Fevers, headaches, chicken pox, vomiting, earaches, about sums up the last week. The children were all sick, so home school was definitely on the back burner. We placed the futon mattress on the living room floor, so they could have a soft spot to rest and sleep, and yet be close to the activity in the kitchen. Other than tending to them, I also had lots of time to read, study and pray. Anything to do with end times prophesy, gardening, home use of herbs and weeds, whole foods, (and not GM foods) the Bible, sprouting seeds have captured my attention for the last little while. (or maybe a bit longer *wink*) It is fascinating.

But anyways, while the boys were sick I put into practise different things I have been learning and as I knew a wash cloth wetted with rubbing alcohol and placed on your diaphragm reduces fever, I was amazed again how quickly the fever went down from one of my boys. Within 15 minutes of having a very high fever, it was down at a safe level. So, next time, when you hesitate to use that Tylenol... grab your rubbing alcohol instead! Its cheap, and much more healthy for your children.

This afternoon as I was waiting for someone to come for a coffee visit, I made my way downstairs and blew away some dust that somehow finds its way to our house and lo and behold, I found my faithful sewing machine. I sat down and cut some towels in half and Serge the ends. Then I sewed a skirt together that had been sitting around all cut and ready to go. It is well underway of getting done. After that I have some fabric waiting to be made into bloomers for my little girl, a cotton underskirt of me, and some other odds and ends. Before you know it, spring will be here and we will need to focus on nursing little seedlings!

The seeds have been ordered, (most of them) from different company's and are arriving through the mail. One order we picked up as my hubby took me away for a day and a night in honour of my birthday. We had a most wonderful time together, driving back roads, getting lost, checking the map, arriving at the tubing hills 3 hours before it opened and find our way in there anyways, (Pieter is quite adventurous), tubing, making a yummy romantic dinner for just the two of us in the cabin, flying down the hills, wind blowing in your face, sitting by the outdoor fire pit at 11 pm, laughing, loving, smiling and enjoying being together.

That was the week before everyone got sick, so hurray! We went just in time! Or, better said, God. He is the one that teaches us over and over that His ways are not our ways, and our ways are not His ways. If we simply trust, Trust, TRUST, we can go through life with peace and joy. Sometimes from our end we think, oh dear, now what? But it is God in the end that makes us look back and see that Trusting is what we need to do, today, tomorrow and the day after. It gives rest. Peaceful REST!

God is Good!

Peek-a-boo!

Hello Everyone!

It's me! And I have not forgotten about our family blog! A few times I have sat down to update, but there were interruptions, and one time, when everyone was sound a sleep, I wrote out a long post.....and accidentally deleted it.

Ja, I did.

My hubby said is was meant to be, so I took a deep breath and moved on. =)

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CHANGE IS IN THE AIR!

Normally my dear husband would go faithfully to work each and every morning without a single complaint, because he took his duty seriously. Lately though, before he 'actually' leaves, he pauses, take a deep breath and tells me he longs to be home.

...Home, where he belongs.

So, I encourage him to keep on keeping on. Soon, when the days grow a little longer, when we see a faint glimmer of spring peeking through, he will be HOME!

To stay!

It is amazing to see how the LORD has opened doors for us to go into produce farming as a family! Who would have thought! But we are and we are all very excited about it. It will be hard work, but we anticipate it, none-the-less! Our neighbour has agreed to rent us two acres of his land that sits along our property. We already have a greenhouse and right now we are looking to fix up the holes in it and adding a wood stove to start our seeds early. Yesterday our second seed catalogue same in the mail and the boys have been busy looking through it. They each get to pick something to grow and sell, independently. I hope to add lots of herbs to the ones I already have. Other than that we are looking at planting potatoes, onions, salad mix, carrots, beans, beets, leeks...lots of learning this summer!

Best part of all, we will be together as a family! It will be a whole new way of life, and we look forward to the change. Our boys need their dad. God knew what he was doing when he first gave us four boys! What a rich blessing!

Today we have a full day planned. Or, should I say, we have a full morning planned. Other than doing a run and clean through the house we have a lesson on Indonesia, laundry to catch up on, a dessert to bake, errands to run and this afternoon we are going sledding with other home schoolers. Tonight we are having pizza for supper to correspond with Pieters math lesson. He is learning to tell time, so we will be making a clock pizza.

