What's Large??

It was really funny....this weekend the three big kids all had plans, so Saturday morning I just had the four littles...I was planning on having a relaxing morning with my book and a cup of coffee...needless to say, that didn't really happened he way I had planned it in my head! LOL....We decided we were going to take the four littles to lunch ! It was fun...we had a nice time. The funny thing was people were amazed that we had FOUR kids....hehehe....when we politely told them there were 3 more, they were all floored! We are used to the comments (which mostly are nice, but not always) when we have all 7 out...but come on...only four kids! It brought me to think about...what is considered large these days?? Long ago people had large families and it was the norm. What happened?? LOL :0) And yes, in this picture my son is wearing pink shoes!

God's Protection and His Plans!

This month has been really eye opening! We have been able to see so many of the "why's" answered! You know those times of pain...where you wonder how God is going to get you through, why God allowed this into your life, what good will come from it?? Well, we have seen some answers this month and last month. My WONDERFUL sister told me a story today about a little boy we were planing to adopt a few years ago. Long story....it ended up that the county he was from took him from us, very suddenly, one day. That day his social worker called myself, my case worker and his supervisor (I then worked for a private agency)...this boy's social worker would not tell me what this "meeting" was about, I wanted my husband to take the day off work and come, but the social worker said it was not necessary. while I was there, this "man" ripped me apart and told me he had read the Bible and that that was not the way to raise a child, and if I didn't agree to change my ways then they were taking him from us. I wouldn't back down. I stood firm in my beliefs and we lost Robbie. It was awful. The social workers had to come to my home and literally tear him out of my arms. My husband cried. This little boy was moved from home to home after that and is now settled and happy. But, now I know (my sister knows, and told me) that this little boy had done some disturbing things to a woman in one of his foster homes. God protected my daughters from harm. All the heartache we went through....years of this sorrow...was to save my daughter innocence. God is always good. Another thing we got to see.... We went through some very tough times with our boys we are going to adopt, we thought it was taking too long...God was telling us to WAIT...their other brother and sister (they don't live here) needed to be moved from the home that was going to adopt them. We see that all the heartache was for a good reason. Another reason is that we were to wait until God said it was time...and we got to adopt all 5 at one time...this is unheard of! God is always good. And yet another thing came to light. The girls we are adopting have an older sister, we were planing to adopt her, but things didn't work out. She was really mean to us...we tried to work it out, but felt God was telling us "no". A month later we got a call that in her foster home (the same one she lived at before she lived here) she molested a boy the same age as my oldest (special needs) son. God protected my sons. God is good always. And today, I was talking to a social worker, and she mentioned to me to think about 3 boys that may need to be adopted, they will know in March what's going on. We are praying for God to tell us what to do. We know how hard it is to foster kids (we've done it for 8 yrs), we know how heart wrenching it is to adopt kids through the "system" and what's happened to them. It's harder than I can express. That would bring our numbers up to 10 kids! And I just got my tubes untied...so we are praying for more biological kids too. This seems unreasonable to me...but does it to God? God is good always. And the last thing I will mention is this. I have "came across" a family that will benefit from my testimony...and my husbands testimony...which is another LONG story....but The Lord has delivered us from a slimy pit of sin...it was BAD...and we will get to use our testimony to bless someone and let them know they are not alone, that God loves them, and there is no shame, only grace and forgiveness in God's love! We are going to be able to prove that marriages can be restored no matter how "bad" things get! WOW! God is good always. And the most impressive thing is we are SO TOTALLY unworthy of any of this! God is working in spite of my wicked and sinful nature! All of this literally fell into our laps...all the kids to adopt came to us within the first year and a half of foster care with this agency...people have gone through years and years or waiting and trying to adopt in this county...and we got 5! These people to share our lives with...fell into our life,,,it's amazing to reflect.

What's Important?

