Worry??? Naaaa not me. I will not worry!!!

I here about a recession, gas prices, food prices, etc. And yeah, all that stuff hits us hard too. Maybe harder then some as we have 6 kids, and my husband drives 22 miles each way for work. So yeah these things are a concern for us. I read and hear about people who keep losing their homes, and belongings. And yeah that's tough. I know.

We used to own a lovely home. Brick and stone, on a large lot. Had 3 bedrooms up and 2 down, a huge eat in kitchen with TONS of cabinet space, a huge living room with a wonderful fireplace and built in bookshelves, a large dinning room, 2 baths 1 up and 1 down, a laundry room, and two large multi purpose rooms. We had lovely landscaping, and paid someone else to do our mowing and edging. Notice I said we USED to own all this. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we lost it.

I do not like doom and gloom. I will admit that Revelations is my least favorite book of the Bible. I know we win in the end, but I am afraid of all the stuff before that. I do know that God has wonderful plans for those who are his children, and I know my family and I are part of that group. Praise the Lord.

Now I would prefer to be able to make plans far in advance and say this is what I plan to do and this is the way it will work and this is how much money we need to be able to accomplish that. But I can't. Things are way to up in the air. And frankly if I dwell on that it makes my want to throw up. So instead I am rereading as I need to the following verses.


Matthew 6:25-34


25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own

How very true this all is. God tells us He will take care of us. I have enough today, why worry about tomorrow. He gave me enough today didn't he?? Why would he fail me and mine tomorrow. Things are tight, I will not deny that. I am thankful that my husband and I have not run up credit debt. Besides some payments for medical bills, and other utility bills, we do not have debt. We purchased our vehicle with cash, and that is how we pay for everything. We need new tires, ASAP.

Am I worried, no I believe that God will keep them going until we have the funds to replace them. We really could use a smaller vehicle with better gas mileage for my husband to commute in. God knows our needs. I have no doubt he will keep us going until things work out. Until then I pray for a gas tank that will not run dry or cupboards that will not empty, like the widows jug of oil in 1 Kings 17:14

14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.' "

I believe God will be no less faithful to my family then he was to the widow and her son. We give to others what we can, and there have been times we have given what we think we can't. But God has always blessed us an gotten us through.

I can tell of many times, how He has gotten us through. So will I worry, nope not me. God has me, He has my kids, He has today, and He has all of my tomorrows. I just have to let Him have them and not try to rip them away. I think I can do that, with God's help of course!!! ; )

When in doubt try faith, and maybe a sprinkle of hope, both are awesome
Hugs Everyone
Amy

Life here

Hello everyone

I hope everyone is having a fabulous spring day. I know I am enjoying it. It is nice and breezy, thank the Lord, as I have clothes on the line that need dried. Our last electric bill was 300 dollars, ekkkkkk. But no worries, we cut back on what we can no using the dryer, and keeping lights off. We will bring it down, LOL.

I mentioned before that my husband was no longer in the band Staynlis. I am still kinda disappointed about how this all came about, and that we no longer belong to the group. I miss the girls, LOL. SIGH....

However my husband has been blessed my becoming the drummer for a new band. The singer is Gregory Paul Smith. He has been singing solo until recently. The two Josh's and my husband now make up the band, and I have to say, it is a joy to watch practice. Both the Josh's are amazing and Gregory's singing is awesome. They are so free and they just get into it and it is all so natural. Of course you all know I think my husband is the best drummer around. ; )

They are playing the music Gregory already has recorded, although they are playing it heavier and coming up with some awesome new stuff. Although I have not got to hear it yet as I missed the last practice. MAN!!!! LOL. I will be adding a link to Gregory's pages here later. But God answers prayer, this band is more in line with our beliefs, and there is not the conflict that there was in Staynlis.

Don't think I am talking down about Staynlis though. They are awesome, although in my opinion they no longer have the best drummer. (disclaimer, I have not heard the new drummer, but I know my husband is awesome, so I don't need or want to) Does that make me mean, I don't think so, maybe a wee bit biased. But seriously if Staynlis is in your area go and check them out!!!

We did finally get all the water out of the basement yeah. I stopped pumping the water into the sump pump cause it kept just putting back out into the yard and it kept coming right back on in, LOL. So I pumped it into the shower in the washroom, LOL. Got pretty much everything dried out and saved a few books. How aggravating. But hey that's life.

The dogs are all adjusting well. And the puppies are growing so well. They are darling. I plan to take pics here today or tomorrow and post them. This litter is so cute. And we have one little tiny darling. She is so cute!!!

