A Busy Week Around Here

While my blog has been pretty quiet this week, we have been busy with our re-decorating project.  Since Papa doesn't have any outside painting jobs lined up right now, he has had time to do a LOT of painting around here.  I would guess that he has painted nearly 1,000 sq. ft. this past week.  In addition to the main bathroom, he has painted the stairwell, the hallways, the entry, and the kitchen, dining, and living rooms.  Woo Hoo!  I can't wait to show you pictures.  He has also done some trim work ... put up wainscoting ... put up new curtain rods ... and put together 3 new bookshelves for our schoolroom.  Thanks, Papa!!!


Meanwhile, Mama and Hosanna have been busy sorting, organizing, putting the library together, putting together a new end table for the living room, ironing and hanging the new curtains in the living & dining room, decorating, etc ...


We are really enjoying the New Colors & New Style of our not-so-new house.


Pictures coming soon ... when I get some things hung on the walls.




Oh yes ... in the midst of all of the re-decorating ... we are also keeping quite busy with our homeschooling, our homeschool enrichment classes, piano lessons, etc ...  Honestly, our homeschooling is more organized and scheduled this year than it has ever been.  Yes.  Ever. After many, many years of homeschooling with babies, toddlers, and kids that can't read ... this year I am really able to focus on "just" the 6 homeschooling kids we have at home.  No babies.  No toddlers.  No non-readers.  Wow!  It's amazing how much more can be accomplished (although, I absolutely LOVED having babies and toddlers and non-readers around all of those years).  Yes.  Homeschooling is really going well ... and we are MUCH enjoying our new designated "classroom" (rather than all homeschooling taking place at the dining table).


Off to more organizing and putting things away.  Excited to put the 3 bookshelves into place that Papa put together this afternoon ... and get more books organized.  Oh yes!

A Weekend Away

Some friends invited us to their house in Oregon 

last weekend, and we had a GREAT time!

We had a BEAUTIFUL drive along the 

Columbia River Gorge.

Papa and the Young Ones went downtown to PLAY

on Saturday, and Hosanna had FUN 

with Mama's Camera.

They found a cool, old train to play on.

Elijah enjoyed some FOOTBALL FUN.

Mama enjoyed time with friends.  

Oh. So. Good.  

Mama met "C" at Family Camp 5 years ago,

and we renewed our friendship last month

when we went to camp for Labor Day Wknd.

("C" and her family invited us to their house.)

Mama met "J" at Family Camp 15 years ago.

We were good friends for a few years,

as we lived pretty close to each other.

We had lost touch about 6 or 7 years ago,

after moving away.

"J" is "C"s older sister, and "C"s daughters

invited "J" and a daughter to also come

for a visit this weekend to surprise "C" for "C"s birthday.

It was WONDERFUL to spend time with "J" again.

Mama met "A" at Family Camp 13 years ago.

We have seen each other at camp on and off

through the years, but haven't really been in 

touch the past few years.  "A" is a friend of "C"s.

and lives in the same town.  So, "A" and kids also

came over for "C"s birthday party on Saturday night.

It was truly a BLESSING to spend time

with these 3 PRECIOUS friends.

We chatted ... and prayed 

... and chatted ... and prayed

... and chatted ... and prayed.

Oh.  My.  Yes.


I think I got more hugs from friends this weekend,
than I've had in the whole last year combined.
I am BLESSED with several very special
long-distance friendships, but don't get face-time
with friends very often.

Thank You JESUS for these Friendships!!!

We all had a good laugh on Sunday 

when I came to a strange realization ...

J & C are sisters.

They are both ... 

"Mothers of Large Families".

J has 7 children (ages 15-32).

C has 5 children (ages 13-19).

When their families are together,

they have 12 cousins in a 19 year age span.

I have 12 children in an 18 year age span.

1 Large Family + 1 Large Family = 1 Big D. Family

Selling My Seriously Pampered Ford Focus Station Wagon

1 Owner

5 Speed Manual

33-35 MPG (freeway)

75,XXX Low Miles

Special Blog Price

$5,500

For the past 8 years, while our lives were

centered around a 6 block radius,

Papa & Mama each had a little Focus

for our run-a-bout car,

and the Big Van for family outings.

Now, however, Mama is driving her new

Dream Machine filled with kids everywhere,

and we don't need both of our

little run-a-bouts.

So, we are selling Mama's Little Focus,

that she has totally pampered

since buying it new in 2003.

Let me know if you are looking for a

great little car with ...

...  low miles

... excellent gas mileage

...  lots of cargo space

...  a roof rack

...  power windows

...  power door locks

...  power mirrors

...  air conditioning

...  CD player

...  no tears, rips, or stains

These 2003 Focus Wagons are selling at the

local dealerships for $7,000 - 8,000.

