tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221246202012-02-16T21:22:30.938-07:00Tammynoreply@blogger.comBlogger1121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-91140653063121798792011-07-27T09:40:00.003-06:002011-07-27T09:42:40.342-06:00

I read a book on parenting this morning.  In it I was encouraged to..... Think of our children as aliens? Say yes as often as possible? Wha? You can check out my review of this book at The Reluctant Unschoolerr is a burgeoning blog dealing with our experiment in unschooling.

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-34133634786933651672011-07-26T07:42:00.000-06:002011-07-26T07:42:41.831-06:00

    Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it?   If you have little ones, or lots of littles and middles and bigs, you know just how loud things can be and what a challenge it is to have a quiet time with the Lord.     Yet we are called to have quiet time with Lord each day.  To begin in the Word and spend time alone with Him in praise and prayer.     This eludes me.  Not that I like to sleep in, I

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-74336065178490449552011-07-19T07:19:00.002-06:002011-07-26T07:45:34.001-06:00

    Sixty-six books, 1,189 chapters...in 90 days?   It's possible.  I've known people who have done it many times.  But for me, it took 564 days.    What am I talking about?  The Bible of course.  Specifically reading the Bible from beginning to end.     Reading the entire Bible from beginning to end was something I had never done before.  In late December, 2009, I had the desire to read

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-13959913383904478882011-07-18T07:25:00.000-06:002011-07-18T07:25:03.066-06:00

     In an effort to continually be improving myself, conforming to the image of Christ, I have discovered that it begins with my very thoughts.    And *gasp*God knows them.  Psalm 139:1-2  O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.       Our thoughts lead to our actions and our actions are a witness to a watching

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-78884375413663586082011-03-03T21:04:00.000-07:002011-03-03T21:04:45.986-07:00

     This week's challenge was to spruce up the master bedroom.  I had been itching to do so.  Among the many messy things in my house, the bedroom is one that I have almost complete responsibility for.  Most of the things in there are mine and I can make easy decisions regarding them while cleaning.      I started this unbeknownst to this challenge a few weeks ago when I finally, after three

Tammynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-9842045195687452372011-02-23T15:58:00.000-07:002011-02-23T15:58:03.821-07:00

    I am all about the schedule.       I'm pretty sure I have always been the schedule type of person.  I recall scheduling homework and chores while in high school (though you will have to confirm this with my mother).  As a college student I found a schedule very helpful as I cared for my husband, home and small child.    As our family grew from three to eleven in ten short years I found the

Tammynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-77918451401953632452011-02-23T14:04:00.000-07:002011-02-23T14:04:43.966-07:00

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-8360697273681604992011-02-16T12:36:00.000-07:002011-02-16T12:36:05.372-07:00

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-4557729193300793592010-12-14T14:20:00.002-07:002010-12-14T14:20:50.081-07:00

This is an awesome card!   B got a card for her birthday from us that had an additional part to it.  To get the additional part you had to go to Hallmark and download a program, pick your card and set it in front of the webcam.  And viola!  A 3D cartoon that sang “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” to you and showed portions of the movie. Technology is amazing! 

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-61002267726022386422010-12-06T21:00:00.001-07:002010-12-06T21:00:02.574-07:00

It's a Monday and today is a good homeschool day. "School" starts when Dad calls us all to the table for family devotions.   Dad is using Our 24 Family Ways as a guide.  We read the Bible, discuss and have a family prayer.  It is a precious time for our family to gather together as a whole. After family devotions, the older children and Dad all retreat to their own places to work on CBS (Daniel

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-13641294010176778522010-12-01T11:43:00.001-07:002010-12-01T11:43:00.382-07:00

A homeschool mom said somewhere, I forget where,  that this year for school for reading they were going to read, for writing we are going to write. Wow.  What a simple yet exciting concept.  In light of recent events in our family, we have had to adjust our schooling and thus decreasing the amount of time we spend on "school".  We have had to condense a full day into a few hours ...or...be

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-4319898323294125172010-11-03T15:27:00.001-06:002010-11-03T15:27:56.260-06:00

My last post discussed some of the ways we adjusted our “school” to avoid burnout.  I tend to be a strict about when we have school time.  School is school and work is work and play is play.   This really restricts the times and days.  We are not free to go and do all life has to offer because we are doing “school”.  Now there is something to be said about discipline and we surely do try to

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-37650843701016405482010-10-31T13:00:00.000-06:002010-10-31T22:42:15.852-06:00

Whether you begin your school year in August or September, or school all year, October seems to be the month of burnout.  At least for our family.   We usually start out strong at the onset of our school “year”.  Everyone is pumped to get down to the business of some schoolin.  Motivation is high.  But when the days get cooler and we want to be out more, when the busyness of the fall comes we

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-41989371817842537622010-10-14T09:22:00.000-06:002010-10-14T09:22:00.147-06:00

     Every now and then I like to remind myself as to why we homeschool.     A wonderful woman and encourager has said it well… Why I Homeschool My Kids

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-62538916847064354352010-08-23T21:39:00.001-06:002010-08-23T21:39:06.979-06:00