A dear friend of mine lost her Grandma yesterday, it was sudden, they are all shocked. This, along with a few other things that have happened as of late, leave me pondering....What is really important in life? What will my friends family remember in the years to come about their loved one? Will they think about how clean her house was? How fat or thin she was? What her clothes looked like? How fancy the meals were that she cooked? NO....not at all...I'd guess that in the years to come...the great grand kids won't remember any of those details about her, but they will hear all the stories about "her"....her character, her personality, her hospitality, her work ethic, her kindness. That leaves me looking at myself. How much weight do I put on the things that don't matter? How much time do I WASTE in a day, but fretting over silly little things? How do I make my family feel when I am being that way? How does my family feel when I am "too tired" to do this or that...am I REALLY, or am I just being selfish? Any one of us could get the call that a loved one has passed, a parent, a child, sister....what would we think about? Would we have regrets of not spending TIME with them? What takes up our TIME? The Bible tells us that life is but a vapor....why do we waste so much of this valuable resource? It is time for some change in my life. This has rocked my world! Not that I knew my friends grandma very well. We have had her for Easter last year, and spent other times visiting with her, but I think about this...what will my kids remember about me? That mom is always telling them to wipe their feet, don't get crumbs on the floor, that I hate the mess play dough and paint make, don't dump the sand out of your boots on the clean floor, go play because I'm busy...the list could go on. That is NOT what I desire for my kids to remember about me. If they are to ever have the memories of a caring, gentle, and truly forgiving momma, then things need to change. I will say, I don't sit around barking at my kids...we do fun things together, I'm not saying that I'm an awful and mean mom or anything, but will I be able to stand before the Lord one day and hear "well done, good and faithful servant"? Hmmm??

Grocery Shopping

Today was Wal-Mart day! So, off we went all 8 of us to the store. I made a great menu and list...thought it was going to be a cheap trip....not the case. I ended up needing to stop shopping as I couldn't cram one more thing into the cart or the kids arms! LOL...I got what was on my list! I guess I forget we need to buy things in such a large quantity that it takes us more space and costs more money as well. I guess I need to accept this as fact. I spent around $200 today....for just a "few" things! LOL...We also had lots of "fun"! I dropped a 6 pack of soda (hubby takes them to work) and it sprayed all over the floor...and I had 7 kiddos standing in the middle of it! EEK! We went and found help...we had the normal..."how many kids do you have?" or "God Bless you, I sure couldn't so that!"....or "these couldn't be ALL your kids, could they?"....all in all it was a good trip! The trunk of the bus is still full of Christmas gifts that need to be wrapped, so I had to pile all the food in with the kids in the seats and on the floor! HaHa. We survived another weekly trip to the store! Yeah!!

Looking Back

Since our adoption is coming soon I have spent some time reflecting on the last few years. It seems now like things flew by...but during some of our rough times, things seemed to move very slowly! I can hardly believe we are this close to having all of the children REALLY be OURS! It's more than I could have ever dreamed for! There were times where I was sure it wasn't going to work out....times where I really wasn't sure I wanted it to work out! There were times we were scared to death that other people were going to win custody of the boys. Times where we couldn't understand why things were at a stand still. Hard and sad times of testifying in court...witnessing to the birth parents...and wondering why they couldn't put the children first. Times of anger when the birth parents would accuse us of untrue things. Times of wondering if we could ever get the girls to straighten up. Lots and Lots more....we are so blessed to have these kids in our lives! We are so blessed to have a fair judge who can see what's best for the children in our county. But most of all we have a fair and loving God! There were so many times that I could not for the life of me understand why things were taking so long....and one day the case worker called and said we have a date for the adoption of all 5 kids...at one time!! God was answering all of my prayers....the answer was WAIT!! So I many times I pray and expect an answer...now...I never expect "wait"....looking back I can see so many times where the answer was "wait".....but I was not still and quiet in my heart...not trusting in Him. This has been such a time of growth and learning...I am blessed to tears!

