Found a new blog while searching for Vegan menus. Fimby is full of natural things and simple beauty.

I spent Saturday trying to find alone time. I let the boys play games and veg. But, first I knocked out the pile of dishes and laundry. I gave each boy one major chore. Little flower got herself a really plush bed and lots of babies in her giant play pen. I think I really needed that. I knew I wouldn't get to go anywhere and my fuse was short. But, it sure feels good.

::Things I need to do this week::
Finishing revamping chorepacks
Wash all the windows...they get dirty and moldy over the winter since the back half of the house is partially in the ground.
Oldest is hanging up the laundry we got behind on.
Read more in Siblings without rivalry...these boys drive me nuts. I get tired of yelling, leave me alone and the oh so popular..you are such a turd.
Make a Trader Joes list. I realize we haven't been there in a few months. Seems strange.

Searching for Inspiration...

I have been searching for s little happiness in my life. I am trying to focus on the positives. It seems like a lot of work sometimes. It is probably just the winter. It is probably a whole lot of the stress of seeing things that need to get done and jobs that need to happen. I remember when I moved bsck to Washington. I had peace and I felt good. I was thin, full of energy and ate well. I have those moments here, but I really wish I could find that place again although I know it would have to be a bit different considering things are different.

::Naughty things to eat::
Skillet Cookies

::Funny Things to Watch::
God is Not a White Man

::Prayerful Things::
A New Way to Pray from Relevant Magazine

::Things to Read::

I used to read a lot to the boys...

then we changed some of our schooling methods.  Then we added a son with some speech and reading difficulties.  Read Alouds fell to the way side.  I miss them though.  I need to find the time to sneak them in again.

Right before this pregnancy...

I felt like things were going smoothly again.  I felt like I came up, we'll okay we, had found a good rhythm.  Getting pregnant and therefore sick made me feel ike a mess. How was I going to handle another child?  Should the children go to school next year?  This book is helping me find my way again.  Reminding me  what is important.  Reminding me that we are adding someone new...again...   

We don't know this someone's personality.  We can't be prepared.

What is important. What is doable.

I am reading the above book. I will try to keep track of some notes here. There is this quote from page 18, "What seems the most important is usually not; what is most doable is the place to begin. If. you do enough that is doable, you will get to the important, and your motivation will be fueled byyour success."

I think I try to tell this to my children, but I definitely don't do it for myself. I make countless schedules and routines. Yet, I have yet to work on the things that keep our routines from working. I think it would be better if I worked on improving mealtime and bedtimes. Bedtimes used to include candles and lots of books. Now they are usually TV with Dad at a horribly late time while Mom passes out in the bedroom. Dad misses this time, but no one is doing anything about it.

An Autumn meal...

I checked out some books from the library. One of them was....


I am making Sage, White bean, and Sausage soup from it. I am going to use Tofurkey Italian Sausages to make it vegetarian so everyone can eat it. Plus, greasy foods aren't sitting well with my stomach lately. Did I forget to mention it uses dry beans and my crockpot. I love the crockpot. I am planning on making some rice because we have a bunch of limes leftover from yesterdays dinner. a squeeze of lime is really good on rice. I am going to make pumpkin muffins, too. I am going to double up so we have enough for tomorrow's breakfast. I love muffins for breakfast.

A Million Miles in A Thousand Years

 I really enjoy Donald Miller books.  I enjoy them because you can read just one chapter and savor it for a week.  That is how I like a book.  I like to read a bit at a time and let it sit on my mind and flow through my body.  I like to apply it to my weekly routine.  See how it filters through our life.  See if it makes a difference.  See if calms me.

In chapter 9, he talks about Jason and how he saved his family by recreating their story.  This is my advice (for myself even) when thinks seem hard.  There are days when the kids won't cooperate.  There are days when I tell my oldest I'm going to send him to public school and see how he can handle it.  It comes out as some awful threat.  It comes out like I hate all public schools and that he will be shamed into a little robot or cast onto the playground.  I'm venting.  It isn't attractive.  So, I re-do.  I let go.  I apologize.  (I mean what happens if they do have to go to school one day?)

