Welcome Lil' Annie

this past Saturday, we picked up our new furbaby. we are so in love with this baby girl. She is so precious.

Today was special

I went to see my dad today. He was so alert and was in such a good mood. It was amazing! He joked and we laughed. Thank you Lord for today. I will cherish it.

President Trump!!

I honestly didn't think it would happen. I thought for sure someone or something would stop it. Praying for a good next 4 years. Should be interesting for sure!

School Days!

I am trying a little different approach to our school today. We managed well, and I feel good about our day. It got a little chaotic going 3 different directions, but we made it. Hoping tomorrow goes just as well. Rebecca and Cassia are finished and Carl is almost done with his last worksheet for the day. Feeling good!!

Eye Appointment

Carl has his first eye appointment. It should be interesting to see how this goes. He is having a lot of issues in his education, and we want to be sure it's not linked to his vision.  If he gets glasses we will let you know and also include a photo when he gets them, if he gets them. ;)

I took my life back!

I just left Facebook and Instagram! I already feel withdrawals. I believe it is the best decision I have made. It was very hard to walk away from some, but I had over 200 friends and only a small handful even responded to my leaving. So you have to wonder, why even have it?  I will be reviving this blogger and using it to post updates.

First off, to change the name. I had this name when my niece was with us, We don't need it that way now. SO I am off to begin maintenance work

So now I know

I have heard people discuss how their sciatic nerve was hurting. I had never had that type of pain, until Tuesday. The lady I sit with had lost her crown from her tooth. We though she dropped it. So, while I was having to pull furniture out I decided to vacuum behind everything and make her feel good about the clean house... she has hardwood floors, and felt pads on all her furniture. I didn't have to struggle much really, it just slid. But at some point, it became very apparent that I indeed hurt myself. So, it is now Thursday, my back is still in a lot of pain. I plan to go to the Chiropractor tomorrow afternoon. I am hoping he can do something to help. Oh the joys of getting older....  NOT!

New addition

Very soon we will bring home our newest member of the family.  I am so excited!

It Is Ironic

Last night I update about my dad,  tonight I'm losing him to Alzheimer's. Not sure how long he has left though. ..

35 Years Without

When I was 12, my parents divorced. My life was shattered and little did I know, it would be 35 years before I would see my father again. He left me and my brothers behind when he left Mom and started his new life. I remember being so angry at him. I hated him, I hated what I learned about him, yet I loved him. Though it would be years before I could admit it. When I married and had my first child, I tried to contact him. Only to face rejection yet again. Every time I would contact, he would reject. I finally decided I would simply keep him updated with phone numbers addresses and births. If he refused me, it would be on him, not me.

In May 2014, My mother passed away. I immediately needed my dad. I cannot help it, but, it is just how it hit me. I called my step mother and spoke with her. She informed me that my dad had severe alzheimer's. I simply asked he if I could come when she felt it best. I needed closure as I had with Mama's death. I was with her when she died.

A couple of months ago she called me and told me to come. I was so shocked. I was so overwhelmed and so terrified. I went the following Monday. I took my oldest son JJ with me. He helped me stay calm and read directions. He lives 133 miles away.
When I got there, I admit I was disappointed that he didn't recognize who I was. But it didn't matter, because for the first time in 35 years I was sitting within feet of my DAD!! I have been twice and will go as often as I can. I know his days are numbered.

Though some do not understand my need, I am so thankful for what time I have with my dad. Though I understand others feeling toward him, I have my own feelings and will not allow anyone to rob me of my time with him.

I do not know how long I have with him, but you better believe, I am one happy girl, as I again have my DAD!!

So much has changed

SO much has changed since I left using blogger. Facebook seems to keep my hooked in its clutches. My mom passed away in May 2014 2 days after her birthday. It has been life changing. Then there is the children changing, adult children changing, hurts, some happiness along the way. I have realized I have only now, I am not promised my next breath, and I need to focus on my children at home and do all I can to help them to become responsible adults. Nothing else matters anymore. Things that seemed important are not. SO with that, I move on....

Our current family at home consists of DH and I, 3 children, and 3 cats. No dogs for now. Life is fast paced lately. We have a used appliance store, that sells reconditioned appliances. it takes so much of our time.  When not working we try to spend quality time with the children. Rebecca is now 12, Carl 7, and Cassia turns 4 in just a few days. Time is moving at such a fast rate.

Since we have such huge expenses with having a store we have decided to cut expenses and either sell or rent our home. This will enable us to move to the loft above the store. We have so much we need to do, but I am so ready to do it. I need that change of scenery. A fresh start.

With that I will end this note and do another post on Cassia. Ugh she is my one!!!

Redo of the old

So, I have started on my projects, Finally! Yesterday I did Carl's dresser. He is into Thomas The Train, so yep, that is what we did.

It came out reall nice, and he loves it. I went and got green and yellow to do his shelves! I can't wait! His room will look so cute!

Yesterday Here and Now

The last time I posted here I had announced we were opening an Appliance store. We did and struggled to get through December. It's been stressful at times but overall fun. We have met so many people and made a friend as well. It's been quite an experience. It's hard work for me. I work, Homeschool, and run a home. But God has blessed us.