This Weekend

This weekend went so fast! Saturday we visited with friends, built a hay maize at church, at McDonalds...just hung out. It was nice. Then Sunday came....it looked to be a great day! We actually got up on time to get ready for church. We go to the early service at 8:00 a.m. So we have to get all 9 of us up, fed, and dressed by 7:30. This is not always easy...LOL...Well, I got everyone ready to go...they were fed, the little girls had matching hair and both in red dresses...too cute...then it happened....just as we were getting ready to walk out the door.... I get sick! I started throwing up! I was SO mad! I REALLY wanted to attend church to be taught and just hear the Word...but I was sick! I made them all wait a few minutes, trying to be strong and pull myself together...but I just couldn't. So, off went hubby to church with the oldest child. I sent the rest (still dressed for church) upstairs to play so I could rest. I was determined to go to Sunday School....I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to teach my Sunday School class! When the time came to leave, I called hubby and told him we were on the way! I was still sick, but wasn't going to let the devil win this time...I got them all in the bus and looked at them...LOL....it looked as if they had been through a war! LOL...all the cute and neat children I had seen just an hour before...were gone...in their place were my real kids, you know, the ones who look as if they have no idea what a brush or matching shoes are...LOL...but were going...we get there and then God did His business! What a GREAT time I had! All my kids in my Sunday School class (5 yr olds) were very attentive and well behaved, and of course just the feeling you get when you are with fellow believers, there's nothing like that to minister to a person. I was happy!
Then we go home. Second to the oldest daughter started being bad when we were out at the park playing...then our favorite race car driver finished like 40 laps down..and the the real fun begins! My oldest daughter wants to ride her horse....the one she's scared of...the one she never does anything with...the one who doesn't even remember what a saddle is....that one. Long story short...I ended up holding the horses lead rope while hubby tries to saddle this huge animal...she spooked...hubby is yelling to me, don't let go...give me the rope!!! We didn't want to let her run with her rope as she could get hurt badly if she were to tangle up...Yes, I am a full grown woman, but still no match for a 2,000 lb. horse! I ended up letting go...I tried REALLY hard not to...I even have the battle woulds to prove it. I have my left hand FULL of bloody blisters and covered in rope burn. It feels like my hand is in a furnace! And I am still sick! LOL...UGH!! LOL...I am happy to be looking BACK on all of that and can look FORWARD to a better day!

Dr. appt

I went to the Dr. a week ago to try to figure out why I don't get regular cycles and why it was so painful when I did and WHY can't I get pregnant! Well, the visit was SO encouraging! He told me I WAS NOT too fat to get pregnant! YEAH!!! and that I AM NOT too old to get pregnant!! YEAH!! I have a uterine infection from the surgery and that my body is still adjusting to things from the surgery. I had a woman's exam that was LONG overdue, I had not had one in 8 years! That came back normal....I think after having this information, it has helped me leave this issue at the foot of the cross.....just where it belongs! Since that day, I have not had many thoughts about "trying" to get pregnant. It will or will not happen according to God's will. just as it should be. I try ti get my nose in there and control things that I have NO business trying to control...that's God's job....not mine! So, I'm feeling more relaxed, enjoying my time with hubby instead of having a mission....LOL...I guess I am at peace with this whole thing! God is good...always!

Photo Shoot #1

I only had a minute, but I wanted to share a few pics of my kiddos. I am not doing all 7 kids at once, because I only have a minute! LOL

Stuff and Daily Menu

Well, to say the least things are crazy in my head right now!! I am very frustrated and depressed. It seems to be effecting my family and my life greatly. SO, I really need to work through all of this with the only one who can help me.
Anyway, I did NOT plan yesterday...and it showed!! I ate a KING size candy bar and drank half of a Mountain Dew! I just didn't care!! Not good....at all!! I am very disappointed in myself. To even it out a touch, I ate less dinner and no dessert. Just because I am struggling in my heart, does not mean I need to blow my diet.
I got one of my homemade gifts done yesterday :0) I was really happy with it!! I spray painted a big diaper box red and then cut holes in the top, glues white rick rack around the holes, and with black letters (decals) I put "Game Time" on the box!! Then I will make bean bags to go with it, that will make a fun gift! For the rest of the week, I am going to finish a stitchery for my mom, that will be done today, and make a Christmas tree and tree skirt and fake gifts as a gift for Ash for her dolls, and make a few piggy banks. We are going to give them "new" piggy banks with some money in it for the kids. For the littles, the ones who don't know about money, will just get a bunch of nickles, and the bigger ones $5. They should be fun to make! I got COOL scrapbook paper and COOL stickers to make them look good.

Daily Menu:
B: coffee w/ 1 Tb creamer (1)...bagel thin (1) 1 ounce FF cream cheese (1) 3 whites (0) and Fiber One yogurt (0)

L: 2 slices FF lunch meat (1) bread (1) mustard & onions (0)
cauliflower (0) grapes (1)

Dinner: amazing goulash 6pt
squash and onions (0)

Dessert: apple cake (3)
cool whip (1)

S#1 coffee w. 1 Tb creamer (1) and 2 york patties (2)
S#2 coffee w. 1 Tb creamer (1) and SF pudding cup (1) and 1 graham (1)

Total= 21 points :0)...aHHH.....that feels good to plan!!

