good times...Lisa flew down to visit Priscilla with plans to drive back with her so she could spend some time here in Tn. while Nathan was training in California. Plans were changed because Nathan was expected back within the week. Not knowing this I called Lisa declaring in a joking manner that we were going to just jump in the car and come for the weekend. When she told me that she was stuck there and may have to rent a car to come home aannnndddd that she would love for us to come get her..then I began to consider seriously going. It didn't take long to decide. Kezzi and I took Sarah and Lily with us and by 6 the next morning we were beginning our trek. The girls were very patient (except for an occassional "are we there yet" from Sarah) thanks to movies playing in the car. Kezzi drove the entire way wanting to prove that she could actually do it (with the help of full throttles and coffee. smile)
We arrived as the sun was setting and found her little apartment overlooking the ocean charming. They had the sliding doors open so we could hear the waves as we ate Priscilla's spaghetti. Lisa sat with the sleepy girls while Pris, Kezzi and I went for a walk on the beach. On our return we watched some old episodes of Gilmore Girls which I found very witty..and found myself ready to watch the "rest of the story".
My daughters woke up before sunrise. We had breakfast and took a three hour walk between 9 and 12. We enjoyed having the freedom of going nowhere. We took our time to explore a little more than usual since we were not occupied with swimming and playing in the waves. The fisherman, birds, jellyfish, shells, sand dunes, and sky were all a little more taken in due to the chilly air. There was something about this that made our walk a little more intriguing. On the return route I noticed an elderly lady shoveling sand like a 35yr. old. Since a shovel is one of my best friends I was drawn to approach her and offer her a little break. ( I love meeting new people especially those older and wiser) Found out she was a 79 yr. old wife and mother of 6 from Pennsylvania. While this muscular lady had my attention the girls got wetter than they had planned which led to "oh well, they are already soaked...let them have fun" We visited and dug for about an hour. There have already been homes that have had to be moved or destroyed because of the shore's deterioration and she was digging a trench to redirect the water. Amazing.
Had lunch at a local Sushi bar then a little shopping afterwards. A walk on the pier followed then back to the house for a little break..back down the steps to the shore for evening pictures in the purple light that only can be found on the beach during the sunset. Lovely weekend.
Kenny also had a weekend away in Pigeon Forge to discuss with his co-workers the business and future plans. He, being at the top of a mountain ski resort, called as I was walking the beach...we both were soaking up the relaxation but yes..missing eachother. I am thankful that after nearly 20 years he is my favorite person to be with and that not only do I love him but "like him" but of course we realistically do not always feel this way...but it's awesome when it comes back and comes back deeper.
It is always nice to come home to your family and the boys did a great job taking care of eachother. Joshua made lasagna Sunday so we all had a great meal after traveling all day. Joe was glad to see me but couldn't explain the huge bump on his forehead and another egg size lump on the back of his head...one was a wall collision but the other bump has an unknown origin. lol
A few days before our trips Kenny took Joshua up to Covenant College. www.covenantcollege.com It is situated on Lookout Mtn. near Chattanooga. Joshua is sold on going for many reasons..(Priscilla's #1 fan is going to want to follow in her footsteps..ha ha). It is a small college with an excellent reputation. We hope they accept him and that the finances are taken care off through scholarships. The golf coach has welcomed him in to joining the golf program but whether that means he will be on the varsity team right away is unkown. I was very thankful that Kenny took the time and loved being just as excited as Joshua. They even had a celebration dinner. ha ha. So glad we are raising these kids together. I say out loud and behind closed doors that Kenny is an amazing father.
Thursday my dear friend Julie Costner had her 4th child..little Simeon..with the great midwife that delivered Joseph and Sarah. Julie herself has attended many births and has future plans to be certified. Her nursing background has really helped her get a head start.
Saturday, the 20th, I attended the wedding Stacie and Mitch, Stacie is Sam's mom and Levi's widow, was I keep Sam on Thursdays and hope to always have a relationship with this amazing kid who gets along with Joe and Sarah unbelievably well.
I like to keep things running smooth around here and when that doesn't happen I can really get ugly in my frustration. I see the looks on my kid's faces and know they feel hurt. Working on this right now and feeling the "Pruning".
I am the vine and my father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit he takes away but every branch that bears fruit He prunes so that it may bear more fruit. John 15:1-2

Bearing fruit...what is fruit? Fruits of the spirit....love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control...

