WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!

Katie, you were a prayer answered. Becca wanted a baby sister. So, not known to us, she was praying hard for one. Wasn't she surprised when we called everyone to the living room for a meeting...Yes, they knew! A meeting, "Mom, your pregnant!" We got, "Oh Yuck" (from the teens :) ) and laughing and crying. Becca cried knowing her prayer was answered. #7. Almost 6 years younger than Tom. Believe me, all those "Oh Yucks" changed by the time you were born. Everyone was so excited...we couldn't wait. You decided to come 3 weeks early.

Katie, honestly from a mommy's heart, you were the most beautiful baby I've ever seen. Your face was perfectly round and beautiful...I told everyone. I can remember seeing you and you took my breath away. I Love You.

For dessert I am making a Chocolate cake with icing. Cake:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Egg-Free-Dairy-Free-Nut-Free-Cake/Detail.aspx?prop31=4

I double the recipe for 9x13 pan greased and floured. I sometimes use: white whole wheat flour, always less sugar, diary-free http://www.sunspire.com/ chocolate chips (today I used their rich dark chocolate 100% diary free / gluten freee chocolate bar (YUM!). I cut it into pieces, and instead of all water I use half water and half soy chocolate milk. I usually have to bake it longer.
The icing for today I used another recipe from www.allrecipes.com also.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Wedding-Cake-Icing/Detail.aspx

I made the whole recipe changing the water to soy milk and NO almond extract that was called for.

Today seems like it is going to be beautiful. Ed's off and driving the bus for church and we are here getting ready to go to church. I really can't wait to get there today. There is nothing special going on but I just love being there. The girls are actually sitting all dressed, watching a tv show, and just waiting to leave.

I have had a few people on my heart this weekend. One family is from church, I just woke up yesterday praying for them. Last night I read Rachael's family's online journal and they are gong through such a hard time. They miss her so much. I honestly cannot comprehend losing one of my children. Her friend Anna is missing her so much also. Gracie (little note on the right sidebar), is coming to the end of her chemo. Her mom's recent journal page says she has a fever and she needed another blood transfusion. I am one that wants to take away everyone's pain and sadness but knowing I'm not the one, Jesus is, I just keep praying.

Tomorrow is Katie's 5th birthday. I can't believe it. She is so excited that she is going to be the big "5". I have to find her vegan chocolate chips for her cake...which is very good by the way. :) We ran out and the store didn't have any as of Thursday. They had one package which I used. (I wasn't thinking.) I'll have to post some pictures of Katie tomorrow.

Have a good day.
Margarete

"Pocket Chart" for artist cards or other items

Today I hung up 6 page protectors and used them for "pocket charts" for artist cards. Just slide the pictures in. I have many of the 'Mommy, It's a Renoir!' pictures and I've been wanting to display them. They are at the eye level of Katie and Ana so they do not have to stand on a chair. Tom can just sit on the floor. :)

For an idea, you could probably get a large piece of material and "sew the page protectors on. Use a single hole punch and punch 2 extra holes along with the ones already there. position them on the fabric and sew in and out. to reninforce you could turn the top of the page protectors over once. Also, cut a hole on each side of the top so you can hang it over a door. You probably have to reinforce these. The "title page protector can probably be cut and sewn. Just leave a side open.

I think I might run out to Walmart and get a cheap piece of material.

Hope this helps someone. :)

More Pictures of our fun at Kids Castle

There are swings there and more area to play. The creek was behind the play area. I guess you could pretend it was the moat. :)

Yesterday my washer broke. We bought this in January. A Whirlpool top loader. The motor went...already! Believe me, I was not to happy when I heard this. We paid almost $1,000.00 for this. Thankfully we have warranties. The only thing is, I will not be able to wash clothes until Monday. Ugh! Now, My neighbor has been doing my laundry for me all day. I am so thankful for her. We have 10 people home. Bob will be going to visit his fiancee' for a few days so I won't have to do his. Eddie took his to the laundramat.
On the good side, we went and walked around a pond while the boys and Ed went shooting. We took some nice pictures and the girls just enjoyed the quiet...so did I.
Tom has been doing his Latin and Becca has started some of her school work. It just seems that as soon as we started we got alot of interruptions. I'm going to have to pray that this stops.
Well, we are starting to get alot of zucchini so I'm thinking of baking on Friday. Some or most of the kids will be going up the mountains with Ed so I can use that day to bake away...Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread...YUM!!

First Day of School?

Today we are starting The Narrow Way for Devotions and Latin. Maybe I will get a few more "classes" in. It's time to start because the kids seem so bored. Actually, I am excited to start. I have all these books sitting here waiting to be read...I love books! Katie and Ana are started to also. I'm proud of Katie. For quite awhile she had no interest and could not sit still, now she will ask to read and she is trying to read. I'm sure Ana will be right behind her.

One prayer request for Jessica (a teen) from church. She was hit by a car and lost 4 teeth. As of yesterday she went into surgery to try to get them back in. From my understanding she is ok, just waiting for a few more tests.

Have a beautiful day everyone and hopefully I can update later today about our 1st day back!

Marinaded London Broil Dinner (Happy Birthday, Ed)

It was Ed's birthday this week so we are celebrating today.

Tonight we will be having London Broil marinaded with this recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Puerto-Rican-Garlic-Marinade/Detail.aspx; and sweet and hot sausage.

With it, we will have grilled baked potatoes, salad with croutons, raisins, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, sunflower seeds and dressing. We usually like Ranch or Italian.

