THM, Me, and Greek Yogurt

So, going back in time a year ago I had this little list of new foods and products to try.  One of the items on that list was Greek yogurt.  I made my purchase and came home fully prepared to convince my taste buds to like it.  I tried... Really, I did... and then, I gave that container to a friend that likes Greek yogurt.  I tried it with sweetener and fruit.  I tried it as a substitute for sour cream.  I was just not feeling it.  It had to go.  I gave up.

I bought Oikos Triple Zero yogurts and those were hard for me to like.  If I squirted a bit of whipping cream in them I could tolerate them but I was far from being in love.  It was more of a back up plan item for me.  I kept a few on hand for moments when I needed something on the go.  

Time passed and I started to realize my taste buds were changing quite a bit.  I slowly stopped adding the whipped cream to my Triple Zero.  I still was not a super big fan of the Triple Zero but it was tolerable.  Before long I decided I was ready to make my own version of Triple Zero that way I could get rid of the chalky taste and possibly tinker with the stevia because I have a minor allergy after eating them.  By this time I had discovered that I like Truvia better than the other sweetener choices available.  I began to make parfaits out of Plain Greek Yogurt, Smuckers Simply Fruit jam or Polaner's All Fruit jam, and fresh strawberries and blueberries, and a Truvia packet.  I began to really like this and not only did it become one of my breakfast options it also became my dessert of choice especially when I added 1/3 of a diced up banana.  Often I top it with unsweetened toasted oats that I make.  As the blueberry and strawberry seasons ended I started dicing up 5 to 7 grapes in place of those and no longer adding the jams.  My summer and fall yogurts are different than my spring season yogurts.  The thing is... I like the Greek yogurt now.  Honestly, I don't always need the sweetener anymore. 

The point here is that it is a journey.  My taste buds had to adjust and my body had to detox.  If you try something that you don't like, give it a little while and try it , again. 

Rawr! Caden

No real reason for this pic, except this is my little guy being silly and fun.... 

Caden, 8... All boy! 

Much Needed Snuggles

Sienna, 3

I REALLY needed a snuggle with this cutie.  Sometimes you can't even share the details of how miserable you feel and those are the days these kind of snuggles go a long way.  Just a brief moment in time can cover some of the deepest sorrows and get you through to the next moment.  I am so thankful for these little moments in time.  

Choosing Garden Containers

When choosing your gardening containers think outside the pot. 

Years ago my neighbor was tossing this water trough that had a hole in the bottom. Sometime later I acquired this galvanized milker that is hanging on the side of the trough. My daddy found this old porcelain coated dishpan for me. This little corner of my deck contains a few of my favorite things. 

The dishpan has become a succulent dish garden. The trough makes a great container garden for many things. I have grown bell peppers, lettuce, cilantro and quite a few other things in it. Since it is deep it makes a great container for plants that are deep rooted. The milked usually has lettuce or some herb in it. 

Anything galvanized is one of my favorite things!

I am sharing this post on the following Blog Hops:

(click on the pic to go to the host site)

 

My Rewards... My Blessings

The photo of my church journal says it all... 

Look a little closer... 

Do you see it?

My "rewards"... My "blessings" are all listed at the bottom.  These are my children.  

Mother's Day Diamonds... Lots of Diamonds!

I hate to brag.... but.... 

I got diamonds for Mother's Day this year!  

"Dime"-mond Joy!!  Oh how these diamonds bring me JOY!  This is way better than any diamond!  

I asked my husband where he got the idea... and it was actually his idea.  I am impressed.  Not only did he come up with this idea he had the children each make me a card... so... I got a lot of diamonds.  

Note:  For those that are skeptics about having a lot of children.... The more children you have the more diamonds you get.

"The most precious jewels you will ever wear around your neck are the arms of your children." --Unknown Author

A Few Things Growing in MY Backyard

It is amazing the feeling you get when you plant things and watch them grow!  I highly recommend you plant something even if you don't want to be a gardener or a homesteader.  Pick one thing and just plant it.  You will be amazed as you watch it grow. 

 

These are grapes... in MY backyard!!! One day they look like these dead vines and suddenly they begin to sprout growth and get leaves and a few weeks later you suddenly spot these amazing little clusters of tiny flowers that become eensy, weensy little grapes.  I live in Southeast Texas and I have never seen anyone grow grapes in their backyard.  I just assumed it was not possible.  Guess what?!  It is!!!  Just because other people do not grow something in your area does not mean it can not be done.  So, if there is something you are wanting to grow in your backyard please do not assume it is not possible.  Instead, get on your computer and start searching... or read a book... whatever works for you.  Find the plant you want to try and then check what zone it grows well in.  It is best to trust that and pick a variety that works well in your area.  You might love Red Delicious Apples, but they may not be good for your area.  That does not mean you can not grow an "apple".  For me that means I needed to plant Gala Apples and I also needed to plant an Ein Shiemer Apple (small hard green apples) to be a pollinator for the Gala.  The grape bush in this picture is a Champanel Grape.  I will be honest I really did not do my research.  I was thinking we would be eating these little treasures right off the vine.  It turns out they are more of a wine or jelly making type grape, but that is okay because..... 

I HAVE GRAPES GROWING IN MY BACKYARD!!!  