I gotta stop reading books and watching movies that annoy me. I suppose that is the point authors and movie producers - to get an emotional response out of the reader/viewer. Positive is better, but negative will do, right? I saw Inception tonight and my poor husband got an earful all the way home. I was annoyed. I was annoyed that American movie goers have once again bought in to that whole post

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-65577992181405658592010-08-05T10:46:00.001-06:002010-08-05T10:46:00.170-06:00

Fiddling around with new features of blogger caused me to pay attention to change and update the ol blog.   I thought the LIFE tape girl had her time in the spotlight.   I looked around for an appropriate banner and couldn't find what I wanted, so I asked my eldest daughter to design me one. And bless her heart, she spent a good portion of her evening creating it. Doesn't it look nice?    The

Tammynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-49242839523770641332010-08-04T10:44:00.000-06:002010-08-04T10:44:41.100-06:00

Remember our philosophy of work?  Remember our basic weekly plan? Here's a visual: The B is busy...uh...being a little mommy. Each Wednesday our family does a little bit of extra cleaning in the kitchen.  What we do exactly varies from week to week.  Whatever is messiest gets the elbow grease. Most weeks, we clean microwave, scour sink, scrub stove top, wipe front of oven and dishwasher,

Tammynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-45340840122727733172010-06-12T10:00:00.001-06:002010-06-12T10:00:02.653-06:00

A while back I had a windfall of dishwasher detergent. My happy stockpile was the result of some heavy duty couponing. It has seemed like an endless supply but after a year and a half, my stash has dwindled down to 20 tabs.TWENTY!I'm feeling the pressure. I do not want to have to buy what was relatively free for so long.I wondered: Is what's good for the laundry good for the dishes? So I

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-28870728435931237532010-06-11T14:00:00.001-06:002010-06-11T14:00:00.167-06:00

Yesterday, I began my series on the review of Mary Ostyn's book, A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family. There are still quite a bit of tabs sticking out....so I continue....There is a phenomena among us mothers that you may not be aware of. It's called Ovarian Guilt. Coined by Kim C of Life In A Shoe, OG comes suddenly and silently and is a real problem for MOMs.Mary O touches

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-46449520235544793452010-06-11T10:00:00.000-06:002010-06-11T10:00:04.386-06:00

Our church has been doing a sermon series on the names of God. I was stoked. STOKED I tell ya for this teaching.A few years ago I was in leadership at CBS. Each afternoon when the ladies and kids had gone, we would gather in a circle to pray. My dear friend Mrs. W. lead us in this special time each week. For the first few minutes we would do nothing but speak the names of God. Father, Strength,

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-49808644136088608782010-06-10T14:00:00.001-06:002010-06-10T14:00:02.099-06:00

Many many months ago, my husband brought home a book from the library: A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family. The author is my favorite blogger/homeschool mom/adoptive mom/twittermom, Mary Ostyn. Mary's blog, Owlhaven has been one that time and time again inspires me and touches my heart.Though I love learning and gaining wisdom from other mothers, I was skeptical as to whether or not

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-47899682531185890702010-06-10T09:03:00.004-06:002010-06-10T09:21:18.604-06:00

A common question among moms -especially homeschool moms and moms of many- is "How do you find time for yourself?" Now I could, and should write a whole post/series on dying to self, I will admit that I do find one thing really helps me have a moment of pause.This past fall, I made a deal with my husband that if he let me go to the coffee shop each week for a few hours I would let him teach

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-88429551421032727142010-03-01T20:27:00.005-07:002010-03-01T20:27:00.277-07:00

*Many thanks to my husband for taking notes for me. I listened to every word, just had my hands full with baby*It has been a while since I have posted my sermon thoughts. In fact...*scrolling back*...I guess this is the second time ever posting such. Who said I was consistent? Isn't being at church the important thing?Anyway.Pastor Scott has been doing a study of Malachi. Yesterday was the

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-49733751579531344542010-02-28T20:03:00.002-07:002010-02-28T20:09:24.136-07:00

Since we had not had "new" toys since Christmas, I convince my husband that it was TIME. He spent a good part of Friday morning swapping out the toys in the bedrooms and straightening the play room. It has been lovely and peaceful around here since.It wasn't until tonight, however, that commented on one choice of toys.....Me: Honey, marshmallow guns?Him: They begged for them!Me: But we

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-58004026259924430922010-02-18T15:25:00.000-07:002010-02-18T15:59:43.229-07:00

My oldest daughter's dream for the past 4 years has been to be a missionary. More specifically, a missionary to Haiti. The people and place of Haiti stole her heart three years ago when she, at the age of 15 took her first plane ride, first mission trip, first visit to the YWAM base in Haiti.Since then, she feels God is calling her to go back. Some day some how she knows she will be in Haiti

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-1980760123040355642010-01-05T20:20:00.004-07:002010-01-05T20:49:08.201-07:00

