Another giveaway!!!

Here is another give away that I entered in......it's at The Story of a Seamstress!!
Make sure you enter right away because it ends tonight......sorry for the late notice. LOL!!

Poem Monday

I'm going to start posting a poem every Monday. I think I'll call it Poem Monday.......hmm, what do you all think?? I would GREATLY appreciate it if you would give me some suggestions. Well anyway, here is my poem for the week.

DECEITFUL HEART

I believe we all know evil from good
It's clearly quite simple and well understood
But when there’s a catch, a prize to be won
We abandon our conscience to burn for what’s wrong

I believe it's not hard to see what is right,
To know what is darkness and know what is light,
Yet when the blood boils and the flesh starts to rise,
We flee all our pledges for paths that feel nice.

I believe there’s a judgment for what we have known
For choices and actions we’ve willfully sown;
For passionate pursuits of private delights,
When there’s an alternative to follow the light.

Why can’t we remember the heartache of evil,
Before we commit to it all of our will?
Few moments are tougher than after we’ve sinned,
The guilt’s like a whirlwind howling within.

I believe in a cross that corrects everything
Erasing all evil existing within,
A sacrifice greater than man’s greatest sin,
That’s branded my heart and sealed it for Heaven.

~ Lamshai Tham ~
Meghalaya, India

Picnic

Yesterday, my family went up to the mountains for the day and had a picnic. It was so nice up there.....cool, breezy and oh so quiet. Sigh. =) It was sad to have to come back, LOL. We are going camping for Labor Day weekend though!! I'm sooo excited!! Another large family is coming with us, so it will be lots of fun with so many kids...!! We were going to take up some fishing poles but we decided it would be more fun to make some ourselves. Since, yesterday my siblings and I tried so hard to catch some fish with a shirt as a net. But we failed.......;(. Although it was a lot of fun trying!!




My two wonderful parents



Me...it was bad hair and makeup day, LOL!! We were in the mountains anyway, so who cares.



Liam



Bella, and yes, she was posing.



Lucas




Adelina



Levi



Alaina




Lennon, isn't he cute??

Lucas, pretending to eat a worm.....




Levi, showing us a special friend he had found




This was the creek that we were right by, and it was actually flowing!!




More water....




All the kids were trying to get down from a ledge and uh...let's just say it was pretty difficult!!


* no worms were harmed in taking these pictures.....haha!!

Chocolate Chip Cookies.........yummy!!

Last night my mom, my sisters and I made some chocolate chip cookies. Let's just say......they are the BEST!! There is only one word that explains them and that is, AMAZING!! Here is the recipe for those who want some awesome cookies........

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 1/2 c. butter
2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
4 tsp. vanilla
4 c. flour
4 tsp. corn starch
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350*. Cream butter until smooth. Then add sugars and beat until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Using a spoon, stir in dry ingredients. Add chocolate chips. Scoop out about 1 Tbls. of dough, place on cookie sheet 2 in apart. DON'T press down!! Bake 8-10 min. Till brown around edges. Let cookies cool on pan for about 2 min. Then transfer over to a rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!!




Oh!! And by the way, this cookie recipe makes about 2 1/2 dozen. So you'll have plenty to share.......if there are any left though!! =)

School Has Started.......

Monday was out first day of school, and if you didn't already know, my whole family is home schooled. Which means that my mom has a lot of different grades to teach, from 10th to preschool!! Just to let you all know, I had no idea that in 10th grade you would have a lot more work to do(plus a lot more books), Maybe if I had known before, I would have flunked a couple grades back, to keep from going higher up in grades, LOL!! You know I'm just kidding though, right??=) This is a rough schedule our mornings:

6:00- up and dressed
6:30- exercise
7:00- A.M chores
7:30- breakfast and devotionals
8:30- school starts
11:30- clean zones*
12:00- lunchtime
1:00- younger kids go down for nap

Pretty specific, isn't it?? We all have our mom (the serious organizer) to thank for it. =) Although, it does make our mornings go a lot smoother. It is hard to get everyone to on the same page when you have 8 kids, including a baby.Ha Ha!! Have you all started school yet?



