Our First Crop

Okay, not really. We moved too late to do much planting this year. We are going to shoot for a fall/winter garden, though. We have some visions of sustainability; future fruit trees, a large garden, cows. However, this year looks like our only crop will be horseapples! I guess their real name is Osage Oranges, some people call 'em hedgeapples, but they are technically neither an apple or an orange. They are actually more like a mulberry tree. We have several of them, so I was wondering what in the world are they good for?

The kids love how they look like brains. They actually are an excellent insect repellent! They are a very good repellent for about 3 months. You can't eat them, but they have a sap that makes a great glue, and in some places apparently they sell for $2 each in grocery stores! Wow, maybe I could start an Internet business shipping them all over! I actually knew a lady who made a pretty good living shipping fresh mistletoe (a common Texas pest) all over the country at Christmas. Interesting, huh? These horseapple trees sure are annoying though, big old thorns - interestingly enough they used to be used as barbed wire before barbed wire was invented. AND...come to find out we'll have to get rid of all the ones on the back of our property because they are bad for horses and cows! Somehow they choke on them or something. Well, kids, there's your botany lesson for the day. Hey, anybody want to buy some horseapples? I think I've got some I can spare!

We are taking down these pens to make room for a fall garden.

Nosey neighbors! We love the privacy we've had here - with only eyes like these peeking at us on occasion! We were sitting outside the other night talking about how we have never really lived anywhere we didn't have neighbors all over around us. We are certainly enjoying the peacefulness! Hope you all have a blessed day!

Review: The Blackberry Bush

My first thought after reading The Blackberry Bush was, "How in the world am I going to review that?" The Blackberry Bush is a new novel by David Housholder that uses a unique style. The book jumps from different characters, time periods, continents, and points of view. I don't know exactly how to review it, because I really liked it; but it also bothered the mess out of me at the same time. But I think the author kind of meant for it to. In the promotional information it called the book a treasure hunt, and that is a pretty accurate description.

You know this jumping around thing is being done more and more in books and movies and it is only the rare occasion that it is a good thing in my opinion. I don't mind a book going to many little storylines if there is a strong, clear climax that brings it all together. The Blackberry Bush DOES kind of come together in the end and it has a good conclusion. When I finish a book (or movie for that matter) with many storylines, I just kind of sit there at the end and have to think, okay, what happened to this loose end, and what about that situation? It just seems like it's laborious to resolve everything in my mind.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and it certainly had some great points - great quotes about life and faith. If I were writing this book it would be less about describing the characters in their brokenness, and more about them truly realizing who Jesus is and His role in bringing them wholeness. It does a good job expressing a strong Christian theology, it just seemed like it got so bogged down in the characters before it got there, I guess that's what happens with so many main characters. The end of the book contains questions for group discussion. Now, that would really be interesting! It is the kind of book you need someone else to read so you can talk about it with them. It is a good combination of easy to read and deep, with some major symbolic features! It also is appropriate -and would be excellent as a matter of fact for teens.

The author indicated in an interview at the end of the book that their will be more books in this series. I would definitely like to read them. The book is available from Summerside Press for $14.99 HERE this link will also take you to excerpts, a book trailer, and lots of other interesting information.

I was given a copy of The Blackberry Bush by Summerside Press and B&B Media group for the purposes of review only.

Things Happen...

So, since we moved, the kids have jetted pretty much all over our property in Daddy's Mule, was it a good parenting decision? Hmm...I think so. They are having fun, feeling independent, outside, using their imaginations, learning to drive, even.

But then Gracie came in torn up with remorse over a little problem driving in reverse. Always our over-dramatic one, she laid in the floor crying, hid under her covers crying, almost hysterical with guilt, and she was certain we would be angry. What a great time to teach about forgiveness! and grace!

It's a pretty bad ding...or two. But I certainly have done worse. When I was 16 I was backing out of the driveway and tore up my car pretty bad on my dad's truck bumper. Bad stuff happens, but God always gives us grace and forgiveness no matter how terrible it is. Daddies and Mommies need to give it too. Our kids also need to see us not taking material things (and their damage) too seriously. Relationship is more important than image. Driving this car with all its little (and big) scrapes certainly does nothing for my image. As a matter of fact it kinda gives off the image - "you'd better get outta my way!" And actually, the way I drive, maybe that's best. I have a pretty bad scrape already on the back end of my car that I put there myself...backing out of a driveway...at age 30. I guess Gracie must take after me. We should take this in consideration when we someday purchase a car for her use. Maybe a big truck with metal bumpers and a special parking space away from our other vehicles? Ahh... grace, grace, wonderful grace. Aren't you glad you have grace too?

