We got a house!

We found a house! My dh put an offer on it Monday night.Our offer was accepted yesterday. It is a 3 bedroom(that we are turning into 4)~ 2 bathroom on 1 acre.We have so many ideas for this place. I can't wait to move in and decorate and make our house a home. We want to have a garden, dogs, a nice wooden playset for our kids, dh wants a horseshoe pit, I would like chickens and I would also like to have a little prim craft and goodies shoppe. The area is just perfect for our Charlotte Mason educational approach.Alot of area for nature walks and bike rides. I think this is going to be the perfect place to raise our family.We are looking forward to creating many great memories in our new home.

House Hunting

Friday night, we looked at 7 homes and found one that we really liked but it is at the high end of our allowance.We still like the one that is $30,000 cheaper so we are going to go back and look at both of them tomorrow.I hope we can make a decision this week and get into our new home before it gets too cold ...and snowy!I really hope that we'll be able to celebrate this Christmas in our new home.We are getting really excited!

A Surprise!

Last night, we went to a church family's home for what I was told by my dh was going to be supper there.It turned out to be a surprise birthday party!...for me and another lady who shares my birthday.We were both very surprised. My dh felt so bad for lying to me but was glad that this surprise worked out.I received cards, chocolate mints and a Max Lucado book,"When God Whispers Your Name".

Today, for my actual birthday, we are going to get something out to eat and have homemade hot fudge brownie sundaes.Later this week, we may go see a movie.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Simple pleasures

Well, I did get my letters written and sent out today to my penpals.They were each over 5 pages long!I guess I had alot to say.LOL!

We also went on our nature walk the other day. We found leaves, twigs,plants, fireweed, dandelions, pretty rocks and even raspberries!That was all before we got to the stop sign!I just love fireweed with its vibrant pink color.

Today, dh and me and our youngest ds's went to a 50th anniversary celebration at a Christian camp.Big-boy"T' got to play in the bounce house,bungee pull,climb the rock wall, hold a bunny, pet a cow and ride a horse.I enjoyed seeing the sheep. I want sheep so bad!We all came home with free popcorn and cotton candy,too.

July 16th,2009

Yesterday, for a special treat I made chocolate chip(Ghiradelli) and M&M cookies.We also watched an educational video about early settlers and I asked my ds("T") a few questions pertaining to the video. He answered them very well.
Today, we plan to go for a nature walk, gather some things and come home and research and discuss about those things.Baby-boy"K" will love being out in the fresh air. I think I might bring the camera along,too.
I plan to make Orange Julius for a special treat to go with our supper tonight.
I also plan to find the time to write to my penpals today.

Good Things

We just got back yesterday from family church camp. We had a good time. It was nice to have a little escape to be with other ladies . We did cardmaking and it was fun to have the chance to be creative. We used scrapbooking supplies but I enjoy rubber stamping,too. I am thinking of selling Stampin' Up supplies even if it is for nothing more than a personal discount. They have some really cute things.
I wore my headcoverings the whole time and I got some wondering looks but no one said anything.After a couple of days, I think everybody got used to it. I am looking forward to ordering some new ones from Garlands of Grace in a couple of weeks. The style that I prefer is the "Cecily".I also am now wearing skirts/dresses only. The headcoverings are in obedience and submission but the skirts/dresses are really just a personal preference in femininity.
Pre-teen DD "E" celebrated her 12th birthday on Friday. We took her to Target and let her pick out some things.She also enjoyed kayaking on the lake.
Unfortunately, the other day, big-boy "T" had low blood sugar and it took quite a few minutes to get his blood sugar number up to where it was normal again. It was a bit of a scare. Please pray for "T". He has been on the low side lately mostly because he is more active this summer.
Today, my dh had some good things happen: He sold four jars of his BBQ sauce which we hope to have at the farmer's market by next year at least.He also was chosen for a bull moose hunting permit which he will be able to use this Fall. He also is eligible for a $15,000 housing grant. We are still waiting for the approval for the USDA rural development loan eligibility. We should know within a week. Please pray about this if you feel so led to. We really would like to move into a house before it gets too cold. It actually starts snowing here in September.
It is like 90 degrees here today and I am in the mood to bake. Why am I always in a baking mood when it is hot?(Maybe it's a Christmas in July thing. I always seem to think about Christmas this time of year,too.) I think I will forego it though because we don't have A/C and we don't need to heat up the house anymore than it already is. Maybe it will be cooler by the end of the week and I can make some chocolate chip/M&M cookies. Chocolate chip cookies and frosted soft sugar cookies are my favorite. What are your favorite cookies?
One final good moment to end this post on: Today baby boy"K" had a first. He laughed...a precious little giggle. Isn't being a parent wonderful as we can delight in such a simple and wonderful thing as a child's laughter? ahhh....

Happenings~ July 6th

Yesterday, I wore my headcovering to church for the first time. I got a combination of looks. Some were wondering, some didn't really notice. In these past few days, I have really noticed a change in my attitude and behavior.I am so glad to be headcovering in obedience and submission to the Lord and in submission to my dh.
We have had a couple of food blessings,too.Yesterday, we were given a dozen brown eggs(which is an absolute blessing since we are low on eggs and they are so expensive) and also about a dozen stalks of rhubarb which I hope to freeze for later use next week.
I received my first letters today from my two new penpals.They are like-minded so I am excited about"meeting" these new friends.
We are one step closer to getting a rural develoopment loan.I am so excited because it looks like we are going to get an actual HOUSE and in the country(!!!*grin*!!!)
For supper,I made meatloaf and we had brownies for dessert.These are far from healthy but they sure are delicious.Here is the recipe to share:

Never Fail Fudge Brownies

2 1/4 cups flour
3 cups sugar
3/4 cup + 2 TBSP cocoa
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter
4 eggs
1 TBSP vanilla

Throw it all together and mix until smooth. Spread in a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy! Happy snacking!

