Questions welcome!

Happy Monday everyone!

One of the goals I have for this blog is to be open and transparent. I love to share what is going on in my life. I love to share what the Lord is teaching me and how He is guiding me. I enjoy writing posts about homeschooling and sharing recipes. Those are all things that effect (or is it affect? Someone?) my life daily and that I enjoy doing. But sometimes I get a little stumped as to how to share on a deeper level. When I was a dewy-eyed freshmen in college, I never would have imagined God would lead me where I am today! I am so thankful and am totally amazed at how He has worked in my life!

A couple years ago I wrote a post inviting anyone who had any thoughts or questions for me to ask away! (You can see that here.) I so enjoyed seeing what was on your mind! Like I've said before, we really aren't too exciting most of the time but I also realize that we aren't your typical American family! So I thought I'd give another opportunity for questions. Anything been on your mind lately? :) Most of you who read this blog know me personally and maybe you have me all figured out! But just in case...

I'd love the opportunity to share what the Lord has taught me, how we do things in our family, what it is like to homeschool, or any other topic you might be curious about! Don't be shy now!

You can leave a comment below or feel free to email me at: littleflockblog@gmail.com

Be blessed!

I am now officially addicted to....

Pinterest.com

Have you heard of it? According to their website:

"Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and "follow" collections created by people with great taste.

People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things -- wedding inspiration, favorite T-shirts, DJ equipment. You name it, people are pinning it.

We know you have great taste in something. Our mission is to make Pinterest the best place for you to share your taste with the world."

I received my invitation (it is in beta mode so you either have to be invited by a current user or sign up to join a waiting list) a couple weeks ago but hadn't had time to mess with it yet....until 2 days ago. I have, literally, spent at least an hour a day on it since! It has already inspired me to plant more flowers, take more pictures, given me tons of craft ideas, and caused me to stay up way past my bed time. It is super addicting. There are so many inspiring ideas out there!

If you are one of those people who have tons of bookmarks saved to your computer or someone who is looking for some inspiration, this website is perfect for you. To read more about it go here.

Are any of you on Pinterest?

To see my pins and boards you can follow me here.

Hope to see you there!

Hey! Hi! Hello!

Sorry for the brief disappearing act the past couple weeks. We took a trip to Kansas to visit my family (which was wonderful!) and what was supposed to be a week and a half trip turned into a 3 week trip thanks to a lovely flu bug. We just got back yesterday and we are all trying to get back into the swing of things around here.

I was going to write a post about all the fun we had in Kansas and include lots of fun photos but come to find out...I didn't really take that many photos! Oops.

We did a lot of this:

The children had a blast with their Uncle...many new toys were brought home.

I met up with some of my college friends and their kiddos.


While we were visiting I handed my camera to one of the budding photographers (who may or may not have been 3 years old) and got lots of pictures like this:


On the way home we drove through the Smoky Mountains. Gorgeous!


I'll spare you any pictures from the week of THE FLU. It wasn't pretty.

We came home to our yard looking like this:


Yikes! Hello, grass. Haven't seen you in a while!

On a better note one of our friends plowed up our garden bed while we were gone!


Yay, for pleasant surprises!


We had a great time! Now it's time to get back to business!

Work in Progress

Please excuse the look of my blog right now. I'm in the process of updating the design. I'd love to say that it's going to be quick and easy...but let's face it, I'm a mom of 4. I can't even get through brushing my teeth without someone needing something! And I wouldn't have it any. other. way. :) So, bare with me. The update with happen...eventually.

Be blessed!

Checking in to say...

Yes. I've dropped off the face of the earth. :)

Life is busy right now friends. With 4 little ones, homeschooling, sewing, cooking mostly from scratch, laundry for 6, cleaning up and cleaning up (and did I mention cleaning up??) something had to give. And it looks like it's been my blog! I haven't forgot it but it's been put on the back burner. I can't tell you how many times I have said to myself, "Oh! I should blog about that later!" Only for it to get swept under the rug with the the dust...forget you read that. What kind of person would just sweep dust under the rug?...Not me.

I feel so blessed to be called to this job of being a keeper of the home. It's busy and at times overwhelming but I wouldn't want any other job. God has taught me so much through it and it's only been a few years! I can't wait to see what else He has in store. Thanks for checking in!

