Smart, not wise.

Voddie Baucham said "I smart man learns from his mistakes, but a wise man learns from the mistakes of others." Now he may not have been the only one to say it, but he's the only one that I've heard say it.

I unfortunately have been smart lately, not wise. It seems that growing up never officially happens, it's a process. I seem to find myself being refined quite often. Weather it's being mean to a friend's child or gossiping, I've done it. Saying innapropriate things? Check. Speaking unkindly to my spouse in front of my children? Over here. The fact of the matter is, I don't think it will ever be over. The fact of the matter is, I'm sinful. The muck of sin is in me and every now and then it likes to revolt. I pray that I'm right when I say the battles are fewer and farther in between, but then I'd probably be getting prideful on top of it all.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one doing these things. It sure feels like I am. I never hear anyone say,

"Man, I was gossiping again and it came back to haunt me."

or

"Shoot, I can't believe I just said that to my husband!"

I often feel like I'm the only one being refined.

Most people look like they've already gone through the process and they're done.

I get very tired of needing refinement, I feel frustrated with myself for being smart and not wise. Good grief woman, just do what your bible says! Listen to the spirit as it leads you and DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD!!!

But no, I don't. I continue on like a sheep (I hear they're very stupid), needing to be rescued from the mirey clay and barb wire fences. I always do get rescued, but not without injury to myself or others.

People encourage me and edify me a lot, apparently I need it, and I'm thankful for it. It makes me want to be a better person. Not a lot of people have the guts to say the hard things.

What if we did?

What if we stopped talking about other people? What if we stopped talking about our kids and our spouses and this woman we know from work? What if all we talked about was ourselves and the Lord?

What if instead of voicing our opinion or our experience to help someone, we opened the word and prayed it?

Who would we be?

I want to find out.

To Mom.

"Thank you for helping me threw my strugls"

It's good to know that despite my failings, the Lord is still driving this ship and we seem to be going in the right direction.

I recently starting writing in a journal for each of my older children who can read. It's not all the time but whenever I see them struggling or notice something that is particularly great I will write them a little note and try to throw in an appropriate verse to encourage them. A lot of times in the day I am too surrounded by littles trying for my attention or being just plain trying and I'm not good at vocalizing during those times. I need to be quiet and focus on not being the mean mom. If there is too much pressure to also be encouraging and talk about stuff in the midst of the chaos, I tend to lose it. But there are things my children need to hear, especially the older ones. So in enters the journals.

My children dont' have baby books. But hopefully they will have these to look back at.

When we judge people...

...we leave no room to love them.

I would love to know who is the owner of this quote. It's a truth that is becoming more and more real to me everyday.

Who's baby is that?

Which one?

The one covered in fecal matter.

Oh, that would be my baby.

Yeah this one. Although he's not covered in fecal matter in this picture. Thankfully.

Things I learned today.

When Ephrim shouts, "THERE'S POO ALL OVER THE STAIRS" (which are carpet, by the way) Mr. Superfantastic is more than willing to finish up dinner.

I can touch large amounts of my children's poo without feeling sick or even really grossed out. I don't know if that's something to be proud of or not?

There's no such thing as washing your hands too much. (well I guess if you stood at the sink for a whole day washing that would be too much)

Raisins digest faster than corn.

You're welcome.

Mr. Superfantastic....

...strikes again.

I got them :)

I love my Momma...

....and so do they.

Fire!

I finally did it! I finally made a fire in the wood stove! We have had wood heat for around seven years and this is the first time I've made the fire. I know it's almost too pathetic to be proud of. Oh well.

It just goes to show that Mr.Superfantastic loves to take care of me. But right now, he's taking care of some other people (with my very happy blessing) so I get to take care of him while he's here. Now just to figure out how to move the greenhouse for him? It just requires some big guys. It's not even on a foundation.

In the mean time I'm going to make these muffins and sew some new wipes today. While Joe is mostly potty trained, I do still have Travis in diapers and in about 26 weeks there will be a new little tush to change around here. Only a month left until I can tell you if it will be a boy tush or a girl tush. Yes, we are going to find out this time, Lord willing.

I made these muffins last night and they've been a hit this morning. I made them without the chocolate chips and used water instead of milk. I also used coconut sugar and coconut oil.

I am thankful!

I woke up this morning feeling... well... Thankful!

I am so thankful for my husband. He has been working 12 hour days for the last two weeks. The only complaint I have heard is "I'm tired" and it's not even said as a grumble, just a fact!

