First Week of School
September 2nd, 2010
Dear Homeschool Diary of a Sleep-Deprived Mother of Seven Boys,
This week we started our new “school year”. Complete with new books and software, play-doh and markers, we had all the essentials lined up to make it a successful year. Undaunted, Tuesday morning, I woke up, hit the ground running, and set out to teach my 7th grader some pre-algebra, my 4th grader a little something about constellations, my 2nd grader about Hill Country, my Kindergartener about communities, and my preschoolers some colors and numbers. We started out with prayer and a lesson from the book called Proverbs People. We discussed slothfulness vs. diligence and talked about how an ant is rewarded for his diligence, when after long months of arduous work, he had plenty stored up for the winter. Yep, I’m a saint. I can teach six boys at one time, 89 subjects, teach ‘em character, nutrition, and etiquette, all while breastfeeding……..Um….NOT!
I found it hard at times to remember that it was just the first week, and when I did remember, I was intimidated by the sight of the long road I saw ahead of me. Apparently, we’ve forgotten how to sit still again. We’ve forgotten to wait our turn, to share the play-doh and not beat the livin’ daylights out of one another for taking it away. We’ve added new skills acquired by months of summer leisure, like imitating Fred with the obnoxious voice (most appreciated by my now almost 13 year old), fart jokes, and an obsession with drawing guys in combat.
Today was day three in our little classroom, and while I am holding steadfastly to every conviction that has ever resonated in my heart about my commitment here to teach and equip my children to be the men they’re called to be, I’m keenly aware of the challenge set before me.
Am I up for it?
Sure.
And I used to think others gave me this vote of confidence, too, but now I know they’re just waiting to see the finished product. Skeptics, but still loving towards me, some have told me they question whether I’m able to handle this many boys.
Not much hurts my heart more than hearing someone say this to me. I eat, live and breathe for this mission.
I EAT, LIVE, and BREATHE FOR THIS MISSION.
I totally know that I am not perfect. I totally understand that, on the outside looking in, this can look so difficult, almost impossible to a skeptic.
But I’m a believer. I mean I believe in God. I believe that He called me to do what I’m doing. I believe He called me to train 7 boys to grow into the men who are called according to His purpose. And I believe, even though sometimes I don’t FEEL LIKE IT, that I CAN do this. I can because HE SAID I CAN.
I know that’s such a simple explanation, but it’s that black and white for me. For those that don’t see children the way my husband and I do, I get why they don’t “get it”.
They’re gifts, these boys of ours. I don’t want to let them down. I don’t want to fail my assignment.
And I’ve always been an ‘A’ student, I’m not going to stop now.
I wish I could tell the world to wait to judge me. Wait until my sons are grown. Wait until I’ve put the time in. Wait until I’ve read every last story book, completed all the phonics workbooks our shelves can hold. Wait until we’re done carting these boys back and forth from soccer to football to baseball and back again for 20 years straight. Wait until I’ve cooked and cleaned the kitchen and served a million meals to sticky-fingered little boys and filled their tummies with yummy, nutritious foods that kept them energetic enough to knock holes in my walls and jump on the couch til it fell apart. Wait until I’ve done 3 times the amount of laundry that a mom of 2.3 kids has. Wait until my hair is gray and my boys are men, tall and grown and taking wives of their own. Wait until they’re noble, kind, caring, strong men who are fully equipped and have gone off to serve our country in battle, to be an influential congressman, a pastor, a missionary to a starving country, an expert in science who helps find a cure for MRSA, a talented minister of worship, and an innovative engineer. Wait until they’re married and become fathers and they remember me and say, “yes! My mama gave it all she had. She poured her heart into us. She taught us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. And because of that, I can stand boldly today and declare that I have never strayed from the path that God has called me to. I’ve wasted no time floundering around in search of who I was, because she taught me that my identity was in Him. Though the naysayers might have been many, she kept on, in diligence and strength, and I’m thankful that she did.”
Just wait til then, world. Wait til then.
Love,
Brandy
Back Home….With Random Thoughts
August 29th, 2010
Our family is home now after some of the toughest weeks we’ve ever endured. We’ve lost an amazing man, my husband’s father. Our lives are forever changed for having known him, for having been influenced by him.
I can’t spend too long talking about this now….more later.
But we’re back. Supposed to return to “normal” (whatever THAT is), and this may be the hardest part. I’m looking forward to school, though. And dishes, and cooking and cleaning. And laundry. Yes, I am actually looking forward to laundry. I guess because it means I’m in the comforts of my own home again. Something about the daily grind, the thing we all find so monotonous and boring sometimes, is the very thing that we need the most after a rough time like this. We need a vacation so badly, but we’ve said we’re even putting that off for a while so that we can just be home together for a few weeks.
Mending.
Figuring out how to live without the glorious man that Dad was.
But we can’t stay idle for too long….We would get in trouble with him for doing that. No. He enjoyed life to the fullest and he absolutely taught us to do the same. So for now, we rest. But then…..Sea World.
We’ll miss him forever.
Sad and tired, but blessed to have been his daughter-in-law,
Brandy
Is It Time for School Yet?
August 20th, 2010
I really should take a picture of this schoolroom that I’m sitting in right now. But I’m lazy. And really, it’s not quite ready to be photographed. At least a thousand books cover the school tables, the two computers need a good dusting, to say the least, and puzzles have been strewn here, there and yonder.
That doesn’t sound all that bad, does it?
Well, it’s not really, until I mention that there’s also popcorn everywhere, chairs on their sides, pillows, a pile of clothes where someone decided to spontaneously shed them, an abandoned Handy Manny, a toy box lid, some blocks, some books, crumpled, colored on paper, some more books, some flip flops, an empty yogurt pouch, and um….well, I’ll spare you.
The rest of the boys’ curriculum should be headed this way. I can’t wait to open all their new books and explore what we’ll be working on this year.
But for now, I’ve got my work cut out for me. On the to do list:
1. um, CLEAN the schoolroom
2. take down last year’s posters, and decorate for the new year
3. put new ink in printer
4. organize school supply cubbies / drawers
5. put together the Pre-K / Kindergarten “center” baskets for my 4 and 5 year old, consisting of: play doh and cookie cutters, view masters, finger puppets, felt objects / felt board, wooden food, lacing cards, and more…
6. set up software and headphones for my 7th and 4th grade boys’ math curriculum
7. make lesson plans til Christmas………Oh yes. Lesson plans!!!
I better get started!
Happy New School Year, everyone!
Love
Brandy
Family
August 14th, 2010
Hello friends…
You may have noticed I haven’t been around lately. It’s because I’m not. Not at home. And not myself. We’ve had a sudden family emergency and we’re out of town to be with my husband’s father. Prayers are appreciated. I’ll be back.
Blessings,
Brandy
The Beauty of the Season
August 9th, 2010
It’s Monday again!! We’re getting closer and closer to school time, and I am looking forward to that aspect of the season change.
I love summer, though. I don’t really complain of the heat. To me, the heat means sunshine and swimming and freedom to play outside for the boys. It means relaxed schedules and getting to stay up late if we want and the smell of backyard grills cooking up fun summer time food.
But even with all the perks of summer, towards the end, we always welcome the change to fall. I think this is why my Grandma always said she loved all the seasons…because we’re always ready for the change that a new season brings.
So often I am guilty of wanting to “skip ahead”…..get to a festive season, or for it to be Christmas….and right now, the beginning of the school year – I can hardly wait! But if I’m not careful to concentrate on where I am right now, content with whatever season it is in my life, I can miss the beauty of that season.
Recently, we’ve shared precious moments in our family as some of the boys have reached new, exciting milestones.
Landen’s first smile…
Levi pedals his tricycle…
Dax rides a bike with no training wheels and reads his first word….
Rushiing through this season would not have allowed me to experience the joy of these “firsts” with my children. These milestones served as a great reminder to slow down and appreciate today.
Today, appreciate the beauty of the season you’re in.
related article: Same Page
Love
Brandy
Invisible Mom
August 5th, 2010
I was holding his hand and we were about to cross the street when the
crossing guard said to him, “Who is that with you, young fella?” “Nobody,”
he shrugged. Nobody? The crossing guard and I laughed. My son is only 5, but
as we crossed the street I thought, “Oh my
goodness, nobody?”
I would walk into a room and no one would notice. I would say something to
my family – like “Turn the TV down, please” – and nothing would happen.
Nobody would get up, or even make a move for the remote. I would stand there
for a minute, and then I would say again, a little louder, “Would someone
turn the TV down?” Nothing.
Just the other night my husband and I were out at a party. We’d been there
for about three hours and I was ready to leave. I noticed he was talking to
a friend from work. So I walked over, and w hen there was a break in the
conversation, I whispered, “I’m ready to go when you are.” He just kept
right on talking. That’s when I started to put all the pieces together. I
don’t think he can see me. I don’t think anyone can see me. I’m invisible.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way
one of the kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone and ask to be
taken to the store. Inside I’m thinking, “Can’t you see I’m on the phone?”
Obviously not. No one can see if I’m on
the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in
the corner, because no one can see me at all. I’m invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you
tie this? Can you open this? Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even
a human being. I’m a clock to ask, “What time is it?” I’m a satellite guide
to answer, “What number is the Disney
Channel?” I’m a car to order, “Right around 5:30, p lease.”
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes
that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude – but now
they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She’s
going she’s going she’s gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a
friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and
she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there,
looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to
compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress;
it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was
pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut
butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a
beautifully wrapped package, and said, “I brought you this.” It was a book
on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn’t exactly sure why she’d given it
to me until I read her inscription: “To Charlotte, with admiration for the
greatness of what you are building when no one sees.”
In the days ahead I would read – no, devour – the book. And I would discover
what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could
pattern my work:
* No one can say who built the great cathedrals – we have no record of their
names.
* These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see
finished.
* They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
* The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of
God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the
cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird
on the inside of a beam. He wa s puzzled and asked the man, “Why are you
spending so much time carving that bird into a
beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.” And the
workman replied, “Because God sees.”
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost
as if I heard God whispering to me, “I see you, Charlotte. I see the
sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of
kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on,
no cupcake you’ve baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You
are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will
become.”
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease
that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own
self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of
the people who show up at a jo b that they will never see finished, to work
on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went
so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime
because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell the friend he’s
bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, “My mom gets up at 4 in the
morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three
hours and presses all the linens for the
table.” That would mean I’d built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just
want him to want to come home. And then, if there is any- thing more to say
to his friend, to add, “You’re gonna love it there.”
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re
doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel,
not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the
world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Salmon Patties
August 5th, 2010
I guess the term “pattie” came from the way you pat these things into their cute little disc shapes?
You can call them salmon cakes, too, if you want. And I think the term croquette is applicable, also. But they were salmon patties when my mom made them, so patties they’ll be for me.
These are so yummy and fun and different….and….our kiddos love them! Serve them with your favorite variety of potatoes, a veggie, and some corn bread and you’ll be famous instantly!!
Ingredients:
3 packages pink salmon (boneless, skinless)
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup finely chopped onion (yellow or white)
2 minced garlic cloves
1 egg
juice of half a lemon
20 crushed plain saltine crackers
pinch of salt
dash of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon cajun seasoning (use Lawry’s seasoned salt if you don’t have this)
What to do:
1. Dump salmon into mixing bowl.
2. Crush 20 saltine crackers directly into bowl of salmon.
3. Add the egg, lemon juice, the mayo, the onion, and the garlic.
4. Add seasonings.
5. Mix with your hands. Form a ball that will fit easily into a cupped hand and then flatten. Place in pan of hot grease. Repeat.
6. Fry on medium high heat til dark golden brown on both sides.
Serve with lemon wedges.
Oh, and ketchup!
Missing my mom,
Brandy
First Place
February 15th, 2010
Most people will tell you they like to win. Whether it’s at running or playing spades, or whatever their passion is, first place just feels good.
So many people have such busy lives, that it is difficult to “carve” out a time for God somewhere each day. As a mom, I know I have good intentions, but by the time I’ve woken up to feed the baby, get everyone ready for the day, change the diapers and make breakfast, other priorities easily consume my time until the day is gone.
Ideally, we should all try and start our day with Him, before anything else diverts our attention. Matthew 6:33 says “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” Even Jesus took the time to go alone and pray to His Father.
God wants first place in your life. Not just in the morning, although that would be a great way to start your day and to keep you focused on Him, but ALL of your life. When we make Him first, everything else seems to fall into place as He takes care of it all. Think of it this way – when you give Him first place in your life, you’re a winner too!
See if you can do it – give God the first five or ten minutes every day while the house is still quiet. You might have to set your alarm clock to do it, but I can guarantee, it will revolutionize your life!
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8
Consider these verses as they relate to making God your first priority:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
Question: Notice the phrase, “love the Lord YOUR God”. How personal do you take your relationship with Him? What does it mean to love Him with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength?
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Question: If we love God with all our hearts, which is the first commandment, how much easier is it to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds”? Is loving God with all our minds the same as being renewed? Is total transformation possible by simply loving God with everything in us?
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands. Psalm 112:1
Question: What does it mean to “fear” God? What does it mean to find delight in His commands, or His word?
Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops. Proverbs 3:9
Question: You’ve heard the saying, “time is money”. Well, if we honor God with the firstfruits of our time every day, what would this mean?
Prayer Guide
Thank you, God, for allowing me to have a personal relationship with you. God, I know that in this busy life, sometimes it is so hard to keep my focus on You, and I ask you to help me. Help me to give you the place in my life that you asked for, the place that you deserve! Teach me what it means to love you with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind and all my strength. Help me to honor you first in my heart and show me what it means to have everything in my life begin to reflect this intimate relationship with you. I ask you to renew my mind today, to bring me closer to you, to help me keep my heart and my thoughts on you. Change my heart and the way I think – truly transform me, Jesus. My delight is in You! I give my life to you today. Please use it for your perfect will.
Noise
February 26th, 2010
It seems it always goes that way. I get a five minute window to sit down, think, write, read or pray, and my time is interrupted by noise. I often ask myself how it is that, as a writer, I have been challenged by such irony.
In my moments stolen away, captured in the quiet of morning, in an afternoon breeze, or when the house is settled for the night, I listen.
1 Kings 19: 11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Sometimes, we think we’re waiting on the voice of the Lord, all the while running about, living our busy lives, and He’s waiting on US. We wonder why we can’t hear Him or why He doesn’t answer. How can we expect to hear Him unless we listen for His gentle whisper?
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is majestic. Psalm 29:4
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:12 (KJV)
How is it that the voice of the Lord is powerful and majestic, yet still and small?
He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit. Psalm 147:4,5
Teach me, and I will be quiet;
show me where I have been wrong. Job 6:24
The same God who placed the planets and stars in orbit teaches me, quiets me. How do these two scriptures (above) demonstrate that He is the God of order and peace? In what areas of my life do I need to be “quiet” and allow God to teach me?
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters. Psalm 23:2
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2
How do these scriptures suggest that quietness is a result of finding and being led of God? What does Psalm 131:2 have to do with the following verse?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10
Prayer
God, even in the noise, the chatter and the interruptions, help me to hear You. And help me choose to find the moments, the quiet time. Help me to turn off my addiction to noise: my t.v., my computer, my phone, my news, and help me get alone with you. Lead me to the quiet place where you can teach me and correct me. Help me to still and quiet my soul, to be so passionate about seeking you and finding you, that I go out and stand on the mountain and wait for You. Though wind, earthquakes and fire may come, I will wait on your still, small voice. Help me to hear you, to recognize your voice, and to answer you as Samuel did, saying, “speak, Lord, for you servant is listening.”
The Laundry Project: Part 1
February 27th, 2010
It happened slowly. After each of our children was born, and the laundry pile grew higher, I began to become overwhelmed by it. Intimidated, hopeless, frightened, I became fearful of the laundry room. There were weeks and months along this road in which I would gather up the gusto and tackle the mountainous terrain, hitting it with fury and fire, and yes, I would get a lot accomplished and then….I would burn out. Just like when you feed your toddler too many bananas in one week and they don’t care for them any longer, I had lost my taste for laundry. It seemed a losing battle. Only in the mornings when we needed to rush out the door, dressed all the way to socks and shoes, with no wrinkles would I regret my disdain for my laundry and wish that I were more disciplined and organized.
And then we had another baby. And another. And another. And I knew I must do something, that I must truly decide on a better method, get a schedule, get a new closet….something….anything. Until now, our children had all had the traditional matching dresser or chest-of-drawers in each of their rooms, affording me much exercise, were I to actually try and put it all away upstairs in their rooms. I was convinced that the sheer thought of running up and down the stairs to put it away deterred me from doing the laundry. It wasn’t that I minded washing. It wasn’t that I minded putting clothes into the dryer. But to take them out and dump them somewhere so that I could “fold, sort and put away later” made me cringe….Because I knew what really happened when I dumped the fresh, clean laundry somewhere “safe”. It was forgotten….then knocked over, spilled onto the floor….then….trampled. And then someone would drop an obscene amount of crumbly snack right into the pile, rendering my work completely and utterly POINTLESS.
I guess the laundry situation here pretty much sums up my personality. I am an all-or-none type of gal. I either do it, or I don’t. I don’t want to start it if I know I can’t finish it. The laundry seemed to have always sent me the clear message (by way of bullhorn, by the way) that I COULD NOT WOULD NOT EVER finish it. It just kept defeating me. So I chose to pretend it wasn’t an issue. But the reality is that people must wear clothes. I have people in my family. Lots of people, with more people coming. So, a solution I must find.
Pregnant with our seventh son, my husband and I conspired and concocted the brilliant scheme. We would take the boys dressers out of their rooms, put them in our large master closet that is connected to our laundry room, move some of our clothes to the other end of the closet on the racks to make room for theirs. Our closet is a large L shape, and the short part of the L became their new closet. Once we did it, it was like, “why didn’t we think of this before???”
This made me so excited. It motivated me more than anything else I have ever done to try and help the laundry situation. I knew that since the laundry room was connected to our closet, and that since the dressers and their hanging racks were right there, that I had no more excuses. The laundry didn’t even need to come out and sit on the couch for days and weeks at a time anymore before someone had mercy and put it back into the dirty pile (I mean mountain) in the laundry room floor, whose door had to be forced open or closed. This was the answer I had been needing…my big sword to my laundry room nemesis.
My laundry is staying done for the time being. I know reality is that when the baby is born, it will take a minor setback again and I am okay with that. But for now, the boys know exactly where all their clothes are. The clothes come straight out of the dryer, onto a hanger, then their racks or their drawers. There is one sock basket full of mated socks in the closet floor underneath their hanging clothes. Just tackling socks alone has helped us tremendously!
Fighting Illness Naturally
March 1st, 2010
I thought I had escaped. Yesterday was the last day of February and I thought I had squeaked through cold/flu season without even so much as a sniffle. Nope. Congestion, headache, cough and stuffy nose have arrived, much to my dread. But I know what to do, at least.
Last night I was feeling pretty bad so I decided I better double up on the natural remedies. I didn’t feel like making it, but chicken soup I made…..all while drinking a hot cup of green tea. Filling the pot with fresh chicken, fresh onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and potatoes, and then drowning it all in organic chicken broth, was therapeutic in itself. It cooked quickly and not long after the cornbread came out of the oven, we were having a family dinner that I could be confident would give the whole family a boost, especially this mama – who, with six + kids better not get sick!
So, green tea, chicken soup packed with all kinds of goodness, and now…..apple cider vinegar for dessert! Yep. I put two tablespoons into a cup and splashed some apple juice on top and drank.
I will repeat the same routine today, probably doubling up on the green tea and apple cider vinegar, and most likely adding some green juice into the mix. And hopefully, by tomorrow, this yucky cold will be on its merry way.
These are things I just naturally resort to, things that are always available in my kitchen. Other things I use to combat illness naturally include:
garlic tablets
echinacea capsules
extra vitamin C
elderberry syrup
Bagel Avocado Sandwich
March 2nd, 2010
So delicious AND filling, even my husband loves these.
Toast your favorite bagel in the toaster oven. Whole grain is healthiest, but plain or everything bagels work, too!
Put some mayo and thinly sliced avocado on one side, and then salt and pepper.
Place some thin slices of cheddar cheese on the other and put your sandwich together.
You can always add lettuce and/or tomato for extra yumminess,or just eat it plain as described above, like I just did for lunch.
YUM!
Love
Brandy
I Have an Agenda
March 2nd, 2010
Thank you George Barna, for taking your question, my question, to thousands of successful parents and determining WHY and HOW they were able to raise children who grew up to love God, who were, in essence, spiritual champions. If there is anything in this world that I am passionate about, it is THIS: RAISING OUR CHILDREN TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL THEIR HEARTS, MINDS, SOULS, AND STRENGTH.
It’s a great book. Read it as soon as you can!
Brandy
The Journey Home Chapter 1: Heart of My Heart
March 29th, 2010
Burying your mother is nothing short of life-draining.
Burying your mother that you love so dearly is tragic.
Burying your mother when she was so young, just 56, and when you were so young, just 34, is horrible-awful-ugly.
And sad.
I stayed in a state of complete fear and dread for many years as a little girl, that I would lose my mother. I loved her like most little girls love their mamas. I watched her, emulated her, and learned from her. I remember trying to swing my hips the way she did, even before I had any. I remember watching her spray her brush with perfume and then raking it back through her long, blond locks. I remember her taking naps on the couch when I was teeny tiny and asking her for a pillow and her motioning for me to lay my head on that same hip so that I could rest with her, right next to her. I remember asking her how to write my name and the way she showed me. I remember how she hung my first attempts at writing in various spots in the house. I remember her telling me how to spell the words to the letters I would write to my big sister for when she got home from school. I remember waking up from naps and smelling and seeing the evidence that she had cleaned all 1000 square feet of our house in its entirety while I lay still in dreamland. I remember her taking me to pick out my very first pair of glasses and the way she put barrettes in my hair. I remember her catching me in a big, fat lie and how she punished me in a way that set honesty in its place in my heart forever thereafter. Her wisdom in motherhood, just like her hips, swung in both directions.
I remember being terrified that someday, I would not know every single word that she ever spoke to me. I remember being truly terrified of stepping on a crack for fear of literally breaking her back. I don’t know why I feared it so.
The thought of losing her.
But I did. At such a very young age.
It seems I sensed her fragility early on in life. It seems I knew and understood something about her that I didn’t know I knew until she was gone. Maybe, just maybe, that is the reason why she called me Heart of My Heart. Maybe, just maybe, that is why the last words she ever spoke to me were just that…..”You’re Heart of My Heart.”
And then she made her final journey home.
Simply Meatloaf
March 30th, 2010
My kids are carnivores. I didn’t do it. I could survive on fruits and vegetables alone, but my husband, well…you could say he’s a meat and potatoes kind of man. Our kids really will eat mostly anything, with the exception of a picky eater or two here and there. But meat, they eat.
Hayden has recently been requesting such dishes as spaghetti with meatballs and meatloaf, so to honor my nine year old’s savory taste buds, I obliged. I only knew the recipe for meatloaf from watching my mother make it when I was little, but really, it’s so simple, you can’t forget. Here it is….the recipe that even my picky eaters ate last night for dinner.
1 1/2 pounds (organic or at least grass fed) ground meat
1 egg
breadcrumbs made from about five slices of whole wheat bread in your oven
a bell pepper (you may not use the whole thing, so throw the rest in the salad)
1/2 yellow onion
3 fresh garlic cloves
seasoned salt
pepper
2 small cans tomato sauce
Steps:
1. Place hamburger meat in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper.
2. Broil five slices of whole wheat bread in oven til very crispy on both sides.
3. While they’re toasting, chop up onion, bell pepper and fresh garlic. I make the garlic tiny, but the onions and bell pepper are up to you how large or small the pieces are.
4. Crumble the toast directly into the bowl with the meat, the finer the better, but don’t worry about any big chunks….they’ll blend right in.
5. Add the egg, one can of tomato sauce, and the veggies (amount to your taste) and smush everything around with your hands. Yes, your hands. A spoon will just NOT DO. Have fun.
6. Plop the mixture into a baking dish of your choice. Last night I baked mine in a circle, but feel free to use your rectangle or Elmo or Scooby Doo pan if you must.
7. Drizzle the top of the meatloaf with the remaining can of tomato sauce and give it another dash of pepper. Cook 45 minutes or til done (depending on the depth of the baking dish you chose) at 375, turning up heat the last few minutes to brown the top a bit if you like.
Serve with salad and your favorite potatoes. Linger at the table. Love your babies. 
Happy Eating!
Brandy
If Laughter is the Best Medicine, Then I’ll Need to Find the Humor
March 31st, 2010
Some days people might think it’s really funny that Drew puts on five pairs of clean underwear. I don’t laugh, most of the time. I just think of the extra laundry and how he must have destroyed his underwear drawer.
Some might find it comical the way Hayden makes jokes or asks if we can walk on Uranus when he’s supposed to actually be doing his multiplication facts. I mostly pull my hair out. I just want him to focus, so that he can learn and we can get on to the next subject.
Or when Levi pees in the floor for the fiftieth time and the puddle is man-size and everyone laughs at just how much a tiny boy can pee, I don’t see the comedy, just the extra work, the mess on my hard-earned clean floor.
Some days it is just harder than others to see the funny in the situation. Some days I am more task-oriented than joy-oriented. I know this about myself. I have known it for a long time. Blame it on being Type A. Or blame it on the fact that I have a bunch of kids. Or that I love organization and hate chaos. Or a combination of all the above. Blame it on whatever, but I have to constantly re-set my mind. Apparently my brain wants to go one way, while my heart knows and understands that this is all so temporary and really, the trivial, petty concerns of this life are just that.
And the Bible talks quite a bit about joy and laughter being nourishment to us humans.
Proverbs 17: 22 says, ” A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
So really. To be cheerful is a choice.
As moms, it is VITAL that we choose to find the humor, that we choose to laugh….that we choose JOY.
Otherwise, we’ll all be bald. And that’s just not very marathon, if you ask me.
Laugh today. Even in the messes.
