Snow

Well we got our first snow finally. The kids have been waiting an eternity it seems for it. It was so beautiful when we woke up and watched the flakes fall from the heavens. Of course, doing chores in it wasn't so much fun.... But after chores we played and played. I did have to drag the kids aways from the maneur pile... It is the only slope we have around. So I could see where it could have been fun. But still it is horse/goat poop. Icky. I do have to draw the line somewhere, even in the snow.. We enjoyed it until it all melted. Which wasn't very long. Maybe an hour.. But it was fun while it lasted.. I was trying to explain to the children that you just don't order up the snow. You can pray for it but God and ONLY God will send it when it is time. Of course they response is "It IS time"... I told them the reason we don't get snow often is because God wants us to enjoy it. If we had it all the time we wouldn't know how to appreciate it. Just like with other things in our lives.. We eat 3 + meals a day. How many of us are actually THANKFUL for every morsel of food. Although we should be. SO I think God lets us see his beauty so we will always appreciate it. Same as the sun. We love the sun. It gives out great vitamins. It keeps us warm. But we don't really appreciate it until it is gone for a few days. God has given us so many blessings each day. It just so happens that yesterday he blessed us with the beauty of snow. God Bless!

Too many

Too many!!! What does that mean?? People tell us "you have to many kids", "too many animals", "too many issues".... Well, I sure have something to say about that. God gave us TOO MANY kids... Not because he wanted people to be annoyed by us, but because he wanted to shine his light through us.. He has blessed John and I with 8 children, 3 grandchildren, 1daughter in law and 1 son in law. When we go to town some people give us dirty looks when the kids are thrilled to just go somewhere (kinda crazy kids).. They watch us load and unload the kids from the van or pick up.. They watch us wrestle through the stores with a little spanking here or there and a little don't touch this or don't touch that. But what they are missing is the fact that we love them very much and believe that they are truely a blessing from God. I mean who else could have made the twins.... Yes they are wild and crazy most of the time.... But in reality they are just normal kids. Try going to a school and sitting there for an hour and you will see. God has great things planned for each and everyone of our kids. The people that are stubbing there nose at us and talking behind our backs obviously doesn't know what it means to be given the gift of raising children...
Now on the animal thing... Yes we do have several critters. And yes they are spendy... But what more joy do we see when the kids are riding the horses for hours and just happy as can be. How about the dogs. They are happy no matter what we do. They always listen to me whine and complain. Usually giving me a sympathy lick with a really wet tongue. The kids love the dogs. They say a mans best friend is a dog... The cats now..... They are hunters, which keeps the mouse population down. They also snuggle with the kids at night to keep them cozy and calm. They are cheap keepers for sure... The goats... Well they give us milk back. So in itself they are worth keeping. Also having the kids watch the babies being born and helping to raise them is giving them responsibility and also teaching them about how critters have babies... What a lesson in itself.. So I say THE ANIMALS STAY... No matter who says what....
Everyone has issues, but it really isn't anyone else's problem. Don't others have enough issues of there own to worry about, rather than worrying about mine..... If they are Godly people then why not be praying for us and not gossiping... Makes total sense to me... Life is too short to have this behavior..
I may sound a bit irritated but I am not... I just feel compelled to let this out. And heck, no one will probably even read this, but at least I have it off my chest. I do feel much better now... :~}

Fall

I do believe that fall is in the air. Most of my plants are starting to turn colors. A wet dew is on the grass in the mornings. I am so excited I can hardly wait. I love the change of seasons. God has given us such a beautiful gift. Just think in the fall what beautiful colors we have to look at. The break from the heat is a welcoming feeling. Then the winter comes. Nice cold mornings and hopefully this year snow... Everything is crisp and the air seems clean. Up next is Spring. How beautiful that is. The new growth and the beautiful green grass and trees. Not to mention all the beautiful flowers in bloom. All the bee's a buzzn' and butterflys gracefully flying by. Then summer. Although hot in this area, it is great. So many outside things to do and accomplish. I am amazed at how many things I can think of to do outside. I love my seasons and I do love the New Mexico sunsets. God is blessing me daily in sometimes the smallest ways and others in the biggest ways. It may be while I am hanging the laundry on the line that I realize I am thankful for so many things. It may be while I am schooling the kids. Sometimes it is even when I am cleaning pens....... Enough said there... LOL... I am a blessed woman and I want to urge each one of you to be in the WORD everyday. I can not believe how much I grow in the Lord when I am relying on him daily. He is my rock and shield. Always be thankful, even when you do't want to. I had a friend once tell me that when I have a bad attitude look back on the day and see if I can come up with 5 things to be thankful for. I always come up with 5 and about 25 more. I am blessed... Thanks to Jesus Christ. When you look outside just remember the God created it all for us to enjoy.

When Love Blooms

I have just read the best book. Since I am a simple woman, whom loves the pioneer days, it was right up my alley. The name of the book is "When Love Blooms" A Novel by Robin Lee Hatcher. It is written so well that I could easily be distracted by the children and pick it back up and start right in again. Not only that but I find it hard to read books that aren't Christ Like.. This one has biblical values. I could hardly put it down. I could imagine the story in my mind. It was absolutely great. I joined a Zondervan blogger review and got the book for free. The only catch was to post it on my blog. I would definately purchase this book. I can't wait for the next one to come out. I just have to have it... The other two books by Robin Hatcher that I know of are called "A vote of confidence" and "Fit to be tied". I can't wait to read them soon. This is a must read. She is a great Author!

