Where oh where is my spring?

Can you say blahhhh? This is the time of year when nothing is much fun. Most people are sick of the weather, sick of being cold and sick of each other.

I for one would love to have some 70 degree days, wind blowing in my hair, playing outside with the children, gardening or riding on my new bike. Yes, to confirm all rumors my dear hubbster bought me my own motorcycle. A picture will be included :) This is a love hate purchase. I will LOVE having my own ride and that independence and sheer bliss of riding is almost unmatchable. But, I love riding behind my hubby, feeling him pat my leg as we ride taking in all the sights together. He bought me the bike back in January but it is still at the shop waiting to be picked up, better weather, need to lower it some. So patience I must have.

Spring break is almost here and I can honestly say I am really ready for it. I welcome the break from college work and home schooling as I have several projects to work on that can only be accomplished with a week off. Hannah is moving into a new room and it needs to be finished painting. Her old room needs a fresh coat of paint and the hallway desperately needs some painting so I will spend the week painting, painting and then for something new and refreshing....PAINTING!

I have been able to talk to Garrett about 3 times now. I miss him loads but I know he is quickly becoming a man. He even sounds different. I am taking some time later today to write him another letter. The weather is nasty outside with a little snow and lots of packed ice underneath.

Violin and piano lessons were cancelled today so we did a more full day of school and I have had time to tackle the laundry and even fit in some ironing. Why oh why do I like cotton clothes so much? I mean seriously now who in their right mind has 10 children with 7 still at home and chooses to wear cotton clothes that need to be ironed? If I were not so picky I would just take them out of the dryer and hang them up and wear them as is. But, I was raised by older parents and a grandma that ironed everything ! I can still see her with a little glass bottle and a stopper on the top that was made with sprinkler holes. She would shake the water on the clothes and iron them so neat. Every pillowcase was hand embroidered and starched stiff but it always felt so nice to sleep on; fresh feeling. Grandma always put nice touches on everything.

Talking about my grandma makes me want to go knit. I was able to finish another hat and am ready to work on some socks now. The picture of the red hat that Miriam is modeling is one of the last ones I made. I love those little take along projects that I can fit into a small bag and take to music lessons, Dr. appointments and so forth. Sure does beat the crazy reading material offered and I just like the fact that these little projects are something that I can finish quickly and get some satisfaction in the journey of motherhood that I have accomplished something :)

Dearest Destini turns 11 tomorrow and I can hardly believe she has blessed my life for 8 years already. I will always remember the day she came with her sad little face, broken heart and untrusting spirit. Oh what a miracle God has done in her life and for that I am truly thankful. I will be taking her out on our special birthday outing and look forward to spending it with her.

I included some pictures of the children having fun in the last snow, pictures of Hannah and Noah practicing violin together and some fun photos of playdough creations ( a minature playdough scene) we made during our fun time. Enjoy!

The rest of the week is looking to be fairly uneventful. Tom wants to have a date night Friday and go shoot some pool (which I love to do) and Saturday is a buckwheat cakes dinner at the fire hall that I need to help with.

Maybe next week I can find spring!

A somewhat quiet day today. We finished school early and the children wanted to play outside. I have to admit it is nice that they can all get themselves mostly dressed for snow play. My days of taking an hour to get each one dressed are about gone. You know for me it was "ok now lets get them in snow pants, jackets, gloves, scarves, hats".... and then just as the last one is dressed the first one would come in and say they lost a hat, mitten, glove, then I would get that taken care of sit down with a cup of tea then... someone is at the door again "mom I have to pee" ok back off with the pants, jacket, scarf, hat, gloves (whoever though it was a good idea to make gloves for little hands should be spanked! You know they want to wear them and it takes FOREVER to get their little hands in the correct holes.) :) you get the drift here. I would often get hysterical with laughter bacause all these moms would tell me how nice it was to get this break when theier children would go outside to play. I really dont' know what that is...something you eat?

I did have some time to tackle my mountain of paperwork for homeschool. The lists for what books I need to buy for next year are close to being finished, new insureance cards are ready to be put into the vehicles and Noah made me lunch. Does it really get any better than this?

At hump day and for some reason I have been tried more spiritually these last two weeks than I have been in quiet some time. Finally received Garretts address so now I can send him some encouragement! I can't even imagine what he is going through right now.

I posted a picture of a jewelry box he made for his girlfriend. Tom helped him some but he had in mind what he wanted and worked to make it happen. Also is a picture of my dear grandpumpkin. I just love being a grammy!

Here's to hoping the rest of the week holds some blessings and lots less stress not just for me but for all who read life in the big house!