New Colors ... New Style ... One Room Complete

We have lived in this house for over 9 years,

and it is definitely time for some re-decorating.

Nine years ago, we decorated with bright, "cool" colors.

(colors which I still LOVE, but am ready for a change)

We used lots of bright blues and yellows,

with a country "flower garden" type of theme.

We made a picket fence headboard for our bed,

and used picket fences as "wainscoating" in the entryway.

The exterior of our house was painted bright blue, 

as well, and we really did LOVE it.  

But, 2 years ago when we put the house on the market, 

the realtor told us we had to paint it a more "neutral" color.  

We were seriously sad to say, "Good-bye" 

to our bright blue house.

Now, we are ready for some warm, "country" colors,

which will match the new exterior taupe with red shutters.

One room is COMPLETE.  

YEA!!!

The "Before" Main Bathroom

The "After" Main Bathroom

The small strip above the bathtub,

and the small wall behind the toilet

are painted a chocolate brown for contrast,

while the rest of the walls are "Naturalist Stone".

We bought new towels.

The Guest Towels

because we LOVE to have company.

New Everyday Towels

for Ben & Hosanna.

The Young Ones have White Towels

with their names on them.

And ... because I need something seriously CUTE

in each room, I thought this was a fun place to

keep a few extra matching washcloths.

We bought a new set of shelves to keep the 

new towels on, but found that one piece was

broken when we went to put it together.  So sad.

We also bought a new matching soap dish, etc ...

So FUN to be DONE with ONE room!!!

Papa is hoping to finish painting the

living room, dining room, and kitchen tonight.

Stay tuned for more pics ...

Making Music

When our older kids were growing up, they had an amazing homeschool choir that they were involved in.  The director was fabulous!  Then ... she moved away.  We have really missed the musical opportunities for our younger kids.


Last week, however, the 4 Youngers had a quick glimpse into what it is like to sing under the direction of a fabulous director.  Our "old" choir director was flown in to direct a Children's Choir for our town's 3rd Annual Musical Festival.


The children auditioned in early September.  Then, they received a CD from the director and learned the music at home.


A week ago, the Children's Choir got together for the first time on Saturday.  They rehearsed 3 hours on Saturday ... 1 1/2 hours on Monday ... 1 1/2 hours on Tuesday ... and performed 5 songs on Wednesday at the Opening Concert of the Music Festival.  It really was amazing how quickly this director could pull together a very good choir; and the kids really enjoyed it, too.

There were several groups and performers.

This man is a professor of music in Finland,

and he was an amazing musician.

I'd Like To Introduce ...

Noah David William

(due in March)

Yes ... he will have 3 names plus a last name.

No ... it's not because the proud parents

couldn't agree on a name.

"Why, then?" you ask.

Because each of the 3 names are VERY special ...

each of the 3 names are the names of

3 men who served in the U.S. Army with Gregg ...

each of the 3 men gave the ultimate sacrifice

for their country ... they gave their lives.

Lt. Noah Harris

Sgt. David Salie

Cpl. William Long

Sgt. David Salie was killed in Feb. 2005, 

on the 5th day of Gregg's first deployment.  

His humvee hit an IED.

Gregg has kept in touch with Mrs. Salie and

her 4 children the past 6 years.

1st Lt. Noah Harris was killed in June 2005.

He was in the humvee right in front of Gregg's.

It hit an IED, and Gregg watched his friend die.

Gregg has kept in touch with Noah's parents.

Cpl. William Long was also killed in June 2005.

He was riding in the same humvee as Lt. Harris.

We are honored that Gregg & Kayla would name 

our first grandchild after these 3 men ... 

Men of Honor ...

Heroes ... 

Mrs. Harris was so touched by Gregg's desire to honor Noah in such a way, that she is using this ultrasound picture as her FB Profile Picture.  I nearly cried when I saw it.  Noah (an only child) will never give his mother a son ... but Gregg's son will now be able to proudly carry his name.

Mama's Drive Time

After living on a Blueberry Farm for a couple of years, 
we moved into our "house in town" 9 years ago.  


Our house was in the center of EVERYTHING.  


We lived ...


...  across the street from the Family Doctor.


...  across the street from the Eye Doctor.


...  1 block from Our Church.


...  6 blocks from the 1st Piano Teacher,
     5 blocks from the 2nd Piano Teacher,
     2 blocks from the 3rd Piano Teacher.
     (our teachers kept moving out of town,
      so we had to find new ones)


...  10 blocks from the Dentist.


...  11 blocks from the Library


...  1 block from Mama's Job
     at the Christian bookstore.


...  1 block from Cassie's first job (gift store),
     and her 2nd job (coffee shop),
     and her 3rd job (children's ministry).


