Since TJ passed away, I've been very unmotivated. Between grief, the 15 days I was away from home, the 40+ hours on the road, less than optimal eating, etc. it's been a long road getting back.
A couple weeks ago here in frigid Wyoming, we had the most beautiful weather. It was in the upper 40's-mid 50's. We were able to get out in the yard some..... Then the temps plummeted down into the teens & low 20's and we got swamped with snow..... Then we got swamped with more snow. Our temps are headed up again now, and yesterday we were able to work the compost piles, get an arbor moved & a few other things done.
This week I have been in the kitchen. A lot. So far I've managed a batch of tortillas, 4 loaves wheat bread, 2 batches cheddar puffs, no-bake cookies, chocolate chips, and a couple of pans of pull apart bread. Today I hope to get the chocolate chip cookies baked.
I've also started a new sourdough, so I have 2 and still have my Amish Friendship Bread Starter. My daycare hours have gone up again (yay), and I've also snagged a very.part.time job, which I've yet to get my first assignment. I am a rep for BMA & will visit 2 stores in town here 1X a month to inventory & order greeting cards. Once I get the hang of it, my visits should take no more than an hour. Every so often, I'll need to do a reset as well. From what I understand, I get the assignment emailed to me and will have a certain timeframe in which to get it done. I'm looking forward to this, as it's more or less make my own schedule, and I can take the kids if need be.
My beef order will be sent to the processor between mid-May & mid-June, and my baby chicks & poults are due to arrive the week of May 21st. We've been planting seeds as well. Lots of them & have so much green-age downstairs under the lights- it's amazing!!! You can read more about our mini-homesteading adventures on our 1/10th acre blog.
Our puppy has gotten huge already. He was 5months on the 7th & has already topped 70 pounds. He's a bundle of joy, though.
The kids have been doing great with homeschooling & a few weeks ago, my 13 year old was so very happy to finish his 6th grade math, and finally be a "total 7th grader." We were well ahead in November, and we took a good chunk of December off for the holidays. BIG mistake..... We've had a time getting back into it since TJ went to Heaven, and now we're bordering on falling behind again. Of course, this is just one of the MANY reasons we love homeschooling. When schools are out in May, we can work another week or three & catch up. Because we were homeshooling, I had the choice to take the 15 days (or more if I wanted), and not worry about truancy, falling behind with no chance to catch up, etc.
The homeschool group is doing WONDERFULLY!!! In just 2 months & 3 meetings, we had a total of TWELVE families. The 1st of this month marked 4 meetings, 3 months & a new family. The beginning of May, we're holding a science fair with our meeting. We've got many opportunities lined up in the month of April, and even more in May. I had some approach me about the "seclusion" of our group & that we'd scare people away by saying they had to pay an annual dues to be "privvy" to the calendar of events and the other things we did as a group. It's a Wyoming thing, LOL. But let me tell you, we were *praying for JUST 5-6 families this first year (the 3 of us that have coordinated this group included)* and for *JUST 8-10 families next year.* The turnout has just been PHENOM!!!!!
Right now, I must get off my toosh, though. The boys are done with their chores, and I need ot feed them. The Elders are going snowshoeing with our pastor & the Chief of Police (who also goes to our church). I was considering taking Keenan to see How to Train Your Dragon, but the first showing isn't until 2. So I may take him to the "train park" which he's been begging me to take him to, almost the whole times we've been here.
Hope you have a very blessed weekend!!!
Showing posts with label Getting to know us. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Getting to know us. Show all posts
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Friday, July 24, 2009
About us
We are 5 for the Glory of Jesus Christ. We haven't always been this way. We haven't always practised our beliefs.
I am Michaela, homeschooling Mom of 3 boys. I am wife & helpmeet to my Husband, Robert & am a homekeeper for the Glory of Christ. I am 31 years old. I grew up all over. My Dad was in the Air Force. He married an English woman. I was born in England, and I have lived there twice. My Mum & I were actually born in the same hospital room. How cool is that?!? I've also lived in Nebraska, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia & Virginia. We now make our home in beautiful Wyoming. I've spent my life in & out of the church. When I was a kid, I'd go to church with my Grandma (when we visited her) or my friends & their families. I never really understood the "whole Christianity thing."