Seriously, it is just amazing to watch them grow.  Since then I have also planted two other varieties: Venus Grape (good for table eating, wine, & jelly) and Lakemont Grape (sweet green table eating). 

These little gems are Goldmine Nectarines.  Oh my gosh... they are so sweet!  The birds think so, too.... unfortunately.  But that is okay.  Planting these things is something you have to be willing to invest time in... and I don't mean just your personal, hard working "time" in planting and nurturing it.  I mean, you have to be willing to WAIT while your trees (and all your plants) have time to mature and strengthen and produce more.  Planting is not merely for what you will get now.  It is somewhat of a "time investment".  If you wait it out, eventually your time investment should pay off.  We are blessed that this small tree has produced last year and this year already, and this is only its second year in the ground.   We won't really get more than a few nibbles this year, but that is okay.  The birds don't know we planted this here for our OWN selfish enjoyment.  There are probably 20-30 nectarines on it and they are already ripening even though they are very small.  That's all fine... remember its a time investment.... right now this tree is maturing for a big harvest in our future. 

This is one of my four varieties of blueberries.  I went a little overboard!  I had bought two Tif Blue , one Premier, and one Brightwell blueberry bushes and then, I went to a local plant nursery that had locally grown blueberry bushes for sell for a mere $3 each.  I snatched up three Rebel Blueberry plants.  That is SEVEN blueberry bushes... I guess you could say we have one for each person in the house.  Ooops!  When they get larger we may be in the Blueberry business!!!  This is another fruit that the birds are beating us to, but once again we must remember this is a "time investment" type of thing.  One day I am sure there will be plenty for the birds and us.  

Amaryllises!  Nope, I can not eat these, but I certainly can enjoy them.  I am a lily lover!!  I have quite a variety growing in my backyard.  This is one thing I must recommend... stop fighting planting annuals and start investing in some perennials.  Perennials will come back year after year and are very easy to grow. 










The pic below is a new raised bed that we put in for growing veggies.  If you look close you will see some lilies starting to sprout up that I snuck in the there.  ;)

Not everything we grow should be for our physical nourishment.  Our heart and soul needs some nourishment, too!  This is one of my irises in my lily garden (a.k.a. the weed garden).  My lily garden is wild and unruly and has a mix of whatever I stuck in the ground.  I did not plan at all.  I just planted.  Most of it has been lilies that have been shared from a friend or transplanted from somewhere.  It is my little patch of craZy and I love it.  At this time it amazing, but by the time late Summer or Fall come around it is quite messy and I just get the mower out and mow it all down.  Every year it is faithful to come back up.  I can not tell you the times I have looked out my window to find a beautiful lily emerging just as I have really needed a lift in my spirit.  God is amazing!  He has such creativity and I am so glad I get to grow some of His creations in MY very own backyard!!  

I am sharing this post on the following Blog Hops:
(click on the pic to go to the host site)

 

 

Ch-Ch-Changes... Blog Photo Update

It is amazing what how much the faces in your family change when you don't update your blog photo in THREE years.  Ha!  This is the 2011 photo and for the record I just did not realize so much time had passed:

Sierra, Sahara, Caden, Savannah, & Sienna

And this will be the new one... for 2014... 

Ummm, yeah.... that is a huge difference!  My baby is not even a baby anymore.  I remember thinking how grown up my kids were looking in that 2011 picture and well.... I could cry.  Only I won't because I am joyful that they are healthy, living, growing children and what more could a mother ask for?!  

And just so you know who is who is who in the new pictures...
Group pic is left to Right:
       Top... Sahara (5), Me (41), Caden (7), Savannah (13)
       Bottom... Sienna (3), Sierra (10)
Top Right:  
       Caden (7)
       Cody (41) with Sahara (5) photo bombing & putting a rabbit on his back
Bottom (left to right):
       Sierra (10)
       Sienna (3)
       Sahara (5)
       Savannah (13) 

Also, it may take me a while to figure out how to fix my edits... sigh... I can not remember how to make this look right... because it has been three years since I have done this stuff.  So, I need that picture larger and centered... and so, I have to wake my brain up.  ;)  Update:  I already figured it out... yippee!  Amazing!  For my own future reference (and anyone else that may need to know) I had to open my saved photo in "Paint" and changed the "resize" setting to 1600 megapixels wide and then save and upload the new photo.  I hope I remember to look here if I need to do this in the future.  Otherwise, I will probably do a whole new post for this same thing.
 

The New Van for Our Crew

I almost forgot to post the picture of the van.  It has been a craZy week here.  So, this is the new ride my little crew will be riding around in for the next 10 years or hopefully more.  Hopefully, it will carry us through many years, miles, and memories with our little family.  The weather has been bad and my husband has been sick since a couple of days after we got the van so we have not gone anywhere in it.  I made two trips to Wal-Mart for quick runs which is less than a mile from my house and that is all, so last night we loaded the kids up and the sick husband and went for a joy ride.  I did not realize that my husband has not even driven it, yet... even for the test drive!  That will change soon... after he is well I suppose.  I will be the one driving it most so, I did the test drive at the dealership since I need to make sure I can handle driving it.  Honestly, you would be surprised to find that it drives very much like a minivan.  It is just a little bigger and I would say that it drives sort of like a large truck.  I feel very confident driving it.  I think the only thing that would make me nervous is backing it up and parking it, but it has a backup camera and sensors that beep if you get too close to something.  The really great thing about the backup camera is that you don't just get the view out the back window.  You see all the way to the ground, so you see if you are going to back over a toy, curb, person, etc..  