4th of July 2009

Here in Alaska, our family doesn't do fireworks for Independence day because there are just too many hours of daylight.So, we wouldn't be able to see them. What do you do to celebrate this day?
We went to the park today, the farmers market and the stores. We sampled some homemade bread at the farmer's market.There was an herb sourdough one that was delicious. We will probably get some when we go back in a few weeks. I really need to try my hand at making bread again. I think our family would really appreciate it. We all love bread. Homemade bread is so good especially with homemade butter.Mmm..I can just taste it now!Do any of you have a favorite easy yeast bread recipe that you could share with me? We ended up purchasing some humongous radishes and green onions and a cucumber.
We saw many friends from church at the places we went to today. I spoke with one friend today and it seems that we have a common interest. We would both love to live in a self-sufficient Christian community. My dh and I were just talking about this the other day so I was quite surprised . She said she would like goats and horses and I said I would like sheep, chickens and a garden. This would be so awesome to bring something together like this...a real old fashioned Christian community with neighbors helping neighbors. Do any of you live in a community like this? I would love to hear the details.
At the store, I was looking for some white canvas shoes(similar to Keds) but cannot find them anywhere. So, I am very disappointed. Do any of you wear these? Where do you purchase them? Online?
For supper tonight, we will beef having beef fajitas and homemade ice cream. We haven't made ice cream in a year so we are looking forward to it.
Have a blessed and safe 4th of July! Enjoy the fireworks for us....

Another Beautiful Day

It is once again sunny and beautiful today! Praise the Lord for allowing us to live here and enjoy this.
I think I may have to take "K" out in his stroller and go for a walk today.
For supper tonight,I will be making chicken fettucinne alfredo and maybe peach cobbler.If not a cobbler, then just sugared peaches.
For a snack,I am thinking of making peanut butter cookies.We haven't had these in a long time.

July 1st,2009

Wow! Is it actually July already? The weather is just beautiful here today. It is bright and sunny and 80 degrees here. Just perfect!

Dh and I took our youngest boys to the doctor today.Big boy"T" had his diabetes check-up. His doctor said that everything looked really good. He also grew 2 MORE inches since April!He has grown a total of 4" since November.

Baby boy"K" was seen because he has a blocked tear duct and the doctor prescribed some eye drops. He was also weighed and measured and he is now 25 1/4 inches and 14 lbs. 4 oz! He's only 2 1/2 months old!

I also picked up some materials at the library today. I got a couple books for"T" and for me, I got "A Thomas Jefferson Education", a book on self-sufficient living and for the entire family, I got the DVD~ Little House on the Prairie~Season 1.

Yesterday in the mail, I got the materials that I requested from Charity Gospel Ministries. I got some on headcovering and homeschooling. They are very good quality.
I began headcovering again today because I feel a conviction to do so.I got a few strange looks but I suppose that is to be expected,huh?I feel really good about wearing it this time,knowing it is for the right reasons.

Miss Potter and thoughts

I just watched a movie that most of you have probably already seen."Miss Potter" is a lovely movie about the life of Beatrix Potter portrayed by actress Renee Zellweger.
I really enjoyed it and it got me thinking again about a goal that I have. I would also like to write and illustrate a children's book(s).It may even be a project that I work on with my two oldest kids,"B" and "E".They are very good artists.Creating something special brings me joy.Think of the joy that the Lord must feel when He looks at each of us~ His creations.We need to live for the Lord, bringing him joy.He has brought me great joy in creating my dh and bringing him to me and also in our 4 children that He created for us. What joy!Thank you, dear Lord! Precious Lord,I live my life for you!I think I am going to have to dig out the ol' sketchbook and pencils and create something special this week.Even the littlest of things can bring great joy.

Happenings

Yesterday, our baby boy "K" was dedicated at church. It was extra special because it was Father's Day and because my family is here visiting and got to be there for it,too. After church, we had them over and I made beef enchiladas and a fruit and cake mixture for lunch.

Here are the recipes:

~Beef Enchiladas~
1 lb. ground beef
1 lg. onion
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1(15oz) can chopped tomatoes and juice
2-3 T. flour
1 can(10oz) cream of chicken soup
2/3 C. milk
flour tortillas
shredded cheddar cheese
shredded mozzarella cheese

Brown ground beef and onion.Add taco seasoning, tomatoes and flour.Place of heap of mixture onto tortilla.Add a handful of cheeses and roll tightly.Lay them back to back, placing them tightly together in a greased 9x13" pan.Cover with 1 can cream of chicken soup mixed with 2/3 cup of milk.Add heaps of cheese on top.Bake, covered at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.Makes 8-10 enchiladas.

~Fruit and Cake Mixture~

16 oz. pkg. strawberries,sliced
3 bananas, sliced
6 shortcakes,cut up

Mix all of this gently together in a bowl.Serves 4-6.

After they left for the day, we went to the festival downtown.It wasn't very enjoyable because there was immodesty everywhere.It was not a place that we wanted our kids to be so we left.

Today,pre-teen girl "E" and baby boy "K" stayed home with me while my dh and our older boys went bowling.I am planning to peruse some homesteading magazines and continue snuggling with "K".We just finished our supper of egg salad sandwiches and hope to turn in early tonight.

Welcome!

Hello~ I am glad that you have decided to stop by for a visit to my blog.I hope that you will find my blog encouraging, helpful and enjoyable.Please leave a message to let my know you stopped by.I love having visitors!