Ah, the joys of motherhood!

God is good!

Taking out the garbage...

We are not put on this earth to see through one another,

but to see one another through.

The Peace He Promised

Jesus did not promise to change the circumstances around us. He promised great PEACE and pure JOY to those who would learn to believe that God actually controls all things. ~Corrie ten Boom

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;

that, when his glory shall be revealed,

ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1Pe 4:13

Lessons for today

For miss Gesina's lesson today, we hope to focus on staying in the kitchen and not wandering to the bathroom to test all our toothbrushes.

Rein's lesson is NO WHINING! From this picture you would think he never whines, but he is a pro at it, mind you! =) He whines when I wipe his face or wash his hair, so I hope to do alot of that today and remember him that it can be done with a smile!

Hendrik's lesson is to walk in love. He has this drive, which is a blessing, but sometimes he can use it in the wrong way. So today, out of many, many more, we hope to work on it! A.g.a.i.n.

Pieter, sweet Pieter. He is learning not to provoke others to jealousy. He is the last one to get attention, and when he gets it, he will 'haw-haw' at the other children. He needs attention just as much as they do, and I need to learn to tell the others to relax and not be so demanding, so Pieter may get some love, too!

This is not the best picture of Jan; his clothes are too small as he keeps growing and growing, his teeth need fixing, and his hair is too long, but he has a GREAT attitude. He motivates me and keeps me accountable. He is not feeling well today, so I gave him a boost to prevent the flu. I would like him to focus on clear pronounciation while reading out loud.

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As for me: I have a challenge to figure out how my new SERGER works! Yes, that is right! My dear hubby came home yesterday and dropped a big box on a nearby stool before we embraced. Then he casually walked away, leaving the box in full sight for me to discover. He is so FUN! And I am so blessed to be his queen!

Last night I fiddelled around with it, and this afternoon my dear friend Marilyn hopes to come and maybe she can give me some tips on how to opperate it. Please Marilyn? Pretty please? =)

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Some other things I am learning is, to maintain a meek and quiet spirit, keeping my home running smoothly, and not trying to do it on my own, but seeking the Lord's guidance and strength.

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So, we have a full day ahead of us. I have my sleeves rolled up and am ready to run the race that is set before me!

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Did anyone say Fall cleaning?

Labour of ...

.....MEN!

We have been very blessed to receive lumber scrap wood from a few new houses that have been built. Hauling it in by the trailer loads, dumping the contents on the pavement, and going to pick up more. The pile grew higher and higher and the boys were DELIGHTED with all the scrap odds and ends. Vader bought them nails and a jig-saw so they could build to their hearts content. A tree house was re-in forced, chairs and tables were built for the fort, a rabbit cage is in the making....

Anyways, the reason for the scrap wood was to have kindling for our wood stoves. We have two that we rely on to heat the house, so last Saturday they set out to saw the bigger pieces into manageable ones for the stoves.

While Vader and Jan did the sawing....Pieter Jr was also labouring along beside them, sometimes needing the helping hand from his dad. His was not a labour of necessity, but a labour of L.O.V.E!

When he was done, I was summoned onto the deck to see...

....how can a momma heart not swell with love and thanksgiving? Once again my eyes glance upward and thank God for giving me wisdom to teach and train and love and respect and enjoy these children that He has given into our care.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A charge to keep I have,

a God to glorify,

a never dying soul to save,

and fit it for the sky.

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To serve this present age,

my calling to fulfill;

O, may it all my powers engage

to do my Masters will!

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Arm me with watchful care

as in They sight to live,

and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare

a strict account to give!

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help me to watch and pray,

and still on Thee rely,

O let me not my trust betray,

but press to realms on high. Amen

Fall is Here!

A boy is makes our life VERY interesting!

(you are welcome to ask for details as they change everyday) smile

:: pumpkin patch ::

:: such beauty ::
:: Canadian geese ::

:: a walking coat ::

:: our sweet delight ::

For a homeschool trip we visited a pig farm. And although that is a whole new post, here is a picture captured after the fun of learning and playing.

:: Rein and Gesina staying 'in touch' as we are driving down the road ::

Four rough and tumble boys

Fall mums