Just Kidding. You CAN borrow...but if you want to borrow that which I have borrowed, then you will have to wait until I have read and returned to whom I have borrowed from. If you want to wait that long :D.First BorrowedFull QuiverCare and Feeding of Husbands...Some borrowed fiction...Beverly Lewish mostly blah blah yadda yadda.Next...a whole lotta of what I OWN.Wife/Mother/Christian GrowthThe

Tammynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-65636377226055538912010-01-03T13:16:00.013-07:002010-01-05T20:55:26.981-07:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!I just love starting new projects ;). Making New Year's Resolutions is like have gobs and gobs of new projects to start. I KNOW! Exciting isn't it? I realize that many of these projects and goals are things I oughta been doing all along. Puttin em in print makes them seems fresh and new and lights a fire under my behind.SO! After thinking long and hard of all the things I wanted to

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-16760473181110390482009-12-28T11:03:00.006-07:002010-01-01T15:48:56.109-07:00

For the past few months, my heart has been yearning for change. I begin planning for Christmas in August, so by the time December 26th rolls around I am READY to be done with Christmas. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE planning so I can be done early and enjoy the holiday, but important things get pushed aside. So the New Year for me is really time to "get back to normal" rather than make "big huge

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-64897361519241692772009-12-27T20:19:00.011-07:002009-12-27T20:38:24.893-07:00

A very dear friend kindly pointed out that it had been over six months since I posted anything on my blog. Trust, me it is not for lack of things to write about. I do most of my computing from my crackberry and have not yet perfected the mobile blogging.But I will persevere.It is coming up on the time of year when I post my New Year's Resolutions. I find myself wanting change after months of

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-90547186205512974142009-05-22T10:03:00.009-06:002009-06-06T17:01:07.832-06:00

I LOVE to plan. Have I said that before? I plan stuff for FUN. Not so good at implementing, but that's the fun of it. When the implementation goes awry, back to the drawing board to plan again.This morning I am home, mostly alone, to plan for next year's school. This is how I spend my summer vacations. Though we do not really stop schooling over the summer, we do spend half days doing school when

Tammynoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-26752999936638493182009-05-03T14:52:00.002-06:002009-05-03T15:52:32.752-06:00

In the olden days when there was only one child, we used to do all house cleaning and laundry in ONE DAY. We would take all day to vacuum, dust, mop, clean bathroom (yes, just one), and do laundry. It would take a few hours or all day if we let it.Now I laugh at those days. Laundry for 10 people is a job. Not a hard job, just a consistent job, and an every day job.The Laundry Room:Our new

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-47311030751843629772009-03-26T11:22:00.002-06:002009-05-03T14:52:44.493-06:00

I guess I got ahead of myself with my WHB post. I whould lay out how our week runs. Doing the same thing each day of the week helps tackle what does not get done during our big cleans on Monday and Thursday.Here is how it goes:Monday: WHB, wash towels (kids towels every other week the take less showers than the rest of us), diapersTuesday: Little boys sheets get changed, laundry room (socks, wipe

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-8449654136402676302009-03-23T12:56:00.000-06:002009-03-24T13:27:01.757-06:00

How to keep house with 8 children?It's easy. The Weekly Home Blessing.If you have been a FlyFamily for years like we have been, you learn to perfect it. Well, we're still perfecting it. You learn to tweak it to suit your needs.What is a weekly home blessing? You can learn about it here: There is no right or wrong way to bless your home. As Mrs. Marla (the FlyLady) says, "Housework, even done

Tammynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-55922776320340423152009-03-04T14:47:00.008-07:002009-03-04T15:53:32.842-07:00

Ok, so I promised I would to this series and then I got busy. Real busy. Like, never home busy. And now that I have put my world in order I have time to write.Before I get into the fun stuff of how to do laundry for 10 people, there needs to be a foundation of understanding. It's not all chores, you know.So....Why do we do all the stuff we do for work, fun, family building etc?Since becoming a

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-21522841033428720432009-02-19T17:30:00.002-07:002009-03-04T15:54:11.967-07:00

I love to get new ideas and share good ideas. Most of my online time is spent reading about other families and how they do what they do. Most of my mommy cup filling time is spent talking about home making and children. I am always looking for ways to bring more peace to our home. What a blessing these Titus 2 mentors have been to me!Just about weekly I am asked how we do what we do. I

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-72577617230847063882009-02-15T19:00:00.005-07:002009-02-15T19:43:49.055-07:00

Our children sit with us in church.As to the "why" we prefer this is the fodder for another blog post. Stating such is the basis of our story.I also give children gum in church. Not it isn't a bribe. Really. It gives their mouth something to do. It expends energy. But, if they think it's a bribe, who am I to correct them? Today, some children had been banned from gum. Three are banned

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-17681854260897874672009-02-13T08:02:00.003-07:002009-02-13T08:12:13.147-07:00

So my husband emails me this thing from Google called Latitude. He says...download it.So I do. Now my husband can track my movements via MY crackberry on HIS crackberry. Geeky? Yes. Creepy? Most definately. Not that I have anything to hide. But I guess his surprise birthday party this year won't be such a surprise.(just kidding dear.....maybe ;D) Truth be told, *I* am tracking