If we have some of these fruits in our lives than be ready for a pruning so that we can have more fruit. This sounds fine until we really feel the pruning. Pride is sooo stinkin strong..but I don't really want to stay the same..or do I? It is the process that helps us let go...because we really do want to be free.

Season of Joy

this is what I found on arriving home from the concert...in the middle of a rainstorm

Candice, bringing our puppies to her little Judah

Joe has resorted to using Sarah's hair in my absence while sucking his finger-pathetic

Kenny hates this dog...what is he doing?

wanted everyone who doesn't know Lily well to see what her bad attitude face looks like

Lacy takes a quick cool bath after chasing our goats in their water

Lily spends hours with our puppies

Sarah was enthralled with climbing this tree.

Good news for us..Kenny passed his Fire suppression tests in Nashville and he is already busy with work.We are very excited about the opportunities in this business for our family.He is able to plan his own schedule and take days off when needed. Because this business is a government necessity, it is not affected by the slowing economy.
The beautiful fall weather continues. Sunday, the whole family went to hang out at a local park. After the boys had their fill of football with Kenny, I talked them into a game of duck, duck, goose for the little ones. They finally agreed which led to more laughter than we expected (especially when Kenny started to get competitive even with this toddler activity ha ha) I have to say I havn't had that much fun in a long time. There is something awesome about the whole family doing something together that gives me a feeling like no other. To be honest, though, it isn't quite the same feeling I had when Isaac was here. There is still and always will be a hole.
Another deep joy is to watch Joshua begin to get a little bit bolder. It is almost like a feeling I had when he was born..to see the actual baby developed after nine months. I know he has a long road ahead with many trials and temptations but I am seeing growth and maturity in some areas that gives my heart a thrill.
We were so blessed to attend two concerts this past week. Tuesday, Lisa, my mom, Candice my sister-in-law, and my daughter Lily went to see an Irish Rhythm dance performance that was world class. On Friday Kenny and I took the older boys to see an amazing and talented Phil Keaggy who is now near 60. His talent has been around for decades and it is still incredible.
Now we are dealing with a bit of the stomach flu but it seems short lived. Joe was quite upset about it and wanted to go to the doctor. He said "the sick is hurting me" and "sometimes we have to kill 'the sick' " so funny. I realized my toddler is on his way to becoming a little boy.
November will bring the wedding of Stacie , Sam's mom, which will occur on the 20th. This is a happy yet sobering occasion for the Roche family. Mitch, Stacie's fiance, really seems to love her and Sam. Thanksgiving will be spent with Becky and clayton Houk's family and then probably a weekend dinner with the Roches. The Ectors and Lenzs will be spending time with other family.
We are planning a Christmas trip to Mo. if all goes as planned. The only bummer is that Dana and Russell will be out of town. We will still be busy with many other family and friends and it is the only time to take a vacation since Josh is in school (by the way he has done well with his grades.100% in calculus is something to be proud of) He is looking into going to Covenant College in Lookout Mtn, near Chattanooga.
Thankful for the sweet times and even learning to be thankful for what seems like difficulties. The difficulties are leading to His glory.

Golf Awards and Prayer for a little one

Just a few shots of John and Paul with their medals for taking first place in their golf league. The boys had a good time going out on Monday Nights the past few months to compete. Their experience paid off and they played well. Kenny really enjoys taking them to these events.
Joshua has had fall break this week so our homeschool has also been a little half-hearted. Monday Joshua was invited by a kid at school to try out for a part in his Christian band. They ended up calling Hope to come over and it was decided to combine all of their talent into one new band. It sounds like a great opportunity. I spent yesterday reorganizing the girls and Kenny and my closets. Last night Kenny and I drove to Cleveland where we met Judah and Candice and their sweet two kids for a late dinner. Little 3 month old Bella is the best baby! Today I took the younger boys and rode with Julie to visit a friend and relative of hers that has boys ages 4,7, and 9. They all played great as we didn't hear any complaints from them the entire day. We shared a spice cake and ginger cookies with a pumpkin cream spread with our coffee. Another refreshing time.
I was connected through FB with a young couple going through a heartwrenching experience..please if you have time go to www.matthewsstory.com and pray for this family. I spent time reading and before long I was crying and praying. They are an amazing couple. all for now...the house has suffered these last few days..

Just one October weekend

Women hanging out...so what if we don't sew anymore...there's tons to do..