We all really enjoyed our little ride last night and one of the things we purchased for our kids for Christmas was a dual screen portable DVD player for travel so we got to try that out last night, too.  Now, let me shift gears a bit and go all "frugal talk" on you.  Originally, I had purchased a dual screen DVD player in mid-November for $99, but my husband went to some of the Black Friday sales and was able to get a similar one for $49 and I returned the one I had bought.  That is HALF the cost!!!  Okay, back to the topic at hand.  We drove all over so my husband could see how it rides... down, small roads, bumpy roads, long smooth highways, over railroad tracks and even to Wal-Mart, again... so I could run in and get my sickly husband more juice and extra meds for his throat.  All was happy in van land because they were watching a movie in their new comfy ride.  Clearly it does not take to entertain us all.  I considered treating them to ice cream... but... I cringe at the thought.  Ha!  I think I will wait until a warm day when we can order ice cream and eat it OUTSIDE the van.  I have already gone to the auto parts store and looked at options to completely cover the carpet to save it from us all and I am considering Scotch Guard for all the seats.  Yes, I may be a bit extreme, but I want it to last and be a nice vehicle for our family.  It is nice to have something nice.  Not that our other van was not nice, but it had already been through 10 years of us... and... well... it just wasn't quite as new anymore.... the carpet did not fair well with drink spills.  I plan to try to do better with this one.  

I was about to end this post, but in keeping with my recent decision to make this blog about how we make it all work as a large family I want to also include the budget aspect of this van for us.  You might be asking how we have a large family and afford to just go out and buy a new van like this.  Well, I want to be sure that I answer that question.  Our budget is low for our family size and in all honesty we are considered poverty level, but you would never know that because we are totally not in poverty.  We have well above what we need and even well above our "wants" most of the time.  For the last couple of years we have been totally debt free.  That means our house, cars, etc. are completely paid for and the only bills we have or monthly expenses like electric, water, gas, food, life insurance, etc..  

We are not longer debt free after this purchase.  ;)  BUT we did not just go out and buy "new".  It is mostly new and new to us.  We actually looked at and older van that would have been a great purchase, as well, but when I considered the years ahead and how many years I would need to make sure this last for the cost difference we decided this was the choice for us.  We don't buy new.  The reason is that as soon as you drive that thing off the lot it depreciates greatly (meaning the value instantly goes down).  This van is a 2013 "program car" and it only has 25,000 miles on it.  It was HALF the cost of a new one just like it.  HALF!!!  We got it for $19,900.  We did buy the additional 7 year warranty knocking that up almost $3,000 more, but our experience had been that those warranties pay off in many cases.  And we did not HAVE to do that.  So, what is a "program car"?  I think that can mean many things, but my understanding is that this vehicle was on lease to someone and once the lease was up they turned it in for a new one.  I believe this one may have been a rental van because there was a small sticker on the window stating that there would be a $250 fine for smoking in it.  This van shows no wear except that there are some very light spills on a couple of the seats (and you have to look very hard... and I plan to clean them off).  There was a tiny ash tray part missing in the back which will be replaced under warranty and I just need to go to my local Ford dealership and order that part this week.  To finance this van with really low interest (2.?%... I can not remember exactly) will only add about a $1,000 over the lifetime of the loan and our payments per month will be about $552 a month for 5 years.  Of course, we plan to pay that off early.  Consider this, also... I will be selling my other van.  We could have traded it in for $3,000, but we can sell it ourselves for closer to $5,000.  Normally, I would immediately take that money and pay it directly to the car payment, but in this situation we are actually supposed to be saving for another upcoming expense so we plan to immediately apply the money to that savings when the older van sells. Sometimes we juggle money here to make things work, but we make it work and that is all that counts in the end. 

To elaborate a little further I could have this payment for the van and a payment for the other savings (medical) and that would be two bill payments each month.  The way we will be doing it we will still have the same result (amount of money financed), but only one payment for the van.   The medical will be paid off and it will all be at the low interest of the van financing. If I chose to put the sell of my older van towards this payment, I would knock that loan down quick but I might end up needing to finance the medical at a much higher interest rate (using a credit card of line of credit account at probably a 9-10% interest). In the big picture the way we have chosen will save us money on interest fees.  I should note that I still plan to save the medical amount if I can swing it from my monthly budget and that money will just build our savings for any other needs.  We also plan to pay the van off early buy making extra payments when possible.  The goal will be to eventually be debt free again soon.  I'll update on all that much later as time passes.  Feel free to question me on that and hold be accountable in the future.  I love having budget buddies!           

Ch-ch-ch-changes: Running out of Room in the Van

Once again I find myself it a "season" of changes.  With another little addition on the way it is once again time to re-evaluate a few things in our home.  We even considered moving to a different house to simplify some things, but it looks like that will not be happening.  Time will tell that story.

Closets are another issue that will soon be on the list of things to address.  For now I shall procrastinate a bit longer on that one.  Really I just don't quite know what direction I want to got there.  I think there may be some people moving OUT of the family closet.  It is getting pretty cramped.  Alas, I will cross that bridge a little later I suppose.