My kiddos are getting excited. Spring is here and summer can't be far behind. That means camp and 4Th of July at Grandma and Papa's farm. It is always fun to get together with everyone. All the cousins, Aunts, and Uncles show up. We will BBQ and we always have way to much food. And we always make homemade Ice Cream. Also we will be celebrating my Joseph's 5Th birthday. He is growing up so fast.

This Friday we will be visiting Hutchinson, Ks. The band has something lined up there that night, and we will first stop and visit the Budweiser Clydesdale's. They will be at the Hutch mall. I know my kiddos would love to see these lovely boys. I love draft horses, with their hooves the size of dinner plates. Then on to Grandma and Papa's to visit. We will get to see the new chicks and ducks. Plus we will be coming home with some new tomato plants.

Next weekend, we have our annual mothers day tea. We will be going to a Miss Emily's tea room in Wichita, Ks. They do serve a nice tea. Not quite as good as mine, LOL ; ) But really nice. Someday I will have my own tea room. I will. I am claiming it. It may not be today or tomorrow, but some day. I just know it.

I will try to take more pics to post here. I have a bunch of the hams that I call my kids, but I do not post their faces on here so alas no pics for the blog. I gotta get out and around and get some more pics of Kansas. Friday will be a good day for that. The farm and the surrounding countryside always has some good options.

Monday, I should have gotten some, but I forgot my camera. I drove over to Marion, a bit of a drive, but a nice one. There was a field with a bunch of lovely calves and heifers. There is also a farm that raises Angus I believe, and these cows, had the best fields I have ever seen for cows. I told my son these cows are blessed. They fields were lush and green.

There were also a number of horses grazing along the fence line. I pulled over to watch them for a few minutes. Every time I think I do not need a horse, that I can live without ever having one again. I drive past a pasture of horses and the pull comes again. The smell of horses and hay is one of the best right after the smell of a sweet baby. Most people do not know, that I used to show horses. I loved it.

I still have all my horse stuff. 15 years of no horse. I still have a whole grooming kit, hoof pick, body brush, curry comb, face brush, bath scrubber, shampoo, fly spray, etc. Then bridles, splint boots, buckets, a winter turnout blanket, oh yes and all of my ribbons, a number of them are framed and hanging on my walls. (is this sad or what) The only thing I would need is a saddle should a horse drop into my lap. I was thinking the other day, I should just get rid of all the stuff. But it is still all there. Is this sad or what. Who knows, maybe I will get a horse again. I can be patient. I've waited this long. Why not a bit longer. LOL

I filled in at a stamping party last weekend which was fun as the gals that have these are a blast. And The Angel Company has awesome stuff. I plan to add a link for that as well. But this company has really neat stamps, and offers great extras every month and always a free gift with every 30 dollar purchase. Which is cool.

So this is what I have been up to. How about all of you. How is your spring going? I hope well.

Hugs
Amy : )

Which Chronicles of Narnia character are you most like? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Mrs. Beaver Mrs. Beaver 70% Aslan 67% Lucy Pevensie 63% Peter Pevensie 63% Mr. Beaver 60% Susan Pevensie 43% Oreius 40% Edmund Pevensie 37% Ginarrbrik 33% Mr. Tumnus 20% The White Witch 10%

Flooded

I had hoped to post something sweet and spring like today, alas it was not meant to be. We had some very heavy rains today, and my entire basement flooded. AHHHHHHHHH all sorts of boxes of things were down there and including one that was under the leak and is completely full of water. I sat down for a few to try to relax for a few minutes, now I must go back and battle the flood.
Wearily
Amy

Why are people so careless with what is most precious

There is an ongoing "trend" I will call it, that I have noticed over the last few years. I am sure it has gone on for longer of course. I get so mad at people I would dearly love to scream at them. I do not, because really it would not be a very good thing to do.

This trend I am noticing is the complete lack of care for children. I have seen this in so many ways. Time after time I see women with very new babies shopping at the mall or Walmart or even at the state fair one year. Now the problem is not that the babies are out and about. I always took mine out with me. The problem is I see these little tiny babies start to cry and the mom's just continue on with what they are doing.

Okay I may get alot of flack from people for this post, but what is wrong with people. When did it become a sin to pick up a crying infant. I have never ever agreed to just let your baby cry. And every single one of my children are outgoing independent and pretty well behaved. I never have left my very young babies to cry. I stopped what I was doing and picked them up. The really cool thing about this is that they stopped crying!!! I just can not bare to hear this poor little guys cry. Please ladies please pick up your babies. They can not be spoiled when they are this young. God gave us these children, now lets care for them.