Little Joe

Here is little Joseph... He is the coolest kid.. Actually the coolest 3 year old. He has a great temperment, that is until he gets mad... Then look out.... He loves horses. His life is horses.. All he thinks about is just that... He carried little plastic horses in his pockets, I find them in his bed, pillows blankets, washing machine and dryer. He is just content to sit on a horse and go no where... As long as he is on a horse he is happy. A book about horses does miracles for him. A movie about horses is just "The Most". He is the most caring kid. He will give up his blankie for another child or parent who is sad. What a kid. We gave one of our horses to Fort Lone Tree for the summer and HOLY COW, I thought he was losing a lung..... It isn't like we aren't getting him back.... He just knew Amigo was going forever. Of course he thinks all of the horses are ALL HIS and Jack the donkey... Although he would much rather ride a "real" horse than Jack, but sometimes it will just do... Lately he has decided to take on the name "Trick Rider". His Grama Karama, in her younger years was a trick rider. We got the pictures out and that is all it took. He decided to try it out... Luckily he is on ol' Gus. He doesn't get excited about much anymore so I was too concerned about his safety. He just loves it. I hope that for the duration we can keep him in the saddle, or not... He doesn't care either way saddle or bareback... Just as long as he is ON A HORSE!!! I just love this kid and I pray that he will always enjoy horses. I love watching him ride, talk and play with the horses. I am just so thankful that we can live in the country and have things that the kids can enjoy that don't break and they don't fight over... Life is great and so is Little Joe!!! God Bless

Fathers

This is my Dad... What can I say... He is the greatest man alive..... I can remember when I was small, I ran over his broken leg with my new tricycle. Boy was he upset... But he still loved me..... He use to travel with his job and only be home on weekends. I can remember when he did come home all weekend we would do projects of some sort, which I always thought was fun. He slept until 9:00 and then we would go jump on the bed and drive him crazy until he eventually got up.. I remember sitting on the bathroom cabinet helping him shave. I remember he would let me fix his hair with barrets and hair spray... Now what a cool dad to let me do that..... One time we were camping and my sister and I caught dad taking a snooze and we got a hold of the grapes and started putting them all over him, including stuffed in his belly button... Oh my those were the days... I remember going to cut wood for the winter. He would share his black coffee (yuck), which I didn't really like, but because he shared it with me I thought it was so special and drank it up like it was sweet tea.... I was so proud when he would go to my basketball games and track meets. I would look up in the stands and see him, and just be thrilled he was there. Then when he would take me fishing. Oh my goodness, I almost couldn't wait to get out the door with Dad.... I was in trouble one time for something I am sure my sister did and not me (LOL) and he got the belt out and was going to give me a woopn', well I tried running into the bathroom and locking the door. Let's just say I never ran from dad ever again after that one... OUCH!!! One time he took me to T or C with him when I was a teenager. It was so cool... We stayed in a motel and went fishing and ate out. Just he and I..... I thought I was pretty special for sure.. Through all my crazy teenage years he still loved me even though I was a Copenhagen (Nasty stuff) chewing, wild, crazy teenager... He always loved me and I always new it. I can never remember my Dad not loving me. Through the spankings and the talks, I could always see the love in his eyes for me. I was so sad when I would let him down. I wanted to be the best daughter ever... Of course I always thought I was the favorite.... Probably because my sister moved away so I was like the only one there.... Or maybe it was because I WAS his favorite...... LOL... Well he is the best dad and I love him with all my heart. As I have gotten older I see how important that my Dad is to my life. I love him...

Adam

Most of you know Adam..... He turned 17 in May. What a kid. I can't believe how time has past. It seems like it was just yesterday when he was smashing my flowers in the front yard, writing with markers all over his bedroom wall, sneaking into the candy jar.... I remember buying him happy meals and trying to get him to eat it because he was so excited about playing on the play yard at McDonalds... I was going through my cedar chest the other day and found his old blankie... OK some of you, don't mention to Adam you know about his blankie..... He also had a stuffed animal cow named Emily... She had a bit of a broken neck and her eyeballs all scratched off from washing and playing.... Now he has bigger and better toys, like guitars, a jeep, IPods..... He is such a special boy. He loves me dearly and I know it. He tries to make me happy all the time...He thinks of me, most of the time, first.... Now how many of you can say that.... Yes, I am a proud mom for sure. He has so much to look forward to, like college, career, great opportunities with life, and yes girls... That one I choose to not think about too often... He is so awesome with older people. He always has been. One of his best friends is in his 90's. Most older folk just tolerate a teen, but with Adam they seem to actually enjoy his visits.... I get a kick out of watching him with different ages. The girls his age, well lets just say awkward. Around his siblings, he is just out right impatient and annoyed most of the time. With Jack, his ol' pal he is just absorbing his wisdom. He is very respectful to all, even when he doesn't want to be. That, I have to say is more than I could do.. He is so special to me. I love him with all my heart and my prayer for him is to enjoy everyday life. Never to doubt himself. Always have faith and go with God and serve him well. God made a special kid here and I hope I have raised him the way God wanted. He is truely a special boy and I am so proud of him. Although he has told me that he is sick of goats and WILL NOT be milking for me... We will see who wins this battle??!! He loves me...He WILL milk.... Well enough bragging about the greatest kid alive, aside from my other 4 children whom are totally cool....... I will get off of my soap box and get on with my cleaning. God Bless!

Brand

Well most of you know that we homeschool. Sometimes, it is hard to get Brand to do his work. He would rather be outside like most of us would. So, I decided to bring him on out...... He got his work done in no time and off to the playing he went. We are so blessed to have land, animals, and freedom that most who live in town don't have. I hated it out here 4 years ago. I WAS NOT going to live out here in the flatlands with all this alkali dirt, wind and rattlesnakes.. NO WAY... Well here it is and 2 more kids and over 4 years later and I would not move for nothing.... I have realized over the last years that sometimes God knows what you need, not you..... I groaned, complained, whined......... And now I love it here. I love the land, I can see the beautiful sunsets every evening. I can hear the quiet that one doesn't have in town. I can hear the wind blow in the salt cedars and it almost makes a beautiful song. John even killed our first rattler the other day and it didn't even bother me and I still walk out there barefoot... I love our little zoo that we have and I love raising our children out of town. God was blessing me the whole time and I was too caught up in what "I" wanted to realize what he was giving me. Now some can't see what I see. That is because God only shares the special things like this with his special child... One that has grown in him and can truely love ALL things he has given me... God Bless