Pool pros and cons

When we bought this house - the pool was kind of an afterthought. We loved the house, the location, and the land, but the pool didn't really figure into our choices. I knew having a pool would be wonderful! I pictured the great free entertainment for the whole family. I looked forward to having groups of friends, family, and students over for all kinds of get togethers. And it HAS been incredible, it certainly is a way to stay active and outside when it is unbearably hot. But, I don't think I even thought of the expense of maintaining a pool! The chemicals are running roughly $100 -150 a month. Maybe it would be less if I knew what I was doing. I'm learning. Maybe that estimate is high as some of the expense so far has been getting the pool started for the summer.

I didn't realize that the pool would also mean probably 1 load of laundry extra per day. The water bill must surely be affected with putting water in the pool and increased showers. Not to mention the $20 a month we are spending on sunscreen! Also, I don't know why but something about having a pool means you have to cook out more. I spend probably $30 a month more on steaks and hamburgers and things to grill outside. We grilled some fish in packets with a few veggies last week and they were wonderful!

If I was super frugal I could probably cut out a lot of these costs and make it more reasonable, and I could buy pool chemicals throughout the year for use in the summer to even out the summer budgeted amount. But overall, it is probably worth it. I think with a pool you stay at home more- a stay-cation is easy! The kids can't stand the thought of leaving the house for a day with no swimming! I'd much rather have them swimming than using any kind of electronics! Nobody has cared at all that we don't have a TV in this house, or that we haven't hooked up the wii.

Here's what they are up to when they AREN'T in the pool. The dog just looks at me with a miserable face, like, "Can't you make them let me inside so I can nap?"

This picture (with TV) was taken at my parent's house. I've never seen a kid so affected by what she reads! After The Secret Garden all she wanted to do was plant. After After reading the Little Princess, Gracie wanted a china doll, and suddenly she wants to wear dresses all the time. And she does chores with a "princess attitude." So she bought this doll with her own money at a junk shop.

Blessings - Part 1

My parents blessed me. And that is the understatement of the century. If you have read my blog for any length of time, you might remember my mentioning HOW they blessed me. If not, you can read about it HERE.
I remember as a very young child having a fever and rebuking the devil, speaking to Satan and reminding him of his lack of authority in my life - claiming my rights as a child of God. We are talking 4 years old. I remember doing the same with bugs and other things that scared me. I remember quoting Genesis to bees I was scared of to remind them that God said we rule over them and they had no right to sting me. And, no surprise, they didn't.

My parents made this very intentional effort to bless me, but I'm not sure if they realized at the time the true blessing of that blessing. When you read about blessings in the Bible, they seem formal, a proclamation, a formality, I think of Isaac placing his hand on Jacob's head and giving him his blessing. It would seem that it was a passive thing, not really about teaching. However, the blessing they said over me stated to me, to God, and to Satan, my rights as a believer - "I am the head and not the tail...no weapon formed against me will prosper...I am a disciple taught of the Lord."

However, while they were saying it, all the while I was learning - this is who I am. This is who God is. I was receiving faith to know God will do what He says He will. I was learning my rights as a believer. I was learning spiritual warfare, and I was learning battle strategy. I was learning that the Word is a shield that we quote for defense and offense. I was learning that the Word is real and active, a powerful part of my life.
Wow. All that from a passive blessing. Come to find out, it wasn't so passive after all. What a gift! Happy Father's Day to my Daddy, but what gift can ever compare to that kind of thing?
...More on the blessing coming soon...

Father's Day Fishin

Daniel and Dad went fishin on Father's Day. Daniel caught a 4 lb catfish. His grandpa gave him some tackle and he has been dying to try it out. Daddy had a great Father's Day with church, ribeyes cooked out on the grill, and a nice, long Sunday nap followed by father-son fishin'. You just can't beat that kind of day. We got him speakers to hook up to his cell phone to play music and a new Apologetics Bible.

The Great Divide - Part 2

Daniel found a turtle. I don't have a problem with keeping strange animals found in the woods, but then there's that whole feeding them and not killing them thing. And really I'd really prefer not to have to catch various bugs to please a reptile's appetite. So, I had the brillant suggestion of destroying this poor animal's God given camoflauge by painting him with paint markers. THEN, we can let it go and maybe find it again. Kind of like a big, very hard game of hide and seek. For once a turtle might actually be fun to play with.

