We've been busy!

Since my last post we have been in a constant state of remodel. I would show you pics but I lost the camera!! Bad! Christmas is coming!
We have a living room now! It is beautiful and last night I put some actual art on the walls. It has been a long time since we had anything on our walls. I was busy painting the new laundry room yesterday. It will have one apple red wall. Fun!
I am quite proud of myself as I have done the majority of the drywall mudding, taping, sanding, and painting all on my own. Bryan spent the week of Thanksgiving working hard on the electrical, plumbing for the laundry, and major wall structure of the living room, we all worked together to put in our new flooring. Today and tomorrow we hope to move the washer and dryer to their new location and move all of the food storage out of what will be our dining room and into the PANTRY!
We hope to have our kitchen island which is concrete, polished and ready for Christmas. Yay!!
I am so excited to have a real house!! Come over for a visit!

Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm

Our Founding Fathers and the Prophets said it much better than I can.

"Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm." James Madison, Federalist No. 10, November 23, 1787

"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism." George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796

"But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever." John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 17, 1775

"Remember democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." John Adams, letter to John Taylor, April 15, 1814

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams, Address to the Military, October 11, 1798



"That government is best which governs the least, so taught the courageous founders of this nation. This simple declaration is diametrically opposed to the all too common philosophy that the government should protect and support one from the cradle to the grave. The policy of the Founding Fathers has made our people and our nation strong. The opposite leads inevitably to moral decay."
Ezra Taft Benson (1899 - 1994)
Source: at BYU, February 28,1962

"In the 1940s while serving as the executive officer of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives in Washington, D.C., I saw in a Hilton Hotel a placard depicting Uncle Sam, representing America, on his knees in humility and prayer. Beneath the placard was the inscription, "Not beaten there by the hammer and sickle, but freely, responsibly, confidently. . . . We need fear nothing or no one save God." That picture has stayed in my memory ever since; America on her knees in recognition that all our blessings come from God! America on her knees out of a desire to serve the God of this land by keeping his commandments! America on her knees, not driven there in capitulation to some despotic government, but on her knees freely, willingly, gratefully! This is the sovereign remedy to all of our problems and the preservation of our liberties."
Ezra Taft Benson (1899 - 1994)
Source: Ensign, November 1976,

Ether 2:9 "And now we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fullness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fullness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity. For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God...Behold this is a choice land and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land , who is Jesus Christ...

Family Pictures

We recently went to Far West for a family photo shoot. Our good friend, Deanna Gordon took the pictures. I am sure that she will now reprimand me again for not having a link to her blog. I must say that I have forgotten how to do that. Someday when I have more time I will figure it out.
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A Temple in Kansas City!

We are so excited at our house we are jumping for joy! Well, I am. Bryan doesn't jump very often, he is more the smiling serenely with deep satisfaction type. We were told yesterday at our Stake Conference that our temple would be similar to the Idaho Falls Temple. It will be in North Kansas City, close to Liberty and near I-435 and Shoal Creek Blvd.
My feelings of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for this amazing blessing are hard to express. I feel as though he has looked down on our little family and has seen our struggles and simply wants to bring us joy and pour out blessings upon our heads. I can imagine Him rejoicing in our rejoicing. Congratulations to all the families who will be within our new temple district! Rejoice!

Fall is here...

and with it comes school, rain, and some softened sunshine. September so far has been very rainy. It usually is, but it seems to be overdoing it a little. We spent two hours on Thursday out in the lovely rain cleaning up the yard that had been neglected through the summer days too hot to work outdoors. It was refreshing and invigorating. I was reminded why I love September. The rain in mostly gentle and warm and the sun still shines brightly. I know everything is getting ready to fade and die or at least sleep but fall is when I feel the most alive.

The COUNTDOWN

The weeks of August were meant to be a peaceful, slow moving time. A time of happy reflection on the summer days and anticipation for the last few wonderful activities of the season; county fairs, weekends camping, swimming and eating popsicles. We have proof that the month of August is meant for doing basically nothing in the fact that there are no national holidays this month and the happier fact that Congress takes a vacation from messing up our lives.
However, in the overworked minds of many a home schooling mother there is no respite. August is the month of final reflections on the previous school year and the hurried gathering of curriculum for the new year that will fast be upon us.
In recent days you could find me trying to re-read A Thomas Jefferson Education (a book I strongly recommend to all parents) in preparation for our first attempt to fully follow the educational philosophy espoused by the author. Trying is the operative word. With nine children in the house and a job hunting sister-in-law, I have gotten very little peace. I have decided,as I have about this time every year, that I need a vacation.
So here's to all you other mothers out there frantically gathering, scouring for books on auction sites, tidying the school room and library shelves. And to those of you who aren't sure if you have the energy and patience to get through another year, Remember, just read to them.
I had a mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea.
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth;
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath.
I had a Mother who read me plays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.
I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness lent with his final breath.
I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch.
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.-Strickland Gillilan