These are all of my school books. Ooops!! I'm missing a few...



This is the table before school.........




And this is the table during school. Ha Ha!! ;)




This is one of our schedules......


* Zones are rooms in the house that are appointed to someone for them to clean. For example, my zone is the living room, Liam's zone is the dining room and so on. I'm in charge of making sure my zone is clean before lunch and before dinner. Did I make sense??

Nap Time

I know I have already posted today, but I couldn't resist telling you all something VERY funny. At my house, the younger kids go down for a nap everyday. Somebody usually reads to them and then it's time to go to sleep. Well today during nap time, my little sister Alaina takes it upon herself to clean the bathroom. Since she was suppose to be sleeping, we didn't notice her(we live in a two story house). When we found her, she was sleeping like this.




Isn't that adorable??lol

My Sister Got Saved!!

What do you mean?? You might be asking. Well, Lina who is six years old accepted Christ as her Savior! Isn't that WONDERFUL news?? It all happened last night. My mom was helping Lina memorize her AWANA verse and it was about salvation. Well, she really didn't understand what salvation meant. My mom took some time and explained it to her. She was still confused, so my dad talked to her about Heaven, with good angels and Hell, with evil angels. She finally grasped what my mom and dad were talking about and she cried. She felt so dirty in her heart that she wanted to pray and ask God to make her sinful heart clean! My dad prayed with her, and that night Jesus got another child to love.



We were all so happy for her!! She is only six, but she has a lot of wisdom for her short six years.

Cute Pictures

For a quick post today, here are a some pictures of my littlest brother, Lennon.




I think this picture is so cute!! Aren't babies adorable when they are sleeping??








The only reason he is using a pacifier is because he was really fussy that day, usually he doesn't use one.

Awesome Song

Please listen to this song and pay close attention to the lyrics. This song has so much meaning behind it. It reminds us that we should have NO worries whatsoever!!! God is ALWAYS in control...... all we have to do is trust in Him.

Blog Party!!

Hi everyone!!

Guinevere at Singing In The Rain is having a blog party!!



She has 4 GREAT prizes!!

First prize is a COMPLETE blog makeover by Oliver Trees @Robin Blogs.


Second prize is a choice of any extra from Awel's Inspire' Designs Studio.


And third prize is another choice of any extra from Nana @ The Boutique Window.


Make sure you enter for a chance to win!!

Something About the Number 4??

Hi everyone!!

Well I got tagged and I have no clue what I 'm suppose to do............please bear with me!! I guess I have to list 4 things in every category. So just read what you can and enjoy........oh!!and don't count my errors pleeeeeeeeeeeease!! =)

4 Things found in my bag

In my bag... Well, I have piano books, some money, an mp3 player and a pencil......don't ask me why (I don't even know)


4 Things found in my purse

I have a library card, some more money, lip gloss and a pen


4 Favorite things in my room

My huge bed, the paint color of my room, My journal =) and my closet (haha!!)


4 Things I’ve always wanted to do

Speak a foreign language, become a homemaker, own a really nice car.....o.k I know I'll need A LOT of money for that, but hey!! I can wish can't I ?? And to be a help meet to my future husband.....ooh, that's a serious one.

4 Things I’m currently into

Painting........although I haven't touch a paintbrush for a while, getting better at piano, learning to cook.....trust me don't EVER come over the days I'm cooking or you'll have scorched food, and reading.


4 Things I bet you didn't know about me

huh?? Well, let's give it a try. I have 7 siblings, I love baking breads, I listen to Amy Grant music and I taught Sunday School for 4 years....hey!! there's that number four again. =D


Now I have to tag four lucky bloggers.......hmm let's see:

1. Katie at Stay-At -Homedaughters.blogspot.com
2.Natasha at natashaatkerson.blogspot.com
3.Rachel at hopefulmornings.blogspot.com
4. Bobbie at rustichomemaker.blogspot.com

Beautiful Poem

Hi everyone!!

I thought this was a very thought provoking and beautiful poem and just had to post it so everyone could read it.