Blessings,
~A

A BIG thank you to.....

my dear friend Amy, who back in this post read that I had broke my camera and offered to give me one they weren't using. (Amy, I hope you don't mind that I swiped one of your pictures off of FB!) She's expecting a baby any day now and is still thinking of ways to bless other people! Amazing!

I have so been enjoying being able to take pictures again! Thanks SO much, Amy. It was truly a blessing!

How have you been blessed lately?

~A

Spring Tease

Yesterday was such a beautiful day here in south Georgia! The high was around 65 degrees and it was very welcomed and much needed. I hung laundry out on the line, we went on a walk, the children played outside all. after. noon. It was wonderful.

I broke my camera a few weeks ago and so I wasn't able to get any pictures of the children playing outside but it was pretty hilarious. It was like watching two best friends reunite for the first time in a long time. John came home from work and Lilly went running up to him saying "Daddy! Daddy! I'm playing in the mud! The mud!!" and Luke was running around the front yard with arms wide open yelling "MUD! MUD!" They came in totally filthy but they (the boys especially) got to release a lot of their energy outside instead of in the house. Yay! By 7:30 they were all exhausted and slept soundly until almost 8:00 this morning.

So, now that we've had a little tease of spring time I ready for it to come! I can't wait to be able to open up all the windows, hang my laundry outside, and go for walks with the children (all some of my favorite things to do!) Thankfully, in south Georgia, spring-like weather starts around March. I can't wait!

Back Home

We had a great time in Kansas. It was incredibly healing for my heart to be there. I hadn't realized how much I was missing Kansas and my family until I was there. The trip was bittersweet, though. For those of you who don't know, the week before Christmas my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She started her chemotherapy treamtments the week we were there. I was so glad I could be there but it certainly solidified the fact that this really was happening. Please, pray for her as she continues her battle and also for my dad who is doing an amazing job of supporting her. We all take great comfort in the fact that we serve a God who's plan is much greater than our own.

Despite the difficulties of the trip, we were so happy to see snow! It has been about 6 years since John or I had seen snow and it was our children's first time ever! Can you believe it. They had such a blast playing in it. I also got to see my very best friend, Marie, and her adorable family several times over the week, as well as several other friends. It was great to have a week of just relaxing, visiting, and enjoying family. I thought you'd enjoy some pictures. :)



Hope everyone is having a great new year!

~A

Kansas City here I come!

I just found out tonight that we will be coming to Kansas on the 2nd! This is a huge answer to prayer. We usually come in the summer but had to cancel our trip this past summer. So it has been a year and a half since we've been back! Yay! While I'm not so much looking forward to the car trip (4 children under 6 on a 16 hour car trip..eek.) I am so excited. :)

Quick update I know! But I had to share!

~A

Good Day?

John sent me this in an email and said he thought of me when he read it. (click on the image to see it bigger) As soon as I saw it, I burst out laughing! Take away the chair, whip, and TV and add one more child and definitely more laundry and you've got John's coming home scene on an average day. :) (Even down to the wet spot on the couch...gotta love potty training!) Can any other mothers relate??

But, I know there will come a day when the children are grown up and I will look back on these days and realize these are the best days of my life. Thank you God, for my wonderful husband, 4 amazing children, and this opportunity to stay at home. I love my job!

just a note

I can't remember who gave us a crock pot for a wedding present. But, whoever you are, thank you. And I love you.
It has made my day SOOO much easier.

Recipe to come......



~A

Hit me with your best shot

My life has been pretty busy lately. But, by no means blog-worthy. (Who really wants to know how many loads of laundry I'm doing a day?) With school starting in t-minus 5 days (!!) I've been trying to give the house a good clean, catch up with the never ending laundry, and bake a few things ahead.

But, I haven't abandoned my poor little blog! Since I have nothing exciting to blog about I thought I'd give anyone who wants to (or cares!) the opportunity to ask any questions you might have. I'm really not that exciting but, let's face it, we aren't your normal American family! Any questions out there that ya'll have been wondering??

How many loads of laundry DO you do a day? :)

What are you reading?

Why did you have 4 children in 5 years?

What's your take on Christmas? (Oh boy...)

What is my church like?