...  6 blocks from the School that
     Papa & Mama ran for 5 years.


...  across the street from
     Mama's School Office for 5 years.




Which meant ... we hardly drove ANYWHERE.




The BIG Van sat most of the time, only pulled out to go to track meets, baseball games, and family vacations.  


The past 2 years ... we pretty much stayed home (when we weren't galavanting all around the country on our 5 and 6 week Road Trips).  


We weren't involved in the school anymore.  


We didn't go to Piano lessons (as Teacher #3 moved away).  


Our kids weren't involved in many extra-curricular activities (besides track for Ben and Hosanna in the Spring).




Now ... however ... our world has expanded beyond the city limits of Our Little Town, and Mama spends a LOT of time in the Driver's Seat of her new Dream Machine.


Ben is running Cross Country (after a 2 year hiatus),
which means 1 or 2  weekly meets here, there, and everywhere.


Mama and the 6 kids are involved in a Homeschool Enrichment Program 2 days per week ... which is a 20 minute drive each way (but includes Piano Lessons for Hosanna).


We are now attending a Church in The City ... which is a 20 minute drive each way.


Ben & Hosanna attend the weekly Youth Group ... thus another 20 minute drive each way.




So ... Mama is LOVING her new Driver's Seat.


But ... the gas prices are a bit overwhelming.  (I have to keep reminding myself that the BIG Van mileage was the same; we just didn't do much "around town" driving ... so we didn't have to fill it up weekly.)




We are HAPPY to be expanding our world this year ... 


EXCITED to be involved in more activities ...  


GLAD to be meeting new friends ...  


PAMPERED by the new Dream Machine ...


THANKING JESUS for a New Season of life for our family ... 


and the GIFTS that He has given us.

Mama's Dream Machine

I asked you a couple of weeks ago, in "What Am I?" , if you could guess what Mama is driving now.  Then, life got busy and I forgot to tell you.  Sorry.


Several of you guessed "Suburban", and one of you thought it sounded like a "Hummer".  Stephanie, however, guessed it right ... because it is her Dream Machine, as well.

It looks like a truck.

Check out the fog lights and 

the heavy duty towing rings.

But ... it holds the whole downsized family,

and all of our gear.

LOVE the Monster Mirrors.  Oh yea!

No one hiding in my blind-spot anymore.

Mama is LOVING my 2005 Ford Excursion.

Many people wonder what exactly the difference is 

between an Excursion and a Suburban,

because they are similar in size and shape.

But ... there really is a BIG difference.

Here are the differences,

comparing 2005 4x4 models.

Excursion    vs.    Suburban

             

v10 engine        vs.        v8 engine

226.4" length       vs.       219.3" length

80.2" height        vs.        75.4" height

137.1" wheel base     vs.     130.0" wheel base

146.4 cu. ft. cargo area   vs.  131.6 cu. ft. cargo area

11,000 lb. towing capacity  vs.  8,500 lb. towing capacity

8,900 lb. gross weight     vs.     7,200 lb. gross weight

44 gal. gas tank      vs.     31 gal. gas tank

12/16 mpg. (what we have found)    vs.      13/17 mpg. listed

Basically, an Excursion is a Ford F350 with

passenger seating instead of a truck bed.

So, if you are looking for a BIG Hauling Machine,

that rides MUCH more comfortably than

a BIG Van, I would highly recommend that you

check out an Excursion.

They stopped making the Excursion back in 2005,

so you've got to keep a look out for one with

low miles ... if you plan to drive it another 10 years,

like we do.  We got ours with about 75,000 miles on it.

And, the BONUS of buying a 6 year old car/truck/van

(that you never could have afforded brand new)

is that you can get all of the Bells & Whistles.

Mama's Dream Machine has ... 

 ... heated leather seats (seriously ?!?!)

...  heated side mirrors 

(didn't know there were such a thing)

...  programmable seat and foot pedals

for 2 drivers  (kidding, right ?!?!)

...  automatic temperature adjustment:

you set the temp., and it does the rest.
(just like your home thermostat)

...  automatic headlights that come

on when it gets dark.

...  a screen that tells you,

1.  how much further you can drive 

on this tank of gas ("561 miles left")

2.  which direction you are headed ("NW")

3.  your miles per gallon 

 for this tank ("14.9 mpg")

And .... if we needed such a thing ...

3 buttons that can be programmed to ...

1.  turn on your house lights when you arrive.

2.  open your garage door.

3.  open the gate for your Gated Community.

Okay.

I know.  

Many of you probably have these things.

But, I have seriously never even heard

of most of the "options" that came on my 

Dream Machine.  

I had no idea how pampered I would be.

Thanking Jesus for this GIFT.