One of the many things that has been apparent from the beginning is that once our new addition joins the family we will no longer fit in either of our current vehicles.  Cody has a Chevy Tahoe and it seats seven and I have a Toyota Sienna that also seats seven.  We will need eight seats if we are to go anywhere as a family.  This really is not a crucial issue, though.  We do have the shuttle bus that we use for vacations and in a crunch we could use it if we really needed to.  It is not ideal because it gets nine miles per gallon or LESS.  It would serve the purpose if necessary.

As this has been on my mind I decided to do a little searching to see if there was anything available in our local area at this time.  I came up with a couple of options.  One of the options was an older 2006 15 passenger van with 41,000 miles on it (Really low mileage for 7 years).  The other was a 2013 12 passenger van with 25,000 miles on it.  This really was a hard choice!  The first one was silver versus the second one being white... and I do not like white cars.  Such a frivolous portion of the consideration so I had to decide to overlook that detail.  The first was larger allowing more cargo space or more friends to tag along.  The second was smaller and easier to maneuver and still would give us four extra seats.  The first would have no warranty while the second still had a warranty.  The price difference in the two was only about $6,000.... still it made it hard to decide.  The first had some aging... the second looks brand spanking new.  The first would definitely get the job done and more... the second would be just the right fit and feel a little more "cool" (as much as passenger van can anyway).  The first had really bouncing back seats (the kids thought that was of major importance)... the second did not.  The first you were on your own totally backing up... the second has a built-in backup camera and noise sensors to alert you of danger of hitting anything when backing up.   Both drove great and were free of motor defects.  I was really surprised that these things drive so much like a mini-van!!!  The first had the basics being that it was made 7 years ago (one charger outlet, CD & radio, cup holders only up front)... the second had several charger outlets, CD & radio, Bluetooth phone capabilities, media port, cup holders up front and in other locations).  Honestly, the decision was one extreme to the other and both were good choices.  Again, it was hard to decide.  

The kids were really wanting the older one... because bouncy seats really are important to kids.  And some of them had visions of taking everyone we know along with us everywhere.  The seriously thought that it was important to choose a vehicle that another family of seven could go along with us in.  We had to clue them in that we needed to find a vehicle that meets OUR family needs first and foremost.  My five year wanted the newer sparkly shiny one... well, because she is a bit OCD and "clean" is very appealing to her (and I totally get that).  My husband simply liked newer and all the bells and whistles (not that passenger vans come with too many bells and whistles).  I weighed all the comparisons features because I am ultra practical... and cheap.

In the end we choose the second one.  And we are now the owners of a 2013 12 passenger van!!!  Who would have ever thought?!!!  But then, who would have ever thought I would ever have six children either?!!!  Ha!  This life just keeps getting crazier.  One thing I know for sure is that you have to be open to a few Ch-ch-ch-changes.  

{I was going to wait to post this WITH a picture, but I think I will go ahead and come back with a separate post with a little picture moment.  I am a little excited to tell that we have joined the ranks of passenger van owners and I officially feel like we are now a "large family".)

It's a Whimsical Christmas: Thing 1 & Thing 2, etc.

This is the Christmas card pic I have been sending out this week.  

We went to a local production of Whimsical that we have attended every year for the past few years and I took this quick photo of all my little "things".  Be sure to count them, if you have not noticed anything unusual about the picture.  And if you still don't notice anything unusual look a little closer at Mr. Grinch.

Yes, this is the card that is going out to even family... and this is how they are finding out.  I am writing this in advance and I can hardly wait to hear the reactions.  {Insert sarcasm}  Honestly, I could not bear to tell family in person because of the shocking things I know they will say... even if it is without thinking.  I want them to have time to think before they speak.  And much of that is to have some control over what my children hear come spewing from our relatives' mouths.  

At the point that I am writing this I am 15 weeks, so by the time everyone gets the cards I will be 16 weeks.  I have managed to keep this secret from close family even through the Thanksgiving holidays while some of them stayed here for four days.  That was super hard, but I knew I had to keep quiet because I wanted to be the one to tell my children.  With my last pregnancy my mother bumped into me and felt my hard belly and realized I was pregnant while we were visiting them.  I asked her not to tell because the kids did not know, yet.  She ran straight into her living room and told my daddy in front of my kids.  I was really way more upset about that than I let them know.  My daddy immediately got on the phone and called my brother and his wife and told them without my consent.  Yes, that is how it all went down... and I was not at all one bit pleased with the situation.  So, I admit I even lied to them a couple of times when they were all here for Thanksgiving.  I would not normally lie and I have a real hard time lying, but in this case my driving force was protecting my kids from the conversations that would take place.  And I think I should get to tell them this big news.

My kids will be so excited and I do not want anyone ruining that for them or me and Cody.  Correction... my kids ARE so excited.  We told them halfway through me writing this post.  They were surprised and I caught it all on video.  The way we told them was to ask them what they thought of this Christmas card pic.  It took them a while to catch on, but when they did it was pretty funny.  

I am so glad that my kids are always happy to add another sibling to our little family.    