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-76294107963350908922009-01-28T15:55:00.003-07:002009-01-28T16:13:24.945-07:00

Today I am having a 15 minute day.It's one of Those Days where the to do list is long and the hours are short. A day when things just don't seem to be happening.I learned about this type of productivity when I was in college. A dear professor (the Jewish one whom I tried to sell a Christmas wreath and other such foolish things) explained that he had a short attention span and when he was working

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-80197476510552440222009-01-23T07:44:00.007-07:002009-01-23T13:13:17.049-07:00

It's simple really.Step 1: Have boys. Over the age of 5 would be appropriate. That's when they start getting the big bucks for allowance.Step 2: Give them clothes. Preferably socks and underwear, though pants and shirts will sometimes do.Step 3: Show them where above said clothes go and then Walk Away.Step 4: Walk back...after an hour or a day or a week, it's up to you.Step 5: Fetch above said

Tammynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-81571154323703739452009-01-19T21:29:00.000-07:002009-01-19T21:29:41.323-07:00

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-54065416071217359112009-01-06T22:41:00.003-07:002009-01-06T23:00:17.336-07:00

#3 Watch less tv. It's not that I (we) watch a lot. It's just that recently we have been watching a lot. We tend to spend far too many hours in front of the tv when I am sick... more so than when Dad is sick hmmm.The kids do better when they watch less, of course. Movie night is Friday night with the kids. We make popcorn and Orange Juliuses or Magic Milkshakes.Saturday Night is spa/chickflick

Tammynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-42520133074935781672008-12-30T12:59:00.004-07:002008-12-30T13:13:26.219-07:00

The birth of the New Year's Resolution came about as such:People were so tired of Christmas parties, cooking, baking, eating, dressing up, shopping, decorating, flitting from here to there and here again that the average person said STOP ENOUGH! I need to do something different! So they made a list of all the new things they wanted to do. Now, the reason NYR's don't last is because people

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-41316273725874208732008-12-29T11:46:00.002-07:002008-12-29T11:53:29.346-07:00

Now that Christmas is over I am like a ship off it's moorings. NOW what do I do with my time? I am sure things were put aside to be dealt with later, but I don't know what they are.One thing is for sure, my sewing room became FUNCTIONAL. It functioned as a gift making center, gift storage, mud room annex, and a catch all for just about everything!We spent an hour or two this last Saturday

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-37022039328027377302008-12-29T11:28:00.002-07:002008-12-29T11:46:15.231-07:00

Our Christmas this year was very lovely. I think, though, that any Christmas is better than last Christmas with it's sickness and just-had-a-baby-and-I-want-to-crawl-into-bed-with-her-and-sleep-all-of-you-just-go-awayness.I can't say that I was prepared. Some presents were made at the last minute and some not at all. The house wasn't perfectly clean and I was ready JUST in time to head for

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-51460036112191980072008-12-28T09:32:00.002-07:002008-12-28T09:53:06.985-07:00

My friend Gina has proposed a challenge to help save money and trim out bods. We are calling it "A Year of Dining In". You can read about it here.Our family eats out maybe once or twice a month. But still, the cheapest we can eat out for (for 10 people) is $25. If we did this twice a month, imagine the amount of groceries that can be bought for $50! Our biggest budget buster is eating "

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-2968748695273682992008-12-27T13:21:00.002-07:002008-12-27T13:44:24.662-07:00

This recipe was given to me by a sweet woman named Jessie Hartke from Majestic church. We made two pans of it for Christmas dinner this year as well as a lunch gift for our Bridges Family. I have been nagged...er asked to post this for all to enjoy.2 26 oz pkg cream of chicken soup2 sm containers sour cream2 4 oz pkg green chilis (we used Pantaleo's Anaheims and Pueblos mixed)5 to 7 cooked

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-75458421094479192872008-12-12T17:18:00.002-07:002008-12-12T17:25:11.307-07:00

Here is a recipe that we make each year to put on the plates we make for the neighbors and take to the library. I think it is the same as the Neiman Marcus cookies but I am not sure. They are RICH and we like them....we get the leftovers for Christmas goodies.We DO make them other times during the year when we want more than your average chocolate chip cookie.I was given the recipe by a woman

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-39813009630174456802008-11-25T20:25:00.004-07:002008-11-25T20:40:05.361-07:00

I wasn't going to post this week as I am trying to take an internet break, but as I was sitting in my sewing room peacefully I had an epiphany of what to share.Our new home is blessed with a space for sewing. I try to spend a little time there every day ironing, mending and working on projects. Right now we are making Christmas gifts.Unless my husband is avaliable to be with children in the house

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-86925576933641094102008-11-17T21:11:00.003-07:002008-11-17T21:19:31.304-07:00

Whenever we have epic amounts of laundry or whenever I Just. Want. To. Get. It. Done. and motivation on all our parts is low, we play THE LAUNDRY GAME!Basically it's sanctioned running through the house :D.I station myself at the numerous baskets and fold fold fold. The children line up, I hand them an article of laundry and they're off. If it's theirs or the baby's they put it away,

Tammynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-37545291837543373702008-11-13T18:55:00.003-07:002008-11-13T19:09:18.523-07:00

Your six year old saysI'm a checkerboard chick!To which you ask him if he knows what that means.Dad: Son, do you know what a checkerboard chick is?Senor: NoDad: Then you shouldn't be saying it.(Which opens up a whole conversation)Senor: Why? What does it mean?(I am supressing giggles right about now)Mom: Well (giggle) it's a non issue with you.Senor: Why?Mom: (laughing now) Well, for

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-61421438227812621862008-11-12T10:44:00.002-07:002008-11-12T11:04:02.804-07:00

We're saving MUNEE........We're saving GASSSSS.The hospital where my husband works is offering a shuttle from PW to the hospital. They have built a new Emergency Center here in PW that is very near our house. This means that we lose precious minutes with Daddy because he has to leave earlier than he would if he were driving himself. This also means that dinner needs to be on time . But since

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-74314553966374425792008-11-11T12:38:00.003-07:002008-11-11T12:56:40.520-07:00

When our oldest child got too old for her toys, we sold them, gave them away and threw them away. When dear children #s 2 and 3 came (at the same time!) we had to buy the same age appropriate toys that we had just gotten rid of. Now, we seldom get rid of toys, but keep them in storage tubs. We have a "room" in our house designated as a playroom. It has no window so we do not use it for a

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-85503998547017296062008-11-09T08:40:00.002-07:002008-11-09T08:45:06.023-07:00

The top five joys of living with 4 boys:#5 Endless lost socks and underwear.#4 Washing sheets each week because boys sweat!#3 Keeping tabs on their constant movement#2 Legos, cowboys, policemen, footballs, basketballs, baseballs and more Legos#1 My husband says before church, "Remind me to frisk the boys before we leave the house."I love having boys!

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-78949775481006204192008-11-04T13:04:00.001-07:002008-11-02T14:05:18.160-07:00

Last Sunday, we carved a pumpkin.We grew our own pumpkins this year and couldn't bear to cut them up for compost - the fate of most carved pumpkins.So we trekked out to "the county", to the farm to buy some chilies and a pumpkin. We made an afternoon of it: finishing school early, getting supper on to cook, packing up needed supplies (a wagon), and getting on some "picture worthy" clothing. You

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-46729439345206373792008-10-28T15:15:00.002-06:002008-10-28T15:40:58.290-06:00

Last year from October to January was the sickest our family had ever been. It began Oct 31st and didn't let up. Colds and coughs lingered, several of us suffered through strep throat, and we had a few cases of pink eye. Not only was I sick, but being pregnant made things worse. My oldest daughter took over the baking for Christmas. She and my husband did most everything last year. After

Tammynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-3682199589563929362008-10-21T09:26:00.002-06:002008-10-21T09:31:52.122-06:00

My oldest son this morning was explaining God to his younger brother. Actually they were talking about how much they weigh.DS1: Mom, how much do I weigh?Me: I don't know right off the bat, son.DS1: I think I'm about 30 lbs.DS2: (not to be outdone by his brother) I think I'm 150 lbs.DS1: No you're not that big. That's more like Dad (snort). No it's more like God (we really need to do

Tammynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-86491166047251302922008-10-18T20:26:00.003-06:002008-10-18T21:27:24.347-06:00

How do you do it?This was a question asked of me last weekend. I forget who, but I was prepared with an answer:You just do it.If a family had two children, you would manage with two children. If a family had 18 children (Go Mrs. Duggar!) you would manage with 18 children. If you were single and had a dog, you would manage with a dog.But let me rephrase myself. Manage is the wrong word. It's

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-72865321314170408922008-10-17T15:13:00.004-06:002008-10-21T09:08:34.808-06:00

I have made a short, 15 minute radio show that you can access at:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/EightKidsOn it I talk about our Movie Night and how we choose movies.Here are some helpful links:http://www.cleanflicks.com/http://www.pluggedinonline.com/http://www.faithandfamilyflix.com/POST SCRIPT: I deleted the radio program. It was corny. I'll make a better one later. The link may or may not

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-78441965646441750512008-10-14T20:24:00.004-06:002008-10-15T08:49:05.304-06:00

We have a new catchphrase at our house. It helps teach the children proper table etiquette.When the children are eating non finger food with their fingers..oatmeal, jello, soup....and the like, we tell them:"Don't make me go all Anne Sullivan on you!" They quickly pick up their fork or spoon and begin using it.Have you SEEN the Miracle Worker? Talk about tough love, talk about training.Wish I had

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-16090739614927099292008-09-01T13:41:00.005-06:002008-11-03T15:01:26.924-07:00

Several weeks ago we loaded up the BAV (Big Awesome Van) and headed East to my mom's house.We had not all been to see her since H was a baby almost two years ago. We thought it about time as she is only four hours away.I truly spent two days packing....well....I was feverish and sick so the children packed. I just made lists.On the way we stopped in Burlington, Colorado to ride the Carousel. It

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-69330278204891199662008-08-27T11:43:00.004-06:002008-08-27T11:56:33.627-06:00

A very dear friend...a coffeaholic...once told me that caffeine is the drug of choice for Christians. I think she is correct...that and potlucks.I am not a COFFEE drinker ("coffee" being said with a deep manly gruff tone). But my husband is. I am a froo froo la la coffee drinker. I like milk, flavor with just a bit of coffee added.I like my coffee cool enough to drink. I really prefer it cold.

