Chicken Watching

This is the day that the Lord has made

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Today was so beautiful!  We can't get over this weather.  Will and I gave the chickens some grass and watched them for awhile and enjoyed the warm sunshine.

Game Night

If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, 

you can say to this mountain,

'Moe from here to there' and it will move.

Nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 17:21

Tonight the littles fell asleep early so Billy and I and the big girls played Clue.  I love this game and the girls did too.  Suzannah got the hang of it and Molly Beth was my helper.  Billy is a force to be reckoned with!!  He beat us badly.  I have a feeling there will be a request for a rematch.  :)

Fun Daddy

A wise son heeds his father's instruction

Prov. 13:1

I love watching Billy roll around on the floor with the kids.  And if he EVER gets on the floor, he's free game so that is exactly what he ends up doing.  This afternoon he laid on the floor while all the big kids were playing outside.  Will crawled all over him and laughed and laughed.  It warmed my heart so much.

 Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

Samuel; 16:7

 

l

 Little Miss Independent!  From birth this girl has liked to do things by herself!!!!  She has decided that I may not fix her hair anymore.  So this is how she walks around now.  Clip right on the top of her hair accomplishing nothing productive...but reminding me that she is her own person....and I am vain, ;)

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment,

such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.

Instead, it should be that of our inner self,

the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,

which is of great worth in God's sight.

1 Peter 3:3-4

The girls got a surprise package in the mail today!  Grams had made them all nightgowns for Christmas but ended up not being pleased w/ how they fit.  So she took them home and ended up making them different ones.  The girls LOVED them and couldn't wait to wear them to bed :)

Winter Birds

Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young-

a place near your alrat,

O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;

they are ever praising you.

Psalm 84:3

This is the only picture I took today.  I took it b/c I try to document our school year with photos.  It's not the best, but we did have a lot of fun learning about winter birds and what each animal does when winter arrives.  They kids worked so diligently on their mobiles.  I am always proud when I see them working hard.

Debilitated

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

 

We were outside and Suzannah fell and bruised and scrapped her knee.  It was so bad she couldn't walk on it.  We won't be able to go to ELO tomorrow and we aren't sure if she'll be able to go to basketball practice Thursday.  :(  She's been sitting on the couch reading all afternoon w/ a sad face.  Hopefully if she rests she'll be ready for her game on Saturday.

Racoon

Humble yourselves before the Lord,

and he will lift you up.

 James 4:10

We have a chicken pen and coop that is fenced in.  This is where we keep most of our chicken.  But we also have a chicken tractor that Billy moves every day that has chickens in it as well.  Lately we've been losing chickens from the tractor.  Once something had taken the lid off and grabbed one.  Billy clamped the lid, but the next morning there was a headless chicken in the tractor b/c something had reached in and tried to pull it out.  We borrowed some live traps to catch whatever varmint was killing our birds.  This morning b/f he left for work Billy went out to check the traps.  Victory.  A big and beautiful coon was in there.  The kids thought it was great!  Until they discovered the fate of this poor coon.  The traps owner is hoping to have a coon skin hat!

Two Wheels

You are not your own;

you've been bought at a price.

Therefore honor God with your body.

1 Cor. 6:20

 

We love lazy Sundays!!!  Billy and I just hung out and watched a movie this afternoon while the kids played outside.  Jack was busy out there mastering riding w/o training wheels.  We had them off awhile back, but he was needing help starting so we eventually put them back on so that he could be more independent.  But they are off for good now!  He even said, "I'm so impressed w/ myself!"  We are too  :)

Dinner with Friends

I will trust in the LORD

because  of his righteousness

and will sing praise to the name

of the LORD Most High.

Psalm 7:17

 
This evening we were invited over to some friends house for dinner.  We always have so much fun at the Akins.  They are just natural hosts.  I so admire their ability to have company so frequently and just be so laid back.  They girls gabbed and the boys played poker.  We finally rounded up the kiddos after Billy won everyone's poker chips!  Ha!  Too bad it wasn't cash!

Abbey's Party

The LORD your God is with you,

he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zeph. 3:17

The girls were invited to a birthday party tonight.  They have been looking forward to it for weeks!!!  My parents backyard neighbors have two girls each one year older than our big girls.  The younger one, Abbey, turned 8 and invited Suzannah and Molly Beth to her "Dance Party" birthday.  All the kids like to play together so Jack was heart broken that he couldn't go. :(  They had so much fun!  And Jack survived.  They brought back a ton of party favors for him.

Yard Onions

Show me your ways, O LORD,

teach me your paths;

guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:4-5

The kids have discovered the fun of scavenging for "food."  They gathered a bunch of acorns and yard onions.  The yard onions are plentiful around here!  One they pulled up was BIG and had green on it as long as Jack!

Omni Pods

For I know the plans I have for you,

declares the LORD, plans to prosper you

and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

When we got home from ELO today we had a package on the front portcg.  You'd have thought it was Christmas presents!  Suzannah's Pods had arrived.  We ran out yesterday so she can't put a new Pod on ubtil tomorrow.  This has been a great reminder of what a blessing the OmniPod is!!!

Chamber of Commerce Banquet

Many waters cannot quench love;

rivers cannot wash it away.

Song of Soloman 8:7

Billy and I got a nice evening out.  The Chamber of Commerce had their annual banquet.  It was a nice dinner and a great speaker.  We were able to visit with Billy's boss and his wife and had a good time.

An Egg in the Hand...

Better is one handful with tranquility

than two handfuls with toil

and chasing after the wind.