He even put his name and phone number on it so if anyone else found it, they could return it. He was happy, and we don't have a turtle.

The girls new room had not yet been divided into 2 separate rooms. We did this before at our old house by making a more "permanent" divider with plywood and dressers. Their new room has a larger area to divide (16ft), so it was a bit challenging. Notice Gracie's bed is still on the floor as I cook up an awesome plan for a platform/storage bed. We were pretty happy with the results of Daddy's genius. This solution being a bit less permanent, the girls can open it up when they need more room, or if they have a lot of company.

We used a 16ft closet rod held up with some pvc fittings screwed into the ceiling. We bought sheets for the divider. They wouldn't let me get too many pictures because their rooms were both pretty messy.

Fish Boy

My boy is A FISH this summer!

Pearl's Palace

My husband has a slight tendency to get a tad carried away when it comes to his kids and their building projects. It's a good quality, I guess.

Gracie Pearl wanted a fort to play in, but what he built was a little more than a fort. I mean the forts I had as a kid consisted of a board nailed into a tree that I sat on to read. My husband's ideas are a bit more elaborate. We made Gracie stay inside all morning until it was done, and then we surprised her with the finished product.

Ally painted her a sign for out front.

She was pretty excited.

He basically built her a 4x8 cabin! It's all screened in to keep bugs out. We used some recycled stuff and the boards we removed from a fence we took down in our back yard.

Is he an awesome daddy, or what?

What a great place for overnight campouts and lots of amazing pretend adventures - and just a quiet place to get away and read. The other 2 kids are placing orders for their forts - and I'm thinkin' that with just a few modifications -he could build me something like this for a pretty sweet chicken coop. Daddy's gonna take a break and go back to work, though. We worked him pretty hard today!

Hottness!

We are lovin' our new house! Despite the 2 scorpions a day we find, and various other creepy country critters. I underestimated how awesome having a pool would be! I can't believe how much time we are spending in that thing - and it just makes outside chores a bit more bearable in 100+degree heat! When there are outside chores to do, we swim, work, and swim at regular intervals. I guess you just have to have realistic expectations about what you can do outside during a Texas summer. Clearing 4+acres of woods to make room for some pastureland is just not the kind of thing you try to do during the summer. Evening hours are the best times to get most things done.

We are SERIOUSLY in need of rain around here - it's super hot and dry!

Dad brought home some cool makings of an awesome fort! The kids can't wait to put it together. Poor Daddy's so greatly in demand. Moving -setting things up - and country chores - every kid - and me -has very long Daddy-Do-Lists. He just has such awesome skills & no one can do what he can around here! He is taking a day off of work today to get some little things done. On my list for him: installing a countertop in the laundry room, putting in shelving systems in like 4 closets, and finishing the girl's room divider. Of course, he'd rather go outside and build a cool fort with the kids, but you know, he's a firm believer in that old saying, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"

Salsa!

I totally love taking these out of the garden +a few peppers+onions+garlic

And turning it into THIS -
Yum! If it makes it to the canning jars later today, I'll be surprised. You know it's just hard to mess up hot sauce! Pretty much whatever you do with all those fresh ingredients, when you scoop it up on a chip, it just tastes amazing. I add very few spices.

Now onto some pickles. Last year I was the only one who liked the pickles I canned. I thought they tasted a little bit like kinda fancy Klausen pickles, but no, everyone else just thought they were just soggy and the kids said they tasted funny. I'm trying a different recipe, so we'll see. What else in the world are you supposed to do with this many cucumbers? My kids don't like cucumbers anyway.

I got these out of my dad's garden - I actually was beginning to wonder if he had planted some strange green zucchini squash because some of these things are HUGE! I have decided you should not plant cucumbers without a trellis for them to grow up, when you just let them go where ever they are so hard to find. Sorry, Dad, but the fact that your garden is a jungle doesn't help.

That's When I Talk to God Review

That's When I Talk to God is the second book I have reviewed by husband and wife writing team Dan and Ali Morrow. The first book was That's Where God Is. Loved them both! Both books help explain the Christian life clearly to young children. This book is an excellent book for families to teach their children how vital prayer is and to disciple their children about how and when to pray.

