Stephanie

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.

I can't believe it has been four years since I started this thread. Truly, time has flown by! An activity that I did with the five youngest caused me to come locate this very thread to post about it and share with other Mom's needing to keep their children busy and learning this summer. Last month I took my mom to a group painting class where we all painted with acrylic paints on canvas. It was so fun, even for total beginners like us. So, I decided then that I wanted my kids to have this experience. Finally, we did it today. I found these very helpful instructional youtubes that guided us along and I was so proud of how food they each did. If you will go to my blog and look at the post called _Lanscaped by God_, you will see the link to the YouTube and a picture of our paintings. We can't wit to do it again. We had so much fun. https://stephanierodda.wordpress.com/

Ann, we still have our seven from heaven. :-) as far as we know (unless God has a surprise) we are done. ;-) Praying for your MIL.

I'll be glad to share some of the nuggets I came away with. One of the most eye opening was being made more aware of the publishing process and the newer streamline method of self-publishing while bypassing the self-publishing companies. They used Amazon Create Space as an example. There was a man there who had been through the process and had great success. www.createspace.com They also talked a LOT about the importance of Social Media - hence the blog. I have to say that using WordPress was extremely easy, even for me. They gave tips about using the right tags etc. Facebook, Twitter, even Pinterest all had its usefulness. MartianChick, I'm so glad you've been enjoying the blog. Ambergris, I'll note the title of that book to check it out. I jut ordered one of the ones that they recommended at conference. MtRider, you would have loved the conference as much as I did.

https://stephanierodda.wordpress.com/

Sorry! Leave off the www and it should click through. stephanierodda.wordpress.com

I joked with my family after returning from my first Writer's conference that I had adopted a new child and her name was Word Weaver Rodda. In fact, she promises to be quite demanding and time consuming. :-) I enjoyed the conference so much and came away realizing how much I still have to learn. A LOT! I've always enjoyed writing but, this was my first real step towards taking it seriously and attempting to hone the craft that I felt could be a wonderful tool if I learned to use it expertly. When my sister asked how the conference went, this is exactly what I said ... "Some doors were opened, some chances given. But, it was only the very first step of a very long journey. I haven't arrived anywhere except at the train station where I hope to buy a ticket with the currency of hard work." If you'd like to read what I blogged about the conference this morning here is the link. www.stephanierodda.wordpress.com If you are an aspiring author and have a blog, please post so I can check it out. If you ever have a chance to attend a conference.. Do it!!

Congrats to Jordan as well! What are his plans? Ann, how is your dear MIL? MtRider how is your new baby? Is she getting humongous?

MtRider, maybe next time I can bring the three middles. Josiah and Jesse are both working and Josiah will be starting the Jr. college after a one semester break. Ann, so good to see you too. Determined to start dropping in on a regular basis.

I'm stopping by to say hi to old friends and new! Life is busier than ever with our XL family and all the activities that accompany seven growing, active children. Our oldest, Josiah, whom many of you know, graduated this year and we are so proud of and for him. Jesse is now officially a Senior and he is enjoying every moment of this season of life. The younger five are growing by leaps and bounds as we continue to homeschool and homestead on our five acres. I have recently opened a blog that you are welcome to read any time that usually has a daily devotional post and often pics of our life and family. Stephanie Rodda | A fine WordPress.com site https://stephanierodda.wordpress.com/

Sweet friends! I see I was late to my own party! Thanks for the happy wishes. It was a wonderful day indeed.

So glad the puppies are better. I bet the puppy delivery was amazing! Love to all there and safe travels to you!