Ecc. 4:6

Our chickens have been molting.  It feels like forever since we've gotten eggs!  We have given them their God-given rest period but have been anxiously awaiting some farm fresh goodness.  This morning Jack and Charley Kate were heading outside and there was a terrible racket coming from the chicken coop.  Jack was afraid something was attacking them, but from one "momma hen" to another, I recognized the sound of "birth"!!  HA!  A little while later Suzannah came in with this.  Yay!  We can't wait till they are all laying again.

Upwards

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity

among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the  God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5-6

 

Suzannah and Billy are doing Upwards basketball again this year.  Basketball is totally Suzannah's thing.  She LOVES it!  Upwards is a great place to learn it.  She continues to improve.  This years she's really trying to figure out defense.  Wanting to be aggressive and competitive but learning how NOT to foul is what she's learning right now.  ;)

Happy Birthday Mom

Let your gentleness be evident to all.

Phil. 4: 5

Today was my Mom's birthday.  We had been out of town all day, but got back in just in time to celebrate w/ her.  We went to the Chinese buffet and then home for birthday pie!!!  Happy Birthday to my favorite woman in the world!!!!

Awards Night

Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.

They do it to get a crown that will not last;

but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

1 Cor. 9:25

Tonight we drove to Dallas for an awards ceremony.  Team Suzy Q received two awards for fundraising from the walk back in October.  Suzannah was so excited and felt so special!  She knew that she was getting The Golden Sneaker, but the 7th place plaque for most money raised was a complete surprise.  She had a ball!

Socks

How beautiful are the feet of those

who bring good news!

Romans 10:15

It's so funny how fads and trends come back into style.  The trend for little girls right now is to wear unmatching socks.  I remember when that was cool when I was about Suzannah's age.  So fun that the 80's are all the rage...but some things from the 80's will hopefully stay there!  :)

Learning Together

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for our souls./  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:29-30

I had plans for Charley Kate to do her own thing on her blanket for school, but she wants to do what Jack is doing so badly...and she actually CAN!  She is such a smart little thing and so impressive w/ her fine motors so I let her.  They do school together now....and it's actually easier on me!

Puddle Jumpin'

 With joy you will draw water

from the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 12:3

 Today was the our first day back to school since first trimester so the kids were feeling very motivated!  Everyone was done and ready to go out and play at 10:30 (Suzannah had only completed her morning work) but it was rainy.  The weather wasn't too cold so I decided to let them go play in the rain.  Jack stepped in a puddle so deep that it filled his boots.  He then became a walking puddle himself!!!  ;)

Mr. Popper's Penguins

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself

through love.

Gal. 5:6b

In December we read Mr. Poppers penguins.  It was a fun little book.  Billy surprised the kids by picking up the movie from Red Box on our way home from Sam's.  The movie was fun and we all enjoyed, but everyone was in agreement that the book was much better!

Library Books

...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 

and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance;

and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness;

and to brotherly kindness love.

2 Peter 1: 5-8

We had a nice Saturday.  We love going to the Library as a family.  So, after a special treat of going out for donuts we headed to check out some books.  A homeschooling family of 7 usually comes home w/ close to 50 books!  The challenge is getting them all turned back in ;)

Wooo Pigs

I will lie down and sleep in peace,

for you alone, O LORD,

make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

Friday night was the big game.  Arkansas vs. Kansas.  We watched the first half at my parents house and enjoyed my Dad's amazing burgers and then headed home to put the kids to bed and finish the game.

Park Day

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me,

and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

I was debating between posting this picture or a picture of my jury summons for today...that I opened last night, but in the end cuteness won.  We went to the park this afternoon w/ some friends and the weather was beautiful.  Almost too hot!  What at crazy January!

Little Chefs

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Cor. 10:31

All of my children love to cook.  If someone is cooking, they want to be in the kitchen.  We eat at my parents house every Wednesday night.  Tonight my Mom made our FAVORITE, Thai soup.  She had two special helpers.

We're Goin' to tha Zoo, Zoo, Zoo...

The wild animals honor me,

the jackals and the owls,

because I provide water in the desert 

and streams in the wasteland,

to give drink to my people, my chosen,

the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

Isaiah 43: 20-21

While Billy's Mom was here visiting we all went to the Zoo.  The last time we went was when Molly Beth was 3 months old!  We got a Year Pass so maybe we can make up for all the years missed! :)

Going for a Walk

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul

and with all your strength.

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.

Impress them on your children.

Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down and when you get up.

Deut. 6:5-7

 We had a nice day at home today.  Slowly getting back into our rythm.  Habits, chores, play (for now ;).  The weather was chilly but sunny.   We try to go for a walk every day.  This is such a great time to talk to them, and learn about nature and just watch them having fun....oh, and me actually getting out of the house and getting some vitamin D!!!!!

Happy New Year

 Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 

I press on toward the goal to win the prize

for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Phil. 3:13-14

We always have the traditional black eyed peas on New Years.  My Mom makes the best peas south of the Mississippi!!!  And we know how to doctor them up right!  A little mango chutney and pepper sauce, a sprinkling of cornbread and it'll taste so good that if you put it on your head, your tongue would beat your brains out tryin' to get to it!!!  I can't think of a better way to start the year.  Mmm, mmm, good!!!

2012

I have kept journals off and on my whole life...until I had children.  What an awful time to stop recording lifes happenings!!!  The problem is, so often the day is a blur!!!  Well, this is my attempt to take a snippet from every day for an entire year and document our little goings on to help me remember all the precious moments in these precious years w/ 5 children at home.  With 5 kiddos, a little snippet is about as much as I can do!  :)