The Goat (aka as Spencer or Goatie)

The awkward walk

A new hang out place--the barn

After Lily fed the baby his bottle she carried him into the living room from the front porch without me noticing. He was fast asleep with her and John and I let the fact that he was indoors slide until he woke up.

Preparing the little barn for the petting zoo. I will post a finished picture later.

The first night the goat was home we brought him inside since he was used to being in the house and bottle fed even in the middle of the night. Thankfully we never had to get up or maybe I just wasn't willing. The diaper was a must but he had a hard time keeping it on so the inside thing was short lived. I thought it was hilarious when they had all the animals gathered in their bedroom.
Our friends and neighbors are getting in on it

Paul with Spencer the first night home.

It's comical how much this little creature has helped with the dreary winter days. He makes the cutest little noises and cries for his bottle if we are 15 minutes off schedule. I bought him from the same farm that the rabbits came from. I was hoping for a female but his twin sister died and all that she had was this irresistable "stinky" male. Well, he doesn't stink yet but male goats are known for their scent when they become adults. Neutering him might help- so we shall see. The lady actually kept him in her house and bottle fed him since the day he was born. He came from animal lovers but definite Tennessee hillbillys that didn't mind the mess. I let him come in the first night as long as he had one of Joe's diapers on. He walked a little funny in it so I cut a hole for his tale but it still bothered him so out he went. He sleeps in a dog cage in the mud room at night but spends the days figuring out how to get out of the barn so he can sleep on the front porch. He has suceeded in escaping which they are notorious for and waits for any opportunity to bolt in any door that opens. The kids have actually liked tackling him in a gentle sort of way.The fencing will soon be complete and then we will buy some other creatures to keep him company when my kids are busy. The extra work has been worth the entertainment and the lessons in responsibility for the kids. We have been here six years and it's time for a little farm and garden.

Family Fun

Behind Grandpa you will notice a white putting hole that Kenny cut out a few months ago. It has offered hours of entertainment in our living room. It is usually concealed under our coffee table, but when company comes, especially my dad, the golfer, we offer quite a surprise. They play the equivalent of HORSE in basketball. Our carpet seems to be just as great as a putting green. With all the smiles how can the woman of the house complain. The only complaining that night came from the golfers when the little terrors would rush through with their baby doll strollers. (but it was to cute for them to really object to strongly)

Novi and Sarah with Lily's bunny. She is careful to hold it this way because it nibbles a bit on her arm which has upset her greatly. "bunny bites you" she says.

Sarah had a sweet time when her Grandparents, new Uncle Nate, and Aunt Lizzi came over for dinner one night and brought cousin Novianna. Novi is also two years old and the they really hit it off.

where have we been

Eveyone is growing ...growing...

This was December,2007.

Random Pictures and comments

We started reading this book out loud at the beginning of the school year and I am inspired!!! His writing style is as beautiful as it is unusual and the older boys don't want me to ever skip this reading. I am holding off on reading this to the younger kids until they mature a little and have a good foundation of Biblical miracles vs. fairy tales. Hans Christian Anderson's worldview is godly though and we have all been provoked to think deeper through his parables. What a treat this book has been and of course it came from the "giver of books" which is my sister, Lisa.

Today we were back on our routine. This is just a great time of reading together with John and Lily on the cozy couch with our cat,dog, and baby brother. Lily is reading better and better!!

A very dear friend of mine since our move to Tn. with her first daughter after bearing 4 sons.She is now expecting # 6. The Lord, football loving boys, and homeschooling are just some of the common bonds between us. We just had dinner together recently while the boys played football under a street light.

Lily playing in a "dragon fight" with another father of six on New Year's Eve. She has completely become infatuated with dragons (dinosaurs with large teeth that breathe fire) lately. Now she is drawing dragons constantly. Tonight at Wal-Mart she went crazy over dragon material that Kenny let her buy to make a scarf for her head. She was squealing with delight. My sweet Lily into dragons! Strange! Elephants were much more appealing!! ha ha

Purple-streaked hair on New Year's Eve with good friends

Lily received two baby bunnies that she completely adores. Sarah mauls them some but Lily has learned to be quite gentle.

Look who is walking. Joseph turned a year Dec. 11 He has become Priscilla's baby. (who by the way has become a finalist for receiving an art scholarship at a really great college)

Kezzi painted this for me as a Christmas gift. She is really blossoming into an incredible painter.

I Know! It's amazing that they all can draw and paint.


Kenny made this sand blasted sign to be installed at the bottom of my mom and step-dad's driveway. He is really blossoming into an incredible sign-maker. just kidding. but not really.

As you can tell I am back to my common way of posting a zillion pictures. Kenny bought me a new digital camera.