Enjoying reading the accounts of our time together. Very neat to hear others perspectives and read what they observed. A few of my own .... Darlene amazes me that in the very midst of many ongoing projects, we are still welcome. She is obviously blessed with a gift of hospitality. I was very happy to spend time with three of her children as well. Had never met Jason and it was a pleasure to do so. He is as welcoming and inviting as his momma. Madison and I had some good quality time together, she is a quick study on the fiber arts and with MrMom's help, we were able to get their spinning wheel in working order. My time with MaSteele and family was brief but, so glad I got to meet them. She brought a true treasure with her, her dad who was a wealth of experiences and information. MtRider continues to be a source of stability and strength to those around her which is an obvious contradiction to her sometimes uncooperative legs. At one point, she gathered my hands into hers gently and prayed soothingly until I was blessed with peace and confidence. GP is not only an excellent instructor who generously shares his knowledge, he will make you laugh until your side hurts. My nugget from him this weekend, the history of the .22, how it got its name and why the .22 long rifle bullet is short! WG is a man of many talents. A blessing to have as a friend and a benefit to any team. He brought and shared many tasty tidbits from his canning recipes. He can turn a tender pancake which was the perfect accompaniment to the Alabama Conecuh sausage I brought. MrMomM and MomM are blessings at ever turn. Whether in deep conversation, genuine hugs or music and baked goods, we are always better for having seen them. Lovinit and her Mr. were a real added bonus! Eager to contribute to whatever project was at hand and brought us something we had never known existed before!! Dehydrated snow! I was so happy to see Granny again! Strange how you can feel like such old, true friends with people you've spent relatively little time with. I think she washed a thousand dishes this weekend. I enjoyed our talks concerning matters of the heart, family and even the civil war. Jesse never hesitated to add his youthful energy to the many ongoing projects. He was able to shoot and practice to his heart's content. I was thankful to bring what I could, do what I could and share what I could. But, it was my great honor to be allowed to teach from the Word of God on Sunday as we studied Strategies and Gideon's Army. God sees our potential. God is in the details. God is enough.

Home safe and sound. Will check in later with details of our very special ime with very special people!

Jesse and I have been sitting at a dead stop on I20 (about 45 minutes from home) for a solid hour. Five ambulances and multiplie other emergency vehicles have passed us in the emergency lanes. Thankfully, we had just gassed up and have water with us. However, there is no potty available. Kind of like a final exam after being at a MrsSurvival gathering. People have started getting out of their cars and wandering around in the dark, curious to see what is happening. Jesse and I are sitting tight. Sure has me thinking about one of our 'scenarios' we come up with some times. Will report in later. Love to all. Wonderful gathering!

Mercy! The food! The fun! The fellowship! We are learning so much! And eating so much! And laughing so much! Haircuts and spinning wheels and targets and even a full blown Thanksgiving dinner!!

Jesse and I are mostly packed, hope I remembered everything. Coming in Henry's big blue pick'em up truck. Will gibe a holler when we are headed that way. Let me know if I need to stop and get anything.

Fun fun fun fun fun !!

Just perusing my calendar. I've got meetings and classes and appointments and all manner of responsibilities happening until Thursday evening. Then I pack physically what I've been packing mentally for weeks!! Jesse and I will be leaving out early Friday morning! Here are some of the things I plan to bring. Raw wool to be processed. Washed, sun dried, carded (bringing hand carders), and eventually spun on my drop spindle. We will also have a look at the spinning wheel. I will gladly demonstrate and get anyone interested, started in such things as basic crochet, basic knitting, Tunisian crochet, old fashioned Broomstick lace. I'll have a pattern for VERY simple baby booties, fingerless gloves, dishcloths, etc... Oh, yes, and rag rugs if you care to. Probably also the netting scrubbies as well. *note to self - don't forget Madi's Tunisian hook! I'll have my Dutch oven and all the ingredients to make Cherry Dump Cake in the coals of the campfire. Yummy! I'll bring what I can to contribute to GP's list for the practice and instruction. I definitely have a .22 rifle and handgun (I call it my John Wayne) so excited about this opportunity. Anyone ever heard of Conecuh sausage? I'll be bringing that for a tasty treat! A HUGE thank you to Darlene and family for so graciously opening their home to us. Darlene truly is the Hostess with the Mostest!!

I'll be gathering and contributing as well! We are very excited and thankful for this opportunity. You'll have two very eager students/helpers coming from Alabama. Thank you for sharing your time and skills and supplies!!

Been sorting this out this week, but, looking like my kiddos won't make it either. But, I'm still planning on coming. Granny! My friend!! It will be so good to see you again! And MomM and MtRider and Wormie and Darlene and Lisa and and and and...... Alexis, so sorry about your Mom's failing health. She is so precious.

Wow!!! And congratulations! May God bless your marriage abundantly!

I don't get by often enough and happened to do a post in Streams when I saw your post. I'm so sorry that you are discouraged. I'll be praying that your spirit is lifted and that you are able to focus on the next thing to do before you and not feel overwhelmed. Also praying that they get that hip seen about! Celebrate small victories along the way. Give credit where credit is due and start again fresh each morning.

I think the jelly roll is a great project. It's easy, pretty and kinda magical.

Sounds fun! My two girls are budding seamstresses. We did a jelly-roll pillowcase that tuned out cute. Can't wait to see what you show us. Thanks for the supply list.