Good-Bye 2009

It is the final few hours before 2009 is history forever. I am sitting here with my family, typing these few words into cyberspace while David dances Sarah and Travis to the music of "Coal Miner's Daughter."

I am thinking about all that I have done and seen the past year this evening, (okay, not everything), and am just amazed at what the Lord has done in me and my family this past year. There are so many things we have come through this year. Hard times. Yet good times. Growing times. Lots of growing times..... =)

I have an expectancy about the coming year. As 2009 slips into the past, I am looking forward to new things that I can't see yet. I hope that as 2010 closes, I will see even more growth.

A few things I am looking forward to growing in....

• A softer heart, a heart more determined to follow and obey the voice of my Shepherd.
• A closer relationship with my family. That day by day we would be knit closer and closer to each other as we are with Christ.
• A house more in order, time more managed and redeemed.
  

Goodbye, 2009.

Thank you, Lord, for all that you brought us through in 2009. For Your provision and care of us. Thank you for the things you have begun in me. Thank you that you love me enough to work in me, even when it is hard for me. Thank you that we can trust You for all the unknowns in 2010. Amen.

FREE League Of Grateful Sons Movie!!!

Now until Oct 20, you can get a free copy of the awesome movie, "The League of Grateful Sons." I have not seen it yet but have heard some great things about it.

For the free download, go to http://bluebehemoth.com/album/51746/145298/, put the movie in your cart, register with the site, and checkout using coupon code, 1STBIRTHDAY.

Medela Nursing Camisole Giveaway....

The Bragging Mommy is giving away a Medela nursing cami! Hop over there and get your entry in.
http://www.thebraggingmommy.com/2009/10/medela-bamboo-nursing-camisole-review_09.html

Hmmm....

Another Giveaway....

Here is a giveaway for a $500 Wal-Mart gift card. I don't know about you, but this is one I can use....
http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/09/woo-hoo-another-500-walmart-gc-giveaway.html?cp=6#comment-17737

Giveaway!

Coolest Travel bag ever!

http://www.thebraggingmommy.com/2009/09/zen-class-nirvana-seat-back-organizer.html

Check Out the Mom Party!

http://www.letspartymoms.blogspot.com

Needak Rebounder...

I haven't blogged about my new exercise program.

I bounce.

And twist.

I have loads of fun.

I am really enjoying my new Needak rebounder.

Actually, our whole family is enjoying it. We are able to get aerobic exercise every day, no matter what the weather, and it doesn't take a lot of time to accomplish. I am sure that we have used our rebounder more in the last 3 months than most people use any of their other expensive exercise equipment in a year.

Why is it easy to do?

We just bounce! =)

Check out Needak, but be careful. Needak is the ONLY USA made rebounder. Cheap rebounders can be dangerous in many ways. From falling apart and injuring the bouncer to causing permanent nerve damage, the cheaper models are just not worth it.

http://peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com

Giveaway!

In the mood for a giveaway?

Check this out!


(http://thedressupdrawer.blogspot.com/ for my facebook readers.... = D)

Walking!

Sunday was a big day.

At our house, our 8 month old baby took off walking to his daddy. It was so amazing! And Travis knew that it was a big deal. He was so excited as we cheered him on. =)

He is not proficient by any means, but he is stepping out, (pun intended), and trying new moves. =)

I was poking around in a forum and saw this in answer to a mom's question about meal planning. This is such a great idea, I just had to share it...

http://mrsbrooke.blogspot.com/2008/09/menu-planning.html

Organizing...

In the middle of getting ready for school, I have been ingesting info on organizing. Those who know me, know that I am not organized, but have an intense desire to be. I have been studying and implementing lots of little things and have plans to do a lot more. I feel very encouraged and hopeful that I am going to be able to get things more under control.

Here is a partial list of the things I have been reading:

The Messie's Manual by Sandra Felton

Clean It Fast, Clean It Right: The Ultimate Guide to Making Absolutely Everything You Own Sparkle & Shine

The Naturally Clean Home by

Karyn Siegel-Maier

Messies Anonymous (great free info for the chronically disorganized....)

Organized Home (lots of articles and free printables)

Organize This Life

The Organizing Pro

DonnaYoung.Org (lots of free printables)

The Well-Planned Day

This is a partial list, and there are many more books I want to read. I am having a lot of fun and am learning soo much.