Opal

This is Shi and her hen "Opal"... She loves this poor girl to death.. Literally. She walks behind her real slow and then eases up on her and grabs a tail feather (or two), and then slowly grabs the rest of her... Opal never makes a sound... She goes just about every where with Shi... I think Shi thinks she is her baby (doll).... The poor ol' girl just sits there with her mouth wide open, can't even work up even a cluck, by then end of the day... Shi even puts her in the swing. Lord only knows what is going on in Opals head. I am sure she is thinking, either this kid is trying to kill me or she just doesn't even care..... The other Rooster (Willy) and hen (Hazel) just look up and walk away. They don't even care at all... What is wrong with them???? Poor Opal needs rescueing.. CHICKENS and CHILDREN, they are too funny to watch... I can't figure out what is going on in either of there minds... Or why they do the things they do.. I have been missing the tops off of my green bean plants and couldn't figure out what was going on. I put the powder bug stuff on them and it was still happening. Lo' and behold one day I see Mr. Willy Rooster sticking his head through the fence eating them.... UGHHHHHH !!!!! Now you know what I was thinking...... Need I say more. He is still around eating the edge of my garden... I kinda gave up on the garden idea anyhow... Maybe next year...... Well off I go to milk my goat.. God Bless...

busy

I have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to BLOG!!! It seems that summer brings more chores and somehow more animals. We are up to 4 horses, a donkey (that is totally cool), 6 goats, 10 geuineas ( actually not sure how many of those are left, one of the dogs decided she likes to eat them), 6 dogs, 2 hens and a rooster. Not only are my days filled with chores and children but now my wonderful husband gets a discount at work so we have fencing and building happening as well.. I put a garden in this year for the first time. Some of it is growing and some not. This soil is so bad I can't imagine why anything would grow.... I am still trying to get the grass and tree's going as well. I am still doing school with Brand since he needs to start 2nd grade in August. Yes we are about a month behind schedule. Of course all the other kiddo's do school as well just not as much as Brand.. My Dad had heart surgery last week in Phoenix and is doing well. He got released from the hospital today and now it in a motel/apartment for this week. Something about he can't leave the valley and go to higher ground or his lungs may burst.. Yikes for sure... He is filling much better now that he is out of the hospital though. Shiloh had her appt with the eye doctor a few weeks ago and she can see 14ft now. Praise GOD!! She is legally not blind anymore. Yipee.. Although the dr. did say that if she were 16 she could get her drivers license. Now that is one scarey thought... They give licenses to people who can only see 14ft.. OMG!!! LOOK OUT NM..... The coolest thing that I have done in the last few weeks in milk a goat. And I must say I was ALMOST good at it... LOL... Now I gotta get me one....... Brand is a professional milker also... He was pretty proud too.. What a kid.. Well this is kinda ramblin', but just needed to catch ya'll up on some of the happenings going on at the sturzoo.... I promise to be better in the coming weeks... I have taken some cool pictures recently so will start my saga again soon. The kids are always cracking me up, in more ways than one... God Bless!!

Pets

This is our newest pet... Yes it is a donkey named Jack. Most of you know how John is about strangers.. Well let's just say for those of you who don't know him that there are NO strangers to him. We met a guy at the dumpster and we ended up with a free donkey. The kids love him and so do we. He has one issue though. He is not cut.... Which creates a problem with our mare.... They seem to have taken a liken' to one another.... I, however, cannot see us with a mule so tomorrow he is going to the vet and then he will not be little stud donkey any longer.... Adam seems to think this is somehow not right. He says "A guy has to keep his manhood"...... Typical teen.... He has been trained to pull a cart so we are on the search for one. He is pretty good at letting us know when anything odd is around. We claim that he is our guard donkey.... Pretty neat... I think we have enough pets now... 4 horses, 1 donkey, 6 dogs, 6 goats, 1 gold fish & 3 cats...... Oh not to mention the neighbors guinea's that I am bribing with feed to stay a while..... Well I better get. Tons to do and daylight is burnin'.... GOD Bless!!!!

Siblings

I have been so busy lately with the new "kids" and school and everything else a mom does that I haven't had time to blog much. But this picture has such a great story to go with it... First it was a normal day here at the Sturzoo. At least normal in a Sturza kinda way. I am doing my usual piddln' around busy work. I notice the children are all silent with a giggle here and there. I sit back and enjoy the quiet. Then I notice the children are all starting to giggle more..... But this time with whispers involved. I slowly sneak around the corner and lo' and behold, this is what I saw...... Little Shi with a rope tied around her and a scarf around her mouth. Of course the only thing I could thing of at that moment was "What have you boys done?" The boys start saying "she wanted us to do it." Then I realize she is laughing as well.... Of course I notice the shirt say "Daddy's Girl" on it. So I thought what a perfect blog title... The Boys jealious of Shi because she is Daddy's little girl.... I tried to work it out that way but as you can tell Shiloh is cracking up so that didn't work. Since they were all having fun it worked out in the end. But can you imagine what I was thinking when I walked around the corner and saw her standing there like that..... The Princess is caught.. They captured her..... Anywho I got a good laugh and so did John. However, we put the ropes where they are suppose to be OUTSIDE!!!! And made a new rule of no tying sister up.... Or anyone or anything for that matter..... God Bless!!!!

Wednesday

Well today is Wed. It seems like this week is flying by. I guess because I am so busy. We are bottle feeding one of the babies. We named her Milley, because the miller bugs were attacking her one night. She couldn't seem to get away from them all with her 2 day old little legs. She is solid black with one white dot on her side of her belly. Just too cute. All 3 of the kids are growing and getting stronger everyday. I have thoroughly enjoyed them. They will definitely be kid broke by the time they realize what is going on. The children have played with them for hours on end. Who needs games and toys when you have goats..