Too Busy For Jesus


The dream became clearer as I tossed around in my sleep.
The Lord was calling my name over and over, so loud and deep.
The voice surrounded my bedroom, I stared within.
He said, "This is Jesus, my friend, where have you been?"

He said, "My dear brethren, what have you done today,
to walk in my footsteps and try not to stray?
Not once have you been humble on your knees in prayer.
Son, you must shine my light and show others you care."

I saw you yesterday, only glancing at the man on the road.
He was having car trouble and needed to be towed.
You said, "I can't stop or I will surely be late,
someone will help him soon, he'll just have to wait."

"One of your workers has been sick and almost died.
This lady is a widow and food for five she must buy.
You have plenty and you're never hungry when you go to bed.
Why are you so greedy and trying to get ahead?

"What if I had been too busy to die on the cross?
You would never walk the streets of gold, your soul would be lost.
What if I had been too busy to hear you that day,
when you asked forgiveness and earnestly prayed?"

I awoke from my deep slumber and my heart felt content.
I thanked the Lord on my knees, for the message He had sent.
So many times, I take for granted the small things He has given to me.
Without the Lord in my life each day, I am blind and cannot see.

Copyright © 1999 by Donna L

This poem hit the nail on the head, we have to be the light of Jesus while we are down on this earth. So take time this week to be kind to your old neighbor or help the man on the street. By those actions you can hopefully plant that little seed in their heart and then the Holy Spirit can work in them.

Cilantro Chicken with Avocado Salsa

Hi Everyone!

My mom made a delicious dinner last night called Cilantro Chicken and we all loved it. She got the recipe from www.tammysrecipes.com/cilantro_chicken_avocado_salsa

It was so simple to prepare. We did make our own version of salsa which my dad has perfected for our likes. Here is his recipe:

Pico de Gallo

7 roma tomatoes
4 jalapenos, seeded and chopped (use gloves)
1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 medium size red onion, chopped
4-5 avocados to taste
3-4 T of vinegar
Mix well and refrigerate

When ready to serve add salt and pepper to taste.

This is quite delish and we love it. Give it a try!

Everything tasted so well together and it was a cinch to prepare. Having a brother who likes to grill is always a plus.

Movie Questionaire!!

Hi everyone!!

This is a game that I learned from stay-at-homedaughter.blogspot.com. It's A LOT of fun!!

What you do is

1: Pick ten of your favorite movies

2: Go to IMDB.com and find quotes for each one

3: Post them so everyone can try to guess

4: When someone guesses correctly strike out that movie and post who guessed it and what was the movie.

5: NO CHEATING!! I'll post all the titles of the movies in a couple weeks. And who guessed correctly.


Well, here are my top ten picks. Happy guessing!!


Movie 1: Character one: Darling, you know I am happy with our little brood, but you should have had more boys!
Character 2: I'm sorry, dear. I'll try to be more careful with the next dozen.


Suzette guessed Sound Of Music.......and she's right!!!!!!!

Movie 2: Character 1: I can't seem to stop singing wherever I am. And what's worse, I can't seem to stop saying things - anything and everything I think and feel.
Character 2: Some people would call that honesty.
Character 1: Oh, but it's terrible, Reverend Mother.


Suzette guessed Sound Of Music.......and she's right!!!!!!!


Movie 3:[reciting] I am a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change this image, I must first change myself. Fish are friends, not food.


Suzette guessed Finding Nemo.......Wow!! and she's right again!!!!!!!


Movie 4: [to God]
Character 1: Sometimes I think, when it gets too quiet up there, You say to Yourself, "What kind of mischief can I play on My friend Tevye?"



Movie 5: Character 1: Don't you like girls?
Character 2: We ain't never hardly ever seen one.



Movie 6: [singing] New York, New York, a wonderful town / The Bronx is up and the Battery down / The people ride in a hole in the ground / New York, New York, it's a wonderful town!



Movie 7: Character 1: Abel Frake, I am not putting liquor in my cooking!