This morning when I realized that, yes, I had in fact fed his lunch for today to the children for dinner last night and he now had to eat out (something I would be happy about, but not him), no grumble.

When I asked him last night if he can hang some shelves for me (I was asking if it was even a possibility or if I could do it) he just said, "Show me where you want them", followed by, "Not tonight right?"

Not only do I have an amazing husband. That husband has an amazing mother! While I love my Momma, I also love my Momma in law. I keep tricking her into coming over here to look at different decorating ideas that I have for my house and get her advice. That woman has an amazing gift when it comes to home design, inside and out. Her house looks like something out of better homes and gardens. I love being there, I feel instantly relaxed.

I am also very thankful for friends who we let my husband use their amazing tractor for free to dig the holes for our RV storage! For Free! We felt pretty loved last night when it arrived and my husband nearly giggled with excitement. Can you picture Mr.Superfantastic giggling? Neither can I, and I've been married to him for almost ten years!

Ten years!

I am thankful for clean floors, and empty laundry baskets, eggs, and neighbors who do chicken chores, bake, and teach our children all sorts of amazing things.

I am thankful for the beauty of fall but more thankful for winter when the bears go to sleep, I'm sorry to do this, but here's to an early snowfall!

10 weeks? Oh my.

So I'm around 10 weeks. But I look like I'm about four months. Now granted this is my 6th baby and I guess things are moving into postition to accomidate my growing uterus, but I'm wondering if this is going to be another pregnancy like Ephrim's. After the small bellies with Joe and Travis, I'm not looking forward to another monster pregnancy. I've already gained close to ten pounds, also something I'm not used to doing, I usually don't gain anything in the first trimester. After working hard to lose weight it's hard to see it pile back on at rapid speed. Oh well, I lost it once I can do it again, it is completely worth it to be blessed with another Wiebelette!

I have to be honest I have really struggled through the morning sickness this time. I have gone on Diclectin, this is the second pregnancy I have done it with. I'm managing to take only one pill a day but am still exhausted and sick off and on, but much better than without it. I am looking forward to the half way mark and some energy!

But there is joy still! My children are full of it (joy that is) even when I'm having a hard time, and I'm finding I am slowly getting back on top of things with the house. They are so excited for another sibling. And while everyone else is hoping for a girl this time (we are hoping to find out what we're having) Emma insists she wants another brother.

It's up and down, good days and bad. But all in all I am thankful!

I just don't know how Michelle Duggar did it!

A new favorite.

Sixth

I know I'm number sixth,
but the fact you can't deny is that God,
Almighty Giver, is the Author of my life
My soul is no less special, and my spirit no less great than those that came before me--
be they one, or six, or eight!
So many eyes are blinded by the whispers of this world-- to them,
there is no miracle in a human life unfurled. A baby's just a plaything, a burden,
or a chore, and we must proceed with caution to prevent too many more!
Only a fool would trust the Lord to give as He desires and live a life of trust in Him..
whatever that requires.
A new car may be exciting; a new house may be a prize,
but my new life is better than any thing that money buys.
So all the world may roll their eyes when sixth now they see--
But I can't wait until I meet the "fools" who welcome me.

written by: Jennifer Wilson

Looking for...

We are looking for an adult female cat that is already spayed, good with kids and other animals, and house trained. We have a mouse problem :( It has to be short haired as Dalen and Adon have allergies.

We're also looking for a female puppy that will grow into a med/large dog. No pitbulls or the like. I would prefer a mutt as that's what we can afford.

If you have either of these or know of anyone who does please let me know!

Thank you!

I didn't think I was a redneck.... until this.

While this may be about the worst picture of me, well no it's not but it's one of them. I LOVE IT! This is what community is about. I am so thankful for each of these people! Dalen helped too but he didn't want to be in the picture. He caught the chickens for us. This is the first time Dalen has intentionally touch a chicken! WOOHOO! Adon was so excited to get to cut the heads of this time. I was very proud of him! All the other boys in the picture were head cutter-offers too! These guys are going to be such useful men!

Please Pray

Adon's rabbit pens were destroyed last night by dogs (we think) we have found one rabbit but there are still ten more out there. Two are pure bred rabbits that we just bought a week ago and spent quite a bit of money on. There are six babies that were supposed to go to the pet store this weekend and four adults. Please pray that we will be able to find them and catch them. Thank you.

Adon's Logo

Our son Adon has started a business breeding rabbits. He has done it entirely with his own money and has not been allowed to borrow or take on any debt. This has been a huge learning experience for him. Yesterday we decided it was time to make him a logo.

