A Merry Little Christmas

     So many families find themselves harried and stressed this time of year.  Is it any wonder suicide rates go up around Christmas.  We run around finding the perfect gift.  We try to create the perfect dish for the perfect meal.  We shop until we find the perfect outfits for the perfect family picture for the perfect Christmas cards.  What we don't do is concentrate on what really matters.  Our families become secondary to what we think they "need" or want.  We drag our kids, spouses, and friends from place to place to keep traditions alive.  We stress everyone out over what Christmas has become not what it should be.  Christmas should be about a baby, who became a man, who died on a cross for us all.  Whether we choose to celebrate His birth, the fact is he celebrates us no matter who we are, no matter what we have done.  A recent trip to a mall bookstore sickened me.  A bookcase full of "Christmas" books and NOT ONE one about Him.  The same is true of our "Christmas Specials" on television.  I can only think of one that even references Jesus (thank you Charlie Brown).  How long before He is completely gone from Christmas?  Never in my house...As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.  So, as you evaluate your Christmas traditions which ones glorify Him?  Which traditions strengthen your family unit?  Ask yourself should this be a tradition or a memory?  Feel free to share your family favorites and least favorites.  From our house to yours...May you have a blessed Christmas and New Year!

Loving the snow

What does snow in the country mean?  For our family it means quiet family time at home.  It has been an amazing week so far.  We have done a lot of cleaning and decorating.  Our fall has been so busy I actually look forward to having stuck at home days.  We have caught up on all those chores that have been waiting to get done.  Tomorrow we will begin baking cookies for Christmas.  I am looking forward to the smells that will permeate throughout our home.  Cinnamon, vanilla, peppermint, and hopefully there will not be the smell of burnt cookie!  I have been think a lot about food storage lately.  As the New Year approaches my husband and I have committed to building a supply of food for our family.  I was hoping to be farther along in the process of becoming more self sustaining. We have our own chickens. We have been eating meat raised on our farm.  Unfortunately my garden failed me this year.  I am not surprised.  I have somewhat of a black thumb.  I received bean seeds and kefir from a dear friend today.  I am so excited to plant the seeds!  They keifer we have used with great success to make a fermented drink for our family. I have also taken up sewing with my daughter.  We are making great strides.  There is so much to do and to prepare for on our little farm.  But for an instant  I am going to enjoy the peaceful days of winter and being with my kids and husband.  God has truely blessed us.

The Flu Bug Strikes

Oh the joy of having sick kids.  It is even worse when mom is sick too!  Luckily this time it is just my youngest and myself who are sick.  I say luckily because my daughter has stepped in for me.  Taking care of me, my younger son, and the rest of the family.  She has made lunches, cleaned up, and continued to do her schooling.  I am going to request homemade bread, I think.  My son is busy doing the dishes, keeping the animals fed and watered.  He has opted to avoid his school work like the plague.  I am thinking a lesson will need to be learned there, when I am feeling better. The good news is I think we are all on the mend.  I am hoping for a full recovery by tomorrow.  Something tells me I am not looking forward to that half as much as my daughter!  I am not sure my school avoiding son will find this as exciting.

Finally a simpler day

     I have had an amazingly crazy end to summer.  As I posted before both of my parents have been ill.  I am happy to report they are both home and living independently.  The situation has made it difficult for me to do farmer's market.  I have been experimenting with herbs and have come up with a yummy new italian bread.  I tested it out Friday night when friends came to dinner.  We also made fresh butter that we all enjoyed. 
     We were determined to take a little time and do something as a family.  So, we packed up the kids and headed to the Creation Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio.  It was about a 40 minute drive from our house and we are members.  The kids really enjoyed going to the petting zoo.  They especially enjoyed riding the camel.  Our youngest was a little frightened and requested I ride along.  Earlier in the day I was upset that he had taken my camera out of the car.  At that moment, I was completely thrilled he had done so.  There is so much to see and we enjoy the museum everytime we go.
     We haven't done a lot of activities as a family this summer.  We did take in the Indiana State Fair.  We were so proud of our two 4-H'ers, who both had projects selected for the state fair.  Two projects a piece.  Our daughter displayed her sewing and got a blue and her personality which got a red.  It took some conviencing to explain that a red at the state fair is great.  She is my straight A, highly skilled, perfectionist child.  So, it was a great learning experience for her.  Our son received a blue on his black and white photos and a blue honor on his computers.  I was proud of his efforts as well.  He was so gracious with his sister.  Hugging her and telling her about how it is an honor to go to the state fair with a project and how their projects are judges is just one persons opinion.  Very sweet words coming from a 12 year old boy, who often struggles to complete projects due to his ADD.  He is so kind and sensitive, a trait that God will use for His glory. 
     Tomorrow will be the day when we begin hitting homeschooling head on.  We have been doing bits and pieces for a couple of weeks now.  Tomorrow is the day we go from morning until we are finished.  I pray all goes well for another great year.  Educating our kids at home is a true blessing to me, my husband, and most importantly our children.  We reap the benefits of precious time together.  I am hoping this year will bring about peace and simplicity.  I recently read Tony Dungee's book, Quiet Strength.  In it he shares much about his family, his career, but more importantly his faith.  The bits of wisdom he shares throughout the book is priceless.  It is a book about leadership and faith in tough times.  It made me think of my position of leadership in our home.  How I handle situations.  How I react to my children.  When he coached in the NFL he had one simple theme..."We do what we do."  He kept it simple and stayed the coarse.  It made me think a lot about how I teach my kids.  I think sometimes I put too much on us.  So this year our theme is..."Do what we do."  It is my goal to guide them into becomeing independent learners and thinkers. 
     Another quote from the book, that dungy posted on the locker room wall, " No excuses, no exceptions."  I am going to put our family and my kids first after only my God and husband.  I am going to start to say no to things that do not benefit our family.  I am not going to do things anymore because no one else will.  So beware if you are in an organization with me.  It is a new page being turned.  So it has been written and so I am now accountable!  Pray for my strength dear friends! 
 Blessings,
Bizzymom

Where Oh Where has our Little Blogger Gone?

     If you follow my blog, you may be wondering what in the world happened to the simpler daze lady?  Well, my days have been anything but simple.  I have not been doing much in the way of baking.  I have frozen some garden crops, eaten some sweet corn here and there but I am basically too busy to do much else.  When I last left you I was up to my elbows helping my kiddos with their 15 4-H projects.  Well the county fair has came and gone and it was a very successful event for each of my children.  We got several champions, reserve champions, reserve grand champions and a grand champion.  We have 4 projects at the Indiana State fair representing our county.  They have received one red(personality), two blues(photography and sewing) and a blue and special honor group(computers).  All in all we are happy with the results. 
     My parents are taking up most of my time these days.  My mother had a full hip replacement and my father was put into the hospital the same night that my mother had surgery.  It was an unplanned trip so family stress is abundant.  I have parents who are amazing.  They have taken care of me my entire life.  It is strange to have the rolls reversed.  But Gods wisdom is abundant and His love is unfailing and this season will pass soon enough.  I can never repay the loving care I have received from my parents.  Helping out in their time of need is an honor...I will try to keep my attitude in check when my patience get thin.  ;)
    As far as the not-so-domestic diva front... I haven't made it to the farmer's market in three weeks.  I haven't made a loaf of bread in two weeks.  Eating out has become an unwelcomed result of my new "nursing position"  So consequently, I am basically a domestic failure.  On the bright side when it comes to my duty as a daughter...I receive a blue ribbon!  Maybe I even qualify for the honor group!  Blessings to you all!