Love
Brandy
Weekly Grocery Shopping: Today’s Version of Hunting and Gathering for a Family of 8…ummm…9
April 2nd, 2010
I used to not really have to think about it. When we needed food, I noticed and drove to the store with my one or two children and perused the aisles non-chalantly, maybe haphazardly even, picking up random items according to their likeability. I remember hoping that somehow the items in my cart would come together on a few plates here and there that next week, and also, that I didn’t cause myself any unnecessary NSF charges, seeing how I hadn’t planned anything out, and certainly hadn’t really budgeted a weekly itemized menu.
Those days are long gone.
Feeding a growing family, of small and ever-growing men, I might add, takes a bit of thinking. Fortunately for them (and me), I LOVE making lists. And menus. And lists of menus.
Once a week, usually on Thursday or Friday night, I sit down with a sheet of paper and make our family’s weekly menu that includes five or six dinners.
I usually ask around and see if my honey and any of the boys are wanting anything specific that next week, and if so, it gets added to the menu. Once the dinner menu is made, I begin making my grocery list and transfer any necessary items for each meal onto the list. That way, I know I will have everything I need for each meal.
Also added to the list would be, of course, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and any other household items that I know we need. We find that going to Sam’s about every second or third week keeps us well-stocked on certain items like paper products, diapers, certain frozen foods, and snacks. We make a family adventure of going to Sam’s on Saturdays, and depending on my mood, I take the boys with me on Saturday afternoon or they stay home with Dad while I shop at any other stores.
Being organized this way not only satisfies my inner need to be orderly, but it also keeps our family prepared, running smooth, I stay more focused ANNNND…..we don’t NEED to eat out during the week at all, thus saving countless dollars.
Not to mention, my sons are learning to cook, making some seven young ladies VERY happy someday when they are fortunate enough to get to marry my babies….ummm…I mean sons.
Love
Brandy
Proof of Life
April 2nd, 2010
Pregnancy is fun and adventurous and miraculous. It never gets old. To get to take part in growing a life, to get to watch your belly as that life grows, giving proof of life inside, is simply amazing.
Each doctor or midwife appointment holds new excitement as a mother gets to hear the baby’s heartbeat, find out how much her uterus has grown to accomodate her growing child, or even see her baby on the screen via ultrasound.
Throughout nine pregnancies (we’ve lost two), there have been a few instances where it’s been less than fun, though. Downright scary and heart-breaking at times.
My last appointment with the OB could have been one of those scary appointments. When it came time to listen for the baby’s heartbeat, she couldn’t find it. She tried and she tried and she tried, and with no success, she said we would need to do an ultrasound to confirm the heartbeat. Other times I would have been scared out of my mind. In other instances, I would have felt my heart drop into my stomach and begin to feel light-headed at the thought of something dreadful.
Except for one big thing. The whole time she was trying to listen for Landen’s heartbeat, we were watching him flip and flop all over the place, literally kicking at the instrument she was using. I wasn’t nervous. She wasn’t nervous. We knew he was alive because he was obviously doing acrobatics and laughing at us.
We walked over to the next room where the sonogram machine was, and sure enough, the little guy is happy and healthy as a lark (what does that mean, by the way…?) and we recorded his heart rate as 143 in my chart.
A bit of relief still swept over me as I realized that I had still needed to hear his heart beat. I still needed the evidence, in spite of my jumping stomach, that he was okay. I still wanted the proof of life that she was looking for to be found and written down somewhere…that all was well.
And it was.
As moms, how often do we worry needlessly about things that we already know are okay? I confess, more often than I should.
I could make a list of things I worry about, but I’ll spare you the insanity.
It’s Easter and I am reminded that it’s all okay.
There was this man who died to save the world. They went to check on his grave, but to their surprise, instead of death, they found proof of life, when they discovered He had overcome death and the grave.
So, what does Easter have to do with my egg-shaped belly, you ask?
Everything.
Promise of life. Promise of new things. Proof of life abundantly.
As a mom, the cares and concerns of this world can get overwhelming, but we have something really huge to hang onto. And that hope is found only in Jesus!
He came that we would have LIFE and have it to the fullest.
Boy, I sure do look full these days. Sorry….couldn’t help myself.
Seriously. We really don’t have to worry about anything. God’s got it all planned out and thankfully, He gave us His Son, so that if we choose to hang onto Him, it will all turn out for our good, and for His eternal purposes. I’m so thankful for Him. He really is the Ultimate Proof of Life.
Happy Easter!
Love
Brandy
Easter Fun
April 3rd, 2010
Happy Easter from our family to yours!!
Celebrating Life,
The Ferguson Family
Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes/Glucose Intolerance
April 5th, 2010
With my first two babies, I failed the one hour glucose tolerance test, so I had to do the three hour test. (Which means, by the way, that you have to drink DOUBLE the amount of the nasty “melted orange popsicle crap” than you do at the first test.) It wasn’t that big of a deal back then, (can’t believe I just said “back then”) since I either had no child or only one.
A decade plus later, as a homeschooling mom, failing my one hour meant bad news. I have six kids now. They are home with me. They go where I go. The office does not allow children to come in the waiting room. What’s a chubby, waddling mama to do?
I took them with me today, hired my eldest son to be babysitter and he watched his brothers just outside the door as I went in each time for the finger prick. The first blood count they take is before you drink the nastiness.
I was within normal range. Supposed to be under 95 and my sugar registered at 84. Not bad, I thought. But should have been lower seeing how I had NO carbs at dinner and went to bed starving…..well…maybe just hungry. But I tried, at least.
One hour later, I BOMB…..literally BOMB the numbers. Supposed to be under 180. What’s my number? 199. YIKES! I am starting to get nervous at this point.
Before the third finger prick, I am determined. Since I am not sitting in the office, I break the rules and leave and go put gas in my car, come back, change Levi’s diaper and clothes and take several of the boys to the bathroom. My theory is that if I walk around and burn some calories, then maybe some of the evil sugar will burn up out of my blood and I can pass this horrendous test and not be labeled as gestational diabetic and blah blah blah.
I don’t know if it was the walking or all the praying I did or both, but by the third finger prick, we’re doing great! Supposed to be under 155. …and I’m in the clear by just six points at 149. I’ll take it.
But determined to pass, I walk some more. I get the stroller out this time, buckle Levi in and we go on a doodle bug hunt. The boys must have found a gazillion. I used some calories to convince Levi not to eat one of them.
I pray again.
I text my sister and husband and tell them to pray again too. It’s time to find out. This is my last shot. I don’t want to be labeled with gestational diabetes because it means bad things for a pregnant mama and her baby. Really bad things, like having to go on a crazy diet, checking your blood sugar every day all day, having to stay in the hospital for an extra day for observation, your newborn having to be poked for sugar counts once they’re born, and not to mention all the special red flags all over your chart that make you more susceptible to an OB’s desire to induce you…….
The whole process of testing me for sugar issues alone has been enough to make me really miss my midwives that I had with the last two births. It has made me question my decision again. It has been enough to confirm the reasons just why I chose to have the last two babies at home. The medical “interference”…if you will.
But I chose this medical interference. I hired it.
And I have had peace about my decision. So I just prayed that God would use this whole situation to reveal something to me.
My blood sugar was supposed to be under 140 on the last finger prick of the test. It was 90!!!!!!!!
Huge sigh of relief!!! No labeling. No red flags. No special monitoring. Just normal, low-profile, low-maintenance me and my baby boy, who could be left alone to snuggle and cuddle. Hooray!
So, no gestational diabetes, but yes, a revelation.
The doctor said that the failed one hour and the failed number two finger prick of the three hour indicated glucose intolerance. This makes total sense to me since I usually do not feel very well after a carb-heavy or sugar heavy meal.
Lesson learned that my midwife probably already knew:
Listen to your body. When it says , “eww…those doughnuts made me feel horrible!!!”…..Get a clue!! You’re probably not diabetic, just intolerant.
They’ll test my blood sugar each time from now on at my appointments. Fine by me. I needed to be eating smarter, anyway.
I’m just so thankful not to have gestational diabetes. And I am thankful for learning that there is such a thing as glucose intolerance. Maybe I’ve lived under a rock, but I had never realized you could have one without the other.
And about missing my midwives and the home-birth this time. I do. But I am still at peace knowing that since I moved away from them, I have hired the very best lady I could find, who happens to be an OB, to help deliver my baby.
Because like I always say, a healthy mama and a healthy baby is the goal.
To all my fellow pregnant mamas, listen to your body. Most of the time, it will tell us what we need to do.
High Fives,
Brandy
Guacamole
April 5th, 2010
Shouldn’t there be a wonderful adjective that begins with the letter ‘g’ to name this guacamole? I think so. Because there’s guacamole.
And then.
There’s Guacamole.
Guacamole will definitely be in heaven. But not guacamole with a little ‘g’….like they serve at SOME places……eh hem….
Here’s how to make the real deal.
Fresh……
Delicious……
Can’t- stop- eating- it…….
Guacamole.
You’ll need:
3 large RIPE avocados (nice and soft, but not too soft)
3 fresh garlic cloves
a handful of fresh cilantro
1/4 to 1/2 a yellow onion (or purple or white, whatever you have)
1-2 limes, depending on their juiciness
salt, pepper, and cumin
1. Cut avocados in half, and place into bowl and give it a rough smash. Please do NOT make it smooth. That AIN’T Guacamole.
2. Squeeze limes directly into bowl over avocados.
3. Chop onion and throw in.
4. Use a garlic press or finely chop garlic and place into bowl.
5. Mix thoroughly and add chopped cilantro and spices. Stir one more time.
EAT with your favorite organic or healthy tortilla chips.
Heavenly.
Enjoy,
Brandy
Weekly Meal Plan A
April 6th, 2010
Many of you have asked me to post our weekly menu. The following is what we’re eating for dinner this week.
Monday – Taco Salad with Homemade Pico, Guac, Organic Chips and Salsa
Tuesday – Baked Chicken, Brown Rice, Steamed Veggies and Salad
Wednesday – Garlic Spaghetti, Salad and Bread
Thursday – Baked Tilapia, Quinoa, Steamed Veggies, Salad, and Rolls
Friday – We eat out on Friday nights for Ferguson Family Fun Night!!!
Saturday – Steak Sandwiches and Salad
Sunday – Grilled Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Veggies, Salad, Rolls
I know I don’t have all these recipes up, but will try to work on that soon.
Happy Eating!
Brandy
Mud Bath
April 7th, 2010
The boys had an idea…
a very, very muddy idea….
Levi had fun throwing mudballs at his brothers….and watching the insanity….
“Cover my back, too!!” they said to one another….
Drew was DONE.
Needless to say, Daddy had to hose them off before they could hit the showers.
Welcome to my world.
Brandy
The Importance of Slowing the Pace: Energy Conservation for Mothers
April 7th, 2010
It’s not rocket science, the fact that an actual marathon runner slows their pace and adjusts their speed to conserve energy in order to be able to complete their race.
Why would it be any different for a mother? Sometimes motherhood is so much harder than at other times.
I find that for me personally, winters are my roughest season. It never fails that just in time to coincide with the ugly, gloomy, dark days of winter, I am met with sick children. Already somewhat blue because I am naturally inclined to be peppy according to the sunshine, I find myself quite often, slipping into a funk during the winter months when it seems my children just won’t stop getting sick.
This year was no different, as we battled stomach viruses, at least twice, horrible colds, upper respiratory infections and airway issues, fever, so on and so on. And the whole time I dreaded leaving the house for fear of one of them getting something else or God forbid, H1N1.
I couldn’t wait for winter to be over this year. Because, yes, I do so love spring and truly LIVE for summer time, but also because it meant an end in sight to all the sickness. And with six kids, it seemed I was always worried about who had what or who was about to catch what from whom.
Frazzled.
Drained.
Ready for spring.
And alas, spring has yet again arrived and I have begun to breathe a huge sigh of relief and thankfulness. Something about the springtime just resonates so deeply within me. The vibrant colors, the sound of the chirping of the birds, seeing the butterflies newly freed from their cocoons….It’s just so glorious! The planting of the vegetable garden in my backyard, the flowers on my front porch, the laughter of the boys from being able to once again play and run free outside….It’s all so welcomed and beautiful.
But unfortunately, there are times within the spring season and every other season as well, that I get run down. Like most moms, I have learned that another one of the times when I need to slow down and conserve energy is when my husband is out of town.
I am sure any military wife or single mom can relate in that, when the husband is gone, it’s all on OUR shoulders. This isn’t a big deal if it’s just a day or two, usually. But right now, at seven months pregnant, just the one day that my husband is gone, I find myself needing to adjust the pace.
So, what does that mean exactly? Well, of course it will mean different things to different moms. But for me, it means that I won’t do as much housework today as I normally do. It means I won’t go out of my way to change all the sheets in the house. It means that if I don’t feel like doing the dishes after lunch, and then asking for help or even leaving them til tomorrow will be just fine. Because it’s all on me. It’s vitally mportant for me to sustain my energy so that I can be with my children all day, all the way til bedtime, alone. Maybe my house won’t be so clean in the morning, but my children will be taken care of.
So, slow the pace. Conserve your energy when you know you need to. It’s the smart thing to do.
And housework will still be around for me when I’m an old lady, but my children will only be children once.
Weekly Meal Plan B
April 8th, 2010
Another weekly menu from the Ferguson Kitchen:
I won’t put days of the week, because I might change my mind what I want to cook on what day, but here’s the menu that I will use to make my grocery list.
Vegetable Beef Stew and Cornbread
Lemon Chicken, Rice, and Green Beans
Black Bean Tacos with (of course) Guacamole, Pico and Sour Cream
Chicken with Asparagus/Green Leaf Salad and Bread
Homemade Mac and Cheese, Salad and Veggies
Chicken Fajitas (with loads of grilled bell pepper and onions and of course, guac, pico, salsa, cheese and sour cream)
Okay…..making my grocery list now.
Save money. Eat at home. Your wallet and your body will thank you.
Love
Brandy
Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum
April 8th, 2010
I have spent hours researching what books and materials I will need for the five homeschoolers I will have next year.
I will have a 7th grader, a 4th grader, a 2nd grader,a Kindergartner, a pre-schooler and a toddler for the 2010 school year, not to mention a brand new, bouncing baby boy.
I’m going to have to have my materials ready. I am going to have to be geared up, have my act together, my game on, whatever you wanna call it. I’m not scared. I’ve done my homework.
Here’s what I plan to order in addition to being a part of a group called Classical Conversations that meets once a week.
For Nolan and Hayden, I have decided to have back-up resources on hand for Bible, History/Geography and Science, using this:
Switched-On Schoolhouse® 2010
Switched-On Schoolhouse is a comprehensive, Bible-based curriculum that offers computer-based learning for grades 3-12. With 3-D animation, video clips, and other fascinating multimedia, Switched-On Schoolhouse is the perfect homeschool curriculum for today’s generation. With this flexible, best-selling curriculum, you can customize student learning to fit individual educational needs.
Additionally, I will order this textbook for Nolan’s Science from Classical Conversations Bookstore:
Latin and English textbooks and study materials for these two older boys will come from CC, as well.
I will also be teaching Health one day each week, using this text from SchoolAid for Nolan:
and this one for Hayden:
and while I’m at it, this one for Dylan from Rod and Staff:
Dax, the Kindergartner will start the year with My Father’s World Phonics. It’s a sweet approach to teaching your young one the foundations.
All four of the older boys will use grade-appropriate math materials from Saxon Math.
Drew and Levi will have some fun with these, and hopefully learn something, and if I’m super lucky, be entertained while I nurse the baby and tend to the others’ lessons.
I’ll purchase these from My Father’s World, too:
http://www.mfwbooks.com/toddler_presch.htm
I am so looking forward to re-organizing for next year, getting new materials, and of course more stickers for Levi. We need lots of stickers since he wears those instead of clothes these days.
I know, I know the summer hasn’t even started, but I’m excited.
Challenged for next year, but I’m ready!
So….2010 – 2011 school year, I just have two words for ya!!
GAME ON!
Keepin’ it real,
Brandy
Enjoying the Scenery
April 9th, 2010
All week long, I work. I mean I really work.
Not to give myself a pat on the back, that’s not the point. The truth is I have six young children and I don’t really have a choice but to WORK. Truly six days a week. (I take the Bible pretty seriously.)
Monday through Friday, my days are filled with cooking, cleaning, teaching, wiping, refereeing, cleaning, wiping, teaching, cooking, refereeing, cleaning, cooking, and yes, wiping. Yeah, there are some days that I admit I am more nuts than others, but I do try to keep my perspective. That this really is holy work.
But holy or not, it’s still WORK!
Today’s Friday, and even though I always have a list of different types of work for myself and my family for Saturday, I still love the change in scenery, the change of pace, the break from the monotony of the Monday through Friday regimen.
We got done with schoolwork today by lunchtime and decided to spend some time in the backyard since it’s such a beautiful day. We watered the vegetable and melon gardens. The boys played in the dirt that had dried up from their previous adventure with the mud bath. Just for fun, Levi went ahead and took off his Pull-up and went and peed on the back fence. Then I remembered that we hadn’t done our after-lunch chores. That the floor was still desperately calling to be swept and mopped. That the kitchen counters were lonely for my touch. And then. I did something somewhat out of character for me, especially when I am in nesting mode.
I.
Sat.
Down.
In the rocking chair on the back porch.
Suddenly my focus was shifted. I heard the birds singing a beautiful melody. I heard my children laughing as they squished mud through their fingers and molded it into the shape of …. poop. Yeah, I said it. I have six boys, remember?
Anyway, back to the poetic train of thought.
The sounds of spring filled the air and the sunshine and absolutely perfect temperature brought a smile to my face. I didn’t care anymore that most of the boys were sitting in a pile of dirt with no shirt on and would need baths as soon as this little excursion was over. I forgot about the dishes, the floors, the food that still needed to be put away.
And I enjoyed the scenery.
Rocking chairs are good like that. Once you get in one, they seem to have this calming effect, an ability to make you slow down and think about the moment. They have some sort of special tuner that helps you hear better, helps you listen more closely to the call of the things that are more important. Like your kids laughing. They help you to see better and to remember just what matters most.
Every mom should have a rocking chair on her back porch. But if you don’t, you can sit on the steps, or the porch, or even the grass.
Take a moment today. Sit down. Breathe. Let it all go.
And enjoy the scenery.
Vegetable Beef Stew
April 12th, 2010
A cherished, delicious, soul-food recipe, passed down from my grandmother to my mother to me, vegetable beef stew, is ALWAYS a hit! It doesn’t have to be snowy or gloomy outside to appreciate this warm bowl of loveliness.
Healthy, inexpensive, delicious!
Vegetable Beef Stew
*Please note that with this and other posts, I always opt for organic when possible, as fresh as possible, or at the very least, hormone and GMO-free foods.* (Another blog for another day…) Just go for healthy, k?
You’ll need:
1 or 1 1/2 pounds ground meat or stew meat
one yellow onion – diced
one medium size can of tomato sauce or stewed tomatoes
6-8 washed, peeled and cut potatoes
2 cups of baby carrots or sliced carrots – your choice
2 cups corn (frozen is better than canned, but canned works)
2 cups green beans
salt and pepper
1. Brown the meat, drain the grease, return to pan, salt and pepper it.
2. Add the onions and a little water to prevent scorching. Cook about five minutes until onions are soft.
3. Add the tomato sauce or tomatoes, a can of water, and bring to boiling.
4. Add carrots, cover with water, and let boil for ten minutes.
5. Add potatoes. Why the ten minutes? For some reason, carrots take longer to soften up, and you don’t want your potatoes overdone. Make sense? (You’ll need to cover the potatoes with water, too. This can be several cups.) Boil some more.
6. Once the carrots and potatoes are fork-tender, add in your corn and green beans, salt and pepper.
7. Boil a few more minutes, then taste to see if you need to add any more salt or pepper.
Serve with cornbread and you have a complete, balanced, healthy meal that your whole family will kiss you for. Promise! That’s why I am making it this week. For the kisses. And cuz this stew makes me remember my Mama and my Grandma, and the way they cooked it and the way the house smelled so delicious when they took the lid off the pot. Oh, and cuz it’s yummy.
Hope you enjoy.
Love
Brandy
Pico de Gallo
April 13th, 2010
Rooster Beak.
Yep. Literal translation.
Why in the world did someone name this concoction “Rooster Beak”?
My kids and I are still trying to figure this one out. If you find out, let me know, would ya?
They could have named it Tomato/Onion/Cilantro/Jalapeno/Lime Dip or something really fun like that, but no. Pico de Gallo.
Whatever it’s called, I LIVE TO EAT IT.
Not to be confused with salsa. And don’t accept anything but fresh!
In fact, make your own. Here’s how.
You’ll need:
4 roma tomatoes – diced
juice of one lime – a lot of juice makes it soooo good!
2 fresh garlic cloves – pressed or finely chopped ( I use my garlic press – makes it easy!)
a good handful of cilantro – pluck the leaves off, throw out the stems and chop
1/2 to one whole jalapeno – depending on how hot you want it….de-seed and chop finely…..
1/2 yellow or purple onion – diced….can be same size as tomatoes…(you just want the garlic and jalapeno tiny so they blend easier)
add some salt and stir
Eat it like this:
Divine!
Pile it on tacos, nachos, enchiladas, burritos or just eat it with a spoon like me. If you want. Even if you’re not 7 months pregnant with your seventh boy, you’ll still appreciate the fabulousness of this recipe.
Happy dicing!
Brandy
Easiest Tacos Ever
April 13th, 2010
Noticing a theme here?
No, not the Mexican food one.
I love the words Easiest…Ever.
Because I am a mom. Of many.
Many.
Children.
So I appreciate Easy.
I also happen to really love healthy food at the same time.
Which is why this recipe is perfect for me.
And for you.
Easiest Tacos Ever
You’ll need:
can of black beans
fresh, shredded Jack cheese (use cheddar if you like better) (and yes, I made that rhyme on purpose because I am the nerdiest of nerds)
corn tortillas (or whole wheat flour….whatever you’re in the mood for)
The terribly hard to follow instructions are … as follows…. (couldn’t help myself):
1. Heat beans in sauce pan. Add a dash of cumin, salt and pepper, if you desire.
2. Grate the cheese. (Notice I did not choose the words “cut the cheese”. Because if you live with six boys, someone WILL!!!)
3. Steam your tortillas in the microwave for one minute. (Place a stack on a plate, then cover with another identical plate.)
You’re done. Dinner in five minutes. No kidding!!
WAIT!!!!!
Don’t forget to make your fresh Pico de Gallo and Guacamole to add to these babies! They just won’t be the same without this delicious duo!!!
Now, relax. Because you’ve just made an inexpensive, healthy and quick meal that your family will devour!!!
Here’s to eating like you’re running a marathon!!
Love
Brandy
“Great Websites for Moms” Search
April 14th, 2010
I am compiling a short list of wonderful mom-owned websites that sell unique children’s items. If you are the hard-working owner of a great website for moms, or know someone who is, please submit an entry for consideration by leaving a comment below. You can also private message me by emailing me at the address listed on my contact page.
Websites chosen will be featured here on The Marathon Mom front page.
Thanks for your help,
Brandy
Wonderful Websites for Moms
April 15th, 2010
I am always first impressed, and then inspired when I discover a really great, mom-owned website that sells cool stuff for kids. As a busy mother myself, I know and understand the demands to satisfy the needs of my growing family, while at the same time, choosing to help supplement the family income by using my talents or hobbies.
There are bunches of wonderful mom-owned websites out there, but I have picked three of my current favorites to share with you.
Featured first is Custom Kids Decor, a website that sells unique, hand-painted wooden letters and other decorator items for your kids’ rooms. Nicole, mother of two preschool-age little girls, works nightly designing custom letters to match the theme in your child’s room. Inexpensive, made-to-order, and delivered to your door, her designs are a must-have for your baby’s new room!! I will be ordering Landen’s letters soon.
Now, if I only had a little girl so that I could justify ordering EVERYTHING from Stacy’s website, Baby’s Butt Boutique! These embellished outfits are amazing!!! When not busy with her baby boy, Stacy enjoys her hobby of making ordinary outfits into extraordinary creations!! Take a look at some of her designs below.
Aren’t these outfits TOO ADORABLE!?!
And thirdly, one I discovered long ago, Mom4Life, is a wonderful website where you can find tons of mom-invented products for families. You will see many, many awesome baby and kid items like baby slings, cloth diapers and more, that owner Heather has collected and featured on her website to pass on to you. While you’re there, click on her blog, too – it’s always full of great information and inspiration, as well!
Way to go ladies! You’re all my heroes!!
Happy Thursday!
Brandy
Side by Side
April 16th, 2010
Dear fellow homeschooling moms,
As the schoolyear draws to a close, I have found myself lately with less patience with the boys. I know that for me, circumstances are probably different as I am enormously pregnant and still in deep mourning over the loss of my mother. However, to me, a bottom-line-kind-of-gal, there’s no excuse for lack of virtue. Often lately, I have found myself crying out to God for more order, that the boys would be less bouncy-in-their-seats, less complaining, that they would just do their work peacefully and joyfully.
And as I have prayed this prayer to Him, asking in desperation at times, He has slowly revealed something profound yet so simple to me. I listened to a message called Tips for Teaching a Houseful on the Tapestry of Grace website and something stirred within me. Although most of what the lady shared was somewhat “review” material for me, I did have a few “aha!” moments, as I realized what was really going on in our particular homeschool classroom. Then this article from Daily Focus was in my email inbox this morning and it made the “final click” in my spirit. The realization.
It’s not the kids. (It almost never is, by the way.) It’s me. I am the “problem”.
Now, before I give the wrong idea that we’re way behind and terribly unorganized, let me say that we’re not. We still get our work done every day. That’s not been the issue. The issue (again, MY issue) has been about peace and order. I am, in my own nature, quiet, reserved, serene, peaceful and I want it that way around me too. I can hear the many echoes of laughter as readers see those words and think, “um….ya have six boys, lady!!!” And I know that. And I know boys will be more rugged and loud and just plain BRUTE at times and that is expected and appropriate behavior for testosterone filled bodies who will grow into Godly men someday. But for my classroom, that I want filled with sunshine and daisies and sounds of Mozart…wel, it just flat out tries my patience at times.
