“I tell you what.
I’ll stand here and tell you what to do.
You do whatever you want.
Then later we can laugh when I tell you I told you so!”

So, I’m sitting at the computer trying to get some work done. And all the kids end up in the schoolroom with me.

Zachary playing the drum!

Hannah petting the cat that isn’t supposed to be in house. And Zachary still playing the drum.

Abby and Calen join the crowd. While Mel takes a mid morning nap on the floor. Zachary has finally stopped playing the drum.

Be thankful, VERY, thankful, that this is not a what I HEAR post!!

is anyone out there? *peers out window*
I’m still around. Just been really busy.
*I stuck my finger with a needle, while giving a goat a shot. I must have hit a nerve. my finger REALLY, REALLY hurts. If I hit “the spot” I have severe pain for 5 to 10 minutes. But it’s a long way from my heart, so I’ll just have to get over it!

*I’m really sore from gardening!

*Schools going good!

*I’ve actually been cooking! Really, actual food! NOT something on the grill! Imagine that! (we ran out of gas for the grill!! ROFLOL)

*Abigail turns 7 on Saturday!

*I bought quilting supplies with my county fair money on August 27, and STILL haven’t had a chance to start anything!! WAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

*I finished a scrapbooking swap, but no actual pages. bummer

*I decorated the house for fall. Just a few things. Lots of pumpkins from the garden.

*This fall weather is sooooooo wonderful!!!

*We’ve been busy getting ready for company on Friday AND Saturday. The house, the yard, the gardens, and the barnyard.

*No, I’m NOT insane for having company two days in a row!

*I planned it that way. Surely, we can keep the house and grounds company ready for 24 hours?

*Maybe it’s just wishful thinking!!! lol

*Time to put supper on the table!

*Bye for now!!

or down pour, as the case may be.
The kids shower head broke this morning (MEL did it!!!) so the boys had to take their showers without a showerhead. ROFLOL It was REALLY FUNNY!!!!! Here’s a pic:

I snuck a pic while Z was in there. hehehehe He didn’t notice, he was too busy saying “ouch ouch ouch” ROFLOL

PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM
by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
That you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But one again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You

I left my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes fromthe Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

The Chosen Mothers
by Erma Bombeck

Most women become a mother by accident, some by choice and a few by habit.
Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses
are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over earth selecting His instruments for
progagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs
His angels to make notes in a giant ledger…….

“Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew”; Forrest, Marjorie, daughter,
patron saint Cecilia”; Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard.”

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, “Give her a child with
cancer.” The angel is curious. “Why this one, God? She’s so happy.”

“Exactly,” smiles God, “Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does
not know laughter? That would be cruel.”

“But, does she have patience?” asks the angel.

“I don’t want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of
self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will
handle it.”

“I watched her today,” said God. “She has that feeling of self-independence
that is so rare and necessary in a mother. You see, the child I’m going to
give her has it’s own world. She has to make it live in her world and that’s
not going to be easy.”

“But Lord, I don’t think she believes in you,” said the angel.

“No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough
selfishness.”

The angel gasps, “Selfishness? Is that a virtue?”

God nods. “If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she’ll
never survive. Yes, here is the woman I will bless with a child less than
perfect. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never
take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single
step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see….
ignorance, cruelty, prejudice….and allow her to rise above them.”

“And what about her patron saint” asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles and says…”A mirror will suffice.”

Your not going to believe this Mel!!!!!