When my youngest was born in January 2004, Robert & I decided it was time for me to stay home with the children. I had considered going back to my job after Keenan was born, but a month before he came, the store closed. Obviously that closing answered the question for us. It could be, now that I think about it, a sign from God. My first day as a stay at home Mom was December 31, 2003. It has been a wild ride, but the benefits are sweet.
I began to do what I could to save money, going from 2 incomes to 1. I trolled the WWW looking for tips & stories. I began to coupon lightly. I frequented the sales, used the money-saving shopper's cards & I stockpiled when things were on a good sale. We began to thrift heavily, finding new & like new name-brand items at a fraction of the prices new. I also began selling a bit on ebay to supplement the income.
I began to notice that my housekeeping skills were not in any particular order. Sure, I kept a clean house, clean laundry, and we didn't have bugs or rodents. However, there was no method. When I was working for Uncle Sam, I had my 2 days off per week. I used 1 of those days to clean my house from top to bottom. It was a scheduled type of clean. But with no days off, I was falling behind. Top that with having a new baby, 2 older boys & a recent surgery- let's just say, I was a dust bomb waiting to explode.
Once again, I turned to google. I began searching for terms such as "housekeeping," "housekeeping inspriration," "organising," etc. I stumbled upon treasure trove after trove of information, inspiration and..... GODLY HOMEKEEPING!!!!! Godly?!?! What was that? I mean I knew what the word meant. But as in HOMEKEEPING?!? No, I didn't understand.
I read, I devoured, I printed, I re-read, I studied. I started feeling things I'd never felt before. I joined some Christian Women's groups online. I gleaned skills of their postings. I found recipes for homemade convenience mixes, home-baked goodies, homemade cleaning solutions, recipes on a budget. I found information on being a helpmeet, a good & godly steward of our home, finances & children & above all, I learned to be a God-fearing Christian.
Then I began to read about this thing they called..... homeschool. By this time, my oldest son, Seb, was well into his 2nd grade year in public school. But it sounded so cool, so neat, so FUN!!! And it sounded as though the reward for the both of us were excellent. I went, no... I RAN for google again. I read, I devoured, I printed, I re-read, I studied. At this point in my life, I prayed. My heart had a hunger for homeschooling. I asked Robert about it & he rolled his eyes & said no. I asked again a little while later & the response was the same. I begged, I pleaded, I cried, each time getting the same response. And then I remembered the virtue of a helpmeet. I asked silently. I begged & pleaded & cried silently. I prayed silently. Several months after praying and sending news stories of the atrocious things happening in public schools, I very calmly asked my Husband if we could homeschool our children.
Yada, yada, yada.......
Fast forward to 2008, several wild rides later.....
Hubba was miserable at his job, we couldn't afford living in Atlanta anymore. We got together & began a list of states that were acceptable for homeschooling (laws). Once we had that info together he began the online search for a new job. He found an opening that was in one of 3 places- 2 locations were in Wyoming, 1 was in Maryland & 1 was in Shreveport. We immediately ruled out MD, decided if he got the position in LA, we'd live JUST across the border in TX. We had no qualms living in Wyoming, so he applied & we waited. And prayed. And waited. And prayed. And waited.....
And THREE months later we had the answer..... WE WERE HEADED OUT WEST!!!!
We moved here in August 2008. We bought our first home. We became a part of a small & beautiful town.
In less than a year, our lives have continued to take wild & crazy turns.
We began a traditional foods diet in January '09, learning that one of our children has a sensitivity to food dyes, preservatives & other toxic additives. We saw the difference, and AMAZING difference. We also started noticing a huge difference in one of our others when exposed to the toxic additives after being without for some time. It wasn't just one, it was BOTH of them. I've managed to lose the rest of my goal weight (about the same amount in just 6 months as it did 3 years) on this new lifestyle. Hubba is noticing when he eats out, he gets sick from it.
This past spring we acquired BABY CHICKS!!!