I can't help but think that this would also be an excellent book for churches or Christian preschool programs to have available to teachers of young children. I love the way both books walk children carefully through concepts and include scripture as well!

Targeted to children four to eight, That’s When I Talk to God mirrors the day of the typical child, creating an opportunity for readers to put the practices in the story to use in their own lives. Through beautiful illustrations and an engaging, familiar character, readers can relate to That’s When I Talk to God. Children will learn to go to God with their fears, their joys, their questions, and their desires. They will also learn the hows, whens, and whys of praying to the Lord in a way they can easily apply to their own experiences. And adults will be reminded to communicate the benefit, simplicity, and beauty of prayer.

I loved the letter from Grandpa (Lee Strobel is Ali Morrow's father) at the back of the book. He talks about how to use the book to teach children and grandchildren to have a deeper faith in Christ.

I love this book - I would highly recommend it! I think I'd love anything by these authors because you can really feel that heart that they have for God (and kids) through their writing. You can buy That's When I Talk to God from David C. Cook for $12.99 - you can also watch a trailer for the book on that website link.

That's When I Talk to God was given to me by David C. Cook and B&B Media Group for the purposes of review only.

Review: Addie Slaughter - The Girl Who Met Geronimo

Addie Slaughter The Girl Who Met Geronimo is the story of a young girl living in the Wild West in the late 1800's. The book is based on actual stories passed down through the Slaughter family. It contains a great glimpse into a fascinating period of history. The book is written so that it would be readable and interesting to young children and would be a great history supplement or the basis of a biography report. The Slaughter Ranch is an actual place you can visit today (in Arizona) with a museum and other attractions. I love a book that allows kids to connect with a site they can actually visit. The book also contains a brief curriculum guide which might be useful for homeschoolers or teachers. It would be interesting to study the main character's father, who was a historic rancher and sheriff, as well -in order to extend the historical significance a bit.

The book is short, 53 pages in length. It is well written, in the first person, with lots of photos and descriptive detail. Overall, it is your average pioneer story - nothing terribly earth-shattering. I was a bit disappointed in the meeting Geronimo part - it was a basically a paragraph of brief description of a 2-3 minute encounter - hardly title worthy, but I enjoyed the book in all.

This is a great book for readers 2-5th grades particularly, accessible and interesting, an excellent way to make history really come alive for students. You can buy the book HERE for $15.95 from Five Star Publications.

Addie Slaughter -The Girl Who Met Geronimo was given to me by MamaBuzz and Five Star Publications for the purposes of review only.

Book Review: Stories From Grandma's Attic

In Grandma's Attic and More Stories From Grandma's Attic are two new books by Arleta Richardson. They are told from the author's own memories of her grandmother's stories about growing up on a 19th century farm. Both books would be excellent to have around for a go-to read aloud. The stories are fairly short - ideal for a 1 -2 minute bedtime story. They are a lot of fun and teach excellent lessons as well.

My kids loved these books, they particularly liked that they are actually true! These stories remind me of my own childhood and they should also remind us of the importance of passing down our own struggles and adventures to the next generation! Since the stories are about the adventures of the grandmother, the books are geared toward girls of all ages, but boys would enjoy them as well.

Remember when you were a child, when the entire world was new, and the smallest object a thing of wonder? Arleta Richardson remembered: the funny wearable wire contraption hidden in the dusty attic, the century-old schoolchild’s slate that belonged to Grandma, an ancient trunk filled with quilt pieces—each with its own special story—and the button basket, a miracle of mysteries. But best of all she remembered her remarkable grandmother who made magic of all she touched, bringing the past alive as only a born storyteller could.

So step inside the attic of Richardson’s grandmother. These stories will keep you laughing while teaching you valuable lessons. These marvelous tales faithfully recalled for the delight of young and old alike are a touchstone to another day when life was simpler, perhaps richer, and when the treasures of family life and love were passed from generation to generation by a child’s questions and the legends that followed enlarged our faith. The author is due to release 2 more additional books in this series soon!

Both books are available by David C. Cook and sell for $6.99. Each book has about 10-15 short stories, 144 pages.

These books were provided by David C. Cook and B&B Media for the purposes of review only.

God Calling

My husband has repeatedly said that summer camp for students is more vital now that it ever was before. I know a lot of people my age have fond memories and spiritual breakthroughs that they recall from their camp years, but camp is so much more important now!