We have had such a nice weekend with beautiful weather. We had a full day of school Friday and then spent the evening playing kickball followed by bonfire where we roasted hotdogs and made smores at a friend's place in the mountains. There were kids running everywhere and they all had a nice time (Lily loved petting their horses) Kenny wasn't able to go with us as he was working in Knoxville. Saturday morning I took Josh to a friend's house as they were going to head to Chatanooga for the day and on the way home I made a surprise stop at my neighbor and friend's home to have an early morning cup of coffee. I knew I would be greeted like one of the family and I was right as they served me a pumpkin waffle while in their jammas. Julie's mom and dad have an apartment in her basement and Peggy ("Nana") is a joy to hang out with. Peggy and I decided to take Elijah and John to the huge church garage sale down the road. Hope offered to come play with the younger kids so Paul could spend the day with the Ectors. We had great success at the sale since we arrived at the perfect time for the closing bargains.I noticed a bright colored pink comforter and curtain set for Julie's daughter's room and we bought it with plans to take it home and redecorate her room. My mom had worked so hard on preparations for this sale the last 6 weeks and the results were well worth the time.
Shortly after I arrived at my house I found Sarah with freshly painted nails and glittery eyes thanks to Hope. During the morning Lily had taken the guinea pig out of the cage and left it in the school room. I heard a distressed call from John and discovered a wet limp guinea pig on the stairs. Lacy, our german shepherd, had decided to play with it. I don't know how I could've forgotten what she did to our baby chicks but it never crossed my mind to be aware of this danger. Forty bucks down the drain and a sad little girl! Sarah seemed to recover fairly quickly though and we headed over to our neighbors to begin decorating. We spent the whole afternoon working on two little girls rooms followed by a remake of her living room. Nana made gourmet pizza and set a fall place setting for us on the front deck for all of us ladies (including Lily whom they treat so kind).Toward the evening Julie chuckled as she mentioned that we had one woman cooking, one cleaning, and one decorating.Having others in our lives really helps!! These are the times when I realize that as a society we have lost something precious that used to be an everyday norm. Women were not nearly as restless taking care of their homes and children as they are now.Good friends can really lighten our loads..sometimes they come only through being a friend yourself or just praying that God would bring the right friends into your life.

I have seen that boredom comes from a lack of fellowship, hobbies, outdoor time, serving others together as a family and yes..good books.(we can educate ourselves in any area of choice with decisive passion) It's not all about slaving away over laundry, cooking, and housework. It has helped having the kids have their responsibilities and even regular date nights with your love of your life. These are just some practical aspects that have almost disappeared from American homes.
I am so glad to have had our mothers, great books written on the subject and other great examples that have offered help. In homemaking we may not feel the immediate rewards or even at times we may feel totally unappreciated..But as our example of serving others imprints itself on our children's minds I have seen that as they grow older they realize the stability of steady good meals, a joyful face about the home, and a love between parents really was wonderful.(makes me appreciate all our parents gave as I write this) Now of course, these things are dear to my heart but I don't ever want to give an impression that this lifestyle is a must for everyone. Many cannot be at home with their kids and God works in the busiest of childhoods. His mercy is there in complete broken situations and He forms amazing adults that have come from a childhood full of suffering. I just want to encourage those to keep with it if they are stay-at-home moms. There have been difficult winters where I thought I would loose my mind at times but God has given wisdom when asked for on ideas on keeping life full of purpose and meaning.
Now back to our daily diary...Kenny is glad to be back and we stayed up late talking with the older two boys. This morning he has prepared a dish he enjoyed at a co-worker's home after just the two of us went to the grocery store to collect the ingredients. A cajun shrimp boil -we just finished this meal and all of our mouths are burning. In fact I just pointed out to Kenny that our youngest was licking the half wooden wall to relieve his Hot mouth..gross.(another one of those things you don't think to tell your kids...don't lick the walls, Joseph!)
Now three sons and a husband are off to the golf course while two little ones take a nap.Things are actually quiet around year....I'm taking it in.

