One Project to the Next

Our garden was overrun with lots of tall, hardy weeds. After we planted we got some rain, and since I was feeling so icky, the weeding got wayyyyy behind. After a week of intense weeding, we found the vegetable plants, and this was the pleasing result:




The VERY SAME day we got done catching up in the garden, this was delivered:



That would be 15 cords of wood for us this winter! The children were all excited then suddenly something dawned it all has to be stacked! The outcry in the house went from "oh goodie, they delivered the wood" to "OH NO... Do we have to stack it?".

On the note of the wood, it is seasoned, already cut wood. Already it has gone up $150 from last year for the load! I shudder to think what fuel oil is going to be like this winter. Ack!

Is There Any Sound So Wonderful?

We heard the baby's heart beat yesterday at my MW appt. It took a little hunting to find it since the baby kept moving around, but we were both determined to outguess the baby.

That was the hightlight of the appt., the boring stuff like blood pressure, weight gain, urine test, etc, were all normal. :)

It is weird how even after hearing the heartbeat this pregnancy still seems surreal to me. Maybe once I start feeling movement then I will be able to realize it more. Of course, when the baby is born, that will REALLY make it real! ;)

Yesterday we went to the VBS closing program at a neighboring church. The children had gone every night (except Wednesday, of course). I thought I would be very green by the time we got home after being out most of the late afternoon, but it wasn't too bad, and I was grateful. Perhaps that is testimony to the all day sickness being on its way out. More likely a testiment of God giving strength when needed.

Freebie Crowned With Silver

I have enjoyed this magazine for years. A couple years ago they switched to a free download for the magazine. It only comes out once in a while, but well worth the wait! Lots of articles on homemaking, marriage, child rearing, heirloom recipes, from older godly ladies. Some articles were written decades ago. What a gem! Here is the link:

Crowned With Silver

This is OUTRAGEOUS!

PushNews from The Big Push for Midwives Campaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, June 16, 2008

Father Knows Best Meets Big Brother Is Watching

Physician Group Seeks to Outlaw Home Birth—Is Jail for Moms Next?
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 16, 2008)—Just in time for Father’s Day, at its annual meeting last weekend, the American Medical Association (AMA) adopted a resolution to introduce legislation outlawing home birth, and potentially making criminals of the mothers who choose home birth with the help of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) for their families.

“It’s unclear what penalties the AMA will seek to impose on women who choose to give birth at home, either for religious, cultural or financial reasons—or just because they didn’t make it to the hospital in time,” said Susan Jenkins, Legal Counsel for The Big Push for Midwives 2008 campaign.

“What we do know, however, is that any state that enacts such a law will immediately find itself in court, since a law dictating where a woman must give birth would be a clear violation of fundamental rights to privacy and other freedoms currently protected by the U.S. Constitution.”

Until the AMA proposed ‘Resolution 205 on Home Deliveries,’ no state had considered legislation forcing women to deliver their babies in the hospital or limiting the choice of birth setting.

Instead, states have regulated the types of midwives that may legally provide care. Currently, 22 states already license and regulate CPMs, who specialize in out-of-hospital maternity care and have received extensive training to qualify as experts in the types of risk assessment and preventive care necessary for safe and high quality care for women who choose give birth at home.

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), who are trained primarily as hospital-based providers, are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The resolution did not offer any science-based information for the AMA’s anti-midwife or anti-home birth position.

“Maternity care is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States,” said Steff Hedenkamp, Communications Coordinator for The Big Push for Midwives. “So it’s no surprise to see the AMA join the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in its ongoing fight to corner the market and ensure that the only midwives able to practice legally are hospital-based midwives forced to practice under physician control. I will say, though, that I’m shocked to learn that the AMA is taking this turf battle to the next level by setting the stage for outlawing home birth itself—a direct attack on those families who choose home birth, who could be subject to criminal prosecution if the AMA has its way.”