Another disturbing thing to me has been all of the little kids I see wandering around all over creation. I am talking little kids under 10. Has anyone one of us not seen the news lately and what horrible things happen to our kids. In freezing temps, I watched 2 little boys walking around town, one in a tank top, shorts, and a large pair of girls flip flops.

Another time we went to the local Dillons, middle of summer, we pulled up and got out, noticed a car full of kids sitting there. I thought okay surely someone just ran in, right?? We bought a good number of things and then came back out, kids still sitting there in near 100 degree temps. This made us both so mad, my husband went back in and bought them all bottled water and brought it back out to them. Now I regretted not calling the police. And shortly after this I started doing just that when I witnessed some of these things.

Kids jumping of a roof into one of those inflatable pools. 2 year old playing near the street no adults in site. I don't care if your sitting right inside your house. Your 30 feet from the street your kid is 3 feet from the street who do you think will make it there first??? 5 year old walking down the street alone?? What are people thinking. Do you want your child to be the next one on the news???

Now we come to Sunday. This last Sunday at Walmart, I was picking up some more pet food, and was leaving that area and noticed a little tiny maybe 4 year old girl walking from the toy section all by herself. A bit back I noticed a man and a little boy walking. I figured she MUST be with them and just in a hurry right?? Well, I was still concerned enough that I asked the gentleman if she was with him and he said no she is not. I noticed her hanging around in toys for awhile and then she left. So I followed her up. Well he asked her what her name was, it was Lexi. Let me just say that Lexi is a darling beautiful child.

She said she did not know where her mom was. Now I know this very nice man just wanted to help her too, but I told him I will take her up to the customer service area. Nothing against him, but even though this child was NOT mine I had no intention of trusting this precious girl with a strange man. I am sure he understood. He told me he would go back and see if he could find someone frantic in toys. I took her up front I was with her for nearly 20 minutes no mother shows up. I am sorry but if my child had been missing for even 5 minutes and did not turn up near the front I would have already had the police on the phone.

Finally, Walmart decided to page Lexi's mom over the intercom and have her come up front. She finally did. The woman did not say anything to me who had her child all this time, she just says to her, I TOLD YOU TO STAY IN TOYS!!!!! WHAT, you left this sweet little 4 year old alone in toys??? She could have been in the next county already. What is wrong with people??? I held my tongue and did not say anything, although I would have really loved to.

What is wrong with people. Why are we leaving what is most precious in the world to run alone in the streets, left alone in the walmart, or crying sadly in the car seats or strollers instead of picking them up. These precious children are our future. They are also the most precious gifts from God.

Boy are we failing.

Is spring coming or what???

He looks ready for spring!!!!
I don't know if it just me or what. But over the last few years it feels as if it takes forever for spring to get here. Last easter we had snow. Now snow is lovely and I think really awesome at Christmas, but for someone who grew up in California and who wore sundresses on easter, this was too cold for me. I have been in Kansas for 13 out of the last 15 years, you would think I would be used to this, but I guess I am just stubborn.

Spring just makes me feel like getting things done, and frankly this weather we have had lately all grey and rainy only makes me want to sleep.

I guess when the warm weather gets here is just helps to lift my soul. I have been struggling with finding the joy in my days. I am prone to get kinda low. Since we have moved, I am not out and about so much, and when I am out an about and around people, I refuse to let my attitude drag me or them down. So I am positively annoyingly cheerful and happy. I can find anything to laugh about. People like that about me.

But since my husband drives 25 miles each way for work, I only tend to get into town on Sundays for church. And then we do our shopping at the local Walmart, and then we go home. So I am seriously missing the company of other ladies. I know I need to find others to befriend, but that is really actually hard for me. I come across as very outgoing and the life of the party. And I am alot of fun. But by my own nature I easily become a wallflower. So I have had to force myself out of that attitude. And frankly I have been alot happier. But for some reason in this new town, I am struggling with that.

It is a much smaller town then we used to live in and I seem to stand out a bit. I discovered I get odd looks when I use my cell at the grocery store. And I actually have never seen anyone else on theirs here. I also seem to be more ummmm flamboyant could be a good word, then most people around here. I laugh easily and love bright colors. Red being my favorite. So I seem to stand out. I guess I just need to get it together and throw a tea party and invite some ladies over.

Hey it looks as if the sun might be peeking out. Gotta run
Amy

Rhett Butlers People

I read the fist two books Gone with the Wind and Scarlett a long time ago when I was a teen. I admit I did not get it and really did not like the books. Gone with the Wind the movie is one of my all time favorites. I love the dresses, the horses, the fiddle-dee-dee's, and Mammy. I Loved Mammy and her no nonsense approach to flighty Miss Scarlett. Of course you can only rein in someone so much.......

