Abundant Blessings Farm

Sounds from upstairs

Tonight as Honey and I were in bed ready to get to sleep, we heard the normal night time words floating down from upstairs....

Good night, Rebecca, Good night, Thomas, Good night Natalie, Good night, Mary...and the chorus went on until all had said Good night to each other. How sweet is that? I just love that my children have such a love for each other. Sure, they are siblings..and they are together all the time...and I'm sure they'd like some quiet alone time once in awhile. But, they are truly each others' best friends. I just love that. And the Waltons have nothing on our good nights here!

So, why am I here on the computer if it's bedtime??? Well, I have a headache...it's centered over my left eye. My accident eye as Mary calls it. I took some medicine for it and am awaiting it to relieve the pain so I can head to slumber land next to my beloved. He won't sleep well till I join him, so I won't be up too long. I can't imagine not lying next to him each and every night.

Our garden is planted. It's not huge..but that's okay. We haven't gardened here before, so this is our trial run. Natalie has a flower garden in the planter outside the front door. Mary has a flower garden at the end of the clothesline. I need to get more seeds for her...one of the packets of seeds had a small hole and there were about 10 seeds in the packet when we got it opened... not cool. It was the first one she picked out, the wildflowers one. Thomas is going to build Rebecca a planter for her to start an herb garden. She's wanted to do this for the past two years. She's done alot of reading about herbs and is excited to get started with growing her own.

Speaking of Miss Rebecca...drumroll please....

SHE'S NOW A PERMITTED DRIVER!!!!

Yep, my sweet babe passed her driver's permit exam on Monday. She only missed two questions...out of 30...and could have missed up to 6 and passed. I'm so proud of her!!!! She was a bit nervous about taking this test. As homeschoolers, we don't do formal testing...so it was a bit different for her. I knew she would do great...and she did!!! Now, for some driving time.... Too bad she has to learn to drive with our Burb...no little car here for her to use.

I'm still wondering how this little girl who used to drive a Little Tykes car around the yard is now able to drive a vehicle??? Where do the years go????

It's been too long since I blogged...sorry about that. We have too many members of the family who want computer time...and only one computer. I'm surprised Penny, Ernie and Bean (our dogs) don't want a bit of time here too!

All four children had a dental cleaning and checkup this week. Two have small cavities. Dental care is one thing that I don't put off. We don't do routine pediatrician checkups...but we do dentist checkups. I do wish Toby and my dentist took the children's insurance...I'd switch them there in a flash. I don't dislike their dentist..but I don't really like them either. The office staff leaves alot to be desired as well.

Thomas is going to an orthodontist next week. They will be taking impressions of his teeth and sending them off to see if the insurance will cover braces for him. I've been being told that he needs braces for years. His teeth are quite crowded. He's had some pulled to make room over the years. I do hope they will cover it...it's not an expense we can really swing financially...but it is necessary for him.

I spent a good part of the day on the phone....thanks to a good friend, I may have found a closer source for milk!!!! Oh, what a blessing that would be!!! And I'm nearly out of wheat..and had no idea where I'd get more. But, thanks to this same friend, I got in touch with another mutual friend who may place an order for us...I'm just waiting on the price list to be e-mailed to me. It feels so good to have these issues taken care of!

Honey's job continues to be an interesting place. Three employees have left or will be leaving this week. The HR position is no longer at this store, so he is leaving this week. The front end supervisor is leaving to make a home for two nephews that she is trying to adopt. The state of Alabama sure doesn't have the best interest of those children in mind. These are her brother's boys..that she has helped raise due to their parents' drug issues. The parents are now in jail long term...and want to turn their children over to her...custody and all. But, the state, in its "wisdom" thinks they should serve their time, then play the game of custody once they are released... Grr....
And one of the assistant managers is leaving to try to become a Mama. She is too stressed in her current position and is getting older....it's now or never. Toby had written on her apron (they all sign an apron for those who leave to take with them) that he hoped to see her show on TLC like Jon and Kate Plus 8. So, today she told him that she has 3 fertile eggs and that she wasn't sure about becoming a Mom three times for the first time. He told her that if she did indeed have three babies and could spare one, that we would take him and raise him. She was surprised that he would say that...and that he was serious that we would do that. She had no clue how dearly we'd love to have more children. She does now! 

Speaking of that....I'm reading blogs lately...and this whole quiverfull thing has be a bit annoyed. Who is to determine what a quiver full is exactly? I find that many who have large families...more than 5...seem to think that those of us with less than that do so by choice. Sure, there are many who have 1, 2, 3 or even 4 children by choice. Such is not the case here...we'd have many, many more children if the Lord had given them to us. We have prayed so very many nights for more children..but the giver of life has not chosen to do so. We have to rest in His sovereignty and know that He is God..not us. We have taken NO steps to prevent a blessing...EVER.

Sorry....I know that for as many who seem to think this way, there are just as many who don't. Just felt the need to get that off my chest. Thanks for listening!

It's now past 10pm...and so very past my bedtime. I think I'll go try to get some sleep. That headache is still there, but a bit duller now. I'll heat up the rice pack and see if that helps.

Untitled Comment

{ 07:11, Thursday, April 24, 2008 } { Posted by micandme }

Congratulations to Rebecca! The gardens sound wonderful... what a great idea to give each child a little "bit of earth" as Mary Lennox said. :) My littles have a POT for 2 tomatoes that are doing very well... I"m sure they'd have been much more excited over a flower garden!

Finding wheat IS a challenge isn't it? We were very blessed to find that there is a delivery spot nearby where we can get Walton Feed wheat for $25/bucket, which is LAST YEAR'S price, so I was thrilled as you can imagine.

Have a wonderful day...

Love,
Michelle

Untitled Comment

{ 07:19, Thursday, April 24, 2008 } { Posted by homesteadinthemaking }

Laurie,
I am glad to here someone else say the same things. We would love many more children but we only have 3. Who gets to decide that our quiver is not full? Our kids sound a lot like yours. They love each other and us, their parents. That is why we are having such a hard time finding a church. We haven't found kids who don't dislike their parents and siblings. It's a sad, sad, thing.
Blessings,
Trixi

hi friend

{ 01:06, Thursday, April 24, 2008 } { Posted by Cathy }

My dear, sweet Laurie,
Your writing always makes me smile....I LOVE reading about you, your family and your life. So proud of Rebecca...she is one GREAT young lady.
Thinking of you every day and praying for you. Always remember...I love ya,
Cathy

a full quiver

{ 02:48, Friday, April 25, 2008 } { Posted by Anonymous }

Dear Sister, Please look into liver cleansing and kidney cleansing. I have been using some tinctures to cleanse my liver for health issues. Not expecting that I would ever become pregnant again I am now four months pregnant with our number eight. I am 44 and we haven't had a baby in five years. It said on the bottle may increase fertility but I didn't pay attention and what a surprise we have experienced. A healthier liver and endocrine system as well as a new baby on its way. Here is the link and to order
http://www.sensiblehealth.com/Journey-01.xhtml They are also very helpful. I highly recommend these tinctures especially for your headaches. Which is what prompted me to write. God Bless You. Mumofeight