We are just calling it A.W.Bunnies, but I like it. It isn't too cutsie and seems a little professional. I am so proud of him.

If you have any odd jobs that a boy could do and you don't have a boy to do them, please keep Adon in mind as he is always looking for ways to make more money. He also takes pop/beer bottles and cans and sorts them and returns them, so if you have some stashed for a rainy day, maybe this is the day, nevermind that it's beautifully sunny out ;)

Welcome to the Family! (03/26/2010)

While he's always been a part of our family....

...he's a new member of the family of God! Happy re-birthday Ephrim!

Joe is 2! (Dang-it! I blinked again!)

Adon

We were up late last night washing floors. The older kids get to stay up and help. They actually enjoy the time together and they get to stay up late! At about 10:00 I ask Adon:

"Adon are you tired?"

Adon "Nope, just hungry" :) "Are you tired Mom?"

"Yep, I'm really tired." I was sitting in a recliner nursing Travis to sleep.

Adon "You have to be really tired if you're going to be the best mom in the world."

I love that boy!

16 days

Yep that's how long it's been since I posted that I would be posting every day! HA! Well I should know better by now! But I am posting to update on how things have been going.

I haven't worked out enough in the last week but I've worked alot. We have been very busy here and I'm fine with that. So many things have happened in our home that have needed to very badly.... like the school room and the under the stairs storage area.

Last night Adon and Emma joined 4h, and I am so excited about it. Adon will be doing Rabbits and Emma will be doing poultry.

Okay onto fatso business!

I have lost 7 pounds! I'm so excited. I am now 170 pounds and I haven't weighed this much since before I got pregnant with Adon!!!!

Okay here's the real amazing thing! We were cleaning out the stairs last night and my wedding dress was in there.... yes it's stuffed into a garment bag and stuffed into another bag and stuffed under the stairs. I GOT IT ON!!!!!!!!!!! I could barely breathe, but it zipped up!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am now 20 pounds away from my goal and have lost 35 pounds since Travis was born!!!

I haven't been having Dairy which is great. Some days I've had too many carbs but for the most part I am so happy with my eating. And I'm totally fine that I had french fries for dinner last night while sitting on our bedroom couch with Dalen and watching the Duggars.

I've discovered that we cannot keep this family in enough fruit and I really don't like munching on veggies.... but I will keep trying.

I found a great webpage.

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/

I'm not gluten free but she also has some great vegan recipes which mean they are dairy free.

Well there's my update... maybe I'll get Adon to take a picture of me later to add or something? What do you think?

Oh Right! My inches
This is what my inches were on the 8th

Bust- 45
Waist-38
Hips-47

Today they are

Bust- 43
Waist - 36
Hips - 46


That's 5 inches down!!!!! YAHOO! And my pants are thanking me.... how do I know? When I jump they are shimmying all around me, not holding on for dear life ;)

January 8th

Breakfast
2 hard boiled eggs
1 T. Miracle Whip
4 crisp breads

Snack
1 cup fruit smoothie

Lunch
1.5 cups chicken noodle soup
3 carrot sticks
1 cup almond milk


Fats 1.5 Fruits 2 Veggies .5 Meat Carbs 3.5 Milk 1 Free 1.5



Okay here is the weigh in.


Weight 174 (it was 177 when Dalen and I started)


Bust - 45
Hips - 38
Waist - 47


Dalen has lost 5 pounds already! Crazy guy I've got my work cut out for me. I've got 24 pounds left to go and I'll be getting myself and new wardrobe! But... he's pulling out the big guns... He has stopped drinking COKE! Can you believe it! I don't know how long he's planning on not drinking it and if he's just going to have one every now and then, but he's not bringing them to work in his lunch anymore and I haven't seen him with one for a few days. I just don't know what to expect next? We're going out for dinner tonight so it will be interesting to see what he gets? I think he'll have a coke.



I am planning to have this yummy pasta dish that they have that has no dairy. But I'm going to ask for half of it to be packed up right away. Then I guess I'll try a salad. I don't know which one though (we're going to Mr.Mikes) I can't have any dairy, and I don't like sea food.. so I guess I will wait and see what they have.


I did 1/2 an hour of aerobics yesterday and I'm going to go do it again today with some crunches and pushups.


Here's some eye candy.

Adon's Christmas present from my parents.

They shared a milkshake and fell asleep in a pile of socks watching modern marvels. I love them!



And I love them!