Wordless Wednesday

This picture was taken by our friend, Barbara.

It was so nice of her (and the city of Westport) to think of us.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

September 29, 2008

Outside My Window...The warm sun has gone down and it is dark...very dark.

I am thinking...that my house is hot. We used the oven for dinner tonight and it has not cooled off yet. The ceiling fans are going but they are not bringing much relief. We have been having unseasonably warm weather these last couple of days. I am not complaining though. Soon the rains will start and they will continue until about May or June of next year.

From the learning rooms…new curriculum has been ordered. Tim gave me a budget of $700.00 and I spent $699.75. I searched and searched, but I just couldn't find anything for that last quarter.

I am thankful for...fellow women bloggers. I love to learn ideas and glean information from other Christian women. It brings me great encouragement to know other women have the same struggles and joys that I have.

From the kitchen...Justin hung two under the cabinet lights for me today. (Our old one caught on fire last week. Not good.) So even though it is dark outside, my kitchen is glowing. The aroma of red raspberry tea is lingering in the air and a sink full of dirty dishes await my second oldest son.

I am wearing...what I am normally wearing. Capris and a short sleeve shirt. Hair up in a ponytail and no shoes.

I am creating...this blog entry. Pretty original, huh?

I am going...to Cannon Beach with my husband in January. Yee-haw. We finally made up our minds and decided to do it. Tim made our reservations today. Amy and Richard...wish you were joining us.

I am reading...several books on our solar system. The younger kids and I are (sort of) doing a unit study on the planets and like things. I am not a unit study teacher...but I thought I would give it a try. So far, so good.

I am hoping...that Tim is able to ride his motorcycle to Longview on Thursday. He needs to get away. If he could do this on his bike, it would be much more relaxing for him.

I am hearing...The Sons of Katie Elder (John Wayne) coming from the living room and my children playing in our bedroom. They are making "for sale" signs for crickets and night crawlers. They are planning on selling them to our fishing neighbors. They sold some tonight and made their first dollar. Because of that, they are motivated to do a "stand" Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.

Around the house...are signs of a large and busy homeschooling family. We have clutter, lots and lots of clutter, but I guess it is happy clutter...if there is such a thing.

One of my favorite things...is evidence of growth in our marriage. Tim and I had a struggle last night and and I am pleased to say that we both handled it the right way. As Christ continues to mold us in His image, we are able to put aside our own desires and weaknesses and listen to each other. We talked it over this morning...I heard Tim and he heard me. Listening is an art that can become a masterpiece if we allow Christ to be the Master Artist.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...pressure cooking the green beans Matthew and I picked on Saturday, school with the kids, hopefully have a family over for dinner Friday night.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is one of the activities I do with Katie. She loves to do school when the older kids are working on theirs. This picture was taken today.

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Ramblings

I have a few minutes before I need to get busy so I thought I'd sit at my computer and blog. The weather outside is nice. Cool...but the sun is shining, so it promises to get warmer and be a lovely day. In a little bit Matthew and I are going to pick green beans at a friend's house and then head on in to Morton. I have been wanting to go to Jan's Thrift Store and get the girls some winter shirts and dresses. Hopefully I will find some great bargains. After our trip to Morton I am going to come home and pressure cook our beans and clean the church building.

Justin went to Seattle today with Steve, Audrey, and Barbara. They are going to an art museum and will be dining on the waterfront. I'm not too sure of their other plans. He was so excited to get to "the city". I completely understand the need to get out of Randle, but Seattle would never be my city of choice. Too many people and the traffic is awful. But I'm confident the four of them will have a wonderful time.

Last night we went to our friend's house for dinner. I continue to be amazed that a (quiet) family of four would invite a (loud) family of eight over for dinner. All the kids played well and the adults were able to visit with each other. We feasted on sweet-n-sour meatballs, fried zucchini with Cajun seasoning, homemade applesauce and green beans. For dessert we were served applesauce cake and vanilla ice cream. The food was excellent, but the company and conversation were even better.

My midweek midwife appointment went great. We were able to see our baby and hear it's heartbeat. I thank God everyday for giving me another baby to love. At times I still get nervous about our future with this little person, but then I am quickly brought back to surrender. I remember God is in control and then I am again able to release our child to Him for His glory. I praise Him for His faithfulness and ability to carry me when I become weak. I serve a Great God.

Okay, Matthew is showered and waiting patiently for me to get off the computer. I must go and spend some one on one with my Mad Dog. He's so cool. I hope you all have a great day.



PS. Patricia and Jessy: Help me out with the Magic Eraser. I have never heard of it. What am I missing?

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Thursday Thirteen

Today for Thursday Thirteen I have compiled a list of cleaning supplies found underneath my kitchen sink. One would think that with all these cleaners readily available my house would be spotless. But…not so much.

