Westwoods

Christmas thoughts...  When things get crazy and you wonder when are you going to breathe... Then it's time to bend the knee and Worship the King.  This is what Christmas is all about.  A time to worship and bring every burden to the throne.  This is what is pulling me through this hectic time.  Taking a breather before the throne.  The best relaxer! 

My hubby did this last Sat.  Tis' quite lovely to look at the fruits of my labors... This little room is under the stairs.  It holds everything from A-Z. And then the eggs.  Same chicken at work - different day.  That big one is huge.  Do they sell jumbo eggs?  I haven't opened it yet but there might be the beginnings of an ostrich in there.

This is for you mom...  You are on that trip and your trees are beautiful!  Please come home soon. The view out our side yard... And finally my kitchen finished... minus the door pulls.  Bruce got the copper bar glued down to my liking and it is my dream come true. Come for coffee soon.

Time for beautiful fires... Crab apples, and fall walks... One lone little pumkin... Putting the garden to bed... Finishing the barn... A few thoughts too...  I haven't turned into a pile of nothingness in all my busy ness... I still fall asleep at night with words and story plots roaming around in my head.  I've been reading too on the side.  Always must have a good read.  I've been reading three at the same time recently.  A Garden To Keep- by Jamie Langston Turner.  I won't even begin to say how that book makes me think.  Believe me, it's good.    My mom in law sent  Heaven Is For Real  a book written by a dad about his kid.  Very thought provoking about heaven.  Not the usual kind of book I like but good for me to think outside my box.  The thought that heaven isn't exactly how I think it is just because its been my thought.  God can do whatever He wants however He wants. And that H...

School has started... Don't laugh at Laife.  This was the best picture I could get of the little scholars.    Last week we did the school thing.  Finished most the corn from the garden and attained these lovely chickens.  Anyone who knows me; knows that I have exercised a lot of bravery in going to that little chicken farm walking among many chickens to pick out three almost grown chickens and three little ones.  Not only did I brave all those birds I now have the three babies in my office in my house.  They ARE in a little cage so I guess that isn't exactly brave. The most well cared chicks on the planet.  Did I mention, my office stinks! Cute, little chicken coop... Oh dear sweet chicken with the beautiful chicken eye.  I think he wants to eat me.     Disclaimer:  Laife took the chicken photos.  Just to be absolutely clear. The end...

I'm going to try this group of pictures one more time.  After that I give up... I think they should be self explanatory.

Yeah, I'm a little frustrated.  I wanted to update all you wonderful people without words two weeks ago.  I was made aware that it didn't work about ten minutes after I left the Internet service.  At this point we are making the choice to not have Internet in our home.  We take the computer into town once a month or so to pay bills and to try catch up electronically with family and friends.  The problem is you can't hurry fast enough and do a proper job.  The big question?  Should I keep trying or give it up? This summer has flown.  In the last month we've built a barn.  Harvested 100 quart of green beans.  Picked huckleberries, raspberries and made strawberry jam.  I've canned a few pickles.  We cut down three dead trees that we had planted as an experiment. We finished a back sidewalk that we were waiting on because of a trench we needed to dig for an electric line to the barn.  We've painted the ba...

Gardening... Privacy fence... What the kids have been doing...The options are endless...There are sharks in the pool and the trampoline becomes a rodeo...About then mom hands out the work... like weeding a row in that great big garden.. The house is almost finished. I'm starting a cottage garden. I'm loving these gardens.

We’ve been studying Proverbs in Sunday school. I’m probably getting more out of it since I have to teach. Wisdom is the major subject so far. I wonder why God used Solomon as a teacher of wisdom when in the end; Solomon became foolish and married lots and lots of clamorous, glamorous women. He warned and warned the reader to not do it and then he did it. Hhmmm, quite complex I think. I’m led to believe he had moments of wisdom and that it can be easily taken away when you practice living for self. This brings me to another thought. Living out wisdom requires a humble attitude. There are lots of smart people that are not wise. Smart people can be really foolish actually. Being wise and having knowledge go together only when you’re gathering both from God’s stores. Then it is even attainable to the simple. Praise God! OK. But the thought that’s been nagging me, Think of all the different types of people you know. Some just really know a lot. They’re up in the latest news, homes, and l...

Security… Love… Peace… Saturday morning, I am making waffles and eggs. My five year old traipses into the kitchen with sleepy eyes and asks, “Where’s Daddy?” I answered that he was in bed and why did she want to know. “I want to “cuzzle” with him.” That has been the standard answer. {Cuzzle meaning cuddle. } Cuzzle sounds less cuddly yet has all the same benefits. Later that evening at bedtime, Lights are off and everyone is tucked into bed. I leave my bedroom to check on things in the dining/kitchen. I hear a cautious “mommy” coming from the darkness in the living room. A light flipped on exposes a tired little girl with arms full of floppy, white bunny and black and white cat. It appears the stuffed animals are helping her through the darkness all to get one more drink. Next morning… Sunday morning rush to get out the door and to church. For once, we are all ready before leaving time. I glance out the back door to the patio and see five year old in bright orange camp chair looking...

I've very sadly fallen out of the habit of blogging.  I haven't forgotten the want to though.  I still lovelovelove writing and do it almost everyday.  Just, no one gets to see it.  What I really want to show you though; I send pictures to show you.  And just so you believe, I will send some evidence that we are getting close to the end of building.  This weekend I get sidewalks and a back patio.  A very good thing too.  The mud and dirt being drug into the house is taxing my "niceness" endurance. Look at my lovely fireplace....  Bruce did such a good job.  Good man, that. And then Shaunti has been getting her grand initiation at the dentist and the end of kindergarten... A tired family after our first boat ride of the year. OK. A very scattered update.  I have much to say but can't seem to find the time to organize all that stuff floating around in my head.  I will send a finished photo of the house with the trim stuff....

First,  I gave them a tea party.  They were so funny.  As soon as they got home from school they went upstairs to dress for tea.  Tea doesn't taste right unless you dress the part I guess.  The day before, Toria, Shaunti, and I made these tissue paper crafts.  Fun times with my beautiful girls. The grand ladies... The next morning...  Tired but happy girls.