house decorating

How do you know how much time, energy, and money should be spent on decorating your home? This can be a struggle especially with decorating blogs, pinterest, face book, and so many do-it-yourself websites easily available. These websites offer wonderful ideas and can save money, but when used too much they can also become big time-wasters, and make you disastisfied with your home.
Just like everything else in life, I think that balance is the key. Your home should be a place where people feel comfortable, kids can play in, but yet pleasing to the eye.
 Sharon James wrote the following about Elizabeth Prentiss, a very Godly woman who lived in the mid 1800s. Prentiss was the author of "Stepping Heavenward" a must read book.

"Women often asked Elizabeth whether it was 'worldly' to devote time to making a home beautiful. Elizabeth was convinced that God made a beautiful world, and that He gifts people with creativity. He is glorified when human beings make their surroundlings clean, attractive and pleasant. She would sometimes joke about her mosses and branches being her 'idols', but in reality she believed that enjoying the creation and giving God thanks for it brings glory to the Creator. She did not believe that costly extravagance was justified: the many decorations found in her house actually cost very little in monetary terms, though a good deal in time and effort. Moreover, much of her time was employed in making gifts for friends and relatives, and she believed that giving others pleasure in this way also brought glory to God. She loved to welcome visitors and her hospitality was legendary.
One greatful guest wrote:
What a delightful home she made! The 'good cheer' she furnished for the minds, hearts, and bodies of her guests was something remarkable. I shall never forget my visits. I always went away full of the marvels of the visit, as well as loaded down with many little tokens of her kindness and thoughtfulness."

I was encouraged when I read this about Elizabeth Prentiss. It is not wrong to enjoy going to garage sales, thrift stores or spend time changing your furniture around to make your home attractive. God loves beauty too! But God also loves it when we have meaningful conversations, enourage, show kindness and graciousness to those who visit our home.

what kind of glasses do we wear?

"Wouldn't you hate to wear glasses?" one small boy asked another.
"No, " said the other, "not if I could have the kind my grandma wears. My mother says she can always see when folks are tired or discouraged or sad. She sees when somebody is in need, and she can always recognize when you have something on your mind that you need to talk over. But best of all she can always see something good in everybody."

Those are called glasses of grace and we all need them.

bucket drumming!

This past summer, the Free Reformed youth camp held a talent show at the end of the weekend. The young peoples and councilors from our church gave a stunning show and revealed their hidden talent of bucket drumming.
Enjoy!

newborn pictures

My friend Christine and her sister came over to take pictures of our little one and the rest of the "tribe."
Thanks Yellow Box Photography! It's not an easy job making small boys sit and smile;)
Caleb is eleven days old on these pictures and I cannot believe at how fast time is going. Why does it seem that the last few weeks of pregnancy feel like years and now he is already six weeks old!


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

zoo-like-ness

When my grandma was over a little while ago, she made a comment that our house was kind of like a zoo. I couldn't help but agree. I wasn't sure if she said this because everyone was home from school and it was a tad crazy or if she said it because of the animals all around us.

 

 

This beautiful hawk sits on our barn roof and sweeps into the fields. I cheer it on hoping that it catches
lots of field mice.
 

 

Deer in the field beside us

 

All eleven puppies are with their new owners. It was fun having them and a great experience for the
boys but the smell of puppies...
 

 

 

 

 

 When you least expect it a dinosaur sneaks up to you and starts nibbling at your feet!

 

And while dusting, little miniature animals pop up all over the place and most often in two by twos. I wonder if they think that that little man with the blue hat is Noah!

when you turn your back for one minute...

When you turn your back for one minute... this is what happens!

 

Tyler wants everyone to know that he gives free haircuts:|)

 

yuck - hair in the mouth


 

 

This boy keeps everyone in our family running.

introducing Caleb!

Sorry for so many pictures but how can you resist a sweet newborn! Caleb was born at 3:00pm on New Years Eve. I was induced after having high blood pressure for many weeks so he was ten days early and weighed a healthy 7.3Ibs. I spent many hours during the pregnancy in the labour and delivery ward having non-stress tests and I heard many moans and groans of pain. By the time it was my turn, I was scared silly. The morning that I went in I decided that after four natural births it was time to have an epidural. The anesthesiologist was walking out of the hospital and I said to my nurse, "grab him!", so I had one BEFORE the pain was bad and the labour was a breeze!

 

An hour after Caleb was born these excited big brothers came to meet their new little brother. The nurses were waving through the windows watching these boys run up the side walk to the hospital. They told me that it made their day to see these boys so full of enthusiasm and excitement. I have to admit that when I first saw this picture that I was instantly over whelmed. Five boys to raise. Five boys to raise to be godly men.


We have four other pictures like this. A proud, happy father and a little newborn with a blue knitted hat. I am beyond thankful for my husband.

Dr. N. has delivered three of our babies and helped when we had our little Matthew. He is a giant of a man with a giant heart. His hearty laugh can be heard through out the baby ward but the best part is that he is a Christian and believes that life is given by God.

 

Liam to Oma: "I am just so happy. I don't know why. I think it is because I have a new brother!"

Last month my grandpa was so sick and we didn't know if he would meet our little one. What a special picture this is.

 

My friend's sister was in the bed beside me with her newborn son. We had a great time together chatting about all sorts of things. It felt like a slumber party!

 

 

Andrew loves to "pet" Caleb!

Olivia is all smiles despite being the only grand-daughter. There are now ten grandsons and one grand- daughter for my parents.
(This is coming from four daughters and no sons!)

Eve and Michaela - there are are ten grandsons and three grand-daughters on Adam's side.

We try our best to keep this two year old far away from his little brother...

 

~So BLESSED~