Who knows, maybe someday I will be a pro organizer.....=)

House Labors....

Well, I have had a productive week. Last week, I got quite a list of projects accomplished. Still have more to do, but I am pleased with my progress.

I got our library set up, meaning I organized our books and labeled shelves. This was really fun.
I am looking forward to this coming week when I plan to do some focused training with my kids. Lots of new things have been set up and I want to give each one individualized training. I plan to take each kid by themselves for a day through the training course, =) and carefully communicate and train exactly what is needed and expected.

I am really looking forward to starting this year's school. I have had fun getting things found and bought for the year ahead. Still have a few little things here and there to pick up, but for the most part, I am ready. And since I have bought everything used, I have gotten a lot more mileage out of my money. =)

The Results From Yesterday

Yesterday went well!

Jakin's room is now a different place to be in. Very nice....

My desk is empty. 3 boxes sit quietly in the bedroom waiting to be taken care of.

The laundry is almost done. I do have to brag on my kids. They found out that putting away laundry was on my list, and they charged in without being told and did their parts. =)

The lemons are still quietly waiting for their turn. I decided not to stay up until 2 am juicing lemons.....

Charge!

This week I am planning a major cleanup/organizing adventure. All prayers will be appreciated! I have a lot to do, and hope to be fully done by Friday.

I am hoping that Travis will cooperate, which this morning doesn't seem to be happening.....But things change quickly around here! So, I anticipate being able to get a move on soon......

My to-do list today....
Bull-doze Jakin's room. (It has gotten cluttered up with the 'I'll get to that later' stuff.....)
Clear off my desk (Into the box, everybody!)
Juice Lemons (Yes, for lemonade, but I bought a case, meaning 235 lemons, meaning a bushel of lemons. I need to juice and freeze them, or at least part of them.)
Put away the laundry. (That job that never ends, but is so needed and a blessing to the family...)

Off I go, charging into the fray! =)

One Thing At A Time...

So my house needs attention.
My kids need attention.
Supper needs attention.
The garden definitely needs my attention.
EVERYTHING screams at me for attention.
How can I get through this? Well, I am partly writing this post to remind myself, ('cause, yeah, I do come back and read what I wrote from time to time.), that I get through it all one thing at a time.
One dish at a time.
One smile and cuddle at a time.
One chopped up tomato at a time.
One load of laundry at a time.

How is a house or city built?
One board, nail, blow of the hammer at a time.
One house at a time.

The same is true for how a family falls apart.
One cross, unkind word at a time.
One opportunity at a time, missed.
One breach in the relationship at a time.

The little things, like in the story of how chess got invented, matter. (http://arimaa.com/arimaa/links/chessStory.html)

Okay, my self-pep talk is recorded. Now, the hard part.

Doing the little things one thing at a time.

I Hate Goats....

For those who know me, you may be wondering if you are at the right blog.

Stop rubbing your eyes. This is Nichola's blog.

This morning the goats broke into our garden. They trashed it. As in ate nearly everything and stomped and tore what they couldn't. A lot of what they ate you couldn't have forced them to eat. They just went crazy.

So, we are all a bit perturbed this morning. If roastng a few would help anything I'd have one on the fire.

$25 Target Gift Card Giveaway!

Check out this cool site! Lotsa stuff, plus enter to win a Target gift card.

Sweepstakes...

Here is the link to click to enter. Looks pretty gimic free....
http://cheapflights.studentuniverse.com/lFKKzo6UOu7/
You can enter more than one time, too.

IF Ya Didn't Notice....

....I have made some edits to my layout. Plus, added more links and even a video on the left sidebar.

Did you see the video on the left?

Image by janusz l via Flickr

Oh, and the links to free videos on the Link list?

(For those reading this via Facebook, you will have to click to see my blog.
http://peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com)

I hope to start adding more as I find stuff that the kids and I like as well as David and I. I will probably need to do some organizing before long of the links, but for now, alphabetized will have to do. =)

Oh, and if you like the free layout, visit the leelou blog button on the right. Cool layouts WITH instructions on how to do this. (I like instructions....)

Totally Random...

Image via Wikipedia

Popcorn. Such wonderful stuff. I thought I would share one of the ways I like to use it.

