think the littles were the most excited. They helped opening it up. And they stayed excited, for inside was a BUNCH of bubble wrap and the box was claimed by Josiah as his "camp". Good times!

Uncle Wayne with Maddux - the OLD great-grandkids with the newest one

In years past we'd go see a little light display in Lawrenceville, but the family that did that quit. Bummer.

So we went to see Uncle Wayne, Aunt Meme and little Maddux - a big, bouncing, happy, observant, sweet baby boy.

Oh, and Nick. Saw him too.

We missed seeing Brittany and Ryan.

Did I mention that Maddux is a bouncing baby boy - most of my pictures were action shots. 

Sure did enjoy finally meeting him.

Elves

Tuesday Uncle Paul came to visit. I'm so glad that we have the relationship that we do. And for those of you struggling with forgiveness against someone who's done ya wrong - take it from me, God has something great in mind. 

Forgive as He has forgiven you.

We went to see lights in Anderson and Greenville that night then ate at Steak & Shake (I LOVE that place!)

On Wednesday morning Paul took the boys shopping, then traded and took the girls shopping.

(The girls found me a Malficent hat - this is important information later in this post).

Then we had Christmas Eve supper with Papa and Mr. Jan.

And took the annual Christmas PJ picture.

Christmas morning was delightful. Between us, Santa, and more Grandparents than you and stick a shake at

these little people are not lacking.

Then Gene and Paul and fickle helpers put together the new trampoline from Grandmother and Rick. 

"You can't NOT smile on a trampoline," was the convincing statement I was told when given the first one. So, the bouncing smiles are back at last.

Christmas evening we celebrated with GrandMaM

a & Granddad - we took them out to eat. (Mama was done in the kitchen!) In what I later learned was good form - even though the food stank - we had Chinese.

Finally, for your viewing enjoyment, The many faces of Jacob - kid just needs a prop.

I have no idea where this kid gets it!

And that's it! (that's all I recall and was greatly helped by having a record in pictures).

Getting ready to party with just my gaggle this evening. Stay-up late, eat junk and anything that goes with ranch dip - the majority of children in the Brown home are on a broccoli kick - playing games and goofing off (which we are supper good at).

See you next year! 

Happy New Year!

Now to Him who is able

 to keep you from stumbling,

And to present you faultless

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To God our Savior,

Who alone is wise,

Be glory and majesty,

Dominion and power,

Both now and forever.

Amen.

~ James 1:24-25 ~

FYI: During the typing of this blog the free turkey got in the roaster and I chopped celery for tonight's party. And after a cup of coffee I plan to clean the bathroom.