So, I’ve thought and prayed. And after asking God to change THEM, to make THEM more compliant with MY ways, that THEY would be more obedient to MY plan, God showed me this valuable lesson.
Maybe I already knew it too, but I know it better now and the particular lesson has been applied to this situation.
I am the one who needs change. I am to reflect the peace of God back to my children. I can’t expect them to be peaceful and quiet if I am reflecting the chaos around me. If I am obedient to the Titus 2 commands to us as wives and mothers, to be diligent homemakers, peaceful, quiet and busy, then the result is the answer to my prayer.
Maybe you’ve been in my shoes. Maybe not. These are the real challenges of homeschooling in a large family. I am so thankful that I know a God who listens, offers support, solutions, and answers to prayers. He hasn’t left me or you alone in this important job.
The article I referred to is below, and the link to The Tapestry of Grace website is http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/index.php Click on Tips for Teaching a Houseful on the right.
Hope you’re encouraged,
Brandy
********************************
Side by Side
by Daily Focus (a publication by Alpha Omega Publications)
Friday / April 16, 2010
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
Would you like to know a successful homeschooling secret? My children did their best schoolwork when I sat next to them as they completed their assignments. Sounds too simple, doesn’t it? I thought so, too, until I tested my theory. No matter their age, the difference was remarkable between the days when I quietly sat nearby and the days when I was busy with chores in another room. Apparently, my presence empowered them with the reassurance that I was there to help if they had a question.
Do you feel alone in facing your homeschooling battles today? Praise God, His love and strength are as close as your next prayer. When you need an extra “hand” to get through a particularly tough day, He knows and cares. God loves you so much that He’ll send the exact person you need to help hold you up. If you find yourself in a heavy situation right now, pray and watch as God proves Himself mighty in sending the encouragement you need. “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand” (Psalm 37:24).
Father, thank You for watching over me and taking care of my every need. I lift up these homeschooling problems to You! Please, help me. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Lemon Chicken
April 16th, 2010
I have so many memories of sitting at the table with my Mom, Dad and sisters, enjoying this scrumptious, melt-in-your-mouth meal. My mom could make it like no other! In fact, I’ve never had it anywhere else. She was the only person I ever knew to make this dish. Anytime she made it when I was a child and even through my teen years, I remember everyone at the table scraping the pan clean. So delicious,we’d pour any extra “juice” from the pan over our rice. Oh, soooo good!
I remember calling her after I grew up and moved out on my own, to get her recipe. She told me it was just butter and lemon juice and chicken. Convinced I could make it just like her, I tried.
It
WASN’T
the same.
I don’t know what I did back then…probably cooked it on 450 degrees or something dumb like that, but it wasn’t good.
I can make it now. Maybe it is one of those recipes that has to mature as you age or something, develop as your gracefulness in the kitchen grows. I definitely am more graceful in the kitchen than I used to be. I don’t think my Lemon Chicken is as good as hers, but I am still working on it, and so far, this recipe comes pretty close.
I made it last night and missed her. The smell of fresh-squeezed lemons still makes me think of her, standing there, making our most favorite family recipe as kids…..Here ya go.
Lemon Chicken
You’ll need:
4 or 5 chicken breasts, any skin or fat removed, for the love of Pete!!
2 0r 3 lemons, depending on size
a stick of salted butter
1. Melt the butter in the pan.
2. Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice (no seeds….cuz they’re not fun to chew…)
3. Add chicken to pan and salt and pepper. Flip them over so that both sides are coated.
4. Cook in a 375 oven for 45 minutes to an hour.
Serve with steamed rice, your favorite veggies, bread, salad…YUMMMMM!
You can thank my Mama!
Still missin’ her,
Brandy
Let’s Talk About Food
April 17th, 2010
I’ve always been compelled to be a healthy eater, but as a mother, I am even more so. Giving my children the best chance possible to grow into healthy, mature adults includes feeding them the healthiest foods I can. Not a problem, since I love to cook and love to feed them.
But in a world (America) filled with pesticides, growth hormones and GMO’s, it’s often difficult to navigate the world of nutrition when attempting to feed our children good food. And I admit, I am in no way the expert. But I do try. Here’s how it boils down around the Ferguson kitchen.
We eat AT HOME EVERY MEAL SIX DAYS A WEEK.
Why is this such a big deal? Because I can control a whole lot easier what goes into my children’s bodies. We have no idea where restaurants get their foods or what’s in them sometimes, so eating at home allows me, at least a chance, to try and choose the best foods.
I choose ORGANIC MILK and organic, GRASS-FED MEAT.
So what? Milk and meat that’s not organic is filled with RGBH, a growth hormone for cows that should NEVER be inside a child’s developing body. Not to mention that these cows are also almost always corn-fed, antibiotic-doused, slaughterhouse nightmares!
We choose to eat organic SPINACH, spring mix or green leaf SALAD with most of our meals.
This is a powerful way of not only getting in our “greens”, but also combatting some of the “junk” that does happen to get into their systems. Put some Ranch on it, your kid will eat it, too!
We DON’T buy junk food!
This includes high-fructose-corn-syrup filled cookies and crackers. It also includes other popular snack items like flavored tortilla and potato chips. So what do our kids snack on when they’re hungry? They eat fruit, or a yogurt cup (organic when possible), nuts, raisins, cheese, granola bars or whole grain cereal (usually organic)…..sometimes even a tomato with salt and pepper, or carrots and ranch. If junk food is not in the pantry or fridge, then you don’t have to worry about your kid eating it. Simple.
We only buy ORGANIC apples.
Big deal. So? Our kids eat a LOT of apples!! Apples are one of the biggest pesticide-laden fruits, after peaches. Since our kids consume so many, paying the extra cash for the untainted varieties makes me feel like I am offering them the healthier option.
I pay attention to the DIRTY DOZEN list and try to make the best decision with what’s available.
I’ve done some research over the years and discovered that there are certain varieties of produce that are worth spending the extra money on for organic, and for others, like bananas or avocados, it doesn’t matter. For instance, bananas and avocados have such a thick, tough skin, that when the conventionally grown varieties are tested in “the lab”, they have shown no significantly higher numbers of pesticides compared to their organic counterparts. So, knowing this saves me a little cash and I can choose to spend it on things that I know are more tainted, like those peaches I mentioned, that when sprayed, absorb TONS of chemicals. EWWW! Or carrots, which sit in the ground and absorb not only the intentional spray, but the run-off from the ground around them. Here’s a helpful article to help you make the most informed decision on what to buy organic and what’s okay to save your money on. http://www.oregonlive.com/idahosportugal/index.ssf/2008/11/the_dirty_dozen_fruits_and_veg.html
So there ya go. Have fun shopping! Eat healthy. Teach your kids to, too!
Love
Brandy
Preschoolers and Homeschooling
April 19th, 2010
This was a snap when all I had was a preschooler and a baby. Advance five children and 10 years later, and it takes some thinking and organization.
Many people ask what I “do” with my little ones while teaching my older ones. Here’s what works for me.
For Dax and Drew, who are five and four, I’ve had great success with printing out letter and number pages from various websites (see links on sidebar) for them to color and practice. Sometimes, we will review using flashcards for numbers. When they get bored with all the coloring, counting, and reciting of numbers and letters, sometimes I print out extra activities from PBS kids for them to do. And what after that? Ya know….those four minutes?
STARFALL!!!!!!! I love Starfall.com . The boys have so much fun “playing games” and learn so much. I usually try to follow along with whatever letter I focused on with them that day.
They do have books that we use from Rod and Staff, too. These workbooks can be ordered here: http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Rod_and_Staff_Preschool/
When they’re done with that, sometimes they’ll ask to play games at abcya.com, another great website for educational games. Or maybe they’ll do puzzles that we keep in the schoolroom. Or color on the tabletop with the dry erase markers (it’s wipeable…)
And after that…well, I’m out of ideas (for today)……No macaroni craft projects here. Sorry to disappoint. Oh, but I did give them doughballs from this morning’s leftover bicsuit dough. So there.
But what about Levi, you ask?
I’m just really glad that he hasn’t flushed the puzzle pieces down the toilet so far. Most of the walls in our house have been decorated by him… And he is the guardian of the printer. Anytime anything is coming out of the printer, he is quick to alert me that somethin’ is “cookin”. Love that stinker!!!!
Anyway, that’s the scoop. Remember to credit yourself with the fact that you’re probably reading to your preschoolers on the sofa at some point during the day. And family devotions at night with Daddy count, too! That’s just the way it is with homeschooling…It’s a lifestyle of learning, every day, all day.
Happy Homemaking!
Brandy
Sauteed Vegetables
April 20th, 2010
OH MY GOODNESS!!!!
Our family just finished up this delish dish, so I am not quite over it yet. You’ll have to excuse my excessive enthusiasm.
To sautee fresh veggies, first choose your favorites, then wash, and slice ‘em up any way you like ‘em.
My favorites are purple onion, fresh garlic, yellow squash and zucchini. Use however many your family can eat. For us, it’s a whole onion, 3 yellow squash and 3 zukes.
Here’s what you do:
1. In a large saute pan, drizzle in some olive oil and throw in your onions. Salt, stir and cook on high heat til soft.
2. Add in your zucchini and squash. Cook til soft. (They won’t look as pretty, but oh, they taste amazing!)
3. Add your 3 fresh garlic cloves (minced or use garlic press), a splash of soy sauce, a dash of salt and pepper.
You’re done.
Eat the superamazingdelightfullydelicious plate of health.
So good. Even my husband said so. And if you knew him, you would make this recipe just to see how and why he would say this.
Happy sauteeing!
Brandy
Testosterone at its Finest
April 20th, 2010
Recently, the boys asked for boxing gloves. A firm believer in allowing boys to grow into men, I relented, although somewhat reluctantly…..and THIS is the result. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry when I watch this video that my husband put together.
Click on the link below to view the madness that I call my life.
Oh, and don’t mess with me. I am surrounded by men. Lots of men.
Earth Day 2010
April 21st, 2010
Earth Day is this Thursday!!!
As the mother of a large family, I am routinely reminded of the size of our footprint. I do my best and weigh my options when it comes to things like the “running the dishwasher more vs. buying paper plates” debate. Some things are just gray areas for me.
But there are other things that we can do to be more planet-friendly that are easier to figure out.
Like recycling. What’s to explain?
And cleaners. That’s a no-brainer for me. I use the same spray bottle that I have had for a couple of years and I refill it with vinegar and water for our all-purpose cleaning solution. I use a tablespoon or two of olive oil on a rag to clean our wood furniture. Obviously, it doesn’t pollute the environment since we not only eat it, but use it for moisturizing our skin and hair, too!
And then there’s the diaper debate. I used to think it didn’t matter. That is was a gray area. But I’ve since moved over to the opinion that I am not contributing any more diapers to the landfill, so cloth diapers are the better option. Not to mention, cloth diapers are healthier for my babies’ bottoms, too!
These are just a few things that I CAN do to try and protect our planet Earth.
For more ideas, check out the savings at: http://www.amazon.com/b/?&node=1260993011&tag=themarmom-20
Happy Earth Day!!!!
Hugs,
Brandy
Be It Ever So Humble
April 21st, 2010
If we would have a true home,
we must guard well our thoughts and actions.
A single bitter word
may disquiet the home for a whole day;
but, like unexpected flowers
which spring up along our path full of freshness, fragrance, and beauty,
so do kind words and gentle acts and sweet disposition
make glad the home
where peace and blessing dwell
No matter how humble the abode,
if it be thus garnished with grace
and sweetened by kindness and smiles,
the heart will turn lovingly towards it
from all the tumults of the world,
and home,
“be it ever so humble,”
will be the dearest spot under the sun.
-The Golden Gems of Life
Chicken Tortilla Soup
April 22nd, 2010
This soup can serve as your appetizer for a Mexican-style meal, or it can be the meal itself. So delicious, and good for you, this soup recipe has become one of my favorite meals to make for our family.
You’ll need:
2 chicken breasts (all natural, no hormones, antibiotic-free)
1 can or box organic chicken broth (or more, it’s up to you)
1 can Rotel (diced)
2 limes
1-3 garlic cloves
1/2 a yellow onion – diced
chili powder
cilantro
jack cheese
tortilla chips
*steamed rice
Instructions:
1. Cover chicken breasts in plenty of water in a large pot and boil until done.
2. Remove chicken from pot, pull apart (into small pieces), and return to water. (Don’t drain the water from the pan.)
3. Sautee onion five minutes, add minced garlic or (use garlic press) cloves, and 2 TBSP chili powder. Stir and then add to chicken. Bring to boil.
4. Add Rotel and chicken broth and 3 TBSP lime juice. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes.
5. While soup is simmering, prepare steamed rice.
6. When soup and rice are done, spoon some rice into bowl, then soup on top. Top with cilantro leaves, grated Jack cheese. Garnish with lime wedges. Add chips to side.
*** Other yummy things that can go into this soup while it’s cooking are sliced zucchini or corn.
***Sometimes I like to add fresh slices of avocado to my bowl of soup.
However you decide to serve it, expect to enjoy a second helping.
Can’t wait for dinner tonight!! YUM!!
Happy simmering!
Brandy
Weekly Meal Plan D
April 23rd, 2010
What am I going to do when I run out of letters in the alphabet??? Just kidding. There are, after all, 26 letters in the alphabet, and even if I was super creative and never repeated any one dish on any of the weekly menus, that would still be awesome, considering you would only eat each dish twice a year.
Be very very proud of me for doing that math.
Now. It’s Friday and I have to shop tomorrow, so here we go. Another unique menu from the Fergulicious Kitchen.
In random order, because I am type A, but not THAT type A.
Turkey/Guacamole Paninis (please do not forget to buy purple onion for this!!!!)
Mushroom Gravy Chicken (get your exercise the morning OF)
Stuffed Bell Peppers (one of every color, please!)
Chicken Pot Pie (my good friend’s recipe, maybe she’ll let me share someday)
Steak, Tabouleh, Steamed Broccoli, Salad and Bread
Notice there are only five meals here. That’s because lately, we’ve been eating a lot of leftovers for a sixth meal or we just make that night a sandwich night. If you keep fresh veggies and breads and cheeses in your fridge, this is such a blessing on nights when you’re a little extra tired because you did all 26 loads of laundry that were piled up outside the laundry room door. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. 
Eat well. Stay at the table longer and watch your kids’ antics. Like how Hayden rubs his food with his left hand while eating with the right. He’s multi-sensory that way. Enjoy life!
With a grateful heart,
Brandy
Preschoolers and Gardening
April 25th, 2010
We planted a vegetable garden in our backyard this spring.
The boys are having a blast watching it grow. The yellow squash are in the lead!
All of the boys seem so fascinated by watching the plants produce fruit. Little Dax is examining a baby squash here.
They routinely come in the house to tell me about another yellow squash they’ve found!
We really will have so many to enjoy this summer! Can’t wait to enjoy them right out of our garden!
This has been pretty much a “no-work” garden, considering my husband and the boys built them and now, the boys water them for me regularly.
Here’s Little Dax, hard at work. He likes to use the proper hose. With the proper spray setting. He’s Type A like me.
The Melon Patch…..
Cantoloupes and watermelons….Here we grow!!!
The cantoloupes are way ahead of the watermelons…….
My sweet Dax. Watering with the proper hose.
My sweet Drew. Watering with…..what’s that??? Yes. A gun.
A water gun, that is.
“THIS is how I do it, Mama!”
“Now, what else can I shoot!?!”
Cute picture attempt by Mom #1.
Cute picture attempt by Mom #2……
“Look at ME!!!!” I say. “Quit showing me your gum!!!”
Cute enough.
Love these boys to PIECES!!!!!!
Love,
Brandy
Baby Food Cake
April 26th, 2010
In just a few days, my dear, sweet, amazing Grandma would be celebrating her 99th birthday. This will be the first year that I can remember, not getting to bring her something sweet to share with her on her special day. I miss her. And I miss her even more since I started typing these words onto this screen.
So. I can’t be with her this year to bring her a pretty cake and pretty package and a pretty card, but celebrate her, I will!!!
In her honor, this week, I will be sharing her sweetness by posting my most memorable dessert recipes from her kitchen. I cooked these with her, on many occasions. She was my teacher. And I don’t just mean my baking instructor.
First up is her Baby Food Cake. I don’t know where she got this recipe, so I cannot credit the source, but I haven’t seen it anywhere else.
Instructions:
Mix together: 
2 cups self-rising flour (or regular flour plus 1 tsp baking soda)
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon or nutmeg (or some of each)
2 jars of baby food ***
Cook in a greased and floured bundt pan on 300 degrees for one hour.
***Grandma only used plums. Baby food plums are hard to find these days. Sometimes I am able to find plums and apples. Sometimes I can’t even find that and have used apples and blueberries or whatever sounds good. It isn’t the same, but it’s still yummy. Of course, mine is never as good as hers, anyway.
Please allow yourself to lick the spoon and bowl. 
Grandma had this really neat way of making the flour that she used to flour the pan taste really good. We never could wait for her cakes to cool.
So simple, and soooo moist. And definitely not just for babies!
Here’s to you, my sweet Grandma!
Love,
Brandy
Nolan Cooks it Up!!
April 27th, 2010
- This is our oldest son, Nolan. When he was three, he said to us, “I want to be a cooker-guy when I grow up!”
So tonight, for our family dinner, he made us pizzas!!!
He’s making the sauce by pressing some fresh garlic cloves and mixing with tomato sauce.
And spreading it over the dough…….
veggies…..
pepperoni….
and of course…………
cheese…….Lots and lots of cheese!!!
Chef Nolan begins adding the layers of deliciousness.
Time to bake. One pepperoni. And one veggie with pepperoni.
mmmmmmm…….time to eat!!!!!
CHEEEEEEESE!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for a great dinner, Nolan! You rock and roll!!!!
From the Fergulicious Kitchen,
Brandy
I Just Can’t Do It!!
April 27th, 2010
Have you ever said those words? Ever felt like you just couldn’t do it anymore? Have you ever doubted your calling? Your value? Your importance?
No matter how significant or seemingly mundane the job, sometimes we feel we just aren’t enough. In particular, as moms, sometimes we feel like we just don’t have what it takes to get the job done or the energy to keep going.
Raising this many boys could be a pretty daunting job, and there are times when I doubt my own abilities to raise them into Godly men. But I am reminded:
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
More verses to ponder today:
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Colossians 1:29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Psalm 128:2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
1 Corinthians 3:7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Prayer guide:
Father God, thank You that I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength! Thank You, that even though my job may seem hard or my work may go unnoticed, that You, God have prepared this work for precisely ME to do. Help me to embrace my calling, to work at it with diligence as I trust in You to be my guide. I stand amazed, Lord, at all You do through me. God, work in me and through me for your purposes. I know that as I surrender to You, your energy is at work in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Hang in there, mamas! You CAN do it!
Love,
Brandy
Peach Cobbler
April 27th, 2010
It’s my Grandma’s birthday week and here’s the second sweet recipe in her honor.
I can’t eat this and not think of her. Sweet Grandma.
When I was little, I wouldn’t eat this. It had fruit in it and I was adamantly opposed to anything remotely healthy.
Little did I know…….
This custard-like pan of sweet comfort food is anything BUT the healthiest.
Except for the peaches. They’re healthy, right?
Well, anyway. I finally grew up enough one day to call Grandma and ask her for the terribly difficult recipe and here is what she said.
“A stick of butter, a cup of milk, a cup of flour, a cup of sugar, and a can of peaches.”
Wow! Like I said. Terribly difficult.
So, in case you’re lost, the ingredient list is:
1 stick of butter
1 cup of milk
1 cup of flour (self-rising or regular flour plus 1 tsp baking soda)
1 cup of sugar
1 can of sliced peaches
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and melt butter in glass 13×9 pan.
2. While that’s melting, mix together the flour (and baking soda if you’re using it) and sugar.
3. Stir in the milk. Beat out any lumps, but don’t over mix.
4. Pour mixture into pan.
5. Drain most of the “juice” off the peaches and dump into pan of batter. Poke the peaches down, but don’t cover them.
6. Cook on 350 til top is light golden. (It won’t look done. It will look like GOO, but it’s done!)
7. Eat with a spoonful of vanilla ice cream on top.
**** I have experimented and added cinnamon to the batter before and it is delightful. You can also add a bit of vanilla to the batter too. Sometimes, just for fun (and when I remember) I sprinkle sugar on the top just before popping it into the oven.
And also, it is sinful not to eat the batter before baking. So eat some.
Missing my Grandma,
Brandy
“How do you do it!?!” : Part 1
April 28th, 2010
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is this one. “How do you do it?”
And I think for some moms who’re asking, they mean, “How are you not crazy?” which I answer in my FAQ page.
And some moms mean this, “How are you not 250 pounds after all those pregnancies?” which I will answer on another day in another post.
But today, I want to talk to the moms who are asking me the more practical question of how I manage to keep my home clean and in order with so many boys running all over the place. Hope you’re ready.
The answer didn’t come easy for me. It was a process. An evolution of sorts. A system birthed out of sheer necessity.
Otherwise, I would be crazy(er)…….
But seriously. Yes, I work hard. But we are a home-educating (homeschooling) family, so point number one would be that our children are intentionally taught responsibility at a young age. (Yes, we need them to help, but more importantly, they need to learn not only the VALUE of helping, but how to do it cheerfully and with a happy heart.) Life is about servanthood. The sooner we get that, the better off we are.
Every morning, our children are expected to get up and do five things and no less than five things BEFORE 9 AM.
1. Get dressed.
2. Make their bed.
3. Eat breakfast.
4. Brush their teeth.
5. Each boy does his own after-breakfast chore.
Chores are listed on the fridge for them to reference when they feel like being forgetful and include the following five chores (Levi isn’t quite big enough to handle most things, but he tries) :
- tidy guest bathroom
-clean off stairs
-spray and wipe breakfast table (with vinegar solution)
-spray and wipe kitchen counters
-help Mom in laundry room (I start a load first thing every morning.)
School lessons begin at 9 and they are expected to be in the schoolroom ON TIME. Their daddy wll not stand for tardiness and will answer their defiance with appropriate discipline if he receives the report of any non-compliance when he comes home from work.
We usually work on our lessons continuously, only stopping for an occasional quick snack, and finish by 12:30, sometimes 1:00.
Then it’s time for lunch. Usually, we eat the leftovers from the night before. Often, I take this time with them to talk to them about the importance of healthy eating and how to accomplish that. Sometimes right after lunch, we’ll go out and look at the garden and see if anything is ready to harvest. But then…..
After lunch chores. Don’t feel sorry for my kids for a single second. Their chores MIGHT take all of five minutes per chore. And they’re learning obedience, diligence, cooperation, team-building, responsibility and thoroughness all at the same time. Most of the time, I don’t have to tell them more than once to do their assigned chore; they just know what to do and when, and how to do it. The five posted after lunch chores are:
-take out the kitchen trash
-sweep
-spray and wipe table
-and two boys clean/tidy the gameroom
Then it’s time for Levi’s nap. If there’s any leftover schoolwork, we also finish it during this window. Otherwise, it is free time. The boys are expected to play whatever they want, as long as it’s not LOUD. Levi’s sleeping!!!
Mom, get the laundry done!!!!!!!
Notice you haven’t seen a time slot for television watching yet. That’s because there’s not one. Any TV watching done in this house is only at night, after all work has been done for the day. The principle at work here (deeper than my hatred for television) is responsibility before privileges. In making this a lifestyle for our family, it is much easier to see how we can get “stuff” done. This doesn’t mean I don’t see the value in work hard/play hard too thinking. I get that, I really do. Which is why the boys have several hours a day of free time to run and play in the backyard, read, explore and practice their musical instruments and so on.
Which brings us to dinner. Usually around five, I call Nolan to the kitchen to help me prepare dinner. After all, he wants to be a chef. If he says he doesn’t want to help some nights, that’s okay with me. I just enjoy the time in the kitchen with him.
When dinner is ready, the boys are called to the table and each of them is expected to get their own drink. They each have a cup with their name on it, which cuts WAAAAAY down on dishes, by the way. And they are to be sitting in their chairs, with drinks, NO TOYS at the table when I begin to serve them dinner.
After dinner, you might guess what happens next……..
Yep.
After dinner chores.
-take out trash (yes, again)
-clear table
-spray and wipe table
-unload dishwasher
-spray and wipe chairs
This is usually done fairly quickly and the boys head to the living room to dogpile their father while I continue washing the dishes, cleaning the counters again, and sometimes mopping.
And that is the extent of our daily routine as far as the boys’ participation goes.
I have a whole separate chart for just myself that lists different chores for each day of the week.
Oh……the work of mothers…..It never ends.
By His Grace,
Brandy
Grilled Turkey Guacamole Sandwiches
April 27th, 2010
Or Ham Turkey Guacamole Sandwiches…..whatever you wanna stuff ‘em with…..they’re DELISH!
I don’t have a panini press yet. Sometimes I use my waffle iron for hot sandwiches, but tonight, since I had to make so many, I opted for my electric griddle. Here’s how it went down.
I bought:
sourdough bread (big slices)
avocados for the Guacamole
purple onion
spring mix
pepper jack cheese
nitrate-free, all-natural turkey and ham
First, we made the Guacamole. (Yes, I put Guacamole on EVERYTHING!)
Next, I sliced up some purple onions into thin strips….perfect for sandwiches.
Then, I heated up my griddle, slathered it with some Smart Balance, then put the slices of bread on to start browning.
I put the sliced pepper jack cheese on each of the bread slices.
I let it melt a minute, added some turkey or ham and a big spoonful of Guacamole.
I took these off the griddle just long enough to re-butter the pan and load with new bread slices. Then I put the sandwiches together.
When the second side was browned, they were ready to remove from the griddle.
This is when I added my spring mix and purple onion and even some ranch dressing for those who wanted it.
It was a hit!!!!!
Hope you enjoy!
Loving food too much,
Brandy
Weekly Meal Plan E
April 29th, 2010
YES!!!!!!! Another menu. How long can I keep this up!?!