For dessert I am making a Chocolate cake with icing. Cake: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Egg-Free-Dairy-Free-Nut-Free-Cake/Detail.aspx I double the recipe for 9x13 pan greased and floured. I sometimes use: white whole wheat flour, always less sugar, diary-free http://www.sunspire.com/ chocolate chips, and instead of all water I use half water and half soy chocolate milk. I usually have to bake it longer.
the icing for today I used: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Wedding-Cake-Icing/Detail.aspx ; I used 1/2 of the recipe.

Have you had your crude oil today?

I was reading our town's weekly paper this morning when I saw the headline ADHD..linked to food additives. Of course I read it. I never ever knew the food dyes Red #40 and Yellow #5 (and probably the others) were made from crude oil. Oh, how tasty. Yum....Yes, I'm being sarcastic. Why in the world would we want that in our food??? Why would the government want this in "their" food? This is amazing. Even though I have cut out MANY food items in our household I don't think the 'red candy fish' are going to be looking very yummy anymore. Even for the little times we eat them.
No wonder, children can't sit still, think straight, run all over, feel sick, etc. Our bodies are toxic.
So, have you had your crude oil today?
This is a site listed in the articule for information and assistance....I have not used this particular diet but we have eliminated many foods including some fruits and vegetables especially for our daughter. http://www.adhddiet.org/

Crazy Blog

I know my blog seems a little crowded but I have so much to share! I hope something I have posted will help someone.

I DELETED ALL MY FRIENDS/PRAYER LIST!!

Ugh! I deleted them all by mistake. Now I have to find all their names again. Ugh!

Robert Kennedy Jr. and Autism

http://autismparents.net/robert-kennedy-jr-and-the-autismvaccine-coverup/

OUR GARDEN

Here is the garden Ed planted. It's not to big. Ed didn't want to start one but I begged and I guess with the food prices he changed his mind. :)

We have 2 kinds of tomatoes, cucumbers, zuccini and green beans.

The cucumbers are growing very fast and the zucchinis are beginning to grow. The tomatoes are taking their time.

We will probably have peppers and other things next year.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

JUST A PRETTY PICTURE FOR THE DAY

Homeschool Family

I have been thinking. I am so glad to be part of the "homeschooling family." Everyone is loving, caring, and I think would try to do anything for you. I believe if we didn't homeschool almost 8 years ago, I wouldn't know about all the people who need prayers, help etc. I would be sitting in the comfort of my church and home just thinking of my immediate surroundings not the people hours or days or weeks away. Since the accident with Rachael Kligmann I have really realized the need to pray with all your heart, soul, and mind. My Ben and Becca have been away all week and boy I cannot wait until they get home and I can hug/see them.

As I was putting Ana to bed last night, I was sitting on the floor next to her (she has a small toddler bed so the floor is as comfortable as I get :) ), I pulled open the curtain and watched beautiful fireworks over the houses. I sat there and thought at how we were all celebrating the 4th of July and there is a family who is grieving over the loss of their child. BUT, I then thought that heaven and the angels and especially God were rejoicing over the entrance of Rachael into heaven...her heavenly home. That must be a sight to see when someone goes home.

I've been thinking/pondering about how fragile life is and at anytime we could be taken from this earth. I am ok with knowing that I would immediately go to Jesus. I would miss everyone here but, I have no fear. How about you??

Rachael has passed away

Written by Rachael's Mom:
Quote:
Our sweet little girl Rachael Emily died at 11:50 pm on July 2, 2008.She is at home with the Lord and we are not. We don't know how to go on. But we will find a way. We will somehow find a new way to do everything with a hole in our family, right in the middle.Rachael died very peacefully and 2 someones tonight are in the middle of receiving lifesaving kidneys. I hope someday to know who they are.We don't know when a funeral will be yet.We just want to finally sleep now that she is finally okay. We will face tomorrow when it comes.

Oh, how my heart aches for this family. I do not even know them. I did get a note out to them which probably will arrive today or tomorrow. Now I have to let my Becca know. She is at camp and she is going to be heartbroken. She had told me (before she left for camp), that she will save Rachael's last e-mail forever.

These verses are for Rachael's family:

John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Also, as I just typed this my husband called to say that my son got in an accident and his truck is totaled. He is ok.

To Rachael's family:

Your Purple Princess is with the Lord now and someday when we all walk into heaven we will see her and her beautiful purple crown. A crown of royalty...a princess.

I think I will go now and cry.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

PLEASE READ PRAYER REQUEST BELOW...THANKS!

PLEASE PRAY FOR RACHAEL

Becca talks with a girl (Rachael) on a homeschool board. We found out that Rachael was riding her bike and she hit a car. She was not wearing a helmet. The last post was that she moved her head and arms. She is "VERY" badly hurt. Please, please keep her in your prayers!

Dear Heavenly Father,
We know that we are all sinners saved by grace and that you do not even have to listen to us. But, by the saving grace of Jesus Christ you have allowed us to talk to you, fellowship with you. We come to you now for healing for Rachael. She's a 12 year old girl who is very sick/hurt. We know that you are an awesome God and that your power is something that we can't even imagine. We pray that all that is done and all that will happen with Rachael will be for your glory. Thank you, In the name of Jesus, Amen.


PSALM 91:4 HE SHALL COVER THEE WITH HIS FEATHERS, AND UNDER HIS WINGS SHALT THOU TRUST...

I checked the last message on the homeschool board today, July 2, and it says that the MRI that Rachael had ..."The MRI results were very hard".