We have a HUGE organic garden.
We are lovin' life!!! Well, for the most part..... In June, Hubba began a new promotion at work, and he's been having a time of it..... But God always prevails, and we'll get through this, just as we always have!!!
The cast of characters in our daily life are as follows:
Myself, as previously mentioned
The Wonderful Hubba. Rolls his eyes at all of my shenanigans & smiles sweetly as he says "Yes, Dear..."
Sebastion, aged 12. The book nerd....
Tristen, aged 9. Ornery, hands-on learner....
Keenan, aged 5. All rambunctious Momma's boy....
Maya- sweet & sassy Siamese/calico mix. Saved from the Animal Shelter, partially deaf.
Mokey- not so very bright black lab mix, but protective & loves to give kisses
Nutmeg, the psycho pastel torti kitty....
21 chicks, which should drop down to around 8 soon
Stick with us on our journey. We look forward to sharing it!
I am Michaela, homeschooling Mom of 3 boys. I am wife & helpmeet to my Husband, Robert & am a homekeeper for the Glory of Christ. I am 31 years old. I grew up all over. My Dad was in the Air Force. He married an English woman. I was born in England, and I have lived there twice. My Mum & I were actually born in the same hospital room. How cool is that?!? I've also lived in Nebraska, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia & Virginia. We now make our home in beautiful Wyoming. I've spent my life in & out of the church. When I was a kid, I'd go to church with my Grandma (when we visited her) or my friends & their families. I never really understood the "whole Christianity thing."When my youngest was born in January 2004, Robert & I decided it was time for me to stay home with the children. I had considered going back to my job after Keenan was born, but a month before he came, the store closed. Obviously that closing answered the question for us. It could be, now that I think about it, a sign from God. My first day as a stay at home Mom was December 31, 2003. It has been a wild ride, but the benefits are sweet.
I began to do what I could to save money, going from 2 incomes to 1. I trolled the WWW looking for tips & stories. I began to coupon lightly. I frequented the sales, used the money-saving shopper's cards & I stockpiled when things were on a good sale. We began to thrift heavily, finding new & like new name-brand items at a fraction of the prices new. I also began selling a bit on ebay to supplement the income.
I began to notice that my housekeeping skills were not in any particular order. Sure, I kept a clean house, clean laundry, and we didn't have bugs or rodents. However, there was no method. When I was working for Uncle Sam, I had my 2 days off per week. I used 1 of those days to clean my house from top to bottom. It was a scheduled type of clean. But with no days off, I was falling behind. Top that with having a new baby, 2 older boys & a recent surgery- let's just say, I was a dust bomb waiting to explode.
Once again, I turned to google. I began searching for terms such as "housekeeping," "housekeeping inspriration," "organising," etc. I stumbled upon treasure trove after trove of information, inspiration and..... GODLY HOMEKEEPING!!!!! Godly?!?! What was that? I mean I knew what the word meant. But as in HOMEKEEPING?!? No, I didn't understand.
I read, I devoured, I printed, I re-read, I studied. I started feeling things I'd never felt before. I joined some Christian Women's groups online. I gleaned skills of their postings. I found recipes for homemade convenience mixes, home-baked goodies, homemade cleaning solutions, recipes on a budget. I found information on being a helpmeet, a good & godly steward of our home, finances & children & above all, I learned to be a God-fearing Christian.
Then I began to read about this thing they called..... homeschool. By this time, my oldest son, Seb, was well into his 2nd grade year in public school. But it sounded so cool, so neat, so FUN!!! And it sounded as though the reward for the both of us were excellent. I went, no... I RAN for google again. I read, I devoured, I printed, I re-read, I studied. At this point in my life, I prayed. My heart had a hunger for homeschooling. I asked Robert about it & he rolled his eyes & said no. I asked again a little while later & the response was the same. I begged, I pleaded, I cried, each time getting the same response. And then I remembered the virtue of a helpmeet. I asked silently. I begged & pleaded & cried silently. I prayed silently. Several months after praying and sending news stories of the atrocious things happening in public schools, I very calmly asked my Husband if we could homeschool our children.