Camp is possibly the 1 time a year where students go an entire week totally unplugged! Forced into newfangled situations where actual face-to-face communication must take place, many students walk around trying to type out conversations on their palms. Many may need neck braces to hold their heads in a rare, upright position for more than 15 minutes. We are considering adding a morning exercise program to our camp schedule to allow for stretching unused hand muscles that have been continuously cupped around a cell phone for 365 days. Facebook withdrawal includes convulsions and tremors as it is extremely hazardous to go 7 days without knowing your friend's status updates, but I promise you it is all worth it.

Like the Lord said in Leviticus 26:13, "I am the Lord your god who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; (or technology); I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high."

That is our prayer for this summer - that students would discover a new beginning, a freedom from bondage, a greater faith, and a new outlook that changes their lives forever! If you have a teenager in your life - get them to camp however you can!

A week of busy-ness

The last week, which included my 38th birthday - flew by at an incredible pace. We've moved into later summer bedtimes, and 2 out of 3 kids are mostly done with school. Poor Gracie has some lingering math lessons to suffer through for about 2 weeks. But we've been in summer mode for a long time now.

Look at that blond hair on that boy! It's about time for a summertime bur!

We had a flurry of activity with finishing school, get-togethers, church youth activities, and of course - softball! The kids have barely had enough time to spend 3+ hours in the pool each day, poor things.

We have not seen anymore monster snakes lately, but we watched baby birds learn to fly and leave the nest on our front porch. Our dog is still not well, which makes me wonder if toad poisoning wasn't the real issue.

I asked for one thing for my birthday, new, super springy-tennie shoes. My girls have learned my frugal ways and were appalled by my wastefullness. I have a pair of perfectly good, one year old tennie shoes already, and they just couldn't comprehend my needing more. They don't understand that -although God is my strength and the source of all things good, much of my superpowers come from the wearing of super-springy shoes. If you've followed my blog long, you've seen me explain it before. I put them on FIRST thing in the morning and I feel athletic-y and they make me just get moving. I guess I could justify it in that if I drank coffee for similar reasons, that would add up to at least the same amount I pay for a yearly new springy pair. ANYWAY - I am lovin' my new Sketchers! AND my in-laws gave me a Barnes n Noble giftcard to load up some wonderful things on my Nook - I am still contemplating a fabulous summer reading list!

Book Review: The Trigger

As I hinted a few posts back, I have been asked to review a really interesting book this week. The Trigger by Hon Hoh is on my top 5 books I've read so far this year list. This was a really neat book. It really brought out a lot of theological thought and discussions around our house too. I kinda polled several people and was amazed at all the different views people have on the end times!

The idea behind this book is one of those theological mysteries that we just won't know until the end of time. That's just where I stand - I make no attempt to predict, I just trust in the Lord's leading and will honor him with my best attempts at holiness and he can handle the rest! I do enjoy a good book of fiction about the end times, but I must admit - studies and commentaries on the subject can be rather overwhelming to my little brain. The Trigger is a work of fiction that handles this topic in an excellent way. This is the kind of fiction I like - one that makes me want to dig deeper into my Bible, just to check things out for fun.

Many people believe we as Christians can help to usher in the Second Coming of Christ by reaching all unreached people groups all over the world. This comes from Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." I believe this is true, but I am bothered when it is done to target or bring about the end - I believe that God calls people where He intends for them to go - and that He will lead certain people to go unto a people group, but to preach not the gospel, not to bring the end. You know what I am saying?

I thought I wasn't going to like this book because it sounds as if men were setting out of their own design to "trigger" the end times. However, that wasn't the case. This book really handled the theology here really well. The men in the book were just led by the Holy Spirit and did what they did because the Lord directed them, not in an attempt to force what God planned. I like the way the book handled the end time theory - it presents a post-tribulation view and it was a different take on the end times than other end time fiction like the Left Behind books. Interestingly, the main character in the book is a pastor who always taught a pre-triblation theory and it is neat to see how he looks at scripture as he begins to experience the tribulation. Are you with me here? Post-trib, pre-trib? Sounds kinda deep, huh?

Overall, this book would be a great one to add to your summer reading list and I would highly recommend it, even if you aren't interested in learning the deep things of Revelation! You can get the Trigger for $14.99 on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You can visit Hon Hoh's website HERE - this website also has a neat trailer for the book and information on the author's other books about the book of Revelation.

I was sent a copy of the Trigger by B&B media group for the purposes of review only