Christmas Time

My favorite part of the holidays is the overnight stay at my mom and step-dad's from Christmas Eve til Christmas night. We have carried on this tradition for the past 5 years and I believe it is well worth preserving. I don't care about gift exchanging. My children really have more than they need but the memories of meals, games, and conversations are what touches all of us. After all, relationships are the most important aspect of our life. Anyway here is a overview of our time: Christmas Eve is a more formal celebration with family pictures, nice candle-lit dinner (Grandpa always makes his meatballs and Grandma has desserts galore), White Elephant Game, and then late-night talks and games. This year we are trying something new and that is performances of music, dance, or recitation from the children. Joshua is practicing a song on his guitar, Paul and John are reciting Scripture, and Lily will sing a solo. Oh, and Joseph will take a spectacular 5-8 steps from person to person while everyone cheers. Next, we will all awake to children pestering us to hurry downstairs while we exchange gifts. Each person has drawn a name a month or so ago and will now present that person with their gift. We start from youngest to oldest so that each person will get their moment in the spotlight. The best part of Christmas day is staying in our pajamas and eating all the left overs from the night before. It won't be quite the same without Candace this year but they are coming soon for a visit. Anyways, the kids are so excited they can hardly contain themselves.

Sarah enjoyed Joe's birthday so much that a few mornings later she climbed in bed with us and I opened my eyes to see her face right in mine with a little plea of "Mommy, Pease have birfday. Peasse have cake." What an adorable age!
This week we have still continued on with school as next week will be our Christmas break. We did have a couple of breaks. One day we decorated ginger bread cookies at a friend's house and another friend invited us out for the afternoon. I have really been pushing myself to keep consistent with my schedule with John and Lily. Lily's progress continues to inch along and John has needed a little more time than the older boys to catch on. During the school day our little Sarah is in the middle of it all. I can't call it naughtiness but just wanting to be involved-which can be good if we find creative ways to bring her in. It seems I have never been so pressed and needed. I know I am in the pinnacle of the physical demands of mothering and by next year the younger two will be much more independent. I couldn't wish for time to go any quicker for they are all so tender hearted right now. The emotional, physical, and spiritual changes that are taking place in the older ones are a lot to handle also. One of the nice things about the oldest is he has become a responsible baby sitter and tonight Kenny and I just arrived back from a nice dinner date. Through it all life is beautiful as we press through into finding that place in Christ where we all belong. GRACE - GRACE - WHAT AN AWESOME GIFT FROM GOD THAT WE GIVE TO ONE ANOTHER!! There is a joy in the journey-Michael Card. (you can listen to this song-go to michaelcard.com )
Through the new year we pray you realize His grace is enough for you!!!

Subjects of Passion

Wow! So many amazing things happening in our nation. What a war there is between creationists and evolutionists, pro-life vs murder of the unborn, involved parents vs. apathy, and many other important issues like taxes, foreign policy etc. We had a great time discussing what we have learned recently about the ideals of some of the candidates. Huckabee looks pretty good. Check him out. I used to believe that these were issues for the world to deal with and that the "spiritual" ones had more important issues at hand. Have I changed! The reasons vary but I believe that these battles are really spiritual battles taking place in the hearts of our people all around us. My step-dad suggested we all take the initiative to research certain issues and then get together to inform one another. We all liked the challenge.I may not be able to do much but pray and spread a little passion (especially to my children)in this stage of my life but that is okay because it is good for all of us to be informed. It will be interesting to see what happens in our country over the next few years. Whatever the case, trusting in God is not an option, it's the only way. There are so many subjects that I want to explore. My favorites have been early child training, homeschooling, and marriage. God's ways are such a blessing. The best I can do on this little blog is recommend all the wonderful people who have studied the Bible on these subjects resulting in some very helpful books. My favorites are listed below
Child Training
To Train Up a Child- Michael Pearl
Sheperding a Child's Heart-Tedd Tripp
Marriage
Created to be His Helpmeet-Debbi Pearl
Marriage Covenant-Derek Prince
Homeschooling
Charlotte Mason's Companion-Karen Andreola
Homeschooling the Wholehearted Child
Relationships
Joshua Harris' books (Kissed dating Goodbye, Boy Meets Girl, and Not even a Hint)
The Purity Principle-Randy Alcorn
Passion and Purity-Elisabeth Elliot

I guess it would be appropiate to continue on with another subject of passion for me and that would be....our baby who just turned one. Go to Lisa's blog for pictures at Shadybrook Acres. I am really missing our camera to use for the everyday meaningful images of the kids like Joe taking his first steps and Sarah's over-active antics. We are enjoying this cozy season of more family time. The weather has been great this week and John has been excited about learning to ride a two wheeler. Lily is getting more active with others as I pull her away from her constant obsession with drawing. I felt like she has needed a little more balance. Many more tales of our busy life could be told but I seem to slack when there isn't a picture to take the place as forerunner.

Autumn Pleasures

The month of October went by quickly. The younger kids had a virus that kept us in the house for a few weeks. This included a fever with sores in their mouth. The 10th brought the celebration of sweet Sarah's second birthday. Grandparents,cousins, and Auntie and Uncle all came for dinner and cake. She loved the singing and candles.

Joshua has brought music into the house with his new guitar. He is a fast learner and a good singer. He has also been busy working a few afternoons a week.

At the end of October our niece eloped instead of going through with the big wedding planned for this month. We were a bit disappointed but all is well that ends well.
Now we are spending cozy nights drinking hot chocolate after the boys spend the afternoons building a new fort and clearing out our backyard for a football and soccer area. I attempted to start practicing hitting golf balls so that my husband and I can enjoy a hobby together. It’s very difficult but he has improved since he began a few years ago so I have hope. He plays often in a select shot tournament here and has even won a few times. Besides taking the boys with him often, he has had opportunities to play with my dad and brothers. Maybe someday I will join him.