Fall Festival and Sarah's B-day

Sarah and the cupcakes she helped make

with aunt lisa

just a close-up of the painted cedar- I love how it turned out


the kids were a bit freaked out by the turtle

Hope with Abel singing her heart out

Sarah talking her head off to Grandma and Grandpa like always

Lily was loving this and gave a rare natural smile

We enjoyed the Pumpkin Town Festival in downtown Athens where Hope and Abel had two 1/2 hour slots to perform a few of the dozens of songs Hope has written. It is always a pleasure to hear her and Abel is really coming along on the drums after only six months. The kids also enjoyed the dancers and another band of the hillbilly sort. The big two seater wagon really made the day pleasant (thanks to mom and Bernie)
Sarah is at a great age for a birthday party and her squeals had us all smiling. The new guinea pig has been an added friend eventhough she bought it into her bed this morning..(yuck) We are so blessed to have family and friends so close by but we miss the big Houk and Martin families in Mo. and Phoenix..sad. Thanks to all the grandparents who faithfully send birthday money to all six of the kids. We hope this large family doesn't overwhelm you as far as keeping up with them all.
Today was a beautiful fall day and we took the time to take a blanket and lay it out in the grass under the vivid blue sky. Sarah and her friend Faith began a weaving
project for art class. (a gift from the Costners-thanks) John was sprawled out with a good book. Eventhough the house was getting a bit messy I looked around and told myself to remember all that had been accomplished..to remember that the atmosphere in our home is the most important aspect of our family life..Do I choose peace and joy or stress and chaos? So to any other moms of large families...just let it go somedays! There is always tomorrow's work! Smile and enjoy your family!!!

Life around here is always busy and full of love. How can it be any different when little ones are running around? The younger ones spend a good part of the day snuggling with the puppies on our front porch. John has Annalise and Elijah popping in and out on a regular basis. Lily has her new school room with Jungle Book playing every time she can sneak away. Paul is enjoying spending time with the Hall family with his good friend Will and he does quite a bit with his cousins. Today, he is at the fall fest with them downtown. Josh is spending the day with a friend and the friend's dad who are on their way up to a beautiful course in Crossville. Kenny is studying for a test he will take in Nashville next week. I am planning for Sarah's 5th birthday party tomorrow and will spend part of the day finishing the paint job I started on the exterior of our home. (took a break after the front was finished since it was so hot). Life is hectic yet I wouldn't want it any other way right now. I have been learning to be content with what gets done and begin again tomorrow trying to remember the important thing is that we are "letting our light shine before men so that they may see our good works and glorify their Father in heaven". This can only be done by walking in the Holy Spirit. Come, Lord Jesus...there is nothing else that matters!!
I so want others to be set free! I want our life to show there is a freedom and peace when you are in Christ. Something real others can see! It starts with our own relationship with God one on one and then our family and friends and then strangers.I love the chance to share this Faith...I look for open doors wherever I can since being a bulldozer isn't God's way. God opens the hearts...but I remember that faith comes by hearing..and others must hear the words of God to even be pricked enough to be moved!Others have to know that God loves them and is itimately involved in their lives. This awesome God cares about the smallest of his creatures. It just makes sense to follow HIm. Riches, fame, and glory are meaningless...we are all on our way to the grave.
I was watching people exit the grocery store the other day..most of whom were elderly. I mentioned to Kenny that the curse was about us every day. I mean, come on, we will all deteriorate. Can't the world see this? or do we institutionalize our old folks to the point where our society forgets? If we can't see that our spirit and soul needs redemption then could we possibly see our bodies do? Can we not fear God? He has obviously caused our days to be numbered. If the Father has made a way for our spirit, soul, and body to be made new then why won't we accept this awesome gift!? Everyone's life has it's hardships. Why not live in peace during these times? God's ways bring joy not boredom. Joy in the middle of hell. I am excited about serving HIm for the rest of my days..It is exciting to see HIm at work in all that is around and especially exciting to see HIm bring light and salvation into someone's life! Way more exciting than possessing any material good or even a personal achievement which obviously have proven generation after generation to bring no lasting satisfaction.
These are the words to a song that Hope and Josh wrote together:

I have given up fool's gold
My possessions I have sold
For a tresure not short-lived
I will follow for You give..
Lasting JOy..Lasting JOy

YOu are the lasting jOY..lasting joy

I have taken up my cross
and I'll count it all as lost
and thou at times I can't go on
I'll keep the faith and carry on
Lasting joy..lasting JOy

.