Yada, yada, yada.......
Fast forward to 2008, several wild rides later.....
Hubba was miserable at his job, we couldn't afford living in Atlanta anymore. We got together & began a list of states that were acceptable for homeschooling (laws). Once we had that info together he began the online search for a new job. He found an opening that was in one of 3 places- 2 locations were in Wyoming, 1 was in Maryland & 1 was in Shreveport. We immediately ruled out MD, decided if he got the position in LA, we'd live JUST across the border in TX. We had no qualms living in Wyoming, so he applied & we waited. And prayed. And waited. And prayed. And waited.....
And THREE months later we had the answer..... WE WERE HEADED OUT WEST!!!!
We moved here in August 2008. We bought our first home. We became a part of a small & beautiful town.
In less than a year, our lives have continued to take wild & crazy turns.
We began a traditional foods diet in January '09, learning that one of our children has a sensitivity to food dyes, preservatives & other toxic additives. We saw the difference, and AMAZING difference. We also started noticing a huge difference in one of our others when exposed to the toxic additives after being without for some time. It wasn't just one, it was BOTH of them. I've managed to lose the rest of my goal weight (about the same amount in just 6 months as it did 3 years) on this new lifestyle. Hubba is noticing when he eats out, he gets sick from it.
This past spring we acquired BABY CHICKS!!!
We have a HUGE organic garden.
We are lovin' life!!! Well, for the most part..... In June, Hubba began a new promotion at work, and he's been having a time of it..... But God always prevails, and we'll get through this, just as we always have!!!
The cast of characters in our daily life are as follows:
Myself, as previously mentioned
The Wonderful Hubba. Rolls his eyes at all of my shenanigans & smiles sweetly as he says "Yes, Dear..."
Sebastion, aged 12. The book nerd....
Tristen, aged 9. Ornery, hands-on learner....
Keenan, aged 5. All rambunctious Momma's boy....Maya- sweet & sassy Siamese/calico mix. Saved from the Animal Shelter, partially deaf.
Mokey- not so very bright black lab mix, but protective & loves to give kisses
Nutmeg, the psycho pastel torti kitty....21 chicks, which should drop down to around 8 soon
Stick with us on our journey. We look forward to sharing it!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Tea Time "Ma'zure"
Keenan says: Tea time, ma'zure. I made hot tea for them a few days ago (I actually make hot tea for them often). I guess tea & checkers go hand in hand..... Chess too. The kids have taken a liking to chess & checkers <3
So, of course, the rest have to join in as well.
So grab your cuppa, stick your pinky out & get playing!!!
So, of course, the rest have to join in as well.
So grab your cuppa, stick your pinky out & get playing!!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Pretty puppy
Mokey doesn't like the camera for some reason. That and the vacuum. I can understand the vacuum. Sorta. I mean the gunshots didn't bother her, the blender doesn't bother her, but the vac & steam cleaner & she takes off like a bat outta.....
This is probably the best picture I've ever gotten of her. Usually it comes out too dark. Here you can actually see both of her different coloured eyes. She looks so regal. Notice she isn't looking at the camera, though, LOL. Isn't she pretty?
This is probably the best picture I've ever gotten of her. Usually it comes out too dark. Here you can actually see both of her different coloured eyes. She looks so regal. Notice she isn't looking at the camera, though, LOL. Isn't she pretty?
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Dreaming of Montana....
I got a comment on my "about me" post in the sidebar. She felt that that led to an air of discontent. Quite the contrary. It's past tense. For years now, one of my things has been "Dreaming of Montana." Oh yes, I wanted to live in Montana. I did research on Montana. I loved a state I'd never even visited. All because of a movie..... The Horse Whisperer.
So, when Hubba asked if I'd consider living in Wyoming, I said with resounding excitement- YES!!!! After all, it was close enough to my dream, right? We have spent over a month here in Wyoming & I must say, I never should have said "Close enough." It is beautiful here. The sky is big, blue, clear & beautiful. You can see the stars at night. When it gets dark here, it gets DARK!!! This isn't anywhere close to my dream of Montana. This is real life and it is wonderful. I'm glad we made this move. I'm glad I thought it was "close enough."