Busy life stuff

The past several weeks have been a blur of activity. Garrett was getting ready to leave for the army and I was preparing myself mentally and physically for the change in our family. I already miss the stupid stuff he would do to make me laugh, his puddles left around the house and all that was a part of making our house more full of joy and love. He left last Tuesday and we all felt a part of us go with him.

We have been in full swing homeschooling and the children are all doing very well. Joshua and his many facets are the focus of bible studies and American history from the Revolution on is our focus for history. We learned how to cast lots, we are getting ready to make history lapbooks and have been doing lots of map making with colonies, indian tribes and states joining the union. We took half a day for snow today and might take the whole day tommorrow for snow and baking. I let them loose with the playdough today and they started out making cupcakes and goodies but it soon turned south as they were making cut off fingers, tougunes and eyeballs! Gotta love that sense of creativity. I also posted some pictures of our art projects. I am really liking our art days and look forward to seeing how each child embraces there talent.

Theater class is cancelled for the week so that will give us more time to look over the newest script of Knights of the Round Table. I was asked to audition for the February play of Love Letters but I just dont' know if I can fit it in.


College is going better than expected. I am at full time status this semester with 5 classes and so far it is working out. I could never do it with out my dear spouse pushing me along and the children always helping or spoiling me with tea.

Tom finished Hannah's hope chest and it came out beautiful. That is one gift that he gives our daughters on their 13th birthday that I could never give. He puts his heart and soul into each one of these and each one is different and unique. I included a picture of Hannah's.

We have about 8-10 inches of snow outside so the rest of the week is going to be project and homework time. I traced some blue jean patches for a new quilt and I am itching to start making some more. The oldest two girls have one but I stopped there and have helped make many for gifts but no more for my family so my goal is to start working on some for the rest of the children. I will post pic next time so you can see how they look. I also want to start on some new dress patterns for myself and the girls as we could also use some new dresses in the closet.

The last couple of weeks have been challanging spirtually to say the least but I am determined not to let the enemy win this battle!

Changes in the new year...changes in life

I have lots to reflect on this past year. Lots of mistakes to learn from (lots), lots of joys to relive(the birth of my first grandchild),lots to be thankful for and lots to look forward to.

Some major changes in the Cowie household will be my first son leaving for the army on the 18th of January. The picture is of him and my hubby making a picture frame. Hubby does woodworking as his stress relief and can make some great stuff. The baby of the family (Lydia)turns 8 and I will turn the great age of 45!

Acceptance of what is,seems to be the goal for my new year.

I need to accept that a dear family member chooses to be the way they are and only God can change that and it has nothing to do with me or my abilities. I need to accept that I can not please even most of the people most of the time :) but to just try my best to be the person God has me to be. I need to accept that I will NEVER be caught up on laundry (this is my favorite one) and I need to accept that my personal growth in God will help not only myself but others through His work in me. How is that for a list of acceptances!

A New Year approaching is always very exciting to me. I feel like it is a new slate on which to write on. I have been cleaning out cobwebs on my break between semesters and so far i have tackled my scrapping area (which is in a corner of my bedroom) and my sewing area. It feels so good to finally have both of them sorted through. I included pics of both areas after the clean. I quick vacuum and I will be finished. Next will be the school area and all that it entails then on to the boys room. I purchased a giant cubicle wall unit from a Curves fitness going out of business. it will be perfect to put on there wall and get all those Lego's and playmobil off the floor. Painting in the girls room is included in my list and I hope to have all that put behind me before May.

This past year has been very difficult on me personally, spiritually, financially, and emotionally but God has seen me through it. It can be so hard to press toward the mark but I know what goal lies ahead so I continue to be in the race. May each of you join me at the finish line :)

Tis the season...

Ok, who turned off the heat outside. Now Don't get me wrong I mean I love winter too but the drastic changes are sometimes too much of a shock to the system.
So, what have I been up to? In November we had birthdays to celebrate, Thanksgiving to be thankful for and violin concerts to play in.

I found several of the children all laying on the floor looking at view master reels and laughed to myself. I count it a great blessing that they are entertained by such simple toys in a techno world.

Now I find myself in the full swing of the CHRISTmas season and not quiet there mood wise yet. I had a tough semester in college but made it through with great grades (Tom says I am too hard on myself) and I am still dealing with some family stress that I know God and time will take care of.

There was a nice highlight to it all as the 7 younger children were all cast and performed in our local community theater production of "The Grinch". They all did a fabulous job and a dear friend posted it on youtube for all to enjoy.

I did meet up with another Weaver mom over coffee. She wanted to borrow a volume I had and it was so nice to catch up on what God is doing in her life, challanges of another homeschooling mom and just celebrating life as moms.