FALL

Changes have taken place that I never saw coming. Things are finally settling down enough for me to take some time to record in our online diary the exciting yet exhausting events.
The first was Kenny's desire to start a new career. He is now in the process of setting up a fire protection business and will be certified to maintain fire systems in restaurants, school, hospitals, and any business that is required by the govt. to have inspections.We have set up an office and built a supply room for this purpose. He believes this will be a great business to grow old with.
The next event was a shocker! We sent Joshua to public school for his senior year.The purpose being to see if there was a possible golf or academic scholarship to be had.So far so good. He will be going to the state level competition near Nashville this Tuesday and Wednesday. He is also doing well as far as grades and just heard he is top of his class in Calculus. I think he is seriously considering some type of major in Math. Engineering is a possibility. Another purpose was to allow him some type of transition year. Being homeschooled he has not had to deal with constant cultural differences being- aggressive girls, filthy talk, drugs, and so on. Of course every human being has to deal with their sin nature that we are automatically born with but it has been nice keeping our family in a "raised in a family not an institutional environment" and I believe in homeschooling more than ever but what is the point of training them at home if they as an adult cannot deal with all the glitter and lies of the world. Our goal has always been that our kids would be salt and that we would be a light and city on a hill. How boring to hide away trying to run from the world when we have the power in Christ to shake up and encourage the hopeless. With all that said..there is a time in everyone's life when a believer should be equipped enough to be in the offensive. I pray and hope Joshua is in this place but even if he proves not to be, I pray he will come to see his deeper need for God. Whatever the course, Kenny and I both felt seperately and simultaneously that this was the path for him.
Our other kids have activities also. Paul is taking physical Science, American History, and Algebra 1 in a co-0p setting. Paul and John are also playing golf and have both taken first place in their league. Kenny enjoys getting out with them several times a week. He knows he is blessed to have his sons love the sport he loves but has made it clear that he will support them in whatever interest they seek.
Lily is doing well and has had only one seizure in the last few months. The two little ones are happy and thriving. Sarah has a few girls come over for art and she and jOhn are part of a nature study class. The books we read are a joy in our lives and school is a source of pleasure not pain. I think Josh has realized this now more than ever and he has expressed thankfulness for all the "good books".
We visited a new church in Cleveland today as we have been unsure about where to go regularly.. but it has been an adventure and the kids say they are glad to have been around many different believers. Even I enjoy keeping up with several different groups of people here and there. After all, the body of Christ is worldwide. I do think it's important to have those who are really like family though and for this reason it is good to keep up fellowship. We really liked today...very casual and modern worship but all that matters is we are where we are supposed to be..we shall see.

Isaac left us 14 years ago -Sept. 27, 1996
He is never forgotten especially as the smell of fall permeates the air. He would have been 18 years old -an actual adult. Death has a sting...but I am so glad for the true victory we have in the Creator's plan through Jesus Christ (our redeemer!) Isaac was a beautiful boy inside and out...the words he sang in the backseat- "Mercy and Truth come out of you ....you are an awesome God" at three years old still amaze me. I have never had a three year old with this depth since.-something to ponder-If you will say a prayer for those you know who have recently had a child pass on and Believe your prayers are heard and matter they will make a difference in the strength and comfort a parent will have. Thanks.

Little Ones

What a sweet time with the little ones this week. I am just finishing up a art lesson with 3-5 year olds (had a couple of the kid's cousins over today). Our little friend is also here for our regular art class. The mood was set with a liitle background music from Bach. and a quick talk about some works found in A Child's Book of Art-selected by Lucy Micklethwait. With Charlotte Mason's suggestions in use the kid's really get involved. We finger painted and then did some brush work afterward. Even little 3 year old Sam patiently sat focused on his picture. Now I hear dinosaur growls throughout the house but the rowdiness is well earned.
I also had an exceptional time with a group of 8 and under Monday during our Nature Study class. Lisa has divided the class into 2 groups putting me in charge of the younger kids. How alive the children became when they were set free to explore in somewhat of a guided fashion. We tore apart a rotting log (found all kinds of nasty little termites), discovered what lighting can do, and one of the students was curious about the possibility of a nest in a hollow tree and sure enough there was one there. This led to the lifting of nearly 10 children up above our shoulders to look. The greatest part was sitting silently as a group in the middle of the woods (our back yard) and watching , listening for all the wonder. The kids were talkative and involved. As we thanked the Lord together for His beauty I felt like this was one of the best homeschool moments I have had. I reminded John this week of what an UNBORING God we serve....JUST LOOK AROUND! and then realize the power and creativity we have when we possess Him!