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-56866225020772496642008-08-21T10:17:00.002-06:002008-08-21T10:42:39.406-06:00

Ok, so I told that story to tell you this story: My conscience getting the better of me and not wanting so much trash going and just sitting in the dump, we have begun in earnest to keep recyclable materials.SO....our store room holds our recycling. The kids and I saved boxes and labeled them with the items we wanted to store. We put an old tall laundry hamper near the door so whenever we

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-7779749079811881252008-08-07T12:17:00.000-06:002008-08-09T15:36:42.711-06:00

Our family has a tendency of being ahead of our time. Example: The Wiggles. Before anyone knew who they were, we were fans. Example: Hannah Montana. I spent a good nine hours watching a HM marathon while at the hosp w/ one of the children.Example: Being "Green". We have always done things that are considered Earth Friendly. Diapers: We have used cloth diapers since our oldest was a baby. It just

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-9643315829207473912008-08-06T14:13:00.000-06:002008-08-09T15:37:15.075-06:00

This recipe is from The Tightwad Gazette I. We use this for our Ham Loaf and variations thereof.Pizza Dough1/2 to 3/4 C Warm water1T dry yeast1 tsp sugar 2 C flour1/2 tsp saltCombine 1/4 water with the yeast and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes.Mix flour, oil and salt (we add spices: garlic pwd, onion pwd, oragano, basil etc)Add yeast mixtureDrizzle in the remaining waterKnead 25 times.Let stand 10

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-48271976384924384652008-08-06T13:59:00.000-06:002008-08-09T15:38:15.105-06:00

It's been a LONG time since I promised a few friends to put up some recipes. My apologies. I get...you know....busy. So here they are. Enjoy! Confession: I don't actually cook, I bake. My husband does dinner, my daughter does lunch and I do breakfast. I DO know how to cook and do so on occasion. But I don't make this as often as my husband does, so I have to ask about how to make this!Ham

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-48830281575862176482008-07-24T20:50:00.000-06:002008-07-24T20:51:10.493-06:00

This is from our local newspaper:Hanging out the wash, in the yard by Mary Jean Porter I'm here to praise clotheslines.Do you remember them? Do you have one? Will you think me hopelessly old-fashioned if I write about them?I'll risk it.The clothesline has been around at least since the days when laundry was beaten clean on a flat rock beside running water, then hung to dry on nearby bushes or

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-58400624393548431622008-07-08T22:10:00.004-06:002008-07-25T14:17:24.687-06:00

Last week I did my coupon mom thing and bought lost of stockpiling type stuff for wellllllll under budget. I bought enough food to feed us for a month with the same amount of money I use to feed us for two weeks.First, we went a bit meatless. Half of us like beans and the other half..well...they'll just have to get used to it.Then I found the cheapest for everything I needed and price matched at

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-60674349126779550052008-07-05T13:15:00.003-06:002008-07-05T13:32:29.586-06:00

I found a great deal on Frito scoops at Albertson's this week so I bought a can. Just a can. For 50 cents. The bean dip that goes so well with Fritos was 2.00 for a small can. I knew I could make bean dip for less than that, but would it taste the same?So I bought a $1.00 bag of pintos and soaked only two cups overnight and then cooked them the next day in the crockpot. Today I made refried beans

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-37008270104102337262008-05-19T13:58:00.004-06:002008-05-19T15:03:28.302-06:00

Yesterday, we went to Wal-Mart. And we made some mistakes.Mistake no 1: we went to Wal-Mart. On a Sunday. After church. Thought it was a good idea. So did half of P West.Did you know that no one works at Wal-Mart on Sunday?Mistake no 2: We all went.Here is how it went down.We needed to get some things...toothbrushes and a new iron. Toothbrushes because it was just that time, and my oldest son was

Tammynoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-31673045102823348152008-05-16T09:15:00.005-06:002008-07-25T14:18:42.547-06:00

This is from the label or the orange flavored vitamin water:ah, orange juice commercials. funny stuff. mom cheerfully prepares some huge breakfast while the rest of her family sleeps. sure, this could happen but every morning? please. maybe if mom were heavily medicated, in which case, we wouldn't condone operating a stove or any electrical appliance.for those of use who don't live in an orange

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-23951499424964810442008-05-14T13:58:00.003-06:002008-07-25T14:19:28.447-06:00

Today is kitchen day. It is the day we cook as many meals we can to make dinner/breakfasts easier during the week as well as do some cleaning in the kitchen.I used to do all the baking on Saturdays and clean the kitchen on house cleaning days on Monday, but it was too much to do and do everything else. I like the change.I alternate kitchen day between Wednesdays and Fridays depending on which