Well, planning is a blast for me. So is writing. And so is cooking.
So the answer is…….probably forever!
We’re heading out of town towards the end of the week, so this menu is shorter for that reason.
But, man, am I so excited about this week’s food!! I found some new recipes on the Central Market website that I absolutely have to try. So here ya go.
Chicken Empanadas with fresh Guac and Crema (sour cream)
Brisket, Roasted Baby Potatoes and Steamed Baby Carrots with Rosemary
Lime Garlic Chops with Black Bean/Corn Salsa and Tortillas
Teriyaki Sesame Chicken Skewers with Rice and Salad with Ginger Dressing
If we were home, I’d planned on a pot of pinto beans, sauteed squash and cornbread for the fifth meal. Easy enough to keep most of that on hand. I may just pull this meal out whenever we harvest our first batch of squash. Any day now. Yay!
Remember for a sixth meal at home, plan for leftovers, and if you don’t have those, fresh, veggie sandwiches and salads!! Yum!
Happy first week of May!!
Brandy
“How do you do it!?!” :Part 2
April 28th, 2010
So, in Part 1, you read that the boys not only help, but they are instrumental in the steady flow of keeping our home clean and orderly. But I said I have another separate chart just for myself and here it is.
I have some goals for every single weekday, and some goals for certain days.
Every day, my goal is to do AT LEAST two loads of laundry. That means washing, drying, folding and PUTTING AWAY. If I don’t put it away, I get behind. I have realized that I am doing myself a favor for the next day when I just get it done. We have a laundry system that we custom designed for our family and it works really well. You can read about it here. I have yet to post the next part of our “laundry solutions”, and am planning on doing that really soon. Stay tuned for the breath-taking excitement!
And also, every day, my goal is to go to bed with a clean kitchen. Again, I have realized that I am doing myself a big favor when I do this, because I am setting myself up for a good start by being able to wake up to a clean kitchen. I spend a lot of time in my kitchen, and I sort of think of it as the CPU of my house. So, if it’s crazy dirty, then I am …. crazy. ‘Nuf said.
So those two goals daily, but in addition to those, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I focus my attention on the downstairs floor of our home. I know that there is no way I can clean every room, every single day, so this has to work.
Mondays, I clean our two downstairs bathrooms, our master bedroom, our office, the living room, and the floors.
Wednesdays I vacuum the stairs, dust wood furniture, and clean the formal dining room.
Fridays I clean the bathrooms again (at least the counters and toilets), clean the floors again, and make my weekly menu and grocery list if not already made.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I focus on cleaning the upstairs.
Tuesdays I clean the two upstairs bathrooms and the gameroom.
Thursdays I clean the boys’ bedroom (five boys are in one room – it’s a dorm), change their sheets, and clean the schoolroom.
Saturdays are for family projects and is also the day that Dad and the boys clean the backyard, front yard, porches and car. We also do our weekly grocery shopping on this day. I usually clean our fridge before we shop. Anything major like painting or steam-cleaning the stairs or carpet upstairs gets done on Saturdays.
And obviously, Sundays are for rest, because God said so, and because if it weren’t so, I’d be…….crazy.
So. To recap. Work hard. Eat your Wheaties. Take your vitamins. Rest on Sundays.
Amen.
Brandy
Stuffed Bell Peppers
April 29th, 2010
This ain’t meatloaf in a bell pepper. Ewww.
Well, actually, I don’t know why I said “eww” because I like meatloaf and I like bell peppers. But anyway.
I have perused other recipes and noticed that that’s what a lot of people do with stuffed bell peppers. To me, that’s just, well, another version of meatloaf. In a bell pepper bowl.
So there’s my rant.
Now. Stuffed Bell Peppers, the yummy way.
You’ll need:
1 pound of organic ground beef
1-2 cups of steamed rice
1 medium size can of tomato sauce
1/4 to 1/2 a yellow onion
3 garlic cloves
4 bell peppers (your choice of colors – green works great and is most often the cheaper option, but red, yellow, or orange would be delish)
grated cheddar cheese – at least half a pound
chili powder, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika
Instructions:
1. Brown ground meat in a saute pan and drain.
2. Add finely chopped onion to meat, turn down heat and cook til onions are translucent. Add a small amount of water to keep things from scorching.
3. Add a generous amount of chili powder (use your judgment depending on your family’s taste). I use a good 2 tablespoons.
4. Stir in a teaspoon of cumin,a teaspoon of paprika, a dash of salt and pepper.
5. Add about half the can of tomato sauce and your 3 minced garlic cloves. Cook this down for 15 minutes while your rice is steaming and you’re slicing your bells in half and discarding seeds and stems.
6. Once your rice is done, add to the meat mixture, along with the rest of the tomato sauce. Stir well. (Note here: add as much or as little rice as you care to add. Taste it. The rice dilutes the flavor. Add more to tone down. Add less if you wanna keep the heat.)
7. Spoon and pack down mixture into bell pepper halves, just till it starts to overflow. Put an insane amount of grated cheddar cheese on top of each one.
8. Bake these bad boys for about 15 minutes on 375. Turn on the broiler at the end to bubble the cheese a bit.
Now. Take them out of the oven and admire.
Do the unthinkable and add a huge tablespoon of sour cream to the top and then………
Wait…….I shouldn’t say this…….
This is probably illegal.
Pour some homemade queso on top!!!!!!!!
There. I said it.
Get a fork and knife and forget your troubles.
Like I said. This ain’t meatloaf.
Here’s to fine dining at home!!
Brandy
Only Human
April 30th, 2010
Levi developed a high fever overnight and woke up feeling terrible Thursday morning. As a mother all-too-experienced with fever in children, I normally don’t make a big deal out of it. After all, it is a God-given defense to rid our bodies of illness.
But this was different. When he woke up with the 103.4, it was somewhat out-of-the-blue and he felt absolutely terrible. When we tried to give him fever relief medicine, he could barely tolerate it and it only brought the fever down some, instead of all the way, as is usually the case for our kids.
So, I took him to the doctor, who quickly diagnosed him with a sinus infection. I went home thankful for an easy solution: antibiotics.
But that wasn’t the end of it. Levi’s fever spiked every few hours, and each time it did, he was miserable. We knew we had a long night ahead of us, so we prepared well and set up camp in the living room. My husband is amazing like that.
The point of this story is not to tell you all about Levi when he’s sick or to even talk about fevers, as it is the lessons we’re taught as mothers.
I’m tired. Really really tired this morning.
Because it’s my job as Levi’s mama to make sure he gets well, to do what it takes, round the clock, until he is feeling better. My agenda aside, my routine put away, my needs last…… So, there was little sleeping going on last night. Well, for me. Levi rested soundly next to me, while every hour on the hour, at least once or twice, I felt his head, monitoring his fever, covering or uncovering him as needed.
Levi woke up a little better this morning. He responded much better and much more quickly to medicine and it seems the antibiotics have begun to do their work. Thank God!
And I have been reminded of my extreme human-ness. Exhausted from sleep deprivation, my body that is already working hard at building a new life, has responded by feeling pretty sickly. The night’s turbulents have taken their toll on me. I am no supermom, that’s for sure. Just human.
And my human-ness in contrast with the Eternal God:
Psalm 121: 3 He who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
How much more does He love us than we love our children? How much more does He “lie awake” and watch over us, keeping vigil, ensuring our protection, our health, our well-being?
And He never tires.
He never sleeps.
Never experiences exhaustion.
Never grows weary of watching over us.
And as much as we are so relieved as mothers when we witness our children recover, and wake up healthy in the morning, how much more does He rejoice over us?
Oh, how He loves us.
Oh, how He can hardly wait for us to be “over it” and up and running again, doing what we do, what He made us to do.
Today, even in my tiredness, I am filled with gratitude. Huge peace. Knowing how big my God is. That He loves even more than I know how to love my own children. That He is a God of compassion, a never-tiring, all-enduring God who loves us.
Oh, how He loves us so.
Click here: watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps
Blessings this Friday,
Brandy
Sugar Pies
April 30th, 2010
No, I am not calling you all sugar pie……although I have been known to use southern terms of endearment.
Like dumplin’….
And sweet potater….
And honey….
Why are all these sweet terms we use the names of food?
Well, anyway. Sugar pies – the dessert.
My Grandma taught me how to make these one summer in her tiny kitchen.
I had no idea that when I grew up, I would come to find out that they are just a sugar filled empanada. I truly wonder where this dessert idea got its entrance into American baking, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it was from the Mexican culture around the turn of the century.
Grandma may not have even known where they came from. She said her mother-in-law was the lady who taught her much of what she knew in the kitchen, so I will really never know.
What I do know is that in the early 1900s, and especially if you worked on a farm during the depression, luxury food items were scarce. Grandma had a bunch of kids herself, and when some of them started asking for a sweet bite to eat, the resulting dessert came from the staples in her kitchen – flour, sugar, butter, and cocoa, she said, if they were fortunate enough to have any.
So back to the summer afternoon in my Grandma’s kitchen with her, when she taught me how to make sugar pies….
Traditionally, she said she rolled out biscuit dough from scratch to start with. But Grandma quickly adapted to Pillsbury once they became popular, so this is what she taught me with.
You’ll need:
a can of biscuits
some butter (just get out a stick)
1/2 cup of sugar
1-2 TBSP cocoa
some flour for rolling
Instructions:
1. Roll out each biscuit to 1/4 inch thickness on floured surface.
2. Smear some butter on one side of the rolled out biscuit. (You’re going to fold these in half.)
3. Mix sugar and cocoa together and spoon 1 to 1 1/2 TBSP of the mixture onto the butter side.
4. Fold in half and pinch together sides using a fork.
5. Fry on medium heat til light golden brown on each side, turning once.
Place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Grandma always had me make the whole batch, and divide it in half and go share the rest with neighbors. She ALWAYS shared her desserts with her neighbors!!
Click here : watch?v=s3bksUSPB4c&feature=related Sing this when you make these. Or else they won’t taste as good. I mean it.
I love you Grandma,
Brandy
1 Corinthians 13 For Homeschool Moms
May 1st, 2010
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and teach my children Latin conjugations, Chinese and Portuguese, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal, and no matter what I say, they will not hear me.
If I have the gift of prophecy, and know my children’s bents and God’s plan for their lives, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and am the keeper of the teacher’s editions and solutions manuals, and if I have all faith, so as to move mountains, and even keep up with my giant piles of laundry and dishes, but do not have love, I am nothing, even if all the people at church think I’m Supermom.
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and my formal dining room gets turned into a schoolroom and our family vacations look more like educational fieldtrips, and if I surrender my body to be burned, never having time to get my nails done, put makeup on or even take a bath, but do not have love, it profits me nothing, because all my family cares about is the expression on my face, anyway.
Love is patient with the child who still can’t get double-digit subtraction with borrowing, and kind to the one who hasn’t turned in his research paper. It is not jealous of moms with more, fewer, neater, more self-directed, better-behaved or smarter children. Love does not brag about homemade bread, book lists, or scholarships and is not arrogant about her lifestyle or curriculum choices. It does not act unbecomingly or correct the children in front of their friends. It does not seek its own, trying to squeeze in alone time when someone still needs help; it is not provoked when interrupted for the nineteenth time by a child, the phone, the doorbell or the dog; does not take into account a wrong suffered, even when no one compliments the dinner that took hours to make or the house that took so long to clean.
Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness or pointing out everyone else’s flaws, but rejoices with the truth and with every small step her children take in becoming more like Jesus, knowing it’s only by the grace of God when that occurs.
Love bears all things even while running on no sleep; believes all things, especially God’s promise to indwell and empower her; hopes all things, such as that she’ll actually complete the English curriculum this year and the kids will eventually graduate; endures all things, even questioning from strangers, worried relatives, and most of all, herself.
Love never fails. And neither will she. As long as she never, never, never gives up.
Misty Krasawski is the overly-blessed mom of eight children whom she homeschools in sunshine-y Florida. She has been clinging ferociously to the hand of her Lord since she was knee-high to a grasshopper, homeschooling for the past thirteen years, and has eighteen more years ahead of her with the children who are glad she will have done most of her experimenting on those who went before. Her wonderful husband Rob has much treasure laid up for him in heaven for having been called to such a daunting task. After the house goes to sleep she can sometimes be found gathering her thoughts at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MistyKrasawski.
The Laundry Project: Part 2
May 3rd, 2010
Closet organization helps drastically, but it’s not enough in a big family. There is much more to be done to keep this system working. If you haven’t read Part 1, click here. Regardless of how good your “machine”, or your system, if you have too much to process, it won’t matter.
Thus…..the paring down factor.
The what?
The getting rid of what we don’t need/want/use/wear.
Now, this principle, in my opinion should be applied in all areas of the home, and in families large and small. But for now, I am applying it to my laundry situation.
It’s a pretty basic concept that most people will say is logical and easy and practical, yes. But putting into practice in a family of nine?
Easier said than done.
But I’m on a mission. On the 8 week countdown before the new baby arrives. Here’s the plan.
1. Sort and place into bins BY SIZE, ALL boys’ winter (or otherwise out-of-season) clothes!
This will only include items I want them to wear again someday.
This means I will need to go and buy one large plastic, clear bin for each boy and LABEL it, then store it on the top shelf of the closet.
This will help me tremendously for two huge reasons. One being that the boys will just continue to wear these articles of clothing, even if it’s 100 degrees outside, which will keep me washing double time. And two, SPACE!!! I could also add that if I have them put away in sealed bins, that they will be ready for next year’s use and will stay a little nicer than if they had been worn in the sandbox and on the slip-n-slide all summer.
But what about the clothes I DON’T want them to wear again??
2. The clothes I don’t want to use anymore will be donated. They can go into one box or however many I need and be dropped off at area donation centers.
I can’t pretend for one second that I have time for a garage sale. Or that I am at all interested in the washing, ironing, sorting, hanging, laying flat of clothing, and dropping off at a children’s resale shop and then being told they will give me two dollars and 47 cents for all that work. Ugggghhhh…. No thanks.
Like I said, pretty basic idea.
Now for the doing.
Wish me luck.
Brandy
Getting Ready for Our Latest Addition: DIAPERS!
May 4th, 2010
I have so much to do before Landen’s arrival in just a few weeks. I still haven’t decided if I am going to make or buy crib bedding or if I even want any at all right now. It seems there’s nothing on the market these days that catches my eye. Maybe it’s me. Or maybe it’s the fact that this is our seventh baby boy in a row. At any rate, I need to at least set up the bassinet or portable crib in my room. Where are those sheets again???
I have several other things on my list. Like a swing. And do I still have a bouncy seat? I can’t remember. Maybe it’s because I am about to have my seventh son in a row. Did I say that already?
Anyway, he’s almost here and the first thing on my mind to take care of, for some reason, are his cloth diapers.
Yes, I just said I am going to cloth diaper my seventh son.
I haven’t always been this sensible. I have only started cloth diapering since our last baby, Levi. And I have rules. Of course.
My first rule. Don’t cloth diaper a brand new baby. They have black-tar-meconium poop that can ruin your investment….or at least make them very unsightly for the duration. And these things are built to last, so you want to keep them nice. What to do in the meantime? Chlorine-free, natural diapers. Easy solution.
And the second rule. Once they’re toddlers that poop like small men…..it’s over. I pull the disposables back out, even if just for a short while. Well, anyway, that’s the rule for now. I may change my mind this time around, though.
Why cloth diaper at all, you ask?
Many reasons.
One, and most selfishly, I care about my baby and his skin….and his growth and development. Cloth diapers are gentle on a baby’s tiny bottom and I feel great about not wrapping my child’s genitals in hormone-disrupting plastic. Not to mention the carcinogenic chlorine that they add to the disposables.
Two, I feel that cloth diapering, even though it requires water and electricity for washing, is the lesser of the two ecological evils. Filling the landfill with diapers could be significantly reduced if more people chose to cloth diaper.
Fact is, more and more people ARE choosing to cloth diaper for these reasons. More than just a trend, people are realizing the economical savings, too. Although you pay more per diaper, you end up saving hundreds over the course of cloth diapering your baby, and even more if you save them and pass them down to the baby after that.
So, back to Landen…..I sure am getting excited to meet him! We’re going to have a little talk when he gets “here” about how he has already had his days and nights “mixed up” for weeks before he’s born. Sweet boy. We’re taking bets on how big he really is, and whether he’ll be in the blonde camp or the brunette camp. One thing for sure I know is that these are the diapers he’s going to be wearing.
bumGenius 3.0 One-Size Cloth Diaper
They are the best cloth diapers, in my humble opinion, because they’re durable, easy to take apart, put together, and cinch to customize the fit for my baby!
I will probably order one of every color this time……Well, maybe not pink….
My second favorite cloth diaper is the Fuzzi Bunz Perfect Size Cloth Diaper
I may invest in the bumGenius Diaper Sprayer
And I cannot forget to order my Charlie’s Soap Powder for washing these daily. I love this stuff and use it for all of our laundry when we have a cloth-diapered baby around the house.
I can hardly wait to meet my little cowboy!
I gotta get to shoppin’!!!
Brandy
Maintaining Focus: Insight into Each of Our Children’s Lives
May 6th, 2010
I am completely and utterly exhausted. Day 8 of non-stop aggressive, high fever with three small children is draining on a mama.
It’s not so much the physical endurance of the 24 hour monitoring of temps, administering of meds, applying the cold cloth, the dispensing of fluids, the getting of popsicles, the giving of baths, the cleaning up of vomit, the cuddling, holding and comforting, or the turning on of cartoons at 3 AM nightly that gets to me, although taxing, as much as it the mental fatigue.
All moms need down time. I believe it’s one of the most critical criteria for being a good mom. If Mama’s nuts, then the whole house is a wreck. If Mama can’t get more than an hour or two of sleep at a time, for days on end, it takes a toll on a household. I don’t even know what I would do without a supportive husband who has been getting up with me and helping take care of these kiddos.
I know because of the pattern I watched with our youngest, that these others should be on their last day of this viral illness. And as usual, coming out of the fog, I have lessons I’ve learned. Thank God for lessons learned.
All six of our boys are different. That’s not the lesson – we already knew that. But in watching the three boys’ responses to the same exact illness has given us valuable and deeper insight as to who they are individually.
For instance, little Dax’s personality is just sort of Mr. Best All Around, go with the flow kinda guy. He’s generally happy, easy going and easy to get along with. He doesn’t complain much unless something is pretty significant. Having this information about him gave us a fairly good understanding of not only the illness and how bad the boys felt, but also, how well he handles difficulty. Any time Dax felt better, he was eager to get up, eager to announce his progress, and when meds were at work in his system, he was even eager to come into the schoolroom and ask for his lessons. His zest for life inspires me!
And Levi. It was so sad watching a tiny two-year-old have to be this ill. But we learned from him, too. Levi, much like his big brother Dax, just wants to party. As soon as that medicine kicked in, no matter how sick he had been only moments before, he was literally jumping up and down on the toddler mattress we had parked in our living room so that we could be closer to him during the rough fever nights. I remember that his laugh was more precious to me than ever, an indication not only of his getting over this, but of the joy in his sweet little heart, too.
And Drew. Oh my. Just turned four. That boy. Notice I haven’t written a complete sentence yet. We knew Drew was an intense personality. From birth, he was our largest boy. Our loudest boy. Our boy who scared us the most. Our boy who makes everything a big production. And…oh dear. Drew has cried and cried in pain with his stomach, legs, head and throat with this infection. He has woken up almost the entire family in the wee hours of the morning. He has requested pain medicine too early, demanded 417 popsicles – only orange! Bless his sweet heart. My husband and I have looked at each other like, “well, that’s who he is” and it is.
Biggest lesson here: God uses situations like these to highlight the characteristics in our children so that we may pray for them for their future. He gives us insight into who they are so that we may pave the way for them with our prayers.
We know that Drew will be a mighty man of God. There is not a doubt in my mind for a single solitary second. In fact, that is what his name means.
Andrew Joel: Strong and willing, man of God!!!
And that is my prayer for him. And that God would use his intensity, his high-drama, big-production-ness to accomplish His will through Drew. I am not sure what this entails for now, although I sensed when Drew was born that God would call him to some specific mission field someday. Maybe Drew will be a raging inferno for a worthy cause overseas. I don’t know. I just know that whatever it is, he’ll do it with passion and intensity. He’ll do it with enthusiasm and with everything in him.
And for me now, as his mom, I have to get this. I have to maintain focus. I have to receive the insight from God into each of my children and use it to help mold them and shape them and to remind them that they are, in fact, instruments in the hands of God.
As far as little Dax and Levi go….thank God for their jolliness, in spite of struggling through an illness. Perhaps their stories will be different. I suspect Dax is going to be completely engulfed with a passion for music someday, and that Levi will just party on. Whatever they do, I pray they do it with the same intensity that God has set in Drew’s heart.
I pray that God would make me like Drew, more intense in the areas where I should be…..and like Dax and Levi, more roll-with-the-punches, melodic and jolly in the other areas of my life where I need to be.
I love my babies.
With an aching back and a grateful heart,
Brandy
Pasta Sauce
May 11th, 2010
Okay, I must confess that I keep pasta sauce in my pantry as a staple. A back-up, of sorts, for nights when/if I just can’t or don’t feel like cooking. It hasn’t happened in a long time, but I like to be prepared. And besides that, it’s wise to keep your pantry stocked for the unexpected, anyway.
Now, that being said, I am picky about what kind of jarred sauce I will allow in my pantry. First, it cannot contain sugar. Bleh. Ya want sugar? Eat a cookie. Ya want pasta sauce? Garlic! Okay. And second…well, I just don’t want it to have any unnecessary ingredients…ya know….like corn syrup or something gross like that.
So that’s out of the way. I have sauce I keep on hand because I like to be prepared, but I get the good stuff. BUT….I love to make my own.
It’s really pretty simple and it tastes like nothing out of a jar.
Here’s what you need:
a small yellow onion – diced
olive oil
several garlic cloves
some red wine
salt and pepper
2 large cans crushed tomatoes
Instructions:
1. Drizzle some olive oil into a saute pan. 2-3 tablespoons to start. Add diced onions.
2. Salt onions, turn heat down to medium, and cover with lid. Check them frequently, stirring as needed. If too dry, add a little more olive oil.
3. When onions are translucent, pour in half a cup of red wine and stir. Simmer til wine reduces….about five minutes, maybe longer.
4. Add at least 3-5 cloves of fresh garlic, minced, and your two cans crushed tomatoes, salt and pepper.
5. Cook for at least 15 – 20 minutes on medium-low/low, tasting often, because you can’t help it. It smells that good.
Serve over your family’s favorite pasta noodles with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
YUMOLICIOUS!
Love
Brandy
The Best Mother’s Day Gift: Levi’s Birth Story
May 11th, 2010
Today is Levi’s second birthday!! I cannot imagine my life without this ray of sunshine. His laughter fills me with delight! I am so thankful for him.
He was born on Mother’s Day, two years ago. Here’s his birth story.
Levi’s arrival……
10:30 pm - I climb in bed after contracting off and on all day, thinking I will get some rest…and that maybe, finally, nine days after my due date, I would wake up in labor. Actually, I didn’t really think about it all that much. I was so tired from all the day’s events, I don’t remember anything but falling right to sleep. Half an hour later, I am awakened by a very real, but very short contraction – one that stayed very low. I closed my eyes again and thought I would just wait and see what happened. They’d been so far apart all day long, sometimes as much as an hour. Five minutes later, my eyes opened again to the same exact feeling. Hmmmm, I thought….this could be it. I closed my eyes again. Another five minutes later and here was another one. Yay! I think to myself. Maybe we’re really getting somewhere. I was still doubtful, though, because they were so short and relatively easy to get through. By the third one, I got up and went to the living room and said to Dax, “Hey, I need you in here with me.” So he came in the room, just thinking I wanted him to sleep next to me, and fell back to sleep. I let him rest while I decided if I was truly in labor or not. I woke him up thirty minutes later.
We talked about what to do first and if we should call the midwife right away. We did some straightening up around the kitchen and living room, called the midwife to give her a head’s up, and made the bed with the plastic sheet and then again with regular sheets. I had to pace with each contraction. I remember squatting once to tuck the sheet in, and I had to walk to the kitchen. The kitchen seemed to be the place I headed every time, and I would use the counters to hold onto as I leaned forward over my belly and rocked back and forth. The contractions were still totally manageable. I took a quick shower, and thought maybe it would make the contractions go away and we would know for sure then, if I was really in labor. We called the midwife again to tell her, yes, I was definitely in labor and the contractions were coming as close as every three minutes.
I lit some candles in our bathrooms and kitchen and Dax started filling up the birth pool. I continued to pace and used the stove clock to time contractions. And then suddenly, I didn’t need to time them anymore as I told Dax that they really needed to get here. I think that must have been when the baby’s head started to really descend further into my pelvis, because I remember saying how it was getting really hard to walk. I had been walking back and forth to the “red room” window and looking outside for one of their cars, and just after I had said they better get here – they were…..
The birth assistant got here very quickly and the midwife followed minutes after. I had called my sister Tamara to tell her to come. They all got here within minutes of each other. Tamara swept and mopped the kitchen and I told her the midwife had checked me and said I was dilated to 5 or 6 cm. That was at 1:30 am. By now, the birth pool that we had borrowed from the birth center was full enough for me to get into. I had a couple of contractions just after the midwife got there and after she checked me and I decided to get in the water. The lights were on in the bathroom when I climbed in. I sat there for a minute, again wondering if this would stall my labor. We talked about breaking my water and I wasn’t ready. We decided we only would if I really stalled.
Minutes later, I found out my labor was not going to stall; in fact, it picked up as I dilated. I asked for the lights to be turned off. Dax made coffee for everyone and they all sat around me in the candle lit bathroom and laughed and talked with me between contractions. The contractions were still short in duration, and were only difficult for a couple of seconds with each one, but I could tell they were getting more intense, even with the relief the water was providing. When I had tried to lean over the birthing ball before I got in the water, it made the contraction almost unbearable, but on my hands and knees in the water, the contraction was manageable. This is the way I labored the whole time – on my hands and knees, rocking back and forth. I rested my head on the soft, inflated tub, on a towel Dax put there for me. I let my arms hang out and tried to breathe out the contractions and totally relax as soon as I could after they peaked. Sometimes I could do it all the way through them, but towards the end of transition, I really started to hurt and groan as they started coming closer and closer together.
