Stephanie

Blessed beyond measure.

Ambergris, the one in the striped shirt with his arm around his dad's shoulders and his little wife in the orange next to him. He's not my oldest, second to the oldest. 😊 My oldest is engaged. He's in the cabby hat.

Hi Jeepers! ❤️

MtRider, second daughter is next to me almost hidden by youngest son. J is not in the military yet but that still may be a possibility in the future.

The growing family.

Aslan

We do! He's our gentle giant.

Hi Ann! I'm so glad to 'see' you.

Hello Hello! Cute cute grandson.

This morning checking my emails I saw a notice from MrsS at a moment when I could come and check in and say hello. I'm officially passing out hugs to old friends and saying hello to new ones.

Life is busy and seems to accelerate as the kids get older. They've grown up so much. Two oldest are engaged and married. The youngest is 12!!

I'm enjoying my writing and blogging and now freelance article writer which gives me the opportunity to promote adoption and that is dear to my heart.

How is everyone? How does this fabulous Friday morning find you? It finds me a bit tired after a very active week. I'm ready for a lovely weekend. #restrequired

Big thank you for Madison knocking on my twitter door. Has anyone else had a crazy busy summer? Oh my!!!

I've been meaning to check and put it off until I had time. Well, there is no time it seems so I just stopped and did it anyway.

I am so glad this is happening again. I hope we can make it as it is always a pleasure to see my dear friends and Darlene is so very gracious to open her home up to us! I will have to do some schedule finagling and see what we can do. Much love!

Adding my prayers. I just posted a reply to your question about prepping and Diabetes. Depression can be a result of uncontrolled blood sugar as well as the overwhelming aspect of having to deal with a new and alarming diagnosis.

Apply one new step a day, one choice a day, to get that sugar under control. It will affect every partofyour well being.

Andrea, I hear you! That made me lol!

Correction!!!!! Just one of you and ALL of us!!!!!

Amen! :-)

The first week of 2013/2014 school year here at our homestead. So very thankful for the opportunity to educate my children at home. I'd appreciate prayers for strength, focus and patience on my part. Even with one having graduated last year, there's still six of them and just one of me.

A few days ago we were offered an apple tree to harvest. We did and got nearly 2bushels. I've tried my hand at homemade apple sauce and was astounded at house easy it is. Now, that the kids have eaten all they want, I'm going to make more and freeze quart bags of it.

With the rest of the apples, I am going to set my teen boy down with the corer/peeler/slicer thingamajig and put unprocessed slices in freezer bags to use how I wish in the future.

Last night we were given 50 cobs of corn (Silver Queen variety) with the promise of another possible 100 tomorrow. My friend freezes hers in the shuck. I'm thinking to try that as well. Sounds so very easy. And for me, the simpler the better.

Days like this, I am glad to have an XL family and totally understand why farming/homesteading families were usually large. Children are indeed a blessing.

Was behind and never saw the bad news but thrilled to be here just in time for the good news! Bless the Lord!

Hi there MM and all. Here in Alabama we are having an unusual July. Much cooler and rainier than normal. Children are growing like weeds. The seven now range in age from just turned 9 to turning 19. We didn't garden at ll this year. Instead, we've started our bee hives. Or I should say DH has.

Nice buy! As for the bookcases, how about in the pantry as extra storage?

Just in time for some holiday grilling! Perfect!

Glad to see you here my friend. I've been having a bit of a reunion myself. So good to catch up with everyone.

Aslan loves to ride too. But, there's not many places for a giant dog to go! Ha!

The pet store will let him come but, he draws so much attention that a the trip becomes a long ordeal. Most common question. "What is he?". Lol!

I was thinking this morning about all the changes and graduating and plans for the future. Here is what I surmised. I'm glad I still have little ones, or this first wave of vacating the nest would be harder than it is. And... It is hard enough.

Oh wow Ambergris, I'll have to check that out. I had no idea it was software.

I ordered a book suggested at the conference and it is on my 'to read' list. So far, I am intrigued.

"Stein on Writing" by Sol Stein

It has already taught me a few things and I am still in chapter one.

I for one think such things as nursery rhymes and even old hymns should be passed on and preserved. Too many times as we have sought to improve, we have thrown out the baby with the bath water. Bad idea.

And congrats to Max! Engineering is a wonderful field.

Josiah's heart is Worship Music. He wants to serve in that area and we are so proud. But, he is preparing to make his living as a small business owner. So, he's got a practical outlook while dreaming big dreams.

Jesse is determined to join the military. This has been his plan since he was 5 yo. We are so proud that he wants to serve, I am heart broken that he will likely be far away as he serves. He talks all the time about 'this time next year'. I try not to think about it.