New Recipes

Check out the new recipes on our recipe blog.

Reminder

Hi, it's good to be back. You probably didn't even know I was gone! Mark took me away for a couple of days to celebrate my birthday. He felt bad we couldn't get away on my birthday, as he was a little under the weather! We brought Kerri along to be our nanny, and had a great time, relaxing and shopping. We got home last night and now today life is back into "full swing". I have had so many 'blog inspirations' over the last few days, but those are going to have to wait as today I need to get caught up.

So just wanted to remind those who are interested in joining me in studying the book 'Created to be His Help Meet' that we will be having our first blog 'discussion' Oct. 5th. I am really excited about this. As a mom of young children it isn't possible for me at this stage to go out to bible studies and share with other ladies my joys, struggles & journeys of being a godly woman. I hope that we can do this here and have some good discussions, have open hearts and let the Lord teach us how we can become more like Him. So if you are interested, get your book (from the link above or at your Bible Book Store), read the first chapter and I look forward to hear what you think on Oct. 5th.

CONTEST!

Stacey is having a contest for a nursing bracelet from Amy May's Etsy store. Although I have never owned one of these bracelets, I have thought many times of getting one. It seems hard to believe, but when you are tired beyond tired it is hard to remember sometimes which side was last! I love the way this bracelet not only tells you what side you last fed from but also what time and it's even PRETTY! So hats (or bracelets) off to Stacey for offering this contest.

Goodbye Summer

Where did summer go? I think for us it went super fast because harvest started at the beginning of August. So I went out into the garden after supper and picked what will probably be the last boquet of flowers for the year. As I was picking I was again amazed at the different flowers, the uniqueness of each one, the beauty, the intricate details. What an awesome God, to make so many different kinds for us to enjoy. He could have made just one kind, but He didn't, He made many shapes, sizes and colors for us. It makes me excited to see what heaven will be like, the beauty, the colors, the smells. More than we can even imagine. So with this in mind I say goodbye to summer, nice weather, flowers, campfires, camping...and hello to the slower pace of winter, snow, skating, sitting around the wood stove, reading, care groups, school.....I will enjoy a different pace, even though I will miss summer, I enjoy Mark & Josh being around more, and more family time. I am glad to live in Manitoba.

Life has been full lately. Mark and I celebrated our

19th anniversary this week. We even got away for a night, it was nice. We plan on going away again as soon as Mark is feeling better. He got his stitches out on Tuesday but still has to stay quite still or he finds himself in a lot of pain. The doc said he will have to take it easy for 6 months. A little longer than we thought, but we are praying that things will get better quickly so that he can get around a little more.

We have sort of started the 'text book' part of school. The kids just kind of took initiative to start on their own. This year we will have 6 in school and 4 toddling around! I am sure Jesse and Nathan will want to be involved as well. And Brooke will probably repeat everything everyone says. She's a little parrot these days!

Our little 'baby' Mikaya is growing up fast.

Yesterday she started moving herself around on the floor. If she sees something she wants she pulls herself forward with her arms. She is only 5 months! She is so interested in what everyone is doing

and doesn't want to get left behind!

We have been getting a lot of laughs from the funny things Brooke says. She tries to be so grown up about everything. But there is one thing she just cannot get right! The older girls names. She gets them mixed up all the time. I think we have figured out it is according to what she wants. If she wants food she calls on a certain girl, if she wants to go potty she calls on a certain girl, if she wants to go outside she calls on a certain girl ect... Well the other day she said to Kerri, "Megan, where's Megan?" I am sure someday she will get it right, for now it is kind of funny!

A Cut Above The Rest

Well Mark definitely has a cut! We changed his dressing yesterday to find a nice sized incision under there with 26 staples, plus quite a black and blue spot. If he moves around too much he seems to pay for it so he is trying to stay as still as possible. If you are queasy I apologize for the photo but I thought some might be curious of the boo boo!

MANY THANKS!

Well, Mark had surgery today at 12:30 pm and we just brought him home a little while ago to recover. Everything went really well. We got there at 7:45 am because they told us the surgeon might see us before his first surgery. But that was wishful thinking. He finally saw Mark around 10:00 am and then they brought him to his room to wait. At 12:30 pm they took him in and the surgery was finished around 2:00. They screwed in a plate to piece the bones back together since it was in 3 pieces. (we got to see it on the xrays, pretty amazing!) After all his faculties started working they decided to send him home around 7:30. So he was glad to be able to sleep in his own bed. He is not in too much pain and we are pretty sure it is because of all the prayers of so many of you who said you would be praying. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please continue to pray that his recovery would be quick and painless. I hope this made sense because I am very tired and don't feel like I am communicating real well :) Anyway, I need to go to bed and get my beauty sleep because tomorrow is MY BIRTHDAY! So until next time.