Daily Menu and the Weekend

The weekend was ok, it was a lazy weekend. I just don't feel well. Still no cycle...it's never gonna come! UGH! Anyway, Rob hunted Saturday and then Sunday we just hung around. It was nice. I didn't do awful this weekend. Saturday we did eat McDonald's. I am allowing myself one meal on a weekend day to splurge. I was pleased to see that I did not gain any weight over the weekend!! YEAH!!! I am trying 2 new recipes today, I hope that they are good... I feel bad making Rob eat "diet" food...so I feel REALLY bad when I make him eat diet food that doesn't even taste good! LOL!! I am going to have a busy day with school as Ash has two unit tests and a BIG portfolio, make that two BIG portfolio projects going! they are HARD! It's going to be a long week! LOL...that's not a bad thing! It's keeps me grounded....where my mind is supposed to be. I am really making an effort to work things around to make this cyber school work for us, so we will do our very best. I will help her where needed and we will just have to take the time it takes, however long it may be! I don't want to make this seem like drudgery, we will make it fun :0)
I am also working hard on my homemade Christmas gifts. I REALLY feel the need to get moving with them. I have a lot planned to make as money is really tight and we want to give the kids a great holiday. I know gifts are not what it's about...my kids know this too! Jesus is the reason, but the gifts are fun! :0)

Daily Menu:
B; coffee w/ 1Tb creamer (I cut my creamer in half so I could drink more coffee!)
bagel thin 1pt 1ounce FF cream chs. 1pt 3 scrambled whites 0pt 1 Fiber One yogurt 0pt

L: chicken breast 2pt 1Tb BBQ sc. 0pt bread 1pt
cauliflower 0pt

D: Lazy Day Lasagna 3pt (that's what the recipe said...I think that sounds low, I'll need to check it)
homemade bread and butter 4pt
veggies 0pt

S#1 coffee w/ 1 Tb creamer 1pt york pattie 1pt
S#2 coffee w/ creamer 1pt 1 SF pudding cup 1pt and 1 graham 1pt

Dessert: pumpkin angel food cake 3pt

Total 21pt (I left extra points as I really do think that the dinner recipe will be more points.)

Weekly Menu

This is my weekly menu for dinner and dessert...I also plan for breakfast and lunch, but it's boring.

dinner:
1. Amazing Goulash 6pt
2. Creamy Creamy Chicken Fettuchini 5pt
3. Lazy Day Lasagna 3pt
4. Cheesy Noodle Dish 4pt
5. Deep Dish Pizza Casserole 6pt
6. meatloaf
7. mashed potatoes w/ hmg and corn


desserts:
1. mississippi mud pie 3pt
2. pumpkin angel food cake 3pt
3. carrot cake muffins 3pt
4 S'more parfaits 3pt
5. apple cake 3pt
6. rhubarb dump cake 3pt
7. magic saltine dessert 3pt

Some of these are new recipies, I will post any new recipies that are good! All of these recipies were found online.

Weigh In...#2

Today was the first time I am weighing in on Friday

Was 206
now 203
lost 3lbs!!! :0)

I was happy!!

Friday

Well, yesterday was ok. It seemed like one of those days where I wanted to sleep or just hang out with a hot cuppa joe! But I couldn't...LOL...I have a life to live :0) We have had some behavior stuff going on with some of the littles as they have been so cooped up and are ready for the weekend freedom! I'll be happy when tomorrow comes....it's so fun to watch the kids play for half the day in their pj's! They come up with all sorts of things to do! I stayed on points yesterday, but REALLY had a hard time not snacking. I think I need to figure in some low point or no point snacks..I will be looking into that today.

Today we are doing school, prize box, the adoption worker is coming, grocery shopping...and getting ready for hunting. Life as I know it is over for the next few months! rob will be hunting, probly daily, so I will be on "my own" for that time. Yes, he'll be home at dark...but I will have a few hours to fill each night! I have BIG PLANS for that time! :0) The first thing I am going to to is budget the time well that he's gone. What things doesn't he like me to mess with when he's home?? I will wrap presents for a short time each time he's gone until I am caught up...I will also do mini cleaning projects...nothing big...so the house won't be torn apart...but the little things that don't get done often enough. I plan to hang out with my sister and her kids...do fun things! WE are all excited about hunting and praying for Daddy to have a great season!

Today's Menu:
B: coffee w/ creamer 2pt...bagel thin...1pt...1ounce FF cream cheese...1pt....3 scrambled egg whites...0pt....1/2 yogurt...1pt

L: chicken breast sand 3pt
broccoli...0pt

D: Easy Ziti...7pt
veggies..0pt

S#1 diet soda and york pattie 1pt
S#2 coffee w. creamer 2pt and york pattie 1pt

Dessert: diet cake 3pt

Total=22 pts