Learning to Do the Sashay

And no, I am not talking about dancing.  That is what the name of this yarn and these scarves reminds me of, though.  I have seen so many of these scarves and was thinking about buying my girls some, but I wanted to save money.  I decided to learn "to do the sashay".  I am going to use some pics that are not mine, because it is easier than taking my own pics for this post.  For using my borrowed images if you click on the pic it will take you to a person's etsy shop that is selling them.  I don't know the person I just chose pics that I liked, but if you want to buy one check out the seller and let her know you heard about it here.  

 

Etsy link (not me) for this scarf.

I think she uses the crochet method which is why I chose this pic.  It makes a looser lighter scarf and I think this is great for children, teens,... and anyone that lives in Texas.  ;)  Seriously, I love the look of the fuller ones, but they are a little bulky around the neck to be wearing in a warm, humid climate.  The crochet ones are by far the easiest to make and you can learn pretty easy watching a youtube video or going on the Red Heart yarn website.  The ones we are making we pick up 10 loops with the crochet hook and pull the 11th loop through those 10 loops.  We do this until we have a scarf the length we like.  I think you can get 3 or 4 scarves using that method.  Keep in mind I make some pretty short to fit pre-teens.

There are also some that look much fuller and they are very pretty.  They are made using a knitting method and are very pretty, but use a whole skein of yarn or possibly more.  I played around with those a bit and found that for the fullness I wanted that I only needed to pick up 4 loops on my knitting needle and and knit in (totally wrong terminology, but I am not an experienced knitter).  You can watch a video online, but I could not understand it that way personally.  Thankfully, my cousin came over and showed me.  And she blessed me with some supplies, too.  

Anyway, if you are intimidated by how fancy these scarves look, don't be.  All the work is mostly done for you because it is all about the yarn.  This is a simple project and makes a great gift.  You can turn one out in less than an hour, also.  So, I think it might be a good time to "learn to do the sashay".  Cha-cha-cha!!!

Emergency Skirt / Sahara / More Randomness

Sahara... that downward frown... that is on her face most of the time... she pouts to get her way and she thinks it works.... she would stay out of trouble a whole lot more if she would just stop it... but she really is the cutest thing which saves her a LOT.

She is bouncy and bubbling going a hundred miles an hour.  She wakes up on full speed and runs that way all day long.  Usually, she is cranky all day, too.... so, that makes for interesting days.  She is not a morning person and she happens to live in a home of all morning people.  When everyone else says something nice like, "Good morning!" or in an overly chipper voice, "It's morning time!!!" she grumbles and stomps around the house.  Or yells.  

She can be an eager helper and will get upset when she does not get to help on certain things.  We have learned recently that she can out clean all her siblings if you tell her to clean her room.  Why?  She is extreme OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) which explains all the fits, too.  Things NEED to go her way or her order is confused.  Things still can not go her way all the time which is why she ends up with more discipline unfortunately.  ;)  We love her in spite of her craZy little attitude and we take responsibility for a great deal of her issues.  This girl had a house full of people that never said no to her for about three years.... bad move on our part.  But she was so stinking cute and she is "our Goo-Goo".

She is "in love" with her brother and he is "in love" with her.  They think they are going to get married... and sometimes they play like they do.  Just a couple of days ago she walked in the room dressed to go somewhere and her hair in two braids and this was the conversation:

Caden:  She is beautiful!

Sahara:  What?!!

Caden:  She's not really... (trying to act like he was joking)

Caden (looking at me and talking low):  She really is beautiful.

Me:  You know can't marry your sister Caden?

Caden (looking aggravated):  What?!!!

Me:  That is so gross Caden.  You really can't.  

(Caden did not really like that answer.  They are going to be so embarassed by the these stories one day.)

  

She is cute!  Beyond cute, actually.  God blessed me with a lightweight petite little thing after that hunken large boy child of mine that almost broke my back to tote around.  I could toss this little featherweight on my hip and run with it.  At five years old I can still easily lift her. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

