The Bright Side

To look at the mountain of laundry in my room you'd think I'd be overwhelmed... When in fact it makes me happy... You see they are ALL clean! Yes they are in need of being folded and put away but at least they smell good!

I've found that to overcome the things I see as "big" it becomes easier when I  see the "bigger" things! Say for instance... A family of 12 would have much more laundry so looking at my 5 loads for the day.. even add in thinking of the two still in the wash and dryer... I see them as much smaller!

So my hopes today is someone somewhere will see the mountain of 5 loads of laundry in my room tonight and take on their two or three with joy! Be Thankful they are clean clothes!


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Prepare To Prepare...

In the coming months I will be preparing to take over the preschool department in our church... To say the least I am excited... Yet nervous! I've never been over more than my family before. Children are easy to lead in some senses, adults are completely different.

I've been blessed to come into a great leadership team and I have no doubt I will not be stranded yet helped at every turn! The children are my heart and I never thought I'd hear myself say that! God has truly blessed my heart with this change and seeing the children love to come learn is AMAZING!

I know my talents are God given and not boasting just using confidence I believe God is going to change me through the coming months!

So as I Prepare to Prepare to take over this new area in my life... God is guiding my every step!
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Can you Relate?

Today our power was out for several hours and I found myself relating to my children in new ways... Strange as it may seem ... Even as a mom of 7 there are things about children I have yet to learn!

The picture above is a wallpaper offered by our church and it is the  background on my phone... It reminds me daily we are here in this world to relate to people to show them that looking past our outward appearances we too have our faults and imperfections!

So often I feel like I fail as a mom, as a friend, as a wife.. no one else ever feels like that right! See I am far from perfect... Just ask my kids!

Even so as far from perfect as I am I learn daily from mistakes and keep trying again to do better! I rely on scripture and prayer to get me through the times when I feel like I may not be able to go on! God is my refuge and strength!

As a mom I know there are times when I need to step back and breathe... A cluttered house or dirty clothes piled high or dishes yet to be washed ... In no way mean I do not love my children... In fact they mean I've taken the time to read books with the baby growing fast or play games with the teen who'll soon be off to college!

God takes time for me so why shouldn't I? As much time as I need I strive to give each of my children double what I give myself in a week... They are precious to me!

Can you Relate to me? Can you Relate to the mom with the screaming baby in Walmart? Can you Relate to your children? Find someone you can Relate to today and share your heart! Remember God can always Relate to you!
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Better to listen and obey than to run away...

God said go and Jonah said no... Then he was swallowed by a whale!

Even teaching a class of ten 2-4 yr olds tonight they could grasp how important it was to listen and obey rather than run away!

Now if we as adults will learn the same lesson!

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Amazing Detail

There are times when I hear my children laugh or see them smile that I am in complete awe of God's detailed handywork!

Like the kaldiscope pictured above we each are so uniquely made and each so different!

Treasure your every difference for it shows who you are and how God created you just the way He knew you needed to be!

As I began to look at every day as a new chapter in my life leading towards God's plan for me... I seek out ways to truly use my talent on a daily basis!

Whether it is teaching my 2 yr old colors or my 8th grader pre-algebra... Each one sees me in a different light and has different needs!

I am thankful that indeed my strength comes from the Lord! I rely on God for wisdom and guidance in everything I do!



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My Love

Over 15 yrs ago I met a wonderful man... I married him 9 months later! We've been married over 14 years and have 7 wonderful children!

He truly is the love of my life! Through bad times and good he has stuck by me!

We walk and live in faith together... Even when we are not sure how! I may not always portray the perfect wife.... He still loves me anyway! He cooks better than I do and cleans too! He never cares if the house is dirty unless I care about it! He has never cared what's for dinner as long as he gets fed! He expects very little of me and always listens to my opinion even when I'm wrong!

When I get a wild idea to try something new... Like rearranging furniture our making a mess with crafts or for ditching school to go play... He jumps in with both feet!

Over the years he's taken off countless days of work just to be with me! He loves me even when I don't live myself!

He treats me like a queen and provides for my needs daily! He is close to God so when I am close to him I feel the same... God is our head and we are equals! John is the head of the house and takes his authority seriously!

John is my love after God! He knows this and encourages me daily to grow spiritually!

I could name time after time when I would have fallen if it were not for my husband... The man God gave me!

I love you John Allen! Thank you for all you do!

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Micah Allen

Micah is our firstborn... the one who started us off right... in a big way!

John and knew we wanted children and 10 months after being married... we began!

Micah was born a big baby weighing over 9 lbs! He never slowed down and now at almost 14...he is about to pass me up and I'm 6 ft!

Micah had a very caring spirit and a live for people... not a shy bone in his body!