I was given a copier by a friend of ours. I absolutely love it. I have been what my children say "A COPYING FOOL". I think I have spent several hours just trying to figure it out. I even copied Adams face. His idea of course. Now the kids are fighting over who gets to push to start button... I can't imagine life without it now. It makes things so much faster and easier than I ever imagined. I say I am old fashioned... I may be, however some of life's great things, like copiers, have to stay... Oh and running water and electricity..... Thanks again Karin... I love it...

Well I guess I better get up and do something productive like school, cleaning, watering and feeding. God Bless!!!

New Kids!!!

Finally our goat Letty had her babies. Yes that is right 3!!! They are now 24 hours old. They are the cutest things ever for sure. 1 buck and 2 precious girls..... I was so excited yesterday morning I flew out of bed when Adam told me she had them. You would have thought I was in labor, not her.... She had just had the last one right before we went outside. The children get all dressed and come outside as well. Then Shiloh asks the big question... "Did you get them in town?" How funny... I had to explain the whole baby thing again.. I said no, Letty had them in her tummy... "How did they get out?" I go through the whole thing and explain that, in a 3 year old kinda way... I had to use our dear friend Jennifer who had just had her first baby as an example..... Shi was good with the whole thing after that... The kids are nursing well, I think... I am new to this goat farming thing... We got a nipple just in case and made up a special recipe for the little critters. It seem as if she is shunning the runt a bit so I am bottle feeding her just as a precaution. She doesn't seem that hungry though... So guess I am an over protective step mom.... Next week will be the dehorning, vaccinating and castration. I am a hoping John steps up to the plate on that one.. I am just the Nannie not the vet... Although I did deworm and give some Pro-Bios to the momma yesterday. I think it was a bit awkward for the both of us, seeing how most of it ended up in her eye..... Well I guess I better get on with my day. Daylight is burning.... Isn't that what all goat farmers say???? God Bless!

Life

Life!!! Is it really stressful or do we just make it that way???? Here is the deal.... I wake up and let Cleo and Tiny out, oh and the pup that Marquita's angel Nathan has blessed us with..... I have my coffee and do my quiet time. I am thinking, "Life is Great"..... THEN it all happens..... The kids get up. The dogs start barking. The horses start getting rambunctious. The goats starts bawling and yes the kids are hollaring for juice, chocolate milk, breakfast......Also fighting over who wants what in what cup.... The phone starts ringing. The list goes on and on. Somewhere in the midst of the storm I have forgotten what I just read during my quiet time about patience, love unconditionally, kindness, understanding, forgiveness..... How does this happen??? I know we as humans having a longer memory than that....Does God really understand PMS?? I actually think it is not Pre Mentstral Syndrome. It is definately PlEASE MAKE SENSE!!! I believe I get it in my mind that I am in control.... NOT GOD!!!!! Why? I have no idea. I am the one who think she has to control the whole home situation... So today I just sat back and listened to the chaos... I didn't get upset. I made a plan. I had things to do and I wanted an orderly house. This day IS going to work.... Praise God it did... It is a mindset for sure. If I let the kids think they are going to ruin my day, then they will. I refuse it. Life is too short to have stress. Yes the kids may scream and beat the heck out of each other more than once a day. Maybe they are teaching each other to be tough.... Yes they may tear the house up, however now they are big enough to clean it up themselves. I am liking that idea more and more. They may not like what I make for meals, however, more for me to eat..... Less dishes to wash too...There always has to be a better side of the day. My days are going to be not just good but GREAT, whether the kids like it or not... God wants me to be a happy, productive, Godly woman. That is just what I WILL be EVERYDAY!!! God Bless!!

Barbie

I forgot to put the pictures of Brand the Barbie. Or I should say her head!!!!

Little Sister!

I am just going to give you a quick update on Little Shiloh's eye. She got her patch last week and it didn't work out too great. It was a black pirates patch. It wouldn't fit under her glasses because it was too big. It fit over her glasses, however she could just peek around the edge. So totally defeated the purpose. We then started making her the homemade patch out of gauze, tape and of course a Barbie band aid... It worked great but when I had to take the patch off the tape really irritated her skin. My sister ordered her a patch via the internet. It is great. It is so easy and she can't peak around it. It is a miracle for sure. When she went to the eye doctor last week he said she is improving just a hair. Which is good. He said it will be a slow process. She will wear the patch everyday for the next 3 weeks.


Now Brand is just hanging out and decides to help Shiloh organize the Barbie stuff. She wants him to brush the headless barbies hair. Needless to say I had to get a picture of this one. I am pretty sure by the time he is done the barbie is going to be bald for sure. It is keeping both he and Shi quiet so why not.......


The kids have all been sick with the stomach thing this week. Not sure what it is just that it is quick and seemingly painless. After the incident is done they run off and play. I have never seen anything like it. But it does make my job easier for sure. I hope everyone has a blessed day.

Plant

Now here is a strange story about little Ride.... We were at my sisters for a visit one afternoon. She and I were in the back room sorting out clothes that my niece had outgrown and was giving me. The children were in the family type room playing playstation or something like that... Obviously not up on the games.... We get our sorting done and notice that Ride has something in his mouth..... Hummmm, he is 5 years old. I am sure we are past putting things in the mouth....... I proceed to ask the dreaded question "what is in your mouth? He says the plant.... WHAT?!?! He actually took a bite out of my sisters plant. What was he thinking??? Was he thinking it was lettuce from a garden?? I think not. We have never had a garden inside the house in a pot... Maybe he was starving to death and needed a snack... I hardly think so, since we had just had bologna sandwhiches before we left the house... What could the answer be??? Well I am waiting....... He says "It looked good so I thought I would try it!" WHAT?!?! I will never get it... Needless to say my sister was having a heart attack thinking he was poisoned. She had only 2 girls so has never experienced anything of this sort.... I had to keep reassuring her that he didn't eat enough and that he had a stomache of steel. She continued to worry all day about this little incident.. I guess that is why God loaned me this child and not her...... Well here we are 3 days later and he is still alive. However, she will always have the bite out of the leaf to remind her about how lucky she was to have girls that never tried strange things and the theory that to always watch Ride around the house plants... I got a kick out of Ride and my sister that day. Everyone needs a good laugh occasionally... It just happens more often around here it seems... God Bless....