Popped corn is a great bread substitute. Okay, I didn't think so when I first read it either, but after trying it, even David enjoyed it. Now, he is not ready to sign up for no bread at the table all the time, but for variation or in a pinch, popcorn is pretty tasty!

Here is what I have done:

Pop the corn and in a separate pan, melt a few Tablespoons of butter, add some seasonings, such as oregano, basil, parsley, thyme, cayenne, (just a pinch makes this not just an okay dish but a great one!), minced onion, garlic powder, etc. Toss the butter mixture into the popcorn, add Parmesan cheese if you like, and serve.

The only problem we have had is trying to stop eating it. =)

Chilling....

Image by Jonas Christian Hansen via Flickr

These are some awesome messages for any woman to listen to. I so enjoyed these this week and highly recommend them. If you can't listen, there is also a transcript of the program.

Day 1
http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10256
Day 2
http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10257
Day 3
http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10259

Making Home: The Disciple-Making, World-Changing, Heart-Molding Role of Mother

Thanks, Jess, for posting this!

Making Home: The Disciple-Making, World-Changing, Heart-Molding Role of Mother

Parentalrights.org -- Obama Administration Pushes CRC Ratification

Call the White House and let your voice be heard!

Parentalrights.org -- Obama Administration Pushes CRC Ratification

Shared via AddThis

God's Story

Image by loswl via Flickr

This is a video about why we are where we are today as well as where we are headed. This was our bible lesson today.
Great for all ages!
Click here to watch God's Story

Busy? Who, Me?

I have tons of things to get done. Tons. And no time to waste.
So my computer has been having fun with me. Pretending to die....Did die.....Did a whole fresh install.... Fresh install seems to be working....
And in the middle of this, David says to get faster internet. Wow. I didn't realize how much faster things would go. The things I have gotten done since last Tues is amazing. Mind boggling.
Got a lot left on my to do list, but I am closer to the end. Amazing how little things can make a big difference....

Texas Call Needed!

There is a bill on Gov. Rick Perry's desk that Texans need
to be aware of and concerned about. Senate Bill 1440 is
dangerous and violates our constitutional rights.
Click here to read more and contact info for the Governor's
office.
http://www.hslda.org/Legislation/State/tx/2009/TXSB1440/default.asp

---------------------------------------------
This message was provided by TXOL Internet.
http://www.txol.net/

Baby Dumpling...

...is a little over 19 lbs as of yesterday.

He also is saying, "mamamamam" when he sees mommy or is hungry. :)

And yesterday he started crawling. Yep, the baby is catching up! :)

Mommy is happy....and nervous....and elated....and nervous.......................................................................................................:)

Interesting....

This is an interesting look at the Chinese language. It is not complicated and gives a look at how old the language really is.

Take a minute, and check it out. I would love to hear thoughts on this...

http://students.washington.edu/cbsf/cool/Chinese.swf

 

 

 

Laundry.

Anyone remember that song....

"It is the song that never ends,

it just goes on and on, my friend!

Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was,

and they'll continue singing it forever,

just because, it is the song that never ends,

it just goes on and on, my friends..."

This surely applies to laundry.

Wash, wash, wash.

Fold. Put away.

Wear.

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.........Repeat.

Free Hannah Overton

Pleas follow this link, and read this sad story. This family has suffered much but has remained faithful. Please add them to your prayer list and ask what you can do to help.

http://freehannah.com

More Pics...

For Those Who Have Despaired Of Pictures....

An Update on The Littlest Man...

We weighed Travis again today.

18lbs.

That's why I think he is heavy...

 

Gotta Gush...

So, most everyone knows that we have been doing healthy and natural for the last few years...

We have totally changed the way we eat and in turn, I have changed how I shop for groceries.

The hardest part of all this has been the non-food items. Toothpaste, laundry soap, dishwashing detergent, shampoo, hand lotion, bathroom cleaner, makeup, etc. I know that many of these things have harmful things in them, but what do you do about it? I don't have oodles of dough laying around here...

But now I have finally been able to switch to something green that works, that doesn't cost 3X more to buy. So far, the things I have tried have worked great. And I am actually saving money.

Am I happy? Yes I am!

I like it.

Thanks for reading my gush...

 

 

FREE EVENT!!! Don't Miss It!

Did anyone catch the focus on the family broadcast this week?