Now I can visit Montana, but I'm coming home.
To Wyoming.....
So, when Hubba asked if I'd consider living in Wyoming, I said with resounding excitement- YES!!!! After all, it was close enough to my dream, right? We have spent over a month here in Wyoming & I must say, I never should have said "Close enough." It is beautiful here. The sky is big, blue, clear & beautiful. You can see the stars at night. When it gets dark here, it gets DARK!!! This isn't anywhere close to my dream of Montana. This is real life and it is wonderful. I'm glad we made this move. I'm glad I thought it was "close enough."
Now I can visit Montana, but I'm coming home.
To Wyoming.....
Our Genesis.....
AUGUST 21, 2008 was supposed to be a special day for us. It marked our 4th wedding anniversary. You'll never believe this, but we forgot. Both of us. You expect the man to forget, but never the woman. OK, OK. So it WAS a special day for us, and here's the reason we forgot.
It was the last day of our cross country move to Wyoming. See, my husband is a Georgia boy through & through. Spent all of his 40 years there. My kids, ages 11, 8 & 4 are all Georgia boys. Me? Not a Georgia boy. Or Georgia girl for that matter. I have however spent the last 16 years of my life in the South, 11 or so of them in Georgia. I'm accustomed to heat, humidity and the words yonder & ya'll. Just over 2 years ago, Hubba got a job. Hubba ended up miserable at that job & began the hunt for other work. We'd recently been approved for a home loan & had been traipsing Georgia for what would be our new home. Talk of the job hunt led to talks of what states were acceptable to live in & which weren't (mostly based on homeschooling laws). Which led to a cross country move.
Here is the summary of our move...
Hubba went out of town for 3 weeks (he came home on weekends) in July & Aug. I of course was packing, cleaning & tying up loose ends.
Hubba & I came to WY August 11-15. We flew into Denver then drove to WY, then on Friday drove back to Denver then flew back to Atlanta. We came with the intentions to find a rental property. We found out quickly, with the “oil boom” that rentals were running $400 and more than we were paying for rent in Atlanta. So we started looking at houses for sale. By Thursday, the 14, we had negotiated a home price & had an inspector out, termite inspection set up, etc.
We get back to GA & finish packing up the house as best we could, got our truck on Monday Aug. 18. Hubba hired a moving company to pack our stuff into the rental truck. Halfway thru, they told us we weren't going to be able to fit everything on the truck. YIKES!!! So we started a massive purge of large items (we'd already had SA out once for a large pick up & dumped loads of stuff off at the local thrift store). We ended up having to rent a 12' trailer on top of the 26' truck we had. And our van was packed as well by the time we set out on our 3-day trek.
We left GA on Tues. the 19. We stayed at a hotel just short of St. Louis that night. The next night, I got to stay with my bestest friend in the world North of Omaha. Hubba stayed in a hotel that night as he didn't feel comfortable leaving the truck a few miles away & we couldn't get it in the subdivision comfortably. Thurs. morning we left and got to WY late-ish. We stayed at the same hotel we stayed at the week we came before.
Friday everything got messed up & we didn't get the keys til late afternoon to the house. We decided on a pre-occupancy, with daily rent to the seller. We were supposed to close on the house on the 9th, and “supposedly” paperwork kept getting lost, people were out of town, etc. It was a mess. We finally closed on the 10th, I know, not very much later, but we were also hoping for a sooner closing.
The whole trip & move was a mess, but God blessed us & we are now finally proud slaves of a new to us home. It was built in 1921, but most of it has been reno'ed. We still need to reno the kitchen & finish the down stairs. The yard is gorgeous though. It already has a compost bin, garden plot fenced off, raised beds, coldframe, 2 fruit trees & grapes & berries, etc. One of the raised beds is full of strawberry plants. The yard is fenced, we have a detached garage & a storage shed out back. We apparently got a house on one of the most desirable streets in town. The neighbors are very nice, it's been quiet. The view from my porch is just amazing. The mountains are beautiful, we just love it here & have decided that God lives in WY!!!