So, how do you like this little skirt she is wearing?  This was an emergency outfit one day when we were on our way to our homeschool choir meeting.  We had a picnic at the park and played on the playground and someone had a potty accident... in her pants.  And with pants you are kind of stuck when that happens.  That was one of those moments when I wished I had dressed her in a skirt that day.  Fortunately, I found these two bandanas in my van and tied them together at the waist.  The edges overlapped nicely to cover the splits in the sides since she is so petite.  Everyone thought I had made her a cute little skirt.  I was just thankful that the shirt she was wearing was a decent match.  With a few simple stitches this really would make a cute little skirt.  It served our purposes well that day, but has since gone back to just being a couple of bandanas.  

~~~~~~~~~~~

While I am talking about clothing I might as well talk a little about being frugal.  That little shirt in the picture was on clearance a couple of years back for something like $1 and being that it was good quality I bought three of them all in a size 7/8... just a like.  It is the kind of thing that I knew would eventually get used even if it was in storage a while.  Sure enough my now 9 year old wore one for a while when I first got them.  Sahara now fits in one and one day Sienna will have one of them still in new condition.  I don't usually do that, but in this case it has worked out.  

If you want to save money on clothes you want to shop clearance rakes and think ahead for the different seasons.  I can always use short sleeves.  We don't have harsh winters here in Texas, so I try not to buy a lot of long sleeves.  It is just easier to wear a light jacket.  Seasonal items are worth looking at.  I try to avoid things that say "Fourth of July" and such and buy things like this that have the color scheme, but can be worn anytime.  Always think in terms of whether you could use the item for pajamas, too.  Of course, then it really does not matter if it does say something about a holiday.  In fact, you can even get creative and add fabric or other embellishments over the parts you don't want to look at.  If you are paying a low price it really will pay off.

Random Talk / Sierra Pic / Hollister

Sierra.... Fall of 2013.... 9 years old

I love this girl's smile and her bubbly nature.  She is always skipping through the house and is what some refer to as a free spirit.  I would say she is "uninhibited".  She does not see limits usually.  She is confident.  She thinks she can do everything.  She has been telling me how to drive since she was able to utter her first words.  When my oldest was in public school and we would go to pick her up Sierra would sit behind me in her car seat and every time a car would move forward she would say, "Go!  You are going to miss your child!"  I would turn around and say, "I don't need a two year old to tell me how to drive."  It was really cute.  Not as cute the 1,000th time she would say it, though.  ;)  She is the kind of kid that can put together an outfit that you would think was hideous until you saw it on her.  She just has that flair... sort of a trendsetter type.  I never was a trendsetter, so I watch in amazement sometimes when she walks out in some unusual outfit that somehow works... on her.  She likes to be funny... and she likes to aggravate her siblings... only she does not always realize she is doing it.  She just has a knack for getting in other people's business and bossing them around and telling them how to do things.  She refers to herself as "the little momma" and she tries to do my job.  Caden is "her baby".  In fact, Sahara kind of was, too, but the little momma got tired of the "scream machine" (Sahara)... she still mothers her, though.  She just likes to claim the one that screams less.  She has confidence... and uninhibited confidence.  I wish I had a little bit of that... ummmm... wait... I do in some areas.  She has  a servants heart, but already she gets tired of people taking advantage of her because of it.  She is sneaky and likes to trick people for a good laugh.

That shirt she is wearing... I just want to say that we don't shop at Hollister.  In fact, we don't even walk in that store or Ambercrombie because of the inappropriate over-sexualization.  The reason she has that shirt is that my husband had his English students write letters to various businesses of their choice asking for free merchandise and Hollister sent a box of shirts for his students.  My kids have two of them.  For several years they wore them as nightgowns.  Now, they wear them as shirts.  We still won't shop there, though.  

So, I felt like sharing a picture and being rather random.  

Getting the Day Off to a Good Start: Bending My Own Rules

This post should be about my strict schedule because really that is what works best for getting the day off to a good start around here.  And then there are days like today.....

I have been up since long before dawn because I have been having some insomnia lately.  This morning every one has slept in and I needed the quiet.  And as I have sat here in the quiet a steady rain has come and gone and now I am watching out the windows as a squirrel runs about my deck and stops to nibble on some found treasure.

The past few days have been busy and I have been a bit tired.  Friday we took a little field trip to a local fire station and that night my two oldest had birthday parties to attend in two separate towns at the same time (sigh).  Saturday night was a church Youth group hayride party and the whole family attended.  Of course, Sunday morning was church and after church one of my kids had church play practice while the rest of us were upstairs for a Youth Group Worker Meeting.  Later my husband went back for a Youth drama class he is teaching and later than that he went out with some men from church.  It was a full weekend.

So, now I sit and even at 8:17 a.m. I still have four kids sleeping.  My radical 5 year old has been awake for about 10 minutes and as usual she is demanding things and complaining.  She is so not a morning person!  But nonetheless I am starting this morning out with a good start and relaxing in spite of her trying to disrupt the quiet.  It is great training for her that momma does not give in to her tantrums.  ;) 

Sometimes you just need the quiet to start a day... without rigid schedules and all the rules.  We need time to wind down... time to relax... time to ponder our thoughts... time to think straight.  So, that is how I am starting my morning. 

Dinner Out with Five Kids! You MUST be CraZy!!!

A few weeks back my husband and I were checking out at a store and I was casually talking to the cashier.  I mentioned that we were about to go out to eat with our five kids.  The cashier blurted out laughingly, "I wouldn't go anywhere with five kids!"  I really was not offended and she was not saying it ugly like it might seem.  That is our culture and I get that.