This week will be sending out Christmas cards, making cookies and hitting the Chiropracter for some relief. Oh the gym will be added in also as I attempt to rid myself of 7 extra pounds of "college weight".

I hope in the new year to post more often as I find it not only refreshing but challanging to me personally to share more with dear family and friends.

May God be with each and every one of you this season of celebration!

It's the little things that count

If you were a child of mine you would hear that phrase lots. I believe with all my heart that it is the little things that count. It is remembering special days, sending cards, making a simple phone call, chocolates on the pillows (Ashley recently did this for us on our visit to her place), hugs, kisses, handwritten notes, cheap mini-vacations, drives with the children, little hands placed in mine unexpectedly, tickling a child, popcorn in mom and dads bed, playing hidden objects games with all the little ones crowded around, teenagers hangin out in our room to talk about their day and so much more.
The older I become the more effort I put into working on the "little things" or better stated I am noticing and/or acting more on the little things.

October seemed to fly by as I look back on it all. This semester in college has been draining to say the least but I have seen my dear family come to the forefront and do more to help me out than I deserve. Little girls have brought up trays of tea and treats while I studied, Tom has washed countless dishes and prepared countless meals upon HIS insistence, and the younger children have shared how they "prayed for mommy to get a good test grade" more than once. I am humbled so much to be so blessed.

Home school is moving exceptionally well this year and everyone is staying on track. I have graduated all to the reading stage and am working on just the fluency stage for the last couple of children.

We had a nice trip to Ashley's in Virginia Beach for a weekend and the children played in the ocean (even though it was very cold), played two long games of putt, putt golf and just enjoyed hanging out with their sister and nephew Markus. I personally enjoyed all the Grammy time and marvel at how much a child grows when you do not see them everyday.

We ended the month with a trip to the Perry zoo, which is a local small zoo, and the children just love that place. You can feed most all of the animals and we just enjoyed the ride there looking at the leaves and scenery and then stopping by at a local famous tourist attraction, the turtle. This rock that looks naturally like a turtle was painted several years ago to look even more like a turtle and about every couple of years someone gives it a different paint job. Some years have been great and others average, this year was an average paint job but the children enjoyed it none the less.

Tom has been using more of his culinary skills and has been on a soup producing binge so now the freezer is full of broccoli soup, clam chowder and lobster bisque. Not sure when his next cooking class is but I almost can't wait to see what we get to try next!

Being a mom is so hard at times and this month has reminded me of it more than ever. My failings and shortcomings seemed to overtake my triumphs and this has made me ever so thankful that I serve such a loving and understanding God.

A week of wonders

This week started out just unbelievable. Monday I schooled the children in the morning then went to a United Way meeting luncheon. Ended up chairing that meeting and then heading to college for some tutoring help with my Algebra class. Got myself underway there and left just in time to head back home to change clothes to help with a fundraiser for a friend that is running for the House of Representatives. The governor was coming in to show his support for him also so the place was packed. I did get the opportunity to talk with the governor again as we have spoken in the past about foster/adoption issues. After being social for way too long :) I was able to slip out and go home.
Tuesday it was the start of music lessons for the children and we added in the last three this year so all seven younger ones are now in lessons. We did 1/2 day of school before leaving though so that makes the day even more productive. After lessons we came home and I hopped into the car and headed out to college class (Algebra tonight). Home late again.
Wednesday the older children stayed home to do school while I took the youngest 4 to the dentist for cleanings. As soon as I came home I had to unpack 4 and pack one child (17yo son) into the car. I thought he had strep as his throat was full of blister but fortunately he has another type of bacterial infection and is now on antibiotics! Home again only to pack ALL my college books into the car and leave for school so I could make up a test I missed last week when I was ill. Finished the test, worked on homework and went to Teacher Education class.... home late again.
During all this time my dear hubby has been fixing meals, checking on my homework progress and keeping me going all while working several overtime hours himself for his job. Can I just say how wonderful he is here? Lets just say we are both looking forward to a night out together and this weekend we are invited to a wine dinner and are taking advantage of the invite.
The real blessing to all of this craziness is that through it all the children have just stepped up to the plate with Hannah (13yo) asking if she and Destini (10yo) can take over the laundry because they really like doing it. Gee... let me think about this? Hmmm... 3 loads of laundry 6 days a week... I guess if they reeeaaalllyy want too! I keep walking over to the laundry area thinking I need to start a load and tada there is no laundry! This is very sweet indeed!
With all this busyness I am even more appreciative that I am a homeschooling mom. I love being at home and working on all the projects I have going, cooking, cleaning and all the monotonous jobs that go with it!