The Big Push for Midwives (http://www.TheBigPushforMidwives.org) is a nationally coordinated campaign organized to advocate for regulation and licensure of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs)in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and to push back against the attempts of the American Medical Association to deny American families access to safe and legal midwifery care.

(NOTE: This was copy and pasted from the original source, quoted above.)

12 Weeks!

Actually, I am almost 13 weeks. The first trimester is over, yay! However, my all day sickness is not. I usually go almost 16 weeks with it, though the last couple weeks are much easier.

I am feeling frustrated today as I am seeing all manner of jobs that need to be done around the house that I can't do yet. The ironing pile is huge, I need to catch up on some folding, the mending pile is growing, the sewing list is impressive, and I haven't been able to touch it, the garden needs attention, the basement needs cleaning, the list goes on and on. I have the desire to do things, just not the "toomph" to do it. I have some projects I want to start, and I want to get school stuff organized for the next term, and I still have to finish quarterly reports and send in the IHIP form, but I can't even get caught up on the basics, nevermind anything else. The children do help, which is probably why anything gets done, but they can't do everything.

I am also finding that grieving and pregnancy can go hand in hand. I've had a few bouts of the "boohoo's" but nothing bad. Just a nice release, really. We are still waiting on Aaron's headstone. I don't expect it to be done for another couple weeks.

As far as herbals and supplements I am taking wild yam root, 3 tablets, 3 times a day. It is supposed to help with the nausea, which it does. At least I can keep food down. I am also taking a multivitamin, and a vitamin B supplement, and one baby aspirin a day.

I can't drink just plain water right now, but when I can, it will be with chlorophyll in it. I will also start some pregnancy tea that has red raspberry and nettles, amongst other healthful things in it.

I have my next appoint a week from Friday with the midwife. I will be about 14 weeks then, and hopefully we'll be able to hear the heartbeat!

Last weekend we went to a Home Birth picnic and met lots of other homebirthers in the area. It is nice to know that we aren't weird or bizarre with our desire for homebirths. We could only stay a couple hours, but I was glad that we made the effort to go.

Article on Homeschooling

Homeschoolers Threaten Our Cultural Comfort

A friend of mine brought this to my attention. I thought it was interesting!

Rains on the Just and the Unjust

I cannot believe the rain the Midwest is getting! I have heard reports from some of the ladies out there and my heart and prayers go out to them. I wish there was some way we could take a storm or two from them. We actually need rain here! We aren't in a drought, but we are very dry.

We had a little water scare the other day. I went to rinse something in the kitchen and there was no water. Ack! Talk about panic. It was one of those really hot and humid days. Come to find out the pressure thingie on the pump stuck. The only fix it needed was a whack with the butt of a screwdriver to kick it back into functionality. Whew!

Today is the second day in a row where we haven't needed the AC on! It is about 78 degrees. Yesterday got up to 82, and I remember thinking, "wow, I wonder what the dew point is, it feels so dry." When I checked, it was 63! You know it is bad when you think a dp of 63 is low. I haven't checked for today, but it feels at least what it was yesterday, if not a little lower. Tomorrow is supposed to be 90 again, with Tstorms at some point. Then back down to 80 the next day, and even in the mid 70's next week some.

This morning I pushed things a bit to get a few things done. I altered the swim dress patterns after chores were done. By the time that was completed it really knocked me out and I had to lay down. I realized this morning that the material I have for the swim dresses is green. Hardy har har. Maybe I will start cutting them out tomorrow. I will try to do, say one a day, if I can. I tend to get going on it and want to get it all done. Oops! I believe Dale told me this morning to don't over do, and don't push?

The garden is still in need of some serious weeding. After the littles are up from naps I plan on taking them outside and letting them play in the sprinkler. I *might" sneak over and pull a few weeks. My poor veggies are getting choked out!

Oh yeah, don't forget, Sunday is Father's Day.