But, I don't know if after the apology I really look to make our life better.  I tend to clean up the kitchen or serve them a good pie or something.  Sometimes I try to make up some sort of amazing schedule that gets us all out of bed at 6am and I suddenly feel the urge to study Latin with them.  But, I don't think I really take the time to seek out something exciting.  I don't think I really take the time to figure out a mission for us to accomplish.  A better way to serve God together.

Better-Off and A Little Garden Flower....

I have to be careful.  I will take on a stack of books and not finish one single book.  I don't often purchase books though.  I think it's because, in the past I would devour them in two days and feel like I wasted money.  But, with more children and more to do, books often linger on the bedside table, in a kitchen nook, wander past the toilet, in a full laundry basket...you get the picture.  I renew them three times and pay my 30 cents in late fees.  I renew it three times a year.  Honestly....buy a book every once in awhile.  Savour it, enjoy it.

I'm really enjoying this book.  I'm so happy to have purchased it, too. I decided it's required reading for High School.  I actually thought it might be dry.  But, Amanda said she devoured it.  I appreciate his style.  I find myself literally laughing.  I don't mind reading it to my children (and yes sex is mentioned once).


My other purchase was A Little Garden Flower Grade 1.  I bought the E-book because I figured I could print just what I want and not get overwhelmed.  I've been wanting to go towards Waldorf for many years.  I'm a bit sad that I never just did it.  I had excuses for years.  But, maybe I wasn't ready.  Maybe I needed to work on myself first.  I needed to let go of stuff and attachments to things.  I needed to purge.

I'm not sure what happened with Good Reads. I thought at some point I could just post a review straight from their site. Goodness, I don't have time for all of this.


I've picked this up before. I thought it was time I really read it. It's beside by bed. It's getting a bit of time each night from me. I think my children have a pretty calm and compassionate life. I think I'm the one who needs help to remember to give that life to them. There are definitely some things I disagree with in this book (as a Christian). So, if you are really conservative you might choose to put this book down. Other than that I love the suggestions. I love the stories and personal input.

Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John Eldredge

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I must note that I tried to read this book once before. I felt the same way many of the reviewers have. It's fluff. And, I have to admit I still don't like the writing style much. There are a lot of quotes and poor placement of the quotes. But, I might be too picky on that. The writing style is the reason I gave it a 4 and not a 5.



But, honestly I think I just needed to wait for a better time in my life. I'm a lot closer to God at this point. I have had some huge heart changes in my life. I never see myself as I long haired dress wearing girl. So, if you think I've gone to that side you would be mistaken. I'm still a short haired, jean, and converse wearing kind of girl. I'm still mistaken as a sister and not a mother of my children. I still have that kiss of youth.



I don't know how much this book is helping me personally. But, it really has helped me to look at the women around me and see where their pain is. I don't always know how to relate to women are at different places in their lives, who have made different choices. This has helped me see them in a different life, so that I can be a better friend.



I grew up with mostly guy friends and have always had difficulties with having girlfriends. But, this is really opening my eyes and my hearts to the relationships I do have know and how I can help improve them...because I am at a point in my life where I desire deeper relationships with women. I'm married and relationships with men just don't fulfill me anymore. I have my husband and I just don't need to be that close to other men.


View all my reviews.

What will I do...the library catalog is not working today?

I want to see if they have books with the illustrator Alison Jay, Plain and Simple (it's about the Amish), and the creative family.

Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food by Gene Baur

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an interesting History about Farm Sanctuary. It's always fascinating to read about how something develops out of nothing but a dream or even a passing thought.


View all my reviews.

The Year of Living Biblically

Wow, this finally came in from the library. I was well over 100 in the waiting list. So, far it's hilarious and insightful. It's a good look at how those from the outside often see "us". By us I mean those who identify as believers in a Judeo-Christian God.