Fortunately, not everyone shares this cashier's view.  We were at a restaurant a few days ago and a lady that we both have met came up to our table and started a brief conversation.  She was there with her two children and she was saying how much she loved going out to eat with her children.  We briefly discussed the above cashier encounter and laughed candidly and both agreed that it is amazing how people don't want to take their children to restaurants, yet don't seem to understand why those children have no idea how to behave when they take them out to eat.  What better way is there to train children, but by putting them in the situation.

So, that is why we take FIVE kids out to dinner! 

We take them because we want to share that time with them, also.  I can not imagine feeding my kids some junky meal and heading out to their favorite restaurant without them.  I am not saying this is wrong, but rather that I would not enjoy a meal they would love without them.  Now, I can say that a little over a year ago we were out of town and took them to Bucca Di Peppo (sp?) and they did not have an appreciation for the meal.  About $75 later I told Cody that if we ever came back there to eat it would be without the kids simply because that is too much money to spend on a dinner that was not enjoyed.  Now, that is an example of a circumstance that if it were an option I would totally leave them out.  :)  

And the next question I know people wonder is how do we AFFORD to take five kids out to eat.  There are several things we do:

• We don't make extravagant purchases.  We don't have all the big toys that many people have.  Our cars are over 10 years old and in all honesty our parents have gifted some of that to us... not because we wanted them to.  For whatever reason they wanted to.  We still would be fine in that area, but these gifts or partial gifts had made other expenses more manageable.  So, they have been a blessing in more than one way.  And it has allowed us to have extra money to purchase our shuttle bus that we use for travel.
• I cook from scratch and buy very little packaged food. 
• Dining out is our biggest "splurge" in life.  Other people get their hair done or a pedicure or go shopping, etc..  I skip all that and go out to eat with my family.
• We also choose frugal ways to dine.  That may mean that we go to places like CiCi's Pizza (under $30); if we are on the go we grab Little Caesar's Pizza ($10-15 for 2-3 pizzas); we go to Tuesday buffet at Pizza Hut where kids eat free with adults (around $20); we used to go to Monday night at Johnny Carino's (dinner special... we could eat and tip $6 for about $22); we look for Tuesday night sales like Casa Ole'  has 99 cent kid meals including a drink (usually $40 because we get cheese dip... we could go for about $30); We don't order anything other than water unless it is included in the cost of the meal; We don't do happy meal deal types of things and in fact, we don't even order fries for every child.  We order what they eat and in and over indulgent fast food culture we find that our kids get full on a small burger, a few fries, and water and if necessary we buy them an extra burger if they are really hungry for it.
• Often, if we know that we are going to be gone for a whole day or vacation, we will pick-up bread and snacks and have a picnic going down the road and this allows for splurging on meals at other times on the excursion.

 Lunch with special friends at a special place... The American Girl Store's Bistro in Houston, Texas.

 And so... that is how it is done in our "little" family!  What tips do you have to share?

You Become Who Your Friends Are

I was talking to my husband about this the other day.  About how a person chooses their friends.  Do you choose your friends because they make you feel good about yourself or do you choose your friends because they make you aspire to be better?  Neither answer is wrong.  I was surprised that my husband said he chooses his friends because they make him feel good about himself.  If he can make someone smile it makes him feel good.  His personality type needs assurance.  Me... not so much... actually, it would make me very uncomfortable.  I actually tend to gravitate towards people that make me aspire to be a better me.  I am drawn to those that I can gleen wonderful life lessons from.  I have found that I grow closer to those that are trying to do the best job at whatever it is they do.  So, when my friends are trying to be what some refer to as "super moms" (I hate that nickname!) I am more drawn to them. 

When I see them making their kid's birthday cakes I know they are doing that as an expression of love.  And then, I want to do that, also.  In fact, I do and I can say it was something that I admired seeing others do for their child.

When I see mommas that watch their kids closely.  I admire them.  When I see them wipe their dirty faces.  I admire them.  When I see them hold their kids in their arms and cuddle them all day long.  I admire that them.  It would be so much easier to hand them off to a sitter, but they would miss so much.  When I see them praying with their kids.  I want to be more like them.  When I see them talking calmly I want to learn to be more meek.  When I see them draw from Biblical principles I want to learn to do that better.  I want to be taught.  We should all want to be taught!   Life is so much about learning!  You become who you are around, so it is so important to surround yourselves with good Godly friends.  I find that I am drawn to that type of ladies and I am so thrilled to be able to learn from such a variety of friends.  Some are good at sewing, some at cooking and meal planning, some at scheduling, some at advising, some are good at quietly listening, some are meek, some are more bold, some at gardening or homesteading, some at being good wives, some are good at being joyful and patient, some are givers, and so on.  All have something to that I can learn from and I am so fortunate and blessed to have wonderful friends to become more like!

Jump!

Jump!
... on the trampoline with your kids!
... when your 40... or 39.... whatever!
Just jump! 

Debt Free Living

We have been on a jouney the past few years (about three) to be Debt Free.... and we have finally made it.  Wooo hooo!  And I want to make this point VERY clear... I am not bragging!  Actually, I have been afraid to tell anyone for fear they will think I am bragging.  And there are so many people going through tough financial times and I do not want to "rub this in there face" so to speak.  We have had tough times ourselves and I remember thinking it was going to last forever and wondering why on earth others seem to always have extra.  The reality is that I know they probably had "extra" alright... "extra" debt.  It is real easy to look at the person with a new car, new house, new shoes, and new pedicures and envy them, but the reality is that they probably are in debt for it.  I told my husband this the other day:

"It SEEMS we have sacrificed a lot to get out of debt, but the reality is that those in debt have to sacrifice everyday to be in debt."