~Room~

Well here are the pictures of Ride, Shiloh and Joseph's room. Before and after... Keep in mind that most of the room is filled with beds and dressers. Our house is small so we have to make the best of it for sure. I eliminated 2 bags of trash out of that pig pen. It is still crowded however... But I am making them keep up with it each day. In fact several times a day. It is working well. I am still going to get rid of some more toys for sure. One of my blogger buddies from AZ suggested if they get a toy then they need to give a toy away. I love that theory. So be praying for me on this new room situation. It is clean and that is all that matters for now. I am able to find the kids at night without killing myself trying to make my way through the gunk.... Praise God for that..... God Bless!!

Wind!!

Yes it is a windy day here in New Mexico. I thought I would take a picture of it in between the gusts. I can't even stand outside when it is gusty. Yes I know I am a mere 115 lbs but it is seriously blowing hard enough to blow an elephant over at this point. I am beginning to get use to the wind. Other than the fact that we can't be outside and everything seems to blow away. Plus the fact that everything is covered with this lovely alkali dirt, it really isn't that bad. We have a house that God has given us that keeps us from being blown to Elida, NM... I have decided that I am not going to dwell on this God given weather. God obviously thinks we need it so I am going to sit back and try to enjoy it. I have a ton of things to do inside anyways... So onward we go through this lovely God given windy day. When I have time I am going to blog on the kids room. Before and after pictures. I am not that proud because I didn't do away with a lot of things that I should have. But at least we can walk through there now. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Wind or no wind.... God Bless..

ROOM!!

Well today is the big day. I am going to clean the kid's room. Yes it is D-Day for the toys. I have had it with them. I am bringing tubs into the house. And each child will get one tub. They can fill it with the things they want. Then I am going in!!!! Yes that is right, everything else is gone. Either Goodwill or trash. NO MORE STUFF!!! I figure if I have to clean it then they don't need it. We have way too much stuff anyways. I am illiminating a ton of clothes that I have. In fact several boxes have been taken to Goodwill already. Also am getting rid of all baby things. No need for them anymore. So I am going to be able to rest on Sunday due to the fact that my house will be on it's way to being clutter free. WHOOPPPEEE!!! The kids are grounded from TV for a while. It seems they are picking up a lot of bad habits from PBS, or maybe John Wayne so will be off of tv for a while. Not sure who that will punish me or them... I do enjoy a 10 minute shower while they watch Word World. But a mom has to do what she says she will do. And I am sure I said no more tv all weekend. Well that is my day... I am going to have my mug or two of coffee and venture into it. Oh, John brought hom from work Jockey outfits that they were throwing away, for the kids. I washed them all last night. Now I suppose Amigo, the horse they got for Christmas, is now going to be a thoroughbred race horse... I will have to take some pics of this one. What an imagination they all have. I only wish I could pretend as well as the kids do. God Bless...

Purse

OK, here is the deal.. The name of the game is "What purse are you carrying today?" What you have to do is take a picture of the purse and then the contents. Give a little story about the purse. So here is goes. John bought this purse for me several years ago. I think Christmas or birthday. I can't seem to remember. It was obviously before half of the kids were born. I use it almost always. Now what is inside is another story. Notice it isn't closing well... There is the checkbook, wallet, lots and lots of Tylenol, receipts, shot records, a stray screw(who knows what it goes to), Joe's sunglasses, a knife (didn't know that was in there), pens, lotion, a car seat buckle (not sure why that isn't on the car seat), and tons of other stuff. Ok Jennifer yours is so much cleaner than mine. Just wait, one day yours will look like mine.... Ok now let's see who can top mine.....
Now an update on my Dad. He did the procedure Monday and did quite well. The Dr. suggested surgery. So they will see his usual doctor next week and figure out schedules for that. He will have to do the surgery in Phoenix. So that is the update.
Those of you who were praying for me here is the note on that one.. I went last week for the 2nd mammogram. I have a ton of calcium build-up. So they want me to have another one done is 6 months and go from there. If it looks like it is getting bigger then at that point they will do a biopsy. So pray it doesn't.....
I better get going. I have to take Little Joe to the eye dr. today. I think he is fine but we want to make sure he doesn't have the same issue as Shiloh. I better get going. God Bless and thanks for all the prayers.

kids

Boy do I have a story. John gets home from work last night before dark... Which is unusual. So he decides to take all the children out with him to do a little post digging. I decide to stay inside and finish supper.. Occasionally I look out the front window to check out the situation... Everything appears to be cool the first few peaks. The third time I looked there were no kids in site. We round them all back up and then I go back to making supper. After I while I check again and lo and behold John is irritated and the kids are all running towards the front door. I can't even see what they are they are so covered with dirt. I proceed to laugh since John is seriously frustrated with the whole situation. I ask what happened he tells me they were burying each other in the dirt. I run for the camera and get the shot. Then, as most of you know, the alkali dirt is like chalk. I strip them all down one by one and bathe them all. John continues to finish his task and goes and feeds.

Now little Joe this morning decides he is going to play outside before he is even dressed. Which is kinda acceptable around here.. He comes back in after a bit and heads for the bedroom. He returns with an arm full of stuffed animals. I tell him he can't take them outside.. He says ok Mommy.... I turn to continue my task at hand and then about 10 minutes later he is heading out again. I take a closer look and he has stuffed all the animals in his Jammie's. As if I wouldn't notice the bulges protruding his pj's.... I just had to crack up. I proceed to help him unload and get him actually dressed. I got a good laugh out of it and I hope you do too... God Bless

Summer?!?!