We got 2 dogs after our move. Dora, which we renamed Dakota is a golden retriever mix. Stowaway, which we renamed Mokey is a black lab/terrier mix. They are about 2 years old, and they were classified as abandoned at the county vet. They are both females & have been great with the kids, including the neighborhood kids.
It's been stressful & exhausting, but HE carried us through, as usual!!!
I hope you enjoy getting to know us & learning about life in Small Town, Wyoming. I know I'm looking forward to the latter.
It was the last day of our cross country move to Wyoming. See, my husband is a Georgia boy through & through. Spent all of his 40 years there. My kids, ages 11, 8 & 4 are all Georgia boys. Me? Not a Georgia boy. Or Georgia girl for that matter. I have however spent the last 16 years of my life in the South, 11 or so of them in Georgia. I'm accustomed to heat, humidity and the words yonder & ya'll. Just over 2 years ago, Hubba got a job. Hubba ended up miserable at that job & began the hunt for other work. We'd recently been approved for a home loan & had been traipsing Georgia for what would be our new home. Talk of the job hunt led to talks of what states were acceptable to live in & which weren't (mostly based on homeschooling laws). Which led to a cross country move.
Here is the summary of our move...
Hubba went out of town for 3 weeks (he came home on weekends) in July & Aug. I of course was packing, cleaning & tying up loose ends.
Hubba & I came to WY August 11-15. We flew into Denver then drove to WY, then on Friday drove back to Denver then flew back to Atlanta. We came with the intentions to find a rental property. We found out quickly, with the “oil boom” that rentals were running $400 and more than we were paying for rent in Atlanta. So we started looking at houses for sale. By Thursday, the 14, we had negotiated a home price & had an inspector out, termite inspection set up, etc.
We get back to GA & finish packing up the house as best we could, got our truck on Monday Aug. 18. Hubba hired a moving company to pack our stuff into the rental truck. Halfway thru, they told us we weren't going to be able to fit everything on the truck. YIKES!!! So we started a massive purge of large items (we'd already had SA out once for a large pick up & dumped loads of stuff off at the local thrift store). We ended up having to rent a 12' trailer on top of the 26' truck we had. And our van was packed as well by the time we set out on our 3-day trek.
We left GA on Tues. the 19. We stayed at a hotel just short of St. Louis that night. The next night, I got to stay with my bestest friend in the world North of Omaha. Hubba stayed in a hotel that night as he didn't feel comfortable leaving the truck a few miles away & we couldn't get it in the subdivision comfortably. Thurs. morning we left and got to WY late-ish. We stayed at the same hotel we stayed at the week we came before.
Friday everything got messed up & we didn't get the keys til late afternoon to the house. We decided on a pre-occupancy, with daily rent to the seller. We were supposed to close on the house on the 9th, and “supposedly” paperwork kept getting lost, people were out of town, etc. It was a mess. We finally closed on the 10th, I know, not very much later, but we were also hoping for a sooner closing.
The whole trip & move was a mess, but God blessed us & we are now finally proud slaves of a new to us home. It was built in 1921, but most of it has been reno'ed. We still need to reno the kitchen & finish the down stairs. The yard is gorgeous though. It already has a compost bin, garden plot fenced off, raised beds, coldframe, 2 fruit trees & grapes & berries, etc. One of the raised beds is full of strawberry plants. The yard is fenced, we have a detached garage & a storage shed out back. We apparently got a house on one of the most desirable streets in town. The neighbors are very nice, it's been quiet. The view from my porch is just amazing. The mountains are beautiful, we just love it here & have decided that God lives in WY!!!
We got 2 dogs after our move. Dora, which we renamed Dakota is a golden retriever mix. Stowaway, which we renamed Mokey is a black lab/terrier mix. They are about 2 years old, and they were classified as abandoned at the county vet. They are both females & have been great with the kids, including the neighborhood kids.
It's been stressful & exhausting, but HE carried us through, as usual!!!
I hope you enjoy getting to know us & learning about life in Small Town, Wyoming. I know I'm looking forward to the latter.
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