And just in case that does not make sense I will explain it a little more clearly.  Yes, we have given up having the newest cars, the fanciest clothes, the well manicured lawn, the fun pedicure, salon days, full price brand name shoes, boats, four wheelers, fancy dinners, etc..  We have never had excessive debt.  We have worked hard to keep it that way.  We have not spent money that we have not had to spend with exception to charging our home and cars or something that was a necessary NEED*.  We have been careful with our money.  We have vacationed in cheaper motels/hotels.  We have searched out things we want or desire in thrift stores before buying it full price in the store.  We have done without a lot of stuff that others would buy without considering the strain it would put on their finances.  We have avoided completely paying any high interest.  If we charge on a credit card, we ALWAYS pay the amount in full on payday.  We do use credit cards sometimes, but it is well thought out like when we vacation and do not want to carry a large amount of cash.  We also like the cashback that we can get with our main credit card and the promotional offers that sometimes are offered for a new credit card (I'll gladly take $10 off my $100 purchase, but it is not worth the trouble to take $1 off my $10 purchase.).  We have sacrificed, but for those that are running up there bills higher and higher with no end in sight due to mounting interest charges they will sacrifice much more.  Most of those people will have to have both parents working just to afford their lifestyle.  Those parents are going to miss out on spending the time I get to spend with my kids everyday.  They will sacrifice way more for their debt than I have ever had to sacrifice to stay out of debt. 

And if you are out there reading this and thinking there is no way you could ever be debt free I say... Yes, you can!!!

I was raised this way...  You don't buy something that you can't pay for!  It is simply really.  I am in awe of the way my parents did things, but I also know from my mother telling me that they had to learn the hard way.  Wouldn't it be so much easier to not learn the hard way folks?!  I would have NEVER guessed it, but apparently my parents had run up a bit of debt and had to consolidate all their debts to one loan so they could get it all paid off.  After that time they did everything different and that is the part I remember and the part I learned from.  There is this stuff called money... Yes, MONEY!  And if you don't have it, you don't spend it.  If you see those new shoes that you want so bad and even if they are on sale for $20, you don't buy them if you don't have the money.  And no, those ever-so-popular things called CREDIT cards do not count as money.  Let's redefine "credit cards"... they are debt creators.  If you don't want to be in debt you need to stay as far away from credit cards as you can.  And if you already have credit debt you need get it paid off as soon as you can.  The interest rates on these things is outrageous.  You don't want to end up paying three times the amount for that $20 pair of shoes.  ~~I am tempted to post advice on paying off debt, but there are soo many scenarios.  If you need advice on what to do, you can always ask and I will be happy to help.  If you want to do that privately my email is littlethingstx@att.net . 

*Need = Something that is required for living. -- So, I must admit what I am talking about as a "necessary NEED" in reality is not even such.  We have financed and an air conditioner, cars, our home, etc..  In all seriousness these things are not REALLY necessary NEEDS like food, basic clothing, etc..  We could have done without air conditioning, even cars if we did not require them for our job (for use we did, but actually do not now), and we could have stayed in our smaller completely paid for home (although I am glad we did not). 

Sunday Ponderings While Enjoying The Breeze

We have had some odd weather, so I am sitting outside enjoying a very sunny, breezy day.  No, I am not sweating even though I am in Sooutheast Texas.  Sienna is laying on me taking a nap cuddled close to my chest.  Cody just rocked Sahara to sleep after she pleaded (and won) her binky.  The older three kids are playing in the backyard in the new above ground pool (half filled) we bought and playing on their playground with their new (and only) neighbor child.  And I want to freeze time.....   So, I sit here with my thoughts.....

Life really is a matter of perspective and perspective is constantly changing.  Right now everything is great.  In an hour I could be fully stressed.  We have to focus on focusing on the "great".  Yes, "focus on focusing".  I love that it is Sunday and I am doing what I should be doing.... not working... resting.... somewhat resting.  Of course, there is always work to be done and some will get done, but my focus right now is resting.... rocking my precious baby... watching my precious children... enjoying the breeze. 

My mind goes quickly to the goals I want to reach... the list I ponder making, yet stop myself from.  It is a time to enjoy and not quickly lose by getting wrapped up in thoughts of "doing". 

I ponder this adorable bundle in my arms and wonder how God could possibly see me as fit to rear her.  As she lies in my arms dreaming and grinning I am truly overwhelmed with her perfect love.... or rather God's perfect love through her to share with me.  This week I am fully aware that she is not truly mine, but merely on loan to me from her Creator.  I am honored to be the only one that was chosen for this duty.  I pray that God will allow me to share her for many, many years to come.  I want to grow old rocking HER babies one day. 

And my thoughts wander back to a couple of weeks ago... We really have very little "control".  Danger is all around us and we can't save our children from it all.  Specifically, Caden shattered a glass top end table, but only suffered a couple of minor cuts.  From where I was sitting I could only see him fall, see glass flying, and hear the crash followed by Caden screaming.  I truly lost it.  I thought my baby boy was severely hurt.  I screamed something like, "My baby, my baby...." as I scrambled with Sienna asleep in my arms to get to him.  After an hour or so we had all calmed down and gotten the cuts doctored and the glass cleaned away.  But that moment confirmed what I have always known.  We can't truly protect them.  And they are merely on loan to us.  So, I want to freeze time.  I want to watch them fly down the slide... splash in the water... chase their siblings and their only neighbor child around the yard.... grin mischieviously.... and all the things they do.  Oh yeah, and cuddle this sleeping baby... listen to her squeak, sigh, coo.... watch her wiggle and grin.... feel her breathe... and breathe her in. 

It amazes me how love increases.  I find that holding and loving Sienna reminds me of loving all my others.  Amazingly, my love for her increases my love for each of them.  She reminds me to love them more.