The Gorilla Glue Gun

Of all my boys, Bubbie is without a doubt the most rugged. He is all "snakes and snails and puppy dog tails", and has worn a coonskin cap or cowboy hat, gun, and boots every minute of the day (and often the night) since he could walk. He is a man of few words, but tons of sound effects (gun shots, explosions, swift arrows). He can make a gun out of a PopTart, a sandwich, and even a green bean. He drags his toy horse around the house all alone, shooting and fighting off pretend Indians, then suddenly he'll gasp, grimace with fake pain, stagger all around the room, and dramatically fall on the floor. He'll lie there a minute, then raise up and say, "I'm dead, Mama. The Injuns shooted me." It's great entertainment.
Here he is early this morning, sleeping with his gun.

He has always loved toy guns and pistols, but there is one special gun to him. I have never seen a boy love a gun so much, and yet a gun that was so doomed from the very day that he got it. It is a lightweight, battery operated gun that makes shooting sounds, that his Nanna and PawPaw bought for him. It was just the perfect size, and he loved it dearly from the start. The gun has been broken several times by other children, though Bubbie has never once broken it himself. Each time, he has cried "Mama, fix it. Batteries." until I could get it glued back together. Superglue didn't hold, so finally I turned to gorilla glue. You can see a close up of the "gorilla glue" gun below.
The first time I was using the gorilla glue, I had the gun propped up on the countertop, and it tipped over into my hair. It took me weeks to get all that stuff out! Well, the gorilla glue held off and on for several months, but it has finally reached a point to where it will no longer hold. We have bought him other guns, but he always asks for "MY gun, Mama", meaning the gorilla glue gun. Once, he threw it into a swimming pool. The sound did not work for a couple of weeks. He was so upset, and one day just picked it up outside and pressed the trigger. It made a shooting sound, and he starts running to me, "Mama, Jesus fixed it!"

Since it is no longer repairable, Bubbie has cried and cried, so I decided last night that I will have to retire the famous "gorilla glue gun". It will go in my closet, in the box labeled "Sentimental", along with the other children's treasures from days gone by. It's been fun watching him love something so much, and I can't wait to see what he latches onto next. Little boys are such a delight!

Farewell, gorilla glue gun....it's been fun.

It's Officially the Christmas Season

Well, we watched It's a Wonderful Life Wednesday night, so the Christmas season can officially begin!
Thanksgiving morning, we made our gingerbread houses, as is our tradition. The kids had a great time as usual!

The Lord has been so good to our family.

"Now here's something interesting to put on your blog..."

That was Caleb's suggestion as he came rushing in with the good news. (I'm not sure what he was implying about my previous posts...) Yesterday, he went hunting all alone behind our house, and killed a squirrel. This was his first time actually killing something while he was out hunting alone, and he was so proud. He said, "I was just sitting there praying, and I said, 'Lord, I know I can shoot that squirrel. I'm not asking for you to help me shoot it, I just need You to send one my way.' Then, I looked up, and there he was! Ain't the Lord good?"

I know, it's just a squirrel, but I love that he's learning to talk to the Lord personally. Hunting is all he thinks about right now, but one day he'll be thinking about a job, a wife, children. I pray he'll always go to his Lord with his needs and questions.

"Happy" Thanksgiving!

Take time to read this World Net Daily article below. This just makes my blood boil. What an insult to those brave saints who gave up everything, many of them even their lives, to make a way for weirdos like the ones below to have the freedom to say such nonsense.

School Declares Thanksgiving a "Day of Mourning"

Homegrown Kids

I cringe to think of how many fashion faux pas my little Madelyn is committing in this picture, but I rejoice in the fact that she doesn't know or care in the least bit. She's home grown, and she finds her acceptance and security in her family, not in a pair of name brand shoes or a name brand outfit, or in a group of other 7 year olds who look and act like clones. Have you ever seen 2 cuter coonhunters?

Thanksgiving Dinner Cupcakes

Check out these cupcakes I made for our church fellowship yesterday. They were carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, and the top is decorated to look like a turkey dinner. It's all candy sitting atop a cookie, with a dot of frosting mashed potatoes with decorator gel butter, sprinkles for green beans, sprinkles for cranberry sauce, and melted chocolate chips for the turkey gravy. I also did some with Nerds for corn. I can't take credit for the idea, I got it somewhere off the Internet a while back. The kids thought they were just grand! I love baking during the holidays!