Micah can read at a college level and do math in his head!

Even though he's been homeschooled his entire life he wants to go to school... we are still praying about that!

Micah is the child I see the most of myself in... despite our differences... he will always be my baby!

Micah is brimming with personality and.potential... God had BIG plans for him!

I love you Micah!




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John Russell

John Russell amazes most people when he says he is NOT firstborn in our family! To be honest it amazes me sometimes... to see how much he looks like his daddy and knowing we saved the name for him!

Here us the family connection.. John of course is my hubby's name and john's daddy's name and his grandfathers name... so that connection is obvious.
Russell is my brother's middle name and my daddy's name and his daddy's name! I guess you could say John Russell is the most connected to family be name going back 3 generations on both sides!

When John was born it never occurred to me to name him something else... and the fact he looks like his daddy... well that was God's doing!

John is known to many as shy and very reserved... get to know him and you will quickly see otherwise! His personality is very bubble and funny!

Watch out cause he just might burst into song or a funky dance in the most amazing places!

My nickname for him is (lovingly) "marshmallow"  ... only because he gives the best hugs and is so sweet! He asked one day what is call him when he git muscles and was not as soft... I said the you'll just be my burnt marshmallow! Lol!

He has a big heart and watching over little ones is a gift! He is very good with his little siblings.... I don't know what id do without him somedays!

John also has an amazing creative side... he is very good with his hands, painting and drawing come naturally!

As he enters his teen years I am excited to see him blossom and watch him discover all God has in order for him!

I love you John R.!

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Titus Casey

Titus was our 3rd boy and though I thought I knew everything.. he changed that... he came out face up and quiet as a mouse!

Just like him... my post is late.. he kept me in labor for three days... lol maybe that's why I can never remember the pain... he always makes me laugh!

We often call him "funny man" ! Always smiling and ready to play! He loves to help in any way and never ceases to amaze me... on a daily basis!

He reminds me of myself.. a little on the bossy side.. it can be a God thing.. just takes learning!

When it comes to learning he has picked up on so much quickly... really is a fast learner!

Ever since a baby the girls have flocked to him and without even trying he is Mr. Popularity! In church he is known as an awesome worshipper and leader! Truly Titus has many talents to use for God's glory and I know he will!

I love you Titus!

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Grace Elizabeth

I was pregnant for the 4th time.. my life was filled with three boys and tons of blue things... till i found out i was carrying a girl.. i think everyone could see the joy on my face!

Grace was just that... pure grace after having three boys... God knew i needed her!

She is shy in many ways... though when you get to know her she is bursting with personality!

She loves to love on me and pamper me with hair do's and back massages!

She is very bright and catches on quickly to new things!

She is a big help around the house and works well with others.

Grace is an all around girl girl yet she'll get muddy with the boys!

She is my sweetheart! I love you Grace!



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Selah Joy

After having 3 boys I was thrilled to welcome a second girl in a row! Her name means "pause and reflect" thus Joy being her middle name I often say she reminds me to pause and reflect on the joys in life!

Selah is the one to always bring sweet notes and make me laugh with her!

Even though she has worn glasses since age 3 I hardly ever hear her complain... in fact instead you can often year her say.. " one day soon I won't need these glasses !" I stand behind her 100% because we serve a BIG God!

Though learning her colors and letters has been tougher with her eyesight she presses on and never ceases to amaze me!

She is a " little mommy" in so many ways.. she loves to play house and pretend with her siblings! She is very creative and lives to draw! It is not uncommon to hear her humming a time to herself or dancing around to the music in her room!

God knew she'd be full of Joy!

I love you Selah Joy!
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Levi James

Levi James is my all around boy! He was born right after 2 sisters and no one can deny he is all boy!

Lately he is becoming sweeter I think.. his hugs are beyond awesome...

He always amazes me by his creativity!

His 4 yr old brain workable hard to keep up with his older brothers... I bet before long he will kick them in video games!

Teaching him this yr already has been an eye opener for me at how smart he ready is! At 4 he already can spell his name ... now we just need to work on his writing. He truly is a joy in our lives!

God knew I needed another son after having 2 girls... less drama in some ways!


Levi has a dashing smile and eyelashes many girls want! He loves to laugh and often I find him jumping off something he's not supposed to be on... oh the joys of a boy!

In a month we take him to a ENT Dr to investigate why he snore terribly... he may need his tendrils and adnoids out like his older brother. We are believing he will not !


I love you Levi James!
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Ruth Maryanna

Ruth Maryanna makes me smile! That is only the beginning ... for the first time in 7 children she us the 1 to want me more than daddy even after weaning! She also is the first of 7 to suck her thumb... a child after mommy's heart!