Recently I felt it was time to give the books another go round. I checked out Gone with the Wind and Scarlett again last fall, and I can say I appreciated them much more. I wish that some of those word were not in there, but I suppose that being this was about the south way back then some of those words were inevitable. I have discovered that like many people Scarlett just did not go over very well, I never did like the movie for that one. There were some characters that I did like in the book, but really it did not make much sense.

In Rhett Butlers People, the book really just goes on as if Scarlett the book never happened. I was sorry to miss Cat, Scarlett and Rhett's daughter, but if you don't use any of the rest of the book adding in Cat makes no sense, LOL. I really liked this book and felt that it gave so much more dimension to all the characters we know and love. I was glad to see Belle Watling a bit more, yes that sounds odd, but I love that there was more on the heart this woman obviously had, as well as her son, and explained the background behind them.

I was also happy to have more background on Rhett's sister. I like her ever so much better in this book. I must admit I still do not like Suellen, and yeah she got the short end of the stick alot, but I wish she could have dealt with it better. I also am glad that Mammy is still around through the whole book unlike Scarlett where they kill her off. Yeah yeah I know people die, but hey!!!

So many things made so much more sense in Rhett Butlers People, than in Scarlett, and I am glad I was finally able to read it. I wonder if they will make a movie on this one. That would be awesome. I think this book has alot more to offer then Scarlett did so, I guess I can cross my fingers, LOL.

Well gotta run got some things to do.
Me

Please click to help women and send a thanks to our Military

Hello all if you check out over on the right hand side of my page there is a link. Click on this link to help women who can't afford mamograms receive free ones. You can click everyday!!! I do please be sure to remember to do so as well.

Also as you can see up above there is a Xerox lets say thanks widget. If you click on the bottom right hand corner of that it take you to the link for sending a thank you for your self to our military. Please send them one, you know they deserve that and more much more.

Thanks
Amy

Looking for more of this

Okay I am trying to find more of this flatware. It is made of bronze and nice and heavy. It reminds me of silverware someone might have used in a castle. LOL I know not really but still it feeds my imagination. The handles do not seem to have a finish on them and have been allowed to age naturally. I am trying to find more of this. I have been unsuccesful so far in searching the internet. So if anyone has an idea of who made it, as there is no name on it please let me know. Or if anyone has any of this they would like to find a new home for it that would be awesome.. ; )
Thanks a bunch
Amy

The puppies are here

The puppies are here and doing well, if you would like to see a picture please visit my Amore Schnauzers link and go to the puppy page. Thanks a bunch.
Have an awesome night
Amy

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter

Hello everyone,

Yes I have been very bad about blogging lately. I have had alot going on. I hope everyone had an awesome Easter. My family came we had 18 total here not as big as some years, but with the boys being Marines they are a bit occupied right now. We had a big ham dinner, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, veggies and dip, a green salad, ham and asparagus rolls, salami rolls, homemade dinner rolls, deviled eggs, homemade pickles, olives, lemon meringue pie, pretzel salad this is a dessert, and oreo cookie cake, not a speck of cake in that, LOL. Everyone was full to say the least.

The kids had alot of fun with their cousins, and their young uncle. My sisters baby is getting so big and she is so cute. They played alot of games outside and then we had a major easter egg hunt. Even had a stray neighbor kid hanging around.

My Anne Shirley has not had her puppies yet. She is due tomorrow, so we shall see what we shall see. She is still getting around okay, and still is chasing balls a little bit before she gets tired. She is such a lovely little dog. I love her sweet shiny silver head. And she loves the kids. I am excited to see what her babies look like. She is getting used to the idea of her box being in my closet. Our new girl Brea, wants to hide out in there too. That will probably not go over to well with mama, after the puppies are born.

Well it's getting close to time to make dinner so I had better run.
Hugs
Amy

The family is the problem, really???? What??? That can't be right!!!

We have a wonderful large family. We have 6 kids and are thankful and feel very blessed to have them everyday. Okay during some of the loud disagreements I might be a bit frustrated, but hey that's the life of a mom of 6.

It is amazing to me over the years how often I have heard an excuse that has something to do with the size of my family. We do not get invited anywhere. Why?? I have been told a number of times that my family is just so large, and that their house is not set up for kids, well okay I can see that, but you know if someone really cared they could put a few breakables, or heck invite us over for a potluck style picnic outside in the summer. I ALWAYS bring more then enough to feed my kids. Heck I would bring everything, just be our friends. Not a one in our church invites us over.