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Clorox Oxi Magic
Mr. Clean Febreeze Freshness Lavender Vanilla
Clorox Green Works Natural Dilutable Cleaner
Lysol Disinfectant All Purpose Cleaner
Woolite Fabric Wash
Febreeze Fabric Freshener
Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner
Swiffer Dusters (free sample)
Liquid Gold
Kleen Guard Furniture Polish
Windex
Murphy’s Oil Soap

I'll organize a cleaning party if anyone feels so inclined to come on over and help. And if I don't have your favorite cleaner, just let me know. I don't mind adding to my collection.
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Wordless Wednesday

Chompin' on the good stuff.

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Under Your Bed Challenge

We are getting wonderful company tomorrw, THE DR. and MRS. BOB UTLEY, so I decided I'd better clean the house tonight. I started in our room. Obviously, because of all the stuff I found under our bed, I should clean it more often. (What am I teaching my children?) This is a list of the items I found. Some items are in their proper place (marked with a *). Many, many items, as you will see, have mysteriously appeared where they don't belong.

• plastic necklace
• playing card with rules 10-21 of Texas Hold'em
• blue shop rag
• 1 shoe
• pair of boys size 13 flip flops
• used Q-tip
• used Puffs Plus tissue
• several scrunchies
• coffee mug
• teddy bear
• basketball
• Lego's
• empty toilet paper roll
• nail polish
• 5 stuffed animals
• raisins
• 1 dirty, missing sock
• keyboard*
• the lock to our bedroom window
• 1/2 plastic yellow Easter egg
• box of Christmas wrapping paper*
• 2 gun cases*
• hugging pillow
• pencil
• string of blocks
• to do list
• broken battery pack

And there you have it. Shocking! Disgusting! Embarrassing! Now that I have shared my deep, dark, personal secret of what hides and lurks under our bed, I challenge you to do the same. If you are brave, leave a list in the comment section. And if your answer is by chance nothing, well then...don't bother to leave a comment. I don't like you.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
September 22, 2008

Outside My Window...the temperature is 48.2 and it is raining. Autumn is definitely upon us.

I am thinking...that life happens faster than I like. My children are growing and changing right before our eyes. This is exciting, but this is sad.

From the learning rooms…school has begun and it it going great. We are still working on a routine, but that comes with time.

I am thankful for...this season. It is my favorite.

From the kitchen...comes the aroma of fresh coffee. On my counter sits 14 quart jars of canned peaches and in my freezer are 7 quart bags of the frozen peaches. Matthew and I prepared them yesterday.

I am wearing...I look a bit ridiculous. But Larah is asleep in my bed and I didn't want to wake her. I am wearing capris and my jammies shirt. No shoes or socks, which I should have grabbed cause my feet are cold. My hair is up in a ponytail.

I am creating...this post.

I am going...to do school with the kids today, clean up the messy house, and wash sheets (Monday is clean sheets day). I am also going to grate 14 large yellow squash and get them in the freezer. I am going to make something with all our tomatoes. Any suggestions?

I am reading...nothing at the moment. I started a book last week but have decided to take it back to the library. I thought it was written by a Christian author, but now I know it's not. It became pretty gross pretty quick.

I am hoping...(selfishly) that Justin doesn't get a dog. He and Tim have been in conversation about a specific black lab. We shall see.

I am hearing...the hum of my computer and the dripping of the coffee pot. Other than that, absolutely nothing.

Around the house...the children continue to sleep and Tim is already gone for the day. He has a big report due for school today.

One of my favorite things...quiet mornings.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...school, putting up stuff from the garden, a trip to the library, and a midwife appointment. Yippee!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

We teach our children to help out around the house at a young age. We try to make chores and helping fun. Here is a picture of Larah helping one of her siblings dust.

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For My Fellow Homeschooling Moms

I was hanging out in Bloggerville tonight and this is a video I came across. It's pretty cute.

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So True

“The Bible calls debt a curse and children a blessing.

But in our culture, we apply for a curse and reject a blessing.

Something is terribly wrong with this picture.”
------Doug Phillips

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Thursday Thirteen

I have not posted in what seems like forever...but in reality it's only been a week. Sometimes I suffer from blogging blockage. I have thoughts and ideas, but I just can't seem to get them organized and typed out. So Thursday Thirteen is my help for today. Listed below are thirteen things I have done or am going to do this week.

1. I learned to play the Wii. Although I would not want to purchase one for our own home, I did have fun playing it. I rocked at bowling and needed some major help at baseball. My sister tells me I need to learn to box. Maybe next time.

2. I had to practice tough love with one of my children. Parenting is hard. I love being a mom. I wouldn't trade it for anything. But I had no idea it would be so hard. Because of tough love I also was able to practice grace. It seems they go hand in hand.