Dax held my hands and I remember leaning my head onto him once or twice, wanting to be close to him, but knowing how much the water was helping. The midwife checked me again at 2:30 and said I was a 7. I asked for a drink of water a couple of times, tried a few drops of Flower Essences Rescue Remedy, a blend of flowers that are supposed to help you relax. I don’t know if they really help, but I knew if I could keep myself as relaxed as possible, the baby would come down quickly. I felt the emotional signpost coming – the one that prompts you to say, “I can’t do this…”, but I never said it. Instead, I was excited that I knew I was in transition. Betty suggested I push through a few contractions as she had learned that it offered some women some relief. At first I thought about all I had heard about pushing before fully dilated. I doubted her. I tried it and it hurt. But then I could feel the baby moving down some. I tried the pushing through some contractions trick and it made me go from moaning and moving around to quiet and still. It was amazing relief! I felt like I needed to sit on the toilet. I dried off a bit and went and sat there for just a few seconds. A strong contraction came, and I don’t know if actually used the toilet for anything but rocking back and forth on. I remember thinking that even though I was in the final stages of labor and very uncomfortable, that this was surprisingly not that bad. I hopped back in the water.
A couple of contractions later, I suddenly decided I wanted in my bed. They had kept asking me all through labor if I was going to birth in the pool or not and I kept saying I didn’t know. I wanted to see what my body wanted to do when I got there. But I was done, and suddenly, I was getting out. Dax and Betty dried me off and I made my way on the trail of towels on the floor to my bed. I didn’t make it the five or six steps there before another contraction hit. I wanted to squat and I told Dax to hold me up. I think I pushed as I squatted in his arms. Then my memory goes a little fuzzy as everything started happening so fast.
Our bedroom was lit by our two nightstand lamps, just right for birthing a baby. I climbed into my side of the bed, where I normally sleep, where I had just been sleeping only hours before, and the midwife broke my water and said I was a nine and three-quarters…..Good enough for me, I thought….I started pushing and she tried to stretch the remaining cervix I had at the top. That hurt really bad. I asked lots of questions like, “is he crowning yet?” “can you see his head?” I needed to know so that I could have that extra punch of determination to push him out. I never heard her say I was a ten – we were having a baby. I am certain I stretched just fine as he came all the way down. I pulled my knees back and Dax stood right by my right side. I pushed and rested and pushed and rested. I remember laying there resting for a few seconds, and the quiet of the room as I laid there, knowing in just a few seconds, he would be born. And then the overwhelming desire to push would come again. Three contractions, we think, and his head came out. I wanted him to just slide the rest of the way out, but he didn’t. The cord was around his neck twice and I was told to stop pushing. I guess I couldn’t stop myself, even though Dax said gently to me, “stop Babe,” and the midwife “somersaulted” Levi as his body was born, to release the cord and free him without cutting it.
He cried the moment he was born.. All I could say was, “thank you, God!” over and over. Instant relief!! He was on my chest in seconds, just after she suctioned him a little bit with the bulb syringe. We let the cord stop pulsating and then Daddy cut it. Levi was turned toward my left breast and he found it while we laid tummy to tummy – all on his own. We all remarked how fair he was, that he DID look like Hayden, and that NO, he wasn’t as big as Drew had been. Dax and Tamara laughed at the monotone, long yell I let out as I pushed Levi out. We had a good time. The night glowed. There was no vitamin K shot or antibiotic goo administered for Levi. He was perfect and healthy. The midwife and birth assistant left while it was still dark. Tamara went and woke up Nolan so he could see his new baby brother and he went back to bed.
We stared at our baby, who nursed for a long time, until we could see the first sparkles of sunlight peeking into our windows, as if to greet and shine on our newest arrival. The sound of chimes from our backyard added a celebratory song, just soft enough to be heard in the quiet of our blissful night. Levi was angelic! He stayed awake for hours as we admired the little fingers, toes and beautiful face. I’ll never forget those first baby noises, the way he sounded when he would move his lips, opening and closing his little mouth, his little grunts. Finally, our angel, 7 pounds 8 ounces, 20 inches long, was here – Mother’s Day, 2008 – 3:21 am.
Chicken Fajitas
May 12th, 2010
Yesterday was Levi’s birthday and I had totally forgotten that I had invited my sister and her family over for fajitas and cake. So this didn’t make it onto my menu for this week, but chicken fajitas is always the meal of choice for when my sister and her family come over. And they were better than ever, if I do say so myself.
Or maybe I am just enormously pregnant.
Or hungry.
Definitely both.
Okay, so to make these. Plan for some time in the kitchen, by the way.
But they’re worth it….
You’ll need:
4 chicken breasts
1 yellow onion
2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup Italian (or Zesty Italian) dressing
1/2 cup soy sauce
juice of at least two limes, maybe more depending on their juiciness
flour tortillas
grated cheddar cheese
salsa
sour cream
Instructions:
1. Prepare your marinade by mixing Italian dressing (store bought is fine), soy sauce and lime juice. Pour over chicken in a baking pan and let marinate while you’re busy making guacamole, pico, and slicing your onions for the fajitas.
2. Pour a little of the marinade from the pan into a large iron skillet on medium high heat, and add sliced onions.
3. Let onions cook while you trim fat from chicken and cut into fajita strips.
4. Dump chicken strips and ALL marinade into iron skillet, directly on top of onions. Add fresh minced garlic.
5. You can salt and pepper your onions and chicken now, or while marinating…either way…. Let this mixture cook til chicken is thoroughly done and ever so tender!!
6. Warm your tortillas by placing 10 or so on a plate and covering with identical plate, placing in microwave and cooking for one minute.
7. Serve chicken and onions on the tortilla, topped with cheese, sour cream, pico, Guacamole, and salsa, along with your favorite tortilla chips.
** Quite often, I will slice up some fresh green bell peppers and add to onions, just before adding the chicken, but this is optional.
Enjoy this heavenly feast with as many family and friends as possible!
Love
Brandy
The Journey Home Chapter 2: And I Can’t Stand It
May 13th, 2010
And just like that, she’s gone. And I just can’t stand it.
On the phone with me in the morning. In heaven by bedtime. It doesn’t make sense. I didn’t get to say what I wanted to say. I didn’t get to talk to her. I didn’t get to have my mom around to help me raise my kids. I didn’t get to hug her again, or beg her to come for a visit and then being absolutely thrilled when she came, or to cook for her, or to ask her for more recipes, or the lyrics to all the songs she ever wrote, or what she really thought of me, or…..or…..
I stepped into the funeral parlor and caught the director just in time….just before he was about to prepare her body for her burial. I had been in the room, watching her, pleading with her to wake up. I could sense that she was listening to me and that I was persuading her some. I urged her to just try. To show the funeral man who was about to make it final – to where we couldn’t look back anymore, that she really was still alive, and that this had all been a big mistake.
I saw her eyes twitch once or twice. “MOM!!! MOM!! Please wake up!! Hurry!! You’ve got to show him!!” But it was too late.
He walked into the room whose tone had already been set for funeral, complete with dreary lighting, ill-painted walls and terrible music.
“She’s waking up,” I said. He just shook his head at me, knowing I was in a state of complete grief, shock, and denial.
“No, I’m serious. I’ve been watching her and talking to her and she really is responding to me. You wait and see.. Look here, let me show you!”
“Mom, Mom, come on!!!”
And then she moaned. Her eyes began to try to open and helped her move her stiff body to sitting up. “See!?!!! SEE!?!” I exclaimed to the funeral man.
And I grabbed her close as I realized she had just been waiting for me to tell her to wake up, that it was me that she had been wanting to come and MAKE her, FORCE her to GET UP!
The funeral man had brought in a sharp instrument and Mom saw it and moved her hand over it and pushed it back into his pocket. I grabbed her and held her close to my heart and sobbed and moaned in relief, with my face pressed into her cheek. The sobs came from deep within my soul and were uncontrollable. It hurt to cry. And I began to wonder why it was hurting to cry, since she was alive and this had all been a terrible mistake. These should be tears of joy. But it grieved me so, to bring forth the tears, from a deep well of grief inside me that took all of my physical being to release. And even the sound of my own sobbing alarmed me.
And I wondered who could hear me. Who could hear my soul bleeding? The echoing of an orphaned girl, crying for her mother?
And my eyes opened and I realized I had been dreaming a terrible dream. My mother is gone.
There’s nothing I can do to bring her back. She’s not coming back. She doesn’t want to come back. I can’t will her back.
This is my new reality. It’s been two months now. The headstone has been laid in the ground on top of the place where her body rests. She’s never coming back.
And I can’t stand it.
The Boredom Phenomenon
May 13th, 2010
It seems that there is an ever-increasing “occurrence” of boredom among children and teenagers. I am sure that historically, there has always been boredom to some degree, resulting in an array of social problems, and I also admit remembering some boredom in my own childhood, however, it seems as though the problem is worse than ever. And it bothers me.
In an era filled like never before with every technological device imaginable with which to play and communicate , boredom continues to be one of the top complaints I hear about from older children and teenagers. Just check your Facebook status updates. I guarantee you’ll find at least one bored teenager, expressing their disdain for their current situation, saying something like this, “ughhhhhh…….soooooo boredddd!!!!! text me!” …or……”nothing to do…this is so boring!!!!! bleh!”
And realize, please, that these status updates are usually in the middle of class, coming from the child’s $600 I-phone, paid for by the child’s parent, who just recently pleaded with the child to stop going over on their monthly text messages.
Or take for instance, another aspect of the boredom phenomenon I’ve taken account of. It’s even weirder. In this example, imagine pre-teens and teenagers standing in front of their bathroom mirror, taking pictures of themselves with “funny” faces. Imagine their “peace” signs, their “model” poses, which usually involve two or three girls who seem to be just, eh hem, BORED, and have nothing else to do. They take the pictures, usually with their phones and upload them to Facebook and who knows where else. Explanation?? Part of it is another topic for another post, but the other part of it, you can be sure is…..BOREDOM.
And what about the plain, old, simple version of boredom in kids at home? I even see it in my own boys. Although we have four computers, a library of books, an air hockey table, two tackling dummies with two sets of boxing gloves, a slip-n-slide, a half-acre backyard, six bikes, a sandbox, a PS3, and PSP, 3 Nintendo DS’s, countless games and toys, and a basketball goal in their room, they’re ummm….excuse me as I choke to get the words out…..BORED!?!
What explains this boredom? To what do we attribute this lack of knowing what to do with one’s self? What’s the bottom line here and why is it a problem?
The fundamental principle at stake here is this: Kids should know how to just be.
Oversimplified, you say?
Actually, it’s quite a loaded statement when you look more closely and realize that what I mean is that children need to be trained at an early age to know how to be content with who God made them to be as His children, crafted in His image, to do whatever HE asks, to go wherever HE sends, and to enjoy life in whatever way HE chooses to bless them, using whatever gifts and talents HE has deposited into them.
And all this begs the question, of course….
Are the parents ultimately responsible for training their children in this manner? Are they the ones to blame for not showing their children a simpler way of living? Are WE to blame for allowing them every latest popular gadget to keep them entertained so that … we….don’t ….have…to??
????
Just a question.
What are they learning by our example? Is TV watching more important than a nightly family devotional? Do we answer every text message and email that comes to our phone during every meal, with our phone sitting right next to our plate? Are we addicted to our computers, needing the diversion to just help us get through our day?
Where do they learn this? Is it possible that they are learning it from their parents and then it’s just reinforced in the culture we submerge them into?
Just another question.
As a parent, I admit that I am very convicted to think this out more thoroughly, to explore what it is that the Holy Spirit would prefer over this nonsense boredom phenomenon. I am definitely stirred to a certain level of holy discontent for my household. What I mean by that is that I cannot help but to move, to do something, to respond to this stirring in such a way that will be ultimately obedient and PLEASING to my Lord.
What is it that He could possibly be tugging at my heart strings about?
I can’t help but feel that it all comes down to our fundamental values. HIS fundamental values, which we CLAIM as our family mission statement.
Love the Lord God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength. (Not to mention that you could very easily include within this context, that if you truly love God with everything in you, you will also not allow any IDOLS in your life or the lives of your children.)
Did I just say that boredom leads to idolatry?
I guess I did.
So it gets sticky here, right?
If my child is bored, it’s not necessarily an attack from the enemy to grasp his soul into the eternal bondage of sin. Maybe he’s bored because he’s bored….and there really isn’t anything to do. But I’m his parent. I am supposed to know what to do. I am my child’s TRAINER, his TEACHER.
Deuteronomy 6 sums it up quite clearly:
1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
It seems to me that the mandate is quite simple, cut and dry, and that there is PLENTY to do, more than enough to keep us occupied til the day our Lord brings us home with Him.
But again, are we focused here?
This passage gives us a list of ideas on how to accomplish these commands, the first being to TALK ABOUT THEM when we SIT AT HOME WITH OUR CHILDREN.
How often do we SIT AT HOME with our children? Not watching TV or being entertained by the Wii. Just sitting. Just talking. About God. About loving HIM. Or are we over-scheduled with sports? Team sports are important, and I see the value in them, but in comparison with this command?
How dare we attempt to usurp God’s authority!
The next thing in the passage says to talk about them when we walk along the road. I am certain that this includes the physical act of walking alongside our children, of physically being with them and talking with them on our way to and from our daily activities. But just as much as it is talking about this, I believe that it is referring to the spiritual journey we are on with our children. This is especially convicting when we realize that if they are to “walk along beside us”, then we better be choosing the path God wants us to be on, following the leading of our Father’s voice.
….when you lie down and when you get up…..it says.
ALL DAY. EVERY DAY. FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. LAST THING BEFORE YOU FALL ASLEEP. TEACHING YOUR KIDS TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL THEIR HEART, MIND, SOUL, AND STRENGTH. IT TAKES ALL DAY EVERY DAY.
The symbols on our hands and on our foreheads and the writings on our doorframes of our houses and gates……what are these?
Is my favorite symbol my latest gadget, like my I-phone, or I-pad, or I-whatever? Is what’s on my mind constantly my next fix to my boredom problem? Is what’s written on the doorframes of my home and my gate a symbol of anything other than my absolute and total love for my GOD?
It seems we wouldn’t have time for boredom.
It seems that if we truly grasped the depth of God’s commands here, so plainly laid out for us in Deuteronomy 6, that we would have utter contempt for the words, “I’m bored!’ as there is much to do to afford loving our God in such a way that is pleasing to Him. It seems that if we truly could begin to live a lifestyle where we WERE so in love with Him, that we might actually NEVER BE BORED AGAIN as He has so much in store for those that love Him. It seems the adventure with God would be greater than any handheld techno-gadget could ever compare, no matter the cost or the amazing innovative style, or the way it makes us feel more connected, more wanted, more loved, more entertained.
Because in God, we ARE more connected. We ARE more wanted, more loved, and more entertained.
So it’s a frame of reference. A paradigm shift that needs to take place. Yes, in the hearts of our children.
But first, with us. As their parents.
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Prayer:
God, I repent of not making YOU my everything. Please help me to change my lifestyle according to this command. To not just fit You in somewhere, when it’s convenient for me, and to not just parent my children flippantly, ignoring this fundamental principle You’ve instructed me to apply, but live my life fully for YOU. Show me the things I need to lay aside to accomplish Your will of raising these children that You have blessed me with in such a way that is not only obedient to You, but that PLEASES You.
I ask this in the Name of Jesus.
Amen.
Sincerely,
Brandy
Our Six Little Monkeys
May 19th, 2010
Currently Reading and Books On My List to Read
May 20th, 2010
Recently, at the Texas Homeschool Bookfair, I discovered some books that I decided I absolutely HAD to read as a mother of sons. The first one was this, and as it turns out, is proving to be a VERY good read:
Future Men
The other one was Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching and Appreciating Boys
While researching some homeschooling topics today, I discovered these books and can’t wait to check them out:
Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn–and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less
and…
What’s Going on in There? : How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life
and…
Bright From the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind fromBirth to Age 3
and one more…..
Baby Hearts: A Guide to Giving Your Child an Emotional Head Start
Maybe I’ll go ahead and pick the rest of these up before the baby gets here, seeing how I’ll have plenty of time for reading while nursing soon.
Getting so excited to see my new little man!!!
Brandy
Paradise Cookie Bars
May 20th, 2010
Oh yes! There’s a reason why I named this concoction Paradise Cookie Bars. It’s because they’re cookie bars that taste like…mmm hmmm….PARADISE!!
I also really love this recipe because for a cookie, it sure is healthier than most others. Not your basic chocolate chip cookie, for sure. In fact, it’s not so much about the chocolate chips at all!! Take a look at the list of ingredients.
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup oats
2 teaspoons wheat germ
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda (aluminum free is best)
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 sticks butter (I used salted because it’s what I had, but you can use unsalted)
1 TABLEspoon vanilla (not a type-o)
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup walnuts
1 cup crushed pineapple (not chunks!!)
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or more depending on your taste)
Instructions:
1. Mix the dry ingredients: sugar, flour, oats, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and wheat germ in your favorite mixer.
2. Melt butter a bit in microwave (doesn’t need to be all the way melted…) and dump into mixing bowl on top of dry ingredients.
3. Add vanilla and two eggs and mix again.
4. Next, add pineapple, coconut, and walnuts. Mix just til blended.
5. Remove from mixing bowl and place onto 10×14 baking dish. I use a stone, but you can use what you have. Flatten out with hands.
6. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top and press down lightly into the dough.
7. Bake at 350 for ABOUT 15 minutes. Time will depend on your oven and your pan. Watch and remove from oven when lightly browned on top.
Your kids will probably have no idea they’re eating pineapple. And definitely won’t have a clue the wheat germ’s in there.
So yummy and moist. It’s a shame not to cut and eat one right out of the oven.
I cut my piece from this corner right here. MMMMM.
Happy Baking!
Love,
Brandy
Why I Love Homeschooling
May 21st, 2010
My sweet mother-in-law recently visited us and I had the privilege of sitting at the kitchen table with her and discussing the why’s/how’s of homeschooling her grandchildren.
Any time someone inquires about the methods we use and why we do what we do, I hear myself list the wonderful reasons why we choose to teach our children at home. The list is longer than I have time to compile, but here are some of our favorite reasons to homeschool:
1. Our children can each learn in the way that best suits them INDIVIDUALLY. Public schools can be a huge blessing, but we have seen firsthand how not all children fit into the cookie-cutter mold that they’re expected to. As a mother of many sons, I have had more than one opportunity to witness the necessity of allowing a boy more freedom to learn in the classroom as opposed to being confined to a chair and a desk all day.
2. They can each learn at their own PACE. This means that if your child is ahead, then you have the freedom to not waste an entire year on a subject and move on. And vice versa. If your child is experiencing any difficulty mastering a subject, then you can slow down and enrich as needed. The ability to apply both of these freedoms ensures a more thorough education for each child as you can easily customize to fit their academic needs.
3. Family Flexibility!! Doctor appointments, family vacations, special occasions pop up all the time. Homeschooling poses no threat of getting behind since you are on your own schedule. There is also the beauty of structuring your day in such a way that makes more sense for your own children/family. Mom was up all night with sick children? It’s okay if you start an hour late. Or have a lighter day. The flexibility is a huge advantage to homeschooling.
4. You get a lot more done in a lot less time. No shuffling around to get to and from classes, no lining up, no formal time slots for breaks between classes amounts to a few less hours spent “at school” every day.
5. Not to mention, and I should have made it first, children are taught from the start of every day to the end of every day, and included in their curriculum that it’s ALL ABOUT GOD. Oh, and prayer IS allowed.
6. They get to play in the garden after lunch.
7. I get to kiss them whenever I want.
8. Lunch is healthy because it’s in my kitchen.
9. I get to be around them all day, which is a GOOD thing!
10. It’s not about standardized testing, or how they measure up to other kids in this state, but about where their hearts are directed, the content of their character, and about them growing into the people God created them to be at an early age.
I am so thankful I am afforded such luxury.
I love teaching my kids at home and getting to choose what books and materials work best for each one. It’s fun!
Loving doing what I do,
Brandy
Weekly Meal Plan G
May 22nd, 2010
We’ve been traveling in and out of town so much lately, and this week, we’re heading to Dallas again. It’s graduation time!! And the next week, we’ll do it again! So here’s a short menu and you can expect even shorter for next week, if I even put one up at all.
I love this week’s menu….so easy!! A pizza night, a pasta night, a fish night and a baked potato night!! Does it GET any simpler?
Pizzas – one cheese and one spinach and tomato….and salad. (I use Pioneer Woman’s simple pizza dough recipe and it’s awesome!)
Baked trout with rice, salad, and rolls
Pasta with homemade sauce (of course), and which noodle out of my 10 pound stockpile in the pantry, who knows??? Maybe salad, if the boys aren’t too burnt out on it already….
Baked potatoes – loaded, of course, with whatever our hearts desire…..butter, cheese, sour cream, maybe even broccoli. Served with salad, green beans and rolls.
Also on my list to bake up this week include these two delicious looking recipes found at the Heavenly Homemakers website:
Whole Wheat Banana Muffins and Soft Pretzels
Because….we need more carbs around here.
I’m kidding.
I do love making our snacks and desserts, though, because it is one way to ensure we’re not consuming a bunch of preservatives and extra sugar and also, we can avoid too much white flour, too.
Happy cooking, baking, and …. um….cleaning.
Love,
Brandy
Room to Grow: Part 1
May 24th, 2010
As many of you may have already read, the vegetable garden we planted in our backyard this spring has been a huge success. Already, we’ve harvested and eaten a dozen or so yellow squash and at least 35 cucumbers, which we’ve eaten raw and also made seven quarts of pickles with. It’s been a wonderful season for our family of growing and learning together, experiencing the true essence of harvest and the blessing that comes from our hard work, as we’ve truly “eaten the fruit of our labor”. Even Levi, our two-year-old, has grown accustomed to the daily ritual of inspecting the garden and harvesting whatever items are ready, and just yesterday, picked a huge pepper and said, “bar!!” indicating he knew where we placed them in the kitchen for washing after we pick them.
The whole experience has been so amazing as the boys have witnessed firsthand, the miracle of planting seeds (and baby plants) and watching them grow into giants that give us food for our table. It’s indeed, been more of a learning experience for them than I even anticipated. And while our garden has been largely productive, and we’ve learned that much of what we did was RIGHT, we’ve also gleaned some wisdom in what we did WRONG, and not only that, but what we can do better next time.
This year, we did right by planting in raised beds. Weeds – none. Good soil – yes. Fertilizer – good and organic. We planted. They grew. Easy enough. Except for one small detail.
Space.
We underestimated these babies. Boy, did we ever!
Now I have to back up for just a second here and say that when I bought my seedlings for squash and zucchini, they only had one zucchini….so I had three yellow and one zuke. I also didn’t know that the yellow squash would not only take off faster, but that they would work together to block the sun from my precious, much desired zucchini plant. The result?
The zucchini held on as long as the poor thing could. The illustrious and vivacious yellow squash, delicious as they are from my skillet sauteed with onions and garlic, literally overshadowed my zuke until my husband one day mercifully pulled it up from its roots and threw it out of the garden. I was saddened by the fact that I wouldn’t get to enjoy this favorite of mine, but I was quick to grasp the lesson and see the life symbolism at work here for me.
The zucchini simply had no room to grow. With no chance for catching up in growth and being able to peek its leaves up enough through the overshadowing squash leaves, it could not get the crucial sunshine it needed to help it grow and thrive.
And it was my fault. I put it there. Right next to those arrogant yellow squash. (Just kidding…it’s not their fault….)
These squash leaves have gotten so large and have done such a wonderful job at providing food for our table, but this past weekend, my amazing husband, aka, Farmer Dax, went into the backyard with a pair of gloves and some scissors. It was time to prune. The yellow squash had already spelled the doom of the zuke plant and now they had become slow producers. There were baby squash hiding underneath that were now in complete shade because the leaves were so huge and thick. It had become very apparent, that if we didn’t do something, the yellow squash that were trying to grow underneath would be lost, too.
So he began to cut.
And cut.
And cut.
One by one, he reached down, close to the base of the plant and he cut the thick stem of each huge leaf that he knew needed to be pruned away so that other new life was possible.
When he was done, the pile of leaves he had removed was fairly large, and most of them had started to change into an old, tired color with spots. But the new and still vibrant plants that remained firmly rooted held onto a fresh new crop of baby yellow squash that could now breathe, get some water for themselves and benefit from the nourishing sunshine.
I reflected on this quite a bit, some of the symbolism immediately obvious to me, while God stirred other little lessons into the mix. As I thought about all this and was praying this morning, I realized just how significant the lessons are that we learn in watching and taking part in God’s world.
With the pruning, the first thing I thought of was the process that God sometimes allows in our lives – a spiritual pruning of sorts, and how he sometimes prunes what is good for what is better or best. I immediately thought about what things He might want to prune from MY life. What leaves were overshadowing other important things that didn’t have a chance to grow, things that He actually WANTS to grow in “my garden” but I won’t allow because of my rebellion or lack of attention or …. like the yellow squash…. arrogance?? What spiritual fruit was I producing in abundance while snuffing out other things that would be beneficial to others in my life? Were there any “bad leaves”? Any rotting roots that needed to be removed like the poor, overshadowed and withered zucchini, which if left to rot, would invite its own enterage of unhealthy fungus and insects that would destroy the rest of our crops?
God used this experience to show me that yes, I do have some good fruit that I am producing – fruit that’s well planted, in good soil, that’s tended to, watered, nurtured and well-managed.
And there are the other “not so good” fruits that need to be trimmed away. The scissors need to come out and do their work so that the things that are good can grow more prolifically. So that the things that God desires will not be overshadowed. So that the BEST producers are the good things. Like love. And joy. And peace. And patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control. Where the fearful plant has grown large, it must come out before it takes over its neighboring plants joy and peace. Where the frustration and perfectionism plants lie, they must be cut away, before the gentleness and self-control plants become rotten and useless.