Isn't this february??? I didn't realize we had to wear shorts and use sunblock in February... I even have a bit of green grass showing through... Amazing. Not that I am complaining at all. If it isn't going to rain or snow then why not have sunshine. Yesterday the kids got a bit red on the cheeks. Today I thought I would get ahead of them but they were out the door naked before I could catch up... Out here yes they can just wear only undies and nobody really gives a hoot. Of course little Shiloh is her her matching short set with her holly hobbie hair braided and her sun bonnet. I have the hardest time doing school with this nice weather. We WILL do it however this afternoon. Even I have to have some self control when it comes to being outside all day. In fact we might just do school outside, what the heck. "The Natural Classroom"... God's classroom... Any excuse I guess. Well I better get these lovely children of mine cleaned up and fed. God Bless!!!!

Weekend!

What a weekend... It was nice but rushed and by Sunday Adam was still sick and the rest of us were starting to get sick. Now we all have the CRUD!!! Except John.... Lucky guy...SO hopefully Jennifer won't have little Quintin this week... We will probably do a bit of school today but not a whole lot. We are also starting this new thing called Growing Godly Tomatoes. It is really neat. It says that our children are like tomato plants. We need to be the stakes to make them grow straight. Great ideas for sure. For me it is keeping them with me all the time so no mishaps occur. No fighting so far today. It is working great. I guess the theory is when they first start to fight or misbehave you nip it in the butt.. If you aren't right there with them you miss the opportunity and it escalades.... As they get to know better that they are not to act inappropriately, you can start letting them stray away and try it. So we will see how it works. I am up for anything at this point. These kids seem to be out of control more and more often lately. So please pray this works. We want Godly obediant children. I have the boys hair cuts buzzed and all of them have had there baths. Of course little princess got her hair braided instead of cut.... I better get some reading done with Brand. I hope everyone has a blessed day.

Friday!

What is it about the word Friday??? It just makes everyone feel great inside. Knowing the weekend is coming, not that I actually have a weekend. My job seriously is 24/7. Just the fact that it is a change of pace, a different face around (John), someone else to help out with everything around here. Just the fact that I get to spend time with all of them... makes Friday sound good. More house work to do on Fridays is always a rush, but knowing that Monday will be even worse for house work. I suppose we will all end up tired of each other again by Sunday night. But I guess that is what makes the week work, right??? We are getting the pick up fixed today. God only knows it has been rough with 2 out of three rigs broke down. Next will be Adam fuel pump. I so wish we could go back to horse drawn wagons. I know I was born in the wrong time. I hope to get started on the grandkids quilts again. I have to have two more done before John's daughter comes in March. Also plan on making new curtains for the house before then also. Not like I don't have enough on my plate, however God says we shouldn't have idol time... So just trying to stay in the word.... Wait idol time??? What is that??? Well I better get on with my day. Seems like a boring life I know, but if I told you all the crazy things that go on around here you would be surprised any of us were still alive. Like when I actually look around the corner and all 4 littel ones are on top of the horse trailer, like when Little Joe is flat on the ground and Nattie (the goat) is on top of him, when Shiloh has all her make up on and I can't really tell where her actual eyes are, or when they all have decided to dig a whole the size of a cow tank and fill it up with water, and then strip and dive in. Mind you the weather was only in the 50's that day... UGH!!! What about the time Ride decided to accidentally spill the gallon of cooking oil all over the kitchen and then take all the pots and pans out to play with... Of course all the kids decided to join in on that one. Wow that day was a serious "mom needs a moment alone day". That is just a few things that have happened in the past month. Not to mention the small things that go on just about every minute around here. I know some of you can laugh because you have older children. I hear it gets better. I better get going. The kids are WAY tooo quiet. God Bless

ANNIE!!

What a week poor Annie has had. I guess she had hook worms. Whatever that is.... So we got her doctored and now she is eating, well like a goat..... A friend of ours came out and said she is sick. Me being the great goat farmer that I am, didn't notice anything wrong... So we dewormed her and also figured out that she isn't pregnant... Which is a total bummer since that is why I bought her. I wanted to have the baby and also milk her. Oh well, I will have her all healthy by next year to breed her. Now Letty, the black goat, she is definitely pregnant. Her little belly isn't so little anymore. I wish she wasn't so wild. I am going to have to tie her just to milk her. If any of you are goat tamers let me know how to break this lady.... My first thought is to bribe her like I do the kids with candy. But the trick is to get her to come and get it... So we will see what happens this week on that note. On the other hand the little white goat is so tame she is in your way all the time. She even jumps up on you like a dog. If you sit down she wants to be in your lap. Of course she loves to eat my hair and wedding ring. They say a girls best friend is diamonds.....
I am still asking prayer for my Dad. They will do a cathider on monday into his groin and into his heart. I guess there are some risks with the procedure so that is scarey. I am just praying for healing for him and peace for my Mom.
I better get these varments up to get on with our day. With no WIND EVENT for the day I am sure this afternoon we will be outside. Lord only knows these kids have been cooped up tooooo long. God Bless

Glasses

Well today Shiloh got her glasses. It is already an adventure to keep them on her. Also to keep her from breaking them. I keep bribing her with candy and nail polish. It is working somewhat.... I am asking prayer for my dad. He has had a bad heart for some time now. But now it is only working 30% of what it should. In the last year is has diminished by 20%.. He has a bad muscle in his heart so surgery is not an option. He is having an appt with a cardiologist next week to see what can be done. They told him no more chopping wood and shoveling snow. We will see how that goes... The "WIND EVENT" is definitely here today. Although it is warm wind not cold.. SO that is nice. Well I can see that school is not getting done while I am on here so better get to crackn' the wip, (so to speak).... God Bless

Disappointments!