3. I went bowling with Tim and Matthew. We celebrated Matthew's 14th birthday at Victory Lanes in Morton. It was a good time for Tim and I to be with just Matthew.

4. I got my haircut. Boy do I feel and look better.

5. Two nights in a row Katie, Lucas, and Cayla gave me a foot rub. Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonderful. Complete with Bath and Body Works Lotion. I love my kids and I am so thankful they love me.

6. Monday the kids picked all the corn from our garden. Tim and the kids worked outside getting it ready to be put up while I worked inside. Together we put in the freezer 18 quart bags of Bodacious Corn...the best corn I have ever tasted.

7. Yesterday I shredded and froze two huge zucchinis and one huge yellow squash...all from our garden.

8. I have done school with the kids and will continue to do school with them throughout the rest of the week. We are on a roll and it feels great.

9. Yesterday Tim took all three girls to town with him so I was able to enjoy a semi-quiet day. It was such a wonderful gift from my wonderful husband. He is so...well, wonderful.

10. Today I will be making two large pans of Scalloped Potatoes with Cheese. We have a dinner tonight at church where they will be served. I will be attending the dinner with my great husband, The Tim Walker.

11. I talked to a very missed friend on the phone Monday night. Friendship is a gift from God and I am so thankful for the ones He has put in my life. It is sad when we can't get together very often.

12. Saturday I get to attend a Princess birthday party for three lovely princesses. I am looking forward to the festivities and count it as an honor to be invited to such an event. Happy Birthday Princess #1, Princess #2, and Princess #3.

13. I have posted my very first Thursday Thirteen and will hopefully do another one in the future.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here.

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My One and Only Sister

She is HOT!!!

Our sweet mommy, me (8 1/2 months pregnant) and Amy. For those of you who have kept up with my blog and have read comments about me hula dancing in a slip and bra 8 months pregnant...well folks, there's the bra! It made it onto the 1990 Christmas Tree. Yes, we're just a bit crazy.
"Oh My Garsh!"

Melanie, Amy and Me!!! Melanie and I were in 8th grade and Amy

was in 5th...I think! Ain't we perty?

Happy 35 th Birthday, Amy!!!

I miss you and love you!!!

For some updated pics of my wonderful sis, click here to see her and her beautiful family.

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Garden Fresh Veggies

Cayla loves to take pictures and she shares her papa's passion for the garden. Here are a few pictures she has taken of our garden goodies. She gets so very excited about our produce.

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The Girl's Got Groove

Last night we had a (back to school) party in the living room. It was all 8 of us and A.J. We ate junk food and watched the movie College Road Trip. Hilarious movie. Larah enjoyed the music as much as I enjoyed making this video. Tim purposely stopped the music to see what she would do. She is too fun.

This is the second video I took of her. Video #1 was much better but for some reason I can't get it on Blogger. I have tried 5 times now. So I am going to accept defeat and go on with my day. Enjoy!!

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My Simple Woman Daybook

FOR TODAY

September 8, 2008

Outside My Window...the sun is shining, the garden is being watered and early signs of autumn are appearing.

I am thinking...that my friend Anne is a wonderful person who loves the Lord. She continuously has hardships come into her life and yet through them all she stays strong and rests in God's loving arms. She is amazing.

From the learning rooms…tomorrow my students will be hustling and bustling. The plans were to start today but other things came up. We are using today to get all ends tied together and tomorrow will be the big day.

I am thankful for...my sister, Amy. I am so thankful that God not only gave me a sister, but in her He gave me a friend. She is the best and I miss her so much. I love you, Amy!

From the kitchen...is one big mess. Dishes need to be done and I have a counter full of garden produce that needs to be put away.

I am wearing...my jammies. It is one of those days where I got up and got busy. I haven't taken the time to get dressed yet. I hope nobody decides to visit the Walker home this morning.

I am creating...a list of new school year chores for the kids. Some will change and some will stay the same. The younger children will be given more responsibilities so as to teach them that they are a vital part of our family.

I am going...to clean my desk area today. It is quite messy and the dust is thick.

I am reading...The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Schlessinger.

I am hoping...that this ugly thing on my lower right lip will go away soon. I love my mother and I have inherited some great things from her. But one thing I wish she wouldn't have passed down to me is the curse of cold sores. I have a whopper of one and it is disgustingly annoying.

I am hearing...noisy children and Andy Griffith...suprise, surprise.

Around the house...dishes to be done, sheets to be washed, floors to be swept/vacuumed...normal Monday household chores.

One of my favorite things...my husband. He is so loving and lovable.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...school, grocery shopping, trip to eye doctor with

Justin, a trip to the library, make pickles and pickled peppers.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Happy Birthday, Amy!