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-19040531760740404442008-05-09T19:16:00.003-06:002008-05-09T21:40:19.447-06:00

Last Thursday was tubs day. That is the day we do our twice yearly clothing tub go through. This is when we go through all the clothes for the children and swap out cold weather clothes for warm weather clothes. It tells us what we need to buy for each child. With God's provision, we seldom have to buy any items for the children. Tubs day is a nostalgic day. We reminisce about clothes

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-15260518190400502612008-04-30T06:41:00.003-06:002008-07-25T14:19:56.483-06:00

Yesterday we signed the papers on our house. We are now home owners for the first time. Ok, so actually the bank owns it, but it is ours. It's taken me a day to get into the groove of things, but I think I'm there. We have lived here for the past eight months now, it feels like home. But now it's OUR home. Dh said that we have made homes of other people's houses all these year, but this time it's

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-58903504929016060882008-04-28T13:45:00.002-06:002008-07-25T14:20:12.379-06:00

The coop before

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-58970570090905795562008-04-28T13:34:00.003-06:002008-04-30T06:37:49.462-06:00

So long dear coop.Last night there was a frost expected so we put a lamp in with the chickens to keep them warm. The same lamp that we used in the house, a low 60 watt. Things were fine until I woke up this morning to the smell of smoke. DD#1 and I tried to put it out but the hose was frozen. We had to call the fire dept. By the time they got there DD#1 (DH was at work) got the hose to work and

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-49314649004792208192008-04-26T15:32:00.002-06:002008-04-30T06:28:47.101-06:00

Today is Saturday, a day we sometimes sleep in. I had hoped to do so this morning, but the little boobah had other plans. She awoke at the early hour of 5:30 am wanting to eat. She is most definately going through a growth spurt. Since I was up I got up, showered, got the children up (it was 7:00 by then...I let them sleep in a bit) and got started on last night's dishes. We had a rather lazy

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-34099730428910139922008-04-01T21:16:00.001-06:002008-04-26T15:12:33.413-06:00

OH how our oldest daugther has a heart for missions!Her first mission trip was to Greensburg, Kansas. The town was totally flattened last year in a tornado. A group of people from the church went to help out last year. She worked hard clearing out a family's basement.Then Haiti and DC and now Mexico.There is a man from our church who comes to town long enough to raise money to go back to Mexico

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-75517633350655077362008-03-29T11:14:00.008-06:002008-04-26T15:13:13.602-06:00

Today is my ds#1's birthday party. When my oldest daughter was little (and an only child) we used to plan and buy all summer for her party. They were big and elaborate and we were very, very tired at the end of the day. As our family grew (today we have eight children) big expensive birthdays are a thing of the past.We budget a certain amount of money per person each year. When a child's party

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-69185670823273974072008-03-05T21:14:00.003-07:002008-04-26T15:27:01.950-06:00

After having lived in our new home six months, we may have to move again. The family that owns this house is moving back to town. This is a wonderful thing as I have missed them. They would like to sell us the house or else move back in it.We've never bought a house before so it has been an emotional time not knowing where God wants us. I like to have a "sense of place', and God is really

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-8384561743580620462008-03-01T07:27:00.002-07:002008-04-26T15:13:38.311-06:00

Today is Saturday and that means there is a wealth of opportunity.We usually begin our day with chores. We all have special chores that we do on Saturday. I usually am in the kitchen cooking a big breakfast and doing other baking for the week. DD #1 cleans the van or washes the dogs with DS#1. DD#2 sweeps all sidewalks. The littles either "help" one of their siblings or help mom in the

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-67279772328627739452008-02-22T22:28:00.003-07:002008-04-26T15:13:38.311-06:00

My due date was December 21st and I had hoped to either have the baby well before Christmas so as to be home before the 24th, or have the baby after Chrstmas. As it turned out, I had high blood pressure for the last trimester but without any symptoms. No headaches, puffiness, blurred vision etc. Well....on the 13th I had felt a bit dizzy. We were grocery shopping then I was going to go to my

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-39650666397720470882008-02-20T22:20:00.003-07:002008-04-26T15:13:38.311-06:00

In October of this past year, we finally adopted our youngest son. He had been with us since he was a few days old, but it took that long for the adoption to be finalized. God had blessed us with this little boy. He was our in our hearts long before a piece of paper made it legally true.Adoption day is a special day in our family. We dressed up bright and early, went to court, waited :) and then

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-11156222133456104882008-02-19T14:57:00.002-07:002008-04-26T15:13:38.312-06:00

The children have been all very sickly today. A mysterious headache w/ fever has been traveling through the house.