Our house expansion has come to a halt. I wish we could do some more on it but right now we have to focus on the store. We are hoping to be able to eventually hire someone to help us with renovations. I will be so glad to have that happen. We need that living room!

We have a new granddaughter. Amelia Ruth! She is a doll. Bella Grace is suffering the usual new sibling blues. Belli turned 4 in January! Where does the time go!

The rest of the Kiddo's are doing good. In May, Rebecca will be 11. Now that just seems crazy. Carl 6, and Cassia 2. But the one that gets me is Samuel. He is 17 now. How did that happen? Not fair I tell ya!

Over all everyone is fine. The enemy fights us, but God! If you think of us, please take a moment to say a prayer for us. Thank you! God bless!

Exciting News!

We are opening a Used Appliance Store! We have just secured our building which is 14,000 sq ft! We are so excited! I am going to add pictures soon! We get the keys tomorrow! We are business owners! Yay!

Picnic??

This was so cute to see today. Bella Grace and Cassia were having a picnic. The menu was Hot Wheels cars lol! Bella Grace leads prayer over the "Food" by saying, "God is great, bread is good." So so cute!

Construction has begun!

I am so happy to write this! It has been a little over 2 years since we moved into this house and I have been waiting for this time to get here! Right now we have approximately 1100 square foot of house with 8 people in it. Trust me, that makes for cramped quarters! A few weeks ago, Jasper started it off by replacing windows in what will eventually become my dining room. It has opened the room and I have windows that will now open. Then he added a small area of shake siding. This really allows you to see how the house is going to look in the future. Can I say, Excited!
This week he took time to do the roof. Usually we have youth camp and he normally is counselor over the Jrs, but, not this year. He had two days that he just couldn't get things done because other situations pressed in. But, last night at dark he still managed to get all the osb on the roof. He did great! He has so far to go still, but we have begun and that is the main thing! 

Update yet again

I always think I will begin posting regularly again here. Yet I never do. I stay busy and having facebook, well that kinda just makes it easier I suppose. I am thinking of deleting the account yet again. I don't know yet for sure what I want to do. Some days I absolutely hate technology, then other days can't get enough of it. I think it is time consuming and keeps me from doing things I need to do.

May 12, 2014 I lost my Mama. It just don't seem real even a month later. I am mad at myself because toward the ending of her life I pulled back when I should have done more. She needed me more than ever, and I failed her. It eats at me daily. I only hope I can do more as a parent for my children and not make the same mistakes. I see her face and hear her voice, all just from memories now. I cherish each one, good or bad. I just cannot believe she is gone.

My kids are growing daily. Rebecca is now 10, Carl is 5, Cassia will be 2 in August! So hard to believe! Samuel is 16, and that just don't seem real to me at all. But, he is. So much going on in a day keeps us all super busy. Though summer is on our heels we are still in school and pretty much will be for a while longer.

Jasper began working on the house again. He replaced a picture window and put a quad vinyl window in. These windows will open up. It made a big change. Now if I can just get someone to come get the old one.
Soon we will be adding the new living room. That I am looking so forward to. If we can just decide where we want it at. Always got to be hard.

That about updates it for now. We will see how it goes from here. I need to come back to blogger. Getting to it is just another story.

Spring, and now what do I do?

In Elkton, Virginia we have had nicer temps. The bitter cold seems to have passed, with temps well above 50 lately. The grass is getting green and won't be long until the mowers will be roaring in the neighborhood.
I ordered several trees and shrubs and am waiting for them to arrive. I am so excited! I already received my shipment of Sugar Maples from Musser Forests. I planted them and am hopeful in a few years we will be making our own Maple Syrup.
I the next shipment is my Apple trees and Almond trees, Also Other goodies and found out yesterday some free gifts as well. That would be great, however, Where I was supposed to build my privacy screen, Jasper decided he still needed it open. So now I am scrambling to think where to put everything. I hope he was just kidding?
 That shipment is coming from Gardening Direct. In it is also a nice selection of black raspberries for Carl. He loves them and I really enjoyed seeing him chow down on them. Something he can enjoy eating with no dye worries! I have 8 plants coming. The idea for them is a place I can access them from all directions. So it will be in a circle bed.
I have nice rocks to line the beds. Jasper got them from the left overs at work. Yellow Knockout Roses will be another beauty to plant. Along with Forsythia, Spirea, and Weigela. I hope it will be purdy.

I sure wish I had the gift of creativity. I sure could use it right now!

Belize!

Jasper has been given the opportunity to go to Belize and preach! We are raising money for him to go. I set up a fundraiser and anyone can donate! Find it here:

https://www.youcaring.com/mission-trip-fundraiser/help-bro-jasper/141321

Making Chips

These chips are very addictive. Here is step by step directions.

This is the Brand I am using....  

I slice them into quarters by placing knife over top and pressing down. 

Set Fry Daddy to 350 and let it get to temperature.....

Place 2 stacks into hot grease, and set timer for 3 minutes. Stir to be sure they are not sticking to one another.....

I have 2 bowls for draining purposes. I swap them out as they cool into a 3rd final bowl..

Be careful! They are so good you will find yourself munching on them as your cooking!