Fun, Food, Fellowship and FOOTBALL!!

Yesterday our church had a family day at Christian Enrichment Family Camp. In the morning we had a worship service. Some of us did praise and worship. Then we had a food, food and more food! After that we had a photo hunt, relays and stuff and....more food!! Some guys were playing a 'gentle' game of football and convinced my hubby to join them. They were having a grand ol' time until Mark tackled someone, then got tackled by someone. The other guys ended up unscathed, but....not Mark. So we made our well trodden trail to the ER at Boundry Trails to find out that Mark's collar bone is in 3 peices. So they put a sling on him, drugged him up and sent him home to wait for an appointment with a surgeon on Tuesday morning (Today is a holiday). So it looks like he will probably have to have surgery to fix the damage. Oh well! I don't think he plans on playing football anytime soon! So if you think of him in the next couple of days please pray for
- the pain
- wisdom for the surgeon to know what to do
- a quick recovery
- strength for Joshua as he holds the fort (we finished harvest on Friday, so the 'timing' is not too bad) (there's a positive side to everything!)
We will keep you posted on the ever exciting happenings in 'our quiver'

*on a side note:
You may have heard on the news about the couple at Snowflake that died last week. Sadly they were so low they found life hopeless and decided it wasn't worth living anymore. We have known their family for a long time and their parents and one brother and his wife attend our church. Please pray for the family as I can't imagine how incredibly hard this must be.

Created to be His Help Meet

This is a call to all you wives who are wanting to learn more about being a godly wife. I have heard great reviews on the book "Created to be His Help Meet" by Debi Pearl. So I would like to go through it with all of you who are interested in joining me.

I want to start the first week in October and plan to post on each chapter weekly (hopefully Fridays).

I would love to be able to do this together with you through this blog by discussing each chapter through the comments page.

If you are interested you can order your book at Amazon with the above link or pick it up from your Bible Book Store. I look forward to taking this journey together with you.

More Than a Job!

As I was putting our folded clothes away today, I was getting rather frustrated at the unwanted creases, far from neat folding, inside out clothes and was wondering "How can I get across to my girls that this is not the 'proper' way to do laundry. I went through all the lectures in my head, all the ways to tell them how to 'do it right' and then the words came to me, "You need to get them to see this as a ministry" "That's it" I said to myself. And so I called for them and proceeded to tell them something like this: From now on, when you fold the clothes I want you to think of it not as a job, but as a ministry. When you fold something, think of how important that person is to you, so important that you will honor them in the way you treat their clothes. Because you see the people in your family as valuable you will not give them wrinkled, inside out clothes. But you will fold their clothes in respect to who they are as a person. Do you understand? From now on, I don't want you to see this as as job, but instead as a ministry. And as I said this, I spoke to myself as well. How many times do I look at my 'daily grind' as just another job, when it is in fact a way to minister to my family, friends and neighbors. I think if I would view my daily activities as this way, my perspective would change. For I was hungry, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you? or thirsty, and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger, and take you in? or naked, and clothe you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, As much as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. Matthew 25:35-40 Well I need to go and 'minister' to my family!

Pictures as Promised

Here you have it folks, our new kids!
(Did I mention they were goats?)

On the left is Sophie, right is Spike

New Additions

Just a quick note to let everyone know how excited

we are that 2 kids have joined our family.

I will try to post pictures tomorrow.

Ta ta for now!

JUST ME AND MY GALS

A PUKEY DAY

The stomach flu has been hanging around our house for the past 2 weeks and yesterday it decided to hitn full force. Kerri, Caleb, Zachary, Nathan & Brooke were all sick. It has always been interesting to me how kids all have different personalities. It even shows up when they are sick. Zachary can hardly sit still, and if he does you know he is very sick. Kerri & Caleb just lay around all day, Brook just eats, throws up, eats, throws up. Not a clue to how her tummy is feeling! And Nathan is a lot like Zach, he plays in between his 'episodes' We have a house full of laminate flooring.

The boys have a car mat that they play on.

And where do you think Brooke decides to

spew her lunch? You've got it, on the mat:)

So we spent the day at home (really?) just lying around. Mark & Josh got some much needed rest. They have been going hard at combining all week. I think at least 3 days they went until 2 am. The girls and I played the farming game. We watched videos. I hope today everyone is feeling better! The stomach flu is one of my most unfavorite things! And it is the most inconvenient during harvest. So if you think of us today, please pray for good health.