She is a brilliant 2 yr old and I am NOT just saying that ! Her language skills far exceed most children her age! On top of that she has a very engaging personality and a beautiful smile!

Throughout the very rough pregnancy she was always in perfect health and very active! God knew I needed her and I believe she knows it even without telling her!

"Ru Ru" as she is known to us is a true blessing to our family! She adores her older siblings and always knows how to make us smile!

Since turning 2 in July she has found more ways than I can count to amaze me! She is fast to find a easy access snack if she is hungry or a nearby cup if she is thirsty... you'd think I know better after 6 before her! I think its her siblings leaving things out... yeah that's it! LoL!

Any one who knows her can see she is tiny... I laugh because its only her size... everything else is huge .. personality,smile,hugs and her love!

I love you, Ruth Maryanna!


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Seven Children Seven Days

Since the Lord made 7 days... I am going to take each day this week to celebrate the life of each of my children!

Starting today I will list the things I am thankful for with each child... This is going to be so fun!



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Packed Freezers

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Packed Fridge

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Packed Pantry

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Blessed Beyond Blessed

My previous or next post however it falls of my packed pantry was by no means meant to be bragging! Last month we made it 1 month just buying a few things near the end of the month... so I readjusted a few things and we shopped again in hopes it will last us an entire month once again!

The less time I spend grocery shopping the better ... especially with school being a priority now and other things always seeming to pop up! I am amazed at how God places things to buy in our path! God provides in so many ways!

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Crafting Again!

So a great friend brought me over a bunch of yarn she no longer wanted... My first craft project in a very long while is above! It took me under 4 hrs and is VERY soft! Next summer I will have 2 teens going to camp and I think maybe these bags will help with that cost! Not to mention my love for doing it.. now i have an excuse ! Any one interested in buying one for any reason give me a holler!


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Growing Up So Fast!

Today my girls and the 5yr old I was keeping wanted me to do their nails... so I obliged and proceeded to pain each nail on each of the 30 fingers a different color per their request!

In reality it was fun even for me... despite the time consuming effort of opening and closing each bottle over and over! Yes I did pain mind too but one color for both hands!

This ritual of nail beauty is one of the few things I enjoy doing to make myself look different... my hair is another! I do not wear makeup and some think it us for a  religious purpose... but really it is out of pure convenience! The time it takes to apply and then to remove eventually is just not something I enjoy!

My daughters will have to learn makeup from friends if they wish... I remind them daily they are beautiful as they are!

God made us each beautiful in our own ways and if one chooses to apply makeup I will never hold it against them... just as I will not judge a person for what they wear!

My friends will love me for who I am... I will not change for them! God made me and loves me just this way... even if I dress up or dress down.. wear makeup or not.. go plain jane or fancy nancy !

I hope to teach my children daily that they are beautiful in and out regardless of what they wear or how they do their hair!


God loves you how you are...share His Love with someone today!

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Differences Are Good!

So many times we point out the differences we see as if they were a bad thing... in reality they are good! Imagine if we all looked alike or sounded the same... I think we just might get aggravated really fast!

God made each of us unique for a purpose... a purpose for His Glory! Each of my children sees the world different... as different as I know they are! So often we try our best to blend in... to become Like those around us... when in reality we should be running the other direction!

My personality had always given me a sense of different I guess you could say... a sense if who I am and not who others want me to be! In recent months I have begun to see a side if me I do not like... I side that wants others to like me at any cost... no more I said.. I put a stop to that really quickly... I am who I am regardless of what anyone else thinks and that is NOT going to change!

I hope to show this to my children on a daily basis from now on! God made them special and they should embrace that with every fiber they can imagine!

My crafty side often shows just how different I am... take construction paper for an example... all the different colors... many many different uses... so perfect in the beginning and yet so easily destroyed... almost like us... we can try so hard to be perfect and yet in our own strength fall apart so easily. Yet if used in the right way... with the right methods, like God's strength... we can become something beautiful and very useful !

Are you trying to become something in your own strength or you allowing God to use you? Let your handcrafter do His work in you!

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This Is What It Takes!

This is what it takes to homeschool 6 kids in grades K5- 8th grade! I'd be fooling you if I said that is all it takes... it takes so much more...
By far this has been our best yr so far and we are just getting started! I began my 4.5 yr old on kindergarten work just to see how he'd do and to my amazement he's taken right to it! As had my 6 yr old to her 1st grade work! The older ones have discovered a full ABEKA curriculum is more work than a thrown together one as in past yrs ... they are adapting well though and learning fast despite their objections! I an amazed some days at how quickly they can get their work done and I know they see what hard work can do as well when they put their mind to it! God is preparing me for so much right now... I see now how teaching my children has given me insight to so many other areas too! We truly are Blessed Beyond Measure!
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