God’s way is always best.
Galatians 5:22
Proverbs 3, 5:6
Love
Brandy
Chemical-Free Cleaning Solutions That Work!
May 29th, 2010
You may have caught on by now that I am a bit of a health nut and a bit of an all-natural kind of gal. I believe that we have enough pollutants in our world that our bodies must combat on a daily basis, without adding to the list harsh chemicals used in our homes. As best I can, I try to avoid using very many chemicals at all, and for the most part, have found that I use four basic ingredients for doing most of my everyday chores. No, this is not a recipe for pizza dough or salad dressing. But isn’t it comforting to know that these are not only non-toxic and natural, but things we put in our food, too? In your own kitchen, you’ll find everything you need to replace almost all of your commercially made cleaners:
WATER
1. Use 1/2 and 1/2 solution of vinegar for an all purpose spray.
2. Have you seen the new Shark Mop
BAKING SODA
1. Scrub your tubs, toilets, kitchen sinks, grout, you name it, for a sparkling shine! Add a bit of vinegar for some bubble action and you’re cleaning with a vengeance! I put this mixture down my kitchen sink garbage disposal occasionally to keep it fresh(er).
2. You can even sprinkle a bit of this in the bottom of your trash can to keep down odors, and when really gross, leave soda and vinegar sitting for an hour or so in the bottom, then rinse.
VINEGAR
1. See above all purpose mixture. Not kidding, this is our everyday all purpose cleaner. Kids can use to their hearts’ content.
2. Naturally anti-bacterial and it works great as glass cleaner, too!
OLIVE OIL
Just a tablespoon or two on a dry cloth is all I use to dust our wooden furniture. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and it will leave the room smelling fresh and wonderful! My favorites are lavender, cloves, eucalyptus and rosemary.
Make the switch if you haven’t already, and reap the benefits of a healthier, less toxic home environment, and save money at the same time!
Keep on runnin’!
Brandy
Getting Ready for Our Seventh Baby Boy
June 3rd, 2010
Expecting my seventh baby any time now (really end of June/first of July), I can honestly say I have experienced quite an array of birthing “procedures”. From my first son’s birth, which labor started on its own, but was “augmented” using Pitocin, to the next one being completely induced, to the third one, whose labor we tried to induce by “breaking my water”, to our- FINALLY – no pitocin-necessary fourth birth, then two homebirths with zero intervention, I’ve learned a whole lot about what works for me, what I want, what I don’t need, how I like to labor, etc,etc.
And I’m there again.
This time, having hired an OB-GYN to help deliver our baby, it’s been interesting re-visiting some topics that I didn’t have to worry about with the last two babies who were born at home. For instance, the eye goo. Or the Vitamin K shot. Unnecessary and invasive, I opted out of those two for Drew and Levi. Midwives don’t bat an eyelash. They also don’t take your baby from you to bathe them with a chemical wash. They don’t place them into a warming machine, but instead, onto your bare chest – the way it’s supposed to be. They don’t poke your baby for a diabetic blood count if your baby weighs over nine pounds or check your blood pressure every eight seconds or smash your belly with their fists to make sure your uterus is doing what it’s supposed to be doing. There’s no IV, just a glass of juice they’ve brought you from your kitchen and a gentle reminder to drink up. It’s nice. Really really nice.
But as I’ve said before, I hired this doctor and I will birth in a hospital room as I did with the first four babies. Relieved because I will have medical attention readily available if needed, but at the same time, I’m wondering how much I will miss the freedom I came to know birthing in my own home. I think I will miss laboring in the water the most. One luxury I’ve thought I may just appreciate is that at least I won’t be expected to get out of my bed the whole time I’m there. That’ll be cool.
Just so looking forward already to hearing his first sounds, holding him up to my ear, feeling his breath on my cheek and just cuddling, cuddling, cuddling. Can’t wait to see who he looks like, and how big he is.
I know my world’s about to change again. I’ve been snuggling up with the boys lately and trying to get in all the extra sweet moments that I can, knowing that much of my time in the next few weeks will be taken up by a voraciously hungry newborn. I’m almost ready, as far as being packed goes. The diaper bag has his chlorine-free diapers and his BPA free binkies and his going home outfit that ALL SIX of his older brothers wore. I still need to throw an outfit and a toothbrush into a bag for me. And my camera!! Because I take a thousand pictures a day of my babies!!!
Countin’ it down!
Love,
Brandy
How My Garden Grows: Pasta Sauce from Scratch
June 7th, 2010
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
Oh how I WISH my garden grew MAIDS!!
Just a little nursery rhyme entertainment for ya.
But seriously.
Our backyard garden is suddenly taking over our family menu. And I love that!
For instance, the watermelons have begun to ripen and so we’ve been enjoying those at mealtimes and for snacks, too.
And the tomatoes!!! Wow! Once your plants start producing, get ready!! My spaghetti sauce is simmering on the stove right now for tonight’s dinner. Well, actually, it could be a lasagna sauce or a pizza sauce….whatever! Spaghetti does sound good, though.
To make sauce from scratch (right from your garden), you’ll need:
a yellow onion
5 cloves fresh garlic
extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
12 Roma tomatoes or six “big” ones or a mix
1. Wash your fresh tomatoes, (I used 11 Roma and one Celebrity because that’s how my garden grows), cut the tops off (optional), and slice into quarters.
2. Drop into a food processor and pulse just until it looks like juicey, small chunks.
3. Pour 1/4 cup olive oil into a large saucepan and add whole chopped yellow onion. Salt and put a lid on. Sweat the onions down on medium temp til almost translucent.
4. Stir in 1/3 cup or so of red wine. Allow to cook down about five minutes.
5. Add 5 cloves of fresh, chopped garlic.
6. Stir in your crushed tomatoes. Add salt, pepper, maybe some oregano, too!
7. Allow to simmer on very low for 1 1/2 hours or so. Taste it. See if it needs more salt or to simmer a while longer.
Serve over your favorite pasta with freshly grated parmesan or pile on big chunks of mozzarella and broil in oven for a minute or two. Make this french bread loaf from Our Best Bites and a yummy salad. You CAN’T go wrong with this dinner.
Goin’ to stir my sauce now. It’s smelling pretty good right about now.
Love
Brandy
Weekly Meal Plan H: Lots of Options!
June 7th, 2010
This is the weirdest week for me. My oldest son is away at youth camp. I usually count him as an adult at the dinner table. My next two oldest sons are at Grandpa and Nana’s, and depending on the day/meal, they are the next biggest eaters. And to top it all off, my amazing husband, Farmer Dax, will be out of town for two nights this week.
So I’m left contemplating the emptiness of my kitchen, the smaller portions I’ll have to cook, and all the leftovers that await my refrigerator, which just so happens to already need a good cleaning.
Hmmmm…..
So here’s the deal.
I make my menu and plan to eat it as normal. BUT, I realize the three little boys and I won’t be able to eat it all by ourselves, so these meals will serve as our lunches AND dinners, however it works out.
Here’s what’s on the list for this week, and I’m so excited because I have much of the ingredients already stockpiled in my pantry!
Chicken and Rice, Salad
Spiced Lentils with Pita Bread
Vegetable Beef Stew and cornbread
Cheese Pizzas, Salad
And I’m sure hummus will make it onto my lunch plate at least once this week!!! Mmmmm… Sounds so good with yellow bell pepper!!!
Missin’ my babies,
Brandy
Bonding by Separation
June 8th, 2010
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I believe this can be true, especially for children and their parents.
As the school year drew to a close this year, and having pushed the boys to get through and finish their curriculum, we were burnt out in every sense of the word.
Tired of sitting.
Tired of the same books.
Tired of the schoolroom.
Tired of the monotony.
And well….some of them, I suspect, sadly, were….
tired of me.
I don’t blame them. Not one bit.
So the summer was a welcomed break as we finished up a couple weeks ago. And now, the older three boys are away for a whole week. Our oldest at youth camp with our church’s youth group, and the other two at their grandparents, I am at home with just my three little ones.
I’m happy for Nolan, our almost-thirteen-year-old, who is in desperate need of some newfound freedom, and who is probably happily exploring the campgrounds, ziplining, swimming and running around with a bunch of boys his age, and if I get my wish, falling deeper in love with God than he’s ever been. I miss him, but I am in the midst of a big learning curve when it comes to trusting God with our children as they grow up to be the men God called them to be.
And I’m happy for Hayden and Dylan, who are filling their days with bike riding down Grandpa and Nana’s huge sloped driveway, exploring outside, climbing trees, bonding with Grandpa and Nana and EACH OTHER. I am especially glad that these two in particular are away TOGETHER. They are night and day. They are black and white. They are polar opposites most of the time. And they have fought as far back as I can remember. Yeah, they needed a break from me, and from their other brothers, but the chance to be forced to spend some time together is wonderful. My hope is that they come back friendlier with each other. Refreshed. Oh, and happy to see ME!!
So Nolan, Hayden, and Dylan are away from everyone and the little ones are getting one on one time with me and Daddy. Dax, Drew, and Levi are all buddies and enjoying being the only three for a few days. More bonding. Just in time before another brother makes his arrival.
We sure miss the older ones, but I realize how important this time is for them away and am expecting the time away to only bring us closer. It will be blissful for me to have them all back home again, and hopefully…..in time for Landen’s arrival.
So grateful for the EIGHT men in my life,
Brandy
Childbirth in America: The Learning Curve
June 9th, 2010
(Drew – nine pounds five ounces, born at home)
Over the course of this pregnancy, I’ve sat down at least twice now to write my thoughts and feelings on this topic, but for some reason, have deleted what I’ve written and not shared. Maybe because it’s too complex and I don’t want to bore you with details of the history of birth in America as I’ve learned in my studies as a doula. Maybe because it’s sometimes graphic. Or maybe it’s because I think it’s more complicated than black and white. I’ll explain more in a minute, but know this one very important thing before I say another word:
Healthy babies and healthy moms are ALWAYS THE BOTTOM LINE in every birth!!!
So that means that if a baby needs to get here via c-section, then get them out, for crying out loud! No pun intended. And it means that if you’re 42 weeks and your placenta is fried (ewww), then get them out!!! And it means that if you’re experiencing life threatening complications of any sort, then get them out!!! Healthy mom. Healthy baby. That’s the goal.
Now…..having said all that. I want to talk about the typical, 40-ish week, no complication births. I am extremely grateful and humbled to have carried seven children now to term and am happily awaiting the arrival of our latest baby boy. And I have had lots of time to think about birth!
(Levi – seven pounds eight ounces, born at home, too!)
Research for more history on the topic of birthing throughout the ages, since I am in no way an expert, but you can be sure that the process of birthing has gone from one extreme to another in America in the last 100 years. My grandmother told me some of her birth stories, and I know by her account what it used to be like here in America for some mothers.
Just 75 or so years ago, my Grandma, and other women just like her, had to work and help tend their farms. Take for instance her story of the time when she was picking cotton one sunny afternoon when she went into labor. No i-phone in her pocket to time the contractions, or to change her Facebook status, or to alert the on call OB that she was heading on down to the hospital, she labored on. When the pain became intense, she made her way back to her house, where she cleaned up, changed the sheets on the bed, and called the midwife, who got there just in time to deliver an 11 pound baby. The midwife assisted my grandmother, and was then paid with potatoes and left.
Fast forward just a few decades. Now we’re on the moms who are now in their 50s or 60s. These moms went to the hospital. The mother in labor received “gas” of some sort when the “pains” got intense, so much to the point that she was completely knocked out, and was then woken up and handed her baby. Not involved in pushing, how did the babies get out, exactly? I’ve asked some of these mothers, but of course, they can’t tell me, because, they were unconscious for this special and sacred time, and they have no idea.
Now, for some of the mothers who are now maybe in their early 50s and 40s…Same scene – the hospital, yes. But a little different. This time, the doctors don’t knock them out, but epidurals and c-section rates begin to soar to record highs.
Next is the era, which in my opinion, we’re in exodus from. The era of scheduled c-sections and routine inductions. It seems it takes a decade of a particular trend to begin noticing that maybe a practice isn’t a good one. C-sections in this country, at one point, reached a high of about one in three births!! Staggering statistic, isn’t it? Once an emergency intervention to save mother and baby, now it’s common procedure?? Why? Same reason why inductions are at an all time high. CONVENIENCE! Mother seems tired? “Too much amniotic fluid”? Baby “too big”? Doctor planning a golf trip? (oooppps – sorry, couldn’t help myself!) Then induce, by all means!! And when the mother’s body doesn’t respond with complete compliance to the forced labor, then just go ahead and unzip the top of her belly and scoop the baby out. Hope their lungs are ready. Hope they didn’t get the dates wrong. Hope the bilirubin count isn’t too high seeing how they might not have been ready to be separated from mom’s body just yet. HOPE!!!!!
And this is where we’re still living. Right now. Childbirth in America has been so medicalized that it is no longer viewed with the reverence it should be. And while realizing that sometimes intervention is absolutely necessary, many times it’s NOT.
Thank God more mothers are realizing that it’s time to come full circle. Back to the way God intended things. Back to the way He designed them. Our bodies were meant for this. But there’s one big HOWEVER to tie this little blog into a neat little bow:
Wisdom.
I’ve experienced inductions and I’ve experienced home births. Both were successful because, after all, all our births have resulted in healthy mama and healthy baby. But something clicked for me the other day as I’ve begun to get a little more than “ready” for this baby to just come. I realized that with some of my babies, when I’ve gone in to the hospital, claiming to be in labor (truly thinking I was), the doctors have “had to” augment my labor with pitocin because the contractions were irregular. Counter that with my sixth son’s birth, which only happened after two weeks of irregular contractions. Have you connected the two yet? What if I had gone in with Levi at 38 or 39 weeks, thinking I was in labor because I was contracting, even though irregularly? Well, of course they would have augmented my labor and he would have been born possibly before he was ready. Maybe he would have been fine, and I think most babies are “fine” if it’s pretty close to the due date, but what if your due date is really off?? What if you’re just contracting because your body is dehydrated after working hard all day? So I was thinking……I could TOTALLY manipulate this situation if I wanted to. I’ve begun having the irregular contractions like I did with Levi. Sometimes they’re intense, sometimes they’re not. But I know this. If I were to go into the hospital now, telling the nursing staff I’m in labor, they would hook me up to all the tubes and wires and call my OB, who would survey the numerical values recorded via her computer and call the staff back and order the handy-dandy pitocin, which would in turn, result in the effective birth of my next child.
Could I get away with this? Of course! Would anyone know I didn’t really go into labor on my own? Nope.
But, how would I feel, knowing what I know now about birthing? Would I be okay with this if it wasn’t NECESSARY for Landen’s safe arrival? What if he wasn’t ready…….then how would I feel?
YIKES!
But wait! Yes, it’s wisdom to learn from past experiences, but what about the flip-side? What if the doctor has a legitimate reason to induce?
Like I said earlier, healthy mama, healthy baby – that’s the goal.
So you pray. You think about what is best for your situation. You listen to your doctor (if using one). You do what is best for you and your baby.
For me this time, and for Landen, I will remain cautiously guarded in my attempts to birth naturally, but will keep an open mind if the discussion happens to take place with the doctor concerning how past due I may go. Wisdom in my particular situation has me contemplating things like how well my placenta is doing, how big the baby is in comparison to my pelvis, and of course, how he’s doing in there.
So, we’ll see where I end up here in a few days. It’s been an interesting learning curve for me and I am grateful to be living in the day and time where I get to be a part of my children’s births. And no matter what, my bottom line will always be healthy baby and healthy mama.
(Mother’s Day 2008)
Love
Brandy
A Mother’s Priorities
June 10th, 2010
When the mother, a good orthodox Christian, shall appear before the Great White Throne to be judged for the “deeds done in the body,” and to give her report of the master’s treasures placed in her care, there will be questions and answers like these:
“Where are the boys and girls I gave thee?”
“Lord, I was busy keeping my house clean and in order, and my children wandered away.”
“Where wert thou while thy sons and thy daughters were learning lessons of dishonesty, malice and impurity?”
“Lord, I was polishing furniture and making beautiful rugs.”
“What hast thou to show for thy life’s work?”
“The tidiest house, Lord, and the best starching and ironing in all our neighborhood!”
Oh these children, these children! The restless eager boys and girls whom we love more than our lives! Shall we devote our time and strength to that which perishes while the rich garden of our child’s soul lies neglected, with foul weeds choking out all worthy and beautiful growths? Fleeting indeed, O mother, are the days of childhood, and speckless windows, snowy linen, the consciousness that everything about the house is faultlessly bright and clean will be poor comfort in that day wherein we shall discover that our poor boy’s feet have chosen the path that shall take him out of the way to all eternity.”
Nesting and Cooking
June 14th, 2010
I can’t explain my rather unusual behavior any other way than nesting. So close to my due date, I’ve found myself cleaning out closets and steam cleaning carpets like a madwoman lately. I’ve been here before. I know what this is all about. I am trying to mentally reconcile what I know is about to happen in just a few short weeks when this beautiful, angelic person comes to meet us and takes over our world. Landen could come any day and I just want to have things as orderly as possible, of course.
And this time, I am finding myself stockpiling the kitchen with all the good food I can think of cooking/baking/canning….you name it. I had to stop myself from making another mess in the kitchen today….but only after I had successfully:
made one quart of fresh salsa using our garden tomatoes (and even a purple onion)
helped my husband make 3 quarts of fresh marinated cucumbers and onions
made spicy lentils (with more fresh tomatoes from our garden)
made a double batch of hummus
and put a loaf of banana nut bread into the bread machine…..Man, I love that thing!!!
What I wanted to do next was to put a batch of pizza dough into the Kitchen Aid to have ready for this week’s pizza, and then I was going to whip up some pita bread to go with my spiced lentils and hummus that were already taste-tested and safe and sound in the fridge for this week too.
I was even tempted with thoughts of throwing together a chicken pot pie to put in the freezer for after Landen’s born.
But my feet……they look like Fiona’s from Shrek. Promise. My husband’s step-mom even said so.
So that’s what I’m up to. 167, nesting, and cooking.
Feeling so extremely blessed,
Brandy
Spicy Lentils
June 14th, 2010
Okay, this is a new dish for me, I must confess. It’s been on my list of foods to add to my “regulars” for a while, as I’m usually a fan of any type of beans (or bean-like food). I love black beans, served with Mexican food or as the base for my tacos. I love red beans and rice, the last food I ate before I went into labor with my first son. I love a good pot of navy beans, all by themselves, nothing fancy. Mmmmmm….And good ol’ pinto beans, served with sweet cornbread. Oh, and you probably know I have a mild infatuation with hummus. So, it’s not surprising to me that I would love a dish called spiced lentils, spicy lentils or lentils and rice or lentils and pita bread…..whatever.
Normally, when I hear of a new dish that I want to try, I look online until I find a recipe that is my style and then I change it up according to my own taste and family preferences. The process for this dish was no different. And I might add, that I will undoubtedly change it up a bit each time I make it, throwing in whatever fresh veggies I am craving at the time. Here’s how it boiled down yesterday.
Ingredient List:
2 cups cooked lentils (pick your favorite color - you can find them in almost every color - I used greenish tan, not to be confused with green)
olive oil
1/2 to 3/4 purple onion – chopped
4 or 5 Roma tomatoes – seeds removed and chopped
3-5 fresh cloves garlic, minced
ginger
turmeric
paprika
ginger
ground red pepper (cayenne)
salt
pepper
lemon juice of one lemon
handful of chopped fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
handful of chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions:
1. Boil two cups of lentils for 20 minutes or until tender. Do not overcook. Please note here that the recipe I adapted from called for boiling with bay leaves, an onion and lemon rind, which I did, but am not entirely sure it matters. Drain well and set aside.
2. Drizzle olive oil into separate frying pan and saute purple onion til tender.
3. Add tomatoes, garlic, and some of each of the spices, according to your taste – no more than 1/2 teaspoon for each one or you might regret the kind of heat you’re asking for.
4. Add cooked lentils to the pan and squeeze in the lemon juice.
5. Add cilantro and parsley, stir well, and remove from heat.
Be ready for bold flavor!!!
Serve this with steamed rice or fresh pita bread for a nutritious and delicious meal!
Happy experimenting!
Love
Brandy
Finish Strong, Not Moody
June 15th, 2010
I don’t know where to start. And I mean that in a few different ways.
The dishes are piled high because I’ve cooked so much in the past few days and haven’t felt well enough yesterday and today to be able to wash them all.
There seems to be this strange mound of foreign whites piled in my laundry room that I haven’t done in weeks, which really means I could probably just throw them away.
The floors need to be cleaned, again, of course, as if that is at all shocking in a houseful of boys who play in the mud regularly.
And then there’s me. This big lump of ripened belly and me. Most women experience emotional ups and downs to some degree throughout pregnancy and then especially after birth, and I am in no way immune. I started noticing it a couple days ago when it seemed the baby had moved UP instead of down, making it VERY difficult for me to breathe, sit, lay down, sleep, and ultimately, be in a good mood.
And I hate moodiness.
So when I’m moody, I am moody that I am moody. Lovely, isn’t it?
I say that I am a bottom line kind of gal. I try to live by that rule. And the bottom line here would be joy and peacefulness in spite of my circumstances. In spite of wanting Landen to just come on out so I can breathe easier and not have a stomachache anymore. In spite of needing relief from heartburn every day and night and needing a good night sleep without being woken up to pee every three hours…….Yes, I know the irony of what I’m saying. But at least after he’s born, I’ll be HAPPY to wake up to HIM.
So today, annoyed with myself for being cranky, I did my usual gathering up of the fragments of my mind (by way of prayer, in case you’re wondering), and decided I’d had enough. Knowing I needed to re-focus and truly collect myself in preparation for the arrival of our next precious baby, I picked up my Bible and flipped through.
But nothing stuck out. Nothing leaped off the page at me. When you’re desperate, isn’t the Bible supposed to blurt something out at you? Something profound? The wise words you’re needing to hear?
No. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.
And for some reason, my Bible is creased onto this certain passage in Isaiah that talks about being clothed in strength. I looked at it, because I have it highlighted, and thought, “yeah, that’s what I need…..Strength. I only have a few more days and some more strength is just what I need to get me through to the end. After all, to finish strong, that’s the goal.”
Which made me remember that the Proverbs 31 woman is clothed in strength and dignity and she can laugh at the days to come.
Ahhhh……Thanks, God, for the reminder. So I flipped on over and read.
She was quite the marathon mom, this Proverbs 31 lady. Seems nothing could get her down. She was ready. She was wise. She could LAUGH at the days to come.
And I decided it’s been too long since I studied her. Don’t be surprised if the rest of my posts from here until Landen’s birth are based on the Proverbs 31 theme.
For now, I am thankful for the reminder God gives when we ask.
I choose to be clothed in strength and dignity. I CAN laugh at the days to come.
And you know what? My stomach feels better now, too.
Funny how God works, sometimes.
He knows just what we need, what we REALLY need, when we need it.
Isaiah 40: 31 But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
With joy and peace,
Brandy
Question 1 – Daily Devotions
June 17th, 2010
I get a lot of questions from folks. Mostly, they’re the same old questions like,
“Are you going to just keep trying for a girl?” – which I think is naive, raw, human, and rude.
“Will you have more kids after THIS one?” – which I don’t know because I am not God.
“Are you of the Quiverful movement?” – which I think is hilarious.
But recently, I’ve been asked some very meaningful questions and I really appreciate the ones that cut more to the chase, the ones that pertain more to matters of the heart, like the ones expressed in this email from someone who recently found my website. I asked her permission to publish her letter with answers to share with all of you and she happily consented.
Holy Roar
June 18th, 2010
I’ve been sorting through archives of articles I’ve written and I found this one from three summers ago.
Recently, a mother of many wrote me and told me of all the things she does, but expressed that she has yet to find her life calling. To me, I think there’s too much pressure on today’s mothers to “find their calling”. After all, our children seem to be the obvious duties. And while I am not saying we can’t and shouldn’t do other things, I am saying that moms in particular could benefit from having the peace of knowing that they ARE doing what God has called them to do for now.
There is no greater calling than raising children for the cause of Christ.
So, here’s to you, mamas everywhere. Keep doin’ what ya do. And God bless you as you do it all unto Him. It’s all for Him. All about Him.
Hope you’re blessed.
Love
Brandy
**********************************************************
Connected to a Holy God, made in His image, bearing the lineage of the Lion of Judah - at some point in our experiences as Christ followers, we come to a place in the road where the reality of that identity meets a passion that’s been swelling inside of us – and our purpose is revealed. (Our God-given design meets our God-given desires.)
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Yes, God has a purpose and a plan for each and every one of us, a plan that was designed just for you! Psalms 139: 14 says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You’ve been hand-crafted, specifically built to carry out God’s purpose for your life.
Most of us believe all this to be true, yet struggle when it comes down to truly BEING all it is God’s called us to be. My heartache for you is that you would no longer struggle, but embrace all it is that God is drawing you to do. That you would recognize that God’s plan is a journey for your life and that each season is already planned out. It is through weathering these seasons, learning from them, growing, pruning, and learning to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as your guide, that you begin to desire with a growing intensity, those good works He’s prepared for you.
Somewhere along the way, you get to a point where your soul craves the things of God, where you resonate His will for your life to such a degree that you no longer have a choice but to do that very thing that He has designed just for you. In his book, Holy Discontent: Fueling the Fire That Ignites Personal Vision
Psalm 37: 4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” So many times, I have heard people use this verse of scripture to say that God will give us what we want. While He does give us good things (often things we do want), that is not the only dimension to this scripture. Think about what it means to delight yourself in the Lord. What happens when you do? What things start to line up with His will for your life? Don’t you begin to desire the things of His heart? That’s exactly what happens! When you sell out to Him completely, and decide that you want what He wants – guess what? His desires become your desires. And He takes your life experiences, your hurts, disappointments, shame, your gifts, talents and suddenly, you understand….You were meant for this!……..And that something inside you, that passion that swelled for so long, becomes your holy roar! It’s your response to His furious love, your praise back to the King! It’s your decision, your overwhelming joy, your new inability to quench the fire or hold back any longer, those things He’s asked you to do. It’s your cause (because it’s His) that sends you to reach, love, feed, preach, sing, encourage or pray - and it’s personal!