Disappointment... It means to fail to fulfill the expectation or hope of ??? ... Oh my goodness,, how often do I have disappointment.. I want my children to obey... sometimes they do and sometimes they do not. I want to be the perfect mom..... I tend to get so upset or sad when something is a failure. WHY??? Is it not in God's plan?? Ephesians 3:20. God knows exactly what we need. Maybe we need to be sad and disappointed at times. If we were happy all the time and everything went our way wouldn't we already be in heaven?? Saturday night Adam's jeep, which he has only had for about 2 weeks, broke down. He was so disappointed.. He had big plans with his friends and the 4-H dance. He didn't want to go at all then. None the less he went with us (hiding as we pulled in and walked into the building).. Turns out he had a great time. He even came and chatted with us a few times.. He still needs to get the fuel pump fixed, but today it just doesn't seem so bad. I got a letter from my doctor about a test that was run. The day I had the test, she told me everything looked good. I was so excited only to get a letter a few days later telling me there was something abnormal. What a disappointment...The other day we were suppose to go out to my sisters and visit. At the last minute our plans got changed. All the children were so disappointed. Shiloh actually devistated.... I guess my point is, do you dwell on the disappointments or do we move forward and trust in God??? 1 Peter 2-6 says those who believe in Him will NOT be disappointed... So we MUST believe in Him, everyday... Even when things are a disappointment. I guess I better get something done around here before the "WIND EVENT" as Marquita wrote about, hits tomorrow. GOD BLESS!!

~~CLEO~~

This is a picture of Cleo.... I suppose we can learn a lot from this old hound... She obviously is mellow.... She puts up with a lot of torture from the kids. She loves at all times... Unless she is at deaths door and then she tries to yelp for help... This is the way God wants us to be. Loving at all times. Even when our children irritate us. Even when things don't go our way. Ol' Cleo is just thrilled to have a good belly rub and to sit next to you all the time. She even gets a little excited when we are gone somewhere and we pull up in the driveway. She even runs sometimes to meet us. I am sure that she is my example... Be calm at all times. Don't start screaming and yelling for nothing. Always be ready for a good hug and smooch, in her case belly rub... I should always be patient with my children. Ready to just sit and listen. Life seems so rushed and busy, why not enjoy things that don't cost any money... One day all my children are going to be grown up and gone and I am going to miss these days so much. I want to be able to enjoy everything about my family now, not look back in 10 years and say "I should have??"... Cleo even got to go with us to have Brand. She hung out in the back yard of the birthing center. She has always been a part of our family. Who would have thought I would learn so much from a $20 mutt.... God knew what he was doing with this ol' hound when he gave her to us. Now that she is getting older she no longer sleeps outside, unless she feels like it of course... She has a pallet on the floor next to my side of the bed. John and I both put up with her loud snoring and groaning all night. She is worth it. And all of my children should be worth my time each and every day. I love them all so much... God Bless..

~~ADAM~~

What a sweet boy we have. I love him so much. He was acting suspicious when he got up this morning... I wondered "What is Up"... I just figured he was wanting to go somewhere or do something that might be questionable and didn't know how to ask. He ends up asking me a series of questions about what we were doing throughout the next few days. Then he says, I have to be at work at noon today... Usually he goes at 1:00. I said that was fine... He leaves and within the hour comes back home. Obviously I think the worst... Fired, speeding ticket... But I saw that typical little grin when he walked up to me and knew he was up to something. He had gone to town and bought John and I a card for Valentines day. In the card was a gift card for Cattlebaron for $35. He says "Mom you and John are going on a date tonight and I am watching the kids"..... I almost cried.... Now how many 16 year old actually think of there mom and dad on Valentines day???? Plus the fact that he is volunteering to babysit his, needless to say, obnoxious brothers and sister. I am so blessed by everything this boy does. My prayer for him everyday is that he will grow up and be just as wonderful to his wife and children as he is to me. I gotta love m'..... God is good once again.

My husband!

John and I have been married for 7 years. What a ride this has been. He is from Oregon. I know he must love me a lot to move all the way to NM out in the dry, hot dessert. Oregon is so nice God only knows what I was thinking by moving back here. Anyways, John grew up on the race track and on ranches. He is my cowboy!! He is the greatest dad. He loves all these stinkers to death. He always treats me well. He is very affectionate for sure. He loves the Lord which is the most important thing. He works a lot of hours each week to provide for us. He has a great testimony for sure about his past. I am sure that he has finally settled down now with us. On Sunday afternoons you will usually find him out with the horses and kids. He has pretty much given up football because he realized you won't get to watch much because of all the kids wanting his attention. Now that is a true dad...... On Saturday mornings he always gets up and makes a big pancake breakfast. The kids love it and I enjoy the break. On Sunday is the best day for me. He and Adam do my chores and give me a day of rest. Who could ask for a better husband. I can still remember the day we met. I knew I loved him from the minute we met.He stayed and talked to me for probably an hour and his pick up ran the whole time outside. Obviously fuel was not what it is now... He was so funny. I was working in a dry cleaners. He kept bringing more clothes in every day. I thought man this guy has tons of clothes... Well, he had been buying more clothes (Western shirts and Wranglers) so that he could come in and see me... What a sweetie. On August 11th 2001 we were married and by September I was pregnant. That is when the ride began for sure. This man would do anything for me I am sure. He has built chicken coops, spent tons of $$$ building a fence for what he calls my rat dog that we got from the humane society. Built me goat houses, He has always helped me with all the children. When they were babies he would even get up at night when I did. Now what husband will do that..... When I was pregnant with Ride I was so sick with my kidneys. John took care of so many things and still worked his job. Praise God for healing for sure. When the twins came we had to change the routine. Since I nursed them both we had to alternate. He was exhausted and so was I... Now that a babies days are done he is getting more rest than usual. If you can call 4-5 hours of sleep a night good. He is a special man for sure. He loves us all so dearly. I am so proud of him and proud to be his wife. I am so blessed to have him for my Valentine.

Twins!