Movie 8: Character 1: You know, Laurie, I was just thinking that maybe it's about time you and me started going steady, huh?
Character 2: Why, Martin Pawley, you and me been going steady since we was three years old!
Character 1: We have?
Character 2: 'Bout time you found out about it.


Movie 9: Character 1: If didn't know better, I'd think you had feelings for this monster.
Character 2: He's no monster, Gaston, *you* are!


Once more Suzette guessed Beauty and the Beast......and WOWZERS!! She's right!!!! We have a GREAT guesser on our hands!!


Movie 10: Character 1: Hey, Smalls, you wanna s'more?
Character 2: Some more of what?
Character 1: No, do you wanna s'more?
Character 2: I haven't had anything yet, so how can I have some more of nothing?
Character 1: You're killing me Smalls! These are s'more's stuff! Alrite now pay attention. First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then you roast the 'mallow. When the 'mallows flaming... you stick it on the chocolate. Then cover with the other end. Then you scarf. Kind of messy, but good!

Fall is just around the corner

Hi everyone!!

Well, down here summer is officially over. The public school kids started school yesterday........it's so sad. We are not going to start for a couple more weeks yet(yeah!!), but still. It seems like this year, summer just flew by. Although, we did get a couple surprises along the way!! My brother Lennon was born and we got to go to California to see my Aunt!! Which is amazing that we made it all the way to California. Do you know how hard it is to keep the younger kids preoccupied and happy in the car for 10 hours?? Ha Ha! Thankfully the younger kids slept most of the way. I must say though, I am ready for fall weather. It is so hot here.

Give Away

Hi everyone!!

Johanna is having a give away at An Old-Fashioned Girl in honor of her 200th post!! She has four very cool and pretty prizes. Go check it out!!

God wants to help

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD..


As I read this, I realize that God is with me always. Of course I knew that before, but it never fully hit me till now. God is ALWAYS by my side. God is waiting for us to "use" Him. It's like we're trying to get through life alone without any help, but not getting anywhere. While God is just waiting by our side, wanting to help, watching us make vain efforts to succeed. And all we have to do is ask and God will immediately give us a shoulder to lean on. But most of the time, we are so prideful that we don't realize we're not getting anywhere. But you know what's so great?? God NEVER gives up on us!!! We could be the most stubborn people sometimes, but I don't see all of us doomed for everlasting torment. I think that is so cool. = D So, make sure you use God. That's what He's here for.

My Brother's Creation

Hi everyone!!

I thought I would post a picture of a "structure" my brother built out of Wedgit blocks. It's pretty cool that he's able to make stuff like that just by using his imagination.

Moist Chocolate Cake

Hi everyone!!

For dessert last night, I made this really good chocolate cake. We liked it a lot because it was VERY moist. The trick to this cake is not over baking it......Set the timer for a few minutes under the time that it calls for. Here's the recipe.....

1 3/4 c. flour
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 c. strong brewed coffee
1 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375*. Grease and flour two 9 in. cake pans or a bundt pan. In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients. Make a well in the center. Add wet ingredients. Beat for two min. on medium speed. Batter will be thin. Pour into prepared pan(s). Bake at 325* for 30-40 min. Cool for 10 min. Then remove from pan(s). Frost if desired.

* I just made a simple powdered sugar glaze because the cake was sweet enough.

Daddy's All Around Red Sauce

Hi everyone!!

The other day my dad concocted a red sauce that can be used for pizza, spaghetti or for anything else you think of. Since then my dad has perfected it..... Yeah!!! I it's now my families favorite sauce. Here is the recipe if you ever want to give it a try......


1 large yellow onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
3-4 Tbls. olive oil
3 12 oz. cans tomato paste
1 28 oz. can diced tomato
54 oz. water
2 Tbls. sugar
2 Tbls. oregano
basil, to taste
salt, to taste

Preheat oil to med-low. Saute garlic, then add onion. Cook till soft. Add tomato paste and fry in the garlic, onion and oil mixture over medium heat. Stirring constantly for 10-15 min. Add rest of ingredients and bring it to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer all day.

* You can add any kind of meat to it if you want