Click hear for song and video – Holy Roar
Prayer –
God, my Father – I ask you to make your desires my desires. I ask you to take my heart, and use all of my life’s experiences, the lessons I’ve learned, all of my being, to bring me to the place where my passion meets a need. I surrender everything to You and commit my mind, will and emotions to You. Fan the flame in my heart; fill me with a burning passion for your cause, Jesus. Help me to no longer be content just being a passerby, but a person who is motivated to grasp firmly and cling to that which you’ve set in place for me to do and to do it with a holy roar!
In His Hands
July 11th, 2010
The 2010 Proverbs 31 Woman
June 21st, 2010
Is this what she looks like?
As a mother of seven sons, I can honestly say that I have spent a great deal of time already, praying for the wives who will take their place by my sons’ sides some day, that they would be God-honoring, lovely young ladies who would be faithful and bring joy to our boys when they are grown. And in praying this, I’ve also come to know that they are learning what type of woman to look for from my own example. Humbling thought, to say the least.
Here’s my interpretation of what the Proverbs 31 woman would look like today. Notice not a lot has changed.
A wife of noble character, a wife who loves the Lord and her husband, who can find?
She is worth far more than riches.
Does she look like THIS??
Her husband has full confidence in her, can trust her to be faithful to him, to bring up the children alongside him to love and honor God,
and lacks nothing of value.She is good to her man, speaks well of him, does not dishonor him by her actions or words or the way she represents him, and takes her place by his side proudly, doesn’t threaten him with divorce, and just picks up the dirty, stinky socks, because, well, she knows they’re just not wired like we are……
all the days of her life.
Only the best food and clothing for her family, she sees to it that she works hard to research where to shop so that she can afford this. She finds recipes that are more nutritious and cooks happily in her kitchen.
She gets up while it is still dark,
spends time with her Lord, making sure her tank is full…..so that when everyone wakes up, one by one, she’s ready to greet the day with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, kindness, and self-control.
She is wise, intuitive, and savvy to the ways of the world, knowing how to make her way in the marketplace, selling her crafts, or getting paid to blog, or conducting her business at home, while maintaining her integrity as a daughter of God.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks. No need to fret and wonder who will come to help her today. She knows firsthand the reward of diligence.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
that her menus are planned, makes wise decisions, and her grocery shopping is done in advance.
She is skilled in her craft and takes care of her home with joy.
Is THIS her?
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy. When the closets are too full, she knows this means it’s time to share and she thanks God as she packs up clothes the kids have outgrown and drives them to a place where they’re needed.
When times get hard, she doesn’t become consumed with fear and allow a doctor to label her with depression and fill up on Prozac. Because she knows where her trust is. She knows where her help comes from. She knows that her children were HIS before they were hers, and that her prayers cover them like a warm, down comforter.
She takes pride in her home without being OCD about it. She tries to make it pretty, using her hobbies and talents to decorate and show her husband and her family what it means to live in a warm, welcoming home and THAT is beautiful.
Her husband is respected at his place of work,
where he takes his position seriously as the provider for his family. And she realizes the importance and value of his role as the priest of their home and she doesn’t gripe and nag and complain when he gets home, but thanks him for being a hard worker, serves him a hot meal and loves him like only his wife could.
She is clothed with strength and dignity and presents herself well; is full of confidence because she’s plugged into her Creator.
She can laugh at the days to come, and she can keep going, because she trusts in HIM, because she knows He has a plan.
She speaks with wisdom,
talks to her children with gentleness and a loving tone, instead of yelling at them from the other room to JUST STOP FIGHTING!! She thoroughly enjoys teaching her children to love God with all their hearts and realizes how blessed she is to get to have the freedom to choose to homeschool in America if she wants to and picks the best curriculum she can for each individual child.
She watches over the affairs of her household, not sitting on Facebook all day or reading everyone else’s blog when she knows she has work to do.
Instead she stays busy, looking ahead, planning alongside her husband for the future of her family. She keeps the clothes clean and the home well-managed while paying particular attention NOT to place more emphasis on chores than children, as she realizes she is a steward of these precious children that has God entrusted her with and that they will be grown up and off to look for their own wives before she knows it.
Her family wakes up in the morning and greets her with a hug and a kiss and a smile, knowing that she’s glad to be where she is with them. They know she’s happy with where God has placed her. In this home. With them. And that she is content with her work and that she does it all for the glory of God. Because she loves them. And there’s no other place she’d rather be.
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Love
Brandy
The Journey Home Chapter 3: Dear Mom
June 22nd, 2010
Dear Mom,
The baby will be here any day now. I don’t know how I am going to feel, this being the first time I’ve given birth that I can’t call you to tell you the news, to tell you who he looks like, how much he weighs, or the details of his birth story. This will be the first time that I birth a baby after grieving for you. It hasn’t been that long since you left and I am still not over it. Not over it at all.
I miss you. I am still glad that you are better. That you are no longer sick. Glad that you are in the better place, a place I’ll see someday. But I’m still human and I’m still down here on this sucky planet, still heartbroken that you’re not here with me, healthy, and that I can’t see your smile anymore.
I hate it that I have to wonder what my emotions will do once Landen is here. I hate it that it’s because you’re gone that I am planning to take the picture of you and me, the one of us just after my birth, you still in the hospital bed, gazing at me with dreamy eyes. I was precious to you. I know I was wanted and that you loved me. I know that I was special to you. I remember you telling me. And I hate that I will never hear you say it again.
So I just have to know. Though my heart may break as I gaze into my new baby’s eyes, knowing you can’t be with me to celebrate, I can just know……that we’re okay – you and me. That it’s all okay. That you’ll see Landen someday. The little boy who’s named after you.
You had asked me in one of the last coherent conversations we had, if I would name our baby after you, and yes, Mama. His middle name is Kade, as close to Kay as I could get for a baby boy. And he’s supposed to come by June 28, but if things work out that he’s born in July, then he’ll be just like you – the seventh child born in the seventh month. And he’ll be special, too, just like you.
I love you Mom, and I’ll miss you this time. Oh, how I’ll miss you.
Your daughter,
Brandy
Landen’s Live Labor Log
June 23rd, 2010
Nope. I am not headed to the hospital.
YET.
But I wanted to give you a head’s up (or should that read “head’s down”) that Dax and I will be updating Facebook via this blog. I have set it up to automatically post onto my Facebook page when I update here, so wherever you are, (here or there) you won’t miss out on the fun.
For two days now, we’ve been ready to leave at a moment’s notice, while knowing it was probably just pre-labor, and we were right. Day before yesterday the pressure began to dramatically increase and I know from past experience by this feeling that it means we are within days of birth. Yesterday I contracted off and on from dinner until bedtime. It’s hard not to get your hopes up for real labor, but when you’ve had a few babies, you know that often, that real labor you so desire does not officially begin in earnest until after your body’s had a few days of practice rounds. FUN STUFF! Dax wanted me to just call the doctor and have her meet us there. After all, we both know she would never send me back home at this point. But I am not going to manipulate the system. I know Landen’s coming soon.
Last night I slept pretty well, hopefully another indication that my body is gearing up for the short marathon it’s about to have to perform. It’s bittersweet, this pregnancy coming to an end. I will miss my round belly and his sweet kicks. But I will welcome the relief from all the gastric upset I’ve endured and the rib pain…….oh the rib pain will not be missed.
His two bassinets have been assembled/washed and stocked with blankets, sleepers and clothes. The diaper bag is packed. My bag is ready to go. There are 10, yes TEN frozen dinners in our freezer (mostly that I’ve made, and one from my sister) for after Landen’s arrival and I am so happy I have that done. We’re 25 minutes away from the hospital. Make that 15 with Dax driving…..But the doctor has warned me numerous times not to wait to come. I have specific instructions to get there by the time the contractions are 10 minutes apart. And I will comply with that. Because Dax is not at all comfortable with delivering on his own yet. Maybe on our 10th or 11th baby, but not this one. And I am just not fond of delivering in the car. So I will arrive when she’s asked me to. I know that I go from being 7 cm dilated to birthing within an hour, so I’ll be glad that I’m there and settled in once I arrive.
I am so excited to meet this little guy and to bring him home to meet all his brothers. My prediction is this Friday, but if not, then July 1 would be just fine.
Prayers for his health and safe arrival are appreciated.
Love
Brandy
Landen…We’re Still Waiting….
June 24th, 2010
Last night I gazed up at the moon and thought, “oh it’s a full moon!”….but then I looked closer. No, it wasn’t. And somehow I knew it didn’t matter anyway. Somehow I knew that even though contractions had showed up intermittently again all day and my pelvis was burning that it didn’t mean a thing.
Part of the reason the bones in my pelvis are hurting/burning is because I have a small person trying to make their exit through them. But the other part is my fault.
Women who are 11 months pregnant are not really supposed to run. Not in my opinion, at least.
Yesterday, I was passing through my bedroom that faces the backyard and the blinds were open. I happened to glance out at the boys who were playing out there and saw something that horrified me.
From my vantage point, it was Levi, who had somehow gotten through the gate and was heading through the brush and towards the pond.
FRANTIC, I began to RUN! Not walk quickly. Not jog.
RUN!
Through my room, through the living room, yelling at the boys to help me get to him……and then I open the back door…..
Just in time…….
to see……..
Levi.
Playing happily on the porch.
What!?! Who was it then, that I “saw” heading toward the water?
I looked and it was my other fair-headed, fair-skinned child, Hayden, who had jumped the fence.
Instant relief, knowing everyone was okay and that I wasn’t going to have to wade into the murky water full of minnows and who knows what else to fish out my two year old. But……
the pain.
Oh, the burning pain.
Women who are 11 months pregnant are not supposed to run.
Not like that, anyway.
It feels better today. But man. Please don’t scare me like that again. That hurt.
And speaking of hurt. I am now welcoming any and all REAL contractions.
Bring it, baby! Let’s do this!
Love,
Brandy
Landen is on his way!
June 25th, 2010
Last night we went into the hospital because the contractions were ten minutes apart, but only to learn that they were most likely caused by dehydration. Unsure, and since my doctor was not on call, we decided to go home and sleep and wait til morning to re-evaluate.
I continued to contract through the night and we woke up this morning and went to the OB’s office, where we discovered I had dilated further. These contractions were not caused by dehydration…..labor is here!! The doctor even got to witness a nice contraction just as she laid me back on the table.
She sent us right over to the hospital where I am now hooked up to IV fluids to get rid of the rest of the ketones that showed up in my urine, and to make sure I am nice and hydrated for birth.
Landen’s stats are perfect and I am still tolerating contractions with no problem……especially now that I know this is real. It’s happening.
Landen will be here today.
So thankful and glad we made it to this day.
Oh, and guess what our room number is????
Uh huh.
7!!!
Love
Brandy and Dax
HE IS HERE!!!!!!
June 26th, 2010
Our Boy – Landen Kade Ferguson
June 26th, 2010
What a Day!
June 27th, 2010
It’s hard to believe Landen is 24 hours old. His birth was exhilarating and beautiful and intoxicating and exciting…..all the things a birth should be. And needless to say, last night was the second night in a row I got no sleep. So I am a tired mama.
But so thankful. He is so amazing and so cute and makes the funniest snorting noises that crack us up. We love his fat rolls, and especially his big chubby cheeks. 
Today was a rough day. His bilirubin count measured high this morning, so he has the biliblanket thing going on, making him look like our little glo-worm. They also did his circumcision and he had some trouble with bleeding. The doctor actually had to redo the procedure. So….rough for Landen….rough for Mama. But the bleeding has stopped and we’re really hoping and praying the bilirubin count is within normal range tomorrow so that we won’t need to stay an extra day.
I’m just enjoying him in the quiet right now. Loving his little puppy noises and his yawns and locking eyes with him. He’s dreamy. Like his daddy and all six of his brothers. And he’s strong and manly, too.
Speaking of manly……..
The Manliest Man of the Year
So incredibly blessed,
Brandy
Landen Update
June 27th, 2010
Landen has developed some jaundice since we are two different blood types. Basically, I am O and he is A and while a problem like this has never occurred with our first six babies, it has showed up this time. It’s not a huge ordeal, but can cause very high bilirubin count in newborns, warranting the use of the bililights and sometimes an extra day in the hospital just to make sure it comes down to a more acceptable level.
We will most likely go home today or tomorrow. We are still testing his blood every six hours to monitor. His last results were still high but better on the curve. (Google ABO Incompatibility to learn more.)
I am a big believer in the power of prayer. My prayer is that Landen and I get to go home and join our family as soon as possible because his health is perfect. Landen is made in the image of the Almighty God. He is fearfully and wonderfully made. Please join Dax and I as we pray and believe that our son will be restored to normal blood count and perfect health in every way as quickly as possible.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
So in love,
Brandy
Ready to Be Back Together
June 28th, 2010
We’re still at the hospital. Landen’s bilirubin hasn’t climbed since yesterday and at the last blood draw was the same as yesterday. That’s actually okay since he’s “older” now. We removed one of the bililights and are going to test again at noon. If that test shows his bilirubin count is not going up too much without that light, we will remove the other light. They will then test his blood again at six this evening and if the number is satisfactory enough and doesn’t indicate that he is rebounding with high bilirubin, we will go home.
Prayers are appreciated.
I want my baby to be done with this and I want to be home with my other seven men. I miss them so much.
Thanks for all the prayers. Keep them coming.
Brandy
Landen’s Latest Bilirubin Count
June 28th, 2010
Okay, so they just called and told me his bilirubin is still 12….That’s what it was this morning with two bililights on him. That’s what it was yesterday after two bililights for 24 hours….
SO……This is good news. They think it means he’s probably peaked with the bilirubin climbing and now it’s on its way back down on its own naturally. We’ve removed both bililights now and he is in a fluffy spot on my bed near a sunny window.
Praise God! These nurses probably think I am a nutcase telling them to pray for him and saying things like, “thank you God!” when they call with good reports. Oh well. God is good.
If the numbers don’t go up too much when we re-test his blood at six o’clock, then I’ll be outta here faster than you can say……wait for it…………
“I HAVE SEVEN BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Keep praying and I’ll update as soon as I know.
Love
Brandy
Home Sweet Home
June 29th, 2010
It’s been a long three days. Landen’s bilirubin count finally started going down and we went home this evening. I cannot express how thankful and happy I am to be back at home with all my precious boys and my husband.
Right now, my mind is so tired from not having slept for four days and the whole adrenaline thing I experience after giving birth. I will definitely share Landen’s wonderful birth story after I’ve slept a wink or two sometime soon.
I just wanted to say a quick thank you to each of you who prayed for Mr. Landen. God hears and answers prayers. He is a Healer. He is real. I am amazed by Him.
I am so overwhelmed right now with love for my family. I knew I loved them before. Oh, I really did know it. But after being away from them for just a couple days, my heart grew another size and I have completely fallen to pieces in love with each of them all over again. It’s blissful to be home with my family again.
Never felt more blessed in my entire life.
Love
Brandy
It Never Gets Old
June 30th, 2010
Holding my son, Landen Kade, in my arms for the first time.
It never gets old.
Hopelessly in love,
Brandy
Hooked
July 1st, 2010
Our sweet baby is five days old today and I am in a daze of being so completely overwhelmed with love for this new one, as well as for all my other boys (and man). The first night home, I must have said at least 20 times, “It feels so good to be home”……..or…….”I’m so glad to be here with all of you again.”
Laying in my bed that night, with Landen close by in his bassinet, I literally moaned with relief as I snuggled into my own clean bed and comfy, familiar pillows and bedding. I smiled several times in the night as I would wake up to nurse or check on Landen and I would moan again in thankfulness and blissful relief as I would settle back onto my pillow.
HOME.
Ahhh. With all my boys. My family. Nothing more precious on planet earth.
Maybe it’s the oxytocin, still thick as syrup in my veins. Maybe it’s that Landen looks like he just waltzed straight out of Heaven and into our lives. Or maybe it’s because I look at Landen and then Levi, and then Drew, and little Dax, and Dylan, and Hayden, and Nolan, and I remember why they’re all here in the first place. Because I fell in love with this man. Their Daddy. Like, over half my life ago.
Oxytocin, sure. But it wouldn’t matter if I wasn’t overdosed on it. I’m head over heels. Over the moon. In baby-la-la-land. Hooked. Off the chain. Whatever you wanna call it. For my guys.
Oh man, I love them more than words can say.
Thankful,
Brandy
Landen’s Birth Story
July 2nd, 2010
Well, he’s a week old today and I am starting to feel a bit more rested with each passing night. Even with waking up every two or three hours to feed, I still feel pretty good. And who can help it, when you have this guy to wake up to?
Dad has taken the younger boys to see Toy Story 3 today, and while they’re out and the older boys are happily playing and Landen’s asleep in my lap, I thought I would take a minute to deliver the birth story to you that I promised.
I had started contracting inconsistently for days before Landen’s birth. But Thursday night, they began to get painful, but stayed really low. By doctor’s orders, when the contractions were ten minutes apart, we went to the hospital. I knew we weren’t super close to delivering, but I obeyed my doc. Sure enough, when we got in the car and made the 20 minute drive, they all but stopped. We got there, they picked up again, but still inconsistent and low. Low was fine with me. I delivered Levi with small, short, low contractions and it was awesome. But these were still too inconsistent to get too excited about. The nurses checked my urine and said it had a moderate level of ketones, indicating I was dehydrated. After an hour with no cervical change and talking it over with the doctor, we decided to go home, try and sleep and wait til morning to see the doctor in her office.
So, we went home. Supposed to sleep???? Right.
I contracted off and on through the night and somewhere in the five o’clock hour, I found myself timing them at 5 or 6 minutes apart. I let myself fall asleep as soon as they ended, knowing that this could take hours for them to get consistent.
I slept til 8 o’clock, got up before anyone else, and made some coffee. I didn’t bother with hair or make-up – I didn’t care. I took a bath and put on jeans and a shirt that did not AT ALL cover my huge belly.
We made it to the doctor’s office by 9:15 and I had to walk very slowly on our way in. The pressure in my pelvis was pretty bad and my bones were just done. They hurt.
We waited for our doc for a good hour since she had been in surgery. She laid me back on the table just in time to see and feel an enormous contraction. She measured my belly (and didn’t tell me at the time) and it was 43 cm. I had been dilated to 3 cm and 50 % effaced just one week earlier, and the nurse had said I hadn’t changed the night before. She checked me again, and this time, I was dilated to 4 and 70% effaced.
We knew I might possibly go on like this for days, contracting, hurting, off and on inconsistently. And we had discussed in weeks prior how mothers who are pregnant with their 5th, 6th, and 7th (and on and on) sometimes take a long time to officially “decide” to go into active labor. But we agreed it was time to admit to the hospital. I was tired, hurting, and my pelvis felt like it was going to explode at any minute.
Knowing she wouldn’t let me lay there for days, I asked the doctor what her plan was. She said she wanted to go ahead and rupture my membrane. And then she asked if I was going to want an epidural. HA!!!! Been there. Done that.
Heck yes, I want an epidural if you’re breaking my water!!!! (No, I didn’t say that to her.) But yes, I said. I want the epidural FIRST. “Alright, I am calling the hospital. They’ll hook you up to IV since you’re still a bit dehydrated, then after anesthesia gets you comfortable, I’ll come and break your water.”
Sweet. Dax and I looked at each other with a sigh of relief. Our baby was coming.
IV started after 12. Epidural at 12:30. Broke water at 1:30.
Contractions picked up quickly and I dilated to five cm by 3:00.
My blood pressure dipped drastically once, just as the nurse left the room. I had cautioned Dax that I had done this once before with Dylan’s birth and to get the nurse quickly if it happened again. The room went fuzzy and I felt so weird, and then very HOT. It felt like I was passing out, but I wouldn’t. He got her and they flipped me to my left side FAST. That helped, but it took a good 15 minutes for us to be confident that it wasn’t going to happen again. And it didn’t.
Moving slowly, but steadily. But I consented to the lowest dose of pitocin available. I had a certified doula for my nurse (God knows and does the coolest things) and she honored my requests to make this as much of a natural and sacred process as possible. She was kind, gentle, caring and smart. She started the pitocin at ONE miliunit at 3:00.
Knowing I just need a nasal aspiration of this stuff before I start shooting out babies like a canon ball, we entered with caution. The contractions became nice and consistent, at 2 or 3 minutes apart. The anesthesiologist did a DYNAMITE job on my epidural, because I could totally move my legs and lift my body and could still feel my contractions with almost no pain. Exactly what I wanted. I was in control. I hurt, but not bad. I felt my contractions and no one needed to tell me what the machine said. But shielded from the ugly-mean pain of contractions that pitocin produces in me, I was thankful and mostly comfortable.
And ready to meet my baby.
I dilated quickly. We called my sister Tamara and told her that if she was wanting to be at the birth, she needed to go ahead and come. I was dilated to 7 cm when she arrived around 5:30 or 6:00. They checked me again – 8. And then minutes later, oh the pressure – 9. The doctor was called.
Shift change. My nice nurse was supposed to leave but she stayed, wanting to meet our little man. The “new” nurse checked me and said it was time to have a baby.
Really? I never knew!!! Just kidding. They got the weird stirrups out.
Stirrups are weird.
She said “let’s see you push.” Alright, Lady.
Okay, stop! she said.
Doctor said, “let’s see you push. Okay STOP!”
His head crowned quickly.
I pushed with the next contraction and half his head came out and stopped. She said I could rest or push. Are you crazy? I thought. I pushed again.
The adrenaline and strength a mother gets at this stage is beyond my comprehension.
I remember her saying she was expecting this baby to be very big and she alerted the pedi nurses to be ready. I pushed again, and a shoulder came out. She had to maneuver his other shoulder the rest of the way out and he was born.
Our star. Our amazing gift from God.
Beautiful and chubby and all I wanted to do was hold him. Tears ran down my chest.
He was here! I kissed my handsome husband and cried some more.
So very blessed. So very thankful. So amazed.
Landen Kade Ferguson, we’re glad you joined us. We know God has an amazing plan for your life and we are honored to be chosen as your parents.
God, may we raise him according to Your will, according to Your ways. May we be wise, discerning, and careful to love him and train him exactly the way You would have us to. May we be good stewards of this child You’ve blessed us with. And may Landen be like Samuel and Jesus….may he grow in wisdom, and in stature, and in favor with You and with men. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Family in Need of Prayer
July 3rd, 2010
Dear Fellow Marathon Moms,
A friend of mine had her baby, a sweet, precious baby girl, the day after Landen was born. The family knew before her birth that she had severe limb deformities and have been trusting God for His perfect will for little Ella’s life. I have asked Bette for permission to share this story and ask you for prayer and she said, “the more prayers the better”. See Ella’s photo, the latest update, and link below.
What kind of courage does it take?
Hold on, this is a tough one…
As many of you know we had an appointment at Scottish Rite Hospital to determine some of Ella’s condition on her limbs. Many of you commented on how great the hospital was and what they are able to do for children with disabilities. They definitely have a well organized system of getting their patients the help they need.
Mark and I were very optimistic in going there and could not wait to hear what they would be able to do. They have different departments for different areas of need. We only saw doctors concerning her leg and in the future will see the department for her hand and arms. We were able to get x-rays of all her limbs and we we able to discuss or ask questions concerning them. Ella was so good and patient with the x-rays. They must have taken 10 or more of every angle. They would lay her on this hard metal x-ray board since she was smaller that the board and stretch her arm or leg out to get just the right picture. She was exhausted by the time they were done but she was so good for them.
Since this was not the arm department, all they could really tell us was a few things. Her right arm, although it appears that there is an elbow bend in this arm, there actually is not. It is a single bone from shoulder to tip with a slight bend in it. All of her motion will come from the shoulder area.
I will tell you that it is neat to watch her grab for my hand. She squeezes it between her body and her arm and I can feel the love of her wanting to hold mommy.
Her other arm has a complete upper bone, an elbow joint, and a lower bone. There is not a wrist section yet, as we were told those don’t actually form completely in any baby until they are two years old. So we will watch and wait for that. Her two fingers do have bones in them and have motion in them. They kind of indicated that anything that would be done to improve her fingers would come later on when she is more like 2-4 years of age. We will probably get more information on this as time passes.
Once again though I will tell you that Ella loves grabbing my finger with her one little finger. She kind of wraps it around me and holds it. She does not apply much pressure cause it does not have a lot of strength to it. I can tell though that she is trying her best to hold on to me.
Her right leg and foot are what we mostly talked about with the doctors. We saw three different doctors who looked at her leg. The last doctor gave us news that I could not swallow. The top bone in her leg is fine. The bottom part of your leg usually has two bones in it, the fibula and the tibula. She has a incomplete tibula and is what is poking out from her knee. The other bone that we see that looks like an ankle bone is her fibula and is complete. Where the major problem lies is that at the end of that bone there is no ankle socket to support her foot. The doctors solution is that the best way to give her the ability to walk, run and have an active childhood, etc. is to remove her foot and add a prothesis.
Remove her foot, cut it off, amputate it, how in the world can that be the answer. We went to hear good news of how they can fix her leg and instead we hear this. There is so much I could say at this moment and yet I am speechless. What kind of courage would it take for a mother and father to say yes to cutting off their child’s foot? Her foot is a good foot. It appears fine and she moves her toes. Why would the Lord have this as a plan? The Lord has to create an ankle bone, he has to, because I can’t give that order to remove her foot. Lord! Lord! Please Lord!
We thought that after her birth we would be able to settle into her handicaps but yet we are faced with a decision that no parent should ever have to make. Its days like these that you have to tow the line so close to God because you faith and trust in him can so be lost.
Where is my strength today? How do I stand up when the breath has been knocked out of me? Where does the line between the reality of facts the doctors gave us and the spiritual lie? This is a day that I say, “I can’t do this today Lord, I can’t face this world today, and I can’t be the strong one today Lord.”