"My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways." Prov.23:26

I have always loved children. And I decided years ago as a teenager, while I was having loads of fun and winning the hearts of other people's kids, that when I became a mother, nobody would have more fun with my own kids than I would. I want to pass along my faith to them, so I must have their hearts. Jason and I keep constant vigil over their souls, their time, their play, their interests, their attitudes. They rarely spend the night away from home, even with their loving Christian grandparents. They stay with us all throughout every Sunday School and church service, and we "take" rather than "send" them most places. We are especially careful during times in our children's lives when we know the Lord is dealing with them about something. During those times, they stay with us, end of discussion. Jason and I aren't perfect, but the Lord will give us the grace to answer those difficult questions of life for our own kids, and we want them to always come home for advice. Therefore, we must have their hearts and their affections. This way of life just infuriates some people, and believe me I get called plenty of names ("fanatic", "overprotective", "overboard", "self-righteous", "holier than thou"), but my most important name at this point in life is "Mom", and I refuse to sacrifice what I clearly know is my God-given charge, to peer pressure.

So, if I'm going to insist that my kids spend the bulk of their time at our own house, I feel very obligated to make our home a fun, happy, pleasant place. I'm constantly searching for ways to milk every ounce of fun from each week that passes by. You might catch me jumping on the trampoline (which I can't do right now in my delicate condition), riding toy motorcycles, playing Old Maid, making play-doh, reading aloud a good book, "skating" in sock feet, building a tent, baking cookies, making gingerbread houses, calling off school unexpectedly, singing silly songs, posing for crazy pictures , giving cooking lessons, planning play days with friends, planning unique and elaborate birthday parties, sword fighting, and any number of completely undignified activities. One of our most fun activities, is dress-up. My poor, deprived children have never been Trick-or-Treating, but we have never needed a national holiday to have fun. Through the years, the kids have been superheroes, hobbits, Robin Hood, cowboys, Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Wendy, Annie Oakley, The Lone Ranger, Tonto, knights, princesses, Narnia heroes, kings, queens, soldiers, Indians, pilgrims, ...the list goes on and on.

From our love of dress-up and history role-playing, came the idea of History Day. We get together each year with other homeschool families and pick someone from history to dress up as, and present a lesson about his or her life. Below are a few snapshots: Stonewall Jackson, Sacagawea, and some little Crusader Knights. (Check out my friend Melanie's blog for another report.)

(Click to enlarge this pic above of Bub and make note of his perpetually dirty mouth! )

It's a lot of work on my part, preparing and opening our home to a house full of excited children. Tuesday evening, after this year's event, Caleb came and sat in my lap and said, "Mom, I know this was hard on you this year, being pregnant and all, but I want you to know that I really appreciate all your hard work. It was so much fun, and we'll never forget this day." Well, a heart string was tied and a memory was made, so my hard work was definitely worth it.

Hot Cup of Cocoa

When it gets cold, my kids start wanting to pull out the Christmas CDs and DVDs, and I have to admit they don't have to beg too hard. We love Christmas, and one of our favorite CDs is the Von Trapp Children Christmas CD. There's a link below that you can click on, then check out the playlist on the right. My kids' 2 favorite songs on here are "Please Don't Send Me Fruitcake" and "Hot Cup of Cocoa". It's well worth your money.

The Von Trapp Children

Here's a great recipe for a hot cup of cocoa for a crowd.

Creamy Hot Chocolate

1 c. cocoa

3 cans sweetened condensed milk

1/4 tsp. salt

8 c. water

3 tsp. vanilla

1 c. whipping cream

Mix first 3 ingredients in large pot, and slowly whisk in water. Heat to almost boiling (CAUTION: will boil over quickly, so watch carefully!). Remove from heat, then add vanilla and whipping cream. Serve immediately. Serves 12.

Cream of Chicken Soup

Wow, long time no blog. (Been busy!) Here's a great recipe for the winter months.