But I just have to say:

Hats off to the one

who invented ice cream pails.

They come in really handy

at a time like this!

Memories

Just so you don't think from my last post

that I think life is all about work, work, work,

here are some more thoughts.

A wise friend once said, "Summer is too short for dusting."

And that little comment has really made me re-evaluate

about life and the time that we have

with our spouses, children, family and friends.

I am a very 'goal oriented' person and when I start a project,

you better not get in my way until I am finished!

And sometimes my list of 'to do's' gets so long that I forget.

I forget that relationships and the memories

we make are the things that will last forever.

So my advice to myself today is take time for the little things

because it is so easy to pass those moments by!

Take Monday night for example.

It was supposed to be a perfect night

to see shooting stars for some reason.

I went outside around 11:00 pm

and soon Jen, Megan and Kerri had joined me.

They begged to stay out and watch the stars for awhile.

My tired bones just wanted to go to bed,

but after much persuasion we laid on the lawn

and looked to the heavens.

And it was amazing.

We were out there less than an hour

and we counted at least 25 shooting stars.

But that won't be the only thing we will remember.

Ask us and we will say:

-giggling

-ice cubes

-dog breath

-screams

-strange noises

-frogs

-flashlight

-truck

These are the memories we have.

It was a lot of fun, a bonding moment

that I am sure we will not forget.

And guess what?

It didn't cost us a dime.

Just a little less sleep for a tired mama!

So today remember to take time for the little things.

There are somethings that can wait.

but the memories you build today will last forever!

MOTHERHOOD IS NOT FOR WIMPS!

BE ADVISED: THE FOLLOWING CONTENT MAY OFFEND SOME!

BUT I PRAY THAT YOU WILL READ IT WITH AN OPEN HEART.

I have been saddened, shocked and yes even occasionally appalled by the self serving attitude of some moms now a days. I have been amazed how many times I have heard complaining lately about how tired, bored, lonely, and frazzled moms are.

I have been thinking about this a lot and wondering why this attitude seems to be so prevalant. What drives a mom to think that she should have her time and her space whenenver she wants it. Honestly I just don't get it?!?!?!

So of course as with everything I look at this and say, "Is this a training thing? Is it just personality or is it something more. As a mom, can I make or break (for lack of a better word) this attitude in our daughters?" And I came to the conclusion that the answer is yes. A lot of the training and ideas we give our daughters now, will affect their attitude as a mother

later on.

I thought back on my growing up years. What affected me and helped prepare me to be a mom? And I came to the conclusion that a lot of it had to do with good old fashioned work! Don't get me wrong, I know that the example of my mom had a lot to do with it, but I don't think that was the only thing that formed who I became as a mom. I think that the reason that our young moms find it so 'hard' being moms is because they are not taught to work at home. They are allowed to have their space and their time to do their thing whenever they want it. And therefore teaching them to become self centered.

I always think of the training of our children as preparing them for what they will do when they are grown. As I look back on my teen years, I worked hard, and I didn't like it at all! I am actually ashamed when I think of my attitude and how I treated my mom when she asked me to do chores around the house. But I am so grateful that she didn't let that discourage her from putting me to some good ol' fashioned work! I didn't have a lot of 'me' time. I remember comparing myself to my friends and seeing that they didn't have to work as hard as me and I didn't think that was fair. I had to babysit my younger siblings a lot, do laundry, house cleaning, gardening, feed animals, and the list went on and on. Every day when I came home from school, there was stuff to do. And you know what, now I really appreciate my mom for putting me to work! Because I believe she instilled in me the value that 'motherhood is not for wimps'. I knew what hard work was, I knew what self denial was, and it wasn't such a huge shock for me when I got married and became a mom and had to be on call 24/7. I wasn't used to having 'my time' and getting frustrated when I didn't. Please understand, I am not saying I was or am this perfect mom and I never got tired or frustrated when I was sleep deprived or had a sick child. I still had and have character issues to work on, but I don't remember having such huge issues with it as some moms today.

So now...I tell my girls, being a mom is hard work. I don't want to discourage them from having children (I want so many grandchildren that we will need a mansion to have family gatherings in :) but instead I want to instill in them a knowing that they will have to give of themselves 24/7, their time 24/7. So my girls don't have 'their time'. Yes, they get breaks, but they also know what hard work is. They know what it means to put aside their 'selfish ambitions', and do the task that is set before them.

Philippians 2:3-5 "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."

So I guess the reason for this posting? To encourage you to train your daughters that 'Motherhood is not for Wimps' Teach them what hard work is, don't allow them to have the attitude that they can have their time, their space whenever they want it. Talk about being a mom to them, the challenges, the rewards, how the rewards outweigh the challenges if we have a Christ-like attitude.