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Birthday Wish

For those of you who read my last blog entry and decided, "Rebecca is so cool and she means so very much to me. I want to show her my appreciation and get her a gift. I think I'll get her an episode of Little House." Well, dear readers, I have found a great deal. If you start saving now, you'll have time to save up for my birthday. Here is what I found. You'd be welcome to come over and watch them with me. I'll even make popcorn and share my diet Pepsi. What are you waiting for?

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Quotable Quotes

One of my favorite childhood memories was coming home from school and watching Little House on the Prairie with my sister. (AKA: Little House on the Prairie Dog. Katie combines the title with prairie dog hunting. Can ya tell we live in the sticks?) It didn't matter what episode I watched, I always ended up crying. I still love to watch it with my girls (so does Amy with her girls)...although I don't cry...well, not as often. I appreciate the wholesomeness of the show and the character-building lessons each episode teaches. We own one season on DVD and I am hoping in the future to purchase more. Or for those of you who care...my birthday is June 19.

While I was on Internet today I came across some quotes by Michael Landon. I like what he had to say:

• I believe in God, family, truth between people, the power of love.
• Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I think viewers are hungry for shows in which people say something meaningful.
• With a houseful of kids you give each other strength.
• Whatever you want to do, do it now. There are only so many tomorrows.

Have a wonderful Sunday,

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Pictures and A List

That's me in the kyak. It was so much fun and the view was incredible.
Lucas "in tow" by Papa!

The Birthday Girl got soaked...but she didn't seem to mind!
Jodie teaching Cayla how to kyak.
Cute little critter...and mighty brave too.
Gettin' ready to go boatin' with Papa!
He's so dang cute!

Kacey making dinner and reading! Must be one good book!
Justin doing his part to keep the fire going.
Somebody has to love him!
Katie and Evan~Friends
Justin and Audrey~Awww!

Elevation: 4252 ft.

7 Tents
2 Birthday celebrations
Never-ending campfire
Warm days and cold nights
Kayaks
Swimming
Laughter
Marshmallows (raw, roasted, or rare)
Spiders
Books
Spiders in books (My sincerest apologies to Timberland Regional Library and Dr. Laura Schlessinger…pages 24-25 were the closest things I could find to smash the spider that was crawling out of my sleeping bag as I was snuggled up in it.)
Footed jammies
Boating
Great conversations
Mosquitoes
OFF
Food, food and more food
Dirt, dirt and more dirt
Midnight strolls to the bathroom (I don’t mind nighttime squatting, but it seems as though too much camp food caused stomach pains in one of my children…no need to mention any names, Cayla!)
Millions of stars and one shiny moon
Fishing
Charmin freshmates
Babies to Senior Adults~39 people in all
Chapped lips and runny noses
Lysol
Late nights and early mornings
Flashlights
French braids
No phones
Kerosene and lanterns
Hot Chocolate
Lawn chairs
Hiking
Exhausted, but happy kids
Cabela’s really, really cool camp shower
Naps
Grouse hunts
Bike rides
Homemade toilets (Men’s and Women’s)
Cute little ol’ chipmunks and fat camp robbers
Wet clothes
Growing friendships and nurturing relationships
Four wonderful, relaxing days
Looking forward to Olallie 2009

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Goin' Campin'

Olallie Lake

The vehicles are packed and we are as good as gone. We will be exiting Randle bright and early tomorrow morning. ETD is 6:30. Lucas and Tim are leaving much earlier to do a bit of grouse hunting, so the pressure will be off to leave at exactly 6:30. We will be enjoying God's beautiful nature until Friday evening. I'll post pictures when we return.
Until then,

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A Love Note

I cleaned our bedroom today and I found this note tucked away in my dresser drawer. It was written just about 5 years ago. Reading it today reminds me why I married Tim. He is the greatest gift God has ever given me. It's hard to imagine, but the love we share today is even greater than when this note was written.

Rebecca,
I've had a lot of time up here (elk camp) to think about you. The conclusion I have come to is that above loving you, liking you, desiring you, and enjoying you, I really appreciate you. I appreciate the incredible wife you are, the growing Christian you are, and the wonderful mom you are, but mostly I appreciate you. You are...well...you. Going through the daily grind makes it far too easy to lose sight of the persons who make up the people in our lives. You and I spend a lot of time together building a relationship, a family, and a church. But being up here, away from all that and away from you, has helped me to stop and realize afresh the person I do all that with-you. I remember when I first met you at night class. There was just something about you that I had to be close to. Beyond your cute butt, beautiful looks, gorgeous eyes, perfect nose, and oh those lips, there was just something. There was you. Ten years has not been enough time to be close to you. You have sure put up with a lot these years. We have grown closer together and to God through some great times and some hard times. But, through it all, I have lived the gift of being close to you. Thank you for loving me. I certainly love you.
Tim

Wow...he is incredible.

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