Bright ideas and NO ambition

After being in the 90's with HIGH humidity since last Friday, we are enjoying a little break. 80's today, though still humid. We turned off the AC last night and threw open the windows and fanned in fresh, cool overnight air. I love the AC, don't get me wrong, but I prefer fresh air when the weather allows.

I woke up this morning thinking I need to address the girls "swim dress" situation very soon. Jerusha needs a couple more play outfits too. So yesterday I did some digging and found an appropriate, easy pattern. It is an A-line dress, and I will make bloomers to go with them for playing in the water. I had intended to use lycra, but that is too spendy for us right now, so I will use some poly/cottom material I got on sale last fall.

I need to alter the pattern slightly. My girls run long and lanky for their age. I was going to do that this morning, but after hanging the laundry I wandered out to the garden, noticing it needs weeding badly. I had intended on shooeing everyone out so we could work on it, but when I got back in I felt rather nauseous, so decided I better lay down on the couch for a while. That worked out well as some of the children were still working on chores, and Esther was reading to Jerusha.

I just finished "A Whisper in the Dark" by Louisa May Alcott. Very good read! I guess my ambitions for today are "surving" not "thriving". LOL. At least I figured out what I need to do with those swim dresses! That is half the work .

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Oooh, this is gooooood! My mom discovered this recipe by Rachel Ray.

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
salt and black pepper
1/2 tsp. allspice (eyeball it)
4 cloves garlic chopped
1 large onion, cut into bite sized dice
3 green bell peppers, seeded and cut into bite sized dice
1 bay leaf
1 quart chicken stock
1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz.)
1 cup Orzo pasta
12-15 basil leaves, shredded OR torn
Grated Parmigiano Reggiano, to pass at table

Heat a medium soup pot over medium-high heat with the EVOO. When the EVOO is hot, add beef and season with salt, black pepper, and allspice. Brown the meat for 5 minutes then add garlic, onion, peppers and bay leaf. Cook for 7-8 minutes, until tender.

Stir in stock and tomatoes, and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook to al dente, 7 to 8 minutes. Turn off heat. Fold in basil.

Serve in bowls with grated cheese.

(We doubled this recipe and it made enough for two meals. We served fresh homemade whole wheat bread with butter with it. Bon apetit!)

OOPS!

I can admit when I am wrong. I did some checking on the info about the Obama post I made earlier. I guess you really can't believe everything you read! Here is what I found out.

Most disturbingly, was that the quote about changing the greatest nation was NOT said by Obama. According to Snopes, it was said by McCain! What???? You have to read it to believe it. But it is taken out of context, so it isn't what you think.
I admit it.. my bad, I should have checked this out before posting.

The picture that has been circulating with Obama NOT saluting the flag is TRUE, according to Snopes. They even saw a video tape of the whole thing. Not once, during the anthem did Obama salute.

The article I posted is undetermined... Snopes had nothing on it. I did check out the sites my commenters recommended, and came up with one for and one against.

So, if the article about his explanation is NOT true, the question still stands, Why didn't Obama salute during the national anthem? I still don't trust him as far as I could throw him, and he gives me the willies.

Obama's Explanation? And a Quote

Hot on the heels of his explanation for why he no longer wears a flag pin, presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama was asked to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played. According to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171, During rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart.

"As I've said before about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides," Obama said. "There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial, and less bellicose. I like the song, 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it."

(IS HE KIDDING??? AND HE IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT!!!)

Many thought he was a lightweight, but from his own mouth he says he doesn't want to take sides for the USA? How can he be President if he thinks of the American flag as a symbol of oppression, and he can't respect our national anthem and what the words represent? This radical liberal is not in touch with the American people if he believes the American people would EVER consider changing the national anthem to his choice of 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing'. He apparently wants to salute a song but not the country's flag. This guy is a danger to all! Please forward this to as many as you can. Everyone needs to see through his light airy tones and charismatic personality. Maybe THIS is part of what he meant about 'change'?


Dumbest Quote of the Century:

'My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it.'