You get the idea! One of my New Years Resolutions this year was to be much more open and honest on my blog....more transparent, I guess you could say. I know there are a few people who read this blog who have never even met me. Maybe you've been wondering something. I don't get offended easily so don't be shy! If you don't feel like leaving your name I've enabled the anonymous button in the comments section. ...Or, maybe, you all have me figured out. No questions. And my goal of being transparent has been met. :)

Thanks for reading!
~A

Random Question #2

Laura, over at heavenlyhomemakers.com, has been having lots of fun asking random questions. Some of the responses are so funny! Well, I've got lots of questions to ask people! :) Although, I'm counting my poll about your favorite candy as question #1. Here's my question for today:

What is the background on your desktop/laptop? You know, the wallpaper which adorns your computer when you turn it on.

I've been looking around trying to find new ones and wondered what other people had. Mine is a very lovely little picture of pink tulips basking in the sun. It makes me smile! Hope everyone is doing well! I've got some exciting news I'm going to be sharing in the next couple days. Stay tuned!

Running the race,
~A

Preview

People let me tell you 'bout my best friend...

...I married him 6 years ago today and I've been loving every minute.
I love you, John!
Happy Anniversary!

Homesick

I miss Kansas. Maybe it's the fact that I haven't been back in almost a year. Usually in July we take our annual trip back to my home state. This year, though, we have to postpone it by a couple months. I miss my brother, my friends, the landscape, my childhood home, the restaurants and candy that ONLY live in Kansas (okay, okay...if you must know- Winstead's and Cherry Mashes). Yes, I'd say I'm ready to get back there. Georgia has definitely become our home too. But when you've lived your whole life somewhere and then leave...half of you stays there. We'll be back soon! And I can hardly wait.

Lord, I love being a mom

My friend Lydia slipped this in my mailbox today at church. She said she liked it and wanted me to have it. I thought I'd share it on this mother's day.

Lord, I Love Being a Mom

Dear Lord,
I love being a mom! There are so many rewards in this high calling of mine.
Today I told a Bible story while eager ears listened and held on to every word. Then the questions began, and sometimes I had to silently ask You for the right words to answer them.
Later, at dinner, when we held hands to say grace, I was thrilled to hear that happy little voice say, "Thanks, God, for the wonderful sunny day! And the food! Amen." So simple. So grateful. So sincere.
I have help with the laundry, dishes, and cleaning whenever I ask for it. Sure, it would go more quickly sometimes if I did it all myself, but You have given me this opportunity to teach my children their life skills. Help me to be wise.
I watched You answer prayer today through the eyes of a child, Lord, and was awed. How can people say You are only an idea when You take time to help a child find a little lost treasure?
Thank You for making my children my friends. When I'm happy, they rejoice with me. When I'm grouchy, they cheer me. When I'm weak, they support me. When I'm sad, they comfort me. Let them grow up to be as sensitive to others as they are to me, Lord.
I like being somebody's hero every day. Please grant me the patience, the humor, the creativity, and the love to keep the sparkle in my children's eyes, Lord. Amen.

And I truly do say, Amen!
~A

Gone but not forgotten

Hello friends and family. I just wanted to send a little message to say that I haven't forgotten my trusty little blog. Over the past couple weeks I've thought of things I'd like to blog about at least every other day. But, to be quite honest, I don't have the time. I'd love to be posting new pics of Kate, sharing recipes (oh, so many to share!) and menu plans, and keeping everyone up to date with our happenings but the family's got to come first. I'll be back though. Oh yes, I'll be back. Hopefully no one will be losing sleep over where I finally wound up buying my wheat or how using cloth diapers is going. :) In due time, my loves, in due time...

To brighten your day, here's a picture I found today:



I googled "mother with children" and this came up. Doesn't it make all of us mothers feel....um....lovely? No. That's not the word. Beautiful?? Nope. That's not it either. Well, I'll just let ya'll chew on that one a while!

Thanks for checking in!

Running the race,
~A

I'm back!

Hello friends and family! It's been a little while since I've been able to update and, quite honestly, I'm too exhausted right now to go into all the details. But, I thought I'd give you a quick overview of my past week.

Had a baby. Recovering from surgery. The day after we got home from the hospital we had a tornado and a tree fell on our house. Had to move into a new house. Mom and Dad are visiting. Children and John caught a flu bug. Still on cloud nine from having a new baby.

Don't worry. Pictures and more details to come soon.

Much love,
~A