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-34578857807541442722008-02-18T07:16:00.002-07:002008-04-26T15:16:05.236-06:00

Our pastor is beginning a series on Romans. I have studied certain chapters of Romans, but not the entire book, so I am very excited. He says it will take a year to complete.Romans, like John is one of the most evangelizing books of the Bible. It lays the Gospel out very plainly and leads an unbeliever to know Jesus and His sacrifice. I pray God reveals to me a deeper understanding of

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-14238642698139067322008-02-17T17:53:00.001-07:002008-04-26T15:13:38.312-06:00

With our 7th child on the way I looked at our house that seemed so big when we moved in. It had certainly shrunk. I prayed to God that if it was His will that we stay in this house together ....all of us....that we would be happy.But God had other plans.Some friends of ours with 11 children, were moving and offered to rent us their large house at the price we were already paying. It was too

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-81912919628612939602008-02-17T17:17:00.007-07:002008-04-26T15:16:14.385-06:00

Our oldest daughter has many passions. Some we discourage and others we give our blessing. This past summer she felt called to go on a mission trip. The church was setting up two trips one to Haiti and one to Washington D.C. She worked all spring to get ready. There was a passport to get, supplies to buy and money to raise. She learned a vital lesson in trusting God from her fundraising

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-84711917114316402572008-02-17T16:41:00.003-07:002008-04-26T15:13:38.312-06:00

This is me at the height of my pregnancy. It was a pretty easy going pregnancy. It was far easier than any of the previous two. The first trimester consisted of eating lots of sandwiches, getting lots of sleep and a general euphoria. I didn't have much morning sickness. I just felt sick if I ate too much and I felt sick if I ate too little. I tried to continue weighing in at WW even

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-74319239518056425572008-02-17T14:45:00.004-07:002008-04-26T15:16:21.910-06:00

It has been a very long time between posts. But as I sit here on a cold Sunday afternoon , piddling my hours away - a restful thing indeed- I realize that ...wow... I DO have a blog. And as I have thought of posting many a time over the past 11 months, I know that I am very overdue.So much has happened.I was in fact pregnant.I sent a child away (and she came back!)We moved.We adopted.We had

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-6297551405474244082007-04-16T20:13:00.000-06:002008-04-26T15:16:29.977-06:00

It might be too soon to tell, but I think I might be pregnant.We have been trying since January of 2006; almost a year and a half.We have six children, but I have been pregnant only twice. (no, not triplets, adoption :) ) I was 19 when I got pregnant with my oldest daughter. At the time we were "sort of'" trying to get pregnant but not really. You see I was a war bride and my husband was going

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-63806651973414046852007-03-13T22:35:00.000-06:002008-04-26T15:18:13.063-06:00

Sunday marked five years that K & D have officially been part of our family. Today we celebrated God's bringing our family together.We began with a big breakfast at IHOP. A real treat for the children who love pancakes. Since there was a large crowd there, it took a while for our food to get there. We spent the time playing 20 questions. Mom and Dad rule!Everyone slept on the way to

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-64497856963377663122007-01-04T22:32:00.000-07:002007-01-04T22:33:06.435-07:00

http://wiarn.blogspot.com/

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-21264720027826200852007-01-04T22:09:00.000-07:002008-04-26T15:17:53.674-06:00

New year, new start, right? Well our first day back at school was challenging, but we'll survive. I have really been enjoying getting up before the children to do Bible study and then being dressed before they even get up. They seem to do better too, knowing I am there to help them and that breakfast will be on time :).I also have enjoyed doing Bible study with the children as the first part of

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-17713355576089050932007-01-01T22:35:00.000-07:002007-01-01T22:50:47.153-07:00

Well it's the beginning of a new year. Even though our holiday season began in the emergency room on Thanksgiving, we have had a lovely month. But now it is 2007 and I just love fresh starts! What I really love is the planning that goes into all the fresh starts! January first is truly an organizer's dream :).I actually started three weeks ago when I joined Weight Watcher's and Curves with a

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-88414439584448083242006-11-13T08:59:00.000-07:002008-04-26T15:17:21.992-06:00

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-48008222840992595922006-11-13T08:44:00.000-07:002008-04-26T15:17:21.992-06:00

We have joyously been using Tapestry of Grace for history. Last night was our Medieval Feast. The children worked very hard to put this on. The "folks" came over and were active participants. Present were two kings, two queens, two ladies, a few squires (who were later knighted) and some peasants. The children presented the information they had learned on feudalism. We had a knighting

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-35839153924916412352006-11-08T16:22:00.000-07:002006-11-10T17:05:03.951-07:00

Tammynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-76956929270135361082006-11-08T16:21:00.001-07:002006-11-08T18:22:12.903-07:00

Katrina has been wanting to make a rag rug and I have been wanting her to knit more, so we compromised and made this "spool" knitter. It is basically a toilet paper tube wrapped in purple duct tape :). She has been "knitting" away and I hope to have a nice new rug for my laundry area in the next week or so.

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-80323592584708278802006-11-08T09:50:00.000-07:002006-11-10T17:07:14.789-07:00

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-58077765199981713802006-11-07T15:39:00.000-07:002006-11-10T17:08:24.816-07:00

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22124620.post-1162936437881905362006-11-07T14:52:00.000-07:002006-11-08T09:44:28.456-07:00

Time is running out and we are doing all the last minute things to get ready for our Medieval Feast this Sunday. 

Tammynoreply@blogger.com0