And if you're a mom, and you have found yourself bemoaning the fact that you don't have the time or space to yourself that you would like, memorize Philippians 2:3-5. Get it in your heart, think of Jesus, the person who was the ultimate example of giving of Himself. Tell yourself that "Motherhood is not for Wimps" that it is and will be hard work, but look at the bigger picture, the amazing privelage you have to raise another 'plant grown up' or a 'polished corner stone' (see Psalm 144:12)

And remember:

What you do today will affect the future of your children

and their children and their children............

The Proposal

Photographs by Megan

Ever Had a Day Like This?

Favorite Quick Supper

Measure 3 cups flour into a large bowl.
Answer telephone.
Take large bowl off small son's head.
Sweep up floor.
Measure 3 cups flour into large bowl.
Measure 1/4 cup shortening.
Answer door bell.
Wash shortening from son's hands and face.
Add 1/4 cup shortening to flour.
Mix well.
Rock crying baby for 10 minutes.
Answer the telephone.
Put son in tub and scrub well.
Scrape flour and shortening mixture from floor.
Add enough tears to relieve tension.
Open one can of beans and serve with remaining strength!

Whew, all for a meal!

New Recipe

Got cucumbers? Make pickles. Check out our recipe blog for 'Cafe Pickles'

Belated Birthday Blog

In all the business of summer and our travels I forgot to post a birthday blog for Brooke. We can't have that, because she is an important part of our family. So here's a belated birthday blog for Brooke.

Brooke turned 2 on July 7.

And no, it is not terrible two's. I refuse to view the amazing 2 year old stage as such. It is a year of lots of training as they learn so many new things, but definitely I LOVE the 2 year old stage. We have had this age stage in our home for many years now

and I can't imagine how less exciting things would be without it!

Brooke is a 'cutie' in our biast opinion.

She is an amazing singer and you will often find her

singing songs to her dolls, little sister or just as she is playing.

She doesn't just sing little kids songs, she sings worship songs and if you listen carefully she sings nearly every word.

And there are so many different ones she sings. It baffles my mind!

When she was just born and we were working at Rock Lake for the summer she had a few prophecies over her that she would be a worshipper. Well at the time I just shelved that as we don't believe in taking prophecies instantly as God's Word as we didn't know any of the people who gave the prophecies, but now as time goes on I can see that she is a worshipper already. That's exciting when you can see God's work already in her,

even when she is just two!

Brooke is the life of the party and usually the centre of all attention. As people come in from outside she usually greets them by name and used to say 'Hi _____, how are you!' Now she just starts a conversation!

Mark and I work hard that she doesn't get too spoiled, but every once in awhile we get caught up in her cuteness and she gets away with things she shouldn't:) And we will pay for it later, so we make a concious effort to not let these cute moment take away from her overall character training!

She likes to play with her brothers and is especially enamoured with her brother Zachary. She loves all her brothers dearly

but when he is missing she walks around saying

'Where's Zachary?'

And does she talk. It's hard for me to believe she is only 2 because of her vocabulary. She can easily communicate what she wants and how she wants it and when she wants it.....get the point!

We celebrated her birthday in a campground on our trip.

And our amazing friends knew it was her birthday so when we visited them

they had went through the trouble of making her a cake. Very special!

A funny story about her gift opening:

She had a gift from everyone as usual.

So she would open a gift, look at it, play with it

and then put it aside when the next gift came.

Then she opened 'THE GIFT'!

It was a wooden puzzle, you know the kind with little animals

or whatever that fit in each special spot.

Well something you need to know about Brooke, she loves puzzles!

When she came to this gift she was obviously elated and could not stop playing with it. From every gift there on she would open it, toss it aside and continue to play with her puzzle. It was quite hilarious.

The moral of the story is: If you give Brooke a puzzle for a gift, give it last!!

We love you Brookie. Have a fun year being 2!

And keep worshipping with music,

we all need a Gideon worshipper around here!

Submission

This is submission:

Complete confidence that God's will for me

is the very best thing that could happen to me.

It means accepting my present situation.

Submission says first of all,

"O God, if by being here in this situatin I can glorify You more,

then I am happy to be here.

If you choose to keep me in this situation for the rest of my life,

because to do so will better bring your purpose to pass

and will better manifest Your power and your love to lost men and women,

then let me be here for the rest of my life."

It is not often that He requires this of you,

but you must come to that place of submission and be willing.

taken from Shirley Rice's book, 'The Christian Home' pg. 31