- Barack Obama




(Thanks to my Dad who sent this email)

Our New Addition

No.. not talking about a baby. My sweet honey brought this wonderful thing home the other day!



That would be a AC unit that kicks out 12000 BTU's. It is for the living room and kitchen area. Woohoo! It isn't "see your breath" type of temp, but when it is almost 100 out and only 75 in, with dryer air, you can really tell the difference! What a relief during these past few days when it has been in the 90's and very humid.

School is over!... Or is it?

After weeks of hearing the children say, "Only thus and such more days until we are done!" we are finished. Our official last day was May 30th. Of course, with all the company we have had, they have been distracted.

This morning is really the first "free" day we have had, and guess what they were playing?

Yup... "School". Elizabeth was the teacher, her desk made from my piano bench. She even got out a couple teacher's books and was hearing recitation from Benjamin, and assigning math problems.

I guess they miss it more than they thought. :)

17 Years of Marital Bliss

There is a saying that there is no such thing as a perfect marriage. Where did that come from? I beg to differ.

I was thinking about this yesterday (our 17th anniversary) and wondered WHY can't we say we have a perfect marriage? To be honest, there is nothing in our marriage that I would want to change, unless it is the natural growth of spirit and maturity that only time can produce.

That aside, I have to say, the Lord has blessed me with a wonderful, godly man, who loves our children, is a wonderful daddy, and a terrific husband. I cannot think of a thing that I would change, really!

I am not saying that he is perfect, or I am perfect, or that we have "arrived" in anyway. I am saying that the journey we are travelling together has been a blessing, even in hard times. I believe wherein lies our imperfections, God's perfection has shown through.

That is why I question the saying that "no marriage is perfect". God put us together. God is perfect, is He not? Our marriage is not perfect because of us, but because of Him, in His wisdom, mercy, grace. I do not say our marriage is perfect as boasting, for in this day and age where divorce is rampant, and families falling apart left and right, I am extremely grateful for how the Lord has worked in our lives.

The past 17 years hasn't been without our patches of growth, of bumpy waters, and troubled times. But those situations have brought us closer to each other and God. When I say we have a perfect marriage, I am saying that God has matched us perfectly to each other.

17 years and counting... it just gets "gooder and gooder"!

Playing Catch Up

The last few weeks around here have been very busy. We have completed school for now, Yay! Actually, I miss the morning routine we had going. The kids don't. :) I just need to do up the quarterly reports, and send in an IHIP form for next term.

We had our End of the Year recital/ Birthday Bash on the 31st. It went well, and we enjoyed having a house full of company. My brother and his family were here for several days, and we appreciated the time we had with them.

We finally finished planting our vegetable garden last night. Whew! We are looking at a heat wave coming in here today and over the weekend and wanted to get it in before then. The only problem is that the squash got planted next to the pumpkins, which is a No-no, since they cross polinate and make gourds. So, we decided we would dig up the pumpkin seeds and plant them around the house, maybe.

On a more personal note, we found out we are expecting our 8th blessing. I also found out while my brother was here that my sis in law is expecting too, just a week or two ahead of me. Seems to be a baby boom this December! I had an ultrasound to make sure we had a somewhat accurate date for the EDD. Everything looks good. In fact, the baby looked like he was waving to us.

In the meantime I am feeling the usual all day sickness, though it doesn't seem as bad this time as last. Perhaps it is due to having some hormones left over from Aaron, I don't know. I can't do much, but I seem to be tolerating it better.

The same day I had the ultrasound, we went and picked out Aaron's headstone. It was kind of a wierd day, to say the least. It will take about a month for it to get done and set. I will post a pic after it is completed.

My mom has been here all this week which has been a huge blessing! She has been doing a lion's share of the cooking. It is much easier to eat if I don't have to cook it! She made a "stuffed pepper soup" last night which was very tastey. I will post the recipe tomorrow.

So, there we are! Never a dull moment around here, as you can tell.