The Missouri Tribulation

Missouri Tribulation- n. a phenomenon unique to the State of Missouri often associated with the desire to move to said state or the actual arrival in said state. This tribulation includes such occurrences as; sickness (chronic and otherwise), broken bones, washers and dryers self destructing, main water lines rupturing etc.; adverse happenings follow quickly upon one another, usually within a matter of days. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as The Refiner’s Fire.
While the foregoing examples of adversity may seem somewhat mild, an account of more serious events could be given if this author were not afraid to tempt fate. The Missouri Tribulation has been well documented in the lives of many stalwarts who have continued to remain in the State of Missouri and or dream of coming no matter the obstacles.
(A word of caution to those living within the State of Missouri in a time of relative peace; If you offer your home to a fellow sojourner, who wishes to reside in this blessed place, you will be called upon to suffer the Missouri Tribulation with said sojourner.)
Often associated with the Tribulation is another phenomenon marked by increased fierce reliance upon the Lord and his promises. Thereby softening the detremental effects upon the sufferers. Often those experiencing the Tribulation can be found laughing into any gathering storm while tightly gripping their scriptures and their fellow sufferers, much akin to those who choose to sacrifice life and limb by embarking on a very tall, very fast thrill ride with a dubious name such as Cyclone, Twister, or Corkscrew.
To all my fellow sojourners, God be with you. To all of you who have not had the experience, a life is not truly lived until one has ridden the Tribulation and lived to tell about it. Come on out for a visit!

Jake's Favorite Pastime

Jacob has been working on his Fishing Merit Badge. He has been fishing daily in the neighbors pond. This is his first catch. He brought it home and actually ate it. The smoke detector did go off during the cooking phase of the project. Jake says it was delicious. It was buttered, battered, and fried. His next goal is to catch a catfish. I am trying to suppress my animal rights activist tendencies in order to support my son in this endeavor.

It's HOT

We're still here, just melting in the July heat! More pics coming soon!

One of Bryan's part time jobs

Bryan and I started putting down the tile around 8 o'clock last night. We finished at 10:30. I am not sure that running a tile saw on the front porch in a thunderstorm is a very good idea, but Bry looked confident.

Emilie, the Fairy Princess

I came up the stairs the other day to inquire as to why no one had done thier chores and found this lovely creature standing there. I guess she hoped to magically make her chores disappear.





We needed to remove the debris caused by the Mom-induced tornado in the kitchen. Unfortunately, the house, which is 84 feet long, has no back door. (Another reason to remodel) So we threw the cupboards piece by piece out the bathroom window! The fairy princess changed her outfit to help.

A School Day

These are not pics of a typical homeschooling day. Usually we do not involve desks in the process though at last count we had four desks, one large kitchen island, and a dining room table.

Usually our days are more like this:

Some Moments You Missed

This was Gideon's favorite outfit last winter. He loved his robe, which originally belonged to his Daddy a long, long, long time ago.



Emilie, all decked out as a princess on her chariot, for her birthday party.

Back to Work

The beginning of another week finds me up at 6am to post. I am distracted by a very interesting article at www.ancientamerica.org . When I look at the clock it is nearly seven. My time is up! Kids are awaking. I hurry to make a job chart list. We are going to stay on top of things this week! My solemn vow.
We have a garden to weed and water. Disaster zones formerly known as bedrooms, and no bread to make toast with. Then of course there is the dishes and the laundry, the mopping and the bathrooms. On top of all that we are preparing for the upcoming arrival of my wonderful sister-in-law Rhonda and her two little ones. They will be here next Monday night to live with us!! It is a good thing I have seven slaves...oops I mean children. Sweet obedient hardworking children!
And Jolie makes the best bread. Here is a sample for you. Sorry, I can't post the smell.

Man is that he might go golfing?

For Father's day this year we finally got Bryan a set of golf clubs. We call it his "man is that he might have joy" gift. Bryan works too hard. We gave him the clubs on Friday night before Father's day as it would have been very cruel to wait til the Sabbath for a gift like that. He finally broke them out on Saturday evening after fixing the air conditioning in the house all while watching all the kids so that I could go to the temple to see some friends sealed to their adopted son. See what I mean! He works hard. I love him. Of course hitting golf balls requires finding golf balls. Time to go to a real golf course!

It was not a tornado

We are having a rather mild week, weatherwise. I decided to stir things up by attacking the kitchen. I singlehandedly created a 14 foot wide pile of debris with nothing but a hammer, a crow bar, and a power drill. Aah! The joys of home improvement!

We moved!

Of course it was a while ago. October 22nd to be exact. We've been remodeling the new house, fixing outbuildings, learning to care for chickens, rabbits, and a dog named Kairos (he showed up at the opportune time). The house is huge and will be amazing someday. Right now it isn't much to look at, but the kids are so happy in the country!

Check out my new blog

I just started it today. Kairos a place to place all my absentminded ponderings upon the scriptures and their application in my life.
www.fullness-of-times.blogspot.com

Hello World!

I have no good excuse for not blogging since last August. So I will just begin again and not promise any improvement in the timeline deficiencies of my blogging. You get what you get and don't throw a fit!
Most of you have already given up on me anyway.
Here are my little gooneybirds. This was taken last fall for our school pictures.