It’s all you today Lord, I just want to crawl up into a ball and fade away. Be my ROCK Lord. The tears overwhelm me and my sadness grips me. Holding this beautiful baby in my arms and touching her is the only thing I can do that makes sense for this day. I can’t let go of her and I can’t imagine the days to come!
We have to take her back in 3 months for them to do surgery on the exposed bone at her knee. They have to remove that cause it is very sharp and when she starts being more mobile it will cause problems. They wanted to wait till she is at least 3 months to put her under for the operation.
They said that any where from 9 to 12 months is when they would remove her foot so that when she starts to walk she could be fitted with a prothesis.
I don’t know that I can make that decision. I want her to keep her foot. We need your prayer!
Pray for:
My peace and strength to increase for at this moment I am a wreck.
Pray that the tears I cry would be healing for me in these difficult days.
Pray that Mark can continue to be the solid ground he has been for this family.
PRAY THAT THE LORD WOULD CREATE A COMPLETE ANKLE BONE AND SOCKET FOR HER LEG AND FOOT TO HAVE SUPPORT TO BE ABLE TO ONE DAY WALK!!!!!!
We need God’s hand to touch Ella and bring complete restoration to her leg.
Thank you
The Hollingsworth Family
Their blog: http://hollingsworthnewbaby.blogspot.com/
Please pass this to anyone you know will pray. My heart just aches for them, but I know God is in control and He will do amazing things in the life of this family.
Join me in praying.
Thanks so much!
Brandy
Some Things I Thought I’d Never Do
July 5th, 2010
Life isn’t always black and white. There are times in life when you make decisions based on difficult circumstances, decisions you never thought you would have to make.
I’ve learned to never say never.
I’ve learned that natural is almost always the best way to go, but that there are times when modern medicine must be considered. Like the time it saved my life.
I thought I’d never ever ever bottle feed a newborn baby. I was forced to think about it after my MRSA/TSS battle in 2009. I prayed and asked God to allow the affected breast to still function normally. So far, it’s working quite well – miraculously!!! I am so thankful. But the ironic twist in this whole situation with Landen’s birth is that even though it’s working fine, I still ended up using some formula for the first week of his life to help flush bilirubin from his system faster. I have never done this before. Landen was our first and only baby to experience formula so early in life. I never thought I would. But like I said, life isn’t always black and white. You make decisions based on your circumstance. He’s great now. Jaundice is completely gone as far as I can tell. I don’t need the formula anymore, but I have to say…it was a wonderful luxury to be able to turn to something like that to help him get better quickly. I can’t know for sure how much it helped him, but I feel great about my decision.
I thought I’d never do a hospital birth again. I thought I’d never let anyone break my water again. I thought I’d never ever ever ever in a million years consent to the use of pitocin again. I thought I’d never have another epidural.
I loved giving birth at home with the last two babies. It was an amazing experience and oh, so beautiful! But something told me this time that that wasn’t to be. A feeling inside of me told me to opt for something else. I thought it was probably just me wanting to make sure I was okay after my near-death experience that was not so long ago. But God knows all things. He speaks to us in the quiet recesses of our hearts. So I followed His voice and wound up with a doctor, the whole hospital scene and all. And wouldn’t you know? Mr. Landen needed a little help with bilirubin very soon after birth. God is good.
And about breaking water, pitocin, and epidurals……The nurse and I discussed the beauty in EVERY birth. We discussed how wonderful birth was with no pitocin, no epidural. And talked about how wonderful it was to have these modern medicines that are very often MERCIFUL for mothers. And I have to say, while there were some things I missed about giving birth at home, like getting to be with my family just minutes after, in my own living room, Landen’s birth was just as incredible and nothing was compromised. Nothing stolen. My body and my mind were ready. Our family was ready. And I believe that Landen came at the exact time he was supposed to.
I don’t know what the future holds. Right now, I feel like if we were to have any more children in the future, that I would love to choose the same doctor again or even a midwife who delivers in a hospital. And who knows if there will be any more babies? I can’t predict anything. Except that I will trust more that I hear the voice of God quite clearly. I will trust that in every situation, God will be my guide.
And I won’t ever say never.
Love,
Brandy
Crock Pot Roast
July 7th, 2010
This has got to be one of the easiest recipes on the planet. Which is why I made it for our dinner last night.
You need to sort of plan ahead though, since it takes 24 hours to slow cook this thing to perfection. Here’s how to get fall-apart-tender-and-delicious roast.
!. (Do this sometime before you go to bed the night before you want to eat this for dinner.) Place a rump roast, fat-side up, (organic/grass-fed, please) in your crock pot on the lowest heat setting. Fill with water to half way cover the roast. Salt it. A LOT. You will think, “Oh, that’s too much salt!” But it won’t be.
2. Check on it if you happen to wake up in the middle of the night. Don’t worry about it if you don’t. Add some water if it’s getting low.
3. First thing in the morning, cut up an entire yellow onion, just into big slices, and throw in.
4. Around lunch time, throw in some baby carrots – as many as you want. Turn the heat up to medium setting now.
5. A couple hours later, wash, peel and cut as many potatoes as you can fit (or less) and throw them into the crock pot. Cover with water. Add some black pepper.
6. By five or so, your dinner will be ready to serve.
Goes great with salad, rolls, green beans.
YUM!
Love,
Brandy
You Can Learn a Lot From a Baby
July 9th, 2010
It’s true.
Babies can teach you some of the most important lessons in the world.
Like how much God loves you.
I never really knew how much God cares for me or how precious I am to Him until the birth of our first child. And with every baby that He blesses us with, I am reminded again and shown a new level of His love. It’s overwhelming if you think about it.
Just think for a moment about the first time you saw your brand new baby. Did your heart not do a flip in your chest? Did it not burst wide open with love? Did it not grow at least two sizes (please say you’ve watched The Grinch that Stole Christmas..)?? Did you not immediately vow to this child that you would do anything in the world to protect them, provide for them, shelter them, that you would love them and be a good steward of them? Of course you did.
You’re in love. Overwhelmed. Enamored. Captivated by this angelic creature and you can’t stop staring. And you don’t even care for one second if people are tired of hearing about it or if they think you’re crazy. Because this child is precious. You knew you would love them before you met them, but now that they’re here, you’ve gone more overboard than you even anticipated. It’s a love dance and you find yourself fascinated by every coo, sneeze, and squiggle from your new little one. You kiss the feet, examine the tiny fingers and handle your baby with the absolute most gentle touch that you have available. When they startle, you’re quick to soothe them. At the first whimper, you hesitate not a single second to offer them food, even if it hurts so bad your toes curl up and you grit your teeth in pain. Only for this sweet baby would you endure anything like that. You constantly check to make sure your baby is not too hot, not too cold, and you adjust their clothing, blankets and air conditioning settings to accommodate them. You wake every hour and a half, even when they’re “supposed to be” on a three hour feeding schedule, which works better for you, and you do it with patience, love and gentleness. You’re not even able to be frustrated or angry with this child; it’s just impossible. You smell them, rub your nose on their face, just to be near them and you cuddle them and hold them close to your chest. Close to your heart.
Because you’re truly
madly
deeply
passionately
in love with them.
And nothing, absolutely nothing in this world could change your heart for this person. You’re sold out. You’d throw yourself in front of a moving truck for this baby treasure.
Sound familiar??
God loves us. Gently. Passionately.
He holds you close to His heart.
He seeks you out. He’s thrilled to have you. He is enamored by you. By your dance, your song, your craft.
YOU!
He is slow to anger, quick to love you. He wants you to have everything you need. He longs to see you grow up to be everything He made you to be. And He enjoys you, treasures you.
More than you ever could love your own baby. Yes, more than that.
Wow. Thanks, God, for the reminder.
Romans 8: 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Love,
Brandy
Happy Birthday Mom!
July 15th, 2010
My mom would have turned 57 today. I’m missing her more than ever, just four months now, since her death. She loved poetry so much. Not the cutesy, whimsical jingles. She loved the deep stuff. The stuff that would make you talk philosophy and want to write big, long, passionate papers about. She especially loved the ones that left questions for the reader…something for the imagination to chew on after you put it down….and she would revisit her favorites over and over again.
For you, Mom. No, I am not the world’s best poet. But I miss you. Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you and wish you could be here. How I wish for you to see Landen, to be well and surrounded by all my boys.
Cold, alone, afraid; it sucks
I fear the worst for me.
Up, about and healthy still
Is how I wish to be.
But time and time again I’ve prayed
Yet still remain the same
To lose my life and leave this world
Is by far the greatest gain.
It didn’t turn out
Just how I’d planned
I loved you girls
I loved my man.
But twists and turns
And turbulents dealt
A path too painful
For even myself.
The time came early
For me to go
I couldn’t stay here
I was ready to go.
Forgive me for leaving
But it’s better here.
No more sorrow
No more fears.
No more crying
No more rain
No more sadness
No more pain.
I love you much
My girls so dear.
Sing a song for me
And hold my memory near.
Brandy
Weekly Meal Plan I
July 16th, 2010
It’s hard to believe that three weeks have gone by since I’ve cooked a real meal. Well….I made tacos one night….and a roast one night…And I can’t really take much credit for the crock pot’s magnificent abilities to cook the thing to its heavenly tenderness. But three weeks!!
Between my wonderful sister and amazing friends from church, and our frozen meals that I made up before Landen was born, I’ve had it so easy.
So easy, in fact, that I’ve actually MISSED cooking.
And I’ve missed meal planning.
I’ve enjoyed my sweet baby boy and my “time off” from the kitchen. But it’s something I enjoy….cooking….making menus….making grocery lists…oh and grocery shopping!!! I’ve yet to take Landen into public except for his two well-checks and I don’t plan on taking him anywhere soon. But I’m ready to be back at it.
I find it so ironic that when I am pregnant, I eat way different than when I am not pregnant. I start out with good intentions, saying things like, “I’m not going to gain all that weight again THIS time!” …or….”This is going to be an all-organic pregnancy!” HA!!! You saw the menus for the past few months. Meat. Potatoes. Butter. Cake. Oh my!
Not that there’s anything wrong with meat, potatoes, or butter, or Pioneer Woman, for Pete’s sake, but there comes a time when a woman must come back to her senses. Back to her pre-baby weight.
So here goes….
Another menu….less butter, more lettuce.
In random order:
chicken and rice, green beans, steamed carrots
pinto beans, Mexican corn bread, pico
grilled chicken salad
shredded chicken tacos with onion, lime and cilantro
taco salad – and oh yes, there will still be Guacamole!!
veggie pizzas from scratch
Okay. Now I’m hungry.
Love
Brandy
Snuggling My Newborn
July 19th, 2010
Hey Moms
I’m still here. Maybe quieter than usual, but it’s definitely not quiet here on the homefront. Seven boys. Imagine the noise. Yes, that’s us that you hear.
Anyway, my hands are less available to type a lot lately as I am doing what matters most….loving and taking care of these little ones God has given me. But I wanted to share some links with you. These are articles on the topic of what matters most. I hope you find them helpful and encouraging.
This is from Laura at Heavenly Homemakers:
http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/chatting-with-lisa-whelchel-about-raising-little-ones
I am especially concentrating on the part where she talks about doing as little outside of being a mom as possible.
And from Moms In Need of Mercy:
http://momsinneedofmercy.blogspot.com/2010/07/when-its-time-to-just-say-no.html
Happy Monday!
Brandy
MRSA: A Real Monster Every Mother Should Know About
July 20th, 2010
Hayden got a spider bite several summers ago. It had to be a spider bite, because we didn’t recognize it as anything else we’d ever really seen on our kids before. And after all, he’d been sitting on the grass in the backyard playing in the water.
The “spider bite” grew. It got red, SWOLLEN, feverish, and NASTY! We found ourselves at the doctor’s office where we were told that it probably was a spider bite that got infected and that it should clear up on its own.
It didn’t.
It continued to grow into a fiery ball of disgusting infection and we eventually found ourselves holding our child down while we drained the painful lesion.
Then it happened again.
????
We still didn’t know yet that MRSA had hit our family.
Then another one of our boys, Dylan, got some sort of bug bite in his groin. The “bugbite” quickly grew and grew into some sort of monster and within a couple of days, Dylan was hunched over, unable to walk. The lump in his groin was huge, red, swollen and hot. He had bright red streaks surrounding it. The lymph nodes surrounding it were swollen. He felt terrible. I was scared out of my mind. We took him to the doctor where he was immediately referred to a surgeon and he was admitted to the hospital.
The surgeon was able to quickly drain and clean the area and packed it with some gauze and left it open to allow it drain more if it needed. Dylan was put on antibiotics and sent home. The lab results came back.
MRSA!!!!!
That explained Hayden’s mysterious “spider bites”. And a host of other little infections here and there we’d seen in our oldest son, too.
MRSA is mean. It’s ugly. It’s from the pits of hell.
I won’t claim to be the scientific expert on the bacteria here. Please google all you want to learn more on that end. But please, please…..from one mom to another….take note!
1. If your child has a mysterious, swollen “bite”, especially in the summer, do NOT hesitate to take them to the doctor.
2. Since some doctors are not quick to think of MRSA, be one step ahead of them: ASK THEM IF THEY THINK IT COULD BE MRSA and ASK IF YOU CAN CULTURE IT.
3. Keep Bactroban and Hibiclens in your bathroom AT ALL TIMES once you’ve had a case of MRSA. They’re the biggest tools we have against the demon so far. Besides antibiotics to eradicate it.
4. It’s very contagious, so ask your doctor what he/she thinks about treating the family with antibiotics, nasal Bactroban and Hibiclens baths therapeutically to get rid of it. Yes, 1 in 4 people are colonized with it and you may “catch” it again, but at least you can get rid of it for now.
5. MRSA can become systemic and result in something called Toxic Shock Syndrome. TSS can be fatal very quickly. DO NOT WAIT TO TREAT YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN FOR MRSA. I personally know firsthand how serious this stuff can be. Read my story here.
Praying for a cure. But in the meantime, just be informed and geared up.
Love
Brandy
39 Things I’m Thankful For
July 22nd, 2010
1. adjustable waist bands in kids’ clothes
2. fresh, clean blankets
3. free online educational games
4. refreshing summer rain
5. Burt’s Bees baby lotion
6. smoothies in my own blender
7. cloth diapers
8. a washing machine to wash my cloth diapers and
9. my boys’ muddy clothes
10. bathtime for my babies and
11. soap to bathe them with
12. getting to clip 70 fingernails and 70 toenails (maybe 60 since my eldest is WAY too mature to let me do that anymore)
13. a freezer full of food
14. a mother-in-law who comes to help cook, clean and take care of all my babies
15. energy to do what I do
16. the wisdom to know to leave the sour cream mess all over the kitchen floor til later and tend to the crying newborn now
17. cloth nursing pads
18. super long skirts
19. flip flops
20. clean kitchen sinks
21. clean microwave
22. clean countertops
23. my Shark steam mop
24. swaddling a baby
25. breastfeeding
26. summer reading lists
27. late night cooking shows
28. the silliness of my 12 year old
29. having too many socks
30. my sisters who are my friends
31. my friends who are my sisters
32. a husband who works hard
33. the break of a weekend
34. the return to the regularly scheduled programming a new week brings
35. morning coffee
36. sweet tea
37. the fact that I love to cook for my family
38. dessert
39. 7 gorgeous, healthy little men that I call my boys
Love
Brandy
Motivation Monday
July 26th, 2010
Hey Moms
I’ve paid attention to a few really cool blogs for moms over the past few months and have learned a few things. There will be some significant changes to this site coming soon. One of the changes that I am most excited about is the regular posts on Mondays that I am planning. Like most moms, Mondays are quite often a “catch-up” or “recovery” day from the weekend. Sometimes, due to road trips or being gone all weekend because of outside activities, not only are we not home to keep up with regular maintenance, but we leave EXTRA mess behind that piles up til….well…Monday.
And we all know Mondays can be hard enough sometimes. So starting a week from today, I am planning to make Monday’s theme motivation for moms. Feel free to comment or message me privately about topics you’d like to read/discuss/share. All moms need encouragement.
Especially on Mondays.
On another note, I had a really interesting conversation with a VERY good friend last night. She asked me to provide a menu calendar with accompanying recipes and grocery lists. I LOVE this idea, so I can’t wait to get started on this project. I want to be able to offer it in a printable form, so bear with me as I attempt to get it all set up.
I’m so grateful for my good family and friends that love me. They’re such a blessing to me.
Thankful,
Brandy
Caramel Frappuccino
July 27th, 2010
Save your four bucks that will feed a child in Africa for a week and make your caramel frappuccino at home. So easy and it tastes absolutely every bit as delicious as your local Starbucks!
You’ll definitely want to make a full pitcher, because everyone around you will want some of this. You’ll need:
4 cups ice
1 – 2 cups milk (depending on your taste)
2 cups cold coffee
6 Tablespoons sugar
a big squeeze of caramel topping
some whip cream
Instructions:
1. Blend ingredients til smooth and top with whip cream and drizzle with caramel syrup.
2. Sit on the couch.
3. Drink.
4. Smile.
Love,
Brandy
Computer Lockdown: Safeguarding Our Kids
July 29th, 2010
We let our children play computer games. We have told them they have a time limit for computer use each day. We have also instructed them on what websites are approved by us and which ones aren’t.
But this summer, it got a little tricky.
With extra time on their hands, and on hot days, I found my children on the computer WAY too much. Ya know. Time flies when you’re having fun.
Not only were they on for too long, but they were playing games that we don’t approve of …. like bloody war games.
And I began to question…..Why are they on sites we’ve told them not to visit? How did they get there? And why are they spending so much time on the computer??
Yes, we’ve told them they have a time limit.
Yes, we’ve trained them on what is/isn’t appropriate online. But….without being WITH them as they sit and navigate the internet, how do they really know what’s okay and what’s not okay for them to participate in?
This is not a gray area for me. Protecting our kids’ hearts/minds/spirits/bodies ….It’s ALL important to me.
Train up a child the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it….I take it pretty literally.
So…
Train my child up to sit around all day on a computer while chores go undone…..NO THANKS!
Train my child to fill his mind and heart with violent acts so that when he is old he is a bully…….NOPE!
Train my child to listen to crude and disrespectful jokes so that he is crude and disrespectful instead of noble and honorable……..Um…..NO WAY!!
So, what to do?
This is easy to fix….technically. Not as easy once your children figure out what you’ve done.
PASSWORD PROTECTED
We set up a password on each computer that the boys use and they cannot log in without us doing it for them. We won’t tell them the passcode. If they guess it (one boy already did) we’ll change it.
TIME LIMIT
We note the time that each boy logs on and they get exactly ONE HOUR each day and no more. I feel this is generous and we may cut it down during the school year.
APPROVED WEBSITES
We created shortcuts to their favorite websites that we approve of and put them on the desktop. All they need to do is click on each shortcut…no need to use the search bar, which could lead them to unapproved websites. They know that we can scroll through the history to see where they’ve been and that they will lose privileges if we see they’ve visited sites they weren’t supposed to.
And how has it worked???
Beautifully!!!
If your kids are spending too much time on the computer, I challenge you to try this and see if it works for you. And I’d love to know what other methods parents are using. We looked into buying software, but so far, this is working great and …it was free!!
They may not like it now, but they’ll thank me later.
Love,
Brandy
New Menu Format
July 30th, 2010
In the past, I’ve posted our weekly dinner plan, with no breakfast or lunch plan. It’s not that I don’t believe in a real breakfast or lunch…I do. But it hasn’t seemed as big a deal to me to really plan it into our menu or grocery list….until now.
We eat about 19 out of 21 meals at home every week. And recently, the boys have been getting really bored of the regular breakfast and lunch options. So for that reason, I decided to go ahead and start planning the menu for those meals. The benefit of meal planning is not only organization, but it can also save you time and money.
Still working on menu calendars, but until then, expect full weekly menus including all three meals. Not all recipes will have links, and I will be working on that too.
Keep runnin’!
Love
Brandy
Weekly Menu August 2-8
July 30th, 2010
I go grocery shopping on the weekends in preparation to start my menus on Monday mornings. No more random order.
Monday
breakfast – blueberry muffins and fruit
lunch – mini pizzas
dinner – navy beans, cornbread, salad
Tuesday
breakfast – breakfast burritos
lunch – PBJ flying saucers and apples
dinner – lemon herb chicken ring and salad
Wednesday
breakfast – pancakes and fruit
lunch – chicken, fruit, cheese kabobs
dinner – salmon patties, hushpuppies, green beans, tater tots
Thursday
breakfast – eggs, toast, juice or smoothie
lunch – grilled cheese, carrots and ranch
dinner – taco salad
Friday
breakfast – fruit salad and muffins
lunch – wraps
dinner – “create your own” quesadillas and nachos
Saturday
breakfast – “create your own” pancakes – blueberry, walnut, or banana
lunch – restaurant in between grocery shopping and errands
dinner – sub sandwiches
Sunday
breakfast – buttermilk spice muffins and fruit
lunch – restaurant after church
dinner – steak, potatoes, salad
Stay tuned for updates with links to recipes!! I feel a cookbook coming on…..Oh dear.
Love
Brandy
Give me a break!
August 2nd, 2010
It’s Monday!!! If you’re anything like me, you hit the ground running this morning.
And is it just me, or do you feel sometimes that the weekend isn’t a break at all?
Okay, so back to Monday. I promised motivation.
Motherhood can wear you out. I mean I am tired …. really tired sometimes. It may have something to do with a new little bundle of joy that has been waking up every hour on the hour once he sleeps past 3 or 4 AM. It could have something to do with all the laundry…or chasing of these boys….or making their nutritious meals….or keeping their home clean. Maybe.
And I love my job. I love doing what I do. I love taking care of people that I love.
But tired. Yes.
Just a fact of life.
You’re not alone.
I found myself very grumpy yesterday. I heard myself snapping at the boys for the silliest little things. I sat and thought for a minute……What was WRONG with me? And the truth…plain and simple…..This mama needed a nap.
So a nap I took. And it worked wonders.
What is that you need today? Some quiet time? Some quality time with your hubby? A relaxing bath, a good book, chocolate? Could it be that you’re like me right now and ya just need some sleep?
I hope that I can motivate you today to give yourself what you need to keep running. I know that for me personally, I don’t require very much sleep and I have high energy normally. But extreme sleep deprivation is something no human is wired to handle.
Get your rest, mamas. Give yourself the break you need.
Because if you don’t take care of your kids’ mama, who is going to take care of THEM?
Love
Brandy
Oh, for the Day!
August 4th, 2010
Found this little poem I wrote a couple winters ago…..Seemed timely for me today. What about you?
***
Oh, for the day when no one cried or started to whine
or asked for anything as soon as I sat down for a rest
or hit their brother or poured out their juice
on freshly cleaned carpet, making a mess.
Oh for the day when birds would sing and the sun would shine
and I found my John Mayer cd that’s gone missing,
For a date with my love, a martini or two
For a day on the beach, I am wishing.
Oh for the day when the laundry is loved
by someone other than me,
or the dishes, the sink, the yard and the chores
oh how i’d much rather read.
Oh for the day when they’re all off to study,
when my kids are all full grown.
Sewing and gardening will be quite a joy
till I realize I’m all alone.
“Oh for Today”, let my heart’s cry be
may I stay in this moment forever!
With dishes and diapers and chores a-plenty,
I’d rather have it all than my house all empty.
Lord, bless me today and the work of my hands
let my work be done in love.
Help me enjoy my kids every day,
each one a blessing from above.
Love
Brandy
Spinach and Onion Quesadillas
August 4th, 2010
You’ll need:
multi grain or whole wheat tortillas
jack cheese
one garlic clove, sliced thin
third of a yellow onion, sliced thin
cup of fresh baby spinach leaves
What to do:
1. Saute the onions in olive or vegetable oil until browned, then throw in your garlic. Salt while in the pan.
2. A couple minutes after you put the garlic in, throw in your spinach leaves.
3. Watch closely, stirring often – the spinach will wilt in less than a minute!!
4. Scoop the veggies onto your tortilla, place shredded jack cheese on top, then cover with another tortilla. Brown lightly on both sides and serve!
You could explore different variations, adding in bell peppers and mushrooms. Sliced roma tomatoes and avocados with lime juice, salt and pepper would be a great side dish. YUM!
Brandy
Cheese Graters
August 10th, 2010
Hayden regularly cracks me up. Recently, he was in the kitchen with me, grating some cheese for our meal.
Hayden asks, “Mom, do you remember when cheese graters were invented?”
Love this kid,
Brandy
Same Page
August 9th, 2010
I had been struggling, fighting to retain my focus on the present day. Always thinking ahead, wondering what’s next can be exhausting. I have one particular issue about my future that I bring up with God quite frequently, one that He seems (in my human mind) to duck out of the room just in time, every time I mention it.
Many times, as parents, we often hear the answer to our question come out of our own mouths. Such was the case when I was reading to my son a couple of days ago.
We had started reading one of his favorite books and like always, he wanted to tell me about the pictures and talk while I was reading. He wasn’t really listening to me read, wanting to skip to the next page in a hurry, and to the next book sometimes, too. That’s when I heard myself say, “can we just enjoy reading THIS page in THIS book before we go on to the next?” It hit home like a sledgehammer.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
God made today for today’s purposes. May I get on the same page with Him!!
Love
Brandy
Weekly Menu August 9 – 15
August 7th, 2010
Monday
cereal & fruit
bean & cheese burritos
baked pasta, salad, rolls
Tuesday
breakfast burritos
mini pizzas
hummus, pita bread, raw veggies (yellow and red bell peppers)
Wednesday
pancakes
homemade mac-n-cheese and sandwiches
chicken skewers, cantaloupe, tater tots
Thursday
smoothies & granola
tuna sandwiches & fruit
chicken-n-dumplings, green beans, salad
Friday
cereal & fruit
grilled cheese & fruit
Saturday
homemade waffles
-out-
homemade pizzas and salad
Sunday
cereal & fruit
-out
leftovers……Don’t ya just love ‘em? Seriously. So nice to just pull something out of the fridge and heat up and spend the rest of the night playing games with the family.
Have a happy week!
Brandy