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

1 stick real butter

1/2 c. all-purpose flour

2 cans evaporated milk

1 large can (29-oz) mixed vegetables

3 lbs. chicken breast, cooked and cubed (not shredded)

2 (14.5 oz.) cans chicken broth

2 tsp. onion salt

2 tsp. celery salt

1 tsp. pepper

Mix salt and pepper together in small bowl or cup and set aside. Melt butter in large pot. Stir in flour with whisk. Gradually stir in milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Add broth, then salt and pepper mixture. Whisk and stir. Add chicken and vegetables, and heat through. Serve with saltines.

Delicious, quick and filling. Great as leftovers. Serves 6-8.

Guess who?

Two six-year-old little girls:

1981

2006

"We go together"

When I was expecting my first child, my prayer throughout the pregnancy was that the Lord would let him be a happy baby. Indeed, Caleb was an absolute delight. When I was expecting my second, I worried about "sibling rivalry", and that is just not what I wanted for my family, so throughout the pregnancy, I just prayed, "Lord, please let her love Caleb." Well, Madelyn was a miserable baby, but one thing about it, she loved her KK. She has taken every step he has taken, she learned to walk at 8 1/2 months to keep up with him, she potty trained herself (I had a hard time making her sit instead of stand!), she learned to read in just a few weeks, and is now teaching herself cursive, all just to keep up with her brother! She carries a knife in her pretty pink purse, she has a stash of play rifles, and coon hunts with a pink light, all just to keep up with her brother. Does he ever get annoyed? By God's grace, he has never, ever complained about her tagging along. No one has told him yet that big brothers don't like little sisters, so they are just genuinely best friends. He has been known to drop other friends like a hot potato who were mean to her, and I do pity any young man who sets his sights on her in the future. ("I'm not giving my sister up to just any old hippie!") I wouldn't trade their relationship for anything, and I'm absolutely convinced that it is one of my most visible fruits of homeschooling. Thank you, Lord.

They are 2 years, 4 months apart in age

When KK went through his Buzz stage, so did she
At ages 2 and 4

This is when I paid KK $5 to dress up like Huckleberry Pie so I could take their picture in her Strawberry Shortcake outfit

One of my all-time favorite pictures of them

Spaghetti, one of the basic food groups

Like most children, mine absolutely love spaghetti. (Maybe it's because of how messy it is, and how easily it stains their clothes?) Here is my favorite recipe for spaghetti. It can be made on the stove, but is best in the crockpot. It makes a large portion, and freezes very well. It can also be canned in a pressure canner. I also use leftovers for sandwich wraps, as well as for pizza topping.

1 lb. ground beef

1 lb. bulk Italian sausage

1 medium green pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

8 garlic cloves, minced

3 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained

2 cans (15 oz) tomato sauce

2 cans (6 oz) tomato paste

1/3 c. sugar

2 Tbsp. Italian seasoning

1 Tbsp. dried basil

2 tsp. dried marjoram

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

In skillet, cook beef; drain. Cook sausage; drain. Place in slow cooker, and add other ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Serve over noodles. Yield: 12 servings

The best things in life are free

That big camoflauge mountain is Dad.

Who needs tickets to the WWWF?

Can't you feel the love?

(As long as they leave me out of it!)

Those that seek me early shall find me...

Wisdom speaks.....from Proverbs 8

"O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.....

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge......

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me......

My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold.....

I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.....

Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.....

For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."

25 years ago, I was gloriously saved. How thankful I am for the privilege of knowing the Lord at the young age of 7. I don't ever remember NOT loving Jesus, and wanting to please Him. I have many regrets in my life, and I've certainly made many mistakes, but I do know how different things could have been for me during those turbulent years of youth, had I not had the Holy Spirit as my conscience and guide. The Lord gave me a love for His Word; the Word that has sustained me and taught me things that no man showed me.

As a mother, there are many things I want for my children. I want them to be kind, good citizens, well-spoken, well-read, and successful in whatever the Lord calls them, but more than anything I want them to know Jesus personally. He is able to teach them all those things that I fail to do or cannot do, and His wisdom will allow them to "inherit substance" and "fill their treasures" in a way their parents can never do for them.

What a burden is lifted from my feeble shoulders, that the Lord can fill in all the gaps of my mistakes in childrearing! The Lord has given them to me, to train them early to obey, and come when they are called (just as little Samuel), so that when He calls them, they will come willingly the first time. I pray that the Lord will help me keep my goals clear, and my priorities in order. Math and reading are important, but without respect for authority and willing obedience, they are eternally useless.

"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." Isaiah 54:13