We could not find a place to live. I made call after call. The house would be big enough, we would have the money ready to go, everything seemed fine, and then the question that kills it all and they back peddle as fast as they can, DO YOU HAVE KIDS?? Yes, Oh how many 6. Oh you could never fit in this house. A house I just saw and know we could fit in. Or Ummmm well we have 3 other people who have looked at it and we will get back to you. I NEVER got calls back.

WE finally found a house in Tennessee. It was a pit. We had to replace the whole kitchen as the cupboards were riddled with termites, and mold. The roof had mold eating through and centipedes would drop down on you in the shower. That's what my precious children had to live with. The heater did not work EVER. She would not fix it. We heated the house with the oven and fans. The water line broke. 15,000 gallons of water ran down the hill we lived on. WE called and called. She never answered. My husband and his dad finally had to go out, dig a hole in the mud in the middle of winter and fix it himself. She never paid him back or paid the water bill. This is what my family is stuck with. Thankfully we finally have a good house here in Kansas.

We get horrified looks when we go into eat somewhere. People see all of our kids and make assumptions. What they don't know about my kids is that they LOVE to eat, LOL. 5 hungry boys and 1 girl. They also enjoy eating out and they know that rotten behaviour will not be tolerated. We have been approached so many times from people after we have set down and they kids are eating. They all tell us that they can't believe how good our kids are, they they would never take their kids, grand kids, nieces or nephews whatever out to eat, as they can not behave.

Now most recently, my husband was told from his band that they felt they needed to find a new drummer, as they felt it was best for our family. WHAT???????? Again blame it on the family. Our family has never once held up the band from anything. A concert in Michigan, on my birthday, my husband was there, band practice on our anniversary, my husband was there, practices and shows on weekends close to kids birthdays he was there.

WHY, because we all enjoyed the band and the music and felt that it was something worthwhile. Something good, something we were all proud of, and we wanted to make it as easy as possible for my husband to be able to be there. So we made it work and not one of us had a problem. We never once complained. We liked it. I enjoyed the guys and their families, and was finally able to go with my husband to some of the shows. It was fun. My boys had been able to go to some shows, and they had fun. We were so proud of the band, that my entire family got Staynlis stuff for Christmas, all the guys got t-shirts, and then Cd's for the whole family. The kids sometimes just went to practice to hang around and watch. So again our family is being held against us.

Psalm 127:3-7
Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are son's born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 128 1-6
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house, your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life, may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem, and may you live to see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel.


It is amazing how to God having children is a blessing, and they ARE. But to people in the world, and well heck other Christians, if you have a family, then your a nuisance or a liability. Sometimes it is harder to feel blessed then others. And so you sit alone, and wait and hope that someday someone will stop using your family as an excuse to drop you.

I hope that perhaps if you are in the same boat as I am, you can take some relief in knowing your not alone. However if you are one of those people who just don't invite those of us with families over, perhaps you might take from this a lesson, about how hurtful it is to some of us. And perhaps you might be able to become someone who can change this for someone you know. Come on invite a family over be their friend.

Not a clown car, too funny

Spending lots of money to save money

This pic is of my freezer.

Sounds kinda funny when you say it that way. In February Krehebiels Meat Market in McPherson Kansas, has a sale called the half a hog sale. For $99.00 you get a whole ham worth 50 dollars, pork chops, pork roasts, 12 pkgs bacon, I think, and 12 pounds of the sausages of your choice. Breakfast sausage, bacon sausage, brats, Italian sausage, potato sausage, spicy Italian sausage, etc etc.....

Not only is this an awesome deal for the price, but this is all good for you source verified meat. I picked up 4 halves which filled my freezer half way. Now I just need to get a half a cow and I will be set. Except for chicken I will have what I need for the year. I love the feeling knowing I have good food to feed my kids.

It may have cost me alot up front, but will be a money saver in the long run. Now I gotta run make some dinner. Roast anyone???

Frustrations

Things had been kinda going steady, no big problems really. We do however have a problem that is not correcting itself. When we moved into this house it was listed for sale. We were told that she had to leave it up due to her contract with the realtor until sometime in Jan. Then in Jan it was never taken down then in Feb she said the 15th of March. Well we had some people look at it today and then some more tomorrow. Gosh darn it, why can't things just stay steady. We have no where else to go. No one would rent to us with all of our kids. And the ones we could "fit" into we could not afford. We just finally finished moving in last week. We finally emptied the storage shed.
SIGH..............................