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::

Happy Groundhogs Day!

I have to share a dream that woke me up very early this morning. Pregnancy always beings on the craziest dreams for me. But, this one had perfect timing. I dreamt I was naked and I felt like the baby was coming. I reached down and then looked down and the baby was coming out and in the caul. But, I was like it isn't time yet and he went back in. When I woke I realized it was Groundhogs Day. And, today in Washington State there is no rain and the sun is shining amazingly bright.

Meditating on this New Year

I am not a fan of resolutions.
It makes me feel like I am setting myself up to fail.
I didn't finish that photo project last year. I guess I could try agsin this year.
I did get dreads and I love them.


I have been inspired to meditate on this New Year instead.
I am going to give praise for what is yet to come.
I have no idea what God has in store for us.
I know we are coming to the end of schooling for my husband.
I know we are depending on God's provision for a suitable job.
I know a little boy is due sometime in March.
I know I will turn 35 this year.

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.

Gearing up for a new Year...

Christmas is over.  I think we will keep up the tree.  I had to download all my photos onto Flickr.  It was full and we couldn't wake up the kids till the camera was empty.  I gifted myself a new subscription to Flickr.  I love Flickr.  I've been trying to use shutterfly instead.  I do like their family pages, as well.  Plus, Shutterfly is free!  Can't beat free.  Since, we our computer crash, I just hate risking the loss of photos.  Plus, I really like to share with family members who may not need a pile of photos to clutter up their homes.

I got Wii Fit Plus from  my Mom for Christmas.  The kids have been playing with it.  It looks like it's going to get a lot of use.  I thought it would be fun for me this Winter.

I just signed up for Terra Organics.  I'm super excited.  I've wanted to try this before, but never had the opportunity.  I wanted to add that they are accepting EBT cards now.  I've always felt like the poor really need help accessing healthy foods.  I've read online about people who say the poor buy junk food with their food stamps.  But, I've always strived to buy healthy, organic foods when possible.  Yes, there are times when my pregnant little self bought some cookies and ice cream.  But, for the most part we have strived to eat healthy on our food stamps, when we have had them.  If other people are going to help pay for my food I think I owe it to everyone to make good healthy choices.

I hope to blog more often, too.  I'm trying to get more of a routine going for us again.  I think we get more down that way.  Plus, we are hoping to get out and do more things.  I don't want to spend all our time doing "school".  I would love to see us have more time for friends and outdoor time.

Our youngest is getting her very first teeth.  Both of the bottom front teeth are coming in at the same time.  We got some all natural teething help this time around.  I'll have to make a post on that.

Goodnight Christmas

Goodnight Cookies

Goodnight Happy Little Children

Thank You Lord for This Day

Thank You for Your Grace and Mercy

Thank You for My Little Children

I Give You my New Year

I Ask for Your Guidance

I Hope for Love

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.

How religious parents mess up their kids

I just wanted to share this gem from the internet monk before I add it to my links section.

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The simple list

We (as in husband and I) talked some more today.
We talked about energy assistance and food stamps.
We talked about getting off of food stamps.
We got enough money to pay all our bills and catch up.

My husband has decided to not focus on making money, but focus on his tithe instead.
I've never thought about it like that...boy he is creative.

So, I scrounged up a little notebook from around the house and started a simplifying list.

On that list is to get off of foodstamps.
1. To accomplish that I'm going to keep better track of the prices I spend.
I want to see if I can save any money buying in bulk from Azure Standard.
I know it would help us because we wouldn't be in the grocery store as much.
2. My dh plans to put up the greenhouse this spring, so we can try and start a salsa house. We eat a lot of salsa and if we could grow all the stuff year round we could probably save a bundle, plus it would be tasty. Not sure how well that would work in Washington though.
3. My dh wants chickens for eggs since my mom is not getting more after this last bunch passes away since she is planning to sell her house. Well, their house =)
4. I would like to come up with some outlines of meals we eat each month and a shopping list. Maybe then I would see what we would benefit from buying in bulk first. I can go to Costco with my mom, too. So, that helps because they have more and more good stuff there that I can eat.

This is just part of our loose plan. It's amazing really. My husband and I are growing so close. It brings tears to my eyes to see it all working.

Preparing for God's plans...

and not our own.

I've not been around for awhile. I've been busy finishing up school. I've got one more class I have to take to get my Associates. But, I'm going to take a few quarters off. Then I'll be taking only one class a quarter. I don't need a foreign language because I had French in High School. But, I've decided I should be better prepared. So, I plan on taking 3 quarters in Japanese. I want to take Ceramics at least once more. Then I need that darn Science class with lab.

But, God has been putting so much on our hearts lately. We have felt like we are battling unseen forces..so I guess we are right? At least that is what our Pastor talked about today when he taught on Job. We have found a new church, it's a good fit! We actually have two. One for Saturday night and one for Sunday morning. Our oldest prefers the church we go to on Saturday night, so we compromise. It's not like you can really fight with a kid who wants to go to church twice on the weekend.

We both feel ready to move on. But, we don't know where to go. We both feel overwhelmed with burdens, the house, the chores, and stuff. We are really sensitive people. We could never work 9-5 and survive. We would have a nervous breakdown.

God is getting us ready. He is calling us to him and asking for us to prepare. We have no idea what for. But, so far these are the plans he has been sharing:
He wants us to rely on him
to simplify our household
to let go of our connection to our possessions
to reconnect and build the relationship we have as a family

So, we have been
cleaning,
condensing,
praying,
and finally tithing.

I've been working on really loving my husband.
Not just when he behaves or performs to my standards.
But, for all the things that make him who he is.