The last 2 days have been really good. Dr. Dobson interviewed Dr. Laura about her new book, "In Praise of Stay-At-Home Moms." It sounds very good and I was very edified by the dicussions. This is great for moms, stay-at-home, want to stay at home or otherwise.

Click the links to listen or request the cds.

http://listen.family.org/daily/A000001882.cfm

http://listen.family.org/daily/A000001883.cfm

 

I DID IT!!!!!!!

Yesterday I took apart our dishwasher. Yep. I disassembled all of it's inards.

Why?

The thing was throwing food all over the place, in places it hadn't been and shouldn't be. After running 'Dishwasher Magic' in it 3 times and still having the problem, I decided to do some repairs. After cleaning out all the hiding places of undisolved detergent and food, I put all it's guts back in, turned a nasty load of dishes on and held my breath. When I opened the door......everything was sparkling clean!!!!!!!

Can anyone tell I am excited? No more re-washing, post-rinsing for me!

What will I ever do to fill in the time......

Ah, Spring!!!

I love spring! It is the time of year that the colors outside are just so vibrant and intense. The birds are showing up in a chorus of joyful sounds. Everything just pulls at you to come outside and enjoy the sunshine, the breeze, the sounds.

So, we run out and enjoy it all. For the kids, shoes come off, coats are abandoned and they play for all they are worth. The garden gets attention, the broom gets busy clearing out the house and porch. The fire in the stove is forgotten and, we all hope, not needed for a while. All the doors are left wide open and the fresh wind blows through the house.

There are new baby goats to play with, butterflies floating by and the first brave flowers poking their heads out and showing their faces.

Then, the wind turns cold, the sky changes color and we all head back in- with armloads of wood so we won't be so cold. Coats that were abandoned don't look so bad now, in fact, we don't want to do anything outside without one. The smell of smoke from our fire is once again welcome. And will you please shut the door?!

But, spring is coming. It can't be held back for long. And down here, we know that the cold doesn't stick around long anyway. Tonight may be in the 30's or lower and tomorrow we could have a high of 90.

Spring is great, and we'll enjoy it as it pushes it's way in.

I Did It!

Yay for me!

Last Monday, I started a painting project in our bathroom.

Tuesday we were gone.

Wednesday, I completed it. All the way. And got a few other things painted as well.

Now, to some, this may not seem like much of an accomplishment. But for me, this is pretty big.

After about a year and a half of marriage, I painted our kitchen. My husband agreed to this project willingly. Paint the kitchen. No big deal. I was going to handle it so he wouldn’t have to do anything. And it was a tiny kitchen, so there really wasn’t that much to paint. Sure, paint the kitchen, honey. J

2 weeks later………………………………..

I was almost done painting. J

I have since done a few other painting projects, and none have lasted nearly as long. But, after such a tramatic beginning to my painting adventures, I have a lot to live down. (At least in my mind…….)

I don’t have a pic to share yet, but I will get one up soon.

I am still not superwoman, but sometimes,…………yeah, I like that feeling that I have conquered the world. J

At least in my mind.

A Responsible Choice?

From someone whose been through it.

 

 

Just So You Know...

I have been doing a study by Nancy Campbell, “The Power of Motherhood.” I have been enjoying it very much. Much of it is not new to me, but it is very encouraging and uplifting. I would recommend this to any mother, young or old. Check it out!

So, do you know what a 'Wrapper' is?

Well, I am one.

 

I think I even have a bit up the fever that wrappers are prone to.

 

It seems to be a bit of a virus. Once exposed, it takes a varying amount of time to manifest, but in many cases, once it does, the resulting disease, wrapperitis, can be severe.

 

Symptoms of wrapperitis include dreaming of wraps, all conversations turning to wraps, all fabric examined for wrap worthiness. The most certain symptom is the strong desire to build one’s wrap stash, filling it with wraps of all fabric types and as many colors as possible. Those infected believe themselves to be happy wrapping their babies and will usually not hear any arguments against wrapping very well.

 

There is no known cure for wrapperitis. The only hope is to pacify victims with diversity in wraps. In some cases, sidetracking for a time may be possible, esp with other ethnic baby carriers. However, those truly infected, always return to their wrapping obsession.

 

For more info and details on this strange malady, you may be interested in the following websites.

 

www.wearyourbaby.com

www.thebabywearer.com