Twins!
I always wonder why God gave us twins.. They don't run in the family. In fact neither sides have any... So why did God choose us to raise them?? I am sure that God has a sense of humor so I am sure that he is getting a good belly laugh on this one...When I first found out I was pregnant I was so upset.. No more kids I said. I am done. Of course it was all John's fault for sure... I am sure for a full month I didn't have much nice to say to him.... Then I got over it and then the big news TWINS!!! It all seemed ok after we found Shiloh,,,, THE GIRL FINALLY... I can still remember Marquita running down the hospital hall telling the guys "She's a 10, she's a 10!!!" I could only laugh because I had a great epidural. They have changed our lives so much. I found these outfits that they are wearing in the first picture the other day in a drawer. They were so small.... They were born totally healthy and almost the same weight as a single baby... What a blessing. Shiloh who is 5 minutes older. is such a girlie girl. As we like to call her "The Princess".... She loves to help mom do laundry, cooking, dishes, just about anything a homemaker does. She loves her nails painted and also the whole make up thing. On the other hand she can take Joseph down and holy cow she has this ear piercing scream..... When she gets ticked off well lets just say look out... Then there is Joseph... Quiet, laid back, hugger, smoocher..... the more sensitive caring kind... Which is what most women want out of a man..... right?? He loves to be held and rocked still. Shy around strangers for sure. Always needs mom and dad still. Which is a great feeling for us... But when you take his toys (horses) away well lets just say LOOK OUT!! He can definately hold his own when he is mad. They are both so precious and so different. And how they fit in with there other siblings is an adventure everyday... I can't imagine life without any of them. Children are definatley a gift from God and he is entrusting us to raise them in the word. Can we do it??? Some days I wonder if I am a good enough mom for all this craziness but every day is a new day and God always seems to put ideas in my mind to keep going. The twins definately fit in and I am ashamed I ever questioned God. I love them with all my heart and trust God 100% that he made the right decision by giving Shiloh and Joseph to us. God Bless!

Roller skating!

I never realized how hard it is to do something you haven't done for years. For instance, I haven't roller skated for probably 25 years. We went last night and I was wobble weeble at first... But then it all came back to me. That is just like God.... You always know what the Bible says and what God puts on your heart, however, we tend to forget for a time. I knew that if I didn't lean in the right direction and put my feet firmly on the ground that I was going to eat it big time. Same with GOD, if I don't stay firm in the word and lean on him I always end up eating it... Anyways, we had a blast... Even John skated for a time and did pretty good at it... Adam, he had fun although at his age he would never admit having fun with his family.. I did see him smile several times. Brand caught on really fast. He was cruising pretty good after a few tumbles. Ride was a little more cautious.... Which totally surprised us. He is the risk taker.... Shiloh just thought she was all that and more with her pink skates on. Then Little Joe. He was shakey at first but he was rolling in no time. It was so much fun. I wonder how sore and bruised everyone will be when they wake up.... I realize how important it is to do things as a family. We all enjoyed one another. God is so good to our family. We also got to enjoy a family that we haven't seen in some time. It was great. Today is Shiloh's eye appointment. She is not wanting to go. I think she thinks they will dialate her eyes again. They won't but why would she believe mom.... So be praying it all goes well. John is on his way to El Paso and I pray for safe travel for him. I better get going with my day. I pray everyone who reads this has a blessed day.

Always a new day!

I have to say that when I am woke up at 5:00am to take my husband to work because he pick-up won't start, that is doesn't start my day off well. Although I did get to spend an extra 15 minutes with him on the drive to work. Oh and since the children weren't with us it was almost as if we were on a date. We actually got to talk.... Of course I got to drive home alone, which may not seem like much to some people, but when you have 5 children being alone is just not an option. For me 15 minutes alone is enough. I just don't do ALONE! Then I came home and got to watch the sun rise and also had a great quiet time. God is so good. While I was sitting here having my coffee it dawned on me that however I make the day is how it will be. In other words, whatever attitude I choose to have will be how the rest of the day will be. I, for one do not need extra friction in my life... I choose happiness and thankfulness. I am so thankfull for my husband and all 5 children. John and I have great things that have happened in our life. This March John's oldest daughter, which he has never met, will be coming for a visit with her husband and three children. We are so excited and blessed to have them in our lives. It is an awesome feeling to know that there are three children in IA that call me Grandma Joy. Gotta love them. Everyday my children are such a blessing to me. Adam is so sincere about his guitar and work. I just love him so much. However, he is growing up way too fast. I am afraid he will be gone before I know it. Then there is Brand, he is so sensitive but on the other hand rough and rowdy like the rest. That kid is so smart on math and I think he may have to teach me in High School.... Then there is Ride.... Oh boy.... He is so onry but caring all in one. If he doesn't have a broken bone by the time he is 6 I will be surprised. He has no fear!!! Good or bad, humm I am not sure yet.... Then there is Shiloh, what a girl. She loves pink and doing things with Mom. She is such a helper. I am praying for healing with her eye. Then there is precious Little Joe... He is so sweet. He always says "But Mom I love you.." He loves hugs and smooches. He loves horses so much. All he wants to do is ride Amigo and Gus.. If we are inside all he does is ride the rockn' horses and play with his toy horses. He refuses to wear anything but Wranglers and western shirts. Gotta have the boots and spurs and don't forget the belt and buckle. What a kid. I love them all so much in so many different ways. Then there is John, what a guy. He has finally settled down and is actually a family man. It took him 45yrs to figure it out, however now he is great at it. He works so hard every day to provide and then on weekends tries to have time for eveyone. He loves the Lord with all his heart. Who could ask for a better man. I am so blessed. Well I better get going. Showers to take, animals to feed and kids to feed too. School is waitn' and daylight is burning.

Busy weekend!

Well another weekend has come and gone. Seems like these days they fly by so fast. With John working so many hours during the week we try to fit everything we can into two days. It never happens. We always have to settle for just a few things together.
I don't know how many of you know about Shilohs eye condition, but I will tell the whole story. She went for her 3 year check up and failed her eye exam. Last Monday we went to the eye Dr. He said she has a sever lazy eye and is legally blind in that eye. Tuesday we are going back to get her glasses all sized up I guess you could say. She will wear the glasses and a patch on the good eye for at least 3 years. We are praying God will heal her eye and make her 20/20 vision in both eyes. God is good all the time... We just have to learn patience....
If any of you know any good ideas for getting a 6 year old to sit still during school I would love the help. We only do sitting for 30 minute to 1 hour intervals, but it seems to much to Mr. Wiggle pants Brand...
I better get. Lots to do still before bedtime.